Chapter 117
Wouldn't it be better if I took care of you?
The two were deeply in love when a sudden knock on the door interrupted their tender moment, leaving them with a feeling that went far beyond just wanting more.
"Tsk, Lin Jin really knows how to pick his timing." Gu Shinian grumbled impatiently, smoothing her slightly messy hair as she coldly instructed her secretary outside the door, "Take President Lin to the meeting room first, I'll be there in a bit."
After saying that, she continued to slowly straighten Ji Nanxing's collar, probably annoyed that her good mood had been disturbed, so she wanted to leave Lin Jin outside to give her a little retaliatory treatment.
Ji Nanxing tilted his head slightly. Although his face had regained its calm expression, his eyes still held a burning affection as he gazed at his girlfriend.
Even this iceberg has a side that can't contain its emotions, but it expresses them very subtly. Even though it is extremely unwilling to end this hasty kiss, it can only stop at calmness.
She grasped the hand covering her collar, and with a hint of reluctance, gently nuzzled it against her face. "Now that Lin Jin is here, let's get down to business first. The sooner we finish work, the sooner we can go home together."
"Mm." Gu Shinian nodded in response, grabbed the police uniform jacket next to her and shook it to make sure it wasn't wrinkled before draping it over Ji Nanxing's shoulders and instructing, "Ajin is meticulous. There are many things and things that can't be understood in just a few words. If needed, I can go and lay the groundwork for you first."
Ji Nanxing waved his hand and confidently refused, "There's no need for you to step in. Xu Songheng's disappearance case involves Cheng Sangluo, so Lin Jin naturally won't hide anything from me. In a way, she needs my help just like Cheng Sangluo. Today's meeting will definitely yield some results, but I don't know how many unknown things this Lin siblings will uncover."
As Ji Nanxing spoke, Gu Shinian's eyes gradually became more meaningful, and she murmured as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Ji Nanxing gazed at his girlfriend's still flushed eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You and Lin Jin have a close relationship. When it comes to official business, you should recuse yourself. You go ahead with your work; I'll finish this questioning as soon as possible."
This person always manages to control their clear and rational emotions with unparalleled skill. One second they were reaching out to rub the lipstick stain on Gu Shinian's lips, and the next moment they got up to leave, their warm and affectionate face suddenly turned indifferent.
...
Inside the Gu family's reception room.
Unlike his usual lazy self, Lin Jin maintained a straight posture while waiting for Ji Nanxing and Gu Shinian.
This unexpected conversation left her feeling somewhat uneasy.
Her gaze drifted aimlessly, unable to focus, as if she were lost in some unknown memory, until the sound of leather shoes hitting the tiles came from the doorway.
She blinked, quickly pulling herself out of those memories. After burying her head to compose herself, she looked up again with her signature hypocritical smile.
Ji Nanxing knocked symbolically on the door and entered the reception room. Before Lin Jin could speak, he explained, "Because of the case, I didn't let Shi Nian come along."
"I understand." Lin Jin felt that she was being too paranoid. The moment she saw the other person, her tense shoulders relaxed, and she leaned back. "We've known each other for so long, but it seems like we've never had a formal conversation like this before. It's a little strange."
"It's not like we're giving a statement at a criminal investigation center, relax." Ji Nanxing said with a smile as she walked to the sofa in front of the guests and sat down. Before getting to the main topic, she always made a few pleasantries: "Didn't Sang Luo come with you?"
"Some things you can just ask me, there's no need to bother her again." Lin Jin picked up her coffee and took a small sip. Although her tone was calm, there was a hint of resentment in her words, as if she was complaining that the other party always ruined things and spoiled the mood.
Ji Nanxing narrowed his eyes, carefully analyzing the brief conversation to extract a deeper meaning that was not easily summarized: "It seems that Sangluo's understanding of President Lin is not complete. The answers I can't find with her, perhaps I can get from you."
Upon hearing this, the reception room instantly fell into a cold and silent atmosphere.
The two shrewd women exchanged a few simple words during their conversation, seemingly testing each other's abilities, but without reaching a point of direct confrontation.
Lin Jin tilted her head to examine Ji Nanxing's face, but couldn't fathom her unpredictable thoughts, so she simply chuckled and changed to a more comfortable sitting position.
She crossed her injured foot on her lap, leaned against the sofa armrest, and joked, "I bet Captain Ji wants to know more than just about Xu Songheng, right? Anyone with eyes can see that Lin Sheng has a problem. Logically speaking, a police officer as capable as you shouldn't be stumped by an ordinary missing person case."
