Chapter Nineteen: A Cloud of Chaos

Lu Hehuan was afraid that Lin Zhi would discover Lu Xiang’s scandal and then make a scene at the police station. He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to console her. “Mother, let me take you home first.”

“How are you just like your father, spineless! If Bao Kang dares to falsely accuse your father, the two of us will make a scene at the Old Gate Police Station!” Lin Zhi erupted in fury, marching forward and overturning the desk in front of Bao Kang.

Bao Kang hadn’t expected Lin Zhi to be so fierce. Though he refused to show weakness, his voice lowered, “Damaging public property—compensation will be required.”

Just as hostilities threatened to break out, Ying Xi hurriedly brought Sister Hao into the room. Bao Kang regained his confidence at the sight of her, raising his voice.

“Sister Hao, look carefully at the man opposite you.”

Following Bao Kang’s instructions, Sister Hao scrutinized Lu Xiang. Upon seeing her, Lu Xiang’s eyes darted evasively, as if he was hiding something.

After a moment, Sister Hao nodded and pointed at Lu Xiang. “Director Bao, it’s him. He’s the widow Liang’s lover. I saw him go to her house a little after seven o’clock the night before last.”

Lin Zhi was momentarily stunned; her earlier bravado dissipated entirely. Filled with suspicion, she murmured, “Widow Liang’s lover?”

“Lu Xiang, the witness is right here—what do you have to say for yourself?” Bao Kang pressed the advantage.

Lu Xiang glanced at Lu Hehuan, signaling with his eyes and lowering his voice. “Hehuan, take your mother home first.”

But Lin Zhi knew Lu Xiang was trying to deceive her. She burst out in anger, “I’m not going home! Lu Xiang, explain to me what’s going on between you and Widow Liang!”

“It’s obvious—Lu Xiang was involved with Widow Liang. She tried to climb her way up, and Lu Xiang, fearing the scandal, killed her to solve his affair!” Bao Kang asserted from the side.

“Nonsense! Yes, I went to Widow Liang’s house that day, but—” Lu Xiang blurted out in panic.

Hearing this, Lin Zhi’s anger surged. “So you did go after all!”

“—but I only stayed a short while before leaving!” Lu Xiang explained, blushing fiercely.

“You left? Where did you go? Who can prove it?” Bao Kang cut in before Lin Zhi could speak, interrogating him.

Lu Xiang looked at Lin Zhi, troubled. “I went for a walk. How would I remember who I met along the way? You can investigate if you like.”

“Lu Xiang, if you can’t provide proof that you were elsewhere during the time of the crime, I’ll file to close the case based on existing evidence,” Bao Kang threatened.

Lu Xiang grew anxious as Bao Kang pressed him relentlessly. “I really didn’t kill anyone! At that time I was…”

He looked at Lin Zhi, swallowing his words.

“Where were you then?” Bao Kang pressed further.

“Father, where were you? If you say it, your suspicion will be cleared,” Lu Hehuan urged him to tell the truth.

“I…” Lu Xiang hesitated, looking at Lin Zhi’s angry glare, then at Lu Hehuan’s expectant face, and finally at Bao Kang, who was waiting eagerly for the spectacle. Gritting his teeth, he said, “I went to Sun Fenglian’s house for tea. If you don’t believe me, ask her.”

“Who is Sun Fenglian?” Lin Zhi pressed him again.

Bao Kang looked at Ying Xi, thinking he, with his connections, might know about Sun Fenglian.

Ying Xi swallowed and smirked, “She’s also a widow, living on Locust Blossom Lane.”

Upon hearing this, Bao Kang’s face broke into a wide grin. He teased, “Lu Xiang, who’d have thought you’d be so popular with widows!”

“‘Trouble always gathers at a widow’s door’—that old saying rings true,” Ying Xi muttered.

“Ying Xi, bring Sun Fenglian here,” Bao Kang ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

Ying Xi ran out, not daring to look at Lu Xiang.

“Lu Xiang…” Lin Zhi glared at him, teeth clenched, words failing to express her rage.

Lu Xiang drooped his head, wilted, unable to meet Lin Zhi’s gaze.

“Hmph! Lu Xiang, don’t think you can escape guilt by dragging someone else into this. If you really killed her, no lie will save you!” Bao Kang spat venomously.

Lu Hehuan, unsure how to comfort Lin Zhi, scratched his head anxiously.

Lin Zhi glared at Lu Xiang, her eyes seeming to shoot flames. “Lu Xiang, if you really went to a widow’s house, you’ll have hell to pay!”

Lu Hehuan looked from Lu Xiang to Lin Zhi, caught between them, stepping forward to reason gently. “Mother, don’t be angry. Maybe Father was just thirsty while passing by Locust Blossom Lane, and Sun Fenglian happened to have tea.”

“Couldn’t he drink tea at home? Did he go to the widow’s house because her tea tastes better?” Lin Zhi’s anger flared, spilling over onto her son.

