The Real Heiress Just Wants to Be a Lazy Fish - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: The Catch

“Why are you standing there like a statue in the doorway?” Jiang Zitan had long noticed the movement, but she hadn’t heard the sound of Tao Yitong walking in. Looking up, she saw Tongtong holding a cake box, looking somewhat flustered.

For a split second, Jiang Zitan felt as if she were looking at Xiao Ran’s puppy that had just caused trouble. Though the pup was round and adorable, it was hyperactive and loved tearing up the house. Once, while visiting Xiao Ran, she had seen the little creature squatting obediently at the door; however, the moment Xiao Ran saw that “obedient” look, her face fell as she rushed into the living room sure enough, there was a fresh hole chewed into the sofa.

For some reason, Jiang Zitan felt Tongtong’s current expression resembled that of a puppy caught red-handed. She dismissed it as her imagination; in her eyes, her sister was much better behaved than any puppy.

“Um… Sister, do you want to try some?” Tao Yitong quickly hid her longing expression. She couldn’t let Jiang Zitan think she was some kind of creep.

“No, I’m fine. You eat it.” Jiang Zitan didn’t have the habit of eating much at night.

Tao Yitong didn’t stand on ceremony, devouring a slice of cake in two or three bites. Sigh… Since she couldn’t actually take a bite out of Jiang Zitan, she had to settle for cake to soothe her stomach.

Buzz, buzz… Jiang Zitan’s phone vibrated; the caller ID showed her secretary. She answered, and the secretary reported a temporary change in her schedule.

“Going to Rong City early?”

Hearing those words, Tao Yitong paused mid-bite.

“Alright, arrange the itinerary.” Jiang Zitan’s business trip was moved up, but how could Tao Yitong let her go to another city alone?

“How many days will you be away?” Tao Yitong asked after the call ended.

“The plan is five days.” Jiang Zitan checked her schedule.

Five days… Rong City was adjacent to H Province. The journey wasn’t too long, so it shouldn’t be a major problem.

“Sister~” The way she called out “Sister” was like it was laced with honey, her lively eyes filled with expectation, almost as if they could speak.

“You want to go too?” The intent in Tao Yitong’s expression was so obvious that Jiang Zitan didn’t even have to guess.

Tao Yitong nodded vigorously, having already prepared an excuse: “It’s a famous tourist spot; I’ve wanted to visit for a long time~”

Tao Yitong’s records stated she hadn’t left her poor hometown as a child, and even after leaving, she was forced to work constantly to survive, with almost no chance for travel. Thinking of this, pity rose in Jiang Zitan’s heart. She agreed without a second thought and sent a message to her secretary to book an additional flight and hotel room.

As her sister cheered, she gave Zitan a quick, light hug before rushing to her room to pack. She was like a little kitten that gives you a sweet rub before darting away. The sweet honey-peach scent vanished as quickly as it came. Since that nightmare, Jiang Zitan had developed a strange attachment to that scent; as the sweetness faded, she found a faint sense of loss in her heart.

Noticing her abnormal emotions, Jiang Zitan immediately pushed the distracting thoughts away and focused on her work, though her efficiency inevitably slowed down.

Back in her room, Tao Yitong immediately reported to the Bureau. Because of her special status, she couldn’t leave H Province for long unless it was for a specific mission. To go to Rong City, she had to file a report. Her purpose was to protect a victim already targeted by the cannibal, so the application was approved quickly.

The next day, Tao Yitong followed Jiang Zitan onto the plane, only to encounter her teammate’s fanatic fan again.

Xiao Ran looked Tao Yitong up and down. Seeing no sign of the dolphin felt charm, she showed a look of disappointment. She couldn’t force the girl to sell it, and before they left, Jiang Zitan had specifically told her not to scare her sister, or else Zitan wouldn’t accompany her to the temple Secretary Fang mentioned to pray for marriage.

She forced a smile at Tao Yitong and sat down dejectedly. Yesterday, Xiao Ran was energetic enough to scold people; why was she so wilted today? Tao Yitong felt she was acting strange, so she leaned close to Jiang Zitan’s ear and whispered, “What’s wrong with her?”

The light breath fell on Jiang Zitan’s ear, making it feel itchy and inexplicably hot.

