Chapter 86: To Capture by Letting Go

Jiang Yunzhu was nearly frightened out of her wits by Shen Tingxiao’s grand gesture.

Three servants were standing at the bedroom door, each holding a variety of gift boxes.

At the front was a deep blue gift box, inside which lay a handcrafted diamond necklace. Jiang Yunzhu remembered clearly that she and Shen Tingxiao had stumbled upon it just yesterday while shopping. At the time, the shop assistant had explained it was already sold out; the piece on display was not for sale.

Yet Shen Tingxiao had ended up purchasing every piece of jewelry the store had, and had even arranged for this necklace to be sent directly from the source in Country F, expedited just for her.

“Just… just put them all down! I’ll sort through them myself,” she said.

The servants obediently set the gifts in place, then produced a document, handing it to Jiang Yunzhu.

They explained that Shen Tingxiao wished her to review these important papers.

Jiang Yunzhu could more or less guess the contents. After the servants withdrew, Shen Tingxiao called.

“Do you like the gifts?”

“There’s just too much…” Jiang Yunzhu felt a bit embarrassed. She put her phone on speaker, tidying up as she spoke. “So many necklaces, earrings, and trinkets—how could I possibly wear them all? Tingxiao, do you think I have three heads and six arms?”

On the other end, the man’s good mood was evident; he laughed at her teasing.

“In my heart, even if you had three heads and six arms, I’d still adore you.”

“Oh, so in your eyes I’m just a monster!” Jiang Yunzhu scolded playfully, but her smile bloomed as radiantly as a flower.

“Our days together are only beginning,” Shen Tingxiao’s tone softened, tenderness clear even across the line. “This is just the start. I want you to know that for the rest of my life, I’ll love and cherish only you.”

Jiang Yunzhu felt as if a gentle feather had brushed her heart.

It was the first time anyone had made her such a promise.

Even if “forever” was too long, at this moment she wanted to believe Shen Tingxiao would give her the happiness she longed for.

Knock, knock, knock—

Just as the two lingered in tender conversation, a knock came at the door.

“Miss, your private detective has arrived.”

Shen Tingxiao overheard the servant’s message and immediately spoke up.

“Go ahead with your business. I might not be able to see you today, but make sure you eat well.”

“Got it!” Jiang Yunzhu replied with a playful laugh. “I’m not a child, you know!”

On the other end, Shen Tingxiao’s smile deepened.

“Yunzhou, remember to think of me.”

Hearing her soft, affirmative hum, Shen Tingxiao finally hung up, reassured.

After a quick wash, Jiang Yunzhu changed into casual clothes suitable for receiving a guest and made her way downstairs to the parlor.

“I’ve long heard of Detective Liu Mo’s reputation—thank you for waiting.”

The man on the sofa stood up at her words, greeting her with a smile.

“Miss Jiang, you flatter me—I’ve only waited a moment, not long at all.”

Jiang Yunzhu smiled and invited Liu Mo to sit, instructing a servant to bring the finest red tea. She then spoke first.

“I’ve asked you here today because there’s a troublesome matter I hope you can assist me with.”

“Please, Miss Jiang, speak freely.”

Liu Mo was direct, smiling as he continued, “If it weren’t for your help back then, my daughter might not have… It’s all thanks to your kindness and generosity that she’s been able to grow up healthy.”

At these words, memories from years before surfaced in Jiang Yunzhu’s mind.

At that time, she’d been scouting locations for a new series in a mountain village abroad with a producer. Unfortunately, torrential rains caused a landslide, blocking the roads and forcing them to seek shelter at a farmer’s house.

The farmer’s daughter had broken her leg during the disaster. With the village isolated and no doctor able to reach them, Jiang Yunzhu called for a helicopter and, as the crew evacuated, took the girl along—personally covering the medical costs. If not for her intervention, the girl might have been left lame for life.

That farmer was Liu Mo.

“Miss Jiang, you’re our benefactor. If you hadn’t planned that series and boosted tourism in our region, I’d still be stuck in that mountain village, never seeing a day like today. Now that you need my help, I’ll do everything I can!”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Liu,” Jiang Yunzhu replied with a modest smile. “It was your own abilities that brought you success—I just lent a helping hand. If you weren’t such a skilled detective, you couldn’t have achieved so much in so little time.”

It was no exaggeration. Now, Liu Mo’s detective agency was among the top in the country, his services sought after by many prominent families who rarely managed to secure his time.

Yet, a message from Jiang Yunzhu in the middle of the night had brought him here without hesitation.

After a few more pleasantries, Jiang Yunzhu produced a prepared dossier, placing it before Liu Mo.

“Mr. Liu, I’d like you to investigate everything about the past between these two people.”

Liu Mo glanced at the photos inside: a man and a woman. He didn’t recognize the man, but the woman…

“Isn’t this Zhou Qingfei? She’s a top celebrity at the moment.”

Jiang Yunzhu nodded. “The man is her ex-husband. Their current whereabouts are detailed in the file—they’re under surveillance. The rest, I’ll need your assistance with.”

She then explained her connection to the pair and recounted the recent events.

A confident smile played on her lips. From the start, she’d had no intention of keeping Zhou Qingfei captive.

Last night, just as Zhou Qingfei left her rented apartment, a bodyguard called in from the shadows.

“Miss Jiang, as you instructed, we’ve been monitoring Zhou Qingfei. All her activities have been sent to your inbox—what are your next orders?”

“Well done,” Jiang Yunzhu replied.

She knew Zhou Qingfei was not the sort to sit idly by and wait for her fate. Removing her from Old Madam Shen’s side was only to safeguard the old lady’s health.

Only by ensuring Zhou Qingfei could no longer disturb Old Madam Shen could Jiang Yunzhu safely make her next move.

And, just as she’d predicted, Zhou Qingfei had already provided her with unexpected gains.

This was the art of feigning retreat to lure the enemy in.

After hearing Jiang Yunzhu’s account, Liu Mo nodded. “Uncovering their past shouldn’t be difficult. May I ask what the time frame is?”

“That’s the tricky part.” A faint smile touched Jiang Yunzhu’s lips as she produced an invitation and handed it to Liu Mo.

It was a wedding invitation from Shen Ruizhang, sent to Jiang Yunzhu’s parents.

“Mr. Liu, I’d like you to bring all your findings to me on the day of the wedding.”

Opening the invitation, Liu Mo immediately saw the date.

Suddenly, he felt as if facing a formidable challenge.

The wedding was in just three days!

“Mr. Liu, I trust in your abilities. Here is your deposit: half a million.”

She slid a password-free bank card across the table.

“Once the job is done, you’ll receive the remainder. Also, my company is in need of a reliable detective agency for ongoing cooperation.”

With two olive branches extended, Liu Mo was both surprised and delighted. He stood up at once.

“Miss Jiang, your trust is my honor. Rest assured, I will not disappoint you!”