In the meeting room of the Criminal Investigation Unit—Xi City, the atmosphere was solemn.
Regarding Cheng Zheng’s report, Bai Muchuan believed in it.
As for Yu Ning and Ye Lun, he did not believe in any of them.
In that case, who was lying?
Any of them could be the liar—
Before they brought the related film crew of “The Grey List” to Xi City, they held a simple meeting of the case.
Such meetings were common when there were cases like this to handle. They would present their findings, summarize the situation, find clues, and share their thoughts about the case. Two heads were better than one. When a group of detectives got together, they could usually find the main clues of the case easily than being a lonesome—
Whenever there was a meeting, Xiang Wan would be bored.
She was sitting in the lobby outside the meeting room with the police officers on duty.
‘You look at me; I look at you.’
While the police officers were pondering over her relationship to the detectives…
She was so tired that she was yawning away!
Bai Muchuan had already told her she could get back to the hotel to rest, but Xiang Wan refused to do so.
She told him that she wanted to become the understanding girlfriend and accompany him while he was working hard to solve the case—
Of course, that was just lip service.
In her heart, the underlying reason was that it scared her to return to the hotel alone.
Nevertheless, the waiting time was so long that she couldn’t stand it anymore. Her eyelids had been fighting desperately to stay open.
Since there were still officers around, busy with their own work, it worried her that it wouldn’t be good if she snoozed off there.
No choice, Xiang Wan contacted Fang Yuanyuan who was staying at Huang He’s ward. She was prepared to become the third wheel by squeezing with Yuanyuan for one night.
Bai Muchuan was fine with that arrangement.
In that way, he could also put his mind at ease.
Back in Jin City, Fang Yuanyuan had been the third wheel of Xiang Wan and Bai Muchuan for a long time. In her perspective, she had suffered a lot as she had eaten too much dog food. Now, Fang Yuanyuan could finally feed Xiang Wan dog food. It was like she got her sweet revenge since she was both happy and arrogant at the same time.
“Look at you, you’re tickled pink.” Xiang Wan laid down on the sofa as if it were her home and closed her eyes.
“Of course!” Fang Yuanyuan was grinning so much that her eyes were curved. “Now you can have a taste of what I’ve suffered back then…”
“Hurhurhur! But it’s such a pity! Your Huanghuang has hurt his bones and couldn’t move about…”
“… You’re lewd!” Fang Yuanyuan’s face instantly flushed red.
She carried a blanket and put it on Xiang Wan. “Make do with this alright? This is a ward after all.”
“Don’t worry, this is fine. I’m not picky!”
Huang He’s ward was a private suite with a living room and a balcony.
Since Xiang Wan took the sofa in the living room, Fang Yuanyuan could only squeeze together with Huang He on the hospital bed.
However, Xiang Wan saw the smile on Fang Yuanyuan’s face when she left. Hence, she felt that Yuanyuan totally welcomed the opportunity to sleep in the same bed with Huang He. Well, although Huang He was not convenient to move about, Fang Yuanyuan was able to…
Hmm, for such things, it would be fine as long as one of them could move!
“You’ve really become lewd! You’re no longer the pure, innocent girl I know!”
Before Fang Yuanyuan left, she said that to Xiang Wan.
Xiang Wan found it funny, but she had to admit Yuanyuan might be right after all.
Prior to getting involved with Bai Muchuan physically, she was much more conservative in this aspect…
As for now…
Well, she could never become like her old self anymore.
Nothing could make her transform back!
…
The next morning, a phone call awakened Xiang Wan.
That day must have worn her out from the journey for it was unexpected of her to sleep like a log on the sofa.
She looked at the time on her mobile phone and saw that it was already 10 o’clock in the morning.
Xiang Wan yawned and picked up the call in her muddled state. “Hello…”
“Xiang Wan.” Over the other end of the phone, she heard Xie Wanwan’s voice.
This was not what Xiang Wan had expected.
Their current relationship was not good enough for them to call each other so casually.
“Yes? What’s up?” Xiang Wan asked.
Xie Wanwan did not answer right away, though Xiang Wan could hear her breathing well enough.
Xiang Wan waited for quite a while before she heard her puffing a sigh.
“Where are you? I would like to meet you.”
Eh? Xiang Wan’s eyebrows crinkled up together—
Looking around, she let out another yawn. “What’s the matter? If it’s something private, it’s more convenient to say it over the phone. If it’s not… Well, if you want to talk about Bai Muchuan’s matters, I don’t have a say in it and I know little either.”
