Ultimately, Luo Tianchen couldn’t speak to Bingying again. It seemed her family had taken her home first.
He could understand their concern for their daughter, of course. After yesterday’s incident, and another one today, any parent would be beside themselves with worry.
‘I feel increasingly melancholic,’ he thought.
“So, what are you planning to do next?” Xia Luohua inquired.
Luo Tianchen glanced at the darkening, blue-tinged night sky. “It’s still relatively early. I intend to visit Yao Xinchang’s parents.”
“Oh? You’re going to her house? We’ve already searched there; there’s nothing else to find.”
“No, not her home. I plan to go directly to her father’s company. I’d heard before that her father is a workaholic, rarely spending nights at home. So, if I want to find him, the best place is his office.”
“Is that so? Well, I certainly didn’t see her father when I went to her house. But if you’re going to seek him out, there’s something I should tell you first.”
“What is it?”
“Yao Xinchang’s relationship with her family members doesn’t seem to be very harmonious.”
‘Not harmonious? What does that mean?’
“Well, you’ll probably understand more clearly if you go yourself. After all, they’re a family who showed little reaction even after their daughter died and her body went missing. Frankly, such a degree of disharmony is rare. Even if you go, you likely won’t uncover much more. However, I have high expectations for you. Let me witness your ‘talent’ firsthand.”
“…As you wish.”
“I also heard that you’ve sent my subordinates to do something?”
“Just some investigations. Didn’t you say I could command them as I pleased?”
“Indeed, as long as it concerns the witch.”
“Rest assured,” Luo Tianchen said softly. “If my hypothesis is correct, then everything will be resolved.”
“…Then, I shall await with anticipation.”
‘Is this Yao Xinchang’s father’s hotel?’ Luo Tianchen mused, standing transfixed before a towering skyscraper.
Though he already knew her family operated numerous five-star hotels, seeing the actual building still startled him. He felt a slight pang of regret for having rejected her confession.
“Hello, miss, may I help you?” A man dressed as a manager approached, having apparently observed Luo Tianchen lingering in the lobby for some time. He inquired politely.
Startled, Luo Tianchen composed himself slightly, then attempted to speak in a feminine tone. “Um, actually, I’m here to see the Chairman…”
“Do you have an appointment, then?”
“I don’t, actually…”
“If not, please return another time,” the man said apologetically. “Our Chairman has been extremely busy lately, preparing for Chairman Yang’s banquet, and is not accepting private meetings.”
“Oh, um, actually, I wanted to inquire about Yao Xinchang…”
The man’s gaze sharpened instantly. “Are you, by any chance, with the police?”
“No, not exactly. I’m actually her friend, so…” Luo Tianchen offered a small lie.
“…In that case, I’m afraid I cannot comment,” the man said, his tone softening. “While we appreciate your concern for her, this is one matter we simply cannot discuss at length.”
“Ha! What kind of attitude is that?” Luo Tianchen exclaimed, growing angry. “His own daughter is dead, yet he’s still preparing some grand banquet? Does he even count as a father?”
“Miss, please mind your words.”
“What, are you afraid that news of his daughter’s death will be announced and hurt business? If so, I’ll just announce it right here. What will you do then?”
“Miss, please calm down…”
“What, are you not even going to let me speak?”
“No, it’s not that…”
“What’s going on here?” A middle-aged man in a sharp suit, surrounded by a retinue of employees, approached with a frown, having evidently noticed the commotion. He was quite handsome; though age had etched faint lines on his face, it couldn’t conceal his charm. He would undoubtedly draw admiring glances from young girls on the street. What Luo Tianchen focused on, however, was his striking resemblance to Yao Xinchang.
‘He must be Yao Xinchang’s father,’ Luo Tianchen concluded, a suspicion confirmed by the manager’s next words.
“Good evening, Chairman,” the man said, bowing.
“I asked, what is happening?” Chairman Yao said, his expression stern without needing to raise his voice.
“Well, this young lady claims to be Xinchang’s friend and wishes to inquire about her situation…” the manager explained, casting a wary glance at Luo Tianchen as he addressed Chairman Yao.
“Remove her,” Chairman Yao stated.
“Eh?”
“I said, remove her.”
“But, but…”
“Security, please escort this young lady out.” With that, he turned and walked away without a backward glance. Two security guards stepped forward, addressing Luo Tianchen. “Please leave, miss.”
“Is this your attitude?” Luo Tianchen laughed in anger, glaring fiercely at the man’s retreating back. “Your own daughter is dead, yet you remain indifferent? Do you truly consider yourself a father?”
At Luo Tianchen’s words, the man finally halted, turning to face him with a placid expression. “So, what do you suggest I do? Incite public opinion, let everyone know my daughter is dead? Or perhaps bribe the underworld to seek revenge on the culprit?”
“That… But you haven’t done anything at all!”
“What can I do? Finding the culprit is the police’s job. I am merely a businessman; my role is to attend to my duties.”
Luo Tianchen was speechless. Rationally, his words weren’t wrong.
Yet, he couldn’t stand the man’s nonchalant demeanor. ‘Your daughter is dead! How can you be so calm?’ he thought.
