Liu Chang's words served as a wake-up call for Jiang Wanqing and also gave them a glimmer of hope.
The mother and daughter were not in a hurry to return to Xiyang Village, but instead found a guesthouse in the county town to stay in.
That night, Xue He tossed and turned, unable to sleep, tormented by both worry and anticipation.
"Mom, why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Wanqing...did Comrade Liu's suggestion during the day really work?" She turned over to face her daughter: "Our family has caused Cheng Ran so much trouble this time. Will it make you feel ashamed in your in-laws' house? Your parents have held you back. We're sorry..."
Besides worrying about her husband, she also felt guilty. If they had been more ruthless towards Jiang Jianwei and his wife in the past, cutting off all contact and refusing to acknowledge their relationship, things wouldn't have come to this.
"Mom, this is not our fault. We are victims too. Cheng Ran is not incapable of distinguishing right from wrong. Please don't overthink it."
She could only be thankful that Jiang Jianwei's elderly mother had been tortured to death a few months earlier, otherwise she would probably have been used as a tool at this critical juncture as well.
Unable to fall asleep, Xue He threw off the covers and got out of bed.
"Don't worry about it, Mom's going to get some water. You can go to sleep."
"I'll go. It's cool at night, and if you catch a cold, I'll have to take care of you. You should rest."
She knew her mother didn't want to disturb her rest, but sometimes excessive love can become a burden. She could only cooperate and bear it, as if it were to make up for the regrets of her past life.
She carried the kettle, opened the door and went out. On her way back, she passed a room and heard two familiar voices outside the door...
"Director Zheng, hasn't she given in yet? We've paid a heavy price this time. If the police trace it back to us, I'm afraid..."
"There's no turning back now. Even if we can't change her mind, we have to crush her! How's the situation with those two dead men?"
"Everything was done as you instructed. The forensic doctor didn't perform an autopsy, but Jiang Xiu stopped him. Now that the body has been cremated, no one can find any evidence!"
That voice belongs to Zheng Yuan and that Wang guy who once appeared in Xiyang Village!
Jiang Wanqing shut her mouth and quickly returned to her room. Xue He noticed that her face was a little pale and quickly asked her what had happened.
"What's wrong with you? Did you catch a cold?"
She pushed her mother's hand away and shook her head: "No, I'll get you some water."
"and you……"
"Mom, I'm going to sleep now."
She pulled the blanket over her head. She needed to think carefully about how to get Zheng Yuan to admit what he had done at this critical juncture when there was "no evidence" at all!
The next day, Liu Chang quickly sent her confirmation that the two would meet at a restaurant he trusted.
He handed over a piece of paper with two lines of small writing on it.
"This is what you asked me to investigate: Zheng Yuan's train number and time of arrival from Beijing. According to the information we already have, he did arrive here before Jiang Jianwei and his wife died. He was accompanied by a woman, but no one saw what she looked like."
Jiang Wanqing frowned. Without even thinking, she was absolutely certain that the woman was Jiang Xiu!
"Thank you, you've helped me a lot!" she said gratefully.
"It's just a small favor, nothing much. What I'm curious about is, what's the point of investigating this? Can it help clear your father and Cheng Ran's names?"
She shook her head: "Not yet, but... I already know what to do."
"That's great! Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Could you please get me a radio/tape recorder?
He looked up at her in surprise. Clearly, this was a huge leap, but judging from her expression, she certainly wasn't thinking about entertainment at this moment.
He opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't ask any more questions, and replied, "That's easy, I'll get it for you."
"Okay, thank you for your help."
Jiang Wanqing looked at the information on the note, and just as she had expected, all that was left was to lure the snake out of its hole...
Back at the guesthouse, she couldn't find Xue He in her room, so she ran downstairs. The receptionist saw her searching anxiously and immediately stood up and called to her.
"That comrade!"
She stopped and turned her head to look at him: "You called me?"
"Yes, are you looking for your mother?"
Yes, you know where she is.
"She was having tea with a young comrade in the tea room. Just turn left up ahead and you'll see her."
The staff smiled at her and kindly gave her directions. Jiang Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, took two steps forward, and then her expression suddenly changed.
Young comrade... could it be... oh no!
She walked briskly toward the tea room the staff had mentioned. The door was ajar, not closed, as if it were waiting for her to come in.
The moment she pushed the door open, Zheng Yuan and Xue He both looked at her.
"Wanqing, you're finally back."
When Xue He saw her, she relaxed from her tense state and was about to get up and leave when Zheng Yuan glanced at her.
"Auntie, it seems you didn't take what I just said to heart."
"I..." she said, her face showing difficulty, her fingers gripping tightly.
"Mom, what did he say to you?"
"No...it's nothing, it's just that this Comrade Zheng said he can help us..."
It's obvious that Zheng Yuan said more than just that, otherwise Xue He wouldn't have had that expression.
"Mom, you go back to your room first. I want to talk to Comrade Zheng." Jiang Wanqing's eyes were fixed on Zheng Yuan.
"But you..."
Xue He was reluctant to leave her daughter alone. Firstly, it wasn't appropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in a room together. Secondly, she had just chatted with Zheng Yuan for a while, and this middle-aged woman who had lived for decades was forced to follow the rhythm and direction of his conversation, which felt very oppressive. She felt that the man in front of her was not a good man.
"Don't worry, Mom, I'll come back to you right away."
Not knowing what to do, Jiang Wanqing smiled at her and told her not to worry.
Reluctantly, Xue He had no choice but to leave, walking very slowly...
Finally, only Zheng Yuan and Jiang Wanqing remained in the tea room. He changed the teacup, poured her a cup of tea, and gestured for her to sit down.
"I'm sure you're curious about what I said to your mother."
“No, I’m not curious.” Jiang Wanqing sneered, “Because I can guess what you told her.”
"Oh? So, in your opinion, was my move right or wrong?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She clenched her fists, then released them, sat down where he indicated, initially showing compliance, and took a sip of tea.
"You've succeeded. I have nowhere to go. Please let my dad go and let Cheng Ran go."
Zheng Yuan narrowed his eyes, surprised that she would suddenly be so easy to talk to.
"How did you come to your senses?"
"A wise man submits to circumstances; isn't that what you said?"
Upon hearing her answer, Zheng Yuan smiled enigmatically and clapped his hands a few times.
"Alright! Let's toast to your rationality with tea instead of wine." Zheng Yuan picked up the tea: "I'll have someone prepare the contract right away. Once you sign it, I'll let your father go."
“No rush, Director Zheng, do you remember our first formal meeting?” she asked.
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