Chapter 24: Asking Her to Join the Business Trip

Lu Chengfeng was taken aback. "What happened?"

Liu Xun replied, "She's gone mad."

"Mad?" Lu Chengfeng asked, surprised.

"Yes. I contacted the chief of the local police station in Jiang Xue's hometown and asked him to send someone to keep an eye on her until we arrived to make the arrest. The chief called me back after reaching her house and said that Jiang Xue had gone insane this morning."

"She locked herself in her room, claiming the house was haunted. She was crying and laughing by turns, rambling a bunch of nonsensical madness."

Lu Chengfeng thought for a moment and responded to Liu Xun, "You take your team and head to Jiang Xue's house first. I’ll bring Qin Yanbin, Shi Wei, and Shu Yan. I’ll have Shu Yan take a look and determine whether Jiang Xue is truly insane or just feigning it."

"We cannot rule out the possibility that she is faking it to escape legal repercussions."

Liu Xun said, "Understood. I will head over with my team now to secure her until you arrive."

After hanging up, Lu Chengfeng relayed the report to Qin Yanbin and Shi Wei.

Qin Yanbin blurted out, "She must be faking it! Someone as vicious as her—how could she possibly go mad?"

"That is why we need to see for ourselves," Lu Chengfeng told his colleagues. "Heipi, take Shi Wei and Mr. Qin downstairs and wait for me. I’m going to invite Director Shu to accompany us so we can have a word with Jiang Xue."

"Understood, Captain Lu," replied Heipi.

Shu Yan had just returned to her office when Lu Chengfeng sought her out.

"How did you know I was looking for you?" she asked, as if there were some sort of telepathic connection.

Lu Chengfeng’s lips curled upward. "Finished with your work?"

Shu Yan handed the autopsy report to him. "Do you still need to hold a meeting to go over this?"

Lu Chengfeng accepted the report and scanned it. "Not for now. There is an urgent matter that needs our attention. Could you spare the time to come with me? We’re heading to Jiang Xue's hometown to have a meeting with her."

Shu Yan was puzzled. "I’m not exactly skilled at making arrests."

Lu Chengfeng chuckled. "I wouldn't ask you to do something so dangerous. Liu Xun reported that Jiang Xue has gone mad, and I need your expertise to determine if she is truly insane or just putting on an act."

Shu Yan raised an eyebrow. "Psychiatric evaluation isn't exactly my specialty either, but I can go with you to take a look. Wait a moment; I need to let Gao Yi know."

Shu Yan spoke with Gao Yi, instructing him to follow up on the results from the testing department. Afterward, she returned to her office to gather a few personal items and grabbed her investigation kit before meeting Lu Chengfeng at the elevator.

Seeing her approach, Lu Chengfeng hurried forward to take the kit from her.

"Thank you," Shu Yan said politely.

Lu Chengfeng frowned. "There’s no one else around. Do you really need to be so formal with me?"

Shu Yan shot him a glance and said intentionally, "Captain Lu, don't act as if we are that close."

Lu Chengfeng pressed the elevator button and replied in a low voice, "I have never shared a bed with any other woman in my life."

Shu Yan frowned. "Shut up."

The elevator doors opened, and Lu Chengfeng followed her inside. Once the doors closed, he set down the investigation kit, suddenly turned, pinned Shu Yan against the wall, and kissed her lips.

Caught off guard, Shu Yan stiffened against the cold elevator wall. Her heart began to race.

Just as she was about to run out of breath, Lu Chengfeng released her, looking smug and satisfied.

"Are you crazy? There’s a security camera in the elevator! You... you’re going to be the death of me!" Shu Yan snapped, flushed with anger.

Lu Chengfeng watched her with a smile. "Well, I think I am crazy. Ever since I met you, I’ve gone off the rails."

The elevator doors opened at that moment. Shu Yan rolled her eyes and marched out quickly.

Lu Chengfeng picked up the investigation kit and caught up with her. "Are you hungry? Shall we grab something to eat before we go?"

