After breakfast, Xu Zifan suggested visiting the Jiang family ancestral graves. Jiang's father, surprised, frowned. "Does the Taoist priest suspect someone has tampered with our ancestral graves?"
Xu Zifan nodded. "There's a layer of yin energy above the Jiang family's residence, which is targeting the Jiang family members living here. There's a high possibility that there's something wrong with their ancestral graves."
Jiang Dong cursed, his face grim. "Who has such a deep grudge against me? This is utterly despicable! They actually disturbed my family's ancestral graves!"
Mr. Jiang knew his son's personality well and couldn't believe it was someone he had offended in a normal way. He hesitated and said, "Could it be a business rival who lost to the Jiang family? Our Jiang family has always been amicable in business, and our competition is always fair. We never use underhanded tactics. We shouldn't have such an enemy."
Xu Zifan waved his hand, reassuringly saying, "There's no use in thinking so much. Some people in this society are just petty and make a mountain out of a molehill. They can't tolerate anyone, and it's not surprising that they would do something like this. Also, they might be after your family's luck, or there might be some other strange reason why they would do this. For now, we can only investigate based on the suspicious points."
Mr. Jiang nodded. "Alright, I'll make the arrangements. We'll leave tomorrow morning. My family's ancestral graves aren't far; it's only a four- or five-hour drive. We should arrive by noon tomorrow. Does the Taoist priest need to perform any rituals this time? Do we need to prepare anything?"
"No need, let's go there and see first." He's only a half-baked amateur right now, and he doesn't have any spiritual power, so any plans he makes are pointless. In a sense, he really is half a fraud, and he's learning everything on the spot.
With the itinerary finalized, Mr. Chiang immediately went to the company; as chairman, he had much work to do. Mrs. Chiang also needed to make arrangements; she went to the ancestral graves, and regardless of whether there were any problems, she still needed to pay her respects.
Xu Zifan didn't want to waste time, so he went back to his room to "sleep" and continued reading those metaphysical books. Fortunately, he had many pills he had refined in the cultivation world; taking one would make him incredibly energetic, and he wouldn't even need to sleep, saving him a lot of time.
Jiang Tianxin stayed in her room the whole time until her subordinates came to find her. She didn't come out until her subordinates came to find her. However, she was wearing a large mask and sunglasses, so no one could see her even if she smiled.
Policeman Liu was startled when he saw this. "Boss, what are you doing? Are you injured?"
Xiaoqin exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Xin, you can get beaten up? Who's so powerful?"
Jiang Tianxin smiled, afraid that her voice would be too sweet if she spoke, so she simply uttered two words, "Study."
Liu Zi and Xiao Qin were stunned for a moment before following her, feeling that something was off about her.
Upon entering the study, Jiang Tianxin extended her hand and uttered two more words, "Progress."
Liu Zi handed her the document and immediately reported, "Boss, we've found out about Xu Zifan. He's twenty-three years old this year. His father died in a fire when he was young, and his mother ran away. He's been living with his uncle's family ever since."
We went to inquire in his uncle's neighborhood, and his uncle's family treated him very badly. They made him do housework every day, and his younger cousins would curse at him without any respect.
Xiaoqin continued, "Sister Xin, it's said that the family only supported Xu Zifan because they took over his parents' property. They kicked him out seven days ago because their business failed and their daughter was dumped by her boyfriend. They said Xu Zifan was a jinx, that he killed his relatives and elders and was now bringing bad luck to them, so they kicked him out. It's obviously an excuse. If he were going to bring bad luck all these years, he would have killed them long ago."
Liu Zi said doubtfully, "They said Xu Zifan was sick when he left home. Four days ago, he went back to get his household registration book and ID card, completely cutting ties with that family. That day he had a high fever, was filthy, and penniless, as if he had suffered a lot outside."
Jiang Tianxin frowned. "Four days ago?" She flipped through the documents. "What time?"
Liu Zi thought for a moment and replied, "Around 7 p.m., the time when the old man is digesting his food after dinner, which is after Xu Zifan and Jiang Dong parted ways, it's very suspicious."
Jiang Tianxin frowned even more. Four days ago, Xu Zifan met Jiang Dong around 1 p.m. He was perfectly fine then. According to Jiang Dong, he was wearing designer clothes, and his ring and pendant were made of top-quality jade, like a rich second-generation playboy. How could he have developed a high fever and been covered in dirt around 7 p.m.?
Jiang Dong said they didn't separate until after 6 p.m. at the police station entrance, so the high fever was obviously a pretense.
Liu Zi pointed to the record in the document and said, "Boss, yesterday Luo Chen picked up Xu Zifan at the Shengjun Hotel. The hotel said that Xu Zifan stayed there for three days. He probably went to the hotel after getting his household registration book. He doesn't seem to be penniless. When I saw him come to your house, he was very elegant and spoke very generously. He is completely different from the Xu Zifan I investigated."
Xiaoqin also asked doubtfully, "The surveillance footage shows Xu Zifan heading in the direction of Qingfeng Temple seven days ago. We can't verify whether he's the abbot of the Taoist temple or not. But the person we see is definitely different from what we've heard."
Although I feel sorry for him, Sister Xin, when Jiang Dong almost got into a car accident, he happened to show up and ask for a ride. He said Jiang Dong was in danger, and Jiang Dong almost got hit by a falling object a couple of days later. Among all the suspicious individuals, Xu Zifan is still the most suspicious; there are suspicious points about him everywhere.
