Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Bai Muchuan tended to pamper Xiang Wan and basically let her do what she wanted.
For this matter, if it was Cheng Zheng, he would not agree to that.
He was even less likely to allow Xiang Wan go sightseeing with a wounded leg.
Bai Muchuan and Xiang Wan’s temperament was similar to some extent.
Both might have looked meticulous and careful in appearance, but they had a warm and unbridled personality underneath.
With regards to their daily lives, the choices they made could be rather carefree and might seem reckless for some.
Of course, Bai Muchuan would not let her walk too much either.
He took the vehicle keys from Hassan and drove a jeep out of town, taking Xiang Wan with him. Then, he cruised along the winding mountain road in the uphill direction.
Xiang Wan felt familiar with the direction of the road.
“Are we going to Wen Xin Nunnery?”
“To be exact, it’s Wen Xin Mountain 1 .”
“Hur!”
“This mountain sure has an artistic name.” Xiang Wan laughed. “I wonder who named it.”
Bai Muchuan said, “They told me that there used to be many devotees in the past who came here and pray as most of their prayers were answered.”
“Pffft! You believed in this too?”
“Of course not.” Bai Muchuan glanced at her. “I just feel a little sad when I thought of the past glory this place had seen…”
“Why sad?” Xiang Wan winked and smiled mischievously. “Is it because of those young nuns who used to live here?”
“Silly! Which nun could be compared to my little nymph?”
“…”
“I only like my little nymph!”
“… Is there a nymph? Where? I’m scared!”
“As far as the horizon, as near as the seat beside me!”
Pffft!
This guy was always capable of putting her in high spirits!
Xiang Wan harrumphed. “Just concentrate on driving… and stop joking!”
The road was not smooth.
Besides, it had snowed heavily last night.
Bai Muchuan laughed. “Have a taste of my driving skills!”
That jeep he was driving had a lot of horsepower. Of course, Bai Muchuan’s driving skills were really impressive too. They made their way safely and reached the mid-mountain.
They were unable to go up anymore.
Bai Muchuan parked the jeep on a relatively flat area.
That was a very scenic place. Rays of sunlight shone down from the top of the mountain, covering the snow in various tones of shimmering light…
It was like the whole world was covered with snow.
In that snowy world, there seemed to be only the two of them…
They felt like they had the whole world before them.
Xiang Wan took a deep breath and reached out her hand to embrace the wind when she suddenly stood rooted to the spot…
She now understood why Bai Muchuan felt a little sad.
Not far away at the peak, it was the site of Wen Xin Nunnery.
Due to the explosion, a landslide had occurred at the back of Wen Xin Nunnery which was now covered in snow. It looked like a row of glaciers hanging on the mountain at first sight.
The age-old nunnery had completely collapsed, half-buried in the snow. From her point of view, she could make out sculptures of mythical beasts that used to be situated on the eaves of the roof of the nunnery…
The snow might have covered the crime and traces, yet it could not cover the fact that it had happened.
“You brought me here just to see this?”
Seeing that Bai Muchuan said nothing for a long time, she walked to him slowly and leaned on his arm.
“Yes…” Bai Muchuan responded, “but not totally.”
“Anything else?”
“After we leave this place, it would probably be hard to see such a natural scenery again.”
“That’s true…” Xiang Wan inhaled deeply. “It’s really beautiful!”
This was something they could not see in those major cities.
Not even in commercialized tourist destinations.
Bai Muchuan turned to look at the woman who leaned on him.
“Xiang Wan, that person… may not be Meng Chi.”
Eh?
Xiang Wan was puzzled for an instant. She lifted her head. She met his gaze and thought for a moment.
“Why?”
Bai Muchuan’s eyebrows tangled in a thoughtful frown. “Earlier in the morning, Tu Liang informed us that during the abduction, Meng Chi was seen at the filming location in Nanmu… many people could vouch for him. Meng Chi himself claimed that after leaving Wuming Village, he returned to Nanmu City directly and did not leave that place.”
The film set of “The Grey List” was in Nanmu City.
Meng Chi had come to Nanmu for the sake of ensuring the filming was smooth and according to schedule.
“If that’s the case… why did you use the word ‘may not’?
The word ‘may not’ meant he was not certain.
Bai Muchuan was always careful with his words. He would not say things that he did not mean, especially for work-related matters.
Sure enough, Bai Muchuan looked at her with a frosty expression; there was a complicated doubt in his deep eyes.
“That’s because I believed in your gut feeling…”
“Mm?” Xiang Wan was glad she had his trust.
However, she also knew very well that Bai Muchuan was not someone who solved his cases with intuition.
“All those who could vouch for him are the film crew of ‘The Grey List’,” he paused for a moment, “basically, they are all employees of the Meng Entertainment Group…”
Xiang Wan understood his doubt.
These people depended on Meng Chi for a living.
The credibility of their testimony was naturally compromised.
“So what should we do next?”
“I feel that we took the wrong path—” Bai Muchuan paused for a while. “I’m preparing to start investigating all over again from the 121 case in Xi City!”
