Lin Xingwan still wanted to know more about her mother.
She finally got into Zhou Jinbai's car and headed towards the old principal's house.
Having just completed the divorce application, the car no longer felt as warm as it used to. Lin Xingwan, who normally chattered incessantly in front of familiar people, became even more silent.
Her gaze fell on Zhou Jinbai's hand gripping the steering wheel, her expression thoughtful.
"Ask whatever you want to ask," Zhou Jinbai said, glancing at Lin Xingwan in the rearview mirror. He knew what she was thinking.
Zhou Jinbai was quite grateful for the new marriage law; at least it gave him a month to figure out how to win back his wife's heart.
"The questions I want to ask, you won't answer me, so I have nothing to ask."
Lin Xingwan had given Zhou Jinbai opportunities more than once, but the man had never told her what exactly happened that night of S University's centennial celebration, or why he disappeared for the next few days.
"Silly girl, you think the problems that trouble you now, time will eventually provide you with the answers." Zhou Jinbai, at a red light, reached out a hand to ruffle Lin Xingwan's hair.
Their eyes met, and Lin Xingwan saw sincerity in his gaze.
If it were before, she would have believed Zhou Jinbai unconditionally. But with the continuous events of the past few days, coupled with his lack of explanation, Lin Xingwan had developed a rift with Zhou Jinbai. She shifted her gaze away, "Mr. Zhou, we are already divorced."
"You can say that again in a month, as we've only applied for divorce for now."
Zhou Jinbai's gaze never left the road ahead, and his words carried an inexplicable certainty and confidence.
He would face whatever came his way. If he couldn't find a solution within this month, he would personally build a golden cage for this woman and keep this canary inside forever.
What belonged to him would always belong to him.
Even after a hundred years, his original intention would remain unchanged.
Ten minutes later, the car arrived at the old principal's residence.
It was a very old neighborhood, with hardly anyone left. From the entrance of the compound, they could see the old principal exercising his legs in the community fitness area while listening to music.
Sunlight bathed the old principal, and he squinted his eyes contentedly, looking utterly at ease and happy.
Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai walked over.
"Old Principal."
"Old Principal."
Zhou Jinbai and Lin Xingwan spoke at the same time. The old principal, who had been closing his eyes to rest and "photosynthesize," slowly opened his eyes.
Instantly, the old principal's expression turned serious and apprehensive.
"Mr. Dong... Mr. Dongfang, why are you here?" the old principal asked respectfully, fumbling in his pocket to find his reading glasses.
Zhou Jinbai remained silent, a fleeting murderous intent flashing in his cold eyes.
"Student Lin, why did you bring Mr. Dongfang..."
The old principal, finally putting on his glasses, froze again upon clearly seeing the man standing beside Lin Xingwan.
"Old Principal, you've mistaken him. He's not Dongfang Junze," Lin Xingwan explained.
The old principal's old face flushed. "It's my fault for mistaking you without my glasses. Student Lin, this is the second time I've met him. Won't you introduce us?"
Before Lin Xingwan could reply, Zhou Jinbai smiled and said, "I am Xingwan's husband. My name is Zhou Jinbai."
Lin Xingwan looked at Zhou Jinbai speechlessly. How could he still have the nerve to call himself her husband?
"Not bad, young man, you have good taste. Choosing my most outstanding student as your wife, your future is limitless." The old principal said with a smile, then turned his gaze back to Lin Xingwan. "Student Lin, did you come to see me today to make a donation to our alma mater?"
Lin Xingwan's lips twitched. He really couldn't go three sentences without mentioning donations.
"To be honest, Old Principal, we've come to ask you about something." Zhou Jinbai looked at the white-haired elder. Although he had a kind face, his eyes were sharp and cunning.
Upon hearing that they wanted to ask for advice, the old principal's eyes darted around.
Of course, he maintained his smiling demeanor and pressed, "What is it you wish to ask me?"
Lin Xingwan spoke, "It's about the diamond conch pearl necklace that you collected during the centennial celebration last time."
As soon as she said this, the smile on the old principal's face instantly froze.
