There were thirty-one bodies lying in the salon. The cause of death was the same. Shrivelled up brains rotting prematurely. Everything was the same. There were no traces left by the culprit.

As he looked at the dead bodies, a chill ran down his spine. Xia Lei knew who the killer was, yet he had no way of solving this problem.

Standing from the perspective of justice, conscience and law, he should tell them the truth.

However, his better judgement refrained him from doing so. Zhu Xuanyue was a non-human presence that was involved in the secret of the ancient alloy and AE capsule. More importantly, he had the looming threat of the black-robed man. The man had said that he would return three years later to kill him. Zhu Xuanyue was the only person who could defend him. It was obvious she would help him when the time came.

Solving the secret of the ancient alloy and AE capsule was his life’s wish. For now, he could not reveal Zhu Xuanyue’s secret. However, as he looked at all the bodies on the ground, he was filled with guilt. They were mothers who had children, wives, how many people were in deep grief over their deaths? Who would seek justice for these people?

He was in a mess.

“Kid, what are you thinking?” Shi Boren interrupted the silence

Xia Lei snapped back to reality. “Uh, not much.”

Shi Boren’s brows furrowed. “I brought you here to assist me, not space out. You have to think of a solution for this. I have personally taken this case for myself. It’s the last case of my career. You wouldn’t want me to end my career with failure, do you?”

At that moment, Xia Lei almost told him the truth but he swallowed his words. His guilt worsened but the words that came out of his lips betrayed his conscience. “I’ll do my best but I’m not sure how much of a help I’ll be.”

Shi Boren said, “If I know who did this, I’ll kill them no matter where they hide. Fuck, they’re sick animals!”

Xia Lei filled with guilt. While Shi Boren was cursing the culprit in front of the ‘accomplice’.

One hour later, the bodies were taken away.

Shi Boren wanted Xia Lei to attend a meeting in Bureau 101 but Xia Lei refused, saying he had matters to attend to with his company. Before he left, he pulled Long Bing aside and whispered. “The bag really contains evidence of Yu Shanhe and Ling Han’s criminal activity. This will help you.”

“Ah?” Long Bing was shocked. She hadn’t believed him before. Now that he mentioned it again, she thought differently.

“You just have to pick the right time and submit it.” Xia Lei patted her shoulder. “I’m going back, call me if you have any problems.”

“Mm.” she nodded, looking at him warmly. Even the strongest woman still enjoyed when there was a man who cared for her. Xia Lei had helped her as her man.

“What are you two whispering about?” said Shi Boren, displeased. “Kid, leave if you want. Long Bing still has to work.”

“Alright, I’m going,” said Xia Lei.

“I’ll send you off.” Liang Siyao came in.

“Mm.” Xia Lei nodded.

Shi Boren said, “No, you have to attend the meeting too.”

Liang Siyao said, “Boss Shi, I have some ideas and I want to discuss them with Lei. He’s an expert on this and his opinions will help us a lot. If he doesn’t have time to attend the meeting, I’ll quickly talk to him about it. It’s for the case.”

Shi Boren hesitated but finally nodded. “Go, I’ll give you half an hour.”

“Alright, no problem.” Liang Siyao went to get her car.

Xia Lei went to Liang Siyao’s car and they drove towards Bailu.

Shi Boren watched as Liang Siyao left. After a few moments, he sighed. “That brat. You messed around with three members of the Bureau already. I shouldn’t have let you in. Sigh, Yuyan, she’s just unfortunate. But he’s such an unfaithful man. It’s a good thing you both can’t be together.”

At this moment, Tang Yuyan could not hear him. She was avoiding Xia Lei. Knowing Xia Lei would come to help with investigations, she did not come.

A BMW M6 flew down the highway.

“How is the Master these days?” Xia Lei found a topic to talk about.

“Same thing. Practising his martial arts, bird watching, playing chess with a few old men in the park. He’s living well,” said Liang Siyao. “He misses you but he’s too embarrassed to call you. You should visit him.”

“Mmm, I’ll go when I am free. Send my regards to the old man.” Xia Lei felt guilty towards Liang Zhengchun.

“You and Fan Fan...” Liang Siyao spoke but then stopped. Her eyes darted at Xia Lei in the passenger seat.

Xia Lei smiled bitterly. “It’s fake. I just did not want the Tang family to keep bothering me. I only told you and Long Bing. Do not tell my father or Master. If the Tang family knows, they will...”

