Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1213: Chapter 54: The Next Day

The sun umbrellas on the square were densely packed, and the tables under them were almost filled with people.

This scene was very common at this time on a Sunday.

Luo Qiu walked through the gaps between the crowd and tables and quickly found Song Ying.

She should have been there for a while, ordered a cup of iced red tea, the straw slightly deformed from being bitten, and was absentmindedly looking at a family of three at the neighboring table, her calf gently kicking under the table, seemingly distracted.

“Do you like drinking cold things when it’s chilly?”

“Are all your opening lines so strange…” Song Ying turned her head back, seemingly a bit annoyed, “Yeah, I like eating ice cream during winter, is there a problem?”

Luo Qiu sat down and said calmly, “Girls should pay attention to keeping warm, eating overly cold things in winter can lead to uterine cold.”

Uterine… Uterine cold… Uterine cold or something…

Miss Ying inexplicably felt the back of her ears heating up. As a woman, she certainly knows that uterine cold has many meanings—but isn’t this topic mostly discussed between girls? Of course, there are cases involving old mothers and daughters.

Is this implying being unable to have children in the future?

Luo Qiu, unaware that Miss Ying’s thoughts wandered off, glanced around and noticed that both sides were occupied by Song Ying’s bodyguards… even a few unfamiliar faces.

“There seem to be more people.” Luo Qiu casually remarked.

“Huh? More what?” Song Ying was startled, then followed Luo Qiu’s gaze, only realizing, “Oh, some people have come from home, more will arrive in a few days.”

“?” Luo Qiu blinked.

Song Ying’s long legs exchanged positions under the table, then crossed again, she leaned slightly forward with hands on the table, “Planning to make some investments here, it’s my grandfather’s intention, started looking for suitable places yesterday.”

Luo Qiu paused for a bit, “The Song Family is planning to develop here?”

Song Ying nodded, “Yes, it’s been my grandfather’s wish all along. Just couldn’t realize it before… You should know something about the Song Family’s situation, right?”

Luo Qiu nodded.

The Song Family holds considerable influence in South America. On the surface, the Song Dynasty Group is among the world’s top 500 companies, and privately, they possess their own armed group.

To put it in street terms. That’s to say, Old Master Song has always intended to retire and return to his roots, but the Song Family’s background is too risky, and have consistently been barred.

“There’s a very good opportunity this time.” Song Ying lowered her voice slightly, “Song Haoran did something; he made the government tacitly approve our funds entry.”

Boss Luo fell silent for a moment… Song Ying might not know, but within a few seconds, he knew the cause and effect.

When there’s information for a fee, Boss Luo never hesitates to use it.

This entirely traces back to the beginning of the Mount Tai incident, namely the Song Family’s clandestine cooperation with Zhang Family and Suzuki-kai from the insular country to explore the Imperial Tomb.

The process in the middle is temporarily omitted, but eventually, under Song Haoran’s orders, those Dao Monsters planned for use in the Taishan Prefecture Lord ritual, who were caught by the Heart of Heaven Lineage, were indeed rescued because of him.

In just one night, he let over half of China’s Dao Monsters owe him a favor, arguably the first time in history.

After the Taishan event, Song Haoran started activities in the disaster area under the guise of international humanitarian rescue—Song Family’s chance to return was due to Song Da using some favor debts.

Thus, several Taoists and demons jointly petitioned, forcing the Management Bureau to face the problem, eventually, after some discussion, a conclusion was reached—thus Song Ying began looking for a new company location here.

“Hmm… If that’s the case, why choose here.” Luo Qiu curiously inquired after knowing the background.

Song Ying said, “Are you genuinely not aware or pretending? You didn’t get it, did you?”

Luo Qiu smiled and said, “I think life here is quite good.”

Song Ying shrugged, “That’s what you think, but my grandfather doesn’t think so. This time, calling you out is mainly to inform you that once the company’s matters are sorted, you can go to work. Grandpa said the new company is set for you to play with, and I’m just your assistant.”

Luo Qiu shook his head, “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t have such plans. Besides, I’m leaving next month, the school over there is about to start.”

Song Ying seemed aware of Luo Qiu’s response, “That’s okay, you can have the position for now, and resume when you finish your studies. Rest assured, when you return, the new company will be on track, not as challenging as you imagine… Besides, don’t I, aren’t I here?”

