261: Chapter 261 Shen Jianan Tests Qin Yi's Angry Eyes (Part 1)

Once Si Yao had left, Qin Yi turned to look at Shen Jianan, his lips curling into a meaningful arc. "Officer Shen, you asked to meet me so mysteriously yesterday. Is there some major event?"

"Uh," Shen Jianan was clearly caught off guard by Qin Yi's sudden question, a flash of panic crossing her eyes. She had originally planned to chat when the atmosphere was relaxed during lunch, not expecting Qin Yi to be so direct.

Shen Jianan then smiled somewhat guiltily. "Uh, actually, it's nothing special. I just wanted to find a time to treat you to a meal to thank you for your help at the Nightlife Bar."

Looking at Shen Jianan's insincere appearance, Qin Yi saw right through her and couldn't help but laugh inwardly.

He waved his hand with a dismissive air. "Cough, Officer Shen, there's no need for words of thanks. Brother Dao's gang was coming for me anyway. If anyone should be thanking someone, it's me thanking you. Besides, you see, I'm really busy here today. If there's nothing else, I'll head inside to find Dean Liu." As he spoke, he made a move to walk into the college.

Seeing Qin Yi give her so little Face, Shen Jianan grew anxious and hurried forward to stop him. "Hey, wait, I haven't finished yet." Her eyes shifted uncertainly, as if she were hesitating on how to proceed. "That... besides the thanks, actually, there are some things I want to verify with you."

"Oh?" Qin Yi stopped and looked at Shen Jianan with interest. "What is it? Officer Shen is being so mysterious."

Shen Jianan took a deep breath and thought to herself, 'Forget it, I'll just ask directly. Going in circles with Qin Yi will only make him suspicious.'

"It's about Chen Mo." As she said this, she stared intently into Qin Yi's eyes, trying to catch something in his expression.

Seeing her like this, Qin Yi understood clearly and thought to himself, 'It seems I guessed right. Shen Jianan really is here to probe me. I just don't know if Chen Mo ratted out Zhao Lintai as well.'

Qin Yi frowned slightly and put on a look of recollection. After a moment, as if he had just remembered, he slowly spoke. "Oh, you mean that kid I fought with at the Nightlife Bar that night?"

"Yes, that's him." Shen Jianan nodded. "It's only been a few days; you wouldn't forget so quickly, would you?"

Qin Yi laughed heartily, putting on a relaxed front. "Forget? How could I? It's just that I have so much going on every day, I didn't recall him for a moment." He paused, then asked back with feigned curiosity, "What? It's been so many days, you police haven't caught him yet?"

Faced with Qin Yi's question, Shen Jianan was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond for a moment. She looked around before saying to Qin Yi, "Qin Yi, how about we take a step aside to talk?"

Qin Yi shrugged with a helpless expression. "Fine. Let's go over there then." Saying so, he turned and pointed toward where he had just spoken with Si Yao, taking the lead.

Seeing this, Shen Jianan immediately followed. Ye Ziming had wanted to follow as well, but he was glared back by a sharp look from Shen Jianan. He rubbed his nose helplessly and could only stand in place, watching Qin Yi and Shen Jianan walk further away.

Before long, the two reached a secluded spot and stopped. Qin Yi stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at Shen Jianan, and said bluntly, "No one's here now, Officer Shen. Say whatever you want to say."

Shen Jianan gave a light cough and spoke with some hesitation. "To be honest, we actually caught Chen Mo back on Tuesday. Through several days of interrogation, we've learned some things from him."

"Oh? Really? That's great then." Qin Yi responded with feigned surprise, a profound smile appearing on his Face.

Shen Jianan couldn't tell if Qin Yi truly didn't know or was playing dumb, so she decided to continue probing. "Yes, so there are some details I need to verify with you."

"Verify with me? I'm involved in this too?" Qin Yi asked back with a look of curiosity.

"It's just a routine inquiry, please don't mind," Shen Jianan explained.

"Sigh," Qin Yi let out a slightly helpless sigh before continuing, "Alright. After all, assisting the police in a case is the duty of every citizen. Whatever you want to know, Officer Shen, just ask. I'll tell you everything I know."

"Mhm, thank you for your cooperation." Shen Jianan nodded, her expression turning serious. "It's like this: according to Chen Mo's confession, he killed someone in Jingnan not long ago, and you know this person."

"Murder?" Qin Yi widened his eyes in feigned shock, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "Officer Shen, don't joke with me. I haven't heard of anyone I know being killed..."

"I'm not joking with you," Shen Jianan said solemnly. "The person killed was Chen Hu, the boss of the Jingnan Underground Bank. You should know him, right?"

Qin Yi froze for a moment, then nodded. "Him? I do know him. But I'm not close to him; we just had some grievances."

"Can you briefly tell me about the grievances between you?" Shen Jianan pressed.

Qin Yi frowned, already showing some displeasure, his words carrying a bit of resistance. "Just a personal grievance. Does this have anything to do with the case?"

Seeing Qin Yi's displeasure, Shen Jianan still didn't compromise and continued, "Yes, all clues related to the case need to be investigated and verified. So, I hope you can cooperate."

"Sigh," Qin Yi sighed with a helpless look. "Fine, I wasn't willing to talk about these things. But since you asked, I'll give you the short version."

Subsequently, Qin Yi briefly told Shen Jianan about how his old man met Chen Hu, how he ended up owing usurious loans, and how he himself had returned to Jingnan a few days ago to teach Chen Hu a lesson.

...

Meanwhile, Ye Ziming, who was waiting in place, received a call from his sister, Ye Qingcheng. He looked at the caller ID on his phone screen with a flash of confusion but quickly answered.

