Chapter Ninety-Nine: Ma Yunrou

A black Mercedes-Benz S65 rolled into an upscale residential district in Donghai City. The costly sedan slowed to a stop in front of a villa, and at that moment an elderly man standing by the entrance, dressed in a black padded coat, hurried forward and carefully opened the door.

Out stepped a richly adorned lady of noble bearing, glittering with jewels from head to toe. The instant she was on the ground, she asked the old man who had opened the door, "Old Xiang, how did the investigation go?"

The old man bowed slightly. "Fortunately, I have not failed my duty. Everything is now clear. Madam should go inside and rest for a while. I will explain everything in detail shortly."

The lady nodded and went into the villa, with the old man following closely behind.

This old man was none other than Uncle Xiang, the man sent to investigate the background of Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing. He had already been in Donghai City for quite some time. Since arriving, using the connections of Gao Zheng's family, he had effortlessly located the principal of Donghai No. 2 Middle School and obtained the files on Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing. But that alone was not enough. He then found the homeroom teacher who had taught Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing back then, along with their subject teachers, and even spoke to several of their classmates. It was fair to say that he now knew almost everything about their past.

Once Uncle Xiang had finished the investigation, he immediately called Lin Yuemei, Gao Zheng's mother, and told her that everything had been thoroughly checked. His original plan was to return to the capital and explain the details to her there. But Lin Yuemei wanted to separate Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing, and that would not do in the capital. If Gao Zheng found out, he would certainly be unwilling. For the sake of her son, Lin Yuemei decided to come to Donghai City herself. The elegant lady from earlier was Lin Yuemei. A few days before, she had asked Uncle Xiang to buy a villa in Donghai City so she would have a place to stay while handling matters there.

After a brief rest and a few bites of pastries, Lin Yuemei summoned Uncle Xiang to the study.

"Xiang, you haven't told the young master about the results of your investigation yet, have you?" Lin Yuemei asked first.

"Not yet, Madam. I intended to wait until you gave your approval before telling the young master." Uncle Xiang replied with great deference. Although he had watched the young master grow up, he knew that even if he handed all the information to the young man, the chances of success were still slim. Only by speaking to Madam first would there be a real possibility. He had complete faith in her methods.

"Good. You handled this well. Come, tell me first about that girl." Lin Yuemei took a sip of clear tea and said.

"It is like this, Madam. The girl the young master likes is named Wang Yuqing. She lives in the Jinhai Residential Complex in Donghai City. That district is reserved for officials and is assigned uniformly by the municipal government. Her father is a vice mayor of Donghai City, in charge of education, tourism, sports, intellectual property, literature and history, and advisory affairs. Her mother is a sales manager at a real estate company. Both grandparents have passed away. Her grades are exceptionally strong; from primary school through middle school and now in high school, she has always been among the best. In senior high, she was the top student at Donghai No. 1 Middle School. But when she was about to enter her final year, for reasons unknown, she suddenly transferred to the capital's Innovative High School."

Uncle Xiang spoke for a full twenty minutes before finishing Wang Yuqing's story.

After listening, Lin Yuemei nodded slightly. No wonder her son liked the girl so much. She was indeed excellent, and could barely be said to have met the threshold of their family.

"Now tell me about that boy," Lin Yuemei said, and there was anger in her voice. Clearly, she was deeply displeased with the fellow who dared to steal her son's woman.

"The boy's name is Xiao Lin. His father is a businessman who does renovation work, and seldom comes home. His mother is a university teacher who teaches art. However, his parents are divorced, and the circumstances of the divorce are unclear. His grandfather has passed away, while his grandmother is still alive. Their ancestral home is a small village in Qiqihar. This boy was also a strong student from childhood, especially under the influence of his mother. He is talented in many fields. When he studied at Donghai No. 2 Middle School, he was the top student at the school. He entered Innovative High School with the highest score in Donghai City on the middle school entrance exam. But what is surprising is that during his first and second years of high school, his grades were terrible, so bad that he was near the bottom of the class. The interesting thing is that in his final year, his成绩 rose again, and he even made it into the school's top one hundred."

"Did his grades start improving only after Wang Yuqing transferred to Innovative High School?" Lin Yuemei interrupted him when he got to that point.

"Based on the timeline, yes, that is indeed the case," Uncle Xiang answered honestly.

"I see. Continue."

"It is said that while Xiao Lin was at Donghai No. 2 Middle School, he once had a romance with a girl named Ma Yurou, but for some reason the two broke up."

"Wait. Xiang, tell me more about this Ma Yurou." Lin Yuemei sharply caught onto this sensitive point.

