Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1176: Blame You for Being Too Beautiful

Although Zhao Le didn’t want to talk at home, he didn’t go far either—he chose a spot by the flowerbed at the foot of the apartment building, somewhere he could still look up and see his own balcony.

The police only knew that Wang Liang once got money from Zhang Xiaoqin, but due to a lack of evidence, no case was ever filed.

Now they were finally learning more about Wang Liang through Zhao Le.

Zhao Le looked conflicted. “...Before everything happened, my sister really loved that man. And Wang Liang... he was the kind of guy who really knew how to charm people. At first, I didn’t like him, but over time, he kept helping out and spending time with us. Gradually, I let my guard down. I never imagined this scumbag had other girlfriends on the side—one of them even had his kid, just hadn’t officially registered for marriage yet.”

“He... scammed women out of money?” Lin Feng frowned.

Zhao Le nodded. “Not just my sister. From what I know, those other women spent quite a lot on him over the years... I tried talking sense into her multiple times, but she wouldn’t listen. I couldn’t just watch her all the time either. She had a tough life, so I guess she longed for that kind of love and security.”

He shook his head and sighed. “Eventually, the truth about Wang Liang came out. It wasn’t even my sister who found out first. One of his other women discovered his lies and started digging. One by one, she found all of his other girlfriends, including my sister. That’s when they all realized they’d been played.”

“Then... why did your sister try to...?”

Zhao Le clenched his fists, then slowly loosened them. “She couldn’t get over it. She went to confront Wang Liang a few times, and came back each time crying—he humiliated her. Her savings were gone. Her love was gone. That night, I got home late, and when I reached the building, I saw her collapsed on the ground… she’d jumped. She was saved, but… she’ll probably never walk again. That’s about it.”

Zhao Le looked at Lin Feng. “That’s all I know about Wang Liang. As for his personal details, hometown, job, I’m sure you guys have the means to check, or already have.”Lin Feng glanced at his colleague and frowned. “I have a few more questions.”

“Go ahead,” Zhao Le exhaled.

Lin Feng asked, “Do you know the names or contact details of Wang Liang’s other girlfriends?”

“No idea.” Zhao Le shook his head. “One of them was called Wu Rong, I think. She was the one who found everything out and blew it up.”

Lin Feng noted the name down. Then, casually asked, “So… when exactly did your sister attempt suicide?”

Zhao Le’s pupils contracted slightly.

Lin Feng added gently, “We just want to rule out suspicions... if you don’t mind.”

Zhao Le turned his head. “Last year. November 7th.”

Lin Feng nodded. According to the landlord’s records, Wang Liang went missing sometime after December. He followed up, “Zhao Le, what about you? What were you doing during that time?”

“What are you implying?” Zhao Le snapped, visibly agitated.

“Calm down,” Lin Feng said, taking a deep breath. “We’re not targeting you. We just have to ask.”

Zhao Le breathed deeply and slowly exhaled, trying to control himself. “After what happened to my sister, I was splitting my time between the hospital and school. If you really think I’m suspicious, go ahead and check. I won’t lie, I did think about killing that bastard!”

Lin Feng’s brow furrowed. Then he made a hand gesture to his colleague to stop the recording—they’d been filming ever since arriving at Zhao Le’s place.

Seeing this, Zhao Le opened his mouth slightly, but said nothing.

“Zhao Le, I’ll compile the details you’ve provided and send them to you later,” Lin Feng said seriously. “I want you to understand—testimony is a serious matter. It’s not just emotional venting. I’ll act like I didn’t hear what you just said—but please don’t say things like that again.”

“I’m only cooperating with you,” Zhao Le said, “so you won’t keep bothering my sister. As long as there’s nothing else, I’m going back now.”

He stood up to leave, then suddenly turned around, looked at Lin Feng and the stopped camera, muttered a quick “thank you,” and left.

…

“Sir Lin, do you believe Zhao Le?” his partner asked.

Lin Feng didn’t answer directly. “Zhang Xiaoqin attempted suicide before Wang Liang disappeared. She’s been hospitalized since, and can’t walk. She’s basically ruled out. Let’s split up—you go find this Wu Rong. I’ll head to the hospital.”

His colleague frowned. “You think Zhao Le did it?”

“We can’t let sympathy cloud our judgment,” Lin Feng said. “Empathy doesn’t equal understanding. Zhao Le had a strong motive. Right now, he’s the most likely suspect.”

His partner thought for a while. “If that’s the case, then this kid has terrifying mental strength... Ever since we met him, he’s shown anger and agitation—but no fear or panic.”

“Don’t underestimate kids nowadays.” Lin Feng shook his head. “Sometimes, what they do can make grown-ups shiver. Go ahead—we’re already short-handed since another suspect just died in custody. Time for some good old-fashioned overtime.”

…

…

By evening, in the riverside park, children were playing happily—most around seven or eight years old. A few adults were nearby playing chess.

Near the flowerbed, Chen Mingming was sketching the opposite riverside cityscape in his notebook with a pencil.

“Wow! Big Bro, you’re amazing!”

A little boy had wandered over out of curiosity. The sketch, nearly identical to the real riverside skyline, amazed the child.

Chen Mingming stopped drawing and smiled at the boy.

The child pointed to a figure on a bench in the sketch—a lone silhouette facing away. “Who’s that?”

