Chapter 525: Chapter 525: A Play Within a Play
The audience was in an uproar; no one expected Lu Hong to shoot himself. Rumors quickly spread that it was Elder Lu’s spirit causing trouble, protecting Xu Xiangbei and demanding Lu Hong’s life.
Jenny unfastened the handcuffs from her body and arrested Lu Yao: "Miss Lu Yao, you are suspected of murdering Lu Jingyun and are under arrest."
The real murderer was caught, and Elder Lu seemed to have fulfilled his wish, lying peacefully back into the coffin.
Lu Mingliang had a guilty expression on his face and extended his hand to Xu Xiangbei: "I’m sorry, we misunderstood you."
Xu Xiangbei also breathed a sigh of relief. Being wrongfully accused of murder felt terrible; he wanted to get angry but couldn’t, which was a kind of inhuman torment.
Shaking hands with Lu Mingliang, he smiled faintly and said, "There’s no guilt in not knowing, but remember, you owe me a favor."
Lu Mingliang suspiciously glanced at Wind Chime and whispered to Xu Xiangbei: "President Xu, your acting was good, and your friend performed even more brilliantly; I almost believed it."
Xu Xiangbei smiled knowingly, realizing that his and Wind Chime’s little trick couldn’t fool Lu Mingliang. Elder Lu’s words were not spirit possession but Wind Chime using ventriloquism to mimic Elder Lu; everything was Wind Chime’s doing.
"But, since the murderer has been caught, don’t you want to catch the killer of your father?"
"Of course I want to, even though my relationship with my father wasn’t great, a father’s murder is an unforgivable act of vengeance that must be avenged."
Lu Jingyun had been married twice and had long divorced his first wife. Lu Mingliang was Lu Jingyun’s eldest son with his first wife, and he had little affection for Lu Jingyun.
When Lu Mingliang was fifteen, Lu Jingyun abandoned his wife and children to marry a minor film star.
Although Lu Yao was nominally an adopted daughter, she had long been involved with Lu Jingyun, and Lu Hong was also infatuated with her beauty. Lu Yao was a natural enchantress, taking pleasure in revelling men. She accepted Lu Hong’s advances without hesitation.
Lu Hong was under Lu Jingyun’s control, driven like a slave, suppressing rebellious thoughts. He feared that if Lu Jingyun found out about his relationship with Lu Yao, he would be skinned alive if not killed.
On the ship, Lu Jingyun suspected his relationship with Lu Yao. When he saw Lu Jingyun injured by Xu Xiangbei, and at his weakest, Lu Hong’s rebellious thoughts expanded. He and Lu Yao decided to kill Lu Jingyun while he was drinking herbal wine, framing Xu Xiangbei for the murder.
Everything was seamless, but Xu Xiangbei brought in Wind Chime, who often performed art and knew magic and ventriloquism. She performed a possession act, scaring Lu Yao into confessing everything.
Lu Mingliang saw Xu Xiangbei out of the villa and expressed his thoughts: "Actually, I also suspected Lu Hong, but I didn’t expect him to really go so far as to kill my father. I thought he was pretending to be so sad for the inheritance. My father wasn’t a respectable man, treating Lu Hong like a slave. When my father died, Lu Hong should have felt liberated, not cried so sorrowfully. That seemed too fake to me. And Lu Yao, she was acting like a pure daughter, showing affection as if she cared so much for my father, it was all an act. Who would have thought President Xu’s act would break their act, revealing their true selves. Thank you for catching the real murderer."
Xu Xiangbei glanced at Wind Chime behind him and said to Lu Mingliang, "You should thank Miss Wind Chime; it was her brilliant performance that scared Lu Yao into confessing."
"President Xu is right; I should thank Miss Wind Chime."
Xu Xiangbei jokingly said, "Your father had two sons and a daughter. We’ve eliminated Lu Hong and Lu Yao for you, so they can’t compete with you for the inheritance. Your share increased by at least a fifth."
Mentioning the inheritance, Lu Mingliang smiled brightly: "Don’t worry, I will repay the favor I owe you."
Xu Xiangbei said with a mischievous smile, "You don’t have to pay me back, just pay back Miss Wind Chime. She’s having some financial difficulties right now and had to work as a waitress on the ship."
Lu Mingliang understood and said, "Ah, President Xu is a tender-hearted man. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her for you."
Jenny drove Xu Xiangbei away, and Xu Xiangbei bid farewell to Wind Chime: "Goodbye, I don’t know when we’ll meet again after this farewell."
Seeing Lu Mingliang and Jenny nearby, Wind Chime suppressed her emotions and lightly hugged Xu Xiangbei before separating, leaving behind a wistful remark, "Reunions and farewells have their times; if you truly miss me, we will meet again."
After bidding farewell to Xu Xiangbei, Lu Mingliang and Wind Chime returned to the Lu family’s estate villa, while Jenny took Lu Yao and Xu Xiangbei back to the police station.
Upon arrival at the police station, Lu Yao confessed to colluding with Lu Hong to murder Lu Jingyun without hesitation, fearing the nightmare of the Eight Needles.
Once the real murderer was caught, Ah Rong was released from the detention center. Xu Xiangbei drove a Maserati to pick Ah Rong up and take her home.
Coming out from the towering walls covered in electric wires, Ah Rong took a deep breath of the air outside. The fresh air of freedom was truly sweet.
Touching her obsidian-like Maserati, Ah Rong smiled happily: "My old buddy, finally seeing you again. I was really afraid I’d never see you again."
Xu Xiangbei swung the car key in his hand with a grateful expression and said, "My warrior, let me drive you home today as a token of my appreciation."
Ah Rong laughed: "Sure, let me enjoy having you as my driver this time."
Driving the Maserati back to the Purple Gold Villa, Ouyang Jiahui, Xiao Lin, and Gu Xinyan were waiting at the door, greeting Ah Rong like a hero returning in triumph.
In front of the villa, Ouyang Jiahui set up a blazing fire basin and prepared pomelo leaves to brush the dust off Ah Rong, having her step over the fire basin while brushing her clean.
"Cross the fire basin coming home, burning off bad luck and leaving only good fortune."
Ah Rong smiled at everyone and said, "I thought I would spend my life in prison, but unexpectedly, after a few days, Brother Xu caught the real murderer, and I get to see everyone again; the feeling of reunion is wonderful."
Jenny smiled and explained, "Thanks to Brother Xu’s confidante Miss Wind Chime’s help, don’t be fooled by his charm; every woman is devoted to helping him."
Xu Xiangbei jokingly said, "Of course, since they are my confidantes, the emotions are deep. Whenever I’m in trouble, they would undoubtedly assist me. Likewise, if you or any confidante encounters difficulties, I will spare no effort to help you and them."
