There was just one week left until the Anniversary Celebration, and rehearsals at Lancheng Academy were still in full swing.
After his morning rest, Lu Yunze went to the front garden, watering and fertilizing his beloved flowers from the Capital.
From its once lifeless state, it had now become lush and fragrant.
Looking at the garden, Lu Yunze felt a sense of accomplishment. He didn’t have many hobbies—other than playing piano, this was one thing he enjoyed spending time on.
“It’s time to add some new flowers.”
Yesterday, he had seen an especially lovely variety online. It was well-suited to Lan City’s climate, so before heading to school, he planned to place an order.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone waving at him. Lu Yunze raised his head and saw a person standing just outside the garden.
Huh?
He put down his watering can and walked over warily.
“Hello, may I help you?”
“Sir, please come with me for a moment,” the other person said, showing their credentials—it was actually a plainclothes police officer.
Lu Yunze scrutinized the badge. After confirming it wasn’t a fake, he followed the officer into the car.
Since it was the Police Station, chances were high the person looking for him was Officer Wang Xu.
Sure enough, the meeting was in the usual spot—the Reception Room at the Police Station. As soon as he arrived, Officer Wang got up to make tea for him.
A cloud of fragrant steam drifted before Lu Yunze as the tea was set in front of him.
“This tea seems different from last time.”
“Sir, you really do have a discerning palate. After you left last time, the Director said we must serve even better tea the next time you visited.”
“You really went out of your way, then.”
Lu Yunze said this as he picked up the cup and took a sip.
But honestly, the taste wasn’t much different from before.
He really didn’t care for tea much.
“Sir, the reason we called you here this time is because we have something important to discuss.”
“If you want me to help deal with Secret Arts Practitioners, forget it. I don’t have that capability, and not even a reward would change that,” Lu Yunze replied coolly.
Although his family upbringing wasn’t as strict as Light Jade’s, he had learned basic manners. At a time like this, he needed to stay calm and composed, not let his emotions be manipulated.
The Lost Tomb Case Group had suffered a major blow in the Ankang incident. Most of the members had already been caught and brought to justice, with only a handful still at large. Even if there was trouble, it wouldn’t amount to much now.
His cooperation with the Police Station was long over, and he didn’t want to get involved in more trouble.
Enough is enough.
“I already said it’s not possible…”
Lu Yunze just managed to turn his head away in time, avoiding splashing tea all over Officer Wang.
“What did you say?”
“Qian Family has surrendered.”
“Here?”
“On the way to the Execution Division.”
“Any accomplices?”
“Still under investigation.”
With each answer, the bitterness in Wang Xu’s expression grew heavier, and Lu Yunze’s face also became more somber.
Seeing that Lu Yunze wasn’t losing his temper, Wang Xu explained:
Originally, Qian Family had been held in the Police Station precisely because their entire family was unwilling to let him go. But a few days ago, the Qian Family’s head returned, suddenly relaxed their grip, and even took the initiative to assure that they’d cooperate and would never interfere with the matter again.
After the Police Station and Execution Division discussed, they decided to transfer Qian Family to the Execution Division’s base to prepare for his trial.
But as soon as the transport vehicle set off, something unexpected still happened.
Using some unknown method, Qian Family managed to escape from the Prison, vanishing under the effect of his own Secret Art.
Qian Family’s Secret Art is Illusion Creation, right? That’s practically perfect for an escape.
“You didn’t suppress his Secret Art?”
“Of course we did.”
“Was there a problem with the transport vehicle?”
“It belonged to the Execution Division.”
“The guards?”
“There were Secret Arts Practitioners as well, but it all happened so fast—no one reacted in time.”
Ugh, useless!
Lu Yunze slumped onto the sofa, and Wang Xu could only give a bitter smile.
“I know, Young Master Lu Yunze, that you’re not happy about this, but what’s done is done. What we can do now is bring Qian Family back to justice as soon as possible.”
So you really did call me here to ask for help?
He had to admit, for something like this, even he would hesitate.
Wang Xu didn’t force Lu Yunze to decide on the spot, only asking him to reply as soon as possible, since there had been incidents one after another lately.
