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nChapter 98 Feast For Mosquitoes

nTranslator: MintCatnip | Editor: AtlasStudios

/Atlas Studios

nXiang Wan did not have any reason to refuse that offer to pick up Huang He. For the sake of Fang Yuanyuan, she should go too.

nHence, this matter was decided.

nTwo hours passed by while eating and drinking together.

nEven though the group of them discussed about the case, none of them were able to find out the few doubts that were uncleared.

n“In actual fact, most of the cases have the same problem where not every clue or detail could match perfectly to the case. There are usually some loopholes or doubts. There are differences in people’s memory and their testimony are usually made to their benefit. Thus… the police is never omnipotent. We can only do our best…”

nWell, no one there was Sun Shangli, so they were unable to confirm why she had chosen the fifth floor to kill herself, or whether it was a coincidence or intentional. If it was intentional, what kind of goal was she trying to achieve…

n“There are always cases where some of the doubts will never be solved!”

n“Suicide’s an inner demon, maybe she was mentally deranged?”

n“The human heart is complicated. Well, now that we’ve had our full, let’s call it a day. Go back and take a warm bath then get a good night’s sleep… Believe me, tomorrow will be your payday.”

n“…”

nAfter leaving the restaurant, everyone went back by themselves in tacit understanding where they left Xiang Wan in the care of Bai Muchuan.

nXiang Wan was now standing by the roadside as she waited for him to drive his car over. “Is it convenient?” she asked slightly hesitantly.

nBai Muchuan raised an eyebrow slightly. “If you’re convenient, I’m convenient.”

nXiang Wan: “…”

nShe just moved to her new rented apartment and Bai Muchuan had been mocking her, be it by means of openly criticizing or hinting her about it. Xiang Wan was worried if he would mind sending her back, so she asked for a confirmation. In the end, she got mocked and felt rather helpless.

n“Forget it, there’s a free chauffeur, I should make full use of it. Thank you, Detective Bai.”

nShe pulled the car door and sat inside; then, she put on the safety belt when Bai Muchuan suddenly gave a sigh.

n“Xiang Wan, you’re really not a good person.”

n“…” Why and when was she not a good person?

n“Fine then, make full use of it. Feel free to use, I’m good to use.”

n“…”

nGood to use?

nThis fellow is too shameless!

nXiang Wan pouted slightly and acted as if she couldn’t understand. “You didn’t drink much at all. How come you’re drunk already?”

nBai Muchuan looked at her lazily from the corner of his eye, gave a snort and started the car engine.

n…

nThe environment of the new neighborhood totally felt like a leap in social class.

nAlthough Xiang Wan felt rather awkward in the process of renting this apartment, she had to admit that if not for Cheng Zheng, she would never be able to rent such a nice apartment in a good, secure environment with only 3,000 yuan a month. Only heavens know how long she would need to struggle in order to rent a place like this?

nSigh!

nXiang Wan sighed softly.

nI hope I won’t run into Cheng Zheng later, she thought.

nWhen they arrived at the new neighborhood, it was already past 9 at night. In her impression, Cheng Zheng was someone who lived his life strictly and had a regular routine. His life was so rigid and serious that it was almost abnormal. Thus, at this hour, he shouldn’t be loitering outside.

nAs she thought of all these, she felt relieved and waved at Bai Muchuan, standing under the street light.

n“Thank you, do go back early.”

nBut Bai Muchuan turned off the engine instead and got off the car.

n“I’ll send you up.”

nIt was not a question but an imperative sentence.

nXiang Wan felt her scalp going numb and laughed awkwardly. “There’s no need to, the security here is quite good…”

n“Hm.” Bai Muchuan’s smile somewhat felt a little evil. “Good security doesn’t mean there’s no pervert.”

n“…”

nAlright! Xiang Wan lugged her bag uncomfortably and talked to him awkwardly as they walked.

n“Hurhur, I thought with my looks, I should be safe?”

n“No matter how safe you look, you still can’t prevent some people from being blind?”

n“…”

nWhat the? Excuse me, do you even know who to chat properly?

nXiang Wan felt that this guy had totally activated his sharp-tongue mode that day…

nIf that was the case, how could she let him off so easily?

n“Hurhur!” Xiang Wan flicked her long, wavy hair lightly. “Detective Bai, are you talking about yourself? If you’re not blind, why did you send me back?”

n“…”

nLooking at his cold face as if a layer of frost had appeared on it, Xiang Wan stretched out her arms lazily. “It’s so refreshing! Sure enough, the air in the upscale district is so much better.”

n“…”

n“Detective Bai, which is more expensive?” She blinked her eyes and asked again, “This building or your mansion? I haven’t done much research on this…”

nShe had put on the expression of the young, hateful, sordid and materialistic girl. She deliberately mentioned this “housing” topic that he was angry about.

nBai Muchuan, however, did not fall into her trap.

n“Want to know?” he asked in a low tone and slowly leaned toward her.

nThe unbuttoned area of his shirt revealed a honey-toned hue under the streetlight in the night sky as well as two smooth clavicular lines that had a manly charm to it. It made his body seem well-sculpted, and there was somehow a bewitching feeling about it.

