On the screen, the profile was extensive.
Xia Shouchang, male, born in August 1961, with a graduate degree, a middle-aged expert with outstanding contributions in Ludong Province, enjoying a special governnt subsidy from Hua Country. In December 2011, he took the position of president of Qindao University.
Behind that were many more titles, as well as a very impressive background. According to the introduction above, he had always been the dean of the School of Economics.
Upon seeing this last detail, Zhou Ning breathed a sigh of relief, rembering that Doctor Lu once ntioned sothing about Qindao University’s School of Economics initiating an EMBA program for well-known entrepreneurs.
The so-called teaching had nothing to do with the school; it was all top entrepreneurs from within the country coming to show their faces, spread inspirational ssages, boast, and promote where to place their eggs.
It even attracted many big entrepreneurs from Qindao, after all, sotis what they learned was not the course material, but how to build personal connections, and even to smooth out the entire industry chain.
When Doctor Lu spoke of it, he was quite envious, but he never ntioned it was initiated by Mr. Xia.
Thinking of this, Zhou Ning’s heart relaxed a bit, maybe it was just a routine visit; businessn also needed to save face.
However, Zhou Ning couldn’t figure out why the man with the scarred eye was with him, and at this mont, he didn’t have more information to understand why, he held the phone and saw He Shancun’s number, but didn’t dial.
The young couple was dreaming of their future at that mont; he shouldn’t bother them.
But who could he talk to about this matter at this ti?
His grandfather?
The old man’s heart was already weak, and if he knew that he rembered those fragnts from the past, the old man would feel even more guilty, especially at the thought of his son’s tragic death and the murderer at large, he definitely couldn’t handle it.
His second uncle and the rest of them, there was even less need to say anything, as Xiaoyu’s wedding was imminent, and they were too busy to be disturbed.
After a sigh, Zhou Ning put down his phone.
He had no idea about what had happened back then, he had yet to confirm even the true identity of his father, and as for the household information, Zhou Ning had investigated it—his father worked as a sailor, and his mother was a housewife.
What exactly had happened that year, why those three people chased after his father and even resorted to killing to silence him? This hatred seed to surpass the usual vendettas against undercover agents or drug enforcent officers or any other identity that could have incited such revenge.
Yet even so, he still wanted to know the truth, wondering why his parents weren’t hailed as martyrs.
Why when they were transported back to be buried, only two urns of ashes were returned?
Moreover, he rembered hearing sirens at the ti, but now the man with the scarred eye was alive and right before Zhou Ning; what was all this about?
Zhou Ning stood up and looked back at the windows of the Xia family’s ho, his gaze growing firr.
This matter had to be investigated.
But, in the future, with Momo Xia... In the silent room, there was only a sigh left.
...
The next day.
Upon opening his eyes, Zhou Ning sat straight up, unsure whether it was because of seeing the man with the scarred eye that his dream was linked together again, but there was still a large part of the man that he couldn’t see clearly, just a hazy fog.
Zhou Ning washed his face and then dialed Mr. Zhao’s number.
After all, thinking it over, soone who was on good terms with him, could keep a secret, and had a certain capability, seed to be none other than him. The mories of the courtyard during childhood represented not just youth but were also indicative of differences in identity and background.
"Is there a case? Zhou Xiaozhou, why are you calling so early to find ?"
"I need to consult you on a private matter. Are you free?"
"Where are you?"
"At ho."
"Half an hour, I’ll be there in half an hour."
Zhou Ning stood up—there was no shortage of food at ho during the New Year, especially since he had returned from his hotown the day before, naturally filling the fridge. Zhou Xiaoyu had not co back, and Zhou Ning wouldn’t prepare anything else, so he boiled two plates of dumplings.
As the dumplings were just served, the doorbell rang, followed by the sound of the code being entered to open the door. Mr. Zhao walked in directly, took a look at Zhou Ning, who was busy in the kitchen, sized him up, and not finding anything unusual, changed his shoes and ca back in.
And, he thoughtfully wiped the floor at the doorway, knowing full well from Zhou Ning’s earlier look what was expected—if the floor wasn’t cleaned, he probably wouldn’t have got to eat those dumplings.
The dumplings were served, one plate each, along with two bowls of dumpling soup. After a simple al, Mr. Zhao washed the dishes, then returned to the living room of the flat.
"Tell , what’s bothering you?"
"I’ve been seeing a therapist not just because of negative emotions..."
About the dreams, the man with the scarred eye, and Mr. Xia, he revealed it all.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xinli’s mouth hung open wide, staring blankly at Zhou Ning.
Raising his hand, Mr. Zhao slowly pressed it down.
"Let get this straight, bypassing Xia Momo, you had Mr. Qu intercept the surveillance, and now you can be sure that the man with the scarred eye you encountered yesterday afternoon is the sa person who murdered your parents seventeen years ago. But even now, your parents’ death is still classified, isn’t that the case?"
Zhou Ning nodded.
"So tell , what are you hoping I can do for you, investigate your parents’ past? I think that might be a bit difficult since not even the agency knows about it, and you don’t even know who notified your grandfather."
Zhou Ning sighed.
He hadn’t held out much hope for that, rembering that his grandfather had said the man hadn’t revealed his identity, just left two urns at their ho, with no details known.
