The Obsessive Beauty’s White Moonlight - Chapter 9

The police immediately cordoned off the villa and conducted a sweep of the surrounding area, but to their frustration, “The Left Hand” had long since vanished. Their only find was a partial footprint discovered in the basement.

The plainclothes officers stationed nearby reported that from the moment Su Niannian left her house, no suspicious individuals had approached the villa—a detail that gave the police a new direction for their investigation.

The questioning dragged on late into the night. Su Niannian was far more cooperative this time, but being forced to recount the scene in the room over and over left her feeling deeply oppressed and exhausted.

What time is it? Why isn’t this over yet.

“Ta-da! Matcha mousse.”

Along with the dessert, Qi Ning’s gentle, smiling face appeared before her.

“Ah, Dr. Qi, we’re in the middle of a statement.” The young officer was startled by Qi Ning’s sudden entry into the police vehicle.

“The statement has been going on for an hour. She likely has nothing left to say. Let’s call it a night.” As she spoke, Qi Ning held the small dessert out to Su Niannian, waiting for her to take it.

The officer grew flustered. “B-but.”

But Qi Ning had already slipped gracefully into the seat beside Su Niannian. She handed her a small fork and said, “I just had someone go out and buy this. I guarantee it tastes exactly like the one in the shop.”

Downtrodden and weary, Su Niannian stared at her blankly, her eyes feeling a bit stinging and dry.

To avoid losing her composure in front of an outsider, Su Niannian took the mousse without a word, using the act of eating to mask her turbulent emotions.

“How is it?” Qi Ning asked expectantly.

“A little sweet, a little cold it’s very good,” Su Niannian replied in a muffled voice.

She took two more bites before turning sluggishly to Qi Ning. “You didn’t buy one for yourself?”

Qi Ning, who had never cared for sweets, shook her head. She simply wanted Su Niannian to have something she liked after suffering such a fright.

Then, to her surprise, Su Niannian carved out a piece of the mousse and held it up to her lips. “You eat some, too.”

The tips of Su Niannian’s ears were a deep, burning red.

She was like a shy little hedgehog, baring her soft underbelly to a human for the first time—half terrified of being hurt, half worried about being rejected.

Fortunately, this particular human had been eyeing that soft underbelly for a long time. Qi Ning didn’t refuse; she leaned in and took the bite directly from Su Niannian’s hand.

“Delicious!”

Seeing Qi Ning’s beaming face, Su Niannian’s ears turned even redder.

Striking while the iron was hot, Qi Ning pressed closer to her and whispered, “You’re coming home with me tonight, right?”

At this distance, Su Niannian could clearly feel the warm breath against her face. She couldn’t handle Qi Ning’s ambiguous tone and shot a quick glance at the officer. “I already promised, just don’t talk about it here.”

Qi Ning nodded, her eyes shimmering with unmistakable joy.

The ignored officer: “…”

Oh, so you two actually remember I’m still here?

Su Niannian was given another small blanket and experienced her first ride in a police escort.

The blanket was a comfort item provided by the police for victims; in appearance and texture, it was identical to the one Qi Ning had given her before. Yet, Su Niannian couldn’t help but feel that the first one had been much softer.

It’s a shame my suitcase was kept as evidence. Who knows when I’ll get it back.

As she sat there clutching the blanket in a daze, the officer driving struck up a conversation. “Dr. Qi, we still hope you and Miss Su will consider police protection in one of our secured locations.”

Su Niannian frowned, but before she could speak, Qi Ning declined on her behalf. “It’s fine. My residence is very secure.”

“In that case, if anything unusual happens, please contact us immediately.”

Qi Ning nodded with a smile, smoothing over the atmosphere with a few words. She even managed to get the officer, who clearly trusted her, to inadvertently reveal several confidential investigation details.

From the corner of her eye, Su Niannian watched her. Was it just her imagination, or did Qi Ning not seem particularly happy right now?

Can she really smile so gently even when she’s upset?

Lulled by the sound of their voices, Su Niannian grew drowsy. She only fully woke up when the car pulled over at the gates of a high-end residential complex in the city center.

“We’re here.” The officer seemed regretful that the conversation with Qi Ning had to end. “Dr. Qi, if it’s convenient, could we exchange WeChat contacts?”

Qi Ning turned to look at Su Niannian.

The sleepy painter was bewildered. “Why are you looking at me? If you want to give it to him, just give it.”

Qi Ning: “…”

The officer looked at her nervously.

“My apologies,” Qi Ning said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “I think I’ll pass. I’m afraid my loved one might get jealous.”

With that, she took Su Niannian’s hand with pointed intent and said softly, “Niannian, let’s go. You can sleep once we’re home.”

“Mm?” Su Niannian rubbed her eyes and sat up straighter. “Okay.”

Qi Ning had been anticipating a shy or flustered reaction, but it was clear the girl hadn’t processed a single word she’d just said.

Never mind. Qi Ning patted her head. She’s cute when she’s sleepy, too.

“Make yourself at home. Don’t feel restricted.”

Su Niannian gave a stiff reply. Qi Ning’s home felt somewhat oppressive to her.

Everywhere she looked, there were large swathes of solid black decor. The curtains were drawn tight, and the furniture was minimalist and spotless. The entire apartment felt almost entirely devoid of life.

“What’s wrong?” Qi Ning asked, pausing while changing her shoes.

“It doesn’t feel like your style.”

Qi Ning let out a soft chuckle. “And what should my home look like?”

Su Niannian thought for a moment. “Warm, bright, with green plants on the balcony. The flowers on the table would be changed every day, and maybe a little pet.”

As she spoke, Su Niannian faltered. She felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of familiarity with the description she had just given.

“But this is my home,” Qi Ning said, having moved remarkably close to her. “Whose house are you describing, Niannian?”

Her eyes are so beautiful, Su Niannian thought, distracted. They were a light amber, like glass beads catching the sun.

Seeing her standing there in a daze, Qi Ning dialed back her cold aura and changed the subject. “You want to raise a pet?”

Su Niannian nodded. “I like small animals that are soft to the touch.”

I can tell, Qi Ning thought. She even loves those fuzzy blankets.

“Then we can get one later,” Qi Ning took her hand and led her further inside, making a promise in a low, gentle voice. “Changing the wallpaper and floors is a bit of a hassle, but I’ll remember to bring back green plants and fresh flowers tomorrow.”

Su Niannian’s eyes widened. “Wait, this is your home. There’s no need—”

“It’s safer for you to stay with me until ‘The Left Hand’ is caught,” Qi Ning’s reasoning was irrefutable. “Besides, I’ve wanted to change the environment here for a while. I’ll need your help.”

At this, Qi Ning’s expression shifted to one of slight grievance. “Unless, you just don’t want to spend time with me?”

Through their brief time together, Qi Ning had already figured out the best way to handle her: playing the victim.

Sure enough, Su Niannian shook her head frantically. “No!”

She hesitated for a long moment before lowering her head. “Then, alright. Once that person is caught, I’ll leave. I won’t disturb you for long.”

“Mm-hmm!” Qi Ning’s smile was sweet enough to produce honey.

As long as I am here, that fellow will never be ‘caught.’

He will simply disappear from this world one day.

“Shall we shower first?” Qi Ning changed the subject with a playful wink at the easily-embarrassed girl. “My massage tub is very large. It’s big enough for two.”