Everyone Thought The Fake Heiress Had Her Reasons Ch. 20
Tang Xiaoyu descended along the third-floor staircase railing, her palm chilled by the cold metal. This icy sensation seemed to seep into her heart, stirring an indescribable tremor within her.
Keeping Ming Jiao close was both for protection and to satisfy her curiosity. But before she could see her clearly, another layer of mist had shrouded her.
Who planted the listening device in her room?
Only family members and the cleaning staff had access to her room.
Yet none had reason to do so. If it were the Ming family’s competitors who bribed a servant to plant the device, wouldn’t eavesdropping on her sister be more logical?
She had already checked her sister’s room and found no listening devices in similar hidden spots.
She believed there were none, and it was highly likely there were none in her and her sister’s rooms either.
If so, it could only mean the person who planted the device was targeting Ming Jiao herself.
Who could it be? The question began circling in her mind again.
Everyone has biases, and she was no exception. She didn’t believe her family would do such a thing, nor could she see any purpose in it.
As she stepped down another flight of stairs, her footsteps suddenly paused.
For some reason, she recalled Ming Jiao’s subtle reaction when she received a call from their aunt a few days ago—lacking the expected intimacy and dependence.
Even during the banquet and their brief exchanges afterward, there was a palpable falseness, as if all emotions were merely superficial.
“Sis.” A voice interrupted Tang Xiaoyu’s thoughts. She looked down to see Ming Yue standing in the corridor, holding a transparent fruit plate, seemingly on her way to her room.
Tang Xiaoyu gathered her scattered thoughts and descended the remaining steps. “Looking for me?”
Ming Yue nodded, offering the fruit plate forward. “Have some fruit before returning to the study.”
Tang Xiaoyu shook her head. “Keep it for yourself later. Come take a walk with me in the garden now, alright?”
Ming Yue glanced at her and agreed. The two sisters walked side by side toward the garden.
·
The evening breeze rustled the leaves, producing a soft, soothing sound that brought comfort and peace.
Tang Xiaoyu could feel Ming Yue’s gaze occasionally resting on her, observing and contemplating her.
She was a perceptive child, often watching without speaking, like a wary, somber black cat cautious of the world.
“Is it strange that I haven’t mentioned anything about the task I’ve taken on?” Tang Xiaoyu stopped before the garden’s ivory-white European-style pavilion. Ming Yue, following closely, halted silently, her dark eyes fixed on her.
She still didn’t speak, only nodding gently.
Tang Xiaoyu could guess what she was thinking. In their organization, tasks were divided into personal and team assignments. Unless there were special confidentiality requirements, even during personal tasks, teammates were informed of the basics to facilitate assistance if needed—she was no exception.
But this time, she not only hadn’t mentioned it but had deliberately avoided questions from others. To Ming Yue, this must seem very odd.
Initially, Tang Xiaoyu had intended to tell her after resolving the matter, because both the hunter and Ming Jiao were people who had caused her great distress at such a young age.
However, the silver button discovered on the third floor shifted her perspective. What seemed like a shallow puddle in Ming Jiao’s case might actually be a dark abyss, involving far more people and events than she could currently perceive.
Other members of the Ming family might have long been entangled in this without realizing it. As for her and Ming Yue, they were not only sisters but also teammates in the same organization. During her investigation, when she inevitably sought assistance from their organization, Ming Yue would inevitably become aware of the situation.
Thus, concealment lost its meaning.
Moreover, Tang Xiaoyu never believed that excessive secrecy equated to protection.
Though these thoughts seemed lengthy, they flashed through her mind in an instant.
After a moment’s consideration, Tang Xiaoyu decided to start with the immediate matter. “When you go back later, check your room thoroughly.”
She opened her palm to reveal the silver button she had been holding. “See if there’s anything similar to this.”
Ming Yue took the button, turning it over in her hands. It felt heavier than an ordinary button, and there was something else about it she couldn’t quite place. “What is this?”
Tang Xiaoyu replied, “I asked White Dove. She said it’s a listening device.”
Ming Yue’s hand trembled slightly, her eyes widening in shock.
Her eyes were round but not almond-shaped; when she looked at someone, they tilted upward with a cat-like sharpness. Now, filled with complete surprise, she resembled a cat perking up its ears in alertness.
Soon, as if realizing something, she pressed further, “Did you find this on the third floor?”
Tang Xiaoyu nodded.
“Where?” Ming Yue asked.
Tang Xiaoyu gazed into the distance, her dark eyes like a lake in the night—calm yet unfathomable. “In Ming Jiao’s room.”
