Chapter 385: The Wealthy Commoner

Chen Shi returned to the law office, where Lin Dongxue was waiting outside. She greeted him excitedly once he got in the car.

“I found it all out easily. The lawyer was very accommodating, saying that since the people involved are deceased, it’s okay to disclose it. Besides Zhang Bin’s wife and children inheriting the estate, a portion of the company’s shares was given to several partners. Additionally, a child named Du Xu received a small sum—well, a small sum that’s actually a fortune!”

“Du Xu is Wang Sunxu.”

“What!?”

“Du Xuemei adopted Wang Sunxu, only to return him to the orphanage a few months later. Her aim was to pass Wang Sunxu off as her and Zhang Bin’s child. He was of the right age and perhaps looked a bit like Zhang Bin. Paternity tests can be faked. As a supposed illegitimate child, he was entitled to an inheritance. But in reality, Wang Sunxu was just a tool for Du Xuemei to get that money. After using him, she dumped him back at the orphanage.”

“That’s despicable!” Lin Dongxue said indignantly. “So, Wang Sunxu killed Du Xuemei?”

“Did he have the capability back then? I suspect he had help from a ‘friend’.”

“Zhou Xiao?”

At that moment, Chen Shi’s phone rang. “It’s lunchtime. Let’s grab something to eat.”

“Sure.”

After parking, he answered the call. Sun Zhen said, “Zero! Zero! Zero! I couldn’t find anything on this woman, sorry!”

“Never mind, I’ll handle it.”

A while later, KK called, speaking in a hushed tone, “Chen, something’s off with Xiao Chong. He saw something on his computer and shut it down immediately. Just hit the power button. Last time I did that, he yelled at me for an hour about how it damages the hardware. Chen, is he losing it?”

Chen Shi thought, Xiao Chong must have seen something related to Zhou Xiao. His mental “patch” activated again. This could be a good sign that Zhou Xiao and Du Xuemei had some connection.

Chen Shi said, “Find a way to check what he was looking at when he steps out for lunch. Don’t let him catch you.”

“We usually order in.”

“Figure it out!”

Lin Dongxue tapped on the car window. “Enjoying the sun in the car? Who are you talking to?”

Chen Shi got out. “Just some external help.”

“Using illegal methods again?”

“No, just outsourcing some research due to manpower issues.”

“Yeah, right,” Lin Dongxue said skeptically. “Why do you seem to have more secrets now? Tell me something, we’re close enough, aren’t we?”

“Like what?”

“Do you have a secret club or something?”

Chen Shi thought, Lin Dongxue’s instincts as a police officer are sharp. He considered his response. “Yes, but it’s all for solving cases. Sometimes, I find the police too slow.”

Lin Dongxue poked his chest. “Don’t break any laws. I won’t be delivering your meals in jail.”

“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing,” Chen Shi said, patting her head.

During lunch, KK sent a screenshot of a company webpage—Shida Software Development Company. Chen Shi was surprised that these words could trigger Xiao Chong’s mental “patch.”

He searched the company on his phone and found nothing noteworthy. He called the bureau’s information department to check if there was any link between the company and Du Xuemei.

Lin Dongxue pushed her unwanted green peppers into Chen Shi’s bowl and took a meatball from his. “So, what’s next? Find evidence?”

“Can we even find evidence? The orphanage’s archive burned down, the house that caught fire has been rebuilt, the body was cremated, and Wang Sunxu is in prison.”

“Ha! Didn’t think of this, did you? We can get DNA from Zhang Bin’s children and compare it to Wang Sunxu’s. If they’re not related, it proves your theory.”

“Smart thinking. You’re sharp today.”

“Near a good influence.”

Chen Shi wasn’t too focused on the arson itself but on Zhou Xiao’s role in it. However, since they were investigating, they might as well be thorough.

He said, “Zhang Bin’s three children—two are abroad, and the eldest is now the president of Zhang Group. Not easy to meet.”

“Make an appointment.”

Lin Dongxue found the secretary’s number online and called. The secretary politely said, “Mr. Zhang’s schedule is full. I’ll inform him, and we’ll call you back once it’s arranged.”

“Damn! Such a big shot,” Lin Dongxue grumbled.

“Maybe Wang Haitao knows him?”

“Give it a shot!” Lin Dongxue urged.

Chen Shi called Wang Haitao, who asked, “Zhang Chaohua committed a crime?”

“Why do you sound so excited?”

“Well, he’s a competitor of my father. If he goes down, I’d be thrilled!”

“Ha! You’re getting into character now… Can you get us a meeting?”

Wang Haitao thought for a moment. “I’ll arrange it. Meet me at his company.”

After hanging up, Chen Shi snapped his fingers. “Knowing a rich guy has its perks.”

“Show-off.”

After lunch, they went to Zhang Group’s headquarters. After a short wait, Wang Haitao arrived, dressed in a suit, riding a shared bike. Lin Dongxue was stunned. A black Mercedes followed him, clearly as protection.

Wang Haitao parked the bike and greeted them warmly. “Mr. Chen, Officer Lin… Lin, you’re looking more beautiful. Is it love’s effect?”

“I still prefer when you spoke like a prince,” Lin Dongxue smiled. “Why the bike? Exercise?”

Wang Haitao held up his briefcase. “Applying for a job. Isn’t it normal to ride a bike?”

“A job application?”

“Yes. Chen wanted to meet him, so I had my secretary send in a resume. Within five minutes, they called for an interview. He’ll definitely see me. Trust me!” Wang Haitao’s confident face showed he was now a job-hunting expert.

Chen Shi was impressed. “I thought you’d set up a meeting at a golf course or some high-end restaurant, making us common folks feel out of place.”

“That costs money! I don’t spend a cent on people I barely know… Anyway, gotta park the bike. Costs extra after an hour.”