Chapter 43
The next day, on her way to work, Su Guan checked her messages as usual.
Many people usually messaged her, mostly from the original host’s social circle. They would occasionally contact Su Guan.
Su Guan had inherited the original host’s memories. Every time she opened a chat box, the corresponding information about that person would appear in her mind.
Although she knew their information and could match their topics of conversation, the original host was, after all, a rich young lady. She knew many people, and even though the original host wasn’t very social, many people still took the initiative to message her.
It was troublesome to go through and reply to them one by one.
But it was rude not to reply, so Su Guan had later reminded herself to be careful with her wording when replying, to try not to chat for too long.
Now it seemed to be working. The number of people messaging her had decreased a lot.
So she easily saw the message Auntie Mei had sent her—it was an email.
[Eldest Miss, I have already handled the matter you instructed me to last time. Below is some basic information. If you wish to go to Lichi, you can contact Little Chen directly.]
The email also had two attachments.
Su Guan opened them one by one and gradually got an understanding.
It turned out that the person in charge at Lichi had been changed. The one Auntie Mei knew had already left, which was why Auntie Mei couldn’t contact them.
And Auntie Mei didn’t know the current person in charge either. She had had to contact them anew.
From the other attachment, it seemed that Little Chen was about the same age as Su Guan. In Auntie Mei’s description, Little Chen was an outstanding Beta who, after studying the relevant major in university, had come to Lichi to be a housekeeper.
The attachment also contained Little Chen’s detailed personal information and his phone number.
Since she didn’t have to work after today and it was the weekend, Su Guan made up her mind to go to Lichi to find out the truth. She wanted to see who exactly lived in Lichi—the security had been so tight that day that she couldn’t get in at all.
Su Guan had a very strong feeling.
Work today was very smooth. Not only was Su Guan not bothered by the annoying Ji Ping, but even her other colleagues were spared.
During the break, Ji Ping even friendly struck up a conversation with Su Guan, asking her how her work was today.
Su Guan replied politely.
When Gao Yuan passed by and heard their conversation, she couldn’t help but say, “Yo, I was just thinking, why do I feel so strange today? It feels like the sun has risen from the west. Even you’ve started to speak like a human?”
Her words were barbed. Usually, Ji Ping would have already started arguing with Gao Yuan.
But to the surprise of all their colleagues, Ji Ping just chuckled, an awkward smile on his face. “No, the weather is just really nice today.”
Hearing this, Gao Yuan was stunned.
She couldn’t help but wonder: had this person really gone crazy? Or was this not Ji Ping? She had felt that Ji Ping was a little strange since yesterday.
At that time, he had been standing by the elevator, not saying a word.
“It’s break time now. I was just thinking of coming over to chat with everyone,” Ji Ping said earnestly. Gao Yuan was at a loss for words for a moment and just gave a few “mm”s, walking away with a heart full of doubt.
The moment she turned around, Gao Yuan sent a message in their small group chat.
[My goodness, what’s wrong with Ji Ping lately? Has he lost his mind or something?]
Soon, someone popped up to follow.
[I’ve been on leave for the past two days. What happened?]
Gao Yuan typed furiously:
[Ji Ping! He hasn’t been a jerk these past few days, and he hasn’t been looking for trouble. Has he been possessed?]
But after sending it, she still felt something was wrong and added another sentence.
[Everyone, quickly check if any of the data on your computers has been deleted… I feel like he’s just trying to confuse us!]
Gao Yuan sent the message with satisfaction.
She felt that her last sentence was a more accurate description.
Ji Ping was just that kind of person.
She really did check all the data on her own computer. That wasn’t enough. She even took the initiative to help Su Guan check her computer—Ji Ping’s recent “normalcy” was a bit like “madness,” and he was being particularly nice to Su Guan.
Anyone who had been at the company for a while knew that Ji Ping had tried to form a small clique and had approached Su Guan, but Su Guan had ignored him. From then on, Ji Ping had held a grudge against Su Guan and would find trouble with her from time to time.
Now that Ji Ping had changed overnight, Gao Yuan would definitely prioritize Su Guan’s situation.
Su Guan watched as Gao Yuan checked her computer all over and finally said cautiously, “Sister Gao, what are you doing?”
Gao Yuan didn’t even look up. “Helping you check your computer.”
“…What are you checking my computer for?” Su Guan was confused. From Gao Yuan’s actions, it seemed she was checking the data on her computer?
“To see if Ji Ping has deleted any of your things,” Gao Yuan took a breath. “Don’t you think he’s no good?”
Su Guan: …
Alright.
Although Ji Ping’s abnormal behavior had put Gao Yuan on high alert, and Su Guan had seen her send many messages in the group, the truth was that nothing had happened.
After work, Su Guan, thinking that Gu Yixi wasn’t at home anyway, and since she had promised to treat Gao Yuan to a meal last time, invited Gao Yuan and a group of her friends.
