TNSFC – Chapter 53

Que Yining drove Hou Manni and Xiaoxiao to their home and watched them get out of the car.

Hou Manni led Xiaoxiao towards the house. It was already evening, and the villa’s lights were on. The trees behind it looked lush and verdant, exuding a dim gloom.

At the doorway, Xiaoxiao turned back and glanced at Que Yining.

Que Yining waved at her. Xiaoxiao gave a small nod and stepped into the house.

Que Yining got back into the driver’s seat and drove onto the road.

She used Bluetooth to call Gu Shanxue and ask where she was.

“At home. Are you back?”

It was only the second day of the Lunar New Year, not yet time to return to work, so Gu Shanxue was working from home.

“Yes, I’m back,” Que Yining replied, then explained the purpose of her call. “I want to find out some things, but I don’t know anyone reliable. Do you have any good recommendations you can send my way?”

Gu Shanxue: “Now? I’ll go ask around for you.”

Que Yining: “Okay, I’ll wait for your news then.”

Gu Shanxue: “Okay.”

Que Yining turned the steering wheel and drove towards her own home.

She actually really wanted to go see Gu Shanxue, but she didn’t know what excuse to use. If she went, what could she say to make her intentions seem less obvious?

In fact, as a friend, Que Yining could perfectly well visit Gu Shanxue’s home without any reason. But Que Yining didn’t want that kind of casual familiarity. If Gu Shanxue became too familiar with her, to the point where she wouldn’t notice any subtle hints, that would be disastrous.

Gu Shanxue quickly sent her a message, saying it was arranged.

【Lady Gu】: I’ve worked with this person for a long time. Their information is reliable and they’re fast. I’ll take you to meet them tomorrow.

【Que Yining】: No problem!

【Que Yining】: Then I’ll see you tomorrow!

【Lady Gu】: Okay, see you tomorrow.

Que Yining cheered inwardly. She didn’t even need to find an opportunity; it had presented itself.

Although she was looking forward to tomorrow, Que Yining didn’t rest immediately after returning home. After washing up, she sat down in front of her computer.

To prevent Wang Ruiyuan from realizing what was happening or finding someone to advise him, Que Yining had to quickly take down another company under his control.

She never considered herself a good person. If others provoked her, they had to pay the price.

She admitted her methods weren’t entirely upright, but that’s how the world was. Justice and law were useful, but when faced with power and money, they often weren’t so just. The law is impersonal, but the people who maintain its operation are human, and as long as humans are involved, there’s a lot of room for manipulation.

Que Yining had once completely trusted the judicial system. She had painstakingly found a piece of evidence, hoping to get legal assistance to uncover the truth of the past and bring the culprits to justice. However, not long after submitting it, the matter fizzled out, and even the evidence disappeared. Instead, she had alerted the enemy and nearly died several times.

She wasn’t disappointed in the judicial institutions; she was disappointed in human nature.

Admittedly, there were upright and just people, but they were like fireflies in the night. The voices of money and power silenced people, drowning out their calls and cries.

Que Yining looked at the documents and sighed softly.

She lowered her gaze, thinking about the scene she had witnessed during the day.

Deep within the courtyard, the sisters-in-law, who claimed not to be well acquainted, were nestled together whispering, their intertwined forms radiating an ambiguous intimacy.

Humans, truly creatures accustomed to lying.

The long night passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was broad daylight.

Que Yining had gone to bed very late due to overthinking, so when she was awakened by a phone call, she answered it without even clearly seeing the caller ID, her voice still groggy.

“Are you not up yet?”

Gu Shanxue paused for a moment, her voice unconsciously softening.

Que Yining responded with a drawn-out sound, taking a while to realize who it was before opening her eyes.

She yawned involuntarily, calling Gu Shanxue’s name with a slightly nasal tone.

Her tone was soft, as if she were being endearing, though she herself was unaware.

“I’m up. It’s already this late? I’m sure I set an alarm.”

Que Yining looked at her phone, which showed 1:00 PM, and rubbed her eyes, feeling a bit drowsy.

“Where are you?”

Que Yining asked while throwing off her blanket and heading to the bathroom in her slippers.

“Um… at your doorstep.”

“What?” Que Yining instantly sobered up. “Wait for me, I’ll open the door right away.”

Que Yining tossed her phone onto the bed and dashed towards the bathroom.

After quickly combing her hair twice and rubbing her eyes, she took a mouthful of water to rinse her mouth, spat it out, and immediately went to open the door.

Gu Shanxue stood there in a long trench coat, looking beautiful and fresh. Que Yining smiled, hoping she hadn’t gotten any pimples from staying up late; she hadn’t even had a chance to look closely just now.

“Shanxue, there are slippers here. Make yourself comfortable, I’ll go wash up.”

Que Yining didn’t dare let the other person look too closely. Not having washed up yet always made a meticulous girl like her feel a bit unclean. After letting Gu Shanxue in, she hurried to the bathroom.

Gu Shanxue had never been to Que Yining’s home before; she always just dropped her off downstairs and left.

Que Yining’s home had a warm color scheme, with many potted plants and paintings on the walls, fully reflecting her aesthetic taste.

Gu Shanxue didn’t look around indiscriminately but sat politely on the living room sofa, waiting for Que Yining to get ready.

After Que Yining finished washing up, she walked out of the bathroom in her slippers.

“Shanxue, there are drinks in the warming cabinet. Help yourself to whatever you’d like.”

Gu Shanxue nodded, but her gaze didn’t turn to the warming cabinet for hot drinks that Que Yining was pointing to. Instead, it fell on Que Yining’s head.

