On How To Defeat Dr. Qing Leng Chapter 45

Chapter 45 Chapter 45 The Truth

“Everyone has seen and heard it.” Pei Yan said loudly, holding Wen Yelan’s hand and raising it high, “I, Pei Yan, and Wen Yelan are in a serious relationship. Today’s incident was caused by someone maliciously spreading rumors. We reserve the right to pursue legal liability for this kind of slander.”

He paused and looked at the complicated expressions of the dean and several leaders beside him. His tone softened but was still strong: “As for whether my relationship with Dr. Wen affects my work – I think Dr. Wen’s speech today and the results of the Shishapangma Peak project are the best proof. His professionalism and ability have nothing to do with who he chooses to fall in love with. When I invest, I look at the value of the project and the team, nothing else.”

After saying this, he took Wen Yelan off the stage directly.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall began to change subtly.Maybe he was surprised by Pei Yan’s magnanimity and responsibility, maybe he was frightened by the attitude of the Pei family, maybe he really felt that this was just a private matter between two people… The whispers started again, but the content was completely different.

“Young Master Pei is so manly…”

“Coming out as gay in public and still being so protective… is true love.”

“Dr. Wen is also quite tough…”

“Mr. Pei and Mrs. Pei both support it. It seems that they are serious…”

“That’s right. When someone falls in love, it has nothing to do with the project…”

“Who is that woman? Crazy…”

The dean and several leaders also responded quickly and began to mediate the situation, emphasizing that the institute respects the personal lives of employees, resolutely opposes any form of slander and personal attacks, and will cooperate with the investigation of the matter.

A violent storm that seemed to be able to destroy everything ended with Pei Yan’s almost reckless confession.

Wen Yelan was held tightly by Pei Yan’s hand, stepped out of the spotlight, listened to the discussions around her, and felt the constant heat and power coming from her palms.

A strange, unfamiliar feeling arises from deep in my heart.

Not easy.At least not entirely.

The relationship he had concealed and regarded as his greatest weakness, capable of destroying all his relationships, was laid out in front of everyone.The expected earth-shattering did not happen, nor did the rebellion and separation. In fact, Pei Yan’s parents even stood on their side.

It turns out that coming out…is not as scary as imagined.

It turns out that admitting that you are different does not mean losing everything.

“Let’s go.” Pei Yan turned his head and whispered in his ear, his voice a little hoarse.

Wen Yelan nodded.

Pei Yan signaled to the dean, and then led Wen Yelan, step by step, steadily towards the exit of the banquet hall under the gaze of countless eyes.He did not avoid anyone’s gaze, and held his chest and head high.

After walking out of the banquet hall, away from those eyes and sounds, they were the only two people left in the corridor.Pei Yan’s pace suddenly accelerated, almost holding Wen Yelan half in his arms, he walked quickly to the elevator and pressed the button.

The moment the elevator door closed, Pei Yan’s straight back relaxed.He still held Wen Yelan’s hand tightly, and tugged at his collar irritably with his other hand, breathing a little heavily.

Wen Yelan stood silently, looking at him.

The elevator goes down.

“Fuck!” Pei Yan suddenly cursed and punched the elevator wall with a dull sound.He turned his head, his eyes still red, but not facing Wen Yelan.His eyes were full of rage and fear, “That crazy woman! How did she get in?! I obviously…” He stopped suddenly in the middle of his words, as if he remembered something, and his eyes became even more sinister.

Wen Yelan frowned in confusion: “What do you know?”

Pei Yan calmed down and tried to suppress the surging emotions. He held his face and kissed him, “It’s nothing. I didn’t protect you. It’s okay. Nothing will happen again. Leave it to me and I will take care of it.”

After Pei Yan took Wen Yelan back to the villa, he used almost all the manpower and connections he could mobilize to search for Fan Qingzhi’s whereabouts like crazy.

