Chapter 122 Part 2

Ling Tuofu didn’t respond.

Her answer matched what Mo Fei had reported. Whether from North County or Ganteming at the institute, the directors confirmed this was her style—and it got results. So they hadn’t interfered. Cold interrogation, hot interrogation—whatever worked to extract useful confessions was good.

While he mulled it over, Ji Tingxi spoke up again on her own, her smile brimming with amusement.

“Actually, you’re the same way. Even now, you haven’t used any special methods on us. On one hand, you’re afraid of accidentally harming loyal operatives and feel some compassion. On the other, you want to ensure accurate results, rather than just letting Director Wen and me tear into each other arbitrarily.”

…

Mealtime arrived. On the first floor of the Logistics Building was a modestly sized cafeteria. Wen Du and Ji Tingxi’s assigned eating slots were staggered from everyone else’s, so the place was always empty when they went—or occupied only by each other.

That evening at dinner, Wen Du saw only Ji Tingxi. Before, the sight of her would send a unique flutter through Wen Du’s chest—sometimes peril, sometimes safety.

That distinct feeling lingered, but now it was covered in a scab. As long as she didn’t touch it, it was fine. But one brush, and it ached dully.

To let the scab heal and fall off naturally, Wen Du no longer sought her out. At meals, she took her tray to the far end of the cafeteria, deliberately keeping distance.

That afternoon, Wen Du had seen Minister Ling’s assistant, Bai Man, enter the Logistics Building from her window. She had also spotted Ji Tingxi going with him into the storage building. Ling Tuofu must have investigated her by now and shared his suspicions about Wen Du.

In this sensitive moment, distance was even more crucial. What lay between them was no longer just pure colleagues—or pure allies.

Wen Du had no appetite at all, but to maintain her image and strength, she took small portions of everything and sat in the corner, head down, eating.

But moments later, Ji Tingxi appeared with her tray and sat directly across from her, moving with the easy familiarity of their old days in the Guard Institute cafeteria.

Wen Du finally raised her eyes to her face. Ji Tingxi looked perfectly natural, even curious—curious enough to want to chat.

“With weather like this lately—no sun at all. The clouds are so thick, like they’ve piled up days’ worth of snow. Too bad it just won’t fall.”

Wen Du swallowed slowly. On her first day here, while strolling the grounds, she had noticed it.

Every time after that she looked up, it was the same: a vast white expanse, like snow-covered earth. But the sky held no layered trees or rising buildings, just endless emptiness.

“Yes, but it should be soon.” Her words were flat, her tone stripped of emotion.

Ji Tingxi cut into her steak and glanced up at her. “Once that snow falls on these red walls and square pagodas, it’ll be a striking sight. We should take another stroll then—it’ll be even more worth seeing.”

“Yes.” Wen Du never raised her eyes. “But I probably won’t be staying that long. I hope North County has some snow scenery when I head back.”

Ji Tingxi nodded. “Right, North County’s stone-brick houses stack up so ruggedly, the city’s even more ancient. After snow, Miss Wen will surely appreciate it more.”

With that, she took the paper cup cake from her own tray and pushed it toward Wen Du. “I remember you love sweets. Did you forget to grab one amid the main course? They’re near the window.”

As Ji Tingxi slid the cake over, her fingers brushed Wen Du’s knuckles—lightly, just an instant. But that touch pierced straight into Wen Du’s chest, carrying layers of deeper meaning.

—It’s okay. I know you gave Minister Ling those leads. I know you have to get out. It’s fine, really. Because I want you out too.

Wen Du couldn’t hold back. She finally raised her eyes, taking in Ji Tingxi’s full appearance. After their late-night talk under the streetlamp, this was the first time she saw her clearly and completely—and the profound message in her eyes.

How wonderful. She was still the same as before entering: natural, relaxed, clever, and vibrant. At least she had the strength to maintain those appearances.

And her attitude hadn’t shifted with events. If Wen Du wanted, they were still colleagues, still allies—could even be each other’s most cherished companions.

Wen Du’s lips curved into a smile, revealing the love and trust buried deep in her heart.

But at the same time, the scab in her chest cracked silently, sending a tearing pain that forced her eyes back down.

The room was heated, but the food on the trays cooled quickly. Wen Du had no desire to continue. She picked up her tray and left her seat without finishing—even leaving that lonely paper cup cake behind.

Seeing her rush off, Ji Tingxi didn’t call out to stop her. With the steak already cut, she lowered her head and ate in silence.

Alone at the table, she sat quietly eating for a long time.

…

Duo Lin knew Wen Du had left.

Station Chief Yin hadn’t told her directly, but Miss He’s household hadn’t seen their tutor for days. One question, and the anomaly was clear.

“Teacher Wen’s on a business trip. She’ll be back in a bit; classes are paused for now.” He Lilin stretched boredly and slipped on her wool coat. “But Old He says since I’m interning anyway, I can skip the rest. Teacher Wen might not come back at all.”

