Chapter 444: Fighting Constants With Variety!
As a matter of fact, Zhongteng’s secretariat had been receiving many calls as well, although Sheng Xiao had instructed everyone in Zhongteng ahead of time to not respond.
He would let Old Sheng fool around for a few days more.
***
Meanwhile, it had been some days since Lin Mu’an and Lu Qianqian met. The former’s school life had been peaceful and quiet, but someone began to spread word that his girlfriend was damaged goods, and gossip about Lu Qianqian hence began to spread.
Lin Mu’an’s roommates could not believe it, and so asked the person himself, “Did Sis-in-law really use to see someone else and had a miscarriage?”
“That has nothing to do with you.” Lin Mu’an appeared composed.
“Bro Lin, I think that’s a little naïve of you. There are so many girls in this world—why her?”
“None of them are little pepper.” Lin Mu’an replied calmly.
“Aren’t you angry that others are spreading such rumors about Sis-in-law?”
“I would only be angry about falling into someone else’s trap.”
All Lin Mu’an wanted to do was remain as solid as a rock, and unaffected by others. As long as he trusted little pepper and would not respond to the rumors, everyone would eventually get bored.
Of course, if anyone did not like that, they could confront him directly.
His reaction certainly left the transfer student upset. She was sure that Lin Mu’an would come to her and interrogate her if she was the one who spread the rumors about Lu Qianqian.
Then, she could pretend to admit it and get into a big fight with Lin Mu’an—it would be best if she got hurt to spice things up, before the people around her would tell Lin Mu’an that he misunderstood her.
It was a perfect setting, but Lin Mu’an did not play her game.
Why?
After all, Lin Mu’an more or less understood such tricks—think about it, if Old Lin would so obviously send someone to the school to keep an eye on him, she would definitely try to irritate him as a long-term tactic.
It was obvious that the old man has some trick in mind.
And Lin Mu’an would have to fight the constant with variety!
In the evening, Lin Mu’an’s roommates were all in their beds and asking him about Lu Qianqian. Knowing that they misunderstood her, he told them the truth about the Lu Qianqian he knew.
“Well, from what Bro Lin said, I do feel that Sis-in-law is fine in every way: loyal, beautiful and even a little strong-willed, not to mention that she’s kind. Really, there’s nothing wrong about her aside from being a little blind before.”
“Well, now I get why Bro Lin is so head-over-heels for Sis-in-law. Look: Bro Lin is a rich kid but would leave behind the riches and comfort of his home just to protect here, and take on a difficult life. Is this not love? What is there to be unhappy about?”
As they chatted away in the hostel, Lin Mu’an’s roommates came to understand him, and why he was unmoved by the transfer student’s confession.
Sure, men often spoke with their lower bodies.
However, their hearts were not so easily influenced, especially men like Lin Mu’an who was impeccable when it comes to sentiment, offering no openings to be taken advantage of. That was why it would never be easy to drive a wedge between him and Lu Qianqian.
But unbeknownst to Lin Mu’an, his roommates had actually added Lu Qianqian’s as contact when she met them at the canteen, and their conversations were certainly impressive.
“Sis-in-law, don’t worry—Bro Lin’s feelings for you are truer than true.”
Bemused, Lu Qianqian naturally ignored her bro Lin Mu’an…
***
Feng Shanshan and Mu Qiqi were not involved in the case of the red-dressed female corpses since returning from the mountains.
Even as the police broadened their search, it was uncovered that the three women died in different ways despite the similarities between the different incidents, which did not fit the MO of a serial killer.
That was why they had to divide and conquer.
In the meantime, the professor had received some information the taboo of that small town from the parents of the latest victims.
It was said that any girl who had sexual relations with unmarried men in that town would wear a red dress and die to unexpected causes. No one was supposed to touch their corpses and they must be buried where they were, or evil spirits would be invoked to bring death upon those who touched those bodies, and bad luck would be passed on across the whole town in serious cases.
“What kind of rumor is that? There’s no traction at all.” Mu Qiqi could not help breaking into laughter after the professor’s explanation.
“Read the articles I’ve sent you first, Qiqi.”
Mu Qiqi stopped laughing and checked the mail her professor sent her. It turned out that there had been cases of red-dressed girls dying several years ago and even decades ago, which was why it comes to no surprise that there were so few girls in that town.
“Must be copycat cases, riding on the wave of rumors.”
“Either way, the town is full of intrigue.”
If that was the case, the police are going to be busy.
***
The next day.
Old Sheng had another appointment with a partner at the turf club, where he had his eyes on several fine horses.
Third Brother thought then that the old man’s lifestyle had became floaty, and he simply did not know where he was going.
But at ten in the morning on that same day, the editorial had released the video of their exclusive interview with Sheng Xiao and on their column.
Thanks to that video, many finally understood what was really going on between Sheng Xiao and Huang Yao.
“When things had cooled down between Huang Yao and Sheng Xiao, I thought that he was really going back to the Sheng family… but the truth is he never met them over the last six months.”
“So the real founders of Zhongteng is the Shen family… but why is Huang Yao acting as if Zhongteng came to be because of them?”
“Isn’t Huang Yao just shameless? Just look at them being so full of themselves—and then there is Sheng Xiao’s answer: he just wants to be a familiar stranger to the Sheng family… he is clearly not going back to the Sheng family.”
“Then why is Huang Yao being so excited? What’s that all about?”
The Sheng family simply did not expect Sheng Xiao to receive a direct interview from a magazine, and use that to make clear what was going on between him and Huang Yao.
Therefore, none of them did not receive word right away when the exclusive interview was uploaded.
After all, were they not trying to get a piece of the cake now that Zhongteng had risen up?
Or perhaps… they want to take Zhongteng away from Sheng Xiao too?
Meanwhile, Old Sheng was watching a horse rase at a turf club when Sixth Brother called him. “Grandfather, quick, watch the video I’m sending you!”