Jiang Tianxin thought so too, otherwise she wouldn't have been so wary of Xu Zifan. Her brother had almost lost his life twice, and both times Xu Zifan was involved in some way. Compared to other suspicious people, Xu Zifan was the most suspicious.
She and Xu Zifan had only known each other for less than a day, and had tested each other a few times.
It became clear that Xu Zifan was the type of person who wouldn't suffer any loss, and instead, she ended up getting herself into a lot of trouble. How could someone like that be bullied by her uncle's family, and so badly at that?
She carefully reviewed the documents and found that when the surveillance footage showed Xu Zifan heading towards Qingfeng Temple, he did indeed look disheveled and dirty. However, when he was filmed again later, he was already dressed like a young master, getting into Luo Chen's car.
Where did he get his clothes? Where did he get his accessories? Qingfeng Temple is just a ruin, there's nothing there. The mountain is also very empty. It's more plausible that the Xu Zifan who came down the mountain and the Xu Zifan who came up the mountain are twins.
There are many suspicious points about Xu Zifan, making it impossible to make any deductions.
Liu Zi asked, "Boss, should we ask Xu Zifan to go to the police station to assist with the investigation?"
Jiang Tianxin waved her hand, "I'll keep an eye on this side, you guys keep an eye on the others." After all, he was her brother's savior, so it was best not to bring him into the police station without evidence.
"Um... Sister Xin, what's wrong with your voice?" Xiaoqin looked at Jiang Tianxin curiously, feeling that Sister Xin was so gentle today.
Jiang Tianxin coughed twice, picked up the documents, and stood up. "Let's get to work."
Liu Zi and Xiao Qin had no choice but to obey and go to work. Although they were curious, they didn't want to try it because the consequences of angering the captain were too severe.
Jiang Tianxin went back to her room, took off her mask to get some fresh air, and then opened the investigation file on Xu Zifan again. She made many annotations as she read it and listed many suspicious points.
Judging from Xu Zifan's teasing behavior, it didn't seem to fit the scenario of him harboring ill will towards them. After studying it for a long time, she realized that the only plausible reason for all of this was that Xu Zifan had a fortuitous encounter four days ago and became a master.
She threw down her pen, clutching her forehead in exasperation. Experience told her this was the truth, but socialist education told her it was utter nonsense! It was harder to understand than a cold case.
Jiang's mother knocked on her door and told her about visiting the ancestral graves the next day. Jiang Tianxin put on a mask and pulled her mother to show her the documents, saying helplessly, "Mom, do you really believe him?"
Jiang's mother sighed and said earnestly, "Xin Xin, I don't believe in these things myself, but your brother almost got into trouble twice, and I'm worried. I trust the police's ability to handle things, but it's amazing that Xu Zifan saved your brother. You haven't found any connection between him and that truck driver, right? So I'd rather believe it's true."
Listen to Mom, even if he really is a conman, he'll only swindle us out of some money at most. We're not short of money, so let's just consider it peace of mind. See, when he's with us, doesn't your brother feel much more at ease?
I know you're a police officer, you hate evil and are wary of anyone you suspect, but I'm a mother. I don't care about those things; I just want my children to be happy. At least don't let your brother live in fear. Don't worry, your parents understand everything. We're not fools who would give up their entire fortune just because someone tells us to. Don't worry."
Jiang Tianxin hugged her mother and whispered, "Mom, don't worry, I will protect my brother. If he is in danger, I will stay with him and no one will be able to hurt him."
With tears in her eyes, Jiang's mother leaned on her daughter's shoulder. Her son was in danger, and she was so worried that she couldn't sleep, but she couldn't show it. Unbeknownst to her, her daughter had become someone she could rely on. She patted her daughter's back and said, "You have to be careful too. Neither you nor your brother can get into trouble."
"Yes, Mom, don't worry."
After seeing her mother off, Jiang Tianxin went to find Jiang Dong. Jiang Dong burst out laughing as soon as he saw her, "Xinxin, your look is absolutely amazing! How did you come up with that?"
Seeing his carefree smile, Jiang Tianxin genuinely smiled back. She sat down next to Jiang Dong, picked up a magazine, and casually said, "Don't post on WeChat Moments anymore, or we'll break up."
Jiang Dong took several photos of her and many photos together, then said with heartache, "Then I'll keep them to myself. This is a once-in-a-lifetime sight. I'll show them to your husband and your children later. Why are you covering them up? You look so beautiful when you smile. I haven't seen enough of you yet."
Jiang Tianxin gave a soft hum, and a smile curved her lips as she listened to his chattering. Her mother was right; with Xu Zifan at home, her brother was indeed more at ease and even had the mood to tease her.
Regardless, Xu Zifan first saved her brother and then put his mind at ease, for which she should indeed be grateful. Perhaps, before there is evidence, she can simply regard him as a benefactor, so that her family won't feel awkward. At worst, she can arrange her work and focus on this case.
By dinner time, everyone noticed a change in Jiang Tianxin's attitude towards Xu Zifan. Although she remained polite and courteous, unlike Jiang Dong's more intimate demeanor, the subtle hostility she had shown earlier was gone.
Xu Zifan glanced at her a couple more times. He didn't think the police officer would change her opinion of him. He himself felt that he was full of suspicious points. If the police officer didn't suspect him, he might think she was brain-dead.
After dinner, when Jiang Tianxin told him she had changed shifts, he understood—she had been switched to closely monitoring policies. Good, perhaps the officer's worldview was about to shatter.