CH 45

Half an hour later, Huo Xiang arrived at the hospital entrance.

The moment he alighted from his car, his eyes focused on Bai Zhen Zhen, who was waiting for him. By her side was Bai Meng Ru and her mother, as well as two policemen.

“Zhen Zhen!” Huo Xiang waved, before striding over quickly. The moment he reached her side, he gave her a look, asking quietly: “What happened? Why is there policemen here?”

Bai Zhen Zhen responded calmly: “It’s fine, you can just watch the show.”

Yang Su Ping snorted coldly by the side: “I was wondering who we were waiting for. It turned out to be the Huo family’s young master. I didn’t expect Bai Zhen Zhen to still be clinging on to you! Why? Did you call him over to help exonerate you? Let me tell you, our society is based on laws. You can’t solve everything with money!”

“It’s rare to hear Aunty Yang speak such righteous words,” Bai Zhen Zhen chuckled, “Then you should keep your own words in mind. Don’t try to emotionally blackmail me when the law catches up to you.”

Yang Su Ping glared viciously at Bai Zhen Zhen. She gritted her teeth and didn’t speak any further.

Bai Meng Ru continued: “Sister, this is our family’s matter. The police hasn’t finalised the case, yet you’ve invited an outsider. I’m afraid that isn’t very appropriate, right?”

The policeman questioned Bai Zhen Zhen: “Ms Bai, is this the person you were waiting for? What does he have to do with this case?”

“Ca- Case?!” Huo Xiang choked.

— He just came here to pick up some sadness points, how did he become involved in a case?!

“He is my husband, thus he is also part of this family. Since we are investigating the truth behind my father’s death, he should naturally be present as well.” Bai Zhen Zhen replied.

Huo Xiang was completely bewildered. He looked at Bai Zhen Zhen at a loss, asking: “What happened? Didn’t Uncle Bai pass from his illness?”

“He was murdered.” Bai Zhen Zhen summarised simply.

Huo Xiang gulped.

“Bai Zhen Zhen, what did you just say? You said he is your husband?” Yang Su Ping wondered, “Didn’t you divorce him a long time ago? You even brought the divorce certificate home…”

“Since you can divorce after marrying, can’t we just marry again after divorcing?” Bai Zhen Zhen retorted.

Yang Su Ping was once again speechless.

Bai Meng Ru suddenly laughed coldly. She looked at Huo Xiang, before turning back to Bai Zhen Zhen and remarking darkly: “So the two of you never broke up. You were just playing with me?!”

“Yeah, didn’t you find it fun?” Bai Zhen Zhen grinned.

A hint of evil flashed past Bai Meng Ru’s eyes.

This was the first time Huo Xiang had seen such hatred and murderous intent emanating from Bai Meng Ru.

He had just gone off on his own for a few days. He didn’t expect that the female lead’s main storyline to have progressed so far to the climax of the story!! It looks like the supporting female had completely turned evil — Then did the female lead’s father die from…

Coming to a conclusion on the likeliest possible situation, Huo Xiang shivered involuntarily.

“Since everyone is here, Ms Bai, where did you say the security camera was? Let us have a look.” The policeman said.

Bai Zhen Zhen nodded. As she walked, she made sure to hug Huo Xiang’s arm.

Following them, Yang Su Ping and Bai Meng Ru were completely incensed.

****

Arriving at Father Bai’s ward once again, Bai Zhen Zhen examined the entire room.

Due to the murder case, the patients and family members who were in the ward had already moved to other rooms. The entire ward was empty now. Besides, the original furnishings of the hospital, there was nothing else in the ward.

The police stated: “Ms Bai, we’ve already inquired the hospital staff. The closest security camera is installed at the corner we just went around. The ward itself has no security cameras.”

“The other wards have no security camera, but it doesn’t mean that this ward doesn’t.” Bai Zhen Zhen responded.

Yang Su Ping heard her words, and burst out laughing: “I’ve stayed in this ward for so long. How could I not know whether there are security cameras or not? Bai Zhen Zhen, stop spouting nonsense. Don’t try to distract us from the truth, just honestly confess your guilt!”