With Qian Family’s vengeful nature, there was no telling if he’d seek revenge immediately after escaping.
As for who he hated most, both of them knew the answer without needing to say it. For Qian Family, Lu Yunze was a higher priority even than the Qian Family who betrayed him.
After leaving the Police Station, Lu Yunze walked along the street with his hands in his pockets, his mind in turmoil.
The Anniversary Celebration was coming, but now something like this had happened.
On one hand was his rehearsal, on the other, dealing with Qian Family… he didn’t want to give up either.
As he passed a small alley, Lu Yunze suddenly heard a thin meow.
Looking up, he saw a Black Cat perched on a trash can, its golden eyes flickering with intelligence.
Lu Yunze paused for a moment, then walked over. Surprisingly, the Black Cat didn’t run away.
He reached out and stroked its head—the fur felt smooth and soft, nothing like a stray cat’s rough coat.
“Aren’t you the Black Cat Jiang Sui met last time?”
Lan City is so big, yet they met again. And this cat wasn’t just unafraid of people, it even came closer.
“No wonder Jiang Sui likes you. What a curious cat.”
With a cat for company, Lu Yunze’s mood improved. The softness of its fur was truly irresistible.
But he didn’t dare pet it too hard, worried it would scratch him the next second.
“Do you think I should accept Officer Wang’s request?”
Lu Yunze walked over to the park across the street and sat on a bench.
“It’s not easy to get rid of one problem, and now another big one comes along. Since when did my life get so complicated?”
[
“If you can’t talk, just let me vent a little.”
Lu Yunze continued to pet the cat.
“Now that Qian Family has escaped, I’m worried he’ll come back for revenge. Wouldn’t it be fine just to leave it to the Police Station and Execution Division? I really don’t want to get involved in any more trouble.”
After that disaster in his childhood, Lu Yunze cherished his life all the more—he wanted to live well, not let his parents in heaven worry.
But this year, for some reason, danger kept coming, one after another, giving him no time to breathe.
“Do you think someone is plotting against me behind the scenes?”
The Black Cat meowed again, as if saying: I’m just a cat, I can’t answer that.
“If I could just let go of all this and pretend nothing happened, maybe I could live a normal life.”
But—
Lu Yunze looked into the Black Cat’s golden eyes.
“Do you remember Jiang Sui? That maid who was good to you. Even when her own life was difficult, she still tried to help you.”
If I run away now, won’t my mother look down on me?
The Lu Yunze she hoped for wouldn’t run from danger. If she knew he chose to escape with such cowardice, she’d definitely be disappointed.
Come to think of it, after knowing Jiang Sui for so long, he’d never seen her truly angry.
She was always smiling gently, always playful with him.
If he left Qian Family alone, Jiang Sui might also get hurt.
At this thought, Lu Yunze took a deep breath. “I can’t keep hesitating.”
There would be more Anniversary Celebrations, but life only comes once.
Lu Yunze cherished not just his own life, but others’ too. He absolutely couldn’t forgive people like Qian Family who trampled on life.
No more hesitation.
Lu Yunze patted the Black Cat, said goodbye, and turned to leave.
The Black Cat stayed where it was, flexing its paws, gaze deep and distant.
Back home, Lu Yunze saw Light Jade waiting for him in the living room.
“Brother He, where did you just go? The servants said they saw you get into a stranger’s car—I was so worried!”
“It’s nothing, I just went out for a bit. See? I’m back safe and sound.”
“That’s all that matters.”
Light Jade was as easy to reassure as always.
This girl trusts me too much, doesn’t she? Doesn’t she worry I’d use her trust to hurt her?
Whether Light Jade was afraid of Lu Yunze or not, there was definitely someone who wasn’t afraid.
After Lu Yunze entered his room and turned on the computer, he saw her.
“Young Master, here’s your water.”
Jiang Sui came in carrying his drink for the day.
“How did you get here?” Lu Yunze asked.
“I didn’t see you in the study today, so I wondered if you’d gone out.”
“I just went for a walk, that’s all. What, are you worried about me?”
“Not at all.”
Lu Yunze was drinking his water when Jiang Sui suddenly said something that almost made him spit it out.
“About Qian Family—if you feel troubled, why not ask for help?”