There was only that one person in the drawing—no other figures.

Chen Mingming didn’t answer. He simply closed the notebook.

He looked at the boy and suddenly said, “Let me show you something.”

The boy's eyes lit up with curiosity.

Chen Mingming reached into his backpack, and slowly pulled something out while watching the boy’s expression—a silver pistol.

Its sleek, polished look reminded the boy of the weapons used by heroes in live-action shows. It looked nothing like the cheap plastic toys he was used to. His eyes widened with excitement.

Chen Mingming beckoned him to turn around.

He gently guided the boy’s hands onto the grip of the silver pistol—then aimed it slowly toward an elderly man walking a dog in the distance.

Chapter 1176: Blame You for Being Too Beautiful (continued)

For the little boy, this was likely an unprecedented thrill... He tilted his head, squinted his right eye, and mimicked aiming.

Chen Mingming leaned in and whispered in the boy’s ear, “Want to pull the trigger?”

The boy nodded excitedly—his heart was even pounding from the adrenaline.

Chen Mingming then let go of the boy’s hands, allowing him to keep holding the gun in that aiming pose.

The boy smiled, his fingers slipped inside the trigger guard, and despite the gun’s realistic metallic look, it wasn’t heavy, so he held it steady.

The elderly man had stopped walking. His pet dog sat quietly by his feet. The man seemed lost in the beauty of the evening cityscape.

The gun muzzle slowly moved—from the man’s body… to his neck… to his head. Then it stopped.

His finger slowly began pulling the trigger. Time felt like it slowed.

Chen Mingming silently watched the boy’s every move.

Then—!

“Son—!!”

A gruff voice suddenly rang out, stopping the boy in his tracks—it was a middle-aged man carrying grocery bags, one of the adults who had been playing chess earlier.

The boy stuck out his tongue sheepishly, turned around, and did the same to Chen Mingming. Reluctantly, he handed the gun back. “Big Bro, are you coming again tomorrow?”

“Don’t know.” Chen Mingming smiled.

The boy didn’t press further—his father called out again and started walking toward them. The boy quickly ran back to him.

When he grabbed his son’s hand, the father shot a wary glance at Chen Mingming, then quickly walked away, scolding, “Kids shouldn’t ask for things from strangers!”

Apparently, the father had seen the gun… but never considered it might be real.

By the riverside, peace quickly returned. The elderly man, done enjoying the sunset, slowly walked away with his dog.

The chess players soon packed up, and the crowd around them dispersed. Fewer and fewer people remained.

Chen Mingming, blending into the dimming light and surroundings, seemed to vanish into it.

He walked to a long wooden bench and sat down—it was the same bench from his sketch, where the silhouette had been seated. He sat quietly, watching the last rays of sunlight vanish behind the horizon, leaving only dark red clouds.

Then he took out the gun’s magazine—empty. No bullets.

About ten minutes later, the streetlights came on. Chen Mingming slung on his backpack and walked away.

…

…

One can’t help but marvel at women’s ability to hold conversations—especially when one of them seems to have an endless supply of topics. Afternoon tea can fly by in a flash.

“Jeez… what’s taking that rascal so long?”

Having finally caught an opportunity, Ren Ziling wasn’t letting it go. After cornering You Ye, she immediately messaged her “precious son.”

“He said he wanted to check some materials at the library—probably got too focused and lost track of time,” You Ye said with a smile.

Ren Ziling rolled her eyes. “Reading isn’t as fun as having a girlfriend… I mean, not that it matters! But seriously, You Ye, that Luo Qiu is so wooden all the time—but you don’t have to worry, that kind of guy is the best! Loyal!”

Miss Maid lightly covered her mouth and chuckled. In that instant, the noisy café seemed to transform into a noble courtyard from centuries past… Ren Ziling stared, a bit mesmerized.

“How about this—you sit here, I’ll go buy something,” Ren Ziling said after a thought. “We’re already out anyway, no need to worry about dinner later. Just stay here, I’ll go see what snacks they’ve got. That rascal Luo Qiu is probably on his way and hungry too!”

Naturally, Miss Maid had no intention of refusing this gesture of care.

Ren Ziling stretched, showing off her elegant figure, and slowly walked inside the shop… Just as Miss Maid smiled and was about to stand—

Her master arrived.

But she didn’t get up, because before she could, Luo Qiu had already gently placed a hand on her shoulder and said softly, “Just sit.”

Then he pulled out a chair and sat down.

You Ye poured tea for him from the floral pot Ren Ziling had ordered. “I ran into Miss Ren while shopping, so I got held up a bit.”

“No problem,” Luo Qiu said with a light smile. “She really likes you. She’s wanted to see you for a while now. But thanks for dealing with her—she can be very chatty.”

You Ye softly replied, “She only talks about you, Master. How could that be annoying?”

Luo Qiu suddenly stood up slightly, leaned in, and kissed her lips—a gentle kiss.

Her eyelashes fluttered faintly. Her sapphire-blue eyes shimmered ever so slightly. She naturally reached up and wrapped her arms around Luo Qiu’s neck.

Their lips parted.

Luo Qiu whispered, “These next few days, I want to handle something myself. Once it’s done, everything will be fine. Don’t overthink.”

“Mm.”

Thump thump—

It was as if the sound of a real heartbeat had come from Miss Maid’s chest.

(End of Chapter)