Wang Xiaoliang came out of the arrivals gate carrying his bag, took out his phone, and called Wei Zijin first.
"Honey, I'm in Fucheng. Bisheng came to pick me up."
"Mm, good to hear you've arrived." It was a little noisy on Wei Zijin's end; she was probably at the event venue. "Drink more water and eat more. You've lost weight lately."
"I know, I know."
"Go to bed early tonight. Even if you find a good book, don't get carried away."
"All right, all right."
Wei Zijin went on a little about her work that day, saying the venue had the best facilities she had ever seen, and that once this commercial was done, he wouldn't even recognize her.
"How could I not? I guarantee I'll recognize you at a glance. Tell those photo editors my wife is a natural beauty with the face of an angel. They don't need to do any work. They can just collect their pay."
"Such a smooth talker. Hehe!"
Suddenly, Wei Zijin changed the subject.
"Oh, right. What did you help Brother Huang with yesterday? Was it really worth canceling your flight?"
Wang Xiaoliang paused midstep.
He had already decided he wouldn't keep it from her.
"Brother Qiang's been found."
The other end of the line went quiet for two seconds.
"Where is he?" Wei Zijin's voice rose sharply.
"He won't let us say."
"..."
"Don't ask. He has his own arrangements. And..." Wang Xiaoliang stepped aside to avoid a traveler pulling a suitcase. "Don't let Lanxiang pick up on it, either. That would be bad for Brother Qiang, and it might affect Guoguo too."
Wei Zijin fell silent for a while.
"Understood," she said. "But don't worry. Lanxiang barely contacts me anymore."
At the villa, late at night.
Wang Xiaoliang took a