“Her… ex-girlfriend blocked her again, so she’s in a bad mood.” Jiang Zitan quietly shifted to the side, distancing herself slightly from that tempting aura.

“I see.” Tao Yitong understood, her gaze toward Xiao Ran now holding a trace of sympathy. Of course, this sympathy was predicated on her not knowing the ex-girlfriend was her own teammate, Xiao Yu. If she knew, it wouldn’t be sympathy Xiao Ran would probably have to worry about her safety while walking at night.

The plane soon arrived in Rong City. It was a scenic place perfect for tourism. The Jiang Group was developing a new project here, and Jiang Zitan’s schedule was extremely tight. She couldn’t get away for the moment, so she prepared to find a guide to take Tao Yitong around the sights. However, Tao Yitong refused immediately.

She was here to protect Jiang Zitan; she couldn’t have a guide following her around—it would limit her freedom to act.

“Be careful while you’re out,” Jiang Zitan instructed before heading to the branch office.

Tao Yitong nodded obediently. After Jiang Zitan left, she turned on her tracking. Day was fine, but at night, she had to be extra cautious. Rong City was beautiful and a famous historic city with many ancient things. It was also a strategically important location throughout history. These multiple layers of “buffs” made this ancient city more prone to the birth of ghosts and spirits than other places.

Usually, they might not actively attack humans, but with a piece of “sweet meat” like Jiang Zitan walking the streets, who could guarantee they could resist? Perhaps even the daytime wasn’t absolutely safe.

Hearing that Jiang Zitan had to go to undeveloped, remote areas for inspection made Tao Yitong’s right eyelid twitch. she had a gut feeling that something bad was going to happen.

Buzz!

Tao Yitong suddenly saw a bank notification on her phone. The familiar string of zeros made her heart skip a beat. Jiang Zitan, afraid she wouldn’t have enough fun, had sent more pocket money.

No matter what kind of ghost or monster it was, none of them were getting their claws on her meal ticket!

Tao Yitong realized the curve of her smile was a bit exaggerated. This silly grin was too pathetic—no, no, she was professionally trained! She couldn’t let money blind her!

Xiao Ran, who was still sad about being blocked by her ex, walked over to see Tao Yitong suddenly grinning and then shaking her head while tensing her face. It looked quite amusing. Unfortunately, Xiao Ran couldn’t laugh; she was too busy being heartbroken.

“Miss Tao, you haven’t been to Rong City before, have you?” Xiao Ran looked at the message Jiang Zitan had sent her shortly after leaving. Her friend really cared for this “cheap” sister. They had only known each other for a few days, yet Zitan remembered her preferences perfectly. In their 20 years of friendship, she had never been cared for so meticulously! Thinking about it made her even sadder…

“I know the busiest food street here. Want me to take you?”

At the mention of a food street, Tao Yitong’s stomach let out a traitorous growl. Ah Fu was following Jiang Zitan, and there was no danger at her meeting place, so she could take the opportunity to fill her stomach.

“Thank you for the trouble,” Tao Yitong said.

Since it was a weekday, the busiest food street in Rong City wasn’t crowded. Both sides were lined with vendors, with rows of tables and chairs in the middle for tourists. It wasn’t mealtime, so many tables were empty.

Tao Yitong had only waited long enough for an order of Sweet and Sour Pork, but when she returned, she found several cans of beer in front of Xiao Ran.

“Miss Xiao, you shouldn’t drink too much; it’s bad for you.”

“Waaaaah…” Xiao Ran didn’t have a high alcohol tolerance. Before Tao Yitong spoke, she could hold back her emotions, but the moment the girl opened her mouth, she began to wail.

“Alright, alright, drink up. I won’t say anything…” Tao Yitong didn’t dare reason with a drunkard. Looking at her, she wouldn’t be able to drink much anyway. She’d just carry her back to the hotel later.

After eating a large portion of Sweet and Sour Pork, two large Northeast vegetable wraps, a bowl of rice noodles, and more, Tao Yitong still felt unsatisfied. Just as she was about to order some skewers, a flash of a sleeve at the end of the food street caught her attention.

“Miss Xiao, sit here and don’t run off. I’m going to buy a cup of milk tea and I’ll be right back.”

