Go To Your Death Chapter 13

Rebellious

The other end of the line was silent for a moment before a slightly deep male voice spoke with caution. You want to investigate the Zhou family?

Yes, Lin Jinyao replied softly, walking slowly toward the floor-to-ceiling window.

Boss, the Zhou family’s waters run deep. While they can’t compare to the Mu family or the Lin family of the past, their internal connections are intricate, and this matter is extremely sensitive… Are you sure you want to touch it? The voice on the other end held clear concern.

I’m sure. Lin Jinyao’s answer didn’t hold a hint of hesitation.

Boss, I didn’t agree when you risked yourself to get close to Mu Huacheng’s inner circle. Now you want to wade into the muddy waters of the Zhou family for that Zhou Xubai? Is it worth it?

Lin Jinyao understood his concerns and knew they were for his own sake, but there was no other way. He sighed softly, his mind made up. A-J, I’ve thought a lot over this past year. Xubai’s death, Mu Huacheng’s attitude, the grief that Zhou Xuan hasn’t even noticed himself… If I do nothing, I won’t have the face to see Xubai even in death.

Besides, the Zhou family gives me a very wrong feeling, especially after Xubai died. Back then, I was focused entirely on Mu Huacheng and ignored the Zhou family’s abnormalities. Looking back now, there are suspicious points everywhere. Even Zhou Xuan avoids the Zhou family like the plague.

There’s a reason Young Master Zhou avoids them. Their family situation is unique, being a blended family… Besides, Zhou Hongbing has never acknowledged Zhou Xuan from start to finish.

Even if Zhou Hongbing doesn’t acknowledge Zhou Xuan as his son, what about Xubai? The Zhou family was too cold regarding Xubai’s death, as if it were trivial. Not a single person from the Zhou family showed up for Xubai’s death anniversary recently. Don’t you find that strange?

But… The person on the phone still tried to dissuade him, though he knew the hope was slim.

Maybe Miss Xubai committed suicide precisely because she understood your personality too well… the other person muttered, his voice trailing off.

Lin Jinyao lowered his head with a bitter smile, but then he suddenly froze, his brows tightening. What did you just say?

What did I say?

I said, if Miss Xubai knew you were going to thoroughly investigate the Zhou family, perhaps…

J’s words made Lin Jinyao suddenly snap back to his senses, realizing a point he might have overlooked before. Right! Zhou Xubai had tried several times to tell him something, to tell him things about Zhou Xuan.

Why had he forgotten so completely!

Lin Jinyao remained silent for a long time. The person on the other end seemed to finally give up on persuading him, saying in a low voice, …Understood. Wait for my news.

Just as he hung up, a soft knock came from the door, perfectly timed as if seamless.

Lin Jinyao put away his phone, instantly tucking away all his complex emotions. His eyes regained their clarity, and his voice was as steady as usual. Who is it?

Mr. Lin, it’s me, Chen Jin. A gentle response came from outside. Mr. Mu is on the line, looking for you.

Lin Jinyao’s heart tightened suddenly.

A call from Mu Huacheng?

And why did it have to be at this exact moment?

Lin Jinyao took a long breath and walked over to open the door.

Chen Jin stood outside holding a dedicated phone. The screen was lit, showing an ongoing call. The contact name was clearly visible: Mr. Mu.

Chen Jin handed the phone over with a perfectly timed smile. It was that very smile that Lin Jinyao found increasingly grating.

Mr. Mu seems to be in a good mood today.

Lin Jinyao gave him a cold look, took the phone, and turned back into the living room. Chen Jin followed close behind.

Mr. Mu. Lin Jinyao’s voice seemed calm, but in reality, it was anything but.

Who knew this old man had a habit of checking in late at night.

Mu Huacheng’s voice came from the other end, lazy with a hint of casualness. Are you at the hotel?

Yes.

Are you tired? The tone was ordinary, even bordering on gentle.

I’m fine.

How is the weather in Hai City? The wind is picking up here on Xiling Island; looks like it will rain tonight. Mu Huacheng spoke as if casually chatting about the weather.

Lin Jinyao thought for a moment and responded seriously, The weather here… is quite good. Plenty of sunshine, no wind.

Is there no wind, or has it just not started blowing yet?

Lin Jinyao paused before slowly speaking. The wind is very light. It shouldn’t be able to pick up.

It’s good if it doesn’t pick up. That way, your eyes won’t be blinded by the sand. Then, Lin Jinyao heard a very faint, low chuckle from the other end.

They won’t be. Mr. Mu worries too much.

I hope so. Mu Huacheng’s tone was casual. I heard Hai City hasn’t been very peaceful lately. If you’re out and about, try to avoid certain things.

Lin Jinyao forced himself to calm down and acted very obedient. I’m just walking around. I won’t go looking for trouble, and of course, I won’t let the sand blind my eyes. I promise!

This very person who said he wouldn’t go looking for trouble had just ordered someone to investigate another family’s troubles.

