Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 71

“So? Do you have anything else to say?”

Shi Jiawen looked smugly at Jing Xuan, whose eyes were wide with shock.

“I want to see my godfather.”

“What?”

“I said, I want to see my godfather. Where is he?”

“Where do you think you can see him? He’s already—”

“I want to see him! Where is he?”

Jing Xuan’s eyes were bloodshot, glaring fiercely at Shi Jiawen. She roared, struggling violently. A guard rushed over and forcefully pinned her down on the table.

“Let her go!” Shi Jiawen barked. The guard immediately stepped back.

“You want to see him? Fine, I’ll take you.”

She signaled for the guards to escort Jing Xuan with her to the forensic department’s morgue. When the refrigerated drawer containing Huang Zhixiong’s body was pulled open, Jing Xuan never imagined that their next meeting would be under such circumstances.

Memories of a lifetime with her godfather flashed before her eyes. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing—couldn’t believe this was truly happening.

Jing Xuan stared at Huang Zhixiong’s pale, lifeless body, struggling to control her emotions. She turned to Shi Jiawen and said in a voice as cold and hard as steel,

“Inspector Shi, may I… have a moment alone with my godfather?”

Shi Jiawen hesitated. Despite her reservations, this was a sealed, refrigerated room—there wasn’t much Jing Xuan could pull off. She gave a faint nod and stepped out with the guards, standing watch outside.

Through the small observation window in the door, she quietly watched Jing Xuan.

What kind of person is she, really? Shi Jiawen thought. Could she be suffering from severe dissociative identity disorder?

Even after watching the footage of herself committing murder, she showed no guilt—only shock. Huang Zhixiong had raised her for over a decade. Their bond was like that of a real father and daughter. Why would she kill him? What was her motive?

Once everyone had left, Jing Xuan crouched down. She gently brushed her cuffed hands across Huang Zhixiong’s cold face.

“Godfather… please forgive me for being unfilial. I should’ve protected you… Who did this to you? I swear, I’ll find the real killer and avenge you!”

She tilted her head back, trying to hold back tears.

Through the small window, Shi Jiawen saw Jing Xuan’s desperate effort to suppress her grief, and a wave of sorrow swept over her as well. Finally, she waved her hand.

“Keep an eye on her. I’m off for the night.”
________________________________________

That night, Shi Jiawen couldn’t shake the image of Jing Xuan’s sorrow from her mind.

“Cousin! Hey, cousin!”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Cousin, are you in love or something? You’ve been zoning out all night!”

Shen Yiling leaned against the headboard, hugging her pillow and grinning at the dazed Shi Jiawen.

“What? No way!”

“Come on, do you even know how many times I called you just now?”

“Uhh… twice?”

“Twice?! Cousin,” Shen Yiling raised two fingers dramatically, “I called you ten times!”

“You’re exaggerating.” Shi Jiawen brushed it off.

“So, tell me—what are you thinking about? You’ve been spaced out all night. Spill it! Maybe I can help you analyze the situation.”

“I was thinking about someone.”

“Aha! I knew it—you’re in love! Who is this guy that managed to win the heart of our ‘stone-cold beauty’? Must be a legend!”

“What nonsense. You know I’m a dyed-in-the-wool lesbian. Only women interest me.”

“Then who’s the lucky woman? Planning to charm her into bed within a few days again?”

“This one’s different. She’s… a suspect.”

“Whoa, now that’s a twist!”

“Yiling, tell me something. If a person killed someone—someone very close to them—but had no memory of the act, and then saw video evidence of the murder and reacted with utter shock… Would that be the peak of dissociative identity disorder?”

“Cousin, you’re the criminal psychology expert here. But typically, dissociative identity disorder hinges on whether someone perceives themselves as one person or two. If she has no memory of killing, she might be suffering from amnesia or possibly somnambulism.”

“But by all my judgment, she’s completely mentally sound. So…”

“Then maybe she really didn’t kill anyone.”

