Chapter 236 - 236: Suspicion (1)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Naturally, she had to pay the price, but the specifics of her punishment would be determined by you,” Jiang Yining said regarding Xiao Yeyu’s attempt to seduce Lu Zhi. She wasn’t particularly angry, as Lu Zhi hadn’t succumbed to Xiao Yeyu’s advances; cutting ties with this so-called friend was enough. However, Xiao Yeyu had nearly tarnished Ye Xiaoxi’s innocence, and that debt needed to be settled.

She had invited Xiaoxi out today to inquire about the extent of her plans.

Ye Xiaoxi remained silent for a moment, then said, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

She, too, wanted Xiao Yeyu to experience the taste of coercion.

“Alright,” Jiang Yining replied calmly.

Ye Xiaoxi raised her gaze, looking at her cautiously, and asked hesitantly, “Yining, do you think I’m being too ruthless?”

“No,” Jiang Yining said, “Only the victim truly knows the pain they’ve endured. Outsiders can’t empathize, let alone judge the punishment for the perpetrator. Regardless of the decision you make, I understand.”

Even though she was close to Ye Xiaoxi, she couldn’t fully grasp Xiaoxi’s fear, let alone that of others.

Ye Xiaoxi’s eyes reddened, and her nose tingled.

The events of that night had been a long time ago, but she still had nightmares.

Dreams where she was chased, unable to escape.

In the end, she was caught and brutally beaten until she couldn’t move.

That feeling of helplessness in her dreams.

Even when she woke up, she remembered it vividly.

After Huang Yiyang had been punished, her situation had improved somewhat. But could the memories of what she had gone through ever be erased? She didn’t know back then that it was Xiao Yeyu who had caused it. She had always felt guilty, thinking that it was her fault for not listening to Xiao Yeyu and going out with Huang Yiyang that led to that incident. She even felt guilty towards Xiao Yeyu.

But at this moment, she felt like a fool manipulated by others.

Giving up on seeking revenge was impossible!

Why should the instigator live happily while she had to bear so much?

She was grateful to Jiang Yining for standing by her side unconditionally.

After suppressing her emotions for a long time, Ye Xiaoxi finally hid the urge to cry.

She said softly, “Thank you, Yining.”

“If you really want to thank me,” Jiang Yining stirred her coffee in the porcelain cup casually, “don’t hesitate when it comes to Xiao Yeyu. No matter how much she begs, don’t pity her.”

“Alright, trust me. 1 know what to do,” Ye Xiaoxi affirmed with seriousness.

Jiang Yining finished her conversation with Ye Xiaoxi and went to the nearby telephone booth. She made a call to K, asking him to help her investigate if there had been any recent projects or research related to “Curium”. It was a mysterious term she was trying to unravel.

Lu Beicheng and Lin Yan’s disappearance should be related to Curium.

However, she had already searched the dark web for any information about “Curium” and had come up empty-handed. It seemed that the other party was being extremely cautious, sealing off all information leaks.

K was well-connected in various underground networks, and Jiang Yining believed he could dig up some leads.

Curious about her sudden interest in “Curium”, K asked, “Why the sudden interest in ‘Curium’?”

“I’m looking for a friend, and this thing is related,” Jiang Yining replied generously, “As long as you can help me find useful clues, I’ll pay you ten million.”

“Well… offering such a high price, I assume this is no simple matter,” K remarked, “Queen, let’s make it clear—I’ll only be responsible for finding information. I won’t get involved in anything else.”

While he loved money, he also valued his life. Risking his life for just ten million wasn’t worth it.

“OK,” Jiang Yining agreed readily.

K then hung up the phone.

Jiang Yining left the telephone booth and didn’t immediately return to her villa. Instead, she headed to the old Lu family mansion.

Since Lu Beicheng had known in advance that she would be in danger, there had to be more than one useful piece of information left behind.

She wanted to go back and search again, to see if she could find any other clues.

Arriving at the old Lu family mansion, Jiang Yining didn’t disturb anyone and went straight to Lu Beicheng’s room.

She didn’t want to surprise anyone by barging in.

She even made sure to lock the door.

After searching the room for a while, she found nothing.

Jiang Yining furrowed her brows slightly and sat down on the bed.

After a moment of silence, her gaze casually swept over a button under the bedside.

Following her intuition, she pressed it.

Unexpectedly, a clicking sound.

A hidden compartment emerged from the wall.

Jiang Yining crouched down and reached inside.

To her surprise, she discovered a pile of photos and several scribbled sketches.

The photos were all of Lu Beicheng and Lin Yan together..