The evening sky was filled with rosy clouds, the entire beach bathed in a gentle orange glow. The sea breeze passed by, followed by the melodious “sweet nothings” of rolling waves.
Mount Putuo, basking in Buddha’s light, was also a romantic place.
After a moment of silence, Luo Xiao finally let out a soft “oh.”
It somehow sounded disappointed with a hint of regret, as if all hope had suddenly collapsed.
Chen Jin Lin looked up in surprise, examining him sideways with amusement in her eyes. After a casual “eh,” sure enough, in the next second, she saw Luo Xiao’s ears turn red, and he awkwardly turned his face away, squinting at the distant horizon where sea met sky.
“…” Then, her fair cheeks also took on a rosy tint.
Whether it was just reporting good news and not bad, Yan Cheng had said everything was handled well, clear skies after rain.
This also let Chen Jin Yao’s anxious heart settle a bit. Meanwhile, after Chen Jin Lin’s persistent pleading, she finally agreed to stay and play in Hangzhou for a few more days.
Young couples in the honeymoon phase were bound to be sweet and clingy. Having just met and having to separate so soon, they naturally were unwilling. But if Chen Jin Yao returned alone, Chen Jin Lin worried their parents would be suspicious. Tsk, dating like thieves.
“You’re about to graduate too, do you plan to keep hiding Luo Xiao forever?”
Chen Jin Lin lowered her eyelashes, scuffing her shoe tip, muttering softly: “Let’s wait until graduation.” She was actually quite helpless, “You know our parents, they’ve always instilled in us that we should find local partners when we’re of age.”
“Luo Xiao and I have agreed to tell mom and dad after graduation. His parents know about me and quite like me.” She paused, sighing deeply: “Besides, sister, after you got married, I’m the only one left at home, and mom hopes for a son-in-law who’ll move in with us.”
By the end, her voice was so low it was almost like talking to herself.
Chen Jin Yao frowned, lightly patted her shoulder, sighing along: “…”
Since learning they had left Mount Putuo.
Yan Cheng called almost every day without fail, urging Chen Jin Yao to come home quickly, his endless tactics were truly nauseating.
Chai Yue visited their home to discuss work and investment matters with Yan Cheng, and to congratulate him on having a few days of peaceful “when the cat’s away, the mice will play” time. However, he had his limits and wouldn’t use this to encourage Yan Cheng to disobey orders while away from home. He now knew Yan Cheng’s character well.
But he hadn’t expected that before they could discuss much business, Yan Cheng would receive Chen Jin Yao’s call. He raised his hand to stop Chai Yue’s analysis, then, without any hesitation, sat across from him and took the call.
The moment the call connected, Yan Cheng took the initiative.
Chai Yue swore that when he heard Yan Cheng’s voice suddenly soften eight hundred degrees, his whole body broke out in goosebumps. Yet the culprit completely failed to understand his reaction.
The most suffocating trilogy was:
Yan Cheng lazily leaned back into the sofa, eyes drooping, calling out: “Wife.”
“When are you coming back?”
Then, once he started talking, he couldn’t stop.
Yan Cheng: “Du Ni misses you.”
This line was still normal, but it turned out to be just setting the stage.
Next line, Yan Cheng said shamelessly: “I miss you too.”
“…” Chai Yue drew in a sharp breath.
When he sneaked another glance, he saw Yan Cheng’s face had darkened, changing faster than turning a page as he switched to gritting his teeth mode, forcing out a smile uglier than crying, “Okay, I understand, have fun.” After two seconds of silence, he switched to a meaningful tone, “Mind your leave time from the clinic.”
His tone was still normal, but summed up, it was like smiling on the outside while cursing inside.
Of course, from Yan Cheng’s fragments of conversation, Chai Yue could guess the general situation. After he hung up, Chai Yue offered a token comfort: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder, it’s good to have your own space sometimes. When she returns, it’ll be like a honeymoon after a short separation.”
Hearing this, Yan Cheng coldly snorted, unappreciative.
His tongue curled, circling his teeth, pressing against the roof of his mouth in displeasure.
He thought to himself, this wasn’t a short separation, this was a long one. Suddenly he didn’t want to speak well of Chen Jin Lin’s boyfriend anymore, at some point in the future.
