Chapter Twenty-One: The Joyful Matchmaker

As soon as the scalpel touched Zhu Wolong’s chest, he suddenly sat bolt upright, the white sheet still covering his face. Bao Rong was startled, and Zhu Wolong seized her hand. Bao Rong shrieked, trying to pull free, but Zhu Wolong’s grip was unyielding. They struggled back and forth until Bao Rong, in desperation, grabbed a nearby glass jar and smashed it over Zhu Wolong’s head. With a cry, Zhu Wolong collapsed, unconscious.

“I always thought tales of souls returning or corpses rising were mere legend. I never expected them to be real,” Bao Rong muttered to herself, trembling as she gingerly removed the sheet from the “corpse’s” face.

The instant Bao Rong saw the face, she recognized Zhu Wolong and was stunned.

“Boss Zhu? Boss Zhu, are you alright?”

She nudged Zhu Wolong, and when he didn’t respond, quickly felt for his pulse, then began chest compressions and artificial respiration. After a moment, Zhu Wolong exhaled deeply, color returning to his cheeks. Bao Rong felt his pulse again and breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Wolong slowly opened his eyes, his lips trembling, tears in his voice. “Miss Bao, I thought I’d never see you again…”

Bao Rong’s face clouded with anger, thinking Zhu Wolong had brought this upon himself by sneaking into the morgue for no reason.

At that moment, the door creaked open just a sliver. Bao Kang peeked in, spying on Bao Rong and Zhu Wolong.

Hearing the noise, Bao Rong was incensed. “Brother, come in.”

Bao Kang shuffled in, glanced at Zhu Wolong, and was taken aback. “Boss Zhu, what happened…” Then he turned on Bao Rong with a glare. “Xiao Rong, this is too much! How could you leave Boss Zhu in such a sorry state?”

“Hmph. I’d like to know why Boss Zhu is in such a sorry state myself,” Bao Rong retorted, arms crossed, turning the question on Bao Kang.

“Director Bao, I wanted to surprise Miss Bao, so I hid in the morgue, and then…” Zhu Wolong trailed off awkwardly.

“And then what?” Bao Kang asked, full of concern.

“And then he fell asleep and almost ended up on my dissection table,” Bao Rong snapped.

“What? Is he alright now?” Bao Kang was alarmed, worried something might have happened to Zhu Wolong.

“He’s fine now.”

Hearing this, Bao Kang finally relaxed.

“Brother, it’s clear one side is interested while the other is not. Please stop trying to match me with Boss Zhu. If you try again, I’ll actually dissect him.”

As Bao Rong spoke, she waved the scalpel in front of Zhu Wolong’s eyes. Zhu Wolong promptly fainted again.

Bao Kang, exasperated, felt Bao Rong did not appreciate her good fortune. “Child, Boss Zhu nearly gave his life for you—that’s a love worth more than gold! If you don’t cherish this now, you’ll regret it one day. And I won’t let you make a mistake you’ll regret.”

With that, Bao Kang helped Zhu Wolong up and led him away.

Bao Kang took Zhu Wolong to his own office and let him half-recline on the sofa, patting his face until Zhu Wolong’s eyes snapped open.

“Am I alive?” Zhu Wolong asked anxiously.

“Boss Zhu, you’re fine,” Bao Kang replied solemnly.

Zhu Wolong, overwhelmed with relief, hugged Bao Kang. “Director Bao, I thought I’d never see you again…”

Bao Kang comforted him with a gentle pat.

Suddenly remembering something, Zhu Wolong pressed, “Where’s Miss Bao? Did she agree to marry me?”

Bao Kang hesitated, his expression more downcast than Zhu Wolong’s. “Not yet.”

Zhu Wolong sighed heavily. He hadn’t expected that even risking his life wouldn’t move Bao Rong.

Seeing this, Bao Kang feared Zhu Wolong would give up and hurried to reassure him. “But when you passed out just now, it was Xiao Rong who saved you. And since she accepted your flowers, that means she has feelings for you. I believe if you keep trying, you’ll succeed.”

“With your encouragement, Director Bao, I feel confident. I’ll keep working at it,” Zhu Wolong said, his spirits rekindled.

Night had fallen. After a long day, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi returned to their dormitory, panting. As they passed Lu Xiang’s room, he called out to them.

“What have you two been up to? Why are you back so late?”

“We were investigating a case,” Lu Hehuan explained anxiously, worried Lu Xiang would be upset.

Lu Xiang nodded.

