Even After My Death
Chapter 311 - 226: Return to the Capital

Chapter 311: Chapter 226: Return to the Capital

[...The person in this photo really isn’t Juejue. Juejue is so slim and delicate, a small body bursting with great energy, obviously not matching the girl in the photo.]

[Is it possible that Juejue grew taller over a month and a half?]

[Can someone change so much in a month? Just look at the comparison photos, they are clearly two different people, right? Moreover, when Juejue was catching criminals before, she was always alone, but the photo clearly shows a pair of siblings or a little couple, um, more like a young couple out travelling.]

[Is it possible that in a month and a half, Juejue got into a relationship?]

[Exactly, exactly, who wouldn’t like such an adorable Juejue!]

[...I have nothing to say to you guys]

The controversy grew hotter, and more media outlets repurposed and edited it, drawing in crowds of netizens who were curious about Jiang Ning’s identity in the photo, hence the current popularity.

This turn of events was completely unexpected for Zhang Mei, and even more so, quite a few media outlets had already contacted her, hoping to get first-hand information about the real identities of the man and woman in the photo.

In just a few hours, the Capital City police account gained more than two hundred thousand followers, as it seems everyone was waiting for her follow-up.

Zhang Mei: "..."

You might not believe it, but even she didn’t know the origins of these two individuals, she only knew the names of Jiang Ning and Qi Xingzhou.

Wait, Jiang Ning? ...Why does that name sound so familiar?

A hint of confusion flashed in Zhang Mei’s eyes, but she didn’t think much of it.

She got Jiang Ning’s mobile number from the recorder and dialed it, only to soon hear the voice on the phone say, "Hello, the number you have dialed is not in the service area..."

Meanwhile, aside from Zhang Mei, someone else was also looking for Jiang Ning.

Zhang Lang had not expected to see Jiang Ning on the trending search list again after just a few days!

Today was Zhang Lang’s day off, he wasn’t on duty. He had a rare day off and was comfortably lounging at home like a salted fish.

Upon seeing the Capital City police’s video, even though it was mosaic-blurred, Zhang Lang recognized Jiang Ning instantly.

That was because he had seen Jiang Ning wearing that same outfit before when she had come to the police station!

And the netizens were right, there was no one else who had the knack for catching criminals with such enthusiasm as Jiang Ning, no one else like Jiang Ning who seemed naturally attuned to recognizing criminals.

Zhang Lang repeatedly watched the works published by the Capital City police, then concluded: Jiang Ning really deserved to be an external contributor! Her achievements that morning could easily outshine all of them who were officially on duty.

Zhang Lang smiled as he pulled up Jiang Ning’s WeChat and called her using voice chat.

From what he knew about her before, Jiang Ning definitely had no idea that she was on the trending search list.

The voice call went on for a long time, but no one answered.

Jiang Ning must be busy with something.

That’s what Zhang Lang thought, so he sent her two text messages.

At that moment, Jiang Ning indeed didn’t know that she was trending again, as she and Qi Xingzhou were already on a plane back to Capital City, with her mobile phone quietly lying in her pocket in airplane mode.

Jiang Ning and Qi Xingzhou were sitting side by side, seemingly resting with their eyes closed on the surface, but in reality, they were thinking about the task related to Hao Manman and those three jerks.

Hao Manman was bitten all over by mosquitoes and infected with several bacterial complications.

For the past couple of days, Hao Manman had been lying in the hospital, with the little assistant following and guarding by her side, preventing strangers from getting close to her.

Jiang Ning thought that given how much Hao Manman valued her own health, she would at least wait to be discharged until she was better. However, to her surprise, Hao Manman hastily checked out at noon today and even had her assistant book a flight back to Capital City.

Once Jiang Ning learned of this, she immediately followed suit.

Both of them managed to check out and book tickets in one go, smoothly boarding the same flight to Capital City as Hao Manman.

Jiang Ning and Qi Xingzhou had disguised themselves, both wearing masks and hats to keep a low profile among the passengers, making them hard to notice.

Hao Manman, still not fully recovered from her wounds, wrapped her body up tightly, even wearing sunglasses over the only part of her exposed—the eyes. Even while seated on the plane, she didn’t take off her sunglasses for fear of being recognized.

Jiang Ning closed her eyes and pondered the reason behind Hao Manman’s sudden return to Capital City.

As a popular actress, Hao Manman was not short on money. She wouldn’t have checked out of the hospital in such a hurry without a serious reason, especially with her illness not yet fully cured.

Unless there was something more important to her than staying here for treatment, or something she simply couldn’t resist...

"System," Jiang Ning called out in her mind, "come out."

[Host, I’m here.]

Jiang Ning asked, "How much effect does the nightmare potion have left? How have those three scumbags been these past couple of days?"

[Hehe.] The System suddenly laughed in a sleazy manner: [Host, rest assured. I’m keeping an eye on those three. Please look at the photos.]

Photos of three middle-aged men with different looks appeared before Jiang Ning.

These three middle-aged men, tormented by nightmares, visibly aged beyond their years. Their eyes were heavy with dark circles and filled with bloodshot veins, their faces swollen and weary. In just two days, they seemed to have aged a decade.

Jiang Ning also saw that in their hands, each was holding a... peace charm?

The System also noticed the peace charms in the men’s hands and said disdainfully, [Host, don’t worry. Those masters they found are nothing but swindling fake priests. They can’t affect the nightmare potion made by the System at all! Seeing they had no remorse, last night, I increased the potion’s effect to two hundred percent.]

Jiang Ning praised it, her voice approving, "Good job, you’ve worked hard."

Thinking that they had even resorted to inviting priests, and recalling her own contribution to the chaos online, Jiang Ning secretly guessed whether Hao Manman’s return had anything to do with these three men.

If that was the case, her task might be completed very soon.

Jiang Ning relaxed her body and closed her eyes again.

Qi Xingzhou sat next to Jiang Ning. Despite his tall stature, he dared not even breathe too loudly for fear of disturbing Jiang Ning’s rest.

He was wide awake and not sleepy at all, and he didn’t like playing with his phone.

Qi Xingzhou’s gaze cautiously and stealthily glanced at the silhouette of Jiang Ning next to him. Her slender figure nestled in the seat, a small blanket draped over her, appeared exceptionally peaceful and tender. He couldn’t help but steal a glance, then another... He was like a dragon lying atop a hoard of treasures, not content to merely encircle the treasure beneath him but needing to check on it occasionally to feel at ease.

Not knowing how long he had been looking, until he grew a bit sleepy, Qi Xingzhou shrank his body, subconsciously wanting to lean towards Jiang Ning, but then forcefully restrained himself.

In the end, he reached out and grabbed a small piece of the blanket covering Jiang Ning as if clutching onto a sense of security, and then he closed his eyes and fell asleep.