“Is the business plan for the Phoenix Gully out yet?” Qin Jinhuan turned and looked at Wen Zeyu.
Wen Zeyu replied, “It’s still being prepared.”
“Get it done as soon as possible.”
“Are you worried that Yuchi Industry will seize it?” Wen Zeyu asked disapprovingly as he washed the teapot and prepared tea. “I was having tea with some of the main leaders of the Ning City yesterday. They have all expressed willingness to cooperate with Qing Tian Group.”
“Although I don’t know the ropes of doing business, I understand the concept of preventing oneself from getting burned.” Rong Jian looked at Qin Jinhuan, who was frowning slightly. He then asked. “Are you worried that someone will make a fuss about the murder case in Cheng Xi forest, affecting the reputation of Qing Tian group and the business you were all talking about?”
“Are you talking about the family of the deceased demanding a compensation of 500,000 from the company?” Before Qin Jinhuan could say anything, Wen Zeyu snorted. “Sun Meilan isn’t a permanent employee of the company. She didn’t die in the company, nor did she die due to the company. Her death had nothing to do with the company. Why should we bear all the responsibility? The family of the deceased were so bold it’s ridiculous! They’ve really gone nuts at the thought of money. At most, we’ll give the deceased’s family some burial fees. Other than that, there’s no way we will pay compensation. Otherwise, how are we supposed to compensate the company employees who get injured or die due to the business?”
Rong Jian asked, “Even if I—as the leader of the criminal investigation team—don’t know why Sun Meilan died, how would you know her death has nothing to do with the Qing Tian Group?”
“She had just started work in the company a few months before that and had no enmity with anybody. Moreover, she was found dead outside in the middle of the night. Of course this has nothing to do with the company.”
“What if it’s the company’s rival who took this opportunity to create a disturbance in order to strike at Qing Tian Group?”
Wen Zeyu still disapproved. “There are many ways to create disturbance, but killing someone is the worst idea of all. And to kill a non-existent cleaner is even more meaningless.”
“Is it meaningful to kill a chief executive like you?”
“Why are you suddenly cursing me?” Wen Zeyu threw him a hateful glare.
“Why are you getting so emotional? I’m only stating the facts. By the way, I’m here to remind you to be more careful because the killer’s next kill might be the chief executive of the Qing Tian Group. You have to know that we can’t rule out any possibility before learning the truth of the case.”
“Bah!” Wen Zeyu rolled his eyes again. “In the An City, only Yuchi Industry likes to compete with the Qing Tian Group. I would’ve believed you if you told me that savage Yi Yunzhe racked his brain and went through everything to snatch that Ecological Tourism Project at Phoenix Gully. However, I don’t really believe it if you were to tell me he killed someone just to create chaos in the Qing Tian Group. After all, killing someone means one has to pay with his life. He just got the position of the CEO of Yuchi Industry. He wouldn’t be that stupid, would he?”
“Before taking over his father’s position, Yi Yunzhe gave everyone the impression of a profligate son of the rich. He had no prestige in the company. In order to establish his prestige in the company, he must show good performance. The project at Phoenix Gully is a very good opportunity for him. Huan was urging you to speed up the progress of its business plan because Yi Yunzhe is also eyeing the Phoenix Gully project. Maybe Yi Yunzhe is also determined to get it?”
“Even though Yi Yunzhe is interested in the Phoenix Gully project, he wouldn’t cause much impact on Qing Tian Group by only killing a cleaner!”
“That’s why I’m guessing that his next step is to kill someone with a high post like you. Two people will be murdered back to back…”
“You are the one who will get murdered!” Wen Zeyu gave him a kick and cursed angrily. “It would be even better to rape you, cut your body into pieces, cook your flesh to feed the dogs, and crush your bones into powder…”
“Hey! I was making an analysis based on the case whereas you are maliciously attacking people!” Rong Jian avoided Wen Zeyu’s ‘shadowless kick’ and interrupted him with a laugh. “Try thinking about it. If someone is taking the opportunity to create rumors that Qing Tian Group has no humanity at all and doesn’t care for the employees, won’t our reputation be spoiled? In the event of an executive dying, they would have to blame it on the feng shui, causing worry, and by then…”
Qing Tian Group had just moved into the new office building earlier this year.
