Chapter 40: The White Moonlight’s Substitute (6)

Yao Rong and Yao Shiyun bought their clothes exclusively from selected high-end boutiques.

Through her frequent patronage, Yao Rong had earned black card VIP status at these establishments. A single phone call was all it took for the staff to retrieve her complete transaction history.

Every purchase was meticulously documented in their records, complete with images, prices, and precise timestamps.

Using these records, Yao Shiyun and the servant began their inventory, starting with the walk-in closet.

After cataloging all missing clothing and accessories from the closet, they proceeded downstairs to examine the contents of the three large leather suitcases.

The servant double-checked everything before reporting to Yao Shiyun, who sat on the sofa. “Miss, we’re still missing a pair of high heels, an evening gown, two necklaces, and a bracelet.”

The missing high heels and gown were from this spring’s collection, priced at 38,800 and 61,000 respectively.

The most valuable items were the sapphire necklace and bracelet set.

Years ago, Yao Rong had purchased an uncut sapphire at an auction and had it crafted into a matching necklace and bracelet as a birthday gift for Yao Shiyun.

Between the sapphire’s inherent value and the custom craftsmanship, these two pieces alone were worth nearly a million.

Yao Shiyun was leaning back on the sofa.

Her alcohol tolerance was poor—a single can of beer had left her tipsy. She sat with drooping eyes, sipping milk slowly.

When she heard the servant’s report, her eyes snapped wide with anger.

She treasured that jewelry set and only wore it for the most important occasions. Normally, it stayed securely locked in her jewelry box. How had Yun Letao managed to get her hands on them?!

The butler seized the moment to ask, “Miss, should we call the police?”

Simultaneously, the system questioned Yao Rong: [Do you think Yao Shiyun will report this to the police?]

Though now able to walk, Yao Rong still felt weak. She was slowly making her way around the hospital room, supporting herself against the wall.

Hearing the system’s question, she smiled, pausing by the window to water her four potted plants. “You seem particularly interested in Xiao Yun.”

[Because my data analysis can’t predict the answer.]

[But I think you can.]

“She will call the police.”

[Why?]

Why indeed?

When the butler asked about calling the police, Yao Shiyun found herself hesitating.

Though she had shouted “Call the police!” in her alcohol-fueled rage earlier, after three hours of sobering up, she began second-guessing herself.

What finally strengthened her resolve was touching the Bluetooth earpiece in her right ear—the one Yao Rong had personally placed there.

The earpiece wasn’t actually producing any sound.

She hadn’t called Yao Rong either.

But touching that small device reminded her of Yao Rong waiting at the hospital—

Mom had told her to handle what she could manage on her own.

And if she truly couldn’t handle something, she should call for help.

Yao Shiyun knew that if she didn’t resolve this herself, the matter would eventually fall to her mother.

And her mother’s solution would likely be the same—calling the police.

She could do this herself, couldn’t she?

She had already said it once.

Now she just needed to repeat those words.

“Let’s call the police.”

Yao Shiyun raised her head, meeting the butler’s gaze directly.

Unlike before when she had screamed with closed eyes and a trembling voice, now she sat straight-backed, her tone gentle yet carrying an unmistakable resolve.

“I trust the police will help recover my things.”

After the butler made the call, Yao Shiyun messaged Yao Rong to say she was waiting for the police and might return late.

Yao Rong saw the message—and naturally, so did the system.

[So this is what they mean by ‘even a cornered rabbit will bite.’]

“When I first woke up in the hospital and heard Xiao Yun’s phone calls, I knew one thing for certain—”

The system quickly recalled Yao Shiyun’s words from that day:

—Lu Xinghua, are you that eager to cut ties with me?

—Dad, what could be so important that you can’t even visit Mom in the hospital?

Because her mother was hospitalized, the typically gentle and obedient Yao Shiyun—who had endured a month of cold treatment from her ex-boyfriend without complaint—had, for the first time, confronted both her father and her ex.

“I am Xiao Yun’s bottom line.”

A rabbit bites when cornered because its bottom line has been crossed.

And Yao Rong was Yao Shiyun’s bottom line.

Previously, for various reasons, she hadn’t been able to be Yao Shiyun’s source of strength.

Now, she needed to become that strength.

After reminding Yao Shiyun to eat dinner, Yao Rong settled back in bed and opened her laptop, her fingers flying quickly over the keyboard.

