"We'll go back to Lancheng first and then figure something out. If only Shuyan could admit her involvement in this matter herself."
Qin Tianyi said this casually, but Susu took it to heart. Regardless of whether the police would reclassify Huo Jin's death, she had to find a way to make Shuyan admit what happened that night and seek justice for Huo Jin.
By the time they left the village, it was late and quiet.
On the night road, Qin Tianyi drove for a long stretch with his headlights off, only turning them on when they were close to the highway.
He noticed that Susu, who had been silent, had fallen asleep in the passenger seat.
These past few days, Susu had been heartbroken and investigating Huo Jin's death, which truly made him feel for her.
Now, it seemed that crazy woman Shuyan was capable of anything. He hoped Susu would stop worrying about this matter and leave it all to him.
If Shuyan was indeed the one who harmed Huo Jin, he would definitely send that woman to prison.
Susu suddenly opened her eyes in a daze, realizing she was still in Qin Tianyi's car, with his jacket draped over her.
Qin Tianyi, in the driver's seat beside her, was looking at her. "If you're tired, keep sleeping. I've parked the car outside the service area."
Susu rubbed her eyes and came to her senses. She looked out the car window and said, "Don't we need to rush back to Lancheng? How about I drive, and you get some rest?"
"There's no rush. We can both rest in the car and continue our journey after daybreak." As he spoke, Qin Tianyi reached out and pulled her into his arms, leaning against her.
Susu straightened her shoulder as much as possible to let Tianyi lean on her. "You're working very hard too. I'm the one who wanted to investigate Huo Jin's death, but I've dragged you down."
"I told you long ago that your matters are my matters. From now on, you shouldn't be the one to deal with this. Shuyan was reckless and brainless before, but now it seems she's become sharp and increasingly vicious. I'm afraid she might do something to you," Qin Tianyi said with a hint of weariness.
"I won't let Huo Jin die in vain, and I'm not the same person I used to be." Susu knew that Shuyan was not easy to deal with now, but she was not afraid.
Qin Tianyi squeezed her earlobe hard and said, "Gu Susu, are you even listening to what I'm saying?"
Susu's ear hurt from his pinch. "Ouch, I know. But if there are any new developments, you have to tell me."
He responded with a soft, low hum.
"I want to privately tell Kang Xi about the doubts we discovered tonight. What do you think?" After Susu finished speaking, she heard no response from him. She only felt him lean against her, his entire body growing heavier.
Susu tilted her head and found that he had fallen asleep. She couldn't help but feel pained by how hard he was working.
After his full recovery, he had months of group affairs to catch up on. He also had to spend time with her and the child, and he was always worried about her.
Actually, he didn't need to worry about her so much. She was only entangled and controlled by Yang Sijie before because their youthful affection was too warm and beautiful. After all, people are emotional beings.
Now, she would no longer be deceived by anyone's false facade. She could face anything side-by-side with him and didn't need him to shield her.
She dared not move, allowing him to lean on her and get a good night's sleep.
Susu gazed at him sleeping with adoration. His perfect features seemed meticulously carved. She felt that even after so many hardships, heaven had not been unkind to her, giving her such a good husband, a place to rest.
She carefully took his hand. In his sleep, he suddenly frowned and cried out, "Susu, Susu... Don't go, don't go..."
"I'm here," she quickly said in a low voice. "It's okay, go back to sleep."
Qin Tianyi opened his eyes, glanced at her, and then fell asleep again after confirming she was there.
Susu gently patted his back, treating him like a big baby. "Don't worry, I won't leave you again. I'll always be with you."
...
In the Shu family's living room,
Jia Nanfang was meticulously trimming a freshly air-freighted flower, preparing to decorate the Shu family mansion. Recently, Shu Zhongze had been in a terrible mood. Every time he returned home, he was gloomy and barely acknowledged her.
She hoped that these flowers would give the mansion a fresh look and lift Shu Zhongze's spirits, so he wouldn't be angry about Shuyan's affairs anymore.
Just then, her phone rang. A hoarse male voice came through, "Boss Jia, you asked me to keep an eye on the old house in the countryside. I've been watching it. Last night, a man and a woman used a key to open the old house's door and stayed inside for about an hour. Were they people you sent?"
Jia Nanfang almost cut her finger with the flower-shears. "No, I didn't send anyone. What did those two look like? How did they get the key to the country house? Are they media reporters?"
"I couldn't tell what they were doing. They were both wearing hats with the brims pulled down low. The village streetlights are dim, and there's no surveillance, so I couldn't see their faces clearly."
"Okay, I understand."
"Remember the money you promised me. Should it be increased?"
"No problem, I'll have someone deliver it to you."
The caller hung up. Jia Nanfang hadn't expected that reporters who liked to dig up wealthy family gossip would still be hounding Shuyan. Could it be that they had discovered Shuyan had given birth in the countryside?
If this matter were to be exposed again, Old Shu might just kick them, mother and daughter, out of the house.
No, she had to have someone change the lock on the country house and install surveillance.
The baby supplies also needed to be disposed of, and the interior of the house repainted to erase any traces.
Shuyan, feeling bored in her room, came out and went to the living room downstairs. She saw Jia Nanfang staring blankly and called out, "Mom, what are you thinking about? You've ruined these flowers. Are you trimming them or killing them?"
Jia Nanfang snapped back to attention, looked at Shuyan, and said with a cold face, "Didn't your father say you were to stay in your room and reflect on your mistakes, not to come out? Why are you out again!"
Shuyan said angrily, "Mom! Dad isn't home right now, so why are you so afraid of him and listen to everything he says! After all you've contributed to the Shu Corporation and this family, can't you stand on equal footing with him? Do you have to act like a meek daughter-in-law?"
"What do you know! Although your father and I have been married for decades, my background is too low. In his heart, I've always been inferior..." Jia Nanfang stopped mid-sentence, pulled Shuyan to sit down, and said, "You're my only daughter. Can't you be more sensible? You've caused enough trouble. Can't you be more mature?"
"Mom, what do you mean you're inferior?" Shuyan said, feeling indignant for her mother. "Isn't Shu Zhongze content to have such a virtuous wife like you?"
"Watch your words. Don't upset your father further. When he comes back today, you apologize to him properly, and maybe he won't be angry anymore."
"I won't!"
"Then do you want to be confined to the house forever, never to go out again?" Jia Nanfang picked up a flower and continued trimming.