ã€ŠThe Ploughã€‹


 CH 1

    The slender and thin fingers lightly stroked the jade-white porcelain pipe for a moment before carelessly tossing it onto the bed.

    The woman yawned, slowly getting up and sauntering to the washbasin.

    She turned the faucet on and lightly twisted it, her eyes half-lidded and her body seemingly unable to muster up any energy.

    There came a commotion from behind her.

    The woman in the mirror saw the one who had come.

    "How did you get here?" She lazily smiled, her demeanor filled with alluring charm.

    "Just in time, come help me choose a qipao, today..."

    Before she could finish her sentence, her expression in the mirror turned to shock!

    "What are you doin--"

    The scream that was about to escape her throat was immediately blocked, and she struggled, desperately trying to grab the other''s hand. The meticulously maintained nail polish was broken due to the effort of trying to grab, and blood oozed out from the cracks, making it unclear who was injured.

    However, this only provoked a much more vicious response from the other.

    The woman subconsciously opened her mouth wide!

    She couldn''t breathe in the slightest bit of air she desperately wanted to inhale, instead it only hastened her own death.

    The face that would usually make men swoon was now distorted and menacing, her temples pulsing with blue veins, her eyes slightly rolling up. In the darkness, a passing thought made her realize that the clothing choking her neck was her own sleeping gown she had just thrown onto the bed.

    The silk cape that she bought last month, she had grown to love it. She would often wear it.

    Her slippers were kicked away, and her body was dragged towards the bedroom, leaving two wet marks on the floor as her feet were exposed.

    The person gripping her showed no sympathy, and applied even more force when he saw her struggling.

    For someone on the brink of death, life was being shortened second by second.

    Gradually, her legs stopped kicking.

    Her body lay limp on the bed, her eyes still wide open, fixated on the ceiling.

    Death had not closed her eyes.

    ___

    Ya Qi was eagerly playing with the makeup products on her desk. After hesitating for half a day between the two brands of snow cream, she finally chose the new one from Summer''s Lian. The new bottle was a bit stiff when she unscrewed the cap, but the fragrance that was applied to her face quickly erased her last bit of reluctance. Looking at herself in the mirror, Ya Qi''s mood also brightened. To her, it was just an ordinary night among thousands of nights. But this night had subtly changed due to the arrival of someone.

    "Ya Qi, Young Master Ling has come, he wants to see you!"

    Ya Qi quickly turned around and snatched the Danqi lipstick that was farthest from her and had not been opened yet. She opened it, twisted it, and carefully applied it to the mirror. This was a foreign product she had recently bought from Yong''an Department Store and she hadn''t been able to bear to use it for days.

    The manager behind her was coming in with a laugh.

    "You''re so happy to hear that Young Master Ling has come?"

    Ya Qi glanced at the mirror and said, "I think you''re even happier than me, your mouth is almost reaching your ears!"

    The manager said, "Young Master Ling is handsome, he speaks nicely and knows how to coax people. Who wouldn''t like him? It''s a pity that he''s not as good as the real rich young masters, but his handsome face is enough. I don''t know if he will buy your time tonight. If he were a young man in his teens or twenties, I''d rather give him money than go out with him!"

    Ya Qi snorted, said nothing, and just kept looking at herself in the mirror. Her lips were flaming, leaving behind a delicate and beautiful face. Young Master Ling should have noticed that she was different tonight?

    The conversation was interrupted when the manager saw the timid young girl nearby.

    "What are you standing around for, come out with us! Young Master Ling has brought a friend over, perfect!"

    The young girl was called Rosie, who had just been hired as a dancer at Feilengcui a few days ago, and did not yet understand the rules or had seen too many scenes.

    "Who is Young Master Ling? Is he a regular here?" she asked curiously.

    The three of them passed through the lit galleria, their high heels tapping out crisp rhythms on the floor.

    Ya Qi had no enthusiasm to answer, and the manager simply said, "Hurry up and follow us!"

    Rosie had no choice but to comply, adjusting to the discomfort of wearing high heels.

    She had previously had a relatively comfortable life, and was in middle school. Her father had suddenly passed away a few years ago, and the family suddenly collapsed overnight, leaving her no choice but to come to Feilengcui to work to support her younger brother''s schooling.

    The manager had seen many people with similar experiences in the dance hall.

    In this era, what was in shortest supply was people''s lack of choice in life.

    At least, being a dancer provided a good income.

    The name Rosie, a combination of Chinese and Western, was given to her by the manager when she entered the dance hall, as her stage name.

    On the vast Shanghai beach, Feilengcui can''t compare with the dance halls of the Bailemen, Fairy Music Palace, Metropolis and Vienna, but it is still famous and welcomes all visitors, with a wider range of guests. For places like the Bailemen, only the wealthy can afford to enter there, it''s not something an ordinary person can afford. If Rose was willing to work hard, in a month she would have more than enough money for her younger brother''s school tuition, and maybe some left over for expenses.

    Rose soon saw Young Master Ling, whom the manager called "handsome and smooth". He was wearing a gray and black suit, his hair arranged like the many young people of the time, only without pomade, fluffy and refreshing. His attire was not particularly remarkable. Rose had seen young masters dressed in luxurious clothing, and peacocks more ostentatiously dressed than him. But it was the first time she realized that if a person was good-looking enough, it didn''t matter what they wore, they could make ordinary clothes look extraordinary. There were plenty of people who relied on their clothes, but there were very few like Young Master Ling who relied on their looks.