The woman seemed to have disappeared from the world. From the moment she was dragged out of the banquet hall by security, all surveillance cameras showed that she was picked up by a black car without a license plate, and then completely disappeared into the intricate urban context.

Pei Yan’s anger could not find an outlet, and it burned his internal organs.

Only Bai Yu has the motive and the ability to hide people cleanly so that he cannot find them.

“Check Baiyu.” He ordered his assistant, his voice as cold as ice, “I want to know all his travels from three days before the banquet to now, who he has contacted, what calls he has made, and the flow of funds. Don’t let go of any trace.”

The assistant left in response, but Pei Yan knew that Bai Yu would not leave any obvious clues when doing things.He just didn’t understand why Bai Yu had to do this and destroy it if he couldn’t get it?

He didn’t want Wen Yelan to know this.His little moon had just plucked up the courage to stand in the spotlight, unloading a heavy burden of secrets that he no longer wanted to worry about and embarrass.

Pei Yan just wanted him to enjoy this relaxation, even if it was only for a few days.

He drove Wen Yelan to and from get off work as usual, and came back in the evening to have dinner together, watch TV, or handle work separately.He never mentioned the pursuit of Fan Qingzhi and Bai Yu, and even deliberately created a sense of relaxation at home that the matter was over.

“No one in the courtyard is giving you a hard time, right?” One day during dinner, Pei Yan asked casually.

Wen Yelan was sipping the soup and shook his head when he heard this: “No. The dean talked to me privately once, mainly to comfort him, and also said that he would strengthen security. Colleagues… are the same as before.” He paused and looked up at Pei Yan, “There may have been some discussions, but I didn’t hear it and I don’t care.”

He told the truth.The environment of the institute was relatively pure, and the farce quickly subsided after Pei Yan made a strong statement and the institute set the tone.More people only remembered Wen Yelan’s calm and professional report on the stage, and Pei Yan’s shocking official announcement.

Although he has only been here for two years, his ability is obvious to all. What’s more, Pei Yan made a lot of noise when he chased him before, and it has long been tacitly understood in the courtyard.

“That’s good.” Pei Yan gave him a piece of pork ribs, “Eat more, I haven’t eaten well in the past few days.”

Wen Yelan said “hmm”, lowered his head to eat, and didn’t ask any more questions.

Pei Yan thought Wen Yelan believed that everything was over.

But he underestimated Wen Yelan.This scientist, who looks cold and distant, and is accustomed to shrinking himself into a shell, has an almost stubborn acumen and toughness in his bones.He has experienced too much malice and betrayal, and has an almost instinctive vigilance against “accidents” and “coincidences.”

Fan Qingzhi’s appearance is so strange.Pei Yan was extremely busy afterwards but never mentioned the progress of the investigation, which made Wen Yelan even more suspicious.Pei Yan was protecting him, he could feel it.But this feeling of being kept in the dark and not knowing where the danger comes from is not a good feeling.

Pei Yan didn’t want to tell him, so he would check it out himself.

He didn’t use any resources from Pei Yan or the institute, that was too obvious.He thought of someone, his roommate in college, Li Yingqi.Later, Li Yingqi did not take the academic route, but entered the field of network security. He opened a small company of his own, specializing in data analysis and information tracing. He wandered on the edge of the gray area, but his technology was excellent and his people were reliable.

Wen Yelan found an afternoon when Pei Yan went to the company for a meeting and called Li Yingqi’s number.

The phone rang a few times before it was picked up. A slightly surprised voice came from the other side: “Hello? I’m a rare visitor, Doctor Wen? Why did you remember to call me?”

“Li Yingqi.” Wen Yelan said in a steady voice, “I have something I need to ask for your help.”

Li Yingqi heard the seriousness in his tone and became serious: “You say it.”

“It’s not convenient to call. Are you free tonight? Let’s meet. You decide the place. Please be quiet.”

