342 Oedipus Would Like a Word 2 in 1 (1/2)
Actually, at that time, no one really had the luxury of time to check whether Brother Shuang's expression was authentic or not. Madam Grace was shot and carried a long distance away by Cedrick. To avoid having their bodies exposed to the sight of the sniper, they had to keep searching for cover while they moved. After the many high difficulty postures that placed an additional demand on the synchronization of one's muscles and body, it naturally worsened the injury that she had already suffered.
The mention of Madam Grace's body weight by Cedrick was not to purposely find trouble or to mock her, but it was because the young man was really lacking in strength. Even though it might appear ridiculously easy for the male main characters in movies to lift the female character into his arms, it was not that easy in real life. With a body hanging heavily on two extended arms, the arms of the one carrying the weight were even bent and hanging in the air, which created a problem where it was difficult for said person to apply his strength… Cedrick's small frame was not an issue normally because he was in the business where technique was more important than brute force. The many cases that he had been involved with in the past were done thanks to his brilliance and cunning. Therefore, when it came to this situation where strength was required, he found it difficult to step up to the plate.
In reality, even Cedrick himself thought the fact that he could carry such a heavy woman for this distance was already a miracle in and of itself.
”You're finally here!” Therefore, one could imagine how happy Cedrick was when he saw Brother Shuang arrive. He had not only been using his strength but also his mind. Cedrick had calculated the three-dimensional terrain of the small café who knew how many times already and worked through how many routes and corners before he was able to carry Madam Grace to seek cover behind the cashier counter.
By then, the café was a horrible mess. Honestly, the sniper did not break that many things with their shots, but the screaming costumers that followed created most of the mess that surrounded them. They toppled over the tables and sent the utensils flying.
He wiped away the sweat that was flowing down his head. Feeling like the sniping was finally over, along with the face that there were people who were running in from the front door and all the doors and curtains were pulled shut, Cedrick finally gained the courage to poke his head out from behind the counter. He called after Ye Shuang and the bodyguard who just arrived at the scene. ”Ye and… that African American man, please call the ambulance.”
”Are you sure?” Ye Shuang asked Cedrick, but her eyes were turned to Edward, who had the acting buff on as well. ”This is a gun wound, so I believe that Madam Grace won't want to go to the hospital to have the records taken.”
Going to the hospital meant leaving behind a case file with the law enforcement. Later, once the truth like the type of bullets and reasons for being sniped surfaced, even if Madam Grace wanted to let the things go, things would not be that easy. In contrast, if they called a private doctor to handle this, there were many excuses that they could use when the police arrived to take their statement. A group of lawyers and the employees from the embassy were the most hated existence in the world for the police. As long as they did not have the necessary evidence, Madam Grace could choose to not answer most of the sensitive questions.
Most importantly, once Madam Grace's personal physician showed themself, then she would have the chance to trace Madam Grace's hidden influence in Feng Yuan City. Even though that was information that Edward already knew, Ye Shuang did not think that the man would honestly share it with her.
Once Ye Shuang said those words, she turned to look at the loyal 'Tess' walk behind the counter and expressionlessly carry Madam Grace out. Even though the latter had lost a great amount of blood and had suffered through a lot, she still had not fainted over. She sucked in a cold breath in the arms of 'Tess' and forced the following out of her lips.
”I have a personal doctor.”
She did not have the additional rationality or brainpower to defuse the content of Ye Shuang words. For example, was the statement ”This is a gun wound, so I believe that Madam Grace won't want to go to the hospital to have the records taken” something that Brother Shuang had said based on his understanding of Madam Grace's personality, or had he understood something that he should not have‽
Normally, with Madam Grace's brilliance, she definitely would have paid more attention and have more suspicion toward this detail.
As the caring and loving little boy who reached out to help his biological mother at first notice, Cedrick felt awkward under Ye Shuang's mocking scrutiny. He was not only feeling awkward but also quite embarrassed.
To maintain his own principles, and to not leave behind the sad typical impression of an abandoned child desperate for love, Cedrick could only pretend to be calm and brush the dust off his shoulders. ”I just… Erm, happened to be around to lend a hand. After all, at the time, since I was just next to Madam Grace, I was caught in the same amount of danger, so it was more reasonable for us to escape together… Erm, you know what I mean, right?”
”I know, I know.” Brother Shuang released a long sigh and patted Cedrick on his shoulder. She looked into the man's highly anticipatory eyes and said, ”It is merely a choice that was made by your subconscious. There is no reason for you to feel ashamed of it.”
”You don't know anything!” Cedrick exploded. ”Get away from me!”
…
Once Madam Grace was sent back to her private villa for the surgery, the next second, the police arrived at her home to pay her a visit. They wished to get to know the process of the whole crime and wished that Madam Grace would cooperate with them to provide some statements.
In a country like China where guns were seriously banned, cases that had the involvement of firearms were naturally big cases, especially sniping and assassination attempts, which were extremely rare. It was not only related to the case itself; even the channel through which the snipers got their firearms was a big enough reason for the police to pay the incident serious attention. However, just as Ye Shuang predicted, Madam Grace would definitely not quietly and obediently cooperate with the investigation.
