Chapter 113 Ticklish Neck

Translator: MintCatnip | Editor: AtlasStudios

/Atlas Studios

Coming out of the conference room, Xiang Wan walked out together with Tang Yuanchu.

Compared to other police officers, she was most familiar with Tang Yuanchu in the Criminal Investigation Unit.

So, after giving it a consideration, she did ask him directly,. “Detective Tang, did the police take a statement from Xie Wanwan? ”

Tang Yuanchu didn’t react for a moment. “Yes, you suspect that there’s a problem with her?”

“It’s not that.” Xiang Wan shook her head. “It’s the question I raised earlier. How important is the doll to Xie Wanwan, or rather, what kind of secret does she have? Captain Bai did not give me a direct reply, so I wanted to know if the police has asked Xie Wanwan personally about this?”

“Well… we did.” Tang Yuanchu sneaked a peek at her and answered hesitantly, “Boss did ask her about it.”

“Where’s the statement then?” Xiang Wan wanted to get that from him.

Tang Yuanchu shook his head. “It’s not with me.” As if he was worried she would misunderstand anything, Tang Yuanchu added, “I’ve asked boss about it, but boss say there’s nothing special about the doll. It’s a gift from an important person of Xie Wanwan, so she cared about it a lot. However, as this concerns Xie Wanwan’s privacy, she requested the police to keep it confidential. So…”

“So even the police officers dealing with this case don’t know about it?” Xiang Wan gave a snort.

“The police do have a duty of confidentiality with respect to the victim’s privacy,” advised Tang Yuanchu as he saw her not looking too good. “Teacher Xiang, you need not be angry. Actually, I feel that boss treats you better than Xie Wanwan. He definitely liked you better…”

This guy’s emotional intelligence must be low as well.

If he had not helped Bai Muchuan to explain, it would have been good. But now that he did so, it caused a misunderstanding instead.

Xiang Wan thought Tang Yuanchu also knew about Bai Muchuan and Xie Wanwan’s relationship. A misconception gave rise in her head that she felt she was being mistaken as the third party to the two’s relationship and instantly felt ashamed. She wished the ground would swallow her up.

“I’m only focusing on the case, not Xie Wanwan.” Her cheeks started to burn, but her tone was solemn. “And, there’s nothing between me and Detective Bai. Please don’t misunderstand.”

“Heheh!” Tang Yuanchu had a knowing look and laughed without taking to heart what she said. “Okay then, I shall get to work now?”

“Okay, thank you!”

…

Everyone says that modern science has improved a lot, and therefore, it is easier for the police to solve crimes.

Nevertheless, to the criminals, the level they commit crimes are also improving as well.

The Criminal Investigation Unit was divided into several small groups and started to work systematically. However, the thorough investigations of the people and their background checks were moving slowly.

When news of the filming crew of “The Grey List” staying in Jinyi Hotel was exposed, the hotel’s occupancy rate had remained at 100% for the past few days.

The tabloid reporters who came because of work as well as the fans who wanted to meet their idols close-up…

They flocked to the hotel in great numbers.

A hotel room there was hard to get!

For those who did not manage to book any rooms, some of them stayed at the lobby or around the area for 24 hours. It seemed impossible to know everyone of them.

Especially when there was a bunch of crazed celebrity stalkers amidst the fans, that really raised the difficulty level of the police investigation.

Those crazed stalkers were the wildest fans a celebrity could have.

Such fans were paranoid and extreme. To satisfy their own selfish desires, they not only stalk, peep, and keep watch of the celebrities, they also tend to constantly video the celebrities, charter mini buses to chase after them, and try to understand their daily lives to the extent of violating their privacy, which was considered an insidious harassment of the celebrities…

Moreover, they usually come and go without a trace. That made the police had difficulty ascertaining if Kong Qingping was mixed with these group of crazed fans.

A net was cast, but no fish was caught.

A day passed just like that.

That meant two days were left as Bai Muchuan made a promise to solve the case within three days.

Even Xiang Wan got restless, yet he seemed completely without worries when he walked across the hall to talk to her.

“The rest of work will be up to us. You can get off work now.”

