Helpless, Chen Er could only comfort the little boy softly. She planned to ask about the situation after his emotions settled down.
The little boy cried for a long while, his voice turning hoarse. Finally, he sniffled and stopped crying. Jiang Cong somehow produced a bottle of mineral water and said, "Drink it. Moisten your throat. You need to be well - hydrated to have the strength to cry."
The little boy didn't want to take it at first, but after hearing Jiang Cong's words, he took the mineral water absent - mindedly and gulped it down in one breath, with water dripping from the corner of his mouth.
Chen Er glanced at Jiang Cong. Was this how he comforted people? So unique!
Jiang Cong shrugged. Chen Er could clearly read a message from his eyes - "Do you think my trick doesn't work?"
Chen Er thought to herself: If you want to learn the art of being sarcastic, go to Beijing, China and find Jiang Cong. He'll teach you for sure, and his words can infuriate people without any consequences.
The little boy couldn't understand the undercurrent between Chen Er and Jiang Cong. He looked mournful and said hopelessly, "I'm definitely dead this time. Mom will surely tear me to pieces."
Perhaps the little boy's panicked look amused Jiang Cong. He squatted down too, reaching out his hand playfully and smiling, "What's going on? Tell me and let uncle have a good laugh."
The little boy was about to pour out his grievances but was choked back by Jiang Cong's words. He didn't know whether to speak or not.
Chen Er glared at Jiang Cong and gritted her teeth, "Can you please shut your cute little mouth? You're a well - known professor of criminal psychology. Why are you arguing with a kid and playing word games?"
Jiang Cong put away his joking expression and looked at the little boy meaningfully, "Do you think we just accidentally found him?"
After Jiang Cong said this, Chen Er also noticed something was wrong. She had found the little boy precisely because she was attracted by his cries. On such a vast beach, what were the odds of such a thing happening?
Immediately, Chen Er's look at the little boy changed. It was full of scrutiny.
The little boy still refused to admit it. There were still tears in his eyes as he tried to arouse Chen Er's sympathy.
Chen Er wasn't a person with excessive sympathy. She had noticed the little boy at first because she saw the shadow of her childhood self in his cries.
"If you don't tell the truth, I'll really find your parents," Jiang Cong said with a mischievous smile. Seeing the little boy getting angry, his smile grew wider.
The little boy resisted stubbornly but finally yielded to Jiang Cong's intimidation. He sighed pretentiously, "Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I'm not a kid. I'm already 27 years old."
Jiang Cong raised his eyebrows non - commitally, clearly having expected this result.
Chen Er immediately got goosebumps. She had felt sorry for him just now, but she didn't expect him to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
The little boy, Liang Xuyi, raised his head resentfully, his mouth drooping in dissatisfaction, "You're the first one to see through my disguise. You're quite something, young man."
Coming from Liang Xuyi, who had a baby face, these words sounded extremely strange.
Chen Er inched closer to Jiang Cong and asked humbly, "How did you see through this old guy's trick? I didn't notice at all. It's such a blunder."
Jiang Cong was greatly pleased by Chen Er's trusting and dependent look, so he didn't hold back and explained,
"It's simple. He did imitate a kid's psychology and actions perfectly without any flaws. However, there were other people on the other side of us, but he chose to come to us from a distance. Although he seemed to be crying, his eyes kept flickering. The innocence and naivety of a child can't be imitated."
Liang Xuyi protested, "What? It's just that you're too cunning. Look at this young lady. She didn't notice anything strange at all."
Chen Er felt a chill run down her spine, "Don't call me young lady. I'm only 18 years old."
Liang Xuyi seemed to have discovered a new continent. He pointed at Jiang Cong and exclaimed in surprise, "Well, Jiang Cong, you're robbing the cradle. Do your parents know about this?"
Jiang Cong smiled faintly and turned on his infuriating mode again, "The grapes are sour because you can't reach them. Tell me, how long have you been acting crazy here? What do you want from me?"
This time, Liang Xuyi didn't try to be funny. He regained his normal voice, no longer speaking in a childish tone, and said seriously, "I need your help to find out who drugged me."
The atmosphere in the air froze instantly. Jiang Cong crossed his arms leisurely and said condescendingly, "Why should I help you? I don't know you well."
Liang Xuyi knew Jiang Cong was still holding a grudge, but his problem could only be solved by Jiang Cong.
So, the once - arrogant Liang Xuyi immediately became submissive. He flattered carefully, "You may not know me, but you should know my grandfather, Liang Bo."
Chen Er was shocked. She looked at Liang Xuyi up and down with an incredulous look on her face.
Liang Bo was an internationally renowned painter with high moral character. His paintings were extremely valuable as soon as they were released. Both connoisseurs and those who wanted to appear refined were proud to own his works. Such a person was truly a great master.
However, Liang Bo's only son died in a car accident unexpectedly, and his grandson, Liang Xuyi, disappeared when he was 20 years old. Liang Bo had reported the case, but somehow, Liang Xuyi seemed to have evaporated from the world. There was no news of him for a full five years.
Liang Bo searched for his grandson in vain and died with regret.
Liang Xuyi had thought about going back to visit Liang Bo, but his current appearance would only worry Liang Bo.
As days passed, Liang Xuyi learned of Liang Bo's death belatedly.
Perhaps stimulated by Liang Bo's death, Liang Xuyi simply gave up the idea of returning to the Liang family. He pretended to be crazy and stupid with his child - like face, avoiding all the realities.
Fortunately, Liang Xuyi was wealthy. Even though he couldn't appear in public openly as Liang Xuyi, he still lived a comfortable life.
However, although Liang Xuyi wanted to live in seclusion, those with ulterior motives in the Liang family never stopped their petty actions.
This time, through various channels, Liang Xuyi learned about Jiang Cong's travel route. So, after much thought, he decided to appear in front of Jiang Cong in this way.
Facing Chen Er's scrutiny, Liang Xuyi was used to it. Those looks were either sympathetic or gloating. Every time, his hopes were kindled but then extinguished mercilessly.