Ye Lingzhi looked a lot older than she did before. Nearly half her hair had turned white, and more wrinkles were etched onto her face. She looked at least ten years older than her actual age.
She looked at Yan Qingsi as if she was tolerating her.
Yan Qingsi did not say anything. She poured a drink for herself out of the teapot on the table. The jasmine tea had already cooled down, but it still had a hint of fragrance when she took a sip out of it.
“I know that you want to kill me, but the Ye family will never let you succeed. Yan Qingsi, I’ll live no matter what. Let’s see how you turn out…”
Yan Qingsi ignored Ye Lingzhi’s burst of madness. She took a photograph out of her purse and placed it in front of Ye Lingzhi. “I’m sure you remember this necklace.”
Ye Lingzhi was stunned for a moment when she saw that photograph. Her agitated expression immediately calmed down. “I don’t remember,” she replied.
Yan Qingsi smiled. “You remember. How could you not? If you’d really forgotten it, you would have said, ‘I know nothing’, not ‘I don’t remember’.”
Ye Lingzhi clenched her teeth. “I don’t know anything. I’ve never seen this necklace before.”
Yan Qingsi gently tapped her fingers against the table. The sound was light, yet it held a certain weight to it. Its rhythm was amplified in Ye Lingzhi’s ears. Her heart pounded when she heard it.
“I’ve no interest in murdering you,” Yan Qingsi said, slowly but steadily. “I can help you with your daughter. I can lift the charges against her.”
Yan Qingsi raised her head and looked at Ye Lingzhi. She was so nervous that her entire body was trembling.
That was why she was sure that Ye Lingzhi knew something.
The corners of Yan Qingsi’s mouth lifted; her smile was as sweet as honey. “But you must tell me… where is my mother’s necklace now! Otherwise, I’ll let Yan Mingzhu rot in jail for life.”
A jolt of fear clapped throughout Ye Lingzhi’s body when she saw Yan Qingsi’s smile.
Her hands tremored under the table. “How would I know anything? How am I supposed to answer this ridiculous question you’re asking me?”
“Is it ridiculous? My mother had always had this necklace on. When she died, all of you handled her corpse. I only managed to catch a glimpse of her before she was cremated, and the necklace was gone. I don’t think you’d ever forget whatever that had happened that year till the day you die. Was it possible that you would forget anything, as you’re telling me now?”
“I truly don’t remember. How could I remember such a small detail…”
“Then why the anxiety? It’s just a necklace. Is there a need to be so defensive?” Yan Qingsi said sardonically. “You just have to answer in one or two sentences. Why aren’t you willing to say anything? You’ve visited Yan Mingzhu. You know how pitiful she is now. As her mother, don’t you want to get her out of jail?”
Ye Lingzhi did not dare to look straight into Yan Qingsi’s eyes. “I… I…”
“I’m only giving you this one chance. Think about it. You could save your daughter.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen this necklace.”
Yan Qingsi stood up. “Then we’re done talking.”
She did not waste any time. She snatched the photo away and walked straight out of the door.
Ye Lingzhi closed her eyes, slumping on her chair.
…
Yan Qingsi brought Xiao Xu and Ji Mianmian out, never expecting to run into You Yi.
She narrowed her eyes. Not bad. He had a good grasp of where she would go next.
You Yi’s complexion was terribly pale, and his eyes were bloodshot. He looked as though he had not slept in a long time. A whorl of unidentifiable emotions swirled deep in his eyes. “I’ve something to ask you,” he said.
Yan Qingsi coolly sidestepped him. “I don’t have time for this.”
“Your mother, where… is she now?”