The moment Lu Yanchen's lips touched mine, I was stunned!
My brain froze, and I stared at him with wide eyes, even forgetting to breathe.
Was I dreaming?
No, Lu Yanchen actually kissed me!
Seeing I was nearly suffocating, he released me, a faint smile lingering on his lips. "Did you get scared?"
I was still quite frightened, blinking at him, unsure how to respond.
After all, I hadn't experienced such intimate gestures in years.
The kiss that left the deepest impression on me was when I was young, when Lu Shiyan held an umbrella for me in the rain. We were soaked, and he kissed me, and I awkwardly responded.
But he was Lu Yanchen.
He reached out and stroked my lips, saying softly, "It's okay. First time, second time, you'll get used to it sooner or later, my Mrs. Lu."
That doting voice made my cheeks burn.
I was reborn to pursue my career, not to fall in love. My heart is sealed, I won't love again.
"I'm hungry, let's eat first," I deliberately changed the subject.
"Okay."
He was as gentlemanly as ever, as if the man who had suddenly become reckless this morning wasn't him.
"Yanchen, can you help me look up the Zhang family?" I said, breaking the conversation.
"Which Zhang family?"
I took a bite of my crab roe bun, frowned, and shook my head. "Actually, I don't know."
Granny was lucky enough to mention the Zhang family in her situation; there was nothing more to say.
"It should be the Zhang family that had a feud with the Su family many years ago, not something that happened recently."
"Okay, I understand."
He pushed the milk towards me. "Remember to drink your milk."
I kept feeling like he was treating me like a child, like a father reminding his daughter to drink milk every day.
"Yanchen, I'm already twenty," I protested.
"Yeah, I know, little girl." He rubbed my head.
I was speechless.
"Wanwan, what are your plans for the new year?" he suddenly asked. "If you want to continue your studies, I'll transfer your student status here during this time. You can graduate after one more year next year. Of course, if you don't want to study, that's fine too. You can just start working at Lu's or start your own business."
It was then I remembered that Jiang Wanwan's body was still a junior, having previously taken a leave of absence due to depression.
I still had another year to get my diploma, and since I knew I wouldn't have much time in school, I'd focus on internships and preparing for my thesis.
I readily agreed. "Okay, it's only a year. I'll stick with it."
"Well, you can think about what you want to do in the future. Whatever you choose, I'll support you."
Having someone who's willing to support you is something I've never experienced before, and it actually feels quite good.
In my spare time, I glanced at the online rumors. Su Ning'an was being badly criticized, and Su Wan was a viral sensation.
The dean and others published a series of evidence online and gave interviews to reporters, confirming my charitable efforts over the years.
Who says kindness is useless?
The seeds you plant will only blossom and bear fruit when the time is right. The same goes for evil deeds. During my time as a spirit, I was also heartbroken, blaming the heavens for being unfair. Why didn't someone like Su Ning'an receive retribution?
Look, isn't retribution here?
Compared to the storms she'll face in the future, this is nothing. It simply cuts off her path to public exposure through the media.
The Fu and Su families spent a fortune on public relations to suppress Su Ning'an's disgraceful appearance at the scene.
For the past two days, Lu Yanchen has been very busy, returning only after dark. I've been at the Lu family, accompanying the old man and managing the household.
With the Lu New Year approaching, there's a lot of tedious work to do at home.
I've worked so hard for so long, and finally, I'm taking a break. It's nice.
I trimmed the flowers, waiting for Lu Yanchen to get off work so we could have dinner together.
When it was almost dark and he still hadn't returned, I took the initiative to call and check on him. "Wanwan, I found out something about Su Wan. Are you interested?"
I immediately put down the scissors and asked, "What is it?"
"Su Ning'an drove to a place for maintenance after being discharged from the hospital. It's the auto repair shop you asked me to check, so I had someone follow her."
"Did you find anything?"
"She disappeared quickly after entering and didn't leave until recently. I suspect there's a hidden door in this repair shop."
I thought of the place my spirit had visited. There were no windows or light anywhere. It must be underground!
"Where are you? I'll be right there."
Lu Yanchen sent me his location, and I rushed over anxiously.
Lu Yanchen's car was parked a little far away, probably to avoid attracting attention.
I met up with him, a look of nervousness on my face. "Did you find anything?"
He handed me the tablet. "This auto repair shop has been open for over a decade. It's not very large. I checked the qualifications and everything seems normal."
"Who's the owner?"
"Zhang Mofan."
I looked at him sharply. "Zhang?"
Could it be related to the Zhang family Grandma mentioned? "You asked me to investigate the Zhang family, who have a grudge against the Su family. There is indeed such a family. They're the Zhang family, who run the steel business in the west of the city. Thirty years ago, they competed with the Su family for a business deal, but competing for business is common in all walks of life, and it wasn't a major incident. Later, the Zhang family declined, and their company was dissolved long ago."
I looked at Zhang Mofan, a man in his thirties above the auto repair shop. I'd never dealt with him before, and he wasn't the man who killed me.
"So is this Zhang Mofan connected to the Zhang family in the west of the city?"
"No, it's just a coincidence that we share the same surname. Zhang is a very common surname. Of course, don't be discouraged. Even if we haven't found anything yet, it's because the surface of the lake is calm. The real big fish often hide at the bottom. We have plenty of time."
I nodded, gazing at the auto repair shop in the distance. "I'd like to go in and take a look." If I could find the underground passage, maybe I could find the stone chamber where the body was dismembered.
"Wanwan, tell me, what do you know?"
His eyes were calm and composed, and I bit my lip, hesitant. Lu Yanchen took my hand. "Wanwan, you can always trust me. I won't harm you. You're my wife, and I'll support you in everything you do. I know you want justice for Su Wan, and I share your feelings. We're not enemies."
I met his deep eyes, and my mind flashed back to that snowy night when he lit three thousand eternal lanterns atop Lingshan Mountain.
After a brief pause, I said, "I suspect this might be where Su Wan's body was dismembered..."