"I want to investigate Ying Huaishan's affairs. No one knows that. You're the first person to say his name out loud.
"Tao Xinrou, you are indeed very clever.
"I've thought a lot. I wondered if you were one of his people, because your behavior was strange. But you are also righteous, never yielding to him. I already know about Zhang Hongbin approaching you."
Tao Xinrou opened her mouth to speak, but Ying Jingsheng didn't give her a chance. He continued.
"He told you to spy on me and pass him information. You refused. So at that time, I thought, if you were really his side, you would have agreed long ago. You had a million reasons to agree—for a promotion, for self-protection, to investigate your father's case. But you didn't. So I've been looking for evidence to convince myself. I wanted to believe in the evidence."
"And now?" Tao Xinrou asked.
"Now, I believe."
He had found his answer.
Tao Xinrou looked into his eyes, seeing the steadfast belief reflected there.
It wasn't because of some ability to foresee the future. It was because she stood here, in front of him, and revealed the most secret thing.
"Then are you willing to cooperate with me?" she asked.
Instead of answering directly, Ying Jingsheng countered, "You said you saw me find evidence of your father's death. What kind of evidence?"
Tao Xinrou paused, trying hard to recall that vision.
"It's... a report. The trip log for my father's car on the day of the accident."
Ying Jingsheng nodded. He had indeed asked Wang Anran to look into the news about Tao Haizhen's car accident, but so far, there had been no feedback.
"Also, I saw you send Wang Anran to find an old man. That old man confessed to some things, saying they had been weighing on him for over a decade."
Ying Jingsheng was silent for a few seconds, lost in thought.
"What kind of old man?"
"Gray hair, glasses, using a cane, difficulty walking. He has a small yard with trees in bloom."
She couldn't remember clearly. The image had flashed by too quickly; she only recalled these details.
Ying Jingsheng was silent for a long time.
So long that Tao Xinrou thought he wouldn't speak, but then he said, "At the Southwest Branch, there was an old accountant who handled all the accounts back then. Later, he took early retirement and returned to his hometown."
Tao Xinrou's heart stirred. "Is there really such a person?"
Ying Jingsheng nodded. "Yes. I sent Anran to find him twice, but each time he refused to see anyone. If the images you described are real, then this Accountant Li will speak."
Tao Xinrou nodded. "He definitely will."
"You're so certain. I believe there's an 80% chance this will work out. Tao Xinrou, I didn't expect you to have such an ability."
"Then are you willing to cooperate with me in investigating the case?" she asked again.
"Of course I am." Ying Jingsheng replied.
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Author's note: The mutual pursuit of the truth begins! There will also be more romance scenes~
Random red envelopes for comments in this chapter!