Chapter 54: Time to Do the Mission!

“Mm. The content.”

Xiao Fen waited a while without hearing a response from the video call and lifted his puzzled gaze from the towel.

He had just finished showering and wore only a white tank top, loosely draped over his slender frame.

His long arms gleamed dazzlingly white under the light, without a trace of blemish or excess fat. The smooth, defined muscle lines were something he had developed over time.

“Why are you silent? Is the signal lagging?”

Ou Yu grabbed the cup beside him and chugged a big mouthful of water to steady his nerves. “Randomly create an accident. No restrictions on method or personnel.”

He paused, then added, “It’s live, so watch your image.”

Xiao Fen glanced at himself. “I’m wearing clothes.” The old man’s shirt with the strongest sex appeal, no less.

He had forgotten to bring pajamas. On his first day here, he bought these at the town market for fifty bucks a pair—enough to rotate for two weeks.

【Fen Treasure, you coming to this show was so right. My hands can’t screenshot fast enough.】

【Look at that, what a fine upstanding citizen. And he can even broadcast it, benefiting the masses.】

【Stop seducing Ouyou. His eyes are glazing over.】

【Wind Oil Essence CP forever!】

【No way, I’m going to call Fang Yama to rein in his guy. Way too ungentlemanly.】

【As if you could actually contact him.】

【He’s already in an old man’s shirt. How much more gentlemanly does he need to be?】

Only after he spoke did Xiao Fen realize the sexual orientation of Ou Yu from the book. He coughed awkwardly.

He switched to a lower chair, showing only his face in the video.

Ou Yu took another big gulp of water and naturally stuck out his tongue to lick the water from his lips.

“You said personnel unrestricted earlier. Does that mean I can kill more than one?” Xiao Fen folded his arms into an inverted V and sprawled on the table, chin buried in his elbows.

“Don’t make it sound like you’re some bloodthirsty killer.” Ou Yu rubbed his nose bridge in headache. His other hand accidentally brushed the screen, screenshotting his magnified face.

“I’ll think of something tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow’s the temple fair here. Should be convenient to make a move.” Those tourists had seen the online videos and gotten interested in the local temple fair.

“More people means more witnesses.” It was a big challenge for Ou Yu on his first kill.

“Tang Qin Xin said the townsfolk here are pretty superstitious. They throw most of the money they earn each year into the merit box. Should we root out some evil and scare them?” Mischief flashed in Xiao Fen’s eyes.

“Good idea. I’ll scout tomorrow. If cleanup’s needed, I’ll call on you then.”

“Yeah? I don’t come cheap.”

“How much?” Ou Yu thought he was joking.

“No worries, someone else will foot the bill.” Xiao Fen said, “Brother, just do it with peace of mind.”

It would be a disservice to his devoted love for Ou Yu if he didn’t squeeze Lu Jin hard.

Ou Yu hadn’t planned to involve him in this minor matter and was about to refuse. But hearing the second half—and that sweet “Brother”—changed his mind. “Alright, see you tomorrow morning.”

“Good.”

He tossed the phone aside, grabbed his bathrobe, and headed to the bathroom.

Passing the empty bed next door, he suddenly thought: if he had acted a bit more scared earlier, would Xiao Fen have agreed to room together?

What a shame.

Regret flickered in Ou Yu’s eyes.

————

12:30 a.m.

The two mission messages Xiao Fen sent today quickly reached the Pursuit Team.

Since this was a random accident with no specific time or place, it was no different from having no intel at all.

Tang Shen could only tell him to keep lurking and report any useful info immediately.

The spy knew that, of course.

At the same time, that person messaged Lu Jin, hinting that the Pursuit Team had intel on most of the criminals who succeeded in the first five days’ crimes, plus tomorrow’s two, totaling twelve. Including prior arrests, the Pursuit Team would nab ten tomorrow.

The Criminal Team led by Xiao Fen had only lasted six days before this crushing blow. Tomorrow’s strike would shatter his prestige and leave him humiliated.

More likely, through the live stream, everyone would see his incompetence.

Lu Jin glanced once and quickly closed the screen, ducking into the bathroom before reopening it.

“How do you know the Pursuit Team has info on all the criminals who’ve committed crimes so far?” he frowned.

“I have a mole in the Pursuit Team,” the person replied promptly.

Lu Jin finally relaxed, thinking this batch of criminals was full of talents.

Little did he know, this guy learned the Pursuit Team’s moves by selling group messages.

“Your typing wasn’t caught on live stream, right?”

“Don’t worry, I’m in the bathroom.” No way he’d let viewers see this shady business.

“Alright. At midnight tonight, when the Program Crew announces those arrests, we’ll overthrow Xiao Fen together!”

“By then, with you and your mole in the Pursuit Team, we’ll ensure everyone else escapes successfully.”

Lu Jin gripped his phone, staring at his reflection in the bathroom. His usually lazy eyes burned with determination.

Once he shone in the show and outdid Xiao Fen, who wouldn’t look at him twice?

————

Early next morning, Ou Yu came to Brother Hao’s house looking for him.

The Program Crew’s mission was too vague and tricky. He racked his brains all night without a solid plan.

