Upon hearing Qiu Zhun's description, Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng exchanged a look.
The matter was indeed peculiar. Setting aside Wen Xueshan's motives, the circumstances didn't quite align with her psychological state. Given the many wrongdoings Wen Xueshan had committed in the past, she should have been more cautious. How could she have forgotten to shut down her computer after committing a crime, allowing Qiu Zhun to catch her red-handed? There were too many contradictions.
"I believe the planner of this incident is someone else. I had considered this before. Besides Wen Xueshan, there was another person who knew about those photos," Wei Yumeng said, looking at Qiu Zhun and Zhan Mohan. "It was the person Wen Xueshan entrusted to investigate us at the time. Perhaps he didn't destroy the photos he found, but kept them for other purposes."
Zhan Mohan and Qiu Zhun nodded in agreement.
"Other purposes? Was it to disrupt our lives?" Qiu Zhun frowned. "Or perhaps to gain something from us?"
Zhan Mohan, however, dismissed this idea. "If the other party truly wanted something from us, they would have threatened us with those photos before exposing them. But they didn't. Instead, they chose to expose everything directly. It's more likely that their objective was simply to expose it all."
At this point, everyone felt even more perplexed. Could the perpetrator be someone they had a grudge against? But Wei Yumeng couldn't recall ever having a conflict with a private investigator.
Just then, Fang Xun approached. "Mr. Zhan, based on what Madam said, I have found the private investigator who has been cooperating with Miss Wen for a long time."
He handed the documents to Zhan Mohan. Zhuo Qi, a private investigator in the city. He was a freelancer and had collaborated with Wen Xueshan more than ten times. Furthermore, he often investigated gossip and submitted articles to entertainment media to make a living. He lived alone.
When Qiu Zhun saw Zhuo Qi's photo, he remembered something. Wen Xueshan was still hospitalized at the time, and he had met this Zhuo Qi once. Although it was a fleeting encounter, the man had a distinctive aura that made Qiu Zhun glance at him. It was likely then that Wen Xueshan had hired Zhuo Qi.
"Mr. Zhan, I suggest that since we have identified him, we can simply apprehend him and question him thoroughly. Then everything will be clear," Fang Xun proposed, which was the most direct method he could think of.
However, Wei Yumeng shook her head. "No, these types of people are very cunning. Even if we capture him, if he denies it, there's nothing we can do."
Qiu Zhun, still looking at Zhuo Qi's information, somehow found himself recalling Wen Xueshan's state the previous night. Wen Xueshan, who couldn't sleep, and Wen Xueshan who spoke in her sleep. Right, what had she said in her sleep? "I won't lose to you... I won't... You won't succeed either..."
And Wen Xueshan and this Zhuo Qi had a long-standing working relationship. This meant that, in reality, the person most familiar with Zhuo Qi in this matter was Wen Xueshan herself.
"I know," Qiu Zhun said with a frown. "That Zhuo Qi wasn't targeting us. His target might have been Xueshan." Of the possibilities they had previously dismissed, only this remained. Wen Xueshan's sleep-talking might have been due to a bet with Zhuo Qi. If Zhuo Qi had exposed the photos first and then contacted Wen Xueshan, by then the deed was done, and Wen Xueshan would have no other choice but to agree to the bet for some reason. For example, if she won the bet, Zhuo Qi would explain the matter to the media, or something else. This explanation made everything fall into place.
But for what reason did Zhuo Qi tamper with Wen Xueshan's computer, leading Qiu Zhun to see those things?
Upon hearing Qiu Zhun's explanation, Wei Yumeng immediately understood the nature of their bet. "I think... they were betting on the feelings between the two of you... or rather, betting on whether you would believe her in this matter."
Qiu Zhun also felt that was the case. Otherwise, Zhuo Qi wouldn't have done something to deliberately provoke their relationship. At this thought, Qiu Zhun suddenly realized he hadn't figured this out earlier. Leaving home on his own and leaving Wen Xueshan alone at home, he didn't know what might happen.
"I'm sorry, I think I have to go back," Qiu Zhun said, grabbing his coat and leaving without another thought. He was truly worried that something might happen to Wen Xueshan, and that Zhuo Qi might succeed even in this short time. The fact that Zhuo Qi could do such a thing was enough to show his intentions towards Wen Xueshan.
Watching Qiu Zhun's retreating back, Wei Yumeng felt a sense of helplessness at being innocently entangled. To think she would be caught in the crossfire like this. However, for Zhan Mohan, anyone who put Wei Yumeng in danger would not be let go.
Wei Yumeng turned to look at Zhan Mohan and saw that his brow had unfurrowed, and he seemed much more relaxed. "Mohan, have you thought of a way?"
Zhan Mohan nodded. "I do have a way. It's just that... this matter might have to be handled by us alone."
"Alright." Wei Yumeng readily agreed. She had absolute faith in Zhan Mohan's plans. Thus, Zhan Mohan began to tell Wei Yumeng his idea...
Qiu Zhun returned home as quickly as he could, but he still found Wen Xueshan fainted at home. "Xueshan! Xueshan!" Qiu Zhun could no longer afford to regret. If he had been calmer then, perhaps this wouldn't have happened. Fortunately, Wen Xueshan woke up soon after. Seeing Qiu Zhun again, she started crying. "Ah Zhun, why didn't you believe me? Why? You said last night you would believe me. I really didn't do it, I really didn't do it..." As Wen Xueshan spoke, her emotions became uncontrollably agitated.
Qiu Zhun realized the situation was dire and immediately contacted Jing Yan, who rushed over without delay. "How is she?" Qiu Zhun's voice trembled. He had never regretted his actions so much.
Jing Yan shook his head. "She suffered a shock, and with her pre-existing depression not fully healed, she had only just started to improve. Now, her condition is worse."
Qiu Zhun clenched his fists. "If I had stayed with her then, perhaps... perhaps this wouldn't have happened." But all he could do now was take Wen Xueshan to the hospital for further examination and treatment. This period was also very crucial for Wen Xueshan, affecting their child and Wen Xueshan herself.