Chapter Thirty-Two: An Unexpected Surprise

Returning to the fruit shop, after exchanging a few words with Liu Wentao, he learned that everything had been settled with Wu Dongjun. Five thousand pounds of watermelons were already being loaded to sell at his place, with the price matching theirs. Wu would get a ten percent share of the profits. Of course, a deposit had been paid before loading the goods.

Business was good today. Although it wasn’t as bustling as yesterday, according to Zhao Haidong, they actually made more money than the day before. Zhang Ye was in a fine mood. After a few more instructions, he took his leave, prompting Zhao Haidong’s indignant protest, accusing Zhang Ye of shirking work and being lazy.

Zhang Ye could only beg off; he truly had things to do, though he couldn’t tell them the real reason—he simply apologized.

Returning home, Zhang Ye emptied his pockets of everything he’d taken from Gao Ming’s house: besides a black-covered notebook, there was a small booklet and a peculiar lighter.

He flicked the lighter a few times, watched the flame, then tossed it aside. He opened the notebook and leafed through the pages. As expected, it contained detailed records of Gao Ming’s activities—almost like an account book—with clear notations of dates, sums of money received, and the reasons for each transaction.

What made Zhang Ye frown more deeply was the discovery that, using his editor-in-chief position, Gao Ming had seduced several female editors and reporters at the newspaper. The notebook explicitly listed Wang Mengzi as his next target.

Though Zhang Ye had suspected as much, reading it in black and white filled him with fury. The beating he’d given Gao Ming the day before now felt justified—if anything, he should have been even harsher.

He read on to the very last page, then slowly closed the notebook, brows furrowed. In his previous life, he’d handed this notebook directly to the chief editor, Gu Changming, who had fairly enough removed Gao Ming from his position. But on the way to the police station, Gao Ming’s uncle, Hong Jiang, had intervened.

This memory left Zhang Ye irritable. If he followed the same path as before, nothing would change, and that wasn’t what he wanted.

Feeling restless, Zhang Ye casually picked up the other small booklet—just palm-sized—that he’d brought from Gao Ming’s home. Flipping it open, he saw only a few phone numbers and closed it again.

He intended to lie on his bed and think of another solution, but then something caught his eye. When he’d tried to shut the booklet, it slipped and fell open to the back, revealing more handwritten notes—another sort of ledger.

Here, Gao Ming had recorded all the bribes and favors he knew his uncle Hong Jiang had accepted and performed, one by one, as meticulously as in his own notebook. Every date and event was plainly listed, even details about Hong Jiang’s mistress.

Zhang Ye’s eyes widened—he could no longer remain calm. He read through every record at the back of the booklet, then finally closed it, a trace of irrepressible amusement flickering in his eyes. “Heaven may forgive the misfortunes it brings, but self-inflicted sins cannot be escaped. Gao Ming, you’ve handed me the evidence yourself. Now let’s see who can save you.”

He hadn’t expected to uncover evidence of his uncle’s crimes in this little booklet. Though it looked like a simple diary, the details were so specific that any investigation would yield results. At that point, not just Gao Ming but even Hong Jiang would likely be brought down.

“Well, it seems I really must pay Aunt Yuan a visit,” Zhang Ye thought, making up his mind. From the way Director Ye had treated Yuan Yuqing, Zhang Ye had already guessed she held an unusual status. Bringing this evidence to her would be far more effective than going to Director Ye.

After all, Zhang Ye knew little about the politics of Lihua County, nor how close Ye Qidong and Hong Jiang might be. If he handed things over to the authorities and nothing happened, it would be a disaster. So Yuan Yuqing was his best bet—he believed that with her status, bringing down Hong Jiang would be no trouble.

Even if she didn’t, it would surely make Hong Jiang more cautious, and when his nephew got into trouble, he’d be powerless to help.

Having sorted his thoughts, Zhang Ye felt completely at ease and began to wash rice and prepare lunch. Unnoticed, the day had already reached noon.

After lunch, Zhang Ye told Liu Meiju he was heading out and left at once.

Yuan Yuqing’s home was just across the street from Lihua No. 1 High School, not far from Zhang Ye’s own. He rode his bicycle, the bell ringing, until he reached the entrance of one of the more upscale residential complexes in Lihua County.

Zhang Ye had a good memory. Yuan Yuqing had only mentioned her address once, but he remembered it. He also knew a bit about this complex; in Lihua County, it was considered upper-middle class, home to families of some means, and security was tight. Before he could enter, a guard stopped him. Only after explaining himself was he allowed in.

Knock, knock, knock!

Finding Yuan Yuqing’s door, Zhang Ye reached out and knocked.

“Who is it?” came a response from inside, but it wasn’t Yuan Yuqing’s voice.

Zhang Ye felt a little awkward but still replied, “I’m looking for Aunt Yuan. Is this Yuan Yuqing’s home?” Suddenly, he felt a bit nervous.

“Wait a moment.”

After a pause of several seconds, footsteps approached from within, growing nearer until the door opened abruptly, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. Her oval features were fair and flawless, a natural elegance mingled with a hint of seductive charm. Long hair draped over her left shoulder, partially veiling one side of her face, while the right side was fully exposed, highlighting a breathtaking beauty.

A flicker of surprise crossed her features as she looked Zhang Ye up and down. “It’s you? How do you know my aunt?” Clearly, she recognized him.

Zhang Ye was momentarily dumbstruck. He hadn’t expected to meet Guo Xiangqing here—the famous campus belle of No. 1 High School, the girl who made countless young men blush with shyness.

Today, the school beauty wore only a pale red fitted dress, its snug hemline accentuating her graceful curves. The neckline wasn’t low, not at all revealing, and below the hem were black silk stockings—youthful yet enticing. With her standout height among girls, her long legs and slender waist were even more striking.

The fitted dress and stockings were irresistibly alluring on her. Even though Zhang Ye had seen her before, he couldn’t help but be captivated.

PS: My apologies for posting so late today—there won’t be fewer than two chapters, so rest assured. Also, it’s almost time for the next ranking push. Last time, we reached sixth in our category and seventeenth on the new authors’ list. I checked—getting to twelfth and onto the front page isn’t far off, so I have a little request: when the rankings refresh on the twenty-sixth, please vote and use your membership points for me. If we make the front page, I’ll add an extra chapter on top of the guaranteed two, and as long as we stay there for a day, three chapters will be the new standard. Plus, there are more incentives—if recommendation votes or bookmarks hit a thousand, I’ll add another chapter on top of that. That’s about it. I hope for your support...