Chapter 4: Defeated and Returned

“You two, if there’s anything you want to say, just say it directly. I have some matters to attend to later and can’t accompany you here all day.”

Lin Huanhuan spoke indifferently.

Facing the questioning Disciplinary Disciples, Lin Huanhuan showed no sign of fear. Instead, she sat upright on the Main Seat, her expression calm, exuding an air of arrogance.

Seeing this, the younger-looking Disciplinary Disciple immediately burned with anger, subconsciously wanting to step forward and rebuke her, but was stopped by the other Disciplinary Disciple.

The younger disciple looked at his senior with confusion. The more experienced Disciplinary Disciple ignored him and clasped his fists politely:

“Miss Lin, we’re here on official business. Please don’t make things difficult for us. It wouldn’t be good for either of us.”

An old hand paired with a new one? That’s familiar. Lin Huanhuan pondered, then feigned ignorance as she asked, “Oh? Is that so? Of course I’ll cooperate if I can.

But may I ask what the two of you are here for? Otherwise, I really don’t know how I’m supposed to cooperate.”

Of course she knew why these two Disciplinary Disciples were here. It was definitely because Ye Jinxiu had gone missing.

But knowing was one thing; she had no intention of admitting anything. As long as there was no conclusive evidence, these two Disciplinary Disciples couldn’t do anything to her.

“Oh right, since you’ve come all this way, you must be thirsty. Let me offer you some tea to soothe your throats.”

With that, Lin Huanhuan picked up the white porcelain teacup before her and took a gentle sip.

A maid stepped forward and respectfully poured them each a cup of tea.

A trace of helplessness flashed across the face of the older Disciplinary Disciple. Just as expected, it seemed they would return empty-handed today, but procedure was procedure.

He was about to speak when his junior could no longer endure it, and interrupted angrily.

“Lin Huanhuan, what do you mean by this? Are you pretending not to know?!”

“You just had those people stall us outside for so long to cover up your crime, didn’t you? I’m telling you, you’d best come clean now for a lighter sentence. Otherwise, no one will be able to save you!”

“Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?!”

The young disciple wanted to further intimidate Lin Huanhuan, but was yanked back by his senior, who glared at him viciously, preventing any more stupidity.

“Heh.”

Lin Huanhuan sneered coldly, “This junior brother, if you have something to say, just say it directly. What do you mean I arranged for people to stop you outside?”

“You were the ones who tried to barge into my residence. My people merely stopped you for a moment. I know nothing about this. So? Are you planning to pin baseless charges on me without a shred of evidence?”

“As Disciplinary Hall disciples, you really are impressive. I wonder if your elders know what you’re doing.”

Faced with Lin Huanhuan’s blatant threat, the young Disciplinary Disciple still wanted to argue, but his senior pressed down on his shoulder and snapped, “Shut up!” Only then did he reluctantly fall silent.

The older Disciplinary Disciple showed an apologetic expression and said, “My junior brother is young and inexperienced. Please don’t take offense. He’s just a bit rash and means no harm.”

“I was just speaking the truth,” the young Disciplinary Disciple muttered under his breath.

Things had already reached this point, and since it wasn’t a big deal, Lin Huanhuan saw no reason to pursue it further.

“Forget it.”

Lin Huanhuan waved her hand generously, saying, “Youngsters will be youngsters. Let’s just let it go.”

Then she added, “Let’s get to the point. I really do have other matters to take care of.”

Ye Jinxiu was still tied up inside. Though Dong Yun’er was watching her, she couldn’t keep an eye on her every moment. It wasn’t too reassuring. If Ye Jinxiu managed to escape and came here to tell these people, things wouldn’t be resolved so simply.

If that happened, even she would have to pay a price that would truly pain her.

“To tell you the truth, we’re here to investigate the disappearance of the Outer Sect Disciple Ye Jinxiu.”

“Oh, so that’s it. But what’s it got to do with me? Surely you don’t suspect me, right? Don’t go wronging a good person.”

Lin Huanhuan furrowed her willow brows and said unhappily, looking exactly like someone who had done nothing wrong but was being falsely accused.

“As far as we know… you once pursued Ye Jinxiu. Now she’s disappeared without a trace, and someone saw her nearby before she went missing. That’s why we came to ask for clues.”

“Don’t misunderstand, we would never falsely accuse anyone.”

‘Not directly answering that it couldn’t be me, aren’t they just obviously suspecting me?’ Lin Huanhuan sneered inwardly. Well, they weren’t wrong.

“Next, we’ll need to ask you some questions and make a record. Please cooperate, Lin Huanhuan.”

“Of course.” Lin Huanhuan nodded.

“Name.”

“Lin Huanhuan.”

“Your relationship to the missing person.”

“We’re friends, I suppose. I liked her quite a bit. Now that she’s missing, I’m really upset, but there’s nothing I can do.”

“When was the last time you saw the missing person? What did you do then? What happened specifically?”

“I can’t really remember. I think it was the day before yesterday. I gave her a few gifts, but she didn’t accept them. I was a little sad and left.”

“Where were you from yesterday until today? Did you do anything?”

“How would I remember every little thing I did? I was here, cultivating and going about my daily routines.”

Lin Huanhuan was quite experienced in handling interrogations like this. When asked about specific times or events, you always had to be vague. Even for important matters, who could remember the exact time, let alone the trivialities of daily life.

*****

After a long round of questioning, Lin Huanhuan answered everything, and the younger Disciplinary Disciple carefully recorded it all.

“It seems this matter really has nothing to do with you. Sorry to disturb you. Farewell, junior sister.”

The older Disciplinary Disciple finished speaking and promptly dragged away his still disgruntled, younger companion.

Once they left, Lin Huanhuan, sitting in the Main Seat, finally shed her overbearing façade.

“Mmm~” She stretched contentedly and smiled nonchalantly, not caring about the incident at all.

“Heh, looks like this is over.”

“That’s the benefit of being a villain—status and background, never having to fear people coming to cause trouble. As long as there’s no evidence, even if they suspect it’s me, they can’t do anything.”

“It’s truly satisfying.”

Of course, Lin Huanhuan had noticed the younger Disciplinary Disciple’s lingering resentment—he was likely to try something.

But she wasn’t concerned. Judging by the earlier exchange, that older Disciplinary Disciple would surely keep him in check and remind him to act rationally.

Even if he insisted on digging, it wouldn’t pose much of a threat. Still, like a pesky fly, it could be annoying. Fewer troubles were always a good thing.

Getting punished was never fun.

“In this world, background matters too. Being able to fight isn’t everything.”