Chapter Sixty-Eight: Fragrance Fades, Jade Perishes

Early the next morning, Lu Hehuan sent someone to invite Mary for lunch at Baihui Western Restaurant. At noon, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi arrived at the restaurant. Mary had not yet arrived, so Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi sat together at a window-side table, holding English menus, with a waiter standing by.

Ying Xi glanced over the menu and couldn’t help but rub his chin. “So expensive!”

Lu Hehuan turned to look at him. “You don’t even know English, how do you know it’s expensive?”

Ying Xi rolled his eyes. “I may not know English, but I know numbers. Look, there’s a six here, and two zeros after it.”

“That’s the menu number, not the price.” Lu Hehuan couldn’t help but laugh, and even the waiter beside them covered his mouth to stifle a chuckle.

Ying Xi scratched his head in embarrassment.

Seeing this, Lu Hehuan quickly tried to smooth things over. “But this place really isn’t cheap either.”

“It’s going to end badly anyway, how could I have any appetite? Let’s just order a few cups of cat’s pee and be done with it.”

“Cat’s pee? That’s civet coffee.”

“I’d rather have cat’s pee than civet. Just get me a glass of water.”

Unable to argue further, Lu Hehuan helplessly signaled to the waiter, “Two coffees and one lemon water.”

“Please wait a moment,” the waiter replied and turned away.

At that moment, Mary pushed the door open and entered, her face glowing with delight as she took a seat opposite Lu Hehuan. “Hehuan, I never thought you’d ask me out.”

A strong scent of perfume enveloped Mary, evidence of her careful preparation. Her clothes were immaculate, and not a speck of dust marred the surface of her high-heeled shoes.

Lu Hehuan greeted her with a perfunctory smile.

Ying Xi grinned broadly at Mary. “Miss Mary, hello, we meet again.”

Mary cast a disdainful glance at him. “Inspector Ying, you really do look after your subordinates. Even when Hehuan is out for a meal with me, you insist on accompanying him for protection.”

Ying Xi, shameless, nodded. “It’s my duty.”

The disdain in Mary’s expression turned to scorn. “I think you’re useless at solving cases, but quite adept at sponging off others.”

“Miss Mary, you flatter me. The latter is indeed my specialty,” Ying Xi replied with a smile.

Mary curled her lip and muttered under her breath, “Your skin is truly thick.”

Ying Xi smiled indifferently. “Miss Mary, thick skin is also one of my specialties.”

“You…” Mary was about to lose her temper, but glancing at Lu Hehuan, she forced herself to hold back, afraid of losing her ladylike composure in front of him.

She shot Ying Xi a fierce glare and ignored him, turning instead to Lu Hehuan with a sweet smile. “Hehuan, have you been well lately?”

Lu Hehuan nodded perfunctorily. “And you?”

“I’m very well. Seeing you makes it even better.”

Under the table, Ying Xi gave Lu Hehuan a surreptitious kick, whispering, “Don’t beat around the bush. Get to the point.”

Lu Hehuan cleared his throat. “Mary, your uncle spoke with my father about us…”

Before he could finish, Mary eagerly interrupted, “Hehuan, as long as we’re together, my uncle will fully support you in your work!”

Lu Hehuan shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. What I mean is, we are not suited for each other.”

Mary’s smile froze on her face. “We haven’t even been together. How could you know we’re not suited?”

“Mary, you should know how I feel about Ling Yan,” Lu Hehuan said earnestly.

“So what? I heard Ling Yan is already dead. Are you planning to spend your life with a dead woman?” Mary’s anger was rising.

Lu Hehuan nodded. “Yes, I am. Ling Yan may be dead, but she’s still alive in my heart.” He hesitated, then looked at Mary with grave seriousness. “Mary, I don’t have those feelings for you. Not even death could make me agree to this engagement.”

“It’s not up to you to decide. No matter what, I’m going to be with you!” Mary was thoroughly enraged.

Seeing the dispute escalate, Ying Xi anxiously interjected, “Miss Mary, a forced melon is never sweet. Even if you win Lu Hehuan, you’ll never have his heart.”

