He is not my husband.
Jiang Shuiying and Luo Yuwen came out and saw the woman walking so fast that she turned left and right and disappeared around the corner. They almost lost her. Fortunately, the terrain of these two streets was not complicated. As they had guessed, the woman went straight back to the bookstore.
This woman is most likely Yan Ming’s ex-lover, Qu Qing.
When the two of them were standing not far from the bookstore and were about to go in, Jiang Shuiying put her hand on Luo Yuwen's arm.
Luo Yuwen: “?”
Jiang Shuiying curled her lips, a sly expression beneath her round-framed glasses. "Didn't you say you wanted to act, Mr. Detective? If you're going to act, of course you have to do it all."
Her long curly hair brushed against Luo Yuwen's side through her leather jacket. The ebony rose scent on her body lingered around Luo Yuwen, making him stiffen, but he did not struggle.
Qu Qing's bookstore is located on a corner street. Compared to the dessert shop above, its decor is much more refined. The exterior is clean and tidy, and the aroma of coffee wafts from the windows. The shop's style is British, and a lot of money has been invested in its decoration and design.
This also indirectly shows that Qu Qing may not be short of money. After all, those who choose to open offline bookstores in this era are not ordinary people.
Since she is not short of money, then she may have other purposes in choosing to be Yan Ming's lover. Luo Yuwen silently kept this in mind.
The two walked into the bookstore arm in arm, looking very intimate from an outsider's perspective. Jiang Shuiying was wearing a professional suit, and Luo Yuwen was wearing black pants and black boots, as if he came to pick up his girlfriend from get off work and go shopping.
The aroma of coffee greeted them upon opening the door. Jiang Shuiying sniffed and noticed that there were quite a few customers inside. Some were reading in groups of three or four in the corner, while others were drinking coffee in the lounge area. It was clear that business was good.
Luo Yuwen counted and found that there were three shop assistants, one at the coffee bar and the other two arranging the bookshelves, but he looked around and did not see the woman.
One of the clerks came forward to greet the two and then turned around to do his own thing. The two began to look for books in the bookstore, but in fact they were secretly observing every corner of the store, trying to find the woman's whereabouts.
The space inside the bookstore is divided into two parts, one half is filled with rows of bookshelves, and the other half is filled with coffee chairs and coffee tables. The bar is at the end of the store, with a secret door at the back.
Jiang Shuiying looked at herself and Luo Yuwen sneaking around in the bookshelf, buried her face in the books, and laughed muffledly twice.
Luo Yuwen: "What are you laughing at?"
Jiang Shuiying still had a smile on her face. "Nothing, I just thought it was fun to investigate a case with you."
Luo Yuwen: “…”
What's fun about it?
Not long after this little episode, a figure with black hair walked out of a secret door and went straight to the bar. Seeing this, the two men began to slowly move towards the bar.
The woman said something to the clerk, but they couldn't hear clearly because they were too far away. Then the clerk took off her apron and left, and the coffee bar was left to the woman's care.
Luo Yuwen was just thinking about how to avoid being so abrupt later when Jiang Shuiying took the lead and pulled Luo Yuwen's hand and walked towards the bar. Luo Yuwen was almost thrown forward by Jiang Shuiying, which looked very funny.
"...you!"
The two men's movements were a bit too big, which made the woman a little confused. She looked at them with a puzzled expression.
"...What can I do for you, gentlemen?"
Jiang Shuiying held up two fingers. "Two glasses of flat white, hot, thank you."
There were chairs in front of the bar. Jiang Shuiying and Luo Yuwen sat down under the woman's puzzled gaze. Soon the woman placed the prepared coffee in front of them.
The coffee was rich in oil and aroma. Jiang Shuiying squinted her eyes in satisfaction after taking a sip, looking very much enjoying it.
Luo Yuwen, who was sitting on the side, had no habit of drinking coffee. He took two sips and then put it down. He felt only bitterness in his mouth and couldn't tell whether it was good or bad.
Jiang Shuiying drank several mouthfuls in a row and said to the woman at the bar: "Hey, your beans are quite fragrant. Where are they from? I want to buy some to drink myself."
