Eldest Sister, let me protect you.

Chapter 062: Big Sister, I’ll Protect You

Lin Wan’er’s voice echoed through the hall.

Fang Rulai and Zhu Xishi exchanged a glance—one swiftly bent down, the other hurried in a few long strides to the door, rushing to push it open before anyone else could.

“Officer! Thank goodness you’re here! Please save us, Officer!” Zhu Xishi cried out in her booming voice, her expression perfectly matching the terror she projected as she ran straight toward the leading officer.

Lin Wan’er, who had just immersed herself in the mindset of a distressed victim, was still confused when Zhu Xishi, running past her, slyly elbowed her to the ground from an angle no one could see.

“You—” Lin Wan’er instinctively wanted to protest, but she barely got a word out before Zhu Xishi’s loud voice drowned her out.

“Officer, there’s been a murder inside! No, not just a murder—mutual destruction! It’s too cruel, too bloody, too—uh!” Zhu Xishi, her face the very image of terror, seemed suddenly overwhelmed; her eyes rolled up, her breath caught, and she collapsed right into the arms of the lead officer, missing him by just a step.

This particular officer, Zhang Sheng, had only joined the patrol last month through a recommendation. He was just past sixteen, his ambitions for heroism and official merit burning bright, his chivalrous spirit not yet dimmed by the harsh realities of bureaucracy.

As a glamorous young woman leaned into his arms, he had no mind to question the logic of the situation. He tossed his official saber behind him, gathered Zhu Xishi into his arms, and called out with concern, “Big Sister?”

Big sister? Zhu Xishi, feigning a faint, twitched at her brow and glared up at him, almost instinctively. Who was he calling “Big Sister”?

Seeing her eyes open, the clueless young officer quickly asked, “Big Sister, you’re awake? Are you alright?”

Another “Big Sister”—this time Zhu Xishi nearly fainted for real. Where had she found such a green, oblivious boy? Big sister? His whole family was big sisters!

Fuming inside, Zhu Xishi abandoned her act. As she straightened up, she once more used her elbow, this time with twice the force she’d used on Lin Wan’er, jabbing hard into the officer’s side where no one could see.

That’s for calling her “Big Sister”!

“Ouch!” Zhang Sheng instinctively let go of Zhu Xishi and clutched his side. Why had she hit him?

Seizing the moment, Zhu Xishi stepped away from his embrace, but didn’t forget to feign concern, “Officer, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you by accident?”

Her eyes were filled with such guilty tears, it seemed as if a single word from him would bring them tumbling down.

Zhang Sheng gritted his teeth and let go of his side. “Nonsense, Big Sister. I, Zhang Sheng, am sturdy! I wouldn’t cry out just because you accidentally bumped me. Big Sister, I’m not hurt!”

This time, Zhu Xishi really did cry. Was she really that old? Did he have to call her “Big Sister” every time?

Seeing the beauty before him in tears, Zhang Sheng’s youthful heart surged uncontrollably. “Don’t cry, Big—”

“Officer, there’s urgent business! You’d best have a look inside first.” Zhu Xishi wiped her tears, cutting him off. She truly didn’t want to hear another “Big Sister” from his lips. Never mind—she’d accept it. After all, what could one expect from such a blockheaded greenhorn? Just wait, she’d get her revenge sooner or later.

“Ah, right, right.” Zhang Sheng straightened, finally remembering his duty. And with that, he recalled his position as patrol team leader. The rank was minor, but his authority mustn’t falter—especially in front of women.

He drew his saber to the front again, nostrils flaring as he gave his orders. “Lead the way.”

Zhu Xishi didn’t move. Her handkerchief was twisted into a rope. “Officer, I’m afraid.”

There was a murder scene ahead. Though she was in fact the real killer, at the moment she was just a frail woman who’d cried out for help. Lead the way? She couldn’t do it.

Fair enough. Zhang Sheng realized and strode to the front. “Hide behind me. If anything happens, I’ll protect you.”

Before Zhu Xishi could reply, Lin Wan’er, still sitting on the floor, lunged forward to stop him. “No, Officer! She’s one of the murderers! If you let her hide behind you, you might be—”

“Miss Lin, how can you say that?” Zhu Xishi rushed forward with a look of shock. “Just now, in the midst of danger, I risked my life to cover your escape so you could fetch help. Now you accuse me of murder? Weren’t we brought here together as victims?”

The plot turned too fast for Lin Wan’er to react. “You, I…”

“Ah, are you twisting the facts because you’re afraid news of your abduction will ruin your reputation? Fine, I won’t blame you. But the truth cannot be distorted!” Zhu Xishi cut her off crisply. “Officer, please judge fairly. I, Miss Lin, and the late Madam Wang in the room were all stuffed in coffins and brought here by a criminal for unspeakable acts. Poor Madam Wang, upright in temperament, fought the villain and died in mutual destruction. Officer, you must seek justice for Madam Wang!”

