Chapter 588: Chapter 588: Maybe It’s Just Warmheartedness

“Medical records? You’re still suspicious?” Li Huan asked in return.

“Hmm, there must be a reason for so many coincidental events.”

Gong Chen, with his meticulous mind, could see from Yang Jingwei’s eyes that there was still an issue here.

Li Huan nodded: “She’s the director’s friend, the hospital surely has the records. I’ll go find them.”

Upon hearing this.

Lin Zhiyi mustered the courage to ask a question.

“My mom said she cremated her friend’s body. She had no reason to lie to us. Li Huan said the director knew Mrs. Bai. Listening to this, it obviously means two people were involved.”

Li Huan pondered for a few seconds, then asked, “How did your mom’s friend die?”

“Drowned herself in the river.”

“Well, it’s not your mom’s fault. If you can’t retrieve a body promptly after someone drowns, especially in bad weather, family members might not even recognize them when retrieved. Since your mom took care of the body, there was no family DNA to compare. Honestly, it’s possible she made a mistake.”

Li Huan calmly spoke.

After all, this happened more than twenty years ago.

Lin Zhiyi listened and, for some reason, felt a sharp pain in her head.

It was as if something was trying to burst out of her memory.

She rubbed her forehead.

Fortunately, the ringing phone diverted her attention.

Gong Chen answered the call. Whatever was said, his face grew increasingly grave.

“What is it?” Lin Zhiyi couldn’t help but ask.

“The police station wants me to come over. Old Mr. Gong hit Ren Xiya,” Gong Chen frowned and said.

“Hit…”

Before Lin Zhiyi finished speaking, Li Huan raised his voice.

“She’s still injured and can’t fight back! I’ll go with you!”

Li Huan took off his white coat and strode forward.

Lin Zhiyi looked puzzled: “When did he become so enthusiastic?”

“Perhaps he’s feeling warm-hearted,” Gong Chen said lightly.

“…”

What does that mean?

Once in the car, Lin Zhiyi’s head continued to ache faintly, and she could only lean against the car door in frustration.

After a while, a hand gently massaged her head.

She turned around in surprise. At some point, Gong Chen had already sat beside her.

“How did you know I had a headache?”

“I saw you frowning earlier. Does it feel better?”

Gong Chen pressed his fingertips slightly against her scalp, sending a tingling sensation through her.

She couldn’t help but let out a low moan.

She immediately bit her lip, her face burning with embarrassment.

Although Chen Jin and Li Huan didn’t turn around, their stiff necks indicated they were definitely overthinking things.

Gong Chen suddenly said, “Was I too rough? I’ll be gentler.”

Lin Zhiyi’s face turned even redder, and she urgently said, “It doesn’t hurt.”

Knock knock, a soft sound tapped.

Li Huan knocked his head against the glass a couple of times, wishing he could knock himself unconscious.

Chen Jin remained more composed and simply raised the divider.

Lin Zhiyi glared at Gong Chen.

Gong Chen remained unruffled: “Does it feel good?”

Lin Zhiyi’s mouth twitched slightly.

…

Police Station.

Old Mr. Gong had come by and had specifically informed them in advance.

So the police station was cleared inside and out, with not a whisper escaping.

Inside the office, Ren Xiya tilted her head, her lips swollen and bleeding.

The police at the door were shocked and quickly turned to inform Gong Chen.

Ren Xiya licked the blood from the corner of her lips, raised her hand to sweep her long hair to one side, revealing her fair neck.

“Didn’t kill me, but you’re itching with hatred, aren’t you? Come! Slash right here! I would die for sure!”

“You… you’ve recognized your ancestry, must you cause discord among family?”

The old man started his usual routine of heavy reprimand and light concern.

It’s often said that when someone becomes biased, they can’t stop, even feeling justified.

Just like now, the old man felt Ren Xiya making things difficult for Gong Yao was baseless troublemaking, disregarding dignity.

While he merely saw himself as a stern father disciplining a wayward daughter.

Gong Yao, on the other hand, stood at the side, naturally enjoying favoritism.

Ren Xiya coldly laughed at him: “Why don’t you dare? Murderer! As long as I don’t withdraw my accusation, you’ll carry this label for life, and the Gong Family won’t want a murderer. Unless you kill me and that hitman now.”

Gong Yao kept his lips tightly shut, saying nothing.

Ren Xiya laughed louder.

“What’s wrong, can’t do it? Oh, I know, you can’t find that hitman, can you?”

“…”

Gong Yao froze, gloomily staring at Ren Xiya.

He knew she was connected to the hitman turning himself in.

“Enough! Ren Xiya, just what do you look like now?” The old man’s voice was commanding and left no room for argument, “I’ve hired the best lawyer for Gong Yao. I can tell you unequivocally, Gong Yao is innocent! Stop pestering!”

“Oh? Then why ask me to drop the charges? Because lawsuits sound bad?”

Chilliness filled Ren Xiya’s eyes.

She smiled slightly and slowly sat down.

Blood still dripped from her lips, and wiping it haphazardly only intensified her cold, elevated demeanor.

Old Mr. Gong’s reaching hand slowly clenched, while he swept his gaze over the police beside him.

The police stepped forward to persuade: “Miss Ren, you are family after all. That hitman changed his testimony twice; with his identity, it’s hard to determine the truth. Continuing like this will only exhaust your family’s feelings and time.”

Ren Xiya found it laughable.

“Now, the police don’t record statements but force victims to compromise?”

The police were stumped.

At this moment, the door was pushed open.

Gong Chen entered with his people at a measured pace.

“We can afford to spend the time.”

He coldly glanced at the speaking police: “Your job is to discern truth from falsehood. If everything relied on compromise, why are you needed?”

The police instantly broke out in a cold sweat: “Third Young Master, I, I didn’t mean it that way, I just think maybe there’s a misunderstanding.”

“Evidence? Was it provided by Gong Yao? Or did the police discover it?” Gong Chen asked dispassionately.

“…”

The police had no answer, only quietly glancing at the old man.

The old man took two steps forward: “What? Do you really plan to let this escalate, disregarding the Gong Family’s reputation?”

“Shouldn’t you ask your dear son why a family once innocent is now being questioned at the police station?”

Gong Chen directly exposed the old man’s attempt to shift blame.

The old man took a deep breath, gritting his teeth: “Do you really want to send him in?”

“Not necessarily, the negotiation just isn’t going well, mostly due to unsatisfactory benefits,” Gong Chen said calmly.

“You… you treat family matters like a business transaction? Gong Chen, are you so heartless?”

Listening to the old man’s question, Gong Chen sarcastically replied, “Didn’t you teach me that to succeed, one must be a bit ruthless?”

But the most ruthless person in this family has always been himself.

Heartless and ungrateful.

Unfeeling and disloyal.

Gong Chen didn’t want to waste time reminiscing.

He disdainfully said, “Are we negotiating or not?”

His voice was deep, with no apparent inflection, yet carried an undeniable authority and power.

His composed gaze invisibly pressured others, making it hard to breathe.