Deliberately Approaching
Chapter 269: The Clue is Broken

Chapter 269: Chapter 269: The Clue is Broken

"Could it be that rascal Huahua, sneaking back to play ghost and scare me?"

That was the first thought that crossed Tang Xiaowan’s mind.

So, she feigned nonchalance as she opened the door, only to see a servant holding a porcelain stew pot walking toward her, the girl’s steps light and nimble. Although her complexion was dark, her face radiated naive honesty.

"Lady Tang, your..."

"Take it away, I’m not hungry."

Tang Xiaowan purposely raised her voice very high to ensure it could be heard from far away.

The maid appeared somewhat surprised, mistaking it as an intrusion at a bad time or perhaps she had done something wrong. Suddenly, she became anxious, and even the tray in her hands began to tremble.

When leaving the Leng Family’s old mansion, Madam Leng had emphasized repeatedly to them to be extremely cautious.

If anyone dared to make the slightest mistake or upset Tang Xiaowan, they could forget about returning to the Leng Family; they would be fired and driven out directly.

This meant losing a high salary and the opportunity to settle in Huang City.

The more the maid thought about it, the more frightened she became, and she quickly responded, "Lady Tang, you haven’t had your bird’s nest today. Right before Brother Shen left, he specifically instructed that you must finish it before you sleep. If you... I’m afraid, Brother Shen would be displeased."

"Oh, alright, it’s very late, you should go rest. I’ll eat it myself, thank you."

With that, Tang Xiaowan took the tray.

The gentle words made the maid feel immensely grateful, thinking that Tang Xiaowan was a good employer. In the future, when she married into the Leng Family, she would surely treat these low-status servants well.

"Make sure to eat it before it gets cold, it won’t taste good."

"Okay, I know, thank you."

"It’s my duty, Lady Tang, there’s no need for politeness. I’ll go down now, if you need anything, just call out. I’m a light sleeper and will hear you."

"I don’t need anything, go and rest."

"Yes, goodnight, Lady Tang."

After the maid left, Tang Xiaowan slowly made her way toward her bedroom.

A mere few meters made her feel as if she had walked dozens, and just before entering the room, she sneakily glanced in the direction of the staircase, only to find nothing.

It definitely wasn’t Huahua; if it were him, he would have jumped out to scare me by now.

Could it be that I’m hearing things?

However, the moment Tang Xiaowan had just stepped into the bedroom, ready to enjoy the bird’s nest, she heard the sound of jumping again, this time from upstairs.

Could it be that thieves have entered the study?

Yes, yes, that’s it. The house hasn’t been lived in for so long, perhaps it’s been targeted several times already.

Oh my god, could it be that masked man?

With this thought, Tang Xiaowan hurriedly forced herself to calm down and picked up the custom tool, cautiously making her way toward the staircase.

Fortunately, she was used to walking barefoot, so she didn’t make any noise along the way. Yet each step felt like it was pressing on the tip of her heart, tense to the point she could hardly breathe.

Reaching the third floor, the corridor was empty.

A cold chill rushed from her feet to her forehead, intuition telling her there must be someone in the study.

What if I encounter someone I can’t overpower?

Forget it, safety first. Let them steal if they want to; grandma had already said there’s nothing too important here. In case of an emergency, don’t try to be a hero, just ignore it.

Immediately, she strode boldly forward.

However, upon opening the door, everything inside was as it had been before grandma was hospitalized.

Could my hearing be deteriorating?

Tang Xiaowan slowly sat in the antique redwood armchair, idly picking up a brush from the holder and began twirling it in her fingers.

Round and round she turned it, not knowing how many rotations she had made, when suddenly she noticed the direction of a book on the shelf was incorrect. It should be upside down, but now it was upright.

It was a secret marker she had made.

With grandma in the hospital and unable to return, Tang Xiaowan spent the nights in the study treasure hunting to pass the time.

And that book was where she had stopped the previous night. Fearing she might forget, she had deliberately placed it upside down, so it would be easy for her to continue her treasure hunt the next day.

Wow, what a quick runner!

Could the person still be around, clinging to the exterior wall, or waiting on the roof?

Waiting for me to leave before sneaking back in?

"Ah, I’m so tired, I think I’ll take it easy today and skip practicing calligraphy with the brush."

Tang Xiaowan deliberately yawned twice, grumbled a complaint, and then slowly, leisurely left the study to return to the master bedroom on the second floor.

Moments later, a figure in black and wearing a mask appeared on the roof outside.

He moved swiftly along the wall, light and agile in his movements, like a nimble black panther. Every step was precisely placed in the indentations of the wall as though he were walking on flat ground.

In the blink of an eye, he had entered the study.

He swiftly took one book after another from the shelf, accurately selecting them, then rapidly flipped through, as if searching for something.

Time quietly slipped away amid the sound of pages turning.

His gaze remained firm, filled with the resolve not to give up until he achieved his goal.

Finally, the man in black found a hidden compartment in a seemingly ordinary book. A glimmer of joy flashed in his eyes as he carefully took out an aged, sealed letter from the compartment.

He didn’t open the letter, but instead carefully tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket, then left the study.

From the rooftop, Tang Xiaowan watched the man in black disappear into the night, without intervening.

"Grandma, did you predict someone would come? And so... you deliberately instructed me not to let Huahua stay over, to ensure that the item could be stolen smoothly?"

Gradually, Tang Xiaowan fell into thought.

She suspected that this was a trap her grandmother had prepared in advance, just waiting for someone to jump into it.

...

Meanwhile, in the presidential suite.

Li Zishen had just come out from soaking in the bath and was preparing to go to the study to deal with work when his phone rang—it was Bai Long calling from Jin City.

"What’s the matter?"

"Brother Shen, Su Luoyi... she’s had an accident, severe injuries to her face, and right now, her mental state... is not good at all. Half an hour ago, she was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but the situation is quite bad. She’s developed cognitive impairments, just sits there, dazed."

Bai Long’s voice was very somber, pausing several times along the way.

Li Zishen: "..."

"The same few vagrants as before?"

"No, it was two young hoodlums, habitual offenders. The police shot them dead on the spot."

This meant they had left no witnesses alive!

Y country was indeed too far from Jin City, certainly beyond the reach of Li Zishen’s control.

"Beaten to it again!"

"Brother Shen, it’s my fault for not arranging enough manpower, causing the interruption of the clues. Please punish me."

"This isn’t your fault. It was all designed by someone in advance, starting from when she stole the sample medicine, then the fire at Jinyuan Academy to steal books, and the food poisoning of tourists. Perhaps it is indeed our Leng Family that has offended someone, seeking revenge."

"Those are just diversions by Leng Lingxiao. It’s definitely business competition; you mustn’t..."

"No, it’s not the competition, it’s not. Now it seems they’re indeed connected with the intruders from Mei Garden that night. Leng Lingxiao must know something."

"Then, do we need to do something about Lady Tang..."

"Arrange it as soon as possible, no, do it now, and make sure Xiao Wan doesn’t notice. Proceed covertly."

"Yes, Brother Shen."

After ending the call, Li Zishen had no interest in opening his laptop to deal with work anymore.

He paced back and forth in the study, contemplating what the mastermind’s next move might be, and if it would involve Tang Xiaowan again.

With this thought, he immediately picked up his car keys and quickly left the hotel.