Li Yingqi pondered for a moment: “Okay. Eight o’clock, the old place, you know.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up the phone, Wen Yelan looked at the darkening sky outside the window and unconsciously rubbed the edge of the phone with his fingers.He knows what he’s doing.This might reveal some truths he didn’t want to see.

But rather than suffer in speculation and uneasiness, he would rather face it himself.

At 7:50 in the evening, Wen Yelan appeared in a bar.The location is remote, the decoration is simple, and there are few guests.He quickly found Li Yingqi in the corner.Li Yingqi is fatter than when he was in college. He wears black-rimmed glasses and is typing away at his laptop.

“Here?” Li Yingqi looked up and saw him, pushed up his glasses, “Sit down. What do you want to drink?”

“Milk, thank you.” Wen Yelan sat down opposite him.

“Okay…”

After placing the order, Li Yingqi closed the computer and looked at him: “You look good. I heard that you launched a big project some time ago and it was very popular. But I also heard a little bit about the excitement a few days ago.” He was well-informed and obviously knew what happened at the celebration banquet.

Wen Yelan did not answer the question and went directly to the topic: “Li Yingqi, I would like to ask you to help me check something.”

“What are you checking? Is it related to the banquet?” Li Yingqi was very keen.

“Yes, not entirely.” Wen Yelan pulled up the high-definition entertainment news screenshot that he had saved on his phone, which was the one where he and Pei Yan were secretly photographed. “I want to know where the earliest source of this photo was and who provided it. Also, the woman who caused trouble on the day of the banquet, Fan Qingzhi, her whereabouts in the past month, and who she has come into contact with.”

Li Yingqi took the phone and looked at the photo carefully, frowning slightly: “It’s a bit blurry.”

“Can I check?” Wen Yelan asked.

Li Yingqi nodded and didn’t ask any more questions.He knew Wen Yelan’s character, which allowed him to take the initiative to ask for help in the investigation. The matter was definitely not simple.

“It’s a bit difficult to trace the origin of photos. This kind of anonymous submission changes hands one after another, but it’s not impossible to touch. Fan Qingzhi’s whereabouts, as long as she has been active in the city, there will always be electronic traces. I can try.” Li Yingqi smacked his lips, “What can’t be found by conventional means, you have to use something special. Are you sure you want to check?”

Wen Yelan did not hesitate at all: “Sure. Money is not an issue. Just tell me how much you need. I only ask for two points: first, keep it secret and never let a third person know, especially Pei Yan. Second, as soon as possible.”

Li Yingqi looked at his firm eyes and knew that he couldn’t be persuaded.”Okay, I’ll take this job. The money is easy to come by. I’m an old classmate and I’ll give you a discount. But it will take some time.”

“About how long?”

“I will give you preliminary information within three days.”

“Okay.”

The two briefly chatted about the current situation. Wen Yelan stood up and left before finishing the milk.He knew that Li Yingqi did things in a measured way, and all that was left was to wait.

In the next two days, Wen Yelan continued to work and live as usual and did not show anything strange in front of Pei Yan.Pei Yan seems to be very busy these days. Sometimes he comes back very late, smelling of cigarette smoke and tiredness.Wen Yelan never asked, but when he came home late, he would leave a lamp to warm a glass of milk.

On the afternoon of the third day, Wen Yelan was sorting out data in the office when his phone vibrated and received an encrypted email.His heart skipped a beat, knowing that it was from Li Yingqi.

He closed the office door, turned on his computer, and decrypted the email.

The content is very concise.

[The root cause cannot be found in the photo, and further investigation will risk exposure. The photo has been processed, but only your face has been processed, and your body shape has been blurred. The technology is very high.】

[As for Fan Qingzhi, she had just returned illegally two weeks before the banquet. During this period, she had been living in no fixed place, and she did not use her own identity information, as if she was hiding from someone.You won’t be able to find anything if you go any further. Just listen to my advice and stop checking on your own.I’m really sorry, I can only find these and can’t help you much]

Wen Yelan stared at the words on the screen, feeling a chill creep down his back.

