Several people sighed with relief together.

The thick black fog hadn’t completely cleared yet, so the crowd waiting outside Bubble 109 had hesitated to move. But as the mist began to thin, they finally spotted the wide-open gates and Qiu Fa’s towering figure standing just inside, and they started gathering around.

With the ground finally steady, the panic among those woken up inside Bubble 109 began to ease, though many still ran out of their dormitories in fear.

Among them were project managers from other families who had been put to sleep by the hypnotist. Having just woken up, their faces were still pale with confusion.

“What’s going on?!”

“Qiu Fa?”

“Miss Long, what happened?” someone called out to Long Qingyan. As fellow project managers for Bubble 109, they were already quite familiar with one another.

Jing Pei wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. It had been an incredibly close call. She had typed so fast to beat the clock that her fingers felt like they might cramp at any moment. She had never pushed her hands this hard in her entire life.

But a second later, she noticed something odd—the atavist power Qiu Fa had wrapped around her hadn’t vanished.

Excellent. The energy that had been shielding her had transformed into a binding rope. It seemed the crisis at Bubble 109 was over, and now it was time for the information broker to pay her dues.

Lolita sensed the sudden shift in the air immediately. Remembering the sheer terror of being chased by Qiu Fa, she slipped away faster than an eel, darting out of Bubble 109’s gate and vanishing into the night.

Qiu Fa paid her no attention.

Before Jing Pei could speak, the “rope” around her tightened, pulling her forward. She crashed straight into a broad, solid chest. Before she could react, his hard shoulder pressed into her abdomen, and she was slung over his back. He leaped away, vanishing from Bubble 109 before the crowd could reach them.

The arriving crowd was left staring at empty air.

“What on earth? Why is Qiu Fa running?”

“Director?”

“Wait… did he just carry a woman off on his shoulder?”

Jing Pei, almost choking from the pressure on her stomach, was just as confused. Wasn’t he supposed to arrest her and take her to the Tribunal Division? Why did this feel more like a bandit kidnapping a girl?

But if that was the case, he probably didn’t intend to lock her up in the Tribunal Division cells. That meant she wouldn’t have to risk using her pieces hidden inside the agency.

Letting out a breath, she found the position far too uncomfortable. Pressing her hands against his shoulders, she tensed her core and pushed herself up, freeing her stomach from his solid shoulder.

“Behave, broker, unless you want—”

Qiu Fa froze when he looked up. As he tilted his head, Jing Pei looked down. What started as an awkward carry suddenly felt intimate. It looked like he was holding her up while she leaned against his shoulders. Her thick, dark hair spilled down in waves, looking great even though it was messy. The moonlight framed her, making her red lips look soft, and her dark, lashed-shaded eyes seemed to glow with a playful warmth.

The world fell silent.

Jing Pei blinked in surprise.

Qiu Fa’s sharp, handsome face was still flecked with dust and blood. This battered, battle-worn look… was actually quite attractive.

“What are you staring at?” Qiu Fa’s throat bobbed. He asked through gritted teeth, his voice cold.

“Has anyone ever told you how handsome you are?”

“Hmph. Watch your tongue, broker.”

“I’m just telling the truth. Besides, you’re staring at me too. Don’t tell me it’s not because I’m beautiful?” Jing Pei teased, entirely aware of her own charm.

Qiu Fa’s muscles tensed even more. Turning his face away, he ordered, “Lie down.”

“No. Your shoulder is too hard, it hurts. Either you hold me like this, carry me in your arms, or I’m climbing onto your back.”

Qiu Fa didn’t trust the broker not to escape; letting her ride on his back was too risky, and carrying her in his arms was out of the question. He had no choice but to keep holding her in this rigid position. Eventually, she ended up sitting sideways on his arm while he carried her along like a child, leaping through the night.

“Why do you keep looking away?” Jing Pei watched him for a moment. Feeling the burning, rock-hard muscles beneath her touch, she suddenly reached out and nudged his chin back toward her. “If you don’t keep an eye on me, aren’t you afraid I’ll catch you off guard?”

Her beautiful eyes shone with a bold, clever light, calm and full of mischief, like the stars themselves were in her gaze.

Qiu Fa’s mind went completely blank. Staring back at her, he felt an intense heat rushing through his body. He quickly checked behind him and, sure enough, caught his tail trying to slip out on its own. That tail of his was seriously out of its mind!

Suppressing his embarrassment, he growled, “You’d better keep that same attitude later.”

Jing Pei raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t nervous at all; instead, she was curious about where he was taking her. Knowing Qiu Fa, since he hadn’t dragged her to the Tribunal Division, the chances of him taking her to some dark corner to exact personal vengeance were practically zero.

…

Inside the meeting hall, men and women wearing various animal masks watched the countdown hit zero with eager anticipation, waiting for the tragic news from Bubble 109.

Yet, five minutes passed, then ten, then half an hour.

