Chapter Forty-Four: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

Liu Rushuang paced back and forth in the Frost and Joy Detective Agency, her hands clasped behind her back. Bai Yulou sat in a chair, his head following Liu Rushuang as she moved.

“Sister Shuang, you’ve been pacing all morning. You’re making me dizzy.” Bai Yulou rolled his neck and continued to complain, “My neck is sore.”

Liu Rushuang stopped and snorted coldly, “Who told you to follow me? Serves you right!”

“You’re worried about something, so I’m anxious with you.” Bai Yulou looked aggrieved.

“If you’re anxious, help me think of a solution! Joy is like a fortress right now, and I need to find a way to break through!”

Bai Yulou pursed his lips, blowing on his fingernails. “I see the dancers at the Paramount rushing in one after another, and that fortress doesn’t seem so hard to conquer. Hmph, I think he’s just pretending with you!”

Liu Rushuang bit her lip, nodding thoughtfully. “You’re right. If Joy can accept those dancers, why can’t he accept me?” She walked over to Bai Yulou, leaned in with both hands on the table.

Bai Yulou looked bewildered, fear flickering in his eyes.

Suddenly, Liu Rushuang’s eyes lit up with inspiration. Overjoyed, she exclaimed, “Bai Bai, help me change my image!”

“What kind of image?” Bai Yulou was baffled.

Liu Rushuang smiled mysteriously. “A dancer’s image.”

The doors to the police morgue were wide open. Bao Rong sat at his desk, while Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stood by.

Bao Rong handed Da Bao’s autopsy report to Lu Hehuan. “Here’s Da Bao’s autopsy report. He had a high alcohol concentration in his stomach, so he must have been heavily intoxicated when he died.”

Lu Hehuan studied the report, frowning slightly. Ying Xi, on the other hand, looked quite pleased.

“I told you it was an accident, right? Da Bao was severely drunk, and in a confused, agitated state, drove the car into the river. Yue Xiaodong, terrified, only cared about saving herself, so Da Bao drowned.”

Bao Rong listened to Ying Xi, and his brows furrowed as well. “If I were Yue Xiaodong, when Da Bao was about to drive into the river, I might instinctively try to help steer, not just sit there and wait for death.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Lu Hehuan said, looking energized.

“Xiao Rong, Yue Xiaodong isn’t like you. You’re well-read; she’s just a dancer…”

“Inspector Ying, let’s go back to the riverside and check the tire tracks,” Lu Hehuan interrupted.

“Are you kidding? It’s been days—what tire tracks could be left?” Ying Xi crossed his arms, mocking.

“Just come with me.”

Ying Xi was puzzled but followed Lu Hehuan.

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi arrived at the Suzhou River. Because of the recent homicide, the nearby residents stayed clear of the riverbank.

A few mats were spread along the riverbank, and an officer stood beside them. Seeing Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi, the officer hurried over.

“Inspector Ying, Investigator Lu.”

“Thank you for your hard work,” Lu Hehuan nodded.

“It’s nothing.”

Lu Hehuan bent down and lifted the mats covering the riverbank. Ying Xi leaned in, surprised to see the tire tracks preserved.

“I was worried the tire tracks would be useful, so I had them covered with mats to protect the scene,” Lu Hehuan explained.

Ying Xi smiled in sudden understanding. “Nice, very meticulous.”

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi crouched, focusing on the tracks.

“Strange…” Ying Xi rubbed his beard, muttering.

“The tracks run along the riverbank and then turn directly into the river,” Lu Hehuan gestured, comparing the angle between the tracks and the riverbank. “They meet the riverbank at a seventy-degree angle. If a drunk was driving, the deviation into the river shouldn’t exceed thirty degrees… This seventy-degree angle must be from a sharp turn of the steering wheel.”

“Could Da Bao have swerved suddenly, causing the car to go into the river?” Ying Xi speculated.

“This road is sparsely traveled. There shouldn’t be anything to avoid,” Lu Hehuan countered.

“Then maybe he was driving normally and suddenly went mad, sharply turned the wheel, and drove into the river? Or did Yue Xiaodong say something to provoke him?”

“Or perhaps, while Da Bao was driving, Yue Xiaodong suddenly jerked the steering wheel,” Lu Hehuan mused.

“Yue Xiaodong wanted to kill herself?” Ying Xi immediately found that absurd and corrected himself, “No, maybe she wanted to die with Da Bao?”

Lu Hehuan smiled helplessly and asked, “Inspector Ying, you’re a regular at the Paramount. Have you ever seen a dancer die for a client?”

“So what are you saying?”

