Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)

Vera pops into Qiang Wen’s dumpling shop after hours to ask him about Xander. Qiang Wen was good friends with her late husband, Jinlong, while Vera was close to Qiang Wen’s deceased wife, Yin Mei. Since Yin Mei’s death many years ago, Qiang Wen has stopped cooking meals for himself, subsisting only on the dumplings he prepares for his business. Vera surprises Qiang Wen by asking him about his grandson, whom she assumes is the son of one of his daughters. However, Qiang Wen replies that Xander is an adopted grandson. Qiang Wen has no idea about Xander’s parents. When Vera gently breaks the news of Xander’s death, Qiang Wen is devastated and feels guilty. Vera invites him to dinner, asking him to bring some of his famous dumplings.

Later that evening, Qiang Wen finds himself seated at a table in Vera’s tea shop, surrounded by a bunch of strangers. He has no idea how the people know each other or why they are here, but like him, everyone seems bewitched by Vera’s cooking and her warm but bossy manner. Qiang Wen relishes each bite as he watches Vera chat with all her guests. When TJ finally asks why Vera has invited them to dinner, Vera reveals that she is investigating Xander’s death and that they are all suspects.