Li Jindao followed Chen Xiao’s gaze.

Instantly, a slight expression of embarrassment appeared on his face.

"I watched a movie when I was young, maybe you’ve seen it too, Advisor Chen, it’s called ’Shaolin Temple’! I was obsessed with martial arts at that time!"

"Later, I even visited some famous masters and then got this Wooden Man Target. Can’t say I practiced martial arts, it was just for fun."

Chen Xiao nodded with a smile, but seemed interested: "How about we give it a try?"

Li Jindao immediately declined: "What’s there to try, it’s just that my wife loves to keep it clean and wipes it often, if it were me, it would’ve collected a lot of dust by now."

Chen Xiao didn’t let Li Jindao say much more, he pulled him over to the Wooden Man Target. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Seeing his enthusiasm, Li Jindao couldn’t refuse any longer, so he rolled up his sleeves.

Chen Xiao noticed there were quite a few scars on his arms, and asked in surprise:

"Mr. Li, how did your arms get those scars?"

"Ah, it’s a long story. Made some foolish choices when I was younger, ran with the wrong crowd, always talking about fighting. Now I’m old and still carry these ugly reminders."

"So Mr. Li is quite the veteran!"

"It’s nothing like being a veteran, I just didn’t want to work but wanted to eat, so I became a lackey or something like that."

Chen Xiao didn’t ask more, standing at the Wooden Man Target practicing.

Then Li Jindao did the same, and he could tell right away that Chen Xiao’s movements were far from standard.

"Advisor Chen, have you really practiced?"

"Don’t laugh, Mr. Li. I’m just goofing around, just looked at some materials."

Li Jindao grinned: "I can tell, Advisor Chen is really just playing around, how about I teach you?"

"Sure!"

Chen Xiao had strengthened himself many times after the calendar’s rewards but never actually fought.

But he always believed that there is always someone better out there.

So he seriously watched Li Jindao.

Li Jindao would demonstrate once, and he would follow along once.

Gradually, the two who were supposed to discuss the case began practicing martial arts instead.

Li Jindao withdrew his hand and approvingly said: "Though you’re not familiar with the techniques, it’s clear your foundation is quite strong, Advisor Chen!"

"I’m really just playing around, but Mr. Li is right, having strength alone isn’t enough."

"Exactly, if it’s just brute strength, there would be many flaws."

"Mr. Li, I seek your guidance."

Chen Xiao was very humble, and Li Jindao seemed interested as well: "Haha, I wouldn’t dare call it guidance, but I can let you experience how to use strength."

Chen Xiao nodded. As he saw Li Jindao gesture, he also moved forward.

Their wrists pressed together.

Li Jindao’s shoulder trembled, and Chen Xiao was amazed.

"Mr. Li, such ferocious strength, it’s hard to believe someone near fifty can wield it."

"Mr. Chen, try using strength the way I just showed."

"How much strength?"

"Half power."

"Are you sure?"

"There won’t be any issue."

Confident, Li Jindao smiled as Chen Xiao applied force.

At that moment, Li Jindao’s expression suddenly changed, but in just a second, he retreated four or five steps.

Chen Xiao clearly saw a look of amazement in Li Jindao’s eyes as he steadied himself.

If he knew, he would’ve exclaimed, "Unbelievable!"

But Li Jindao’s expression wasn’t that simple!

Chen Xiao hurried over, apologetically saying: "I’m sorry, Mr. Li, I’m very out of practice!"

"No worries, no worries, Mr. Chen, where did you learn such strength?"

"Just playing around. Honestly, I can’t explain it well."

Somewhat skeptical, Li Jindao sat back in the tea pavilion, awkwardly laughing: "Seems I was showing off my inadequate skills in front of an expert. Advisor Chen’s physical prowess is something I can’t teach."

"Haha, then let’s not practice anymore and get back to the earlier topic."

Li Jindao nodded, and after Chen Xiao took a sip of tea, he said: "What does Mr. Li think of Peng Yuanqing and Peng Zhou, especially their relationship with Lian Yuhong?"

"I haven’t met Peng Zhou much, but Peng Yuanqing is definitely bad news!"

Chen Xiao was surprised: "What do you mean?"

