Chapter 657: Chapter 628: Investigation
Although Xu Chunliang sensed Ji Buyao’s unusual behavior last night, he never expected something would happen to him.
Xu Chunliang recounted the details of his meeting with Ji Buyao last night, including Ji Buyao’s peculiar remark: "I wonder what it feels like to die inside a shark’s mouth."
The police officer in charge of the investigation, Xie Yuanzheng, frowned upon hearing this. "Can you be sure that Ji Buyao said this just before he died?"
Xu Chunliang nodded, "I’m one hundred percent sure."
The two police officers exchanged glances. Based on the scene, they suspected Ji Buyao fell into the aquarium, but aside from his wheelchair, Ji Buyao’s body had yet to be found.
At this point, a colleague on-site called to inform them that a finger had been found in the aquarium. It could not yet be determined if it belonged to Ji Buyao, but given the scene’s context, it most likely was his.
The two police officers rose to say goodbye to Xu Chunliang. Just before exiting the door, Xie Yuanzheng paused and asked, "By the way, Mr. Xu, what is your relationship with Hua Zhuyue?"
Xu Chunliang replied, "We’re friends!"
"What kind of friends?"
Xu Chunliang smirked, "Good friends!"
Xie Yuanzheng said, "I mean, are you two in a romantic relationship?"
Xu Chunliang shook his head, "You’re overthinking it." A vague sense of unease arose in his heart. Why did the police ask this? What did his relationship with Hua Zhuyue have to do with the case?
After the two police officers left, Xu Chunliang immediately called Hua Zhuyue, but her phone was continually unanswered. Realizing Hua Zhuyue was in trouble, he wondered if the police had named her a suspect.
Thinking it over, Xu Chunliang decided to call Qiao Rulong for help inquiring about Hua Zhuyue’s situation.
With Qiao Rulong’s extensive networks in the Capital City, he soon replied with news. The case of Ji Buyao’s disappearance was under investigation. Ji Buyao had a rather shady background; the police had been monitoring him for quite some time, suspecting his involvement in several criminal cases.
Hua Zhuyue was also summoned by the police for questioning, primarily to investigate issues within the Blue Star Group.
Qiao Rulong advised Xu Chunliang to avoid getting involved in this matter.
Having figured out the cause, Xu Chunliang found there were increasingly more mysteries about Ji Buyao’s disappearance. According to Qiao Rulong, even if this hadn’t happened, Ji Buyao would soon be cornered by the police. Could he have sensed the imminent danger and decided to make a strategic escape?
Ji Buyao, who managed to build such an empire, was no ordinary person. Would someone like him easily resort to despair?
The whole morning, Xu Chunliang felt distracted, and by noon, he still couldn’t reach Hua Zhuyue.
Feeling uneasy, Xu Chunliang reached out again to Officer Xie Yuanzheng in charge of the case, hoping to gather some information. Even without concrete evidence, Xu Chunliang had a gut feeling that Ji Buyao’s disappearance was part of a grand conspiracy, schemed for a long time. Though it didn’t matter much to Xu Chunliang whether Ji Buyao escaped, his biggest concern now was whether any trouble had been left for Hua Zhuyue.
Xie Yuanzheng informed Xu Chunliang that Hua Zhuyue was in a troublesome situation as she was responsible for many of Ji Buyao’s affairs. Even if she acted unknowingly under orders, she might still face consequences. Her cooperation with the police would be crucial. If she confessed to Ji Buyao’s crimes, she might receive leniency.
That afternoon, through Xie Yuanzheng’s arrangement, Xu Chunliang finally met Hua Zhuyue.
Though it had only been a night since they last met, Hua Zhuyue looked much more worn out. Upon seeing Xu Chunliang, a faint smile appeared on her pallid face as she said, "Got a cigarette?"
A nearby officer reminded, "No smoking here!"
Even if allowed, Xu Chunliang didn’t have any cigarettes on him.
Also in the room, Xie Yuanzheng signaled the officer to leave, then handed Xu Chunliang a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
Xu Chunliang took one out and handed it to Hua Zhuyue, lighting it for her.
Taking a drag, Hua Zhuyue gazed at Xu Chunliang with her gray-blue eyes, "Thank you." She glanced at Xie Yuanzheng beside them, "Officer Xie, could we talk alone?"
Xie Yuanzheng nodded, agreeing to leave them alone under the police’s monitored supervision.
Once Xie Yuanzheng stepped out and closed the door, Hua Zhuyue said, "I’m sorry to have caused you so much trouble with this whole affair."
Xu Chunliang chuckled, "You’re in deep water yourself, yet you’re worrying about me."
Hua Zhuyue asked, "Is President Ji alive or dead?"
Xu Chunliang glanced at the corner surveillance camera, "I don’t know, but I think he’s probably alive. He asked me over last night under the pretense of getting help for his daughter. Whether his daughter is even sick is a question in itself."
Hua Zhuyue said, "Don’t bother about my issues. I’ve contacted a lawyer to handle it professionally."
Xu Chunliang thought to himself that professionalism was irrelevant. The key issue was what crimes Ji Buyao had committed. As the Sect Leader of the Orchid Sect, he surely had broken the law numerous times. Would he shift all the blame onto Hua Zhuyue? If so, she’d be in deep trouble.
Lowering his voice, Xu Chunliang said, "If he’s that ruthless, you don’t need to be loyal either."
Hua Zhuyue pursed her lips, "I’ve been careful in my actions over the years, acutely aware of what can and can’t be done. Chunliang, I appreciate your kindness, but you really shouldn’t get involved in this any further."
Xu Chunliang asked, "I don’t know much about Ji Buyao. In your opinion, would he resort to self-harm?"
Hua Zhuyue replied, "I’m not sure. Despite knowing him for so many years, I don’t understand him at all. Last night, after we parted, I went to meet him, and he told me his daughter Ji Jiajia is in the Capital City."
Xu Chunliang froze for a moment, cursing inwardly that Ji Buyao was truly a cunning man who didn’t say a single honest word.
"Did you tell the police?"
Hua Zhuyue shook her head, "Chunliang, I also believe he’s alive. Reflecting on it, he must have sensed the lurking danger, prompting him to shift business strategies and to divest from domestic properties on a large scale."
Xu Chunliang reassured her, "Don’t worry. If you haven’t done anything, the truth will prevail. Trust in the fairness of the law."
As Xu Chunliang left, Xie Yuanzheng awaited him in the corridor. He returned the pack of cigarettes and lighter to him.
After accepting them, Xie Yuanzheng lit a cigarette and offered one to Xu Chunliang, "Want one?"
This Chapter contains only two thousand words, for now. I’ll write the remaining four thousand as soon as possible. Finally, it’s overcast again, and I’ve exhausted my backup drafts. Today, I’ll try to write more; hopefully, I’ll resume normal updates by tomorrow.