"Not hungry. You've already filled me up with your nonsense," she retorted indignantly.

The corners of Lu Chengfeng's mouth remained lifted; he liked it when Shu Yan showed her temper and acted coy with him.

"Then shall we buy some bread for the road?" he asked again.

Shu Yan didn't know how long the trip would take and worried about Lu Chengfeng driving on an empty stomach. After thinking it over, she softened her tone. "Suit yourself."

Shi Wei saw Shu Yan and Lu Chengfeng walking toward the parking lot from a distance. Observing Shu Yan's flushed, angry face and the rare smile on Lu Chengfeng’s lips, he couldn't help but sigh, "How miraculous."

He had known Lu Chengfeng for many years and had never seen him look so happy. He had also never seen Shu Yan play the part of a shy, vexed young wife. It seemed Lu Chengfeng had a very good chance.

He deliberately waved at them. "Chengfeng, let me ride with you."

Lu Chengfeng’s face fell the moment he saw Shi Wei. "Don't you have your own car?"

Shi Wei shrugged. "My car is a gas guzzler. I heard Heipi say it's at least a three-hour drive to Jiang Xue's hometown, so my new energy vehicle is the perfect choice. I just fully charged it a few days ago."

"It can easily handle three hours. I’ll just have to find a place to charge it when we come back."

Lu Chengfeng sensed that Shi Wei was intentionally trying to be a third wheel. He turned to Qin Yanbin. "Mr. Qin, did you drive here?"

"I did. Shi Wei, you can ride in my car," Qin Yanbin said, puzzled as to why Shi Wei was so insistent on squeezing into their vehicle when he clearly didn't lack the money for gas.

"Don't bother with your car. Let's all squeeze in with Chengfeng," Shi Wei said, hooking his arm around Qin Yanbin's shoulder. "How about this: Chengfeng and Director Shu can sit in the back, and I'll drive. I'm more familiar with this car and can make better time."

Lu Chengfeng stepped forward and whispered into Shi Wei’s ear, "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

Shi Wei quickly shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about. What 'on purpose'?"

Lu Chengfeng replied, "If you want to die, just say so. I can snap your neck right now, and I promise you won't even feel the pain. Want to try?"

"Actually, Yanbin, I think I'll ride in your car after all," Shi Wei said, hurriedly pulling Qin Yanbin toward his own vehicle.

Lu Chengfeng placed the investigation kit in the trunk, opened the passenger door for Shu Yan, and gave a nod to the investigators in Heipi’s car. He then walked to the driver's side, started the engine, and followed the navigation route Liu Xun had sent.

Passing a bakery, he stopped to buy some bread and water, handing them to Shu Yan so she could have a bite.

Shu Yan looked at the bag of assorted breads in her lap and frowned. "There was no need to buy so much." They had both eaten a hearty breakfast; she wasn't really hungry.

As Lu Chengfeng started the car, he said, "You’re too thin. Besides, you stood for two hours during the autopsy today; the little bit you ate this morning must have been burned off by now. It's easy to get carsick on an empty stomach."

Shu Yan didn't argue. She found a type of bread she liked, opened the packaging, and took a bite, chewing slowly. After a few bites, she felt bad eating alone. She pulled out a piece of bread and offered it to Lu Chengfeng. "You’ve worked hard today, too."

Lu Chengfeng replied, "I'm driving, so it’s not convenient. You eat first."

Shu Yan insisted, "Doesn't the navigation say it’s a three-hour drive? If you faint from hunger, we'll have an accident."

With that, she tore open the packaging and held it to his lips.

Lu Chengfeng froze for a second, then suppressed a smile, opened his mouth to take a bite, and chewed with relish. Why did this bread taste so delicious today? Buying it was definitely the right move.

Shu Yan patiently fed him three pieces of bread before stopping. When they hit a red light, she opened a bottle of water and held it for him to drink, finally satisfied.