The once illustrious CEO of Zhao Corporation, Zhao Jianghe, was imprisoned for intentional homicide. The media, naturally, seized upon this sensational news. The police, unswayed by the suspect's status, did not offer any "special treatment." During a media interview, they disclosed the case's progress. In recent days, both online and traditional media outlets were flooded with this story.
The household staff at the Xing family villa had also seen the news. Since Zhao Jianghe was a close friend of Xing Yan and frequently visited Xie Qinqia, they were all acquainted with him. They never imagined that such a genial and polite person would be implicated in a murder case.
The police did not disclose the victim's identity, so the staff did not connect the incident to the car accident from years ago. While working downstairs, several of them gathered to chat. "I really can't believe Zhao Jianghe would kill someone..."
"You never know what's in someone's heart, even if you know their face. They seem decent on the outside, but can be vicious when pushed."
"I still find it hard to believe. Perhaps he was framed? Zhao Corporation went bankrupt, he must have made enemies."
As they were discussing, they saw Xie Qinqia and stopped. "Madam, why have you come down?"
"What were you just talking about?" Xie Qinqia had been in a poor state recently, lacking energy and rarely speaking to anyone. She mostly stayed in her room, oblivious to the outside world. Thus, she was unaware of the events concerning Zhao Corporation and Zhao Jianghe. Hearing their discussion, she initially dismissed it as gossip. "What happened to Jianghe?"
One of the maids recounted the recent news to Xie Qinqia, starting from the bankruptcy of Zhao Corporation to Zhao Jianghe's arrest. Upon hearing it, Xie Qinqia's first reaction was denial. "Impossible, Jianghe isn't that kind of person! Someone must have framed him!"
The maids dared not contradict Xie Qinqia. Everyone in the household knew that Xie Qinqia treated Zhao Jianghe far better than her own son, Xing Zheng.
Xie Qinqia went to the living room, plugged in her tablet, which had been unused for a long time, and opened a news app. She saw the related news: Zhao Jianghe had indeed been apprehended by the police, and it happened right after Zhao Corporation's bankruptcy. How could it be such a coincidence?
As Xie Qinqia browsed, she noticed an article analyzing the role Rong Shi played in exacerbating Zhao Corporation's bankruptcy.
Without needing to read further, Xie Qinqia attributed all the blame to Xing Zheng. He had always disliked Zhao Jianghe. Now, out of jealousy, he had ruined him and then framed him with a crime, which was consistent with Xing Zheng's usual behavior!
"Scourge, a true scourge!" Xie Qinqia threw the tablet aside. Her voice trembled with anger. "Old Liu, Old Liu, come here!"
The butler, whom Xie Qinqia had called, immediately approached. "Madam, I am here. What are your orders?"
"Go call Xing Sha and tell him to bring that scourge back. I have something to ask him. Go immediately!"
Xie Qinqia's demeanor suggested she was having an episode. Xing Sha was not home today, and if anything serious happened, no one in the house could stop her. Old Liu hurried to call Xing Sha.
Xing Sha was also cooperating with the police investigation into Liu Qinye's case. Today, he had gone with Xing Zheng to assist with the investigation. As the father and son emerged from the police station, a call came from home.
Old Liu said nervously, "Sir, Madam says you should bring the second young master back. She has something to ask."
"What did she see?" Xie Qinqia never allowed Xing Zheng to enter the house. Why would she suddenly want him back? Unless she had seen something. Old Liu's explanation confirmed this suspicion. "The kitchen staff were gossiping about Zhao Jianghe, and Madam overheard them. She looked at the news..."
There was no need to say more. Xie Qinqia was bound to question him about why he didn't help Zhao Jianghe, or perhaps she had already concluded that Xing Zheng was involved in this matter.
"What's wrong?" Xing Zheng asked Xing Sha after he finished the call. "I think I heard my name mentioned over there."
"She saw the news about Zhao Jianghe's imprisonment," Xing Sha told him. "You don't need to go back. I'll talk to her. Since the matter from back then has been clarified, it's time she knew..."
"Let's go together," Xing Zheng did not follow Xing Sha's suggestion and insisted on returning with him. Xing Sha, unwilling to disappoint him, had to say, "She doesn't believe you."
"Whether she believes me or not is her business; whether I say it or not is mine," Xing Zheng was stubborn and unwilling to compromise. "Let's go."
The father and son returned home. Xie Qinqia was waiting in the living room. The moment she saw Xing Zheng, her eyes filled with disgust and hatred, as if she wanted to kill him.
She certainly did not hold back. She stepped forward and slapped him across the face. Xing Sha grabbed her arm. "What are you doing?"
"You're stopping me? This scourge not only caused the death of my Ayan, but now he won't even let Jianghe go!"
Xie Qinqia's behavior made it impossible to talk in the living room. Xing Sha pulled her over. "If you have something to say, let's talk upstairs. Don't make a spectacle for the servants."
The three quickly went to the study. Xing Zheng entered last, closing and locking the study door. He walked towards Xie Qinqia and, looking into her eyes filled with disgust, softly called out, "Mom."
"I am not your mother. Go die immediately!" Xie Qinqia detested Xing Zheng calling her that the most. "You murderer!"
"Enough, calm down first," Xing Sha interrupted Xie Qinqia and said to her, "A Zheng is not a murderer. Ayan's death had nothing to do with him; it was Zhao Jianghe."
If he didn't make it clear to her all at once, she would surely continue to lash out at Xing Zheng.
The words, like a bombshell, stunned Xie Qinqia. After a long moment of processing, she began to struggle against Xing Sha. "What nonsense are you talking! To cover for him, you'll come up with any excuse!"
Xing Zheng met Xie Qinqia's gaze. "Do you remember the charge on which Zhao Jianghe was arrested?"
"Intentional homicide." When Xie Qinqia refused to speak, he said for her, "That car accident back then was orchestrated by him."
"You're spouting nonsense! He and Ayan were like brothers; how could he harm Ayan! It's you, you were jealous of Ayan, and now you want Jianghe to take the blame for you!" Xie Qinqia grabbed a magazine from the desk and threw it at Xing Zheng.
Xing Zheng did not dodge. The skin on his forehead was broken, and blood seeped out. He was accustomed to it. "If the evidence wasn't sufficient, the police wouldn't have arrested him. You don't have to believe me, but you should believe the police."
After finishing her yoga, Lin Mei saw the news about Zhao Jianghe's arrest and imprisonment. She read all the reports but did not see the victim's information. The police stated he was suspected of intentional homicide, meaning they must have had evidence to say so. So, who exactly did Zhao Jianghe kill?
Was Xing Zheng's previous actions against Zhao Jianghe related to this case?
Before Lin Mei could ponder further, someone arrived to escort her away from Anning City.
At this point, only twelve days had passed since Xing Zheng's one-month deadline.
Lin Mei walked out, feeling an unusual sense of unreality. He had been unusually agreeable this time.