“Haha, the police hasn’t even determined if my wife is guilty, yet Aunty Yang’s eyes sure are sharp, to proclaim my wife as guilty.” Huo Xiang snorted.

However, talking about security cameras caused Huo Xiang to recall something.

About ten days ago, after they rushed back from Haicheng, Bai Zhen Zhen had approached him and asked him to do one thing — Use his family’s connections to find the most professional shop that made hidden cameras.

He remembered that according to Bai Zhen Zhen’s request, the shop placed the hidden camera inside a clock. He was the one who personally handed the clock over to Bai Zhen Zhen.

Huo Xiang raised his head subconsciously. Wasn’t that the clock he passed to her, hanging on the wall in front of him!

At this moment, the hour hand of the clock was pointing to five o’clock. The second hand moved regularly, making a “tick tock tick tock” sound. Hearing it, it almost sounded like music to the ears.

“Amazing!” Huo Xiang couldn’t help but praise emotionally.

Giving a clock* — it had a good meaning!

Bai Meng Ru and Yang Su Ping clearly wasn’t aware of the impending danger. They glanced at Huo Xiang with slight hatred.

Bai Zhen Zhen smiled meaningfully and pointed to the clock hanging on the wall, saying: Mr Policeman, the security camera is right there.”

Everyone looked in the direction Bai Zhen Zhen pointed.

“That- Isn’t that–” Yang Su Ping’s words came to an abrupt end.

“Yes, that’s the clock I added to the ward when I first visited my dad after my return.” A faint smile appeared on Bai Zhen Zhen’s face, “However, there’s more to it than just a clock.”

Yang Su Ping’s expression instantly changed.

Bai Meng Ru saw the change in Yang Su Ping’s expression, and knew that things had gone wrong. She trembled violently.

Almost instantly, Bai Meng Ru made up her mind, quickly rushing to the wall, intending to snatch the clock.

Bai Zhen Zhen had long been on guard against Bai Meng Ru. She grabbed her arm in one swift movement and used all the strength in her body to restrain her.

Yang Su Ping also reacted, wanting to retrieve the clock, but Huo Xiang was a step faster, and blocked her.

“Aunty Yang, don’t be in such a rush. This is a crucial piece of evidence. We should let the police retrieve it.” Huo Xiang smiled, but there was a threatening look in his eyes.

Yang Su Ping and Bai Meng Ru had no choice but to watch the police take down the clock.

The two policemen examined the clock, then turned to Bai Zhen Zhen: “You said that the hidden camera is in here?”

“Yes.” Bai Zhen Zhen nodded, replying cooperatively, “I bought this clock. In it, there is a hidden camera and a SD card. The SD card can store up to half a month’s worth of recordings. Recordings over half a month will be automatically deleted. However, we only need the recording of what happened today in the ward. I believe it should be able to be extracted quickly.”

“But why did you buy this in the first place?” The police asked.

“Because I don’t trust my stepmother.” Bai Zhen Zhen said bluntly, “I believe both of you can tell that though this family looks complete on the outside, it has long been dysfunctional within. I can’t trust my stepmother’s character, but I can’t accompany my dad the entire time as I still have to go to work. Thus, I thought of this method to check if my stepmother has been taking good care of my dad.”

“I see.” The police did not doubt Bai Zhen Zhen’s explanation.

Yang Su Ping shouted hoarsely: “Bai Zhen Zhen, on what grounds are you accusing me of not taking good care of your dad?! If it wasn’t for my utmost care and attention, he would have died multiple times by now!”

“No matter what you did in the past, whether or not you took good care of my dad, what I currently want is simply to find out who murdered my dad.” Bai Zhen Zhen’s expression was icy, her gaze fixed on the glass of the clock, “With this, the truth will be revealed soon.”

****

An hour later, Bai Zhen Zhen and the others sat in the projection room in the police station and watched the entire process captured by the hidden camera.