If Xie Wanwan actually called her up, Xiang Wan thought it should be something related to the case.
Xiang Wan felt that Meng Chi was good to Xie Wanwan. Although she did not know what was their relationship exactly, one good turn deserves another. She felt that Xie Wanwan should be on good terms with Meng Chi as well in that regard. Now that he was being detained in the police station, it was normal for her to want to know what was happening with the case.
That was what Xiang Wan had thought.
However, Xie Wanwan did not mention Meng Chi.
“Is Tang Yuanchu all right?”
Ah?! Xiang Wan was dumbstruck for about 10 seconds before she responded.
“Did something… happen to him?”
Xie Wanwan hesitated for a moment. “Nothing much. It’s just that last night our fans were quarreling online quite vehemently. This child is too silly; he actually argued with his fans on Weibo…”
Child?! All right, sister, whatever you say is right, she thought to herself.
It was indeed a taboo to argue with one’s fans—
For one would lose fans in this way!
The hearts of these young female fans of Tang Yuanchu must have been broken into smithereens.
If Xie Wanwan was concerned about Little Tang, why didn’t she ask him directly?
Xiang Wan was someone forthright. “Is it because you forgot his number? I can send you his contact number if you like?”
Xie Wanwan remained silent. “…”
After a soft sigh, she said, “Forget it, there’s no need to.”
With that, she disconnected the call.
It was confusing.
Just as to why she called up so suddenly…
Xiang Wan was dubious for a few seconds before she opened that Gossip chat group.
There were no new messages. All the detectives who worked overnight did not seem to have time to chat…
Xiang Wan was the first to chat. “@Tang Yuanchu, is everything okay?”
Ten seconds later, Tang Yuanchu replied, “Just woke up and still on my hospital bed, what’s up?”
Xiang Wan chatted thereafter, “What a good life! It’s already this time, and you’re still sleeping? For those comrades of ours who are fighting on the front lines, I deeply despise you…”
Tang Yuanchu replied, “Don’t, sister! I’m a wounded hero, and I almost lost my life all right?”
Xiang Wan found it funny. “Fine! Comrade Tang Yuanchu, who almost lost your life, I just want to ask what you want to eat for breakfast.”
She did not mention Xie Wanwan.
It was a group chat, after all. She didn’t want to joke about this matter.
This was because no one knew to what extent did Tang Yuanchu and Xie Wanwan were getting along with each other.
Tang Yuanchu replied that “anything” would be fine. Xiang Wan could only answer, “Wait a while!”
After sending that message, she put away her phone and went out.
She was not sure what was with Fang Yuanyuan and Huang He though; they were still not up at ten o’clock either. Xiang Wan did not hear any sound from the bedroom at all.
Xiang Wan felt that she was really the hardworking role model. She got breakfast for Fang Yuanyuan and Huang He, as well as Salimu and Tang Yuanchu.
The two youngsters had their wards next to each other, but the sight was entirely different.
Salimu’s ward was like a wonderland—to him at least.
The ward was full of electronic gadgets and instruments messily placed everywhere.
Xiang Wan was not interested in such stuff, but she looked at them, anyway. Just a glance was enough to make her feel headache. Salimu, on the other hand, was sitting in the centre of these electronic instruments and seemed to be working on something energetically. He was totally not interested in what food Xiang Wan had brought for him. He just asked her to put it down on the bedside table.
“Teacher Xiang,” said Salimu in a hopeful tone, “will you help me ask Captain Bai to let me get back to work soon?”
“… Why didn’t you tell him yourself?” Xiang Wan said in an amused tone.
“It won’t work if I say it to him directly. Everyone in the team knows that for him, his girlfriend is more important than his brothers!”
Boy, you’re too straightforward! she thought.
Didn’t he know that these words could still offend his superior?
Xiang Wan did not know if she should be happy or angry. “No wonder he left you here in the hospital and not let you work on the case.”
What she said left Salimu dazed for a moment before he sniggered. “No wonder they couldn’t solve the case!”
What a confident child! she thought.
Maybe Xie Wanwan had affected her that unwittingly, she had also used ‘child’ on Salimu, who was younger than Tang Yuanchu. She had initially thought that word was unsuitable, yet at this moment, she felt that it was perfectly appropriate—
“Don’t forget to take your breakfast. I’ll bring this to Tang Yuanchu now.”
Salimu gave a reminder as he called out from behind.
