Chapter 54: Farmhouse Menu

By the time the police arrived, the chaos at the Lin family home had basically stabilized.

Qiu Zhen, who had collapsed again, cried until she fainted. It gave Lin Jiangye a huge fright, and he quickly rushed over to check on her.

After confirming that she had really only fainted from crying, with no danger to her life and no issue of her soul scattering, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The noon sunlight was not good. Outside the window, everything was gray and gloomy, and sparse snow began to drift down.

The blood covering the living room floor also shocked the police. After all, they had come to investigate Lin Bingsheng’s criminal suspicions, bringing a stamped and signed search warrant and police dogs, intending to dig up the Lin family villa’s front yard to see whether more bones could really be found there.

The scene before them was far too terrifying. All the Lin family members, including Yu Wangxiao, were invited to take a day trip to the police station. After Qiu Zhen woke up, she was put on an IV drip and underwent a long questioning.

The urgent autopsy only took a little over three hours. Lin Bingsheng’s brain showed obvious bleeding and pathological changes. It was indeed a fresh case of sudden cerebral hemorrhage. But there was a finger-sized hole in his skull, too clean and neat. The forensic doctor could not figure out what kind of tool had made such a hole.

The official autopsy report would be issued within half a month, but they would probably never be able to understand it. Every tool that seemed suitable was unreasonable.

That afternoon, Yu Wangxiao’s lawyer arrived. He Chen brought him over. After presenting a uniquely crafted qualification document and shining a UV light on it, the higher-ups allowed them to leave. This matter counted as a special case and had to be handed over to another department.

This kind of special case did not appear often. It was also considered a supernatural rumor quietly passed around the industry. It was said that if anyone foolishly insisted on investigating the exact cause of death, then in the early hours of the morning, a ghost would crawl into their bed and eat half their body.

In short, this was not something they could easily touch. After work, they had to hurry and go to the bathhouse together, soak in some pomelo leaves, and wash away the bad luck.

“Last time on the cruise ship, the safe you asked about… you already took out the contents?”

After seeing daylight again, Lin Yu supported the exhausted Qiu Zhen with one hand and held the unusually quiet Lin Jingyao with the other. His expression gradually turned strange.

Because Chen Ming was cheerfully handing out soft-serve ice cream cones to everyone, one per person, and everyone had to accept. Even the serious-looking lawyer in a suit had been forced to hold a pink cherry blossom cone while silently eating by the roadside.

Yu Wangxiao also did not refuse. He gave his portion to Lin Jiangye and then watched him slowly eat with great focus, as if admiring a cat eating. His expression was peaceful and pleased.

Lin Yu really could not stand this inexplicable, suddenly relaxed and harmonious atmosphere. He could not stand this group of lunatics. He would rather be grabbed by the neck and accused of something on the spot, or have those heavy topics from earlier continue until they were completely resolved.

Because he no longer knew what he should do. He even desperately needed specific charges and punishment, instead of standing there like an idiot, holding three ice cream cones, watching the creamy, smooth frost slowly melt and crawl stickily down the back of his hand. His whole body crawled with discomfort.

So, although it was not his turn to speak, he still forcibly dragged the topic back to the matter.

“The police got it last night,” Lin Jiangye said, still enjoying his food and in a good mood. “Qiu Zhen didn’t call the police, but I did. With the clue you gave back then, it was easy to find. If we had gone to rummage through things ourselves, we would have destroyed evidence and lowered efficiency. See? They came to arrest people early this morning.”

“So… what exactly was inside?”

Lin Jiangye thought about it. “A lot of things. Stamps from several foreign trade companies opened behind your backs, long-term rental contracts for several harbor warehouses, and some farmhouse menus for unlicensed businesses.”

“Damn, the rest sounds suspicious right away, but what’s with the farmhouse menus?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Wangxiao looked at him and suddenly smiled gently. “Lin Yu, let’s talk in the car.”

“…Okay.”

Lin Yu felt a chill at the back of his neck from that look. He quickly shut up, lowered his head, and gulped down the ice cream. At least it was enough to force his emotions to calm down.

There were many people today, and everyone’s mental state was not suitable for splitting up, so Chen Ming had directly driven over a spacious seven-seater car. It was more than enough to fit all the Lin family members.

The middle-row seats were turned backward, leaving plenty of space. He Chen had also prepared drinks and refreshments in advance, making it convenient for them to sit facing one another and continue talking.

Lin Yu was the only one who felt extremely uncomfortable. Not only was he squeezed between his mother and Lin Jingyao, but the two people sitting across from him also gave off a pressure that made it hard for him to breathe.

