C12 A Rotten System

She had been so caught up in venting her frustrations from her past life that she completely forgot about the consequences of angering a dangerous beast. It felt good to lash out, but now she was facing the music.

[Oh boy, you've really done it now, trying to take what's not yours. You're in big trouble, host~]

Just when things were getting critical, 021 popped up to watch the drama unfold, not missing a chance to stir the pot and enjoy the chaos.

Xue Ning: ...

She was utterly disappointed in 021's grasp of language, seriously questioning the system's reliability. As she momentarily lost focus, a few escape plans flitted through her mind, only to be dismissed just as quickly.

Running away might work for now, but it wouldn't solve anything in the long run. In her past life, she had survived by being timid and cautious, but this time she wanted to live with dignity, clear her name, and hold her head high.

Resolute, Xue Ning took a deep breath, ducked to avoid the bodyguard's reaching hands, and looked steadily at Lu Bai. "Wait, I have something to say."

The bodyguard reflexively glanced at Lu Bai, and only after receiving his nod did he step aside.

Xue Ning approached Lu Bai, crouched slightly, and carefully chose her words. "Even the police need a reason to arrest someone. You want me to kneel without giving me any reason. That's not fair."

Lu Bai stared intently at Xue Ning, eager to see how she would defend her actions and curious about what tricks she might have up her sleeve. Under his fierce and piercing gaze, Xue Ning's fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.

The scars left by men in her past ran deep, and even though he hadn't succeeded in this life, she still feared him greatly. Xue Ning tried her best to hide her fear, meeting Lu Bai's eyes as much as possible, adhering to the basic social etiquette of the negotiating table, showing her sincerity through her actions.

She played along, lying through her teeth, pretending not to know who the person buried here was. "Who exactly is buried here? Why did you bring me to this place? And why do you insist I bow to him?"

"Lu Bai, give me a reason."

In the bright midday sun, her beautiful eyes shimmered with flecks of gold, clear and captivating. Her voice was soft and gentle, like a babbling brook.

For a moment, Lu Bai was lost in thought. Despite his deep-seated dislike for the woman before him, he had to admit that Xue Ning was strikingly attractive. Unfortunately, beneath that lovely exterior lay a heart as cold as ice, and an average man would likely be deceived by her facade.

Lu Bai was not the kind of gentleman who would be swayed by a pretty face, nor was he one to be easily deceived by appearances.

"Are you done talking?" Lu Bai's anger didn't subside after listening; instead, it burned even hotter, almost consuming him entirely. He smirked, though his eyes remained cold. "Xue Ning, you put on a good act, looking all innocent. If I didn't have solid evidence in my hands, I might have actually believed you were as pure as you claim."

"You want reasons? Fine, I'll give you some." Lu Bai paused, his tone dropping to a chilling level, as if December's icy winds had swept through, lowering the temperature around them. "The person buried here is named Fang Zhou. He was a promising young man with a gentle disposition, loving parents, a devoted wife, and lively, adorable children. He was sincere with everyone, never even raised his voice. His life should have been smooth and peaceful."