He looked at Lin Xingwan in astonishment, a hint of sternness appearing between his brows. "Why are you asking about that necklace out of the blue?"
"Because my mother..." Lin Xingwan's words were cut short as Zhou Jinbai gently pushed her behind him.
The tall figure of the man blocked Lin Xingwan, and in a low voice, he explained on her behalf, "I have a friend who is obsessed with conch pearls. After seeing that diamond conch pearl necklace last time, he wanted to buy one himself but didn't know where. Since you have one, Old Principal, we wanted to ask where you bought it."
"That necklace," the old principal said, deliberately tilting his head as if recalling, "my wife bought it decades ago when she was traveling. It's hard to find the specific store now. You know how much China has developed over the years; how many shops have closed, how many buildings are empty." His eyes, however, kept darting towards Zhou Jinbai and Lin Xingwan.
When the old principal's gaze met Zhou Jinbai's, he felt the young man's eyes were too sharp and quickly averted his own, feeling guilty.
Zhou Jinbai took in all of the old principal's subtle movements, his cold eyes holding a profound meaning.
"Old Principal, that necklace is not cheap. The auction price was three hundred million. Even the price you paid decades ago should have been tens of millions. I'm very curious where your wife got so much money to casually buy such an expensive necklace?"
After speaking, Zhou Jinbai glanced around the neighborhood.
The old principal broke out in a cold sweat, his heart pounding as if it would leap out of his throat.
Lin Xingwan also couldn't help but ask, "Yes, Old Principal, how much was your salary decades ago? How could your wife casually come up with tens of millions then?"
This was too far-fetched!
Lin Xingwan knew very well that the old principal's wife was just an ordinary employee at a textile factory, earning less than the old principal.
Furthermore, the old principal's wife dressed even more frugally. Lin Xingwan had seen her a few times; even the hairpin in her hair was a small, worn wooden stick that had been polished smooth over decades.
It was impossible for such an old lady to casually buy a necklace worth tens of millions.
"Ah... this... actually, at first, we didn't realize how valuable this necklace was. We just bought it for a small amount of money, and only later did we find out how expensive it was. This matter... it's a long story. I'll tell you slowly when I have time. I just remembered I haven't taken my medicine today. I need to go back and take it. Student Lin, I won't be keeping you for dinner."
Leaning on his cane, the old principal practically ran towards the stairs as if being chased by a ghost.
Lin Xingwan watched the old principal's hurried departure, a gut feeling telling her that the principal knew something but wasn't telling them.
Could it be that her mother's necklace truly held many secrets?
Lin Xingwan recalled Xue Manting's words: the necklace she wore on her hand was already a symbol of status and prestige. What about her mother?
What was the true identity of the mother that Lin Hanhai brought back from a small town all those years ago?
So many confusing matters left Lin Xingwan feeling lost.
"It seems that Mom's necklace does indeed hide some secrets," Zhou Jinbai said with certainty.
Lin Xingwan, however, spoke distantly, "Regardless, thank you for today, Mr. Zhou. I'll take a taxi back myself."
Without giving Zhou Jinbai a chance to speak, Lin Xingwan hailed a taxi on the road outside the compound and got in.
Zhou Jinbai watched the car drive away, lamenting how heartless women could be.
If it were before, Zhou Jinbai would have definitely driven after Lin Xingwan.
But now, he had more important things to do.
Zhou Jinbai didn't leave. Instead, he walked towards the stairs and stopped at the door of the old principal's apartment.
He knocked for a long time before the old principal reluctantly opened the door.
Of course, he only poked his head out. "Young man, what is it?"
The old principal still wore a smile on his face.
But this time, it lacked its usual kindness; his eyes even showed impatience.
"Old Principal, didn't I tell you? I came today to ask you about the diamond conch pearl necklace, and you haven't enlightened me. How could I, Dongfang Junze, leave?"
Zhou Jinbai knew exactly how to deal with this old scoundrel. After speaking, his stern face was filled with threat and warning. The moment he uttered the words 'Dongfang Junze,' his entire aura exploded.
