Chapter 169: Suspicious Zhang Qiang

The night was as black as ink, and the Xingchen Plaza Project Department remained brightly lit.

Murong Wan massaged her sore neck and shoulders, pushed open the office door, and, exhausted, returned home.

In the living room, Jiangnan sat on the sofa, several documents spread on the coffee table before him, his brows slightly furrowed as if pondering something.

"You're back," Jiangnan lifted his gaze, his eyes gentle.

"Hmm," Murong Wan walked to his side and sat down, gently leaning on his shoulder, "I heard about Ye Wan's situation; she... is truly pitiful."

"Indeed, the whole Ye family now has only her left," Jiangnan's voice was low, tinged with a sigh.

Murong Wan was silent for a moment, then asked, "What do you plan to do?"

"I have some ties with the Ye family, I won't stand by idly," Jiangnan said, his gaze steadfast,

"I intend to use this chance to investigate the whole story thoroughly."

"Hmm, I trust you," Murong Wan nodded, then suddenly remembered something,

"By the way, the Xingchen Plaza Project originally included Ye family shares. Perhaps we can monitor the movement of those shares to see if any clues appear."

Jiangnan's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea, Wan'er; you truly are my capable partner."

Murong Wan's pretty face flushed slightly, and she lightly tapped Jiangnan's chest, "Stop teasing."

She yawned, her eyes hazy, "So sleepy."

"It's getting late, perhaps we should…"

Jiangnan curled a mischievous smile at the corner of his mouth, wrapped his arms around Murong Wan's waist and carried her toward the bedroom.

Inside the bedroom, warm light poured down, casting an ambiguous hue over everything. The two embraced tightly, feeling each other's warmth and heartbeat, as if to melt all the longing of the past moments into this hug.

The night was tranquil and beautiful.

In the next room, Ye Wan awoke from her sleep, pricked her ears to listen; the sound… seemed to come from the living room?

Puzzled, she tiptoed to the doorway and peered through the crack. In the living room, dim light fell as Jiangnan and Murong Wan were locked in a close embrace, inseparable.

Ye Wan's cheeks flushed instantly, her heart pounding like a drum. She had never seen such a scene; for a moment she was at a loss, standing dumbfounded, watching the sight that made her blush and heart race.

She bit her lower lip tightly, a swirl of complex feelings rising within her—shyness, embarrassment, and a hint of inexplicable envy.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the sounds in the living room gradually subsided.

Only then did Ye Wan regain her composure, hurried back to the bed, wrapping herself tightly in the blanket as if it could shield her from what she had just witnessed.

She closed her eyes, but the scene kept replaying in her mind, refusing to fade. Ye Wan tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains into the room. Ye Wan, with two dark circles under her eyes, walked out of the bedroom. In the living room, Jiangnan and Murong Wan were already seated at the dining table, having breakfast.

"Ye Wan, you're awake," Murong Wan called with a smile, "Come have breakfast."

Ye Wan nodded, walked to the table and sat down, but dared not look up at them. She kept her head down, silently eating her breakfast, while inside her heart felt like a spilled pot of five flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty—intertwined.

"Ye Wan, didn't you sleep well last night?" Jiangnan asked concernedly.

"Huh? No... not at all," Ye Wan hurriedly shook her head, her eyes darting away.

"Is it because of the Ye family matter?"

"Hmm..." Ye Wan replied softly, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

"Don't be sad; everything will get better."

Murong Wan grasped Ye Wan's hand and whispered comfort.

Ye Wan lifted her head, looking at Murong Wan's gentle smile, feeling a warm current rise within her.

She knew that Murong Wan and Jiangnan truly cared for her, and she could no longer wallow in despair.

"Hmm, I'll pull myself together."

Ye Wan took a deep breath, forcing out a faint smile.

"That's the spirit," Jiangnan showed a slight smile.

"We'll work together, uncover the truth, and avenge the Ye family."

Ye Wan nodded vigorously, a determined glint flashing in her eyes.

After breakfast, Jiangnan and Murong Wan began investigating the truth behind the Ye family's massacre.

They split into two teams: Jiangnan handled probing the factions bearing grudges against the Ye family, while Murong Wan monitored the movement of the Ye family's shares in the Xingchen Plaza Project.

However, their investigation hit a dead end. Though many factions held grudges against the Ye family, none possessed sufficient evidence linking them to the family's annihilation.

Meanwhile, the Ye family's share movements in the Xingchen Plaza Project remained normal, showing no irregularities.

Just as the two were at a loss, an unexpected rumor arrived: a shareholder of the Xingchen Plaza Project suddenly proposed to purchase the Ye family's shares.

"Who is this person?" Jiangnan furrowed his brows and asked.

"His name is Zhang Qiang, a rising real‑estate magnate in Jinghai City."

Murong Wan replied,

"We've never heard of any connection between him and the Ye family before."

"Suddenly offering to buy the Ye family's shares must hide something."

Jiangnan's gaze was sharp,

"Wan'er, arrange a meeting with this Zhang Qiang for me; I want to see him in person."

"Alright," Murong Wan nodded, immediately pulling out her phone to make contact.

Soon, Murong Wan had the meeting arranged.

The next afternoon, Jiangnan and Murong Wan went to an upscale tea house and met the mysterious Zhang Qiang.

Zhang Qiang was in his early forties, towering and rugged, clearly not a man to be trifled with. When he saw Jiangnan and Murong Wan, a glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes.

"You must be Mr. Jiangnan and Miss Murong Wan, I have heard of your reputation,"

Jiangnan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his keen eyes never leaving Zhang Qiang.

Zhang Qiang's gaze flickered, dodging Jiangnan's sharp stare, and he laughed heartily:

"Mr. Jiangnan, Miss Murong Wan, you two are prominent figures of Jinghai City; it is my honor to meet you. I just wonder, what brings you to summon me here?"

"Nothing major, just wanted to have a chat with you."

Jiangnan lifted his teacup and took a light sip,

"I heard that Zhang Zong plans to take over the Ye family's shares?"

"Zhang Zong really has a good eye; this juicy piece of meat isn't something just anyone dares to swallow."

He set down his teacup, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, staring intently at Zhang Qiang.

Zhang Qiang felt a shiver under the stare, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead. He lifted his teacup and, to mask it, took a sip; the tea was scalding, nearly burning his tongue.

"Cough—"

He choked and began coughing, his face flushed bright red.

"Mr. Jiangnan, you're being modest; I'm just a small merchant, I have no special insight."

"Oh? Is that so?" Jiangnan's mouth curved into a playful smile.

"Then does Zhang Zong know who wiped out the Ye family?"

Zhang Qiang's eyes flickered; he dared not look straight at Jiangnan.

"This… how would I know? I only have my eye on that piece of Ye family land, hoping to profit from the opportunity."

"Just for money?" Jiangnan pressed on step by step.

"Zhang Zong isn't afraid of offending the hidden mastermind behind the extermination of the Ye family?"