“Think about it this way: would you rather Father be a murderer or just someone who drinks tea at a widow’s house?” Lu Hehuan continued.

“I’d rather he be a murderer—such people deserve to be shot on the spot!” Lin Zhi answered briskly, still furious.

Lu Hehuan shrugged helplessly at Lu Xiang, showing he’d done all he could and the rest was up to him. Lu Xiang glared back, feeling aggrieved. He’d been betrayed by his son for justice, outmaneuvered by a rival, and cornered by his wife. Truly, misfortune had come in droves.

Ying Xi reached Sun Fenglian’s door, out of breath—never had he been so eager, not even when chasing criminals. He knocked loudly, and Sun Fenglian’s voice called out from inside.

“Who is it? You’ll break my door down!”

Sun Fenglian hurried to open the door. She was plump and comely, fond of bright colors despite her widowhood. She paused when she saw Ying Xi in uniform. “And you are?”

Ying Xi, panting, flashed his badge. “Detective Ying Xi, Old Gate Police Station. Come with me.”

Without waiting for explanation, he grabbed her and hurried off.

“Officer, I haven’t done anything wrong…”

No sooner had the two left than a man, looking every bit the illicit lover, snuck out of the house clutching his clothes.

The interrogation room at the police station was eerily quiet, each person lost in their own thoughts.

Lu Xiang glared at Bao Kang, as if to say, “This scoundrel! He could have investigated quietly, but he had Sun Fenglian brought here to stir up trouble at home even if I clear my name.”

Bao Kang, gleeful, met Lu Xiang’s gaze, as if to say, “Yes, I did it on purpose. Let’s see what you do when Sun Fenglian arrives.”

Lu Xiang’s eyes shifted to Lin Zhi, whose gaze burned with fury. He immediately put on a pleading face, as if to say, “Wife, I was wrong. I’ll never go to a widow’s house for tea again. Please forgive me this once.”

Lin Zhi gritted her teeth, her expression saying, “Old fool, you’ll regret this when we get home.”

Lu Xiang, face mournful, looked at Lu Hehuan with anger—his eyes seemed to say, “Useless brat, you’re no help at all. Just wait!”

Lu Hehuan’s face was apologetic, as if to say, “Sorry, Father, I didn’t expect things to turn out like this. Sigh! Maybe you should give up tea altogether.”

Just as the four exchanged these silent messages, the door banged open. Ying Xi burst in, dragging Sun Fenglian, both breathing heavily.

“Sun Fenglian, I ask you, who were you with around nine o’clock the night before last?” Bao Kang asked bluntly.

“Ah?” Sun Fenglian was caught off guard. Suddenly, she saw Lu Xiang and exclaimed in delight, “Deputy Director Lu?”

“Answer my question!” Bao Kang pressed.

Sun Fenglian timidly covered her chest and nodded, “Yes, Deputy Director Lu was with me. He was at my house, drinking tea.”

Bao Kang, who had meant to teach Lu Xiang a lesson, was disappointed. So it was true—Lu Xiang really was drinking tea at the widow’s house.

Still, he didn’t need to be too disappointed; Lin Zhi would surely give Lu Xiang a piece of her mind. With the facts confirmed, Lin Zhi was ablaze with anger and shouted, “Lu Xiang! It’s bad enough you chase after women, but you choose widows! Shameless!”

She strode up to Lu Xiang and punched him in the eye, giving him a black eye.

“Wife, let me explain—I only went for tea, nothing else!” Lu Xiang pleaded, covering his eye.

Lin Zhi ignored him and punched his other eye, “You wanted more? Shameless!”

Lu Xiang covered both eyes and ducked his head between his knees.

“Madam Lu, this is a police station…” Bao Kang, seeing their domestic quarrel spill into the station, couldn’t help but interject.

Lin Zhi glared fiercely at Bao Kang, who instinctively rubbed his eyes and swallowed his words.

“Seduce someone else’s husband—shameless!” Lin Zhi, still not satisfied, stormed over to Sun Fenglian and berated her.

“You—you shouldn’t insult me…” Sun Fenglian replied, aggrieved.

Lin Zhi took on the full posture of a shrew. “Maybe I shouldn’t insult you, I should hit you! Isn’t that right?”

Sun Fenglian shrank back, afraid Lin Zhi might actually strike her, and dared not say another word.

Having settled Sun Fenglian, Lin Zhi turned to Bao Kang, her tone unexpectedly calm. “Director Bao, Sun Fenglian and Lu Xiang have an ambiguous relationship. Her testimony should be invalid. Lu Xiang is the murderer; hurry up and convict him.”

Everyone gasped in astonishment.

“My goodness, nothing stings like a wasp’s tail—no one is more ruthless than a woman!” Lu Xiang, having just escaped one disaster, was now being framed by his own wife.

“He deserves to be dragged out and cut to pieces!”

