Li Yue and the Three Thugs Died

"Think it's too little?" Bai Jin's voice was gentle and smiling. Though it sounded like heavenly music, to the lead thug, it was as terrifying as the voice of a death-dealing madman.

The lead thug frantically waved his hands. "Not little, not little. It's too much. Really, money for a pack of cigarettes would've been enough."

Bai Jin nodded in satisfaction. "Fine, then thirty. That's just enough for you to buy a pack of Furongwang."

The lead thug dared not voice his anger and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes. Young Master Bai, you're right!"

Bai Jin paused before adding, "But smoking is bad for your health..."

Too stunned to even be afraid, the lead thug raised his head in disbelief. "Young Master Bai, thirty can't be any less."

Could it be that he would not even give them thirty?!

Then would they not have taken tonight's beating for nothing?

"Look how anxious you are. I never said I wasn't giving it to you." Seeing that he had scared them enough, Bai Jin shoved both hands into his pockets and casually kicked the iron rod away. "All right, get lost."

"Thank you, Young Master Bai." The three thugs instantly lost their previous listless state and hobbled away while supporting one another.

They moved as fast as though a fierce tiger were chasing them from behind.

Was he not a fierce tiger?

How could they have expected that skinny, frail-looking Bai Jin would be so ferocious in a fight?

These days, money was hard to earn, and shit was hard to eat!

Humming a little tune, Bai Jin strolled back home.

After returning home, he took a nice, comfortable bath, then climbed into bed, intending to meet the Duke of Zhou.

But less than three hours after falling asleep, he was awakened by the noise.

It was a call from Lu Chengze.

"Kid, the police need you to cooperate with something." Lu Chengze's voice sounded as usual, but Bai Jin could hear that something was off.

He sat up in bed and asked hoarsely, "What happened?"

"Half an hour ago, the police received a report that Li Yue and three thugs had died in the alley behind a bar. On one thug's phone, there was also an undialed call to your number."

Bai Jin's expression turned ugly, and his eyes changed in an instant.

But his persona was that of a pure little rabbit. Upon hearing this, his voice carried a trace of panic. "I-I'll come right over."

"I've already had Lu Shui go pick you up. Don't panic. I'm here for you." Lu Chengze comforted Bai Jin.

In truth, Bai Jin did not need to make the trip himself, but Lu Chengze sensed that this might not be a simple case of someone deliberately framing Bai Jin.

Lu Chengze was uneasy about leaving Bai Jin home alone, so he simply decided to bring him to his side. It would be safer if he kept an eye on him personally.

Bai Jin had also realized that a larger conspiracy lay hidden behind this matter. He changed clothes as quickly as possible, then concealed everything in the house that might expose him. Even the backup computer and phone he kept at home were completely formatted.

After circling the room twice and making sure that, on the surface, there was nothing that could expose his identity, Bai Jin finally opened the door and left.

The moment he reached downstairs, a flashy red Ferrari slowly pulled up. Lu Shui gave Bai Jin a bright smile. "Young Master Bai, Fifth Master sent me to pick you up."

Bai Jin nodded and took the front passenger seat. After fastening his seatbelt, he quietly and obediently placed both hands on his knees and stared ahead.

Though he tried hard to relax, Lu Shui could still see Bai Jin's nervous helplessness.

Afraid of frightening Bai Jin further, Lu Shui unconsciously lowered his voice. "Young Master Bai, don't worry. It's okay. Fifth Master woke you up in the middle of the night because he was afraid you might be in danger alone at home. Once we get to the police station, just tell the truth."

"Mm, I understand." Bai Jin forced a smile.

Lu Shui scratched his head. Was he still scared?

Well, they had met those people just a few hours ago, and now they were suddenly dead.

Before dying, they had even tried to call him...

Any ordinary person would be frightened after finding that out.

Afraid that saying more would only make things worse, Lu Shui did not try to comfort Bai Jin again during the drive. Instead, he put on some soothing music and drove quietly.

They soon arrived at the police station.

Lu Chengze was already waiting there. The moment Lu Shui's car drove in, the man strode quickly toward it.

Before Bai Jin could open the door, Lu Chengze opened it first. He swept his gaze over Bai Jin's current condition and, seeing that he was relatively calm, finally relaxed.

"Fifth Master." Bai Jin let Lu Chengze take his hand and called to him softly.

Lu Chengze tightened his hold on the faintly trembling hand in his palm and coaxed him in a low voice. "Don't be afraid. This has little to do with you. I'll stay with you later. Just answer whatever they ask."

The kid really was frightened.

Bai Jin nodded and obediently answered, then followed Lu Chengze into the police station. They crossed the lobby and came to a meeting room on the second floor.

Actually, Bai Jin had still felt uncertain on the way here. After all, he did not know who was behind these deaths, nor why they had pointed the finger at him.

But when he saw Lu Chengze's concerned, gentle gaze just now, he suddenly felt reassured.

Someone was protecting him now, too.

Several young police officers in uniform sat in the small meeting room. Judging by their epaulets, however, their identities were clearly anything but ordinary.

Seeing Bai Jin quietly standing beside Lu Chengze, one of the young officers smiled at Bai Jin and gestured for him to sit. "Young Master Bai, sorry to make you come all this way. Please, have a seat."

Bai Jin merely nodded and sat down.

Lu Chengze sat beside Bai Jin, his posture lazy as half his body leaned toward Bai Jin, declaring his stance to everyone present through his body language.

"Kid, these officers are from the city bureau. They just want to ask you a few questions. Answer what you know, and if you don't know, say you don't know. Don't be nervous, hm?"

Bai Jin took a deep breath. "Okay."

Only then did Lu Chengze signal to the young officers across from them that they could begin questioning him.

The young officers exchanged glances. If they had not needed to remain serious while on duty, they would have rolled their eyes at Lu Chengze again.

Was it necessary to be this protective?

Were they floods and wild beasts?

"That's right, Young Master Bai, don't be nervous. We invited you here so late because the police received a report tonight. Four victims were brutally murdered beside the dumpsters in the alley behind a bar, and one of the victims had your phone number saved in his phone."

As he spoke, a young officer beside him promptly took out a crime scene photograph and placed it beside Bai Jin's hand. "Please take a look. Is this your phone number?"

Bai Jin glanced at it and nodded. "That's my number."

"May I ask what your relationship was with this victim?" Then, the young officer took out a full-body photograph of the deceased and pressed on.

Bai Jin pursed his lips. "...I had no relationship with him."

Hearing Bai Jin's answer, the young officer's tone unconsciously grew heavier. "If you had no relationship with the victim, why did he have your phone number saved?"

Lu Chengze frowned. Though he did not speak up to stop him, his gaze toward the young officer had already turned sharp.