Baldy, seeing Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan return, shouted from the corridor, “Detective Ying, Hehuan, the brothers are going out for drinks. Join us!”

Ying Xi was about to accept when Lu Xiang answered first, “They’re not going!”

“Alright, we’ll get going then,” Baldy said, sensing the mood.

“Deputy Director Lu, I’d like to go…” Ying Xi protested, only to be cut off again.

“No. Young people can’t just think about having fun. Go back and rest,” Lu Xiang ordered firmly.

“But they’re young people too!” Ying Xi pointed at Baldy.

“I can’t control everyone, only you two. Go back to your rooms and get to sleep,” Lu Xiang insisted.

Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan returned to their dorm, disgruntled.

“This isn’t a dorm—it’s a jail cell,” Ying Xi grumbled.

“Do you know why my father disciplines us like this?” Lu Hehuan was unfazed.

Ying Xi shook his head.

“Because my mother keeps him under similar discipline. It’s a psychological rule: when someone can’t rebel against something, they impose it on others,” Lu Hehuan explained.

“What can we do about it?” Ying Xi pondered.

“Usually, if the person can broaden their mind, they’ll resolve the issue themselves.”

Ying Xi pouted. “From what I know of your father, we should really think of a way to send him home. What do you think?”

Lu Hehuan sighed, unconvinced. “My mother’s even harder to deal with.”

Ying Xi, resigned, pulled a bottle of liquor from under the bed. “If there’s no solution, we’ll just have to drink away our sorrows.”

But to their surprise, Lu Xiang suddenly burst in.

“Drink? Hand over the bottle. No alcohol in the dorm! It’s late, lights out, and get to bed. Tomorrow you’re up early for morning exercises.”

Snatching the bottle, Lu Xiang unceremoniously turned off the lights and slammed the door behind him.

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stood stunned in the darkness, the sound of breaking hearts almost audible.

Gritting his teeth, Ying Xi made up his mind. “We have to find a way to send your father home! Lu Hehuan, what are your mother’s hobbies?”

Lu Hehuan thought about it. “She loves to look good.”

Morning broke. Frost Delight Detective Agency was quiet and empty. Liu Rushuang sat in her chair, stretching idly, when she caught Bai Yulou beside her winking repeatedly in her direction.

“Shameless…” Liu Rushuang scolded Bai Yulou.

Bai Yulou was startled, glancing around to check they were alone. “Sister Shuang, who are you calling shameless?”

“Whoever keeps winking at me is shameless!” Liu Rushuang assumed Bai Yulou was playing dumb.

“Winking? When did I ever wink at you?” Bai Yulou was baffled.

“Then why are you making faces all the time?”

Suddenly enlightened, Bai Yulou rubbed his eyes with a delicate gesture. “It’s all because you poked me the other day.”

“I used so little force. Was that really necessary?” Liu Rushuang dismissed it.

“It wasn’t at first, but then you scared me with talk of ghosts hunting those who fear them, and women calling my name at night and telling me not to look back. I was so frightened I couldn’t sleep, and my eye trouble got worse,” Bai Yulou complained.

Liu Rushuang realized Bai Yulou wasn’t lying. She waved her hand in front of his face. “Can you see?”

“I can, but everything’s blurry.”

“It’s that serious?” Liu Rushuang was concerned. “You should go see Dr. Cheng Zesheng. He’s European-trained and very skilled. I’ll cover the cost.”

Bai Yulou nodded. “I’ll go tomorrow.”

“Go now. Eyes are nothing to neglect.”

“Sister Shuang, I didn’t expect you to care so much about me,” Bai Yulou was deeply moved, feeling it was worth going blind for her.

“Of course I care. If you go blind, how will you help me on cases?”

“Don’t worry, Sister Shuang. I still have my ears and mouth.”

“True, I almost forgot. Never mind, then. No need to see the doctor. I’ll save some money.”

Bai Yulou quickly backtracked. “It really won’t cost much…”

Liu Rushuang chuckled. “I’m teasing. Go on.”

Bai Yulou left in high spirits.

Early that morning, Lu Hehuan brought Ying Xi home. Lin Zhi sat in a chair as Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi, working in tandem, curled her hair with hot tongs. Lin Zhi beamed at her reflection in the mirror.

“Does this style really suit me?” Lin Zhi asked.

“Not really. Mother, your face is rather square, and curls make your head look big and messy, emphasizing the size of your face…” As soon as Lu Hehuan spoke, Lin Zhi’s expression fell.