This was also Lin Jiangye’s first time riding in one of Yu Wangxiao’s other cars, but he was much more at ease than Lin Yu. He picked up his cup of hot tea, tasted it carefully, and said softly, “At this point, I’ll just say it directly. The so-called farmhouse menu is a code used by several of Lin Bingsheng’s hideouts to deal with adopted orphans.”

“Baby cabbage in superior broth” meant to begin delivery.

“Twice-cooked pork” meant the child was unqualified and should be sent directly back to the adoptive parents’ home.

“Farmhouse bowl of fragrance” meant kill them all, including the adoptive parents’ entire family.

“Special smoked cured meat” meant qualified, send to the harbor warehouse for secondary processing.

“Sliced beef and ox tongue in chili sauce” meant to take them away for a “ghost marriage.”

The specific details were still being investigated and verified, but the codes that had already been interpreted were horrifying enough.

On the surface, Lin Bingsheng seemed merely to have invited clients to a farmhouse meal, accompanying them to pick strawberries, barbecue, and experience a natural, organic countryside lifestyle.

In other people’s eyes, these were ordinary actions. Without deliberately explaining the meaning of the codes, it would usually be extremely difficult to expose any clues.

But in last night’s harbor warehouse, three children who had only recently been adopted were rescued. They had been missing for ten days, seven days, and three days respectively. Fortunately, for now, they had not been deprived of food or clothing. It was said that the next step would only happen after seven children were gathered, on the so-called day of “Seven Stars Aligning.”

“May I ask… what does Seven Stars Aligning mean?” Lin Jingyao was listening intently and could not help asking softly.

“It means seven planets are lined up on one side of the sun. When you look up in A City, you can see them all in the night sky at the same time.”

Lin Jiangye complained speechlessly, “It’s just a rare but perfectly normal astronomical phenomenon, yet it got distorted into feudal superstition. Things like the end of the world, A City exploding, spiritual energy revival, and so on. Completely inexplicable.”

“But Lin Jiangye, your existence itself doesn’t seem very suitable for promoting the concept of ‘believe in science’… What if it really succeeds? No matter what he wants to do, is there anything we can help with?” Lin Yu’s face looked extremely ugly, but he was indeed thinking seriously and not deliberately arguing.

“If it doesn’t work, then it’s just feudal superstition. If it does work, then only I can solve it. Anyway, as long as you don’t make trouble, it’s fine. Remember to listen to Mom more.”

There were many outsiders around, so Lin Jiangye only gave an incomprehensible riddle-like answer. Then he sighed rather speechlessly. “As for what he wants to do… you people who are so ridiculously rich and still rack your brains to keep making money, aren’t your dreams basically those things? Eternal life, ruling over others, wanting to change into a younger body with more potential, or discovering that you’re about to die and have no cure, then hurriedly trying some evil method to reincarnate.”

“What does that have to do with me… I mean, I’ve never thought about any of that.” Lin Yu was indignant, but still tried hard to hold back his temper, because Qiu Zhen was expressionlessly pinching his thigh. It made him feel creeped out again.

“Suppose Lin Jingyao had late-stage stomach cancer or uremia and there was no cure. At that time, Lin Bingsheng suddenly told you… he was using evil methods to raise ghosts. The methods were cruel, sinister, and against heaven and morality, but he could custom-make a little ghost for you that would completely solve the cancer problem. Would you do it?” Lin Jiangye asked with a smile that was not quite a smile.

“…”

Lin Yu stopped speaking. He pressed his lips together and fell silent, his face tight. With his personality, he really would. As long as Lin Jingyao could live well, he would be willing to do anything and feel completely justified.

But he was not stupid enough to say that directly at this moment. Lin Jingyao’s position in the family was already extremely awkward, and his silent unease was almost tangible… Lin Yu also did not dare provoke Qiu Zhen and could not casually shatter the fragile peace before them.

When had life become so exhausting? Lin Yu could not understand.

“So you see, even you could become a target customer. The business Lin Bingsheng and Gu Yuan collaborated on would not have earned little…” Lin Jiangye was not paying attention to the undercurrents between them. As he spoke, he tilted his head toward Yu Wangxiao, suddenly curious. “Speaking of which, you’re also very rich. Did he never test you?”

Yu Wangxiao shook his head lightly, seemingly a little regretful. “He wouldn’t want me to live too long. When he interacted with Yu Group, he made little moves to encourage Yu Lin to replace my position as soon as possible. Besides, to the outside world, I have always been a firm atheist and have never wavered… He had secrets to keep, and so did I. We would only guard against each other.”

“You, an atheist? Fine, you did act the part very well. When I didn’t know you well, I also thought so.” Lin Jiangye gave him affirmation on this point.

