Chapter 156

Chapter 156

The horse that Xia Lin sponsors has been frequently ridden recently. Is the killer targeting Xia Lin?

Lu Mingzhu thought so and told Xie Junhao.

"Why is Rong Yan riding the horse that Xia Lin sponsors? Did Xia Lin allow it?" Lu Mingzhu found it very strange.

During the sponsorship period, only the sponsor has the right to ride the horse.

And the naming right.

However, with the sponsor's consent, others can also ride the horse.

Xie Junhao was not interested in this, "Such a serious accident has occurred, and someone will investigate it thoroughly. Mingzhu, the racetrack won't be peaceful today. Let me take you home."

Lu Mingzhu obediently agreed.

She wasn’t concerned about the racetrack owner’s liability because most of the attendees at the races are foreigners, and Chinese people have only recently had the opportunity to join.

They will resolve it peacefully.

After returning home, Lu Mingzhu took a shower, changed her clothes, and couldn't wait to call Wang Tao, "What has Xia Lin been up to recently? The horse she sponsors had an accident today, and I happened to be there. It scared me to death."

From her voice, one could tell she was still rattled.

Wang Tao quickly asked with concern, "Are you alright? Xia Lin went on set to film early this morning and didn't have time to ride horses."

Although the crew for both "The Swordsman" and "Yang Guifei" were being prepared simultaneously, "The Swordsman" wasn't as meticulous as "Yang Guifei," so filming started smoothly today.

Mainly because Wang Tao had been quietly preparing since the beginning of the year, with costumes and props already in place.

It’s based on the novel.

The company has half of its shares owned by Lu Mingzhu, and Wang Tao never worried about her breaking her promise on "The Swordsman."

Lu Mingzhu hurriedly said, "It was Rong Yan who was riding the horse."

"Then it has nothing to do with our company." Wang Tao said with relief, pausing for a few seconds, "Rong Yan and Director Ming broke up a long time ago, and she doesn’t have any major issues with Xia Lin."

Rong Yan is an actress at Ruyi Film Company. After Xia Lin left, she became one of the leading actresses.

Although they often vied for roles, they’ve been getting along well and often shop together.

When filming movies, they even borrowed jewelry from each other for props.

"I still think the killer was targeting Xia Lin, but since Xia Lin didn't go horseback riding today, Rong Yan ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time." Lu Mingzhu had a strong intuition, "You should still look into things within our company. It’s either jealousy or some kind of power struggle. Who stands to gain if Xia Lin gets hurt?"

"Ming Dong's girlfriend, He Huihui from our company." Wang Tao blurted out.

After saying this, he was very annoyed.

He slapped his mouth, but unfortunately, Lu Mingzhu couldn't see it.

Lu Mingzhu didn't know who He Huihui was, "Is she the one Director Tan Hong mentioned who wanted to compete for the leading role?"

Wang Tao hummed in agreement, "Yes, she is. She’s desperate to land the lead role, thinking that starring in your movie would skyrocket her career. She’s been hounding me about it, but I didn't agree. She even asked Ming Dong to intervene. I told her that Xia Lin was a decision made by you, Tan Hong, and me, and it couldn't be changed. That’s when Ming Dong backed off. Later, she tried to settle for the role of Jin Lingzhi, but I didn't agree either. I assigned that role to another actress in the company who fits the image of Jin Lingzhi very well. Honestly, He Huihui has zero acting talent, and I wasn’t about to let her ruin 'The Swordsman.'"

At that moment, his secretary walked in, "Boss Wang, He Huihui’s been arrested!"

Wang Tao trailed off.

Lu Mingzhu quickly asked, "What's wrong? What's wrong?"

Did they trace it back to He Huihui that fast? It was incredibly fast.

Wang Tao also asked his secretary what was going on.

