Chapter Forty-Seven: A Grave Mistake

Liu Rushuang had not the slightest inkling of Bai Lian’s hatred, and continued her ridicule and mockery. “Now I finally understand why so many people curse the women of the pleasure houses—it’s because they have no self-respect. If you have hands and feet, why can’t you do something else? Why insist on selling your looks for money, with not a shred of dignity...” She paused, casting a sidelong glance at Bai Lian. “Listen well, some people: behave yourself and everything will be fine. But if you dare to try anything with Xi Ge, don’t blame me for showing no mercy. Hmph, with the power of the Liu family, I can easily drive her out of Old Wharf!”

Liu Rushuang deliberately emphasized the word “drive,” and Bai Lian’s eyes darkened as she heard it, falling into memories.

Years ago, in the biting cold of early spring, a frail little girl in coarse clothing stood at the entrance of a pleasure house beside a leering man.

“Dad, what is this place?” the little girl looked up, puzzled.

The man smirked, “A good place.”

As he spoke, the madam approached. The man hurried forward, smiling obsequiously. “Sister Hua, I’ve brought her for you.”

The madam glanced at the girl, then exaggeratedly pinched her cheeks with both hands, pulling them back and forth until the girl cried out in pain.

The madam nodded, looking at the man. “Looks are average, but her voice is decent. She can sing.”

The leering man spread his palm, and the madam handed over some silver coins.

“Dad—” the girl watched the man count his money as he left, dirty tears streaming down her face.

She tried to follow, but the madam forcefully dragged her into the pleasure house.

A client wrapped his arm around a courtesan, drinking. The little girl stood to the side, singing. But as soon as she began, the client dumped a plate of food on her head. With food leaves atop her hair, she cried loudly.

No one wiped the grease from her face; the client even cursed her harshly.

“You sing terribly! Get out! Out!”

Amid sneers and ridicule, the girl grew into a young woman, standing with the madam at the door of another pleasure house.

A corpulent owner beat the girl with a bamboo stick, making her hop and cry from the pain.

He smiled broadly, nodding in satisfaction. “She moves well. She can dance.” He handed the madam more silver coins.

“Sister Hua—”

The young woman watched as the madam counted her money and left. The scene was achingly familiar and painful, but she had no time to pity herself, for the owner dragged her inside.

Several clients sat at a table drinking; the girl danced nearby, like a butterfly with broken wings, tiptoeing carefully.

Suddenly, a client threw an empty bowl at her, waving her off disdainfully. “What kind of dancing is that? Get out! Out!”

Following the owner to yet another pleasure house, the girl had grown into a delicate beauty, yet always kept her head lowered like a pearl buried in the earth.

A gaudily dressed old woman yanked her hair, forcing her to look up, making her cry in pain.

The old woman, as if admiring merchandise, nodded joyfully. “Her looks are good. She can be groomed as the star.” She handed over more silver coins.

“Boss Yu—” The girl watched the owner count his money as he left; there was no hope left in her eyes.

The old woman dragged her inside.

Red candles wept wax; an ugly client sat by the bed, leering at the girl. She approached, trembling.

She began to undress the client, accidentally dropping a button.

“Clumsy! Get out! Out!” The client kicked her to the floor, cursing.

Lying on the cold ground, she looked at the client, eyes emptied of fear, filled only with undisguised hatred.

With the clink of silver coins, with the curses of “get out, out!” it was as if nails were being hammered into her heart, each blow ringing in her ears, each mark carved deep in her soul.

The girl was Bai Lian.

Of course, Liu Rushuang knew nothing of this. She stared at Bai Lian, puzzled. “Why are you spacing out? Did you hear me clearly? If you dare seduce Xi Ge, I’ll have you thrown out of Old Wharf!”

Bai Lian bit her lip and nodded slightly, another nail of hatred hammered into her heart.

Liu Rushuang proudly folded her hands behind her back. “We’re being polite before force; I’ve said what needed to be said. If Xi Ge ever goes to Harmony House again, you’re not to pour drinks for him—send some ugly girls instead.”

