At this moment, Bai Xue was completely limp in Xiaofan's arms, unable to muster the energy to speak. She quietly buried her little head in Xiaofan's embrace, letting him carry her downstairs.

Over the years in Red Butterfly, she had had enough. She wasn't ignorant about what romance between a man and a woman entailed, but she could no longer endure the drawn-out process of a relationship; if she liked someone, she would admit it.

"Captain..."

Just as Xiaofan was carrying Bai Xue back to the room, Wang Ziyang came up the stairs and called out to Xiaofan.

Upon hearing the shout, Leng Yue also stepped out from the room, and upon seeing their intimate actions, she couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

"What?"

"Uncle Zhong called; he wants you to go over."

"What mission would there be during the New Year? I'm not going; let him find someone else."

"It's not a mission. It's quite a big deal and they hope you'll go over. I've heard a professor from the research institute has died at home."

"Hmm?"

A professor from the institute died? This has nothing to do with me, does it? Could it be that Zhu Fan suspects me? Seriously, even at a time like this, can't there be a moment of peace?

"Got it." Xiaofan glanced at the adorable person in his arms. Almost about to taste her, only to be interrupted. He didn't care what was happening; it could wait.

Seeing Xiaofan still carrying her towards the room, Bai Xue suddenly struggled a bit and slipped out of Xiaofan's embrace.

"I, I'm going back to sleep."

"Ah? This, aren't you going to sleep already?" Xiaofan stared blankly at Bai Xue.

"Go do your thing." Bai Xue, blushing, pulled Leng Yue back into the room.

It seemed that the idea of ringing in the New Year with a bang was not going to happen.

Xiaofan felt helpless, not knowing whether he should pursue her and drag her out. At that moment, he was really just trying to be considerate by worrying she might catch cold on the rooftop.

Taking out his phone, Xiaofan dialed Uncle Zhong as he walked down the stairs. They needed him for the death of a professor? Was every little thing now under suspicion aimed at him?

This was indeed too coincidental. Just as Xiaofan arrived at the research institute, a prominent professor died, of course causing suspicion.

However, it was a call to Xiaofan this time, not directly sending someone to bring him in, making it clear that the suspicion wasn't very serious.

All he needed was an alibi for where he was at the time of the crime.

"Princess, earlier, you were really planning with Black Mantis to..."

"Leng Yue, don't pry into my affairs."

"But, don't forget your identity. If you want to return to the country and grasp the power in your hands, you cannot let go so easily."

"I haven't given up. I just believe Black Mantis is a rare talent. If we could control him, it would greatly benefit our future," Bai Xue said coldly.

"Princess, he's a man. Though his capabilities are undeniable, don't forget, trying to seduce him here with charm is impossible. If he kicks you away..."

"Enough, I know what I'm doing. I'm going to rest now."

"Princess, you are the Celestial Emperor's youngest granddaughter. Your identity must not be exposed in front of Black Mantis. The Sakura Squad's Tanaka Yoshiko is already dead. If Zhu Fan finds out your real identity, you'll be in danger, too. Black Mantis is not a simple man..."

"Leng Yue, you also feel that he's extraordinary, right?"

"I..."

"When I see Ruyu smiling every day with Caterpillar, I envy that. She's brave, not having to worry about the future, while still seizing the present. You know well, my father sent me here so I could use Red Butterfly to gain him more power. Let's not even mention the chaos within Red Butterfly which is beyond our understanding, Zhu Fan himself, would he help you unconditionally? Now he's developing HLY007, and if he's successful, he'll look down on my father even more." Bai Xue said calmly.

"So, you killed the professor?"

"I killed him, in the morning, while buying dumpling wrappers."

"Good, at least you haven't forgotten your mission."

"No, I was just afraid of dying."

"What do you mean?" Leng Yue asked puzzledly.

"Nara He was a professor at Tokyo Medical University and was our family doctor for five years. At the market today, he recognized me and called my name. I didn't acknowledge him at the time, but I was scared, so I quietly followed him home and killed him with Black Scorpion's poison."

"He could recognize you?" Leng Yue asked in surprise.

"Indeed, I didn't expect to run into him here."

"So you felt your identity might be exposed and chose this time to approach Black Mantis..." Leng Yue realized, as Bai Xue wasn't the type to be casually affectionate with someone. To be honest, she thought the captain was quite remarkable himself, young and capable, with a remarkably steady approach that surely attracted women: "What's your plan now? How about we return to the homeland?"

"Return? What difference would it make? I'd still be treated as a pawn in a trade. Father would surely arrange a marriage to someone who could help him, so I'd rather die here," Bai Xue said coldly. "For now, let's take things one step at a time."

"..." Leng Yue didn't answer, knowing that with just the three of them, their strength was too weak. It was impossible to take a position within Red Butterfly.

Meanwhile, Xiaofan followed orders and arrived at the location. The professor's so-called home was actually a standalone two-story villa, and four bodyguards tasked with protecting him also lay dead. They were felled in one stroke, although two of them didn't sustain fatal injuries, appearing to have been poisoned.

After glancing at the bodies for a moment, Xiaofan slowly walked into the living room.

In the living room, Zhu Fan sat gloomily on the sofa, while Uncle Zhong and a group of experts stood silently behind him.

"Why was I called here?" Xiaofan asked indifferently. "Are you planning to frame me for murder again?"

"I do have that suspicion. It's too much of a coincidence that every time you show up somewhere, I get bad news."

"Are you saying I have bad luck? Do I have to take all the blame for these incidents?" Xiaofan forced the words out.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.