The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 88

Chapter 88: How Much is Nine Zeros?

At the Lighthouse Cafe, the lamps hanging from the porch swayed gently, blown by the wind. In the midst of the darkness, there was only this small patch of light.

The sea wind whistled, and the waves crashed against the shore again and again, splashing up white, foamy water.

“Are you sure she’s here to meet someone?” Ming Jin’s car was parked not far away, all interior lights off. In the darkness, there was only the faint glow of her phone screen.

The person on the other end of the phone spoke with certainty: “Yes, she just spoke to a phone number, and has called that number three or four times in the past hour.”

“That phone number was registered with the same ID as the disconnected number you provided us earlier.”

“It was registered three years ago, at the same time as that number.”

At the cafe entrance, the girl sat, the sea wind lifting her hair high. She wore sunglasses and gently sipped her coffee.

This girl was the one who had gone to see Song Xiangwan and had left her a contact number before leaving. She seemed completely unaware that she was being monitored.

Ming Jin had been prepared for a long battle, but she hadn’t expected the girl to head straight here after leaving Clear Water Bay, as if she had an appointment.

Who could it be? Ming Jin’s gaze fixed on the distant silhouette of the lamp.

Then a car drove up from a distance and stopped at the cafe entrance. The person in the driver’s seat got out and closed the door with a thud.

It was a woman, wearing a brown trench coat, tall and slender. She waved at the girl, then sat down next to her.

In Ming Jin’s car, the person in the back seat spoke into the walkie-talkie: “Action. Arrest.”

Red and blue police lights illuminated the dark sea, like an impending storm.

There was no resistance. Both women sat in place, waiting to be handcuffed.

Ming Jin recognized the face of the woman who had just arrived, and her tone was cold: “Director Gao, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“CEO Ming…” Gao Huimei was clearly stunned for a moment, and quickly said, “CEO Ming, what’s going on? Why am I being arrested?”

“We’ll talk at the police station.” Her hands were cuffed.

Based on the identical registration time and ID verification for the two phone numbers, plus Cheng Yu’s testimony, there was enough to reopen the investigation into the car accident that year.

But Gao Huimei was acting very strangely.

She only defended herself repeatedly: “I really didn’t do anything. This phone number wasn’t registered by me either. She did ask to meet me here, yes.”

“But she asked to meet me just for a coffee, like friends do.”

“Really?” The officer opposite her didn’t believe her, and said coldly, “I advise you to confess honestly. Who goes to the seaside for coffee late at night?”

“In the middle of winter, late at night, with the wind howling, no one around, and pitch black? Two girls meeting here?”

“Really.” Gao Huimei looked troubled and quickly said, “It really was just coffee. We like watching the sea at night, is that not allowed?”

“Of course it is, but…” The officer slammed the evidence bag containing the phone in front of her. “A 200,000 transfer, what’s the deal with that?”

“This…” Gao Huimei seemed to have been caught red-handed and hesitated. “I lent her money. It’s okay for good friends to lend each other money, right?”

“I advise you to confess honestly.” The officer’s voice suddenly turned cold, and he slapped the table. “Do you know what crime this is?”

“Hiring a killer.”

“Witnesses and evidence are all here now. We even have the transfer records. Are you still not admitting it?”

This was clearly a bluff, as the current evidence was incomplete. The other girl hadn’t spoken, and Gao Huimei hadn’t spoken either. If she insisted on denial, there was nothing they could do.

“Hiring a killer for what?” Gao Huimei’s face showed a look of panic. “When did I hire a killer?”

“You didn’t?” Sensing a potential breakthrough, the officer pressed quickly. “Then what about the 200,000?”

“I…” Gao Huimei stopped short.

“I did give her this money.”

“I made a mistake at the company a while ago, and CEO Ming took my project. I felt embarrassed.”

“I wanted to reconcile with CEO Ming, but couldn’t find an opportunity.”

“She told me she knew Song Xiangwan, CEO Ming’s lover, and said CEO Ming was always very good to her little lover. She could help me send a gift and put in a good word.”

“For this matter, I gave her 200,000 to buy a gift and send it to Song Xiangwan, that’s all.”

“How would I dare hire a killer?” Gao Huimei was also terrified.

“Then why did you staunchly deny it just now?” The officer also found this frustrating.

“This…” Gao Huimei hesitated. “Isn’t this bribery…”

Ming Jin sat in the chief’s office, slowly drinking tea, and listened to the report from her subordinates: “One is refusing to speak, and the other says the money was for bribery.”

“This…” The chief also looked troubled. “CEO Ming, the evidence is indeed insufficient right now.”

“I’m thinking,” Ming Jin said slowly, “what does she really want?”

It was too smooth. They arrested Gao Huimei right after she left, with no complications at all, as if everything had been prepared and delivered to her.

