Chapter 39: So Even Spirits Can Be Bewitched

The middle-aged woman furrowed her brow, clutched her stomach in agony, and stumbled back two steps before collapsing to the ground.

A small crowd had already gathered nearby, and the woman’s fall immediately drew in those idling in the small square. Seeing her wailing in pain, onlookers hurriedly pulled out their phones to call the police. Qiu Yiyao, however, remained completely unruffled; in fact, she was eager for the police to arrive and haul her back to the station.

"Look at that young girl, so young yet so ruthless."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. She doesn't even fear a tigress like that woman; she’s bound to suffer for it one day."

"We’d better keep our distance so we don't get caught in the crossfire."

Listening to the whispers of the onlookers, Qiu Yiyao crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the ticket window with a relaxed air. Turning her head, she noticed Bai Peiyu staring at her. His gaze was sharp, as if he were trying to decipher the motive behind her actions.

"What are you looking at? That was self-defense."

Qiu Yiyao’s tone was sharp. Bai Peiyu didn't reply; he simply moved over and stood beside her, though it was unclear whether he was protecting her from the crowd or guarding against the possibility of the woman suddenly jumping up to retaliate.

Above them, large, dark clouds drifted in to blot out the sun, and the sky turned gloomy, threatening rain. Soon, a police car screeched to a halt.

The middle-aged woman immediately played the victim, pointing at Qiu Yiyao and hurling insults, demanding that the police lock her away for years. Qiu Yiyao accepted the accusations without protest: "That’s right, I struck first. If you want to arrest me, go ahead."

She hadn't practiced any iron-head technique, and no matter how hard she had bumped into the woman, it wasn't enough to kill anyone. She wasn't worried about being imprisoned for years. The woman continued to howl in pain, so the police had no choice but to escort them both into the cruiser.

Watching the scenery outside the window blur past, Qiu Yiyao breathed a sigh of relief. For a fleeting moment, she finally felt free. Little did she know that just a short distance behind the police car, Bai Peiyu was trailing them on his motorcycle.

Upon arriving at the station, Qiu Yiyao seemed like a different person. She began to weep bitterly, claiming it had been an accident. She insisted that because the woman was so stout and fierce-looking, she had been terrified of being beaten and had simply struck first to gain the upper hand. She cried with such pathetic, heart-wrenching sincerity that the young officer taking her statement handed her a tissue, scratching his head in frustration.

Fortunately, word soon came from the hospital: the woman’s examination showed no serious injuries. After all, with such a thick layer of fat on her belly, it wasn't that easy to sustain a real injury. Hearing this, the officer looked at the seemingly pitiful Qiu Yiyao, gave her a stern lecture, and prepared to let her go.

Just then, Qiu Yiyao suddenly asked, "Officer, I heard that someone on a motorcycle hit and killed someone a few days ago. Is that true?"

"Of course it's true." The officer, busy packing up his papers, replied casually, "The bike was moving so fast the victim was nearly torn apart. It was tragic, sigh." He sighed again and added, "Young lady, you must remember: no matter the situation, never act on impulse."

"I understand. I'll remember that," Qiu Yiyao said, nodding, but her expression darkened a second later. "Officer, was that perpetrator a survivor of the recent landslide?"

The officer seemed caught off guard by the question and sat back down after having already stood up. "You know him?"

Qiu Yiyao shook her head, then hesitated and nodded. "I suppose you could say that. I was on that same train carriage returning home, and I spoke to him a few times."

"Oh," the officer said with a look of realization. "To be honest, the whole thing was due to his own negligence. Even if he thought the intersection was clear, he shouldn't have been speeding. One crash destroyed two families."

Seeing the officer speaking so freely, Qiu Yiyao didn't know if he was intentionally revealing information or if he was simply caught off guard.

"Exactly. I heard him mention on the train that he had elderly parents and young children at home. With this accident, the pillar of his family has collapsed. What will they do now?"

"Is that so? I thought he only had a wife and children; I heard his parents passed away years ago." The officer frowned, appearing to rack his memory.

"Really? I must have misremembered." Qiu Yiyao had made the story up, so she quickly pivoted. "Officer, may I ask a favor? Could I visit him?" She added, "We were acquaintances, and we both survived the landslide, so I’m quite moved by it all. Since I’m here today, I wanted to see him; otherwise, I don't know if I'll have another chance."

The officer shook his head. "I'm sorry, the suspect is currently in detention. No visitors allowed."

Qiu Yiyao had anticipated this response and let out a disappointed "Oh."

"Then, could I visit his children instead? Could you give me his home address?"

"Visit his children?"

"Yes. They must be so miserable. I wanted to buy some things and go check on his family."

"This..." The officer hesitated. "I'm sorry, we cannot disclose a suspect's personal information to anyone."

"Officer, I just want the address. Please, consider it a favor. I'll treat you to a meal when I have time." Qiu Yiyao deployed her charm, her eyes reddening and her tone softening until it was impossible not to feel for her.

The officer wavered for a moment before nodding. "This... no need for a meal. Tell you what, wait here. I'll go get the file."

Qiu Yiyao thanked him profusely while gloating inwardly: so even a lawman could be swayed by a pretty face.

Before long, the officer returned with a file. He sat down opposite her, but just as he flipped open a page, someone called for him from outside.

"Coming!"

He closed the file and hurried out of the room. Qiu Yiyao could barely contain her grin—heaven really was helping her. Seeing the door click shut, she grabbed the file and frantically scanned the case records. Her memory was usually average, but in this tense, adrenaline-fueled environment, she read at a glance, committing every detail to heart.

Just as she reached the critical information, a large hand pressed firmly onto the file.

Qiu Yiyao started and looked up, meeting the gaze of Bai Peiyu’s striking fox-like eyes.

"Why are you here?"

"Why can't I be here?"

Bai Peiyu didn't waste words; he pulled Qiu Yiyao away with one hand and swiftly closed the file with the other. Footsteps echoed from the doorway.

"Who are you?" The young officer pushed the door open and glared at Bai Peiyu. "Is this a place you can just wander into?"

"She’s timid, so I was worried and followed her here." Bai Peiyu draped an arm over Qiu Yiyao’s shoulder, his posture intimate.

Qiu Yiyao felt a wave of irritation. Had this guy lost his mind? Or was he just here to back her up because he feared she’d actually be locked up? She shrugged, trying to signal him to take his hand off.

Instead, Bai Peiyu gripped her tighter. "By the way, Officer, the incident at the station should have been investigated by now. Can I take her home?"

"Go on, then. Remember, don't be so impulsive next time."

"Thank you, Officer." Qiu Yiyao thanked him hurriedly.

The two walked out of the police station one after the other. Seeing the familiar motorcycle parked at the curb, Qiu Yiyao sighed—they had been so close; it was a real shame.

Bai Peiyu observed the shift in her expression closely. Seeing her troubled, he spoke with feigned nonchalance: "Let's go. I know the way."