The barrage exploded.
[Yeah, the Captain is suspicious too!]
[The background information said the ship’s route wasn’t supposed to pass through the Siren’s territory.]
[The Captain is the one directly controlling the ship, he’s the one who could’ve changed its course. How did we forget such an important character?]
[Because when we hear a story, we tend to focus more on the people we see, forgetting those hidden in the background.]
[Danger, danger.]
The Count: “I’ve already had the Captain secretly detained, but he hasn’t confessed to anything.”
“Although the ship is temporarily being steered by the first mate, the Captain is still the most experienced person on this ship. If we can’t get any answers from him today, for the safety of the passengers, I will have to release him.”
The Countess: “This is truly a terrible disaster.”
“My dear,” the Count’s voice was filled with guilt, “I’m so sorry for putting you through this fear. You must be very scared right now, aren’t you?”
The Countess’s voice was gentle: “Saying I’m not afraid would be a lie. But as long as I’m with you, even if it means dying, I’ll have no regrets.”
Ji Nansheng’s barrage continued scrolling.
[I thought it was forced love, but turns out it’s pure love.]
[This plot twist caught me off guard, I don’t believe it! There’s definitely going to be a reversal!]
[Is it possible that they’re just in love? Maybe there’s nothing wrong with them?]
[The more it seems like they are the culprits, the more they probably aren’t. Maybe the Count and Countess are just important NPCs, part of the plot to cover for the real Siren?]
[I’m still suspicious. Anchor, what’s your take?]
Ji Nansheng: “…”
‘What’s my take? I’m looking with my eyes.’
‘It’s only been 10 hours—how am I supposed to know who the Siren is?’
‘If I jump to conclusions now, and it turns out to be wrong, won’t I embarrass myself?’
This is a live broadcast with almost 3 million viewers!
Ji Nansheng decided to play dumb and withdrew.
Hearing footsteps coming from the corner, Ji Nansheng quietly slipped away from the deck.
Several of the people who had been eavesdropping with him followed.
A young man with glasses eagerly caught up. “Brother, you look familiar. Aren’t you that famous gaming anchor, Ji Nansheng?”
A girl in a yellow dress next to him asked, “Who’s Ji Nansheng? Is he famous?”
“You don’t know? Don’t you watch live broadcasts?”
“No, I just play games.”
“He’s a big-time anchor with millions of fans. He’s the number one content creator for ‘Yesterday Reappears.’ He’s probably live broadcasting right now.”
The girl: “So he must be really good?”
Glasses: “Super awesome. With him on our side, we can just relax and win.”
Ji Nansheng quickly waved his hands. “Brother, don’t think you can just relax. I’m just lucky.”
Glasses gave a mysterious wink. “What a coincidence, I’m pretty lucky too. Do you know where the Captain is being held?”
Ji Nansheng: “You know?”
Glasses: “Everyone was hiding yesterday, but I didn’t follow orders. I wandered around and accidentally found where the Captain is being held. I didn’t dare go inside though, there were two guards at the door. Do you want to check it out?”
Ji Nansheng cautiously looked at the young man with glasses.
He hadn’t forgotten the system’s warning—Sirens could take on any form, whether NPC or player.
Glasses, who was flushed with excitement, asked, “Can I tag along with you for the next few days? I want to experience what it’s like to be a famous anchor.”
Ji Nansheng: “…”
‘A Siren couldn’t be this dumb, right?’
Bai Lixin diligently played the role of the Countess.
This role had an inherent disadvantage, making players immediately focus their attention and suspicions on it.
What he needed to do was divert those players’ suspicions onto other NPCs, and for that, he needed to “create” a siren.
[Sister System, was I the one who killed Viscount Victor yesterday?] Bai Lixin was more concerned about this now.
He hadn’t made a move himself, but what if it was part of the story that had already happened? It was better to ask and clarify.
System: [No, when Viscount Victor died yesterday, you were in the room with Lord Dijia, ahem, you didn’t have time to commit the crime. Someone else killed him.]
Bai Lixin: [Is there another siren besides me?]
System: [No, you’re the only siren.]
Bai Lixin: [So, the murderer is human?]
System: [I don’t know. This is all I can find in the plot.]
Bai Lixin lifted his skirt and followed behind the Count, his long, thick eyelashes casting shadows that obscured his view.
He, the siren, hadn’t started killing yet, but someone else had already taken the initiative to begin the bloodshed.
If it was a monster, then there was more than one monster on this ship, and he could play along, gifting the identity of “siren” to that monster.
