[GL Mystery] Lost Tracks - Chapter 9

“If your father ran into someone related to this case, it’s likely Gu Yue,” Ximo said, gently lifting her wine glass to her lips, taking a small sip. The wine was strong, the kind that hits you after a while.

“Ximo, I’m admiring you more and more,” Dingdang said, her excitement exaggerated, likely from the alcohol.

She made a dramatic, lovesick face, making Ximo laugh and cry.

“Go on?” Ximo urged, not wanting Dingdang to spiral further, steering the topic back.

Dingdang, not hearing Ximo’s question, grabbed a glass to chug it.

Ximo swiftly snatched it away, then elegantly waved a candleholder toward the bar.

A waiter came quickly.

Ximo ordered honey water, saying to Dingdang, “No more drinking.” Dingdang let out a reluctant “Oh,” acting like a wronged wife.

Ximo smiled, shaking her head. Dingdang was still the same—childlike, just like Xiyan. They were kids who never grew up, which is why they got along so well.

Soon, a waiter brought the honey water, and Ximo insisted Dingdang drink a full glass.

They paused talking about Dingdang’s father spotting Gu Yue, quietly watching the stage singer, whose gentle voice sang Winnie Hsin’s “Taste”: “Missing your smile, your jacket, your white socks, and the scent on you…”

It pulled them into memories of happy times with Xiyan. Dingdang suddenly sniffled, sobbing on the table.

Ximo, hearing her, saw Dingdang’s shoulders shaking harder. Drunk people were so unpredictable.

Ximo regretted not leaving after the guestbook. Sighing, she called the waiter to settle the bill and helped the emotional Dingdang out of the bar.

They walked slowly to the inn, the night air chilly. Dingdang, sobering up, straightened and said, “I’m fine, I can walk.”

Ximo let go, patted her shoulder, and asked, “Really okay?”

She subtly glanced at a corner behind them.

Dingdang, unusually slow tonight, missed Ximo’s action and said, “I’m not that weak,” forcing a smile.

As she was about to continue, Ximo interrupted, raising her voice, “I’m suddenly cold. That wine’s making me dizzy. Let’s head back.”

Dingdang nodded thoughtfully, and they hurried to the inn.

In their standard room, Ximo lingered by the window, ensuring no shadow followed, then closed the curtains and sat.

Dingdang emerged from the bathroom, sat beside Ximo, and said, “My dad’s team, shortly after hitting the highway, saw an SUV speeding in the fast lane. It matched Gu Yue’s car. They sped up, confirmed the license plate, and Dad called the guy tracking Gu Yue. He said since 8 p.m. yesterday, Gu Yue entered her house and never left, curtains tightly drawn. Dad had him knock, but no one answered despite ringing the bell. He contacted the club and her company—both said Gu Yue wasn’t there. Dad’s sure it was her, but she noticed them, sped up, and they lost her—too many people in Dad’s car. Based on where they saw her, she’s likely heading our way, driving 140–150 km/h.”

Dingdang paused. “That’s what Dad knows.”

“With her speed, if Gu Yue’s aiming to return to their base to hide or arrange things, she’s likely ahead of us. But there’s another possibility,” Ximo said, eyes narrowing slightly.

Dingdang’s eyes widened curiously. “What?”

“She might be targeting us—not going to the base but stopping us from finding Xiyan. If I recall, when she learned Wang Jie fled with Xiyan, her email ordered a kill. But they’re alive. If Wang Jie pulled this off, there’d be no need to summon us, meaning she didn’t escape. After the poisoned man’s arrest, they didn’t kill them as Gu Yue wanted but kept them alive, likely under control. Gu Yue’s probably unhappy with this and might be coming to stop us. If we don’t arrive on time, Xiyan and Wang Jie could be…”

Ximo stopped, looking worriedly at Dingdang, who shuddered, unsure if from fear or the chilly room.

They showered, settled in, and lay on their beds. Ximo’s beautiful eyes deepened as she said softly, “If Gu Yue aims to stop us, tonight’s her best chance.” Dingdang bolted upright, nervously scanning the room, checking doors and windows. Sitting on Ximo’s bed, she asked tensely, “How do we prepare? I’m not scared of a fight, but her sneaky tactics worry me. From her email, she’s ruthless!”

Ximo nodded calmly, signaling no need for panic, and said, “If we stay up waiting, her visit would lead to a tangle. If she doesn’t come, we won’t rest. I think she’ll strike at midnight—when we left the bar, I felt someone following.”

Dingdang realized why Ximo cut her off earlier, rushing back. Ximo continued, “She saw us leave, and I loudly mentioned being dizzy from wine, so she’ll think we’re fast asleep. Instead of tangling, let’s leave now. By the time she comes, we’ll be far. She can’t speed at night like she did daytime. By morning, we’ll hit secondary roads, which are rough, especially for her big SUV. At the destination, it’ll be hard for her to act.”

“Brilliant! Let’s go!” Dingdang agreed.

“Wait,” Ximo said with a sly smile.

“A guest’s coming tonight—shouldn’t we leave gifts?”

She raised an eyebrow at Dingdang, who nodded knowingly.

They set to work in the room. Dingdang visited the inn’s owner.

In half an hour, they packed and slipped out the back door. Soon, their car left the town.

Driving, Ximo looked focused, as if nothing happened.

Dingdang burst out laughing, “Wonder which mousetrap she’ll step on? We should’ve left rat poison—she might’ve eaten it, haha!” She doubled over laughing. Ximo glanced at her, chuckling, “Kid.”

Dingdang wondered when Ximo learned such tricks.

She didn’t know Ximo picked up much from Old Li’s projects, who admired her eagerness to learn and taught her plenty.

Old Li wanted her in the national security department, but Ximo knew that meant a lifetime of government work, limiting her freedom, especially for Xiyan.

Teaching was freer, and knowing less kept her safer.

Old Li’s basic defense skills could shock Dingdang if used.

Though visibility was low at night with fewer cars, Ximo drove cautiously on bumpy roads.

Dingdang, sleepy but jolted awake, chugged an energy drink and took the wheel. Ximo, more adaptable, reclined and dozed lightly, waking when the road was rough, sleeping again—a tiring cycle.

As time passed, they neared Maple Mountain, closing the distance to Xiyan.

Meanwhile, in a room at the Ancient Town’s inn, a disheveled woman with messy hair and a dusty face sat fuming, prying off a mousetrap.

Though wearing shoes, its quality pierced them, likely bruising her foot.

After much effort, she removed it, revealing a large bruise on her pale foot.

Gu Yue’s face flushed and paled—driving was questionable, let alone pressing the gas. As she stood to leave, a “hiss” sounded.

Her heart sank. Reaching back, she touched something soft—what?! Had she come without pants?!!

Ximo, unbeknownst to Dingdang, had slyly coated the chair with super glue. Ximo had thought, “Hope we meet at Maple Mountain—this is just the start for Xiyan!”

Gu Yue’s face turned sinister, enraged by her underestimation. It gave Ximo the upper hand.

Reflecting, she recalled their first meeting, aiming to catch Ximo off guard early morning, but Ximo was unfazed.

Gu Yue overlooked Ximo’s complexity despite her youth.

With members arrested and herself followed, Ximo had found her weak point.

Had she lost the second round? Laughable. Her eyes sharpened, her refined face filled with killing intent. From now, she saw Ximo as a true opponent.

For Ximo, these tricks were just to delay Gu Yue. If she saw Gu Yue’s true methods, she’d realize her moves were too soft. Given another chance, she might actually kill her!