Afterlife Department

S City Police Station.

Gu Xingfeng silently watched from behind Gerard Jackson's dark expression as he was interrogated by Jiang Xinduo. The pencil in his hand was dancing in between his long and slender fingers as he listened to them.

"Howee is an obedient child since he was young. He is a promising boy." Gerard Jackson said, his blue pupils became misty as he reminisced the past. "He has been smart. His home tutors were praising him, and even his teachers in his school when he started studying were also happy meeting such a smart and obedient student like Howee." He said. "As a parent, we couldn't be any happier having such a son like him. Even if he grew up in China, but he is still filial to me, his father whom he rarely met since I was very busy with my businesses." He explained. "Sending greeting cards, sharing me his achievement… my son…" he muttered as he covered his eyes with his palm to cry..

"Sir." Secretary Lewis called as he handed Gerard Jackson a handkerchief for him to wipe his tears. Waiting for his boss to calm his emotions, he turned to Jiang Xinduo. "Earlier, officer Zhang came to the company and told us about young master Howee's misfortune." He said. "On our way here, I've called the company where young master Howee is working – the Tianxing Entertainment, to inquire the whole incident. Please be assured we will give you our full cooperation with the investigation." He told him.

Jiang Xinduo. "…" does he have anything to say? This secretary has already said it all! He cleared his throat before he spoke. "Thanks, then." He said even though they've already told the Tianxing Entertainment to hand to them the CCTV records, as well as all the information concerning Huo Ling – his schedule, his current project, as well as the planned projects for him before he died. "I have a question for Secretary Lewis." He said as he looked at the man who can speak fluent Chinese without a heavy accent unlike Gerard Jackson.

"Please ask." Secretary Lewis said.

Jiang Xinduo glanced at Gerard Jackson who was silently crying before he turned back to Secretary Lewis. "As the heir to the company, what is your impression of Mr. Howee?" he asked.

Secretary Lewis paused and fell silent for a few seconds before he spoke. "Young master Howee, as my boss said earlier, is a promising person." He said. "Young master Howee is not only smart, but he's also hardworking. He is also good at socializing, which is one of the most important qualities as an heir." He glanced at Gerard Jackson before he turned to Jiang Xinduo. "However, despite all that… young master Howee – " he said as his voice lowered. " – doesn't want to inherit the company." He told them.

Gu Xingfeng and Jiang Xinduo were surprised. Meanwhile, Gerard Jackson sobbed as he removed the handkerchief from his face, exposing his reddened eyes. "Mr. Gerard…" Jiang Xinduo called, fearing that Gerard Jackson might snap for having been disappointed by his only son – his only heir.

"I am fine." Gerard Jackson said as he shook his head and sighed. "Watching him grow up from a child to a young man, I didn't notice and only found out by then that he's actually stubborn." He said, referring to Huo Ling. "I've never seen him refuse so strongly before…" he added.

Jiang Xinduo sighed in sympathy while Gu Xingfeng remained silent and observing. Since Gerard Jackson is a busy person, they finally released him from interrogation. As the driver opened the car and Gerard Jackson went inside, Secretary Lewis gave them a business card before following Gerard Jackson in the car.

"What do you think, xiao Jiang?" Gu Xingfeng, silent since earlier, asked as they watched Gerard Jackson's car left and disappeared in the distance.

"Too fake." Jiang Xinduo frowned.

"You're not saying this not because his nationality is different, right?" Gu Xingfeng smiled. Each nationality has its own way of expressing their grief.

"Boss. You're not saying this because you think I'm a racist, right?" Jiang Xinduo asked back. He already knows Gu Xingfeng also noticed it earlier.

Gerard Jackson's acting is too fake. It's as if a stray animal had died instead of his son the way he acted earlier.

"Did you see any eye drop with him earlier?" Gu Xingfeng asked.

Jiang Xinduo snorted before he fixed his expression. "He didn't even mention his wife earlier." He pointed out.