“Teacher Xiang, don’t forget! Put in a few good words for me in front of Captain Bai, okay?”
Xiang Wan turned her head and smiled. “I’ll… try, but don’t guarantee that it’ll work.”
Salimu made a crying face and put down whatever he was working on to get the food placed on the bedside table. “I’m really bored to tears here. If this goes on, all of you will lose me…”
Xiang Wan laughed. She pushed the door and went out of the ward.
Salimu’s injuries were not too serious.
However, if one were to make a serious comparison, his injuries were lighter than Bai Muchuan.
This man was totally like a warrior made of steel. Ever since he got hurt, he still continued to work, running all around the places. His injuries were never on his mind…
Xiang Wan felt her heart aching for him.
When this case was more or less settled, she would try her best to let him take a break.
…
Tang Yuanchu was still sleeping.
He laid on his pillow, quiet like a huge doll.
When Xiang Wan entered the ward, she harrumphed in an attempt to wake him up. Only then did he open his eyes and lifted his head drowsily.
His face seemed so wan as if he had not slept for the entire night.
No, even if he did not sleep for a night, he should have looked better than he was now.
“What’s up? Did you become a thief last night?” Xiang Wan was quite stunned to see his pale, tired face. She sat on a chair beside him and took out the breakfast she bought.
The listless Tang Yuanchu yawned, and then he glanced at the food.
“Sis-in-law, you really bought breakfast for me?”
“… Of course, since when have I ever lied to you?”
“Don’t you women liked to lie?”
What do you mean by “you women”? she dissed in her head.
Where did that come from?
He’s just as puzzling as Xie Wanwan.
Xiang Wan gave Tang Yuanchu his food and glanced at him. “Xie Wanwan is concerned about you… She even asked about how you’re doing.”
“Oh,” said Tang Yuanchu, unsure if it was because he did not believe it or if he was simply uninterested to hear that. There was no other reply.
Xiang Wan furrowed her brows. “You both had a fight?”
Tang Yuanchu lifted his head and smiled at her. “How’s that possible? It’s not like we have that good of a relationship. Why would we fight?”
Not that good of a relationship, huh?
She almost believed it!
So who’s the guy who sacrificed himself for her sake by taking a bomb with him and jumping into the lake?
In the meeting room of the Criminal Investigation Unit—Xi City, the atmosphere was solemn.
Regarding Cheng Zheng’s report, Bai Muchuan believed in it.
As for Yu Ning and Ye Lun, he did not believe in any of them.
In that case, who was lying?
Any of them could be the liar—
Before they brought the related film crew of “The Grey List” to Xi City, they held a simple meeting of the case.
Such meetings were common when there were cases like this to handle. They would present their findings, summarize the situation, find clues, and share their thoughts about the case. Two heads were better than one. When a group of detectives got together, they could usually find the main clues of the case easily than being a lonesome—
Whenever there was a meeting, Xiang Wan would be bored.
She was sitting in the lobby outside the meeting room with the police officers on duty.
‘You look at me; I look at you.’
While the police officers were pondering over her relationship to the detectives…
She was so tired that she was yawning away!
Bai Muchuan had already told her she could get back to the hotel to rest, but Xiang Wan refused to do so.
She told him that she wanted to become the understanding girlfriend and accompany him while he was working hard to solve the case—
Of course, that was just lip service.
In her heart, the underlying reason was that it scared her to return to the hotel alone.
Nevertheless, the waiting time was so long that she couldn’t stand it anymore. Her eyelids had been fighting desperately to stay open.
Since there were still officers around, busy with their own work, it worried her that it wouldn’t be good if she snoozed off there.
No choice, Xiang Wan contacted Fang Yuanyuan who was staying at Huang He’s ward. She was prepared to become the third wheel by squeezing with Yuanyuan for one night.
Bai Muchuan was fine with that arrangement.
In that way, he could also put his mind at ease.
Back in Jin City, Fang Yuanyuan had been the third wheel of Xiang Wan and Bai Muchuan for a long time. In her perspective, she had suffered a lot as she had eaten too much dog food. Now, Fang Yuanyuan could finally feed Xiang Wan dog food. It was like she got her sweet revenge since she was both happy and arrogant at the same time.
“Look at you, you’re tickled pink.” Xiang Wan laid down on the sofa as if it were her home and closed her eyes.
