143: Chapter 143 Discovery of Crime

Over the next few days, Cao Kun and Xiao Baihe investigated in the county town every day.

They followed Chairman Zhao, observing his every move.

Chairman Zhao's daily life was very regular; he would go to the company to handle affairs in the morning, visit the charity primary school or the foundation in the afternoon, and return home to spend time with his family in the evening.

He was humble and gentle with others, with a warm smile. Wherever he went, people would take the initiative to greet him, and he would respond to each one, completely embodying the image of a philanthropist.

Watching Chairman Zhao, Xiao Baihe's doubts grew deeper and deeper.

She began to wonder once again if Cao Kun was lying to her.

Returning to the hotel in the evening, Xiao Baihe was in low spirits.

She sat by the bed, looking at Cao Kun with a hint of disappointment in her eyes: "Cao Kun, I've been watching him for several days now, and he's nothing like what you said. He's so good to children and his family, how could he be a demon? Are you lying to me?"

Cao Kun walked over to her side, sat down, and said: "Lily, don't forget, what demons are best at is disguise."

"The more perfect he appears, the more it proves that he has something to hide."

"Let's observe him for a few more days; we will definitely find his flaw."

"But..." Xiao Baihe wanted to say something more, but she was interrupted by Cao Kun.

"Trust me, okay?" Cao Kun looked into her eyes, his tone sincere. "I wouldn't joke about Xiaojing's matter. I will definitely give you an answer."

Looking at Cao Kun's firm gaze, the wavering in her heart gradually subsided.

She nodded and didn't say anything else.

Over these few days of being together, their feelings for each other slowly warmed up without them realizing it.

During the day, they investigated together and supported each other; at night, they stayed in the same room and kept each other company.

Cao Kun would take care of Xiao Baihe's daily needs, comfort her when she was sad, and give her confidence when she was confused.

Xiao Baihe also became increasingly dependent on Cao Kun; she would take the initiative to talk to him, care about whether he was tired, and help him provide cover while he was investigating.

At night when sleeping, although they still slept on opposite sides of the bed, the distance between them grew smaller and smaller.

Sometimes Xiao Baihe would wake up from a nightmare, and Cao Kun would wake up immediately to comfort her, patting her back until she fell asleep again.

Sometimes Cao Kun would have insomnia from thinking about the investigation, and Xiao Baihe would talk to him softly, staying up with him.

One night, Xiao Baihe had another nightmare, dreaming that Xiaojing was taken away by Chairman Zhao, crying and calling for her mother.

She sat up abruptly from the bed, gasping for air, cold sweat soaking her pajamas.

Cao Kun was awakened by her movement, quickly sat up, and turned on the bedside lamp: "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare again?"

Xiao Baihe nodded, her eyes filled with tears, her body still trembling.

Cao Kun reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.

Xiao Baihe leaned into his arms, feeling his warm chest and strong heartbeat; the fear in her heart gradually dissipated a little.

Her hands gripped Cao Kun's clothes tightly, as if clutching the last straw of hope.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Cao Kun gently patted her back and comforted her softly. "Dreams are always the opposite of reality. We will soon find evidence and avenge Xiaojing."

Xiao Baihe nodded in his arms, her tears wetting his pajamas.

She could smell the faint, clean scent on Cao Kun and feel his warm embrace, her heart filled with a sense of security.

She had never imagined that she would feel so at ease in the arms of a man she had only known for a short time.

Cao Kun could also feel the trembling of the person in his arms, his heart filled with heartache.

He gently stroked her hair, his movements gentle and cautious.

The light in the room was soft, and the two were embraced together, the air filled with an ambiguous and warm atmosphere.

It is unknown how much time passed before Xiao Baihe's emotions gradually calmed down.

She raised her head from Cao Kun's arms, looked at him, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Thank you, Cao Kun."

"You're welcome." Cao Kun looked at her red-rimmed eyes and flushed cheeks, his heart stirred, and he couldn't help but gently brush his fingertips across her cheek.

Xiao Baihe's body trembled, her eyes slightly flustered, but she did not pull away.

Their gazes met again, the distance between them closing, and they could clearly feel each other's breathing.

The ambiguous atmosphere in the air instantly reached its peak; Cao Kun could see the dependence and palpitation in Xiao Baihe's eyes, and Xiao Baihe could also see the heartache and tenderness in Cao Kun's eyes.

Just as their lips were about to touch, Xiao Baihe suddenly snapped back to reality. She quickly released Cao Kun, turned her head away, her tone somewhat flustered.

"It's late, let's sleep. We have to continue the investigation tomorrow."

Cao Kun did not force the issue.

Xiao Baihe quickly lay back down on the bed, her back to Cao Kun, her heart pounding like a deer.

She could feel the speed of her heartbeat, so fast it almost felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

Just a moment ago, she had actually felt a hint of expectation—an expectation that Cao Kun would kiss her.

...

Over the next few days, the two continued to track Chairman Zhao every day.

Finally, on the evening of the fifth day, they discovered something unusual about Chairman Zhao.

That afternoon, after Chairman Zhao came out of the charity primary school, he didn't return to the company or go home as usual, but instead drove to an abandoned villa in the northern suburbs of the county.

That villa had been bought by Chairman Zhao in his early years and had been left vacant, with very few people ever going there.

Cao Kun and Xiao Baihe drove their car, following far behind Chairman Zhao's vehicle.

"What is he doing going there?" Xiao Baihe asked suspiciously.

"I don't know, but there must be something wrong. Let's follow him and see." Cao Kun's tone became serious.

Chairman Zhao's car drove into the courtyard of the abandoned villa. Cao Kun parked their car in a hidden spot not far from the villa, got out with Xiao Baihe, and quietly crept over.

The villa was very dilapidated, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and the windows were boarded up, making it look eerie.

Cao Kun and Xiao Baihe hid behind a large tree outside the courtyard, observing the movement inside.

Not long after, Chairman Zhao got out of the car. He looked around, and after confirming no one was there, he opened the door to the villa and went inside.

Cao Kun and Xiao Baihe exchanged glances, both seeing gravity in each other's eyes.

Cao Kun made a shushing gesture and quietly led Xiao Baihe around to the side of the villa, looking inside through a window that was not boarded up.

The inside of the villa was very dim, with only an old chandelier emitting a faint light.

Chairman Zhao stood in the living room. The usual gentle smile on his face was gone, replaced by an eerie and excited expression.

He was holding a lollipop in his hand, muttering to himself: "Little darling, come here, Uncle has a delicious lollipop here..."

Cao Kun and Xiao Baihe's hearts sank instantly. They followed Chairman Zhao's gaze and saw a little girl of about five or six years old standing in the corner of the living room.

The little girl was wearing ragged clothes, her face full of fear, her body trembling incessantly, eyes filled with tears, but she dared not cry out loud.

This little girl had clearly been lured here by Chairman Zhao!