n“Why don’t you go to my place tonight, we can research it together?”

nA dashing appearance coupled with a bewitching, husky voice…

nIs this man trying to commit “murder”?

nXiang Wan’s heart skipped a beat.

nShe gasped, took a step back and raised her eyebrows.

n“Bai Muchuan, you’re seducing me?”

nShe was considered a true warrior as she was able to ask such question to a man.

nBai Muchuan was surprised. Next, he sniggered while taking a step closer and looked at her.

n“So, are you seduced by me?”

nTheir shadows were elongated by the streetlight as well as the moonlight. There was a kind of vague beauty if close enough. Xiang Wan’s cherry red face was also enchanting. As he approached, her ample chest undulated to the increasing rhythm of the heartbeat. Her little dress seemed unable to keep that heart in its place anymore…

n“No!”

nShe took another step back and deny flatly.

n“Talk to me after you take a step back.”

nBai Muchuan took another step forward. “Why?”

n“What do you think? My resistance is very low, Detective Bai.”

nShe did not deny but told him directly—Xiang Wan admired herself for that.

nObviously, Bai Muchuan did not take it seriously; he didn’t know that she was speaking the truth.

nHe approached her as if he could cover her entirely in his shadow and smiled nonchalantly.

n“Don’t wear such a tight dress next time… It doesn’t suit you.”

n“…” What?!

nThe ambiguous atmosphere was now gone thanks to his sharp-tongue.

nHer dress fit her like a glove. When did her dress provoke this noble young master again?

n“It’s getting shorter and shorter.” Bai Muchuan had a deep voice. “Buddy, do you want me to help you or you do it by yourself?”

nHm? What?

nXiang Wan was dumbfounded. She was so abashed as she quickly pulled her dress.

n“Detective Bai’s focus is really different from normal people!”

n“Everyone is responsible for helping to reduce crimes.”

nHe smiled lazily. His tall stature under the moonlight was, in itself, a kind of overbearing presence before Xiang Wan. With his hands in his pockets and his faint, sly smile, there seemed to an invisible b*dass pressure that was crushing her defense, forcing her to go down in her knees—she was completely unable to resist his charm…

n“Bai Muchuan.” Xiang Wan lowered her head, letting her hair fall beside her ear, covering her face which was burning with embarrassment as well as to conceal her uneasiness as she was nearly tempted by him. “Psychologists have analyzed that for a person to fall in love with another person, it only required 8.2 seconds. You’ve spent so much time with me…”

n“So, have you fallen in love?” Bai Muchuan lowered his eyes and captured the sight of her red cheeks. “It’s weird, we’re just talking, why are you feeling shy?”

n“Who’s shy?” Xiang Wan struggled to lift her head and looked directly into his eyes as if there was nothing to hide. “Didn’t you know that I’ve drank some wine tonight?”

n“Hm.” Bai Muchuan’s lips formed a straight line and looked at her. “I understand, it’s easier to go back on your word if you’ve drank wine.”

n“Tch! When did I say I’ll go back on my word?”

n“You’ve said you love me!”

nHuh? Did she say that?

nXiang Wan felt that her mind was in a confused state because of talking to him.

nBai Muchuan’s focused gaze was on her face.

nOn a scale of ten, there were three points for seriousness and seven points that he was just pranking around.

nXiang Wan’s pulse vibrated within her ears.

nShe did not know why this bad boy kept hitting on her and never admitted doing that… Nevertheless, she was now much stronger than when she first met him. When it was time to fight back, she would not go soft.

n“Shouldn’t the man be the one to say all these?”

nShe met his gaze provokingly.

nBai Muchuan thought for a while and suddenly chuckled. “No, we do it instead.”

n“…” What? D*mn!

nXiang Wan’s brain hummed as if she had just been struck by lightning.

nBoth of them were walking along the border of ambiguity.

nNot sure if it was an illusion or she was mistaken, Xiang Wan felt that Bai Muchuan was clearly committing a “premeditated” crime…

nThump! Thump! Her heart was beating so fast. How should she “retaliate”?

nAt the opportune moment, a cough from the roadside interrupted the two of them from looking at each other.

nThere’s someone?!

nShe turned around reflexively and found that there was someone sitting on a long bench under a tree.

n“Why not go up and chat inside instead of standing here and be a feast for the mosquitoes?”

n“…”

nIt was Cheng Zheng’s voice.

nThey were quite a distance away from him. As the two of them stood under the streetlight, Cheng Zheng was equivalent to sitting at a blind spot as it was difficult to see a dark spot clearly from a bright place. Xiang Wan totally did not realize there was someone there.

nShe gave an awkward smile as she heard the voice. “Captain Cheng, why are you here?”

nCheng Zheng spoke casually, “I just had dinner and came out for a stroll.”

nXiang Wan replied with a “oh” and was unable to continue the topic.

nBai Muchuan puffed a sigh with a straight face. “Captain Cheng sure takes care of your own health, you drink water soaked in wolfberries in your thermos mug, rear goldfish, knead prayer beads, as well as take a stroll after meals. These are totally the habits of a successful person!”

