Chapter 437 The Eldest Cousin's Fiancée Arrives
Zi Yisheng finished reading the files with a helpless sigh. His elder brother-in-law could accomplish more with a casual effort than many investigators.
"How did you find out?"
Ye Mu'en leaned back, a smug smile on his face.
"It's simple. Find one or two people who are still alive and hold a grudge against Liang Qiuyi. One person reveals a bit, then more people are found, and more information is gathered."
"This Feng Zhanhe, with his 'divine detective' reputation, is always busy and out of sight, yet he hasn't brought me any useful information."
"Heh, enough talk. What I've given you is enough to nail Liang Qiuyi. When are you bringing Shengge home? Grandpa and Grandma have asked several times."
Zi Yisheng knew this was the reason, otherwise, his brother-in-law wouldn't bother with such trivial matters.
"Brother, my dear brother, you're a man too. Can't you understand the feelings of someone who just became a groom? If you had a wife in the future, would you like it if your wife was snatched away under the watchful eyes of your entire family?"
"What's not to like? You're being too sentimental. Look at who doesn't live together nowadays. You're not satisfied with just having your private time, and now you're taking her away. You're the one going too far."
Ye Mu'en spoke with righteous indignation, but in reality, he understood Zi Yisheng's feelings best, having been through the experiences of a past life. No one liked living in a large family. But as long as it wasn't his own situation, he was indifferent.
The two argued in the living room for a while until Ye Shengge woke up and emerged, causing them to stop.
"What are you arguing about?"
"Arguing? We're discussing the case."
As Ye Mu'en spoke, he handed the information he had gathered to his sister. He knew his little sister loved this kind of thing.
Ye Shengge picked up the files and read them with great interest, occasionally offering her comments.
"Xiao Ge'er, you've seen most of it. Are you ready to go home? Your maternal grandparents miss you every day."
Ye Shengge looked at Zi Yisheng, who had a troubled expression, and smiled. This awkward man.
"Brother, I won't be going back anytime soon. We've bought a new house, and I want to tear it down and rebuild. If there are any problems during construction, I can point them out immediately."
Zi Yisheng's eyebrows shot up with joy. His wife truly understood his difficulties.
Ye Mu'en didn't insist. He had only come to visit, and he wasn't an old-fashioned traditionalist. She deserved her freedom. His earlier words were just meant to tease Zi Yisheng.
"Alright then, as long as you're happy. But don't be gone too long. Make a trip back in the meantime to put their minds at ease."
"Mhmm, don't worry. I was just bored staying in the village. A change of environment will lift my spirits."
Zi Yisheng hadn't expected his wife to request such a long leave of absence. Now, if he could just slow down the demolition and construction, he could easily get a "half-year vacation."
Having received his sister's approval, Ye Mu'en didn't linger. He noticed the small courtyard they lived in was not far from the police station, so security was assured.
After personally seeing off his brother-in-law, Zi Yisheng rushed back and swept his wife into a hug, spinning her around.
"Wife, you're so understanding."
"Actually, Mom and Dad and Brother wouldn't overly restrict us. It's just that we live close by, so you feel less free. If we lived elsewhere, they wouldn't object."
"Mhmm, Mom, Dad, and Brother are all very good. It's me who's being unreasonable."
Feng Zhanhe arrived at Zi Yisheng's house again, looking haggard. It was clear he hadn't slept well for days, with dark circles under his eyes and a mournful expression.
"Young Master Zi, I still haven't found any evidence of Liang Qiuyi's crimes. I feel like someone is deliberately obstructing my investigation."
Zi Yisheng dismissively threw the files at Feng Zhanhe.
"You dare to call yourself a divine detective? I think 'divine charlatan' is more fitting. If you're incompetent, step aside and let someone truly capable take over."
"Young Master Zi, don't look down on me. I..."
"Where did this come from?"
"How is this possible? These are things I haven't found, and these are things I've already investigated! Young Master Zi, tell me quickly who this investigator is. I demand they work at the An Police Bureau."
Ye Shengge chuckled from the side. She also felt Feng Zhanhe was more suited to stand-up comedy than police work.
"Take these files and get lost. If you can't handle the remaining tasks, resign immediately."
