novelhk Page 22
Page 22
She had long, flowing blonde hair, a horrifying makeup look on her face, and emitted a chilling, shrill laugh.
"Hahahaha!" After a brief silence, the children burst into laughter. "It's not scary at all!"
"This lady looks like a circus clown!" A boy wearing glasses pointed at Yumiko Miura and laughed so hard he almost fell over.
Miura Yumiko stuck out her tongue in annoyance, turned to look at Chen Xiao beside her, her eyes filled with helplessness.
Just then, a tall figure wearing a pale ghost mask slowly emerged from the shadows.
"It's Brother Chen Xiao!" The children recognized him immediately. Instead of being afraid, they excitedly surrounded him.
Even with the hideous ghost mask on, Chen Xiao's slender figure and elegant demeanor could not be concealed.
Under the moonlight, his chin was clearly defined, and a faint smile played on his thin lips.
"Brother Chen Xiao is so handsome!" the little girls whispered, blushing.
"Even when dressed as a ghost, she looks so good..." another girl exclaimed, cupping her face in her hands, completely forgetting that she was in a haunted house game.
Chen Xiao slowly raised his hand and made a shushing gesture. The children immediately quieted down and looked expectantly at their most handsome "ghost" older brother.
Tsurumi looked up at Chen Xiao with a very complicated expression, as if she had guessed something.
Chen Xiao slowly removed the ghost mask, and his handsome face under the moonlight now exuded a chilling coldness.
“It’s not scary at all!” the children said happily, looking at Chen Xiao.
“Terrible?” His voice was low and slow, each word piercing the children’s hearts like an ice pick. “You thought this was just a game?”
Yumiko Miura gasped, staring incredulously at Chen Xiao's sudden change in demeanor.
The usually elegant and gentle young nobleman seemed to have become a completely different person.
“In the face of a true powerhouse, you are not even toys.” Chen Xiao took a step forward, his footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves. “Since I can’t scare you…” His long fingers slowly tightened, his knuckles making a terrifying cracking sound. “Then I’ll use a more direct way to make you remember tonight.”
Yukino Yukinoshita's pupils suddenly contracted; she keenly sensed the true intention hidden in Chen Xiao's words.
This is not just simple intimidation, but a carefully designed psychological game—he is breaking down the children's psychological defenses in the most extreme way.
“Chen, Chen Xiao-jun…” Yui Yuigahama felt uneasy; the Chen Xiao in front of her was so unfamiliar that it startled her.
Chen Xiao suddenly pulled a bloody severed hand from his pocket. Blood dripped from between his fingers, gleaming with an eerie dark red luster in the moonlight. It was the hand of Hu Buxiang.
Yumiko Miura let out a short scream and subconsciously took half a step back—the shocking cross-section and muscle texture were so realistic it was nauseating. This prop was just too realistic!
"This...this is impossible..." a child whispered, trembling.
"Want to touch it?" Chen Xiao smiled sinisterly, extending the severed hand forward. "It's very fresh."
The children burst into heart-wrenching screams. They scattered and fled like a flock of frightened sheep, only to be blocked by Chen Xiao in a flash.
Under the moonlight, his tall figure cast a long shadow, completely enveloping the shivering children.
"Please, please let us go!..." A little girl was already sobbing uncontrollably.
Chen Xiao seemed not to hear him and continued to approach.
The blood dripping from the "prop" in his hand left a shocking trail on the ground, and a faint smell of rust filled the air.
Yumiko Miura suddenly realized that this was probably no ordinary prop—the familiar smell of blood made her stomach cramp.
Just as their fear reached its peak, a small, thin figure in red suddenly appeared in front of the children. Tsurumi Rumi spread her arms wide, her legs trembling, yet she stubbornly raised her small face: "Stop! Bullying children, what kind of high school student are you?!"
Chapter 34: Education Hayama Hayato
Chen Xiao stood tall and looked down at Tsurumi Rumi, his voice full of deliberate mockery: "Oh? A little kid who dares to dream of being a hero?"
His long, slender fingers gently lifted Tsurumi Rumi's chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. This should have been an extremely imposing gesture, yet a fleeting tenderness flashed in his eyes.
