Su Yang quickly threw off the covers and got out of bed, dressed, and quickly washed up.
In the villa, a group of women were discussing arrangements for the New Year's Eve dinner.
Jiang Wanying, holding a glass of milk and some bread, asked, "Brother Yang, where are you rushing off to?"
"I have something to attend to. You all carry on chatting!"
Su Yang grabbed his car keys and left. Jiang Wanying behind him was bewildered.
"The people from the Security Bureau are all on holiday. Where is he going?"
"Don't mind him. He's definitely going to accompany some woman."
Yang Mange beckoned, signaling Jiang Wanying to come and sit.
"Remember to invite your brother and mother over tomorrow night. We'll have a family reunion dinner."
"Okay, I'll call my mother right away."
...
Su Yang arrived at the underground parking lot. Zhang Suqin was waiting with a small bamboo basket.
The basket was filled with paper money, gold and silver jewelry, and other offerings.
Zhang Suqin had changed into a plain black dress and, with a bare face, was heading to pay respects to Chen Xiao.
In the car, Su Yang opened the navigation.
"Where is the destination?"
"Songhai No. 1 Cemetery!"
"Chen Xiao held a significant position. He's buried in a public cemetery?"
"Yes, there was a new regulation at the time. Everyone had to be buried in the public cemetery, regardless of their status."
Su Yang nodded and followed the navigation route at high speed towards Songhai No. 1 Cemetery.
It was said that the cemetery plots were not cheap either. Six hundred thousand could only secure a plot for thirty years, and renewal fees would be required afterward.
Zhang Suqin remained silent, quietly watching the world outside the window.
Su Yang knew she was still reminiscing about the past, so he didn't disturb her.
Neither of them spoke. It took about an hour to reach the cemetery entrance.
At this time, the entrance of the cemetery was filled with buses.
A group of people in black clothing disembarked, escorting the deceased into the cemetery for burial.
Su Yang parked the car, and they walked into the cemetery.
"Sister Qin, which row and number?"
"Row eight, number thirty-six!"
Zhang Suqin pointed into the distance, where rows upon rows of tombstones stretched out.
Su Yang walked for several minutes before finding Chen Xiao's tombstone.
The tombstone was covered in cracks, resembling a spiderweb.
"Sister Qin, didn't you and Brother Zong often come to pay respects to Chen Xiao? Why haven't you replaced his tombstone?"
Zhang Suqin frowned. "When I came during Qingming Festival, Chen Xiao's tombstone was intact. How could it have cracked?"
"Something like this happened?"
Su Yang looked closely and noticed that the cracks on the tombstone were very new. There was also a deep indentation, as if it had been struck by something.
"Sister Qin, let's go find the cemetery administrator and ask them what's going on."
Zhang Suqin nodded. These people were taking money without doing their jobs, which was unacceptable.
...
The cemetery management area was a three-story villa.
On the first floor, a few scattered people were discussing matters, and there were only two staff members.
Su Yang walked up. "Hello, is your manager here?"
"The manager is not here. What can I do for you?"
The person who replied was a man nearing fifty, with squinted eyes, several scars on his face, and calloused hands.
"My friend's tombstone was vandalized. Aren't you people going to do anything about it?"
The man said indifferently, "What does that have to do with us? We're not gravekeepers. Can't you just replace it yourself?"
Su Yang was amused. "You charge exorbitant maintenance fees, and this is your attitude?"
"It's not like I'm the only one taking the money. Do whatever you want."
After speaking, the man walked away without looking back.
After the other funeral attendees left, the place became even more deserted.
Zhang Suqin was also bewildered. "These people have such a terrible attitude! Aren't they afraid of being reported?"
Su Yang pondered for a moment. "Perhaps business is too good here, and plots are hard to come by, which has led to these people developing arrogant habits."
"What should we do then?"
Zhang Suqin looked around and realized everyone had left.
Su Yang thought that since there were three floors, it was unlikely that only two staff members were responsible for nearly a thousand acres of cemetery.
"You stay here. I'll go upstairs to see if anyone is there."
"Okay."
Su Yang went up to the second floor. In the hall, several people were sleeping soundly with their heads on the tables.
These people were too idle, yet they received high salaries every month.
But they were just minor characters, so Su Yang ignored them.
He continued to the third floor and, from a distance, heard panting sounds coming from inside.
"Oh, you're hurting me."
"Darling, let's do it again. I promise to be gentle."
Su Yang wasn't interested in listening. He directly knocked on the door and called out.
"Apologies for disturbing your pleasantries. I suggest you stop for now."
A few seconds later.
An angry roar came from inside.
"Damn it! Who the hell dares to disturb my pleasure?"
A胖 man, shirtless, opened the door, his face full of rage.
"Kid, are you out of your mind?"
Su Yang strode into the office and sat on the sofa.
He then raised a finger. "You have half an hour to replace Chen Xiao's tombstone with a new one, or else..."
"Or else what can you do to me?" The胖 man didn't wait for Su Yang to finish. He quickly put on his clothes and lay down on the sofa.
"Or else I'll have you fired immediately. I'm sure many people would want to take over your position as manager."
"Oh really? Who do you think you are? You dare tell me to get lost?"
The胖 man calmly took a cigar from his female secretary and even rubbed her "huiyin" point.
"Manager, in my opinion, this kid is probably a rich second-generation from some family. A hothead."
"Heh heh, here at the cemetery, I am the boss. This kid dares to threaten me. Does he think he's so great just because he has a few bucks?"
Su Yang frowned. These two didn't even know he was the deputy director of the Security Bureau?
Even for an ordinary person, a vandalized tombstone should be dealt with, shouldn't it?
"Fatty, do you know who Chen Xiao is?"
"Damn it! Who are you calling Fatty? What does it matter to me who Chen Xiao is? There are so many tombstones, how could I possibly remember them all?"
The胖 man exploded instantly, slamming his hand on the table.
In front of the woman, the胖 man always wanted to maintain his authority as manager, and besides, he didn't like being called Fatty.
Su Yang's brows furrowed. "Chen Xiao was once the deputy director of the Songhai Security Bureau. How many years has it been? Have you forgotten everything he did back then?"
"A hero doesn't boast of past glories. No matter how capable he was, he's just dust now. I advise you not to meddle and get lost!"
The胖 man hugged his female secretary, intending to continue their game.
"Fatty, I also advise you to get to work quickly. Your time is running out."
Su Yang glanced at his watch. Half an hour was almost up.
"Kid, if you don't get lost, I'll call for backup!"
The胖 man manager was also furious. If he hadn't been wary of Su Yang being a rich second-generation, he would have acted the moment he walked in.
The female secretary beside him also impatiently urged, "Manager, I still want to continue playing. Hurry up and make this kid leave."
The胖 man and the female secretary dallied for a long time, and half an hour passed.
Su Yang didn't hesitate. He ordered people from the Security Bureau to come to the cemetery with a search warrant.
Hearing Su Yang call the Security Bureau, the胖 man froze.
"Sir, may I ask your surname?"
"Su Yang!"