A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

In Li Mu's view, there were indeed quite a few documents in Manager Jing's office.

Stacks and bundles were taken out of various drawers, and then staff began to examine the details and ask about some basic information about the documents.

For example, one bundle of materials might be titled "The Burning of the Epang Palace," while others might be titled "Xiaoqing Beauty Company," or even "Empress Wu Zetian," and so on.

If Manager Jing's initial response was relatively normal, then, accompanied by Captain Zhu's words:

Where are Liu Xiaoqing's contracts for commercial performances over the years?

In an instant, Manager Jing's face went from stiff to deathly pale.

Li Mu was taken aback.

The other party stammered:

"These...aren't here. She...participated in too many things, mostly in Chongqing..."

"Not even one?"

"This...I...I'm not quite sure either."

"Then quickly recall, based on the information we have, all of Liu Xiaoqing's commercial performances and gigs were arranged by you as an intermediary with other gig organizers. From ticket revenue to the songs she performed and the events she participated in, everything was decided by you. We're taking all these contracts today."

"I...I..."

Manager Jing was now drenched in sweat.

But Li Mu also felt his hands and feet getting cold.

gigs...

Although Frowning Guy didn't mention performing at other venues, his girlfriend does it quite often!

Holy crap...

Could it be...?

Just then, the police officer who had left earlier walked in:

"Captain Zhu, Liu Xiaoqing wants to leave. She said she has things to do this afternoon."

Captain Zhu frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said:

"You keep an eye on him and find all the documents."

As he spoke, he turned to leave the office.

Li Mu's eyes darted around, and he immediately leaned closer, asking in a low voice:

"Captain Zhu, do you need a photo taken?"

Team Leader Zhu was taken aback.

He blinked quickly, hesitated for two seconds, and then nodded.

Therefore, Li Mu reminded him:

"Then, Captain Zhu, stand up straight and don't get too close to her. We'll find an angle centered on you."

"good."\

After a quick exchange, the two went outside together.

Then, at the elevator entrance in the corridor, I saw Liu Xiaoqing, with two policewomen standing beside her.

"What's wrong?"

"Officer... what is your surname?"

"No need for formalities. My surname is Zhu. You can just call me Captain Zhu."

While Captain Zhu was speaking, Li Mu had already moved to the side of the group, raised his camera, found an angle where Captain Zhu was in the center and Liu Xiaoqing was at the edge of the screen, and pressed the shutter.

Under the flash of the camera, Liu Xiaoqing instinctively turned her head away.

Then I saw Li Mu's face...it was quite handsome, but at that moment it was expressionless.

She seemed to want to say something, but ultimately restrained herself, ignoring Li Mu, and said to Captain Zhu:

"I have an appointment this afternoon to discuss a project. May I leave?"

"Wait a moment, let me ask."

After Li Mu finished taking the photos, Captain Zhu took a few steps back with his phone in hand.

Finally, upon hearing the words "Yes, I understand" in Li Mu's ear, the other party returned and said to Liu Xiaoqing:

"Can."\

"Okay, then I'll be going."

"Um."\

So Liu Xiaoqing pressed the elevator button and left under the watchful eyes of Li Mu and the others.

Li Mu couldn't help but ask:

"Isn't Captain Zhu afraid she'll run away?"

"ha."\

For once, the captain of the economic investigation unit showed a slight smile:

"Where do you think she could run off to, Reporter Li?"

That smile could only be described as one of absolute confidence.

Li Mu also smiled slightly, then took out his phone:

"Captain Zhu, let's exchange phone numbers. This interview article will be published, and you'll need to review it, right? I can also have the photos developed beforehand so you can all see them."

"OK."\

Captain Zhu readily agreed.

+1 in contacts

……\

Manager Jing was eventually taken away.

Not only him, but all the management of Xiaoqing Industrial Group were taken away.

However, it wasn't "detention," but rather "investigation."

Also taken away were mountains of documents, which filled eight handcarts and almost filled the trunks of several cars.

The once bustling Xiaoqing Industrial Group is now deserted.

Only some scattered document covers remained.

The place was a complete mess.

Inside the car, after reviewing the photos he had taken, Li Mu asked Qin Liyan:

"Teacher Qin, what's our next step?"

"Go back to the hotel for review. Next time Reporter Li wants to see us, just go to the Jin Huan Hotel. We'll be working there until this case is closed."

"Understood... Shall I start writing the interview transcript now?"

"Yes, once you've finished writing it, including the photos, just submit it to us for review. The requirements for interview transcripts are that they should not exaggerate, be based on sufficient facts, and be a truthful account."

"I understand. So... what's the next step?"

"Be prepared to travel at any time. We will notify you in advance. You two are the reporters accompanying the team on this case, and the travel procedures were also handled by me."

"Please come this way. Due to confidentiality requirements, we don't need to apply through your organization. We will prepare your tickets, hotel accommodations, and all other necessary arrangements; you just need to wait for our call."

"Okay, thank you very much, Teacher Qin..."

Li Mu nodded his thanks, then after considering for a moment, suddenly said:

"Teacher Qin, if I may be so bold as to ask, what I noticed Manager Jing reacted to most strongly was regarding Liu Xiaoqing's contracts for performing at various events. Aren't celebrity performances...illegal?"

"Of course it's legal. Performing at commercial events falls under the tax regulations for commercial performances. You just need to pay taxes legally according to the contract."

Li Mu blurted out subconsciously:

"She broke the rules?"

"Her problem is more complicated and involves other things."

"?"

Not to mention Li Mu, even Sui Kuan was filled with doubt.

Qin Liyan noticed their surprise and fell silent.

He seems to be thinking.

After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Actually, this happened quite a while ago. Do you remember what I was talking about earlier, Liu Xiaoqing suing a former senior executive of her company?"

"Um."\

"The matter originated here, only a long time ago. She thought she had done everything perfectly, but in reality, every action leaves a trace."

At this point, Qin Liyan paused, then said:

"If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. But she's different. Not only did people know when she was doing it..."

"Those two former executives?"

"Yes. Because these two people embezzled from her film and television business, she fired them. Not only did she fire them, but she also sued them, demanding they return the ill-gotten gains. Of course, I don't think this was necessarily her own intention; a company CEO can't be involved in every detail. It's more like the actions of a subordinate. But... whoever it is, the culprit should be held accountable."

The two women had tried to settle the matter privately with the company, but the company's people were clearly determined to eliminate them completely.

They saw this and thought, "Fine, you're not even going to show any mercy anymore, so who's going to be polite to you?" So, they dug up this old story and presented it to us by name... You think about it.

Under the curious gazes of Li Mu and Sui Kuan, Qin Liyan recounted the general background of the case.

Actually, it's quite simple; it's nothing more than a labor fee dispute from years ago. And this kind of situation was actually quite common back then.

Finally, old stories are revived with fresh perspectives.

This blade was swung towards himself.

The knife struck a major artery.

"So it is said... the cause of the past life determines the effect of the next. All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew, and lightning. And here we are, the karmic retribution is coming in this very life."

Qin Liyan's tone was relaxed.

It even quoted Buddhist teachings.

There's no way around it; we've seen this kind of thing countless times. Even the biggest cases often start from a tiny, insignificant detail that unearths a massive entity.

Like the butterfly effect, even the smallest flap of a wing, years later, can transform into a boomerang, striking you squarely between the eyebrows.

She couldn't have imagined it back then.

People today are even less likely to anticipate the various causes they sow.

To put it simply, it's all about cause and effect.

This is the clear justice of Heaven; retribution is cyclical.

(This chapter has been cut by 1,000 words, sorry.)