Liang Siyao interrupted him. “I’m not stupid, why would I tell anyone? But I’m very happy you told me.” she smiled.

“Tang Yuyan will succeed Shi Boren and the cards will be reshuffled in Bureau 101. Long Bing loves her job. I’ll help her stay there. However, I don’t suggest you stay there. I’d rather you resign and come work in my company,” said Xia Lei.

She sighed. “I’m the pig, the pig should...”

“Sacrifice yourself? Idiot!” Xia Lei interrupted her. “I don’t know how my father convinced you but I do not want you to sacrifice yourself. In the past, the Zodiac team was led by my father. Now, I am its leader. I will not lead as he did. No one should sacrifice themselves.”

“You... still care for me?” Liang Siyao stopped her car on the side of the road, staring intently at Xia Lei. Shi Boren only gave her half an hour. That was enough for her to go to the Thunder Horse Factory and return but she did not care now.

Xia Lei avoided her gaze and looked out at the fields and the grey skies. “I might die. And if I cannot avoid it, I want to leave some things behind for you so you’ll live a good life.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Liang Siyao cupped his face, turning it so he’d look at her. She stared into his eyes. “Look at me, I don’t want you to say that again!”

Xia Lei looked into her eyes with melancholy. “It will be very dangerous for you to stay in Bureau 101. Your past is a time bomb. If I’m here, I can protect you. But when I’m not here, people would start triggering the bombs. Then what will you do? Leave the Bureau, come work in my company. Compared to the battlefield, you’ll do better in a company.”

“You...” Her eyes watered. “You’re already planning for your death? You’re planning for my life after your death? Tell me, what happened? Why are you saying you’ll die?”

Xia Lei forced a smile. “It’s nothing, I’m just talking. Promise me you’ll resign. Come to my company.”

Liang Siyao teared up even more. “In the past, in the factory, I was the lady boss. When I return, what will I be? Your staff? Or...”

Xia Lei grabbed her wrist. “Still the lady boss.”

She froze.

He smiled. “Do you want to be the lady boss?”

She rolled her eyes. “Fan Fan is your lady boss, alright? What am I?”

“She’s the fake lady boss, you’re the real lady boss.”

“Hmmph, I don’t believe you. How many lady bosses do you have?”

Xia Lei stuttered “I...”

“No, Long Bing was right. I’ll live better if I shed off all this weight. Shentu Tianyin couldn’t control you. Tang Yuyan couldn’t control you. Fan Fan couldn’t control you. Then why should I?”

Liang Siyao seemed to have this revelation and became more relaxed. “A man like you will never have a true lady boss. It’s fine. I am willing to be a fake lady boss. I’ll resign today then be with you in the future.”

Xia Lei smiled. His Siyao was finally back to him.

Liang Siyao suddenly leaned forward and kissed his lips. A hot, wet kiss then became a tongue kiss.

Since she returned, she had never been truly happy. Now that she had shed the weight in her heart, she suddenly became the sister disciple in Haizhu where she was filled with joy. Since Xia Lei was a man who would never have a true partner, so what if she became a ‘fake’ lady boss? He still cared for her, loved her, and thought about her. He treated her like a wife. Why did she need a marriage certificate?

It was just a piece of paper.

Shentu Tianyin had gotten that piece of paper. But what happened next?

“Let’s have a child,” said Xia Lei.

“Huh?” Liang Siyao was stunned.

“I’m serious,” said Xia Lei.

Liang Siyao was blushed. “You’re so impatient! I just agreed to come back and you want a child.”

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Three years. The black-robed man gave him three years. He had to plan for his life. He will plan a will for his woman and his child. If one day he really passed away, he wanted them to live well. However, he could not tell her this. This was a burden he carried on his own.

“Are you willing to do it?” asked Xia Lei.

“You were the one who asked for it! We’ll do it now!” Liang Siyao suddenly crawled over and sat on Xia Lei.

Beep beep beep!

A truck honked at them.

She frantically crawled back to the driver’s seat, blushing. “Fine, I’ll let you go this time.”

Xia Lei smiled. “You speak as if I should be afraid of you.”

She rolled her eyes. “When have I ever been afraid of you? But... I guess you must’ve done it with Long Bing just now. I don’t want to use her hand-me-downs.”

“Hey! You can have sex if you want! I’ll wait!” roared the truck driver, smirking.

Liang Siyao raised her hand and pointed her middle finger.

With an angry roar, the BMW rushed ahead.

It was the sound of pure joy.