The clock was hung on the wall, directly above the hospital beds. The camera angle was nearly perfect, facing the cabinet near the door. The video quality was bright, and the resolution was clear. It even clearly recorded Bai Meng Ru wiping her hands in nervousness.

Seeing herself walk over to block Father Bai’s vision, Yang Su Ping collapsed mentally.

She slid down from the chair and slumped on the ground, shaking her head while mumbling: “I knew it wouldn’t be so simple, I just knew it… I said not to do it, that I didn’t want to do it, but… but…”

In contrast, Bai Meng Ru calmly watched herself go through the entire motions as she murdered Father Bai on camera.

Then, under everyone’s attention, her lips gradually curved into a faint smile.

“Bai Zhen Zhen, you’re really amazing.” Bai Meng Ru slowly turned her head, addressing Bai Zhen Zhen, “It turns out that you left your bag behind intentionally. You also intentionally gave me this chance to frame you.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Bai Zhen Zhen wasn’t flustered. Her tone was light, with a regular rhythm, “I’ve already explained to the police my reasons for buying the clock. It was only an accident that I left my bag behind. You said that I planned it all, and that it was all intentional. However, I couldn’t have planned for your evil intentions.”

“Thus, these two lines fit the current situation — Crime doesn’t pay. The long arm of the law is bound to catch you.”

The two policemen were already walking towards Bai Meng Ru and Yang Su Ping.

They took out two pairs of shining handcuffs, arresting Bai Meng Ru.

“No– I had nothing to do with this!” Yang Su Ping suddenly struggled.

She pointed at Bai Meng Ru, shouting: “It’s all your fault! You unfilial daughter! You made me do it! I already said that he’s the father who raised you for more than ten years, how could you be so ruthless!!”

Bai Meng Ru was not surprised by her mother’s sudden betrayal.

She merely glanced coldly at Yang Su Ping, sullenly saying: “Indeed, you’re still so self-centered. You called me unfilial, but have you ever truly cared about me?! Sending me to a good school and making me learn ballet, isn’t it all to satisfy your own vanity? Do you even know what those wealthy students think of me! In their group, I am always the worst off!”

“Also, you wanted to remarry, so you remarried. Did you ever ask for my opinion? You are so selfish, only thinking from your own perspective. You have never once considered other people’s feelings, not even your own daughter!!”

“Just take today as an example. We have both been convicted of murder. If it was any other mother, they would have stood up and shouldered all the blame for their daughter. On the other hand, you can’t wait to clear your own name, throwing all the blame to your daughter and leaving her to die! You are so cruel!”

“Mom, it’s all thanks to you that I am where I am today.” As Bai Meng Ru spoke, she suddenly grinned sinisterly at Yang Su Ping, “I wasn’t the one who made you do it. It was you — who made me.”

Yang Su Ping was frightened by Bai Meng Ru’s appearance. She slumped over once more, trembling.

Bai Meng Ru’s eyes were already bulging, anger and hatred boiling over.

The two policemen arrested both of them, and was about to take them to another location.

Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly stood up, saying pointedly to Bai Meng Ru’s back: “You said your mother wronged you, but what about Dad?!”

Bai Meng Ru halted.

“Ever since you joined the Bai family, Dad always treated you as his own daughter and more. He would rather sacrifice his own biological daughter’s happiness and future just to protect your sensitive self-esteem and those unrealistic vanities!”

“…But you. You killed him.”

“I never asked him to do that–” Bai Meng Ru spun around, hysterically roaring at Bai Zhen Zhen, “He thought that by doing so, I would be moved?! He’s not my dad! Not now, not ever! The more he pretends to be kind, the more disgusted I feel!!”

Huo Xiang stood up subconsciously and hugged Bai Zhen Zhen’s shoulders.

Bai Zhen Zhen still remained calm.

She laughed, and used a light tone to reply Bai Meng Ru: “You are so pitiful.”

Bai Meng Ru gritted her teeth, glaring at Bai Zhen Zhen with hate-filled eyes. Her face began to twitch.

But, she couldn’t say anything.

