Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Detective Mocked

The barbershop stood at the entrance of Locust Blossom Lane, its business thriving, with the strong scent of shampoo greeting anyone who approached. Lu Hehuan pushed open the door and stepped inside, where a young male attendant in his early twenties greeted her warmly.

“Welcome!”

Lu Hehuan showed her police badge. “Hello, I’m Detective Lu Hehuan from the Old Zha Police Station. I have a few questions for you.”

The attendant was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered his smile. “Officer, what’s the matter?”

“Last night around eight o’clock, was there a female customer named Li Yingying here getting her hair permed?”

“Oh, you mean Sister Yingying? Yes, she’s one of our regulars. She came in yesterday, I think around six in the evening, and finished her perm around nine.”

Lu Hehuan pondered silently; this meant Li Yingying indeed had no window of opportunity to commit the crime.

“Is there anything else, officer?” The attendant was eager to get back to business.

Lu Hehuan snapped back to attention, shaking her head. “No, that’s all. Thank you.”

As dusk settled, in the Frost Delight Detective Agency, Liu Rushuang lay across her desk, weeping bitterly.

Bai Yulou stood anxiously beside her, wringing his hands as he tried to comfort her gently. “Sister Shuang, you’ve been crying all day, you haven’t even eaten—your body won’t take it.”

But Liu Rushuang only sobbed harder at his words.

“Oh, come now, don’t be so sad. If Yingxi doesn’t fancy you, that’s his loss!”

“Shut up! I won’t allow you to insult Brother Xi!” Liu Rushuang rebuked Bai Yulou sternly through her tears.

Seeing how even in heartbreak Liu Rushuang defended Yingxi, Bai Yulou pouted in grievance, raising his delicate fingers. “I’m just speaking up for you, you know.”

“Who says Brother Xi doesn’t like me? He just... just hasn’t gotten to know me properly yet, and I haven’t fully understood him either,” Liu Rushuang sniffled between sobs.

Bai Yulou nodded. “True enough. This Yingxi is always shrouded in mystery, no one knows where he came from or who his family is.”

“That’s not the understanding I mean. I mean, I need to know what kind of girl he likes.”

“He likes the dancers at the Paramount, everyone in Old Zha knows that.”

“That’s just on the surface. If he really liked them, why hasn’t he married any?”

“Maybe he doesn’t want to marry just one,” Bai Yulou muttered under his breath.

Angry, Liu Rushuang grabbed a notebook from the table and hurled it at Bai Yulou. “Shut up! Brother Xi only goes to the Paramount because he hasn’t found his true love!”

Bai Yulou caught the book awkwardly, not daring to say another word.

Liu Rushuang took a deep breath and gritted her teeth. “I’ve decided, starting tomorrow I’ll follow Brother Xi everywhere, figure out his preferences, and do my best to become his true love!” With that, she clenched her fists, psyching herself up.

Beside her, Bai Yulou furrowed his brows, secretly plotting how to throw a wrench in her plans.

At dusk, Lu Hehuan returned to the police station, exhausted. She turned into the corridor and made for the forensic lab at a brisk pace.

Baldy came the other way, and when he saw Lu Hehuan, he stared as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Hehuan? You’re not dead?”

“What’s the matter?” Lu Hehuan was baffled; she was perfectly fine.

“Inspector Ying said you were dead, I really thought... It’s so good you’re alive!” Baldy was so relieved, his eyes grew red.

Lu Hehuan suddenly understood, frowning. “Inspector Ying is too much—just because of a small disagreement he goes around cursing people.”

Baldy realized his slip, afraid Yingxi would hold it against him, and hurriedly whispered in Lu Hehuan’s ear, “Hehuan, don’t say it was me who told you.”

Lu Hehuan nodded and patted Baldy’s shoulder. “Got it. I’m going to check in with Xiaorong.”

Baldy smiled gratefully.

Lu Hehuan continued to the forensic lab. The door was open; Bao Rong was conducting a further autopsy on Dabao. Lu Hehuan knocked, and Bao Rong turned to look at her.

“Hehuan, you’re back? Any progress?”

Lu Hehuan shook her head. “Nothing significant. But I found out Dabao married a courtesan named Li Yingying.”

Bao Rong paused, as though recalling something. “Li Yingying? I’ve seen her. Pretty, but frivolous. I doubt she and Dabao were truly in love. Could she have killed him for money?”

“I suspected her too, but Dabao doted on her. She had no motive, and at the time of the crime, she was getting her hair done—so she had no opportunity... For now, I’ve ruled her out.”

“Hard to believe, just after Sister Hao left, Dabao gets into trouble,” Bao Rong said sadly.

“Life is unpredictable... Any new findings on your end?”

“I found a large amount of alcohol in Dabao’s stomach. If Li Yingying is ruled out, maybe it really was an accident?”

“I just can’t shake the feeling this case isn’t accidental.”

Bao Rong looked at Lu Hehuan with curiosity as Lu Hehuan’s brow tightened in thought.