“Since you can stump me, it means this case is not simple. The intricate relationships and hidden secrets need someone to unravel them, and I think you are the key to unlocking the mystery.” Ji Nanxing answered directly, and smoothly pushed the conversation forward: “Our time is precious, and we have the same goal, so we are on the same side. The longer the case drags on, the more troublesome it will become, so I hope you can cooperate with my work. This can also be considered as helping Sangluo find clues to overturn the case.”
"Heh, is it that hard to overturn her case?" Lin Jin's eyes flashed with a contemptuous smile, but he quickly suppressed it and returned to the main topic: "Since everyone's time is limited, I'll skip some of the Q&A for you and go through it with you one by one now."
Ji Nanxing thought the other party was quite cooperative and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He took out a notebook and pen from his briefcase and said, "Okay, I'm all ears."
"Captain Ji has been investigating this case for so long, surely you don't know that Lin Sheng is involved in organized crime?" Lin Jin asked rhetorically while sipping his coffee. The cup partially obscured his face, making his deep eyes appear even more unfathomable than a bottomless pool.
She stared intently at Ji Nanxing, seemingly trying to discern his micro-expressions in order to predict what to say next.
Ji Nanxing subconsciously wrote the words "involved in organized crime" in his notebook, then looked at Lin Jin suspiciously, probably trying to determine how much of what the other party said was true and how much was false.
She sternly reminded him, "After all, this is a police interrogation. You are responsible for every word you say. I hope you will be careful with your words."
Lin Jin chuckled, his shoulders trembling: "I know you're a very principled person who only talks about things based on evidence. Since we haven't investigated to this level yet, I'll do you a favor. You can decide for yourself how much to believe."
"Then tell me in detail, how exactly is he involved in organized crime?"
"As far as I know, didn't Cheng Sangluo help your police raid an underground casino a long time ago? There are many casinos like that, all managed by Xu Songheng."
He was Lin Sheng's confidant; whatever he did or whatever he did, he only listened to Lin Sheng's arrangements.
Lin Sheng is an extremely cunning person, most skilled at using others to do his dirty work, and always able to absolve himself of all responsibility no matter what he does.
"Take my experience as an example. He targeted and plotted against me at every turn in order to secure the Lin family inheritance. Our conflict didn't just start in the last year or two."
After saying that, Lin Jin lifted her injured foot to show Ji Nanxing, and said casually, "This little injury is nothing compared to all the things I've been through. He's done a lot of ruthless things to me. Which one do you want to hear about?"
Ji Nanxing stared at the ankle with the steel nails in it, his brow furrowing slightly. He suddenly recalled his conversation with Shu Wan that day. "Please tell me in detail."
“Let’s start with the case of Sangluo being framed. I remember that Captain Ji was undercover in the arms case back then, um… the arms case…” Lin Jin deliberately emphasized the words, reminding Ji Nanxing of something that happened several years ago.
Upon hearing this, Ji Nanxing's pen tip, poked at the notebook, drew a twisted line.
Few outsiders knew that she was undercover in the arms trafficking case. Gu Shinian knew about it but kept her mouth shut. She always kept her work a secret, so how could Lin Jin know?
She pursed her lips and remained silent, staring coldly at the other person.
Lin Jin smiled and said, "Even if you had taken over the arms deal, you couldn't have retrieved all the scattered guns and ammunition. There would always be some that slipped through the net, including people like Lin Sheng."
Over the years, he has been the CEO of the Lin Group on the surface, but in private he has been running casinos and laundering money through private equity funds in the gray area, all in order to have more funds to prepare for the listing of the Lin Group after he inherits it.
He kept a group of loyal bodyguards; he needed something for protection, otherwise what could he use to intimidate others?
"A gun?" Ji Nanxing murmured, then a sudden inspiration struck him.
She recalled that when Cheng Sangluo single-handedly raided a casino, she confiscated a gun belonging to the casino manager.
When questioned afterward, the source of the gun remained unclear. After going through a long and winding road, the answer was unexpectedly found with Lin Jin.
Seeing Ji Nanxing deep in thought, Lin Jin tilted her head and smiled, "Captain Ji, it seems you're starting to believe what I'm saying."
"If I had known that President Lin had such connections, I should have found you immediately. Instead, I took so many detours and wasted so much time." Ji Nanxing said self-deprecatingly, burying his head in taking notes. Suddenly, he stopped writing. "Since we've come this far, President Lin, I need to clarify something. What does Lin Sheng's involvement in arms dealing have to do with Cheng Sangluo being framed?"
