I'm on the Ark, and I started as a succubus.

"Hmm~ Congratulations on getting it right, but unfortunately there's no reward."

A mocking voice, like that of an evil god, echoed within the palace, accompanied by the occasional alluring yet pitiful sobs. For a moment, the palace, constructed from countless distorted mirrors, appeared sinister and menacing.

Swire simply knelt silently in place.

She felt that the bastard in front of her was becoming more and more unpredictable.

After waiting for a long time amidst the continuous sound of rain echoing inside the palace, Swire felt increasingly uncomfortable.

That elusive feeling, which had been lingering around her and burning her like fire, became even stronger.

It was as if her reason was being fueled, turning into a raging fire.

She seemed a little uneasy as she rubbed her knees for a while, her breathing gradually becoming lighter.

The air temperature inside the palace seemed so low that when she slightly opened and closed her mouth to aid her breathing, the breath she exhaled formed a clearly visible white mist that swirled and rose gracefully.

She waited and waited. From a light drizzle, to a torrential downpour, to a terrifying sound like a raging storm echoing through the palace... until finally everything fell silent again, quiet enough to hear her own breathing and heartbeat clearly.

boo~

The sound of champagne being opened.

The amber-colored liquor, covered with fine, thick bubbles, flowed from the bottle and into a stemmed glass.

"Poetic sentiments are elegant."

Bai Chen, holding a wine glass, slowly walked up to Shi Huaiya. "What are you still doing here? You can go back now."

Swire stole a glance at the mirror beside her, and through it, she saw Talulah, who was making a "V" sign with both hands, her once-handsome face now filled with a foolish smile.

Her breathing became heavier, and Swire withdrew her gaze, turning her face to the side, and stammered, "A reward."

"What reward?"

"It's the reward, as promised!"

Shi Huaiya raised her head and glared angrily at Bai Chen.

"Oh, is that so?"

Bai Chen lightly lifted her delicate, snowy chin, "Give me a reminder of what the reward is, otherwise, I might not remember."

Her cute little tiger teeth pressed against her full lips, and Swire's breathing became heavier, with a faint firelight flickering in her emerald eyes.

They looked as if they were about to pounce on Bai Chen and fight him to the death at any moment.

But in the end, she simply broke free from Bai Chen's fingers that were hooking her chin, lowered her gaze, and whispered something while her full lips moved.

"I can't hear you, Miss Swire."

Shi Huaiya took a deep breath, her proud chest trembling with a quivering arc.

The indignant expression on her face suddenly collapsed, replaced by an almost hysterical look, as she roared loudly like a little tiger.

This once again demonstrated her loud voice.

"Oh, this?"

A more mocking smile appeared on Bai Chen's face. "Do you really want it?"

"right……"

Tears welled up in Swire's emerald eyes once more, and she sobbed, "I want it so badly, I'm going crazy with desire for it."

"Oh, no."

Bai Chen reached out and pinched her cheek, saying with a mischievous grin, "I've changed my mind. I can't reward such a disobedient little maid like this."

Swire's expression changed repeatedly, from anger to astonishment and finally to a look of desolation.

"Miss Swire, your good friend is going to the slums to conduct research; that kind of environment isn't suitable for them."

Bai Chen snapped his fingers, and the images of Chen Huijie, Xingxiong, and Lin Yuxia appeared in the surrounding mirrors.

"Let's invite them to a party on the landship... Hmm, don't worry, you can join the party this time too."

229 Shi Huaiya: Don't go, listen to me just this once...

"Swire, are you sure?"

Lin Yuxia looked up at the extravagantly decorated land-based warship before her. "Is this the source of those strange people in the slums?"

She put one hand on her hip, a look of doubt appearing between her brows, and her gaze toward Swire held a hint of intrigue.

“I have been investigating this case, and the root of the matter lies here.”

Swire seemed a little unnatural.

She shrugged casually, "If you don't believe me, fine~ I'll just continue my investigation myself."

"Are you OK?"

Lin Yuxia's worried expression deepened between her delicate brows.

When she asked that question, Swire seemed even more guilty.

She moved her cherry lips for a moment, then finally raised her voice, "What could be wrong with me? I'm perfectly fine!"

Lin Yuxia closed her eyes and sighed softly, "Sophie, if it really doesn't work, then go out for a walk to clear your head."

"What?"

"Hoshiguma told me everything."

"What did she say to you?"

Shi Huaiya seemed hesitant and stammering.

“Your family wants you to go back home, and they’ve even arranged a blind date for you.”

Lin Yuxia crossed her arms over her chest, a smile appearing on her face. "Sister Gui also said that when she called you that night, you cried so loudly and so pitifully."