Chai Yue: “…”
Fortunately, this little episode passed quickly.
Business that needed discussing still needed to be discussed properly.
Chai Yue bent down wanting to pick up the ragdoll cat that had wandered to his feet, but unexpectedly, as soon as his hand reached out, he was scratched hard, “…”
Yan Cheng laughed rudely, then called out “Du Ni.”
The previously aloof cat gracefully walked towards Yan Cheng, and when it reached him, meowed coquettishly, then lightly jumped onto Yan Cheng’s lap.
“Like owner, like cat.” Chai Yue spoke sourly, not even hiding his jealousy.
Yan Cheng curved his lips in an ambiguous smile, raising his eyebrow without comment.
Chai Yue: “Not putting all eggs in one basket was right. Currently, there are both losses and gains, but overall it’s profitable.”
“At present, I’m most optimistic about Zhiyuan Technology.”
…
Once entering his professional field, or rather entering work mode, Chai Yue became completely serious, containing his smile and maintaining a strict expression throughout as he analyzed the situation for Yan Cheng. Once he started, he couldn’t stop for a while.
Although Yan Cheng didn’t have first-hand control, he could see the trends. However, hearing professional analysis could give him a general idea.
He licked his lips, “I’m optimistic about Zhiyuan too, otherwise I wouldn’t have invested so much.”
“Being optimistic is one thing, but we must be mindful of the peak before decline.” Chai Yue said, “However, my judgment is to have you invest exclusively in Zhiyuan.”
Yan Cheng nodded.
He understood Chai Yue’s meaning.
In venture capital, when the market is good, investing more means higher returns.
However, compared to returns, Yan Cheng didn’t really have thoughts of investing more right now. Let what’s invested continue compound interest, that’s fine. As for uninvested assets, considering his current assets, Yan Cheng puffed his cheeks, “I’ve given half my savings to my wife to manage.”
“…”
Chai Yue was speechless.
Mentally sneering: Should we give you a ‘Good Man Good Husband’ medal?
Yan Cheng: “The rest, I want to buy a house.”
Chai Yue blinked, looking around, “Didn’t you just buy this new house a year ago?”
“Yes, my wife chose it, said it was cozy.” Yan Cheng frowned, pondered for a moment, then continued: “But it’s too small.”
“Three bedrooms, one living room – master bedroom, guest room, and one room Yao Yao uses as a closet.”
Chai Yue was a bit confused, completely unaware that the topic had already gone off track, and was led by the nose: “… And then?”
“And then?”
Yan Cheng smiled, “Then we need to consider a children’s room too.”
Having these free days, he had even started looking at children’s room designs, and scary thing was, all he looked at was pink princess style.
After holding it in for so many days, it was like he’d found someone to share a common topic with, “Need to buy something more spacious, with more square footage, right?”
“…”
But clearly, Chai Yue didn’t want to share any common topics with him.
He even felt somewhat disdainful (jealous) of this Yan Cheng who rambled on about household matters with a face that said “I’m the happiest, my life has direction.”
After a long silence.
Chai Yue said: “Don’t ask me, I don’t know.”
Yan Cheng clicked his tongue, suddenly enlightened, sighing: “True, should discuss it with my wife.”
Chai Yue: “…”
Seeing that the derailed topic would never get back on track.
Chai Yue took a deep breath, trying to salvage the situation, “About Zhiyuan Technology, it was also started by university students, and currently, your investment is their largest single share. They contacted me, saying they want to meet you privately.”
“Probably want to thank you.”
Speaking of thanks, they also knew that the initial stage of entrepreneurship lacks funding. This was nothing more than wanting Yan Cheng to become interested in Zhiyuan, see its development prospects, and then directly buy shares.
Yan Cheng sat with his back to the light streaming in from the window, his expression unreadable as he slightly lowered his black eyelashes, casting shadows under his eye sockets. He pressed his lips tightly, lazily supporting his temple with one hand, brows locked in thought. After about a few minutes, he suddenly changed his mind about “possibly not investing more.” He looked at Chai Yue, his lip line still straight, then said flatly: “Alright, I’ll meet them.”
Chai Yue almost ground his teeth to bits, suddenly feeling that men’s hearts were unfathomable.
