She Really Loves Sweets!

"?"

Bai Xuan narrowed his eyes, momentarily speechless.

Li Hongyou was stereotyping him. Besides, he'd stopped watching those videos of beautiful women ages ago.

"I don't usually watch those videos at school," he said.

"Oh, really?"

Li Hongyou nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Got a book? Lend me one."

"Math or literature?" Bai Xuan asked.

"Whatever. As long as it passes the time." Li Hongyou shrugged.

After a moment's thought, Bai Xuan took a treasured collector's-edition novel from his bag and handed it to her.

"Miss, the security officers and Investigators are stationed outside the villa," the old butler told Su Yue from the doorway. "Your father has asked you not to leave for the time being, in case it's dangerous."

"I understand."

Su Yue turned her gaze from the people outside the window to Marée Alaira. "Excuse me, is Mr. Slime Mask nearby?"

"Why?"

Marée Alaira's voice was cool. "Do you need him?"

"N-no..."

Su Yue shook her head quickly, though inwardly she felt at a loss.

With the Star-Love Demon Eye, talking to people had always been easy for her. Everyone responded patiently, like a friend she'd only just met.

But Marée Alaira was different. She was always cold, with even a trace of... contempt?

She looked at Su Yue as if she were a cockroach, not worth the trouble of speaking to.

Unable to bear the awkward silence, Su Yue turned back to the window.

Police cars now crowded the road outside the villa.

Bai Yu stepped out of one of them and looked thoughtfully at the luxurious villa beyond the wall.

"Bai Yu, you're finally here!"

Two security officers approached her. "The higher-ups have assigned you to security inside the villa."

"Got it." Bai Yu nodded, then asked, "Whose house is this, anyway? And who are we protecting?"

"This is the home of Su Jinghai, the richest man in Ninghang City."

Huang Xin arrived with a woman and explained, "Our assignment is to guard the estate. Its owner could be threatened by the Evil Organization at any moment."

"The Evil Organization?"

Bai Yu frowned slightly.

She had heard of the organization, but knew little about it.

"However," Huang Xin continued, "Miss Su doesn't quite trust the Investigation Bureau, so security officers will need to help guard the inside of the estate."

"She doesn't trust the Investigation Bureau?" Bai Yu frowned, puzzled.

"Probably something from her childhood." Huang Xin shrugged. "Oh, this is Shen Mei, a colleague from the Ninghang City Investigation Bureau. I thought you two should meet."

He gestured to the woman beside him.

"She's the security officer you mentioned?" Shen Mei asked, looking at Bai Yu.

"That's right." Huang Xin nodded. "Officer Bai Yu is agile and quick-thinking. She's more than qualified to join the Investigation Bureau as an Investigation Assistant."

"Is that so?" Shen Mei studied Bai Yu. "If you're interested in joining, come give it a try. The Ninghang City Investigation Bureau always welcomes capable people."

"I'll consider it." Bai Yu nodded, without committing herself.

Hm?

Bai Yu suddenly looked up toward a point in the sky.

For some reason, she sensed a familiar presence there.

She murmured, "Is it that girl in the qipao? Is she involved in this assignment too?"

After school, Bai Xuan packed his bag and prepared to go home.

Li Hongyou, sitting beside him, suddenly stopped him. "Kid, is your sister home?"

"I think she's away on another business trip," Bai Xuan replied.

"Is that so?"

Li Hongyou closed her book and looked at him. "Come on, then. Dinner's on me."

"Why?" Bai Xuan asked, confused.

He and Li Hongyou... weren't close enough to have dinner together, were they?

"There are a few things I want to ask you."

As she spoke, Li Hongyou stood and returned his book.

Bai Xuan thought it over and didn't refuse. "All right, but I can't stay out overnight or drink. I'm a good kid."

"?"

Li Hongyou glanced at him but said only, "There's a restaurant in Ninghang City I've been wanting to try."

Bai Xuan said nothing more and followed her.

Free dinner... Not bad.

Before long, they entered an upscale restaurant.

Bai Xuan didn't catch what kind of card Li Hongyou showed, but one look at it was enough for the manager to escort them respectfully to the private room with the best view.

Dishes soon began arriving one after another.

Every one looked exquisite and tempting. The only problem was that they all seemed to be on the sweet side.

And Bai Xuan wasn't fond of sweet food...

"What's wrong, kid?"

Seeing his hesitation, Li Hongyou asked, "Nothing you like?"

"It's not that." Bai Xuan shook his head. "I'm just not big on sweets."

"You don't like sweets?"

Li Hongyou gave a small shrug and sighed. "What a tasteless little kid. When you're older, you'll appreciate them."

"What's so good about them?"

"They make your mind more active."

"..."

Bai Xuan paused, then asked, "Why are you acting a little strange today? You don't seem like yourself."

Li Hongyou fell silent for a moment. "What? Do you know me that well, kid?"

"No."

Bai Xuan shook his head and let the subject drop. "So, Miss Li Hongyou, what did you want to ask me over dinner?"

"No rush. Let's finish eating first."

Li Hongyou picked up a glistening, cloyingly sweet piece of braised pork and popped it into her mouth, chewing with obvious delight.

Bai Xuan could only eat in silence.

Once they had nearly finished, Li Hongyou gently wiped the corners of her mouth with a wet wipe. "Kid, do you want to join the Public Security Bureau like your sister after you graduate?"

"No."

Bai Xuan answered without hesitation.

Li Hongyou looked up and studied his face for a moment. "Then what do you want to do?"

"I haven't decided."

Bai Xuan shrugged.

"What?" Li Hongyou leaned forward slightly, her tone turning challenging. "You don't want to tell me?"

"No, I just haven't thought it through," Bai Xuan replied casually.

"Then how about becoming an Investigator?" Li Hongyou suggested.

"An Investigator? I don't have superpowers." Bai Xuan shook his head repeatedly. "If I did, maybe I'd consider it."

Li Hongyou glanced at him and tapped her cheek with a fingertip. "Then tell me: what kind of superpower would convince you to join the Investigation Bureau?"