Volume 1 Chapter 10: How Many Truths Have You Really Told?
The rain in Wangdu came quickly and left quickly as well. By the time they finally made their way out of the heavy traffic, the rain had already weakened, leaving only a few light drops drifting in the air. Looking at the long line of cars still stuck behind them, Bai Muxue could not help but sigh in relief.
Finally got out...
Back then, she had gotten a driver’s license but never bought a car for this very reason. In Wangdu, driving during rush hour was truly painful. She would rather take the subway.
Of course, that was the old life. Things were different now. If the young lady of the Bai family went to an event by subway... that would look far too cheap.
Bai Muxue smiled helplessly. Her finger lightly brushed across the palm of Shen Jingyi, making the blushing girl shrink back and bite her lip, though she still said nothing.
“Miss, I’ll take you to the Disaster Management Bureau first. The memorial service will be held there. After people pay their respects, the ashes will be placed in the cemetery behind the bureau... If you feel it is too troublesome...”
As the driver spoke, she paused, trying to choose the right words.
Not only him, but everyone in the Bai household was confused. Why would Bai Muxue, a rich young lady who always did whatever she wanted, suddenly decide to attend the funeral of a low-level worker who had nothing to do with her?
Besides, memorial services and funerals usually had long and complicated procedures. With Miss Bai’s restless personality, it seemed likely she only came on a whim. It was hard to imagine her staying until the end.
But before the driver could finish, Bai Muxue quietly said, “It’s fine.”
“...Alright.”
Knowing her personality well, the driver said no more and simply nodded.
“The Disaster Management Bureau?”
Shen Jingyi turned her head, looking confused.
She had already wondered what kind of funeral Bai Muxue would attend. She thought maybe some important person in Wangdu had died, so Bai Muxue needed to appear.
She never expected it to be the funeral of someone from the Disaster Management Bureau.
But how could a person like Bai Muxue have any connection with them?
“Yes, the Disaster Management Bureau.”
Bai Muxue took a deep breath, forcing down the uneasiness in her heart, and tried to sound casual.
“That person... could be called someone I knew.”
The more she said, the easier it would be to make mistakes. If this topic continued, Shen Jingyi might notice something.
Seeing Shen Jingyi still thinking deeply, Bai Muxue gave a light laugh and spoke in a casual tone.
“But speaking of it, the Special Investigation Department will probably send people too, right? Who knows?”
The full name of that group was the Special Phenomena Investigation Department, the organization that dealt with strange events and handled disasters caused by monsters and abnormal creatures.
Of course... watching over those mysterious magical girls was also part of their duty.
Just as expected, when Shen Jingyi heard those words, she froze for a moment. Her face did not change, but the hand holding her clothes slowly tightened until even her fingertips turned pale.
Why is she telling me about the Investigation Department? Is she hinting at something?
Have they already discovered my identity? Is this actually a trap? A trap to make me walk right into danger? But if so, why tell me now?
“You...”
In that instant, countless thoughts rushed through Shen Jingyi’s mind.
But before she could speak, the girl in front of her suddenly laughed.
“Pfft, alright, alright. I’m just teasing you~”
“The people from the Special Investigation Department are busy enough already. Why would they come here for some memorial service?”
After saying that, Bai Muxue gracefully covered her mouth and yawned, then lazily curled up in her seat.
A... a joke?
Shen Jingyi was completely confused by Bai Muxue’s words. She could not tell at all whether Bai Muxue was telling the truth or joking.
“How many things you say are actually true?”
The serious look on Shen Jingyi’s face did not fade. She frowned, and her hand quietly moved onto that small box.
“Hmm... who knows?”
Bai Muxue’s slender fingers brushed through her dark hair and tucked a strand behind her ear.
She clearly did not want to continue the topic. Soft sunlight broke through the clouds and shone through the car window onto her body, giving her pale skin a gentle glow.
Her eyes were half-closed as she leaned lazily by the window. Even the soft little hairs on her face could be seen clearly.
Looking at the girl in front of her. Small, delicate, and seeming completely defenseless. Shen Jingyi pressed her lips together. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and confusion filled her dark eyes.
...But in the end, she slowly moved her hand away from the box.
Meanwhile, the driver noticed the quiet conversation between them and secretly glanced at Shen Jingyi in the back seat, whose face was expressionless but slightly red.
Miss Bai came to a funeral and even brought a female companion...
Based on Miss Bai’s usual style, shouldn’t she be taking girls onto the family’s luxury yacht, or to some high-end hotel?
Miss Bai liked to have fun, and she liked it in flashy ways. That was no secret in Wangdu’s upper-class circles. Bringing a girl to a funeral... in a strange way, it really did suit her style.
Still, that was not something a driver should comment on. She shook her head, turned the steering wheel, and drove toward the Disaster Management Bureau.
…………………
The rest of the trip was smooth. They met no more traffic and arrived at the memorial hall of the Disaster Management Bureau without delay.
There were not many people inside, but everyone wore neat black clothes, and their faces were serious and respectful.
Although Bai Muxue had died in a car accident, she had been an employee of the bureau, and with only one daughter left in her family, the bureau naturally helped arrange the funeral.
It might sound a little dark to say this, but since monster disasters began, far too many workers from the Disaster Management Bureau and the Special Investigation Department had died on duty every year. People were lost so often that adding Bai Muxue’s case to the schedule was almost routine.
Seeing all these familiar people and things, Bai Muxue felt dazed for a moment.
Among them were coworkers she had once spent every day with, several leaders who loved giving orders from a safe distance, and a few high-ranking officials she usually only saw during meetings.
The moment she and Shen Jingyi stepped into the hall, they immediately attracted many different looks.
Bai Muxue was still wearing her familiar black dress. Her long hair, accented with white highlights, swayed gently in the breeze as a few stray strands fell forward, partly covering her eyes.
Her snow-white skin shone under the lights, as dazzling as the small dimples near the corners of her lips.
She was already naturally beautiful, so she did not need to dress up. Even a simple action like brushing back her hair carried a breathtaking charm.
Unlike Bai Muxue, who became the center of attention, Shen Jingyi, who had always disliked places like this, slightly frowned. Though she wore no makeup, her striking features and graceful presence still made her look cold and elegant.
She pressed her lips together and looked at the girl standing close beside her, only to find that Bai Muxue was not paying attention to the crowd at all.
Instead, she kept looking around the hall, scanning every direction, while a faint trace of anxiety and nervousness flashed in her eyes.
Seeing this, Shen Jingyi could not help but pause in surprise.
This girl... is she looking for someone?