After speaking, Lin Zhi kicked over a nearby chair. Ying Xi, standing by the door, quickly stepped aside to let her pass. Lin Zhi glared at him and slammed the door as she left.

With Lin Zhi gone, Lu Xiang finally relaxed. He turned to Bao Kang. “Director Bao, I’ve explained everything. Now it’s your turn. You dragged me here without proper investigation, making my household chaotic. I say you’re using your position to settle personal scores and frame me!”

“Deputy Director Lu, it was all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding,” Bao Kang said with an awkward smile.

“Director Bao and Deputy Director Lu are both open-minded. As long as things are clear, it’s fine,” Ying Xi hurried to smooth things over.

Lu Xiang recalled Ying Xi acting as Bao Kang’s lackey earlier, and now showering him with compliments. He glared at him with all his might, then strode angrily toward the door.

As he passed Lu Hehuan, the latter looked apologetic.

“Father…”

Lu Xiang cut him off at once, “Don’t call me Father—I can’t bear it! Just call me Lu Xiang!”

With that, he stormed out, leaving Lu Hehuan shaking his head helplessly; he’d managed to offend both his parents today.

Night fell, and Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi returned to their dorm, exhausted. Ying Xi opened the cupboard, took out a bag of peanuts, and lay back on the bed, munching.

“What a thrilling day,” he sighed, unable to help himself.

“You’re still wearing your coat on the bed—there are germs.”

“Let the germs be crushed,” Ying Xi retorted nonchalantly.

Seeing Ying Xi sprawled on the bed, Lu Hehuan forcibly pulled him off while lecturing, “Crushing germs isn’t scientific. Don’t forget our roommate agreement—you must respect your partner’s opinions.”

Ying Xi, dragged to a chair, wriggled impatiently. “Such a hassle—you’re just like a woman!”

Lu Hehuan was taken aback; the phrase sounded familiar. It was from years ago, on a bright, sunny day when he and Ling Yan had walked together on the grass. When Ling Yan grew tired, she pulled Lu Hehuan down to rest.

“Hehuan, I’m tired. Let’s sit here.”

He nodded.

“Wait…” Ling Yan was about to sit down, but Lu Hehuan stopped her, pulling out his handkerchief and laying it on the grass. “The ground is dirty—there are germs.”

Ling Yan obediently sat on the handkerchief, but couldn’t help smiling. “Hehuan, you’re just like a girl.”

Lu Hehuan wasn’t offended; he played along. “Next life, I’ll be the girl and you the boy—let’s still be a couple.”

Ling Yan smiled and nodded.

Ying Xi saw Lu Hehuan’s vacant expression and, after receiving no response for some time, threw peanuts at him. “What are you daydreaming about?”

“Nothing, I just thought about Ling Yan,” Lu Hehuan replied, a little sad.

“You sure have a big heart—thinking about women at a time like this,” Ying Xi scoffed. “You should worry about your father. With your mother’s temper, he’s in for trouble.”

He was right.

Even though night had fallen, the bedroom at the Lu residence was brightly lit. The mess inside showed signs of a recent battle.

An apple struck Lu Xiang’s forehead, making his bruised face even more pitiful.

“Wife, let me explain…” Lu Xiang pleaded, hands raised defensively.

Lin Zhi stood with hands on hips. “Explain? Get out!”

“Wife, you’re kicking me out—where am I supposed to sleep?”

Lin Zhi snorted coldly, mocking him. “You had the nerve to drink tea at a widow’s house—why not sleep there too?”

“I was just passing by and stopped for tea.”

“Then tonight, just pass by and sleep there. Get out!”

She picked up Lu Xiang’s clothes and threw them at him, landing squarely on his head. He pulled them off quickly.

“Wife…” he made one last attempt.

Seeing him refuse to leave, Lin Zhi grabbed the teapot, eyes blazing. “Will you leave yourself or do I need to help you?”

Lu Xiang glanced at the teapot, his beloved purple clay pot. The thought of it being smashed made his heart ache, and at his age, he couldn’t take another blow. He sighed, “I’d better go myself.”

He grabbed a few clothes at random and bid farewell. “Wife, I’ll come back when you’ve calmed down.”

“Don’t even think about coming back—never!” Lin Zhi roared.

Lu Xiang left, utterly dejected.

Lin Zhi stood motionless, anger in her face. At the sound of the door closing, she paused, then broke down in tears.

Ying Xi lay on the dormitory windowsill, eating peanuts and gazing at the moon, suddenly excited.

“Lu Hehuan, come look!”

As he was tidying up the bed, Lu Hehuan heard Ying Xi’s call and grew curious. “Is tonight’s moon special?”

“The moon’s nothing special, but the people beneath it are,” Ying Xi said, gloating.

Lu Hehuan went to the window and looked out. He saw Lu Xiang, disheveled, carrying a few clothes and heading toward the police dormitory.