Chapter 11
The next steps are in a sequential order. They first transfer the items to the appraisal department and explain the extent of the damage.
"How many times has this happened this month? Do these people really think we are gangsters?" After learning about the situation, the person in charge only complained a few words and indicated that the subsequent sampling and analysis would be taken over by professionals.
Leaving the waiting room was not the end of the matter. The matter was of great importance. Their arrival not only alarmed Zhu Zhiyang, but also resulted in a series of internal calls from the Bangkok hotel.
No one doubted Pei Huai's warning. He had earned such respect with his efficiency, standards, and professionalism. The hotel stated that they would prioritize investigating the matter and would notify him immediately of any new developments.
Two hours had passed since the call ended, and the company had let them off early. Xiang Mingqi offered to treat them to dessert, and this time, Pei Huai didn't refuse.
During the call, the younger employee kept insisting, saying things like, "I was able to succeed on my first mission thanks to my brother. If it weren't for him, I'd still be in police custody." This led the hotel staff to mistakenly believe the two had a deep friendship. Before hanging up, the hotel manager even suggested they make good use of their free time to get to know each other better.
Pei Huai had no choice but to agree.
He ordered an afternoon tea set at the pastry shop downstairs from his office: coconut milk, taro sago, a small velvet cake roll, puff pastry, and lotus leaf tea. After choosing their seats, they sat down by the window, awaiting Zhu Zhiyang's next instructions.
The spoon scooped up the food very slowly. Pei Huai lowered his head and took a sip of coconut milk. Xiang Mingqi, who was sitting opposite him, had already finished two or three chocolate puffs.
"Huh? Brother, are you one of those people who strictly adheres to health regimen and must chew your food thirty times?" He bit the spoon and sucked the smoothie on the bottom of the spoon, with a curious look on his face. "If you really don't like sweets, why don't we go to that place with delicious curry later?"
"It's not dinner time yet."
"Just because it's not dinner time doesn't mean we can't eat." He hunched his shoulders and turned his body to a suitable angle - at least facing Pei Huai.
Pei Huai didn't want to look at him and turned his face away.
"Stop ignoring me." A hand appeared before his eyes, unfolding the menu. The owner of the hand even shook his legs, oblivious to the surroundings. "Do you think the molten lava cake here is good? I had it once back home, and when I bit into it, the chocolate that flowed out was actually warm. But ever since that shop closed down, I can't have it even if I go back. By the way, do you want anything to eat?"
“…I don’t need it.”
"Okay, then I'll order another molten lava cake, a box of brown sugar pearl puffs, and a few of their new egg tarts. Wow, I think there's a coupon I can use. Would you like some milk tea?"
His jaw clenched slightly. “I told you, no need.”
"Then I'll have a cup of milk tea with 70% sugar. But brother, you have such a small appetite. I haven't even ordered much."
Pei Huai continued to ignore him.
The next short fifteen minutes of waiting could almost be described as painful: for Xiang Mingqi it was an ordinary "waiting", but for Pei Huai, it was "torture".
In this purgatory-like torture, the former kept provoking topics.
"By the way, I'm a little curious. Brother, why did you join the Bangkok Hotel?" He asked, leaning forward with his shoulder and holding his chin. "I think you're more suited to working in an office. You're so meticulous and serious about your work. Sitting in an office every day must be much better than running sales. And you have to deal with a bunch of deadbeats. If it were me, I wouldn't borrow money from loan sharks."
Pei Huai raised his head and glanced at him with a very calm expression.
“When you become a defaulter in banks and law firms, with your assets frozen and spending restricted, you’ll find that usury is your only lifeline.[1]” He folded his fingers in front of him, “Never say ‘no’—everyone’s path has its own meaning.”
As he spoke, his eyes passed over Xiang Mingqi's face again with a hint of scrutiny.
Neither the first kiss that was snatched away nor the inadvertent exposure of his youthfulness made the boy look embarrassed.
It seems that even if the "like" has not been expressed yet, with Xiang Mingqi's personality, it will not become a problem that bothers him in the short term.
This is also the only thing that makes Pei Huai feel at ease at the moment.
"Uh, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken it for granted. Don't be angry." He curled his lips and ate a large spoonful of nut ice cream with a guilty look. "To express my apology, let me tell you some interesting stories from my high school to college."
“…I’m not interested.”
"Then tell me a little about yourself." His index and middle fingers moved back and forth across the table, past the cutlery, and continued forward. The finger figure knelt down with a plop, his tone slightly flattering. "You see, the hotel wants us to get along well. Understanding is a step toward trust, right? — So you should be honest with me, too."
A sigh—followed by a forced answer.
