But her expression was fully captured by him.
Why did she react that way? Was it because he pressed her about the coffee beans? Or after he took out the macarons? Or... earlier?
Though through his observation over this period, Ying Jingsheng felt that Tao Xinrou had no ulterior motives other than wanting to clear her father's name, he still found her too clever in some aspects.
Especially every time she met him, there was always a special feeling about her.
Ying Jingsheng tugged at his tie in irritation. This woman really annoyed him.
He suddenly remembered overhearing her conversation with her mother at the door, about her having precognitive abilities.
Could it be... she really had the ability to foresee the future?
What exactly did she see?
Ying Jingsheng suddenly grew restless.
He didn't like feeling out of control.
But now, he was dealing with someone who could predict the future, someone who could see things he didn't know, who could know in advance what he would do. This feeling made him very uncomfortable.
Ying Jingsheng's face instantly turned cold. Just then, Wang Anran knocked and entered.
"President Ying, I've retrieved the conversation between Tao Xinrou and Manager Zhang from that day. Manager Zhang promised to tell her the truth about her father's death, but she had to gain your trust and provide him with what he wanted."
"She didn't agree."
"Yes."
Ying Jingsheng leaned back in his chair and analyzed, "Her refusal to Zhang Hongbin shows at least two things: first, although her obsession with her father is deep, she has principles and is unwilling to betray or harm others; second, she deeply distrusts or even fears the undercurrents within Yunlu, especially Zhang Hongbin."
After muttering to himself, he abruptly sat up straight. "Continue to keep a close watch on Zhang Hongbin. Also, investigate two things: first, check Tao Xinrou's life trajectory from childhood to now, whether there are any special experiences mentioned by relatives or friends."
Wang Anran's fingers paused on his phone screen. He looked up at Ying Jingsheng. "President Ying, do you mean..."
"Don't ask what I mean for now, just investigate. Second, check her father, Tao Haizhen: how he died, what he encountered, who he had conflicts with before his death. I want all the details."
"Do you suspect Tao Haizhen has issues?"
Ying Jingsheng didn't answer, but was thinking about what Tao Xinrou had seen and whether it was related to her father.
Wang Anran felt a chill and immediately straightened his expression. "Yes, President Ying, I'll see to it right away." He glanced at the bag of coffee on the desk and understood.
It seemed this sudden gesture of gratitude hadn't earned trust but had instead triggered deeper suspicion.
*
Meanwhile, Tao Xinrou walked out of the hotel building, the bag of macarons in hand, absent-minded. Several questions swirled in her mind.
Why was Ying Jingsheng investigating her father's case? When would he obtain the death records? And where did those macarons come from?
Based on her observations of Ying Jingsheng, he didn't seem like someone who would eat or buy desserts. So the only answer was that Ying Jingsheng had bought them for a girlfriend.
This question seemed to have drowned out the previous one. Thinking of this, Tao Xinrou's heart sank a little.
Sigh, as expected, excellent people already have partners.
But then again, there was no possibility between her and him, right? Their statuses were too far apart.
Just then, the phone rang, pulling her out of her chaotic thoughts. On the screen flashed a long-lost but familiar name—Zhao Sili.
Tao Xinrou was a bit surprised, but also a bit happy.
Zhao Sili was her closest friend from college—well-off, cheerful, and had gone abroad for further studies after graduation. Their contact had dwindled, but they still chatted occasionally.
A while ago, Zhao Sili told her she would return, and Tao Xinrou had been thrilled.
She quickly answered, her voice lightening. "Sili?"
"Xinrou! It's me! Guess where I am?" Zhao Sili's energetic voice came through the phone.
"From your tone... you're already back in the country, right?"
"Bingo! Just got off the plane! How about that? A surprise?" Zhao Sili laughed. "Quick, send me your location. I want to see you right now! Long time no see, I missed you so much!"
Tao Xinrou glanced at the heavy macaron bag in her hand and recalled the shocking scene in Ying Jingsheng's office. She needed some warm friendship to dispel the chill in her heart.
"Okay! Where are you? I'll come find you."
*
An hour later, they met at a Thai restaurant in the city center.
Zhao Sili was almost unchanged, still radiantly beautiful, but with a bit more maturity and steadiness in her expression. She gave Tao Xinrou a big hug, then stepped back and looked her up and down.
"Xinrou, I missed you so much! But you look like a bitter melon—like you just got scolded by the boss."
Tao Xinrou smiled wryly and pulled her to sit down. "Don't even mention it. Things haven't been going smoothly lately."
"What's wrong? Work not going well? I remember you said you work at Yunlu Hotel, right? That's a big group."
The two sat down and ordered food.
"Yeah, it is, but big groups come with a lot of trouble. I'm always targeted by people who like factional infighting." She didn't go into detail, afraid of worrying Zhao Sili.
Zhao Sili frowned. "Factional infighting? So annoying? Which department? Want me to help figure something out?"
Tao Xinrou shook her head. "Let's not talk about that. Tell me about you."