During the meal, everyone chatted happily. Gao Yuan, who was a little drunk, didn’t forget to curse Ji Ping a few times. “I don’t know what’s gotten into this person lately. Anyway, he’s not a good person. Everyone, remember to stay away from him!”
“And his friends, the ones who are close to him, I feel like they all have problems!” Gao Yuan said, then turned to look at Su Guan. “Su Guan, really, listen to me.”
Su Guan readily agreed.
…People who were close to Ji Ping. This sentence flashed through Su Guan’s mind, but for a moment, she couldn’t think of anyone.
She didn’t know anyone who was close to Ji Ping.
Su Guan would never talk to Ji Ping, let alone have any interaction with his friends.
…
The next day was the weekend. No work. Su Guan, following the message Auntie Mei had sent, contacted Little Chen.
She dialed Little Chen’s number.
The phone rang for a while, then it was answered. A magnetic, low male voice came from the other end. “Hello.”
Su Guan: “Hello.”
Then she gave a brief self-introduction. The voice on the other end paused for a moment. “Ah? I see.”
Su Guan found this strange and asked, “Is there a problem?”
“No, there’s no problem—” Little Chen replied. “Madam has also mentioned you here at Lichi.”
Lichi. He had mentioned the place she wanted to go.
Su Guan quickly pressed, “I heard from Auntie Mei that you’re in charge at Lichi now, is that right?”
Little Chen replied, “Yes, I’m in charge. May I ask what you need, Miss?”
“I’m coming to Lichi in a bit.”
After saying this, Su Guan’s heart pounded.
If her prediction was correct, and there really was something at Lichi, then Little Chen would definitely be evasive and not let her know.
But the other end of the line was silent for a moment, then quickly agreed. “Okay, I understand. I’ve already made a note of it… May I ask, when are you planning to come?”
He agreed so readily? Su Guan found it strange.
“Is any time okay?” she asked again.
Little Chen enunciated clearly, “Yes, any time is okay. You can, of course, come back to Lichi at any time.”
“Then, one o’clock this afternoon.”
“No problem.”
After hanging up, Su Guan still felt strange—wasn’t this progressing a little too smoothly?
She was reminded of the heavily guarded Lichi that day, and this housekeeper who had agreed so quickly.
Was there still a secret at Lichi?
The specifics could only be known when she got there.
Before one o’clock in the afternoon, Su Guan had already arrived at Lichi.
The security guard had been changed—this time, they weren’t walking around like before, but were showing their professionalism, standing in the guard post and not going anywhere.
When Su Guan approached, the security guard didn’t look at her.
But Su Guan couldn’t get in and could only ask the security guard for help. But the security at Lichi had always been strict. Visitors had to be verified before they could enter.
Just as Su Guan was about to contact Little Chen and then call the security guard, a call came from Little Chen first.
Su Guan answered the phone.
“Hello, Miss. May I ask if you have arrived at Lichi?”
Su Guan held the phone and walked to the side. “Yes, I’m here, at Gate C.”
“Okay, I’ll come out to get you right away. Please wait a moment,” Little Chen said very politely on the phone, asking Su Guan to wait.
Not long after, a man in a suit came out. He didn’t talk to the security guard but directly led Su Guan in.
On the way, Su Guan didn’t forget to beat around the bush. “This is my first time at Lichi.”
Little Chen gave a “mm.” “Yes, I’ve only been here for a short time myself. This is also my first time seeing you, Miss.”
“Does Madam come here often?”
Little Chen: “Not really. Madam is very busy. This place is often vacant.”
Vacant? Su Guan was taken aback.
If this place was vacant, then that meant no one else lived at Lichi.
If no one else lived here… then her speculation was wrong.
“Then how many times a month does Madam come here?” Su Guan asked, following Little Chen’s lead.
Little Chen: “Not many. Maybe three times a month, maybe two, one, or maybe not at all. But recently, Madam has been in the country more often, so she’s been coming back more.”
Su Guan nodded thoughtfully. “Oh, I see.”
The two of them didn’t walk for long before they reached the villa.
The villa was empty and spacious, with no signs of anyone living there.
This was indeed as Little Chen had said. No one else lived here.
But to be safe, Su Guan confirmed again. “Usually, if Madam isn’t back, do you live here alone?”
“In such a big place?”
Hearing this, Little Chen smiled. “Of course. If Madam isn’t here, then I’m the only one living here.”
Su Guan said, as if unintentionally, “When Madam isn’t here, don’t you feel lonely living alone?”
Little Chen smiled. “What’s there to be lonely about?”
He even gave Su Guan a tour.
Su Guan observed carefully but couldn’t see anything.
There were no signs of anyone else living there.
Only signs of one person, Su Yaying.
There was no illegitimate child here as she had imagined…
She had been overthinking it.
Was she? Su Guan wondered.
But she had stayed at Lichi for too long, and she didn’t want to stay here. When Little Chen asked her to stay, Su Guan still refused.
She said she was going back.
It seemed this path was temporarily blocked.
