Chapter 1330: I Only Want You (28)

“Yes, he’ll be staying here tonight. We’ve been using bottled water for our meals. He’ll be fine, especially with me around,” said An Xiaoning.

Still feeling worried, Madam w.a.n.g said, “I’m not being nosy, but I really don’t think you should let him stay here. I don’t want to be responsible if anything happens.”

Noticing how worried she was, An Xiaoning said, “Sister w.a.n.g, please come inside with me. I have something to tell you.”

“Alright.”

As soon as they entered, An Xiaoning removed her mask in front of Madam w.a.n.g, giving the latter a great shock. She asked in astonishment, “Oh my G.o.d, oh goodness, this… this… you… aren’t you that female police officer whom I saw today?”

“Yes, Sister. I’m sorry to have lied to you, but we came here with the purpose of cracking the case. The case was officially closed today. However, the peculiar phenomenon of the unusual deaths of male villagers is still unexplained. I came here to look into this bizarre matter.”

Madam w.a.n.g exclaimed in surprise, “Terrific! Turns out you’re a police officer. What were you wearing on your face? It’s so realistic. I couldn’t even tell that you were wearing a mask.”

“It’s a mask. The texture is identical to human skin. That’s why you couldn’t tell. Sister w.a.n.g, I hope you can keep our ident.i.ties confidential. Don’t tell any of the other villagers, alright?”

“Sure, sure. Rest a.s.sured, my lips are sealed. He’s not your husband, is he?” asked Madam w.a.n.g.

“No, he’s my bodyguard. There’s only one bed but we don’t share the same blanket.”

“Why don’t we let him move to another room? There’s a bed in the other room.”

An Xiaoning declined politely, “We appreciate your offer, Sister w.a.n.g, but we haven’t found out the reason for the deaths of the male villagers yet. I’m afraid that it might be the doing of spirits, so I think it’d be better for us to stay together in the same room. Besides, I can see and communicate with spirits.”

“I’ve truly gotten an eyeopener today. Actually, when you guys were in Liu Wanzhen’s house, we heard some of the noises while standing outside the door. We heard her voice too. I really can’t imagine what it must have been like inside. By the way, I must return you the money for the blanket and the rent.”

Noticing that she was about to turn around and get the money, An Xiaoning stopped her and said, “Sister, that’s a separate issue. It’s our duty to solve cases. We can’t stay here for free. You must accept the money. If you don’t, we’ll have to move away.”

“You’re helping all of the villagers solve the crime. I can’t accept your money.”

“Madam w.a.n.g, you must accept it. It isn’t much but you deserve it. We can’t stay here for free. Besides, I’ll still need your help with investigating this strange phenomenon.”

“My help?”

“Yes, I need to find out more about this village in detail. Take me to meet the other aunties tomorrow to chat about the village.”

“Sure, no problem. Hurry and get some rest, then. You’ve been busy for the entire day.”

“Alright, rest well too, Sister w.a.n.g.”

Smiling, Madam w.a.n.g left.

Fan s.h.i.+xin poured some water onto his leg and closed the door. “If we can uncover the truth about this matter quickly as well, we’ll get to go home sooner.”

An Xiaoning smiled and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it here?”

“Of course not. I just think that Young Sir would definitely get anxious and impatient if we stay here for a couple of months.”

Still smiling, An Xiaoning answered, “It’s just a couple of months, not years. It’ll be fine. Your Young Sir can handle it.”

However, she had to eat her words as soon as she said them.

The door opened and Jin Qingyan entered. “I can’t handle it,” he said in a deep voice.

An Xiaoning was greatly taken aback to see him. Why is he here?

Dressed in black from head to toe, Jin Qingyan stood by the door with his hands in his pockets. The door looked extremely narrow and short compared to him.

“Did you come alone?” An Xiaoning asked while walking toward him.

He scanned the room to discover that it was really cramped, chilly, and humid. Despite detesting it, he suppressed his displeasure and answered, “Yeah.”

An Xiaoning pulled him into the room and closed the door before asking, “It’s a five-hour drive from the city to this village. That’s quite a long distance. How did you come here?”

He answered, “Why do you think I came here? It’s obviously because I miss you. Is this where you’re staying? Can’t you find a better house?”

“Of course this is where I’m staying. It’s not too shabby, actually. The room is rather clean. Besides, we’re in a village. All the houses here are similar to this.”

“It’s so humid. There are definitely going to be rats and other pests,” he remarked in disdain.

“Those rats and pests were rather bold before you arrived here; they were scurrying around brazenly. However, now that you’re here, they’ve clearly gone into hiding,” she jested.

Jin Qingyan smiled and said, “Is that so?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t lie to you. Are you leaving tonight?”

“I’ll force myself to bear with it and stay here for the night. It’ll take me another eight or nine hours to drive home. Do you want me to die of exhaustion?”

“Have you eaten yet, then?”

“Do I look like I have?”

Fan s.h.i.+xin asked, “Young Sir, what would you like to eat? There’s some rice, veggies, and instant noodles.”

“Instant noodles.”

Fan s.h.i.+xin began cooking him two packets of instant noodles.

Clearly, Jin Qingyan was a picky eater and rarely ate such junk food. Hence, he only took a few mouthfuls of the instant noodles.

“There’s still so much left. Why did you stop eating?”

“I don’t want them anymore.”

“I won’t entertain you if you get hungry later.”

Thinking that it would be a waste to throw the remaining noodles away, An Xiaoning decided to finish them all at once.

“Young Madam, aren’t you full? You’ve already had dinner and you still finished those noodles,” Fan s.h.i.+xin said worriedly.

“I am… a little.”

“I think you’ve got a black hole for a stomach. What if you stuff yourself excessively and end up damaging your stomach instead? Just eat whatever you can and leave the rest there if you can’t finish the food.”

“It’s such a waste to throw them away, though.”

He smiled and said, “I’m in trouble. How am I going to afford to provide for a glutton like you?”

An Xiaoning rolled her eyes and said, “I’m not asking you to provide for me anyway. I can survive on my own. Don’t belittle me. I’m rich now, I have lots of savings.”