"You, you..." Tsurumi Rumi's face flushed red with anger, like a ripe apple. She stubbornly slapped his hand away and said angrily, "I hate self-righteous adults like you the most!"
Chen Xiao exaggeratedly clutched his chest, making a heartbroken expression, and said jokingly, "Oh dear, I've been disliked." After saying that, he turned around and winked at Miura Yumiko, teasingly saying, "Looks like my acting skills are too good, even I almost believed it myself."
Yumiko Miura stared blankly at Chen Xiao's retreating figure, a flicker of realization crossing her eyes. She instantly understood Chen Xiao's good intentions; at this moment, he was using this seemingly extreme method to create an opportunity for this withdrawn girl to integrate into the group.
"Be careful!"
"shameless!"
"You're just bullying people!"
The children's accusations rose and fell like a tidal wave. Strangely enough, however, these accusations made Tsurumi Rumi unconsciously straighten her back, as if she had found a support.
Standing in the center of the crowd, she felt the warmth of being surrounded by her companions for the first time—a wonderful feeling she had never experienced before.
Chen Xiao feigned annoyance and spread his hands, saying helplessly, "Alright, alright, you win."
In the distance, Yumi Miyamoto unconsciously loosened her clenched fist. Moonlight shone on her as she quietly watched Chen Xiao's departing figure. For the first time, the firm guard in her heart wavered slightly.
As the night deepened, the campfire in the forest flickered in the breeze, reflecting the diverse expressions on everyone's faces.
Yui Yuigahama was the first to rush forward, her hands clasped tightly to her chest, looking at Chen Xiao excitedly: "Chen Xiao-kun! So you did that on purpose! You're amazing!"
Her voice was filled with undisguised adoration, and her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Yukino Yukinoshita walked over slowly, her icy black eyes staring straight at Chen Xiao, and said calmly, "Although the methods were a bit extreme... they were indeed effective."
Hiratsuka Shizuka gave Chen Xiao a deep look and exhaled a smoke ring: "Well done, is this your plan? But thinking about it carefully, your actions are really quite chilling."
Chen Xiao leaned lazily against the tree, the moonlight outlining his perfect profile: "I'll get proud if you praise me like this."
Yukino Yukinoshita sneered and retorted without any politeness, "Aren't you usually so arrogant? You're so narcissistic!"
Yumi Miyamoto hesitated for a moment, then finally mustered the courage to step forward. Her police boots rustled softly on the fallen leaves.
"I..." Her voice was a few decibels lower than usual, with a hint of barely perceptible tension, "I may have misunderstood you." She spoke softly, but every word was clear.
She looked up, and the instant her eyes met Chen Xiao's, she quickly looked away, a blush rising on her cheeks. "But don't get cocky, I'm still watching you."
"Is that so?" His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of amusement. "Then, officer, would you like to... get a little closer and keep an eye on me?"
Yumi Miyamoto's breath hitched, and her heart pounded uncontrollably. She should have stepped back, should have displayed the authority of a police officer, but her body seemed frozen in place. The crisp minty scent emanating from Chen Xiao filled her nostrils, causing her mind to go blank for a moment.
Her voice trembled slightly, but when she saw the cunning glint in Chen Xiao's eyes, she suddenly realized, "You did this on purpose!"
"What's wrong? Is the policewoman shy with me?" Chen Xiao lifted her chin, his eyes full of teasing.
Yumi Miyamoto, filled with shame and indignation, abruptly shook off Chen Xiao's hand and turned away in a panic.
Chen Xiao found it amusing to himself, a slight smile playing on his lips as he slowly uttered a spell in the air.
"Forget about the scary thing about my bloody hands before."
Yumi Miyamoto felt a slight headache, as if a needle had gently pricked her brain, and a very important memory was missing from her brain.
A gentle night breeze rustled through the treetops, carrying away the last trace of awkwardness. Under the tender moonlight, all guardedness and suspicion seemed to melt away temporarily, like ice and snow gradually melting in the warm spring sun.
Only Chen Xiao knew that this meticulously planned drama had only just begun, and there were many more unknowns waiting for him to write in the future.
The campfire at the camp had gradually died down, leaving only a few embers flickering in the darkness.