“Of course!” Fang Yuanyuan was grinning so much that her eyes were curved. “Now you can have a taste of what I’ve suffered back then…”
“Hurhurhur! But it’s such a pity! Your Huanghuang has hurt his bones and couldn’t move about…”
“… You’re lewd!” Fang Yuanyuan’s face instantly flushed red.
She carried a blanket and put it on Xiang Wan. “Make do with this alright? This is a ward after all.”
“Don’t worry, this is fine. I’m not picky!”
Huang He’s ward was a private suite with a living room and a balcony.
Since Xiang Wan took the sofa in the living room, Fang Yuanyuan could only squeeze together with Huang He on the hospital bed.
However, Xiang Wan saw the smile on Fang Yuanyuan’s face when she left. Hence, she felt that Yuanyuan totally welcomed the opportunity to sleep in the same bed with Huang He. Well, although Huang He was not convenient to move about, Fang Yuanyuan was able to…
Hmm, for such things, it would be fine as long as one of them could move!
“You’ve really become lewd! You’re no longer the pure, innocent girl I know!”
Before Fang Yuanyuan left, she said that to Xiang Wan.
Xiang Wan found it funny, but she had to admit Yuanyuan might be right after all.
Prior to getting involved with Bai Muchuan physically, she was much more conservative in this aspect…
As for now…
Well, she could never become like her old self anymore.
Nothing could make her transform back!
…
The next morning, a phone call awakened Xiang Wan.
That day must have worn her out from the journey for it was unexpected of her to sleep like a log on the sofa.
She looked at the time on her mobile phone and saw that it was already 10 o’clock in the morning.
Xiang Wan yawned and picked up the call in her muddled state. “Hello…”
“Xiang Wan.” Over the other end of the phone, she heard Xie Wanwan’s voice.
This was not what Xiang Wan had expected.
Their current relationship was not good enough for them to call each other so casually.
“Yes? What’s up?” Xiang Wan asked.
Xie Wanwan did not answer right away, though Xiang Wan could hear her breathing well enough.
Xiang Wan waited for quite a while before she heard her puffing a sigh.
“Where are you? I would like to meet you.”
Eh? Xiang Wan’s eyebrows crinkled up together—
Looking around, she let out another yawn. “What’s the matter? If it’s something private, it’s more convenient to say it over the phone. If it’s not… Well, if you want to talk about Bai Muchuan’s matters, I don’t have a say in it and I know little either.”
If Xie Wanwan actually called her up, Xiang Wan thought it should be something related to the case.
Xiang Wan felt that Meng Chi was good to Xie Wanwan. Although she did not know what was their relationship exactly, one good turn deserves another. She felt that Xie Wanwan should be on good terms with Meng Chi as well in that regard. Now that he was being detained in the police station, it was normal for her to want to know what was happening with the case.
That was what Xiang Wan had thought.
However, Xie Wanwan did not mention Meng Chi.
“Is Tang Yuanchu all right?”
Ah?! Xiang Wan was dumbstruck for about 10 seconds before she responded.
“Did something… happen to him?”
Xie Wanwan hesitated for a moment. “Nothing much. It’s just that last night our fans were quarreling online quite vehemently. This child is too silly; he actually argued with his fans on Weibo…”
Child?! All right, sister, whatever you say is right, she thought to herself.
It was indeed a taboo to argue with one’s fans—
For one would lose fans in this way!
The hearts of these young female fans of Tang Yuanchu must have been broken into smithereens.
If Xie Wanwan was concerned about Little Tang, why didn’t she ask him directly?
Xiang Wan was someone forthright. “Is it because you forgot his number? I can send you his contact number if you like?”
Xie Wanwan remained silent. “…”
After a soft sigh, she said, “Forget it, there’s no need to.”
With that, she disconnected the call.
It was confusing.
Just as to why she called up so suddenly…
Xiang Wan was dubious for a few seconds before she opened that Gossip chat group.
There were no new messages. All the detectives who worked overnight did not seem to have time to chat…
Xiang Wan was the first to chat. “@Tang Yuanchu, is everything okay?”
Ten seconds later, Tang Yuanchu replied, “Just woke up and still on my hospital bed, what’s up?”
Xiang Wan chatted thereafter, “What a good life! It’s already this time, and you’re still sleeping? For those comrades of ours who are fighting on the front lines, I deeply despise you…”
Tang Yuanchu replied, “Don’t, sister! I’m a wounded hero, and I almost lost my life all right?”
Xiang Wan found it funny. “Fine! Comrade Tang Yuanchu, who almost lost your life, I just want to ask what you want to eat for breakfast.”
