Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
From the moment Tuoba Gucheng and his wife got down from the car, the reporters started shooting questions at them frantically.
Cradling her pregnant belly, Lin Shishi slowly walked through the door of the Lin residence with Tuoba Gucheng holding onto her.
There were three coffins placed inside the mourning hall.
Lin Shishi sprawled herself across Madam Lin’s coffin, looking at her mother who had her eyes tightly closed and who no longer had any breath. Tears poured down her face instantly.
The Jin family had come too, and the whole family was in a heavily somber mood.
Madam Jin went forward and held onto her lightly, trying to console her.
Lin Shishi had cried to a state of dizziness. Feeling that she was about to pass out again, she braced herself and was helped into the room to rest.
The pair of mother and daughter-in-law, Madam Jin and Tuoba Danxue, accompanied her in the room.
Just when everyone was silent, Lin Shishi suddenly spoke to Madam Jin beside her. “I know who did it.”
Madam Jin probed, “Who?”
“An Xiaoning.”
Madam Jin was stunned when she heard it. “It couldn’t be, right? Although she broke off ties with your family, the issue about the ban is already long over. She has no reason to do this.”
“It’s really her,” Lin Shishi said in a stupor. “I won’t let her off.”
Madam Jin and Tuoba Danxue exchanged glances. They instantly felt that there was more to this matter.
But seeing that she seemed to have suffered quite a huge emotional blow, they did not dare to say anything and just sat there quietly to soothe her emotions.
While on the one hand, the media reporters continued to report on the situation here, on the other hand, a family of three was sitting on the sofa watching the news at Sanqiao Estate. It was relatively silent here as well.
An Xiaoning had a pack of chips in her hands and she sat there, cross-legged, eating as she watched the news. When the news was over, An Xiaoning picked up the remote control and turned off the television.
“Look at that, Lin Shishi was crying so bitterly on television and appeared so pitiful. But she should clearly know what she has done and she’d surely be able to guess that I was behind it. I’m sure, at this exact moment, she’s wishing that I was dead.”
“Xiaoning, Lin Shishi has such a high status. What if she exacts revenge on you, Qingyan, or your child…”
“Mother, I’ve already thought of this possibility that you’re worrying about. But… I won’t give her that chance. How their Lin family had treated me, I will get back twice in return!”
“Boss, that fellow is calling you again!” An Xiaoning glanced at the caller display and said to her parents beside her, “It’s actually from Bureau Chief Pan.”
“Quick, pick it up. Hear what he’s got to say.” Shi Qingzhou hurried her.
An Xiaoning slid the answer button. “Hello.”
“Xiaoning, do you know what happened to the Lin family?”
“I know, I saw the news. What’s wrong?”
“A huge case like this, our superior actually handed it to our unit and even transferred an elite investigator from B City to help us out. Do you want to join in the investigation?”
“Was it our superior or you yourself who wanted to ask me?”
“Xiaoning, you’re smart indeed. Our superior called me to make me ask you.”
An Xiaoning was absorbed in her thoughts for a moment. Was Tuoba Gucheng trying to test her?
“If I’m needed, I’ll definitely be willing to take part in the investigation.”
Seeing how she agreed so readily, Pan Zhenghui hurriedly replied, “Alright, then, you should come to the Lin residence. We’re all here…”
“No problem.” She hung up the call.
“They’re asking you to take part in the case?” Shi Qingzhou started panicking. “Will they make you fall into your own trap?”
“Mother…” An Xiaoning looked at her in a serious manner. “You and Father should remember this. The case regarding the Lin family has nothing to do with me. No matter where you are in the future, both of you must clearly remember this. Don’t forget. Even if it’s at home in the future, such things can’t be said anymore.”
Thinking that it made sense, Shi Qingzhou responded, “Okay.”
Tuoba Shuo, on the other hand, replied, “I actually think there may be two possible reasons that they asked you to help out at the police station. First, they want you there so that they can observe you every moment, to see if you’ll give yourself away. Secondly, …”
He paused for a moment before going on, “It’s very possible that Gucheng and Shishi are playing a huge game of chess. Maybe they’re very certain that you did it, but if there’s no evidence to pin it to you, they might make some up.”
“I understand what you mean, Father. I’ll be extremely careful.” She had to admit that her father’s words gave her a timely reminder.
Tuoba Gucheng would definitely settle this matter perfectly. After all, those were his in-laws, weren’t they?
She went upstairs and opened her wardrobe, carefully selecting a long dress.
It was an off-shoulder black dress.
Since she was going to the Lin residence, she naturally would not wear any bright colors. If she dared to, she would immediately be on the headlines.
Usually, when she was investigating a case, An Xiaoning would always wear flats and clothes that were suitable for physical activity.
But today, she did not.
Not only did she wear a dress, she also put on high heels.
Without bringing anyone with her, she drove there alone.
The media reporters were all gathered around the front gate as they were not allowed inside and could only wait outside.
Seeing An Xiaoning come down from her car, the group of them surrounded her tightly and did not leave a single empty spot for her to go through.
“Ms. An, can you answer a few questions of ours?”
Multiple microphones were shoved near her mouth. Her tone was flat as she replied, “What questions?”
“We heard you cut off ties with the Lin family. Before this happened to the Lin family, were you still in contact with them?”
An Xiaoning responded, “No. Since I cut off ties with them, isn’t it a bit unnecessary to remain in contact? No matter what, we used to be family. So, since something has happened to them now, I can’t stand by and do nothing either. I’ve come down not only to attend the funeral but also to help out in investigating this case. After all, the Bureau Chief asked me himself.”
Her explanation was so perfect that it explained everything clearly.
“Then, Ms. An, may I know how much confidence you have with regard to this case?”
An Xiaoning kept silent for a moment before responding, “That depends, because I have yet to investigate the crime scene. Alright, I’m going in now.”
Squeezing through the crowd, she finally managed to pass through the front door of the Lin residence.
After passing through the door, she headed inside slowly.
She had a small bag slung over her shoulder, with some important things contained inside.
The mourning hall was set in front of the living room, and someone was busy settling things there. When the police saw her arrive, Pan Zhenghui led them over to her.
An Xiaoning asked under her voice, “Tell me honestly, who called you to ask me here?”
Pan Zhenghui scanned around and replied in a low voice, “It was the President who called me. Look, you’re regarded so highly. He even acknowledged you as a capable fortune-teller in our country.”
An Xiaoning maintained a calm expression, but she instantly understood something.
She did not say anything further and went straight into the investigation. “How’s the investigation going? Are there any clues?”
Pan Zhenghui shook his head. “There isn’t even a single fingerprint found, nor are there any footprints. Don’t even talk about clues. It’s like it was done by a ghost. Tell me, isn’t this strange? The door was locked from the inside.”
An Xiaoning nodded. “Come, let’s go. Where is His Majesty now? ”
“He’s upstairs consoling Madam. She’s suffered a really huge blow. The President said if you’re here, you’re to go and find him first.”
“Okay.”