"Because of Zhu Zhiyang." Pei Huai wanted to add "invitation", but he really didn't want to explain too much to Xiang Mingqi. So he said the name before swallowing.
Hearing the unexpected answer, Xiang Mingqi tilted his head and his expression froze for a moment.
He bit the straw, clenching his teeth and biting it inch by inch, staring at Pei Huai without blinking. After a while, he let go, his facial muscles twitching slightly as he smiled. "Just because of the boss? Why? Did something happen between you and him?"
"I don't need to explain to you."
After being rejected, Xiang Mingqi lay on his side, his abdomen tightened, and he let out a breath through his nose.
"—You always keep me in suspense. That's the worst."
Pei Huai ignored the younger generation's protests. He was about to take a sip from the bone china cup when his cell phone suddenly rang.
Pei Huai's eyes twitched, and he put down his cup and clicked on the pop-up window. It was a compressed file sent by Ruan Yunhao. He double-clicked with his index finger, raised his cup again, and a warm steam drifted around his lips.
The first file in the compressed package is the information of Jingshan Real Estate Company.
This is a very prestigious family business in Kensocks, dating back to the industrial era. The successor is often a legitimate child of the family.
Its rise from obscurity to fame began with its entry into the real estate industry in the 19th century.
However, there is very little information online about the company's predecessor.
What is known is that the new heir to Jingshan Real Estate Company, Shan Li, took over a year ago. He has a very different approach to management and has welcomed media inquiries.
Strangely, every time the real estate economy is turbulent, this company always manages to survive in a bizarre way.
Pei Huai held a mouthful of bitter tea at the back of his tongue and swallowed it slowly - why was Yu Mingrui involved with this company and its new president?
What direct connection does this have with his suicide?
With inexplicable confusion, he clicked on the next folder.
There was only one PDF file in the subdirectory. When I clicked on it, a personal profile appeared, containing academic qualifications, certificates, medical examination forms, and even gossip photos.
Obviously, this is Shan Li's personal file.
Unfortunately, the document does not provide enough useful information.
At present, all we know is that he studied in France for one or two years and graduated from Sciences Po in Paris. At first glance, his academic career seems to have been smooth sailing. He seems no different from any other heir to a large enterprise.
Pei Huai flipped to the bottom, where a clear ID photo was embedded.
As described in the file, Shan Li was the same age as himself, twenty-four. He looked young, with strong features. His eyebrows and eyes, in particular, were sunken, exuding a powerful aggression. And yet, from his right eyelid to his lip, there were two parallel scars.
——This face, this person, and...that unique scar.
The hand holding the cup suddenly clenched.
Everything seemed to overlap endlessly before my eyes. The branches crackled with rain, it was cold, and wet mud trickled down to my feet—a torrential downpour, thunderclouds not far away. And then there were those children, trapped and helpless in the mountains twelve years ago.
While braving the heavy rain and uncovering a piece of oilcloth, Pei Huai finally found the missing teenagers under the tree hole.
They were all terrified, huddled together, and trembling like newly hatched birds.
He remembered clearly that only one of the older children was still conscious, but the boy's right eye was closed and the branches had scraped his face, from above his eyelid to his chin, leaving a bloody mess.
Something inexplicable suddenly clicked. Pei Huai stood up, nodded in apology to the confused junior, and said "Excuse me" before getting up and walking out.
"Handsome guy, let's make an appointment next time!"
Xiang Mingqi raised his right arm high, waved it vigorously towards his back, and watched him leave.
The automatic door closed, and he lowered his arms, bent his elbows back, and stretched his muscles as much as possible.
After moving his shoulders and neck left and right, he kicked the chair away, reached out, picked up the spoon used by Pei Huai, put it in his mouth and sucked it.
It was the sweetness of coconut milk and taro, and it was delicious. And... he loved the moist feeling that made his throat warm.
Xiang Mingqi leaned back until he could catch his breath, then relaxed his shoulders contentedly and dialed a number.
The call was quickly connected, and before the other party could ask, a sarcastic smile appeared on his lips, his attitude both intimate and hypocritical: "He's heading your way. Be prepared, he's not someone you can fool easily." He tilted his neck and sucked the bottom of the spoon with a forced smile. "Don't be nervous. I'll push him into your arms. Trust me."
Before the other party could utter the first interjection, he raised his eyebrows in disgust, rolled his eyes, and hung up the phone.
He leaned back into the soft sofa, stretched his arms, and let out a long breath.
"——No way." After a while, Xiang Mingqi raised his middle finger and stuck out his tongue at the surveillance camera, "Brother, it will only be mine."
The author has something to say:
[1] Paraphrased a line from The Hounds
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com