"Lu Zong, the driver who escaped has been apprehended and is being interrogated at the Public Security Bureau," Cheng Jue said on the phone. Lu Yanbei was peeling grapes for Su He when he received the call.
Lu Yanbei dropped the grape skins and calmly got up and went to the balcony. "What have they found out?"
"He's tough-mouthed and hasn't said a word since he was caught. There was a recent transfer of an unknown sum of money into his bank account; he was likely bribed," Cheng Jue replied nervously.
"Does he have any family?" Lu Yanbei asked, glancing back before turning to continue his question at a measured pace.
"His parents died young. He has a sister who married and moved out of town years ago and they don't keep in touch. He was married once, divorced five years ago, no children. He lives alone in a rented apartment, does odd jobs occasionally, and has no formal employment," Cheng Jue recalled perfectly, his memory like a steel trap for any information he'd seen.
"Have his call and social media chat records been checked?"
"His phone is clean, but the police are trying to recover data. It will take some time."
Lu Yanbei nodded. "Check where he's been recently and who he's been in contact with."
"We've checked. He usually hangs out with his workmates, playing cards. He frequented the mahjong parlor near his residential area the most," Cheng Jue reported. "Oh, right. He's also been to a few foot massage centers recently."
Lu Yanbei tapped his fingers twice on the railing. "Keep digging, the more detail the better."
"Yes."
After a pause, Lu Yanbei gave another order. "Contact Rong Qiao and tell her I want to see her."
Cheng Jue blinked, taking a moment to recall who Rong Qiao was.
Still, was this really a good idea?
If the boss's wife found out, she might throw a fit.
However, these were not his concerns, so he agreed.
The sounds of laughter and merriment from the courtyard were completely unaffected.
Su He had had a bit to drink, her cheeks flushed faintly pink. She sat in a rattan chair, resting her head, listening with great interest as Lei Ting and the others recounted childhood anecdotes.
When Lu Yanbei returned, he carried a dessert, Su He's favorite flavor.
"Yan Ge, you're too biased, only taking one!" Gu Yuheng pouted as he spotted the small cake in Lu Yanbei's hand.
"If you want one, get it yourself. You have legs, don't you!" Lu Yanbei retorted unceremoniously.
Gu Yuheng rubbed his nose. "I'm a guest, after all..."
Lu Yanbei couldn't be bothered to deal with him.
He knew Gu Yuheng was just joking. Men generally found such sycophantic behavior tiresome and wouldn't engage in it. Besides, Gu Yuheng was allergic to cream.
Su He, on the other hand, felt a little embarrassed.
As the hostess, she felt she hadn't fulfilled her duties properly. She offered the cake in her hand to Gu Yuheng. "Here, you have this one. I'll go get more."
"Sister-in-law, Ah Heng is just being crude. He doesn't eat that stuff," He Shufan scoffed at Gu Yuheng.
Lu Yanbei also pulled Su He back.
Dare he make his wife run errands? Was he looking for a beating?
With a sharp glance, Gu Yuheng immediately became well-behaved.
"Ahem, Sister-in-law, I was just joking with Yan Ge."
Su He looked at Lu Yanbei questioningly, as if seeking confirmation.
Lu Yanbei speared a small piece of cake with his fork and put it in her mouth, answering her unspoken question with his actions. "Don't mind him."
The few of them, force-fed a bowl of public display of affection, wore very interesting expressions.
He Shufan: Yan Ge has become increasingly abnormal since he got married!
Lei Ting: +1, I suspect Yan Ge has been possessed!
Gu Yuheng: Alas, married men are different! Seeing this makes me want to find a woman too!
He Shufan: With so many women fluttering around you, what else do you need?
Gu Yuheng: Those women are too much fun, not suitable for marriage!
He Shufan: As if you don't enjoy playing around! Pot calling the kettle black!
Gu Yuheng: I'm a man, how can it be the same?
Lei Ting: Let's leave soon, we shouldn't disturb them!
He Shufan: Agreed!
Gu Yuheng: My friend just opened a new bar, want to go check it out?
He Shufan: I have something to do.
Gu Yuheng: What could you possibly have to do?
He Shufan: My mom asked me to pick her up.
Gu Yuheng: Lei Ting, what about you?
Lei Ting: I'll pass. I don't want to be noisy!
Gu Yuheng: You guys are really no fun! Are we even brothers?
The group was engrossed in a lively chat in their newly created group chat when they heard Lu Yanbei say, "Want to play cards?"
The three of them refused in unison.
"No!"
"Don't want to!"
"Not interested!"
Su He had been enjoying this activity lately and was keen to show off her skills. But they all refused?
"Why not?" she asked, frowning curiously.
"You'll have to ask Yan Ge!" Gu Yuheng replied aggrievedly. Because with Lu Yanbei present, they stood no chance of winning and always lost everything!
Once bitten, twice shy!
The best course of action was not to play!
Lu Yanbei raised his eyelids, but did not force the issue.
"Um, my mom just messaged, asking me to pick her up from the beauty salon," He Shufan said, standing up to break the awkward silence.
"I just remembered, I have a basketball game appointment," Gu Yuheng followed suit.
Lei Ting was a beat slower. "My, my dad wants me home early."
Seeing their understanding, Lu Yanbei smiled with good humor. "Li Sao, please see our guests out."
Quite brazen, weren't they!
Gu Yuheng and the other two were clearly used to it and didn't find anything amiss. They left one after another in their luxury cars. Before leaving, they didn't forget to invite the couple to their homes.
The Lu, Gu, Lei, and He families were old friends, maintaining close ties and looking out for each other, a rarity in the increasingly competitive high society.
Su He and Lu Yanbei saw them to the door and only returned inside after the several luxury cars had disappeared into the distance.
Su He had had quite a bit to drink and her head was feeling hazy, her eyes carrying a hint of bewilderment.
Lu Yanbei knew she was drunk and helped her back to the room to rest.
"A'yan, lie with me for a bit," Su He said, tugging at his sleeve to stop him from leaving.
Lu Yanbei chuckled. "This is you inviting me..."
Saying this, he began to undress.
"We're just sleeping, why are you taking off your clothes?" Su He asked, opening her eyes groggily.
"How can we sleep without taking off our clothes?"
Su He covered her face, her cheeks burning red.
Why did it seem like words she said turned into verbs when they came out of his mouth? He could twist her meaning so easily!
Unfortunately, it was too late for her to refuse.
When Su He was drunk, she was exceptionally docile; she would agree to anything he said.
Ever since Lu Yanbei discovered this trait of hers, he would occasionally exploit it for his own benefit.
He had been busy tracking down the culprit recently and hadn't been able to properly fulfill his marital duties. Having been starved for a long time, he naturally intended to get it all back with interest!