According to Xiaotao, the mayor mentioned a girl named He Jiajia during the meal. He said she was a friend’s daughter who had recently disappeared. The mayor hoped that we could help find her while we were here.

“She’s his illegitimate daughter, isn’t she?” I asked.

“I think so too,” Xiaotao laughed. “He looked too concerned for the girl to be a friend’s daughter.”

“These officials have such messy private lives!” Bingxin exclaimed. “If I ever find out that my dad has an illegitimate daughter, I swear I will run away from home!”

“Perhaps Song Yang is your half-brother!” Xiaotao joked.

Bingxin threw a pillow at Xiaotao and yelled, “Shut up!”

“I’m joking, I’m joking!” Xiaotao laughed. “How can your dad ever be related to Song Yang? His body is too thick and muscular, and his skin is too dark!”

Bingxin...