Ruan Xingzhuo pulled Xie Lin aside, still gripping Xie Lin’s collar.
Like a little wolf pup, he glared at him. “What exactly are you trying to do to my sister?”
Xie Lin met his fierce gaze with a calm, straightforward reply: “I want to pursue your sister.”
Ruan Xingzhuo’s anger flared even more.
“You bastard! How old is my sister?!” he shouted, swinging a punch at Xie Lin’s face.
Xie Lin didn’t dodge; he took the punch head-on.
Ruan Xingzhuo hadn’t expected him to actually stand still, and for a moment, he felt a little unsure of himself.
Wiping the corner of his mouth, Xie Lin looked at Ruan Xingzhuo. “I took your punch because you’re Yaoyao’s brother. But after this, you have no right to stop me.”
Any guilt Ruan Xingzhuo had felt immediately vanished.
“Shameless!” he said irritably.
Xie Lin continued, “Don’t worry, I’m just a pursuer. I won’t force her into anything. If she really doesn’t like me, I won’t cling or pester her.”
Of course, what Xie Lin actually had in mind was another story.
Not clinging or pestering is just a tactic—part of pursuing a wife.
Ruan Xingzhuo wasn’t thinking that deeply.
He just felt more certain that this man was too cunning and scheming for his sister.
Especially since he was just trying to find a way for her to live with him.
Ruan Xingzhuo asked, “If that’s the case, wanting my sister to live with you… what exactly is your intention?”
Xie Lin didn’t want to say too much, but he knew that if he didn’t explain himself to this kid, he wouldn’t even be able to approach Ruan Xingzhuo’s sister.
So he told the truth: “I think this case is aimed at Yaoyao. I’m just worried someone might harm her, so I want to protect her.”
Ruan Xingzhuo stared at Xie Lin without blinking. “Is it really that simple?”
Xie Lin said, “I do have selfish motives, but they’re insignificant compared to Yaoyao’s safety.”
Ruan Xingzhuo’s expression softened slightly, but he still said, “Even so, I still can’t let my sister live with you. I’ll protect her myself.”
Just then, Ruan Xingyao walked over. “You two—shouldn’t you ask for my opinion first?”
Wait—did they just assume they could decide this for her?
Ruan Xingzhuo immediately leaned toward her and tugged her arm. “Sister, you won’t leave me behind, right?”
Xie Lin was speechless.
This kid had been so fierce before, and now he was all clingy.
Ruan Xingyao ruffled Ruan Xingzhuo’s hair but didn’t make any promises.
Instead, she looked at Xie Lin. “Captain Xie, do you have any evidence for your guess?”
Xie Lin replied, “We still need a more detailed investigation.”
Ruan Xingyao playfully winked at him. “In that case, why not let me step in personally?”
If this really is aimed at me, then I’ll catch them myself!
Xie Lin originally didn’t want to agree, but Ruan Xingyao spoke first:
“Captain Xie, I won’t be with someone who doesn’t listen to me.”
She wanted to have the upper hand!
Helpless, Xie Lin said, “Alright, we’ll do as you say.”
“No way! I don’t agree!” Ruan Xingzhuo objected.
His sister already had it tough enough, and now she wanted to take on something dangerous—he absolutely refused!
Ruan Xingyao tapped him on the head. “Xiao Zhuo, don’t underestimate your sister!”
“Sis, I don’t. I’m just worried about you,” Ruan Xingzhuo said.
Their parents were already gone, and now it was just the two of them relying on each other.
How could he feel at ease letting her take risks?
His hands clenched at his sides without him realizing.
He was too young to share her burdens, and so everything fell on her shoulders.
He was useless!
On the young boy’s face was nothing but frustration and regret at being unable to protect his sister.
Ruan Xingyao was moved.
For the first time since coming to this world, she pushed aside the thought that she had merely inherited this body and its responsibilities.
For the first time, she truly regarded them as siblings—her little brother whom she must protect.
She patted Ruan Xingzhuo’s shoulder and said, “Alright, don’t overthink it. Don’t forget, I’m not going in alone—I have my animal army!”
Before he could respond, Ruan Xingyao already turned, smiling brightly at Xie Lin. “Captain Xie, does this mean my bonus gets doubled?”
Xie Lin was utterly exasperated.
He had been worrying she might avoid him after he admitted wanting to pursue her, yet here she was—still fixated on the reward money.
“Don’t worry. I’ll apply to Director Shen,” he said.
Ruan Xingyao tilted her head happily and clapped her hands. “Then it’s settled! Hmph, let me see with my own eyes whether that thing is human or ghost!”
The evidence collection at Baishui Road didn’t wrap up until four in the morning.
Exhausted, everyone dragged themselves back to the police station.
Ruan Xingzhuo and Baiyi were brought back as well.
Just as she stepped out of the car, Ruan Xingyao heard the sound of crying.
Following it, she saw Wei Chuan.
He was sitting on the edge of a flowerbed, holding the limp body of the orange cat, sobbing like a child.
Ruan Xingyao walked over and stopped in front of him.
She reached out to stroke the orange cat’s head and said, “Don’t be too sad. It passed away from old age. Among humans, that would be considered a blessed death.”
Wei Chuan snapped his head up, glaring at her fiercely.
But with his face streaked with tears and snot, that fierce glare only made him look comical.
“You know nothing! I didn’t even get the chance to properly say goodbye to it!” Wei Chuan snapped, his tone sharp, clearly venting his emotions on Ruan Xingyao.
“Wei Chuan!” Xie Lin walked over as well.
Hearing Wei Chuan shout at Ruan Xingyao like that, his face darkened, and his voice carried disapproval.
Normally, Ruan Xingyao would have taught Wei Chuan a lesson—who did he think he was, always yelling at her? Way too rude.
But seeing how miserable he was, crying so hard over the passing of the orange cat, she decided to let it slide this time.
After all, she had a soft spot for people who loved animals.
Ruan Xingyao said, “Don’t you want to know what it said before it passed away?”
Wei Chuan stared fixedly at her, tears still clinging to his lashes, blurring his view of her expression.
He raised a hand to roughly wipe his face and asked, “What do you mean by that? You can actually understand what a dead animal said?”
If that were true, he seriously wanted to send Ruan Xingyao off to a lab for research.
Ruan Xingyao immediately saw through what Wei Chuan was thinking, rolled her eyes, and snapped impatiently, “I really don’t know how an idiot like you even became a cop!”
— The end of the Chapter–
TL note : Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 50 chapters of the release :
https://www.patreon.com/DeCakraWnloverz