Duo Lin picked up a Klein-blue scarf, wrapping it around the coat and smoothing out He Lilin’s wavy long hair.

Her eyes reflected the pretty interplay of white and blue, but her heart sank into gray. No more Teacher Wen meant no more chances to see her. They rarely even spoke when she did come, but just glimpsing her brightened Duo Lin’s world, chasing away some of the gloom.

Wen Du was one of the few bright spots in her life.

“Does Miss He want Teacher Wen to come?”

He Lilin still looked bored, morning grumpiness clinging to her. She gave no one good face—but mentioning Wen Du brought a hint of pleasure.

“Of course. Her lessons are great; I actually learn something. But she’s been so busy lately, always short on time…”

Suddenly, her eyes sharpened, turning to Duo Lin. “You must want her here even more than I do, right?”

Dressed and ready, Duo Lin stepped back to admire her handiwork. “If Teacher Wen can teach you something, of course I hope she’ll come often.”

“That mouth of yours now…” He Lilin snorted. “Sometimes I think you stick around all proper-like just to see Teacher Wen more.”

The dissatisfaction was plain in her tone, but Duo Lin’s expression didn’t change. He Lilin was as direct as ever—daring to slap an officer in public meant she wouldn’t hesitate to call out motives barefacedly.

“Teacher Wen is gentle and beautiful; of course I’d like to see her. But staying on to work is definitely because of you, Miss He.”

“Is it?”

“Yes.” Duo Lin’s face bloomed into a flawless, innocent smile—pure and impeccable.

She used to despise false pretenses. But after half a year of endurance, she had mastered it, controlling it effortlessly. Her smile felt so natural now, it fooled even her.

But this time, it didn’t fool He Lilin.

She said nothing for a long beat, her eyes narrowing with direct scrutiny. When her pupils focused, her gaze sharpened like it was peeling back skull to peer inside.

“Let me ask you: If those cops yesterday had come to arrest me, would you have stopped them?”

“I would have. But I’m just a lightweight; I’m afraid I couldn’t hold them off.”

—How could she?

Her real reason for staying wasn’t Wen Du or serving some miss. It was to drag everyone under this roof into prison—or more generously, feed all the new regime lackeys in the whole city to the dogs.

If the chance came, she dreamed of being the one knocking on the He Family door herself, cuffs in hand.

He Lilin’s gaze was sharp, but it didn’t pierce through this time—or rather, she had never truly seen Duo Lin, so she kept probing, verifying, forever half-believing.

“Fine. But I don’t need you blocking anyway. Just mind yourself. I’m heading to an exam these next couple days—you come with.”

“Got it. I’ll check if the driver’s ready.”

As Duo Lin descended the stairs, she saw Lan Zhijing standing behind the island counter, holding a glass of sherry.

No matter how cold the weather, she feared no chill. Cold drinks went straight down the hatch with ice—only then could her words come out devoid of warmth.

“Hello, Housekeeper Lan.”

Duo Lin greeted her respectfully, but Lan Zhijing had no intention of responding.

After yesterday’s police visit, she figured Duo Lin knew she was the one who reported her. There was no need to suppress the hostility lurking in the shadows anymore.

“Is everything ready for Miss’s exam today?”

“All set. I’ll notify the driver to warm up the car and turn on the AC ahead of time.”

“The driver’s been at the door since early. After he takes Miss to the car, go clean the cat room and change the litter.”

“Sorry, Housekeeper Lan, but Miss wants me to go with her to school. Someone else will have to handle the cat room.”

Lan Zhijing’s mouth opened, then clamped shut. She was used to it—this girl always threw her weight around under He Lilin’s protection, leaving her speechless, orders ignored.

Letting her stay under this roof would truly shave years off her life. The monthly paycheck wasn’t salary; it was costing Lan Zhijing her lifespan.

What comforted her was reporting the failed police grab on Duo Lin to Institute Director He De. His response filled her with hope.

He hadn’t spelled it out, but she got the gist: The Guard Institute might not have moved yet, but a major operation against the Sern people was coming soon. That would be Duo Lin’s end.

With hope bolstering her, Lan Zhijing felt confident about her lifespan. That confidence overrode her recent restraint—the last of her patience for Duo Lin.

“You think having Miss as your shield lets you ignore my words?”

Duo Lin glanced at the floor, using her eyelids to deflect the edge. “Of course not. I really do have to accompany Miss out. Please understand, Housekeeper Lan.”

“Fine. Leave the cat room empty for now. Clean it when you get back—and don’t sleep until it’s done.” Lan Zhijing set down her glass and stepped closer. “I made that police report yesterday. You know what you did. Cherish the chance to work here. It might end abruptly one day!”

Duo Lin clasped her hands together in front of her belly to show respect.

But she gripped so tight her knuckles ached. The pain surged to her head, shattering the final layer of restraint and unleashing long-pent hatred.

“You should cherish your days of bossing people around too. What if, when the time comes, it ends abruptly for you?”