Although the two people's behavior just now was a bit strange, they were all customers. The woman smiled and replied, "This is a special supply for our store. If you like it, you can come often."
Jiang Shuiying had a look of sudden enlightenment, and then she took the opportunity of coffee to chat with the woman. The two women chatted enthusiastically, and Jiang Shuiying almost ignored Luo Yuwen who was standing beside them.
In order not to reveal her identity as Yan Ming's wife, Jiang Shuiying did not say her full name, only saying her surname was Jiang.
The woman also revealed her identity at this time. She was the owner of this store, named Qu Qing.
It seems that he followed the right person. Luo Yuwen picked up the coffee and took another sip.
Tsk, so bitter.
He secretly glanced at Jiang Shuiying and found that she was drinking happily.
Luo Yuwen was puzzled as to what was so good about something so bitter.
On the other side, Jiang Shuiying was chatting happily with Qu Qing. She put her hand to her mouth and laughed softly, "I didn't expect you to be so good, Miss Qu. The coffee is really delicious."
Qu Qing lowered his head, smiling subtly, "Thank you for the compliment. If you like it, Miss Jiang, I can give you a pack. You can take it home and drink it."
But Jiang Shuiying waved her hand when she heard that: "Oh, no need, I was just joking. If I want to drink, I will come to your store."
"Okay, then Miss Jiang, next time you come, I'll give you a discount."
"OK."
The two chatted idly, and it looked like they were just chatting, but Jiang Shuiying was actually trying to get Qu Qing to say something in some way or another.
But Qu Qing was very defensive, and no matter how Jiang Shuiying begged, she wouldn't tell him. After a long chat, they only knew that Qu Qing was the owner of the bookstore, which she had opened a few years after graduation. The rest of the information was passed around to Jiang Shuiying.
Luo Yuwen listened from the side and felt that Qu Qing was a small business owner and would not have any business dealings with Yan Ming. He really couldn't understand why she chose to be Yan Ming's lover. Moreover, the fact that this relationship came to an abrupt end after Zhu Zhi appeared was also a big doubt.
Zhu Zhi was threatened, but what about Qu Qing?
Is it because of... love?
Luo Yuwen turned his gaze back to Qu Qing. Qu Qing was really thin, with a cold face. Her linen-colored long skirt covered most of her skin, and her expression was hidden under her long hair, making it difficult to understand.
Jiang Shuiying, who was sitting next to her, talked a lot but didn't provide any useful information. She looked around and suddenly an idea came to her mind.
Seeing that the coffee in front of her was almost empty, Jiang Shuiying looked around and her expression became a little strange. Qu Qing was opposite her, and Luo Yuwen was beside her. Her movements naturally fell into the eyes of both of them.
Luo Yuwen had a bad feeling in his heart. He always felt that Jiang Shuiying's evil intentions were about to be thrown at him. He hesitated for a moment, picked up the coffee cup, turned in the opposite direction of Jiang Shuiying, and took two sips.
Qu Qingze asked in a puzzled tone, "Miss Jiang? What's wrong with you?"
Jiang Shuiying moved the coffee cup aside, leaned her upper body on the table, and said solemnly:
"Ms. Qu, I came here today for a purpose."
"What's the purpose?"
Luo Yuwen on the side pricked up his ears.
Jiang Shuiying held her hands up beside her, looking mysterious, and her voice became a little softer, but it was loud enough for the three people present to hear.
"Actually, I came here today to pick out a book as a gift for my husband. Does Miss Qu have any recommendations?"
After these words were spoken, both Qu Qing and Luo Yuwen became even more confused, but Luo Yuwen still maintained his previous posture without moving.
Qu Qing leaned forward, his eyes flicking back and forth between Jiang Shuiying and Luo Yuwen, and asked in confusion, "Miss Jiang, isn't your husband...right here? Why...are you being so secretive?"
In fact, it is not Qu Qing's fault. When the two of them just came in, they were holding hands and behaving very intimately. Looking at Xie Nu and Tan Lang, it is not surprising that they would misunderstand that they are a couple.
