Chapter 29: Against the Clock
by xennovel“What are you doing?”
A gentle, melodious voice emanated from the phone.
On the rooftop of a residential building at the crime scene, Xiao Yu, on a call, nearly damaged his hearing.
So tender… did Mu Qingwu get abducted by aliens?
“Is my mom with you?” Xiao Yu guessed.
“Aunt… Grandmother asked me to check what time you’ll be home.”
Mu Qingwu’s voice, laced with helplessness, replied, “Grandmother says if you don’t return… I’ll beat you to death!”
“Sis, have you been kidnapped?”
Xiao Yu teased, “If so, just a wink?”
“Ha!”
Mu Qingwu’s laughter came over the phone, playfully chiding, “When are you getting home?”
“I can’t go back for now; I have to work late.”
Glancing at the sunset’s afterglow, Xiao Yu said, “I’ve got a rather tricky case that needs handling.”
“I see…”
After a brief pause, Mu Qingwu asked, “Have you eaten?”
Xiao Yu managed a wry smile, “No time for meals.”
“Your health will suffer.”
In a gentle tone, Mu Qingwu offered, “Where are you? Want me to order food and have it delivered?”
“No need for that much trouble.”
A warm feeling stirred within Xiao Yu as he laughed, “Let’s just get some takeout to tide us over…”
Before he could finish, Mu Qingwu interjected, “Where?”
“Sis, your bossy streak is really annoying.”
Xiao Yu rolled his eyes, “I’m at…”
After giving the address and hanging up, he resumed his rooftop investigation.
Another half hour slipped by.
Members of the Special Investigation Team combed the rooftop but found no useful clues.
Leaning at the edge with his ‘Falcon’s Eye’ activated, Xiao Yu noticed traces in a corner gap that had clearly been swept clean.
It was common knowledge.
With so much dust, the sweeping inevitably left behind smudges and the marks of a broom.
Seeing these traces, Xiao Yu’s heart sank.
Who in the middle of winter would be sweeping a residential rooftop?
“Xiù Er, is that you?”
Since the rooftop dust had been cleared, footprints were surely gone.
This whole operation left Xiao Yu with one thought: utterly baffling!
A chill, like an icy snake slithering past his back, sent shivers down his spine.
It was easy to deduce that this person had remarkable nerve.
To handle such a gruesome scene and yet methodically finish the cleanup…
It smelt distinctly of palace intrigue!
No, wait…
Smack!
Xiao Yu slapped his forehead.
If he overthought it, he’d be stuck in a loop.
In every case, solving the mystery is about subtraction.
The more complicated the case, the more flaws there are.
Xiao Yu stood up and addressed his team, “This path leads nowhere. Let’s grab a bite.”
As everyone headed downstairs and debated what to eat,
a Rolls-Royce rolled into the neighborhood and parked right in front of them. A woman stepped out.
Several team members’ eyes went wide.
The woman blended the intellect of a caring aunt, the allure of a family friend, and the charm of a nearby older sister, utterly captivating.
Seeing a group of officers, her exquisite beauty remained calm as she waved at Xiao Yu.
“Hmm?”
Eight pairs of eyes fixed on Xiao Yu.
“Um…”
Xiao Yu threw his hands up, “That’s my wife!”
The team was silent.
Surely this must be fake, right?
How can you be so young, not only having a wife but one this stunning?
No, ‘stunning’ hardly does her justice.
Her face and figure aside, just her graceful and elegant aura could outshine 99% of women!
“I told you not to come over.”
Walking over to Mu Qingwu, Xiao Yu asked, “Are you cold?”
“I just needed some fresh air.”
Mu Qingwu shook her head, “My mom and mother-in-law… they’re all back home. I’m a bit out of practice!”
“You’re using that as an excuse to slip away, aren’t you?”
Xiao Yu instantly saw through the aloof yet commanding demeanor of the ice queen.
Just then, members of the Special Investigation Team joined them.
“These are my colleagues,” Xiao Yu introduced.
“Hello,” they greeted.
With a smile, Mu Qingwu declared, “I’m Mu Qingwu, Xiao Yu’s… wife!”
She meant to say ‘sister’ but somehow blurted out ‘wife’ instead…
“Hello, hello.”
The team laughed and nodded warmly.
Xiao Yu asked, “Have you eaten?”
Mu Qingwu shook her head.
Xiao Yu reached out, “Let’s eat together.”
Naturally, Mu Qingwu raised her hand and placed it in his…
Everyone headed to a decent restaurant.
They ordered several dishes but no alcohol.
Work doesn’t allow for drinking.
Knowing Mu Qingwu avoids greasy food, Xiao Yu ordered two light dishes.
Mu Qingwu’s beautiful eyes curved into a crescent as she glanced at him.
Perhaps hungry, or for another reason, she ate a bowl of rice.
Listening to Xiao Yu and his colleagues laughing and chatting.
Time and again, like a caring wife, Mu Qingwu would pass a dish to Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu would glance at her and smile.
Mu Qingwu would pout and give him a playful look.
An indescribable warmth passed between them.
They seemed oblivious while the Special Investigation Team found it hard to bear.
Dishing out dog food to torture the dogs, huh?
Seriously, it was unbearable!
Everyone ate quickly.
After leaving the restaurant, Xiao Yu escorted Mu Qingwu to her car.
“Heading home tonight?”
Mu Qingwu’s long lashes caught the light, her face shimmering like warm jade.
Xiao Yu pondered for a moment, uncertain, “Probably not, I might finish this case around midnight.”
“Oh,” Mu Qingwu replied as she turned to get into the car.
Was she angry?
Because I’m not coming home?
“Um…”
Xiao Yu added, “I’ll try, but I might be late.”
Mu Qingwu turned her head, her lively eyes suddenly sparkling as she replied flatly, “Got it!”
Watching the Rolls-Royce pull away, Xiao Yu shook his head with a smile.
So adorably stubborn!