168 Exchanging a Person

The silver dart felt remarkably heavy in the hand. Its edges were sharp and slender, while the center was slightly recessed for single-handed operation.

Right then, Mu Qingcheng weighed the dart in her palm.

Along with the physical weight, she could vaguely sense the chilling, murderous intent radiating from its surface.

"This thing has been used before."

As if speaking to herself, her murmur caused the corners of Chu Bai’s vibrant red lips to curve upward.

Nodding, Chu Bai replied, "Indeed. When it was sent in for lab analysis, we were told that the blood of more than ten people had stained this dart."

"So, why are you showing me this?"

Such a clue pointed unmistakably toward that group of men in black, yet Mu Qingcheng had no intention of continuing that discussion with her.

Shifting the conversation abruptly, she placed the dart back into the cloth pouch and returned it to Chu Bai.

Mu Qingcheng looked straight at Chu Bai, speaking with blunt directness rather than beating around the bush.

In fact, deep down, she viewed Chu Bai as the kind of woman who would never fight an unprepared battle.

Every action she took, every step she made, was thoroughly calculated—or at least executed only after she had secured a certain degree of certainty.

Although Chu Bai’s methods were erratic and unpredictable, her objectives were always clear-cut.

And the woman herself was certainly no saint.

True to form, upon hearing Mu Qingcheng’s words, Chu Bai smiled with an expression of deep appreciation.

Yet the next second, her demeanor shifted entirely. Putting on a pitiful, wronged look, she leaned in close and pouted, saying,

"Miss Mu, I want to use this piece of intelligence to trade for a favor from you."

"......What?"

Mu Qingcheng had not expected this woman to suddenly resort to acting spoiled, and instinctively drew back, feeling rather unaccustomed to it.

Undeterred, Chu Bai leaned in even closer. From her expression to her gestures, she bore no resemblance whatsoever to her usual vibrant and delicate persona.

"I want you to help me handle someone."

"......Someone from the Si family?"

"Mmm."

Chu Bai nodded decisively, a pair of unusual blushes instantly tinting her cheeks.

Observing her reaction, Mu Qingcheng recalled that familiar yet vague figure from the other day...

After a moment of silence, she probed tentatively,

"Is it... Si Bei?"

Chu Bai was momentarily speechless. Was it really that easy to guess?

***

Three days later.

Ever since the poison was cleared, Mu Qingcheng’s recovery had naturally progressed very smoothly.

Yet, deep in her heart, she harbored a lingering worry about someone else.

Unable to go out during the day, she could only hope that he would visit at night.

Finally, on the third day, that familiar figure materialized outside her window.

At that moment, Mu Qingcheng was, of course, wide awake.

She had even intentionally left a narrow gap in the window.

With a gentle push, the man slipped through and landed smoothly inside.

However...

The very instant Si Chen landed, a small figure lunged straight into his arms.

A clean, post-bath fragrance drifted into his nostrils, instantly setting the man’s already strained nerves on edge.

Seizing the moment, he banded his arm around her increasingly slender waist, lifted her up in one fluid motion, and tumbled backward with her onto the soft, spacious bed.

Mu Qingcheng put up no struggle at all. Instead, she securely wrapped her arms around his neck, nestled carefully against his chest, and acted with sweet obedience.

She revealed a tender, kitten-like side of herself that was completely imperceptible in her daily life.

Si Chen enjoyed it immensely, yet a split second later, he sensed something slightly unusual.

Lowering his head instantly, he pinched the little one's chin and raised her delicate face to meet his gaze.

After studying her intently for a long moment, he asked, a mixture of joy and disbelief evident in his voice,

"Qingcheng, your poison... has it been cured?"