The world remained entirely quiet.

“What’s going on?” Why was there no sound? Where were the screams from Bubble 109? Where was the government’s fury? Where were the cries of the people?

The host’s expression shifted slightly. Turning quickly, they left the hall to make a call. When they returned a while later, their face was a mix of blue and purple, looking as if they had been slapped a dozen times.

“Qiao Ming failed. The tearing of Bubble 109 has been stopped.”

“Where is Qiao Ming?! What on earth happened?!” the major shareholders demanded in a rage.

“The team sent to secure Qiao Ming has lost contact. Our people are investigating.”

“We never should have left Qiu Fa alive in the first place! What a waste. We raised a tiger only to get bitten. What about our great cause? At this rate, will we even succeed?!”

The meeting room erupted into furious curses, and the host naturally took the brunt of the abuse.

No one in the group could sleep that night. They had used their latest high-tech gear and two top captains, but they didn’t even manage to pop a tiny bubble. It was just unbelievable.

On the other hand, the outcome spoke for itself. Even without a formal report from Qiu Fa, any intelligent person could figure out what had transpired and what the plotters’ true intentions were.

Long Qingyan shared everything she could. Fortunately, she didn’t know much to begin with; she simply claimed that because she wasn’t close with the hypnotist, she hadn’t attended the gathering, allowing her to remain awake and witness the events.

The wretched membrane-breaking machine was carefully wheeled out. Upon receiving the news, high-ranking government officials were left breaking out in cold sweat, while the atavist families felt a collective shiver run down their spines.

For such a terrifying conspiracy to unfold so quietly… had it not been for Qiu Fa, it was hard to imagine what nightmare would have greeted them the next morning!

…

It was already the dead of night. The city was completely silent, and the neon lights had long faded.

Jing Pei found herself brought to a small studio apartment. Looking around, she noted how barren and cold the space felt. There was almost nothing inside except a bed, a small sofa, and a wardrobe, resembling a tiny prison cell.

“Is this your apartment? Don’t you usually stay in the dorms?” Jing Pei asked.

“Is there really anything an information broker like you doesn’t know?”

“I’m an information broker, not some stalker keeping tabs on you twenty-four-seven.”

“Whether you’re a weirdo or not, I’m about to find out.” Qiu Fa gestured toward the small sofa in front of the curtains. “Sit.”

His atavist energy still lingered around her. Trying to break free would require a significant release of her own power, and she wasn’t sure if he possessed some uncanny ability to sniff out her identity as a Dragon Atavist. The plot had drifted slightly; after all, these were now living, breathing people, not just flat characters existing in the brief scenes she had once penned.

For safety’s sake, she complied and sat down.

“What are you actually planning to do?”

Qiu Fa reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a small velvet box. Opening it, he revealed a ring. Rather than a gemstone, the silver band held a strange flower. The center of the blossom was round and hollow, with a tiny tongue sticking out from the middle.

“Put it on,” Qiu Fa said, handing her the ring.

Jing Pei raised an eyebrow. “Some kind of atavist item that forces me to speak the truth?”

“It’s called the Ring of Truthful Tongues. Confiscated from an atavist criminal, it speaks the truth on your behalf. Afraid to wear it? Where did all that confidence go, broker?”

“But how do I know you won’t use this as a chance to fish for information? I have a strong code of professional ethics. Information that has already been bought out cannot be shared with a second party,” Jing Pei replied.

Qiu Fa’s face darkened slightly. He stared down at her coldly. “I have no interest in your trade secrets. I just want to know what kind of person you really are.”

“And once you find out, what then?” Jing Pei asked, genuinely curious.

“If you are a criminal, you will be brought to justice.” Qiu Fa remained expressionless, having finally brought his chaotic thoughts back under control.

“It seems in Director Qiu’s eyes, I’m no longer just a ‘vile information broker’.” Jing Pei slipped the ring onto her finger. “Ask away.”

Qiu Fa would never rely on a device that could be tricked by the brain or body, so this item likely operated on a much deeper level. Yet, the deeper the level, the safer she was. After all, the body of Long Jin was merely a shell; the author Jing Pei beneath it was her true self.

However, Qiu Fa’s gaze fixed on her hand. She had slipped the ring onto her ring finger. Her movement was entirely natural, as if she were accustomed to wearing rings there.

“Name,” Qiu Fa asked in a businesslike tone, drawing his eyes away from her finger as he pulled out a pen and pad.

Jing Pei remained silent, but the ring on her finger let out a high-pitched, genderless voice: “Jing Pei. ‘Jing’ as in scenery, ‘Pei’ with the female radical. Quite a unique name, hehe.”

Qiu Fa: “Age.”

Ring of Truthful Tongues: “Twenty-seven. Only a one-year difference, perfect for marriage, hehe.”

Qiu Fa glared at the ring, then asked, “Marital status.”