“Understood,” Bai Lian replied in a low voice.

“That’s more like it.” Liu Rushuang’s brows lifted in delight. Suddenly, she remembered something, her eyes darting. “Wait here, I’ll get you a glass of water.”

Turning to fetch water, Liu Rushuang’s back was turned. Bai Lian’s expression hardened; she quietly took out a folding knife, opened it, stood, and approached Liu Rushuang.

Night deepened, and Old Wharf had drifted into dreams.

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi walked side by side into the police station. Both had changed into police uniforms, no longer disheveled, but looking upright and confident.

Lu Hehuan checked his watch, dissatisfied, and looked at Ying Xi. “Why waste time changing back into uniform? Didn’t Chief Bao approve our visit to Harmony House?”

“But Chief Bao didn’t approve of us brawling there,” Ying Xi explained.

“You’re the one who fought, not me.”

“You knocked out the last two,” Ying Xi insisted.

“What? Have you no conscience? I was saving you!” Lu Hehuan hadn’t expected Ying Xi to shift blame so deftly.

Ying Xi laughed slyly, eyeing Lu Hehuan. “Since you had the heart to save me, let’s share hardship together.”

Lu Hehuan glared at him.

As they spoke, Baldy walked toward them from the other end of the corridor.

“Detective Ying, Hehuan.”

Ying Xi nodded. “Is Chief Bao in his office?”

“Yes, Chief Inspector Yuan from headquarters has arrived. Seems it’s about the Long Zhentian case.”

“Chief Inspector Yuan?” Ying Xi had never met him.

“Maybe there’s new progress in the Long Zhentian case?” Lu Hehuan grew interested.

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Ying Xi said, striding forward.

Lu Hehuan followed.

Chief Bao’s office was suddenly crowded. Several burly men with bruised faces sat on the sofa—those who had earlier cornered Bai Lian at Harmony House. Chief Bao sat respectfully opposite.

“Our men had Long Zhentian under control, but two robbers appeared and took him away!” the leader pounded his fist, furious.

“Oh? Chief Inspector Yuan, what were those two like?” Chief Bao asked, eager to please.

The leader was indeed Chief Inspector Yuan from headquarters. He and his men had come to Harmony House to capture Long Zhentian, and Bai Lian was none other than the serial killer Long Zhentian.

Before Yuan could reply, a headquarters officer stood up. “Those two dressed neatly, but their faces were covered in red spots. One wore glasses, the other had a handlebar mustache...”

Just then, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi arrived at the door. The officer pointed at them, “Their builds are much like these two!”

All eyes focused on Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi.

Ying Xi glanced at the bruised men in the room and instantly recognized them as those he’d fought at Harmony House, sucking in a breath.

Sweat broke out on Ying Xi’s forehead; he nudged Lu Hehuan. Lu Hehuan, noticing the men on the sofa, looked around and recognized them too.

Lu Hehuan was startled and ventured, “You are...?”

“These must be our colleagues from headquarters,” Ying Xi quickly interrupted, signaling Lu Hehuan.

Chief Bao stood up. “Let me introduce you. This is Chief Inspector Yuan Sen from headquarters, and these are his trusted assistants.”

Yuan and his men stood.

“Chief Inspector Yuan, these are Detective Ying Xi and Officer Lu Hehuan from Old Wharf station. The ‘Golden Dew Dancer case,’ ‘Locust Lane serial murders,’ ‘Elephant Theft case,’ and the recent ‘Suzhou River floating corpse case’ were all solved with their help,” Chief Bao said, beaming.

Yuan and the others shook hands with Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi.

“Chief Inspector Yuan, pleasure to meet you,” Ying Xi grinned obsequiously.

Lu Hehuan was embarrassed. “Chief Inspector Yuan, hello.”

Yuan regarded them with admiration. “So you’re the legendary ‘Detective Joy.’ I’ve heard much of your skills.”

“You flatter us,” Ying Xi lowered his head, uneasy.

After the pleasantries, Chief Bao approached. “Chief Inspector, they were also investigating the Long Zhentian case. Why not exchange information?”