Feng Zhanhe, who had planned to stay for a meal, had no appetite now that he had this treasure. He scrambled away, eager to go fight demons.
"You've been sleeping too much lately. Want to go for a walk? We'll have dinner at Han Hao's place tonight."
"Sure, I'll go change now."
When Ye Shengge reappeared, she was wearing white sneakers, black pants, a white shirt, and a black knit cardigan. Nothing out of the ordinary, yet captivating.
Zi Yisheng walked happily beside his wife, not daring to hold her hand, but able to walk close.
Their striking appearances attracted considerable attention, especially from one young woman who followed them secretly after seeing them at the mall entrance.
"Did you notice?"
"Mhmm, I did. Don't pay attention to her. Let her follow if she wants; she'll reveal her purpose eventually."
Ye Shengge glanced sideways at the woman following them. She carried a suitcase and looked travel-worn, her hair a bit disheveled.
"Could it be someone you know? She's carrying luggage like she's coming to visit relatives."
"I don't know her. I have no impression of her at all. Wife, you can't just associate anyone with me."
"Heh, your survival instinct is quite strong."
They browsed the mall for a while, bought some snacks, and then left. As they reached the steps, the young woman rushed towards them.
Zi Yisheng pulled his wife behind him, his expression turning serious.
"What do you want?"
"Don't misunderstand, please. I was just following you because she looks a lot like someone I know."
The young woman pointed at Ye Shengge, her face full of expectation.
"Miss, do you know Bai Chufan? You bear a resemblance to him."
Eldest cousin! Ye Shengge and Zi Yisheng exchanged a look.
"How do you know Bai Chufan?"
"You really know Bai Chufan? That's great! I'm his fiancée. I finally found out he's in Spring City, but I don't know his exact address."
Ye Shengge was quite surprised. Her maternal aunt always used her eldest cousin's fiancée as an excuse to fend off persistent villagers. She never expected there actually was one.
However, Ye Shengge doubted it. If there really was a fiancée, why had the family never mentioned her? Her eldest cousin was already 24 and showed no inclination to marry.
"I haven't heard Bai Chufan mention you."
The young woman's head immediately drooped. Ye Shengge saw large tears fall to the ground.
"My name is Ling Qiong. I'm Bai Chufan's classmate, and more importantly, his fiancée, engaged when we were eighteen. Back then, the Bai family experienced a series of misfortunes. Bai Chufan privately told me to leave with him, but my family refused and insisted I break off the engagement.
When I next heard news, the Bai family was either dead or missing. Especially when I heard that Bai Chufan had also died, I attempted suicide and went mad.
Following that, my own family had problems. My parents sent me to the countryside to work as a 'zhiqing' (educated youth), living in a daze day by day. Only recently did I get news of Bai Chufan, and I came back to life."
Ye Shengge observed Ling Qiong's attire. Although it had no patches, it wasn't new. Her hands were rough, suggesting she had done a lot of farm work.
"How did you, a 'zhiqing,' get away? I thought 'zhiqing' couldn't take leave?"
Ling Qiong cried even harder, her voice loud enough to attract the attention of many passersby.
Ye Shengge frowned. She didn't want to be stared at, as if they were bullying someone.
"Stop crying for now. Let's find a quiet place to talk."
Ling Qiong, embarrassed by the crowd's attention, quickly grabbed her suitcase and followed Ye Shengge and Zi Yisheng.
"Wife, Ling Qiong's appearance is too sudden. We should investigate further before bringing her home."
"Mhmm, I won't bring her home. After we've clarified things, we should notify eldest cousin to come over first."
The three went to a nearby alley, which was less crowded and quieter.
"When I went to the countryside, my family gave me some money. I gave the village head one hundred yuan for half a month's leave, saying... saying I was going home for a funeral."
The reason was plausible, but the money likely played a significant role.
"Who did you get the news from?"
Ling Qiong quickly took out a letter from her bag. Even the envelope was well-preserved.
The letter was unsigned, only telling Ling Qiong that Bai Chufan was working in Spring City, but without a specific address.
"You came all this way based on a letter with no sender or details? Aren't you afraid someone is tricking you?"
"I'm not afraid. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, I'm willing to search. I already regret not leaving with Chufan back then. Now, I don't want to miss another chance."
"What if you don't find him?"
