Reborn to outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight-Chapter 929: Orphaned

Chapter 929: Chapter 929: Orphaned
The director was quite elderly and took a moment to think before slowly speaking.
"I only know that their parents died early, and they lived with relatives. Because the two kids ran to the orphanage, their relatives were admonished by the police and refused to take care of them anymore."
"Actually, we all knew they were just using it as an excuse to abandon them. In the end, it was Xia Chun who volunteered to stay at the orphanage, and the matter was settled."
"I remember I once asked the police about their parents, but they avoided the topic and only asked us to take good care of the children."
The director stroked the sisters’ photograph and sighed softly.
"I could sense from the words of the police that there was probably more to their parents’ deaths than met the eye."
"By the way, have you been in touch with Xia Chun?"
The director suddenly looked at Lin Zhiyi and Gong Chen.
Lin Zhiyi nodded, now almost certain that Xia Chun was Xia Wan and Shirley was her sister Xia Xue.
The director said, "When she left abruptly for college, she left a photo behind in her room. I’ve been keeping it for her, and I remember she used to keep it under her pillow. If you see her, please return it to her. It should be quite important to her."
"Okay," Lin Zhiyi agreed.
The director kept one photo of the sisters and then removed the others.
"I don’t know if the sisters have reunited. If they haven’t, these photos are a memento. Give them to her, will you?"
"Okay."
Lin Zhiyi and Gong Chen accompanied the director into the office.
The director found an envelope in a drawer and took out a photo.
Lin Zhiyi held the photo, puzzled.
She had thought it would be a family portrait or something similar.
Unexpectedly, it was a solo photo, already a bit yellowed and creased at the corners.
But it didn’t diminish the woman’s beauty.
The woman sat in a chair, relaxed and smiling gently.
Most notably, her face was very beautiful.
In an era lacking photo enhancement, she perfectly embodied a classic, captivating beauty.
The director laughed and said, "Beautiful, isn’t she? I thought the same at the time—how could there be such a stunning woman?"
"Who is this?"
"Judging by the eyes, I guess she might be the sisters’ mother," the director explained.
Lin Zhiyi handed the photo to Gong Chen.
Gong Chen held up the photo, revealing the back to Lin Zhiyi.
"Hold on," she said, holding Gong Chen’s wrist, "there’s writing on the back."
She leaned in to read it carefully, "It’s... Qian."
Qianqian.
The name the old master called out in his last illness.
But there was no one named Qianqian in the Gong family.
Could it refer to this woman?
Gong Chen recalled a question Lin Zhiyi had once asked him.
The two exchanged a glance.
Mentioning a woman related to the old master inevitably led their thoughts in a certain direction.
"That... could it be...?"
"..."
Gong Chen was speechless for a moment.
Because it was quite possible.
The director asked, "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing," Lin Zhiyi replied awkwardly.
"Then I’ll trouble you with this," the director instructed.
"Okay."
Lin Zhiyi put all the photos into the envelope.
As they were about to leave, Gong Chen asked, "Director, do you remember the police officers who handled the case back then?"
The director smiled, "I do. This area was under his jurisdiction, and the police station isn’t far from here."
"Thank you."
With that, Gong Chen left a business card.
"Director, if there’s anything you need here, feel free to contact me."
"Thank you, and may your days be peaceful and joyful."
The director sincerely wished them well.
Lin Zhiyi smiled and left the orphanage with Gong Chen.
In the car, Lin Zhiyi looked at the photos again.
"Third Young Master, congratulations on gaining two more sisters."
"..."
Gong Chen was at a loss for words.
Lin Zhiyi brightened up suddenly, "The internet wasn’t wrong after all: If mom is rich, there’s wealth and glory; if dad is rich, there are lots of brothers and sisters."
Gong Chen took the photo and examined it again.
"Not certain yet."
"Not certain?"
Lin Zhiyi was curious.
Such behavior was certainly something the old master would do.
After all, it wasn’t the first time an illegitimate child had appeared.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the police station.
After explaining their purpose, a police officer led them to the old officer from back then.
The old officer put down his teacup and scrutinized them.
"Who are you?"
Gong Chen leaned in and whispered a few words.
The old officer nodded twice.
"I remember them. We’d greet people when patrolling near the orphanage. I saw those sisters a few times, but neither was very talkative."
"As for their family, well... it’s a sad story."
While speaking, the old officer fetched the files from back then.
Since they hadn’t encountered sisters going to an orphanage on their own here before, they had to investigate thoroughly.
The old officer said, "Their father was from Jing City, did you know?"
Lin Zhiyi shook her head.
That made Xia Wan’s words during their first meeting seem strange.
She said she lived in Lan City but didn’t say she was from there.
Perhaps, deep down, she didn’t consider herself a Lan City person.
Meanwhile, Gong Chen was already reading the files.
Gong Chen passed a photo to Lin Zhiyi.
After taking it, Lin Zhiyi was confused again.
"This is their..."
"Their father, looks just like them," the old officer chuckled.
Lin Zhiyi wanted to take back her earlier words in the car about the Xia sisters being Gong Chen’s sisters.
The father and daughters looked so alike.
"Suicide?"
While Lin Zhiyi and the old officer were looking at the photos, Gong Chen suddenly spoke up.
Lin Zhiyi turned and asked, "What suicide?"
The old officer said, "Their father committed suicide by jumping off a building. According to Jing City records, it was due to business failure and too much debt, which left him despondent. His wife took the children back to their hometown in Lan City, but she soon died of illness. The two children became burdens on their relatives. Initially, they were willing to care for them because their mother left some money. Later, when the money was gone, their attitude changed. They weren’t necessarily unkind but were quite indifferent, and at such a young age, children need love. That’s why the sister took her sibling to the orphanage."
After speaking, he sighed.
Lin Zhiyi pursed her lips, unsure of what to say.
However, Gong Chen was intently staring at the records.
She leaned over and asked, "What’s wrong?"
Gong Chen pointed to the records in the file.
"This cooperative project involved the Gong Group too."
"The Gong Group? You mean... the old master?"
"Yes," Gong Chen replied lightly.
"Were they seeking revenge?" Lin Zhiyi asked, studying the files, "No, their father failed in business. Since the police found nothing suspicious, the suicide shouldn’t be wrong, and they can’t entirely blame the Gong family, right? Besides, you said the Gong family only participated, which means others were involved as well."
Gong Chen nodded, "Something else must have happened."
Lin Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief, "At least we’ve figured something out, at least we know the cause now."
She turned to the old officer, "Excuse me, do you know what illness their mother had?"