Wen Kexing's beautiful wife, Gao Xiao Lian, is murdered, and the police request coroner Zhou Zishu perform the autopsy. The police commissioner gives them fourteen days to arrest the murderer. But is this a simple stalking case or do they have a s...
"Please inform Du Yuqian that I will attend the meeting tomorrow. Thank you for your call." Xing disconnected and slipped the unit into his housecoat pocket. Shu, sitting at the table reading a journal, and making notes, examined his face.
"What meeting are you attending?" he asked casually. In the afternoon they planned to visit his aunties to introduce Kexing as his partner
"Du Yuqian heads the law firm that represents the families. My grandmother and my father both employed his firm, and we just kept that tradition. Reading of Lian's will is scheduled for 10 a.m., and the whole joint family will be there. We met with one of their juniors several years ago and signed the paperwork together. Aside from minor bequests, she left all her assets to me. And she received most of mine. If the firm maintained client privilege, the parents remain ignorant of the terms." He plopped onto the couch and Shu noticed him chewing the inside of his mouth and picking at his cuticles. He jumped up and sat down against his lover, taking the offended hands in his and kissing the fingertips. Xing laughed.
"Ok. I'm nervous about this, I admit."
"Would you like me to go with you?" offered Shu. "Give them a distraction or a target." The anxious man nodded.
"Thank you. I need emotional support every time I'm forced to interact with them."
"They gang up on you. I'll be your back-up. Come here," he rearranged their bodies so that Xing leaned against his strong shoulder, secure in a loving embrace. "I love you and that's armor to their bullying. And when the meeting is done, we'll scoop up the aunties and go someplace for a great lunch. And we'll think up something fun to fill the afternoon."
"Are you sure they will like me, accept me?' he worried. Don't they want you to have a wife and children?"
"They will love you. When they see how much I love you, they'll be thrilled. And no, they know that my 'wife' will be a man. They don't care. They love me as I am."
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A secretary conducted the two men into the large conference room to join two juniors from the firm. The lawyers stood to bow and greet Wen politely. He and Zhou chose to stand behind the long table, in front of large windows overlooking the city.
"I don't know them, or I would introduce you," he whispered to his friend. Zhou held his hand where no one saw their contact.
"No problem. Du Yuqian-you recognize him when he arrives." At that moment, an elderly well-dressed man ushered in the two older couples, Li Jing An and Zhao Jing. They halted when they spied Wen and his companion. Gao scowled and prevented his wife from greeting her son-in-law. Jing An waved and smiled but remained with Zhi Yin. Tao Hong Po and husband ignored them both. Du Yuqian detoured around them and approached Wen.
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"Wen Kexing, how good to meet you again," he bowed and then extended his hand. Wen accepted the manicured fingers, indicating his partner.
"Allow me to introduce my friend, Dr. Zhou Zishu. He teaches at the University and also consults as coroner for the Ministry of Justice." Zhou smiled and shook hands. Du lit up with pleasure.
"A delight, sir," Du bowed again. "My granddaughter Kiu Qian Qiao studies medicine at the Peking University. She speaks glowingly of your anatomy lectures and labs. After graduation, please both accept an invitation to our family celebrations." The professor bowed.
"You honor me, Du Yuqian. Outstanding students such as Liu Qian Qiao reward my teaching efforts. I anticipate her graduating with distinction."
"Before we begin, let me inform you, Wen Kexing, that Gao Xiao Lian appointed you executor. The firm prepared everything to reduce your work as much as possible, but after this meeting, please come to my office for some instructions. I promise it will help you in the long run." Wen concurred.
"I will remain as you suggest." he agreed. Du excused himself.
"When did your grandmother die?" Shu asked. "Were you very close?"
"Yes, she died just in the final weeks of my PhD training. I attended the funeral but not the reading of the will. Tao Hong Po thought it wasted my time. She was the executrix and told me I inherited some art works I admired, some books, a little money, not much. At the time, school distracted me, although I loved her very much. I've visited her grave many times over the years, alone or with Lian." As one, they examined the woman in questions. They discovered themselves to be subjected to scrutiny by her and her husband.
"Let's just sit here, near these law juniors," Zhou suggested. But Du gestured and indicated he reserved seats for them at the head of the table near him. Politely they accepted and made their way to the chairs. Across the table, Wen's parents waited expressionlessly but Gao wore his habitual frown and Zhi Yin examined her hands. Jing An winked at her longtime friend. Beside her, Zhao Jing watched his employer. Shen and family smiled and waved; he mouthed 'talk to you late'. Du addressed the room.
"Thank you for attending the reading of Gao Ziao Lian's will on such short notice. She requested that we move in a lively fashion because she stated you are all busy with your careers and several family members came from out of town." He nodded to Shenshen and family. "She anticipated that the legalities, as comprehensively as she wrote them, entailed only a small amount of time. She and Wen Kexing honored this firm with their trust, as have the Wen family, the Gao family, the Lv family, and the Tao family in the past. Lian, as I am honored to call her, instructed us to prepare her will several years ago. Periodically we contacted her to inquire about any changes. But the will remains as she dictated, except for an addition 3 months ago. In it there are multiple small bequests, not all of which I will read today. They pertain to the household staff, some work staff, friends from school, and may not interest you. Those will be mailed or Wen Kexing as executor will disperse them. She also entrusted me with several personal letters."
A soft knock on the door interrupted him and his junior entered with a late guest. All eyes fixed on Zhao Xie, hesitating on the threshold. Du motioned to him.
"Please enter, Zhao Xie. Gao Xiao Lian particularly invited you. Zhang Yusen, please allow him to take your seat." The gentleman rose and beckoned the younger man to sit next to Zhou Zishu.
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This is a short chapter so I will be publishing the next one with it. It will reveal some interesting information to Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu.
