"When Sea Eagle first sees you, which part of you do you think he’ll be interested in?"
Quan Ruifeng stood with his back against the desk, arms crossed over his chest. He looked at Xia Xian with cool detachment as he asked the question. The inquiry was devastatingly sharp, and undeniably suggestive.
Xia Xian awkwardly brushed her hair, pausing for a moment before answering tentatively.
"My right ring finger?"
She assumed Quan Ruifeng couldn't possibly be trying to flirt with her. Knowing Sea Eagle’s reputation for taking the ring fingers of his victims, she gave that answer.
"No. It’s your eyes—a pair of sorrowful eyes, constantly brimming with tears."
"You don't know him well enough yet. If you rush in, you'll easily tip your hand and alert the enemy. If he slips away this time, there’s no telling where he’ll go."
"Study again."
Like a strict professor, Quan Ruifeng dismissed her answer and placed a thick stack of documents in front of her, signaling that she needed to memorize every bit of it, including the profiles of all the previous victims.
The stack was at least an inch thick! Xia Xian felt a chill run down her scalp. If she had applied this kind of dedication to her college entrance exams, she would have certainly succeeded.
She tried to protest.
"I’m just the bait, don't I? Is all this really necessary?"
"And besides, have you even memorized all this yourself?"
If he hadn't memorized it, how could he expect her to?
"Is this hard?"
Quan Ruifeng knitted his brows in confusion. He stared into Xia Xian’s eyes with a look of deep...
Fine. Xia Xian didn't want to look at him anymore. She’d memorize the damn thing!
Xia Xian snapped her gaze back to the papers and buried her head in her work, memorizing everything diligently. If she were to be bait, she had to have the mindset of one. Whatever they said, she’d do! Just listen and be done with it!
Quan Ruifeng seemed satisfied with her compliance and pulled out his own paper and pen to continue refining his plan.
The two stayed in the basement until dusk before preparing to leave. Although Xia Xian hadn't memorized everything yet, she figured she’d be done in another day or two.
"What time should I come tomorrow?"
Xia Xian packed away the documents; their interactions had become somewhat more relaxed.
"Whenever works for you. If you’re free, come at ten in the morning. If not, two in the afternoon is fine."
Even though they had a deal, Quan Ruifeng didn't bark orders at her.
"Alright, I’ll be here at ten tomorrow morning."
She had nothing else to do, so she might as well get this serial killer resolved quickly, lest he go on to hurt anyone else. The more she read those files, the angrier she got. How could someone be so disgusting? Preying specifically on young girls! Why hadn't she heard of this in her previous life?
Carrying the weight of her loathing for "Sea Eagle," Xia Xian hurried home.
When she arrived, it was time for dinner, but as soon as she stepped inside, she keenly noticed her father’s grim expression and the stifling atmosphere in the house.
"Dad, what’s wrong?"
Xia Xian sensed that it had something to do with her. She pursed her lips and asked quietly.
"Eat your dinner. You’ve got nothing to do right now, so just stay home and help out. Don't go running around outside anymore."
Father Xia dodged the question, his tone harsh.
Was he implying that she was just staying home without helping?
"I have things to take care of over the next few days..."
"What could you possibly have to do! Since you’re back home, just stay put! Don't go out and embarrass me anymore! Do you have any idea how awful people are talking about us out there? I have nowhere to hide my face!"
Father Xia suddenly roared, his temper flaring for no apparent reason.
"Why are you yelling at her? It won't kill anyone to have people talk! Besides, this wasn't Xiaoxian’s fault!"
Lei Juan slammed her bowl onto the table, shouting back. The situation was ready to explode.
Eldest Brother Xia, Second Brother Xia, and their wives kept their heads down, eating in silence as if they didn't exist.
It was Xiaoyuan, young and bold, who dared to talk back to his father.
He wiped his mouth, stiffened his neck, slammed the table, and shouted back just as loudly.