Actually, Song Ying hadn’t mentioned one thing, which is choosing to start development from this city is largely due to considering Luo Qiu grew up here, but also partly due to the Zhang Family.

Since withdrawing from the capital decades ago, the Zhang Family has made this city its stage, and the helmsman, Zhang Li Lanfang, also resides here.

While the Song Family has immense financial strength, it’s ultimately foreign influence; to establish itself amidst numerous domestic elite, it first requires a springboard.

And the Zhang Family is the springboard and partner chosen by Song Tianyou.

Firstly, the Song and Zhang families have had business contacts for long, secondly, their relations originate from the turbulent era of the last century.

“Seems there’s no way to decline.” Luo Qiu said indifferently.

Song Ying retorted, “Only you feel as if you’re at a loss, wouldn’t others be thrilled?”

Luo Qiu indeed doesn’t intend to accept the new company, but neither formally rejects—turning it down now might lead to future offers, unless he actively severs the relation with the Song Family… but he doesn’t intend to end the relation for now.

“Let’s handle it your way.” Luo Qiu finally nodded.

“Now that’s good!” Miss Song Ying laughed sweetly, “Come, let sister buy you something to eat~ By the way, what’s the school you’re attending? I don’t think I’ve asked?”

“Saint Andrews University.”

Song Ying was taken aback, then widened her eyes.

Isn’t that the school from which that Fox Spirit from Boss Zhong graduated? Also, the school Song Ying once attended.

“Is there a problem.”

Song Ying chuckled, “I said you couldn’t blame me, it was your choice! How can I say I’m older than you, but I bet you don’t like being called brother… yet voluntarily you become the junior~”

As if achieving some sort of victory.

Luo Qiu couldn’t help but smile.

“Starting a company is fine, appointing me is okay, but I hope you don’t disturb her life.”

“Ren Ziling?”

Song Ying was startled, pondered, recalling that night, the terrifying gaze from Luo Qiu that left her breathless, nearly becoming a timid recipient…

Hmm… Seemingly gentle, yet has a very MAN side.

…

…

“Sis, come on, be careful, watch the steps.”

In front of the rehabilitation center, Zhao Le was carefully supporting Zhao Xiaoqin as she gingerly descended the stairs… Though she walked with difficulty, she could indeed walk on her own legs. Despite the sweat on her face, there was a smile on Zhang Xiaoqin’s face.

A young man happened to be passing by at the bottom of the steps.

The young man stopped, watching the siblings.

Upon seeing him, Zhao Le was momentarily stunned, then exclaimed in surprise and joy, “Mingming, what are you doing here? Sis, this is my classmate, his name is Chen Mingming.”

“Just buying something, passing by.” Chen Mingming greeted simply.

Of course, it couldn’t be just passing by; he had just chosen to ‘coincidentally’ walk by at this time.

“Your sister seems to be recovering well.” Chen Mingming glanced at Zhang Xiaoqin and nodded politely.

Zhao Le’s situation, though not deliberately publicized, had spread somewhat in the school after what happened to Zhang Xiaoqin.

So quite a few students knew about Zhao Le’s family issues, especially his classmates — in fact, Zhao Le had been absent from school for a week after the incident with Zhang Xiaoqin, during which time the class advisor had organized a visit and brought some condolence money, and Chen Mingming was among those who participated.

“Thank you.” Zhang Xiaoqin smiled faintly.

Zhao Le said, “I didn’t expect to meet you… I was just looking at our class group yesterday and heard from the counselor that you had completed your withdrawal paperwork… I heard you’re leaving the country soon, have you set the date?”

“Next Wednesday’s flight.”

“So soon…” Zhao Le seemed somewhat regretful.

He didn’t have many close friends at school, particularly because taking care of Zhang Xiaoqin lately left him with no spare time for socializing.

As for Chen Mingming, Zhao Le regarded him as one of the few approachable people — after all, recently there were several instances where, directly or indirectly due to Chen Mingming, he managed to avoid being bullied by Dong Shaofeng a few times.

“You’re Le Zi’s classmate, why don’t you come over to our house for dinner tonight?” Zhang Xiaoqin glanced over.