Ring of Truthful Tongues: “Single. Fantastic, no need to break up any families, hehe!”

Qiu Fa kept a straight face. “Relationship status.”

Ring of Truthful Tongues: “Single. Though she has a whole basket of ex-boyfriends. She might not be a legendary player, but a green boy like you would definitely get eaten alive by her, hehe.”

Jing Pei’s brow twitched. She was suddenly reminded of being dumped in her past life.

Qiu Fa’s face darkened, and he almost snapped the pen in his hand. “Stop blabbing nonsense.”

“But I was born to blab!” the ring retorted. “Hehe!”

The memory of her past breakups dissolved, and a faint smile played on Jing Pei’s lips.

Qiu Fa’s expression grew even colder. “Has she ever used illegal means to obtain information?”

Jing Pei watched the ring curiously, wondering how it would respond.

This time, the Ring of Truthful Tongues sputtered for a moment before speaking. “That question is too hard to answer.”

The question was too broad for the ring to give a straight answer.

Qiu Fa frowned, a trace of irritation rising in his chest. “Is she a good person?”

Ring of Truthful Tongues: “She is not a purely good person.”

Qiu Fa’s fist clenched.

The ring continued, “But she isn’t a bad person either. A truly complex woman. Her soul has a very warm side, but also a very cold one. One half angel, one half demon. She is capable of great kindness, but also immense evil. Quite dangerous. You should stay away from her; you’re no match for her, hehe.”

The ring seemed to know her better than she knew herself, which Jing Pei found rather amusing. But even more entertaining was the look on Qiu Fa’s face.

He looked completely lost, caught between wanting to arrest her and wanting to let her go.

Jing Pei felt her bones stiffening from sitting too long, so she stood up and stretched her arms high. The movement accentuated her very slender waist and full figure. Sitting on the edge of the bed right in front of her, Qiu Fa immediately jerked his gaze away as if he had been shocked.

“What are you doing? Have you no shame?” Qiu Fa snapped.

“I’m just stretching, and you think I have no shame? A dirty mind sees dirt everywhere,” Jing Pei said, letting out a laugh as she pulled the ring off and tossed it aside.

“A dirty…?! You!” Qiu Fa looked utterly shocked. He had likely never expected anyone to throw such a word at him in his entire life.

Thinking back to how seriously he had asked about her marital and relationship status, and seeing this upright officer acting as if his honor had been compromised, a mischievous urge took over. Jing Pei took a step forward and pushed him backward.

Catching him off guard, she sent him tumbling onto the bed. He immediately tried to sit up, alert. “Broker! You—”

But Jing Pei had already climbed over him, pressing a knee onto the mattress. Placing her soft hands on his rising and falling chest, she could feel the burning, powerful muscles underneath. “In the dead of night, a man and a woman alone in a room… why don’t we find something fun to do?”

Tossed to the side, the Ring of Truthful Tongues let out a muffled squeal: “You are exactly her type! Take off your clothes!”

Qiu Fa’s throat bobbed, and his heart hammered wildly. He wanted to push her away, but his body seemed completely paralyzed, refusing to move.

Jing Pei leaned in, just wanting to tease him at first. But as she got close, she noticed he smelled good—a mix of copper, sweat, and the scent of a wool blanket dried in the sun. It was actually nice. His battle-worn face was very handsome up close, and as her gaze drifted to his lips, her own heart began to beat a little faster.

A fluffy, black-and-white striped tail wrapped itself tightly around her waist.

With their faces inches apart, her upper body pressed nearly flush against his chest. Their gazes locked, drifting toward each other’s lips as they drew closer. Suddenly, Jing Pei paused, a subtle shift in her eyes.

Qiu Fa, his eyes entirely fixed on her lips, didn’t notice the change.

In the next second, she caught his tail, which had been happily wrapping around her waist. The sensitive tip of the highly responsive tail was packed with nerves; when Jing Pei squeezed it, a jolt of electricity surged through his entire body. Qiu Fa went rigid, white light flashing before his eyes.

The atavist energy he had wrapped around her shattered instantly.

In that brief window of distraction, the weight on his chest vanished as Jing Pei leaped out of the window.

Just like Cinderella at midnight, her four-hour transformation was coming to an end, and she had to make her escape immediately. But much like Cinderella leaving her glass slipper, Jing Pei left something behind for Qiu Fa.

—A can of tuna and an apple.

The curtains billowed in the wind. Qiu Fa slowly sat up from the bed, his expression dark.

Tossed on the floor, the Ring of Truthful Tongues chimed in, teasing, “Told you you’re no match for her! Hehe…”

“I’m going to rip your tongue out,” Qiu Fa muttered coldly.

The ring’s tiny tongue stiffened, quickly retreating back into the flower. The hollow center puckered like a pair of lips, and its petals curled in fear, shrinking back into a tight bud.

Dammit!

Qiu Fa punched the mattress. That annoying broker had played him again!