The next day, Chen Shuang went to the neighborhood office to register and obtained a temporary work permit. She was assigned to the publicity team, doing tasks like copying documents, organizing materials, and occasionally preparing bulletin boards. The job was light, but it gave her the opportunity to observe and gather information.
After a few days, she found no direct clues about her parents’ car accident, but she did hear rumors—her uncle Chen Yian seemed to be gaining more influence at the factory, and recently he had apparently connected with some “higher-ups.”
At the same time, Madam Zhou picked up bits of gossip from the market: Old Zhang, the driver, had family who, after receiving a “generous” compensation, quickly left Shanghai to join relatives in another province; and Sun Dehai, her uncle’s distant nephew, had resigned shortly after the accident—rumor had it he’d made a small fortune and gone south.
Chen Shuang’s heart grew heavier. These signs pointed to one conclusion: her uncle had quickly erased traces and handled witnesses. If he were innocent, why go to such lengths?
She could no longer wait passively. She had to act and gather evidence.
She started with what her parents had left behind. Beyond the hidden chamber, were there other clues? She searched the bedroom and study repeatedly, leaving no corner untouched.
Finally, in a locked drawer beneath old engineering drafts, she found several handwritten pages—notes, almost like a diary.
“…Yian’s behavior has become increasingly erratic… secretly transporting factory materials and trading with unknown merchants… my attempts to stop him failed…”
“…Wanyi discovered Yulan asking about herbs that induce hallucinations… unsettling…”
“…Suspect Yian’s involvement in the stolen precision parts case… this is no longer a family matter, but a crime…”
“…Have arranged to meet Zhengqing… to hand over evidence… recently feel watched… have hidden key evidence elsewhere…”
The notes ended abruptly—a week before the accident.
Chen Shuang’s fingers trembled. These fragments revealed a horrifying truth: her uncle wasn’t just corrupt—he was involved in a major theft of national defense materials. Her parents had discovered it and planned to report him.
This explained everything. Their deaths weren’t just about inheritance—it was to cover up crimes punishable by death.
But notes alone weren’t enough. She needed solid evidence.
She deciphered the coded paper her mother left—it pointed to multiple bank safety deposit records, likely channels for laundering stolen money.
She wrote an anonymous report, exposing Chen Yian’s financial crimes and possible involvement in the theft case, attaching decoded information and excerpts from her father’s notes. She sent it to the municipal supervisory office.
She needed a two-pronged approach.
A few days later, Chen Min visited again, clearly anxious.
“Shuangshuang, my father… he’s in trouble at work. He needs money to fix things,” she said tearfully. “Can we gather something from the house?”
Chen Shuang sneered inwardly but appeared troubled.
“Maybe the cellar?” Chen Min blurted, then quickly corrected herself. “I mean… maybe your parents hid something there?”
The fox had shown its tail.
Chen Shuang pretended to think. “I vaguely recall my parents mentioning something important under the bricks… maybe in the kitchen?”
Chen Min’s eyes lit up.
She rushed to the cellar but returned empty-handed, though greed burned stronger in her eyes.
The bait was set.
Chen Shuang then anonymously tipped off the local police about suspicious activity around the mansion.
A few nights later, she was awakened by faint sounds of a lock being picked. Two figures sneaked in—Sun Dehai and another man.
They headed toward the cellar.
Just as they were about to enter—
“Stop! Who goes there!”
Patrol officers arrived with flashlights.
One escaped, but the other was caught on the spot.
Under interrogation, he confessed everything: Chen Yian and He Yulan had sent them to retrieve “family treasures.” He also revealed Sun Dehai had done many shady jobs before.
The case exploded.
The next morning, Chen Yian and He Yulan rushed over, only to be met by Director Liu Zhengqing and police officers.
“We suspect you of attempted burglary and multiple crimes…”
They were arrested on the spot.
Chen Min, upon hearing the news, rushed over screaming and was also detained.
The investigation progressed rapidly.
Sun Dehai was captured and confessed: the car’s brakes had been sabotaged on Chen Yian’s orders. He Yulan had drugged the driver. The goal was to eliminate Chen Shuang’s parents.
The driver’s family confirmed the bribe.
Further investigations revealed embezzlement, illegal transactions, collusion with foreign forces, and stolen military materials.
The evidence was overwhelming.
At the public trial:
Chen Yian—multiple charges including murder—death penalty, immediate execution.
He Yulan—life imprisonment, exile to labor reform.
Chen Min—15 years imprisonment.
Sun Dehai—death penalty.
Executions were carried out.
Chen Min screamed in hatred, glaring at Chen Shuang as she was taken away.
Chen Shuang stood silently among the crowd.
There was no joy—only emptiness.
Mom, Dad… justice has been served.
She turned and left.
Behind her was the end of greed and evil. Ahead lay uncertainty, danger, and the storm of the times.
But at least—
The most dangerous snakes around her were gone.
Now, she needed a safer path.
She thought of He Yanzhi…
Perhaps, it was time to consider that engagement.