Chapter 39: A Case Too Awkward to Speak Of

When Lin Xiaosu arrived at the detective agency, the moment she stepped through the door, a delicate fragrance filled her senses. The scent was refined, unmistakably of the highest quality.

Sitting across from Miao Ruolan was a sophisticated woman of middle age, exuding a certain allure. Her features were striking, and it was clear that in her youth she must have stood out among her peers. More importantly, her poise and cultured demeanor set her apart from the likes of Sister Song, whose airs spoke more of newfound wealth than of true refinement.

“So, you must be Detective Lin?” the elegant woman inquired.

“Yes, that’s me. May I ask your name, madam?”

“Zhuang. Zhuang Mengdie.”

“What an elegant name,” Lin Xiaosu replied. “Please, tell me about your situation…”

Zhuang Mengdie began to speak.

Her circumstances were much like those of many wealthy ladies—she lived a life of comfort while her husband managed their business empire. Yet, there was a difference. Unlike others who spent their days chasing after mistresses and plotting ways to outdo them, she had seen through the futility of such games. There was plenty of money at home, and if her husband preferred to spend it on other women, she let him. If he needed to vent his passions elsewhere, so be it—she relished the peace that came with indifference.

Why bother with unnecessary strife? Life is fleeting, like the autumn of grass and trees. Was it not foolish to waste her limited time wrangling over such matters?

But while the tree desires stillness, the wind refuses to cease. She had no wish to meddle with her husband’s mistresses, yet one of them seemed determined to come after her.

There were signs—a mistress harbored the intent to kill her. This woman believed that her only obstacle to legitimacy was the wife; if she could remove her, she could take her place.

Thus, Zhuang Mengdie had come to the detective agency with a single purpose: to uncover which mistress had turned wicked. She would deal with her as a warning to the others, making it clear to all of Fengcheng that while her wealth might be fair game, her person was not.

When the story ended, Miao Ruolan was left stunned.

So clear-headed?

Lin Xiaosu smiled. “If you wanted to find all the mistresses, that would be quite a task. But if it’s just one you’re after, you probably wouldn’t need a detective, would you?”

Zhuang Mengdie shook her head gently. “It’s not as simple as you think. If I wanted to round up the mistresses, I could easily catch a whole group. But how would I know which among them harbors murderous intent?”

Lin Xiaosu’s eyes gleamed. “Why don’t you tell me how you’re so certain that one mistress wants you dead? Has she taken any concrete action?”

“This is difficult to speak of, but for the sake of my life, I must…”

Last night, after her husband returned home, they were intimate. She thought nothing of it at the time, but this morning, something felt off—an odd numbness and itch. She called the family doctor, who, upon examination, delivered shocking news: it was a highly contagious genetic toxin. The transmission was simple—direct contact. Once infected, it would cause the flesh to ulcerate, was notoriously difficult to treat, and could even be fatal in severe cases.

“A genetic toxin?” Lin Xiaosu was taken aback. Anything related to genetics was a sensitive topic these days—genetic humans, genetic modification, genetic toxins. While others might not know about such things, he did.

Zhuang Mengdie continued, “Yes. This particular toxin was developed in South Mo Province. What makes it unique is that it only infects women, not men.”

“It binds with the female XX chromosome, causing genetic mutation…”

“You know about this toxin?” Zhuang Mengdie’s eyes sparkled.

“I do. If this was really the work of a mistress, then it’s a remarkably cunning plot. I suspect her target isn’t just you.”

Zhuang Mengdie’s face paled. “Exactly! Her target includes all the other mistresses—except herself—plus me, the wife!”

She knew her husband well—he never used protection. In his mind, with so much money, what did a few more sons matter? If he was in the mood, whether in the office, on a chair, in the car, or outdoors, he indulged freely.

So, if he contracted the toxin, every mistress and the wife herself—any woman in his vicinity—would be doomed.

In this way, both the mistresses and the wife would be eliminated in one sweep. The only one left would be the poisoner herself, free to monopolize this billionaire.

Other women fought their rivals openly in the streets, but this one used the man as her weapon, letting him unwittingly reduce the competition himself.

Could anyone be more ruthless?

Though Miao Ruolan was flushed and her heart raced, she understood clearly. “Madam, this case is more complicated than it seems.”

“Yes! I’m willing to pay a premium,” Zhuang Mengdie declared. “I’ve heard you charge thirty thousand to start a case; I’ll pay a hundred thousand. Find this wretch, and I’ll make sure she pays the price!”

A hundred thousand!

Miao Ruolan’s heart thudded wildly.

Lin Xiaosu lifted her gaze slowly. “We’ll take the case. Just give us some time.”

The contract was signed, with thirty thousand paid as a retainer. Once the formalities were done, Madam Zhuang left. A red sports car, a limited edition valued at over a million, glided silently into the flow of Fengcheng’s traffic.

Lin Xiaosu’s eyes narrowed. “Do you know who her husband is?”

“Wang Changfa! That name rings a bell…” Miao Ruolan mused.

“It should. He appears in the news and on television from time to time. He’s the owner of Hongxing Pharmaceuticals.”

“Hongxing Pharmaceuticals?” Miao Ruolan pulled out her phone and searched.

Sure enough, a local news item popped up.

On March 17, Hongxing Pharmaceuticals and the city’s largest pharmaceutical company, Dale, held talks and reached a preliminary consensus to promote joint medical ventures and better serve the people.

Lin Xiaosu glanced at the news. “What do you see?”

“It’s simple,” Miao Ruolan replied. “The two biggest local pharmaceutical companies are preparing to work together.”

Lin Xiaosu smiled faintly. “You’ve read plenty of detective novels and picked up a head full of professional knowledge, but you need to learn about other subjects as well.”

“Like what?”

“Like reading between the lines of the news.”

Miao Ruolan’s eyes widened. “Did I not understand the news? It’s not complicated—just a few sentences. Even a ten-year-old would get it…”

“You understood the words, not the story,” Lin Xiaosu replied. “That’s an official press release—meant for the public. But as detectives, we need to look beyond the surface. For instance, you see two big pharmaceutical companies planning a joint venture. What I see is deep conflict.”

“Conflict? Where do you see that?” Miao Ruolan was genuinely puzzled.

“Would two major companies meet with nothing to discuss? If even the smallest topic had been agreed upon, it would have been mentioned in the release. But the statement contains nothing substantive—just empty platitudes. What does that tell you? It means this much-publicized meeting produced not a single point of agreement. Also, remember, this is news from a government platform…”

Miao Ruolan was still lost. “What does that matter?”

“It means the meeting was government-driven. Normally, if companies want to continue operating locally, they wouldn’t dare defy the authorities. But the fact that they didn’t yield shows their differences are irreconcilable.”

“I’m convinced!” Miao Ruolan admitted. “Hearing you explain it, it all makes sense.”

“It should,” Lin Xiaosu said, rising from her seat.