Chapter 11: Defeated by a Beautiful Young Woman
After work, Ji Feng was lazily leaning back in his swivel chair when the office door suddenly opened. The clatter of footsteps seemed to follow a rhythm. He casually raised his head, his eyes glancing at the woman who had pushed the door open.
This woman was otherworldly beautiful, like her name—Lan Ruojin—as if she had stepped out of an ink painting. Even at nearly forty, she still retained her charm, her every move radiating an irresistible charisma.
Her makeup is so exquisitely crafted that it's practically imperfect. The velvety-brown lipstick is understated yet richly textured. The vibrant cherry red on her fingertips complements her 5-carat Graff pink diamond ring, perfectly highlighting her inherent sophistication. The slightly upturned eyeliner at the corners of her eyes gives her a look of languid indolence and haughtiness, as if nothing in the world truly captures her attention.
She stood there, as if attending a private cocktail party rather than being questioned. Her slender fingers held a Prada handbag, her posture elegant, but her eyes were as cold as water.
Ji Feng crossed his legs, one hand on the armrest, the corner of his mouth slightly raised, a playful smile flashed in his sharp eyes, and his mind had already been racing.
Ji Feng nodded slightly, motioning for Lan Ruojin to take a seat. He then pulled out the chair opposite and slowly sat down. The soft lighting in the room couldn't illuminate the subtle tension in the air. He spoke softly, his tone carrying a subtle caution. "Ms. Lan, thank you very much for cooperating with the investigation despite your busy schedule. We know that you have provided a lot of valuable information regarding Mr. Shen's case. However, we are reopening the investigation this time because we have new suspicions. We would like to consult with you about Mr. Shen's interpersonal relationships and whether there were any abnormalities before his death."
Xin Xiao politely took a glass of water, gently pushed it in front of Lan Ruojin, and then sat down beside her.
Lan Ruojin glanced at the glass of water indifferently, not even bothering to express a polite thank you.
She raised her eyebrows slightly, a faint smile playing on the corners of her mouth. That smile seemed to conceal some unknown meaning. "Captain Ji, I understand what you mean. Let me say it again. Zhao Ran's circle was not large during his lifetime, and he adhered to the philosophy of making money through harmony. Naturally, he had a few colleagues, but he probably didn't have any enemies."
Ji Feng nodded, his eyes revealing a sharpness: "Is the competition between peers fierce?"
"Captain Ji should know that the auction house basically only deals with the Lan family's business. No one else can interfere in the Lan family's business. Everyone in the auction house circle knows this. How could there be such a blind colleague in this situation?"
"Resource integration, win-win." Ji Feng gave a thumbs up.
"Captain Ji, you're too polite." She smiled faintly, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Since you insist on re-investigating Zhao Ran's case, I'm of course willing to cooperate. I just hope that this investigation can be innovative and not just repeat the same old questions that have long been covered."
Ji Feng stared into her eyes, trying to read something from them: "Do you think Lin Wantang was instructed to do this?"
Lan Ruojin lowered her eyes, hiding the coldness that flashed across them. "Lin Wantang... an ordinary thief? Or do you already have some evidence?"
"The circumstances of the case are still unclear, but it is certain that he is the direct murderer. And it now appears that he was most likely instructed by someone else."
She finally raised her head, her eyes sharp as a knife: "Captain Ji, your interrogative look makes me feel that you are doubting me."
"You are too sensitive." Ji Feng's tone remained calm, "But the Lan family is indeed the biggest beneficiary of Mr. Shen's sudden death."
Lan Ruojin sneered, his voice cold, "Captain Ji, you're testing me. The Lan family did benefit from Zhao Ran's passing, but please understand one thing: these so-called benefits aren't a lifeline to the Lan family; they're just icing on the cake. While the amount isn't small, there's no need for the Lan family to take such a huge risk."
"You may have misunderstood me. When we solve a case, we need to consider all possibilities. I hope you can understand."
She sighed softly, as if she was completely fed up with these questions. "Captain Ji, I understand your responsibilities. But please understand one thing—the Lan family doesn't need to resort to killing to gain such a small profit. Although Zhaoran and the Lan family have conflicts of interest, they are a large company that values their corporate and social image. Their donation of the Thousand Miles of Xichuan River to the nation fully demonstrates this. Is it necessary to risk such a low-level act of self-destruction in exchange for some dispensable benefits?"
"Do you think it's possible that he was murdered by someone he knew?"
