Chapter 10: A Strange Relationship

“How are you here?”

Liu Hong stared at the man before her, her voice edged with irrepressible shock and reproach—utterly devoid of the delight everyone had expected. She could not bring herself to smile. In fact, the color that had just returned to her face drained away again, tightening with tension at the man’s abrupt appearance.

“I wanted to surprise you, sis.”

The man set down his coffee cup, his smile dazzling and bright, as if oblivious to the strangeness in Liu Hong’s tone. He strode over with practiced ease, arms opening as though to embrace her.

Liu Hong instinctively sidestepped him.

That subtle movement made Lin Bing, watching from the car’s surveillance monitor, and the millions in the livestream, tense up all over again.

Something was off.

This was nothing like the joyful reunion of siblings.

“And these are...?” The man’s gaze shifted to Chen Yu and his companions, just the right shade of scrutiny in his eyes.

Liu Hong steadied herself, as if flipping a switch. She forced a smile for the camera and the assembled guests. “Everyone, allow me to introduce my brother, Liu Gang.”

She paused, then turned stiffly to Liu Gang, her voice clipped. “Liu Gang, these are the producers from ‘Reinvestigating Old Cases.’ They’re here to—get justice for your brother-in-law’s case.”

“Oh!” Realization dawned on Liu Gang’s face, and he extended his hand warmly. “So you’re the famous detectives! My apologies—I’ve cooked quite a few dishes today, please come in and try my cooking!”

His flawless response only made the atmosphere in the room stranger.

The livestream chat exploded.

“Oh my god! Why does this brother seem even creepier than that earlier ‘lover’ theory?”

“She’s an Oscar-worthy actress! That flash of fear and evasion—no way was she pretending!”

“These siblings are hiding a colossal secret!”

“Seriously, is this brother normal?”

Chen Yu took it all in, the corners of his lips twitching upwards.

How fascinating.

Even more fascinating than he’d imagined.

The fear Liu Hong had shown earlier, upon seeing the front door ajar, had been so real.

Yet, this display of sibling affection was clearly an act.

A woman worth billions, living as a widow in a decaying villa for eleven years, reacting to her brother’s sudden visit with such wariness and rejection—what a story! Far more intriguing than expected.

“Please, come in and have a seat, don’t be shy!” Liu Hong called out, catching on, trying to mask her earlier slip with forced warmth. “No one usually visits, so the house is plain. My brother only comes by every few months.”

Everyone entered, the contestants discreetly observing the furnishings.

Chen Yu, meanwhile, seemed oblivious to the undercurrents, calling out, “Sister Hong, mind if I look around?”

“Go ahead, help yourself!” Liu Hong replied from the kitchen, slicing fruit without turning.

That was exactly the answer Chen Yu wanted.

He sauntered around the living room, his gaze sweeping over the modest furniture and tidy room. Then, seizing a moment when no one was looking, he slipped into a room with the door slightly ajar.

The master bedroom.

It was simple: a double bed, a vanity, and on the wall, an old-fashioned wedding photo.

In the photo, Luo Xiangdong beamed with happiness.

Chen Yu approached the bed, his right hand resting casually on the edge.

[Recall.]

But the anticipated vision did not materialize.

His fingertips met only a cold, empty void—like memories scrubbed away with disinfectant, the bed so clean not a trace remained.

How could this be?

Chen Yu’s brow furrowed. Reluctant to give up, he reached for the vanity.

Again, nothing but emptiness.

Not a single lingering memory of Luo Xiangdong remained in the room where he’d lived for nearly a decade.

Impossible—unless, after Luo Xiangdong’s disappearance, someone had meticulously erased all evidence of his existence.

Chen Yu’s gaze finally settled on the photo on the wall—the only remaining “evidence.”

Perhaps here lay the final clue.

He slowly reached out his hand.

Just as his fingers were about to touch the frame, a cold voice came from behind.

“What are you doing?”

Liu Hong stood silently at the door, her gaze sharp.

Chen Yu recoiled as if shocked, heart thudding. But his face broke into a roguish grin as he turned, dramatically patting his chest. “Jeez, Sister Hong, you nearly scared me to death! I was just admiring your wedding photo with Brother Luo—what a handsome couple. I got a little mesmerized.”

He sauntered out, feigning nonchalance, and tossed out, “So, you live here alone these days?”

“Yes,” Liu Hong replied, her eyes never leaving his face.

“Tsk, that’s a shame,” Chen Yu said with a theatrical bow. “Didn’t mean to intrude on the love nest you and Brother Luo shared. My apologies!”

At the mention of “love nest,” Liu Hong’s face visibly darkened, but she quickly composed herself, saying nothing.

“Oh, by the way,” Chen Yu pressed on as if oblivious, “what’s upstairs? More bedrooms?”

“Just storerooms—full of old things. I rarely go up there,” Liu Hong replied flatly.

Chen Yu nodded, returned to the living room, dropped into a chair, and took a big bite of watermelon, asking no more.

He’d already cast his bait.

Now, let the show begin.

Sure enough, the pipe-smoking old man, who’d been listening intently, couldn’t hold back any longer. He rose, cleared his throat, and addressed Liu Hong. “Ms. Liu, since the upstairs rooms are full of old belongings, there must be some of Mr. Luo Xiangdong’s things up there? As part of our investigation, might we take a look?”

Fohl and Bubble Girl immediately turned expectant eyes to her.

Liu Hong’s expression grew strange, but she nodded. “You can—just be warned, it’s a mess. Help yourselves.”

No sooner had she spoken than the three detectives shot upstairs, as if they’d struck gold.

In an instant, only Chen Yu, Liu Hong, and the ever-smiling “brother,” Liu Gang, remained downstairs.

The air turned quiet and fraught once more.

Chen Yu finished the last bite of watermelon, tossed aside the rind, and looked up at Liu Hong, a sharp intensity in his gaze—gone was any trace of his earlier mischief.

“Sis, now that no one’s around—may I ask you a more private question?”

Liu Hong’s heart seized. “Go ahead.”

Chen Yu leaned forward, enunciating each word:

“You and your husband had such a loving marriage, ten years together.”

“Why did you never have a child?”

The question landed like an invisible hammer, smashing into Liu Hong and Liu Gang.

Liu Hong’s body shuddered, the color draining from her face in an instant. Her lips trembled; not a single word would come.

Beside her, Liu Gang’s sunny smile shattered, replaced by a look of utter savagery.

Bang!

He slammed his fist on the table, eyes bloodshot, and forced out the words through gritted teeth:

“Blame me!”

“All... my... fault!”