Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“What do you think?” Bai Muchuan added in a relaxed tone.

Xing Yuanhang looked at Bai Muchuan; his gaze seemed somewhat stern while he held his daughter, but he quickly looked away to apologize to everyone else. Then, looking all grim and gloomy, he pulled the sobbing Xing Feifei along with him and left the place.

It was a nice banquet, but it turned out like this.

The atmosphere was no longer the same.

Youngest aunt kept apologizing that she didn’t teach her daughter well.

Xiang Wan’s mom kept waving her hand that it was fine since Feifei was just a child, and she wouldn’t hold it against her.

Eldest aunt also tried to paper over the earlier unhappiness…

Soon, everyone was back to talking and laughing again.

However, the feelings between people were sometimes very sensitive.

The moment cracks appeared, it was difficult to mend it back again.

…

The banquet ended, and the guests all returned to their homes.

Xiang Wan went upstairs to the study to write her story…

While her mom was busy cleaning up the place.

She had been working all her life. Even though her son-in-law wanted to let her enjoy life, it was hard for her to sit down and do nothing.

Although there was the catering team responsible for the cleaning up, she could not really be at ease. She was constantly helping to wash and rinse here and there; well, that was her.

Bai Muchuan tried to talk her out of it, but Xiang Wan said, “Just let her be.”

It was a very harmonious family relationship.

Her mom wanted to do some work so she could find a psychological balance.

If they really insisted to have her sit and watch, then she wouldn’t be able to take it…

In the study, the desk lamp gleamed a dim and warm light.

Propping her chin with both hands, she looked at the laptop screen in satisfaction and felt warm in the heart.

She finished writing two chapters in a single night since she was in good shape.

She uploaded the chapters and stretched her body out.

There was silence all around.

They knew that she was working on her stuff, so they didn’t come to bother her.

Xiang Wan ran her fingers through her hair to fix herself up and wanted to close the laptop when she heard a message notification from QQ.

“Do you believe that Du Landuo actually committed suicide?”

Eh? The one who messaged her was Xuan Yue.

After the Annual Awards Ceremony, they had not contacted each other until now.

They were not really close, so why was she suddenly asking her such a question?

Xiang Wan replied, “I don’t know.”

Xuan Yue responded briefly, “I believe that she wouldn’t commit suicide.”

Xiang Wan didn’t know what to say. “…”

People could spread every word she would say on the internet.

Xiang Wan was particularly sensitive in this area because of many cyberbullying incidents directed at her, as well as how people had tried to relate Du Landuo’s death to her.

She had suffered before for being too straightforward. She dared not recklessly share how she truly felt anymore.

She gave it a thought before she replied. “I think the police will conclude it as a suicide case, don’t you think so? It’s better to believe the police on such matters.”

Xuan Yue replied, “But the police has yet to give their conclusion to the public.”

Xiang Wan responded lazily, “I see. I didn’t really follow the news…”

Xuan Yue replied once more, “That night, Du Landuo drank a lot of alcohol. We went for karaoke and she talked to me a lot. I was even trying to persuade her that you don’t have any personal grudge against her and told her not to bother with it so much. Those keyboard warriors will stop after a few days…”

Xiang Wan kept quiet.

She felt that it was not suitable to say anything.

Xuan Yue replied regardless of her silence, “Of course, she wasn’t convinced at all, but she… Xiang Gongzi, I wanted to tell you that she is not someone who would commit suicide. I said this from the bottom of my heart. This was because that night, although she was drunk, she was even talking loudly that she would seek revenge on you. For someone who had a mind filled with revenge and hatred, it seemed wrong for her to commit suicide, don’t you think so?”

Xiang Wan just stared at her screen. “…”

Xuan Yue still persisted on replying. “I went to look at the window where they said she had jumped from in the restroom. No matter how I see it, I still don’t think Du Landuo would jump down from there. When she left the karaoke room, she said that she wanted to get some fresh air. She didn’t look like she was suicidal. Xiang Gongzi, don’t you think there’s a lot sketchy stuff going on around this?”

Xiang Wan once again replied vaguely, “… I’m not the police.”

Xuan Yue replied with haste, “Aye! I know, but Second Young Master Mu’s a police officer…”

Xiang Wan, once again, found herself at a predicament and couldn’t seem to find the right words to say. “…”

This is all happening so suddenly!

Too sudden!

Xiang Wan could not react.

For the past two days, besides working on her chapters, Xiang Wan’s attention was also dead set on helping with the preparations for the banquet. Hence, she really did not pay attention to what was happening on the internet.

Maybe it was simply because facing public opinion scared her so much.

Even though she did not like Du Landuo, she still felt sad for her.

She did not expect that a lot had happened while she was avoiding it all.

“The death of Du Landuo” became the topic of concern amongst the public and was being meshed in all kinds of discussions. A bunch of people debated with no qualms over the topic. Moreover, the netizens also found out the real identity of the mysterious guest, Second Young Master Mu, who appeared at the Annual Awards Ceremony.