"I’ve heard some rumors that Zhang Shurong went to Peng Yuanqing less than three months after Yuhong’s father passed away. I’ve heard that Peng Yuanqing used to work under Lian Da. In street terms, at that time, Lian Da was the big brother, Peng Yuanqing the underling, and Zhang Shurong was like the sister-in-law."

If Chen Xiao’s surprise earlier was feigned,

this time, he was truly shocked.

It turns out there were explosive stories between Lian Da, Zhang Shurong, and Peng Yuanqing.

"After Li Xi and Yuhong got together, as parents, we were curious about her parents. After some inquiries, I learned that Lian Da and his sworn brothers were involved in smuggling businesses back in the day. By chance, because of these inquiries, I found out that I had dealings with Lian Da and his group over ten years ago."

"His three brothers were quite notorious for being ruthless and courageous back then, but it seems all three of them gradually hanged themselves. When Yuhong hanged herself, I went to Changlong Village and found everyone terrified, saying the ghost that killed her dad had returned to haunt their family."

"Mr. Chen, do you know the local legend? They even gave it a name, the Yang Lake Phantom!"

Chen Xiao nodded: "Of course, I’ve heard the rumors caused a lot of panic."

"Yes, at least in Changlong Village, people wouldn’t dare take a second look. Especially the elderly, they were truly terrified. So, although the police didn’t explicitly say, I always felt there was something wrong with Yuhong’s death."

While Li Jindao was speaking, Chen Xiao responded:

"Why don’t you share your perspective?"

"I’m just a simple man, what could I think? The fact is, Yuhong was to be my future daughter-in-law, and I really don’t believe she would hang herself."

As he spoke, Li Jindao began to analyze on his own: "Yuhong’s biggest headache was her mother’s constant attempts to use her to support Peng Yuanqing and his son, which was all about money. I’ve been in society all these years, may not have much else, but I do have money."

"So I could completely handle that issue for her, and without that problem, what other reason would Yuhong have to end her life? She just needed to peacefully recover and then safely give birth to my grandson or granddaughter."

For some unknown reason, a trace of caution flashed in Chen Xiao’s eyes.

He had originally intended to address this question directly.

But now, Li Jindao had already brought the conversation to this point.

Chen Xiao thought briefly: "Mr. Li, have you considered what might have caused all this?"

"I can’t understand it, but the police told me Yuhong very likely committed suicide."

As he said this, Li Jindao lowered his head, his voice full of pain: "Thinking about it, I find that it was my grandson who suffered the most, pitifully gone without seeing the world even once."

Hearing these words, an inexplicable tension rose in Chen Xiao’s heart.

His purpose in visiting the Li family was to investigate whether there was an issue with Lian Yuhong’s unborn child.

Or rather, to see if the Li family suspected anything about the child.

But as Chen Xiao was about to ask directly about the Li family’s thoughts on Peng Yuanqing and Peng Zhou, Li Jindao led him to the tea pavilion.

At the pavilion, he saw the Wooden Man Target again, which piqued his interest.

After practicing with the Wooden Man Target, Chen Xiao once again inquired about Li Jindao’s views on Peng Yuanqing and Peng Zhou.

But Li Jindao shifted the topic to the Yang Lake Phantom again!

Watching the sorrowful Li Jindao, Chen Xiao slightly squinted his eyes and said:

"Mr. Li, my condolences. This all happened so unexpectedly."

Li Jindao took a deep breath: "As things stand, no matter how much I don’t want to accept it, what can be done?"

Just then, Mrs. Li came out: "Old Li, it’s already noon. Why don’t you and Advisor Chen have lunch together?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jindao, feeling a bit embarrassed, turned to Chen Xiao and said: "I’m sorry, Advisor Chen, if it’s convenient, why not stay for a simple meal with us, it’s already lunchtime after all."

Actually, Chen Xiao wanted to use the meal time to chat more with Li Jindao.

But the tension within him led him to directly decline the invitation.

"No need, Mr. Li, I have other matters to attend to, and it’s not a good time to impose."

With that, Chen Xiao didn’t give a chance for Li Jindao to persuade him to stay, and turned to leave!