Zhu Xishi burst into tears again, her grief heartrending.

Already predisposed, Zhang Sheng trusted Zhu Xishi even more. “Don’t worry, Big Sister. Once I get to the bottom of this, I’ll make sure you have a proper explanation.” He shot a glare at Lin Wan’er, who had tried to speak several times but failed. He’d met enough people willing to lie for the sake of reputation before, but he hadn’t expected even the magistrate’s goddaughter to be one of them. Now that the truth was exposed, not only did she show no shame, she even tried to use them to muddy the facts. Hmph. Maybe he had entered officialdom through connections, but he didn’t come just for promotion—his aim was to be a good official, one who served the people!

“Men, bring Miss Lin inside!”

“Bring” her, but the two officers flanked Lin Wan’er, “protecting” her in the middle as though she were a prisoner they feared might suddenly escape.

Lin Wan’er was so furious at the plot twist that she nearly passed out, but she knew arguing with Zhang Sheng now would do no good.

Zhang Sheng, sixteen, a rookie—passionate, sincere, easily manipulated. She had chosen his team out of all the patrols because she’d learned his personality was easy to control: passionate enough to rush out at any cry for help; sincere enough to pursue the truth if the crime was clear; easily manipulated enough that, if led to the scene with all evidence present, he’d immediately assume the surviving side was the murderer.

But man proposes, heaven disposes. She’d been careless for a moment and let Zhu Xishi take the lead. With his mind made up, Zhang Sheng would now see everything she said as a lie.

Lin Wan’er pressed down her resentment and consoled herself: it’s fine, there are plenty of loopholes inside. Let’s see how Zhu Xishi handles them!

At the door, Zhang Sheng opened his arms, shielding Zhu Xishi behind him in a heroic pose. “Careful, I’m going to kick the door in.”

He kicked the main door hard, but just as his foot arrived, the door swung open from within. Zhang Sheng, off balance, stumbled forward and fell flat on his face.

Zhu Xishi coughed to cover her laughter. Serves him right for calling her “Big Sister”!

Behind the door, Fang Rulai pressed his palms together, his eyes filled with sorrow. “Amitabha, the dead are gone. Such grand ceremony from the officer is of no use now.”

Lin Wan’er shoved Zhu Xishi aside and rushed in first. She needed to assess the situation before she could counterattack effectively.

Inside, beside the coffin, lay Sun Yao and Wang Suzhi.

One was missing an ear, his abdomen slit open in a grisly death; the other’s clothes were disheveled, blood at her lips but no obvious wounds elsewhere.

Lin Wan’er quickly exclaimed excitedly, “Officer, look! Their condition proves they were accomplices! Think about it—Wang Suzhi is just a weak woman. If she didn’t have help, how could she gut Sun Yao, a skilled martial artist?”

As she spoke, Lin Wan’er smirked inwardly. Let’s see you talk your way out now.

Zhu Xishi tensed—this was the crucial moment. Earlier, without evidence, she could say whatever she liked. But the situation inside couldn’t be changed—what now?

Fang Rulai gave her a calming look, then stepped forward and pointed at Sun Yao. “That’s Young Master Sun?”

“Of course!” Lin Wan’er replied, a triumphant gleam in her eye. “He’s Sun Yao, eldest son of Magistrate Sun of Pingcheng—my godfather’s family. There’s no mistake. Officer, you can confirm that, right?”

Zhang Sheng, who had spotted Sun Yao at first glance, was already petrified. He’d sworn to uphold justice, but if the magistrate’s son was involved, one wrong move could cost him not just his job, but his life.

Fang Rulai showed no sign of panic and countered, “Then why is he here, if he’s as skilled as you say?”

“He, uh—” Lin Wan’er hesitated.

Fang Rulai pressed on, “According to you, if Madam Wang couldn’t kill Sun Yao alone, then she couldn’t have brought him here by force either. That means Sun Yao came here of his own free will, correct?”

His question was directed at Zhang Sheng, who thought for a moment and nodded—yes, that made sense.

Fang Rulai turned back to Lin Wan’er. “So, Miss Lin, why do you think Sun Yao came here of his own accord?”

“He, he—” Lin Wan’er clapped her hands as inspiration struck. “He must have been lured here by Wang Suzhi! Yes, Wang Suzhi secretly sent word to Sun Yao, asking him to meet her here. Then, with your help, she murdered him. Yes, that’s it!”

Having found her confidence, Lin Wan’er pressed on, “And you—by what right are you questioning me? How did you come here? If, as you say, Sun Yao brought victims here for foul deeds, then as a monk you shouldn’t have been a captive. Yet here you are—why? Doesn’t that prove you’re the hidden murderer?”

Thank you, dear Smelly Egg Haha, for your generous flowers! The adrenaline rush is real—I’m working hard to get back in shape!

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