Chapter 67
The black sedan smoothly drove away from the villa area. The interior was dimly lit. Qi Jin leaned back in the leather seat, her eyes closed, her left hand still in her coat pocket, her fingertips tracing the sharp edge of the moon necklace and the smooth curve of the jade clasp through the fabric. A dull ache throbbed from the wound on her right shoulder, but she didn't even flinch.
The assistant in the driver's seat glanced cautiously in the rearview mirror and reported in a low voice: "Mr. Qi, two people who directly handled the apartment demolition on Qin Ming's side have been apprehended and identified the middleman. The police have taken them into custody. In addition, Qin's main partner bank has just replied, officially suspending their new round of credit approvals."
"Hmm," Qi Jin responded, without opening his eyes.
The assistant paused, then said, "Also, the preliminary report on 'Tracing the Light Space' and its recent personnel movements, which you asked me to investigate, has been sent to your email. This organization has a relatively clean background. It has been established for five years and mainly focuses on promoting contemporary art and supporting young artists. The founders are a couple who returned from overseas. They have simple social connections and no bad business records. Recently, they have indeed been discussing the direction of 'art therapy' internally and have consulted with two psychology professors in related fields. The project is still in the concept stage."
Qi Jin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze appearing even deeper in the dim light of the carriage. "That Su Xiao."
"Su Xiao, 23 years old, from City A, both parents are professors at University A. She completed her undergraduate and master's degrees in Art History at University A with excellent grades and is graduating this year. During her studies abroad, she had an internship at a small gallery in London. After returning to China, she entered 'Tracing Light Space' through normal recruitment channels as an intern, working as a curatorial assistant. She has been working there for just two weeks. She has a simple social network, no unusual financial transactions, and currently lives alone in an ordinary apartment in the eastern part of the city." The assistant reported in a steady tone, "Today, when we went to the Shi family to deliver materials, she volunteered after hearing the head of the organization mention Ms. Shi's situation, saying that she wanted to gain experience in dealing with high-end clients."
He volunteered. Qi Jin's lips twitched down almost imperceptibly by a millimeter. What a coincidence. Not long after Shi Ye "returned," an intern with a background as clean as a blank sheet of paper "just happened" to appear with a project that sounded harmless and relevant.
“Continue the investigation. Details of her internship in London, her parents’ social interactions in recent years, including all her awards, social media accounts, and even medical records from childhood to adulthood.” Qi Jin’s voice was cold. “Focus on investigating whether she has had even the most indirect connection with Qin Ming, or anyone else in the Qin family.”
"Yes." The assistant immediately wrote it down. He knew that his boss's caution had reached the point of being extremely tense, especially after Miss Shi's "resurrection."
“Furthermore,” Qi Jin’s gaze drifted to the rapidly receding street scene outside the window, “contact our advisors in the fields of psychology and art investment, and anonymously inquire about the theoretical validity and potential risks of this ‘non-directive art therapy’ for individuals with post-traumatic memory disorder. I need a professional assessment report, the more detailed the better.”
"clear."
Silence fell over the car again. Qi Jin closed his eyes again, but the fingers in his left pocket tightened even more. The metal edges of the necklace almost dug into his palm.
She recalled Shi Ye's bewildered yet timidly expectant eyes in the studio, the way she stared blankly at the blank canvas, and her subtle reactions when she heard words like "art," "memory," and "mother."
Is it genuine confusion, or a pretense?
If it's an act, what's the purpose? To get close to her? Or... something else?
Qi Jin couldn't be sure. The horrific scene of the explosion, the last touch and warmth of another Shi Ye remaining in her palm, and the necklace that was returned, still warm from his body... these images seared her nerves day and night. And now, a "Shi Ye" with the same face, but seemingly lost in thought, appeared before her, accompanied by a host of mysteries and loopholes.
She couldn't allow any uncertainties to approach Shi Ye. Even if Shi Ye himself was the biggest uncertainty.
But she couldn't completely rule out all possibilities. What if... what if this really was Shi Ye, just suffering from immense trauma and needing help? What if that seemingly coincidental project could actually awaken something in her?
Qi Jin's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. This feeling of being caught between a rock and a hard place was making her restless. She was used to being in control, used to making the most effective decisions after analyzing the pros and cons. But now, she was facing a chaotic situation that couldn't be explained by common sense.
---
(At the same time, at the Shi family villa)
The atmosphere at dinner was more gentle than expected. Shi Zhenghong, Shi's father, looked older, with more gray hair at his temples, but watching his daughter eat quietly, the guilt and heartache in his eyes were almost overflowing. He kept putting food on Shi Ye's plate, speaking very softly: "Xiao Ye, eat more of this, it used to be your favorite... has your taste changed?"
The original owner of Shi Ye shook her head and said softly, "It's alright." She didn't eat much, and her movements were refined, but she carried a distant politeness, more like a guest to a host than a daughter to her father.
Lin Xiaoyu was asked to stay for dinner, and in an attempt to liven things up, she told him some funny stories from school. Her father smiled along, but his eyes kept glancing involuntarily at his daughter.