The drunk person’s reaction was slow. By the time her brain processed the sentence and she looked up, Tao Yitong was already gone.

Fortunately, the foot traffic was light. After turning on her jammer, Tao Yitong wove through the scattered crowd like an agile fish. Not far ahead of her was a figure fleeing in a panic. Though the person’s movement was flexible, they were far from a match for Tao Yitong. The reason she maintained a distance was simply to avoid causing panic in a crowded place.

When a suitable opportunity arose, she lunged forward and dragged the target into a deserted corner.

“Spare me! I really am a law-abiding citizen now! I haven’t done anything illegal!” The woman caught was wearing a buttoned shirt and jeans. She looked delicate and had a scholarly air about her, but her words sounded like those of a seasoned criminal who had been to prison several times.

“If you haven’t done anything illegal, why did you run the moment you saw me?” Tao Yitong patted her shoulder. “Confess and be treated with leniency; resist and be treated with severity. Speak—did you find another place to set up a fortunetelling stall?”

“No… no…” The woman rubbed her hands with a forced smile.

“Then what’s this?” Tao Yitong pulled out a piece of cloth she had taken from the woman’s bag at some unknown time. Wasn’t it exactly the kind of advertisement those fortunetellers under bridges spread on the ground or tables?

The woman’s smile vanished instantly. “I should have read my own fortune this morning. Weren’t you transferred to H Province? How did I run into you in Rong City?”

“And where did you learn that technique from a master pickpocket? I didn’t even notice it was gone,” the woman muttered under her breath. she stood there dejectedly, thinking things were looking bad she’d likely have to eat “government meals” for a few days again.

“Alright, I can let it go this time.” Tao Yitong handed the cloth back. Before the woman could thank her, Tao Yitong added: “But you need to do us a favor.”

The woman before her was named Qian Ran. She was born with eyes that could see the trajectories of celestial fates, which led her to be taken in by a successor of the Shensha sect. In ancient times, people with such special abilities were called eccentrics, alchemists, or Qi cultivators; now, they were collectively known as espers.

Qian Ran was a genius, specializing in using the influence of stars to predict and interfere with human fate. Unfortunately, she went astray and once meddled with someone’s fate without permission. Later, she was not only expelled from her sect but also spent two years in prison through the Special Affairs Bureau and was banned from continuing in this trade.

When Jiang Zitan said she saw the Southern Dipper in her dream, Tao Yitong thought of Qian Ran. Her strength was genuine, especially in the study of stars few could surpass her. But the woman’s whereabouts were uncertain, and the Bureau hadn’t found her. Yet fate was such a coincidence; after searching everywhere in vain, she appeared right before her eyes.

Qian Ran’s smile froze. After a moment of hesitation, she held out her hands. “How about you just arrest me instead?”

“Are you sure?” Tao Yitong narrowed her eyes.

“Intuition tells me I’d rather eat prison food than get involved in your business.” Qian Ran closed her eyes, adopting a “letting-it-all-go” posture. “I want to live a few more years.”

“It’s not a dangerous matter. I just want you to check someone’s celestial fate for me.”

This indeed wasn’t difficult for Qian Ran, but she asked suspiciously: “Just checking fate? Not changing it? I remember your Bureau has plenty of people from the numerology schools. Why not find them?”

She didn’t believe Tao Yitong had chased her across half the street just to have her check a fate; it was so simple she suspected a trap!

“The situation of that person is rather special…”

I see. It turned out the people at the Special Affairs Bureau couldn’t solve it, so they came to her.

Qian Ran gradually lowered her guard. “Fine. But if that person’s situation is troublesome, regarding the fee, can we…”

“This much.” Tao Yitong gestured a number.

Hoh, Captain Tao has suddenly become generous! Qian Ran was shocked. Upon closer calculation… the girl had come into money! Overwhelming wealth! And Tao Yitong’s financial luck was continuous it wasn’t just a temporary windfall; she would only get richer in the future!

Qian Ran, who was perpetually short of money because of her trade, was practically drooling with envy.

“Do you agree? If not, I’ll call my colleagues.”

“I agree, I agree!” Qian Ran immediately pressed down Tao Yitong’s hand before she could reach for her phone. Getting money for a non-dangerous task only a fool would refuse!

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