Cao Yang got the address he needed from the two men. After informing Xiao Fei and Nanako, he booked the next flight to San Francisco.
He held a legal visa now—no longer a stowaway—so booking flights and hotels was no issue.
San Francisco was more than four thousand kilometers away from New York. Even by plane it took six to seven hours.
By the time Cao Yang landed, night had already fallen. It wasn't appropriate to disturb anyone so late, so he checked into a small hotel in Chinatown.
He barely slept the entire night.
All he could picture was the scene of reuniting with his sister-in-law.
He was almost certain she was in San Francisco—maybe even working in the Zhi Gong Hall under Situ Meixin.
Cao Yang turned from side to side, sleepless until dawn. The moment the sky brightened, he rushed straight to the Zhi Gong Hall.
The building sat in the center of Chinatown, an old Chinese-style wooden structure—grand, solemn, and imposing.
"Stop. Purpose of visit?"
He hadn't even stepped through the entrance before two guards blocked him.
"I'd like to see Miss Situ. Please help me notify her."
Cao Yang was polite and respectful.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"Then she won't see you. Make an appointment and come back."
Cao Yang scratched his head. "Uh… how do I make one?"
"Private acquaintances call directly. Business matters go through her secretary."
"I'm here as a private acquaintance, but I don't have her number."
The guard sneered. "You don't even have her number, and you call that a private acquaintance?"
Cao Yang was about to lose his temper—Damn it, if you keep acting like this, I'll fight my way in.
But he endured. He slipped two thousand dollars into the guard's pocket.
"Big brother, please help me out. Tell her Cao Yang from Yi He Hui is here. She'll know who I am."
The guard's expression eased up instantly.He didn't turn friendly, but at least he didn't look hostile anymore.
"I'll make a call for you. No promises she'll agree."
"That's enough. Thank you."
He brought Cao Yang into the lobby and spoke to the receptionist. She picked up the phone and dialed Situ Meixin's office.
"Secretary Hu, there's a Mr. Cao Yang downstairs requesting to meet Miss Situ."
In the office upstairs, Situ Meixin was reviewing files. When she heard the name, she frowned.
"I don't know anyone named Cao Yang."
"He says he's from the mainland Yi He Hui, and that he met you in Hong Kong."
Situ Meixin remembered the Hong Kong trip immediately—being dragged to some ceremony she didn't want to attend. Her mood soured.
"I don't know him. Not meeting."
"He also said he beat up two of your bodyguards at the Peninsula Hotel."
Situ Meixin paused.
"Oh—him? He came to the States? Why is he looking for me?"
She asked three questions in a row. Her secretary had no answers.
"Tell him to wait. I have a meeting. I'll be free in two hours."
…
"Mr. Cao Yang, Miss Situ will be available in two hours. Please wait in the lounge."
Both the receptionist and the guards looked at him strangely.They didn't know his name, didn't know his identity, but the moment he mentioned beating up Situ Meixin's guards, suddenly everyone remembered.
Cao Yang nodded politely and sat down.The receptionist even brought him snacks and tea.
"Hey," he asked quietly, "that Secretary Hu—how old is she? What does she look like? Pretty?"
He suspected Secretary Hu might be his sister-in-law.Though she didn't seem like the type to work under another woman, fleeing overseas sometimes forced compromises.
The receptionist didn't answer—she only stared at him more strangely.
Cao Yang realized he was being rude and shut his mouth.Probably not her… If it were my sister-in-law, she would've recognized my name instantly.
Just then, a group of people entered the building.At the front was a man in his forties or fifties, radiating the aura of a powerful businessman.
"This way, Mr. Su."
The staff were extremely respectful, bowing as they escorted him toward the elevator.
Cao Yang glanced at the man, then continued drinking his tea.
The guard who had taken his bribe nudged him. "You know him too?"
"No."
"You're from the mainland and you don't know him?"
"Who is he? Some big name?"
"You kidding me? That's Su Yuanshan! One of the top Chinese tycoons! You really don't know anything."
Cao Yang rolled his eyes.He wasn't a businessman. Why would he care about financial rankings?
Meanwhile upstairs, the meeting between the Situ family and Su Yuanshan's delegation was underway.
Situ Xinghe represented their side.Su Yuanshan represented his.
The project: jointly developing an iron mine in Australia.
The talks went smoothly. There were minor differences, but overall they reached a consensus.
After the professionals left, only the two families' core members remained.
"Mr. Situ," Su Yuanshan said with a smile, "I have a small personal request."
"You're too polite. Please speak freely."
Su Yuanshan handed him a file.
Inside was the profile of a young man.
"This man, Cao Yang, committed crimes in China. He may flee to the US. If that happens, we hope the Situ family can help us apprehend him."
Situ Xinghe chuckled. "Crimes? I assume it's more complicated than that."
Su Yuanshan smiled as well.
"To be frank, he offended some people above me. If he stays alive, they won't be happy. I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Situ."
"No problem. If he sets foot in the US, I'll take care of him."
"Thank you."
After Su Yuanshan left, Situ Meixin grabbed the file immediately.
When she saw the picture, she froze.
It really is him… and he's downstairs right now.
"What is it?" her father asked.
"Dad, I know this person. I met him once in Hong Kong."
"Oh? Were you close?"
"Not really. Just… what a coincidence."
"Well then, just keep an eye on him."
"No need to keep an eye on him—he's literally downstairs."
"…What?"
Even Situ Xinghe was stunned.
"If he's here… then settle it."
"That's not very appropriate… He's done nothing to us…"
"Meixin, Su Yuanshan is a red-top businessman. China is growing stronger; building ties with people like him will shape our future. Handle it outside Chinatown. Don't let anyone see."
"…Alright."
…
Su Yuanshan's group left quickly.He didn't even notice Cao Yang sitting quietly in the corner.
Cao Yang, however, noticed him.
Moments later, Situ Meixin descended with a group of guards.
The sight of her made Cao Yang's eyes light up.
She was still as stunning as ever.
Even though he had already closed his heart to rom