When the final tile jumped out, Luo Yingbai rubbed his face vigorously to focus, then picked up the tile. Seeing there was writing on it, his fingers tightened—at least it wasn’t blank, which meant Xia Xianning indeed had someone he liked.
Luo Yingbai wasn’t sure what he was anticipating, nervously holding the tile before his eyes, discovering a prophetic poem. He read softly: “Mirror and person both depart, mirror returns, person does not. Now moonlight falls, my heart reflects clear radiance.”
These… the first two lines were from Wei Shu’s “New Records of Two Capitals” about reuniting a broken mirror. Luo Yingbai was learned and knowledgeable, familiar with all kinds of allusions. Seeing these lines, the slight anticipation in his heart suddenly sank, feeling a bit depressed.
The phrase “reuniting a broken mirror, rejoining hairpins” referred to the story of Chen Dynasty court official Xu Deyan and Princess Le Chang, who were separated during a national crisis and later reunited through others’ help. Its appearance here subtly suggested that Xia Xianning and his loved one had been separated after becoming close.
The latter two lines—”Now moonlight falls, my heart reflects clear radiance”—implied his loved one might be a celestial being. They had recently reunited, each harboring feelings, but their relationship’s future remained uncertain.
Luo Yingbai muttered in disbelief: “I don’t know anything yet, and they’re already a broken mirror?!”
He recalled Xia Xianning’s behavior and couldn’t imagine when he might have met this person, but since even Luo Yingbai hadn’t noticed, the person might indeed be some kind of celestial being.
Gou Songze was uneasy: “When I called, I was hung up on. I don’t know if they think we’re not doing a good job…”
Luo Yingbai took off his bathrobe and put on a sweatshirt, comforting him: “No, it definitely isn’t your fault.”
Gou Songze, rarely experiencing his gentleness, said warily: “Did you take the wrong medicine?”
Luo Yingbai said: “…I ate dog meat! Seriously, where are you? Wait, I’m coming right now.”
Gou Songze and Yue Ling had probably messed up a task and received a cold response from their leader. The two unlucky guys didn’t dare return to the special investigation unit and sat face to face in a nearby McDonald’s, seemingly trying to find some comfort by ordering a couple’s meal.
Luo Yingbai held a cup of cola and plopped down next to Gou Songze, biting the straw: “What should we do now? Didn’t your leader tell you what to do next when they answered the phone?”
Gou Songze said gloomily: “No. Director Xia didn’t sound happy, seemed distracted, and didn’t even scold Yue Ling for messing up.”
Yue Ling: “…Brother Dog, I think we’re equally bad, so don’t act superior.”
Luo Yingbai looked worried and wasn’t in the mood for jokes. After hearing them bicker, he said: “How about we go to the hotel again? I’ll try with Xiao Yue.”
Yue Ling smiled bitterly: “Please don’t make it hard for me. I really can’t do it. I always want to laugh… especially when hearing those cheesy lines.”
Gou Songze said: “Cousin, to be serious, Miss Yue is not cut out for this. She can trick ordinary people, but to deceive the bone ghost woman, the emotions must be spot on. She can’t do it… why don’t you do it? Come with me.”
Luo Yingbai: “…What do you mean? Explain clearly.”
Gou Songze said: “I’ll pretend to be your husband, you’ll be my wife. Let’s try. Aren’t you good at acting?”
Luo Yingbai looked at him in disbelief: “Are you dreaming? Absolutely not!”
Gou Songze said: “Catching the ghost is the most important thing. Is this the time to be self-conscious?!”
Luo Yingbai: “…”
He took a deep breath and said: “Two men won’t work. Didn’t you see today’s two victims? The bone ghost woman didn’t make a move in the end.”
Gou Songze said: “But she did try to make a move, right? If you dress as a woman and act a bit, you’ll definitely fool her.”
Luo Yingbai rubbed his temple: “I don’t know if it’s because I’m confused today or you’re too persuasive.”
Gou Songze said: “Just cooperate! Otherwise, when Brother Yan Ning comes back, he won’t let us mess around like this and we’ll have to start over.”
The moment Luo Yingbai nodded in agreement, he felt like he’d boarded a pirate ship.
Because Gou Songze was so excited that he couldn’t wait, he immediately went out to a 24-hour mall, bought a blue floral knee-length dress for his brother, and picked out a shawl wig he liked.
Luo Yingbai: “…Are you a pervert? Or are all of you normal, and I’m the weird one?”
“Whatever, I’ll become weird. If you’re willing to wear this, I’ll die happy.”
Gou Songze said expectantly: “Put it on, quickly put it on! Can we take a photo together after you’re dressed? I’m not single today, haha!”
Luo Yingbai held his arm, gasping: “Why, why is Xia Xianning inside? You scared me to death!”
Gou Songze was stunned: “How is that possible?”
Though he said this, he didn’t dare go closer. He found a telescope in the car and looked in the direction Luo Yingbai was pointing, and indeed saw Xia Xianning sitting alone by the window, with half a bottle of whiskey in front of him, without even a glass.
His hand trembled slightly: “Is he also here to catch ghosts? How can he be alone?”
Luo Yingbai said: “Why didn’t he tell us? What should we do now?”
Gou Songze hesitated: “I don’t dare go. Why don’t you book a room with him? If you two work together, the task might be completed more easily.”
They weren’t wrong. Xia Xianning was indeed here to investigate a case.
Xia Xianning never expected someone would be so bold as to cast a spell on him, secretly probing his inner thoughts – this was tantamount to a direct provocation, and he immediately moved to interrupt it.
Initially, Xia Xianning didn’t think much of it, assuming the other party was an insignificant character sneaking around with such tricks. But after exchanging moves, he discovered the person causing trouble was not to be underestimated.
The opponent’s techniques were unpredictable, disappearing after a few moves, with an identity and location difficult to discern – something Xia Xianning had never encountered before.
Luo Yingbai’s heart sank, realizing something was wrong – this guy seemed to be truly drunk, and this foolish act was definitely not something he could fake. Afraid that Xia Xianning might blurt out “senior brother”, he quickly interrupted, raising his voice slightly to coax him: “Yes, we’re not a couple yet, but I’ve liked you for a long time!”
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All he knew was that Luo Yingbai’s face was before his eyes, Luo Yingbai’s voice in his ears, Luo Yingbai’s breath at his nose—
No, it should be said that his heart, lungs, and bones were all struggling and aching for this person.
He really wanted to have him, he must have him.
Chapter 69: Sacrificing to Catch Ghosts
Xia Xianning had one hand wrapped around Luo Yingbai’s waist, the other hand trembling slightly as he touched that exquisite and cold face, whose usual handsomeness was enhanced by feminine makeup, adding a touch of delicate beauty.
However, Xia Xianning’s trembling was not because of the person in front of him dressed as a woman, but because he suddenly felt that the person he had been imagining had actually stepped out and become real.
Xia Xianning mumbled: “Me too… I also like you, always have.”
Did that mean his somewhat rebellious desire could also be realized?
He suddenly leaned in and heavily kissed Luo Yingbai’s lips, accidentally kissing his chin in his haste. Then he suddenly lifted Luo Yingbai and carried him towards the pink-themed couple’s suite.
