Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
âNothing.â Yan Liuâer was relieved and she began to speak at a faster pace.
âYou donât look like youâre fine.â The owner of the shadow stood at the door with a wooden tub in his hands and spoke in an unvarying tone, âItâs better for beautiful girls like you to stay home after sunset.â
Smiling, Yan Liuâer approached the owner of the shadow. âIâm fine, really. I was feeling a little uneasy for what has happened around here during the past few days.â
âSince youâre alright, you should head home as soon as possible. You are the only modest girl in this neighborhood,â the silhouette put the wooden tub on the floor as he spoke. Then, he murmured, âDonât be like the other girls.â
Yan Liuâer replied with a silent grin and nod. However, the creepiness in the air was too evident. She could not help but take another glance behind her back.
The silhouette was still there, staring at her. He waved his hand and urged her to go home.
Yan Liuâer did not hesitate this time and scurried home. When she opened the door, she was welcomed by a tranquil voice. âExcuse me. Is this Yan Liuâerâs residence?â
Yan Liuâer shivered before she turned to see two people, who were extraordinarily beautiful in spite of their casual outfits. She was briefly stupefied until she regained her senses and nodded to acknowledge the guests.
Helian Wei Wei, who disguised herself as a man, eyed the girl before her gaze eventually fixed at the girlâs shoes. âDid you pass by the entrance of the alley just now?â
âHow...â Yan Liuâer was flustered. How does he know where Iâve been to?
Helian Wei Wei would certainly not reveal to Yan Liuâer that she had surveyed the entire area. The entrance of the alley was the only place with snowpack while the snow at other places had melted. Besides, there were salt stains on Yan Liuâerâs shoes. Not only that, her face was pale and she was panting, making it rather obvious that she had been running for a considerable amount of time.
It was highly possible that she was running out of fear. Otherwise, she would not have shivered before she turned around when Helian Wei Wei greeted her.
It was one of the most common reactions when one panicked.
After Helian Wei Wei studied her for a moment, her lips curved upward. âWe saw you just now.â
âSo, that was why I felt like I was being followed,â Yan Liuâer mumbled to herself.
However, Helian Wei Wei overheard Yan Liuâerâs murmur and kept it in mind. She turned around to look at Baili Jia Jue, who understood that Helian Wei Weiâs words were merely a bait. In actual fact, they had never met Yan Liuâer before. However, according to Yan Liuâer, she suspected someone was tailing her.
Helian Wei Weiâs gaze deepened, but she immediately put on a smile when she turned to look at Yan Liuâer. âAre you saying that you thought someone was following you?â
âYes.â Owing to her lingering fear, Yan Liuâer studied her surroundings. Then, she answered as she wore a bashful smile, âPerhaps I was being too timid. Our neighbourhood hasnât been peaceful recently and itâs hard for me to not overthink.â
Helian Weiwei could tell that Yan Liuâer was not lying and therefore, she secretly deduced that Yan Liuâer was not the killer. She replied with a warm yet weary smile and said, âIt is indeed not safe for girls to go out at night. I have heard of the unfortunate events that happened in this area during the past few days. However, I havenât learned about the details yet. You mentioned that you were running because you reckoned someone was stalking you? â
Yan Liuâer was slightly embarrassed. âDid you see me running? I was frightened despite the fact that I didnât see anyone behind me. By the way, how did you reach here before me? Didnât you say that you were behind me?â
Although Yan Liuâer had discovered the loopholes in Helian Wei Weiâs statement, the latter remained calm as she lied, âWe took the shortcut.â
âShortcut?â Yan Liuâer seemed confused, âI took the shortcut. Only the residences of this area know about that shortcut.âRead more chapter on v ip novel. com
Being her intelligent self, Helian Wei Wei did not dwell on the topic. Instead, she raised another question, âWhy are you here late at night? Are you Yan Liuâer?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
This was a rhetorical question.
Right after Yan Liuâer turned her head to look at them, Helian Wei Wei already knew the girlâs identity.
Appearing extremely wary, Yan Liuâer was hesitant to answer the questions.
Coincidentally, Liuâerâs mother appeared at that moment. She seemed relieved when she saw Yan Liuâer. âWhy wouldnât you listen to me? How many times have I told you to not go out at night for these few days? Donât you know that itâs dangerous out there? â
Liuâerâs mother reprimanded Yan Liuâer. Then, she noticed Baili Jia Jue and Helian Wei Weiâs presence and paused her lecture, âYoung masters, who are you?â
Despite their humble outfit, they appeared like noblemen. Coupled with their absurdly good looks, it was hard for them to go unnoticed. The man who was standing further gave off an outstanding aura although he was far from her and was wearing an ordinary robe.
He seemed like a high-ranking imperial official that she had met not long ago.
Subconsciously, Liuâerâs mother felt intimidated.
Helian Wei Wei knew that it was impossible for His Highness to disguise himself as a commoner. Therefore, she bore the responsibility to be as amicable as she could.
She learned about criminology in modern times, and she understood what people like Liuâerâs mom were thinking about.
Generally, when the common people found out about murder cases that happened within their area, they would seek help from the government, but at the same time, they would keep certain secrets to themselves subconsciously.
Not only because they feared the government, they also did not want to get involved in anything that might cause them trouble.
Therefore, Helian Weiwei did not act like an official. Instead, she dressed up as a civilian to carry out her investigation in the alley.
Apparently, as long as His Highness was present, they would never look like civilians.
Helian Wei Wei was frowning when an idea but her. âWell, my friend and I were passing by this place before we decided to have a look for what when we learned about what happened here. Since we are now done, I only ask madam to be extra careful. It is our fate to meet. I have a yellow rune here, you can bring along with you, madam. Also, actually...â
Helian Weiwei paused and shook her head, âForget about it. The officials forbid us from discussing this.â
Baili Jia Jue knew that was a deliberate decoy as he threw a glance at Helian Wei Wei. His beautiful thin lips curled upward with a slight hint of mockery and relish.
As Helian Wei Wei expected, Liuâerâs mother could not hold herself back when she heard Helian Weiweiâs words and asked, âYoung master, what did you just say? What is actually happening?â
Helian Weiwei shook her head once again.
Liuâerâs mother stepped forward and approached Helian Wei Wei. âAre you saying that this place is haunted?â
Seeing she was convinced, Helian Wei Wei gave an ambiguous answer. âIâve said nothing, but it seems like madam knows it well enough.â
People from ancient times were superstitious and believed wholeheartedly in any supernatural events. Liuâerâs mother immediately nodded violently while her eyes were misted by concern. âAs the officials found no hint at the alley on that day, I instantly knew that it isnât something simple. Young master, you wouldnât know that...â