154 Fire
“Fire?” Yin Tao looked at Lin Jia and asked, “And Shanshan survived the fire?”
“I think so. Anyway, this child is quite pitiful. She lost her family in the accident, and have no other relatives.” Lin Jia didn’t know much about Shanshan’s family situation. He only knew that she had no one to rely on now. If it weren’t for the Children’s Home, she would probably be homeless.
“They all died in an accident? Brother Lin Jia, can you be more specific?” When Yin Tao heard what Lin Jia said, she suddenly had a very bad premonition. Yin Tao had never believed in coincidences. Everything happens for a reason, someone was definitely behind it.
“I think she had an uncle who died in a car accident, and an auntie who was murdered.”
!!
Lin Jia recalled what the director of the Children’s Home had told him about Shanshan’s situation and told Yin Tao everything he knew. “Shanshan is now the only one left in City A. Her mother was a foreigner, and her relatives don’t seem to have any intention of adopting Shanshan. Because of Shanshan’s condition, they seem to be worried she will be a burden. That is all I know.”
“Brother Lin Jia, what’s Shanshan’s original name?” Yin Tao decided to pull up Shanshan’s file when she got back to the police station.
“Xu Shan, I heard from Sister Sun that her father was an executive of a large company. His family background was not bad.”
Yin Tao silently memorized Shanshan’s information. She glanced at the time and finally made up her mind to take out the necklace from her backpack.
“Brother Lin Jia, I still think I should give this necklace back to you.”
Upon seeing the velvet gift box in Yin Tao’s hand, Lin Jia’s expression turned somewhat uneasy. However, he quickly composed himself and asked with a smile, “What’s wrong? Do you not like it?”
“No.” Yin Tao hurriedly explained, “I heard from Doctor Le that this is a gift that you have specially prepared for your future wife. It’s really too expensive. I can’t accept it.”
“I said it casually back then, but I didn’t expect her to actually believe me.” Lin Jia could see Yin Tao’s anxiety and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think this through properly and have given you undue pressure.”
“No, it’s my fault.” Hearing Lin Jia’s apology, Yin Tao felt even more embarrassed. “It’s just that this gift is too expensive. Brother Lin Jia, I hope you can take it back.”
Yin Tao handed the necklace to Lin Jia. Even a slow person could tell that Yin Tao was rejecting him. Furthermore, Lin Jia was a sensitive person, so how could he not see Yin Tao’s attitude towards him?
“Alright, I’ll take it back. You don’t have to feel pressured. This is just a gift.”
After taking the box from Yin Tao, Lin Jia seemed a bit crestfallen. This was the first time he had been rejected by a girl in such a pitiful manner.
Yin Tao felt a little awkward and was about to take the initiative to settle the bill when her phone suddenly rang.
“Zhang Rui?” Yin Tao saw that Zhang Rui had called her. She swiped the answer button in confusion, turned off the speakerphone, and placed the phone to her ear.
“Zhang Rui, why are you looking for me again?”
Zhang Rui’s voice did not come from the cell phone. Instead, it was a middle-aged man who sounded a little anxious.
“Hello, you’re Zhang Rui’s friend, right? Is she with you now?”
“No.” Yin Tao heard the man’s anxious tone and asked, “Who are you to Zhang Rui?”
“I’m her father. I can’t get through to Ruirui. She’s not at home either. This has never happened before.”
“Don’t worry, how did you manage to contact me?” Although Yin Tao was a little surprised by the man’s words, she managed to keep a clear head.
“Ruirui has two cell phones. I used the one she left at home and contacted many of her friends. Everyone said that they aren’t with her.”
Yin Tao had been in contact with Zhang Rui today. After some thought, she asked him, “Uncle, when was the last time you met Zhang Rui?”
“I haven’t seen Ruirui since I went to the office this morning.”
Yin Tao didn’t understand why Zhang Rui’s father would be so worried just because she didn’t return his call. She was nearly thirty years old after all.
“Don’t worry. Zhang Rui might not have her phone with her, or she might have lost it. She might go home tonight.”
Yin Tao’s reassurance didn’t seem to have any effect. Zhang Rui’s father was still very anxious over the phone. “Sigh, I’ve already told this child that she must bring bodyguards with her when she goes out. She always found it troublesome. What would I do if something really happened to her?!”
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