Love Assault - Chapter 12

Chen Mo politely refused Lin Che’s offer to drive her home, choosing instead to leave through the underground parking garage. As she walked slowly through the long, winding corridors, she couldn’t help but marvel at Dingsheng’s immense wealth. The garage’s tunnels stretched beneath two city blocks—a staggering expense that would leave ordinary people speechless. Although Dingsheng Group had always conducted legitimate business, and its legendary leader, Lin Zhili, was known for her strong sense of justice, the saying all merchants are cunning still held a grain of truth.

Thus, Chen Mo remained deeply skeptical about their earlier conversation. Lin Che’s methods were indeed peculiar. While they were both acutely aware of internal discord within the group, his brazenly driving up to the police station to pick her up would inevitably arouse suspicion and scrutiny. Yet he had cleverly used the garage’s layout to keep his pursuers at bay, leaving them tantalizingly close but unable to act—a move that would only deepen their suspicions. In the days to come, whoever this person was would be on edge, their anxiety and doubt likely to make them slip up. During their meal, Lin Che had subtly conveyed a clear message the police have their investigative protocols, but she, Lin Che, has her own methods of handling things.

Chen Mo was almost certain that this case wouldn’t end as simply as it appeared on the surface.

However, what troubled her even more than the perplexing case itself was Lin Che’s candid and fervent confession before leaving.

Team Leader Chen, to be honest, I have very strong feelings for you. Perhaps this isn’t the right time to say this, but I’ve never hidden my affection for someone. I like you very much, so I want to get to know you better and see if there’s even a 0.1% chance you might like me too. Of course, before any of that, I’ll prove my and Dingsheng’s innocence.

Chen Mo’s innate sensitivity and keen observation skills made her hyper-aware and wary of any words that might cloud her judgment. This was especially true given the circumstances and the fact that Lin Che was a suspect. If Lin Che had been a man, his motives for saying such things would have been even more suspicious. After all, a wealthy and attractive man could easily sway a woman. A thoughtful and perfect lunch, coupled with engaging conversation, seemed more than enough to captivate a small-town police officer whose monthly salary barely covered her expenses. If Lin Che were later revealed to be the mastermind, at least she could play the emotional card.

But Lin Che was a woman. She had no need to resort to such tactics. And Chen Mo was certainly not the average woman in the eyes of ordinary people.

Under the gloomy sky, pedestrians and vehicles moved at their usual unhurried pace, everything proceeding as normal. Chen Mo felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her, her eyelids beginning to droop. She longed to find a bed and collapse into sleep immediately. Yet, her mind inexplicably flashed back to the earlier interaction between Yun Xi and Lin Che at the police station—an exchange that was neither explicitly erotic nor vulgar, yet undeniably unconventional. She shook her head, knowing that such overwhelming fatigue was detrimental to someone who needed to analyze everything with a clear mind. She knew she needed a good night’s sleep to banish these chaotic thoughts. Now was not the time to push herself or waste her energy on pointless speculation.

She hailed a taxi home, determined to sleep soundly first and deal with everything else later.

A day passed.

A day can bring many events.

Handwriting analysis confirmed that the signature on the receipt was indeed forged.

The two men who had run over the victim admitted they had been paid to go to the warehouse in the eastern suburbs, but insisted the fatal collision was an accident. They maintained that they only discovered the drugs in the car after they got in. As for who paid them and who gave them the car, they claimed they only found money deposited into their accounts and had never met anyone in person. The car had been parked outside their residence with the keys on the seat, and they never saw the driver. No matter how they were questioned, their story remained consistent.

As for Zhao Xiaomao, the star driver at Dingsheng, there was no evidence to prove he had stolen from his employer, so he had to be released.

Lin Che’s name was cleared, but rumors about the incident spread like wildfire throughout Dingsheng.

Chen Mo slept until noon the next day, her body aching and feeling like her bones were about to fall apart. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the events of the past few days over and over in her mind.

Three text messages arrived on her phone. One was a report from Zhang Lining. Another was spam. The third was from Lin Che, sent just after midnight the previous night. The message made her laugh and cry at the same time Team Leader Chen, I’m sorry. You’ve been working so hard and looked so exhausted, so I added half a sleeping pill to your soup last night, purely out of concern for your health. No malicious intent whatsoever—I just wanted you to get some rest. I hope I can make it up to you with a big meal sometime. O∩_∩O!