But if it was a human deliberately creating such injuries to shift suspicion onto him, then things would get much more interesting.
It seemed there were stories on this ship.
Bai Lixin followed into the cabin and arrived on the first floor.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ji Nansheng and a few others sneaking toward a hallway.
Bai Lixin: [Are they going to find the captain?]
System: [Yes, Master Bai Lixin, you’re very sharp.]
Bai Lixin: [I actually want to go too.]
When he mentioned the “captain” earlier, it wasn’t just to divert attention, he was genuinely curious why a cruise ship that wasn’t supposed to pass through siren territory ended up there.
If it were just a slight deviation, that would be understandable, but these two routes were on completely opposite sides.
System: [Master Bai Lixin, are you planning to kill the captain to silence him?]
Bai Lixin: [Huh?]
System: [I looked into the plot just now. Didn’t you use your song to bewitch the captain, causing him to steer the ship into siren territory? The captain’s storyline is a hidden one, and it is supposed to emerge later. Logically, as the siren, you should protect the “captain” and keep him from being exposed. But, as expected of Master Bai Lixin, you’ve turned the tables and exposed the “captain” immediately. You must have an even more brilliant plan, right?]
Bai Lixin’s smile froze on his face.
I don’t, I didn’t, I just thought I was innocent.’
No one told him the “captain” was a secret agent!
[Uh, will the captain expose me?] Bai Lixin asked awkwardly.
System: [Not necessarily. The captain probably won’t directly reveal your identity but might provide these players with some clues that could lead them to you.]
Bai Lixin: […]
Digging his own grave, digging his own grave.
Can we restart this round?
“Dear,” the Count’s voice came from ahead. Bai Lixin looked up to see the Count’s deep blue eyes gazing at him. “After last night’s ordeal, I’m a bit tired. Sorry, I can’t accompany you. You’ll have to enjoy the ball on your own.”
Bai Lixin couldn’t wait for the Count to leave. He flashed his most sincere smile. “Take a good rest. I’ll be fine on my own.”
The Count pointed to the row of soldiers standing neatly behind Bai Lixin. “Those are the guards I’ve arranged for you. They’ll ensure your safety.”
He leaned in, ready to give Bai Lixin a kiss, but Bai Lixin skillfully dodged it. “Alright, dear, I won’t go anywhere. I’ll wait for you here.”
The Count’s gaze darkened. “Hmm, tomorrow night is your birthday banquet. It will be unforgettable.”
Bai Lixin: “I’m looking forward to it.”
The Count left with a squad of soldiers, leaving another group behind to follow Bai Lixin.
Wherever Bai Lixin went, this team followed closely.
Last night’s horrifying murder seemed to have ended along with the tiger sinking into the sea, and the ballroom had returned to its lively song and dance.
The soothing piano tune finished, replaced by a more passionate and exhilarating one.
More and more men and women flowed into the dance floor, and in no time, the place was bustling with people.
Bai Lixin plunged into the dance floor.
The soldiers couldn’t get close and had to wait at the side, but their eyes never left him, tracking his every move.
Just as Bai Lixin was about to blend in with the crowd and leave, someone suddenly wrapped an arm around his waist. He was suddenly spun around and he found himself pulled into someone’s arms.
He looked up and met a pair of aggressive eyes. “What are you doing here?”
The man’s large hand held Bai Lixin’s waist tightly, and with his other hand, he held Bai Lixin’s hand, pulling him toward the center of the dance floor. “It looks like the Countess isn’t excited to see me.”
The warmth of the man’s hand seeped through Bai Lixin’s gown and into his skin. He tried to break free, but the man pulled him even closer, their bodies pressed tightly together in a close and intimate posture.
Bai Lixin subconsciously glanced toward the second floor. The Count was standing at the railing, looking down with a dark expression.
Their eyes met, and Bai Lixin forced a stiff smile at the Count.
The Count’s face softened slightly, and his gaze became gentle.
He mouthed silently, as if saying: “Have fun.”
The man squeezed Bai Lixin’s thigh through his clothes, lowering his head and resting it on Bai Lixin’s shoulder intimately. “I’ve never seen such a shameless man before. Your body trembles and heats up in my arms, but your eyes are on another man.”
Bai Lixin lowered his voice, “You’re crazy! Stop touching me! The Count is still watching. He’s my husband, and you’re just my lover at best. A lover should know his place and not push the boundaries.”
The man’s grip tightened, his hand twisting the fabric, bunching the soft flesh between his long fingers. “Or should I drag you in front of the Count right now and tell him everything you did last night?”
