Jiao Yuyin walked back and forth along the shaded path in the poplar grove countless times.
A torrent of information surged through my mind.
Lu Yu succinctly revealed the Jiao family's predicament.
Since avoidance won't bring stability, then let's fight with all our might.
But how to gamble requires him to find a safe and untroubled space to calmly consider the options.
He wanted to avenge the deceased, but he couldn't just impulsively drag Lu Yu down with him into the abyss. Such a dangerous step, once taken, would have no turning back.
He must remain absolutely clear-headed and rational, and be extremely careful with every step he takes.
In the past, he would have been prepared to fight to the death, even if it meant only biting his enemy once, just to vent his anger for his mother. But now, he seemed to have a reason why he couldn't afford to fail…
Jiao Yuyin took off his glasses and stared at the blurry tree shadows.
He didn't know when he... fell in love with Lu Yu.
Perhaps it was because she looked so safe and secure holding the kitten in her arms;
Perhaps it was the way the sea breeze made her whisper the word "fear" that so strongly evoked her protective instincts.
Perhaps it was the way she tiptoed to reach the blanket that was so adorable. It suddenly made him understand what the little unease he had been harboring for so long really was.
He seemed quite awful that day, not gentlemanly at all. Even knowing the raging desire within him, he still took advantage of her kindness, indulging in tender kisses.
Now, at a crossroads in his life, he is trembling with fear because he wants to protect the person in his heart.
Jiao Yuyin put on his glasses, focused his pupils, stared at the poplar tree, and after a few seconds of silence, dialed the phone.
"Boss." It was Assistant Qin on the other end of the phone.
“When I was investigating Tao Peng, I remember finding some information about Shifu Mining. Please compile that information separately and send it to my email. This is urgent, so please get it to me within an hour.”
"Okay, I'll take care of it right away." Assistant Qin sensed the seriousness of the situation.
Jiao Yuyin adjusted his glasses and continued, "In addition, I also need interpretations of legal regulations concerning casualties caused by mining safety accidents, as well as compensation standards or case studies for the injured and deceased. Please contact Attorney Liu to arrange this, and get it to me as soon as possible."
“This information is readily available. I and Attorney Liu compiled it when we investigated Lu Yu’s family situation, and we can send it to them via email immediately.”
Assistant Qin's voice was steady, but it was like a hammer, chiseling into Jiao Yuyin's nerves.
"Wh...wh...what?" Jiao Yuyin's voice trembled slightly, a rare display of discomposure.
Assistant Qin explained, "Lu Yu's father died in a mining accident. This information was kept as a backup when we were investigating Lu Yu. Later, after you heard about her family situation, you started preparing for a marriage of convenience, so I didn't have a chance to give you a detailed report about the cause of her family member's death..."
Assistant Qin's clear and organized debriefing echoed through the phone...
Jiao Yuyin suddenly realized that he had really missed some very important information.
The image of Lu Yu's emotional breakdown flashed before Jiao Yuyin's eyes; the breathy sounds she made through gritted teeth seemed to intertwine with Assistant Qin's report over the phone...
At that moment, Jiao Yuyin found him utterly ridiculous. The investigation data clearly stated that he had only listened to a brief report…
"My father died young, and my mother remarried." Only Lu Yu knows the depth of sorrow contained in those eight words.
"Lu Yu's investigation report was also emailed to me. Thank you for your hard work."
Jiao Yuyin exerted a great deal of effort to steady his voice, and immediately hung up the phone after he finished speaking.
Less than five minutes later, a new email notification sounded.
Lu Yu's investigation report was scathing in its wording.
Lu Yu was less than six months old when her father died in a mining accident, and her mother remarried that same year and disappeared without a trace. She was raised by her grandparents from a young age.
Three years ago, a rich kid was speeding on the road, causing a serious traffic accident that killed his grandparents.
Jiao Yuyin observed this time with particular care.
The timing of the traffic accident caught his attention.
"August 15th..." Jiao Yuyin's voice was low and hoarse. "Three years ago, in August... it was the Olympics!"
He suddenly realized that Lu Yu never mentioned the Olympics to him.
Even on their first meeting, when he read out a news headline about the Olympics in front of her, she only bitterly repeated the three words "Olympics" and didn't mention anything else.
Jiao Yuyin's hand holding the phone trembled violently. He stood stiffly, unable to move for a long time.
Under the poplar tree, a yellowed leaf slowly fell and landed on Jiao Yuyin's shoulder.
...
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