Chapter 1262: I Want to Make You Stay (140)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Since there’s already an outcome for your case and those who ought to get punished have already received their due punishment, shall we… talk about the other matters related to you?” said An Xiaoning.
Unsure of what she meant, Zong Jingyi asked in puzzlement, “What do you mean… other matters?”
“You were the one who had killed the archeologist and the farmer by the lake, weren’t you?”
An Xiaoning was asking a rhetorical question.
Zong Jingyi squinted as his mind was sent into a state of frenzy. “Didn’t the owner of the tomb commit those murders?”
“Did the owner of the tomb really do that? If she genuinely wanted to kill, why didn’t she kill us when we were inside? Did she want to watch us starve to death? I’ve long figured out everything that happened in the tomb. To be honest with you, I may have helped you, but this is a separate issue altogether. Since others have paid a huge price for the mistakes that they had made, shouldn’t you be punis.h.i.+ng yourself for the actions that you had made too?” said An Xiaoning, staring at him with a mirthless smile.
Not believing that she would actually be aware, he said in denial, “I… didn’t… do it. You can’t suspect me.”
“Can I take these as your last words?” An Xiaoning leaned against the couch and stared at him solemnly. “Don’t lie to me, I’ve already made a trip to the netherworld to question the deceased. According to his description, I know clearly that you were the one who killed him. Don’t deny it.”
“A trip to the netherworld… how can that be…” he spluttered, losing his composure.
“To be frank, I used to find out the truth by communicating with the dead back when I a.s.sisted in cracking cases and led the investigation team in the police station. Hence, I’m very clear and certain about the murders that you had committed. On top of that, I’m also very sure of what powers you have. You definitely aren’t an ordinary human. Seems like the soil by the lake is really potent and effective, huh?”
Zong Jingyi was at a momentary loss for words. He said, “In that case, I won’t argue with you any further. What do you plan to do with me?”
In other words, he had admitted it.
“I decided to help you clear your name because I sympathized with you. I took pity on you for almost losing your life more than a decade ago because you were helpless and maligned. However, don’t those innocent lives whom you had killed deserve pity as well? The archeologist’s child lost his father at such a tender age. So, I just need to know that you’re clear about what you should do,” said An Xiaoning, who was certain that he understood what she meant.
“Could you let me stay with my family until tomorrow morning?”
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An Xiaoning agreed, “Sure. You still look as suave as ever in your military uniform. No matter where you end up in the future, don’t forget your morals and principles. Bear in mind that you were once a soldier.”
Feeling a little touched, he said, “The owner of the tomb is still alive, isn’t she? I’m sure you found out long ago that I was the one who killed those people. That’s why you definitely wouldn’t have killed her.”
“You’re right. I’ve set her free. However, I’ve already destroyed that tomb. If you didn’t kill those people back then, you’d probably have gotten to enjoy your freedom too.”
“I only did that to catch your attention, so as to get you to help me sooner.” He took a deep breath and continued, “My family aren’t aware of this.”
“Don’t worry, you’re a separate individual. Your family is not going to be affected.”
“Okay. I’ll come clean with them tomorrow.”
“You may leave. Go back and spend some time with your family. They must be longing to meet you again,” said An Xiaoning.
Zong Jingyi left after hearing her words.
It was the last time An Xiaoning ever saw Zong Jingyi.
He had poisoned himself to death after spending the day with his family.
During the cremation of his corpse, An Xiaoning specifically instructed her bodyguards to supervise the crematory process at the crematorium, for fear that what happened sixteen years ago would happen again.
Liu Dasheng called her personally to inform her that Zong Jingyi had told his family about the truth. Although his family members were all grief-stricken, they felt much more heartened than they did sixteen years ago.
An Xiaoning felt that the help that she had rendered Zong Jingyi did not go in vain, for at the very least, he admitted his mistakes in the end. All she needed was for him to be willing to pay the consequences of his actions.
It was only right to own up to one’s mistakes and atone for them.
Feeling rather at ease, she stayed at home for the rest of the morning to catch up on some reading and to water the plants.
The sun was s.h.i.+ning brightly, and she basked sluggishly in its golden rays while lying on the couch in the yard.
She did not wish to open her eyes at all.
Upon hearing footsteps approaching, An Xiaoning opened her eyes slightly to take a peek, only to discover that it was Long Tianze.
“h.e.l.lo, Mr. Long.”
“Sis-in-law… I need to ask something of you, but I wonder if you’ll agree to help me,” said Long Tianze.
An Xiaoning placed her hand on her forehead to s.h.i.+eld her eyes from the glaring sun. “How can I help you?”
“Yangyang said that she’d like to personally coach and nurture a young and hunky intern. She plans to visit schools to carry out a selection. Can you persuade her to give up?”
Gazing at him inquisitively, An Xiaoning said, “Fang Erlan is the only artiste who’s signed to our studio right now. Thus, it’s necessary for us to develop new talents. Why should I persuade her to give up? Surely you can’t be feeling threatened by the charms of a young hunk? Are you afraid that your wife might be s.n.a.t.c.hed away?”
Long Tianze refused to admit it and said, “Do I seem like such a petty person? That’s definitely not the case.”
“Could you tell me the reason, then? I’ll consider helping you if your reason is valid.”
Long Tianze answered, “Actually, there isn’t much of a reason. I just hope that she’ll focus on nurturing female artistes instead.”
“Or are you afraid that you’ll pale in comparison to young hunks and that Yangyang might end up getting sick of you?”
Pinching his face, Long Tianze protested, “I’m only 32 years old, not 62. How could you mock me like that?”
“You can’t say that. Aren’t you old compared to those teenagers? Qingyan is a year older than you are, and yet he looks seven years younger than you…”
Feeling as if a million arrows had darted through his heart, Long Tianze retorted in disgruntlement, “Sis-in-law, I’m so handsome and das.h.i.+ng. Why do you make me out to be a fool?”
“Well… your flaws are bound to be amplified when you’re compared to others.”
“Sis-in-law, are you going to help me or not?”
“No.”
“…”
Long Tianze turned pale immediately and stormed off in a huff. As soon as he exited, he caught sight of Jin Qingyan’s car being driven in slowly. Long Tianze quickly stepped forward to stop it from proceeding.
“Get down.”
Jin Qingyan rolled down the windows and asked, “Why? What’s wrong?”
“I have something major to discuss with you. Hurry and get out of the car.”
Jin Qingyan alighted and placed both hands into the pockets of his trousers. “Just what’s the matter?”
“Come to my place.”
At the sight of Long Tianze turning around to enter his own home, Jin Qingyan followed suit, thinking that something must have happened.
Yet, Long Tianze actually brought up such a trivial matter after they took a seat on the couch in the living room.
“Is that all you wanted to tell me about?”