The crescent moon hung in the sky like a comb. Yingxi reclined against his dormitory bed, eating peanuts and gazing out the window.

Lu Hehuan pushed open the door and entered. Yingxi, as if not seeing her, coldly put down the peanuts, turned his back to her, and lay facing the wall.

Only as Lu Hehuan approached did she notice a police baton in the middle of the bed. She ventured, “Still angry?”

Yingxi kept a stern face, silent.

“So, you’re planning to give me the cold shoulder?”

Yingxi remained mute.

Lu Hehuan sighed, took off her coat, and lay down on the bed. “Let’s reconcile once I solve the case.”

Yingxi closed his eyes, ignoring her.

Lu Hehuan shook her head helplessly, turned off the light, and went to sleep beside him.

The next morning, Bai Yulou waited at Liu Rushuang’s door. After a while, Liu Rushuang came out, surprised to see him.

“What are you doing here?”

A big smile spread across Bai Yulou’s face. “Sister Shuang, aren’t you going to follow Brother Xi today? I’ll go with you.”

“I don’t need you,” Liu Rushuang refused flatly.

Bai Yulou clung to her arm. “Please, Sister Shuang! If there’s any danger, I can protect you.”

“If there’s danger, I want Brother Xi to protect me, to bring us closer. But if you’re there, how can he protect me?” Liu Rushuang impatiently shook off his hand.

Bai Yulou persisted, putting on a pitiful look. “Sister Shuang, please take me along. I promise not to cause trouble. I’ll do whatever you say. If there’s a chance for a hero to rescue the damsel, I’ll let Yingxi have it. I absolutely won’t steal his thunder, is that not enough?”

“Fine, let’s go. You’re so annoying.” Liu Rushuang finally relented.

Bai Yulou followed her gleefully.

Soft morning light filled the dormitory. Lu Hehuan got ready, glanced at Yingxi still stubbornly lying in bed.

“I’m heading out to investigate.”

Yingxi replied sarcastically, “Do you need to report to me?”

“Don’t you want to come with me?” Lu Hehuan tried.

“Absolutely not,” Yingxi retorted.

“So, what are you doing today?”

“Do I need to report my plans to you?” He shot back icily.

Lu Hehuan blinked in confusion, surprised that Yingxi was truly angry.

“Then I’m leaving,” she tried again.

“Hurry up, stop talking nonsense.”

“Really leaving?” She took a few steps toward the door.

Yingxi turned his back, ignoring her.

Lu Hehuan hesitated, worried about angering him further, but decided to investigate alone.

As she left, Yingxi, hearing the door close, quickly got up, dressed, and hurried out after her.

Lu Hehuan exited the police dormitory, and moments later, Yingxi slipped out to follow her at a distance.

From a hidden corner, Liu Rushuang and Bai Yulou emerged to tail Yingxi.

Lu Hehuan arrived at Dabao’s house. The door was tightly shut, the “Double Happiness” character already torn from it. The door wasn’t locked. She knocked.

Soon, Li Yingying lazily opened the door, showing no trace of grief.

“Who are you looking for?” she asked impatiently.

Lu Hehuan showed her badge. “Hello, I’m Detective Lu Hehuan from Old Zha Police Station. I’d like to ask you some questions about Dabao.”

Li Yingying sized her up, curling her lip with discontent. “He’s dead—what’s there to ask?”

“I suspect Dabao was murdered, so please cooperate with my investigation.”

“Ask away, officer.” Her tone softened just a bit.

“What time did Dabao leave home the day of the incident?”

“How should I know? I went shopping during the day, got my hair done at night, came home close to ten, saw he wasn’t back so I went to bed. Next thing I knew, he was dead.”

“Did Dabao have any enemies?”

“Not that I know of. He barely dared to speak up, so I doubt he made any enemies.”

Seeing Li Yingying knew little, Lu Hehuan paused, then recalled the car at the scene. “I heard Dabao bought that car for you?”

Li Yingying snorted, folding her arms in annoyance. “As if. He said it was for me, but he treasured it himself—washed and maintained it every day. He wouldn’t even let me touch it, let alone drive it.”

Not far away, Yingxi observed Lu Hehuan from the shadows.

Meanwhile, Liu Rushuang and Bai Yulou watched from another corner.

“Why is Brother Xi following Lu Hehuan? Weren’t they at odds?” Liu Rushuang wondered.

“He’s worried about her, wants to protect her from the shadows,” Bai Yulou replied, raising his delicate finger as always.

Liu Rushuang, jealous, bit her lip resentfully. “Lu Hehuan is always at odds with Brother Xi—why does he care so much about her?”

“Maybe Yingxi likes being challenged. Maybe you’re too accommodating, so he doesn’t value you,” Bai Yulou suggested.

Liu Rushuang pouted, glaring at him. “Every word you say lately annoys me. Either shut up, or I’ll make you!”

Bai Yulou instinctively covered his mouth.