Yan Cheng raised his eyebrows, not feeling at all that his changing whims would damage Young Master Yan’s face: “If there’s really profit to be made, I do have some spare money.”
“…”
Days passed normally, without much turbulence.
Meanwhile, the DNA test results from the police station had come out.
With no leads and almost everyone suspicious having alibis, these test results were undoubtedly a light in the darkness for Deng Chuan and his team.
Whatever the case, it was a breakthrough.
The woman was called Guo Min, a student at a certain arts college in the capital, not a local.
After identifying Guo Min as a suspect, Deng Chuan took his team directly to Guo Min’s school, and fortunately, this school’s various departments generally had later holiday schedules.
Guo Min’s homeroom teacher led them to her dormitory. Guo Min wasn’t there, but her three roommates were. Deng Chuan asked them several questions about Guo Min.
From their descriptions, they could catch some clues.
Guo Min liked to dress up and enjoyed going out with senior students she knew.
She used to be quite outgoing, but around the beginning of this semester, about a month before midterms, she suddenly seemed like a different person.
Quiet, solitary, gradually growing distant from them.
Deng Chuan: “Were there any signs before this change?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Probably not, don’t remember.”
After a while, the one who hadn’t spoken slowly opened her mouth: “I remember, there was one night she didn’t return at all. Our school’s curfew isn’t strict, usually no matter how late she played outside, she would always come back, but that day she didn’t return.”
Deng Chuan frowned, looking up to exchange glances with his partner.
They both saw almost the same speculation in each other’s eyes.
Jian Huai withdrew his gaze: “Do you know where Guo Min is now?”
The three shook their heads: “Not sure, she wasn’t in the dorm when we woke up this morning.”
…
By evening, Guo Min appeared.
When she saw the police, there was a flash of panic in her eyes.
But the panic was only temporary, almost immediately, she calmed down.
Without even needing Deng Chuan and his team to state their purpose, she took the initiative: “I killed Zhou Chao, I’ll go with you.” When saying this, her face showed neither joy nor sorrow.
But Jian Huai clearly caught Guo Min’s avoiding gaze and slightly trembling legs. She narrowed her eyes slightly, speaking before the captain could: “Take her in.”
Deng Chuan: “…”
At the police station, interrogation room.
A strong light from the corner shone directly on Guo Min.
Deng Chuan and Jian Huai sat in front of her, preparing to take notes.
Outside the interrogation room, in another small room where the interior of the interrogation room could be seen, forensic scientist Qiao Fei who had performed Zhou Chao’s autopsy stood there, leaning to one side, eyes fixed unblinkingly on the situation inside.
Guo Min’s quick confession was unexpected.
Among those responsible for this case, because of several consecutive days of overtime work, some immediately breathed a sigh of relief, while others continued to frown, half believing and half doubting.
Deng Chuan: “Tell us, how did you kill him?”
Guo Min lowered her face, expressionless, “I had a grudge against Zhou Chao, he assaulted me.”
Jian Huai: “Why didn’t you report it to the police?”
Guo Min: “Would reporting help? I know Zhou Chao’s background.”
In the quiet space, the girl slowly narrated her experience, pressing her voice to enunciate word by word her hatred and motive for murder.
The flowing air seemed to solidify, the atmosphere gradually becoming oppressive.
Guo Min also described the process of killing Zhou Chao, but unlike telling her experience, this process she described ambiguously, her eyes flickering, and even her subsequent words carried uncertainty, “When he wasn’t on guard, I just stabbed straight down.”
Many pieces of evidence left at the scene, details, she didn’t mention at all.
Even when Deng Chuan deliberately set traps in his questions, she eagerly jumped right in, as if anxious to convict herself.
Deng Chuan and Jian Huai exchanged a brief glance.
Guo Min: “I have more to say, does confessing mean leniency?”
Deng Chuan raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to continue.
Guo Min: “Actually, I didn’t initially plan to seek revenge on Zhou Chao, isn’t there a saying about not being able to fight against the powerful?”
Guo Min: “Later, actually it was the Er Guan owner who incited me.”
Deng Chuan: “Yan Cheng, Young Master Yan?”
Guo Min shrank her neck, slowly nodded, her handcuffed hands on the table clenched into fists, then, as if gathering enormous courage, she closed her eyes and said firmly: “Yes, he instructed me to do it.”
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