After the meal, the aunt cleared away the dishes. Shi's father gestured for Shi Ye and Lin Xiaoyu to go to the study.
In the study, Mr. Shi took out the folder containing the "Tracing Light Space" document, placed it on the table, and looked at his daughter: "Xiao Ye, Qi Jin called this afternoon and talked about this project. What do you think? Are you really interested?"
The original owner of this body, Shi Ye, sat on the sofa, her fingers habitually twisting together again. She glanced at the folder, then at her father's concerned face, and finally her gaze drifted to the deep night outside the window.
“I…I don’t know,” she said honestly, her voice low. “I just feel…empty inside, I can’t remember a lot of things, and thinking about them gives me a headache. That Miss Su said that painting or doing other things, not thinking too much, might…make me feel better.” She paused, then added, “Qi Jin…she said she needs to evaluate him.”
When Qi Jin's name was mentioned, her voice lowered even further, carrying a hint of barely perceptible fear.
Father Shi sighed, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He had also noticed Qi Jin's attitude towards his daughter. That cold scrutiny chilled even him, as a father, let alone his daughter, who had just survived a great ordeal and was now very sensitive. But he also knew that Qi Jin's current paranoia stemmed largely from the previous vicious act of revenge against her that had nearly cost her her life. With Qin Ming still lurking in the shadows, no one dared to let their guard down.
“It’s understandable that Qi Jin is being cautious.” Shi’s father carefully chose his words. “This project doesn’t sound like a bad thing. Just think of it as a slightly more advanced hobby class to relax. If you’re really bored and want to give it a try, Dad supports you. However,” he said in a more serious tone, “all arrangements must be made at home or in an absolutely safe place, and all participants must undergo strict vetting. I will discuss this with Qi Jin.”
Lin Xiaoyu, who was listening nearby, immediately raised her hand: "Uncle Shi, I can go with Sister Shi! Anyway, I don't have many classes lately, and I'm practically a designer myself, so I can lend a hand!"
Mr. Shi smiled kindly at her: "Xiaoyu, you're so thoughtful. I feel more at ease with you here."
The original owner of Shi Ye looked at her father and Lin Xiaoyu, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. She nodded gently: "Then... let's give it a try."
---
(That night, Qi Jin Apartment)
Only a desk lamp was on in the study. Qi Jin's computer screen was lit, displaying a more detailed investigation report sent by his assistant, along with several summaries of anonymous consultation responses he had just received from different experts.
The report shows that Su Xiao's background is almost transparently clean; she has been the quintessential "model child" since childhood, without any blemishes or questionable connections. Experts' opinions are mixed: some believe that non-directive artistic expression has a positive effect on post-traumatic emotional release, but its effect on organic or severe memory damage is limited and the process is slow; others warn that without professional guidance, certain artistic stimuli may trigger unnecessary emotional flashbacks or secondary trauma; still others analyze it purely from a commercial perspective, believing that "Suguang Space's" foray into this direction may be more for market segmentation and brand building considerations.
Qi Jin's gaze lingered on the words "emotional flashback" and "secondary trauma" for a long time.
She picked up her phone and dialed Shi Zhenghong's number.
The call was quickly answered, and Shi's father's slightly tired but still polite voice came from the other end: "Qi Jin, you're still up so late? Is your shoulder injury any better?"
"Uncle Shi," Qi Jin addressed him politely but distantly, "I've spoken with several professionals about that art project."
She succinctly relayed the risk warnings from the expert's opinion, speaking calmly and objectively, without revealing any personal bias.
After a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, Shi's father said, "Xiao Ye said at dinner tonight that she's willing to give it a try. She feels empty and sad. As her father... it breaks my heart to see her like this. As long as it's safe for her and she has a place to distract herself, even if it's just drawing or painting, I think it's better than her being alone and brooding."
Qi Jin understood the decision in Shi's father's words, as well as the deep, almost compensatory paternal love. She paused, then said, "I'll arrange the security. The location can be the Shi family home, or a well-secured private studio under my name. All participating healers and staff, including Su Xiao, will need to undergo additional background checks and sign confidentiality agreements. The entire process needs to be monitored without any blind spots, and someone we designate must be present."
Her conditions were almost demanding, but her father did not object: "Of course, you've thought it through. Let's do it your way. Let me know when you've arranged the specifics."
"Okay." Qi Jin hung up the phone.
She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples. The lamplight cast deep shadows on her face.
I agree to move forward, but I'm putting a lot of constraints on it.
This was the most compromise and the most cautious choice she could make.
She pulled open the bottom drawer of the desk, took out a black velvet box without any markings, and opened it.
Inside lay the crescent moon necklace and the safety buckle, their surfaces gleaming faintly in the dim light of the lamp.
She stared at it for a long time, then slammed the lid shut and locked the box back in the drawer.
Outside the window, the night was as thick as ink.
The chessboard has been set up.
The pieces begin to move.
She was both a player and seemingly immersed in the game.
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