The secretary explained helplessly, "She is suspected of murder. Because Rong Yan was at the equestrian field today practicing, riding Xia Lin's adopted horse, the horse went berserk, Rong Yan was injured, and it also trampled several people, causing one serious injury and several minor injuries. Most of the injured were British. It's a serious incident. Investigations revealed He Huihui had contact with the horse last night, and a steel needle was found under the saddle. Xia Lin was fine when she rode the horse two days ago, and the groom reported no issues when walking the horse yesterday morning, so He Huihui became the prime suspect."

Wang Tao accepted the situation and told Lu Mingzhu, "Miss Lu, I'll take care of this."

"Okay," Lu Mingzhu didn't press further.

As she hung up, Xie Junyao rushed in from outside. He stood in front of Lu Mingzhu, checking her over, "Big brother said there was an incident at the equestrian field. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Lu Mingzhu reassured him.

She reached out to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Xie Junyao gripped her hand tightly, still shaken, "I heard someone was seriously injured—a fracture is minor, but a ruptured spleen is life-threatening. If I'm not with you, have the bodyguards follow you. Don't scare me like that again."

"We should thank big brother for whipping the horse's ear—we got away before it could hit us," Lu Mingzhu said.

Xie Junyao said without hesitation, "You're big brother's sister-in-law—it's his duty. If he was there and didn't act, I'd be furious."

"Big brother would be hurt to hear that—he's been so good to you," Lu Mingzhu shook his hand, "Don't talk like that in the future."

"Okay, okay," Xie Junyao nodded.

Lu Mingzhu, worried that he would still be preoccupied, took him to the study to read her new novel "Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles."

Li Kunpeng is the first male lead, but not the only one.

This is a group drama.

Xie Junyao was instantly immersed in it.

Lu Mingzhu had already written more than fifty thousand words and decided to submit it to "Hong Kong Daily" when she reached one hundred and fifty thousand words.

After reading it, Xie Junyao was still not satisfied.

He asked Lu Mingzhu, "It feels better than 'The Swordsman,' probably because it's centered around the male lead, making people's emotions fluctuate with his experiences, as if they were there. Has the crazy old man taken Li Kunpeng as his disciple yet?"

Lu Mingzhu replied, "To know what happens next, stay tuned for the next chapter."

Xie Junyao turned around and tickled her under the arms, "Tell me!"

"I won't tell! I won't tell!" Lu Mingzhu dodged while laughing, "Xie Junyao, if you keep tickling me, I will never let you read my novels in advance again."

Xie Junyao immediately stopped.

That speed was incredibly fast.

He leaned close to Lu Mingzhu, flattering, "Miss Zhi Wei, Mr. Zhi Wei, please be magnanimous and write a chapter for me to read."

Lu Mingzhu said playfully, "It depends on your performance."

Xie Junyao pressed her onto the chair he had just been sitting on, massaging her shoulders and knocking her back, "Is this okay?"

Lu Mingzhu stayed quiet on purpose.

Xie Junyao served her tea and water, like a servant waiting on the Empress Dowager, "Your Highness, your tea is ready."

Lu Mingzhu burst into laughter.

She finally couldn't keep it in anymore, "Alright, alright, you've performed very well, Manager Xie."

After they had their fun.

The calmness Xie Junyao showed when he first got back from Shanghai must have been just in Lu Mingzhu's head.

Xie Junyao suddenly noticed the pink diamond ring she had forgotten to take off on her hand, took a good look at it, "Mingzhu, I haven't seen you wear this ring before."

Lu Mingzhu held it up in front of him, "My dad gave it to me. Pretty, right? I think he's just trying to make up to me."

She didn’t feel like talking about her birthday.

Does the Lu family have some dark secret?

Xie Junyao nodded in admiration, "It’s nice, but not as nice as the engagement ring I gave you."

Lu Mingzhu burst out laughing.

Compared to a pink diamond, a red diamond is indeed more rare.

Since it wasn’t practical for everyday wear, the pink diamond ring was put into the safe by Lu Mingzhu before she went to bed at night.

For a while, it would just be sitting there, untouched.

