Unfolding The Yang Bo Case

Weisheng kept his eyes on the road despite Xiaoling's curious gaze lingering around him. Before she could ask him, he decided to bring it up himself. 

"We're going to meet Miss He Yanmei," Weisheng told her, "After her statement, we can meet Mr. Yang Bo." 

Xiaoling's eyes widened, "Yang Bo?!" 

Weisheng raised an eyebrow, "Yes? Do you like him?" 

"Like him?!" Xiaoling suddenly jumped in her seat, "I love that guy! Wow! Why didn't you tell me we're seeing celebrities? I would've worn something better." She pouted, "No offense, Xiaodan, but your style is not the best." 

Weisheng hummed, "Not really," He said, "I think you look cute." He uttered without thinking. He quickly wondered if he shouldn't have said that. 

"Really?" Xiaoling took it lightly, "I don't think I want to look cute, though. Do I look cute in my regular outfit, too?" She asked with a genuine tone. 

Was she really asking for Weisheng's opinion on that? Weisheng was terrible with girls! Did she forget that? 

"Um…" Weisheng cleared his throat, thinking about complimenting her without sounding like a creep. 

Yesterday's panorama stretched across his eyes when he had lowered his face to hers, grabbing her wrists like a creep. He almost barfed at his actions. He couldn't believe she still treated him nicely. 

"Just be honest," Xiaoling sighed, "I won't say anything." 

Weisheng found it nerve-wracking, "No comment," He shamelessly muttered. 

"Huh?!" Xiaoling scoffed, "You can't give me one opinion? I might as well bring some spirits to-" 

"You look beautiful and elegant. What do you want me to say?" Weisheng quickly murmured before she could plot to send him to the Underworld. 

Xiaoling narrowed her eyes, "You mean that?" 

"Y-Yes…" Weisheng cleared his throat. 

Xiaoling sighed in disappointment. Weisheng's grip on the steering wheel tightened. He made multiple scenarios in his head. 

Would Xiaoling say he's a creep? 

Would Xiaoling take his compliment? 

Would Xiaoling slap him for the brief compliment? 

"It's a shame that I'm not in my regular outfit then," Xiaoling murmured in disappointment, "I wanted to look like a sophisticated fan around Yang Bo…" 

…

Weisheng looked at her with disbelief, "You like the guy that much?" He asked. 

"Who doesn't?" Xiaoling pouted, "Actually, my Godmother is a big fan too. Maybe I should ask for several autographs!" 

"Oh…" Weisheng wasn't sure what to make out of that, "Help yourself then," He tapped at the dashboard. 

Xiaoling opened it to reveal a blank notepad. She smiled brightly, going through the papers of the notepad. 

"Thanks, Weisheng. This notepad will work!" Xiaoling excitedly muttered. 

"You seem really happy about seeing this guy…" Weisheng murmured under his breath. 

She heard it regardless, "Of course! He was a child actor. I still remember when his first drama aired. Those were the times, Weisheng. Those were the times!" 

Weisheng's eyes narrowed. If he recalled correctly, Yang Bo was 35 years old. He was older than Weisheng. If Xiaoling was younger than Weisheng, how could she have witnessed Yang Bo's childhood dramas while they aired? Was he missing something?

Before he could question her, his phone rang. He attended the call through his wireless earbuds. 

"Mr. Yuan?" A woman's voice asked through the phone. 

"Yes, that would be me," Weisheng replied nonchalantly, "Miss He, we're almost at the location." 

"Oh, okay," He Yanmei replied, "Please be quick. There's someone creepy at the table next to me. I don't feel secure at all." She murmured in a low tone. 

"Is that so?" Weisheng asked, "Then you should stay on call." He murmured, "Strange… You picked this location. Is it usually safe?" 

"It is!" He Yanmei complained, "I suspect this man to be related to," She whispered, "Yang Bo!" She complained, "Who else would want me uncomfortable?" 

"Please refrain from speaking about something you aren't sure of. Mr. Yang Bo can sue you for defamation. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law." He warned her. 

Xiaoling's eyes widened as she casually overheard the conversation from Weisheng's side. He was very professional at work. She wondered why he didn't receive any promotions yet. It was quite clear to her that he purposely slacked off, but it didn't change how strange it was. 

Shortly, they arrived at the cafe He Yanmei picked. Weisheng told her that they had arrived before ending the call. He got out of the car and cleared his throat. 

"Nervous?" Xiaoling asked while closing the door of the car. 

Weisheng pressed the lock button on the car keys, "No. I'm just rehearsing your identity, Miss Liu." 

Xiaoling chuckled, "So funny! Can you remind me who I was again?" 

"You're Mr. Liu Heng's little sister. You're in Law School, and this case is your internship case." Weisheng uttered calmly. 

Xiaoling nodded in approval. She knew Weisheng was capable, but she didn't know he'd be that nonchalant about it. 

Weisheng and Xiaoling entered the cafe, where they immediately saw He Yanmei, dressed in all black, wearing a black mask and hiding under a black cap. All tables beside her looked normal. If anyone walked in without context, it would look like she was the creepy man. 

"Miss He Yanmei?" Weisheng asked as he skeptically approached her. 

"Oh!" He Yanmei stood up, "Please take a seat," She murmured, "Sorry I have to meet you like this…" She sighed deeply, "It's the paparazzi. Yang Bo is a big shot, you see." 

Weisheng took a seat, then pulled one back for Xiaoling. 

"Miss He, this is Miss Liu Xiaodan. She's an intern at the moment, just here to study. You don't need to be cautious." Weisheng introduced Xiaoling's fake identity without hesitation. 

"Hello," Xiaoling said with a professional smile, "Although you should speak without caution, remember that anything you say can and will be used against you in the court." 

Weisheng looked at her with surprise, "Looks like our intern has done her homework." He smiled, "Shall we discuss your side of the story now?" He looked at He Yanmei and asked. 

For some reason, He Yanmei seemed intimidated. "Y-Yes. I'm ready!"