She knew Zhao Le had few friends, and seeing a classmate whose relationship seemed good, she proactively extended an invitation.

Zhao Le listened and, with a smile, said, “Yeah, come over to my house for dinner tonight, consider it a farewell party from me. After all, we don’t know if there’ll be another chance to meet again in the future.”

Many people are like this.

After graduating from college, they never see each other again.

We seem to be able to occasionally hear news about him or her only in chatter among classmates, maybe know she got married and had kids, maybe know he’s living in hardship now.

Chen Mingming nodded.

…

In the meeting room, Officer Ma was holding a pen between his lips, staring hopelessly at the energy-saving lamp on the ceiling that seemed like it needed replacing.

When there’s no significant breakthrough in the case, that’s how it is for everyone — Zhou Yusheng was also tapping the table absentmindedly with his fingers.

As for the other colleagues, they were either looking up information online or had their heads down reading documents.

“Something’s a bit odd, huh?” Suddenly, a female colleague murmured.

With keen senses, Officer Ma’s eyes turned over, “What’s odd?”

The female colleague said, “I checked Wang Liang and Wu Rong’s travel records again and merged them, only to find out that last year on November 19th, they both bought train tickets to City X together.”

Officer Ma said irritably, “Wasn’t that already known? Their departure was after Wu Rong made a big fuss at Wang Liang’s place the next day. And then a few days later Wang Liang returned.”

The female colleague said, “Yeah, Wang Liang returned from City X on November 23rd, and according to the records, Wu Rong returned on November 25th, then left alone again on the 29th.”

“Then what?”

The female colleague said, “Why didn’t they return from City X together on November 23rd?”

“Maybe Wang Liang had something to return for first? What’s so strange about that?” Officer Ma shook his head.

Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps approached; Lin Feng entered the meeting room hastily with a file in hand, “Team Leader Ma, Team Leader Zhou, the time of death for Wu Rong and Wang Liang has been determined.”

This immediately grabbed everyone’s attention.

Lin Feng looked at everyone solemnly, “According to Chief Nan’s judgment, Wu Rong’s time of death is estimated to be between November 18th and 22nd last year. Due to the prolonged freezing of the body, there’s a margin of error, but it’s likely within these days. As for Wang Liang’s time of death, it’s estimated to be between December 1st and 2nd!”

“In other words, Wu Rong was killed first before Wang Liang?” Zhou Yusheng frowned, then suddenly turned to look at the female colleague from earlier.

Officer Ma jolted, also looking at the female colleague, quickly asking, “You just said… Wu Rong returned on what date?”

“The bus on November 25th.”

“And the time she left again?”

“The bus on November 29th…” The female colleague opened her mouth, “But, according to the forensic judgment on the time of death, Wu Rong should have been killed during that time, right? Given this timeline… could it be that Wang Liang did it? But… shouldn’t the murderer be the same person?”

Officer Ma and Zhou Yusheng, with their more extensive experience, exchanged a glance. Zhou Yusheng first said, “Old Ma, it seems our initial investigation direction was wrong.”

Officer Ma nodded, “These two cases should probably not be combined…”

…

“The home’s small, please don’t mind,” Zhang Xiaoqin said while supporting herself with a crutch, pouring a cup of hot water for Chen Mingming. She then said, “Please have a seat, I’ll go put some things away in the room.”

As for Zhao Le, he was in the kitchen handling the ingredients he just bought from the supermarket, preparing to showcase his cooking skills tonight.

Chen Mingming looked at the house, though a bit old and cramped, it was tidied up nicely, giving a comfortable feeling.

Afterwards, Zhang Xiaoqin went into her room, likely to change clothes or something similar.

Chen Mingming stood up, wandering around the living room and looking at the household arrangements.

At this moment, a loud chopping sound came from the kitchen… Chen Mingming walked to the kitchen door, casually asking, “What are you making?”

“Chopping ribs, preparing to make rib soup.”

He saw Zhao Le turn around, holding a knife with some bone fragments on it in his hand, with a slight smile on his face… but it seemed some blood from the bone and meat had accidentally stained Zhao Le’s face, leaving a few red marks here and there.

Thud—!

The knife came down again, clean and swift.