Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 278 Tears
"Why are you saying all this? Take a look." Lu Huai gestured with his chin toward the list.

Even though Lin Zhiqing didn't say anything and acted as usual, Lu Huai knew that she was very upset inside.

Lin Zhiqing's tightly gripped hand holding the list confirmed his suspicions.

He silently looked at the sky without saying anything.

Lin Zhiqing quietly looked at the list.

The time, place, people, and identities are all clearly displayed on the list.

Those who knew martial arts were highlighted by Lu Huai, and their shoe prints were recorded.

After flipping through the pages for a while, Lin Zhiqing's gaze fell on several names circled in red ink.

Seeing that she had looked around enough, Lu Huai finally spoke:
“I have questioned the people who were circled in red ink. Their shoe prints do match the ones left at the scene, and the information matches up.”

"But as for whether it's related to Aunt Mu, I can't be sure. They are all under my protection, so there shouldn't be any security issues."

"You have the ability to see the big picture from small details; we still need your help with this matter."

Lu Huai was very meticulous in his work, and he explained the whole situation clearly in just a few words.

Lin Zhiqing nodded slightly: "Let's go take a look now."

As she spoke, she immediately stood up.

But as she turned around, Lu Huai grabbed her wrist.

Lin Zhiqing was taken aback and turned to look at Lu Huai.

Lu Huai sighed: "Aqing, I did these things to find out the truth about Aunt Mu's murder, and also to cheer you up."

"Your current state is not suitable for investigating this matter."

Lin Zhiqing's hand trembled slightly. Even through the fabric, she could feel the warmth from Lu Huai's palm.

She spoke softly, "I'm in good shape."

“No, that’s not good.” Lu Huai shook his head: “Your mind is in turmoil.”

From the moment she learned of Aunt Mu's death, Lin Zhiqing remained calm.

At least that's how it seems to others.

But Lu Huai knows Lin Zhiqing very well.

If Lin Zhiqing were truly as calm as she appeared, she would likely be searching for clues everywhere and methodically monitoring the situation in the court.

Aside from keeping an eye on the movements of some ministers, she almost never left the Lin family compound, let alone gathered any clues.

In this state, even if they met those people, they probably wouldn't uncover many clues.

Lin Zhiqing took a deep breath, turned around, and sat down on the ground.

She opened her mouth, clearly wanting to say something, but after a long pause, she simply looked up at the sky:
"The night is beautiful tonight. I haven't looked at the sky closely in a long time."

Lu Huai released her hand, without saying anything else, simply continuing what she had said:

“You used to love this place very much and often begged my sister to come here to play because you said the stars here are very bright.”

“But my sister doesn’t dare to climb that high, and you don’t dare to either.”

“It is indeed very bright.” Lin Zhiqing nodded: “The higher you stand, the farther you can see, so the view from up there is naturally excellent.”

Lu Huai stared at Lin Zhiqing's profile for a while, then nodded in agreement:

“When I was a child, my mother would always bring me here when I was unhappy. After she passed away, I could only come here alone.”

Lu Huai rarely mentioned his mother, and Lin Zhiqing looked into his eyes.

His eyes held both longing and yearning.

Lin Zhiqing remembered that Lu Huai's mother died of illness when he and his sister were very young.

"Aunt Lu may not have left; she's just found a different way to stay by your side." Lin Zhiqing pointed to the stars in the sky.

"Look, the brightest one, it might just be Aunt Lu." Lu Huai's lips curved into a smile, and he mimicked the gesture, pointing to the stars beside him:

"The two stars next to them must be Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin, and the one further to the side must be Aunt Mu."

Lin Zhiqing was stunned when she heard this.

Because of her former profession, she had almost unconsciously begun to comfort Lu Huai.

It wasn't until Lu Huai comforted her in the same way that she realized her words weren't actually very clever.

Indeed, only by experiencing it yourself can you truly understand the feeling.

But Lu Huai's tone was very serious: "Whenever I miss my mother, I come here to look at the stars."

"It seems that this way her face will become clearer in my mind."

"Although I have almost forgotten his voice and smile, I have never forgotten the warmth of watching the stars with him."

"However, after looking at the stars, I still have to stand up and continue to deal with the trivial matters of the Ministry of Revenue and the imperial court."

"I believe my mother has always been there for me and supported me."

His voice was very gentle.

How could Lin Zhiqing not understand his meaning?
“Lu Huai, do you know that my memories of my parents are actually not very clear anymore?”

“But Aunt Mu, no one in this world has ever treated me better than her.”

From the very first day Lin Zhiqing arrived in Dasheng, she and Aunt Mu have supported each other all the way to where they are now.

Compared to the old nanny, Aunt Mu was more like an elder to Lin Zhiqing, caring for her and protecting her.

In Dasheng, Aunt Mu was the only person Lin Zhiqing shared everything with.

This feeling is pure and precious.

How could Lin Zhiqing not be saddened by the death of her loved one?

But she had become accustomed to hiding her emotions.

She understood the meaning of life and death better than anyone else, because she had comforted countless people who wanted to die, and also healed many people who couldn't forget the deceased.

But when that day actually came, she still couldn't reconcile her feelings with reality.

A surge of emotions welled up in her heart like a tidal wave, and she pinched the amulet hanging around her neck:

"I should also ask for one of these amulets for her."

"That way, she won't leave so lonely..."

Her voice choked with emotion as she spoke.

Not wanting to show her vulnerable side to others, she stopped talking.

But a single tear rolled down her cheek uncontrollably.

Although her tears quickly disappeared, Lu Huai's eyelashes trembled.

The tears were burning hot; this was the first time Lu Huai had ever seen Lin Zhiqing shed tears.

He understood Lin Zhiqing's thoughts perfectly well, and subtly moved his body forward, giving Lin Zhiqing plenty of space.

But the expected crying did not come out.

Lin Zhiqing also moved forward a little. Her eyes were extremely restrained, but they were still red.

The next moment, feeling Lin Zhiqing gently lean on his shoulder, Lu Huai's body stiffened abruptly.

His thoughts were already in disarray, and just as he was about to say something, he suddenly felt a dampness on his shoulder.

He paused for a moment, then abandoned his plan to speak.

Lin Zhiqing's tears were restrained and silent, but they left a deep mark on Lu Huai's heart.

All he could see were Lin Zhiqing's slightly trembling shoulders.