“I must find a way to make Brother Xi hate Lu Hehuan and fall in love with me!” Liu Rushuang gazed at Yingxi, determination in her eyes.

Bai Yulou dared not argue, but secretly vowed to do the opposite—help Yingxi and Lu Hehuan reconcile as soon as possible.

Bao Kang was in his office organizing Yingxi’s file. He’d already chosen Yingxi to participate in the headquarters’ “Case Solving Star” selection.

Suddenly, someone knocked at the door.

“Come in,” Bao Kang said without looking up.

Lu Xiang entered. Bao Kang’s face immediately darkened as he looked up. “What do you want?”

“I heard headquarters is selecting a ‘Case Solving Star.’ Lately, Hehuan has cracked all the big cases. Shouldn’t we nominate her?” Lu Xiang said, forcing a smile.

Bao Kang saw through him, lifting his chin arrogantly. “Hehuan only just started; she lacks experience. I think the opportunity should go to Yingxi.”

“Hehuan may lack experience, but she’s outstanding. I think the opportunity should go to her.”

“Lu Xiang, everyone here knows Hehuan is your daughter. You’re abusing your position for personal gain!” Bao Kang accused.

“Everyone knows you’re biased toward that sycophant Yingxi. How clean are you?” Lu Xiang retorted angrily.

“Enough! I’ve already decided. Yingxi’s file is ready to send.”

“You’re mixing up reward and punishment!”

“You’re confusing public and private interests!”

The two glared at each other heatedly as the phone rang.

Bao Kang snatched up the receiver, barking, “Which fool is calling now?”

“I am that fool!” came Gordon’s angry voice.

Bao Kang’s face instantly changed to a fawning smile, his voice dropping. “Chief Inspector, I didn’t know it was you. Sorry, sorry…”

“I see such a reckless superior can’t produce good subordinates. Old Zha Station needn’t participate in the ‘Case Solving Star’ selection,” Gordon interrupted coldly.

“Chief Inspector…” Bao Kang tried to explain, but Gordon hung up.

“So? Wasn’t it exhilarating to scold the Chief Inspector?” Lu Xiang mocked.

Bao Kang forced a laugh, suppressing his anger, and glared at Lu Xiang. “The Chief Inspector just said Old Zha Station is out of the selection, so you can stop fighting for your daughter.”

Lu Xiang’s smile vanished. He glared back. “Because you offended the Chief Inspector!”

“Only because you made me angry first!”

The two bickered fiercely.

On the street, Lu Hehuan walked ahead, with Yingxi tailing her, and Liu Rushuang and Bai Yulou following him.

Lu Hehuan sensed something and glanced back; Yingxi quickly ducked into a nearby teahouse.

Seeing this, Liu Rushuang wanted to follow him, but Bai Yulou grabbed her.

“What are you doing? I want to bump into Brother Xi!” Liu Rushuang protested.

“Calm down, Sister Shuang. Yingxi is tailing Lu Hehuan. If you show up now and she notices him, he’ll be embarrassed and blame you!”

“Oh? That won’t do!” Liu Rushuang, afraid of being hated, quickly backed off.

Bai Yulou raised his delicate finger. “Think about it: now Yingxi can’t keep following, but he’ll still want to know what Hehuan is up to. If you track her, find out what she discovers, and report back to Yingxi, he’ll be pleased.”

Liu Rushuang’s eyes lit up. “Bai Bai, you’ve gotten smarter since you were hypnotized.”

Bai Yulou, pleased with his own cunning, grinned. “You follow Lu Hehuan, I’ll keep an eye on Yingxi.”

“You’re a good student,” Liu Rushuang praised, then hurried off to tail Lu Hehuan.

Bai Yulou glanced at the teahouse where Yingxi was, and smirked as he entered.

The teahouse banners fluttered in the breeze. Bai Yulou entered and spotted Yingxi in a corner. He approached a waiter.

“What can I do for you, sir?” the waiter asked eagerly.

Bai Yulou pulled out a silver coin and handed it over, making the waiter beam.

“I want a cup of extra-strong bitter tea, and I need to borrow your outfit.”

The waiter nodded without hesitation.

Yingxi sat by the window, watching Lu Hehuan question a street vendor outside.

Disguised as a waiter, Bai Yulou brought a cup of especially bitter tea to Yingxi’s table, deciding it was time to play a trick on his stomach-troubled rival.

Yingxi, preoccupied, didn’t notice the trick. He picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp. Instantly, his face twisted in a grimace. Looking up, he saw Bai Yulou in a waiter’s uniform and realized at once.

“You disguised yourself to get me…” Yingxi stood, ready to teach Bai Yulou a lesson, but before he could finish, he collapsed to the floor.

“Inspector Ying! Inspector Ying?” Bai Yulou was alarmed; he hadn’t expected things to turn out this badly. “Don’t scare me…”

Panicked, Bai Yulou gathered Yingxi into his arms and raced toward the hospital.