Chapter 147 — The Long-Awaited...

Xia Yan shook his head and thought, From what you know, Yang Ce already has two girlfriends, and you're still throwing yourself at him. Still, to set Xia Xue's mind at ease, he consoled her: "Little sister, I was only joking with you. Don't you know our organization? We're very lenient with people of rare talent. If they want to do something, could we even stop them? So long as they don't endanger society or the state, we let them be."

"Then why did you scare me like that?" Xia Xue said, relieved, and with a note of annoyance.

"No reason." Xia Yan thought, I can hardly tell you I was testing Yang Ce's place in your heart. But Xia Yan had already gotten the answer he wanted, and there was nothing he could do about it. Everything now depended on Xia Xue herself.

Still, no matter what, so long as his little sister wanted to do something, he would support her to the end. Xia Yan changed the subject and dropped the earlier matter. "By the way, little sister, this credit will be recorded publicly under your police bureau's name. Since Yang Ce made the arrest, he has a significant say in who gets the credit."

Hearing that such a great credit would again fall to the police bureau, Xia Xue's breathing quickened at once. But Yang Juehuan's father-in-law was Chen Fei, so if the credit was to be given to anyone, it would probably be given to Chen Fei.

"Then who does he want to give it to?" Xia Xue could not help asking.

"He said he wants to give it to you," Xia Yan said after a pause.

"Ah?" Xia Xue was stunned, then both startled and delighted. "To me? Really?"

"Of course it's real," Xia Yan said with a bitter smile. "This must be the second credit he's given you, isn't it? And you still say there's nothing going on between you two—how could your brother possibly believe it?"

"We're good friends, aren't we?" Xia Xue said, her face flushing. "Besides, he's my long-term meal ticket. If I don't look after him, who will?"

"What?" Xia Yan was startled. His eyes flew wide open and fixed on Xia Xue. "What did you say? A long-term meal ticket? The two of you are already—"

Seeing Xia Yan's expression, Xia Xue realized her words had probably been taken the wrong way, and she hurried to explain: "Brother, don't misunderstand. I only meant that he'll provide me with meals from now on. Nothing more."

Earlier, Xia Xue had only been joking when she called him her long-term meal ticket, but later, when she looked the phrase up online, she discovered it carried another meaning, and only then did she understand.

Still, she and Yan were used to joking around with each other, so she had long since thought nothing of it. But saying it now, to her eldest brother, made it sound rather suggestive, and so she rushed to explain herself.

Yet the more she explained, the worse it got. Seeing Xia Xue's obvious attempt to cover things up, Xia Yan could only smile bitterly. It seemed his guess had been entirely correct—there really was something going on between Xia Xue and Yan.

"All right, little sister, I won't say any more," Xia Yan said. "Your affairs are your own to decide. But no matter what, your big brother will support you."

"Brother!" Xia Xue scolded him with a coquettish pout, but said nothing further. Her heart was in a turmoil too; her brother's reminder had made her reexamine her relationship with Yan.

Could it be that she really did like Yang Ce? Bah, bah, bah—who liked him? Xia Xue shook her head, laughed to herself, and thought no more of it.

To be continued.

1020. A Small Request

The next morning, the newspapers reported that the traffic haunting case had been fully solved. In no time the citizens were in high spirits, cheering and celebrating.

Although things had been kept quite low-key before, word of the haunting had still spread, causing a very bad impression among the public. Many citizens were afraid to go out at night, which had done great damage to Songjiang's nighttime economy.

Now the case had finally been declared solved, and the mastermind behind it caught. Although the reports were vague, saying the mastermind was a schizophrenic who had used high-tech means to create illusions and thus manufacture the ghost, no one doubted the truth of the story.

After all, the notion of venomous curses was simply too far-fetched; most people would never accept it. Moreover, the Mystery Investigation Bureau had classified the matter as highly confidential and had not even informed the local police. The version given to the public had come from the Bureau itself, so very few people knew the truth.

And the credit for all this fell, as was only fitting, to Xia Xue.

The Wang family's major smuggling case had already made Xia Xue's name a while back; now she had become a household-name beauty detective, admired and adored by many young people.

In a secret chamber somewhere on the outskirts of Songjiang, the Right Elder stared at the newspaper in his hand, his face ashen, and snarled viciously: "Xia Xue. Xia Xue. I'll remember that name. You ruined my plans—I will never let you off. I'll make you pay. Those who submit to me prosper; those who defy me perish. Heh heh heh heh heh heh!"

"Right Elder, I suggest you calm down and don't ruin the bigger picture." Beside him, a young man whose face could not be clearly seen spoke in a sinister voice. "According to intelligence from my subordinates, this matter is likely not so simple. You made too much noise and drew the people from the Mystery Investigation Bureau here."

"What? The Mystery Investigation Bureau? They're here?" The Right Elder was startled, and a trace of alarm appeared on his face.

The young man gave a cold snort. "With you kicking up such a fuss, how could they not come? Hmph. Working with you people was a mistake from the start. Not only did you fail to kill Yang Ce for me, you turned this little backwater Songjiang upside down and drew the big shots here. How am I supposed to make my move now?"

"You said it yourself—we're only partners. You have no right to interfere with what I do," the Right Elder said coldly. "I admit I was a little too eager for quick results, but it was all so I could perfect the evil curse. Once my evil curse is mastered, never mind one Yang Ce—ten of them would be mine for the taking."

"I have no interest in listening to you boast." The young man waved a hand and said flatly, "Leave Songjiang for a while and lie low. Things have blown up this time, and I have no choice but to put my plans on hold. We'll talk again after the Bureau's people have withdrawn."

The Right Elder nodded. "Be that as it may, I still thank you for telling me this news—for remembering me as your partner."

"I was afraid you'd ruin my plans." The young man snorted.

"Rest assured, I will keep my promise to you," the Right Elder said, his expression turning solemn. "When I return, it will be the death of Xia Xue and Yang Ce. Heh heh heh heh heh heh!"

"Your laugh is truly unbearable." The young man curled his lip.

That night, Yang Ce slept soundly. He had no idea that so much had happened overnight—and regrettably, not only had the Right Elder failed to fall for the trap, he had sworn revenge on both Yang Ce and Xia Xue.

Still, even if Yang Ce knew, he would not be afraid. If he were the type to be afraid, he would not be Yang Ce.

By the time Yang Ce got up, Chen Shutang was no longer at his side. Yang Ce smiled mockingly at himself. Truly, a hero's grave lies in a tender haven; these past two days he had slept until he woke naturally, and his whole person had grown quite slack.

He dressed and went downstairs, where the aroma drifting from the kitchen reached his nose. Yang Ce's stomach really was a little hungry. He strolled over and saw Chen Shutang in a little apron cooking breakfast, with Auntie Li standing to one side assisting her.

"Mengyan, why didn't you sleep a little longer? What made you come cook yourself?" Yang Ce was a little surprised.