Although Huo Ruiyang had undergone training, this was an aphrodisiac meant for animals—something an ordinary person could never withstand.

Zhang Hengye, standing to the side, spoke in admiration:

“Ruiyang, this is a stimulant for large livestock. You’re really something—actually holding up against it! What’s your plan? Are you going to confront the old master?”

“Words alone mean nothing. If I confront him, I need evidence.”

Huo Ruiyang’s distinct, well-defined fingers tapped lightly on the table as his sharp eyes narrowed slightly. Proving that the substance was an aphrodisiac wasn’t enough—he also needed to confirm that it was Xia Anran who bought it. Only then would the evidence be irrefutable.

Zhang Hengye chuckled and teased him:

“Your fiancée is ruthless—she even drugged herself. I heard she was unconscious in the hospital for two days and hasn’t woken up yet.”

Huo Ruiyang hadn’t been home these past two days. He didn’t want to see Xia Anran again—just the thought of her made him sick. Naturally, he hadn’t bothered to ask about her condition.

Hearing Zhang Hengye’s words, he frowned in thought. Previously, his anger had blinded him, making him certain that Xia Anran had drugged him.

But now that he had calmed down, something felt off. Even if she were foolish, there was no reason for her to drug herself.

Unless she was afraid of being held accountable and had come up with this self-sacrificing scheme.

But her personality didn’t seem meticulous enough to plan something like this.

If Xia Anran wasn’t the one who drugged him, then whoever did must have had a bigger agenda.

There were two possibilities:

1. The culprit was one of his father’s rivals, trying to disgrace the Huo family and use the scandal to undermine his father while destroying his own military career.

2. The culprit was a spy, using the scandal to tarnish the military’s reputation and blackmail both his father and himself for military secrets.

As these possibilities ran through his mind, a cold glint flashed in Huo Ruiyang’s eyes. Regardless of the motive, he had to uncover the truth.

But this investigation had to be conducted in secret—if they moved too openly, they might alert the enemy.

Having made up his mind, Huo Ruiyang stood up and said in a deep voice to Zhang Hengye:

“To buy this kind of drug, a letter of recommendation is required. Check with the veterinary stations and find out who purchased it in the past two days.”

…

There were two veterinary stations in Bincheng—one in the east and one in the west—so they split up to investigate.

Huo Ruiyang went to the East City Veterinary Station and asked the station chief for the sales records of the animal aphrodisiac.

The station chief had no idea what was going on. Why would a military officer be investigating the sale of such a drug? Fearing that it was a military secret, he dared not ask questions and quickly instructed the sales department to bring out the veterinary drug records.

Huo Ruiyang reviewed the purchase records for the past month. Since this wasn’t the breeding season, very few people had bought aphrodisiacs.

From the beginning of the month until now, there were only three recorded sales, all requiring a letter of recommendation. Nothing appeared suspicious.

Huo Ruiyang studied the three letters of recommendation with a serious expression. The room was eerily silent, and the station chief discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, worried that something was amiss.

The letters detailed the buyers’ names, intended usage, the veterinary service station they belonged to, and which veterinarian had made the purchase. Each document was stamped with an official red seal, and all procedures were in order.

After confirming that the letters were authentic, Huo Ruiyang looked up at the station chief, who immediately straightened his posture, waiting for his questions.

Pointing at the names on the letters, Huo Ruiyang asked,

“Can all three of these people be located?”

The station chief stepped forward to check the registry, then nodded,

“Yes, all of them can be found. They’re veterinarians from different townships.”

Huo Ruiyang ordered,

“Call them in.”

“Understood, I’ll contact them immediately.”

The station chief quickly made the calls, and soon, all three veterinarians arrived. Seeing that they had been summoned by a high-ranking military officer, they were filled with unease, unsure of what was happening.

Huo Ruiyang separated them and questioned each one individually.

Their responses were almost identical—they had bought the aphrodisiac for livestock breeding, with detailed records of the breeding times, locations, and dosages used.

Huo Ruiyang instructed them to submit their veterinary drug usage logs, which he then compared to the station’s sales records.

He focused on the log of a veterinarian from Dongxiang. His purchase record was half a tael (roughly 20 grams) more than the others, but his usage records matched theirs. That extra half tael was unaccounted for.

Though the amount was small, it was more than enough to affect a person.

Huo Ruiyang had the station chief bring the Dongxiang veterinarian, Che, in for separate questioning.

Che, a man in his fifties, had shifty eyes that darted around as he spoke. Compared to the other veterinarians, he looked far more cunning.

Huo Ruiyang studied him intently, his fingers rhythmically tapping the table. His dark expression carried an overwhelming sense of pressure, making Che break into a cold sweat.

For a long time, Huo Ruiyang said nothing. Under his sharp, penetrating gaze, Che felt a chill run down his spine. He clutched the sides of his clothing tightly, swallowing nervously.

Just as Che was about to collapse from fear, Huo Ruiyang finally spoke in a deep voice:

“What happened to the extra half tael of medicine?”

The sudden question made Che jolt in panic. He instinctively glanced at the records, and upon realizing the discrepancy, fear filled his eyes.

‘Damn it, how could I forget I bought an extra half tael of aphrodisiac?’

‘Are they investigating me for embezzlement? But for such a small amount?’

‘No, that’s not it. The military doesn’t handle embezzlement cases. Could it be that the aphrodisiac caused an incident?’

Che instinctively wanted to lie, but under Huo Ruiyang’s piercing gaze—capable of seeing through anything—he didn’t dare. Trembling, he confessed:

“Five days ago, when I went to the veterinary station to buy medicine, a young woman approached me at the entrance. She gave me five yuan and said… she said her husband was impotent and needed some aphrodisiac. I… I got greedy for a moment and… and… Comrade, I swear, I didn’t know she was going to do something bad with it!”

Seeing Huo Ruiyang’s face grow darker, Che realized this wasn’t a minor issue—it could even cost him his life. Fear overwhelmed him, and he collapsed to the ground, sobbing.

‘Impotence? And she needed an aphrodisiac for that?’

Huo Ruiyang narrowed his eyes, suppressing the raging fury in his heart. Coldly, he asked:

“Can you recognize that woman if you see her again?”

Che wiped his tears and shook his head,

“She covered her face tightly. I wouldn’t be able to recognize her.”

At the time, he assumed she was just shy, so he hadn’t thought much about it.

‘Covering her face… was she afraid of being traced later?’

Huo Ruiyang was now almost certain—it had to be Xia Anran. His rage surged.

‘That woman… is there anything she wouldn’t do?’

But he couldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. He asked,

“What was she wearing? How tall was she? Could you recognize her voice?”

Che nodded quickly,

“Yes, I remember her voice. She wore a red Dacron blouse, blue pants, and black slip-on shoes.”

A red Dacron blouse, blue pants, black slip-on shoes…

That was exactly what Xia Anran was wearing the day she caused trouble at the military base!

Huo Ruiyang was almost certain now. He stood up with a dark expression and ordered coldly,

“You’re coming with me.”

At the same time, Xia Anran had just been discharged from the hospital. On the way home, Ye Lingling kept glancing at her nervously, hesitant to speak.