Chapter 12

This incident happened twelve years ago. It was not only a natural disaster, but also a man-made disaster.

Because of its mountainous location, the coal valley has seen a large influx of young laborers into urban areas, separating them from their children and parents. Consequently, these left-behind children are more likely to obey the older children.

When Pei Huai was little, the older kids often organized adventures in the mountains behind him. It was a popular game at the time, a test of courage. They'd pack their picnic gear, sleeping bags, snacks, and unfinished homework, and spend two days and one night in the mountains.

Gradually, he went to middle school and was busy with his studies and various competitions, and he became much more distant from his old friends.

It so happened that his stepmother's younger brother had reached the age where he loved to play, and the older children invited him to go on a new round of adventures, so Yu Mingrui took the initiative to go in his place.

Later, Pei Huai learned from the elderly people who participated in the search and rescue that less than a quarter of an hour after the children entered the mountains, a torrential thunderstorm arrived. Within an hour or two, a landslide and the collapse of a signal tower occurred.

It was not until the evening of the next day, when the injured and damaged farmhouses had been rescued one after another, that people realized that something was wrong.

When the search and rescue work officially began in the mountains, no one had any hope left.

For the next five days, the entire village searched unsuccessfully. For his brother's sake, Pei Huai had no choice but to risk his life alone, venturing into the mountains. On that stormy night, he met someone.

A serial killer who has been hiding in the mountains for nearly five years.

Seventeen children, and only five survived in the end - Pei Huai didn't dare to think about what happened during these eight days, nor did he have the heart to ask Yu Mingrui.

As for Shan Li, he was the oldest survivor, at twelve years old. Before the expedition, at his aunt's insistence, he reluctantly took his ten-year-old cousin along, whose fate remains unknown.

Upon hearing the news, his father rushed back from the county overnight and slapped Pei Huai in public, angrily scolding him for not taking good care of his younger brother and for being cowardly and useless.

Later, Pei Huai was forced to drop out of school and went to work in the city, and he never heard about the follow-up of the incident.

Therefore, the timing of the appearance of this business card was too coincidental, too strange, and too deeply intertwined with his past. He had to be vigilant.

Pei Huai quickly found the Jingshan Real Estate Company headquarters based on the address. It wasn't far from the dessert shop, and a taxi was easily accessible and inexpensive.

Before breaking into the company's gate, he bought a baseball cap and checked the surveillance along the way: It was not difficult to get in, because all departments of the company were open to reporters, and the security guards would only confirm the press card and let him in hastily.

The Bangkok hotel had forged a press pass for each employee, just in case. Now it was time to put it to use.

After getting off the bus, Pei Huai first went to the department store and changed his clothes: a shirt alone, and casual trousers and work boots.

The front of his shirt was tucked into his trousers, and the back hem fell to the crotch, giving him a sense of weight. The shirt was a size too large, which accentuated his shoulders and made the thin bone at the back of his neck stand out more clearly.

Pei Huai put on his work badge and, under the guise of a Bangkok newspaper reporter, managed to sneak into the main gate quite smoothly.

Before he came in, the security guard didn't ask if he had an appointment. From this small detail, it can be seen that Jingshan Real Estate Company was either negligent in taking precautions or fully confident in its security.

He raised the brim of his hat, thanked the doorman, and walked towards the company lobby.

Behind him, the security guard quietly watched him disappear into the distance. His Adam's apple moved as he picked up the intercom and said, "Chairman, the princess has come in."

[Put down the guards, don't cause unnecessary damage.] The other party chuckled, [After all, this guy's strength is not simple.]

As soon as I entered the lobby, the receptionist, who was still checking data, immediately stood up, bowed, and greeted me warmly: "Hello, how can I help you?" She looked new and unguarded. As she approached, she handed me a visitor list and said, "Please sign this. Thank you."

Pei Huai also greeted her politely and signed the pseudonym on his press card in the blank space.

"Are you a reporter from a Bangkok newspaper?" She confirmed her identity and smiled. "I remember you were busy with an interview for the East District a while ago. What made you decide to come today?"

He said calmly, "The newspaper will be running a new interview in two weeks. I've spoken to your supervisor on the phone. By the way, has the head of the publicity department changed? The person who answered the phone each time was different."

"No, it was Director Qu again." She shook her head. "But the director has been very busy lately, so it's possible that someone else in the office answered the phone."

"Then it seems I came at an unfortunate time."

"That's not the case. I'll take you to see Manager Qu right away." The receptionist stood diagonally in front of him, with her right arm swung horizontally, leading him to the elevator.

Pei Huai glanced at the surveillance camera overhead and followed him: "Excuse me."

——Precisely because she is a newcomer, this girl named Lin Yuanyuan is very easy to talk to.

She was well-spoken, hospitable, and articulate. People like her were very willing to confide in someone with a kind attitude. Through her, Pei Huai also mentally simulated the general structure of the company.

"We're on the third floor." As the elevator door opened, she stepped out before Pei Huai, turned around and said with a smile, "It's the first room on the right. I'll take you there."

"Thanks."

As they turned to the right corridor, chatting and laughing, Lin Yuanyuan in front of them suddenly stopped, put away her smile, and bowed deeply. Pei Huaifu raised his eyes and noticed a figure standing at the office door.

"Ah, Chairman." She was at a loss. "Um, good afternoon." Hearing this title, Pei Huai's forehead suddenly jumped and goose bumps appeared on his back.

"Good afternoon, Xiaolin. Who is the person behind you...?" The voice was very humble and magnetic, steady, like two pieces of sandpaper gently rubbing against each other.

