---
The black luxury car sliced silently through the cooling city streets.
Moonlight shimmered faintly on the polished paint as it glided toward the Xingrui Imperial Hotel.
The night air was cool, but inside the car, the atmosphere was thick with tension.
Chen Linfei sat rigidly behind the wheel, his sharp eyes fixed on the road ahead.
His jaw was clenched, brows furrowed in displeasure.
He still hadn't gotten over Mo Yuwei dragging herself into the murky, dangerous aftermath of Yan Qingsi's death.
Yet, he was bound to support his wife—no matter how conflicted he felt—no matter how much he wished otherwise.
—
Mo Yuwei didn't seem to feel the tension as she continued talking.
"You know... Lin Yue's plan… The voice actors pretending to be Gu Yanchuan and Yan Qingsi arguing the night she died — it could actually work..."
Chen Linfei's lips pressed into a thin line. "I still don't see why you care so much about a stranger."
Mo Yuwei pouted playfully, turning her eyes toward him.
"Then that's why are you glaring at me like I'm committing a crime? Didn't you already agree to let me do this?"
Chen Linfei said nothing, eyes still locked ahead.
She pouted. "You agreed. So, why the glare?"
"I'm your husband. I support you. But this… this obsession with Yan Qingsi — I don't get it. She's a stranger."
Mo Yuwei pouted, crossing her arms. "That's because sometimes, you help even when you don't know the person. It's about justice... and truth. Don't you want to know what really happened?"
His eyes flickered, but he said nothing.
She sighed, about to press further, when her phone buzzed. Reaching into her bag, she pulled it out and saw the caller ID: Mr. Ou.
"Finally," she murmured.
Her heart jumped.
The detective hadn't called in days — making her wonder maybe he'd hit a dead end, or maybe he hadn't found anything.
—
Quickly, she answered.
"Mrs. Chen," Mr. Ou's voice was urgent, mixed with dread and excitement. "I've found something… something very shocking."
Mo Yuwei's pulse quickened.
"What is it? Tell me, please."
"There are things I cannot explain over the phone. Can we meet? I want you to see the evidence yourself."
Her eyes flicked to Chen Linfei, who had turned slightly to listen now, his frown deep.
She slipped the phone to speaker so he could listen too.
Mo Yuwei nodded even though he couldn't see her. "Yes. I'll come."
"Are you sure? Once you see this, there's no turning back. Don't run."
A shiver ran down her spine. "I won't."
Chen Linfei's frown deepened.
—
A new message popped up almost immediately. It was the address of a private room at a well-known hotel — The Starlit Pearl. It was not far from where they were.
Without hesitation, he turned the car around and headed toward the new location.
Suddenly, she remembered something.
"Can we invite Yueyue?" she asked, glancing at Linfei.
Lin Yue.
Chen Linfei glanced sideways, then nodded, knowing Mo Yuwei wanted Lin Yue to be there.
Mo Yuwei quickly dialed Lin Yue's number.
---
Lin Yue was at home, the soft glow of her bedroom lamp casting gentle shadows as she prepared to sleep.
Fresh from a shower, there was nothing she wanted more than a good sleep.
She was already pulling on a loose hoodie when her phone rang.
The caller ID showed Mo Yuwei's name.
Surprised, she answered playfully. "Yuwei, what's up?"
Mo Yuwei's voice cut through the jest with unexpected seriousness.
"Get ready. I'm coming to pick you up. We have to go somewhere. I'll explain later."
"What's going on? Why? You... " she asked.
However, Mo Yuwei cut her off gently. "I'll tell you soon enough."
Lin Yue's curiosity piqued, but before she could ask more, Mo Yuwei ended the call.
—
Hastily, Lin Yue pulled on a comfortable dress and a hoodie, slipping into sneakers.
She tied her hair back, grabbed her phone and hoodie, just as a second call came.
"I'm downstairs," Mo Yuwei's voice came through.
She grabbed her phone and hoodie, closing the door quickly behind her, almost running to the gate.
—
The car waiting was a sleek, black Pagani Huayra, its glossy curves shimmering in the streetlights.
Chen Linfei rolled down the driver's window and waved.
Lin Yue smiled, quickly closing the gate and walking toward the car. She greeted him politely, "Mr. Chen."
Chen Linfei smiled faintly. "Please, call me Linfei. Or Chen Linfei. You're close to Yuwei now, but still so formal."
Lin Yue laughed nervously. "Okay."
Mo Yuwei smirked at Lin Yue's awkwardness. "What's wrong with you two? So formal but so close."
Lin Yue blushed.
—
As the car sliced through the streets, Lin Yue remembered she didn't even know where they were going.
She quickly asked,"What happened? Where are we going?"
Mo Yuwei explained the call. "Mr. Ou just found something... something horrifying."
Lin Yue frowned, leaning forward. "What kind of something?"
Mo Yuwei shook her head. "He wouldn't say on the phone. Wanted us to see it ourselves."
Lin Yue nodded frowning as she adjusted her hoodie. "Thank you. I've been interested in this case since the start. I want to know everything."
---
About twenty minutes later, the car pulled up to the entrance of a private, exclusive hotel—The Starlit Pearl.
Its facade gleamed with opulent gold and marble, lit with soft purple ambient lighting that made the whole building seem otherworldly.
The valet took the keys as a waiter waited at the door.
His eyes widened when he recognized Mr. Chen and his wife. But who was the young girl with them?
A relative? A friend?
He quickly bowed in greeting.
Mo Yuwei, her heart pounding, urged him, "Please lead the way."
He nodded and guided them to the elevator, pressing the button for the fifth floor.
The elevator chimed and stopped.
He led them silently down the corridor to a private room.
He knocked gently.
The door opened, and Mr. Ou appeared.
He greeted them with a serious expression.
When he noticed Lin Yue, his brow furrowed as he exchanged a glance with Mo Yuwei and Chen Linfei, "This is..."
Mo Yuwei smiled gently. "This is my friend, Lin Yue. It's okay."
Mr. Ou nodded and stepped aside.
"Please come in."
—
Inside, the air was thick with anticipation.
Mr. Ou gestured toward the seats. "Please, sit."
He glanced at Mo Yuwei. "What would you like to drink?"
Mo Yuwei cut him off sharply. "No time for that. What have you found? Stop keeping us in suspense."
Mr. Ou chuckled, shaking his head. "You're anxious, Mrs. Chen. I like that. Shows you care."
He opened a heavy leather briefcase, pulling out a slim MacBook and several thick folders filled with documents and photographs.
"What I have... it's the most shocking discovery of the century," he said gravely. "Are you sure you want to see it?"
He pulled out a briefcase, unlocking it carefully.
He then fished out a MacBook and at least fifteen thick folders filled with files.
"The investigation," he said gravely, "has led to discoveries I never imagined. What I have here… it's the most shocking revelation of the century. That's why I didn't call sooner."
Mo Yuwei's pulse quickened.
"Do you really want to see?"
Without hesitation, she nodded.
He handed them the files and opened the MacBook.
Lin Yue's fingers trembled as she picked up one folder.
Chen Linfei's eyes narrowed, focusing on the screen.
Mo Yuwei took another file, heart pounding.
—
Suddenly, Lin Yue's face paled. Chen Linfei's jaw clenched, twisting with tension. Mo Yuwei's breaths came faster, her chest tightening.
They stared in disbelief, trying to reconcile what they saw with reality.
"How..." Lin Yue whispered, her voice barely audible.
Chen Linfei muttered, "Are these... people even human?"
Mo Yuwei's mind reeled. "Who could be this cruel? This... monstrous?"
---