“Shut up! If I die because of your curse, I would become a ghost and pull you down with me to the Netherworld! By then, you and Feng Rubing will be separated in two different worlds. Let’s see how you suffer from lovesickness.”
Rong Jian, who was happily arguing, suddenly became silent at the mention of Feng Rubing’s name.
“Did I poke a sore spot?” Wen Zeyu clapped and laughed nastily. “I told you to make a move when you could, but you didn’t want to listen. Serves you right. Our big bro is already married, and you haven’t even started a relationship yet. What a tragedy!”
As Rong Jian stopped joking with Wen Zeyu when Qin Jinhuan—who had been silent—finally spoke slowly, saying, “Rong Jian’s guesses may seem unbelievable, but before we learn the truth, we must indeed take precautions. Do not let your guard down. After all, the Phoenix Gully project has reached its most important stage and we cannot afford any mistakes. Of course, it would be best if the case in the Cheng Xi forest has nothing to do with the company.”
The Ecological Tourism Project of Phoenix Gully is the key construction project of the Qing Tian Group this year. Qin Jinhuan, who was confident in developing this project, had already purchased large plots of land around Phoenix Gully earlier on and begun to develop real estate and cities for entertainment. Once the project was officially signed, he would develop the land for all kinds of commercial use, including tourism, the motion picture industry, and the food industry. By then, Phoenix Gully would become a dazzling new city, opening up a new world for the Qing Tian Group.
Initially, everything was going smoothly and as planned. However, nobody expected Yuchi Group to suddenly meddle in this project. Wen Zeyu understood the stakes involved. When he listened to Qin Jinhuan’s words, he immediately put away his laughter and asked seriously, “This huge sum of compensation indeed doesn’t rule out the suspicion that Sun Meilan’s family is being used. I was surprised at the time that they had the confidence to request for compensation from us. If they had been used, they wouldn’t talk to us so calmly the next time for sure. So how are we going to deal with them when they request for compensation again?”
Rong Jian interjected and said, “Put the blame on me then. Just say that it’s not convenient to talk about compensation before the police has solved the crime. However, you can find various reasons to fool them and give them some benefits for now. Her son’s wife is an avaricious person. As long as you say it’s not compensation, you can save the trouble when it comes to dealing with future similar matters in the company.”
Wen Zeyu complained, “When will you solve the case? You’ve been investigating it for days.”
“I can’t give you an accurate answer, because there are too few useful clues in this case. But my teammates are already investigating carefully. We believe that the murderer might leave traces sooner or later.”
“Tell me once you find any clue.” After Qin Jinhuan said that, he turned to look at Wen Zeyu. “I have to keep my wife company these two days and would therefore not be going to the company. Give me the business plan as soon as possible and settle everything with the deceased’s family.”
“Okay, I’ll do it now.” Wen Zeyu got to his feet.
Rong Jian also stood up and wanted to follow him out. Suddenly, he remembered something, patted the back of his head, and said, “I didn’t just come here to remind you of this. I’ve also come here to ask Dr. Mu…”
“Call her sister-in-law.”
“Okay, I’m here to ask my sister-in-law to go back to work.” Rong Jian felt awkward at the sound of ‘sister-in-law’.
Qin Jinhuan refused frankly, “Feng Rubing in the forensic lab is more than enough. You will not miss one novice.”
“Rubing is sick. She went to the hospital for drips early this morning. She’s still lying in the hospital right now.”
