81 1.3.3: Investigation

The next couple of weeks went by uneventfully. Xiao Yunhua had done her utmost best to make Qiang Yue comfortable while he handled the funeral affairs for Qiang Luo.

When the funeral finally happened, Xiao Yunhua saw as he blankly watched his father get buried, but with her enhanced senses, she noticed his clenched fists and his overall pale complexion.

Gently, she placed her hand on his shoulder. Somehow, he brightened up a bit, but still maintained his gloomy aura.

Looking at the people that came, Xiao Yunhua was startled to see Zhou Elder, but no sign of Zhou Eldress. A shiver ran up her spine when she realized how coldhearted Ling Xiu could be, to not even bother to go to the funeral of the man who was her partner in crime.

Along with Zhou Elder, there were a few other members of the Zhou family. She did not see any of the Zhou young masters, fortunately, or else there would have been problems.

But why was he so dedicated? Xiao Yunhua didn't want to waste points, so she realized that she would have to figure the problem out herself.

The rest of the funeral went by in a blur and she found herself mindlessly following Qiang Yue as he greeted Zhou Elder.

Suddenly, she realized something in horror.

She had met Zhou Elder as Zhou Lang's girlfriend... What if he recognized and exposed her? Keeping her eyes averted, she nodded in acknowledgment to the old man, whose eyes seemed to be sharper than a hawk's eyes.

She didn't worry about the other Zhou family members that were there, but the old man worried her. Luckily, it seemed like he didn't recognize her and the funeral ended.

While the Zhou Elder was in the car, there was a tense-type of silence as his driver drove.

Suddenly, the old man's aged voice spoke, "Investigate that girl."

"Which one?" His driver immediately asked, alert.

Zhou Elder's wrinkled hand raised to calm down his subordinate's urgency. "The girl that was beside Qiang Yue. She seems oddly familiar, yet I cannot discern where I've seen her."

"Yes Zhou Elder."

Zhou Elder didn't seem to speak much longer and nodded. For the rest of the trip, there wasn't any word spoken.

When they arrived at Zhou mansion, he was greeted with a worried Zhou Eldress. He nodded in acknowledgment and the servants immediately prepared hot tea for them to enjoy.

While they sipped tea, Zhou Elder quietly asked, "I wonder why you didn't come to the funeral of Qiang Luo. Even though he was our butler, he was, after all, a good friend of ours."

A hidden emotion flashed through Zhou Eldress' dark eyes before she arrogantly shook her head. "I didn't wish to lower myself." Noticing that Zhou Elder frowned at her words, she quickly added, "Besides, Ming'er is visiting again."

But deep in her heart, she felt sympathetic. He was what she would've considered her best friend. They had done everything together... partners in crime as well.

But as horrible as this sounded, she was relieved. Now, the only person who knew of her involvement in illegal activities was dead.

Nobody would ever link anything to her any longer.

Hearing that his favorite grandson and heir was visiting, a smile finally appeared on Zhou Elder's face. "That boy... He's been away from home for too long."

Zhou Eldress noticed the genuine joy in her husband's eyes and clenched her hidden fists. He never looked Zhou Yaoyao like that. The grandson of that woman... To this day, it seemed like that woman still haunted her.

Instead of voicing out her hatred, she only smiled dotingly, "Indeed. His twenty-eighth birthday is happening next week. Luckily, we can celebrate with him this year." She pretended to ponder, then a smile bloomed on her face. "We should organize a celebration and during the celebration, we can see suitable candidates to be his wife."

Zhou Elder did not disagree. As Zhou Ming was to be his heir and the sole owner of the Zhou family business and fortune, his wife had to have the utmost respect and standing in high society.

He didn't want for his grandson to be disrespected and wished for his wife to come from an influential family so that she could aid him as the Zhou's future matron.

"Organize it." Two words and Zhou Eldress' eyes brightened. Even though she hated the bastard with every fiber of her being, she still didn't mind using him to get on Zhou Elder's good side. Her husband really and truly pampered Zhou Ming the most.

If only she had bore a son... then, she could've at least had some type of standing for the inheritance. Her daughter was too weak and didn't have the mindset of someone in business. Her granddaughter preferred shopping and other silly things, so she was ruled out too.

She was going to pass away eventually, so as much as she hated to hand everything to that woman's grandson on a silver platter... she had to.

There was no other way.

Or at least Zhou Eldress thought.