Yuan nodded. “We received a tip—Long Zhentian disguised himself as the courtesan Bai Lian and infiltrated Harmony House, planning a crime. We went to apprehend him, but despite careful preparations, something went wrong.”

“Bai Lian is Long Zhentian!” Lu Hehuan exclaimed.

Ying Xi kept his composure, his eyes shifting as he took over. “We suspected Bai Lian too. We went to investigate today and witnessed Bai Lian—no, Long Zhentian—being taken away.”

Lu Hehuan looked at Ying Xi in disbelief as he fabricated the story.

Ying Xi spoke with utter seriousness, “The two robbers with red spots dragged Long Zhentian out the back door. Hehuan and I chased them for several streets, but they got away.”

Yuan believed him, shaking Ying Xi’s hand in excitement. “Thank you, Detective Ying, for your cooperation. Thank you, Old Wharf station.”

“Cooperating with headquarters is our duty and responsibility. Rest assured, we’ll do everything to apprehend Long Zhentian and those who took him,” Chief Bao chimed in.

Yuan nodded appreciatively. “Thank you, Chief Bao.”

“It’s what I should do,” Chief Bao was overjoyed, thinking that his promotion this year depended on Long Zhentian.

Seeing such diligence, Yuan smiled. “I’ll leave the capture of Long Zhentian to you. I must return to headquarters to report.”

“Of course,” Chief Bao nodded.

Yuan and his men left the office.

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi exchanged anxious glances as the task of capturing Long Zhentian was now solely their station’s responsibility.

Outside a guestroom at the Ruyi Inn, Bai Yulou was bored, holding a small mirror and grooming his eyebrows. Inside, Liu Rushuang stood at the table, pouring water for Bai Lian. She covertly took out a packet of powder from her pocket, planning to punish Bai Lian for trying to seduce Ying Xi.

As Liu Rushuang clumsily opened the packet, Bai Lian’s eyes grew sinister; she raised the knife, step by step approaching Liu Rushuang. She didn’t usually kill women, but Liu Rushuang was too hateful, and she decided to make an exception.

Bai Lian moved behind Liu Rushuang, poised to strike her head with the knife. At that critical moment, Liu Rushuang discovered the kettle was empty and stepped aside to fetch water, narrowly escaping.

Bai Lian followed, raising the knife again, but Liu Rushuang returned with the kettle, pouring water into the cup, again avoiding the blow.

Furious, Bai Lian gripped the knife horizontally, ready to sweep and cut Liu Rushuang in half. Unexpectedly, Liu Rushuang’s hand trembled, dropping the powder packet. As Bai Lian swung, Liu Rushuang bent to pick it up, once more dodging the attack.

Liu Rushuang turned around suddenly after retrieving the powder, and Bai Lian swiftly hid the knife behind her back; Liu Rushuang likewise concealed the powder. Both, guilty at heart, stared awkwardly at each other.

“What... what are you doing?” Liu Rushuang couldn’t help but ask first.

“I... I wanted to see what you were up to,” Bai Lian stammered.

“Why are you watching me?”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

Liu Rushuang, seeing Bai Lian wouldn’t back down, feigned confidence and lifted her chin. “I’m taking care of you, pouring you water.”

Bai Lian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Fine, go ahead.”

Afraid Bai Lian would notice her attempt to drug her, Liu Rushuang blinked and glanced at the bed. “Go sit and wait.”

“No need, I’ll watch right here,” Bai Lian, intent on another attempt.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t you trust me?” Liu Rushuang snapped.

Bai Lian shook her head. “No.”

“Then sit down.”

Seeing Liu Rushuang refuse to yield, Bai Lian hesitated, then slowly retreated to the bed.

“Just sit and wait,” Liu Rushuang forced a smile.

Bai Lian, watching Liu Rushuang, quickly folded the knife behind her back and hid it, then sat as if nothing was amiss.

Liu Rushuang turned, hastily pouring the powder into the water, then took up the cup, feigning calm.