Back when Yu Wangxiao personally mentioned “faith,” he had even suspected that the man was psychologically abnormal.

“If I had known he would be so unscrupulous, perhaps I should have exposed some flaws to the outside world. At least I should have made him suspect that I privately prayed to gods and Buddhas too, that I believed in something to some extent.”

Yu Wangxiao lifted his teacup and drank a few sips, still reflecting on this. “After all, everyone does this. Only I didn’t. As that information spread, I would gradually be excluded. If I had known earlier, I might have been able to resolve this matter several years earlier and save more innocent children.”

“Mr. Yu, there’s no need to blame yourself like this. He even hid it tightly from a fool like me. The whole family didn’t know.” Qiu Zhen, who had been silent for a long time, spoke gently at this moment. “After sharing a bed with him for so many years, I always heard him complain about how wasteful and useless the charitable foundation’s aid projects were. Every year, he said it hurt his wallet. Every year, he seemed unwilling…”

She paused and smiled bitterly in self-mockery. “I only thought he was an ordinary stingy man who cared about face. I even advised him to at least protect that reputation, since it would help with the children’s future marriages. Who could have thought? He was using charity as cover to secretly earn so much filthy money. I no longer dare think deeply about how much of those children’s blood I drank while eating and drinking what he provided.”

“Mom, don’t overthink it. This isn’t your fault…”

Before Lin Yu could finish, Lin Jiangye directly interrupted his clumsy comfort. His expression became slightly more serious as he calmly said, “No, Qiu Zhen, you really should think that way. Remember the pain and debt you feel now. Never forget it, so you won’t repeat the same mistakes. Of course, this actually isn’t a bad thing.

“Awakening is equivalent to a crucial fork in the road. It can be a button that ends one’s life, or it can be a chance to restart life. Cherish it. Let go and do what you want to do. Don’t waste your own efforts.”

Qiu Zhen stared steadily at him, her gaze deep and distant. Every time Lin Jiangye said something, she would show the exact same expression, as if she wished she could swallow every word he spoke. Her focus was almost frightening.

After slowly digesting Lin Jiangye’s words, her eyes reddened faintly at the corners, and she tried extremely hard to suppress the sob in her voice. “…Thank you, Jiangye.”

“Can someone tell me what awakening means?” Lin Yu asked faintly.

“Once you experience it yourself, you’ll naturally understand. Explanation alone won’t make sense. The same goes for Lin Jingyao.”

“Me?” Lin Jingyao, who had been trying his best to reduce his presence, froze and instinctively began to apologize pitifully. “I’m sorry, Brother. I was wrong.”

Lin Jiangye held his forehead. “Tsk, you… I’ve discovered that you’re not actually stupid, but your thoughts are always placed in the wrong direction. You’ve never paid attention to what you should truly care about.”

“I was really wrong, Brother. Teach me. I’ll change.” Lin Jingyao’s face quietly paled. He did not dare turn his head to look at Qiu Zhen’s subtle gaze, and softly emphasized, “I really will change.”

“Let’s talk about your chat records with Yu Lin. I’ve already read them all. Lin Jingyao, you really like acting as a gentle, kind, caring, innocent young man. But where does the material for that performance come from? You donate to children in welfare homes, donate to stray animals, and even ride the popularity of charity banquets, creating the title of piano prince…”

“You… you read them all?! Those photos were taken when I didn’t know better… Don’t look at them…” Lin Jingyao’s face became even paler, or perhaps both pale and red. He looked like he wanted to crawl under the car and hide.

Of course, his focus was still seriously off.

Lin Jiangye closed his eyes. “I’ll continue. Then you advised Yu Lin to donate some money too, do some good deeds, and even had people around Yu Lin emphasize that he was moved by your kindness, which was why he contributed funds. This is a matter of your personal vanity, so I won’t comment on it. But before donating so publicly, did you do a background check? Did you have no clue at all?

“Guess why Lin Bingsheng repeatedly encouraged you? Your money went back into his pocket. Yu Lin’s casual wave of money also entered his pocket. And in the eyes of insiders, it could be interpreted as substantial evidence that Yu Lin and the Lin family had a close, friendly relationship and were conducting private commercial cooperation. This was basically a disguised promotion for the project.”

Actually, it was normal for the outside world to have such speculation. Yu Lin and Lin Jingyao’s relationship had always been ambiguous. Aside from the original owner, who had stupidly fallen in love, it could not be hidden from anyone.

But unfortunately, behind all these charity projects was Lin Bingsheng. The profits were not spent on the supposed recipients at all. Instead, they were entirely transformed into fuel for deranged crimes.