"Before discussing Sangluo's false accusation and imprisonment, we need to talk about Xu Songheng first." Lin Jin's tone was as gentle as a spring breeze when talking about the puppy's experience, but when she mentioned Xu Songheng's name, it instantly turned as cold as an ice cave.
Ji Nanxing readily agreed: "Of course, you can talk about anything you want, as long as it's related to the case."
"Captain Ji hasn't been to the Lin family's ancestral home, has he? It's a big house halfway up the mountain, but Lin Sheng doesn't live there. His detached villa is built on the other side of the mountain, quite a distance from the ancestral home. It always feels like the emperor is far away in the mountains. Who knows if there have been any murders there, once or twice, or countless times?" Lin Jin said, talking about Xu Songheng, but he didn't mention the person's name between the lines, which was somewhat of a leading question.
Ji Nanxing suddenly realized, albeit belatedly, that Lin Jin had firmly grasped the dominant position in the conversation, seemingly seizing the initiative to speak from the moment the question-and-answer session was 'skipped'.
Just as Gu Shinian said, this woman with a fake smile was not only meticulous, but could be described as cunning. It had been many years since he had encountered such a formidable character.
"It seems your speculation is the same as Sang Luo's; you also believe that Xu Songheng has been murdered at Lin Sheng's house."
"Otherwise what? I said Lin Sheng is someone who likes to absolve himself of all responsibility. He is so good at making use of things and assigning value to everything."
You've already learned about my kidnapping from Sangluo. Think about it carefully, he has a motive, and he has someone who ordered the kidnapping. In the end, the matter was exposed. What good will come of you, Xu Songheng?
Of course, I understand your predicament. You can't find Xu Songheng's body, nor can you find evidence of a crime between them, but you have eyewitnesses.
Lin Jin pointed at herself and winked at Ji Nanxing, "I am the victim and can assist your investigation. Now that you have found out about my kidnapping, as the person involved, I have provided enough information. Now that Xu Songheng has disappeared, it is actually a good thing for me. It is better for the police to intervene when there is no one to testify against him."
"Good news?" Ji Nanxing frowned. "I don't quite understand. You haven't even thought about reporting the kidnapping to the police since it happened. What are you planning?"
She cleared her throat and finally laid out her doubts: "It seems like you've been waiting for me to come to you."
"Hahaha, you've finally figured out my intention." Lin Jin chuckled as she took a sip of her cold coffee, the taste of which was rather unpleasant, causing her to purse her lips. "Let me tell you, I have only one goal: Lin Sheng must die."
Ji Nanxing had met many arrogant people, but very few dared to openly talk about revenge in front of her.
Her face was solemn as she gripped the pen tightly, about to issue a warning, but the other person interrupted her.
“There are many ways to retaliate. I’m not like Lin Sheng, who resorts to underhanded violence.” Lin Jin spread his hands and shrugged indifferently. “If Captain Ji suspects that I’ve done anything illegal or criminal, you can investigate. Since I’ve put it this way, I’m innocent and have nothing to fear.”
Ji Nanxing realized that the case was becoming increasingly complicated, so he simply peeled back the layers and asked the key question: "Your hostility towards Lin Sheng is so strong, it must be more than just about the inheritance rights, right?"
"Good question." Lin Jin finally got to answer this question, and his smile deepened, but the next second his expression changed. Thick hatred seeped into every frown and smile, making him look particularly sinister.
She got up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of the reception room, looking at the concrete landscape of towering buildings, and began to speak: "My mother was pushed off a cliff by Lin Sheng's mother and thugs, but your police hastily concluded that it was an accidental fall."
More than ten years ago, I returned from studying abroad and started Senyao Group from scratch. Since then, Lin Sheng has been persecuting me in various ways, including vicious business competition and violent kidnapping. The worst time was when I almost died in the deep mountains and forests.
Captain Ji must be very confused, why didn't I call the police? Why didn't I fight back?
Retaliation is something that needs time to brew, and requires the right timing, location, and people. So I've set up a game where you are all pawns.
I've calculated the timing perfectly; whoever's turn is supposed to appear will appear. Just like now, we're sitting here having this conversation, and it's all within my expectations.
The reason I'm being so honest with you is simply because I admire your meticulousness and disciplined approach. Lin Sheng is our common target; he has committed heinous crimes and should be brought to justice. However, we need to wait for the right opportunity to solidify his conviction.