Ying Xi stomped hard on Lu Hehuan’s foot. Lu Hehuan shut up, wincing, and glared at Ying Xi, who signaled him with his eyes.

“Madam Lu, you’re naturally beautiful—any style suits you. But this one, just like the film star Hu Yiman’s, only makes you more radiant,” Ying Xi flattered her. “Deputy Director Lu specifically asked me to make sure you looked your best.”

Lin Zhi’s emotions surged at the mention of Lu Xiang, though she pretended not to care. “Did that old man really say that?”

Ying Xi nodded. “Deputy Director Lu regrets what happened. He said if you forgive him, he’ll be a good man, a good husband, a good father.”

“Really?” Lin Zhi was skeptical.

“Of course. Since you left, Director Bao has lost weight and keeps muttering your name. He says you’re the only one he ever loved. He swears off tea houses and even if other women offered him immortality, he wouldn’t take it,” Ying Xi went on spinning tales.

Lin Zhi turned sharply to Lu Hehuan. “Detective Ying is all talk, I don’t believe him. Son, you’re always honest. You tell me.”

Lu Hehuan hesitated. “Tell you what?”

“Your father’s truly sorry, and sent you two to apologize and curl my hair?”

Lu Hehuan opened his mouth uncertainly. Ying Xi stared at him, nervous he’d blow their cover.

“Yes, my father said in this life he loves you most, only feels secure with you. He even wrote you a love poem and recites it every day,” Lu Hehuan lied through his teeth at last.

“Recite it for me?” Lin Zhi was suspicious.

Lu Hehuan recalled a Byron poem by chance and recited, “I have seen you weep, crystal tears shining in blue eyes, like violets bejeweled with morning dew. I have seen you smile, dazzling gems outshone by the brilliance in your glance…”

“That’s more like it,” Lin Zhi was somewhat moved.

Ying Xi quietly gave Lu Hehuan a thumbs up, and took over with the tongs to finish curling Lin Zhi’s hair, not noticing they were too hot.

Suddenly, Lin Zhi’s hair caught fire. In panic, Lu Hehuan dumped a basin of water over her head.

Having fooled one, they set out to fool the other. They ran to Lu Xiang’s office, respectfully urging him to return home.

“Deputy Director Lu, Madam Lin realizes her mistake and wants you to come home. She’s lost weight from missing you.”

Lu Xiang, hearing this, grew smug but kept up a stern front. “What was she doing before? Now she suddenly wants me back.”

“Madam Lin was just momentarily upset. She cares for you too much and now misses you terribly. She says she’s not used to being apart from you for so long,” Ying Xi continued lying.

Lu Xiang eyed Ying Xi with doubt. “She really said that?”

“She did!” Ying Xi lied without blinking.

Lu Xiang wasn’t convinced, so he turned to Lu Hehuan. “You’re honest. Did your mother really say she was wrong?”

Lu Hehuan nodded vigorously. “Yes, Dad. She said you’re the one she loves most, and only feels safe with you.”

Lu Xiang was satisfied but still a little suspicious. “Then why doesn’t she come ask me herself?”

“She…”

Ying Xi saw Lu Hehuan about to slip and quickly interjected, “Deputy Director, you’re the man here, you should be the gentleman and give Madam Lin a way out. Do you really want to keep living in the police dorm, eating badly and sleeping worse?”

Lu Xiang nodded, pretending to be magnanimous. “Alright, I’ll give her a way out. How?”

“We’ll help you,” Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi said, exchanging glances.

Cheng Zesheng was in his forties, with bushy brows, large eyes, a white coat, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He looked refined and approachable.

Bai Yulou entered the clinic and cleared his throat, “Are you Dr. Cheng?”

“Yes, I am. Please, come in,” Cheng Zesheng replied.

Bai Yulou sat down beside him.

“What seems to be the trouble, young man?”

“My eyes. I walked into a branch and now they’re uncomfortable.”

“Let me take a look.”

Cheng Zesheng examined Bai Yulou’s eyes with a flashlight. After the exam, he set the light aside.

“It’s a conjunctival contusion—nothing serious. I’ll help you treat it.”

“How?”

“Look into my eyes. Move your eyes as mine move.”

Bai Yulou nodded and focused on Cheng Zesheng’s eyes. The doctor leaned in so that their gazes met.

“Left…”

Bai Yulou’s eyes moved left.

“Right…”

He followed right.

Meanwhile, under Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi’s direction, Lu Xiang donned a suit and, holding a large bouquet of roses, returned home. At the door, he saw Lin Zhi with half her hair in curls and the other half burnt into a bird’s nest.