Police.

Detective Captain.

Powerful family background.

His identity was sensitive, and it contributed to countless topics to the public.

Public figures were the sources behind entertainment news.

In the past, Bai Muchuan was unwilling to expose his identity as “Second Young Master Mu”; it was because he did not want others to talk about him so recklessly.

Once exposed, all kinds of frustrations might come their way which could be difficult to handle…

Xiang Wan already knew all of these a long time ago.

If Bai Muchuan had not appeared at the Annual Awards Ceremony, she would forever keep his identity as an author a secret—

Nonetheless…

The die had been cast.

Second Young Master Mu was Bai Muchuan.

Everybody knew about his real identity now.

That was the sacrifice that Bai Muchuan did for her.

If not for her, Bai Muchuan’s identity as Second Young Master Mu would still be untouched and undisturbed. In that case, both identities could find a common harmony…

“Xiang Gongzi, are you still there?”

Xuan Yue sent more messages.

“What I’ve just told you is true…”

“I feel very strongly about this. Someone must have murdered Du Landuo…”

“There’s also one more thing… I’m actually scared right now.”

Xiang Wan narrowed her eyes slowly as she read this.

“Why do you feel that way?”

Xuan Yue responded after a few moments, “I have a feeling that the one who killed Du Landuo… will also kill me…”

Xiang Wan tried to hide her shock by replying vaguely, “… How come?”

Xuan Yue replied with no hesitation, “I don’t know; I had this feeling the other day when I saw the crime scene of Du Landuo. That night, on the ground floor of Dynasty Building, I feel that someone was staring at me. There could be a possibility that the one who killed Du Landuo was standing amongst the crowd; standing behind me; looking at me. Do you think the murderer may have noticed what I was thinking and are thinking of ways to kill me now? Xiang Gongzi, I don’t even dare to switch off the lights when I sleep…”

“…”

It could be a traumatic response after suffering the shock of the death of Du Landuo?

Think of it this way, if a person who just talked to someone, in just a few moments, had heard that the same person she had been speaking with had jumped off the building…

Xuan Yue had witnessed the bloody scene of the crime as well. The corpse could have been in terrible shape. Anyone who saw it might have some adverse reactions.

Nevertheless, Xiang Wan did not brush her off.

“Have you told the police?”

“I did,” replied Xuan Yue, “but they don’t seem to believe me…”

Well, it was difficult to believe what she was saying either.

“You should rest early and get up early tomorrow to go for a jog. You can also watch some comedy shows or do something that you like. You might feel better after a few days. Of course, do watch out for your own safety. Don’t go out at night and don’t go jogging alone.”

Xuan Yue replied rather slower than she did earlier, “… Alright then. I won’t disturb you anymore.”

Xiang Wan replied, “Let’s talk again. I just finished updating my chapter. I have to wash up now.”

Xuan Yue responded, “Goodnight!”

Xiang Wan did not turn off her laptop right away.

Instead, she read through the chat records between her and Xuan Yue once again.

She mulled over it for a moment and finally shook her head while denying her thoughts.

The death of Du Landuo did not seem to have any relation with the previous cases. It was clearly an independent case…

She drank too much and lost control of her emotions. That was currently the most logical explanation for her death.

It was already bad enough to pin her death on Xiang Wan. Now, this had also implicated poor Bai Muchuan and who knows what kind of things they would say about him…

His sacrifice this time was too big!

“Finished writing already?” She heard his voice coming from behind.

Xiang Wan quickly turned around.

She was unsure since when had he been standing behind her, donned in his homewear with both hands resting lightly on the back of her chair while his sleeves were slightly rolled up. He looked relaxed with a slight smile on his face; the indifference and stern look that he had before people had disappeared. He was so familiar to her that it felt like they had lived together for hundreds or thousands of years. They were both comfortable with each other without a distant feeling looming each other…

“What are you thinking about?” Bai Muchuan asked as he ruffled her hair. “Write too much that you’ve become stupid?”

Immediately, he noticed that Xiang Wan’s eyes looked a bit reddened.

“Hey, what happened?” He sounded concerned.

His tone was also serious.

He cupped her face and observed her expression seriously then he squeezed her face and laughed.

“Did you write a separation plot or something? Am I right?”

Every time she wrote such plots, she would feel emotional until she would cry.

She would cry as she wrote.

Bai Muchuan witnessed it himself twice, and it scared him twice as well.

Well, he’s experienced now.

However, Xiang Wan shook her head.

“Nope.” She looked up at him, still sitting on her chair. “I feel sorry for you…”

This startled Bai Muchuan, and he squeezed her face tighter while he squinted his eyes dangerously. “Why do you feel sorry for me? Is it because there are some dumb people pursuing you or something? And you… Hmph! You forgot to reject him seriously?”

