Chapter 374: I’ve Already Closed My Eyes

“Ow!”

The grassland wolf that Xiao Yu had kicked away instantly got back up, letting out a series of threatening low growls.

Xiao Yu was surprised.

He hadn’t even used Kodiak Bear’s Strength on that kick. But with his current physique, a full-grown adult would likely be unable to get up from it.

This meant that this grassland wolf had an unusually strong physique.

Describing a wolf’s physique like this… 

Xiao Yu felt his scalp tingle at his own choice of words.

Listening to the continuous threatening growls, the others felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation. That sound seemed to pierce straight into their hearts, making Guo Qiang and the others well up with fear from the depths of their souls.

Xiao Yu, however, felt nothing.

In the past, he had even fought hyenas. A single grassland wolf didn’t even register in his eyes.

Suddenly, the grassland wolf let out a furious roar. It charged, leaping through the air.

Its target was clear. It pounced straight at Xiao Yu. 

Its aim was Xiao Yu’s throat.

‘Wolves really hold grudges, huh?’ Xiao Yu smirked and stepped forward instead of retreating.

Just as the wolf’s jaws were about to reach him, Xiao Yu shifted sideways, extended his arm, and reached out. He grabbed the wolf by the scruff of its neck. He lifted the massive grassland wolf into the air.

And then… a shocking scene unfolded.

The grassland wolf kicked its limbs wildly, howling in distress—only for its body to suddenly go limp, its movements weak and sluggish.

Many felines and canines exhibit a similar response under the right conditions.

When lifted off the ground with their scruff gripped firmly, their struggle often diminishes.

First, due to discomfort and lack of support—without their limbs touching the ground, they lose stability, and their body weight strains their neck.

Second, because of a primal submission response—some animals instinctively recognize such restraint as dominance, though this varies between species and individuals.

Third, as a lingering reflex from infancy—young felines and some canines are carried by their mothers this way, making them momentarily still. However, this response weakens with age, and adults may resist or react unpredictably.

But the real question was—how many people could lift a grassland wolf weighing over a hundred pounds this effortlessly?

“It’s not this one.”

Holding the wolf high, Xiao Yu carefully examined it.

He confirmed that this was definitely not the one from the surveillance footage that had attacked the victim, Cao Xude.

And now, up close, Xiao Yu could also tell something was off from the wolf’s scent.

Though similar to the other grassland wolves’ scent, there were still significant differences.

Since it wasn’t the culprit…

Xiao Yu swung his arm with his Bear’s Strength activated.

He slammed hard the massive wolf against the basement wall.

A sharp, terrifying, bone-cracking thud echoed.

The grassland wolf didn’t even let out a whimper. It lay on the ground, twitched a few times, then went completely still—lifeless.

Guo Qiang, Li Xin, and Liu Hongqiao stared at Xiao Yu’s indifferent expression, utterly shocked.

‘Holy shit! That’s too ruthless!’

“Send it to Forensics. Have He Li examine it.” Xiao Yu calmly gave the order. “Issue an arrest warrant for Jiang Huiying.”

He had no intention of wasting time subduing a wild beast.

Since this grassland wolf wasn’t the culprit and was also incredibly aggressive, its life or death was irrelevant.

Xiao Yu had never been one of those so-called dog or wolf lovers.

People often said nonsense like, If a dog bites you, are you going to bite it back? Why lower yourself to its level?

Xiao Yu wouldn’t bite back. He’d use a stick.

***

Morning, 6:00 AM.

Xiao Yu opened his eyes and washed his face.

Another day of grinding ahead.

Thinking back to his past life, Xiao Yu found himself incredibly naive back then—stubborn, reckless, and full of youthful arrogance.

He had once believed that every inch of his body had to be as tough as steel.

Never back down—just charge forward!

But in this life, with a family to care for, he no longer dared to live so recklessly.

‘Your body is your real asset, wouldn’t it be better to take care of it for my dear sister?’

His body was his greatest asset—better to keep it in shape for his sister’s sake.

At 7:00 AM, he was outside the criminal investigation brigade.

Xiao Yu’s heart melted completely seeing Mu Qingwu approaching, holding a thermal lunchbox, her hands supporting her pregnant belly, her face soft and radiant.

So what if he was completely under his wife’s thumb?

Muttering through bites of the lovingly prepared meal, Xiao Yu said with his mouth half-full, “Sis, I really wish I could travel back in time and be reborn once more.”

“Why’s that?”

Mu Qingwu gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a tissue, smiling like a blooming lotus, her gaze as soft as a flowing stream.

“Because then I could go back to your childhood and grow up with you. That way, we’d have more years together.” Xiao Yu chuckled. “Like… I could catch you on your way home from school, holding a Barbie doll, and trick you into signing a promise to marry me when we grow up.”

“Haha!”

Mu Qingwu covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Even now, it’s not impossible. I’m easy to fool.”

“Sis, can you say that with a straight face?” Xiao Yu pouted, grumbling, “If you were easy to fool, then I’d be a certified idiot.”

If there were a ranking for the smartest people he knew, Mu Qingwu would definitely be in his top three.

Unless she willingly let herself be deceived, it’d be impossible to trick her.

Might as well dream on.

Anyone capable of managing a trillion-dollar business empire—every single strand of their hair was filled with schemes.

“And yet, I still fell for you, didn’t I?” Mu Qingwu giggled.

“Come on, I originally wanted to take you down.” Xiao Yu wasn’t sure if he was frustrated or smug. “Damn it, in the end, I was the one who got conquered.”

“Is that so?” Mu Qingwu chuckled lightly. “Then I was wrong?”

“Nope.” Xiao Yu took another bite, nodding firmly. “That just means you owe me. You have to make it up to my poor, wounded little heart.”

“Oh?” Mu Qingwu reached out and pinched his handsome cheek, feigning a slight pout. “Then tell me, what kind of girl does my dear brother like? I’ll become her for you.”

‘Holy crap, this was a trap!’

Xiao Yu broke into a cold sweat.

“What do you mean like other girls? I have you in this lifetime. I can only ever love my dear sister.”

“Heh.” Mu Qingwu’s smile faded slightly. “Good answer.”

‘Damn it, I poured my heart into sweet-talking her, and all I got was nothing.’

Xiao Yu rolled his eyes, hurriedly finished his meal, and grabbed Mu Qingwu’s soft hand.

“Come on, let’s go find a place to make out.”

Mu Qingwu, “…”

How could he say something so shameless—so openly and righteously?

“Feeling shy?” Xiao Yu grinned, staring into her eyes. “If you’re shy, we can find somewhere private…”

Mu Qingwu’s lips pressed against his.

Shy? Impossible—she had already closed her eyes.