Chapter 189: Is It Her? (Part 1)

Xu Chuyao saw the small, plump chest of Beilian flush a gentle pink rarely seen even among mothers, yet she couldn’t say a word.

The memories of their childhood came back after more than ten years, and the other party’s reaction was exactly the same as when she was a child. What to do now? Beilian had already grown taller and stronger; not everyone grew as fast as Xu Chuyao.

At this moment, “luck brought Melon over, who turned her head and noticed Shen Ning nearby, exclaiming in surprise.

“Your Majesty the Queen, you’re here! I’ve been looking for you these days, but I could never catch up.”

“I was also trying to find you,” the girl replied coolly, “by the way, my name is Shen Ning. Call me by name, don’t use those weird, formal titles.”

Their conversation drew curious glances from the others.

“Miss Shen Ning, you two…”

“Don’t ask, isn’t there proper business? You all finish your questions first,” Shen Ning interrupted, “after you’re done, I have something to ask.”

Since it was said so decisively, the others respected the suggestion and began to question Melon.

The place was a medium-sized courtyard. Besides Melon, who had just arrived, the only people present were Xu Chuyao, Shen Ning, Beilian, and Yakubu. Yu Wan, Cheng Qi, and Xiao Si were also with them but had been arranged to rest in a side room and were not present to listen in on the Holmes Family’s affairs.

“Melon, do you remember what you were doing before you changed?” Yakubu asked, “you said you investigated those people from back then and found a possible connection.”

“This matter…”

Melon squeezed the brim of her stone hat, wanting to take it off, but suddenly found she couldn’t move it. She had to press the hat with her hand and speak:

“It’s been a long time. Let me think… Yes, there was indeed something like that. I accidentally found traces of some mysterious people. Their characteristics were similar to those people, but the details I noticed were few. All I know is, among them was a woman. When buying things for others, people said something like this—”

He imitated the scene back then, speaking with a stone-like, muffled accent, “Penguin, help me…”

Xu Chuyao sat by the stone willow in the yard, pushing the small incense burner with one hand, lost in thought.

Thunder Spray was a product of the Chen Clan’s business, and for those with spiritual power, it had an effect similar to coffee, but that wasn’t the point. The point was the term ‘Penguin’. Chuyao felt as if she’d heard it somewhere before, but couldn’t remember for now.

Where had she heard it?

Among the major cities with political central functions, besides Yingxunsi City, there were several others. Ying Ba Si City housed the headquarters of the Judicial Department, while the Security Department’s headquarters was located in a city called Tianji.

As the highest-ranking officer of the Security Department’s headquarters, Long Feng spent most of his time in Tianji City. If he needed to contact others or attend meetings, he would choose to make a video call.

Today, as usual, he initiated a video call to the opposite side. Strictly speaking, this was not an official matter, but a semi-personal, semi-business issue.

The screen flickered, and a woman with a calm, imposing presence appeared. She had slightly curly brown hair and wore a dark coat.

“Good afternoon, Director Long,” he greeted, “Ms. Wang.”

Wang Li, whom Xu Chuyao had briefly met last time when interrogating Wen Fang, was the one who made things difficult for Wen Fang—the Deputy Director of the Operations Department.

Her title was Deputy Director, but she was not truly second-in-command. Instead, she was a figure from Number Five or Six strongholds, at the Fourth Defense Stage. Including Long Feng and Monrose, most department directors were at the peak of Fourth Defense.

“Director Long, good afternoon. Since I knew you were looking for me, I came as soon as I could,” Wang Li replied politely.

However, her expression was not as pleasant as her tone: “Ms. Wang, I have something to ask. Regarding the person responsible for the Crystal Stone Special Task Force, the investigation report submitted by Monrose Yuli’er—why did you express support for it?”

Without signatures from several senior officials, it would not be so easy to process an official document.

Wang Li’s expression tensed up a bit, looking surprised: “Old Zhao has built relationships for many years and interacted with many people in my department. Signing in support was just a matter of convenience. May I ask why you bring this up, Director?”

“The person he wants to investigate is Xu Chuyao, the girl who helped you out with Wen Fang last time,” Long Feng said with a frown.

Upon hearing this, Wang Li immediately remembered: “Oh, that’s the girl with the… rather prominent chest, right?”

“That’s right. And last time, as I estimated, I said the research institute’s location could affect the defense line if there were any experimental problems. You were the one who reminded me of that.”

Long Feng’s meaning was clear: Our Security Department’s bright, big-chested girl helped you twice, and you turn around and support someone else’s investigation of her. Isn’t that a bit ungrateful?

“Yes, yes, I see. The great river flooded the Dragon King Temple; it’s my fault, my fault,” Wang Li said, feigning guilt.

“Don’t worry. If the investigation’s result has any problems, I’ll be the first to report to the Judicial Department, saying Xu Chuyao’s crossing the line was at my department’s request, so she can avoid punishment.”

It was a meaningful answer. Listening, it seemed she really hadn’t paid attention. Long Feng’s expression eased a bit.

“It’s not a matter of whether to investigate her or not. You don’t know—Xu Chuyao has recently been targeted by the Supreme Society. Just last week, there was even an assassination attempt aimed solely at her. I’d originally wanted her to stay at school for a while, but because of this investigation notice, she had to leave.”

“I see.”