As they approached, Lu Xiang admired her hair. “Ah Zhi, your hairstyle is so unique.”

“Do you like it?” Lin Zhi smoothed her hair.

Lu Xiang nodded, handing her the roses. “Do you like these?”

Lin Zhi nodded.

They gazed at each other, then embraced in peace.

Not far off, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi watched, moved.

“My parents have never been so sweet, so happy,” Lu Hehuan sighed.

“Sometimes the world needs a kind lie or two,” Ying Xi said, patting Lu Hehuan’s shoulder. “You did well today. I was worried your bluntness would ruin things, but you lied without blinking. Even I almost believed you.”

“I only lie occasionally, so my lies sound true. You, on the other hand, only tell the truth occasionally, so your truths sound like lies.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ying Xi feigned ignorance.

Lu Hehuan patted Ying Xi’s chest. “Only your heart knows.”

Ying Xi paused, then grabbed Lu Hehuan’s hand, joking, “Trying to take advantage of this detective?”

“At best, you’re just a pile of crumbled tofu,” Lu Hehuan shot back.

“Me, the heartthrob, called crumbled tofu? I think this is about to become a crime scene!”

Ying Xi, feigning outrage, pretended to strike Lu Hehuan.

Lu Hehuan struck a fighting pose. “We’ll see who the real criminal is.”

They chased and tussled, gradually running off into the distance.

Night fell. Liu Rushuang was preparing to leave the detective agency when Bai Yulou returned from the doctor.

“You’re back, Bai Bai. Are your eyes better?”

Bai Yulou smiled. “Yes, Sister Shuang, nothing to worry about.”

Liu Rushuang glanced at his eyes, teasing, “No more winking, so you must be cured.”

Bai Yulou smiled.

Liu Rushuang patted his shoulder. “Day’s over, you head out. I’ll lock up tonight.”

Bai Yulou nodded and left.

A pale moonlight shone into the police dormitory. Several bottles of liquor stood on the table, and an ancient, battered gramophone played “Drizzle.” Clearly, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi were celebrating the departure of Lu Xiang, the “plague spirit.”

“Drizzle, falling endlessly. Gentle breeze, blowing endlessly. The willow’s branches soft in mist and rain, ah, the willow green…”

Ying Xi sang along to the music, dancing wildly and comically.

Lu Hehuan watched, laughing so hard he cried, his eyes blurring with tears as memories surfaced.

In a classroom years ago, Ling Yan danced gracefully to “Drizzle.” Young Lu Hehuan watched, clapping along.

“Come on, let’s dance together. It’s all the rage in Shanghai,” Ling Yan coaxed.

Lu Hehuan danced awkwardly. “Isn’t it silly for a man to dance like this?”

Ling Yan laughed. “As long as you’re happy.”

Lu Hehuan grinned, and together they danced joyfully.

Noticing Lu Hehuan’s somber mood, Ying Xi stopped dancing, picked up his glass.

“Why the long face? Don’t tell me you miss your dad? Want him to move back?”

“No, no, no,” Lu Hehuan waved his hands.

“Speak Chinese, will you? Here, drink up,” Ying Xi said, raising his glass.

Lu Hehuan drained his in one gulp.

Suddenly, Ying Xi remembered something. “Hey, what was that poem you recited today? It really works on women.”

“Oh, that’s a love poem by the famous English poet Byron, called ‘I Have Seen You Weep.’”

“Can you teach me?”

“Why?”

“To win a girl’s heart! Teach me.”

Lu Hehuan was reluctant but gave in. “Alright. I’ll recite, you listen.”

Ying Xi nodded, uncharacteristically earnest.

Lu Hehuan walked to the window, gazed into the night, and began:

“I have seen you weep, crystal tears gleaming in blue eyes, like violets laden with morning dew. I have seen you smile, dazzling jewels whose brilliance cannot compare with the light in your glance. The sunset paints the clouds with brilliant hues, and even the twilight cannot drive away this splendor. Your smile brings joy to sorrow, like radiant sunshine sparkling in my heart…”

When he finished, Lu Hehuan seemed to catch sight of Ling Yan’s every smile and frown in the night, a bittersweet ache filling him. He turned and was startled to see Ying Xi weeping.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m moved…” Ying Xi sobbed, a rare sight, clearly touched by the poem.

Lu Hehuan was stunned, as if he’d heard the world’s greatest joke. “What? Even you get moved?”