"If those people have filthy mouths, that’s on them, not my sister! Do you have a filthy mouth, too? What kind of father are you! If I were my sister, I wouldn't even want to call you 'Dad'!"
"You brat, have you lost your mind? Daring to talk to your father like that! If I don't tan your hide today, you’ll never know how good a bamboo stick feels!"
Father Xia cared deeply about his reputation. Having lost face in front of his daughter—who was too old to hit easily—he saw Xiaoyuan as the perfect outlet for his rage. His eyes blazed, and he lunged for the broom.
Xiaoyuan was well-versed in avoiding his father’s wrath. Seeing the move, he immediately grabbed his bowl and scurried back to his room. Xia Xian and Lei Juan rushed to stop him.
"Dad, stop it! Don't start fighting for no reason!"
"You damn man, if you dare hit my son, I’ll fight you to the death! What did Xiaoyuan say that was wrong?"
"He dared to talk to me like that! You think he’s not wrong? Spare the rod and spoil the child!"
Father Xia, incensed, shoved Xia Xian and Lei Juan aside, rushed over, and kicked the bedroom door open.
Xiaoyuan had been trying to finish his meal, but seeing his father so furious—eyes wide, kicking the door down—he panicked and swallowed the last of his porridge whole.
"Dad, Dad! Calm down! I won't say it again, okay?"
"Sister! Mom! Save me! Aaaaah!"
Terrified, Xiaoyuan dropped his bowl, clutching his head and screaming as he scrambled away.
"Lei Tian! Stop it! Do you really have to make everyone’s life miserable?"
Lei Juan and Xia Xian finally caught up, trying to pull Father Xia back, but he had already struck Xiaoyuan with the broom. A bloody welt appeared on the boy’s brow, dangerously close to his eye.
Seeing that he was actually hurting the boy, the two brothers and their wives couldn't just sit by anymore. They rushed over to intervene, and the scene descended into total chaos.
An angry Father Xia was harder to restrain than a pig at New Year’s.
After everyone finally managed to hold him down, Lei Juan shouted, "Xiaoxian, take your brother downstairs and hide!"
"Okay!"
Xia Xian didn't hesitate, grabbing her brother’s hand and sprinting downstairs—clearly, this wasn't their first time.
They didn't stop until they were a good distance away, both hunched over, panting heavily.
"Does your face hurt? What happened? Who said what today to make Dad so furious?"
Since returning, only her mother and younger brother had stood by her. Seeing her brother bloodied and bruised, her heart ached, and she instinctively brushed his baby-fat cheek.
She wiped the bead of blood from his brow.
"It doesn't hurt, I’m a man! A measly broom... hiss, okay, it actually hurts a lot. Sis, don't touch it!"
Xiaoyuan couldn't keep up the tough act anymore. His mouth puckered, and he buried his face in Xia Xian’s arms, eyes streaming with tears.
No matter how mischievous he was, he was still just a child. Of course it hurt to get beaten. He complained with grievances.
"I hate Dad so much! Why is he always like this?"
"This morning, Chu Sheng and his mother came over and said you stole money—I don't know who started that rumor! They said if you hadn't done it, people wouldn't be talking! They said you stole, that you cursed your husband to death and became a widow, and that you weren't even satisfied with that—now they’re saying you’re stealing money and will be stealing men next!"
"They even said Mom and Dad didn't raise their daughter right. Dad heard all this and started raging as soon as he got back. It’s all the fault of those people with filthy mouths, wuwuwu, Sis, you’ve had it so rough!"
Xiaoyuan hugged Xia Xian’s leg and sobbed. He’d been raised by his sister since he was small, so naturally, he had a deep bond with her. It was no wonder he was so upset.
Only then did Xia Xian realize what had happened. Her own rage surged, and she felt like cursing those people as well! They had mouths but no brains!
"Stop crying! Who told Dad those things? Tomorrow, I’m going to find them and settle the score! I want to see who’s stupid enough to believe such nonsense! The police already cleared me of the theft!"