"At first, I wanted to start by looking into this man with the scarred eye, but all I have is a screenshot, no other information. I also don’t want to alarm Xia Momo, so I’m considering two other angles.
First, this Ren Guangzhi, I found out the car is registered in his na, he is the vice president of Ludong Guanghai Pharmaceutical Group. The scar-eyed man ca with him and went up the building together, obviously, they’re closely related, perhaps he might have so clues.
Second, I want to investigate Xia Shouchang. I only knew he was a professor at Qindao University without any further introduction. Doctor Lu only ntioned that he was from the Faculty of Economics. How did he suddenly beco the president of Qindao University? And why is he so close to Ren Guangzhi?"
Mr. Zhao paused, staring into Zhou Ning’s eyes. He could understand Zhou Ning’s feelings – no mories before the age of ten, then one day he started to recover fragnts of his mory, only to discover they were scenes of his parents’ grueso deaths. He too would want to get to the bottom of it.
However, the fact that the Xia Family was involved suggested that the relationship between them and Xia Momo wasn’t as straightforward as it seed, making things even more difficult.
He pulled out his phone, patted Zhou Ning on the shoulder, and dialed a number.
"Third Bro, it’s Da Li here!"
"Da Li? What’s gotten into you to give a call? Just to let you know upfront, I won’t lend you money!"
"What are you thinking? I’m talking business. I need a favor from you, but it has to be kept secret. Help look up two people..."
After Mr. Zhao instructed with a thousand warnings, he finally hung up the phone.
At this mont, Zhou Ning lit another cigarette and stood by the window, looking down at the campus below.
Mr. Zhao had never seen Zhou Ning like this before; he moved closer and patted Zhou Ning on the shoulder.
"Buddy, I can understand how you’re feeling. I’d be even more lost and clueless than you. After so many years, many things can’t be investigated, especially considering your father’s status, their records are probably classified."
"Yes, I know. Towards the end of my hospital stay, no one ca to ask what had happened that night, possibly due to my severe injuries. But my grandfather said that after that visit to deliver the ashes, there was no further contact."
Zhao Xinli looked puzzled. According to Zhou Ning, with his parents being murdered like that, even if they weren’t publicly given the title of martyrs, the governnt would provide so sort of compensation and arrange for the orphaned child’s future. The complete disappearance was indeed strange.
"No compensation given?"
Zhou Ning shook his head.
"They gave a card with my grandfather’s na on the account, containing a little over thirty thousand yuan, said it was my parents’ salary. They said a lot of general things, but nothing substantive. What I don’t understand is, if my father’s identity is special, I get that, but what about my mother? Wasn’t she a doctor? Does she have a special status like my father?"
The room fell silent, and Zhao Xinli didn’t know what comforting words to say.
That’s when a thought crossed his mind – could Zhou Ning’s parents have done sothing that betrayed their status? But he imdiately dismissed the idea; certainly not. If that had been the case, they wouldn’t have gone to ’explain’ things in person; instead, they would have disclosed their identities, possibly even using the situation as a cautionary tale.
Thinking this through confused Zhao Xinli as well.
Just then, Zhao Xinli’s phone rang. It was that Third Bro. He hurriedly answered, of course not on speaker, since he didn’t know what information might be revealed.
"Third Bro, what’s up?"
"I found sothing unexpected. It’s said that after the New Year, the municipal governnt will announce decisions on official appointnts and removals. Peng Pei, who was responsible for culture, education, and health due to corruption, is to be dismissed and placed under investigation. Xia Shouchang is set to take over her position."
Zhao Xinli was montarily shocked and couldn’t react, so he quickly switched to speakerphone.
"Say that again, I didn’t catch it!"
Third Bro repeated it and couldn’t help but comnt:
"At such a young age, how are you going deaf? But why are you asking about this?"
"Never mind that; I’m asking for a friend, investigating soone’s background for marriage, you get it?"
"Oh, got it. As for the other person, I’ve sent soone to look into it but think about it, I need so direction from you, what exactly should they check? Finances? Personal life?"
"To be honest with you, I want to know if he has issues in both his financial and personal life, and I also want information about his close aides, maybe even more so about the aides. I’ll send you a picture, but this investigation has to be confidential."
"Stop nagging; send the picture. But be careful, Ludong Guanghai Pharmaceutical Group is complex, and don’t let this out – I’ve heard they have intricate links with Beishan Group."
Zhao Xinli’s eyes widened.
"Beishan Group? Weren’t the issues with Beishan Group already dealt with? The relevant people were arrested or convicted, wasn’t the whole tree uprooted?"
"What wishful thinking. A grand family from before the founding of the country, a business group that could stretch across several cities in eastern Ludong and whose branch offices could make it into the top ten in Hua Country. Do you think it would just collapse like that? The waters run deep. Those who don’t deal with it firsthand would think they got involved in corruption and collusion between officials and businessn.
But even if the group is dissolved, it’s just breaking up these interests. The real capital hasn’t been shaken. One big tree becos a forest, and it’s even more covert, hidden in the dark. Alright, I won’t waste more words, wait for my news."
After hanging up the phone, Mr. Zhao looked at Zhou Ning with concern. The deeper the investigation went, the more puzzled Mr. Zhao beca. Could Zhou Ning’s parents have uncovered sothing back then?
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