"He died in his own home. There were no signs of the door being pried open, and the surveillance footage showed no suspicious individuals." She paused, her eyes slightly cold. "If he wasn't someone he knew, then there must have been a problem on the inside."
Ji Feng's heart moved, and he followed up with a follow-up question: "Are you referring to the people around Mr. Shen? For example, secretaries, assistants, or... other close people?"
"Don't dare say that." Her tone suddenly became distant. "Captain Ji, I've said enough. If you have any other questions, please ask me directly. There's no need to be vague. I don't want to waste too much time."
Ji Feng didn't press the issue further, but instead changed his angle: "Ms. Lan, before Mr. Shen passed away, did he show any unusual behavior or emotions? For example, suddenly changing his schedule, canceling meetings, or contacting certain people he didn't normally interact with?"
Lan Ruojin thought for a moment, then shook his head: "I never ask about his daily affairs, and he rarely tells me. However, sometimes there are indeed some mysterious and strange things."
"Please give an example."
"For example, he would go to bed at night and get a call or WeChat message, then immediately drive out and come back not long after. When asked, he would say he had to deal with an urgent matter."
"After Mr. Shen passed away, did you inherit the Thuja resources he left behind?"
"Hmph, I didn't even find a ghost." Lan Ruojin was obviously upset about this.
“That’s a valuable warehouse of thuja spices.”
"So what? Where can I find it?" Lan Ruojin looked indignant.
Ji Feng nodded lazily and casually closed the file. A careless smile played on the corner of his mouth. His tone was frivolous but sharp. "Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Lan. I will continue to investigate. If you suddenly remember any important clues one day, remember to contact us as soon as possible."
Lan Ruojin stood up, straightened his sleeves, and glanced at him: "Captain Ji, first of all, I thank you for your hard work on Zhaoran's case. Secondly, I admire your professionalism, but let me repeat, the Lan family has not and cannot kill anyone, and it is even more impossible for them to destroy the family business that they have painstakingly built over many years for dispensable interests. In addition, please try to focus on the issues that need to be investigated in the future, thank you." After speaking, he smiled, turned and left. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back to Ji Feng and said: "Oh, by the way, the Jo Malone Blue Wind Chime on you is very nice. However, it is rare for a criminal police captain to use it." After speaking, he floated away with an aura that could not be ignored, leaving only a faint scent of Dior perfume in the air.
Ji Feng stared at her back, thinking to himself, this woman is no ordinary person. This time, I didn't get any valuable clues from her, but she took the initiative. Ji Feng vaguely felt that Lan Ruojin's attitude of keeping people at a distance was not simply arrogance, but gave people the feeling that the same poles of two magnets repel each other. He clearly felt this resistance between him and Lan Ruojin. Perhaps this was Lan Ruojin's purpose...
"Xin Xiao, do you believe what she said?" Ji Feng asked Xin Xiao as soon as Lan Ruojin walked out.
"I think there's some truth to that. What do you think?"
"I don't think it's credible. In her eyes, the shares of Shen Zhaoran's company, the death compensation, and the thuja warehouse are just icing on the cake, petty gains. Who is she trying to fool? Ha." Ji Feng took a sip of water and continued, "There is one thing she doesn't seem to be lying about. Judging from her frustrated look, it seems that she really doesn't have control over that huge thuja warehouse."
"However, what she said seems to be true. Her family is already very wealthy. Would she really kill for more but unnecessary wealth?"
"Human desires are endless. Moreover, spices have a very special status in history. It is not ruled out that the Lan family has greater ambitions."
"Special status? Besides being valuable, is there any other value?"
"You may not believe it, but the value of spices far exceeds the realm of money, even giving way to gold and power. Throughout history, the desire of kings and adventurers for spices has greatly promoted global exploration, and what they valued was the right to distribute spices. Whether it was Vasco da Gama heading east or Columbus and Magellan heading west, the pioneers of the Renaissance all sailed in search of spices. It's no exaggeration to say that spices have influenced the history of human development."
"It's incredible! It reminds me of the saying 'quantitative change leads to qualitative change.' When you have a lot of money, it's beyond measure."
"So, Lan Ruojin might not have been telling the truth just now. With such huge interests at stake, to paraphrase the famous quote from Das Kapital, capitalism, faced with huge profits, can do anything crazy."
Xin Xiao seemed to be lost in thought, with an expression of disbelief on his face.
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