As soon as Chen Xiao stepped into the camp, Haibina rushed into his arms like a fledgling bird returning to its nest.
"Is it resolved?" She tilted her head up, the moonlight shining on her fair skin, reflecting the unease and anxiety in her eyes.
Chen Xiao gently stroked her flushed cheeks with his long, slender fingers: "He will never bother us again."
Hai Laoming trembled, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes, and asked in a low voice, "Isn't this too cruel..." Before he could finish speaking, Chen Xiao sealed his lips with hers.
"My woman." Chen Xiao bit her reddened earlobe, his voice low and domineering, "Anyone who touches her dies, not even a confession."
"Brother Chen Xiao, I want to have your child." Hai Laoming's eyes were hazy, and his voice carried a hint of coquettishness.
"Then come on." A burning light flashed in Chen Xiao's eyes as he picked her up and carried her into the tent.
Inside the tent, moonlight filtered through the canvas, casting dappled shadows and creating an ambiguous and romantic atmosphere.
Ebina clung tightly to his shoulder like a drowning person, eventually losing consciousness in ecstasy, a smile still lingering on her lips, as if immersed in a beautiful dream.
The campsite was filled with the aroma of firewood and food in the early morning.
Chen Xiao rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong and slender arms. His fingers skillfully flipped the fried eggs in the frying pan, his movements practiced and elegant.
"Brother Chen Xiao is such a gentle person." Mei Yu stood behind him at some point, her long black hair swaying gently in the morning breeze.
She looked at Tsurumi Rumi playing with a group of children in the distance, her eyes full of admiration: "Brother Chen Xiao is really amazing, willing to be disliked himself to help others."
Chen Xiao plated the fried eggs, a faint smile playing on his lips: "It was nothing."
He asked casually, "Are you going to Baizhuo Village tomorrow?"
"Yes!" Meiyu said excitedly, "Mom and my sisters are all going, does Brother Chen Xiao want to come along?"
Before the words were finished, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted the conversation.
Hayato Hayama's golden hair was particularly dazzling in the morning light. His face was gloomy, like an angry lion. He rushed up to Chen Xiao and said, "You did it, didn't you?" His voice was very low, but it was filled with suppressed anger.
Chen Xiao slowly wiped his hands, continued to stir-fry the eggs without even lifting his eyelids, and said indifferently, "What does Ye Shan mean by this?"
"Stop pretending!" Hayama suddenly pointed at Ebina, who was setting up a platter not far away, "The Ministry of Revenue disappeared last night after receiving her invitation letter! You dare to say it has nothing to do with you?"
Chen Xiao's eyes instantly turned cold, and the temperature around him seemed to plummet, sending chills down everyone's spines.
He took a step forward, his tall figure completely enveloping Ye Shan, his voice soft yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Watch your words."
"Defamation can lead to legal consequences."
Chapter Thirty-Five: The Power of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, Provoking Shinichi Kudo
"What happened?" Hiratsuka Shizuka, Yukino Yukinoshita, Yumi Miyamoto, and others rushed over to check the situation after hearing the commotion.
Hayato Hayama, his face filled with anxiety and anger, told everyone everything about Sho Tobe's disappearance.
Hiratsuka Shizuka frowned instantly, her eyes revealing worry. In her view, the seriousness of the matter meant that if it wasn't handled properly, it could lead to a series of troubles.
At this moment, Miura Yumiko chuckled softly, breaking the tense atmosphere. She crossed her arms and said, "Chen Xiao was busy preparing for the ghost game last night! He didn't have time to work on any missing persons cases."
Hayato Hayama, however, was unconvinced. He turned to Ebina, his eyes filled with suspicion and questioning: "Where were you when the Minister of Revenue disappeared? You were the one who arranged to meet him."
Ebina had been prepared for this situation long ago. Last night, when he and Chen Xiao were making out in the tent, they had already anticipated that they might encounter such a situation today.
Her eyes were slightly red, and she feigned sadness, her voice trembling as she said, "I originally wanted to meet with the Minister of Revenue to clear things up, since some of his previous actions have been troubling me."
But later I was still a little scared, after all, it was so late and it was pitch black, so I joined Umaru and the others in preparing for the ghost-dressing activity.