Two seconds later, a tear slid down the corner of her eye.

“Let’s go.” A policeman sighed softly.

The other policeman nodded, then shook his head similarly with a sigh.

****

Bai Zhen Zhen watched as Bai Meng Ru and Yang Su Ping were taken away by the police. It felt as though a weight had lifted from her heart.

She turned her head, and happened to meet Huo Xiang’s concerned eyes.

“Everything will be ok…” Huo Xiang hugged her, “Luckily, you were prepared this time and didn’t fall into their trap. But Zhen Zhen, don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will be here to protect you. I will never let those people hurt even a single strand of your hair.”

“Relax, I’m already over it.” Bai Zhen Zhen said.

Huo Xiang patted her back, comforting: “It’s ok. You can cry all you want in my arms.”

Bai Zhen Zhen frowned: “But I don’t feel like crying.”

She had finally solved a few NPCs who were thorns in her side. It was something to rejoice, why would she cry?

Huo Xiang sighed: “I understand how you feel. Sometimes, it’s difficult to shed tears at the lowest point in your life. It’s alright, I’m here. Anything you want to say or do, you can…”

— System: “Ding~ Female lead happiness points +10.”

Before Huo Xiang could finish his words, he was shocked by the system’s notification.

— Huo Xiang: “???”

— System: “Congratulations! You have accumulated 106.5 happiness points so far, and successfully broken through the 100 points target!”

Huo Xiang completely collapsed.

He clearly came here to comfort the saddened female lead, and was fully prepared for the happiness points to decrease — What’s going on?! The happiness points increased instead?! And it even broke through 100 points?!

This wasn’t part of his plan! Their wedding day hadn’t even arrived yet, how could it reach 100 points already!!

In the midst of Huo Xiang’s panic, a congratulatory BGM suddenly sounded in his mind, similar to the music played over the speakers when he went on stage to receive a prize in school.

— System: “Glorious Knight 9938, congratulations on completing the main mission assigned to you by the ‘Saving the female lead’ system, and successfully helping the female lead achieve 100 happiness points! You’ve — worked hard! Right now, the system mission has been completed, and it is time for you to return home in glory. I hope that after you return to your world, you will continue to…”

— Huo Xiang: “Wait a second!”

— System: “?”

— Huo Xiang: “Knight 9938 is requesting to use the resurrection chance.”

— System: “Knight, did I hear you right? You want to use the one-time resurrection chance?”

— Huo Xiang: “Yes.”

— System: “Based on the investigation, you do indeed have a one-time resurrection chance available to use. However, I have to remind you that you’ve already completed the main mission, and there’s no need to…”

— Huo Xiang: “Knight 9938 is requesting to use the resurrection chance.

— System: “Alright. The system will carry out the resurrection procedures. Please choose: 1. Cancel the current side mission; 2. Revert the accumulated happiness points to before the latest change.”

— Huo Xiang: “I choose the second option.”

— System: “Once the resurrection chance is used, there is no turning back. If you choose the second option, then the accumulated female lead happiness points will revert back to 96.5 points, and you will have to continue completing the fifth side mission. Please confirm.”

— Huo Xiang: “Confirm.”

— System: “The resurrection chance has been executed.”

— System: “Reporting: The current main mission progress is 96.5%, and the side mission progress is 66.7%.”

— Huo Xiang: “Ok!”

Though he managed to resolve a sudden crisis, Huo Xiang still felt trapped.

At this moment, Bai Zhen Zhen managed to break out of his hug.

“What’s wrong?” Huo Xiang was still slightly dazed.

Bai Zhen Zhen glanced at him shyly: “It doesn’t seem too appropriate to hug at the police station for so long. Let’s leave quietly.”

Huo Xiang: “…”

****

At night, Huo Xiang laid in his bed, strategizing his next steps.

He was in a big city, lying on a big bed, yet he couldn’t find someone to confide in.

He could only call the system out to chat.

— Huo Xiang: “System, let me tell you something.”

— System: “Please go ahead.”

