Wei Chuan opened his mouth, wanting to refute something, but by now he had more or less figured out Ruan Xingyao’s personality.
She was like a mule that had to be stroked the right way.
If you upset her, her sharp tongue could choke you to death.
Taking a deep breath, Wei Chuan said to Ruan Xingyao:
“Sorry, I overreacted just now.”
As expected, Ruan Xingyao let go of the earlier unpleasantness.
She turned her gaze to a few little birds perched on the branches and said:
“You few, come down.”
The birds immediately fluttered their wings and flew down.
They obediently lined up in front of Ruan Xingyao.
Ruan Xingyao said:
“Tell me, what did the old cat say before it passed away?”
The little birds began chirping noisily.
【The cat said it suffered greatly in the first half of its life, always being chased and beaten, but after being taken in here, it lived happily.】
【The cat also left gifts for everyone who ever fed it—they’re right over there in the back.】
【The cat also said, in its next life, Old Meow will become a kitty officer too, so those stinky dogs can’t always show off their merits in front of it.】
【The cat also said, thank you. It knew that it was because of you easing its pain that its final days were so comfortable.】
One of the birds flew onto Ruan Xingyao’s shoulder and rubbed its head against her neck, as if conveying the orange cat’s gratitude.
Ruan Xingyao patted the bird’s head and relayed their words to Wei Chuan.
Wei Chuan lowered his head and gently rubbed his face against the orange cat’s back, murmuring:
“No more pain, that’s good… no more pain…”
Ruan Xingyao said:
“Alright, give it a proper burial. If fate allows, it will return again.”
Although Wei Chuan was emotional, he knew what his duty was.
He couldn’t spend all his time in grief.
Handling the orange cat gently, he set it down and went searching for the gifts the little birds had mentioned.
Behind the flowerbed, beneath a broad leaf, he found tufts of cat fur—over a dozen in total.
At once, a list of names surfaced in Wei Chuan’s mind, all the people who often fed the orange cat.
He carefully gathered the tufts of fur and said:
“I’ll sort these out and give them to everyone.”
After that, he picked up the orange cat again and strode away.
Xie Lin said: “Let’s go get some breakfast and rest first.”
Ruan Xingyao nodded, called Ruan Xingzhuo along, and went with Xie Lin to the cafeteria.
But before heading there, Xie Lin first dropped Baiyi off at his dorm.
The three of them entered the cafeteria together.
After working all night, they were already starving.
Those who had come back earlier had already eaten.
Seeing the three walk in, someone recommended:
“Captain Xie, Expert Ruan, today’s buns are especially good—have some more.”
Xie Lin nodded slightly and let Ruan Xingyao and Ruan Xingzhuo find a seat first while he went to get the food.
Ruan Xingyao didn’t stand on ceremony.
Spotting an empty seat, she strode straight over.
Ruan Xingzhuo still followed Xie Lin—he wasn’t about to give him the chance to cozy up to his sister!
Soon, Xie Lin and Ruan Xingzhuo returned with their trays.
Ruan Xingyao was already starving, practically feeling her ribs against her chest.
She grabbed a bun and took a big bite.
“This is really delicious!” Ruan Xingyao exclaimed in surprise.
Even though she had been to the station many times, this was her first time eating in the station cafeteria.
It tasted way better than what she usually ate outside.
Ruan Xingyao looked at Xie Lin and asked, “Captain Xie, can I eat all three meals here?”
Tasty, free, and with generous portions—this was absolutely the best choice!
Xie Lin replied, “Of course, no problem.”
After all, she was an officially contracted expert for the bureau.
Even living at the station wouldn’t have been an issue.
“No way!” Ruan Xingzhuo objected.
He glared at Xie Lin—this bastard still hadn’t given up on stealing his sister away.
Ruan Xingzhuo turned to Ruan Xingyao, speaking pitifully: “Sis, are you really going to leave me alone at home? Make me eat by myself?”
As he spoke, his eyes reddened.
On his still boyish face, the fragility was overwhelming in that moment.
Ruan Xingyao had no resistance toward pretty faces—especially not when it was her own little brother.
She immediately said, “Of course not! How could I?”
Ruan Xingzhuo: “Then you have to eat all three meals with me.”
Ruan Xingyao nodded without even thinking, “Alright, alright, sis promises you.”
Ruan Xingzhuo instantly brightened, his eyes crinkling with joy, like sunshine breaking through the clouds.
Ruan Xingyao couldn’t help but hiss softly to herself, grumbling inwardly: No wonder You Huan’s fondness for Ruan Xingzhuo was bordering on obsession—just this kid’s face alone was enough to make countless girls fall head over heels.
At that moment, Xie Lin said, “If the younger brother wants, he can also come here for all three meals.”
Ruan Xingzhuo shot Xie Lin a sidelong glance, silently mouthing, Shameless.
Xie Lin caught it but wasn’t the least bit annoyed—he just treated it as teasing a kid.
Ruan Xingyao stuffed the bun into her mouth in one bite, her cheeks puffed up, then washed it down with more than half a cup of soy milk.
Once her mouth was empty, she said:
“Captain Xie, I think it’s better to just keep things the way they are.”
Xie Lin looked at her, only to see the girl’s eyes darting around, then she leaned in closer and lowered her voice:
“Captain Xie, you already suspect someone wants to harm me. If I suddenly get put under protection, wouldn’t that be the same as telling that person I know already? Then how am I supposed to lure them out?”
Of course, Xie Lin had already thought of that.
But emotionally, he just wanted to keep her right under his nose, so he could confirm her safety at any moment.
Ruan Xingyao didn’t give Xie Lin a chance to refuse.
She grabbed another bun and took a bite.
“It’s settled then, everything stays the same.”
Seeing her mind was made up, Xie Lin didn’t say anything more.
He only gripped his spoon a little tighter without realizing it.
He needed to speed up the investigation and catch the culprit as soon as possible.
Ruan Xingyao ate four buns before reluctantly patting her stomach.
Her stomach was telling her she was full, but her mouth was telling her she still wanted more.
Staring eagerly at the plump, adorable buns, she still wanted to eat another one.
Xie Lin said: “I’ll go get a takeaway box, so you can bring them back.”
Ruan Xingyao immediately grinned from ear to ear.
She nodded quickly. “Thank you, Captain Xie!”
Leaving the cafeteria, Ruan Xingyao and Ruan Xingzhuo picked up Baiyi, then left the station.
All she could do was pass on whatever information the little animals at the scene had given her.
The rest was up to the police to handle.
Yawning, Ruan Xingyao said: “Let’s go, head home for a nap, and stream this afternoon.”
Ruan Xingzhuo held Baiyi’s leash tightly, sticking close by his sister’s side.
Earlier, when Xie Lin offered to send them home, he had firmly refused.
After stewing in frustration for quite some time, his mood finally brightened again.
When the siblings arrived home, Ruan Xingyao was about to head to her room for a shower and a nap when she heard Ruan Xingzhuo ask:
“Sis, are you really going to date Xie Lin?”
— The end of the Chapter–
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