Lu Hehuan fell silent, frowning in thought, and after a long pause, finally spoke.

“I’m not sure yet. I need to verify something.”

At dawn, the Zhiyin House returned to its quiet state. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi entered, greeted by the madam’s flirtatious smile.

“Ah, Joy, here so early to have fun?”

“We’re not here to play, we have questions for you,” Ying Xi replied seriously.

The madam immediately wiped her smile away, standing solemnly to the side. “Inspector Ying, what would you like to know?”

Ying Xi glanced at Lu Hehuan, who nodded.

“Do you know Yue Xiaodong?”

“Yue Xiaodong?” The madam thought for a moment. “I’ve seen her once, she looks quite decent.”

“I’m not asking for your opinion of her looks,” Ying Xi interrupted, dissatisfied.

“Where did you see Yue Xiaodong?” Lu Hehuan pressed.

“Right here. Someone recommended her to work for me, but I didn’t agree.”

“Was the person who recommended her Li Yingying?” Lu Hehuan asked tentatively.

“How did you know?” The madam was surprised.

Lu Hehuan didn’t answer, his face solemn. “Do you know how Yue Xiaodong and Li Yingying met?”

“Oh, they’re from the same hometown.”

Lu Hehuan nodded thoughtfully. “Their relationship must be more than that. I observed them—the way they brush their hair is almost identical. Only after spending a long time together do people mimic each other’s gestures.”

Ying Xi shot Lu Hehuan a sideways glance. “You know quite a bit.”

“That’s what they call ‘spousal resemblance’,” Lu Hehuan explained.

The madam nodded. “Li Yingying and Yue Xiaodong were very close. Two months ago, Yingying brought Yue Xiaodong to Zhiyin House…”

Two months earlier, Li Yingying brought Yue Xiaodong, dressed in coarse homespun, before the madam. Yue Xiaodong’s face was bare, untouched by rouge, showing only the naive charm of a country girl.

Li Yingying introduced her to the madam with a smile, “Sister Lili, this is my good friend, Yue Xiaodong. We’re from the same hometown. With the chaos these days, it’s impossible to stay home, so we want to try our luck here.”

The madam sized up Yue Xiaodong, nodding with satisfaction. “She looks decent. What can she do?”

“Sister Lili, I can dance.” Yue Xiaodong forced a stiff smile, trying to please.

“Can you drink?”

“I’m not good with alcohol.”

“Most guests come to Zhiyin House to drink. What will you do if you can’t handle alcohol?” The madam looked troubled.

“Sister Lili, please help us out. She’s my good friend,” Li Yingying pleaded.

The madam thought for a moment. “Well, I have a friend who’s the star at the Paramount. I’ll recommend you there—they’re big on dancing.”

“Thank you, Sister Lili.” Yue Xiaodong bowed and nodded happily.

After telling her story, the madam turned to Lu Hehuan. “...Later I introduced her to the Paramount. I hear she’s doing well.”

Lu Hehuan nodded thoughtfully.

Suddenly, the madam remembered something, her face clouded with confusion. “At first, they were inseparable—always together after work. But one day, they suddenly grew distant, didn’t speak when they met. Once, Yue Xiaodong was accompanying a guest here for drinks, and the two acted like strangers.”

Lu Hehuan looked at Ying Xi. “They’re hiding something—there must be a problem.”

The madam was startled by Lu Hehuan’s words, anxiously clutching her chest. “Officer, is there something wrong with them?”

“It’s best not to ask,” Ying Xi warned impatiently.

The madam nodded obediently. “Understood, Inspector Ying.”

Lu Hehuan signaled Ying Xi with his eyes, and Ying Xi immediately put on a stern face. “Don’t reveal anything we’ve asked you, understand?”

The madam nodded quickly.

“Let’s go,” Lu Hehuan said, heading out with Ying Xi.

The streets of Shanghai bustled with traffic, a scene of prosperity. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi walked together.

Ying Xi glanced at Lu Hehuan, rubbing his beard. “In my opinion, Li Yingying and Yue Xiaodong became strangers because of Da Bao. Imagine—your best friend steals your man, how could you stay friends? And this Da Bao—why did he have an affair with his wife’s best friend?”

“Maybe you’re only half right.”

Ying Xi was puzzled, looking to Lu Hehuan, who only smiled mysteriously and said nothing.

“What are you thinking?” Ying Xi’s curiosity was piqued.

Lu Hehuan didn’t answer. He looked up and saw a café at the corner, suddenly longing for the aroma of coffee. He stopped and turned to Ying Xi. “Inspector Ying, have you ever had coffee?”