The sky was getting dark, and the office was now brightly lit.

Everyone seemed so busy. How could she just leave like this?

Xiang Wan shook her head and noticed that Bai Muchuan’s face was especially pale under the lights.

After a short pause, she reminded, “I remember the doctor said that you need to be put on drip for today as well?”

“I’m fine now.” Bai Muchuan took a glance at her expressionlessly and wanted to walk away when he suddenly thought of something. “If you don’t want to get off work,” he turned back to look at her, “you can come with me for an investigation.”

It was hard to refuse an offer made with a businesslike tone.

She took a look at Tang Yuanchu who was behind him and took her bag silently.

“Alright, I’ll go with you. I’ve come here originally for the sake of learning.”

The later sentence was her explanation of her behavior, but there was a superfluous redundancy.

Tang Yuanchu chuckled and strode right in front enthusiastically. “I’ll get the car!”

…

The two of them walked out of the office quietly. They waited for Tang Yuanchu at the main entrance of the Criminal Investigation Unit.

It was September, where autumn had just arrived but the weather was still stuffy and hot. There was not a trace of wind.

Xiang Wan smoothened her hair and did not give a glance to Bai Muchuan throughout.

She was worried that he would look at her eyes, and she was also afraid she would be soft-hearted as the wan and sallow heartthrob could stimulate the motherly instincts easier than a lively and gallant heartthrob…

Silence.

The world was so quiet that there seemed to only contain the breathing of two people.

A long while later, Bai Muchuan turned to her and saw her eyes beneath the shades. “You cried?”

“… I didn’t.”

She didn’t want him to see that, but he still saw it nonetheless.

Since things came to this, Xiang Wan thought she might as well face him directly and turned to him with a calm smile.

“I would never cry for someone unworthy of my tears.”

“Hur!” Bai Muchuan did not mind her cold tone. “Then why are your eyes swollen like plums?”

“I read a super tearjerker novel last night.” Xiang Wan was somewhat unable to continue talking under his penetrating gaze. She took two steps forward to get further away from him. “It’s strange,” she grunted a laugh in a tepid manner, “knowing that it’s all fiction but can’t help be moved by the story anyway.”

“Is that so?”

Bai Muchuan suddenly hugged her from behind.

He said, “Don’t be like this, Xiang Wan.”

“I’m at fault,” he continued.

“I’ll apologize to you.”

Three sentences in a row, each sounded lower than the other.

He behaved like a child who did something wrong and dared not face the music. With a soft sigh, he could only stand behind her and take the opportunity to beg for mercy.

“If you’re unhappy, you can hit me or lash out at me. And that’s fine with me. Just don’t torture yourself, alright?”

Xiang Wan’s body was stiff and unable to move.

He hugged a little too tightly, she thought.

Why can’t he just give her a little breathing space?

Somewhat exasperated, she took a deep breath and lowered her head to try to remove his hands from her waist. “I’ve already made it very clear to you. Don’t be like this, tongues will wag…”

“Just let their tongues wag! We won’t die from it.” His chin rested on her shoulder and when he turned, his thin lips was just at her neck accompanied by his warm breathing. “But when you torture yourself like this, I’ll be scared to death by you sooner or later!” His feelings felt so strong when he said that.

His breathing caused Xiang Wan to feel ticklish at the neck.

She was moved and excited yet instantly, she awakened from those feelings.

And he said he’s never been in love? she thought inside her head.

Such behavior of his is exactly like the textbook for flirting with girls, alright?

It’s no wonder he could get the national goddess, the A-List female celebrity as his girlfriend…

Xiang Wan pinched his fingers hard. “Don’t be so mushy! You know better than me that our relationship has not reached such a state. What’s the use of saying all these?”

Bai Muchuan’s lips curved into a smile. “So what works? You say it, I’ll do it.”

“…” Xiang Wan was speechless and tried forcefully to struggle out of his arms by pinching him even harder. “Why are you such a scoundrel? I’m very serious.”

“I’m very serious as well.” Bai Muchuan let her pinch him for he knew he was not going to let go of her. “Don’t be angry anymore, alright? I’ve made things clear with her already…”

This sentence sounded too much like a strategy from the novels.

