Tao Xinrou stood frozen in place. The old man from her future vision was now right before her eyes—glasses, cane, stooped back. She felt both excited and emotional.
"Uncle, I am."
The old man stared at her, something trembling faintly in his cloudy eyes. "The eyes are like his, the nose too. You really look like Haizhen when he was young," he said, his voice hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time.
Tao Xinrou's eyes instantly reddened.
Wang Anran stood off to the side, not approaching. He silently took two steps back, leaving them space.
The old man gazed at her for a moment, then wiped his eyes. He stepped aside, making way. "Come in."
Tao Xinrou hesitated and looked back at Wang Anran.
Wang Anran was overjoyed and nodded at her. But just as they were about to enter, Wang Anran was stopped at the door.
"I only want to talk to her."
Wang Anran, not entirely surprised, gestured for Tao Xinrou to go in, saying he'd step out to make a call.
She crossed the rusty iron gate and entered the yard. It wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy. A peach tree stood in the center, most of its leaves fallen, a few faded petals still clinging to the branches. Unripe peaches hung shriveled and limp.
The old man, leaning on his cane, slowly walked to a rattan chair under the tree and sat down.
Tao Xinrou stood before him, unsure whether to stand or sit.
"Sit," the old man said, pointing to a small stool nearby.
Tao Xinrou sat down, her hands on her knees, suddenly not knowing where to begin.
The old man looked at her, his eyes full of gratification. "So alike, so alike. Child, how old are you this year?"
"Twenty-six."
The old man nodded, then turned his gaze to the tree. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows that dazzled the eyes. He closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time, gently rocking in the rattan chair.
Tao Xinrou thought she wouldn't get any more from him and began to survey the yard when the old man spoke slowly again. "The last time I saw your father was that spring."
"That day, he came to my office with a report and said, 'Old Li, these accounts don't add up.'"
"I didn't think much of it at the time. In accounting, there's always some discrepancy every year." The old man opened his eyes, looking into the distance. "But he said it wasn't just a small issue—the money was flowing out in whole batches, all to shell companies."
"And then?" Tao Xinrou couldn't help asking.
"Then he reported it to the general manager. I thought the GM would have me investigate, but I never expected—your father had an accident."
"I remembered everything afterward, but back then it was just Old Tao and me. I was afraid they'd find out and retaliate, so I didn't dare say anything. Besides, no one took it seriously, so... I didn't look into it further."
Tao Xinrou's tears welled up uncontrollably.
The old man looked at her, his own cloudy eyes growing moist. "Child, I let your father down." He turned away, his eyes full of apology. The guilt of all these years finally broke through. "I knew it back then—that everything was that man Ying's doing..."
Tao Xinrou jerked her head up. "What? You know it was Ying Huaishan?"
The old man fell silent for a long time, not confirming outright, but as if finally unburdened, he sighed. "I don't want to hide it anymore. All these years, I've dreamed of your father—dreamed of him shouting at me, 'Old Li, these accounts don't add up!' I always wanted to say yes, but I couldn't get the words out..."
*
The car had been driving for a long time, but Tao Xinrou's mind was still on the old man's words. She had prepared for this. Taking out her phone, she played the recording for Wang Anran.
"Miss Tao, we've really troubled you this time. We've obtained solid evidence!" Wang Anran's voice was barely containing his excitement.
But Tao Xinrou wasn't as elated as she had imagined. She just watched the scenery speeding backward outside the window and softly murmured, "Mm."
She finally knew what her father had done back then, and she had confirmed who had harmed him. But with the truth laid out before her, her heart felt heavy. She was just a suspended ordinary employee, holding nothing but a recording. How could she stand up against the powerful Ying Huaishan?
But then she thought, she wasn't alone. Ying Jingsheng was still helping her.
By the time they drove back into the city, it was already dark. Wang Anran dropped her off at the entrance of her residential complex. Before leaving, he said, "Miss Tao, I'll hand the recording to President Ying. You've worked hard today. Get some rest."
Tao Xinrou nodded and got out of the car.
*
On the other side, Ying Huaishan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, was jolted awake by the sound of the door opening. It was followed by his secretary Yan Ming's anxious voice: "Vice President Ying, something's wrong!"
"What's all the shouting about? What's wrong?" Ying Huaishan sat up from the sofa.
"It's about Accountant Li. Our men tailed Wang Anran today—they went to see Accountant Li again, but this time Tao Xinrou went with him."
"What? Why did she go along?"
"We're not sure, but our men reported that they knocked several times, and Accountant Li didn't open the door. They were about to give up, but Tao Xinrou went back and tried again, and Accountant Li let them in."
"And then?" Ying Huaishan grew anxious.
"Then... Accountant Li told them everything."
"What?!" Ying Huaishan slammed his fist on the desk, his face livid. "That old fool, is he tired of living?!"
He immediately reached for the phone to call someone to deal with Accountant Li, but his hand stopped just before touching it. At this critical moment, any move would only bring trouble to himself.
He let out a cold laugh. "Well done, Ying Jingsheng. What a clever move—using Tao Haizhen's daughter to play the emotional card."
"Vice President Ying, what should we do now?"
Ying Huaishan stood up, turned to look out the window, and said nothing for a long time. He had originally wanted to force Tao Xinrou out, thereby breaking up their partnership. Instead, it had given them an opportunity.
That Accountant Li knew too much. His son had bought an apartment in the city, his grandson was studying abroad—he had a good life. And yet, for something from over a decade ago, he was willing to throw it all away.