She did not mention Xie Wanwan.
It was a group chat, after all. She didn’t want to joke about this matter.
This was because no one knew to what extent did Tang Yuanchu and Xie Wanwan were getting along with each other.
Tang Yuanchu replied that “anything” would be fine. Xiang Wan could only answer, “Wait a while!”
After sending that message, she put away her phone and went out.
She was not sure what was with Fang Yuanyuan and Huang He though; they were still not up at ten o’clock either. Xiang Wan did not hear any sound from the bedroom at all.
Xiang Wan felt that she was really the hardworking role model. She got breakfast for Fang Yuanyuan and Huang He, as well as Salimu and Tang Yuanchu.
The two youngsters had their wards next to each other, but the sight was entirely different.
Salimu’s ward was like a wonderland—to him at least.
The ward was full of electronic gadgets and instruments messily placed everywhere.
Xiang Wan was not interested in such stuff, but she looked at them, anyway. Just a glance was enough to make her feel headache. Salimu, on the other hand, was sitting in the centre of these electronic instruments and seemed to be working on something energetically. He was totally not interested in what food Xiang Wan had brought for him. He just asked her to put it down on the bedside table.
“Teacher Xiang,” said Salimu in a hopeful tone, “will you help me ask Captain Bai to let me get back to work soon?”
“… Why didn’t you tell him yourself?” Xiang Wan said in an amused tone.
“It won’t work if I say it to him directly. Everyone in the team knows that for him, his girlfriend is more important than his brothers!”
Boy, you’re too straightforward! she thought.
Didn’t he know that these words could still offend his superior?
Xiang Wan did not know if she should be happy or angry. “No wonder he left you here in the hospital and not let you work on the case.”
What she said left Salimu dazed for a moment before he sniggered. “No wonder they couldn’t solve the case!”
What a confident child! she thought.
Maybe Xie Wanwan had affected her that unwittingly, she had also used ‘child’ on Salimu, who was younger than Tang Yuanchu. She had initially thought that word was unsuitable, yet at this moment, she felt that it was perfectly appropriate—
“Don’t forget to take your breakfast. I’ll bring this to Tang Yuanchu now.”
Salimu gave a reminder as he called out from behind.
“Teacher Xiang, don’t forget! Put in a few good words for me in front of Captain Bai, okay?”
Xiang Wan turned her head and smiled. “I’ll… try, but don’t guarantee that it’ll work.”
Salimu made a crying face and put down whatever he was working on to get the food placed on the bedside table. “I’m really bored to tears here. If this goes on, all of you will lose me…”
Xiang Wan laughed. She pushed the door and went out of the ward.
Salimu’s injuries were not too serious.
However, if one were to make a serious comparison, his injuries were lighter than Bai Muchuan.
This man was totally like a warrior made of steel. Ever since he got hurt, he still continued to work, running all around the places. His injuries were never on his mind…
Xiang Wan felt her heart aching for him.
When this case was more or less settled, she would try her best to let him take a break.
…
Tang Yuanchu was still sleeping.
He laid on his pillow, quiet like a huge doll.
When Xiang Wan entered the ward, she harrumphed in an attempt to wake him up. Only then did he open his eyes and lifted his head drowsily.
His face seemed so wan as if he had not slept for the entire night.
No, even if he did not sleep for a night, he should have looked better than he was now.
“What’s up? Did you become a thief last night?” Xiang Wan was quite stunned to see his pale, tired face. She sat on a chair beside him and took out the breakfast she bought.
The listless Tang Yuanchu yawned, and then he glanced at the food.
“Sis-in-law, you really bought breakfast for me?”
“… Of course, since when have I ever lied to you?”
“Don’t you women liked to lie?”
What do you mean by “you women”? she dissed in her head.
Where did that come from?
He’s just as puzzling as Xie Wanwan.
Xiang Wan gave Tang Yuanchu his food and glanced at him. “Xie Wanwan is concerned about you… She even asked about how you’re doing.”
“Oh,” said Tang Yuanchu, unsure if it was because he did not believe it or if he was simply uninterested to hear that. There was no other reply.
Xiang Wan furrowed her brows. “You both had a fight?”
Tang Yuanchu lifted his head and smiled at her. “How’s that possible? It’s not like we have that good of a relationship. Why would we fight?”
Not that good of a relationship, huh?
She almost believed it!
So who’s the guy who sacrificed himself for her sake by taking a bomb with him and jumping into the lake?