"Sis, how do you have time to call me?" A playful smile appeared on Ye Ziming's Face. Before Ye Qingcheng on the other end could speak, he took the lead.

"Mhm, I heard from Uncle Shen that you went to Modu University to accompany Jianan?" Ye Qingcheng's voice sounded somewhat serious, yet carried a hint of concern.

"Yeah, Sis." Ye Ziming thought his sister hadn't been able to get through to Shen Jianan, so she called him instead. He continued, "Sis, are you looking for Jianan? She's talking to Young Master Qin right now. She probably didn't hear her ringtone. Do you need me to give the phone to her?"

"No need. I'm not looking for her; I'm looking for you," Ye Qingcheng replied.

"Uh, looking for me? Is something up?"

"Two things." Ye Qingcheng didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point. "First, Zhao Lintai of the Zhao Family of the Capital hasn't contacted you recently, has he?"

Ye Ziming was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied, "Uh, Lintai? No. We haven't been in touch since that last meal. He probably isn't in Modu right now."

"Good. If he doesn't reach out to you, don't contact him. If he does contact you, no matter what he says or asks you to do, remember to tell me!" Ye Qingcheng's tone suddenly became stern, giving instructions in a commanding manner.

Ye Ziming could feel the sense of urgency in his sister's tone. He nodded and replied, "Oh, okay. Um, Sis, did this Zhao Lintai stir up some kind of trouble?" His curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but ask.

"Don't go poking around," Ye Qingcheng's voice rose a few notches. "What you need to know, I will naturally tell you. For now, you just need to do as I say."

Ye Ziming was startled by his sister's harsh tone. He shrank his neck, not daring to ask more. He looked around, fearing someone might overhear their conversation. "Oh... alright. Then what's the second thing?" he asked cautiously.

"Second, there's a cocktail party tonight at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. It's a party for Dragon Country centurion black card members. You will attend on behalf of the Ye Family."

Ye Ziming's eyes widened with an expression of total disbelief. "What? Sis, you're joking, right? I don't have a black card!"

"You don't need to worry about that." Ye Qingcheng's voice revealed a bit of confidence. "I've already handled the invitation; someone will deliver it to you shortly. Besides, each invitation allows for one companion. I'll talk to Jianan later and have her go with you."

"Good heavens, that's fantastic! Sis, you really are my dear sister! I love you to death!" Ye Ziming was so excited he almost jumped, his voice unintentionally rising.

However, Ye Qingcheng poured cold water on him. "What are you getting so excited for! Jianan is going with you because she has a mission. Your mission is to play the role of a playboy well and don't cause me any trouble, understand?" Her voice carried a warning tone.

Ye Ziming's enthusiasm was instantly extinguished. He shrugged somewhat helplessly. "Uh... alright then. But, Sis, is there any danger in this mission?" he asked cautiously, a trace of worry appearing on his Face.

"Don't worry." Ye Qingcheng gave a light laugh, as if she had already seen through his thoughts. "I've already found out that Qin Yi is going too. If there's really any danger, he won't just sit by and watch."

"Young Master Qin is going too!" Ye Ziming's eyes lit up again, as if he had seen a savior. "That's great, then I'm relieved." He patted his chest and let out a long breath.

"Mhm, then that's that." Ye Qingcheng's voice returned to its previous calm. "Lastly, let me remind you once more: keep your distance from the Zhao Family of the Capital, especially Zhao Lintai's business—you absolutely must not touch it! Got it?"

"Don't worry, Sis!" Ye Ziming guaranteed faithfully. "All my money is invested in Young Master Qin's company. Whether I can make a fortune in the future depends entirely on Young Master Qin."

Hearing Ye Ziming's words, Ye Qingcheng was speechless. "You brat, I told you to keep an eye on Qin Yi, and here you are doing business with him. With your IQ, you could be sold and you'd probably still be happily counting the money for them!"

"Aiyoh, how would I dare forget your instructions, Sis? But Young Master Qin is busy every day; right now he's busy with the recruitment fair at Modu University. It's hard to even get a word in with him." Speaking of which, he suddenly remembered something and added, "Oh right! I almost forgot to tell you something important! Si Yao just came to find Qin Yi too, and the two of them spoke privately for quite a while. But they were a bit far away, so I didn't hear what they said."

"Si Yao of the Southwest Si Family?" Ye Qingcheng's brow furrowed slightly.

"Exactly!" Ye Ziming nodded affirmatively.

Ye Qingcheng fell silent for a moment. Zhao Lintai was currently in the Southwest. For Si Yao to come looking for Qin Yi now, could it be related to Zhao Lintai? Could it be that the two of them reached some agreement to team up against Zhao Lintai?

Seeing his sister hadn't responded for a long time, Ye Ziming asked curiously, "Sis? Is there something wrong with that?"

Ye Qingcheng gathered her thoughts, took a deep breath, and responded, "Find an opportunity to ask Qin Yi later." Her tone was somewhat grave. "Just act like you're being gossipy and try to find out what Si Yao wanted with him!"

Ye Ziming scratched his head with some difficulty. "Is that okay? Si Yao was clearly trying to avoid us. If I go pestering Qin Yi for info, won't I seem too tactless?"

"Stop the nonsense. You're supposed to be playing someone tactless anyway!"

"Aiya, alright, alright. I get it," Ye Ziming sighed helplessly and said in compromise. "I'll find a chance to ask later."

"That's more like it!" Ye Qingcheng nodded with satisfaction. "Alright! That's all! Hanging up!" With that, she hung up without hesitation. Ye Ziming looked at the screen and shook his head with a wry smile.

...