SBTW 13

Shuttle Between Two Worlds: The Chief Minister’s E-Commerce Minion

Chapter 13: The Heir Does Not Allow Me to Be the Bait

Ever since Huangfu Ye publicly read out the Emperor’s personally written marriage decree right outside the Court of Judicial Review gates, the entire capital knew that the famously cold and unfeeling Chief Minister had completely fallen for a girl who possessed "immortal magic."

Modern time, eleven-forty-five in the morning.

Inside the basement e-commerce warehouse in New Taipei City, Tian Qiqi was biting down on a bubble tea straw, squatting amid a sea of cardboard boxes as her hands moved at lightning speed to sort through a fresh shipment of anti-theft equipment.

"We're getting married next month, and the Court of Judicial Review just has to have a bride disappearance case break out right now."

While scrolling through the procurement list on her phone, she muttered a couple of complaints under her breath.

"Three brides-to-be, all vanishing from their chambers on the very eve of their weddings. Doors and windows unbroken, guards none the wiser, leaving no trace of how they even disappeared..."

The more she read, the brighter Tian Qiqi's eyes grew. That wasn't fear; it was pure excitement.

She was never the type to quietly sit around waiting to be a bride.

Compared to embroidering wedding robes or memorizing formal etiquette, a bizarre case like this only served to ignite the competitive drive deep within her bones.

"Splendid." Tian Qiqi tossed her empty drink cup to the side and briskly clapped her hands.

"Daring to stir up trouble right before my wedding—let's see if I don't shock this bride-stealing thief until he questions his life choices."

Turning around, she dashed into the back shelving area, humming a tune as she began hauling out items.

"Industrial-grade infrared electronic anti-theft alarm, featuring a built-in 130-decibel shrieking sound effect."

"High-definition night-vision pinhole security camera, extra-large battery edition."

"And this—" Tian Qiqi abruptly halted, her eyes sparkling as she pulled a transparent spray bottle from the shelf.

"Invisible high-strength adhesive spray," she shook the bottle with satisfaction.

"Spray it on the floor and it's completely invisible; the moment anyone steps on it, their shoe soles glue fast. I'd love to see how that flower-picking thief plans to fly away tonight."

[Countdown: 00:00:00]

Hum—

The familiar weightless sensation struck violently.

Tian Qiqi's vision blurred as the spatial distortion yanked her inward.

When she opened her eyes again, midday sunlight was streaming diagonally through the tall windows.

Carrying that round, bulging oversized backpack, she stood solidly in the center of the Court of Judicial Review's inner hall.

A faint scent of ink drifted through the air, and the surroundings were suppressed to an oppressive quiet.

Several scribes hurried back and forth clutching case files, the desks were covered in maps of the capital and markers denoting crime scenes, and right at the very center sat Huangfu Ye in ink-black official robes, bowing his head over case documents with a brow steeped in the cold fatigue of a sleepless night.

Not until he caught the sound of movement did he snap his head up.

Those pitch-black eyes, normally cold to the point of sharpness, melted like sudden spring snow the instant they landed on Tian Qiqi.

Without a moment's hesitation, Huangfu Ye strode toward her.

The room was still packed with Court of Judicial Review officials, but acting as though they didn't exist, he threw open his long arms and pulled her firmly into his embrace.

"Qiqi," he murmured low, his voice raw and raspy.

Tian Qiqi swayed slightly from the force of the embrace, but naturally reached out to pat his back, a light smile lingering in her tone.

"I heard you stayed up the entire night because of this case?"

Huangfu Ye said nothing, only tightening his grip around her by a fraction.

He had practically scoured the entire capital upside down last night.

Yet the more he investigated, the stranger it felt—no footprints, no incense smoke, no signs of a struggle, as though those brides-to-be had simply evaporated into thin air.

And now, with the appearance of this person in his arms, the manic tension that had strung taut across his chest all night finally began to recede.

Tian Qiqi poked her head out from his embrace and patted the pack on her back.

"Relax," she flashed a radiant, high-spirited grin. "Your exclusive utility minion has brought the ultimate modern anti-theft cheat codes to work today."

He led Tian Qiqi over to the desk, his expression turning serious once more.

"The three missing women were all abducted on the eve of their weddings. Their doors were bolted from the inside, windows showed no signs of tampering, and guards patrolled right outside—yet they vanished without a sound."

Huangfu Ye's slender finger tapped against the capital map. "Tonight, the Minister of Rites' daughter is set to be wed."

Lifting his eyes, he looked straight at Tian Qiqi. "This official suspects the culprit will strike again."

"Isn't that simple then?" Tian Qiqi unzipped her backpack and began frantically hauling items out.

Infrared alarms, night-vision cameras, and adhesive spray quickly cluttered the entire desk.

The bailiffs standing nearby stared with eyes wide and unblinking.

Tian Qiqi picked up one of the alarms and waved it right in front of Huangfu Ye.

"Your ancient defense methods are way too rigid," she spoke crisply, her eyes blazing with brilliance. "Tonight, I'll go play the bait in the Minister's daughter's chamber and set up all these infrared sensors. The moment anyone steps close, the alarms will shriek, and I'll coat the floor in adhesive spray."

She gave a cheeky hand gesture with a smile. "By then, that flower-picking thief won't just fail to escape—he won't even be able to lift his feet."

The surrounding bailiffs felt their scalps tingle at the description, some even instinctively glancing down at the soles of their own boots.

Huangfu Ye, however, watched his complexion darken abruptly at the word "bait."

"No," he refused flatly, reaching out to pull Tian Qiqi back against his front as his broad palm locked firmly around her waist.

"This official forbids you from taking risks." Huangfu Ye gazed down at her, his dark eyes suppressing a profound sense of tension and unease.

"Next month is our wedding; this official absolutely will not allow any mishaps to befall you."

The tone was too earnest—so earnest it carried a hint of fierce possessiveness.

Tian Qiqi raised a hand and naturally cradled Huangfu Ye's face.

"Lord Chief Minister," the corners of her eyes curved upward, her voice laced with bright amusement.

"Did you forget that I'm someone who can single-handedly lug twenty kilograms of cement and chase hooligans down three blocks with a stun gun?"

Tian Qiqi leaned in closer. "Besides, aren't you going to be right outside protecting me?"

She gazed up at him with shining eyes, a display of unreserved trust burning straight into Huangfu Ye's heart like a flame.

The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review fell silent for a long beat before finally letting out a quiet breath.

That cold rigidity and stubborn persistence ultimately crumbled away completely before her.

"Fine," Huangfu Ye tightened his grip on her hand, his voice low and husky. "Tonight, this official will personally lead the secret guards to stand watch outside the Minister's estate."

Lowering his gaze to hers, his eyes deepened to a frightening degree. "If he dares to lay a single finger on you... this official will personally seal him into the deepest death cell of the Court of Judicial Review."

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