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CHAPTER 423 – Suspect

"You may go," Li Jing said, shocking both ladies.

"You said?"

"I thought I was clear. You may go. You seem to have other important things to get to. So, I would not be such a spoilsport by keeping you here to stare at me. I am sure there are lots of chores piled up for you."

"Yes, ma. Wait, no. I mean yes, but…" She took in a deep breath to steady her mind lest she makes more mess of herself before the lady of the house.

"I mean, there is work for me but I am not complaining so you do not get me wrong or anything. I just need to get an early start so that I can finish on time and…"

"And do what actually. I am interested," Li Jing suddenly said, cutting her short all of a sudden.

She was shocked actually. It was as though Li Jing knew what to say to actually throw her off balance but at the same time, her sweet genuine smile actually told the girl that she intended nothing.

"Do not mind me. You do not have to answer that. I am aware you have your own pretty life and that is why you need to finish on time and pursue other things. I just hope it is a nice guy that is making you itch to finish work on time."

As she said that she completely smiled at her and flashed her a wink before turning her head to Alix.

"You do not have to burden yourself. I would ask Alix to employ an extra hand to lessen your work and some other person's work in this house if necessary."

No sooner had Li Jing finished speaking than the maid fell on her knees and clasped her hands in front of her as she began to thank Li Jing. "Oh my God! Thank you so much ma. Thank you very much. I am grateful. It means so much to me, really."

Peeling her gaze away from Alix, she turned to look at the maid. "No, you do not have to do this. Just get up on your feet, please. There is nothing to be thankful for."

"Thank you ma."

"Get up, please. By the way, what is your name?"

"Ju Wang, ma."

"Hmm, nice name. Anyways. Let me allow you to get to it. You may go, Alix would attend to me for a while before getting back. I still need some help with some things."

"If you insist, ma." With a smiling face, Ju Wang turned around almost instantly and dashed out of the room without looking back.

On the other hand, Alix did not understand her mistress. She did not know the reason for the sudden behaviour and even though it thrilled her to want to ask, she had to calm herself down and wait to be spoken to.

"Please sit down, Alix. You are not made of wood. If you are going to watch me eat my meal, you might as well have your seat."

"Thank you, ma." Obediently she did as she was commanded and sat down.

"Join me."

"Young Miss?"

***

Focusing on some of the issues that needed tending to at home, Li Jing tried to render everything okay.

"Ah!"

She sighed out of exhaustion when she finished what she was doing on her grandfather's desk in his study.

"Who knew fixing some things about work and all could be this exhausting?" Li Jing asked herself.

"I actually thought that if I just did a little put together here and there… who knew grandfather was facing so many issues? He just did not allow his pride to contact me. Anyways, I am glad I could fix this problem."

Her face brightened when her cheeks tugged up, pulling her lips apart into a breathtaking smile.

She felt proud of herself and all the work she could fix.

"Wow, the time has gone. I forgot to actually check on grandfather today before venturing into this work." Slowly she pried her eyes away from the computer screen, moving it to the side to check the clock to check the time.

"Oh boy. It is already 5 pm. Wow. I haven't even called Ye Cheng and I was supposed to go to the office today. Sigh, I guess I have to postpone office problem till tomorrow and just call Ye Cheng, then check up on grandfather."

With that idea in mind, the remaining hours of her day were set. Or so she thought.

Standing up, Li Jing made her way past the office desk when her hand actually brushed past the small bird sculpture on the table and she felt it move.

Quickly she fixed her attention on it. Although it did not fall, she wanted to be careful as everything in that room was precious to her grandfather and did not want him thinking that it was because she was mad at him or he was indisposed that she made a mess or broke anything.

"Sigh, it did not fall or break thank goodness." Li Jing said out loud.

"But wait, I felt it move, right?' She asked inwardly.

Taking her hand back, she touched the bird again, sliding her fingers upwards on it till she got to the head and lightly pulled on the beak, pushing the head back a bit.

VOOM!

What followed was a click and then she heard a sound to her left-hand side. Her eyes dimmed a fraction at the bird before looking at what made noise.

Right before her eyes, she saw his shelf actually move to the side a fraction, creating a space for someone to go through.

'WOW! Why didn't I think of this before?' Li Jing thought to herself.

Without uttering another word to herself, she made her way to where the shelf was and when she was about entering a thought came to mind.

'Hey, you shouldn't be snooping you know. But it isn't snooping. I am just sightseeing. Okay, just one look at what is inside and then we leave.'

Her chest rose slowly before falling. "This is it, Li Jing."