Ding~ Negative Emotions +20

That evening,

Far away in Zhonghai.

Inside a villa, the four Ren sisters were having a "meeting"—their unique "candlelight gathering."

Since childhood, the four of them had always shared secrets among themselves.

But whenever it concerned their family or involved all four of them, they would light candles at night and gather around them for heartfelt conversations.

This tradition had started when they were around ten years old.

Even now, as adults, they still kept it up.

The eldest sister, Ren Chenxi, was 26 this year.

The second sister, Ren Fanxing, was just under 25.

The third and fourth sisters, twins Ren Yushang and Ren Yuege, were only a few months older than Cao Cheng.

Yet, this long-standing habit remained unchanged.

Eldest sister Ren Chenxi sat on a chair with her legs crossed, holding a book. Her fair, shapely legs extended from her knee-length nightgown, appearing full and straight.

Under the candlelight, her pale skin took on a faint, enchanting pink hue.

Her posture, paired with the gold-rimmed glasses she wore, gave her an intellectual yet restrained allure.

Second sister Ren Fanxing, cold and dignified, sat cross-legged on the floor with a jug of wine beside her.

She loved drinking.

And she had never been drunk.

As for the twins, Ren Yushang and Ren Yuege, unfamiliar faces could hardly tell them apart.

In front of their poised eldest sister and aloof second sister, they were as meek as quails.

Their choice of sleepwear—cartoon-themed pajamas—only reinforced the impression that they were still children at heart, despite their fully developed figures.

The candlelit discussion had just begun.

Second sister Ren Fanxing took a sip of wine and asked, "Third sister, what have you found out?"

Ren Yushang opened her laptop. "Uncle Cao hasn’t had steady work these years. I had people investigate in Sanjiang City, and many neighbors didn’t even know what he did for a living. But his reputation is decent—he’s known as a helpful guy..."

"However..."

"Rumors say he’s had close, ambiguous relationships with many women."

"The specifics are still under investigation. It’ll take more time."

Hearing this, Ren Fanxing’s cold brows lifted slightly. "So, it’s likely he’s just after Mom’s money? Who knows what kind of sweet talk he used to charm her?"

Ren Yushang nodded.

Based on the findings, that seemed to be the case.

"Eldest sister," Ren Fanxing turned to her, "I’ve been against this from the start, but you said we should wait and see. What do you think now?"

All eyes were on the eldest sister.

Ren Chenxi slowly looked up from her book.

Her voice, unlike Ren Fanxing’s icy tone, was gentle and warm.

She was the sister who most resembled their mother.

Four words could describe her:

Beautiful and kind.

Graceful and dignified.

Elegant and refined.

Her name, "Chenxi" (Morning Light), suited her perfectly—like the first rays of dawn, neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter, radiating warmth.

"What’s the rush?" Ren Chenxi shook her head gently. "If third sister could dig up this much, do you really think Mom wouldn’t know? Do you honestly believe Mom is that easy to fool?"

Ren Fanxing remained frosty. "Love makes people irrational. I’ve seen too many cases like this at work. People lose their minds for so-called love, and by the time they wake up... it’s too late for regrets."

"Mom hasn’t remarried all these years. She must long for love, making her an easy target for opportunists."

"Third sister, fourth sister, don’t you agree?"

"Mmm~!" The two younger sisters nodded quickly, too intimidated by their second sister’s authority to voice their own opinions.

They revered their eldest sister.

But they feared their second sister!

Ren Chenxi smiled faintly. "Maybe you’re right. But don’t you police officers always say evidence is everything? Guessing won’t help. Show me solid proof, and I’ll talk to Mom."

"Otherwise, no one can persuade her right now—not even me."

Ren Fanxing nodded. "Fine. Once I wrap up my current case, I’ll go to Sanjiang City myself to investigate. It’ll be closed soon."

"Third sister, keep digging. Hand all the info to me later."

"And Cao Cheng—his son is named Cao Cheng, right? Look into him too. He might lead us to more clues."

