Chapter 483: Never Dated: Secrets and Confessions

Chapter 483: Never Dated (Update 1)

For such a major case, why hasn’t System Dad stepped in?

So perplexing—Xiao Yu got up, freshened up, and was about to head out for lunch when his phone rang.

“Master, why didn’t you come to work?” his apprentice Wang Cheng asked over the phone.

Xiao Yu chuckled and replied, “I’ve got a little personal errand to run. Both the Boss and my employer know all about it.”

“I see,”

Wang Cheng mentioned that someone from the team had said his master used to take on ‘private gigs.’

What exactly those gigs were, even the Old Man on the team couldn’t say.

Apparently only the Boss knew—they were highly classified.

“If you’ve got something to discuss, now’s the time.”

Xiao Yu grabbed his phone and stepped out of his room.

At the door, two members from Team Two fell in behind him.

His rank clearly spoke for itself now.

It hadn’t been a big deal back when he was with the Criminal Police.

But after his transformation into the leader of National Security, he now had a couple of dedicated aides.

One acted as his bodyguard,

and the other as a runner.

Though with Xiao Yu’s abilities, having just two bodyguards was almost laughable.

Still, a National Security leader has to maintain a certain prestige…

“Hehe, Master, you understand—I’m just an intern, enjoying my weekends off.”

Wang Cheng laughed, “I was planning a trip with my girlfriend to strengthen our bond. You’re the veteran… or rather, you’re the one who’s been there. I want to learn from you.”

Now even his own apprentice treated him like a tool… Xiao Yu was both exasperated and amused as he said, “Go take your girlfriend traveling.”

“Huh?”

Wang Cheng, utterly exasperated, blurted, “What do you mean?”

“It’s simple.”

Xiao Yu grinned mischievously, “Many couples with ambiguous bonds boost their intimacy by traveling together. Before you know it, you end up so caught up… even a baby might be on board!”

“Master, cut the jokes—I’m serious here.”

Wang Cheng, convinced his master was setting him up yet lacking proof, felt utterly frustrated.

“How would I know?”

Xiao Yu sighed, “When your mentor and I were together… you might not believe it—but we got our marriage certificate even before we started dating!”

Just the thought made him chuckle.

And so, Xiao Yu recounted his own love history to his apprentice…

They initially planned to pose as a couple, having just met both sets of parents.

But it turned out that both mothers were actually best friends.

Without even a chance to react, they rushed to the Civil Affairs Bureau to register!

He remembered how both he and Mu Qingwu nearly lost it back then…

“No way?”

On the other end, Wang Cheng’s mouth hung open like a hippo’s as he looked like he’d seen a ghost, “Does it really have to be that dramatic?”

“It sure is.”

Xiao Yu laughed, “Luckily, as I slowly grew closer to your mentor, it just happened naturally… and I truly never dated before marriage!”

The more he thought about it,

the more he realized he owed his sister even more.

He’d have to make it up to her gradually!

……

M City, National Security Bureau.

In top-tier and first-tier cities alike,

there’s always a National Security case unit.

Their primary mission is counter-espionage,

along with other national security duties.

Upon Xiao Yu’s arrival, Da Ju and the deputy director greeted him warmly.

In terms of rank,

a team outranks the City Bureau by half a grade, though it sits just half a grade below the Provincial Department.

When it comes to authority, a team leader’s power is nearly limitless!

Inside the meeting room.

Wang Dong, who hadn’t slept all night, gave a nod to Xiao Yu as he entered, his eyes bloodshot.

“Take a quick nap,” he suggested.

Xiao Yu slotted into a chair and said, “As you hit middle age, you must learn to take care of yourself—soaking goji berries in your thermos is just the trick.”

“Damn…”

Flipping his little brother the middle finger, Wang Dong laughed and chided, “One day you’ll hit middle age too—stop acting so cocky.”

“We’re not the same,”

Xiao Yu replied with a warm grin, “Unlike me, who can pull off any style, any mood, always bursting with energy and freedom. I’ll never grow old—I choose to live in a way that’s irreplaceable…”

And he wasn’t joking.

Combined, his age was far beyond Wang Dong’s.

“Just stop talking,”

Wang Dong laughed and shook his head, “Whether you’re the bad guy or not, you’re still contributing to society.”

He was dead serious, too!

“How’s the investigation going?” Xiao Yu asked in a firm tone.

“No significant progress,”

Wang Dong’s smile vanished as his face turned serious. “Looking into the nine victims, it appears that since their college graduation, they had no obvious connections. Most barely interacted. However…”

“However?” Xiao Yu smirked.

Half-finished sentences can be as fatal as a death sentence.

Just as if all cousins were destined to perish.

And that wasn’t Xiao Yu’s words.

It was something a renowned author of water novels once said.

“Investigations reveal that four of the victims were avid travelers.”

Wang Dong picked up a tablet and frowned while scrutinizing its documents. “These four victims all graduated in the same year—they’re all 24 now. Over the past two years, the most frequent traveler went seven times while the least went five times. They were really into… budget travel!”

Budget travel is a trendy way of exploring that’s taken off in recent years.

It lets you explore the world on a shoestring while seeking maximum fulfillment with minimal spending.

It isn’t about poverty for its own sake—it’s simply a new way of journeying.

It’s not about wealth or lack thereof—it’s about experiencing as much of the world as possible on a minimal budget…

When it came to that, Xiao Yu had nothing to say.

“These four victims didn’t travel together or even stay in touch during their trips.”

Wang Dong continued, “But these four were acquainted with the other six victims.”

“Six people?”

Xiao Yu reached for a cigarette and paused, “Does that include victim Shi Yanwan?”

“That’s right,”

Wang Dong nodded, grabbed the cigarette box from his little brother, took one out, lit it, and took a drag.

But he noticed Xiao Yu had a cigarette in his mouth without lighting it and asked, “Why aren’t you smoking?”

“My sister told me to cut down,” Xiao Yu replied with a sly smile.

“Listen to your wife and you’ll get rich, huh?” Wang Dong scoffed.

That comment nearly made him want to smack himself.

“Damn… my little brother’s wife is loaded!”

“Hehe!”

Xiao Yu snorted, took the tablet from Wang Dong’s hand, and scanned the investigation report.

After a moment’s thought, he squinted, “Based on these four, there still appears to be some connection among all ten victims?”

“Hmm?”

Wang Dong pondered for a moment and nodded, “Indeed, there is!”

“There’s a problem.”

Xiao Yu put down the tablet. “Investigate further… I’m off to meet Shi Yanwan.”

Why am I meeting Shi Yanwan?

Remember, in her statement she claimed

that she didn’t know any of the other nine.

She lied!