“The key is, who am I supposed to murder? I don’t know anyone at the temple.” Ou Yu pondered for a while, frowning.

Xiao Fen generously shared his expertise. “Serial killers know random murders are hardest to crack. The less you know the target, the easier to strike—and the higher the escape chance.”

“You’ve got the killing experience. I’ll follow your lead.” Ou Yu agreed without hesitation. He couldn’t wait and headed out to scout prey. Whichever one he bumped into would be their bad luck.

The lively sounds of the temple fair echoed from outside. The streets teemed with people, no room to squeeze through. Xiao Fen hated crowds, so he stayed home gaming.

“Where’s Ou Yu?” Lu Jin’s urgent voice came from the door as he looked around. “He didn’t come find you?”

This guy guarded against him like a thief. He had no interest in Ou Yu; they were pure bros.

“He’s out doing his mission today.” With just the two of them in the living room, Xiao Fen spoke freely.

“He’s doing a mission?” Lu Jin paused.

Now, Xiao Fen posted two mission prompts in the group daily. No one else knew whose net name was assigned that day.

Who knew it’d blow up like this.

“How’s he… preparing?” Lu Jin asked distractedly, fingers flying on his phone screen. He hesitated unusually before hitting send.

A few seconds later, looking at oblivious Xiao Fen, he still sent the message.

Plan delayed one day.

If the Vice Squad Officers swarmed tonight, how could Ou Yu do his mission? His arrest risk would skyrocket.

The reply came after a while.

Fine.

“You saw he wasn’t at the inn and wanted to act concerned. Why not swing by earlier? Outsiders might think you’re here at your landlord’s for free lunch.” Xiao Fen mocked.

Sister-in-law Jinlan poked her head out from the back kitchen, dishes in hand, and warmly called, “Boss Lu’s here too? Join us for lunch!”

Lu Jin politely declined and griped at Xiao Fen. “What killing experience does he have? Why aren’t you helping him!”

“If I really helped, you wouldn’t like it.” Xiao Fen pursed his lips. “Worried he’ll fail? Go help him yourself. Be accomplices, escape together, wander the world—how romantic.”

Lu Jin’s lips curved. Not sure what amused him, but he drew inspiration from it. “How about you play the corpse for him.”

“You nuts?” Xiao Fen almost laughed.

“You’re tight with him. Helping once is no big deal. He took the fall for you in the warm-up. This evens it out. Then you two go your separate ways, and stop harassing him.”

“Why not sacrifice yourself? Using my life for your favor, playing the saintly white lotus here.”

Lu Jin was speechless.

After a moment, he said, “Fifty grand.”

Xiao Fen whipped his head toward him.

“What do you take me for?”

Arms crossed, he said, “Five hundred grand.”

“You… I never realized you were so money-grubbing!”

“Insight fee for Boss Lu, plus twenty grand.”

“Too much.”

“Where’s too much? Standard rate for years. Reflect on yourself—maybe as a domineering CEO, you haven’t worked hard enough, so it feels pricey.”

“Mind your own business.” Lu Jin grumpily pulled out his phone and transferred the money in under a minute.

【That money came too easy.】

【Boss Lu, I can play corpse for Ou Yu too. Don’t need much, just fifty grand.】

【No way. Five hundred grand it is. Don’t mess with market prices. Hit me up whenever, I’m ready.】

【Rumors said Boss Lu started this show just for Ouyou. Looks true. Why hide and deny? Chase boldly if you want him. So petty.】

【Right? Denied it hardcore during warm-up, but his notepad was crammed with Ouyou’s schedule. If we hadn’t checked him, we’d never know their deal.】

【This CEO’s no good. Ouyou deserves better.】

“Now you can go die.” Lu Jin pocketed his phone.

Xiao Fen dialed Ou Yu. The moment it connected, his cold, biting tone turned gentle.

“Brother Ou Yu.”

Lu Jin, standing nearby, had a “WTF” expression.

Xiao Fen was doing it to mess with him.

“Brother Ou Yu, if you can’t find a victim, actually, I can be your target.”

Lu Jin shuddered, itching to strangle him. “Talk normal.”

“Why the sudden offer? You on speaker?”

“No.”

“Is Lu Jin there?”

“Yeah.” The voice sounded guilty and downcast, tugging at Ou Yu’s heart.

“Hand him the phone. I’ll talk to him.”

“But I want to be your first victim too.” Xiao Fen’s voice grew excited. “That way, you’ll remember me forever—the feeling of a life ending in your hands, etched in your memory.”

“Stop!” Ou Yu cut him off, stomach churning.

Silence on the line, only heavy breathing growing louder.

Xiao Fen slowly dropped his smile.

His hand suddenly emptied as Lu Jin snatched the phone and hung up without hesitation.

“Compared to aiding Ou Yu as the perpetrator, I suddenly think the victim’s spot is better.”

“You want Ou Yu to kill you?”

“Yeah.”

This guy was a real freak.

“Sure, five hundred grand.” Xiao Fen spread his hands.

“Didn’t I just transfer money?”

“That was for me being his victim. Now you want the victim’s spot back. No markup—original price.”