Chapter 102: Who Doesn't Have a Secret Identity?

Jiang Zao’s intuition was razor-sharp; this matter was indeed far from simple.

That day, Jiang Zao had instructed Li Baixiu to investigate a gas explosion that occurred about thirty years ago in a small southern county, tasking him with tracking down all surviving friends and relatives of the affected family. When Li Baixiu learned from Zhou Jiayan that this was Lin Rui’s hometown, a chill ran down his spine, and goosebumps broke out all over his skin.

Jiang Zao knew everything.

Lin Rui was in Changzhou, keeping a constant watch over her life. She had known all along. Perhaps she had even realized it before she and Zhou Lichuan had uncovered the truth. No wonder she had always refused to leave the house—so that was the reason!

The next day, after checking in at school, Li Baixiu wasted no time and boarded a flight to the south.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zao acted as if nothing had happened, sitting by Meng Qiaoyuan’s bedside peeling an apple.

"Here, for peace and safety. You’ve weathered the storm, Dr. Meng; you’re safe and sound now."

Jiang Zao cut the apple into small pieces and held them to Meng Qiaoyuan’s lips. As the anesthesia wore off, Meng Qiaoyuan was drenched in sweat from the pain, and the painkillers provided little relief. Jiang Zao chatted away to distract her, yet she could still see a flicker of endurance on her pale face.

Meng Qiaoyuan extended the tip of her tongue to gently lick the apple slice without taking the whole piece. She could only consume liquid food for now; Jiang Zao was merely teasing her.

"It’s sweet, isn't it? This is the sweetest one. I bought it myself."

Meng Qiaoyuan looked at Jiang Zao. Her parents had just left, and her second brother had gone to see them off and hadn't returned yet. Only Jiang Zao and the bedridden Meng Qiaoyuan remained in the ward.

Meng Qiaoyuan opened her mouth weakly and said, "Zaozao, I want you... to take action on this."

Jiang Zao took a crisp bite of the apple right in front of her.

"Qiaoyuan, on the surface of this matter, Shen Mushi, Zhou Lichuan, and even your father and brother have done all they could. They are overwhelmed, but yesterday I sent Li Baixiu out of town on my behalf. He should have landed by now, and I expect we’ll have news before long."

Meng Qiaoyuan, feeling listless, mustered her energy to ask, "Li Baixiu? Oh, that illegitimate younger brother of Li Mingyi. Is he reliable?"

"Never doubt those you employ. This kid is truly capable. Don't worry."

Meng Qiaoyuan hesitated before asking, "So... what have you figured out?"

Jiang Zao pursed her lips and said, "I suspect this has something to do with Lin Rui."

"If it really is connected..."

"That’s why, Qiaoyuan, if Zhou Lichuan and I hadn't been so arrogant and conceited, thinking we could control the situation, today’s events would never have happened."

Meng Qiaoyuan, her hand still attached to an IV, reached out and gripped Jiang Zao’s fingertips. They were slightly cool, just like the woman herself.

"Zaozao, human nature is unpredictable. Lin Rui’s misdeeds have nothing to do with you."

Jiang Zao squeezed her hand back. "This is just my speculation; I have no concrete evidence yet. Don't tell anyone else, including your second brother. Give me a few days, and I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."

Meng Qiaoyuan nodded gently. She had no reason not to trust Jiang Zao.

...

That evening, Zhou Jiayan drove to the hospital to pick up Jiang Zao. Meng Qiaoyuan, lying in her bed, personally instructed her on how to look after Jiang Zao’s health before she felt comfortable letting them leave together.

Du Bin saw them approaching in the parking lot and hurriedly opened the back door.

"Ms. Jiang, how are you feeling? Can you manage?"

Jiang Zao had spent the entire day at the hospital and had barely eaten. Du Bin had come with strict orders. Seeing his cautious demeanor, Jiang Zao couldn't help but chuckle: "I'm already five months along, I'm not that fragile."

