Three days later, Xuan Yang arrived in Hong Kong. During that time, Zhou Dang had called to inform her that Zhou Lihai had been transferred to an ordinary ward and was out of danger. When Zhou Dang asked where she would go after finishing work, Xuan Yang told him her itinerary. Zhou Dang's reaction was indeed strong: 'Wife, you can't put yourself in danger.' Xuan Yang was determined: 'We are one, Zhou Dang. I cannot stand aside. Let me help you. Let's face this together, okay?' Zhou Dang was silent, wishing he could fly to Hong Kong immediately. But he couldn't. Xuan Yang could hear his breathing grow ragged; even through the phone, she could sense his anxiety. 'Don't worry. I studied self-defense for two years abroad. Nothing will happen. If you're really uneasy, you can arrange two bodyguards for me.' After calming his emotions, she reaffirmed her stance: 'I'm already in Hong Kong. If you insist on opposing me, I won't hesitate to go my own way.' Zhou Dang was speechless. He didn't want to be at odds with Xuan Yang. He was just a little worried—no, very worried. After a long silence, Zhou Dang compromised: 'Where are you now? I'll send someone to pick you up.' 'Who are you sending? Where are you taking me?' Xuan Yang asked. Zhou Dang sighed. 'To the Yu family. Since you want to investigate what happened back then, you'll need help.' Xuan Yang breathed a sigh of relief; Zhou Dang had agreed. With that said, Xuan Yang gave him the hotel where she was staying. She also asked about the situation in Jingbei. Zhou Dang pondered for a moment, knowing Xuan Yang was determined to be involved, so he stopped hiding things. 'Dad is out of danger and has been moved to a regular ward. Polina is taking care of him.' Zhou Dang had visited the hospital. 'What did Dad say about meeting Xuan Yao alone?' Xuan Yang asked. Zhou Dang replied, 'The old man said Xuan Yao called him, claiming she had something very important to tell him in person. She was very secretive and insisted on meeting him alone.' So they agreed to meet in the car. At the time, Zhou Lihai had the driver pull over on a street near the Xuan Group building to pick up Xuan Yao. Xuan Yao asked him to drive to a quiet, unfamiliar place, as if she didn't want to linger near the Xuan Group. 'Why did your father agree to meet her?' Xuan Yang didn't understand. After all, Xuan Yao was just a younger generation and Zhou Lin's wife. Zhou Lihai was the chairman of Zhou Group; there was no reason for him to agree to a private meeting just because of a few words from a young woman. Zhou Dang hadn't expected Xuan Yang to be so perceptive and felt much more at ease with her investigating this matter. Indeed, his wife was a top lawyer. When it came to solving cases, she might even be better than him. He had just been too worried about her getting involved and hurt, subconsciously trying to push her away without considering her feelings. Pulling his thoughts together, Zhou Dang explained: 'Xuan Yao said on the phone that someone wanted to kill me.' As Zhou Dang's father, Zhou Lihai couldn't ignore such news, especially since it came from Xuan Yao. So after much deliberation, he agreed to meet her. After she got in the car, he drove away from the Xuan Group area. They planned to find a secluded place to talk. But shortly after turning at an intersection, a van crashed into them. The vehicle came from the passenger side, so Xuan Yao bore the brunt of the impact and died instantly. Zhou Lihai, in the driver's seat, narrowly escaped with his life. A passerby called 120, and the hospital contacted the Zhou family. Police investigation concluded that the accident was caused by the driver's fatigue. Just like the accident in Hong Kong years ago. Most importantly, Xuan Yao never got the chance to tell Zhou Lihai the whole story. So far, Zhou Dang had gotten no useful clues from his father. 'If what Xuan Yao said is true—that someone wants to harm you—then this accident might have been a setup to silence her,' Xuan Yang said somberly, a trace of worry in her voice. If Xuan Yao was indeed silenced, it meant what she told Zhou Lihai was true: someone wanted to kill Zhou Dang. 'Don't worry, I've already had people investigate Xuan Yao's movements,' Zhou Dang reassured her. 'And I have a suspect in mind. I'll be on guard.' When he mentioned 'suspect,' Xuan Yang also had someone in mind. Xuan Yao's social circle wasn't complicated, and there weren't many people with conflicts of interest with Zhou Dang. Xuan Yang narrowed it down to the Zhou family. She boldly considered whether it might be Zhou Lin. But then she thought: Zhou Lin had always been protective of both Zhou Dang and Xuan Yao. She felt she shouldn't suspect him. Zhou Dang told her not to worry too much and reminded her to stay safe. 'You should know about the Yu family. Yu Xinran, my sister-in-law's younger sister, is now in charge of the Yu Group. You can ask her for anything you need.' Then he added, 'The Yu family also has an adopted son. Although Yu Xinran trusts him greatly, I personally don't have a good feeling about him.' Xuan Yang understood and promised to be cautious. An hour later, someone indeed came to pick her up at the hotel. It was Yu Xinran, the second miss of the Yu family, whom Zhou Dang had mentioned. Xuan Yang had seen photos of Yu Xinran before. They were of similar age but completely different types. Yu Xinran had short, neat hair, wore a shirt and trousers, and gold-rimmed glasses—a cool, androgynous style. Meeting her in person, Xuan Yang redefined the word 'handsome' and deeply felt that handsome was a feeling, regardless of gender. 