Pei Huai lifted his hat, his dark eyes fixed on him from bottom to top, a suggestive smile meeting his gaze. This was a man whose physique, even in a suit, couldn't be concealed. Standing there, he practically blocked out all the light.

Shan Li, dressed in a suit and tie, looked at him, bent his left thumb, stroking a tulip on his chest, his eyes becoming softer.

"He's a reporter from a Bangkok newspaper," Lin Yuanyuan introduced.

"Oh, I see. It just so happens that I also have something to ask your newspaper, Mr. Reporter." He leaned forward slightly, approached, his tall figure casting a shadow, and asked softly, "Do you mind coming in and chatting?" Pei Huai looked at him calmly and nodded.

——The office was empty, I wonder if they had been sent away in advance.

Shan Li walked right up front, half-opened the door for the "reporter," and considerately found a swivel chair. "I heard from Xiaolin that the Bangkok newspaper wants to discuss an interview with Director Qu. Unfortunately, he's currently busy with a new project and has no time to participate. So, Mr. Reporter, may I have the honor of being your audience?"

Without waiting for him to turn around, a hand grabbed the back of his head, and five fingers dug into his hair and pulled it down angrily.

The force of his hand was so great that Shan Li couldn't dodge in time and was thrown to the ground.

"Don't waste time." Pei Huai twisted his shoulders and pressed them down, forcing them into a top-bottom position. He lifted his leg and straddled him, his left knee pressing hard into the man's abdomen.

The blade silently pressed against the man's throat. Pei Huai leaned in closer, his eyes as cold as if he were observing a worthless dead object.

"I don't have time for a play with you. I ask questions, you answer. Got it?"

-

It must be said that the means Pei Huai used this time were tough and effective: Shan Li raised his hands, couldn't help laughing, and quickly confessed to him the origin of the business card.

He explained it was a coincidence—twelve years ago, he was on the verge of death when Pei Huai rescued him, saving his life. Ever since then, he has been thinking about repaying his debt of gratitude.

Unfortunately, when he returned to Coal Valley, the person he met was not his former benefactor, but his half-brother.

Upon inquiry, he learned that Pei Huai had not contacted his family since leaving on a southbound train years ago. Even Yu Mingrui was unaware of his brother's whereabouts. Hoping for another source of information, Shan Li left his business card and returned home disappointed.

Yu Mingrui's suicide also surprised and puzzled him.

Pei Huai wasn't sure if he was being honest or just trying to shirk responsibility. He twisted his wrist doubtfully, sheathed his knife, and was about to stand up and push the door open when Shan Li, whose life was hanging by a thread, called out to him.

"Mr. Pei, wait a minute." He lifted his collar, straightened his tie, and sat up, facing Pei Huai's calm eyes. "Would you like to stay and have dinner with me?"

It was an illogical request. But thinking about the many mysteries surrounding this person, Pei Huai thought for a moment and compromised.

But he never expected it.

The price of acceptance is that you will end up in a private room at a high-end restaurant.

Before the meal was served, Dan Li, sitting across from him, leaned his elbows forward on the table, his fingers interlaced under his chin. He smiled, his index finger occasionally stroking the scar along his lip, with the demeanor of a mature man. "I thought you wouldn't agree. It seems my earlier honesty has let you down. It's my honor."

As an example, he raised his glass and took a sip of red wine.

Pei Huai's reaction was indifferent.

"How have you been these past few years since you left Coal Valley?" Shan Li looked at him, gripping the cup holder with two fingers with interest, tilting his head back and swallowing another mouthful.

"Um."

"Actually, I'm a little surprised to find you in Kensos. This place truly has unlimited potential for development, both for you and our company. It seems like moving our headquarters was the right decision."

Pei Huai remained silent.

"You don't seem to want to continue the conversation. Is it because you don't like this topic?" He raised his eyebrows apologetically and leaned forward slightly. "I'm sorry, I seem to have made you feel uncomfortable. But that was not my intention. Would you like something to drink first?"

"……Need not."

The host, having been rejected, smiled gently at him. Afterwards, Shan Li asked some other questions, such as "Are there any dietary restrictions?" and "Will the environment be too quiet?" He also took the initiative to talk to Pei Huai about funk music.

At the end of the conversation, Pei Huai didn't want to pay any attention to him.

The latter also knew that he was asking for trouble, so he signaled his subordinates to find an excuse to leave the private room.

Pei Huai lowered his shoulders, raised his head, and took a deep breath, a deep breath for the little alone time he had won. Just as he took a second breath - "Brother, why did you run to a place like this?" A familiar voice slipped into his ears.

He was startled and almost fell off the chair. When he opened his eyes, he saw Xiang Mingqi squatting under the table with his hands on his head, winking at him innocently.

"You...?" Pei Huai was surprised at his sudden appearance and wanted to ask, but he couldn't find the right words for a moment.

"I saw you on the road, and didn't we agree to eat curry together today? So I followed you. Secretly, quietly." He put his left hand to his mouth, lowered his voice, and made a "finger man" with his right index and middle fingers, and took two steps in the air. "They didn't notice me. I sneaked in smoothly like an agent. It was so cool, you know? On the way, some people bowed and greeted me, and I fooled them perfectly." - Pei Huai was about to raise his hand to scold, but he heard footsteps coming from the direction of the gate, getting closer and closer.

In a hurry, Pei Huai kicked him under the table and pulled the tablecloth over to completely cover the figure underneath.

When Shan Li bowed to apologize and sat back in his original seat, the junior who didn't know what was going on reached out and touched his knee, as if he wanted to stand up.

Seeing this, Pei Huai thrust his waist forward and clamped his thighs around his head.