Once in the car, Zhou Jiayan gave up the front passenger seat to sit with Jiang Zao in the back. "You are the most precious one now. Don't stay at the hospital for so long tomorrow; what if you get exhausted? Don't stay at the hotel today; come to my place. It's in the city center and very convenient."

Jiang Zao smiled. "Alright, that will be more convenient."

Following Zhou Jiayan, Jiang Zao stepped into the home she would be staying in for the first time. It was a duplex penthouse in the city center, and the moment the door opened, she was met with exquisite luxury.

"I wasn't around when they decorated this place, so I just picked a design firm at random. The style is a bit ostentatious, and I was too lazy to change it, but it's comfortable enough. Both floors are fully equipped, and I turned the terrace into a small garden. After we eat, I'll take you up to swing."

Jiang Zao changed her shoes, listening to Zhou Jiayan chatter on about her home. She seemed to recall Zhou Lichuan mentioning that this property was a gift from Zhou Lihui to Zhou Jiayan when she turned eighteen, as was the Porsche she drove. Zhou Lihui was indeed very doting toward his younger sister.

It was just a pity...

Du Bin was always able to find exactly where he needed to be. While Zhou Jiayan was busy helping Jiang Zao choose a room, he had already put on an apron and started preparing dinner.

This was his first time cooking for Jiang Zao. Zhou Lichuan had already sent someone to bring Sister Hui back, likely intending for Jiang Zao to simply settle in Jingzhou. It made sense; with Lin Rui currently lingering in Changzhou, it was far too dangerous for Jiang Zao to be there.

"So, you were the one who bought this painting?"

Jiang Zao followed Zhou Jiayan to the small garden on the second floor. Half of it was a glass-enclosed sunroom with a spacious, comfortable swing bench, while the other half was an outdoor area planned with a pond and a lush garden.

Hanging on the indoor wall was an oil painting Jiang Zao knew intimately.

*The Rising Sun.*

In the mountain wilderness before dawn, a tall reindeer strolled leisurely, while in the distance, the aurora borealis stretched endlessly across the mountain range.

Zhou Jiayan gave her own forehead a heavy slap. How could she have forgotten this?

"Hehe... well... I was already there, so I just bought it on a whim."

Jiang Zao looked at her. "I thought the 'anonymous collector' who was the first to buy my painting at the exhibition was some middle-aged man. I never expected it to be our Miss Zhou."

Zhou Jiayan shyly linked her arm with Jiang Zao’s. "Oh, I just picked the one I liked most at the exhibition. Who told you to be so talented? When my friends saw this painting, they asked if it was by a painter named Han Lu, saying the brushwork style was very similar. I argued with him for a long time, insisting it was your work, but he just wouldn't believe me."

Jiang Zao blinked. "It’s not ‘Han Lu’ (Korean Dew), it’s ‘Han Lu’ (Cold Dew). The Cold Dew from the twenty-four solar terms."

"...Don't tell me 'Han Lu' is your secret alias."

Jiang Zao nodded. "That's right."

"...I don't want to play with you anymore. You lied to me." Zhou Jiayan pouted, her hair standing on end in frustration.

Who was Han Lu? She was a genius who had suddenly descended upon the art world a few years ago! Countless people flocked to her, and it was hard to find a single piece of her work even with a fortune. Yet, the person was incredibly low-key, always releasing new works through the official channels of the Jingzhou Academy of Fine Arts. However, in the last year, she hadn't published any other paintings, and everyone said that Han Lu had lost her touch and could no longer paint such vivid works.

Zhou Jiayan had always wanted a painting by Han Lu. She had only seen one once at an overseas auction and instinctively assumed the foreign translation "Hanlu" meant the Chinese "Han Lu." As it turned out, the master was right beside her, and she had even been miserable, being ostracized at such a small art exhibition!

Was there any justice left in the world?