Chapter 14: My Damnable Charm!

But now that he thought about it, this case was indeed intriguing!

Chen Yu lay back, hands pillowed behind his head, his brows slightly furrowed as he sank into contemplation.

From the reconstructed scenes in the locked room, it had seemed this was merely an accident. Yet today, Liu Hong's many reactions—her illogical expressions and deliberate concealments—raised doubts anew.

Especially the scene he saw in her upstairs bedroom: Luo Xiangdong, clearly weeping, was writing something.

What kind of truth could these scattered fragments ultimately piece together?

At present, at least a few key questions demanded answers.

First, if all external information indicated that Luo Xiangdong and his wife Liu Hong shared a deep affection, why did they sleep apart? Judging by the situation, it seemed they had never truly shared a room. Otherwise, why did his “retrospective” ability fail to trigger the slightest reaction in Liu Hong's master bedroom?

Second, Liu Hong was making every effort to portray herself as a grieving widow devoted to her late husband. Yet her performance was clumsy—at least Chen Yu could see through her act at a single glance. Why the need to perform? Both from Liu Gang’s account and Luo Xiangdong’s diary, their marital affection appeared genuine. Under such circumstances, was there any need to put on a show for outsiders?

Then there was Liu Hong’s financial situation. This illogical detail should be relatively easy to verify. Chen Yu already had his suspicions. After all, Luo Xiangdong had been dead for eleven years. After his disappearance, “Xiangdong Group” very likely cut off financial support to Liu Hong under various pretexts. This could explain why she appeared wealthy in name but was actually strapped for cash. Of course, the most unreasonable thing here was that Liu Hong herself seemed to accept this situation. An ordinary person, treated this way, would probably have made a public scandal of it long ago, with everyone in town knowing. Yes, this matter certainly needed further investigation.

Finally, there were Luo Xiangdong’s last few retrospective scenes. Chen Yu sensed that those two images suggested Luo Xiangdong, before leaving home, deliberately took down a photograph that had hung on his bedroom wall. He then brought the photo to that wild, remote chamber. And before leaving, he appeared to have written a note—the content unknown, nor whether it was meant for Liu Hong.

But the strangest thing was: why did he leave? Why go to such trouble to take the photo and hang it in that locked room? Did he intend to live there for a long time? Or had he foreseen he would die trapped inside?

Impossible!

During his time in that sealed room, the original owner’s overwhelming will to survive—the desperation of stuffing moss into his mouth—remained vivid in Chen Yu’s memory. Even recalling it now, he could still taste the bitter, sour rot of the moss.

Then there was Liu Gang’s wife’s case—murdered with her belly slit open? The brutal killing of a pregnant woman? Could it be that someone in this world was mimicking Jack the Ripper’s methods? Was this an isolated incident, or were there more victims? If this was truly a copycat crime, there must be more than one victim who suffered such a fate!

Ah! The task ahead was daunting indeed.

For the sake of the million-yuan reward! For those precious skill points! Looks like he’d have to give it his all.

Lost in these tangled thoughts, the exhaustion from an afternoon of live-streaming washed over him like a tide.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, a sly smile tugged at his lips.

He fished a black card out of his pocket. This was the spending card host Lin Bing had slipped him on the way out of the car. With a smile, Lin Bing had said the card could be used anywhere in this vast commercial complex, all bills covered by the production team.

Well, only a fool would turn down a freebie.

He shot up from the bed. After a tense afternoon, he did need to relax.

He took the elevator down to the third floor.

The moment he stepped out of the elevator, a wave of pounding heavy-metal DJ music crashed over him.

The atmosphere was electric.

Chen Yu stepped into the bar. Though he was no stranger to nightlife, even he was taken aback by the scene before him.

The entire floor housed only this single bar, and its size was staggering.

Inside, the music was deafening. On the dance floor, countless stylish young men and women twisted wildly to the beat, releasing their youthful energy without restraint.

Amidst the swirling lights and heady aroma of alcohol, even the steadiest heart could be swayed.

Before crossing over, Chen Yu had frequented nightclubs, usually with a group of friends, which always made the atmosphere more lively. Coming alone tonight, he actually felt a touch of social anxiety.

He found a seat in a booth near the edge and ordered a beer.

His gaze drifted idly over the frenzy of bodies in the dance floor’s center, while he mused that if a beautiful woman were to approach him now and share a few drinks, it would be perfect.

And sure enough! Before he’d even finished his beer, Chen Yu sharply noticed a strikingly dressed beauty not far away, openly casting curious glances his way.

Ah, speak of the devil.

My damn, irresistible charm!

A smirk played at his lips as he picked up his glass and strolled over at an unhurried pace.

After a few simple opening lines, conversation between them flowed naturally.

The woman sported eye-catching blonde hair in voluminous waves, her fair neck and slender arms adorned with bold, intricate tattoos—a beauty with a distinctly “edgy” aura at first glance.

She was dressed provocatively, every smile and gesture oozing a mesmerizing allure.

Chen Yu understood women like this. With just one exchanged look, you could gauge each other’s intentions.

He ordered just enough drinks for the two of them, neither too much nor too little, and they clinked glasses, chatting easily.

From the way she gazed at him—openly, hungrily—one might think all the drinks on the table couldn’t compare to Chen Yu himself.

That familiar, unabashedly predatory look never left him.

Chen Yu couldn’t help but mock inwardly: Lady, your appetite for my body is a bit too blatant, isn’t it?

It seemed the original owner’s looks were truly exceptional! To play a mere extra, or a corpse, was such a waste of talent.

Just as their conversation was hitting its stride and the atmosphere heating up, the bar’s pounding music suddenly mellowed.

A group entered through the bar’s main doors.

Leading them was a burly, bald man in a black casual suit, the open collar revealing a fierce tattoo on his chest. Behind him followed four or five tough-looking underlings.

The moment he appeared, the raucous mood in the bar froze.

All the regulars, those who’d seemed so at ease and were having the time of their lives, revealed varying degrees of caution in their eyes.

Almost instantly, a middle-aged man—clearly the bar’s manager, judging by his flashy sequined vest and obsequious demeanor—hurried out to greet the newcomer.

With a fawning smile, he called out loudly: “Brother Lei!”

The man addressed as “Brother Lei” merely nodded coolly at the manager’s flattery, not even slowing his stride as he headed straight for the VIP area.

Striding past, he barked at the manager, “Watch your girls. I don’t care how you run things, but let me tell you, if anyone gets knocked up on my turf, I’ll throw them straight into the sea to feed the fish!”

With that threat still hanging in the air, he swaggered into the deepest VIP suite with his men.