"Yes. But Hong'er, now that I'm out on bail, isn't there much difference between being out and not being out?" Qin Meimei said sarcastically.
Qin Xinhong, on the other end of the phone, persuaded gently:
"Cousin Meimei, one must learn to be content and not be too greedy. Aren't you out now to best break the public opinion storm against the Gu family?"
Qin Meimei thought of the two armed police officers guarding her gate and gritted her teeth, "They've sent people to guard our front door. Are you sure this is to break public opinion? Not to intensify it?"
"Is that so? I didn't expect them to do that."
Qin Meimei listened to her lukewarm tone and her heart burned with anger. It seemed that since the matter didn't involve her, she was calm.
"Hong'er, don't forget, I did that for you back then. Do you think if something happens to me, you can still stand by and watch so calmly as you are now?" Qin Meimei said in a low voice.
"Qin Meimei, are you threatening me?"
Qin Meimei sensed that Qin Xinhong's tone had also changed. Her previous politeness was gone, and she was no longer calling her cousin but using her full name.
She clenched her fist. At this point, she still had to rely on Qin Xinhong and couldn't afford to fall out. She had to lower her tone.
"I wouldn't dare, but you can't let me suffer so much humiliation, can you? After all, I'm also a collateral member of the Qin family."
"Then what do you want?"
Qin Meimei demanded without politeness: "Have them withdraw their men and restore my personal freedom."
On the other end of the phone, Qin Xinhong was silent for a moment and said:
"This is a bit difficult. While bail can be arranged for charges like false accusation and bribery, it's tricky when a murder case is involved. Although the Qin family is the head of the four great families and has considerable influence, we still have to abide by the law..."
Moreover, news came from the south that Kaiwei Academy was investigating Luo Xiaoyao's case. They had concluded it too hastily and requested a re-investigation. If she interfered at this point, she would easily draw trouble.
Qin Meimei thought to herself: Bullshit! You just don't want to!
"But you clearly know that the deaths of Luo Xiaoyao and her mother have nothing to do with me!"
"I know, but the police need evidence," Qin Xinhong said in a good-natured tone. "Unless they find a new suspect who can completely clear your name..."
Qin Meimei narrowed her eyes, understanding Qin Xinhong's meaning. She needed to find a scapegoat to admit to being the murderer of Luo Xiaoyao and her mother, so she could completely clear herself.
And this scapegoat couldn't be just anyone. They had to have some connection to the case, be trustworthy, controllable, and someone who wouldn't betray her.
She filtered a few names in her mind and finally thought of an incredibly familiar face.
—
On the other side.
By the time Yu He and Chen Hao arrived at the airport in Nanshi by plane, it was already dark.
After getting off the plane, Yu He felt a dull headache and was on the verge of catching a cold and fever.
It was probably from catching a chill while soaking in the hot springs, combined with flying from north to south, causing a significant temperature difference.
She told Chen Hao that she was going to the restroom and used the golden needles given to her by Qin Beiting to acupoint herself. This prevented her from developing a fever, though she still had a headache, it didn't affect her much.
"Miss Yu, are you feeling unwell? How about we stay at a hotel tonight and set off tomorrow morning?"
Chen Hao saw Yu He coming out of the restroom. Although her complexion was better than when she first got off the plane, she still looked uncomfortable.
"I'm fine, let's proceed as planned," Yu He said. "By the way, Captain Chen, you don't need to be so polite. Just call me Yu He."
She didn't want to delay everyone's time because of her and wanted to retrieve the box Luo Xiaoyao mentioned as soon as possible to avoid prolonged complications.
Chen Hao was a little surprised. Yu He had always given him the impression of a cold, unattainable noble lady from a wealthy family. After interacting with her several times, he found that she wasn't that aloof after all and was quite resilient.
"Calling you by your full name, Yu He, sounds too formal. Call you Xiao He," Chen Hao said with a smile. "And you, don't call me so formally. Call me Hao Ge."
He was ten years older than Yu He, so calling him brother was not unreasonable.
"Either way is fine, Hao Ge," Yu He replied.
The Banyan tree forest in Lin County was in the countryside. It was still a considerable distance from the airport, about a five-hour drive.
With such a long journey, Yu He found it hard to imagine how Luo Xiaoyao and her mother, avoiding traceable modes of transport like planes, high-speed trains, and regular trains, had managed to escape all the way here.
The two of them left the airport and took a taxi to a Hunan cuisine restaurant. After getting out of the car, Chen Hao was still concerned and asked, "Are you really okay?"
"I'm fine, just a slight headache. I'll rest in the car later," Yu He shook her head.
Chen Hao nodded, "Alright, let's have a meal first. Wait for my brother to arrive."
"Okay."
Yu He didn't have much appetite and didn't eat much. During this time, Chen Hao received a phone call, and soon after, a black off-road vehicle arrived outside.
Chen Hao paid the bill, got the receipt, and said to Yu He, "Let's go, the car is here."
Chen Hao's brother was named Yang Lin, and he worked at the local police station. When he saw Yu He, his eyes lit up, and he whistled, saying in a roguish manner, "Haozi, is this your girlfriend? You've got good taste."
Yu He: "..."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Chen Hao immediately punched him and then, while hugging his brother, whispered in a voice only they could hear, "Be serious. She's someone from Master Qin Seven."
Yang Lin immediately dropped his roguish smile and formally greeted Yu He, "Hello, my name is Yang Lin."
"Yu He," Yu He said faintly and got into the back seat.
"So cold," Yang Lin whispered to Chen Hao.
Chen Hao smiled, "She's just slow to warm up. Don't get any ideas."
Yang Lin pouted and got into the front passenger seat, telling Chen Hao to drive first and he would drive later.
Just as the car door closed, Yu He's voice came from the back, "Hao Ge, don't turn off the interior lights."
Chen Hao found it a bit strange but still turned on the lights.
Five hours later.
Yu He, leaning against the back seat, was half-asleep when she was suddenly woken up.
"Xiao He, wake up, we're here."
Yu He opened her eyes. The interior lights of the car were on, and it was pitch black outside, with only the two headlights illuminating the front. It seemed to be a forest.
It was a cloudy night, and the moon was not visible. Yu He got out of the car and looked at the darkness around her, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Yang Lin took out three high-powered flashlights and two shovels from the trunk, joking, "Do we look like tomb raiders about to dig up graves under the cover of night?"
Chen Hao noticed Yu He's discomfort and playfully scolded, "Don't scare Xiao He."
Then he said to Yu He, "Xiao He, are you alright? Why don't you wait in the car, and we two will go look?"
From some details, he realized that Yu He seemed to be afraid of the dark.
The brightness of the three flashlights made Yu He feel a little better.
She asked, "How are you going to search?"