Mu Linjing let out a low sigh. As her workday neared its end, she strode towards the underground parking lot. A press of her car key elicited a chirp from a black BMW.
Minutes later, the black sedan sped out of the parking lot and onto the highway.
The company's current state was not what she had envisioned. Zhang Yi's insane actions were beyond her prediction, and the public's narrative was something she couldn't control.
Yet, the bitter fruit of it all would ultimately fall upon her shoulders.
Mu Linjing's brow furrowed deeply, her agitated emotions churning like a tempest within her heart. She pressed down on the accelerator, driving all the way to the seaside.
At this hour, the beach was deserted. The azure sky met the deep blue sea in the distance, and white seagulls cried out, their wings beating powerfully.
Golden sand stretched across the beach, littered with various shells. A few small crabs scuttled by, their claws waving.
Mu Linjing opened her car door, closing her eyes tightly. The salty sea breeze washed over her. Gone was the city's cacophony, replaced by the sound of waves, the cries of seagulls, and the gentle whisper of the wind.
The jumbled emotions in her heart gradually calmed. Mu Linjing opened her eyes, boldly kicked off her high heels, and walked to the water's edge, leaving a trail of footprints in the sand with her bare feet.
This was her way of releasing stress when she was feeling down.
"Ah—"
With no one around, Mu Linjing blinked, raised her hand, and yelled towards the vast ocean. The only response was the startled squawk of seagulls.
Mu Linjing was amused by the thought that these seagulls were probably cursing her. She let out a chuckle.
Carrying her high heels, she hummed a little tune and walked aimlessly into the distance.
It wasn't a holiday season or a weekend, so the beach was truly empty.
Mu Linjing walked for a long time, until the spot where she could no longer see her car. The landscape ahead transitioned from sand to rocks, where the waves crashed fiercely, breaking into white sprays.
"I've walked so far..."
Only then did Mu Linjing snap back to reality. She looked around. There were hardly any footprints here; it was mostly rocky terrain, which she found uninteresting and likely why no one visited.
Her thought was abruptly cut short. Mu Linjing vaguely spotted a small cave among the distant rocks, and it seemed someone was lying inside.
"Who else has the leisure for this?" Mu Linjing was surprised. She squinted and looked closer. Indeed, there was a person, only half of their body visible, completely still. "Are they also feeling down and came out to clear their head, just like me?"
But why weren't they moving? Could they have encountered some trouble?
Mu Linjing pondered for a moment, then carefully stepped over the rocks. After walking for a long time, she reached the small cave. The person lying inside seemed to be sleeping soundly, undisturbed by Mu Linjing's arrival.
"Hello, are you resting here..."
Mu Linjing's words trailed off. She looked at the person in the cave and her eyes widened.
Because of the close proximity, she could clearly see the person's face. It was a man, and it was someone she knew.
Bai Yan!
Bai Yan's entire body had an unnatural color. His eyes were closed, his hand lay limply by his side, and he was just lying there, still.
"Bai Yan! Is that Bai Yan?"
Mu Linjing was startled by the sight, her voice trembling slightly. She bravely reached out to feel for a breath, her eyes fixed on his chest.
No breath.
No heartbeat.
A wave of horror flashed across Mu Linjing's face. Her heart pounded wildly. It was the first time she had encountered something like this, and the person was someone she knew. Mu Linjing instinctively took a few steps back.
"What happened? Did he drown and get washed ashore by the waves, or was it foul play?" Mu Linjing murmured to herself. Suddenly, her gaze swept vigilantly around. There was no one. In this vast expanse, it was just her and the lifeless Bai Yan.
She had to report this immediately!
Mu Linjing hurried back to the original sandy beach. She took out her phone, her fingers trembling slightly.
After reporting the incident, people arrived quickly. The scene was immediately cordoned off, and a large area of rocks and sand was surrounded.
Mu Linjing finished her statement and left her contact information. The sky had already begun to darken. She cast a deep glance back at the spot, but no one could be seen.
She had come out to clear her head and encountered such a thing.
Mu Linjing withdrew her gaze. The spot was very secluded. If she hadn't stumbled upon it by chance, people might never have discovered it.
The night deepened further. Mu Linjing got into her car and returned to the Zhan family.
The next day, the news reported Bai Yan's accident. The case was still under investigation. Mu Linjing sat on the sofa, her eyes glued to the news anchor on the television.
"According to reports, the suspect in this case has been identified as the deceased's sister, Bai Qing. However, she has seemingly vanished into thin air and remains at large. The public is urged to call 110 if they have any information regarding the suspect."
It was Bai Qing! How ruthless!
Mu Linjing frowned, looking at Bai Qing's photo on the TV screen. The fact that Bai Yan was willing to fund Bai Qing's overseas studies indicated he was a good person and not one to make enemies. It was no wonder Bai Qing was the only suspect.
But where had this woman run off to?
Mu Linjing pondered deeply, but eventually gave up. At that moment, a woman emerged from the kitchen and placed some fruit in front of Mu Linjing.
"What are you watching so intently?" Aunt Mu asked, glancing curiously at the television.
Mu Linjing looked up in surprise. "Mom, you're here?"
The maid explained, "Second Young Madam, your mother came specifically to see you. You were lost in thought just now and didn't notice."
Hearing this, Mu Linjing quickly pressed the remote, changing the channel to a soap opera. She picked up an apple and took a bite.
Her mother's visit was undoubtedly about that particular matter.
Mu Linjing's expression darkened slightly. She lay on the sofa as Aunt Mu sat down beside her with a smile.
"Jingjing, you look like you've lost weight after not seeing each other for so long," Aunt Mu said, taking Mu Linjing's hand and patting it with concern.
"After all the trouble your uncle's family caused, it's no wonder I've lost weight." Mu Linjing knew her mother had something to say and spoke first, her brows knitting even tighter.
Aunt Mu was taken aback by Mu Linjing's words. She was silent for a moment, then sighed softly and released Mu Linjing's hand.
Mu Linjing's heart stirred, and the apple in her hand suddenly lost its appeal. She placed it back on the coffee table and rubbed her temples in annoyance.
"What do you want to say?"
Aunt Mu's eyes lit up. She clasped Mu Linjing's hand again, her tone softening considerably.
"Your uncle..."
"My uncle brought this upon himself. I can't say anything about this matter." Mu Linjing waved her hand, her face falling. She gritted her teeth, "Don't you know that after his stunt, I was even demoted at the company?"
Even if she could influence things, she would refuse. Those kinds of parasites deserved to suffer a little!