Evening fell.
Outside the window, the rain drizzled incessantly, and the wind slanted through the air.
"In the evening news, Chen Yifeng, a fugitive who has been on the run for many years, has been captured."
Inside the apartment, the three of them sat around the dinner table eating. Lin Ran scooped some food into Anya's bowl while watching the evening news.
"He has committed numerous crimes and is a major suspect in several murders, kidnappings, and financial fraud cases. He once live-streamed the kidnapping and murder of a senior executive from Universal Heavy Industries..."
On the screen, within the slum, an elderly man was being handcuffed by members of the guard bureau in front of countless cameras and led into a float-car.
Crowds of slum residents gathered around. The rain was heavy; they stood drenched and silent, watching as the float-car buzzed away into the distance.
"That’s strange. A villain like that gets caught, but why does it feel like none of those residents look happy about it?"
"Do these gangs ever do anything good? Things like actively maintaining order—you only see that in movies, right?"
"Maintaining daily order is something city heroes do," Xu Xiaoyou said flatly. "It’s impossible for those residents to be grateful to a gang."
"They’re just worried that the gang managing them next will be even more brutal."
"By the way, what's with you two today? Why are you both so gloomy?" Lin Ran asked. "It’s like you went out and came back with social anxiety."
Both Anya and Xu Xiaoyou, looking disheveled and covered in dust, remained silent, simply eating their food in silence.
Lin Ran didn't push further and continued watching the news.
Not long after, the doorbell rang.
"Who could it be at this hour?"
"I’ll get it." Xu Xiaoyou set down her chopsticks.
As the door opened, a white figure came into view.
Bai Youyou was completely drenched by the heavy rain. Her black hair was wet, sticking limply to her forehead. Her white investigator uniform was incredibly dim, making her look like a peacock that had fallen into the water.
"What happened?" Xu Xiaoyou asked.
Bai Youyou said nothing.
She stood at the doorway for a long time, as if she had finally made a difficult decision.
"I'm sorry, Yuzu."
As she spoke, she suddenly pushed Xu Xiaoyou down onto the sofa and reached out to unbutton the other girl's collar.
"Wait, wait a minute!" Lin Ran hurriedly waved her hands, covering Anya’s eyes as she rushed the child into the inner room.
Xu Xiaoyou didn't resist. She simply watched silently as the girl took off her outer coat and then rolled up the sleeve on her arm, wanting to confirm something.
Bai Youyou stared intently at the girl's arm, gripping her hand tightly—so tightly it felt as if the girl would suddenly slip away if she let go.
She had to confirm one thing.
During the chase earlier, she had caught a glimpse of the characteristics of the person under the grey robe. Although it was only for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a stray strand of blonde hair.
Furthermore, while the person was fleeing, their silhouette didn't match the description Li Xu had given of a tall, six-foot-three man; instead, it looked like a petite girl.
Then there was that small figure who felt so familiar to her.
All arrows seemed to point in the same direction.
She remembered clearly that while the person was escaping, the fireball she launched had grazed their arm, leaving a burn.
If Xu Xiaoyou had a wound on her arm, and if it was a burn...
If the other person had lied to her, if she really was that criminal...
She would go mad.
However, even after rolling up the sleeve of Xu Xiaoyou's entire arm, she saw no trace of anything resembling a burn.
Bai Youyou let out a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
It seemed she had misunderstood.
"What's wrong, Youyou?" Xu Xiaoyou asked softly.
Only then did Bai Youyou realize how rude she had just been.
The blonde girl was currently pinned to the sofa by her, looking at her quietly. A few strands of hair were messy against her face, and her chest was heaving slightly.
"I'm sorry, I..." Bai Youyou felt a wave of embarrassment.
"I'll go fix my clothes."
With that, Xu Xiaoyou got up and walked toward the bathroom. A moment later, she emerged with her clothes straightened out.
For some reason, Bai Youyou felt as though the girl seemed slightly different from just a moment ago, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
This strange feeling vanished quietly once the girl took hold of her hand.
She met the girl's concerned gaze with an apologetic look.
"Did something happen with the investigation?" Xu Xiaoyou asked.
Bai Youyou nodded slightly. Just like the past two days, she poured out the series of events that had occurred today to the girl like she was venting her frustrations.
Xu Xiaoyou listened patiently and then nodded thoughtfully.
"I'm so sorry, Yuzu. I misunderstood you. So much has happened today that my head isn't clear."
"I understand. A little misunderstanding is fine. People used to misunderstand me all the time; I'm used to it."
Bai Youyou felt even more guilty, her mind a chaotic mess.
'Yuzu is such a good person. How could I have suspected her?'
Most people would be furious after such an intrusive act. Not only was the other girl not holding a grudge, but she was even comforting her and listening to her vent.
It was just that the tiny bit of clue she originally had was now broken again.
Being toyed with like this felt truly unpleasant.
'If only everyone in the world was as simple and kind as Yuzu,' Bai Youyou thought.
"How was that last matter handled?"
"How else? I couldn't exactly kill them all. I'm stubborn, but I'm not stupid."
"That man named Chen Yifeng offered himself up in exchange for the criminal, so I arrested him."
"They're criminals, yet they act so sentimental, acting all noble and righteous."
"If you're going to investigate further, starting with the 'old friend' Chen Yifeng mentioned might be a breakthrough. Perhaps he has some connection to the criminal?" Xu Xiaoyou suggested.
Bai Youyou's eyes widened with joy. "That's right! I wouldn't have even thought of that if you hadn't mentioned it, Yuzu!"
She happily gave Xu Xiaoyou a big hug, then looked apologetic again. "I'm really sorry about today."
"It's fine," Xu Xiaoyou smiled. "We're friends, of course we should be understanding of each other."
"Then I'll be heading out."
"Oh, right. You must, must be careful these next few days, Yuzu." Thinking of the criminal, Bai Youyou warned seriously, "Try not to go out alone."
"Yes, I will."
The sound of the door closing echoed for a long time before Xu Xiaoyou finally collapsed onto the sofa, her spirit utterly exhausted.
This massive crisis was finally over. Fortunately, she had made it home without any further mishaps.
As she suspected, the other girl had noticed something during the chase. That was why, when that fireball was launched at her, she had intentionally allowed it to graze her—a fireball she could have easily dodged—just to let the other girl think she was injured.
Then, she waited for the girl to come to the door to confirm the wound, using her Substitute to clear herself and completely dispel the suspicion.
She had been gambling—betting that the other girl wasn't that heartless yet.
It had been incredibly dangerous. If Bai Youyou had truly been that cold-blooded and used a mental trial on her just now, she would have lost this gamble miserably.
'She really does value me as a "best friend,"' Xu Xiaoyou thought with a slight curl of her lips.
There was one thing that still puzzled her.
She lay on the sofa, her hands behind her head, looking at the translucent jade peace bracelet in her hand.
Why did an old man named Chen Yifeng suddenly step out at the end of the chase to block Bai Youyou on behalf of some 'old friend'?
If it hadn't been for that so-called old friend, it was uncertain whether she would have been able to return home safely.
Who exactly was it that helped her in the end?
She shouldn't have many acquaintances in this city...
The day's fatigue combined with her chaotic thoughts made Xu Xiaoyou increasingly drowsy. She set her thoughts aside for the moment and closed her eyes.
She peacefully cradled the jade bracelet in her arms and fell into a deep sleep.
Rate on N.U.
