Meng Renshu was a manipulative jerk. Their last conversation gave her hope that they could live without looking back to the past anymore, but it seemed fate always had its way of forcing their path to intersect somehow.
No matter how hard she tried to escape him, she would end up in the same place again.
Li Caiyi's treatment of him after she returned to the past couldn't be called pleasant, and she was reluctant to be on the side where she had to ask him for a favour. She was the one who kept telling him to mind his own business, but when push came to shove, she would always receive help from him, voluntarily or not.
However, she knew that it was just her pride speaking. Li Caiyi didn't want to be that helpless and insufferable woman she used to be in the past.
Meng Renshu didn't do anything and still could do many things she couldn't ever hope to do. It vexed her so much she wanted to scream out loud.
But this wasn't about her anymore. Li Chunhua's life was at stake, and they didn't have a lot of options.
"If I can persuade Brother Renshu to invest his wealth in this research, what about the other possibilities you told me about the other day? Didn't you say it would be pretty dangerous?"
"Yeah. At this point, Meng Pharmaceutical was like a double-edged sword for us. They have the money we need and probably the intel too.
"A large company like that will have good and rotten fish among them. There is a high possibility that some people from there have something to do with that organization."
"By colluding with them, we may find some new intel, but we also expose ourselves simultaneously." Detective Tang said seriously.
"But there are times when we have to take a risk to win. We can't play safe forever. Do you understand what I'm trying to say here?"
Li Caiyi let his words sink into her before nodding. "I agree with you."
Detective Tang smiled cunningly. "Besides, Meng Pharmaceutical is one of the strong actors in the medical world. They have been in this industry for a long time and have produced a lot of medicines. Some information they have probably will be crucial to developing the cure. This is a high-risk but high-benefit gamble."
Everything he said makes sense. It would be a waste to let such a good opportunity slip by. If only the person she had to persuade wasn't Meng Renshu.
'No, that's wrong. It's precisely because he is Meng Renshu that I can persuade him. Detective Tang wants to use my relationship with him as the branch.'
Li Caiyi thought it was silly. The relationship between her and Meng Renshu wasn't that deep and reliable to put anyone's hopes in. But then, she suddenly recalled their last conversation.
[I do love you].
For the first time in two lifetimes, Meng Renshu confessed to her while looking her straight in the eyes. He looked at her sadly and somewhat hopeful, without daring to take a step toward her. His usual confidence was gone and replaced with humility which looked odd coming from him.
Even now, it still didn't feel real. To think that Meng Renshu, who always seemed out of her reach, would finally have her in his eyes. She still couldn't believe it even when she heard it from the person directly. It felt strange, to say the least.
Li Caiyi shook her head, pushing that thought to the back of her mind.
"Detective Tang, everything you said is right. I'm too narrow-minded and can't see the bigger picture. I don't know if I can persuade him or not, but I'll try."
"Do you mean it? You seem pretty reluctant when I bring it up the first time."
"That was because I had no intention of involving myself or my family member in this dangerous case. But if having Brother Renshu on our side can increase the chance of finding the cure for Xiaohua, then I will take this risk." Li Caiyi replied resolutely.
Detective Tang's face broke out in a wide grin. "That's the spirit! I know you are the coolest Young Miss I have ever known. I feel bad for making you do this for us, but I'm glad you changed your mind."
"That's incorrect. I didn't do it for you but for our mutual interest. We are in this for the same goal but a completely different purpose." Li Caiyi corrected his words, making him chuckle in amusement.
"Yes, yes. It's just like you said." Detective Tang shrugged his shoulders lightly. "But you don't have to persuade him immediately. Let's wait until Kong finishes analyzing your blood first. If there really is something in there we can use to produce the cure, then we'll proceed to the next plan."
Li Caiyi nodded. "Sounds like a good plan. I hope we will find a way out soon."
Chu Kong stared at Li Caiyi like he wanted to say something. His gaze lingered for a while before he looked down again.
"Then I think our business here is done for today? Shall we go home now?"
"Yes." Li Caiyi stood up and put the glass on the table. She took the candy and smiled politely at Chu Kong.
"It's really nice to meet you Mr. Chu. We have only known each other for an hour at best, but I trust you will bring us good news soon. Thank you for your hospitality, and I'm sorry if I offended you earlier."
The only person who had ever stepped into his place was Detective Tang, so having Li Caiyi here was a fresh and nerve-wracking experience for him. He had been troubled by her presence and wanted nothing but to end this matter as soon as possible, but it wasn't like he hated her personally.
Chu Kong wasn't offended. He was only surprised by her sudden action. It was an unknown situation, so he fled to save himself.
Or so he wanted to explain, but he was at a loss on how to say it.
As usual, he turned to Detective Tang for help, only to find him already walking out of the laboratory. He was left behind with Li Caiyi to speak for himself, and his whole body broke out in cold sweats.
Li Caiyi suppressed the urge to giggle, seeing how flustered Chu Kong was.
Detective Tang must have deliberately done this to force them to talk. Li Caiyi would be lying if she said she wasn't curious about Chu Kong, but she couldn't bear it when she saw him shrink in his place.
She knew the feeling of wanting to say something but didn't know how to convey it, so she could empathize with him.
"Then I will leave first. Let's talk again next time. Goodbye, Mr. Chu."
Li Caiyi bowed slightly before walking out of the laboratory as well.
Meanwhile, Chu Kong stared at her back in puzzlement. By 'next time', does she mean she intends to come here again in the future?
From beginning to the end, Chu Kong couldn't predict this girl at all.
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