Meng Jin pulled Tang Xiaoguo into his room and shut the door. Just as the door was closing, he caught a mysterious smile on Mrs. Jin’s face, realizing she had misunderstood his intentions, thinking he was about to do something not suitable for children with his girlfriend.
“Let her think what she wants,” he thought to himself, “My aim is to make her happy anyway. This way, bringing up marriage in a fortnight will seem all the more reasonable.”
Meng Jin wanted Tang Xiaoguo to tell him everything she had found out. Tang Xiaoguo shared that after returning to China, He Saibing stayed at the Jinyue Hotel, which is part of the Fang Zheng Group. Jennie Yang was also seen at the Jinyue Hotel during the same period, ostensibly for work, but actually to meet He Saibing.
Tang Xiaoguo’s initial interest in He Saibing wasn’t to investigate the murder of Liu Tianshi but rather to delve into the sensational scandals behind the Liu family, which were more appealing to the public than the murder case itself.
Coincidentally, on the day Liu Tianshi was murdered, He Saibing checked out of the Jinyue Hotel and vanished without a trace.
He Saibing must have sought out Jennie Yang because of the baby she was carrying. Jennie Yang would certainly keep a close watch on her every move. Her disappearance wouldn’t go unnoticed by Jennie Yang, who would surely connect it to Liu Tianshi’s murder.
Yet Jennie Yang mentioned nothing about He Saibing to the police, which was highly unusual.
Jennie Yang was becoming more and more suspicious.
Meng Jin called Zhao Yunzhi, who couldn’t get away because he was attending a murder scene in the southern part of the city with his colleagues.
Meng Jin asked Zhao Yunzhi to meet him at the Fang Zheng Group immediately, but Zhao hemmed and hawed before hanging up.
Eager to make a mark, Zhao Yunzhi saw Liu Tianshi’s case as a tough nut to crack. With no breakthroughs despite long efforts, the recent murder case seemed easier by comparison, promising some credit to those who solved it.
Tang Xiaoguo volunteered to assist Meng Jin, who flatly refused. Impersonating a police officer was illegal, and as a police officer, he knew the law and the increased penalties for breaking it.
However, Tang Xiaoguo came prepared with an offer Meng Jin couldn’t refuse—she had more explosive information.
Meng Jin was tempted, honestly speaking. The information about He Saibing was indeed valuable, and Tang Xiaoguo might really have something substantial.
“Why do you insist on coming with me? You’re a journalist, you should have plenty of opportunities to meet Jennie Yang, right?” Meng Jin thought to himself, resolving not to agree too readily, to seem more thoughtful, otherwise, this woman would definitely push for more.
Tang Xiaoguo had a valid reason; she did have opportunities to see Jennie Yang, but they were always at public events, with many media present and from a distance, almost no chance for close interviews. Jennie Yang hadn’t given an exclusive interview in over a decade.
She’s got tenacity for her job. Meng Jin silently applauded her.
Jennie Yang arranged a meeting as usual, prompt and straightforward. Secretary Huang personally welcomed them at the door, showing slight surprise at seeing a new face.
Meng Jin wasn’t good at lying but had anticipated such a situation and prepared his explanation, saying that Zhao Yunzhi couldn’t make it.
This was the truth, not a lie.
He didn’t say Tang Xiaoguo was a colleague, nor did he say she was replacing Zhao Yunzhi.
The beauty of it was in what he didn’t say—those listening would fill in the gaps themselves. He didn’t need to lie, but the lies spread regardless.
Secretary Huang led them to meet Jennie Yang, Tang Xiaoguo was so excited she grabbed Meng Jin’s hand, barely able to contain herself. Meng Jin shook her hand off.
Jennie Yang was radiant, her smile warm and elegant, the earlier dishevelment from a media assault long gone.
Meng Jin intentionally didn’t introduce Tang Xiaoguo; the less said, the better.
However, Jennie Yang inquired about her on her own. Her etiquette was impeccable, not overlooking anyone.
Meng Jin had no choice but to say, “Zhao Yunzhi couldn’t come, she’s filling in temporarily.” He deliberately kept Tang Xiaoguo’s name vague, out of both guilt and concealment.
Jennie Yang’s sharp gaze lingered on Tang Xiaoguo, who responded with a slight smile.
Jennie Yang’s expression darkened for a moment.
In a flash, Meng Jin felt Jennie Yang had seen through Tang Xiaoguo’s disguise. He couldn’t explain why, but he just had that strange intuition.
Suddenly, he felt guilty, his palms sweating; he rarely lied, and being seen through made him nervous and uneasy.
Jennie Yang asked with a smile, “Is this lady also from your department?”
She had seen through him. When Meng Jin met her gaze, he confirmed his suspicion.
“I’m sorry, she’s a friend, not a colleague. If it bothers you, we can reschedule,” Meng Jin confessed openly, feeling much more grounded after speaking up.
