PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 46.2

This irrelevant sentence only appeared once in this case record. The authorities did not even look for the people from the gambling house to ask questions. Zhao Jiahua also did not mention this location after that. But why did she bring it up here? Why did she tell the Governor that she had gone to the gambling house to look for her child? Although within the same street, the possibility of a two-year-old child running there is almost nonexistent. She should have told the Governor about it if she suspected someone in the gambling house had abducted the child. But Zhao Jiahua did not. It feels like she just casually spoke, ‘I went to Zhao Daniang’s house next door to look around, and I left because I didn’t find her,’ like visiting. There is no need to talk nonsense like this in the courtroom with the Governor.

The Jubao Gambling House. Xu Matchmaker was fond of gambling in this place and had a lot of debts there. An Ruochen stared at this name for a long time, then she went out and made her way towards the Liu Residence again.

Liu Ze said that if Zhao Jiahua agreed to meet the guests, he would send someone to inform her. A day had passed, and since there was no news, it would not be considered crude if she went to ask again.

The gatekeeper of the Liu Residence didn’t refuse her immediately this time but only told her to wait for a while. An Ruochen was relieved that Zhao Jiahua had not lost her freedom and was willing to see her, so the situation might not be as bad as she had thought.

Not long after, the gatekeeper came to lead her into a courtyard. Then, another maid guided her into the main hall. Someone was waiting for her in the room, not Zhao Jiahua, but Liu Ze.

An Ruochen immediately became alert but still looked as usual and kept her calm. She asked Liu Ze if Zhao Jiahua was better and whether she could see her.

Liu Ze had an apologetic face on: “My wife is even more sick than yesterday. She is dizzy, and her mind is not clear. She only calls out Yin’er’s name. It’s only been two days, but she’s already this haggard. She has always valued her appearance and loved her image, so she wouldn’t want to be seen by outsiders in such a sorry state. I hope Miss An understands. Once my wife is well, I will ask her to come to your house in person …….” After a pause, he seemed to remember that An Ruochen’s place was not an ordinary residence, so he changed his mind: “When she is well, I will invite you to come to my house for a meal to express my gratitude for your care. “

As always, his words were courteous. An Ruochen couldn’t pick any fault.

Liu Ze looked at her face and said: “My wife and Miss are fated. She is arrogant and seldom interacts with people, yet she met and talked to you like this. I have never seen her like this before. What interesting things did she talk to you about? Tell me about it, so I can learn to please her.”

Does he want to inquire about what Zhao Jiahua has revealed to her? An Ruochen smiled: “Boss Liu’s business is busy, but you are still so considerate and caring towards your wife, which is rare. But we are talking about women’s gossip. I’m afraid that Boss Liu cannot use this to curry favor. She did mention that you have deep feelings for each other and respect each other equally. I was quite envious.”

Liu Ze smiled at these words, looking slightly cheerful.

An Ruochen asked: “Speaking of which, who are her friends, who does she hang out with, and where does she usually like to go? Does Boss Liu know? Have you looked for them to ask about your daughter’s case?”

Liu Ze smiled bitterly and said, “My wife likes to be quiet, rarely visits people, and rarely receives guests. She has no friends in the city.”

“Is there anyone you know at the gambling house?”

Liu Ze was surprised. His face showed astonishment: “Why do you ask that?”

An Ruochen observed Liu Ze’s expression and said, “I heard that Xu Matchmaker was a good gambler, and she was your wife’s only relative in Zhonglan City. The gambling house is near your residence. Maybe your wife recognizes the people there through Xu Matchmaker. She said she went there to look for her daughter.”

Liu Ze frowned, then remembered the case file in the government office. It did mention that Zhao Jiahua went to the gambling house to find her daughter, but at that time, he did not pay attention. 

He thought for a while, then said: “This, I do not know too well. But I have not seen my wife interact with the gambling house’s side. Although Xu Matchmaker loved gambling, my wife does not enjoy it. After she married me, she keeps her manners and would not go to those kinds of places. And although Xu Matchmaker was her distant family, their relationship was not close. It is not as close as Miss has imagined. However, I am more familiar with the people in the gambling house. After all, it’s near my restaurant. My restaurant is a place to eat and drink, and Boss Lou of the gambling house is a regular customer of mine. I’m not talking about myself, but I often invite some friends to have a small gathering. Miss should understand that in this line of business, one has to socialize, so I often come and go with my brothers. The gambling house and my restaurant are not far from each other. My restaurant faces the street, while the gambling house is at the back of the street. If you want to go to the main street, you have to make a detour, but the hall from my restaurant’s backyard is a shortcut. The customers of the gambling house always want to take a few steps less. I see their boss is also not bothered by it, so they are often in and out of my place. Perhaps because of this, my wife thought that I had taken the child to the gambling house or that someone may have seen the child and recognized her.”

An Ruochen nodded, “So that’s how it is.” It was like the General had said. His explanation was too detailed. Is this Liu Ze’s speaking habit, or is it because he is feeling guilty?

An Ruochen said: “Then maybe there could be gamblers who owe too much and know Boss Liu, thinking that Boss Liu’s family has money and is in good relations with the gambling house. Therefore, they would kidnap the child and want to make money. Did the gambling house guests leave any clues?”

Liu Ze shook his head: “I have not thought about this. To say they could be asking for money, to this day I have not received a letter of blackmail.” He paused and made a thoughtful appearance, “But Miss An is right to remind me. Perhaps my child was indeed kidnapped, but after my wife went to the authorities and the officials began to strictly investigate the matter, they became afraid. In that case, it is worth checking from this angle. I have to go to the gambling house and ask Boss Lou whether there is such a suspicious gambler.”

An Ruochen was about to say something, but Liu Ze had already saluted: “I hope you don’t say anything about this. I will ask secretly first. I will ask the government to investigate suspicious people quietly. Otherwise, if the kidnappers are alerted and hurt Yin’er, I couldn’t explain it to my wife. She is very sick now and can’t take the shock.”

The words were reasonable, and An Ruochen naturally agreed. She was willing to help Liu Ze investigate the case and find her daughter, but Liu Ze refused.

“I am grateful for your concern. But there are dangers hidden in this matter. I do not dare to trouble you. Your clues are already a big help to me. Besides, this is a personal matter for my family, you have no deep friendship with us, so it is disturbing to be so concerned. The last time you picked up Yin’er, you made my wife suspicious, and the Governor asked me some questions. If you get involved in this again, it will cause trouble.”

An Ruochen felt choked. She had indeed insisted on intervening, which is suspicious.

Liu Ze said: “I still have to deal with this matter. I can’t attend to you. I won’t send you off.”

An Ruochen was politely ‘kicked out of the house.’

At this point in time, in the Zhaofu Restaurant, a street away from Liu Residence, Young Master Min, also known as Mr. Xie, sat in the private room drinking tea with a man sitting across from him, talking.