He stiffened his fingers and replied: [That’s enough, thank you]

He has the ability to process photos, but he also specializes in blurring out his face.Create trouble but subconsciously protect him.Apart from Brother Yu, he really couldn’t think of anyone else.

Combined with Pei Yan’s performance in the past two days, everything seems to make sense.

He just couldn’t figure it out.

Wen Yelan sat in the office until it was completely dark and the screen of his mobile phone went dark due to a long period of inactivity.Pei Yan made two phone calls but he didn’t answer. He sent a message asking if he was working overtime.

Wen Yelan took a few deep breaths and forced himself to calm down.He couldn’t panic, and he couldn’t let Pei Yan see the clues.If Pei Yan knew that he was checking Bai Yu and found out these things, with his temper, there is no telling what Pei Yan would do.And Bai Yu…he must ask clearly in person.What if?

He picked up his phone and sent a message back to Pei Yan first: “Well, there is something wrong with the data. It needs to be processed. You go home first without waiting for me.”】

Then, he found the familiar name in his address book and dialed it.

The phone rang for a long time, and just when Wen Yelan thought he wouldn’t be picked up, the call came through.

“Xiaolan?” Bai Yu’s voice was as gentle as ever, with a hint of surprise, “Why are you calling at this time? Have you eaten?”

Wen Yelan clenched his phone tightly, digging his fingernails into his palm. The pain kept him awake.”Brother Yu,” he said, his voice unexpectedly smooth, “I found something.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone for two seconds.

“About Fan Qingzhi, about those photos.”

A longer silence.Wen Yelan could hear very slight breathing coming from the receiver.

After a while, Bai Yu sighed softly. The sigh contained too many emotions, including helplessness, exhaustion, and a hint of relief.

“Xiaolan,” Bai Yu’s voice lowered, losing its usual gentleness, “you have grown up, and you are sharper and more capable than I thought.”

“Why?” Wen Yelan only asked these three words.Thousands of words are stuck in my throat.

Bai Yu did not answer the question, but asked: “Does Pei Yan know you are investigating?”

“He doesn’t know.”

“That’s good.” Bai Yu seemed to be relieved, “Xiaolan, there are some things that I can’t explain clearly on the phone. Let’s meet.”

Wen Yelan’s heart tightened: “Where?”

“Two days later, at three o’clock in the afternoon, the Plum Garden in the western suburbs. You know that place, we went there when we were children.” Bai Yu’s voice sounded a little stiff, “Come alone. Don’t tell Pei Yan. If you take him, I won’t show up.”

Wen Yelan’s chest heaved: “Are you threatening me?”

“No, Xiaolan, I’m begging you.” Bai Yu’s voice softened again, with an almost sad earnestness, “Give me a chance, and give yourself a chance to listen to my explanation. Just the two of us, like we were when we were children. After that… whatever you decide, I will accept.”

Wen Yelan closed his eyes.Plum Garden was one of the few happy memories of his childhood.During the winter and summer vacations when he was ignored by his parents and bullied by his brother, Bai Yu often took him there to play, telling him stories from books and buying candy for him.It was one of the few colorful fragments in his gray childhood.

Bai Yu’s intention in choosing this place is obvious.

“Okay.” Wen Yelan heard herself say, “I will go.”

“Thank you.” Bai Yu’s voice sounded a little distant, “Xiaolan, take care of yourself. See you in two days.”

The phone hangs up.

Wen Yelan put down the phone and realized that her hands were shaking slightly.He thought Bai Yu was his salvation, a relative he could completely trust, and his only family.But now, this relative personally shattered all the illusions in front of him.

But…do you really want to go alone without telling Pei Yan?

———————–

The author has something to say: I have been thinking about the rhythm of this chapter for a long time… so the update is late [crying] I’m sorry everyone (bow)

But I’m still asking for a review [empty bowl] [dog’s head holding a rose] [come on] [come on] [come on]