Mary turned her wrath on Ying Xi. “Who do you think you are? You have no right to speak to me!”

Ying Xi replied awkwardly, “I’m just kindly advising you not to be so stubborn.”

“I don’t need your kindness. Keep running your mouth and I’ll have my uncle strip you of your uniform tomorrow, believe it or not!”

“You—” Ying Xi was furious.

Lu Hehuan nudged Ying Xi with his elbow. “Inspector Ying, leave it. No matter what, I won’t agree to this engagement.”

Mary snorted coldly, glaring persistently at Lu Hehuan. “That’s not your decision. Your heart and your person are mine, and you’ll see!” With that, she stood up and left.

Ying Xi watched her go, shaking his head and sighing. “What’s with girls these days…”

At Mary’s house, sunlight slanted in, scattering dappled light across the luxurious furnishings. In the grand hall, a crimson carpet and deep purple sofa stood out strikingly. Mary’s mother sat on the sofa, speaking to Gordon on the phone.

“Brother, I’ll leave Mary’s matter to you. This child is too willful—whatever she wants, she must have, or she won’t rest…” Before she could finish, she saw Mary rush in, crying.

Distressed, Mary’s mother asked, “What’s wrong, darling?” Forgetting Gordon on the other end, she said, “Brother, I’ll talk to you later. Mary’s back…”

Before she finished, Mary snatched the phone, sobbing as she pleaded, “Uncle, when will you do what you promised?”

On the other end, Gordon tried to calm her. “Alright, alright, don’t cry. I’ve already arranged to meet Lu Xiang tomorrow evening. I’ll propose to the Lu family tomorrow.”

Mary hung up the phone, a sly and triumphant smile lifting her lips.

In a narrow alley, Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan walked side by side along the stone-paved path.

Ying Xi shook his head as something came to mind. “Neither Liu Sixue nor Mary truly loves you. These daughters of wealthy families can’t distinguish between unwillingness and love.”

Lu Hehuan was silent for a moment before speaking softly. “Only Ling Yan’s love for me was real. She was the only one I ever loved, but fate has separated us.”

Ying Xi slung an arm around his shoulders. “There’s still Xiao Rong—she truly loves you.”

“I’ve told you countless times—Xiao Rong is just a sister,” Lu Hehuan replied, frowning.

“Alright, alright, a sister it is. Just take good care of her, then.”

“Inspector Ying, will you ever stop?” Lu Hehuan finally lost his patience.

Ying Xi adopted a lecturing tone. “Not until I see you happy. I like Xiao Rong more and more. Hehuan, I’ve known countless women—you should trust my judgment.”

Lu Hehuan pushed him away in disgust. “Why don’t you quit being an inspector and become a matchmaker?”

Ying Xi immediately lifted his chin in mock pride. “I only play matchmaker for you. I can’t be bothered with anyone else.”

Looking at Ying Xi’s antics, Lu Hehuan couldn’t help but laugh. He put his arm around Ying Xi’s shoulders. “Maybe we should just spend our lives together.”

Ying Xi curled his lip. “Two men spending their lives together? How would that work?”

Lu Hehuan joked, “Who says two men can’t be together? Or do you already have someone in mind, Inspector Ying?”

Ying Xi furrowed his brow. “My problem isn’t whether I have someone in mind, but that I have too many and don’t want to settle down.”

Lu Hehuan chuckled. “That’s perfect. I have no one and don’t want to settle down, and you have too many and don’t want to settle down. We’re a good match.”

Ying Xi laughed along. “That actually makes sense.”

Under the sunlight, the two walked on arm in arm, laughing and talking.

As evening fell, Gordon invited Lu Xiang and Lin Zhi to Mingyue Restaurant. The private room table was laden with delicacies. Lu Xiang sat upright, waiting respectfully for Gordon.

Lin Zhi, at Lu Xiang’s side, glanced at him with disdain. “He’s the one eager to marry into our family, not the other way around. Is all this deference necessary?”

Lu Xiang hushed her. “That’s the Chief Inspector. Normally, I couldn’t even get the chance to shine his shoes.”