Moreover, Gao Huimei… really didn’t seem like the mastermind…

Whether she died or got into a conflict with Xu Zhiyan, Ming Corp would be unstable. What benefit could she, an employee, gain from this?

She was indeed a bit showy and overly confident in the company, but there was no reason for her to do something like this.

Gao Huimei was a bait…

Ming Jin suddenly seemed to understand something. She quickly took out her phone and called Song Xiangwan.

Impossible. Song Xiangwan had just learned that Gao Huimei was arrested and had gone home. Why would her phone be unreachable? Even if the battery died, she would have told her in advance.

Ming Jin immediately called Aunt Qiu’s number. Same message, no connection.

She switched to the home chef’s number. Same message, no connection.

“Home.” Ming Jin’s expression instantly changed slightly.

All the phones at home were unreachable. The only possibility was a high-intensity signal jammer. The person’s target was her home.

It might not necessarily be Song Xiangwan, as she didn’t know Song Xiangwan would rush home so eagerly, but now, she might have crossed paths with Song Xiangwan.

Aunt Qiu opened the door and asked with a smile, “Hello, who are you looking for?”

“I’m an employee of Ming Corp. CEO Xu asked me to come home and copy a file from the study. Here is my work ID.” The person handed over the ID.

“I see.” Aunt Qiu examined it carefully. “I need to check with CEO Xu first. Please wait a moment.”

“Huh?” Aunt Qiu was puzzled. She tried calling twice more, but still couldn’t connect.

“Can’t get through?” the woman across from her said. “CEO Xu is still in a meeting, maybe her phone is out of battery. CEO Xu needs this file urgently.”

“How about this? You can look at my chat history with CEO Xu.” She handed over her phone, showing the chat with CEO Xu.

Xu Zhiyan had indeed told her the file was on the study computer and asked her to copy it and bring it back immediately.

“Also, you can take a picture of my work ID for your records. The file is really important, we can’t delay.”

Her attitude was very sincere, and the work ID in her hand certainly didn’t look fake. Aunt Qiu followed her into the study and stood guard nearby.

She plugged a USB drive into the host, turned on the computer, casually entered the password, and the computer opened.

Aunt Qiu waited and watched the progress bar on the computer, moving at a snail’s pace.

The woman looked up and said, “The file might be a bit large and take some time. You don’t need to stand here and watch.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You do your work.” Aunt Qiu had no intention of leaving.

How troublesome. Her eyes darkened. She subtly pressed the object in the hand that she had slipped into her pocket. Aunt Qiu’s phone rang.

Unexpectedly, Aunt Qiu just glanced at it and hung up.

Aunt Qiu nodded slightly and said, “Excuse me for a moment.”

As she walked out, the person sitting quickly got up, pinpointed a location, and started fumbling through the bookshelf.

Song Xiangwan didn’t even have time for dinner. She was starving now, and after kicking off her high heels, she asked, “Aunt Qiu, is there anything to eat? I’m so hungry.”

“Yes, there are vegetables in the kitchen. I can quickly stir-fry two dishes. Just wait ten minutes.” Aunt Qiu took Song Xiangwan’s handbag.

“Forget the stir-fry. Eating too much at night makes me gain weight. Just make me a vegetable salad, without salad dressing.” Song Xiangwan said casually.

“Okay.” Aunt Qiu nodded.

“Oh, right,” Aunt Qiu quickly added, “someone from the company just came. They said CEO Xu asked them to copy a file. They’re in the study.”

“Ah Yan sent someone back to copy a file?” Song Xiangwan frowned and walked quickly towards the study. “I’ll go see.”

She even proactively handed over her work ID: “I’m Xiao Qingqing from the Investment Department. I’ve seen you at the company before.”

“It’s fine, you keep working.” Song Xiangwan casually tossed the ID back.

She turned and walked out, picking up her pace, moving beyond the study area. She took out her phone to call Ming Jin, but couldn’t get through.

Suspicious, it was truly suspicious.

At this hour tonight, coming to copy a file late at night, it was somewhat questionable.

Song Xiangwan carried a cup of tea and walked back, placing it on the desk: “Thank you for your hard work, having to work so late.”

Then, she sat down in the chair opposite.

Xiao Qingqing’s eyelids fluttered gently, and she said softly, “I heard you say you were hungry. You should go eat. I’ll be done soon here.”

“No rush. I’ll wait until you’re done.” Song Xiangwan rested her chin on her hand, watching her.

After all, she hadn’t been trained in acting. When their eyes met, Song Xiangwan still caught a trace of panic in her eyes.

Watching the progress bar on the computer screen about to reach the end, Song Xiangwan gently tapped her cheek with her finger, pondering whether to give her a chance.

Song Xiangwan stood up, her back to Xiao Qingqing, casually flipping through a book on the shelf, seemingly absent-minded and completely unguarded.