Wang Li picked up a thermos from her desk. “But don’t worry, Director Long. Since Old Zhao spent so much effort to get the investigation order and made sure everyone knows about it, he’ll definitely protect Xu Chuyao’s safety. If anything happens, everyone will know he’s the one responsible for the outcome.”

Long Feng nodded.

He could only think this way. Ying Ba Si City was the Judicial Department’s headquarters; no matter how anxious he was, he couldn’t send people over there.

“Miss Shen, although we haven’t seen each other for a while, your reputation lately is quite remarkable. That world feels your presence every day; thunder and rain alike are your grace.”

Once the family matters had been discussed, it was Shen Ning’s turn to step forward. As soon as Melon saw her, he greeted her with these words.

For a moment, the girl felt awkward.

“What he means is, your emotions have been very intense lately,” the restrained shadow explained, “sometimes angry, sometimes happy, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying.”

With this, Shen Ning understood. When her emotions reach a certain level, all the souls in the Crystal Stone World resonate together—a bit embarrassing at times.

To some extent, this was like a public display of affection.

“Let’s not talk about that. I want to know the answer to the last question,” the girl said, “about the King’s Throne.”

“Yes, last time before you left, you asked me. I’ve been thinking about it, and yesterday I went to investigate,” Melon replied. “In that world, I know of three special places. One of them can instantly restore the sanity of lost souls; the effects of the other two are unclear. But they’re definitely special, and likely related to your King’s Throne.”

Shen Ning nodded, feeling it made sense, but there was one issue: “How do we get to those three places?”

“I can take you there. I lived there for over ten years, and I know the way,” Melon said, then paused, “but there’s one small problem…”

He didn’t have to finish—the meaning was clear. The little problem was how the two of them could meet up in that mist-shrouded world. It was not easy to find someone there.

He glanced at his two relatives, who seemed even more bewildered than he was.

Up to now, Beti Holmes still didn’t understand what was going on between her resurrected father and this strange white-haired girl.

Yakubu thought he might have figured it out—their relationship was kind of like those Celtic legends in children’s storybooks from his childhood.

In that case, don’t call him Melon anymore, call him Merlin.

At this moment, the always-practical Xu Chuyao suggested, “If you can designate a location from the real world, then why not reverse the logic and try to set up a marker on the other side, so that when Shen Ning goes over, she has a fixed point to meet?”

Everyone looked over, and after thinking about it, agreed it might be feasible.

“You do have ideas, Miss Xu Chuyao.”

“Well, I just read it in a book.”

Don’t ask what book—anyway, it’s definitely true and effective.

With this, Melon promised to go back and find a like-minded person, try to set up a marker over there in the world, and see if it could help the Queen locate the target.

As for the Crystal Stone World side, the arrangements could be discussed further.

After Melon left, Xu Chuyao and Shen Ning returned to the house, joining Yu Wan and the others for dinner.

At the dinner table, Xu Chuyao mentioned that she and Wang Lin had an important official experiment to conduct, but they needed time and space to do it.

“You want to do experiments here?” Xiao Si Nuo asked with concern, “But we’re on someone else’s turf.”

In order to stop them from doing experiments, the Monrose Family had specifically sent people to keep watch. It wasn’t easy to operate under the eyes of others.

Xu Chuyao didn’t want to say “the most dangerous place is the safest place”—it wasn’t that kind of logic, but she had her own plan.

“Monrose is mainly watching me, so I can go and buy time and space. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Interrogation Office again.”

“You’re going on your own?”

“Yes, I’ll go. Shen Shu will stay here to do the experiment. Xiao Si Nuo, you also stay. If I don’t return for a while, you and Wang Lin pull me back when the time comes.”

Shen Ning only had one girlfriend and a few good friends; Xiao Si Nuo was already her best friend, so the bond should be strong enough to be used for summoning.

As for the Holmes Family, Yakubu was willing to cooperate because he wanted to help his cousin. After so many years of separation and reunion, he wished to make up for something.

Beti had no objections, either.

“They’re actually pretty good people, right?”

That night, thanks to the Mansion’s big beds, Shen Ning and her girlfriend could finally share a room. Xu Chuyao was tidying up the bed as she spoke to her.

“So stop always suspecting they’re up to something, and stop targeting Beti all the time.”

Even now, Chuyao still didn’t understand why her girlfriend could get jealous of a judicial officer. But thinking about how she could even be jealous of video game consoles, she felt it was understandable.

Yet her girlfriend didn’t reply for a long time—not even a sound.

“Shen Ning, are you listening to me, Shen Ning?”

Xu Chuyao turned her head and saw the girl searching around the room, looking everywhere as if looking for something.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m checking if there are any surveillance or bugging devices,” Shen Ning replied seriously. “That woman might use our private records to coerce you into doing something.”

“…What?” Chuyao was stunned.

What kind of criminal drama imagination is this?

The restrained shadow facepalmed: “My fault. I shouldn’t have let you read those over-the-top comics.”

“And, even if there’s a one-in-a-million chance,” Xu Chuyao rolled her eyes, “shouldn’t our approach be to prepare a good countermeasure, not just worry about it?”

A clear conscience fears no accusation; if you’re upright, you don’t care who’s listening.

Shen Ning was stumped.

So that night, the girl could only pull up the covers and sleep, giving up any further nonsense.

Zzzzz…