Villain Boss Chapter 169
Translated by Digitalian (ko-fi)
Chapter 169: The Deceased
The wails of the man echoed through the slum, indirectly confirming the truth of Jiang Ran's words.
"It was the captain of the sixth team who died in there?"
"Oh my God, why is the captain of the sixth team here?"
"Was she set up? I heard that captain was seriously injured on a mission some time ago. Maybe the base despises her, but can't just abandon her, so they staged this."
"Nonsense, my eldest nephew saw Marshal Shen visiting her at the sanatorium a few days ago. Besides, she was only injured, not truly disabled. What's there to despise?"
"Then tell me, now that she's dead, what's going on?"
"In my opinion, maybe a competitor was behind this."
"Competitor?"
"Isn't the sixth team now under the care of Marshal Shen's subordinates?"
"You simply think it’s Marshal Shen who wants her dead, don’t you?"
Hearing the discussions around her, Luo Rui came back to her senses and looked at Zhong Qian in astonishment, seeking an answer. "Captain Zhong?"
Zhong Qian nodded and pushed his glasses. "That's why I said I can't handle this matter."
Who was Wei Yage? She was the captain of the base's superhuman team, and came from the laboratory. She had once defended the base and comforted those fighting on the front lines.
She was indeed injured, and might be bound to her wheelchair in the future, and couldn’t fight like she did before. But at this moment, when the sixth team was divided, all the more they couldn't lay a hand on Wei Yage.
Wei Yage's death meant the entire sixth team was ruined—the Shen family's attempt to recruit members for the sixth team had become a pipe dream.
Zhong Qian rubbed his brows in frustration, feeling that time was passing too slowly.
……
As if premeditated, just as Shen Lang met the messenger, the news of Wei Yage's murder in the slum had already spread throughout the base.
Faster than Shen Lang, the members of the sixth team arrived one after another.
Mournful howls erupted.
Si Xu, who had long known the whole story, arrived belatedly, and the first thing he did upon arriving was to look for Jiang Ran.
"I'm here, Si Xu." Avoiding Luo Rui's glare of shock and resentment, Jiang Ran walked around Zhong Qian and ran to Si Xu's side. "Are you done with work?"
"No," Si Xu said succinctly. "I heard Wei Yage died, so I came to check it out."
In other words, he'd put down his work just to watch the fun.
Jiang Ran tiptoed to his ear and said, "Si Xu, Wei Yage is dead—it was my plan."
Si Xu nudged her nose. "I know—I'm just curious. You should’ve asked me to help you move her here."
She had sought Qiao Qiao’s help, and the two of them were nearly caught red-handed by Gu Yunqing, who was patrolling. Fortunately, Gu Yunqing was quick-witted and distracted the other superhumans patrolling, thus preventing them from being exposed.
"I have to create an alibi for you."
Wei Yage was dead, and Shen Lang would undoubtedly associate it with Si Xu. Perhaps with his eloquence, he could shift the blame onto Si Xu.
Since she had done this, she was determined to leave Luo Rui and Shen Lang speechless.
"You've been working all day today, and everyone in the laboratory can testify to that. If they suspect you, I'll plead your case."
She was always protecting him. Si Xu's eyes tinged with smiles as he squeezed her hand and whispered, "Okay."
……
After Shen Lang arrived, he first went into the wooden house to take a last look at Wei Yage. The stench of blood choked him, and he quickly retreated.
"Where's the murderer?" he asked Zhong Qian grimly, tapping the ground with his cane.
Zhong Qian bowed his head slightly and ordered, "Bring him here."
Someone dragged Jiang Yu and threw him in front of Shen Lang.
Shen Lang lowered his eyes to study the man, who was wriggling and struggling on the ground like a worm, and remained silent.
Shen Yang squatted down to size up the man, then looked up at Zhong Qian. "Are you sure he committed the murder?"
Zhong Qian nodded. "There’s an eyewitness, and he admitted it when I asked him."
"That's easy to deal with then," Shen Yang said, standing up and kicking the man's shoulder with his toes. "Break his legs and throw him out of the base. Let him fend for himself."
Fend for himself? That actually just meant feeding him to the zombies.
"No!" Shen Yang had barely finished speaking when someone from the sixth team objected. "The reason he killed Captain Wei hasn't been fully investigated yet. How can he be thrown out of the base so easily?!"
"That's right!"
"Captain Wei's death is unclear! Are you, the Shen family, planning to cover up for the murderer?!"
"We need to get to the bottom of this! And seek justice for Captain Wei!"
"..."
Amid the clamor, Jiang Yu finally realized he had gotten into big trouble.
Didn't Luo Rui say the person he killed was just worthless trash from the slum? Why was Marshal Shen alarmed? And judging by Marshal Shen's expression, he didn’t show any delight at having solved a problem!
Jiang Yu looked at Luo Rui in panic, seeking support.
Meeting Jiang Yu's gaze, Luo Rui calmly shook her head, trying to calm him down for the moment.
How could it be Wei Yage? Why was Wei Yage here? And by some coincidence, right in the room where Qiao Qiao met her brother?
Luo Rui gritted her teeth, her gaze fixed on Jiang Ran, who was chatting and laughing with Si Xu.
She was behind it.
Jiang Ran brought Wei Yage here. Jiang Ran had guessed she was planning to get rid of Qiao Yi, so she'd orchestrated a plot with Qiao Qiao and Qiao Yi—this wooden house, and the person inside, had been bait from the start.
She'd fallen for it.
"Oh!" Just as Luo Rui was frowning, deep in thought, Jiang Ran suddenly exclaimed. She let go of Si Xu and ran to Shen Yang's side. She looked down at the figure on the ground. "Brother, I know him."
When he heard that Jiang Ran knew the man, Shen Yang’s interest was piqued. "Cousin, you know who he is?"
Jiang Ran pouted in disdain. "I do—I followed Luo Rui and Xie Chengzhi out of Shenmu City. This guy was a member of our team back then, and he had a very good relationship with Xie Chengzhi."
After emphasizing their close relationship, she lowered her voice, a little aggrieved. "This guy is a lecher. He tried to take advantage of me because I’m an ordinary person—look at his arm; Si Xu broke it when he was trying to take advantage of me."
With just some words, she portrayed Jiang Yu as an enemy of her and Si Xu.
Si Xu had broken this man's arm, so he wouldn't be working for Si Xu no matter who he was working for.
"Hey, Luo Rui, take a look. Is that Jiang Yu?" After explaining the situation in a few words, Jiang Ran specifically asked the pale-faced Luo Rui, "Isn't he your friend? You must know him better than I do."
Hearing the meaning behind Jiang Ran's words, Shen Yang felt his sleeve being gently tugged at, and his mouth twitched. He then looked at Luo Rui. "Captain Luo, is what Ranran said true?"
Luo Rui pursed her lips, but before she could answer, Jiang Ran suddenly clapped her hands. "Oh, I get it!"
The crisp sound of the clap managed to turn everyone's attention on her.
Jiang Ran glanced at Jiang Yu indifferently. Her voice was clear and crisp, speaking rapidly, leaving no room for interruption. "I get it now—this guy is a lecher. He must have had his eye on Captain Wei, so he took advantage of the dark and windy night to abduct her here, intending to commit an injustice. But Captain Wei resisted, and he killed her in a rage!"
Her words were well-reasoned and the most reasonable guess at the moment. Everyone, stunned, accepted her conclusion.
Jiang Ran didn't mention anything about her in her entire speech, but Luo Rui's heart skipped a beat. She had a hunch that Jiang Ran had another purpose.