The words I promise put Mu Huacheng in a great mood, like a naughty child repeatedly emphasizing to a parent that they would be good.

Mhm, I know A-Yao has always been sensible. Mu Huacheng’s voice carried a hint of a smile and tenderness. However, it’s fine even if you do cause trouble.

He chuckled lightly and continued, Have fun. In two days, I’ll have Chen Jin bring you back.

Okay.

The call ended.

Lin Jinyao slowly lowered the phone. A thin layer of cold sweat had already seeped into his palms.

Why did this old man call? Was it specifically to warn him?

Chen Jin stepped forward at the right time, took the phone, and smiled. Mr. Lin, would you like to dine in your room tonight, or go to the hotel restaurant?

Room. He spat out the word and turned toward the bedroom without even looking at Chen Jin.

Chen Jin smiled helplessly and turned to leave.

After dinner, Lin Jinyao opened his portable mini-laptop, attempting to find any clues about the Zhou family from public information.

Information on the Zhou family was indeed extremely well-protected. Aside from some public commercial data, almost no valuable leads could be found.

Even Zhou Xubai’s death from a year ago had long been wiped clean; no information could be searched.

Lin Jinyao let out a cold sneer.

The more you don’t want me to investigate, the more I’ll get to the bottom of it.

In the night of Hai City, the prosperity remained as always.

Lin Jinyao closed his laptop and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, lost in thought over the call Mu Huacheng had just made to pressure him.

This man was always like this. Just as Lin Jinyao had the inkling to cause trouble, the man would appear like a ghost, as if afraid Lin wouldn’t know he was being watched.

It wasn’t for any other reason.

It was just that… Mr. Mu practiced the famous saying in bed: Disobedient children will be punished.

He feared that when he returned this time, that old man would surely use some excuse to harshly punish him in bed, and do so with perfect justification.

However, since he dared to do it, he wasn’t afraid of Mu Huacheng’s anger!

Even if he did nothing, he would still be pinned to the bed and harshly punished by Mu Huacheng. If he did it, the punishment would remain the same.

So be it, he would do it first!

After all, what’s coming can’t be avoided!

The next morning, after breakfast, Lin Jinyao used the excuse of visiting an art museum alone to get rid of Chen Jin.

Chen Jin still smiled and agreed, seemingly having expected this. He didn’t oppose anything Lin Jinyao did; on the contrary, he offered any help needed. However, Lin Jinyao wouldn’t necessarily accept it.

People came and went at the Hai City Central Art Museum.

Lin Jinyao wore a white casual outfit and a black baseball cap. Holding a museum guide, he blended into the crowd like an innocent, pure college student.

Several people nearby wanted to approach him, but they were forced back by the do not approach coldness radiating from him.

Following the signs in the guide, Lin Jinyao walked through several exhibition halls, finally stopping in front of a massive abstract painting.

He couldn’t understand the painting! But he could tell it was ugly.

So-called art was the uglier and more abstract, the better.

He stood quietly for about ten minutes, appearing completely immersed in the world of art.

At that moment, a woman in a blue cleaning uniform slowly approached. Holding a cloth, she began to wipe the description plaque next to the painting.

Her movements were skilled and natural.

J asked me to tell you, the woman’s voice was extremely low, almost drowned out by the surrounding ambient noise. Her lips barely moved. There have been several abnormally large fund inflows into the Zhou family’s offshore accounts. Our people and Young Master Zhou found them at the same time. It seems someone leaked it intentionally.

Lin Jinyao’s gaze remained on the painting, as if he hadn’t heard the voice beside him, focusing single-mindedly on admiring the perfect lines of the work.

Additionally, we found that Miss Xubai had been seeing a psychiatrist for three months before she passed away. The Zhou family was aware of this.

Psychological counseling?

Xubai had psychological issues, and to the point of needing a psychiatrist?

Why had she never mentioned it?

Did Zhou Xuan know?

Lin Jinyao’s heart sank slightly. Continue.

Also, the cleaning woman’s voice grew even lower, carrying a hint of caution, J wants you to be careful. The Zhou family might be… filthier than they appear on the surface. Miss Xubai’s biological mother died very suddenly. The specific cause is unknown.

Lin Jinyao only knew that the head of the Zhou family, Zhou Hongbing, had married three wives.

Zhou Xuan was born to Zhou Hongbing and his first wife. However, Zhou Hongbing suspected the first wife of betraying him, so he had never acknowledged Zhou Xuan’s existence.

Zhou Xubai was born to Zhou Hongbing and his second wife. Zhou Hongbing had now married a third wife and even had a son—Zhou Jinzhou.

Since ancient times, having a stepmother meant having a stepfather as well!

Therefore, Zhou Xubai’s life at the main family home had not been easy. She had always lived with Zhou Xuan in Xijing City.

Understood. Thank you, Lin Jinyao said softly.

The cleaning woman nodded slightly and pushed her cleaning cart, silently blending into the flow of people and quickly disappearing.