Deliberately Approaching
Chapter 147: Too Late!

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Too Late!

"Um, the design is indeed identical, even the proportions are the same, but Mr. Leng later agreed to make a slight modification for you."

"The peony mark is different?"

Tang Xiaowan’s words left Ye Wanhua somewhat surprised; she hadn’t expected her to be so precise.

This was a small detail only known to insiders; ordinary customers wouldn’t pay attention to it—they only cared about style and price.

But then again, given that her Wanhua customization was favored by famous ladies across the country, the fact that the young girl had received such a precious gift was enough to suggest her exceptional identity and no ordinary relationship with Leng Lingxiao.

If the two were lovers, not clients, it would be reasonable for the man to mention the difference in the marks.

After all, girls do like romance!

"Yes, an extra shift was added at the headquarters in Country Y, resulting in a new mark. The peony doesn’t have a flower bud; it is ’in bud.’"

Ye Wanhua thought that by telling the truth, the young girl would surely be pleased.

Unexpectedly, she looked distressed.

"But... why would they be the same?"

"The design drawings?"

"Um, how could they be identical? That was clearly... sigh, it’s so frustrating."

Mid-sentence, Tang Xiaowan suddenly stopped.

"I’m not sure about that. We just make to order according to customer requests... perhaps the designer sold the same design twice. These things do happen; many designers have done it. No one would turn down money. I hope you can understand us. After all, we are also..."

"Thank you for telling me this. Don’t worry, I’m not upset, really, I’m just a bit... surprised."

"Oh, as long as it’s nothing. By the way, what’s your name? Would you mind telling Auntie?"

"Tang Xiaowan, ’Wan’ as in Wan Qingsi."

Ye Wanhua’s eyebrows knitted slightly, her delicate hand clenched tight. "The surname Tang? Oh, a lovely name, very pleasant to the ear!"

"Thank you, Auntie, it’s a name my grandmother gave me."

At that moment, Tang Xiaowan’s bracelet had just been cleaned and maintained. Ye Wanhua helped her put it back on, specifically instructing her to remove it before bathing to prevent the ruby from getting damaged.

Tang Xiaowan nodded in agreement; although she wore a smile on her face, her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

The night raid was becoming more and more complicated.

Maybe she should go back tonight to search again, in case they had been too careless.

Ah, forget it, wait until the weekend.

As she was leaving, Tang Xiaowan asked Ye Wanhua for her name. Learning that she was the head of Wanhua left her extremely surprised, adding a newfound respect to her admiration. She even said she wanted to learn from her.

Half an hour later, Wang Junchen came to pick up Ye Wanhua and mentioned the coincidence of just meeting Tang Xiaowan, even joking that Jin City was too small.

But Tang Xiaowan had been busy on her phone the whole time and hadn’t noticed him.

Ye Wanhua simply smiled after hearing this.

"Um, indeed quite a coincidence. I also met that girl... She was actually wearing our Wanhua jewelry, and it’s the high-end customized kind."

"That’s not at all surprising. Your customers are everywhere, and your renown is remarkably high."

"You certainly are like the old Wang selling melons!"

With that remark, Ye Wanhua picked up her bag and left the counter. Wang Junchen followed closely, smilingly, while also discussing plans to expand the business.

As they strolled slowly, discussing as they went, they appeared to be a very loving couple from a distance.

...

East Suburb, Li Garden.

By the time Li Zihan returned from the hospital, it was already past eleven at night, but with Chen Xin’s help, matters concerning Lin Ping had gone smoothly.

A large dose of sleeping pills, water asphyxiation.

The inspection report was very convincing, as not only was a bottle of sleeping pills found in Lin Ping’s bag, but also two psychology guidance books, and even a folding knife.

But Li Zihan did not believe this explanation; his gloomy face was filled with doubt.

He didn’t head straight for the elevator as usual, but instead, imitating Tang Xiaowan’s past demeanor, he leisurely ascended the staircase.

Step by step he climbed, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts, in utter chaos.

Before he realized it, he had reached the study.

Li Zihan didn’t go in directly but paced in front of the door for a while before finally pushing it open without knocking.

Coincidentally, Bai Long was also there.

Upon seeing Li Zihan, the original report came to an abrupt halt.

Li Zishen first glanced at Li Zihan, then turned to Bai Long, "You can leave now—we’ll talk about this matter tomorrow."

"Yes, Brother Shen."

Bai Long nodded politely as he passed Li Zihan, greeted him with "Good to see you, Young Master Zihan," and then quickly left.

Li Zihan completely ignored him and didn’t respond.

At this moment, his feelings towards Bai Long were nothing but hostility, and he wished he could punch him to the ground.

The door closed, and the study was plunged into an eerie silence. After exchanging looks, Li Zishen sat up straight, while Li Zihan stood anxiously.

"Regarding Lin Ping’s situation, ultimately..."

"It wasn’t me."

Li Zihan shook his head, "In Jin City, without your orders, who would dare to touch Lin Ping? Everyone knows she is the adopted daughter brought up by our mother—even if you don’t respect the person, you should at least respect their ties."

"It’s true. When Bai Long arrived... the ambulance had already reached there."

"Oh, so he was late! This means you did plan to take action, but someone else beat you to it, right?"

Li Zishen’s gaze was piercing, and he didn’t answer, which in Li Zihan’s view, was tantamount to an admission.

"Lin Ping did some things that were out of line, like swapping Xiao Wan’s medication. It would have sufficed to drive her out of Jin City, but did she deserve to pay with her life?"

"It’s too late now, go back and rest. You have school tomorrow."

"Brother, was it really not you?"

"It wasn’t."

Li Zishen’s gaze was so steadfast, and his voice so deep, that it was hard not to believe him.

Yet under the current circumstances, Li Zihan genuinely couldn’t think of anyone else who would harm Lin Ping.

And suicide was even less likely!

Just yesterday, Li Zihan had learned from Nanny Wu why Lin Ping went to the factory.

She was willing to let go of her dignity and take on a temporary job folding boxes, despite having a Ph.D. in medicine, all because she was waiting for an opportunity, waiting for Li Zishen to forgive her.

How could someone so proud choose to drown herself to end her own life?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Li Zihan reminded himself over and over.

"Really, it wasn’t you?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Li Zihan nodded, forcing a slight smile, "Good, as long as it wasn’t you."

"As for Lin Ping’s matter, for the time being..."

"Don’t worry, I won’t tell Xiao Wan. As long as your people don’t talk, Xiao Wan will never find out. I promise."

Li Zihan left after saying this.

In the study, only Li Zishen remained, immersed in silence, with only the ticking of clocks audible.

His eyes cast down, he clenched his teeth, and after pausing for a few seconds, he suddenly picked up the laptop and violently threw it out.

There was a loud crash.

In fact, Li Zihan hadn’t gone far and heard the noise, his eyes immediately reddening.