The pages of the book flipped by one by one. Finally, her finger paused, and she sharply dodged to the side.

Song Xiangwan’s movements were unusually agile. She almost brushed past Xiao Qingqing’s body and saw a small self-defense stun gun in her hand.

If purchased through normal channels, this thing shouldn’t seriously hurt anyone, just stun them.

But she didn’t know if the one in Xiao Qingqing’s hand had been modified.

“Miss Xiao, what are you doing?” As Song Xiangwan spoke, Xiao Qingqing’s eyes were already venomous, and she chased after her.

Song Xiangwan dodged with a shift of her body, then grabbed the vase from the desk and smashed it toward the other person with a thud. It hit solidly with a clank.

Xiao Qingqing stumbled. Song Xiangwan didn’t miss the opportunity, raising her leg and kicking the stun gun out of her hand.

Then, she kicked Xiao Qingqing in the stomach. Although she hadn’t learned martial arts, her agility far surpassed that of an average person.

“So it was you…” Song Xiangwan’s eyes were dark.

Almost without hesitation, she picked up the next vase and smashed it onto Xiao Qingqing.

The commotion finally alerted the people outside. By the time Aunt Qiu rushed over, Song Xiangwan was already sitting on Xiao Qingqing, completely pinning her down.

She punched Xiao Qingqing in the face: “You did it, didn’t you?”

“The car accident, you did that too.”

Aunt Qiu didn’t dare to intervene, watching Song Xiangwan aggressively beating the person.

The floor was covered with pieces of the shattered vase. Xiao Qingqing reached out and grabbed one, and blood instantly stained the fragment red.

Aunt Qiu quickly came over, helping to pin down Xiao Qingqing’s hand, and repeatedly said, “Miss Song, let’s call the police.”

“Call the police?”

“No rush.”

Song Xiangwan was furious. She raised her leg and kicked hard again.

If she had a knife nearby, she would definitely have lunged at her with it.

When Ming Jin rushed back, her face was grave. Especially when she saw the blood on Song Xiangwan’s clothes, her pupils constricted sharply.

“A-Jin…” Song Xiangwan looked over pitifully.

Her eyes were red, as if she had been crying, and her face was full of lingering fear.

“Come here.” Ming Jin took her hand and gently embraced her, patting her back soothingly. “It’s alright, alright. Don’t be afraid.”

The restrained person was somewhat bruised and swollen. Ming Jin recognized the person’s identity when she saw the work ID Aunt Qiu handed over.

It was the former team leader of the investment group whom she had fired.

“This is…” The chief was slightly stunned.

“She came to my house to steal something and tried to use a stun gun on me. I acted in self-defense and hit her a few times,” Song Xiangwan said righteously.

Aunt Qiu: “…” Was that just “a few times”? If she hadn’t intervened later, the person would have been beaten to death.

“Tonight’s events are probably related to her.” Ming Jin gently squeezed Song Xiangwan’s hand in comfort. “Please, Chief, interrogate her tonight.”

“It’s just that…” The chief began. “Never mind. Miss Song is startled. Once she recovers tomorrow, she can come to the police station to give a statement.”

“Also, I see that CEO Ming’s house has surveillance cameras. These surveillance videos…”

“The cameras are broken,” Ming Jin said, interrupting the chief.

“I will preserve the study as the initial crime scene. I know the rules, Chief, don’t worry.” Ming Jin felt the little cat scratch her palm.

She looked like she was sobbing and terrified, but… that wasn’t the case.

After the people left, she wiped her tears and her expression turned into one of fury: “I’m so angry. I didn’t get to stab her twice. Why isn’t there a knife in the study?”

“I think it’s definitely her. It must be her. She was being sneaky, not like a good person.”

After angrily cursing a few times, she realized that Ming Jin’s gaze was serious.

She sheepishly closed her mouth: “A-Jin…”

“You realized she was wrong, and you still rushed in yourself?”

“Song Xiangwan, do you ever learn your lesson? How many lives do you have to be so reckless?”

“Let go, stop pulling my sleeve. Acting pitiful won’t work.”

Ming Jin’s tone was colder than ever before. Song Xiangwan was so scared she shrunk her neck. It was over, she was truly angry.

Ming Jin felt a headache coming on from the anger. She was just here to steal something. She could have just let her take it. Was anything more important than a person?

Seeing the bloodstains on Song Xiangwan’s clothes, she was nearly scared to death.

She had no sense of proportion. She was simply… spoiled…

Song Xiangwan cautiously tried several times, then finally poked her head into the bedroom and softly called out, “A-Jin…”

The person with their back to her didn’t respond, letting her call out softly several times.

Song Xiangwan tiptoed over and squatted in front of Ming Jin, whispering, “I know I was wrong. I won’t do it next time.”