Lin Zhi rolled her eyes at his timidity. “Pathetic.”

“Woman’s perspective,” Lu Xiang muttered under his breath.

As they spoke, the door to the private room swung open and Gordon strode in. Lu Xiang immediately pulled Lin Zhi to her feet and saluted.

Gordon smiled warmly. “No need for that. We’ll be family soon—there’s no need for such formalities.”

Lu Xiang nodded eagerly. “Whatever you say.”

Gordon motioned for them to sit. “Let’s sit.”

The three of them took their seats.

Gordon looked at Lu Xiang. “Deputy Commissioner Lu, I’m here to discuss Mary and Lu Hehuan’s engagement.”

Lu Xiang put on his most ingratiating smile. “Chief Inspector, please state your wishes.”

“I have only one request: Lu Hehuan must be good to Mary.”

Without a second thought, Lu Xiang nodded. “Of course. Rest assured, Chief Inspector. Once Mary joins our family, we’ll treat her like a princess.”

He had barely finished when a police officer burst in, panic written across his face. He whispered something urgently in Gordon’s ear.

Whatever he said, it struck Gordon like a blow. His face drained of color, and he clutched his forehead in anguish. “My god! No!”

Lu Xiang, noticing his distress, ventured hesitantly, “Chief Inspector, what’s happened?”

Gordon, wrenching himself from his grief for a moment, replied, “Mary… something’s happened to Mary…” He could say no more, bowing his head in deep sorrow.

Lu Xiang and Lin Zhi were stunned, frozen in helpless shock.

Night fell, and the Su family’s courtyard was ablaze with lights.

Two officers stood guard at the door to Mary’s boudoir. Inside, Lu Hehuan, Ying Xi, and Bao Rong were investigating the scene.

The room was dimly lit. Mary’s body lay on the bed, a bronze mirror at her pillow. A strange smile played at her lips, a dagger clutched in her right hand, her face covered in talismanic script. Her carotid artery had been slit, and her white cheongsam was stained crimson with blood.

Mary’s mother, supported by servants, stood by her daughter’s body—a once-elegant Englishwoman now aged ten years in a night, tears streaming endlessly down her face. “Mary, my darling, who could have done this to you…” Unable to bear her hysterical lamentations, those around her averted their eyes.

Bao Rong bent over the body for examination, while Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan searched for clues.

After a while, Bao Rong signaled to Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi. “The manner of death matches Ling Yan’s—appears to be another suicide. There are no drag marks; this is the primary scene.”

Ying Xi stroked his beard in confusion. “Strange, there’s no blood spatter or signs of struggle in the room.”

Lu Hehuan gazed at Mary’s faint smile, murmuring in puzzlement, “Why do all the victims die with a smile?”

Just then, Gordon arrived in haste with Lu Xiang and Lin Zhi. At the sight of Mary’s body, Lu Xiang paled, and Lin Zhi shrank behind him in fear.

“Mary…” Gordon was choked with emotion.

Mary’s mother collapsed into Gordon’s arms, sobbing. “Brother, you must find the one who killed Mary!”

Gordon stared at Mary’s body in a fury that shook him to the core. After a moment, he steadied himself and turned to Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan. “Ying Xi, Lu Hehuan, I order you to investigate this case at once. Find Mary’s killer as quickly as possible.”

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

Suddenly, Ying Xi clutched his stomach in pain, and Lu Hehuan hurried to support him.

Ying Xi forced a weak smile. “This damned stomach of mine…”

The next morning, Bao Kang summoned Baldy to his office for updates on Mary’s sudden death at home.

Bao Kang, perplexed, stroked his chin. “Strange. Why would the Chief Inspector bypass me and assign Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan to investigate Mary’s murder? He didn’t even call to inform me afterward.” The thought made him uneasy, and he clenched his fists. “Could it be that he values Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan and wants to give them a chance for promotion?”

Baldy scratched his head. “I don’t know. After giving the order, the Chief Inspector said nothing further.”

Bao Kang muttered under his breath, “Usually, the Chief Inspector dotes on his only niece. This case must matter greatly to him. He’ll surely reward whoever solves it with a promotion.”

