Behind the Murder Volume I

Chapter 24: Mint Candy

"To what extent does his wife interfere in his business affairs?" Gu Xiaofan continued to ask.

General Manager Huang smiled in a cryptic way and said, "Why bother? The dead can't come back to life, and the living have to continue living. It's better for us outsiders not to ask too much about the couple's private affairs. Anyway, I only know that Lao Ren complained to us. I won't ask about the specifics if he doesn't tell me."

"Yes, many times, among friends, especially business partners, it's safer to know less about private matters," Zhong Han agreed with General Manager Huang and also signaled Gu Xiaofan not to continue asking questions. He turned to General Manager Huang with a curious tone and said, "Ren Xuefeng is actually a very courageous person. Since his wife at home interferes so much in his business affairs, he always brings Dai Mei to cocktail parties and social events. Isn't he afraid of a fire in the backyard?"

General Manager Huang smiled and nodded, and said in a relaxed tone as if it had nothing to do with him: "How should I put it? I am not familiar with Lao Ren's young wife, so I dare not say anything to cause trouble for her. Let me put it this way, this is my own feeling. If it is really made clear, no woman will allow her man to have other opposite sex around her, no matter if it is for the sake of her inner self or her face, it will be unacceptable. But if you can turn a blind eye, you know that your man is just playing around, and it is good for business. Anyway, if I were a woman, I would probably pretend not to know, so as to avoid a real falling out. It would be too ugly. If both sides are destroyed, it would not be good for me, right?"

Gu Xiaofan lowered her head slightly and curled her lips secretly. It is said that businessmen value profit. She doesn't know many people in the business circle, but at least General Manager Huang fits this theorem. Everything is about profit first.

"However," General Manager Huang then changed the subject, "Mr. Ren has been taking Dai Mei out less often recently, I mean before the accident. I don't know if his wife found out and was unhappy, or if Mr. Ren just got tired of her.

"Since when did Dai Mei become less common?" Zhong Han asked.

General Manager Huang thought for a moment and said, "In the past, whenever I was involved in an activity, whether it was eating or playing mahjong, Dai Mei would be there nine times out of ten. About half a year before Lao Ren's accident, I only met Dai Mei once or twice out of ten times."

"Have you met Ren Xuefeng's wife during this period?" Zhong Han asked again.

General Manager Huang shook his head, and put out the cigarette that was about to burn out between his fingers into the ashtray. He stood up and straightened his clothes. "I haven't met Lao Ren's young wife. Let's put it this way. I have said almost everything I need to say. I really don't know the rest. Lao Ren and I have a good relationship, but I don't know much about his private life and family affairs. Why don't you ask others? No matter what, it's not good to drag me into this alone, right?"

"Okay, then we won't bother you anymore. Thank you for your cooperation with our work!" Seeing this, Zhong Han stood up with Gu Xiaofan and prepared to leave.

This time, General Manager Huang was very nice and accompanied them all the way to the entrance of the store. He watched them get into the car before turning around and going back.

"We are just conducting a routine investigation. Does this count as dragging him into the water?" After getting in the car, Gu Xiaofan pouted and muttered somewhat unconvinced.