“If I didn’t point it out directly, even if you learned all of Lin Bingsheng’s crimes, you probably still wouldn’t realize that you yourself spent a lot of money and effort helping push Lin Bingsheng’s business forward, right?”

This was only the tip of the iceberg. Lin Bingsheng was extremely skilled at using various acts of loving his wife and children as shields for his true intentions.

He was very clever, and extremely careful. He had always insisted on playing a somewhat foolish, snobbish, flattering ordinary man who cared about petty profit. He acted so deeply that even his pillow partner and biological children never suspected him.

After exhausting himself acting for so many years, he had never slipped up, until Gu Yuan was stabbed to death by Ouyang Jia.

Everything began to collapse. Plainclothes police increased in large numbers. Customs suddenly tightened inspections. Those who knew the truth were all frightened by every rustle of wind.

A smart person should have guessed it. He should have realized that his crimes were being rapidly exposed like dry weeds before a raging fire. Even Yu Wangxiao, who originally could not be bothered to look at him, seemed to have begun investigating him…

On the night when he could not find that USB drive no matter what, Lin Bingsheng swallowed the suspicious gold ornaments left at home into his stomach, trying to temporarily hide the evidence inside his body. But he gradually fell into madness beyond his control.

Because of this, Lin Jiangye had never planned to communicate with this kind of person. He did not want to say even one word to him. Lin Bingsheng did not deserve the chance to defend himself or express his views. He did not deserve to be seen. He should have died in frustration, tortured and covered in his own blood and urine.

Eating that complicated-tasting soul and seeing the mad, desperate, unscrupulous images of him struggling before death had already made Lin Jiangye feel uncomfortable for half the day.

He was very full, but the fullness did not feel good.

“Alright, I’m done.”

Looking at the pitiful green-tea type before him, Lin Jiangye exhaled and instinctively pulled Yu Wangxiao’s hand over to place it on his stomach again. He said faintly, “I really didn’t mean to target you. It’s just that you were sitting across from me, looking especially wronged… I couldn’t help it. I really wanted to vent my desire to lecture someone.”

“Brother’s words helped me a lot. Thank you, Brother. I’m not wronged. I deserve to be scolded.” Lin Jingyao lowered his head, his attitude truly good, but he deliberately revealed the more beautiful half of his face.

The angle was a little too perfect, like an instinct to please that had fused into his bones. Lin Jiangye was once again left speechless.

He really was not used to this kind of person who took the initiative to lower himself. Like a parasitic vine that had to cling to a stronger being to survive, all his skills were used to please the trunk he had chosen to parasitize. The longer they interacted, the more irritated Lin Jiangye became. He really did not have the slightest appearance of a vivid, living human being.

Of course, Lin Yu was annoying in the opposite extreme, often like a stubborn donkey tunneling into a dead end. Even now, he was still pondering to himself, “So what exactly does awakening mean? Suddenly becoming enlightened and human? Can I awaken? You beat and scolded me before—was that also to make me awaken?”

“…Yu Wangxiao, take me away. I’m tired. I want to elope with you.”

Lin Jiangye listened until his head hurt. He did not want to deal with Lin Yu’s entanglement, so he muttered and turned to burrow into the arms of the person beside him.

“There’s no need to elope. We’re already home.”

“Hm?”

Lin Jiangye tilted his head and looked out the window, only then realizing that Chen Ming had driven the car back to Longjing Bay first. At this moment, they were quietly parked in the underground garage.

Yu Wangxiao lifted him with one hand, steadily supporting his thighs as he easily opened the car door, bringing this person who had suddenly turned into a koala down with him.

Under the stunned gazes of the three people in the car, Yu Wangxiao curled his lips and said gently, “Excuse us. Jiangye isn’t feeling well, so I’ll take him to rest first. The driver will deliver everyone safely… Oh, Madam Qiu, please stay in contact with my assistant and try to reach a result beneficial to both sides as soon as possible.”

“Ah, alright. If the child is sleepy, he should sleep early. Mr. Yu, you’ve worked hard too. Go rest quickly. Don’t worry about the three of us.” Qiu Zhen’s gaze showed reluctance as it quietly followed Lin Jiangye’s retreating figure.

But she knew she had no standing to stop him. She could only watch the two figures gradually move farther away.

***

“Hungry?”

“No.”

“Want to bathe?”

“In a while.”

“Can you temporarily get off me?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Tuantuan, I have to join a video conference. The police side… I need to show my face.”

“I still don’t want to get down. Anyway, my back will be facing the computer. Just let them see my butt.”

“Alright.”

“Hm?! Yu Wangxiao, you’re actually willing to let other people see my butt!”