The old principal froze on the spot. Shock appeared in his cunning eyes, like a calm lake suddenly stirred by a tempest.
"You... aren't you called Zhou Jinbai?"
"Zhou Jinbai is my name. Dongfang Junze is the name bestowed upon me by the elders of my family." Zhou Jinbai looked at the old man, whose lips had turned pale from fear. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his eyes filled with unease, and he didn't know where to look.
"What, Old Principal, do you want me to prove my identity?" Zhou Jinbai asked with a half-smile, but his king-like aura of deterrence made the old principal's bones tremble.
How could he doubt that the man before him was Dongfang Junze?
In fact, it was precisely because the man before him was Dongfang Junze that what happened at S University's centennial celebration not long ago made sense.
Otherwise, how could Dongfang Junze have donated a hundred billion to S University, only to have his student play the piano in return?
Otherwise, how could Dongfang Junze have enjoyed chatting with his students so much?
So... all of this was because he had benefited from his student's favor.
Zhou Jinbai made a move to step forward, and the old principal, in his panic, quickly opened the door, almost kneeling on the ground to welcome the royal presence.
Zhou Jinbai entered the house. The decoration was very simple, with books placed on a table.
Zhou Jinbai sat on the sofa. The old principal, unsure whether to stand or sit, stood before Zhou Jinbai like a lost child, not daring to breathe, a chill running down his spine.
"Old Principal, please sit." As Zhou Jinbai spoke, he poured a cup of tea.
Anyone who didn't know would have thought Zhou Jinbai was the owner of the house.
The old principal sat opposite Zhou Jinbai. Looking at the tea Zhou Jinbai personally poured for him, countless terrifying thoughts flashed through his mind, filling him with despair.
"Mr. Dongfang, about that diamond conch pearl necklace, I really..." The old principal's face fell, looking more miserable than if he were crying.
Before he could finish, Zhou Jinbai interrupted him. "Old Principal, I recall the last time I personally poured tea for someone, it was the CEO of Kaiyuan Group. Later, he jumped to his death, and all his assets were lost. I remember S University had a collaboration with Kaiyuan Group, and many outstanding students entered Kaiyuan Group for employment each year."
Zhou Jinbai raised his teacup, casually looking at the ancient poetry on the cup. His thin lips curved slightly, his posture languid, yet he resembled a cat playing with a mouse it intended to kill.
The old principal's heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Dongfang Junze with disbelief.
Kaiyuan Group, that was a renowned century-old enterprise in Rongcheng. People considered it an honor to work at Kaiyuan Group; even the cleaners there felt superior when they went out.
But just a few years ago, the CEO of Kaiyuan Group committed suicide by jumping off a building. All his subsidiaries were exposed for various scandals. Those who worked at Kaiyuan Group certainly didn't receive their salaries. The students who graduated from S University became unemployed, and S University also lost a significant amount of sponsorship.
There were many rumors about the CEO of Kaiyuan Group, the most prevalent being that he had offended a formidable figure.
During that time, the old principal was constantly worried. He couldn't understand how someone could bring down such a large company as Kaiyuan Group.
Now he knew: it was the Dongfang Junze before him!
"The boss of Kaiyuan Group... he was a very good person. I don't know... how did he anger you?" the old principal stammered.
Zhou Jinbai chuckled softly. The sound sent a shiver down the old principal's spine.
"He didn't really anger me. He just lied to me when I asked him a question."
A sound of shattering porcelain echoed. The teacup in the old principal's hand fell to the ground.
The old principal immediately knelt before Zhou Jinbai. "Mr. Dongfang, I dare not lie to you, I truly dare not lie to you."
Zhou Jinbai leaned back, resting his hand on the armrest of the sofa, propping his chin with one hand, and looked coldly at the kneeling elder. "Old Principal, I know you wouldn't dare lie to me. After all, you have two sons and several beloved grandchildren. I doubt you'd want to see them meet with an accident, would you?"
"Mr. Dongfang, I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything. Punish me however you wish. This is my fault, and it has nothing to do with them. Even my wife doesn't know about this. I'll tell you everything, everything."