Ying Xi shook his head.

“My treat.”

Ying Xi grinned mischievously. “I’ll allow it.”

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi entered the café. Inside, there were few customers; the waiter was dozing at the counter. They deliberately chose a secluded corner.

The waiter approached, enthusiastically serving them.

“What would you like to order, gentlemen?”

“Coffee latte, thank you,” Lu Hehuan replied in English out of habit.

The waiter turned to Ying Xi. “And you, sir?”

Ying Xi glanced awkwardly at Lu Hehuan, lowering his voice. “What did you just order?”

“Latte—a kind of coffee.”

Ying Xi frowned. “Iron? That won’t do, my teeth can’t handle it.”

“Latte, too,” Lu Hehuan smiled, answering for him.

The waiter nodded politely and left.

Ying Xi scoffed. “I can’t stand these foreign things.”

Lu Hehuan smiled helplessly.

Soon, the waiter brought two cups of coffee, setting them before Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi.

“Please enjoy, gentlemen,” the waiter said, then left.

Ying Xi didn’t hesitate, took a big gulp, and immediately spat it out. Lu Hehuan quickly handed him a napkin.

“Tastes like cat urine,” Ying Xi grimaced.

“Have you ever tasted cat urine?” Lu Hehuan asked, holding back a laugh.

Ying Xi shot Lu Hehuan a glare and wiped his mouth irritably. “This stuff is awful.”

“I think it’s quite good,” Lu Hehuan sipped, looking content.

“I have no interest in coffee. Let’s talk about the case,” Ying Xi shook his head, eager to change the subject.

“There’s not much left to say. I’ve sorted things out.”

Ying Xi nodded seriously. “I think we can close the case too.”

“Hm?” Lu Hehuan raised an eyebrow.

Ying Xi leaned back. “Da Bao married Li Yingying, then became enamored with her friend Yue Xiaodong. The two hit it off, cheated behind Li Yingying’s back, but were caught. So Li Yingying and Yue Xiaodong had a falling out, going from best friends to strangers. Li Yingying gave Da Bao an ultimatum, and Da Bao went to confront Yue Xiaodong. Unable to let go, he drank heavily before seeing her, then took her in the car from the Paramount to the Suzhou River. Da Bao wanted to end things, which angered Yue Xiaodong. In a moment of passion, she did something foolish, leading to the accident.”

The café gradually filled with customers, and a tram passed outside with a buzzing sound.

Ying Xi looked at Lu Hehuan. “The reason Yue Xiaodong didn’t call the police was because she feared being held responsible for her impulsiveness…”

“You’re only half right,” Lu Hehuan interrupted.

“Half again?”

“Have you ever wondered why Yue Xiaodong denies knowing Li Yingying?”

“It’s normal for two women to become enemies over a man. Maybe she’s already decided Li Yingying is a stranger,” Ying Xi replied without thinking.

Lu Hehuan shook his head. “My intuition says both Yue Xiaodong and Li Yingying are involved in Da Bao’s death.”

“You’re being paranoid again,” Ying Xi shook his head in exasperation.

Lu Hehuan took a sip of coffee, thought for a moment, and looked up at Ying Xi. “Why not stage a ‘good play’ to test them both?”

“How would you do that?” Ying Xi’s interest was piqued.

Lu Hehuan merely smiled, his eyes turning mysterious.

Daytime, officers were busy, walking back and forth in the corridor. Suddenly, the sound of high heels echoed from one end, and officers stopped to watch.

Liu Rushuang, dressed in a bright red cheongsam, wearing high heels and loose waves in her hair, her makeup vivid, walked awkwardly toward the officers’ office, supported by Bai Yulou.

“Bai Bai, do you think Joy will be stunned by my beauty?” Liu Rushuang asked as she walked.

“Who knows what that oddball is thinking,” Bai Yulou replied sourly.

“Am I beautiful?” Liu Rushuang asked again, uncertain.

“Of course! You’re simply a beauty that makes the flowers shy and the moon hide!” Bai Yulou answered enthusiastically.

“Then it’s fine.” Liu Rushuang danced with joy.

The office door was open. Lu Hehuan was at his desk, scrutinizing Li Yingying’s handwriting on her statement, and imitating it on a note.

“What are you doing?” Ying Xi asked, staring at the note.

“I’m copying Li Yingying’s handwriting to write a note to Yue Xiaodong,” Lu Hehuan replied as he wrote.

“Why?”

“To invite them to meet. If they don’t meet, how can the play begin?”

Ying Xi rubbed his beard, still confused.

