Chapter 562: 271 Hope (first update)

Ye Zhen shook her head, “He still managed to escape, but now his reputation is in shambles, like a street rat. For someone like him who values his face so much, it’s probably even more painful than killing him.”

The instigator was Xue An, and the one who took action was Liang Xiaohong.

Xue An was very cautious, he wouldn’t leave any handle for others to take advantage of. Aside from Liang Xiaohong’s testimony, there was no concrete evidence, but getting Liang Xiaohong to testify would be even more difficult.

Moreover, Liang Xiaohong was still in the ICU, and it was unknown whether she could be saved.

The current situation was already the best outcome.

“You’ve seen the online exposure, right? Xue An had a white moonlight when he was young. What kind of background did this woman have? Did Liang Yanran tell you?” Zheng Qing’s gaze fell on Ye Zhen’s face.

Ye Zhen bitterly smiled. Now the whole network knew that Xue An had an unforgettable white moonlight. What was Liang Yanran? She was just a joke.

“Brother Qing, Liang Yanran only asked me to help expose the conspiracy of Xue An and Liang Xiaohong through a dream. I don’t know anything else.”

Ye Zhen said with a submissive demeanor, stirring her coffee with her fingers.

Zheng Qing nodded, “Don’t be late for the start-up ceremony tomorrow. I’ll find an assistant to accompany you and take care of you. Call me if you need anything.”

For the sake of Ming Jing, she had to take good care of Ye Zhen.

Unexpectedly, Ming Jing’s senior would actually join the entertainment industry, and she seemed to have talent. She was favored by Yu Dawei, and the title of Movie Queen was beckoning her.

Luckily, they acted early, so by the time the various talent agencies scrambled to sign her, it would be too late.

Now the artists under the company had already taken shape, involved in film, television, and music, both handsome and beautiful and talented. Zheng Qing’s ambition to dominate the entertainment industry was soon to be realized.

After Ye Zhen left, Zheng Qing sat for a while, busy making phone calls to arrange resources.

Su Xiu and Xu Yan were both types that were scarce in film and television dramas, with one being a delicate little lamb and the other being a wild-type man. Their rise to fame was only a matter of time.

Li Chi and Dong Jiahe were specialized in street dance and creative singing, respectively. They could all be thrown into talent shows, following the idol route. With both of their looks, they could easily conquer the market.

All of this required Zheng Qing to arrange resources well, and she had to personally supervise everything. She had previously been in the entertainment industry and even reached the top. Her success was not based on acting skills, but on connections. No one knew better than her who was in which circle, who controlled the resources, and who had the most say. With these advantages, grabbing resources was a piece of cake for her.

After arranging everything, Zheng Qing hung up the phone, and a shadow fell over her heart when she thought of Xue An.

Did A Yu’s death have anything to do with him?

Over the years since A Yu’s death, she had never given up on the investigation, and she had to guard against Night Hawk. She could only investigate secretly. Any trace of A Yu had been erased, as if she had never existed in the world. That was Night Hawk’s method.

The only clue was Xue An.

If the person who made A Yu willingly give up everything and leave the organization back then was really Xue An, then was he Ming Jing’s biological father…

Zheng Qing was startled by her own speculation and hurriedly took a sip of coffee to calm herself.

No, Xue An, that scumbag, was not worthy to be Ming Jing’s father. She did not believe that A Yu’s taste would be so bad.

Considering Ming Jing’s appearance and temperament, the man must be a handsome and refined gentleman.

Now the top priority was to find Xue An, but she didn’t know what Ming Jing’s plan was.

Zheng Qing furrowed her eyebrows, the biggest mystery came from Ming Jing. If Ming Jing was A Yu’s daughter, the timeline could only point to Jiangzhou, when she was undercover in the Qinglong Association. She only had contact with a few men of Qinglong Association then.

Ran Bowen was dead, and Ran Tengxiao was just a young boy at that time. It was even less possible for him.

Reflecting on every step Ming Jing took, her ultimate goal was in fact the Rans and Qinglong Association.

That was a den of dragons and tigers, where A Yu had lost half her life. However, it might also be the place to solve the mystery of Ming Jing’s identity.

All of this seemed unreasonable, but it was the only explanation.

The first time she saw Ming Jing, she was amazed by the resemblance between her and A Yu, especially their eyes, which were like a one-to-one copy of each other.

She had no doubt that Ming Jing was A Yu’s daughter. Besides, Ming Jing understood everything about A Yu very well.

What on earth had happened twelve years ago?

…

The exam was over, and the test-takers silently filed out.

Ming Jing and Bo Lianye walked out of the classroom, one in front of the other.