“You’re that sure?”

“Hey, I’ve got a degree in psychology too! I’m the outsider here, which makes my view clearer.”

“Right, the emotional psychology expert. No wonder you love the thrill of seducing men.”

“I just think this case is far too straightforward. Every piece of evidence was handed to us like it was pre-scripted…”

“Then it’s a setup. Cousin, you’re so upright and principled—I’m sure you’ll bring justice. But for now, let’s get some sleep.”

Yiling yawned, slid under the covers like a sleepy eel, and promptly dozed off. Shi Jiawen dimmed the lights and tucked her in.

“Hey, how long do you plan on hiding at my place?”

“It’s all your uncle’s fault! He’s forcing me to get engaged to Lin Hao. No way!”

“That’s your father, not just some uncle! Show some respect. As for Lin Hao—ugh, I knew he was scum the moment I laid eyes on him. What was your dad thinking?”

“Forget him! I already have someone else in mind. Just waiting to find him again! Heehee~”

“Who is it that caught your eye? Maybe I’ll make her my next conquest.”

“Oh?”

“No more questions, I’m exhausted. Good night!”

Shen Yiling rolled over and fell asleep. Shi Jiawen lay down too, but every time she closed her eyes, Jing Xuan’s face haunted her like a nightmare. She yanked the blanket over her head as if it could block the image out—and eventually drifted off.
________________________________________

Meanwhile, Qiao Fei and Lan Qing waited anxiously at the hotel for news from Xiao Lu.

“Why is it taking so long? Wasn’t she already handed over to the Japanese consulate?”

“Lan Qing, please don’t worry. I’m sure Xuan will be okay.”

“Miss Qing! Miss Qiao!”

“Xiao Lu! How is she? What happened to Xuan?”

“Please don’t worry. The young mistress is currently being held in a detention cell at the National Police Bureau. Someone accused her of murdering Mr. Huang. They claim the evidence is conclusive. Singapore is refusing to hand her over to the Japanese consulate since both she and the victim are Singaporean citizens. It’s being treated as a domestic criminal case, not a diplomatic matter.”

“Then what do we do now?”

“Fei’er, don’t panic. If this goes through legal procedures, we might still manage. I just fear someone might take matters into their own hands. Xiao Lu, contact all the top lawyers in Singapore. I want Jing Xuan out on bail!”

“Understood! I’ll get on it right away!”

“Lan Qing, who would want to frame Jing Xuan like this?”

“Her own uncle.”

“What?!”

“Fei’er, by now you’ve seen the truth. None of us are ordinary people. Jing Xuan’s identity is… complicated. If you leave her now, it’s still not too late.”

“Lan Qing, we all love her. I thought you would understand how I feel. Do you all really think I’m someone who runs at the first sign of trouble? Yes, I’m just an ordinary girl. I was raised traditionally and I don’t belong in your world. Your lives feel like a movie to me. But even if you all try to push me away, fine—I’ll leave.

Just let me be sure that she’s safe first. Then I’ll go. If you really hate me, I promise I’ll disappear forever. But right now… please don’t push me away. Okay?”

Qiao Fei’s eyes welled up with tears.

“I just want to love someone who’s worth loving. Is that so wrong?… Is it?”

“Fei’er…”

Lan Qing pulled Qiao Fei into her arms.

“We’ll all be by her side. None of us are leaving.”
________________________________________
The case against Jing Xuan for murdering Huang Zhixiong progressed with lightning speed—only five days from investigation to a scheduled public trial. All eyes were on the fallen “Crown Prince,” now a criminal in custody.

That day, Jing Xuan was brought to the visitation room.

She stepped from the shadows to the glass partition and picked up the phone from the table.

Still wearing her signature roguish grin, she asked playfully,

“Why is it you who came to see me?”

Li Miaolan said nothing. Jing Xuan looked tired, disheveled, yet she still radiated a light from within.

She sat down, switching hands on the receiver, and said gently,

“You must know the truth… don’t you?”