Chapter 41: I Will Obtain the Evidence

Li Lu’s assessment was spot on. Even if Xiaofeng were Gu Yu’s biological son, that affair had taken place before their marriage. Furthermore, Gu Yu’s trips to Hong Kong to care for the mother and child could easily be framed under the guise of familial devotion and his love for his sister. If this were brought to court, a judge would not rule it as infidelity during the marriage.

"Don't worry, Lawyer Li. I will obtain the evidence."

"Take care, Ms. Tang. If you need anything, I am here to help."

After ending the call, Li Yixuan sent a message to someone: "When you finally get what you want, don't forget this corner I helped dig. I put quite a few swings of the hoe into it myself."

"Once the helmeted hornbill skull you like is auctioned, I will have it sent to you immediately."

Li Yixuan did not care for money, but he had a unique and somewhat macabre hobby: collecting animal bones.

"Mr. Zhou is generous. It makes being threatened all this time worth it."

Li Yixuan curled up in his leather sofa, feeling remarkably pleased, and ignored the latest message on his phone. Ever since Gu Yu learned that he had taken on Tang Xi’s divorce case, Gu Yu had been pressuring him with a mix of threats and enticements. To no avail—not a single tactic had worked. Given Li Yixuan’s status and standing, he simply wasn't the type to be swayed by such things.

***

Tang Xi arrived at the café, where a woman had been waiting for some time.

"Ma'am."

"Just call me Tang Xi. I won't be Mrs. Gu for much longer."

"Very well, Ms. Tang." The speaker was Yu Sao, a domestic helper whom Tang Xi had personally hired. Over the past three years, she had been diligent and discreet, and Tang Xi was quite fond of her.

"Ms. Tang, please, you must believe me. I didn't hand the key over to Ms. Gu." Yu Sao had been desperate for a chance to clear her name. "That night, she kindly gave me a glass of water. I didn't suspect a thing, and after drinking it, I slept until dawn."

It was only later that Yu Sao realized Tang Xi’s paintings had been swapped in the middle of that night, and the only spare key to the studio had been in her possession. She truly felt like she could never clear her name.

"Yu Sao, of course I believe you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have entrusted this task to you," Tang Xi said, her voice gentle and imbued with a comforting warmth.

Yu Sao hurriedly pulled a file folder from her bag. "I have what you asked for, Ms. Tang."

Tang Xi opened the folder and took a look. Inside were the toothbrush Xiaofeng had used at the Gu residence and a few strands of Gu Yu’s hair.

"Thank you, Yu Sao." Tang Xi transferred a sum of money to her. "You’ve worked hard."

"Ms. Tang, I cannot accept your money. The incident at the studio was my negligence. If I could only..."

"It wasn't your fault; even I didn't see it coming." Tang Xi patted her arm gently in reassurance. "What are your plans for the future?"

Yu Sao said firmly, "If you leave, Ms. Tang, I don't intend to stay either. To be honest, that mother and son are... very hard to like."

"I support your decision, but could I ask you to endure it for a few more days? I have one more thing I need your help with."

***

Tang Xi commissioned an acquaintance to perform an expedited paternity test. Though she had mentally prepared herself, her heart tightened into a suffocating ache when she saw the 99.999% result.

Xiaofeng was indeed Gu Yu’s biological son—a child born of his union with his own sister. She had no interest in knowing what had transpired between the two of them five years ago, or if Gu Yu had been involved in an incestuous relationship with Gu Wennuan long before he ever met her.

With trembling hands, Tang Xi sent the report to Li Yixuan. The paternity test alone was not enough; she needed one more piece of ironclad evidence.

Tang Xi calmed herself and posted a status update on social media, set to be visible only to Gu Wennuan.