Ye Chen's expression remained unreadable as he stared at Mu Xiaoyao.
"That's right. I was preparing to deal with Jiang Che."
His tone was calm, but he conveniently left out the part where Jiang Che had beaten him to a pulp before. That humiliation was something he refused to admit.
Mu Xiaoyao didn't look convinced.
"And where did you get the information about the arms smugglers?"
Ye Chen exhaled, leaning back slightly.
"From White Thrush."
Mu Xiaoyao's eyes narrowed.
"Who is White Thrush?"
"Liu Qiniang."
Mu Xiaoyao's frown deepened.
Liu Qiniang?
That name had already surfaced in their investigation. The middleman who had arranged for Ye Chen to meet the smugglers had mentioned that everything had been orchestrated by Liu Qiniang.
But now Ye Chen was claiming that Liu Qiniang and White Thrush were the same person?
Ye Chen clenched his jaw, rage flickering in his eyes at the mere mention of White Thrush.
If it weren't for that woman betraying him, he wouldn't be in this mess!
"And how do you prove this?" Mu Xiaoyao pressed, skeptical.
Ye Chen smirked coldly.
"She took 100 million in cash from me. Check her accounts—you'll find it."
Mu Xiaoyao tapped her fingers against the interrogation table, deep in thought.
Their financial investigation had already confirmed that Ye Chen had withdrawn 100 million in cash just before his arrest. However, they hadn't yet traced where the money had gone.
"And how did you launder the money in your bank accounts?"
She had a feeling this case was just getting bigger.
"A friend from the Black Continent helped me. I don't know the specifics."
"Name?"
"Charles Veyron."
Mu Xiaoyao sighed.
A foreign mercenary and money launderer? That meant he was out of their jurisdiction.
She waved to an officer.
"Take him back."
As Ye Chen was escorted out, Mu Xiaoyao leaned back in her chair, deep in thought.
If White Thrush really was Liu Qiniang, then she needed to be investigated—immediately.
She stood up, grabbed her coat, and issued "Get me a search warrant. We're going to White Thrush's bar."
Mu Xiaoyao stormed into the bar, flanked by officers, and pushed open the heavy doors of the VIP lounge on the third floor.
Inside, lounging on a plush sofa, was Bai Huamei—better known as White Thrush.
She was calm, as if she had been waiting for them.
Her gaze met Mu Xiaoyao's with an amused glint.
"Are you the owner of this place? White Thrush?"
Mu Xiaoyao observed her carefully.
She hadn't had time to properly investigate Bai Huamei's background, but something about her didn't sit right.
Bai Huamei gave a soft, knowing smile.
"That's me. How can I help you, officer?"
Her tone was polite, yet carried an underlying arrogance—like someone who was used to playing high-stakes games.
Mu Xiaoyao didn't waste time.
"You're under investigation for involvement in a major arms smuggling case."
She pulled out the search warrant, flashing it in front of Bai Huamei's eyes.
"We'll be searching the premises."
Bai Huamei didn't flinch.
She simply smiled and gestured elegantly with her hand.
"Please, go ahead. I'll fully cooperate."
Mu Xiaoyao shot her a glance but gave the signal for her officers to start the search.
Then, she sat down across from Bai Huamei.
The bar owner poured her a cup of tea, sliding it toward her.
"Tea?"
Mu Xiaoyao hesitated before muttering, "Thanks."
She took the cup but didn't drink, keeping her eyes locked on Bai Huamei.
"You also go by another name—Liu Qiniang?"
She watched closely for any reaction.
Bai Huamei's expression remained completely blank.
"Who?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Ye Chen claims you gave him the tip-off, took 100 million from him, and sent him to Phoenix Mountain to meet the smugglers."
"He also claims you are Liu Qiniang."
Bai Huamei sighed dramatically, shaking her head.
"Officer, I won't deny that I've met Ye Chen before."
"But I never told him to go to Phoenix Mountain, and I certainly didn't know he was buying arms."
She leaned back, twirling her teacup between her fingers.
"Ye Chen came to me a while ago. He wanted my help to deal with Jiang Che."
Mu Xiaoyao's eyes narrowed.
"Go on."
"He told me about his mercenaries, his plans, everything."
Bai Huamei smiled faintly.
"But Jiang Che is a friend of mine."
"Do you think I would betray my friend for someone like Ye Chen?"
She scoffed, shaking her head.
"I turned around and told Jiang Che everything."
"Otherwise, how do you think you were able to wipe out Ye Chen's mercenary group so efficiently?"
Mu Xiaoyao's brows furrowed.
Jiang Che's intelligence came from Bai Huamei?
"So you're saying you did a good deed?"
Bai Huamei feigned innocence, placing a hand on her chest.
"Of course! And now Ye Chen is slandering me because he got caught."
Her voice softened, eyes looking wounded.
"You wouldn't slander a good citizen, would you, officer?"
Mu Xiaoyao studied her carefully.
Bai Huamei's story made sense—but was it the truth?
Without missing a beat, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
After the operation last night, she and Jiang Che had exchanged contact details.
As the phone rang, Bai Huamei simply smiled knowingly.
Whatever happened next—she was ready for it.