Those Photos

Lin Xuan: "..."

Jiang Qing: "Why aren’t you saying anything? Feeling guilty? Hah, you better start talking, and you’d better hope I don’t find out who you are!"

Lin Xuan had always known Jiang Qing as capable and emotionally composed. This was the first time he’d seen her so explosive.

After a long silence, Lin Xuan finally spoke. "It’s me, Secretary Jiang. I’m sorry for disturbing you."

That familiar voice—

Jiang Qing, still half-asleep, jolted upright in bed.

Holy shit!

It was Lin Xuan, Young Master Lin!

He was someone even more untouchable than Boss Su!

Especially since he’d saved her life earlier that day.

"Young Master Lin," Jiang Qing forced an awkward laugh, "I sincerely apologize. I didn’t realize it was you at first—I thought it was a prank call."

Lin Xuan replied, "It’s fine. I understand."

Jiang Qing rubbed her nose. "Young Master Lin, may I ask why you called? Is there something you need?"

"Here’s the thing," Lin Xuan got straight to the point. "Secretary Jiang, do you remember what I asked you a few days ago?"

Jiang Qing frowned.

The day Lin Xuan had visited Su Corporation, he’d asked her if something had happened to Boss Su.

At the time, she hadn’t dared to tell him the truth and had claimed she knew nothing.

"I heard from the bodyguards—about why Hua suddenly had an episode," Lin Xuan said. "That couple showing up right then was no coincidence."

Jiang Qing’s frown deepened.

She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, assuming the woman was just another victim of deception. But now, considering it, Lin Xuan was right—the couple had acted strangely. Their conversation had sounded rehearsed, and they’d kept glancing their way.

"Secretary Jiang," Lin Xuan continued, "I don’t think Hua’s episode was just because of that couple. Something else must have happened."

"I need to know the full picture to help her. Secretary Jiang, are you sure you can’t tell me?"

Jiang Qing tightened her grip on the phone.

Last time, Lin Xuan had single-handedly crushed the Shadow Organization and walked away unscathed. Maybe he really could destroy them for good.

But…

"Young Master Lin, I’m worried about your safety. If anything happens to you, Boss Su will never let it go," Jiang Qing said quietly.

If Lin Xuan died, Boss Su would probably follow him soon after.

"So you’d rather let Hua be the one in danger?" Lin Xuan’s voice turned cold.

Jiang Qing fell silent.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath. "Secretary Jiang, you know who I am. I’m the leader of the Golden Dragon Gang. I’m not some weak, reckless fool."

"And I know—if I die, Hua won’t keep living either."

That was how it had been in his past life. Shortly after his death, Hua had avenged him and then taken her own life.

It wasn’t arrogance—he was likely the only thing keeping her tied to this world.

Without him, she’d have no reason to go on.

"So, Secretary Jiang," Lin Xuan pressed, "I’ll protect myself. I won’t let anything happen to me. You don’t need to worry."

Jiang Qing’s brows knitted together.

Given Boss Su’s temperament, if she ever located the Shadow Organization, she’d fight them to the death—especially after they’d tried to kidnap Lin Xuan. She’d lose all rationality facing them.

Maybe… telling Lin Xuan was the right move. He might have a solution.

Having made up her mind, Jiang Qing nodded. "Young Master Lin, I’ll tell you."

She took a steadying breath and began, "Lately, someone’s been sending messages to Boss Su. I don’t know the exact content, but every time she reads them, her face changes. I suspect those messages are from the Shadow Organization—and they must be about you."

Only Lin Xuan could provoke such a reaction from Boss Su.

And the only ones who’d dare oppose her were the Shadow Organization.

So Jiang Qing guessed the messages were from them, targeting Su Hua.

Lin Xuan’s expression darkened.

The Shadow Organization had been contacting Hua?

"There’s more, Young Master Lin," Jiang Qing added. "The day you came to the office, Boss Su was unstable because she’d received a letter."

"What letter?" Lin Xuan demanded.

Jiang Qing answered, "It said they’d found a master who could restore your memories."

Lin Xuan clenched his fists.

So it was about his lost memories.

He must have done something to Hua—something that made her terrified of him remembering.

That would explain why she’d been so uneasy lately.

"Young Master Lin," Jiang Qing said, "Boss Su has been ordering me to track down the Shadow Organization. She wants to wipe them out."

Lin Xuan’s grip tightened. Hua was doing this to prevent him from recovering his memories—and to keep him safe.

"If Hua has any plans regarding the Shadow Organization, Secretary Jiang, inform me immediately," Lin Xuan said.

"Understood," Jiang Qing agreed.

"One more thing, Young Master Lin," she added. "Boss Su also knows about the day the Shadow Organization intercepted you. She locked you up because she was worried for your safety."

"Mm." Lin Xuan nodded.

It made sense—Hua had assigned plenty of bodyguards to watch over him.

"Wait."

Lin Xuan’s eyes narrowed as a thought struck him. "Those photos—did Hua arrange for them to be sent?"

After the incident, he’d investigated, trying to uncover who’d set him up.

But he’d hit a dead end.

Even the surveillance at Night Garden had conveniently malfunctioned during that time.

He’d found it odd—Night Garden’s security was impeccable. How could a single camera stay broken for days?

If Hua had orchestrated the photos, everything would make sense.

Jiang Qing’s heart skipped a beat.

Did he already know?

She feigned ignorance. "Photos? What photos?"

Lin Xuan scoffed. "Don’t play dumb. You were there—you saw everything."

Damn it!

Now that he thought about it, Jiang Qing had looked way too entertained that day.

At the time, he’d been too focused on handling Hua to notice, but in hindsight, her behavior had been suspicious.

And he’d overheard the servants gossiping—they’d told Jiang Qing that Hua was with him, yet she’d insisted on entering anyway. They’d all wondered why Hua hadn’t punished her.

Back then, he hadn’t paid it much mind.

But now? Knowing Jiang Qing, she’d never dare interrupt them unless it was deliberate.

She’d been there for the show.

And if Hua hadn’t planned it herself, she would’ve dragged him to bed for days afterward.

Smack!

Lin Xuan slapped his own forehead.

So many holes in the story—how had he missed them?