A White Cloud (GL ABO) - Chapter 32

Shen Zhiqing didn’t drink much that evening, but she felt slightly tipsy.

Tomb Cheng’s call made her hand tremble; a sudden sense of guilt spread through her.

She turned around.

Tomb Cheng was looking down, changing shoes, not noticing Shen Zhiqing’s unsteady stance.

“What’s the matter?” Shen Zhiqing frowned.

Alpha’s outfit clearly meant she was going out.

What good could come from leaving this late?

Tomb Cheng stepped into her boots, tied a combat knot, then heard Shen Zhiqing’s voice.

She quickly untied it, retying a simple knot without looking up, “Yiyi is asleep. Can you shower and come to my place to watch her for a bit?”

Shen Zhiqing had been out for hours, dressed so elegantly before leaving.

Tomb Cheng guessed she attended an important event and tactfully didn’t ask.

Seeing her urgency, Shen Zhiqing handed her the car keys.

Tomb Cheng initially refused, saying a taxi was convenient, but couldn’t resist Shen Zhiqing’s clear displeasure.

“Driving is faster. Come back soon. I have an early shift tomorrow,” Shen Zhiqing said, ignoring her opinion and stuffing the keys into her hand.

She pulled her bathrobe and went to shower.

The elevator went straight to the parking garage.

Tomb Cheng quickly found the shiny white sedan in its spot, standing out among ordinary cars with its luxury brand.

Tomb Cheng turned on the interior lights, placed the keys aside, and pressed the power button to start the car.

The vehicle’s premium projection screens lit up.

She realized again the vast gap between her and Shen Zhiqing.

“This car… the squad leader said it’s worth over a million, right…” Tomb Cheng muttered, starting the car and driving off.

Thinking of Xiaomi’s call, Tomb Cheng had no time to admire the car.

She sped, just under the limit, to Xiaomi’s apartment building.

As expected, security stopped her.

An unauthorized vehicle and unidentified person prompted the diligent guard to call the resident and have Tomb Cheng register before letting her pass.

Ding.

The elevator arrived.

As the doors opened, a heavy smell of bl00d filled the air.

Tomb Cheng instantly became alert.

“Sister Xiao?”

Her boots made soft sounds on the marble floor.

She slowed her steps, cautiously entering the apartment.

High heels and house shoes lay scattered at the entrance.

Tomb Cheng took two steps inside.

The bl00d smell grew stronger.

She frowned instinctively, sensing something odd about it.

Further in, the large living room glowed with light from a big-screen TV.

Coffee dripped from an uncollected cup on the long dining table, the saucer shattered on the floor.

The unlit penthouse was brightly illuminated by moonlight.

Xiaomi wasn’t in the living room.

Tomb Cheng moved forward, holding her breath to hear every sound in the house clearly.

The kitchen’s half-closed door revealed faint crying.

Tomb Cheng heightened her alertness, ready to fight, grabbing a piece of broken saucer.

Hiss—drag—

“Sister Xiao!”

Using the half-door as cover, Tomb Cheng rushed in.

She saw no threats, only Xiaomi crying silently by the fridge and a dismembered dead rat on the counter.

“Sister Xiao!”

Tomb Cheng dropped the fragment, took off her jacket, and covered Xiaomi.

She closed the half-open fridge door, blocking the kitchen’s chill.

Xiaomi still wore her evening gown, the red dress stained with a strong bl00d smell, making it appear an even fiercer red.

Xiaomi’s face was pale.

Tomb Cheng’s jacket carried Alpha’s lingering warmth.

Xiaomi tried to refuse, but Tomb Cheng firmly draped it over her shoulders.

She forced a weak smile, “Tomb Cheng, you’re here.”

Tomb Cheng reached to help her up from the floor.

Xiaomi’s lips trembled. She waved her off, “I’m fine. I can get up.”

She said that but nearly fell when she stood.

Xiaomi pursed her lips, angry at herself.

Tomb Cheng, ignoring her, scooped her up horizontally and strode out.

“I’ll carry you out. Don’t move!” Tomb Cheng’s tone was stern, her sharp brows radiating intensity.

Seeing this side of Tomb Cheng again, Xiaomi recalled nearly a decade ago when Tomb Cheng took a knife for her and Shen Zhiqing.

When the ambulance took her away, Tomb Cheng’s face had no color either.

She didn’t resist further, letting Tomb Cheng carry her from the cold place.

“Are you hurt?”

Tomb Cheng set her on the large sofa across from the dining table, long enough for two or three people to lie on.

The room’s lights turned on, illuminating the penthouse.

The terrifying bl00d smell lingered.

Xiaomi hugged a pillow and shook her head, “No.”

Bl00d stained her face.

Tomb Cheng checked the apartment for other living beings, then relaxed.

She placed tissues in front of Xiaomi, went to the bathroom, and filled a basin with clean warm water.

“Wipe your face first. It’s okay to calm down,” she said.

The apartment showed no signs of intrusion.

Xiaomi recognized her, wasn’t injured, and her emotions stabilized after a long blank period and Tomb Cheng’s arrival.

Tomb Cheng reentered the kitchen.

Bright white lights revealed bl00d dripping down the counter’s walls. The heavy bl00d smell lingered.

She bagged the scattered, dismembered rat and fish corpses, wiped the bl00d splatters with a clean cloth, and threw the bl00d-soaked rag into the bag with the remains for disposal.

She turned on the ventilation system.

A whooshing sound started, gradually clearing the bl00d smell, replacing it with fresh air.

When she returned, her shirt was slightly sweaty.

She poured Xiaomi a glass of warm water and placed it on the table, “Sister Xiao.”

Xiaomi, leaning on the sofa, opened her tired eyes and looked at her, “Thank you, Tomb Cheng.”

Xiaomi’s emotions calmed. She sipped the water and exhaled deeply.

Tomb Cheng didn’t ask her anything immediately.

She cleaned the mess under the dining table, then poured herself water and sat on the small sofa across from Xiaomi.

“Want to change clothes?”

Tomb Cheng glanced at the bl00d on her gown, reminding her.

Xiaomi, as if used to it, shook her head, “It’s fine. I’ll shower later.”

Tomb Cheng hummed, then stayed silent.

In the quiet apartment, even breathing was noticeable.

The TV’s light wasn’t scary anymore, muted, playing a silent drama.

Xiaomi’s place had a great location and high floor.

Looking out, Huajing’s countless lights and vibrant city nightlife were visible.

After a while, the water in the cup cooled completely.

Xiaomi looked up and asked Tomb Cheng, “Tomb Cheng, can I stay at your place for a while?”