"Got it, second sister."

While the older sisters spoke, the youngest, Ren Yuege, stayed silent like a shadow.

But a mischievous glint flickered in her eyes—like a little fox hatching a clever plan.

None of her sisters noticed.

---

Seven days had passed since Old Cao left.

"Checkmate."

"You’re dead. Pay up."

Cao Cheng grinned and held out his hand to the old man across the chessboard.

A crowd of elderly onlookers chuckled.

The old man, Old Li, grumbled and reluctantly pulled out a crumpled ten-yuan bill, tossing it onto the board. "Again!"

Cao Cheng pocketed the money, picked up his thermos, and shook his head. "Old Li, you’ve already lost twenty today. Keep this up, and you won’t have grocery money left. Let’s call it a day."

Old Li huffed. "I refuse to believe it! I’ve played chess my whole life. How can I lose to some brat?"

He stubbornly reset the pieces.

Cao Cheng took a sip of tea and spat out a tea leaf.

"Old Li, chess is about strategy and brains, not age. If age mattered, thousand-year-old turtles would be grandmasters."

The crowd burst into laughter.

[Ding~ Negative emotions +1]

Old Li’s face darkened. "Don’t get cocky, kid. One more game!"

"Fine, last one. Lose and make room—plenty of folks waiting." Cao Cheng gestured at the spectators.

The other old men egged them on.

Old Li sighed. "Alright, last game. I’ll win this time."

True to form, twenty minutes later, Old Li slapped down another ten yuan and vacated his seat.

Cao Cheng cheerfully collected his winnings.

Another old man took the vacant spot.

When it came to chess, Cao Cheng was a seasoned veteran. In his past life, he’d studied countless strategies and variations before his death.

After all, the tactics from a century later far surpassed the limited moves of this era.

Just a few of his tricks were enough to keep these old-timers scratching their heads till their dying day.

Time wasn’t on their side...

Over the past few days, Cao Cheng had seamlessly integrated into the park’s elderly community.

By day, he played chess.

By night, he danced with the grannies.

Occasionally, he switched to ping-pong or basketball—but mostly, he stuck to mahjong.

He’d become the park’s most popular young face.

Why walk a hundred years of detours when you could skip straight to retirement?

Besides, the money-making opportunity he remembered hadn’t arrived yet.

He’d have to wait two more days.

---

Meanwhile, on the street beside the park, inside a black Mercedes-Benz...

Two stunning women peered through binoculars at the crowd of old men.

"Third sister, is that Cao Cheng?"

"Yes."

"He’s really 22?"

"Yep."

"And he comes here every day to play chess?"

"Well... sometimes he joins the grannies for square dancing. In the afternoons, he plays ping-pong or basketball. But mostly, it’s mahjong."

"..."

Second sister Ren Fanxing’s delicate brows furrowed. Through gritted teeth, she muttered, "What a... colorful life."

In her mind, she pictured her recently retired police chief—thermos in one hand, walnut prayer beads in the other, alternating between chess, gardening, grocery runs, and bead-twirling...

She didn’t find this lifestyle comfortable or carefree at all.

To her, this leisurely, desire-free existence was built entirely on the Ren family’s wealth.

She suspected her mother must have given that man, Cao, a considerable sum, and Cao, in turn, had handed a portion to his son.

Otherwise, how could his son afford to idle around all day?

Playing chess and mahjong?

Ren Fanxing’s voice turned icy. "How much did his father leave him when he left?"

Ren Yushang lowered her voice. "I pulled some strings to check the bank records. Uncle Cao left him 100,000 yuan."

"Hah!" Ren Fanxing let out a scornful laugh.

Just as she thought.

100,000… what a generous handout.

To the Ren family, 100,000 was a drop in the bucket, but for an ordinary household, it was no small amount.

Mom, do you see now?

You’ve been raising a freeloader for no reason.

[Ding~ Negative emotions +20!]

“……?”