It was only a glimpse, but Li Caiyi was sure that it was Detective Tang. But why would he be here?
Not that he couldn't be here or anything, but wasn't the anniversary party supposed to be only for employees and affiliated companies? And it looked like he was in such a hurry too.
Li Caiyi's sense of curiosity was tingling. She wasn't one to poke her nose into someone else's business, but Detective Tang had done so much for her. She wouldn't like it if something bad happened to him.
Going against her initial plan, Li Caiyi turned around and walked in the same direction Detective Tang went. She noticed him avoiding the front entrance and went to the side yard for what looked like a rendezvous meeting.
It seemed like he was waiting for someone.
Li Caiyi contemplated whether she should come out and greet him, but Detective Tang's behavior was pretty suspicious. He looked around as if he was worried someone would spot him trespassing.
In the end, she decided to wait to see how things were going. If this was some kind of secret meeting with a woman or something, she would leave the premises immediately.
Detective Tang had a sharp sense, so Li Caiyi made sure her body was hidden behind the large pillar, a few meters away from him.
After ten minutes, another figure appeared in the yard, and Li Caiyi's eyes widened in surprise when she saw who it was.
The man whom she desperately tried to avoid today.
The current CEO of Meng Pharmaceutical, and also her ex-father-in-law.
Li Caiyi put her hand on her chest, in an attempt to calm down her erratic heartbeat. She was afraid someone would find her hiding, just from how loud it beat.
Why? What relation could Detective Tang have with Meng Yaoshu?
Li Caiyi tried to recall whether she had ever met Detective Tang before she regressed. But she couldn't remember ever meeting him before. He had a unique personality so Li Caiyi would certainly remember him if she ever met him.
Beads of sweat rolled from her temple as she observed the two of them talking. The distance was too far for her to make out anything, but if she went closer, Detective Tang probably would find her out.
Li Caiyi didn't want to talk to or even meet Meng Yaoshu ever again in her life if she could help it, so she decided not to risk it and waited in her place.
In people's eyes, Meng Yaoshu might appear to be a gentleman and honest businessman, who cared a lot for people's health and welfare.
Under his leadership, Meng Pharmaceutical Support was first established, although the practice wasn't fully well-known until Meng Renshu's time. It was a charity program where he helped unfortunate families to get medical help.
He was a kind, noble, and down-to-earth person who made one achievement after another. A lot of people respected him and looked up to him.
No one would believe that behind that gentleman-like smile, hide a snake-like face that was ready to gobble up anyone who tried to stand in his way.
Li Caiyi shuddered as she recalled his cold eyes as he looked down on her in her previous life. It felt like her life energy was being sucked out of her body, leaving her with an empty shell.
Once, Li Caiyi also believed that Meng Yaoshu was the kind man he led everyone to believe. Only when she was on the verge of the abyss did she finally realize his true color.
He wasn't there during Meng Renshu's coming-of-age party because he was too busy to attend, and Li Caiyi was very relieved. However, seeing his face again awakened a lot of bad memories she wished to forget.
Li Caiyi squeezed her upper arm tightly as she tried to maintain her labored breath. A wave of nausea hit her. If it weren't for the pillar in front of her, she probably would collapse on the spot.
'Calm down. Look around you. This isn't the Meng household where they push you around anymore. You are free now, and it will always be like that.'
Li Caiyi repeatedly told herself that, and after a while, she finally could think straight again. She peeked out from behind the pillar, and it looked like both of them were in the middle of a serious conversation.
Detective Tang had a severe expression on him, unlike his usual self. She wondered what they could possibly be talking about?
Detective Tang did say that he was more capable than he looked. If he could even make Meng Yaoshu buy his service, then that probably wasn't just nonsense talk, after all.
"Oh, it seems they have finished talking." Li Caiyi mumbled as she watched Meng Yaoshu walking away. "This is my chance to approach Detective Tang."
"Oh, is that you Miss Li?"
Li Caiyi jolted like someone had electrocuted her before she turned her head in surprise.
It turned out to be Shao Junfei's voice. He stood a few steps away from her with confusion clearly written on his face.
Li Caiyi heaved a sigh of relief. For a moment, she thought it was Meng Yaoshu. She probably lost a few years of her life from that scare.
"I saw someone leaning on the pillar and thought you needed some help. Do you feel unwell, Miss Li?"
"Oh." Li Caiyi straightened her back and forced the most natural smile she could muster before replying, "Mr. Shao, I didn't expect to run into you here. Please don't worry, because I'm not feeling sick at all."
Or at least not anymore. She was kinda light-headed when she saw Meng Yaoshu, but that shock just now really pulled her down to reality.
"Is that so? Then, I'm glad. You disappear as soon as you give your speech so I'm kind of worried. Were you here all this time?"
"Yes. I was feeling a tad suffocated and went out for some fresh air." Li Caiyi felt sorry for lying, but she couldn't tell him she was here trying to spy on someone else's meeting.
"This venue had a spacious garden with a lot of flowers, so it is a good place to take a stroll."
Li Caiyi didn't even notice there were flowers around her because she was too focused on her own mission. "You are right. They are so pretty. But what brings you here Mr. Shao? Are you here to take a breather too?"
"Oh." Shao Junfei looked hesitant for a moment, before he asked, "To be honest, no. I was actually searching for you. Someone said they saw you leaving the main venue earlier."
"You were searching for me? Can I help you with something?"
Shao Junfei stared at her straightly. "I want to ask you something. Have you heard anything from Jingfei about today?"
Li Caiyi finally understood his intention. Shao Jingfei was very hostile to his brother, but for some reason. Li Caiyi didn't know anything about their history, but she could feel that Shao Junfei genuinely cared for his brother.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Shao, but I haven't heard anything from him. I wasn't able to persuade him, and he didn't seem like he even wanted to talk about today's event."
There was a weird smile on Shao Junfei's face like he was troubled and relieved at the same time.
"I see. Thank you, Miss Li. I'm sorry for asking this from you. I should have known that Jingfei is not the type that can be easily persuaded."
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