Chen Mo propped her head up and stared at the emoticon at the end of the message, blankly staring at her phone for a long time, unsure how to respond. She finally lay back down and took a deep breath.

It was clear that Lin Che’s sudden concern and unprompted pursuit were causing her even more headaches than the case itself.

At that moment, Lin Che stood before the floor-to-ceiling window on the thirty-sixth floor, gazing blankly at the swirling snowflakes outside. His expression was one of serene detachment, as if nothing had happened.

Yun Xi sat on the sofa, her shoes kicked off and feet propped unceremoniously on the coffee table. She cradled a mug of hot water, the tip of her nose red from the cold. Zhao Xiaomao’s hometown is in a rural area of J Province. He has a younger brother, and their mother died early. Their father fell seriously ill a year ago. His brother is in college, and they’re constantly short on money. We all know money makes the world go round. In my opinion, Zhao Xiaomao is definitely suspicious. He just left the police station and went home. What do you plan to do?

Lin Che lowered his eyelids and exhaled softly, but instead of answering her question, he said, Dingsheng’s stock price has plummeted. He glanced up and pursed his lips. Will my mom beat me up when she finds out?

No, Yun Xi said firmly, then added, She might just kill you.

Lin Che clutched his head and sobbed a few times before collapsing heavily onto the sofa next to Yun Xi. Ugh, I should have just stayed away. Coming back just brought all this trouble.

You still have time to mope around like you’re carrying the weight of the world? Yun Xi shot Lin Che a strange look and slapped him on the shoulder. I’m asking you what you plan to do!

Lin Che waved his hand dismissively, his eyes still closed. I’m going to take a nap first. Recharge my batteries.

Recharge what batteries?! Yun Xi suddenly stood up and yanked Lin Che to his feet. If we wait any longer, Zhao Xiaomao might run!

Lin Che opened his eyes halfway, his face utterly nonchalant. Even if he really needs money, we can’t be sure Zhao Xiaomao was involved.

Nonsense! We can’t trace who planted the receipts, but what about the keys? The car keys were on him. He claims he left them on his office desk, but that’s just his word. From start to finish, it’s all been his story. The police can’t find hard evidence, but the fact remains he’s the prime suspect.

Lin Che nodded, his eyes still glazed over, looking like he could fall asleep at any moment. Mm-hmm. So?

So? Yun Xi’s eyes widened. So we have to investigate him! If the police can’t get anything out of him, we will. We’ll use methods they can’t. I refuse to believe I can’t crack him.

Excellent analysis, Lin Che chuckled. Investigating people and things is your specialty. Go ahead. I’m going to take a nap. With that, he flopped straight back onto the sofa, rolled over, and closed his eyes.

Yun Xi stomped into his shoes, grabbed his bag, and stormed out. As he reached the door, a drowsy voice drifted from the sofa Oh, Sara…

He paused, turning back with a hint of anticipation, but his expression quickly soured as Lin Che’s next words emerged.

Tell the others not to disturb me before 3 PM.

The door slammed shut. Just then, Lin Che’s phone buzzed with a text message. He quickly opened it, chuckled at the advertisement, closed the phone, and rubbed his temples. Silent as a stone dropped into the sea, he muttered. Chen Mo, you truly believe silence is golden. With that, he rolled over again, found a comfortable position, and drifted off to sleep.

Lin Zhili lounged lazily on the leather sofa in her loose-fitting bathrobe, her face radiating an icy, formidable chill as she scrolled through news articles on her laptop.

B City’s Largest Corporation, Dingsheng Group, Suspected of Drug Trafficking. New CEO Lin Che Named as Suspect.

Dingsheng Group’s Stock Prices Plummet. Lin Zhili Suspected of Fleeing the Country.

With a snap, she closed the laptop, a faint, scornful smile curling her lips. She picked up her phone and dialed a number.

Uncle Jian, I’ve seen the news. She rose and strolled to the window, calmly watching the waves crash against the shore. A low chuckle escaped her as she listened to the voice on the other end. I agree with you—the police are incompetent. I don’t trust them. But someone’s trying to sh1t on Dingsheng’s head now, so I’m afraid I’ll need your help with this. She chuckled again, cradling the phone between her shoulder and ear as she picked at a hangnail. Tilting her head, she added casually, I can ignore anything, but if anyone tries to harm my daughter—no matter who they are—I have a thousand ways to kill them.

After hanging up, she picked up the landline on the desk.

Ye Quan, I need you to go to Canada. Book the earliest flight.