Snail Senior Brother

Chapter 359 No Hiding in Front of Kin

This is not something I understand. Lu Yao doesn't believe me, and I can understand that. He's wanted to deal with me from the start. But why doesn't Ye Qingcheng believe me? Finding the truth behind Li Jiu's death, what conflict does that have with spending time with me? No matter what my level is, I am still considered part of the Wende lineage, sharing the same origin as Li Jiu.

Xiao Zi'an smiled gently and said calmly, "Sect Leader, don't be anxious. Let me explain slowly. Sister Ye has a sharp mind, and observing people and things are her specialties. However, once something involves Teacher Li Jiu, she goes mad. Even if it's just a rumor, she'll hold onto it tightly. During this time, she trusts no one."

"Madame Xiao, but she trusts you!"

"It's not exactly trust, more like half-trust, half-doubt. There are two reasons. First, she and I met as love rivals, but we are actually like sisters. She knows me. Second, from the beginning, she had information about my son, which means she had my weakness. It is precisely because of these two points that I can help her."

"Does she know?"

"She doesn't. Sister is too proud!"

"If that's the case, there must be a way to make her believe me."

"Impossible, for two reasons. First, as everyone knows, Lin Han is your weakness. But this girl is not ordinary; she's as slippery as a loach in a pond. Whenever disaster is imminent, she disappears without a trace. If it were just ordinary escape, it would be fine, but she's extremely clever, making her hard to catch. So your weakness is more like a smoke bomb you've released. Second, we all know that if Teacher Li Jiu's illness was indeed caused by someone, it must be related to the 'Shaman' in Yunnan. The only information we have is that the 'Shaman' has shares in 'China Style.' Sister Ye has always suspected that this elusive 'Shaman' might be an old acquaintance of yours."

"Who?"

"Teacher Li Jiu's senior sister, Wang Ren."

"Why would Teacher Wang Ren be suspected? There's no reason for that!"

"The company 'China Style' has existed since the period of reform and opening up. Many records are unverified. The only thing we can confirm is that Wang Ren became a shareholder of 'China Style' around 1990."

"Since you suspect Teacher Wang Ren, and Teacher Wang Ren is in Beijing, why didn't you investigate her and go to Sichuan instead?"

"Sister Ye used extraordinary means to learn that the evidence proving the 'Shaman's' identity is in Sichuan."

...

Chang Dachun and I left Xiao Zi'an's house together. Chang Dachun looked at me, my brow furrowed with worry, and asked earnestly, "This matter involves Teacher Wang Ren. Tang Nan, what are you planning to do?"

"I am different from them. Although the Four-Color Old K was close to Li Jiu, they are strangers to Teacher Wang Ren. As for me, I have always been taught by Teacher Wang Ren. My heart can feel that Teacher Wang Ren cares most about this sect. Therefore, I have no need to hide anything from our own people. I will ask her directly."

"Go now?"

"No, I'll go buy some good tea first."

...

I went to Wang Ren's house alone with good tea, familiar with the way, and knocked on the door. The one who opened the door was still that tall, long-haired beauty: "Sister, I'm looking for Teacher Wang Ren."

"My name is Jiang Kexin. Don't call me 'sister'; it sounds awkward."

"Alright, Jiang Kexin, is Teacher Wang Ren at home?"

"She's gone grocery shopping. Please come in."

I changed my shoes and sat on the sofa. Jiang Kexin poured me a cup of tea and sat beside me, her big eyes blinking. Judging by age, Jiang Kexin is about the same age as me. However, Jiang Kexin is a Beijing girl, fond of going out. She's had a few boyfriends, but never thought of marriage.

"Taking a break today?"

I felt a bit awkward under her gaze and made small talk.

"I don't go to work."

"Oh!"

This is so boring...

"Not going out with friends?"

If Jiang Kexin said she had no friends, I would have shut up!

"What time is it?"

"It's afternoon!"

Jiang Kexin smiled, "Young people usually go out at night and rest during the day. You don't look that old, so why do you live such a conventional life?"

I smiled helplessly. Although we are the same age, I do live like an old person, constantly playing psychological games with others. It's so much better to be like Jiang Kexin, carefree, sleeping at home during the day and going out at night. Nightclubs, karaoke, wantonly squandering one's youth amidst the neon lights – this is what young people should be like.

I chuckled, "Living conventionally is tiring!"

"Is it because of the Schemer?"

When she said that, I understood. Her curiosity about me wasn't because I was Tang Nan, but because I was a Schemer. When Teacher Wende was alive, she was already an sensible child and had probably heard the term 'Schemer' long ago. Moreover, the fall of 'Zhengqi' in Beijing and the downfall of a high-ranking official were not minor events.