Jennie Yang’s face showed no ripple of emotion, her confidence saying, “Of course not. The friend of Captain Meng is my friend; how could I neglect that?”
Interacting with her was indeed comforting; it felt like being cared for at every moment, every subtle emotion understood and soothed.
She was clever, making things clear, letting Meng Jin know she saw through his little ploys while still giving him face by not dismissing Tang Xiaoguo outright.
Even someone as proud as Tang Xiaoguo looked up to Jennie Yang in admiration, wondering, “How did I give myself away? I didn’t even say a word.”
Once seated, Meng Jin got straight to the point, asking about He Saibing’s contact with Jennie Yang.
Jennie Yang’s eyes flickered with surprise, but she quickly regained her composure, nodding, “She did come to see me.”
“He Saibing is Liu Er’s girlfriend, right? Why did she come to see you?”
Jennie Yang nodded, “That’s right. Captain Meng, I don’t understand, what does He Saibing’s visit have to do with Tianshi’s murder? How did you start investigating her? Oh, I’m just curious, please ignore my question if it’s inconvenient to disclose.”
“We’re not sure yet, but as far as we know, Liu Tianshi was supposed to meet He Saibing before he died.”
Jennie Yang said, “She told me she was pregnant, the child was Liu Er’s, and she hoped I would acknowledge her child.”
Meng Jin hadn’t expected Jennie Yang to be so forthcoming, “If I’m not mistaken, you refused her, didn’t you?”
“Yes. She said she would go to Tianshi, also saying,” Jennie Yang seemed amused, her lips twitching into a smile, “she also said she would drive me away, and her child would be the heir to the Fang Zheng Group.”
“She told you she was going to see Liu Tianshi, why didn’t you mention this earlier?” Meng Jin remarked.
“I didn’t want to interfere with your investigation, and besides, she had no reason to kill Tianshi.”
“Whether there’s a reason or not, the police will decide,” Meng Jin’s tone hardened, angry at Jennie Yang’s poor excuses.
The more Jennie Yang evaded, the more suspicious she seemed.
Meng Jin was puzzled, and at that moment, Tang Xiaoguo pushed her notebook towards him. Glancing sideways, he saw several questions written down, with a final line, “If you won’t ask, I will.”
This was an outright threat. Allowing Tang Xiaoguo to ask would be disrespectful to Jennie Yang, likely causing offense. Jennie Yang hadn’t driven her out, which doesn’t mean she would tolerate an unwelcome person indefinitely.
Tang Xiaoguo was determined to achieve her goals by any means necessary, and Meng Jin couldn’t let her go wild, so he had to comply with her threat.
“Mrs. Yang, why did you refuse He Saibing? Do you think the child in her womb definitely isn’t Liu Er’s?”
Though these were also his questions, being forced made it very unpleasant.
Jennie Yang picked up a cigarette from the table, and Secretary Huang promptly offered a lighter.
“Does Captain Meng mind?” Jennie Yang’s fingers were slender, her gesture of holding the cigarette elegant, the curvature of her fingers beautiful.
Meng Jin suddenly realized why Liu Tianshi had Li Zizi imitate Jennie Yang—Jennie Yang was a very charismatic woman, her every move, her smiles, graceful and enchanting. Living with such a woman for long, it would be hard to accept anyone else.
How could one accustomed to Michelin-star dining tolerate a street-side dive?
“Please proceed,” Meng Jin said.
Jennie Yang smiled lightly in thanks, “It doesn’t matter whose child it is, even if it is Liu Er’s, or rather, because it is Liu Er’s, I don’t want it.”
This response was unexpected, baffling.
Tang Xiaoguo was itching to dig deeper, sensing a major scoop, and could hardly contain her excitement.
Meng Jin stomped on her foot hard.
Tang Xiaoguo probably also feared being thrown out, using all her might to restrain her excitement.
Before Meng Jin could ask further, Jennie Yang looked towards Secretary Huang, who took out a set of keys, unlocked a drawer in the filing cabinet, and placed a document in front of Meng Jin.
The document was entirely in English. Meng Jin struggled to understand it for a while; Tang Xiaoguo leaned over, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “XYY syndrome!”
She almost shouted, quickly covering her mouth, apologetically glancing at Jennie Yang.
Jennie Yang nodded, “Liu Er has XYY syndrome. Such people are better off not continuing their lineage.”
Her tone was cold and merciless, as if discussing a deeply despised enemy.
“As far as I know,” Tang Xiaoguo spoke before Meng Jin could stop her, “XYY syndrome is a chromosomal variation, not a genetic disease, it isn’t hereditary. Liu Er’s descendants won’t necessarily have XYY syndrome. Might you reconsider?”
Jennie Yang raised an eyebrow at Tang Xiaoguo, not seeming to mind her interjection, “No need.” No further explanation was given.
Tang Xiaoguo wanted to continue questioning, but Meng Jin nudged her with his elbow; she ignored it.
“He Saibing has disappeared, do you know about it?”