Ming Yue stared blankly, the sharpness in her alert cat-like eyes dissipating into confusion, finally revealing a trace of youthful innocence. “What… what’s going on?”
She found both Tang Xiaoyu’s sudden visit to Ming Jiao’s room and the presence of a listening device there equally strange.
“I haven’t figured it out yet,” Tang Xiaoyu said. “It might be an isolated incident targeting only her, or it might not be. But there’s no need for you to panic. Just keep an eye on the others at home while carrying on as usual.”
The “others” naturally referred to the household staff.
Ming Yue quickly regained her composure. Being a perceptive child, she soon pieced together a logical thread from the inconsistencies. “She’s your current mission target.”
It was Ming Jiao. This explained Tang Xiaoyu’s recent evasiveness.
Tang Xiaoyu shifted her gaze back to her sister’s face. “The matter I’m investigating involves two people closely connected to us. One is indeed her. I didn’t tell you earlier because the timing wasn’t right, and I had no leads.”
The light in Ming Yue’s eyes flickered like a flame, dancing rapidly as she pondered. Suddenly, her already straight posture stiffened further, taut like a fully drawn bowstring. “The other person is the hunter! He’s reappeared, hasn’t he?”
Tang Xiaoyu observed the deep-seated hatred etched on Ming Yue’s face and let out an almost imperceptible sigh. “Yes.”
Without her glasses, she appeared far from the icy solitude Ming Jiao usually saw. Instead, she resembled pear blossoms in March—delicate and captivating.
When such features carried a faint sorrow and compassion, they exuded a gentleness akin to a soft breeze and morning mist.
“Ming Yue.” She placed a hand on her younger sister’s shoulder.
Ming Yue clenched her fists tightly, her pitch-black eyes swirling with boundless hatred. Yet, since she couldn’t confront the object of her hatred directly, her gaze appeared hollow and desolate.
After a long while, she gradually relaxed under Tang Xiaoyu’s touch, tilting her head to look up at her. “How did they get involved with each other?”
Tang Xiaoyu lowered her gaze momentarily before recounting the events of that night half a month ago.
The cold fragrance of Roses carried by the night breeze seemed to revive in her nostrils. When she had lifted the person, the soft yet icy body had made her sense an aura of death in that instant.
This was not a pleasant memory.
Fortunately, as her narration concluded, the illusory scents and sensations faded away without a trace.
As Ming Yue listened, astonishment, confusion, anger, and worry intertwined, casting a shadow of maturity rarely seen on her youthful face.
After hearing the story, she pondered for a moment before slowly lowering her eyelashes. “How is her health now?”
Tang Xiaoyu thought for a moment, realizing she couldn’t explain the mysteries surrounding Ming Jiao—including her abnormally rapid recovery—so she simply glossed over it. “She’s fine.”
Seeing Ming Yue hanging her head dejectedly, unconsciously kicking a small pebble with her foot, it was clear she was conflicted.
“Don’t trouble yourself.” Tang Xiaoyu’s hand moved slowly from Ming Yue’s shoulder to the top of her head, where a few stray strands of hair were tousled by the wind. “I’ve taken her to the bookstore. Her safety isn’t at risk, so you don’t need to force yourself to get involved.”
Besides, school wasn’t on summer break yet, so she didn’t have time to meddle further.
Ming Yue stopped her unconscious fidgeting and after a while responded slowly, “I know. I’ll keep an eye on things at home. If you need my help with the investigation, just call me.”
Tang Xiaoyu slowly withdrew her hand. “I will. It’s getting late; I should head back.”
Ming Yue looked up at her. “Mm.”
They began walking back the way they came, but after a few steps, Ming Yue slowed her pace and suddenly stopped. “Sister.”
Tang Xiaoyu turned to look back. “What is it?”
Ming Yue hesitated slightly. “Is it… inconvenient for you to be around her? Maybe I should be the one responsible for her safety.”
She knew Tang Xiaoyu’s relationship with Ming Jiao was even worse—perhaps not just annoyance but hatred lingering between them. Even if Tang Xiaoyu could separate duty from personal feelings, it must be tormenting, Ming Yue thought uncertainly.
“Being with her isn’t that difficult.” Tang Xiaoyu shook her head gently, her tone complex. “Perhaps she’s never been the person we thought she was.”
As she finished speaking, a breeze stirred, causing a few strands of her seaweed-like hair to slip over her shoulders, softening her usual faint aloofness. Like the moon that sometimes feels cold yet at other times gentle.
Ming Yue didn’t fully understand her last words, but catching that hint of tenderness eased some of her concerns.
“Then… do you still hate her now?”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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