'Attorney Xuan, hello.' Yu Xinran approached and introduced herself: 'Yu Xinran, CEO of Yu Group.' Xuan Yang was briefly surprised, having expected to be addressed as 'Mrs. Zhou.' She couldn't deny she liked this form of address. 'President Yu, hello.' They shook hands. Yu Xinran's assistant took Xuan Yang's luggage and walked out of the hotel first, leaving the two of them to walk side by side. Yu Xinran said, 'Zhou Dang told me you would be staying in Hong Kong for a while. I figured you'd be uncomfortable at the Yu residence, so I arranged a quiet and private place for you to stay. It'll be convenient for your work.' Xuan Yang thanked her, grateful for Yu Xinran's thoughtfulness. She had come to Hong Kong to investigate the car accident involving Zhou Zechuan and Yu Xinwei. If she stayed at the Yu residence, the presence of elders might make things inconvenient. As they talked, they exited the hotel and reached the car. The driver opened the rear door. Yu Xinran let Xuan Yang get in first, then followed. They continued their conversation. 'I heard you came for my sister and brother-in-law's accident,' Yu Xinran said. 'If you need help, just ask.' Five years ago, Yu Xinran was just the second miss of the Yu family, like Zhou Dang, unconcerned with worldly affairs and immersed in pleasure. She was the most irresponsible heiress in Hong Kong. At that time, her father still controlled the Yu Group, and her sister Yu Xinwei was the next head. Yu Xinran could be a carefree young lady. But that crash took her sister and brother-in-law, and also devastated her father, aging him overnight. The entire Yu family had only Yu Xinran as the heir. Fortunately, her adoptive brother Yu Jingyang helped her grow quickly and stabilize her position in the Yu Group. In five years, she had transformed just as much as Zhou Dang. So, like Zhou Dang, she wanted to know the truth about the accident five years ago. 'I want all the relevant police records from that time,' Xuan Yang said without beating around the bush. 'And I'd like to meet the perpetrator.' Yu Xinran was a bit surprised; she hadn't expected Xuan Yang, who appeared gentle and mild, to be so decisive. She had just arrived in Hong Kong and wasn't even planning to rest for a day before starting the investigation? After a moment of silence, Yu Xinran smiled. 'Attorney Xuan is indeed different.' Xuan Yang smiled back. 'Thank you for the compliment, President Yu.' Yu Xinran promised to deliver the records to her the next day. But the perpetrator... 'Last month, that person died of illness in prison.' Yu Xinran frowned, a hint of hatred and unwillingness flashing in her eyes. That person was the 'murderer' who killed her sister and brother-in-law. He hadn't even served his full seven-year sentence. It was deeply unsatisfying. Someone like him should have suffered in prison, living a life worse than death. Xuan Yang furrowed her brow. 'Can you check on that person's financial situation?' In such 'accidental' car crash cases, her first thought was 'murder for hire.' But if it were that simple, the police would have found the truth back then. Yu Xinran, clearly understanding Xuan Yang's suspicion, nodded and shook her head. 'I can check. But the police already investigated and ruled out that possibility.' Eventually, the crash was ruled an accident. Due to the Yu family's influence, the perpetrator was sentenced to seven years for causing two deaths. Xuan Yang said, 'If it really was a hired murder, there must be some form of interest between the perpetrator and the mastermind.' The most obvious was a financial transaction, or the mastermind had some leverage over the perpetrator, threatening him. As long as the accident was deliberate, there would be clues. Even if the truth was like a log tied to a stone and sunk to the bottom of the water, it would eventually surface. Perhaps it just needed a catalyst. Xuan Yang hoped she could find that catalyst. Yu Xinran promised to deliver all the relevant information to her the next day. However, some materials would take time. 'Rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, you can go to the nursing home to see Xiao Jing. He heard you were coming to Hong Kong and is very excited to meet you.' Mentioning Zhou Jing, Yu Xinran's expression softened, taking on a feminine tenderness. Xuan Yang was surprised; she hadn't expected Zhou Jing to look forward to her arrival. After all, she had only learned of the child's existence a few days ago. Yu Xinran continued, 'Every month, Zhou Dang takes a day or two to come to Hong Kong to see Xiao Jing. The two of them talk about you a lot.' She paused and smiled. 'Whenever Zhou Dang mentions you, he carries a hint of his younger self. I think you must have been a very important presence in his youth.' Xuan Yang blinked, amused. 'Me?' She wanted to say Yu Xinran was mistaken. She wasn't an important presence in Zhou Dang's youth. She was his nightmare, his nemesis. But she decided not to argue. After all, her past with Zhou Dang was not something to be shared with outsiders.
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