Pffft!

The words “reject seriously” cracked Xiang Wan up.

She held his arm and asked in a gentle tone. “I’ve implicated you. Your identity as an author is out there in the world now…”

Bai Muchuan felt relieved and glanced at her proudly.

“Is it really because of this matter? So be it! You don’t even know how many people call me seriously to express their admiration for me. Hmm, I feel like a celebrity and I don’t think it’s bad at all, to be honest…”

“Nah! You don’t like it at all…”

Xiang Wan shook her head and snuggled into his arms. She suddenly felt like crying.

“How come these keyboard warriors have so much free time? Do they not need to work or something? Do they need not study or do their assignments? Do they not have a kid to take care of? Won’t they feel any psychological burden when they stay on the internet all day just to diss and cuss others?”

“Aye! There are all kinds of fish in the sea. There are also some keyboard warriors whose livelihood are exactly to do this on the internet.” Bai Muchuan pulled her up into his arms, sat down on her chair, and placed her on his lap. His hand patted her back while consoling her like a child. “Don’t worry about others, worry more about me!”

“What’s there to worry about you?”

“There’s a lot for you to worry about…” He whispered in her ear.

Pffft! “You’re too bad…”

Xiang Wan scrunched her nose at him and her mood gradually became better.

She recounted what Xuan Yue told her to Bai Muchuan. “Do you think she’s telling the truth?”

“I’ll find out more from the police officers in charge.”

“Alright!” Xiang Wan nodded.

“Cheer up, okay?” Bai Muchuan hugged her gently but noticed that she didn’t show much response. He thought about something and furrowed his eyebrows. “Or I’ll show you a magic trick?”

Magic trick? Sir Little Bai knew such things as well?

Xiang Wan was a little curious. “What kind of magic trick?”

Bai Muchuan seemed serious as he furrowed his eyebrows. “I can make a living person appear before you.”

Xiang Wan blinked twice with a confused look. “…”

She shook her head and pouted. She didn’t believe him at all.

Bai Muchuan grunted a laugh. “Indeed, I don’t have the experience, but I’ve got the hang of it! I can try a few more times and I’m sure I can do it!”

Xiang Wan was rather dubious of his words but his serious-looking handsome face had also swayed her enough to reel her attention. “How are you going to do it? Come on, try showing me first.”

“Sure!” Bai Muchuan held her up where he also stood up. After that, he placed her on the computer table. “Well, I need your help to perform this magic trick.”

Such a magic trick must be a major one. It did sound reasonable that he needed her help.

Hence, Xiang Wan nodded. “Okay!”

“Good!” Bai Muchuan suddenly chuckled as he stood in front of her. Then he drew closer to her lips and gave her a kiss. His fingers moved to her collar, and he started to unbutton her blouse. “To make a living person appear, we need to try a few more times. I’m sure we can make a little one appear…”

Eh?

Xiang Wan was dumbstruck for a moment while feeling amused but irritated at the same time.

Where’s the magic trick?

In the end…

This was what he meant by making a living person appear?

“Bai Muchuan, why are you such a pervert?”

Xiang Wan mumbled in annoyance, and he quickly took her lips so she couldn’t continue to protest.

“… Hmm!”

“We have to concentrate, so we can make a little one. Don’t think about those frustrating stuff too much!”

Bai Muchuan’s breathing started to get heavier. Xiang Wan’s eyes went from being wide-opened while she grasped his shirt at the shoulders to feeling an overflowing wave of affection and passion. She stopped struggling after a few times and in no time, a red hue had suffused her face.

“I love you.” She heard her own murmur.

“Such a sudden confession, are you trying to scare me…?”

Bai Muchuan let out a laugh and embraced her while holding her head as he kissed her harder.

Xiang Wan tried to breathe. She put her arms around his waist tightly.

“Sir Little Bai,” she repeated, “I love you.”

“… Woman, you…!” Bai Muchuan’s voice started to get hoarser.

“Mm~ I’m thinking, as long as you do nothing that crosses my bottom line, I’ll never leave you…”

“… What’s your bottom line?”

“That you have a ‘Xiao San’ 1 !”

“Then I’m safe since I only have ‘Xiao Si’ 1 !”

“Bai Muchuan…” Xiang Wan scowled at him, pouting her lips.

He laughed and kissed her passionately to stop her from saying anything.

…

The study was actually not far away from the bedroom.

However, the two of them did not have the thought of spoiling the nice atmosphere they were having now and continued their act in another location…

The mood, the atmosphere; they had it all there in the study.

He made up his mind that he would have her on that very table.

He pushed her laptop aside and spread his clothes on the table for her to lie down.

Under the light in the night, the beauty was like the jade while the man was like the sword…

They enjoyed to their heart’s content while they battled each other.

They were not letting such a great atmosphere go to waste just because they were in the study!

…