Gu Xingfeng nodded. This confirmed that the husband and wife has an estranged relationship. "It seems that we have to investigate the royal family, too." He muttered.

"Weren't we planning that?" Jiang Xinduo asked. "Also… about what CEO Hao said…" his face became serious. He was really shocked by what Gu Xingfeng had told him of his and Hao Baiyun's conversation before.

Gu Xingfeng turned to look at Jiang Xinduo. "Xiao Jiang, are you already rusting?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"You really believe what he said?" Gu Xingfeng asked before he turned to look outside the window. "I already told you our relationship. Him sending himself to me… he must have a motive." He said. "And him purposefully telling that to me, don't you think it's actually the opposite?" he asked and turned to Jiang Xinduo who had a shocked expression on his face. "'Threaten the east and strike the west'… he wants to divert us in one direction, but protect the other direction." He told him. "He must be protecting somebody." He concluded.

Jiang Xinduo gaped at him. "Could it be the murderer?!" he asked.

Gu Xingfeng pressed his lips tight. "Let's hope not." He said.

…

After Hao Baiyun woke up, he saw he was in someone's house. Remembering it was Gu Xingfeng he last met, his heart felt complicated emotions.

He shook his head before he looked around and saw it was already dark. He noticed the food and a note in the bedside table, but he didn't eat nor read it. He immediately washed himself up and then left.

"Young master." Fei Xuli answered when he answered Hao Baiyun's call. "Where are you? Shall I pick you up?" he asked.

"I'm fine. Is aunt Meiying still there?" Hao Baiyun asked as he waved for a taxi.

"Yes. Jing Yu is watching her and madam Lei." Fei Xuli answered.

"Good." Hao Baiyun sighed in relief as he entered the taxi and closed the door. "I'll be there soon." he said and ended the call before he told the driver his address. Then, he leaned on the backseat as he pondered about the things that happened recently.

Huo Ling, the person he treated as his younger brother, died. Huo Meiying, his mother, was in a state of shock. However, madam Lei didn't send her to the hospital. It was because it wouldn't help her, nor it'd be a good thing to send her to the hospital.

Huo Meiying has an emotional disorder. This is a secret of the royal family. The reason why Hao Baiyun knew about it is because he had seen it before. He was helping Huo Ling with his assignment when Huo Meiying noiselessly arrived. If she hasn't dropped the tray of snacks she was carrying, neither he nor Huo Ling would notice her arrival.

The loud noise she made startled her, and her eyes roamed wildly before they settled on Huo Ling's figure. That moment, Hao Baiyun already noticed something was wrong. Thus, when he saw Huo Meiying moved and ran towards Huo Ling, he thought she'd attack him.

However, he only seen her wailed and hugged her son tight. Huo Ling, as if he had done it multiple times and was used to it, immediately soothed her until she finally calmed down. After calming his mother, he turned to him and smiled apologetically. He didn't give an explanation, but he also didn't deny what had happened. Hao Baiyun knows not to ask, either. Thus, they tacitly kept that incident one afternoon.

What shocked Hao Baiyun more is that Gerard Jackson, who fetch his wife and son during one of the times he went to China, didn't give any reaction on Huo Meiying's strange behavior and bad complexion. Huo Ling didn't speak anything else to his father and acted obediently as he helped his mother get into the car before he followed her. Then, their family of three left.

'What a strange family', was what he thought at that time. But, as a sign of respect as Huo Ling's friend, he never mentioned anything about Huo Ling's family ever again to Huo Ling.

Speaking of friend… does Lei Shan know about this? Hao Baiyun thought before he noticed the taxi had already stopped outside his villa. He paid the driver and told him to keep the change before he went out of the taxi and walked towards the gate. The guard saw him and immediately opened the gate for him.

He walked towards the door and was about to knock when he suddenly paused. Remembering Lei Shan being overly caring about Huo Ling, and even his mother always sticking to Huo Meiying, Lei Shan definitely must know about Huo Meiying's condition.