Jiang Shuiying waved her hand upon hearing this and returned to her previous tone: "You are talking about him, you misunderstood Miss Qu."
"He is not my husband, he is my lover."
"ah?"
"puff!"
Jiang Shuiying's words made Luo Yuwen choke. He didn't like the bitter taste of coffee in the first place, and after choking, his entire mouth and nose were filled with the smell of coffee, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
Seeing this, Jiang Shuiying took the tissue beside her and handed it to Luo Yuwen, with an innocent look and a concerned expression. But in Luo Yuwen's eyes, he saw another meaning:
It was you who said you had to act well. If you want to find out the truth, you have to cooperate with me.
It's really like shooting oneself in the foot.
Seeing Qu Qing looking at him strangely, Luo Yuwen could only swallow his anger. After all, solving the case was the most important thing. Luo Yuwen wiped the coffee stains off his face, coughed a few times, and explained to Qu Qing.
"She, she's right. I'm not her husband. I came here to accompany her."
"Well..."
Qu Qing was obviously choked by this answer.
"Miss Jiang, you...you are planning to give your husband a book, right?"
Jiang Shuiying saw Qu Qing's expression clearly, but she replied calmly, "Yes, my husband is 35 years old and runs a financial company. What kind of book would be a good gift? Does Miss Qu have any recommendations?"
"Uh... Miss Jiang, wait a moment."
Qu Qing left the bar and walked into the bookshelf. At this time, only Jiang Shuiying and Luo Yuwen were at the bar.
Luo Yuwen turned around, frowned, and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear:
"What do you mean, Jiang Shuiying? Is it fun to play tricks on me?"
Jiang Shuiying blinked, her expression lively, and her lipstick-coated lips moved in and out, but no sound came out. However, Luo Yuwen understood.
"I'm not kidding you."
Luo Yuwen looked away and said nothing.
It happened that Qu Qing came back at this time with a few books in his hands. Jiang Shuiying took a look and found that they were mainly books related to finance and economics.
"Miss Jiang, I would like to recommend these books. Do you think they are suitable?"
Jiang Shuiying took it and thanked him, then paid the bill but didn't rush to get up. Instead, she sat on the bar stool, propping up her chin with a half-smile on her face. Qu Qing saw that Jiang Shuiying still had something to say, so he didn't rush to leave.
"Miss Qu, the coffee here is delicious. It's quite relaxing to come here and have a cup after work."
Qu Qing smiled and said: "Miss Jiang, if you like, you are welcome to come anytime. I am always here."
"We have a reading day event the day after tomorrow. If you're interested, Miss Jiang, you can come and have a look."
After saying that, Qu Qing handed Jiang Shuiying a card, which recorded the time and place of the reading club, as well as the general content.
Luo Yuwen took a quick look and saw that the content of the reading club was about anti-domestic violence.
Domestic violence?
On the other side, Jiang Shuiying still had a bright smile on her face. "Okay, see you the day after tomorrow, Miss Qu."
"Well, see you the day after tomorrow, Miss Jiang."
After Jiang Shuiying got the card, she and Luo Yuwen came out of the bookstore, and they returned to the car still arm in arm.
Inside the car.
Luo Yuwen leaned back in his chair, looking somewhat displeased. "Jiang Shuiying, why did you say I was your lover? Do you think this is funny?"
As soon as Jiang Shuiying got into the car, she took off her round-framed glasses, leaving a red mark on her fair nose. She opened her eyes and bit her lip, her expression innocent.
"Are you angry?"
The reason Jiang Shuiying gave was very simple - Luo Yuwen's previous idea was indeed good, but the sunk cost was too long, and it was impossible for Qu Qing to let down his guard in such a short time.
Since she was a mistress before, the two men pretended to have an extramarital affair and then approached her. The seemingly similar relationship might make her empathize, and once she empathizes, she might speak up.
This was another impeccable excuse. Luo Yuwen held his forehead with his hand, his tone quite helpless: "Well, you can't let me be..."
"Forget it, there's no point in saying it now. Anyway, I'm already your 'lover' in Qu Qing's eyes."
Luo Yuwen said the last two words with gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry to inconvenience you, Mr. Detective."
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