Chapter 24: Gold Hold (2)
Of all the rumored VIPs hiding in private booths, Bai Shuang didn't spot a single one.
Most likely, it was because members of high society never entered through the main entrance. The organizers had already arranged for them to use alternative passageways, sneaking them into their private boxes without anyone noticing.
Zhuang Mo couldn't help but chuckle at Bai Shuang's pouty face. He consoled her, saying, "It's okay if you didn't see them. Don't forget what I do for a living—I can help you find out who the special guests are."
"Really?!" Bai Shuang's face lit up with joy in an instant. She grabbed Zhuang Mo's hand and resumed bouncing like a happy rabbit.
"Really," Zhuang Mo said. He had never met a girl like her—someone who could mix brilliance and silliness in one body. At times she was sharp and insightful, and at other times she stubbornly clung to one narrow perspective.
What Zhuang Mo liked most, though, was Bai Shuang's extraordinarily beautiful face. It blended all the aesthetic features of East and West: the delicate charm of an Eastern lady and the defined contours of Western beauty.
It was clear that Bai Shuang was of mixed descent. Her father must've been handsome in his youth—most of her looks were inherited from him. Zhuang Mo had no doubt her mother was a great beauty as well. Only two naturally attractive parents could give birth to someone like her.
Bai Shuang had many commendable qualities, but she also had flaws. For example, she seemed to have an unusual enthusiasm for forming sworn sibling bonds—with anyone from any background.
To others, this might not even count as a flaw. In fact, it showed she had no snobbish "rich girl" attitude and could get along with common folk.
However, to Zhuang Mo, this was a real flaw!
He was a man—he knew what men thought. Those guys lining up to swear brotherhood with her weren't sincere. They were just coveting her beauty. On the surface, they appeared loyal and warm; underneath, they were scheming all sorts of dirty thoughts.
Unfortunately, both Zhuang Mo and Bai Shuang were in sensitive positions—he was a police officer, she was the subject of a high-level investigation. The police had ordered Zhuang Mo not to publicly reveal their relationship for the time being.
If not for that restriction, Zhuang Mo would've already announced to the galaxy that Bai Shuang was his girlfriend. All those other men could just get lost and stop intruding on their time together.
Jealousy boiled in Zhuang Mo's heart—it could probably sour the entire Milky Way. Yet Bai Shuang remained blissfully unaware.
From seventy-year-old uncles to seventeen-year-old boys, as long as she liked them, she'd drag them into a sworn sibling ritual. A few kneels and vows later, they were loudly shouting about sharing hardships and fortune across the galaxy.
But Bai Shuang's status was far too special. By law, she was the legitimate heir to Whale Fall City. All the promises she casually made—if she actually became city lord one day—would require a sword hundreds of meters long just to cut through all the nonsense.
Zhuang Mo dared not lower his guard. His number one priority was to keep Bai Shuang safe. It was both a police assignment and his duty as her man.
Meanwhile, Bai Shuang was still looking around with big curious eyes. "Xiao Hei-ge, look, our seats are over there! Wow! Totally worth the 40-times price hike—the view is amazing!"
"You paid how much?!" Zhuang Mo nearly had a heart attack! Even if Bai Shuang had money to burn, she shouldn't be spending it like this. Not only was it wasteful, it was also supporting ticket scalpers!
Bai Shuang lifted her chin proudly and said, "Once I become city lord, this kind of money is pocket change!"
She had spoken too loudly. Several people nearby turned to look. Everyone just assumed she was dreaming out loud, since today's audience shared a single goal: "Get rich!"
Of course, everyone wanted to become city lord, ruling with absolute power. But deep down, they all knew the chances were slimmer than the Milky Way collapsing within two hours.
So Bai Shuang's bold proclamation didn't inspire awe—it only made her the laughingstock of the galaxy.
A beautiful girl, sure… but clearly a fool. Imagining she could become city lord, spending a fortune on scalper tickets without blinking.
Bai Shuang didn't care what they thought. She pulled Zhuang Mo to their seats, eyes sparkling as she looked around curiously.
Zhuang Mo found her wonderstruck expression adorable and asked, "You've never been to the Gold and Silver Hall before? You look like it's your first time in space."
"Hmm?" Bai Shuang pouted. "Do I really look that clueless? My dad brought me here a bunch of times when I was little, but we haven't had time since then."
Zhuang Mo frowned. "I thought Daoist Wu kept you on a tight leash. Didn't he stop you from going out?"
"You mean him?" Bai Shuang rolled her eyes. "He's such an old fossil. He doesn't appreciate space operas at all. All he listens to are century-old folk songs and keeps reminiscing about his ancient life on Earth."
Zhuang Mo: "So it was Lord Bai who brought you here when you were a child?"
"Yup!" Bai Shuang said with a smile. "He spoiled me like crazy! I remember one time on Earth—I was very young, and that old monk kept forcing me to read. I didn't want to, so he tried to beat me. I was so scared, I jumped out the second-floor window.
"Dad happened to be downstairs and caught me mid-air! I was so happy! I stuck my tongue out at the old monk while Dad carried me off to play the whole day. Haha!"
Zhuang Mo paused, a bit stunned. "How old were you?"
Bai Shuang tilted her head and thought. "Just over two, I think."
"Two?! Daoist Wu made you study books at two?!"
"That's what I said—he's a total antique. Always quoting ancient child prodigies like Fang Zhongyong, who wrote poems at three and essays at five. Then he'd scold me, saying I didn't work as hard as those long-dead geniuses."
Zhuang Mo went quiet for a moment. Then he asked, seriously, "Have you ever… hated Daoist Wu?"
The question caught Bai Shuang off guard. "Isn't that just typical Asian parenting? Even after a few more centuries, it'll still be like that. Dad didn't want me to fall behind, so he raised me strict. I don't hate him at all. In fact, when I have kids, I'll be a tiger mom too!"
Zhuang Mo: "Do you know how Lord Bai died?"
Bai Shuang: "Old age. I was with him the whole time before he passed. He got hurt during his military service and was always in poor health. Thankfully, the old monk was a doctor and kept him going until 73. Most of his army buddies didn't even make it to 50.
"Dad's last words were to me. After he spoke, he just kept staring at me. He didn't even blink for the longest time. That's when I realized… he was gone. Gone forever."
Zhuang Mo: "What did he say?"