"Yes, Madam. Ma Yurou is a native of Donghai. Her parents are both ordinary workers. They used to live in a modest residential complex on Garden Street, but later moved away for reasons unknown. They now live in a suburban neighborhood in Donghai City. Her academic performance was ordinary, yet for reasons unknown she actually entered the Film Academy in the capital, though she was expelled after only one week. She is now a freelancer and stays home most of the time. That is all I have been able to learn about her."

After speaking, Uncle Xiang stood quietly with his head lowered.

Lin Yuemei lightly tapped the table with her fingers. With a businesswoman's instinct, she felt that this Ma Yurou would be an important piece on the board to resolve this matter.

Thinking of this, Lin Yuemei immediately said, "Investigate her. Look into every detail of that girl's background. Do it at once."

Uncle Xiang agreed and promptly left the study to gather information.

A few hours later, Uncle Xiang gently pushed open the study door and placed a thick stack of papers on the desk. Then he stepped aside, waiting for Lin Yuemei's next command.

Lin Yuemei picked up the papers. They contained a detailed report on Ma Yurou. She read through them carefully, and then a triumphant smile appeared on her face. Her son's matter was nearly settled.

"Xiang, contact that girl for me right away. I want to meet her. If she refuses to come, tell her I have a way to get her back into the Film Academy in the capital. Tell her that I am far more capable than Liu Zhibo. That is all. Go."

Although Uncle Xiang was puzzled, he still withdrew respectfully and carried out her instructions.

After he left, Lin Yuemei smiled with deep meaning. "My son, let me show you what your mother is capable of."

In a suburban district of Donghai City, inside an internet cafe, a beautiful girl with flowing hair and a bright red padded coat was playing a game. As she played, she kept hurling curses, utterly unworthy of her lovely face.

At that moment, a thin young man walked over. When he saw the girl, a lewd grin spread across his face. He came up beside her and reached out to stroke her delicate cheek.

"Sweetie, you owe me a lot of internet fees. Shouldn't you give your big brother some compensation?"

As he spoke, the young man cast a filthy glance at the girl's generous chest, nearly drooling.

"Get lost. This young lady isn't refusing to pay you. It's only a few hundred dollars. I'll bring it tomorrow. Now move aside and don't interrupt me while I'm gaming."

The girl slapped his hand away in disgust.

"You said the same thing the last few times. Do you think I'm a monkey you're playing with? This time, either you pay up, or you spend the night with me. Decide for yourself."

The young man clearly had no intention of letting her off this time.

"Just you? You want me to spend the night with you? You look like a dung beetle. Why don't you piss on yourself and see how ugly you are? A toad dreaming of eating swan meat."

Her words made the young man lose face.

"Ma Yurou, don't you dare refuse a toast only to be forced to drink the penalty! Push me too far, and I'll take you by force!" he shouted, reaching out to grab her chest.

But at that very moment, a thick arm blocked his hand. It belonged to a burly man, broad as a wall. His arm seemed thicker than the young man's leg. Seeing him, the young man gave an awkward laugh and said, "So you even have a protector. But what about the internet fees you owe me?"

"I'll pay for this young lady's internet fees," came an aged voice.

The young man turned and saw a gray-haired elder in a black coat, full of dignity and stern bearing. This man was Uncle Xiang, who had come looking for Ma Yurou. After asking around all the way, he had finally found her at the internet cafe she frequented.

"Tiger, go pay the fee," Uncle Xiang said to the burly man.

Tiger nodded and rumbled at the young man, "Let's go."

Seeing Tiger accompany the young man to settle the bill, Uncle Xiang turned to Ma Yurou with a smile. "You must be Ma Yurou, yes? You attended Donghai No. 2 Middle School, did you not?"

This alluring girl was none other than Xiao Lin's first love, Ma Yurou.

"Me? Do I know you? And why are you paying my internet fee?" Ma Yurou asked doubtfully, looking at the kindly old man.

"You needn't worry about that. My mistress wants to see you. Please come with me," Uncle Xiang said. To him, paying an internet fee was the smallest matter imaginable.

"Why should I go with you? Don't think that because you paid my fee, I trust you completely," Ma Yurou said warily.

"Heh. Rest easy, girl. We mean no harm. On the contrary, we are here to help you. My mistress asked me to bring you a message: she has a way to get you back into the Film Academy in the capital. And my mistress is far more capable than Liu Zhibo."

"Oh? The Film Academy? Liu Zhibo?" At the mention of the academy, Ma Yurou's eyes lit up. Then, upon hearing Liu Zhibo's name, a trace of hatred flashed through her gaze.

"Is that really true?"

"Of course. Come along, girl." Uncle Xiang made a polite inviting gesture.

Ma Yurou hesitated for a moment, but in the end her curiosity prevailed. Under Uncle Xiang's guidance, she got into the Mercedes-Benz.