“But… isn’t she your family? Shouldn’t she be the most important person in your world? Why aren’t you sad at all?” Luo Tianchen finally burst out.
‘Was it an illusion?’ For a fleeting moment, a flicker of exhaustion seemed to cross the man’s face, only to be instantly replaced by his usual resolute expression. “This was her choice. I cannot interfere. To gain something, one must sacrifice something; that is the principle of this world. When she made her decision, she must have been prepared to pay the price. If that’s the case, then why should I grieve for her?”
Luo Tianchen didn’t understand. He couldn’t grasp what the man was saying at all.
But one thing he did understand: the man definitely knew something.
“I appreciate your concern for Xinchang, but this is as far as it goes. Take this as a warning: if you truly are her friend, then for her sake, and for your own, stop now. This isn’t child’s play; leave everything to the police.” With that, he walked away once more.
“Wait, hey! I still have so many questions for you! Hey!” Luo Tianchen shouted loudly. This time, however, the man didn’t stop. Luo Tianchen could only watch as he entered the elevator, disappearing from sight as the doors closed.
“Damn it, what kind of situation is this?” Luo Tianchen gnashed his teeth, pounding the counter. Xia Luohua had been right; there was no useful information to be extracted from this old fox.
“What are you looking at? Get out of my way!” Luo Tianchen impatiently pushed the two security guards blocking him to the ground, then strode out of the hotel under the stunned gazes of the onlookers.
As soon as he stepped outside, a cool breeze swept over him. He hugged his arms tightly, and his mind, clouded by anger, began to clear somewhat.
‘In the end, I still let my emotions get the better of me,’ he thought.
‘This must be a drawback of being female,’ he mused. ‘The old me could have navigated this better, extracting more information from him.’
Luo Tianchen sighed. The trail was cold again. ‘What should I do now? Honestly, I don’t plan to be a girl forever.’
‘Perhaps I should ask Xia Luohua for more information,’ he considered. ‘Ugh… I wanted to solve this on my own, without involving her further.’
“Ah, miss over there, could you wait a moment?” Luo Tianchen turned around to see the man he’d met earlier in the lobby, dressed as a manager, panting as he chased after him. He had changed into casual clothes, transforming into a ‘sunny type’ who drew admiring glances from young women strolling the night streets.
“What do you want? Trying to silence me?” Luo Tianchen said, somewhat annoyed. In this world, he hated two kinds of people: perverts and handsome men.
‘Incidentally, Yang Mingzhi fits both categories,’ he thought. ‘The only reason our relationship has lasted this long is because of his shamelessness and lack of integrity.’
“Um, actually, I wanted to apologize for my father,” the handsome man said, scratching his head awkwardly.
“Father?” Luo Tianchen asked, surprised.
“Yes, it might be a bit late to say, but my name is Yao Chengho, and I am Yao Xinchang’s brother.”
“But wasn’t her brother studying for his postgraduate exams in America?” Luo Tianchen questioned.
“Yes… My father has been quite busy with work recently, so he called me back to the country to help out temporarily. If you don’t mind, would you like to grab a coffee at the Starbucks over there? I’d also like to learn more about my sister’s life at school.” The handsome man’s face flushed slightly.
“Oh? But aren’t you working?”
“Ah, that’s fine, really. There aren’t many guests coming tonight anyway. Besides, I just felt I couldn’t let such a beautiful young lady walk alone on the street at night, so I took leave, changed into casual clothes, and came after you…” he said guiltily.
“But…” Luo Tianchen suddenly realized something. That blush, that shy expression. ‘Ah, ah, ah, could it be…?’ Luo Tianchen walked closer, a mischievous glint in their eyes. “You wouldn’t… be trying to hit on me, would you?”
“Eh? Eh eh eh eh eh! No, no, it’s not that! I’m just her brother, so…” He frantically waved his hands in denial. ‘What an amusing reaction.’
“Oh? Is that so? So you don’t like me after all?” Luo Tianchen deliberately put on a slightly disappointed expression.
“No, no, I don’t mean that!”
“So you do like me, then?”
“Eh eh eh, I no no, ah yes, no…” He was utterly flustered.
‘What’s going on? This person is too amusing,’ Luo Tianchen thought. ‘Just seeing his ridiculous reaction makes all the anger I’ve suppressed since becoming a girl dissipate.’
‘…No, this isn’t good. I’m a boy!’ Just as he was about to descend into the abyss of sadism, his lingering rationality pulled him back.
‘Forget it, no more games,’ he decided. ‘If he’s Yao Xinchang’s brother, he must know a lot.’
“Alright, I understand. I actually have a few things I’d like to ask you about, so I accept your invitation.” Luo Tianchen imitated Ye Siya from memory, flashing what he believed was the most beautiful smile he’d ever produced.
“O-okay,” Yao Chengho stammered. Seeing his utterly infatuated face, Luo Tianchen felt a strange pang of guilt.
‘No, no, this is all to find Yao Xinchang’s killer and return to my male body,’ Luo Tianchen told himself silently.
‘Just for now, let me make good use of this talent unique to girls.’