Chapter 229 - 228: Facing the Confrontation
"Grandmaster Sima, I want to ask, how did Sir Li manage to move the bookcase away at that time? How did he get it out of the room?" Chen Tianlong, not being an insider of the manor, couldn’t openly inquire of Uncle Li, so he could only remind him through a conversation with the Manor Master.
Sure enough, after Sima Dong heard Chen Tianlong’s words, he immediately reacted; he straightened his posture and then asked Uncle Li, who was kneeling on the ground, "Old Li, it’s not that I suspect you, but this matter is too closely related to changing the bookcase. How about this, as this young brother Chen Tianlong mentioned, call over the few people who helped move the bookcase before, to ask them and find out."
"Okay, I’ll inform them right away."
When Uncle Li answered, he was very calm and composed, showing no trace of nervousness. Yet the more he was like this, the more suspicious Chen Tianlong became.
Logically, if a person hasn’t done anything wrong, being suspected like this should make them more nervous.
After all, he wouldn’t know what might happen next and would fear being misunderstood. But Uncle Li didn’t seem the slightest bit afraid, which could only mean he was very clear and confident about the upcoming events.
"I think it would be quicker if Uncle Sima Fei goes with him to find them together." Chen Tianlong said deliberately.
Sima Dong was taken aback, then quickly understood Chen Tianlong’s intentions. At that moment, he felt deep admiration, never expecting that such a young person like Chen Tianlong could have such a meticulous mind.
If only Uncle Li were sent to find the people, there’s no telling if he might bribe them in advance and then come together to put on an act, which would be pointless.
"Cough, cough... quite so, Fei, you go with Uncle Li to find them, quickly bring them here, don’t make me wait." Sima Dong hurriedly said.
"Yes, Master."
Sima Fei received the order and followed Uncle Li out. Just as they turned, Chen Tianlong noticed a subtle change in Uncle Li’s facial expression, as if he was deep in thought.
After the two left, Lin Batian took a deep breath; just now, Chen Tianlong kept talking, making him very nervous, afraid he might say something wrong.
Fortunately, when he heard what Chen Tianlong said earlier, he realized it was just a casual inquiry.
At this moment, Sima Dong glanced at Chen Tianlong and smiled slightly at him, suddenly growing fond of the young fellow.
"Chen Tianlong, you’re quite something. Once this matter is over, I’ll take you to meet someone. Are you interested?" Sima Dong realized that Chen Tianlong was a rare talent and had an idea in mind.
"Ah? Meet someone, who?"
In front of Sima Dong, Chen Tianlong seemed just like a child, his way of speaking a bit cute. After all, he was dealing with an elder, no matter how scheming he was, he had to play dumb, otherwise, he could easily provoke a fatal disaster.
"Hehe, a mysterious person, however, this person will definitely be very interested in you. He has lived in seclusion for many years, detached from worldly affairs, but he has been quietly waiting for a destined person. If I take you to see him, and if you are favored, you could say it’s your great fortune."
The Manor Master said incessantly.
At this moment, four people arrived at the entrance of the main hall—it was Uncle Li and Sima Fei, followed by two subordinates.
Sima Dong frowned, the bookcase was clearly moved by four people, so why are there only two people now? He began to have some thoughts.
"Old Li, are all the people who helped move the bookcase here?" Sima Dong intentionally asked.
"Reporting to Master, all who are at the manor are here. However, two servants just resigned on the first of this month." Uncle Li replied leisurely.
At this moment, Chen Tianlong frowned, no wonder Uncle Li was so calm earlier, it turns out he had already prepared. If it really was him, he’s indeed cunning, with hidden intentions and deep scheming.
"Oh? Why did they leave? As I see it, our manor offers pretty good terms, and to be able to work here after your rigorous tests, how come they left so soon after joining?"
Sima Dong clearly began to suspect again; it all seemed too coincidental, as if the evidence he wanted appeared to have been deliberately destroyed by someone.
"Oh, they’d been here for only a month, maybe they weren’t used to our style, so they applied for resignation." Uncle Li remained unflustered, showing no signs of panic.
"Oh, is that so?"
Sima Dong became very serious at this point, sensing that Uncle Li was hiding something from him, he continued, "Old Li, we’ve known each other for so long, I hope you won’t hide anything from me. You know how important the young lady’s remains are to me."
"Thud!"
Uncle Li knelt on the ground again and said somewhat aggrievedly, "Master, heaven and earth bear witness, I, Li Hu, would never do anything to harm you."
After listening to this, Sima Dong took a deep breath. Although he was suspicious, he didn’t have any concrete evidence; he couldn’t just wrong someone without reason.
"Master, think about it, if what you say is true, how heavy must that bookcase be, with the young lady’s remains inside, along with the entire coffin and ice blocks, at least seven or eight hundred pounds, right? No matter how strong those four people are, they would still find it heavy. So why not ask these two servants how they felt that day?"
Uncle Li suddenly analyzed, and Sima Dong found some sense in it, so he looked at the two servants. These two seemed familiar to him; they were long-time employees, and one he thought was highly reliable, unlikely to lie.
"Tell me, the two of you, did you find the bookcase particularly heavy that day?" Sima Dong asked sternly.
"Re...reporting to the Master, no, it didn’t feel heavy, just like a regular bookcase, not much effort was needed." said the slightly thin servant.
If even this thin and frail servant didn’t find it strenuous, then it truly wasn’t heavy.
"Yes, Master, I didn’t find it heavy either."
Immediately, the other servant, slightly sturdier than the previous one, echoed.
While these two spoke, Chen Tianlong kept observing their eyes for any signs of hesitation, but by the time the last one finished speaking, he still didn’t notice anything amiss.
"Hiss... what’s going on?"
After taking a deep breath, Sima Dong was utterly at a loss, feeling as if he had wrongly accused Li Hu.
"Master, you heard them too; these two servants are usually earnest and honest, definitely wouldn’t lie, and from the surveillance cameras, you can tell that when they lifted the bookcase, if it was really heavy, they couldn’t have pretended otherwise."
Seeing the opportunity, Li Hu hurriedly explained.
Sima Dong had no choice but to say, "Alright, Old Li, this time it’s my fault for wrongly accusing you. Go on with your work, and this month’s bonus is doubled as compensation."
"Thank you, Master. As for the bonus, I’m not too concerned, as long as you don’t suspect me anymore. I would never do anything against Tianshu Manor."
Li Hu said resolutely.
"Understood, you may leave now."
Sima Dong was a bit confused; if it wasn’t Li Hu, then how did the coffin disappear like that? It doesn’t make sense.
After the servants and Li Hu left, Sima Fei was about to leave when suddenly Chen Tianlong stood up and deliberately asked, "Uncle Sima Fei, what do you think of those two servants’ skills just now?"