Deep in thought, Bao Kang decided he couldn’t let this opportunity slip by and resolved to investigate Mary’s death himself.

Bao Kang hurried to Mary’s house, tidied his clothes and hair, and knocked respectfully at the door.

After a moment, Mary’s mother, eyes red and spirits crushed, opened the door. Bao Kang immediately forced a smile.

She paused, surprised. “And you are?”

At the sight of her, Bao Kang’s nerves got the best of him. His face flushed, and he trembled as if stricken by a chill. “I—I—I am from the Old Zha—Police Station…” he stammered, unable to finish a sentence.

Mary’s mother frowned in annoyance. Bao Kang, unwilling to give up, continued his awkward introduction. Gordon, who had been comforting his sister elsewhere in the house, came over at the sound.

At the sight of Bao Kang, Gordon’s face darkened. He glared. “Bao Kang, what are you doing here?”

Bao Kang, unable to tear his gaze from Mary’s mother, stammered, his lips quivering and his body shaking. “Ch—Chief Inspector, I came to… to inquire… about Mary’s case…”

Mary’s mother bowed her head in grief. “I’ve already told the police once. I don’t want to talk about it again.”

Bao Kang grew anxious, staring at Mary’s mother. “I… I…”

She instinctively drew her arms around herself, eyeing Bao Kang with suspicion.

Gordon, seeing Bao Kang’s disrespect towards his sister, was incensed and waved his hand for his sister to leave.

Once she had gone, Bao Kang instantly relaxed, looking at Gordon with utmost respect. “Chief Inspector, I came to learn about the case and investigate Mary’s death personally…”

Gordon cut him off impatiently. “That won’t be necessary. I’ve already assigned the case to Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan. They’re capable men, and I trust they’ll solve it quickly and find the killer.”

“I’m concerned they’re young and inexperienced…” Bao Kang tried to recover.

Gordon interrupted again, even more impatient. “Your concern is unnecessary. Don’t bother my sister again. Mary’s death has hurt her deeply. I don’t want anyone disturbing her over this.”

Bao Kang nodded awkwardly. “Yes, Chief Inspector… I hope you and your sister can find solace in your grief.”

Gordon nodded.

“I’ll take my leave then…” Before Bao Kang could finish, the door was already shut in his face.

Bao Kang slouched off, his stomach rumbling. He patted his empty belly. “Better fill up before anything else.”

Looking up, he spotted a wonton stall across the street and walked over happily.

Sitting down at the stall, he saw a woman in her fifties wrapping wontons.

He eagerly called out, “Auntie, give me a bowl of wontons!”

“Coming right up.” Soon, she set a steaming bowl before him. “Enjoy.”

As he ate, Bao Kang asked, “Auntie, do you know the family across the street?”

The woman nodded. “I do. The lady of the house is an Englishwoman, a relative of a high official at the precinct. They had a daughter named Mary, who was very hot-tempered—always scolding or beating the servants. But I heard she died last night.”

Bao Kang, seeing she was well-informed, put down his bowl. “Auntie, let me ask—did you see anyone suspicious around their house last night?”

The woman thought for a moment, her eyes lighting up. “Now that you mention it, last night there was a man who rushed out of their house in a panic—he even bumped into me.”

Bao Kang tensed. “What did he look like?”

“Hmm, I can’t quite recall his face, but he had an injury on it,” she said, searching her memory.

Bao Kang muttered in confusion, “A man with a wounded face…” He looked up and suddenly noticed a chicken feather stuck to her clothes.

He quickly plucked it off. “Auntie, where did this feather come from?”

She looked at it, puzzled. “No idea. We don’t keep chickens. Where would I get a chicken feather?”

Bao Kang examined it closely, then asked, “Were you wearing the same clothes yesterday?”

She nodded. “Yes, I put this outfit on just yesterday morning.”

He asked tentatively, “Could this feather have stuck to you when that man bumped into you?”

She nodded. “Could be.”

Bao Kang gazed at the feather in his hand, falling into deep thought.