"If I don't find him, I'll go back first. When I can get leave again, I'll come out to search."
Ye Shengge was unsure if Ling Qiong was truly deeply devoted or had ulterior motives regarding her eldest cousin.
"Do you have a place to stay now?"
Ling Qiong shook her head. This was her first time traveling so far.
"Then go stay at a guesthouse for now. I'll find you once I contact Bai Chufan."
Ling Qiong, seeing Ye Shengge about to leave, quickly stepped forward and blocked her path.
"I don't even know your name. If you don't come to find me, where will I find you? I'm really in a hurry to find Bai Chufan. Why don't you just give me your address, and I'll go find him myself?"
"Comrade Ling, your sudden appearance makes me suspicious, so there are many things I need to verify. If you're willing to wait, wait at the guesthouse. If not, you can continue your search on your own."
Ling Qiong hadn't expected Ye Shengge to be so direct, even voicing her suspicions.
"I was too hasty. I'm willing to wait for your news at the guesthouse. Thank you. If you contact Bai Chufan, please tell him it was my fault before, and I've come to fulfill the engagement."
Ye Shengge wouldn't have told him if she wasn't afraid her eldest cousin might still have lingering feelings. What engagement? If there was true love, they should have left together then.
However, this was her eldest cousin's matter. Ye Shengge didn't want to ruin his prospects based on her own limited understanding. What if her eldest cousin still loved Ling Qiong?
Watching Ling Qiong leave with her luggage, Ye Shengge nudged Zi Yisheng with her elbow.
"What do you think?"
"Right now, I just want to know who wrote that letter to Ling Qiong and what their intentions were. As for Ling Qiong herself, I won't comment."
"Tsk, pretending to be profound!"
Ye Shengge went to the post office and contacted someone in the county, instructing them to immediately send Bai Chufan home to take a call.
After about an hour, Bai Chufan's call came through.
"Shengge, is something wrong?"
Hearing her eldest cousin's concerned voice, Ye Shengge smiled sweetly and briefly explained Ling Qiong's situation over the phone. The other end of the line fell silent. Ye Shengge waited patiently.
The post office staff had never seen anyone having a long phone conversation before and wanted to remind them, but seeing the serious man standing beside the beautiful young woman, they didn't dare to speak.
"Shengge, I'm coming to Spring City to find you now."
"Okay, eldest cousin. Aren't you going to tell Aunt?"
"Sigh... I won't tell her for now. Otherwise, I'm afraid she won't let me leave."
"I see. Then come here first. We can discuss it properly."
Ye Shengge told her eldest cousin her current address. She didn't sleep early that night but prepared a late supper, waiting for her eldest cousin.
Zi Yisheng saw his wife spacing out and knew she was overthinking, likely imagining several scenarios in her mind.
"Don't think too much. I've had people keep an eye on Ling Qiong. As soon as she contacts someone, we'll know."
"Are you suspecting she was sent by someone?"
"Even if she wasn't sent, she's being used. Perhaps the person behind her is watching."
Bai Chufan arrived late, past ten o'clock. Ye Mu'en also came with him. Neither had bothered to change their muddy shoes.
"Brother, eldest cousin, why don't you wash up and eat something first?"
Bai Chufan smiled when he saw his younger cousin and reached out to ruffle Ye Shengge's hair.
"You don't want to go home anymore now that you're out? Grandma said yesterday that your husband had kidnapped you."
"Heh heh, I just wanted to come out and play. I'll apologize to Grandma when I go back. You should go wash up quickly. It really doesn't suit my handsome cousin's image."
Zi Yisheng generously offered two sets of his clothes. After Bai Chufan washed up and ate, he didn't mention Ling Qiong, making Ye Shengge feel that her cousin didn't deeply love his former fiancée.
Bai Chufan looked at his younger cousin's expectant eyes and smiled, taking a sip of tea.
"Why are you more anxious than I am? What do you want to know?"
"It's not that I want to know anything. Don't you want to know about Ling Qiong's situation? Or perhaps, don't you want to see her immediately?"
Bai Chufan put down his cup, his face devoid of emotion.
"I thought I would never have any contact with Ling Qiong again. After all, she was the one who chose to give up. Now that she's come looking, her life must not be going well."