"Of course, the time is not far off. I assure you, no later than December, Lin Sheng will definitely be drinking your tea."
"Colluding with thugs...falling off a cliff...kidnapping...framing...weapons...disappearance..." Ji Nanxing pondered the words related to Lin Sheng. These words together constituted a major criminal case, naturally raising the difficulty level to the highest point.
The outcome of today's questioning had exceeded her expectations. She closed her notebook, glanced at the time, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lin, for taking the time to answer my questions. There's one last question I need your help with..."
Before she could finish her question, Lin Jin interrupted, "Are you asking me how to overturn Sang Luo's case?"
She turned and leaned against the French windows, a deep sense of helplessness welling up in her eyes, and sighed, "She... is the only unsolvable piece in this game..."
*
It was evening.
Cheng Sangluo was busy in the kitchen preparing a variety of dishes for the evening.
A pot of yam and pork rib soup was simmering, steaming gently, and the air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of the dish.
"Honey! When are you coming back?" She held up her old phone, pointed it at the iron pot on the stove, and filmed a video, shouting, "Look how delicious my braised pork looks! I guarantee you'll eat an extra bowl of rice tonight!"
After recording the video, Spicy Bingbing clicked send, waiting for Crazy Earth-Bombing's reply while simultaneously stirring the food with a spatula.
Perhaps because he was too focused on cooking, the dog didn't notice his wife appearing at the kitchen door.
Lin Jin tiptoed against the wall, admiring the figures busy around the stove. Her original tired expression was replaced by a gentle smile.
Such simple happiness is the most memorable, making one reluctant to disturb it and wishing time would slow down.
Just as Cheng Sangluo turned to get something from the refrigerator, she was startled by the person who suddenly came into view and exclaimed, "Oh my god, that's terrifying!"
"Blame it on you for taking cooking too seriously~" Lin Jin maintained her leaning posture, spreading her arms wide in a coquettish tone: "Give me a hug, little puppy~"
Cheng Sangluo took a step forward, and with a burst of excitement, picked up his wife, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, and spun her around on the spot. "Really! It's all my fault! I didn't even know my wife was back!"
After criticizing herself, she pressed the person in her arms against the wall and whispered a kiss: "Did you miss me?"
"Guess~" Lin Jin dodged the approaching lips, deliberately teasing the clingy puppy, "Let's save the kiss for the night~"
"Hmph, stingy!" Cheng Sangluo angrily let go of her arm and turned around to continue cooking.
Lin Jinwan followed behind her, wrapped her arms around her waist and hugged her tightly, pressing her face against her broad back, which gave her a sense of security.
Even through the fabric and skin, she could still hear the strong, powerful heartbeat, and she couldn't help but close her eyes peacefully. "Of course I miss you so much, it's like being lovesick. Whether my eyes are open or closed, you're all I see, my breath is you, my heartbeat is you~"
Cheng Sangluo said arrogantly, "Tch, that's more like it."
She turned off the stove, thinking that she could cook another batch of vegetables before serving dinner, so she decided to give them some time to be intimate.
She placed her hands on Lin Jin's waist, tilted her head to carefully examine his tender eyes, and asked with concern, "You look very tired. Do you want to lie down for a while? If you're hungry, we can eat now."
"Of course I'll eat the meal you worked so hard to make first. I want to try it and see just how delicious your braised pork is. What if it really makes me want to eat an extra bowl of rice? Oh, by the way," Lin Jin joked, taking the dog's paw and leading it into the living room, "I've prepared a little gift for you."
"Oh dear, why are you giving me a gift on such an ordinary day?" Cheng Sangluo scratched the back of her head shyly, but her eyes shone with anticipation.
"Idiot, if you're expecting a gift, just say so. Why are you being shy?" Lin Jin handed her the bag on the coffee table. "Here, open it and take a look."
"What is this? Is it very expensive?" Cheng Sangluo curiously took a box out of the bag, saw that it was the latest foldable screen phone, and exclaimed cutely, "Wow, a new phone!"
Lin Jin loved seeing the puppy's delighted expression, and forcefully instructed, "Your crappy phone should have been replaced a long time ago. Every time I call you, it takes forever to answer. I've already saved all the apps you use and my number for you. Use it with peace of mind. If you dare to be a beat late in answering the phone again, you can't say the screen is faulty."