Que Yining was about to put on makeup and was wearing a cotton bunny-ear headband to keep her stray hairs back, which wobbled with her movements.

Gu Shanxue’s fingers, resting by her side, twitched. It was a bit cute; she wanted to pinch it.

Que Yining didn’t want to keep Gu Shanxue waiting too long, so she strode towards the bedroom.

When she wasn’t in a hurry, Que Yining would go through a full skincare routine before applying makeup. But now, she didn’t plan to leisurely apply a face mask. After applying toner, lotion, and cream to her face, she quickly put on light makeup, picked out clothes for the day from her walk-in closet, changed, and walked out of the bedroom.

It took no more than ten minutes in total, so fast that Gu Shanxue was still a bit dazed.

“Let’s go, time to head out.”

Que Yining tilted her head and picked a pair of shoes from the shoe cabinet.

Gu Shanxue: “Do you want to eat something to tide you over?”

Que Yining shook her head: “No need. Didn’t we make an appointment? Let’s talk after we meet them.”

Hearing this, Gu Shanxue changed the meeting place to a tea restaurant.

They arrived first, waiting for the person Gu Shanxue had mentioned.

Before long, someone walked over.

It was a young man who looked to be in his twenties or thirties, appearing listless as if he hadn’t woken up properly, wearing a baseball cap. He sat down behind them.

Que Yining initially thought she had mistaken him, but then she heard the person behind them speak.

“Long time no see. The client for the first job of the New Year is so beautiful, it really gives me a lot more motivation.”

The young man’s voice also had a casual, lazy drawl, even though he was speaking flattering words glibly.

“Hello beautiful, my name is Lin Zhen. This is my business card.”

He seemingly casually picked something up and placed the business card next to Que Yining’s hand.

“You two talk, I’ll go order drinks.”

Gu Shanxue stood up and moved away from Que Yining’s side.

Que Yining knew that Gu Shanxue personally bringing her to meet this person meant she trusted this man named Lin Zhen. Moreover, his manner of appearing seemed very professional. Que Yining hadn’t previously considered the possibility of being watched herself, so she was very satisfied with his caution.

So, Que Yining didn’t delay and got straight to the point. She took out an envelope containing three photographs and handed it over in the same discreet manner.

“My task might be a bit large, I hope you have enough manpower.”

“Of course, no problem. As long as you have enough money, the task will definitely be completed.”

Lin Zhen took off his cap, propped his head on his hand looking out the window as he replied, then put the envelope in his bag and took out the three photos from it.

“This is my older brother, Que Linyang. I want you to follow him, find out his recent situation, and see if he has any important private dealings. This is his wife, Hou Manni. This is my second sister, Que Chuling. They had a significant relationship before, and I also want to know the details.”

Que Yining stated her request as concisely as possible: “The focus is on my older brother. I want to know his situation, whether it’s family or business, the more detailed the better.”

“No problem.”

Lin Zhen looked at the three photos and quoted the price for the deposit.

The price was much cheaper than Que Yining had expected. She asked for his account details, noted them down on her phone, and said she would transfer the money later.

“Alright, just contact me at the number on my card then. As soon as the money is transferred, I’ll start immediately.”

Lin Zhen put his cap back on and left his seat.

He walked to the front counter and ordered drinks from the menu.

Gu Shanxue was standing nearby. Lin Zhen made a gesture to her and, pretending to be on his phone, sent Gu Shanxue a message.

【Just as you said, I quoted her the discounted price.】

Gu Shanxue looked down to reply to the message, nodded at the counter staff, and returned to her seat.

Lin Zhen looked at the message displayed on his screen and tutted.

【I’ll transfer the remaining amount to you.】

For new clients, Lin Zhen would never offer a discount, let alone the surcharge for starting work during the New Year. Gu Shanxue insisting he quote a discounted price and paying the difference herself was rather interesting.

However, he wouldn’t pry into a client’s privacy. As long as there was money to be made, it was fine.

Lin Zhen pulled his cap brim lower, took his takeaway hot drink, and left the tea restaurant, humming a tune.

Que Yining watched him leave and then looked at Gu Shanxue.

“The price he quoted was cheaper than I expected.”

“I know him somewhat; perhaps he gave a discount because of that.”

Gu Shanxue’s expression was calm as she watched the waiter approach and serve them their hot drinks.

Que Yining nodded. Gu Shanxue’s connection with a private investigator must be because she had hired him to investigate something, and it was undoubtedly related to her family matters. Since it concerned Gu Shanxue’s privacy, Que Yining naturally dropped the subject.

Gu Shanxue had ordered hot cocoa for Que Yining. After a while, the waiter brought over pasta and dessert and placed them in front of Que Yining.

Que Yining: “You ordered food for me too?”

Gu Shanxue nodded and, after a moment’s hesitation, said, “Staying up late is bad for your health.”

Que Yining nodded: “I know.”

As an elegant beauty with strict requirements for her figure, Que Yining didn’t often stay up late. After all, staying up late was one of the invisible and fatal reasons for aging, gaining weight, and becoming unattractive.

“I don’t stay up late often, only occasionally.”

Que Yining scooped up a spoonful of red velvet cake, put it in her mouth, and squinted her eyes in pleasure.

She looked at Gu Shanxue, her red lips curving into a beautiful arc.

“I’m very well-behaved.”

A certain word triggered a forbidden switch, causing sealed memories to resurface.

The exhaled warm breath mixed with an ambiguous, warm fragrance, the warmth lingering between their lips.

The small spoon extended in front of her brought Gu Shanxue back to her senses. The cake on it looked exceptionally sweet.

“Want a taste?”

The smile blooming in Que Yining’s eyes was bright and captivating, her tone slightly raised, as if coaxing.

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