Xia Sanghuan opened her mouth, about to say she wanted hot cocoa, but then she quickly changed her words.
"I'd like some hot... just hot water is fine."
Lin Shan looked back at her. After a while, she brought over a cup of freshly brewed hot cocoa.
"… Thank you, Auntie."
She gave an embarrassed smile and took the cup. She couldn't figure out how her desire for this drink had been revealed.
Mother Leng made herself a cup of hot tea and sat down too.
The girl noticed that she was also holding another cup of hot cocoa.
Noticing the girl's gaze, Mother Leng shrugged and smiled at her.
"Chuanjin loved hot cocoa when he was a kid."
"Then suddenly one day, he started drinking coffee instead."
"Kids really become less cute as they grow up."
The girl nodded and silently remembered the first sentence.
Just as the two were chatting merrily, Leng Chuanjin walked in.
He wiped his coat at the door, and only then did Xia Sanghuan notice that he was soaked.
"Is it raining again?"
As she spoke, she looked out of the window.
Sure enough, fine raindrops were falling outside, and the rain seemed to be getting heavier.
"This rain just won't stop."
Even Lin Shan couldn't help but comment.
"Chuanjin, come and have it while it's still hot."
The next second, her attention shifted from the rain to her son.
"I just put the cup on the heating pad. It's still warm."
She patted the sofa, motioning for him to sit down.
The man took off his coat, hung it on the hanger at the door, and then sat down.
"… Why is it hot cocoa?"
As he spoke, he picked up the cup, with a slightly embarrassed look on his face.
It was as if his little secret had been exposed.
"We're out of coffee beans at home."
Mother Leng took a sip of her hot tea and said calmly, as if she hadn't asked Xia Sanghuan if she wanted coffee just now.
The man looked a bit awkward but still took a sip.
Xia Sanghuan had the feeling, perhaps it was just an illusion, that his previously stiff face seemed to soften.
"Alright, it's time to talk about something serious now."
He finished most of the hot cocoa and put the cup back on the table.
"Mom, could you..."
"What serious business? The two of you should go to sleep now."
"Chuanjin, don't you have to go to the company in an hour?"
Lin Shan frowned, seemingly dissatisfied with her son's proposal.
"Mom, time is of the essence. This is not the time to sleep."
"Moreover, I'll be working from home for the next few days."
"This way, I can ensure Sanghuan's safety and avoid creating new rumors."
Xia Sanghuan beside him also nodded.
Unable to argue with the two of them, Mother Leng sighed and gave in.
"Mom, we'll have to use Uncle's influence this time. Is that okay?"
The woman nodded, motioning for her son to continue.
"We don't know how much evidence the other side has to accuse Sanghuan, but we just need to present evidence to prove her innocence."
"So the biggest problem now is..."
"To find out the cause of that old man's death."
The girl quickly added.
"We don't need to find a professional. As long as I can see the body."
"So, you mean for me to help you find the body?"
"No."
Leng Chuanjin shook his head.
"The most urgent thing is to replace the current police chief. He's been blocking our way too much. We don't know the extent of his influence. Anyway, he's been deliberately making things difficult for us."
Lin Shan glanced at her son and nodded understandingly.
"Understood."
"I'll take care of this."
As she spoke, she stood up.
"I'm going to the hospital now."
"Let me make one thing clear. For Jingzhan's sake, I won't come here often."
"Chuanjin, you must protect Huanhuan well. We'll communicate through the secret line for the details."
After saying that, she picked up her coat and walked out. The bodyguard beside her quickly held up an umbrella and chased after her.
Watching her straight back, Xia Sanghuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Sure enough, as the mistress of the world's number one family, although she usually seemed gentle, she was truly tough when dealing with serious matters.
"So, what should we do next?"
Seeing that the man didn't say a word, the girl asked.
"Next, you can't go anywhere."
"Just stay here obediently and wait for the truth to come out."
Hearing this, she frowned deeply.
"Why?"
"Am I just going to stay here doing nothing?"
"Yes. You can take this opportunity to rest..."
"I don't want to!"
Before the man could finish his sentence, she retorted loudly.
"I have a lot of important things to do. I can't afford to delay any of them!"
"If that's the case, I'd rather go to school with all the rumors following me every day!"
Thinking about the experimental data she left in the laboratory and all her efforts, and then thinking about what Leng Chuanjin had just said, she couldn't help but feel furious.
As she spoke, she got up and walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"What could be so important that you're willing to sacrifice your innocence?"
"Of course there is. Human lives are definitely more important than my innocence."
She said this coldly, her eyes seemingly glowing.
Looking at her determined eyes, the man gave in.
"Calm down first. We can discuss this further."
After calming the girl down, he tried to reason with her.
"This is a secret place. If people come and go every day, we'll be exposed soon."
"For your own safety, please be patient for a while, okay?"
"No."
Her attitude was very firm.
"Second Brother, you don't understand how important the experiment between Professor He and me is."
As she spoke, she glanced at the time.
"I'm going to be late. I have to go to school now."
Leng Chuanjin helplessly grabbed her again.
In desperation, he had to make a promise to her.
"I'll find a way to invite Professor He here. Don't be in such a hurry."
Hearing his words, she raised an eyebrow.
"Are you serious?"
"Serious."
"How many days will it take approximately?"
"Three days."
"Give me three days, and I'll definitely give you a satisfactory result."
Watching the girl's excited back, he slumped forward and rubbed his forehead in defeat.
He didn't know when it started, but in front of her, he never seemed to stand a chance.
He always tried his best to meet all her needs, just to see her happy and satisfied smile.
After much thought, he dialed Yun Ye's phone number.
First, he seriously gave him some instructions, and then he helplessly said into the phone,
"Help me make an appointment with Professor He. I have something important to talk to him about."