— Huo Xiang: “The system has many knights, such that I’m the 9938th knight. You should have been attached to quite a few knights, right?”

— System: “According to investigations, you are the 999th knight matched to this system.”

— Huo Xiang: “Wow, what a nice number. It must be fate, to be together a long time**.”

— System: “?”

— Huo Xiang: “Ermm, I just wanted to ask you a question.”

— System: “Please go ahead.”

— Huo Xiang: “If a knight fell in love with the female lead in the novel, how will the system usually handle it?”

— System: “According to the system settings, the knights can only return to reality after completing the main mission. During the completion process, the system will occasionally issue out side missions. Failure to complete the side missions will result in the happiness points being reset to zero, and the entire system will be reset.”

— Huo Xiang: “… I know all that already. What I’m asking is…”

— System: “Other than that, there are no rules and restrictions.”

— Huo Xiang: “So that’s the case! Then I can simply wholeheartedly be together with Zhen Zhen!”

Huo Xiang accidentally spoke his true feelings.

He blushed, but the system remained calm.

— System: “The system has no authority to interfere with the knights’ actions. The knights are naturally permitted to pursue love. As a guide for the ‘Saving the female lead’ system, we are actually in full support of the knights having a relationship with the female lead. This is undoubtedly a good way to increase the female lead’s happiness points.”

— Huo Xiang: “… I’m currently not thinking of increasing the female lead’s happiness points.”

— System: “To love someone is to want to make her happy, isn’t it?”

— Huo Xiang: “If I disappear after completing the main mission, she wouldn’t be happy.”

— System: “Knight, please rest assured that after you disappear from the novel world, everything pertaining to you will cease to exist. None of the characters in the novel will have any memory of you.”

— Huo Xiang: “How am I supposed to rest assured hearing that!!”

Huo Xiang fell into despair.

He was initially still trying to convince himself — It was better to have love and lost than never to have loved at all. He didn’t expect that his entire existence would be wiped from Bai Zhen Zhen’s memories in the end!

How infuriating!

— System: “If you don’t want to leave the novel world so early, you can try to get close to the female lead when she is sad so that the accumulated happiness points will fall. We don’t encourage you to do so, but we also will not punish you for doing so. This is just a reference for knights who have emotional entanglements.”

— Huo Xiang: “Sigh, just being together with me now makes her forget all her sadness. How could I still approach her when she’s feeling down?”

— System: “Why do you say that?”

— Huo Xiang: “What, didn’t you see it for yourself today? Her father just passed, but her happiness points still rose while hugging me! Isn’t this due to my personal charisma?!”

— System: “….”

Huo Xiang sighed.

Women truly were creatures who valued love above all else.

The current situation was really tricky. It’s not like he could deliberately do something to make Bai Zhen Zhen upset in order to lower her happiness points! It would be too cruel! Besides, he couldn’t bear to see Bai Zhen Zhen upset!

— System: “I’ve got it!”

— Huo Xiang: “?”

— System: “I have extracted a piece of data from the memory bank. It is a method used by the 666th knight. According to the data, the knight lived together with the female lead for over sixty years. Only after the female lead passed from old age did the knight finally complete the main mission and return to reality. Knight, do you need me to share the method with you?”

Huo Xiang’s eyes lit up.

— Huo Xiang: “You should have! Said! So! Earlier!”

———————-

*To give a clock = To wish for someone’s death.

In Chinese culture, the clock represents time. Thus, to give a clock to someone means that you hope that they would run out of time i.e. die. Also, the words 送钟 (song zhong) is a homophone for 送终 (song zhong), which means to see someone off to the afterlife; to attend a funeral.

**长长久久 (chang chang jiu jiu) – A long time. This is a play on words, as 9 is 九 (jiu) in Chinese, and 长 (chang) is long in Chinese. So 999 is a long (长 chang) string of 9s (九 jiu)

T/N: Notice that both Bai Meng Ru and Yang Su Ping rushed to snatch the clock. It feels like Bai Meng Ru and Yang Su Ping were rushing to their deaths, given the meaning behind a clock.