"Although I feel like I've made you spend money again, I really love this gift!" Cheng Sangluo clutched the phone box with delight, jumping up and down excitedly a few times before hugging Lin Jin tightly and showering her with kisses. "My wife, you're so sweet! *kissing sounds*..."
"Alright, alright, it's just a new phone, look how happy you are." Lin Jin rarely saw Cheng Sangluo in such an excited state. She couldn't stand Cheng Sangluo's clinginess and could only raise her hand to cover her face from getting closer. "Let's eat, I'm hungry."
"You're so good to me, I wish I could just sit on your lap and feed you." Cheng Sangluo murmured, leading his wife toward the dining table. "Let's go for a walk after we finish eating, or even just go for a drive."
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." Lin Jin affectionately patted the puppy's head, but every time he saw how easily she was satisfied, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
The Cheng Sang in her memory appeared in different periods and had different appearances.
The once dashing and spirited demeanor has been worn down by life, and that sharp confidence has turned into the embarrassment of secretly eating leftovers and the dejected sight of squatting at the entrance of a convenience store eating rice balls.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Cheng Sangluo tugged at Lin Jin's arm, boasting, "Tonight's meal was a standard three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup. Keep it up from now on. I have to feed you until you're plump and healthy. Every time I hold you, I don't dare to use too much force, for fear of hurting you by pulling too hard. Besides, you're as light as a feather."
"Is it really that exaggerated?" Lin Jin laughed at the dog's exaggerated description, but her heart, which had remained unchanged for years, suddenly felt warm and overflowing with warmth.
Lin Jin was never short of attention. Waves of so-called admirers came, rushing to cling to her, showering her with sweet words. Cheng Sangluo was the clumsiest with words among them, never quite able to come up with exaggerated and flowery phrases, but she was also the only one without any ulterior motives. Therefore, Cheng Sangluo's attention was the touchstone, loving her in the most simple and unpretentious way.
Cheng Sangluo suppressed her excitement and said seriously, "You're my wife. Outsiders will say I treat you badly, not giving you a single bite to eat, and making you skin and bones."
Lin Jin couldn't resist the earnest little dog, so she had to patiently coax him: "Okay, okay, I'll eat two bowls of rice tonight, alright?"
"Not bad, not bad, you've improved. Now you know to respect my requests." Cheng Sangluo smiled and asked suddenly, "When are we moving? You're going to work tomorrow, so I'll tidy up the house, pack up everything we need, and then hire a Lalamove to take everything in one truck."
Lin Jin poked the puppy's forehead and said, "We need to buy everything we need for the new house. That's how it should feel like a new house. Don't worry about the cost. It won't cost much. Tomorrow, you can pick me up from get off work, and I'll take you out for a nice meal. Then we'll go shopping and furnish our new house. How about that?"
"Alright, I can't go against you anyway, but I have a suggestion." Cheng Sangluo agreed repeatedly, but immediately made a request: "You have to put my name on this house, I agree. You have to buy things for the new house, I agree too. You said it's marital property, so I have to pay half of it. Although I can't pay it now, I can pay it back slowly in the future, so I will write an IOU."
At this point, Cheng Sangluo slapped herself on the forehead. "That's it. Adding the debts I paid off for Cheng Xing before, my wallet is more than just secretly zero outside. Now I'm in debt again. So, can I go find a job? Of course, ruining Lin Sheng is the priority. I'll think about my job later."
When Lin Jin heard the puppy confidently claiming it wanted to find a job, the smile on her face stiffened slightly, and she said indifferently, "Wouldn't it be better if I took care of you?"
If it were in the past, Cheng Sangluo would have scorned the words "I'll take care of you." She was so strong-willed and stubborn; how could she accept Lin Jin's kindness so readily?
Now, with the passage of time, these words moved Cheng Sangluo, but her emotion was tinged with a bittersweet sadness.
"No." The puppy pouted in refusal, reaching out to stroke its lover's earnest and expectant face, a faint smile playing on its lips. "I appreciate your kindness, but living in your big house and relying on you for everything isn't a long-term solution. I've been thinking a lot about how I can reciprocate your kindness, only to realize that I can't give you anything in return. Ultimately, I have to be self-reliant, right?"
Lin Jin covered her face with her hand, closed her eyes and gently rubbed it. When she opened her eyes again, her eyes were a little darker.
Her becoming gentler doesn't mean she's changed her nature; she's still the same person who means what she says. "We can talk about work later; you should focus on our plans first."
[Author's Note]
1. My pre-order novel, "The Sinful Lover," is available for collection.
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