“Really, I’ve truly learned my lesson this time.”

“I was just too angry.”

“Thinking she was the mastermind, thinking she might be the one who harmed you…”

“I was so furious that I couldn’t help… couldn’t help but rush over and beat her up.”

“Please don’t ignore me…”

“I know you’re also very upset right now…”

As she spoke, she couldn’t continue. She was sobbing, head bowed, tears dripping down, looking pitiful.

“Let me see your hand,” Ming Jin said, her voice slightly hoarse.

Such delicate hands, even just from hitting someone, were red and looked swollen.

Not to mention her body. When they were fighting in a confused tangle just now, had she been punched or kicked?

“Show-off.” Ming Jin couldn’t help but scold, but the pressure of her hands softened. She called Aunt Qiu to fetch an ice pack.

Ming Jin gently pressed the ice pack wrapped in a towel onto the area, but was still worried: “Does it hurt? Tell me if it hurts, don’t just bear it.”

“It doesn’t hurt…” Song Xiangwan blinked. “I’m fine. She’s the one who got the worse beating.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Song Xiangwan quickly admitted her mistake.

“Who taught you to be so aggressive?” Ming Jin’s tone was somewhat helpless.

“No one taught me. I just… just…” Song Xiangwan stammered, afraid to use those righteous excuses anymore.

Gao Huimei was interrogated all night. Finally, she inadvertently let slip an important piece of information: “The person who claimed to know Song Xiangwan…”

“Was introduced to me by Xiao Qingqing.”

“Xiao Qingqing is my cousin. Why would she harm me?”

The ice compress was almost done. Song Xiangwan remembered: “Oh, right, we still don’t know what she came here for.”

“There’s surveillance.” Ming Jin raised her hand to retrieve the tablet and entered the administrator password.

“Didn’t you say it was broken…” Song Xiangwan muttered.

Ming Jin glanced at her as if looking at a silly cat.

She didn’t respond to the question, opened the surveillance footage of the study, and fast-forwarded. They saw the scene where Song Xiangwan was aggressively beating the person.

Good thing… she said the cameras were broken…

Then they continued to rewind to when Xiao Qingqing was alone in the study. They returned to normal speed and watched her stand up and fumble through the bookshelf.

After fumbling for a while, she didn’t find anything. Hearing Song Xiangwan’s footsteps, she quickly went back and sat down.

“It seems she didn’t succeed yet.” Ming Jin and Song Xiangwan exchanged a look. Song Xiangwan nudged Ming Jin into the study.

Tiptoeing past the broken porcelain shards, she looked at the video surveillance, found the spot where Xiao Qingqing had been fumbling, and reached out to feel the shelves one by one.

After feeling around, she finally reached a corner. Her fingers tightened on a spot—it was a space that could be pressed down.

After pressing it, they heard a click, and the bottom shelf flipped out a secret compartment. Inside was a small, narrow brocade box, like a necklace box.

They both opened it and saw a note with two sets of numbers inside. The note looked old, slightly yellowed.

“What is this?” Song Xiangwan was puzzled.

“An anonymous, confidential account at a Swiss bank—the account number and password.” Ming Jin turned the computer around and very familiar input a web address to access an official foreign website.

She typed in the account number and password from the note and pressed enter.

Song Xiangwan’s fingers tapped the zeros on the screen as she counted: “One, two, three, four, five, six… nine zeros…”

“How much is nine zeros?” Song Xiangwan counted on her fingers.

“One billion,” Ming Jin said flatly.

“That’s so much money! Since we have the account number and password, can we transfer the money out? Good thing we didn’t let her succeed,” Song Xiangwan said with lingering fear.

If she had gotten it, and if she had accomplices, the money would have been emptied immediately after the account number and password were sent out.

“Just this much money, and you’re willing to risk your life for it?” Hearing Song Xiangwan’s words, Ming Jin couldn’t help but get angry again. She hadn’t learned her lesson.

“This much?” Song Xiangwan pursed her lips and mumbled softly, “Evil capitalist.”

This much… How long would it take her to earn that much by working her butt off…

Ming Jin’s gaze focused on the string of numbers.

One billion, US dollars.

It was indeed a huge sum of money.

But in her heart, it wasn’t enough for Song Xiangwan to put herself in danger.

“It seems Xiao Qingqing also didn’t know the exact location, which is why she fumbled for so long.”

“But how did she know it was here?”

“She had previously applied to join the company…”

Xiao Qingqing should be the last link in the chain.

She probably didn’t feel comfortable letting someone else retrieve such a large sum of money.

Did she look around the company first, and then come to the house?

She initially wanted to pit Ming Jin and Xu Zhiyan against each other, but seeing that they weren’t fighting, she set her sights on this money instead.

It seems Xiao Qingqing’s identity is about to be revealed.