The Obsessive Tycoon Claims the Deserted Heiress-Chapter 86 - 085: Has the murderer not been found yet?

"Maybe I just get along better with him?" Regardless, Little Zhi refused to believe that Lu Li liked her.

Not only had she felt nothing of the sort, but the differences between him and Shi Wei were simply too vast.

Qin Huai sighed softly. "Alright, let's hope he doesn't like you, then." Otherwise, she could already vividly imagine a dramatic tug-of-war between two men over one woman.

"Mm." Little Zhi responded lightly and soon pushed the entire conversation to the back of her mind.

Approaching noon, the two headed to the cafeteria together.

Whether it was due to Little Zhi's striking appearance or something else, many classmates avoided her like she was some kind of calamity.

This indirect benefit actually worked in their favor; they were able to get their meals without the discomfort of dealing with a crowded line.

"Clang—"

Just as Little Zhi was carrying her tray and looking for a seat, a crisp sound rang out beside her.

The girl standing next to her stepped back two strides. "What... what happened?"

She stared at the spilled food scattered across the ground, furrowing her brows. "I was holding it so steadily, but for some reason I couldn't muster any strength all of a sudden."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the nearby students turned their gaze toward Little Zhi in unison.

Someone started it—who, no one knew—and gossiping voices drilled straight into her ears.

"Stay away from her, you'll have bad luck."

"You're lucky you didn't touch her. I heard someone in her class handed her a test paper today and ended up cutting their hand, bleeding all over."

"Really? That's too creepy... I thought what the forum said was made-up."

"..."

Little Zhi's cold gaze swept over them sharply. The corners of her lips tugged slightly in derision, exposing a mocking smile.

Just as she was about to turn and walk away, Qin Huai suddenly stepped into the crowd. "What nonsense are you all spewing? What decade is this, and you're still acting like this?"

She shouted at them, her face flushing red from anger. "If I catch any of you saying this about her again, don't blame me for being rude!"

Qin Huai wasn't skilled at verbal sparring. To make up for her lack of intimidation, she kicked the nearest stool with force.

The pain shooting through her toes nearly made her cry out, but she held back, determined not to let them see.

She bit her lip, turned, and gripped Little Zhi's wrist tightly, storming forward in a huff.

They settled in a quiet corner, somewhere less noticeable.

Seeing Qin Huai's pale complexion, Little Zhi frowned slightly. "Are you alright?"

"It's fine. Just my big toe feels a bit sore." Qin Huai stomped her foot and managed a forced smile.

"Let me take a look." As she spoke, Little Zhi bent down, reaching for her shoelaces.

The movement startled Qin Huai, who quickly pulled her upright. "No need, really, it's nothing."

Warmth blossomed in Qin Huai's heart as she grinned and placed chopsticks in Little Zhi's hand. "Quick, eat your meal before it gets cold."

"Mm." Little Zhi replied softly, straightening her posture and focused on her food. Neither of them brought up the earlier incident again.

The noisy cafeteria buzzed with chatter and laughter. Stay too long, and even your mind begins to hum.

As more students came and went, they refrained from openly pointing fingers at Little Zhi, but their probing and disdainful expressions were enough to unsettle anyone.

Little Zhi set her chopsticks down and stood up. The moment she did, people nearby immediately backed away, leaving her a clear path.

"Little Zhi, let's go." Qin Huai, sensing her discomfort, looped her arm lovingly through Little Zhi's.

After taking just a few steps, Little Zhi stilled, her gaze landing on Xinman, who stood not far away, laughing smugly with her girlfriends. Her eyes dimmed.

**

City center apartment.

With a backpack slung over her shoulder, Little Zhi stepped out of the elevator and prepared to turn left when the neighbor's door swung open.

Yang Bin stepped forward with a smile. "Long time no see; I thought you'd moved."

"I haven't." Little Zhi's demeanor remained as nonchalant as ever. She glanced at the black plastic bag in his hand. "Taking out the trash again?"

Yang Bin nodded, casually bringing up, "Ever since that murder case in our building, I haven't dared go out at night."

His expression was perfectly natural, giving off no hint of suspicion while subtly laced with an air of mild frustration.

Little Zhi curled her lips and decided to stop by the elevator to chat. "You're that timid?"

"It's the first time I've encountered a murder case in real life. It's eerie."

"So they haven't caught the killer yet?"

"Seems like they have." Yang Bin set the trash bag at his feet, crossing his arms. "I heard it was one of her admirers."

Little Zhi's eyes flickered. "An admirer? Was that confirmed?"

"Supposedly. The police haven't come back to investigate lately."

Her mind briefly churned with strange emotions, but she pushed them aside, focusing on his gaze. "That's good."

"Yeah, at least I can breathe easier now."

"Hm?"

Noticing her puzzled expression, a trace of sarcasm flashed in Yang Bin's eyes as he sighed faintly. "Because the case upstairs ended up with the police coming to my place several times."

Before she could speak, he added, "Not sure why they suspected me out of the blue. It's ridiculous."

Little Zhi's eyelashes trembled slightly. "They're just following their procedures. It doesn't necessarily mean they see you as a suspect."

"Maybe." Yang Bin chuckled lightly.

Whether it was an illusion or not, that chuckle sent an eerie chill down Little Zhi's spine.

Neither of them spoke further, and the corridor seemed to plunge into dead silence.

Little Zhi cast a complicated glance at his profile before speaking in a cool, detached tone. "I'm heading back."

"Alright." Yang Bin bowed his head slightly and pressed the elevator button. His dark hair, long enough to reach his neck, draped over half his face as he moved, obscuring his expression.

The moment the elevator door sealed shut, Yang Bin gripped the plastic bag tightly. His hand clenched so hard that veins emerged across the back of his hand, a stark and unsettling sight.

Yet, as he stepped into the elevator, his demeanor seamlessly returned to normal.

Little Zhi entered her bedroom secured by a code lock. Inside, she first counted all the items stolen from other homes.

She lingered over her favorite celadon vase, playing with it for a long while before reluctantly packing it all into a suitcase.

Curled up in her beanbag chair, her eyes lingered momentarily on the canvases by the windows, covered in white cloth. Her gaze fell into a trance, like a wandering deer lost in the woods.

"Beep, beep beep."

The watch on her wrist vibrated rhythmically and emitted faint sounds.

Little Zhi froze briefly, but when she saw the name displayed on the watch face, she immediately sat up straight and rummaged through her backpack for earphones to wear.

The moment the call connected, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.