Xiang Wan’s feeling of “being the third party” deepened.

“That’s your business, don’t drag me into it, okay?”

“I’m not okay.” Bai Muchuan’s hands hugged Xiang Wan’s waist tightly. “You promise me you won’t be angry, or I won’t let go.”

“Jerk!” Xiang Wan’s face was red with anger. He laughed and turned her around to face him. He looked at her face which was filled with fury.

“You’re so pretty even when you’re angry. You’re similar to me in this aspect…”

Huff! Was he praising her or himself?

Xiang Wan was amused yet at the same time still angry with the proud yet shameless Bai Muchuan.

But, she was powerless against him.

He seemed to have smoked a lot of cigarettes. There was a strong smell of tobacco on his body in addition to his pallid face as well as his pair of expressive eyes. It made her heart twitch out of reflex. Even if all her strength was exhausted, there was only a dying struggle, and she bit his arm.

“Are you letting go of me…?”

Bai Muchuan did not move an inch.

He just let her bit him like that.

“If you feel better this way, I’m alright with it.”

“…”

She was unable to continue biting him after what he said.

Xiang Wan closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, it seemed slightly red. “Bai Muchuan, what exactly do you want?”

“I want you to be happier. Even if you’re mean toward me… That’s fine too.”

“…”

Xiang Wan revealed an awkward but polite smile.

“Actually what happened between us are not that serious. However, if I can make you unhappy, I’ll be really glad about it.”

“…”

“Boss! Teacher Xiang!”

For Xiang Wan, Tang Yuanchu came at the opportune moment.

When he arrived, the atmosphere became naturally harmonious and peaceful.

“Get on the car!”

…

They did not drive a police car this time—it was an ordinary family SUV. They drove it toward a small village in the suburbs and did not attract the attention of anyone.

They went to Kong Qingping’s hometown, Kong Village. Due to the continuous development and expansion of the city in recent years, there were construction sites as well as the deafening sounds of construction everywhere.

Driving into the village was particularly difficult.

In the current day and age, roads were extensive and made convenient to people. Even in the rural areas of Jin City, it was difficult to find a road that was tough to drive on.

After surviving the bumpy ride, when they reached the village, the sky was already dark.

There were some lights by the roadside, but the village still seemed to be very dark. The addition of the sound of dogs barking painted an entirely different rural lifestyle and pace from the city.

Tang Yuanchu stopped the car by the roadside where there were a row of houses and a small snack shop. A few farmers were chilling by playing cards and chatting with each other.

“Hello, my fellow countrymen, need some help here.” Tang Yuanchu popped his head out of the car. “How do I get to Kong Qingping’s house?”

A woman, who was sitting outside the shop doing some corn husking, pointed toward a direction with the corn cob on her hand. “Go for another two miles, you’ll reach his place when you see a big fish pond.”

“Thank you very much!”

Tang Yuanchu popped back in and started the car.

The night breeze was swirling around, sounds of mahjong and chatting sounds could be heard from the shop.

“I heard Old Kong’s son committed a crime again?”

“Good grief, it’s murder. That son of his really makes one worry. Ever since young, he’s been getting into all kinds of trouble for his old man…”

“Old Kong’s family is really draught with problems. Could it be from their ancestral grave?”

“…”

As it was a quiet night, their voices could be heard very clearly.

As Bai Muchuan listened, he suddenly had a change of expression.

“Tang Yuanchu, quick! We need to rush over to the Kong Family.”

“Okay, boss.” Tang Yuanchu was shocked to hear that as he immediately stepped onto the accelerator and without wasting time to ask why.

The car sped off at lightning speed.

Xiang Wan felt a little baffled by his words. “What happened?”

Bai Muchuan turned back to look at her. “Didn’t you hear the words of the villagers earlier?”

Xiang Wan was perplexed. “Yes, I heard them. Is there a problem?”

Bai Muchuan squinted his eyes coldly as he looked into the night sky at the distance. There was a faint strange feeling lingering in the air.

“Till now, besides the police and Kong Qingping himself, no one else knew that Kong Qingping has committed a crime ‘again’…”