Although Rong Jian’s voice was very soft, Wen Zeyu, who had reached the door, still heard him clearly. He immediately turned back and winked as he smiled ambiguously, saying, “It’s time for you to prove your attentiveness. Properly utilize this opportunity.”
“It’s none of your business. Go away.” Rong Jian gave him a kick.
Wen Zeyu took a big jump and laughed. “I’m only reminding you kindly. There are three steps that must be done—love medicine, roses, and millet congee.”
With that, he turned quickly and asked Qin Jinhuan, “By the way, bro, how did you secure your wife at lightning speed?”
Qin Jinhuan glanced faintly at him and didn’t answer. Wen Zeyu laughed and answered his own question, “Based on my understanding of you, you must have forced her into this! Hehe, she looks so pure and cute. Bro, are you being too rough on her? If it were me, I will…”
As Qin Jinhuan shot a sharp dagger-like gaze at him, Wen Zeyu felt his spine turn cold. He swallowed the joking words he wanted to say back and disappeared out of the door like he was escaping.
“This kid is really owed a good scolding. I’ll help you teach him a lesson later.” Rong Jian gave Qin Jinhuan a pleasing smile. When he saw that Qin Jinhuan gave him only a faint gaze and didn’t answer him, Rong Jian was desperate. “The doctor advised Rubing to rest for a week. There’s no one in the forensic lab now. If sister…in-law Mu doesn’t go to work, my work here won’t be able to operate normally.”
“Find yourself a solution.” Qin Jinhuan stood up and walked out of the room.
“If I can think of a way, would I have to purposely come and look for you? Please help me out.” Rong Jian quickly followed up. “I’m focused on investigating the case of the Cheng Xi forest. Don’t you want to find out sooner who the murderer is? Have you forgotten what I just reminded you of just now?”
His last sentence made Qin Jinhuan stop on his heels. After thinking for a while, he said, “We’ll talk about it when Grandpa recovers into his right state of mind.”
“Okay.” Rong Jian responded happily. He knew that each time the Old Master was ill, it wasn’t for long.
“If Grandpa is sick, you must send Yu back to see him at once.”
“This is a must. Grandpa’s illness is the most important thing.”
The Rong family and the Qin family were old family friends. Rong Jian and Qin Jinhuan were childhood friends. He had lost count of the number times he went to the Qin manor to eat from an early age. Although Qin Xiaozhi was very strict with Qin Jinhuan, he was actually very gentle and loved him very much. That was why he had a very close relationship with Qin Xiaozhi and addressed him as ‘grandpa’ the same way Qin Jinhuan did.
Initially, Qin Jinhuan wanted to push the door and walk into his grandpa’s room. When he saw that Rong Jian was still trailing him from behind, he was instantly unhappy. “Don’t think about taking Yu away now!”
“I’m not thinking of that,” Rong Jian lowered his tone and said. “Dr. Mu is a very innocent girl. You signed a marriage pact with her with a purpose. Don’t take the opportunity to hurt…”
“Why do you care?”
“I’m kindly reminding you not to look lightly upon annoying a forensic doctor,” Rong Jian laughed dryly and said. “Their scalpels are really sharp.”
Qin Jinhuan chuckled and said, “Is that why you dare not simply confess to Feng Rubing?”
“It’s not because of this that I didn’t confess…”
Before he could finish his sentence, the door of Qin Xiaozhi’s room suddenly opened. Mu Yu hurried out and was startled by them. When she saw Rong Jian, she immediately greeted him, “Chief Rong? Why are you here?”
“I’ve come to see Grandpa.”
“Oh, Grandpa just fell asleep. Um, I need to answer a call.” Before Rong Jian could respond, Mu Yu had already ran hastily into Qin Jinhuan’s room.
“Grandpa is asleep, so you can leave.”
After Qin Jinhuan said that, he didn’t bother with Rong Jian and went straight into his own room. As he pushed the door open, he heard Mu Yu’s sweet and gentle voice. “Yihan, you’re looking for me?”