A couple of days later, Lu Mingzhu asked Xie Junyao to inquire with Xie Junhao about the incident at the riding stable. It turned out to be He Huihui's doing, trying to make Xia Lin fall off her horse and get hurt so she couldn't play the female lead in "The Swordsman," and replace her.

She thought she was the second-best actress at Da Ming Film Company, right after Xia Lin, and no one else could compare to her.

Who knows what was going through her head.

Now, she not only has to compensate for the damages but is also looking at jail time, with no one to bail her out.

Mr. Wu’s got a great mom, but He Huihui’s boyfriend’s no help.

Ming Hui was quick to cut ties.

Some of the injured were foreigners, which made things even worse.

Just when it looked like things were wrapping up, He Huihui named an accomplice, the one who gave her the idea.

She was the young woman Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao had met on the train—Ming Yao’s mom.

Her name was Mo Shuhui.

Turns out, she had an older sister named Mo Shuxian.

The big age gap was because she was a late arrival; not long after she was born, Mo Shuxian left to chase after Wang Zhongzhao overseas.

After arriving in Hong Kong, the two sisters met while shopping at Wan Gu Department Store, recognized each other with surprise, and have been in frequent contact ever since, deciding to support each other.

When she heard this twist, Lu Mingzhu was stunned, completely speechless.

However, Mo Shuhui denied giving He Huihui any advice. She casually mentioned during their friendship that she had once gone horseback riding in Beiping and nearly fell to her death from a crazed horse. Later, it was discovered that someone had placed an embroidery needle under the saddle. She had no idea He Huihui would use this information to harm Xia Lin.

After all, she had no issues with Xia Lin; instead, she and He Huihui were both involved with Ming Hui.

Mo Shuhui openly admitted that she befriended He Huihui to keep an eye on her. He Huihui also knew she was the mother of Ming Hui's daughter, Ming Yao, and even referred to her as a close sister.

If they were such good sisters, why would she suggest harming an innocent person?

She was convinced that He Huihui was trying to frame her.

Rumor has it that Ming Hui turned pale at the time.

With no evidence of Mo Shuhui inciting He Huihui, and she was busy ferrying her child to and from school without ever approaching the racecourse, they had no choice but to release her.

However, this case became the talk of Hong Kong.

A bizarre incident involving a crazed horse injuring people, involving the most famous actress and the shipping tycoon, along with his lovers, naturally became a juicy scandal, making it the talk of the town.

From the newspaper headlines, Lu Mingzhu discovered that this He Huihui was the young woman in her twenties whom Ming Hui had taken to Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store to buy jewelry.

She was attractive, but only that—she lacked the star quality.

What was she after?

Even without Xia Lin, the role of the female lead in "The Swordsman" wouldn't have gone to her; her looks alone didn't meet the standard.

Lu Mingzhu couldn’t help but sigh.

The incident was over, but the fallout remained.

During the investigation, everyone knew that Xia Lin was filming the martial arts novel "The Swordsman," and many citizens frantically bought the published book.

In less than half a month, 40,000 copies were sold out.

With a population of about 2.2 million in Hong Kong, selling 40,000 copies was quite significant. Around the turn of the millennium, a novel selling 100,000 copies a month in mainland China was considered a bestseller.

What was the population of mainland China at that time?

Over 1 billion.

He Long immediately approached Lu Mingzhu to discuss a reprint, with the same royalty rate, printing 100,000 copies priced at 5 yuan each, using illustrations and cover art by Mr. Wu, and asking Lu Mingzhu to inscribe the novel's cover, just like Mr. Wu's comic book covers.

The comic book and the reprinted novel would be released simultaneously.

Lu Mingzhu, having received a substantial royalty, did not refuse He Long's request and inscribed and stamped the cover of "The Swordsman" published book.

After he left, Lu Mingzhu organized the manuscript of "Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles." Not wanting to transcribe it, she made a copy and sent it to "Hong Kong Daily."