Chapter 374: A Moment of Judgment

Chapter 374: I’ve Already Closed My Eyes

“Awo!”

The prairie wolf, sent flying by Xiao Yu’s kick, sprang back up and let out a series of menacing, low growls.

“Huh…?” Xiao Yu appeared surprised.

It turned out that kick hadn’t even tapped into Bear Force.

Yet with his current physique, that kick could easily floor any adult for life.

Clearly, this prairie wolf boasted formidable physical prowess.

Describing a wolf in terms of physical prowess made Xiao Yu cringe at his own limited vocabulary.

As the threatening growls echoed, everyone in the vicinity felt a deep and palpable dread.

The sound seemed to pierce right into their souls, filling Guo Qiang and the others with sheer terror.

Xiao Yu, however, remained utterly unfazed.

After all, he had even tussled with hyenas before.

A prairie wolf was nothing out of the ordinary for him.

Suddenly, the prairie wolf let out an enraged howl.

It charged and leapt with fierce urgency.

This time, its intent was unmistakably clear—it lunged straight at Xiao Yu.

Its target: Xiao Yu’s neck!

Does a wolf really hold grudges like that? Xiao Yu smirked as he stepped forward instead of retreating.

Just as the wolf’s gaping jaws closed in,

Xiao Yu sidestepped nimbly and reached out.

Smack! He grabbed the wolf firmly by the back of its neck.

Hoisting the massive prairie wolf into the air.

What followed was utterly astonishing.

The wolf’s limbs flailed, it emitted a pained howl, and its body turned weak and limp…

Many members of the feline-canine family respond just like that.

When its hind neck is secured and its body is lifted, preventing its limbs from bracing, it becomes submissive.

Be it due to the searing pain or the strain on its spine,

or simply because grasping the neck triggers instinctive submission in cats and dogs alike,

this is exactly how they react.

It’s almost a muscle memory ingrained from when they were carried around by their mothers.

But the real question was: how many people could casually hoist a prairie wolf weighing over a hundred jins?

How could anyone simply lift it like that?

“It’s not the one!”

Raising the wolf high, Xiao Yu inspected it carefully.

He was certain that this wasn’t the same wolf that had attacked victim Cao Xude on the surveillance footage.

In fact, up close, Xiao Yu even detected something off about its scent.

Though its odor was similar to that of another prairie wolf, there were clear differences.

Since it wasn’t the culprit, Xiao Yu flicked his arm, channeling Bear Force.

Boom!

The hulking wolf was violently slammed against the basement wall by Xiao Yu.

It emitted a piercing, terrifying crash that sounded as if bones were splintering.

The prairie wolf didn’t even manage a whimper.

It lay on the ground, twitching a few times before falling utterly still, its breath extinguished!

Guo Qiang, Li Xin, and Liu Hongqiao stared in shock at the expressionless Xiao Yu.

Damn, that was ruthless!

“Send it to the Forensic Department and have He Li examine it.”

With a calm demeanor, Xiao Yu ordered, “Issue a nationwide alert and apprehend Jiang Huiying!”

He wasn’t about to waste time subduing a wild beast.

Once confirmed that this prairie wolf wasn’t involved in the attack—and was, in fact, vicious enough on its own—

whether it lived or died was of no consequence!

Xiao Yu had never fancied himself a dog or wolf enthusiast.

He’d often joke, “If a dog bites you, you might as well bite it back—why waste time engaging in petty bickering with animals?”

Xiao Yu never retaliated.

He’d simply grab a stick!

……

Six in the morning.

Xiao Yu opened his eyes and went to wash his face.

Another day of burning the midnight oil!

Reflecting on his past life, Xiao Yu felt he had been overly adolescent, stubborn, and contrarian.

He used to believe that every fiber of his being should be hard as steel.

Never back down—just fight!

Now, with a family to support, Xiao Yu couldn’t afford to act that way.

His body was his greatest asset—better preserved to care for his sister, right?

At seven o’clock, right outside the Criminal Investigation Team’s door.

Mu Qingwu, carrying a thermal lunchbox and accentuating her pregnant belly as she clutched her waist, walked towards him with a dazzling, gentle smile.

Xiao Yu’s heart softened instantly.

What could one do when their sister held such sway over them?

“Sis, sometimes I wish I could be reborn and start over.”

Mumbling while nibbling on his heart-shaped bento, Xiao Yu slurred,

“Why?”

Mu Qingwu, dabbing his mouth with a tissue, smiled like a pristine lotus, her eyes soft as a gentle stream.

“Because I’d love to go back to your childhood and grow up with you—so we could share so many more years together.”

Xiao Yu chuckled, “Like on your way home from school, carrying a Barbie doll and tricking you into signing a promise that you’d marry me when you grew up!”

“Haha!”

Mu Qingwu covered her mouth with a playful laugh, her coy glance filled with mischief, “Even now, I’m way too easy to fool!”

“Sis, can you at least speak with some integrity?”

A slightly frustrated Xiao Yu began his teasing complaint, “If you’re that gullible, then I must be a complete idiot!”

If there were a ranking for smart people,

Mu Qingwu would definitely be among Xiao Yu’s top three.

Unless my sister does it willingly, you really think you can trick her?

You must be dreaming.

Someone capable of running a billion-dollar conglomerate has a cunning mind hidden in every hair!

“Then didn’t you already manage to fool me?” giggled Mu Qingwu.

“Stop messing around—it was my plan to win you over in the first place.”

Xiao Yu, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused, grumbled, “Damn it, I ended up being conquered by my sister!”

“Oh, really?”

Mu Qingwu laughed softly, “Well, it’s my fault, isn’t it?”

“No doubt about it.”

After taking a hearty bite, Xiao Yu nodded emphatically, “It’s your fault, sis—so you owe me compensation for the damage done to my tender, fragile heart.”

“Is that so.”

Mu Qingwu reached out and gently pinched her little brother’s handsome cheek with mock annoyance, “So, what kind of girl do you fancy? Tell me and maybe I’ll change my look just for you.”

Damn, that was a deadly proposition… Xiao Yu’s forehead broke into a sweat as he blurted, “How could I ever fancy a girl? In this life, I only have my sister—I’ll always adore my dear sister!”

“Ha!”

Mu Qingwu’s playful smile faded as she said, “You’re obedient enough!”

Damn, I gave it my all only to end up with nothing but a lonely taste… Xiao Yu’s eyes darted as he quickly devoured his meal, grabbed Mu Qingwu’s small hand, and said, “Come on, let’s find a spot to kiss!”

Mu Qingwu: ……

How could my little brother be so shameless as to say it so boldly?

“Are you feeling shy?”

Xiao Yu grinned widely, locking eyes with his sister, “If you’re shy, let’s find somewhere secluded…”

Mu Qingwu’s lips met Xiao Yu’s.

How could she be shy? I’ve already closed my eyes…