"Poisoned!" Mengying exclaimed in shock. She had never expected that Madame Yuwen would die in such a manner.
She suddenly remembered what Sima Jing had said before, "Sima Jing also mentioned that your grandmother's death seemed a bit suspicious."
"He even told you that?" Sima Chen raised his eyebrows slightly. "It seems he trusts you a lot."
Mengying didn't want to dwell on the topic of Sima Jing, so she returned to the main point. "But why would someone want to kill your grandmother?"
Sima Chen was silent for a moment. "We cannot be certain."
"Not certain?"
"We have considered several possibilities," Sima Chen answered seriously. "The first possibility is that the murderer targeted my grandmother because of her investment cooperation in your parents' research. Your parents' biological research is extremely valuable, and if successful, would bring enormous economic returns. Many people wanted a share, competing for the opportunity to invest in this project. My grandmother's death would give these people the chance to cooperate with your parents."
Mengying had never been clear about the specific research project her parents were doing. However, Sima Chen did explain why her parents were always so busy. If the murderer was targeting the project…
Thinking of this, Mengying said, "So that's why my parents have been hiding all this time—to avoid threats from the murderer? And they even sent me abroad; were they afraid the murderer would kidnap me to coerce them?"
Sima Chen looked at Mengying as if he greatly appreciated her quick reaction. "You're very quick to understand. That's exactly what we thought too."
Mengying ignored Sima Chen's praise and continued, "Then what are the other possible motives for the murder?"
"We believe another possibility comes from my stepmother and the people behind her. They may have harmed those supporting me, including my grandmother and your entire family, in pursuit of inheritance rights or Sima family property."
Mengying thought for a moment. This was indeed possible. If so, her whole family would also be in danger.
"So at that time, your uncle decided that before the truth could be clarified, it would be safest for your entire family to leave immediately," Sima Chen continued to explain.
"Have you found the murderer by now?" This was the question Mengying most wanted answered.
"We are still investigating."
Still investigating meant they hadn't found the murderer. After so many years, they still hadn't found him. The murderer was deeply hidden. So her entire family was still not safe.
Just as Mengying was about to ask Sima Chen what clues they had found, she heard him change the topic. "There's another matter I'd like to know your attitude on."
"What matter?"
"My father and stepmother have been urging me to marry as soon as possible," Sima Chen said very seriously while looking at Mengying. "I want to know your thoughts. Are you willing to continue our betrothal now?"
Mengying froze. She hadn't expected him to ask this suddenly. She had never even known this marriage existed and had never considered it before, so she didn't know how to answer.
Seeing that Mengying didn't respond immediately, Sima Chen continued, "If you agree, I can notify my father that I am formally engaged. If you don't agree, we can immediately dissolve the betrothal."
He paused, as if waiting for her answer. Seeing that Mengying still remained silent, he added, "Of course, revealing your identity could be dangerous. If the murderer is targeting your parents and you, they would find you immediately. So if you want to maintain the betrothal, you can choose not to reveal your true identity."
Mengying's thoughts were in disarray. But if she was willing to maintain the betrothal while continuing to observe, not revealing her identity sounded reasonable.
Mengying knew that people in Dacheng generally married early, and arranged betrothals between well-matched families were common. Someone like Sima Chen was definitely a late marriage. His parents urging him to marry was normal.
"To be honest, I hope you stay by my side," Sima Chen said sincerely. "For your safety."
"If no one knows my identity, what danger could I possibly be in?" Mengying asked.
"Although you changed your name and went overseas, the murderer will eventually find you—especially after Sima Jing also went to Anya, your risk increases," Sima Chen continued, as if reading her mind. "So I think perhaps returning to my side is safer for you. Auntie Mei and Uncle Qiang have limited ability and can hardly protect you. And I am no longer the person I was when my grandmother passed away."
Mengying thought of Uncle Qiang limping as he walked; it was indeed difficult for him to deal with kidnappers.
"Of course, even if you don't agree to continue the betrothal, I will still protect your entire family and your parents' project. These were all supported by my grandmother back then."
So everything Sima Chen had done was only for investing in her parents' project and fulfilling his grandmother's wishes. It seemed to have nothing to do with her.
"The decision is yours," Sima Chen said. "You don't need to answer me immediately; take your time to consider and then tell me."
Then she could take more time to think. Mengying took a deep breath and asked calmly, "When do you want me to give you my answer?"
"I know you still plan to attend Sima Jing's art exhibition. How about before you go to the exhibition?" Sima Chen's face held a polite smile. "Also, you can call me A'Chen, just like my grandmother did."
Sima Jing's art exhibition was five days away, enough time for her to think carefully. So Mengying decisively answered, "All right, I will give you my answer before the deadline, A'Chen."
In return, she added, "From now on, you can call me Xiaomeng."
"Then it's settled, Xiaomeng," Sima Chen seemed pleased to agree. Then he asked gently, "Do you want to eat something now? The kitchen should be ready. I'll accompany you there."
Dinner was sumptuous, but Mengying tasted nothing because her mind was preoccupied. After dinner, Wu-Ma led her to a prepared guest room. Upon opening the door, she found her luggage already inside, probably brought over by Shihui.
After Wu-Ma left, she closed the door. The room was quiet, but her heart was in chaos.
She first cancelled her hotel reservation, then opened her luggage. That's when she saw the chess set that White Brother had given her all those years ago, lying inside.
It turned out that her past self had also been like a chess piece, always living in a game carefully planned by others. Her betrothal with Little White Brother—no, Sima Chen—had never been arranged by her. And Sima Chen had known everything back then but told her nothing.
What did he truly think of this betrothal? Did he accept it because of his grandmother's arrangement, or did he have other thoughts and plans?
How much truth was in what he said before parting—"wait for me to come back and play chess with you"?
How much could be trusted in what he said today?
Was Sima Jing really not arranged by him? Did he not deliberately bring her back? Was he truly trying to protect her, or was it for her parents' project? Or was there another scheme?
From childhood until now, had he ever truly loved her? Or was it all manipulation from the beginning?
How should she respond to him?
Mengying felt that the gentle and quiet White Brother from her childhood memories seemed to be drifting further and further away.