Lu Hehuan finished the note and turned to Ying Xi. “Give me Yue Xiaodong’s statement—I need to copy her handwriting for a note to Li Yingying.”

Ying Xi handed over the statement. Lu Hehuan studied Yue Xiaodong’s signature and began writing.

Ying Xi stood behind, reading the note aloud. “Five o’clock this evening, under the Waibaidu Bridge. Important matters to discuss…”

Lu Hehuan finished, holding a note in each hand and handed them to Ying Xi. “The note in my left hand is for Li Yingying, the right for Yue Xiaodong. Send someone to deliver them separately—don’t mix them up. And make sure our people don’t show their faces.”

“What do you mean?” Ying Xi was completely confused.

“Just watch the play! Come on.”

Ying Xi followed Lu Hehuan, still bewildered, when Liu Rushuang suddenly appeared at the door. She draped an arm over the frame, striking a seductive pose. Ying Xi jumped in surprise.

“Joy…” Liu Rushuang’s voice was sultry.

“Talk properly,” Ying Xi shivered, annoyed.

Liu Rushuang gave Ying Xi a flirtatious glance. “Am I beautiful today?”

Ying Xi looked her up and down with distaste. “Is it the Qingming Festival?”

“No…” Liu Rushuang was puzzled.

“Then why are you dressed like a ghost?” Ying Xi was ruthless.

“Not good looking?” Liu Rushuang blinked.

Ying Xi shook his head dramatically, pretending to retch. “Not only not good looking, it’s disgusting.”

“Aren’t the dancers at the Paramount all dressed like this?” Liu Rushuang deflated instantly, like a balloon pricked.

Ying Xi forced a laugh. “That’s different. Their charm is innate; yours is forced. It’s really disgusting.”

“Joy, I spent all morning working on this look,” Liu Rushuang tugged at her hair, aggrieved.

“Then spend all afternoon returning to your old self,” Ying Xi replied impatiently.

Liu Rushuang’s eyes brightened again, delighted. “Joy, do you still like my original look?”

“Wouldn’t say I like it, but at least it’s not disgusting,” Ying Xi answered gruffly.

Bai Yulou, unable to stand Ying Xi’s sarcasm, pointed at him angrily. “Ying Xi, you’re too much! Sister Shuang went to so much effort for you, and you insult her. Is it easy for a girl like her?”

Ying Xi put on a stern face, lifting his chin defiantly. “I’m just being honest. If you don’t like it, suit yourself. I won’t see you out.”

“You!” Bai Yulou was speechless with rage.

Liu Rushuang stood frozen, her eyes rimmed red.

“If Miss Liu is free, why not join us to watch the play?” Lu Hehuan quickly smoothed things over.

Liu Rushuang perked up instantly, nodding eagerly. “Alright, I love watching plays!”

By evening, the setting sun slanted west, and the Waibaidu Bridge was deserted.

Heavily made-up Liu Rushuang and Bai Yulou hid in the flower bushes beside the bridge. Bees buzzed around Liu Rushuang, who was annoyed, swatting them away. Bai Yulou helped.

“What’s going on? Why are the bees following me?” Liu Rushuang complained.

Bai Yulou, looking at her heavy makeup, suddenly understood. “My powder is made from pollen. Maybe you used too much.”

“What should I do?” Liu Rushuang asked, miserable.

Bai Yulou took out a silk handkerchief, gazing at her tenderly. “Wipe it off.”

Liu Rushuang took the handkerchief and wiped her face vigorously, instantly turning into a patchwork of colors. The bees gradually dispersed.

Liu Rushuang glared at Bai Yulou resentfully. “It’s definitely your powder’s fault.”

Bai Yulou wasn’t angry, instead found her smeared face amusing.

“Why are you laughing?” Liu Rushuang scolded.

“Nothing,” Bai Yulou quickly suppressed his smile.

Liu Rushuang gave him a fierce look, then peeked out of the bushes to observe.

Not far away, Ying Xi and Bao Kang hid behind the trees, waiting. Lu Hehuan hid behind a large tree, holding a dagger.

Bao Kang glanced at the Waibaidu Bridge and looked at Ying Xi seriously. “Are you sure the truth will come out?”

“Absolutely,” Ying Xi glanced at Lu Hehuan, answering with forced confidence.

“If I came here for nothing, you’ll regret it,” Bao Kang warned.

Ying Xi blinked, sweat forming on his brow.

Liu Rushuang stared intently at the bridge. Suddenly, a shadow flashed across.

“They’re here!” Liu Rushuang whispered in excitement.

Everyone quickly hid.