There were probably already rumors circulating that the downfall of that high-ranking official was related to the Schemer. Therefore, even Jiang Kexin, a child who grew up in a compound, became interested in the Schemer.

"Yes, aren't you a Schemer?"

"Me?" Jiang Kexin pointed to herself and asked.

"Teacher Wende is the originator of the Schemer."

"Who? My maternal grandfather is the originator?"

"You call Teacher Wende 'Grandpa'?"

"Yes. My mother was an orphan and was adopted by Grandpa. Although Grandpa claimed to be Mom's master, in those days, a master was like a father. Moreover, Mom inherited Grandpa's fortune, which is why I can still eat and drink without restraint, hehe."

Hearing Jiang Kexin say this, I suddenly remembered something. In his final arrangements, Teacher Wende had given Teacher Wang Ren a bankbook. Could that bankbook be the inheritance Jiang Kexin mentioned?

How much money was in that bankbook? Was it enough for Wang Ren to live on for the rest of her life? Did it have anything to do with the foreign trade company 'China Style'? I was full of questions, but I knew that if I tried to get information about those past events from Jiang Kexin, it would be counterproductive. I chuckled and changed the subject, "I'm really not familiar with Beijing. Can you take me along next time you go out to eat and drink?"

"Are you sure?"

"Why not?"

"My friends are all very charming. The most important thing is that they are shameless. They don't care if you're married or not; as long as you have money, they'll cling to you. They're happy to be mistresses."

I frowned speechlessly, "Then why do you hang out with people like that?"

"You sound just like my mom."

...

"Because your mom is right. 'Bad company' is an understatement for your bunch of girls."

At this moment, Teacher Wang Ren returned from grocery shopping and pushed the door open, just in time to hear our conversation. She smoothly picked up the topic. Jiang Kexin made a face at me, then took the groceries from Teacher Wang Ren's hand subserviently and said coquettishly, "Mom, you have to go grocery shopping and cook after work. It's so hard on you. Don't worry about my friends. Come, rest, I'll give you a shoulder massage."

Teacher Wang Ren looked at Jiang Kexin dotingly and sighed, "She's already twenty-seven or twenty-eight, when will she ever grow up?"

Jiang Kexin fled into the kitchen as if escaping.

I stood up and greeted her, "Senior Aunt!"

"Tang Nan, you're here! I heard about what happened to you in Xi'an. I warned you, why didn't you pay attention? Would I harm you?"

I knew Teacher Wang Ren was referring to Lu Yao.

"You knew I was in danger, yet you didn't save me."

"You're not a canary kept at home. An eagle flying high in the sky has to face all unknown dangers on its own. I shouldn't even have reminded you. I'm just getting old and still care about you juniors."

I chuckled awkwardly and got straight to the point, "Senior Aunt, I came to you today because I have something to ask you?"

"What is it?"

"About 'China Style' Jade Rough Trade Co., Ltd.?"

Teacher Wang Ren smiled knowingly, "That's a secret."

I was dumbfounded, "You're not going to tell me?"

"That's right!"

"How can you be like this? We are family. Why are you hiding things from your junior at such a critical time?"

"Has it reached a critical time?"

"Well, not exactly... You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Why won't you tell me?"

"It's not that I can't tell you, but a secret for a secret."

"What secret do I have that you don't know?"

"There really is one?"

"What?"

"News came from Hong Kong that Little Ten is dead. I want to know if this news is true or false?"

"Old Ghost is really dead."

I told Wang Ren with certainty that Old Ghost was dead without even a flicker of my brow.

Wang Ren saw my expression and smiled, "You're becoming more like a Schemer. I can't tell if you're telling the truth or not! How about this, we'll exchange secrets. You use Little Ten's secret to exchange for 'China Style's' secret."

"You're asking for one. That's not a secret. Old Ghost is dead."

Teacher Wang Ren listened to me and smiled calmly, "Not bad. Little Ten didn't misjudge you. He's dead. In that case, there's nothing I absolutely need to know. 'China Style' is our own business, it's not really a secret. What do you want to know?"

"Does 'China Style' have anything to do with you?"

"Yes! I am the legal representative of 'China Style'."

"Then does 'China Style' have anything to do with the 'Shaman'?"

"Yes, the 'Shaman' is a partner. You know quite a bit, don't you?"

"Why don't I know that the Schemer also has a 'Southern Faction'?"

When I asked this, Teacher Wang Ren's gaze was a little surprised, "What 'Southern Faction'?"