That was the beginning of everything.
Many motives for committing crimes were actually hidden in the initial actions.
As for what happened consequently, it was entirely possible that they had been misled so as to cover up the truth…
“I support you.” Xiang Wan raised both her thumbs up to him. “Never give up at any time. I’ve only seen this spirit in you…”
“Stop with the flattering words!” Bai Muchuan casually said, “Every time you praise me, I’d wonder if it’s because you want me? Little Xiang Wan, are you harboring some evil thoughts about me again?”
The word ‘again’ brought up the ‘case’ last night.
Xiang Wan’s big eyes stared hard at him. “Bai Muchuan, get things clear… Who’s the one who harbored evil thoughts and who’s the one who behaved like a rogue?”
“You removed my pants, so you’re the one who had evil intentions first… As for me, well, at most it’s only excessive self-defense!”
“…!” Xiang Wan gasped at his shamelessness.
She tilted her head and thought for a moment. “So that means,” her eyes suddenly squinted, “if I don’t do something about this, I only have myself to blame?”
Bai Muchuan looked serious. “Heroine, don’t be rash!”
Pffft! He sounded so convincing.
Bai Muchuan’s behavior cracked Xiang Wan up. She looked up at the blue sky and puffed a sigh. Then she strolled to the edge of the mountain to look at the silvery world before her.
“Don’t get your hopes up that I’ll do anything strange! Hmph! The heroine has no interest in trickery or force…”
“What is my heroine interested in then?”
Bai Muchuan walked up to her and embraced her from behind.
The two of them faced the same snowy world together.
Xiang Wan did not reply.
After a short period of silence, Bai Muchuan suddenly asked a question. “Xiang Wan, do you intend to write novels all your life?”
Xiang Wan paused for a while. “Why did you ask me that?”
Bai Muchuan’s chin rested on her shoulder. “Writing online novels requires a lot of willpower. One year, two years, three years… if you continue to write for years, you’ll die young!”
“…” Die young?!
Couldn’t he had put it in a nicer way!?
Xiang Wan could not stop laughing. “I don’t know what else I can do. Writing novels is currently something I can do to earn a living. Although my income is unstable, I can still survive. Moreover… well, I do have a dream to write something that could resonate with others. So, I’m actually earning a living and working for my dream, isn’t it great?”
Xiang Wan said a lot of things.
Although she had said that to Bai Muchuan, yet it also felt like she was trying to strengthen her thoughts.
To keep on writing was indeed a challenge.
Bai Muchuan remained silent.
Xiang Wan looked at the distant scenery and stayed quiet for a moment.
“Why did you ask that so suddenly?”
“When we get back to the Capital, you can go back to school.”
“…” Xiang Wan’s heart skipped a beat.
“What I mean is, you can write and study at the same time.” Bai Muchuan embraced Xiang Wan tighter. “Complete the studies you have not finished. Start over again… If you’re interested, you can consider studying Criminal Psychology…”
Xiang Wan understood what he was trying to say.
She did not respond immediately.
Her body stiffened, and she remained quiet.
Next, she suddenly let out a chuckle.
“I don’t have the necessary qualifications, and my job is rather unstable. Did I… make you feel ashamed?”
Her question was sharp and straightforward.
This was Xiang Wan’s style of handling things.
She would prefer to talk things over openly.
“Nope,” replied Bai Muchuan swiftly, “I already know about your situation before we got together. If I do mind that, I wouldn’t have chosen you.”
His reply was honest and frank.
It actually made her feel warmth.
“But I heard that love should be well-matched, only then will it survive the test of time,” remarked Xiang Wan, “Did you feel that our relationship… might not last long?”
From love to marriage, there was a long way to go.
Both of them were more rational than most; their decisions would not be made due to impulsiveness.
Rational people also tend to plan or make preparations to avoid unpleasant events from happening in the future…
Three years, seven years, or 10 years down the road…
When the novelty wore off, the attraction of the hormones gradually dissipates due to the passing of time; what would they be relying on to spend their remaining lifetime together?
Xiang Wan was very clear that no matter what kind of promise was being made at this point in time, it would not hold any meaning—she was just being sensible.
However, she really hoped to hear Bai Muchuan tell her that no matter how she would look like, be it mediocre, worldly, or her beauty fading with age, he would still love her the same—this would be ideal.
“A relationship should be managed with care,” he said seriously. This was not some sweet talk.
This was the most serious heart-to-heart talk between them after taking their relationship a step further last night.
Based on a woman’s perceptiveness…
As well as the rational thinking of men…
Both of them were serious with each other.
Bai Muchuan continued, “Little Xiang Wan, we should keep our relationship going… As per what you said earlier, well-matched!”
Yes!
However being well-matched against each other was easier said than done!
Xiang Wan’s eyes were bright and sincere with a smile.
“I’m too far behind you. I’ve already lost to you at the very beginning!”
Bai Muchuan chuckled. “Nope—”