n“… Cough, cough!”

nXiang Wan nearly got choked to death by her own saliva when she heard this.

nDetective Bai really knows how to make sarcastic remarks, thought Xiang Wan.

nDrink water soaked in wolfberries in thermos mug, rear goldfish, knead prayer beads, and taking strolls after meals… Aren’t these the habits of the “greasy” middle-aged men?

nIf Xiang Wan was the one who got criticized, she would definitely retaliate.

nHowever, Cheng Zheng’s temperament was really good. Or rather, this man was really cool and apathetic. He totally couldn’t be bothered with any comments made about him…

n“Thank you, Captain Bai!”

nHe got up and walked over to them. He nodded at Bai Muchuan before he looked at Xiang Wan.

n“Teacher Xiang, let’s go back together.”

nGeez, this is awkward!

nXiang Wan felt as if there were a pile of black lines on her head and was entangled together.

nIf she were to reject Cheng Zheng’s request directly, would it be appropriate?

nBut if she did not reject this and draw a line, things might go out of hand as they might be meeting each other “coincidentally” quite often, and he might invite her to his place and so on. When would she be able to clear up the ambiguity if that happened?

nShe was hesitating when Bai Muchuan let out a chuckle.

n“Captain Cheng should continue to take a stroll.” Bai Muchuan placed an arm around Xiang Wan’s shoulder naturally and calmly. “We’ll go back by ourselves.”

n“…”

nWe… we…

nA beast inside Xiang Wan’s heart opened its huge mouth.

n“Excuse me, I have arms and legs too. I shouldn’t be troubling both of you.”

nShe smiled and broke away from Bai Muchuan’s arm. She did not give a glance to Cheng Zheng’s face where it would never show a smile in ten thousand years. She walked between the two men confidently and went directly into the building…

nAs for how she was feeling right now? She was totally elated!

nShe who laughs last, laughs the hardest! She felt she had done something great!

nThese men, none of them cared about her feelings.

nOn what basis did they have to do this?

nOne acted on his own and aggressively invaded her personal space.

nOne pretended to be the fool and asserted sovereignty.

nSince that was the case, then they should continue their fight without her. It was none of her business anyway?

n…

n“My heroine, you’re back?”

nThe moment Xiang Wan pressed the doorbell, Fang Yuanyuan opened the door and received her warmly.

nEver since Xiang Wan went out, they did not contact each other. Fang Yuanyuan knew that Xiang Wan felt somewhat uncomfortable about their moving to this house.

nTherefore, there was quite a feast on the dinner table. The house was also clean and spotless. Before Xiang Wan left, it was still a messy battlefield. As for Fang Yuanyuan, there was a tinge of guilt in her smile.

n“How did the case go? Heroine, are you hungry… Eh? There’s a whiff of alcohol. You’ve drank some wine?”

nXiang Wan rolled her eyes and put her bag down.

n“Don’t treat me so nicely all of a sudden! I will doubt your intentions…”

n“Don’t be like this, my dear sis.” Fang Yuanyuan had a bitter expression and raised two fingers up. “I swear that I really didn’t know that Cheng Zheng lived next door when I sealed the deal. Really, if I lied to you, I’ll forever stay as a fat girl all my life…”

nXiang Wan retorted, “Hmph! As if you’ve never been fat.”

n“Xiang, Wan. You can kill me but you can’t humiliate me. Me and my 120 pounds of meat won’t allow you to say that of me–”

n“Hurhur!”

nXiang Wan gave her a cold look and shuffled around the house with her slippers.

n“I’ve eaten and need to work on my story. If you’re willing to pour me a cup of warm water, I’ll forgive you!”

n…

nActually, when she came back and saw that Fang Yuanyuan had already cleaned up the house, she was already appeased.

nNo matter if Fang Yuanyuan knew that before or after the deal, she couldn’t really blame her for it…

nShe did not handle this matter herself after all, who could she blame?

nA glass of warm water was placed on the computer table as Fang Yuanyuan occasionally stole a few glances at her.

n“Is this alright? Are you still angry?”

nXiang Wan took a sip comfortably and leaned on the chair.

n“I forgive you. After all, who could withstand the sugar coated bullets from a young girl like you?”

n“What sugar coated bullets?” Fang Yuanyuan pouted. “You think too much. Actually Cheng Zheng…”

nXiang Wan lifted a hand to stop her and pointed to her laptop.

n“Please continue your work.” Fang Yuanyuan left the room.

nXiang Wan looked at her back view and thought of the matter that she would be picking up Huang He from the detention center next Monday. She felt somewhat torn about it.

nHow should she tell Fang Yuanyuan about this?

nWhen did she unwittingly become just like Huang He, who kept the whole thing from Fang Yuanyuan?

nGeez! I feel like I’m being made the scapegoat for this incident. I’m going to bear her wrath one day…

nXiang Wan puffed a sigh, opened her laptop, and logon to her author’s account.

n“What the hell is going on?”

nA minute later, she nearly sprang up from her seat.

n“Who bleeping did this to me?!”

n