The head of the finance team was also a veteran of MX Company, having followed Zhao Yingjun since the very beginning of her business.

In fact, most of the vice presidents and middle-level cadres were veterans of the company. After all, MX Company was quite young, and there were very few cases like Lin Xian, who had been promoted at lightning speed after joining the company for only a few months.

"Ah, that matter..."

The head of the finance team smiled and lowered his head.

"Actually, we don't know too much about the specifics. When the company was founded, CEO Zhao had a young secretary, a recent female college graduate who was very capable. CEO Zhao liked and trusted her very much."

"But later, I don't know what happened... CEO Zhao suddenly fired this young secretary. CEO Zhao was very angry during that time, and we didn't dare to ask too much."

"Later, she changed the password to the office door, and only she knew the password. Until now, there have been no plans to hire another secretary."

"We speculated in private that the little girl must have done something that broke CEO Zhao's heart. Was it stealing business secrets? Was it embezzling company funds? Or was it something else that leaked CEO Zhao's privacy?"

"We don't know... Anyway, the result is what you see. CEO Zhao would rather have a messy and dusty office and clean it herself than hire another secretary. We've tried to persuade her, but it's no use."

Ding—

The elevator doors opened on the 17th floor. Lin Xian then realized that he had forgotten to press the elevator button.

After the head of the finance team walked out of the elevator, he pressed the button for the 20th floor and returned to his office.

He twirled his pen and thought...

If he could find a way to become Zhao Yingjun's secretary, it would definitely be a wonderful way to safely and efficiently conduct an investigation into the Genius Club.

But as it stood, Zhao Yingjun extremely distrusted others and had no intention of hiring a secretary at all.

"So, after going around in circles, I'm back to square one..."

"I still have to find a way to gradually gain Zhao Yingjun's trust."

...

Half an hour later.

Zhao Yingjun, three vice presidents, and Lin Xian got into an Elfa commercial vehicle and arrived at the Donghai City Funeral Home.

As soon as they got out of the car.

"Hmm?"

Lin Xian looked at a group of trendy young people at the entrance of the funeral home, men and women, each holding a beautifully bound book.

What was going on?

Funeral home, trendy young people, best-selling book, Xu Yun's memorial service... These combinations did not seem to fit together.

"What are they doing over there?"

One of the vice presidents also noticed this strange scene.

To say that these young people were here to attend the memorial service... They didn't look like it at all.

To say they were here to chase stars, but this was a funeral home. What stars were there to chase?

Unless...

Lin Xian thought of a possibility.

He walked over and got closer.

Now he could see clearly.

The young people were holding the same book, titled *Broken Bridge*, a very famous mystery novel.

Lin Xian had read this book in college. It was very exciting, and he heard that it had later been adapted into a Hollywood movie with a star-studded cast.

Since these book fans were waiting here with anticipation...

Then it was undoubtedly to wait for the author of this book.

But in Lin Xian's memory, the author of this book seemed to be a very young boy. When Lin Xian read this novel, the book cover also had the promotional slogan "Dragon Country's Genius Mystery Novelist," but Lin Xian had not paid attention to the author's name, only remembering the title of the book.

"Oh, these should be Ji Lin's book fans. They're probably waiting for Ji Lin here."

Another vice president next to him said.

"Ji Lin?"

That should be the name of the author of that book. Lin Xian turned his head and looked at the vice president.

"Have you read his books too?"

"I haven't read the books." The vice president smiled and continued.

"But this Ji Lin is not only a best-selling author... You may not have followed entertainment news recently, but his original novel, *Broken Bridge*, which was adapted into a film of the same name, has received several Oscar nominations."

"And he himself has also been nominated for the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, and is likely to win. Ji Lin's commercial value is still very high, and he has a good relationship with various Oscar directors, and has a wide network of contacts."

"But... he is usually very low-key, and doesn't often show his face. Even various award ceremonies are accepted by others on his behalf, and he rarely participates in activities in the country."

"I really don't know why he came all the way to attend Xu Yun's memorial service this time. Logically speaking, they are completely in two different circles."

...

So that was it.

Although Lin Xian couldn't be considered unfamiliar with Professor Xu Yun, he actually knew very little about his past private life, and had never heard him mention that he liked to read mystery novels, or that he had a close writer friend.

But since this well-known screenwriter and genius mystery novelist had specially returned to the country to attend Xu Yun's memorial service...

Presumably, the two must have had a very good relationship in private.

It was impossible to figure out what kind of relationship it was. It could also be relatives, teachers and students, or something like that.

"Keep up, Lin Xian, it's our turn."

Hearing Zhao Yingjun's urging, Lin Xian turned his head and walked into the funeral home.

The group of five came to the memorial hall, which was filled with wreaths. In the center of the hall was a gray photo of Xu Yun during his lifetime.

The man in the photo was smiling brightly and dressed neatly.

Lin Xian didn't know when Xu Yun had taken this photo, but it was clearly quite old.

Not only did he look young in the photo, but Lin Xian was also very clear in his heart... that Professor Xu Yun had not smiled so sincerely for many years.

He had always lived in controversy and denial.

After finally achieving fame and success, what awaited him was not applause and flowers, but a wreath in the mourning hall.

It was a pity.

"Bow!"

Lin Xian followed the vice president and Zhao Yingjun in front of him, lowered his head, and mourned deeply.

He had watched the news in the morning.

The two murderers who killed Xu Yun were still being captured and were actively soliciting clues from the public.

Not to mention catching them, even the two cars hadn't been found yet, as if they had disappeared into thin air.

This made Lin Xian feel very surprised and shocked by the abilities of the Donghai police.

Donghai was a modern city with cameras everywhere, yet they couldn't even find two cars?

It was unbelievable.

"Bow again!"

Lin Xian glanced at Xu Yun in the gray photo, laughing heartily, and bowed again, lowering his head.

He still felt guilty towards Xu Yun and Xu Yiyi.

Although everyone said that it was not his responsibility, not his fault.

But he knew in his heart.

Xu Yun's death was inseparable from his rewriting the future.

That fluttering butterfly of time and space... It flapped its wings, changed the world, rewrote the future, and also changed Xu Yun's fate.

Lin Xian didn't know what he could do for Xu Yun, what he could help with.

Perhaps the only thing he could do...

Was to find a way to ferret out the murderers who killed Xu Yun and bring them to justice. Then, to take care of Xu Yiyi more and ensure that she could sleep in the hibernation pod as scheduled.

That was all.

"Bow for the third time!"

Lin Xian closed his eyes and bowed again...

But just then.

The group of Ji Lin's book fans who had been waiting quietly outside suddenly became noisy and excited!

Separated by a door.

A dirge was playing in Xu Yun's mourning hall.

But outside the door, it was a scene of cheers and joy.

Lin Xian frowned and turned around.

He saw the electric door of a black commercial vehicle open.

A young man with slightly curly hair, scattered eyes, fair skin, and not much energy poked his head out.

He and Lin Xian made eye contact.

Half-open eyes...

Staring straight at Lin Xian.