“That won't be necessary!” Jiang Yuming smiled slightly, “Let's get back on track. Just now we mentioned the fourth letter. So what's the result? Did you receive 700,000? That's no small amount!”

“In fact, to be honest with you, the reason I came to find you is exactly because of this fourth letter.”

My father took a deep puff of smoke, and two wisps of light blue smoke puffed out from his nostrils.

I sat quietly on the chair without saying a word.

“Did you not receive the money? Or did the person mentioned in the fourth letter not die?”

“You're very smart. I indeed did not receive the 700,000 yuan, which makes me very puzzled.”

From his words, I could sense that my father had a newfound respect for the man in front of him.

The conversation began to relax gradually.

“You mean to say that you received the money on time for the previous three letters, but only the fourth time, the sender defaulted?”

“Yes, the fourth letter clearly stated that if a woman named Yang Mengting died, I would receive 700,000 yuan. But after that woman did die, I didn't get the money. Obviously, he broke his promise!”

My father threw the half-burnt cigarette held between his index and middle fingers into the ashtray and pressed it out forcefully.

“Why is it unfair? Why do you have to get the money just because a stranger who has nothing to do with you died?”

Jiang Yuming met the other man's gaze, staring into his eyes.

“It seems to me, there's only one reason why you are so agitated—Yang Mengting's death seems to have some mysterious connection with you.”

“What do you mean by that? Are you saying I killed her? Hmph! I didn't!”

My father slapped the table and stood up, nearly knocking over the teacup.

Other guests cast curious glances at us.

I hurriedly tried to calm him down, "Dad... don't get excited, Detective Jiang is just making a guess. Please sit down first."

Jiang Yuming raised one palm and gently pressed it on my father's shoulder to push him down a bit.

“I just want to find out the truth, there's no need for you to be so agitated.”

“I didn't do anything!”

“Of course, I believe you are innocent. Even if you did something, it has nothing to do with me. I'm just a temporary private detective hired by you to investigate the truth behind this case.”

“So... what do you plan to do? Do you have a direction for the investigation?”

My father's emotions were calmed, and he regained his normal tone.

“No clues at all.”

The young detective shook his head, looking distressed.

“If you don't mind, can I take a look at those letters?”

“Ah! I forgot to bring those letters out.” My father looked a bit annoyed.

“Maybe I can take a look at your house?” Jiang Yuming leaned forward to probe.

“This...”

My father hesitated again, could this young man really help him?