Bai Lian sat at the bedside, frustrated at her repeated failures, inwardly grumbling. If the fools in Harmony House couldn’t be killed, fine, but even this young woman escaped time and again—was it just ill fortune, and today not a day to kill? She snorted, her gaze growing vicious as she watched Liu Rushuang, and quietly drew a dagger.

Liu Rushuang, oblivious, walked toward Bai Lian with the cup.

Night enveloped the courtyard. Chief Bao, Ying Xi, and Lu Hehuan watched Chief Inspector Yuan and his men depart. Chief Bao waved, but the group disappeared into the darkness.

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi exchanged tense looks.

Ying Xi leaned close to Lu Hehuan, lowering his voice. “Liu Rushuang is in danger.”

Lu Hehuan understood, nodding. “Luckily, Bai Yulou is with her. Long Zhentian won’t act rashly. Let’s go save her.”

Ying Xi nodded.

Chief Bao was still waving at the station gate, but Yuan and his men’s figures had vanished into the night.

Ying Xi, eager to catch Long Zhentian, hurried to Chief Bao. “Chief, we have things to do, we’re leaving.” With that, he dragged Lu Hehuan away.

Chief Bao stepped in front of them, his expression grim. “Where are you going?”

“Chief, haven’t we already reported today’s progress?” Lu Hehuan asked.

Chief Bao stared meaningfully at them. “Everything reported? Nothing left out?”

Lu Hehuan was at a loss and looked to Ying Xi.

“What could we have left out...” Ying Xi insisted.

“How did you discover Long Zhentian was taken?” Chief Bao demanded.

Ying Xi rubbed his nose, pretending seriousness. “When we arrived at Harmony House, people were already fighting. Hehuan and I rushed over and saw two men with red spots dragging a courtesan out the back. It seemed suspicious, so we chased them for several blocks, but they got away.”

Chief Bao struggled to contain his anger, grabbed Ying Xi, and pointed at the lipstick mark on his neck that he hadn’t wiped clean. “If you just arrived, how do you explain the lipstick on your neck?”

Ying Xi instinctively covered his neck, guilty.

Chief Bao, now certain, glared at Ying Xi. “You two are the ones who took Long Zhentian, aren’t you?”

“We’d never do that! That lipstick was from an enthusiastic old flame as soon as I entered Harmony House. Couldn’t help it,” Ying Xi tried to deny.

Chief Bao, seeing Ying Xi still refusing to admit it, pinched his waist hard.

“Ow, Chief Bao, that hurts!”

“Still arguing!” Chief Bao pinched him again.

Ying Xi finally gave in. “Chief, please, that Bai Lian looked so weak and pitiful. Who’d have guessed she was Long Zhentian? I was fooled.”

“Speak! What really happened?” Chief Bao roared.

Lu Hehuan stepped forward. “Chief, don’t blame Detective Ying. We rescued Long Zhentian by accident.”

Chief Bao looked at him, still furious. “What happened?”

“We were investigating at Harmony House. The girl sent by the madam turned out to be Long Zhentian disguised as Bai Lian. He told a tragic story to win sympathy, and we believed it. Chief Inspector Yuan and his men came to catch Long Zhentian but didn’t reveal their identities. Detective Ying and I thought they were clients bullying a helpless woman, so we intervened.”

Chief Bao grew angrier. “Intervened? You aided a villain! You let a murderer escape, and you dare justify it!”

Ying Xi, seeing Chief Bao enraged, gritted his teeth. “Chief, this was our fault. We’ll do our best to fix it!”

Chief Bao’s fury was unabated. “I don’t care how you do it. You must capture Long Zhentian at all costs and secretly return him to headquarters before the Chief Inspector finds out you let him escape. Otherwise, I’ll hand you both over as accomplices to complete the task!”

“Yes!” Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi replied in unison.

“Keep it quiet—no backup for you,” Chief Bao added.

“Understood.” Ying Xi nodded vigorously.

Chief Bao nodded. As Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi were about to leave, Chief Bao stopped them.

“Wait!”

The two were startled, frozen in place.

“Check your sidearms,” Chief Bao reminded.

“Yes!” Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi answered together.