Chapter 53: The Photo, and This Boss Zhang

""From what you’re saying, if it’s the same bracelet, then you’re implying I must have done something to that Zhang Jingang?"" Bian Changxi fiddled with her sleeve, then glanced coolly at Boss Zhang. ""So, are you looking for the jade bracelet or for someone? I’ve been listening for ages and still can’t figure out what your point is.""

Boss Zhang was instantly at a loss for words, even a little embarrassed and angry. This woman was just too hard to deal with!

Seeing she’d made her point, Bian Changxi shrugged. ""I don’t know if the two bracelets look alike, but I can tell you for sure they’re not the same one. My jade bracelet was a keepsake from my late mother. Many people in my family saw it decades ago—it couldn’t possibly have just appeared two years ago. And unfortunately—""

""What?""

""I broke it not long ago.""

""Broke it?""

""Yes, just the day before yesterday. Captain Gu and the others were all there; they saw it with their own eyes. It really shattered all over the floor. Even the best craftsman couldn’t piece it back together.""

Her calm, unhurried tone made Boss Zhang’s heart skip a beat. Broken? Then… how was he supposed to explain this to the boss? He frowned, giving Bian Changxi a dark, searching look. ""Well, there must be some fragments left, right?""

""The jade was smashed to pieces. Just looking at it was depressing, so I threw it away. I can’t even remember which trash bin in Jiangcheng I tossed it in,"" Bian Changxi said. ""If I’d known you wanted to see it, Boss Zhang, I would’ve kept it. What a pity.""

Boss Zhang felt like that ""what a pity"" was a jab at him.

Forcing a smile, he said, ""Well, nothing to be done about it. Since you haven’t seen Jingang, maybe he’s still somewhere in Jiangcheng, or maybe he’s on his way here. I’ll try other ways to find him. As for this Tian Jiaxing case…""

""What, is there still a problem?""

""Heh, it’s not enough for me to believe you didn’t kill anyone. We still have to wait for the autopsy report and all that. Could you go over the case details again, Miss Bian?""

Old fox, changes his tune faster than flipping a page!

Bian Changxi pressed her index fingers together on her lap, quietly took a breath, and smiled slightly. ""Sure.""

After another round of ""questioning,"" Boss Zhang told Bian Changxi to wait patiently for the investigation results, then left with his notebook of recorded statements.

As soon as the door closed, the smile vanished from Bian Changxi’s lips. She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, her gaze heavy as it fell on the table.

These people had searched her and her belongings but hadn’t found the jade bracelet. They’d probably think she’d handed it off to someone else for safekeeping. The only people who’d traveled with her were Gu Xu and his group, plus Lin Rongrong—the Chen family of four didn’t count. All of them had witnessed the bracelet being destroyed, and with their stories matching up, most people would believe it. But clearly, Boss Zhang wasn’t someone who’d give up so easily.

And what about this Zhang Jingang? Was he made up, or was there really such a person who’d come to Jiangcheng, but she just hadn’t run into him?

The real question was, why did these people want the jade bracelet? How much did they know, and how did they find out? This time, they’d come pretending to tell stories, but what would they try next?

Sigh. She really felt like her luck was rotten: she’d nearly killed herself when she started the farm; the first time she tried to seize an oil tanker, she was threatened by Zhang Hu and his gang; she’d gone to a big supermarket, but there were too many people and too many eyes, and even just trying to quietly gather a few supplies had almost been seen through by Gu Xu; she’d only wanted to collect a few chickens and ducks for breeding, and ran into trouble again; finally, she’d managed to get away safely, only to be detained as a murder suspect, and now, out of nowhere, people were after her jade bracelet.

The only thing she could be grateful for now was that the bracelet was already broken, and the farm had become intangible. Otherwise, she’d have no wiggle room at all. As it was, she’d just have to take things one step at a time.

Bian Changxi didn’t have to wait long. About an hour later, as the sunlight outside grew dim, footsteps and voices sounded in the hallway. Among them, she caught a deep, familiar voice.

The door opened, and a group of people appeared. Standing out among them was Gu Xu, tall and striking as ever.

Beside him, a refined, handsome man smiled. ""See, I told you—no one would dare mistreat Miss Bian. Isn’t she perfectly fine?""

Gu Xu glanced quickly at Bian Changxi, his stern expression finally softening a little. He gave her a slight nod, then turned to the handsome man. ""Thank you, Young Master Qu. When can I take her with me?""

Someone behind them snorted. ""Gu Xu, you’re mistaken. I’m in charge of this new district now!"" The speaker stepped forward—it was Xiao Jing, who looked at the two with disdain and resentment. ""Arresting suspects and handling cases is my job. Even if Young Master Qu is the commander’s son, you can’t just stick your hand in everywhere.""

Qu Nan, the ""Young Master Qu,"" smiled mildly. ""Don’t get me wrong, Young Master Xiao. I wouldn’t dare overstep. I’m just acting as a guarantor to bail Miss Bian out. That doesn’t break any of your rules, does it?""

""No way!"" Xiao Jing cut him off. ""This is a serious case—over ten people are dead. If we don’t investigate thoroughly, who’ll respect the law? You’ve seen her now, so you can all leave!""

He jerked his head, and several burly men in police uniforms filed in, making a show of escorting the guests out. Qu Nan just smiled lazily. ""Normally, we’d mind our own business. You show me some respect, I’ll give you some face, and we’ll have plenty of chances to work together in the future. But if you keep pushing, don’t blame me for not giving you any face at all. After all, I represent the military district command.""

As soon as he finished, another squad burst in, this time in military uniforms, their steps heavy, guns snapping into position.

Xiao Jing’s men were startled and quickly drew their pistols. ""Nobody move!"" The office was instantly tense, the air thick with confrontation.

Bian Changxi stood up as well.

Gu Xu moved to her side. ""Are you alright?""

""I’m fine."" Bian Changxi frowned at the scene. ""What’s going on?""

She’d guessed Gu Xu might try to help, but she hadn’t expected things to escalate like this. Wasn’t this getting out of hand?

Gu Xu glanced over, his eyes calm. ""Don’t worry. They have fundamental conflicts—this just happened to be where they clashed.""

In other words, Bian Changxi’s situation had become the battleground for their power struggle.

Qu Nan stepped forward and whispered in Xiao Jing’s ear, ""You and your father have a good plan, trying to turn the new district into your own turf. All your little tricks are one thing, and forcing Du Zhonghai to back off isn’t such a big deal. But trying to boost your influence before the army arrives? Please. Who even wants to deal with you anymore? People only give in to avoid trouble, but you really think you’re the boss now? I’ll give you a chance—let her go, or don’t blame me for showing you no mercy.""

Xiao Jing’s face turned livid. He hissed back, ""Qu Nan, don’t get cocky. This is my territory! You only brought a few people—""

The military district still had a lot of business to handle and needed several days to fully move in, so Xiao Jing’s side had some time to entrench themselves before the army arrived. They’d just managed to oust Du Zhonghai, the builder, when Qu Nan suddenly showed up with two cars, talking about inspections and catching him off guard.

Inspections, my ass!

He’d shown up acting like he owned the place, meddling in everything, even trying to boss Xiao Jing around. Xiao Jing wanted to see just how many people Qu Nan could bring with two cars. If things got ugly, he’d just shoot him first!"