The bed and the blankets still bore the wrinkled traces of being slept in, but it was completely empty. Neither Xie Chengxiao nor Bai Liuyue was there.
Jiang Yunshen's heart, which had just been in his throat, instantly settled.
"Second Young Master, didn't you say Miss Bai was in the room?"
The men from the police department stared suspiciously at the creases on the bed. These were clearly marks left behind by two people lying down.
Just then, the rustling sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.
Jiang Yunshen reacted quickly. Frowning, he said in displeasure, "What? Do I need to explain to you what my fiancee and I were just doing?"
The leading police chief continued to stare suspiciously at the bathroom.
Jiang Yunshen blocked his path and demanded, "What is the meaning of this? My fiancee is taking a shower. Don't tell me you want to go in?"
"That's not what I meant. My apologies! Sorry for the intrusion, Second Young Master."
The police officers stepped back a little and stood by the main door, saying, "However, everyone present at the Peking Hotel today must be investigated."
"Please have Miss Bai come out for questioning after she finishes her shower."
Jiang Yunshen slammed the door shut with a cold face and snapped, "Wait then!"
Inside the bathroom.
Xie Chengxiao pressed his cyan-steel fan against the door. Just a moment ago, if those police officers had dared to barge in, he would have started a bloodbath.
"Don't be nervous."
Bai Liuyue gently patted his shoulder from behind, motioning for him to relax.
Before she could even register what was happening, her world spun, and she was suddenly scooped up into his arms and placed on the bathroom vanity counter.
Xie Chengxiao's dark eyes were deep and profound.
He picked up their previous conversation.
"If I kill Bai Wenshan, will you still marry me?"
Bai Liuyue's lips curled up slightly as she replied, "My grandfather killed Marshal Xie, yet you still want to marry me?"
A trace of grief flashed through Xie Chengxiao's eyes.
He turned his head away and said, "I like you. This has nothing to do with any other external conditions, status, or position."
"You are right, it was your grandfather who committed the sin. I hate him, so I am going to kill him."
"Will you stop me?"
Bai Liuyue met his gaze and said slowly, "What if I don't let you kill him?"
Xie Chengxiao's hands, hanging by his sides, clenched slightly.
He lowered his head and gritted his teeth, saying, "My father's murder cannot go unavenged."
A hint of struggle flickered in his eyes.
"For your sake, I can spare his life. I'll just cripple him, alright?"
Bai Liuyue raised her hand and gently stroked the top of his head. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered in a gentle tone, "What if I told you that Marshal Xie isn't actually dead?"
Shock and disbelief flashed through Xie Chengxiao's pupils.
But he had clearly seen his father's coffin being buried.
How could that be?
Just as their conversation was about to continue, the bathroom door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.
The scene that fell into Jiang Yunshen's eyes was Bai Liuyue sitting high up on the vanity counter, with Xie Chengxiao pressing close in a dominant posture. His hands were braced on either side of the counter, completely caging her in.
One was looking up, the other looking down.
Their posture was incredibly intimate and ambiguous.
"It seems I've come at a bad time." The smile on Jiang Yunshen's lips was faint.
He wasn't a massive fool like Pei Yu.
He wouldn't say something as stupid as "Let go of my fiancee."
Xie Chengxiao turned his head to look at him and asked with utmost composure, "Is Jiang Yushen dead?"
"Didn't your men go after him, Marshal Xie? How strange, why are you asking me?" Jiang Yunshen smiled lightly as usual.
"Did you not send your own men to hunt him down?"
"I did. He got away."
"Useless!" Xie Chengxiao frowned slightly and asked, "Where did he run off to?"
Jiang Yunshen turned his head helplessly, smiled, and said:
Jinzhong, it seems this brother of mine has gained the support of Marshal Pei of Jinzhong. He will be very hard to kill for the time being.
Xie Chengxiao said coldly: I'll go kill him, and cripple Bai Wenshan while I'm back in Jinzhong.
After speaking, he subconsciously looked up at Bai Liuyue's expression.
Bai Liuyue ignored him. Instead, she smiled faintly at Jiang Yunshen outside the door, opened her arms, and said:
Yunshen, come carry me down.
Okay. A hint of joy flashed in Jiang Yunshen's eyes.
He stepped forward quickly, forcefully bumping Xie Chengxiao away with his arm. Just as he was about to carry Bai Liuyue down, another large hand stopped him.
Jiang Yunshen won't hold you properly. I carried you up, so I can carry you down, Xie Chengxiao emphasized.
Is that so? But I am her rightful fiancé.
Jiang Yunshen wore a mocking smile on his lips and said:
Doesn't Marshal Xie realize he is just a secret lover who cannot see the light of day?
Hearing this, Xie Chengxiao almost exploded with anger.
He pointed at himself and said:
Me? A secret lover?
I have already confessed my feelings to Liuyue. I am not just a lover.
Jiang Yunshen pointed out sharply:
Oh, you mean you confessed to a woman who already has a fiancé. If that is not being a lover, what is it?
I am not! Xie Chengxiao looked at Bai Liuyue with a wronged expression, wanting a proper title. He said, Liuyue, I am not a lover.
Seeing the two men bickering so childishly, Bai Liuyue
pressed her hands on the counter and hopped down lightly.
Mhm, Xie Chengxiao, you are not a lover. You are Number Four.
Xie Chengxiao froze: Number Four? What does that mean?
Bai Liuyue answered mercilessly: In the ranking of the most important men by my side, you are fourth.
Jiang Yunshen had always felt he was not childish, but upon hearing this ranking, he could not help but ask:
What about me? What number am I?
A smile rippled across Bai Liuyue's lips.
My fiancé is, of course, number one.
Even though this was clearly just a joke, and Jiang Yunshen knew it might not be her true feelings,
his heart still could not help but race wildly.
He ranked first in Xiaoyue's heart.
Number Four, Xie Chengxiao, was so angry his nose nearly went crooked.
Jiang Yunshen is first, I am fourth, then what about Pei Yu?
Bai Liuyue held up three fingers.
Alright then.
His cousin did not fare much better than him.
Xie Chengxiao consoled himself.
At this moment, the voice of the police chief from the police department came from outside the door again.
Second Young Master, is Miss Bai ready to be questioned?
Do not rush, we will be right out!
Jiang Yunshen replied dismissively, then looked at them and said:
We cannot stall for much longer. Xie Chengxiao, hurry up and run. Do not drag me and Xiaoyue down with you.
Run how? Xie Chengxiao, on the contrary, was unhurried.
Jiang Yunshen sneered coldly and pointed at the window.
Xie Chengxiao frowned and said: This is the twenty-first floor. I will die if I jump.
Hearing this, a delighted smile spread across Jiang Yunshen's lips. That is even better!
The two men's gazes clashed mid-air again, and a thick smell of gunpowder filled the bathroom.
Bai Liuyue spoke up:
Enough, I have an idea.
Ten minutes later.
Bai Liuyue sat at the dressing table, facing the mirror and drawing her eyebrows.
Behind her, a row of people from the police department were about to enter.
Jiang Yunshen reached out a hand to block them and said:
She is my fiancée. Is there really a need for so many of you men to go inside? Chief, you can go in alone to question her.
Yes, Second Young Master.
The captain gestured an order to the men behind him, and the others turned their backs in perfect unison.