Before she exited the surgery room, the lawyers who arrived at the villa at the same time as the doctor already stood waiting. Using the law of the country and Madam Grace's identity as a foreigner, the wall of lawyers refused to budge and forced the police officers to stay outside the building… With Madam Grace's current physical condition and the lawyers that she had hired to fix the loopholes, to pretend that she had fainted was something incredibly easy.
The police officers left unwillingly. All they could do was return to the crime scene to inspect it. Unfortunately, no matter how they searched the crime scene, it was hard to reconstruct the reality that someone had been sniped there because the evidence that they could find did not provide them with an actual trail.
…
”As a law-abiding citizen, I should not have allowed you two broken oranges to wander free in my beloved country.” Ye Shuang sighed. She stood on the second floor, watching the despondent troop of police officers retreat, and she could not help but feel a little bit awkward.
Cedrick pouted. ”Then what do you plan to do? I hate such people who only knew how to create endless problem for others, but at the key moment… like when someone needed to be captured… they were completely useless. At most, they could detain the supposed suspects for a few day before letting them go. These are nothing but thieves of the good citizen's tax money!”
”Well, there will be the times when they make actual arrests. In any case, at least their spirit is in the right place. They cannot just throw people into jail without evidence, right?” Ye Shuang said confidently.
Cedrick frowned as he turned to look at Brother Shuang. ”I'm surprised that you're so filled with justice.”
”It's mainly because I am in the presence of someone who wanders outside the jurisdiction of law and was dragged to align myself with them, so I feel additionally uncomfortable.” Ye Shuang shrugged and walked away from the window to plant herself on the sofa. She poured herself a glass of water. ”But then again, Cedrick, I'm really surprised that you would volunteer to go and save Madam Grace.”
Based on Ye Shuang's understanding and prediction, Cedrick's feelings toward his family should have turned from desire and anticipation to disappointment and hatred. He wished desperately initially to have a reunion with his family, but he would be equally despaired after finding out the truth.
Under such circumstances, even if he did not want to take direct revenge and dedicate the rest of his life to creating trouble for his biological mother, at least he would look at her demise coldly from afar. When something bad happened to the woman, he would rejoice and tell himself that it was the work of karma… Before the incident that happened that day, at least that was the impression that Cedrick had given Ye Shuang.
”So, blood really is thicker than water. I initially really did not expect you will be someone who is so kind and sentimental.” Ye Shuang made a conclusion in her disbelief. She looked at Cedrick and felt like she needed to reassess the young man.
Cedrick naturally had his issues with Ye Shuang's statement. When he heard what Ye Shuang had to say, he made a disgusted expression like it was a body reflex. ”You mean I still care about her? Don't make me laugh!”
Yes, it is this tone! It is this attitude! Earlier because of how determined the man's attitude was, Ye Shuang came to the conclusion that Cedrick did not carry any kind thoughts toward Madam Grace, but reality told her that it might be the complete opposite.
Ye Shuang thought about it for a long time before expressing her thought in Chinese. ”So, the body is more honest than the mouth…”
”Huh?” Cedrick could not understand Chinese, much less one that was steeped in internet culture.
Ye Shuang smiled wickedly and was about to provide a detailed explanation to the man when 'Tess' happened to open the door from outside and walk in. ”Mr. Ye Shuang, Mr. Cedrick, Madam wishes for me to arrange the guest room for you. Please come with me.”
”There's no need for that, I'll go back to my hotel.” Cedrick was the first to reject the man's kindness. Ye Shuang did not volunteer anything because she knew that there was something more than that.
As she expected, 'Tess' looked at Cedrick calmly, and he continued to open his lips and said in a toneless manner, ”Mr. Cedrick, you were inside the café at the time. Even though there were no cameras in the area, but I believe that the police will be able to get some accounts from the other witnesses… Furthermore, you're quite famous in the circle, and combined with the case that just happened not long ago, under all these conditions, you still insist on going back to the hotel? Now, when the police might show up to ask you questions at any time?”
Cedrick, who was in the middle of leaving, paused. He cursed under his breath and turned around with a dissatisfied scowl. ”Fine, I'll stay!”
'Tess' nodded and turned to look at Ye Shuang. Brother Shuang shrugged and said like it did not bother him at all, ”I guess I'll stay, too.”
His face was too easily recognizable. Even though he was not a foreigner, he was as recognizable as one. ”But only for now. Tomorrow, my friend will help me find a lawyer to explain the whole situation.”
Brother Han was so good at his work that he would probably be able to negotiate a deal within one night. And if that failed, at most, she would switch her gender to lay low for a while, or else Ye Shuang would suffer from the risk of having her secret exposed even if she moved into Madam Grace's place… Unless she was willing to kiss the only female there.
…
The large African American man helped the two guests settle down in their rooms, and the rest of their living amenities were handled by the other bodyguards.
Madam Grace's anesthetic wore off after two hours. After she regained her consciousness, even though she could not immediately jump into the investigation to deal with the after effect, she could handle some simple things.
When Madam Grace woke up, 'Tess' was already by her side. Seeing her loyal follower, Madam Grace appeared rather detached. ”Go and investigate this incident.”
The African American nodded, signaling that he would get to the truth.