Shi Huaiya paused for a moment, then lowered his head and remained silent.

"Hey, it's rare to see you like this~"

Lin Yuxia nudged Swire's shoulder with her elbow. "Don't you usually yell back and curse at Victoria's side? Why are you making yourself so upset this time?"

She sized up Swire and said in a sarcastic tone:

"You look terrible~ Stop thinking about those things, why make yourself unhappy and try to forget them by working overtime? Why don't you come over here one day, eat some pineapple buns and complain to me about how stupid they are? Wouldn't that make you feel better?"

"If all else fails, we could go out for drinks with Hoshiguma. Once she's drunk, she can ask us more questions, and we'll have some gossip to hear. Hey, stop with that long face, give me a smile! If A-Jie sees you like that, she'll give you a piece of her mind."

Swire stared at Lin Yuxia for a long time, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she lowered her head again.

“Hey, if you keep wearing that long face, I’ll take a picture with my phone and send it to A-Jie whenever you argue, so she can use it to make fun of you.”

Lin Yuxia's tone was exactly like a mischievous friend. She patted Shi Huaiya's face and said, "Don't be like that. Starting tomorrow, come over in the morning to have breakfast with me before you go to work. If you keep doing this, A-Jie will give you trouble when you get back to the Guard Bureau. I recently discovered a really good xiaolongbao place. Want to come and try it?"

Shi Huaiya stared at Lin Yuxia with her emerald green eyes for a while, and hot tears welled up in her eyes once again.

"Lin Yuxia..."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't cry! If you keep crying, I won't take care of you anymore! From now on, if you come to me, everything will be a proper negotiation, there's no room for discussion!"

Lin Yuxia said those words, but she reached out and wiped away Shi Huaiya's tears.

She sighed. "Let's talk about something. It's about those guys who recently came from Chernobog. The gang has lost a lot of brothers. It's a big deal. Whoever's behind this, I'll make them pay!"

As she continued speaking, an angry expression appeared on Lin Yuxia's face.

Many of those people were veterans of the gang, having worked together in secret to maintain order for Longmen for so many years. This matter deserves an explanation no matter what.

Regardless of whether Ursus is behind it or not, once someone enters Lungmen, they can forget about leaving.

Hoshiguma has already arranged for people to control that area, and Chen Huijie has also gone to Wei Yanwu to get approval for the application to board the ship and investigate the land-based vessel from Chernobog... The matter should be settled by now.

Swire silently took out her phone and handed it to Lin Yuxia, "Everything I found out is in here, take a look for yourself."

"Hey, it's good that you gave it to Chen Huijie, you two are really..."

Lin Yuxia pushed the phone back and gestured with her chin towards Swire, "Hey, shall we both go up and take a look?"

"Don't!"

Swire raised his voice.

She realized something was wrong with herself and calmed herself down, "We...we should wait for the search warrant to come down so we can go up together."

"Don't you and Chen Huijie usually like to take the lead in doing this kind of thing?"

Lin Yuxia frowned. "Hey, Swire, what's wrong with you?"

"It's precisely because I know exactly what we're facing that I want you to avoid taking any risks."

Swire seemed to suddenly break down, yelling at Lin Yuxia, "Now do you understand? Huh?!"

Lin Yuxia looked at her silently.

Something's very wrong...

"Excuse me, ladies, are you also here for tonight's party?"

On the gangway of the land-based ship, Zao Lu greeted Lin Yuxia and Swire, "Um... the party is about to start, are you still waiting for your friends?"

Lin Yuxia and Zao Lu exchanged a glance, then Lin Yuxia gave Swire a look and gestured with her chin.

She gave a wry smile in response, “Yes, Miss Ursus. However, we’re not waiting for a friend; we just forgot our invitations and are waiting for someone to bring them.”

"I see?"

Early Dew poked her forehead with her fingertips, which were covered in white lace gloves, and then laughed, "You two are really careless."

She winked playfully. "Come on, consider it a small favor I'm doing you. Just come on up. I'll tell the servants that invitations aren't necessary."

Lin Yuxia squinted at Zao Lu and said with a smile, "Isn't this young lady afraid that we're just here to freeload?"

"A free drink? Hehe, if that's really the case, I hope you two will eat a lot later."

With a gentle smile, Zao Lu said:

"Come on, the clothes and jewelry you're wearing can't be faked. They may look ordinary, but they're actually top-tier luxury goods. I can't be wrong about them. I've always wanted to buy that Miss Felin's watch, but I've never been able to bring myself to do it."

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Lin Yuxia smiled and nodded slightly. She gave Shi Huaiya a look, signaling the two of them to go up and check the situation first.