When picking up her backpack, Bo Lianye accidentally knocked Ming Jing’s backpack to the ground. She apologized quickly, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dirty your backpack. If it’s dirty, I’ll get you a new one.”

Her tone was sincere, and her gaze was candid. It didn’t make people feel uncomfortable at all, only that she was considerate and attentive.

Ming Jing picked up her backpack, dusted it off, and said indifferently, “It’s fine.”Carrying her backpack, she left.

Bo Lianye’s lips curved slightly.

Ming Jing took her phone out of the bag, noticing two missed calls from Shen Zhou.

Ming Jing called him back.

Shen Zhou first asked her about the exam, then mentioned that he had heard about Lu Ze’s issue. Although he had already dealt with Lu Ze, he was still worried that Ming Jing might have been wronged.

Liu Muxue came out of the other exam hall, so Ming Jing said a few words and hung up.

Upon seeing Bo Lianye, Liu Muxue’s eyebrows furrowed immediately.

Why wouldn’t this woman leave her alone?

Song Yinzhang, following behind Liu Muxue, saw Bo Lianye and gave a slight nod in greeting.

Liu Muxue had sharp eyes and noticed the interaction. Frowning, she glanced between Song Yinzhang and Bo Lianye, “You two know each other?”

Song Yinzhang explained, “We grew up in the same neighborhood when we were young.”

Liu Muxue raised her eyebrows, “Oh, childhood sweethearts, huh? No wonder.”

Song Yinzhang gave a helpless laugh.

Liu Muxue left, pulling Ming Jing with her, while Song Yinzhang walked together with Bo Lianye.

“Yinzhang, I have a birthday party for my uncle and aunt the day after tomorrow. You’ll come, right?”

Song Yinzhang nodded, “I’ll definitely go.”

From childhood, Uncle Bo was always a respected elder for the children in the neighborhood. No one disliked him.

“Can you pass the message along to Lan Zhou? He has to come too.”

Song Yinzhang shook his head, “I’m not sure. Xiao Fei has been really busy with his career lately, so I’ll ask him.”

“Thank you.” Bo Lianye showed a sweet and gentle smile.

Song Yinzhang shook his head and laughed, “There’s no need for such formalities between us.”

——

Liu Muxue wanted hot pot for lunch, and Hu Qing immediately arranged it.

Ming Jing, Ye Zhen, and Liu Muxue huddled in the room to eat hot pot together. Liu Muxue rolled up her sleeves, sweat pouring from her forehead as she enjoyed the spicy food. She took a swig of soda, laughing, “That hit the spot.”

Ming Jing cooked some vegetables in the clear broth and ate slowly.

Ye Zhen’s chopsticks danced between the clear broth and the spicy oil broth. She couldn’t handle spicy food; one bite would lead to stomach pain. Years of unhealthy eating habits had left her with chronic issues, but Ming Xin’s body wasn’t like that. The more she ate, the more addictive it became, and her body didn’t feel uncomfortable at all; instead, it felt even more invigorated.

Ming Jing glanced at Ye Zhen’s red mouth. Her senior liked spicy food; she could even eat raw chili peppers in the middle of winter.

“I didn’t know that spicy food is this addicting.” Ye Zhen bared her teeth, her eyebrows full of satisfaction.

Ming Jing lowered her gaze, stood up, and brewed two cups of chrysanthemum tea, adding licorice and angelica to clear the lungs and reduce inflammation.

She pushed the cups of chrysanthemum tea towards them. Ye Zhen picked up the cup and drank a big mouthful. The slight bitterness perfectly offset the greasy spiciness.

“Since you’re Ming Jing’s senior, you’re my sister too. If you ever need anything, just let me know. I’ve got your back.” Liu Muxue raised her glass and clinked against Ye Zhen’s.

“Cheers.” She raised her head and drank.

Ye Zhen looked at Ming Jing, who smiled as if to say, ‘it’s fine as long as you’re used to it.’

Ye Zhen moved over and wrapped her arm around Liu Muxue’s shoulder. “I felt a connection with you the moment I saw you. From now on, we’re best friends, sharing good and bad times together. Let’s drink to friendship.”

“To friendship!” Liu Muxue raised her glass to Ming Jing, “Cheers.”

Ming Jing raised her water glass and gently clinked it.

The steam from the hot pot blurred Ming Jing’s face, her eyes were warm and soft with laughter, like spring rain and an apricot drizzle, enough to submerge a person in them.

Liu Muxue and Ye Zhen stared at her, momentarily speechless.

This world is cruel, cold, and heartless, making people want to give up. But you make me believe that there is warmth and hope here.

From now on, no matter how beautiful the scenery is, it will never compare to your smile.