She was investigating Yun Jun’s financial movements and real estate holdings since their marriage.

After extensive research, she found the figures were far below her expectations.

Something wasn’t right.

Suddenly, as if struck by realization, she shifted her focus from Yun Jun to his mother’s financial records.

Ten minutes later, looking at the results, she flexed her fingers knowingly.

Just as she’d suspected—Yun Jun had been secretly transferring their marital assets for years. Through some elaborate method, he had channeled all the money through multiple transactions before landing it in his mother’s name.

Her investigation expanded to other Yun family members.

And that’s when things became even more interesting.

Yun Jun’s eldest brother, who managed company finances, had embezzled funds.

His second brother had tyrannically forced out a senior executive who had crossed him.

His eldest nephew drew an exorbitant salary yet barely showed up ten days a month—and even then, arrived late and left early.

Yet all of them had amassed substantial assets, with real estate holdings alone worth millions.

“How profitable—one son-in-law’s marriage elevated an entire family’s status. No wonder the Yun family is so grateful to Yun Jun.”

Yao Rong laughed coldly, then began organizing all the information.

Two hours later, she had compiled everything into an encrypted file.

Yun Jun’s influence within the Yao Group was too entrenched. This evidence alone wouldn’t be enough to remove him.

Moreover, Yao Rong didn’t want his departure as general manager to impact the company’s stock value.

To take control smoothly, she needed more preparation.

At minimum, she needed the board’s support.

While some board members clearly sided with Yun Jun, most were opportunists.

If she could prove that her leadership would be more profitable than Yun Jun’s, she could win over these fence-sitters.

After all, the Yao Group still bore the name “Yao.”

With this in mind, she reviewed the company’s background.

The Yao Group had started as a manufacturing business, gradually expanding into multiple industries, but automotive remained its core business.

With the car industry approaching saturation, future growth would require either a strategic transformation or technological breakthroughs.

She knew Yun Jun had been attempting both—investing in R&D and seeking new directions—but with little success.

If that was the case—

She now knew exactly what to do.

Closing her laptop, she checked the time. Xiao Yun should be back by now.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the hospital room door swung open.

Yao Shiyun entered with a bright smile, carrying a thermos. “Mom, I’m back! I brought you chicken soup.”

“Perfect timing—I was getting hungry.” Yao Rong put away her laptop, clearing space for the thermos. “Did everything go smoothly?”

Pouring soup into a bowl, Yao Shiyun nodded. “Yes. Since it involves a large sum, the police have officially opened a case. They’ll search Yun Letao’s house tomorrow morning. If they find my things there, they’ll catch her red-handed.”

Yao Rong asked, “And if they do catch her, what then?”

“I’ll make her pay back everything.”

“Mere repayment isn’t punishment—it’s expected.”

Yao Rong guided her carefully. “Before, she at least asked before taking your things. Later, she just took without asking. That’s theft, and I already gave her a chance.”

Yao Rong had explicitly warned Yun Jun’s family that if anything went missing, they would involve the police.

Following her mother’s logic, Yao Shiyun realized she hadn’t thought it through thoroughly enough.

“I’ll hire a lawyer tomorrow to handle the case,” Yao Shiyun said.

The Yao Group had its own legal team, but she would have to be foolish to use them for this.

“Good. I’m telling you this so you can prepare yourself—filing a police report is just the beginning.”

“I understand.”

That night, unable to sleep, Yao Shiyun suddenly remembered Tao Zijin from earlier that day.

If she recalled correctly, his uncle was a renowned lawyer in A City.

She retrieved her phone from under her pillow, found Tao Zijin’s WeChat, and asked him for his uncle’s contact information.

His response came quickly: 「Need a lawyer? Wait a moment」

A few seconds later, a contact card was sent over.

「Just ran into some trouble. Thanks, Zijin. Sorry to bother you so late」, she replied.

Tao Zijin:「 No problem. Get some rest.」

She added Lawyer Tao on WeChat.

Perhaps because Tao Zijin had already spoken to him, Lawyer Tao seemed to know her identity. After hearing the details, he agreed to meet her at the hospital in the morning.

With that settled, she finally released a long breath, the weight lifting from her heart as she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, as Lawyer Tao arrived at the hospital, the police reached Yun Letao’s house.

After presenting their search warrant, they entered her room—and found the stolen items in plain sight.

The evidence was undeniable.

Despite all her protests, Yun Letao was taken directly to the police station.