Chapter 82 - Love and Death (2/2)
”But then they began to become distant. It was difficult to see Shanyuan and Aiguo; they wouldn't contact me back whenever I tried. They then began to send me cryptic emails under different aliases and names. I tried to decipher them, but it was difficult; I was not good at code. But I asked a friend to help me, and he did.” Song Rui rose from his chair to walk towards the window, looking out at night.
”I knew Qian Aiguo was developing a new drug that had the potential to save many people's lives. Shanyuan and I were very proud of her. Because she was my subordinate, not many people knew who she was, and under my name, we would bring this drug to our shelves. I gave her all the credit, but it was my mistake for announcing it too soon.” Song Rui glanced at Song Sheng gravely.
”Many people weren't happy. Other companies weren't happy. If she developed it, then it would bring many corporations in debt, or out of business because Qian Aiguo was developing cures, not medicine. And once people cure their diseases, they no longer need to buy countless boxes or bottles of medicines, nor they need intense treatments. In the end, many companies are motivated by the interest of money and not the people. Which is why I raised you guys to consider the people of China and not yourselves.”
Song Sheng listened to him carefully. ”What does this have to with Mei?” he asked him curiously.
Song Rui exhaled deeply again. His voice tightened. ”She was there when her parent's died. She saw who killed them. She told me what happened. Claimed that the people who killed them staged it as an accident. Whoever they are, are people that are even bigger than me. They hired trained killers. They staged everything,” his voice rose.
Song Rui still seemed to be grieving his friends. ”Xiao Mei doesn't know who they are, but she knows what they look like. And all this time, she has been looking for them. For the names of those faces.”
”But how did she survive then?” Song Sheng asked his father.
Song Rui chuckled coldly. ”You should have seen it. Poor girl, she drenched herself in their blood, pretending she was dead. But I don't think it was her idea. I think it was her mother's idea.” His father then retook his seat. ”You see, I feel guilty. For a long time, I felt like it was my fault. So when they died, I knew I was her legal guardian so I couldn't abandon her. Even if she reminded me of them.”
Song Sheng tried to keep his composure, the horror she's been through, and yet he felt terrible for not being there the day of the 'accident.' It had been days after that he met her.
Finally, he asked him a question he's asked many times before but has never been given a definite answer. ”Is she in danger?” Song Sheng asked.
Song Rui looked grim. ”I hope not,” he began. ”But these people don't know she's alive. But they know her name. That's the difference between the game Qian Meigui has been playing. I'm sure she's keeping you in the dark about it.”
Song Sheng sighed. He knew that Qian Meigui was always smart, but her most strategic tactic was pretending she wasn't. But Song Sheng knew that; he wasn't surprised. He also knew that she kept things from him, but he never wanted her to feel obligated to tell him. And he knew that she did not want to worry him.
”So, Mei knows what they look like?” he asked his father.
Song Rui nodded.
Song Sheng now understood. If Qian Meigui can identify them to the police, the ones behind them, whether it was some massive corporation or mafia, would be after her.
”Wouldn't they check if she was dead, based on their graves?” Song Sheng blurted out.
”They are buried in the same graveyard as most of the Song family. No one is allowed unless they are escorted in by a Song family member,” Song Rui reminded him.
Song Rui stood up once more. He poured himself a drink of scotch and passed one to Song Sheng. They both downed it instantly.
”I know that you're seeing Mei,” Song Rui blurted out. Song Sheng stilled. ”Romantically. That is.”