    "Young Master Ling!" Rose saw Ya Qi fly over like a happy little bird, her high heels seeming to give her a lightness of foot. On Young Master Ling''s face was a lazy, satisfied smile. "Ya Qi, have you started using new lipstick? You''re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you!" Ya Qi was both surprised and delighted. "You noticed? This is a new color from Dandy Lipstick, it''s only sold in limited quantities at Yong¡¯an Department Store, I had to have someone queue up for me for ages and almost didn''t manage to buy it!" She went over and hugged Young Master Ling''s arm, chattering away.

    Rosie was pushed towards the young man next to Young Master Ling by the big group.

    "Come to the ballroom to dance," he said.

    Under the melody of the music, Rosie was a bit embarrassed and stiff, accompanying the other party to take clumsy steps.

    Dancing quickly brought the two closer. She learned from the young man''s mouth that Young Master Ling''s full name was Ling Shu and he was actually a police officer from Jiangwan District Police Department. The person who was dancing with her was called Cheng Si, who was Ling Shu''s colleague and good friend.

    Cheng Si was also handsome, but compared to Ling Shu, he was undoubtedly lacking in the moonlight and starlight.

    Rosie''s gaze could not help but follow the figure in the ballroom lights again.

    Ling Shu danced very well.

    His steps were light and nimble.

    The hair without hair oil jumped lightly with the movement of the pace.

    One after another, just like Rosie''s palpitating heart of a young girl.

    She looked at the corner of his eye.

    The flowing light draws out a¡¯flying, instantaneously blasting a scar in her chest, bright and eye-catching.

    "People who look good are different, they can even get tips from the dance girl!"

    Cheng Si''s muttering came from her ear.

    Rosie looked carefully and indeed saw Ya Qi putting a small handkerchief wrapped in a ball into Ling Shu''s hand.

    Nowadays, the dance venues are divided into various categories and the guests who go to the dance venues are divided into three classes and nine grades. Even the most stingy guests have to open a bottle of wine and leave a tip for the dancers. Those who are generous may even spend a fortune, take the dancers out on the street, and even rent a hotel room or buy a house for them.

    However, Rosie had never seen a dancer patronizing her customers before. The shock that she should have felt vanished when she saw Ling Shu.

    Rosie even felt that she could understand it; if it were her, she might have done the same...

    The dance ended. Yaqi still wanted to continue, but Cheng Si let go of Rosie¡¯s hand and walked towards Ling Shu.

    "Look at the bald man over there," Cheng Si elbowed Ling Shu''s arm and raised his chin. "What about him?"

    "This bald man was involved in an incident this morning because a person driving a yellow cart didn''t look at the road and bumped into him slightly. He beat the other person severely, and when the other person left he was limping and in a pretty bad state."

    It seems like he wants to take care of the bald man?

    Ling Shu: "Have you checked it out?"

    Cheng Si grinned: "I thought he had to have some kind of background, so I checked it out. He''s just an uncle who works as a middle-level police officer in the police headquarters. His background isn''t even as good as yours!"

    Ling Shu had a wooden face: "What kind of background can I have? I''m just a small police officer who''s barely making it. Don''t bring me into this."

    Cheng Si: "Let''s go, don''t bother me! I''ll go find him later and give him a beating, how about that?"

    Ling Shou raised an eyebrow and suddenly smirked: "I have a better idea."

    Baldy Huang was not satisfied with his dance partner.

    He had been eyeing Ya Qi from afar for a long time.

    Given that there was already a guest by her side, and he did not know the guest''s background, he did not dare to approach recklessly.

    Everyone knew that Shanghai was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and one wrong move could land him in trouble with some wealthy gentry or foreign businessmen, which Baldy Huang could not afford to provoke.

    Seizing an opportunity, Baldy Huang grabbed the servant who was delivering wine, gave him some money, and asked him about the two people.

    After finding out that neither Cheng nor Ling were wealthy guests nor did they have any great background, he let out a sigh of relief and walked towards them.

    "What''s your surname, I''m Huang. Have a smoke?"

    Baldy Huang handed over a cigarette in a friendly manner. According to his experience from his days of mingling in the rivers and lakes, this move would work almost every time.

    The other party would certainly ask where he was from, and he would then mention his uncle and try to get the beautiful dancer for the night.

    But what happened next was completely unexpected for him.

    Cheng Si took the cigarette and suddenly exclaimed: "Have I seen you somewhere before?"

    Baldy Huang was taken aback and smiled: "No way, I think you have a keen eye."

    Cheng Si hit his thigh and pulled Ling Shu''s arm, "Take a look, does the criminal portrait look exactly like the real person?"

    Ling Shu examined closely and seriously, "It does look quite similar."

    Baldy Huang angrily said, "What kind of nonsense is that! My surname is Huang and my name is Song, hear me clearly, Song from the Songshan mountain. What does this have to do with the wanted criminal? Do you know who my uncle is?"

    Cheng Si spoke seriously, "Even if your uncle is the mayor, it has nothing to do with whether you are a criminal or not. We are the police from Jiangwan District. Please come with us and if you are proven innocent, you will be released."

    With that, he grabbed Baldy Huang''s wrist and pulled out a pair of brass manacles, ready to put them on.

    Baldy Huang was both surprised and angry. He never expected himself to be put in this situation when he hadn''t even had a chance to make a move.

    "My uncle is Huang Ming, do you know Huang Ming from the police headquarters? How dare you arrest people? Be careful, he might take all of you out when he comes back. Damn it, you all have some nerve..."

    Ling Shu kicked his back knee.

    Baldy Huang, who had been struggling and roaring, quickly kneeled down and presented his wrist, and the brass manacles closely touched his skin. Cheng Si smiled as he looked at Baldy Huang.

    "Let''s go, bro!"

    No matter who Baldy Huang''s uncle was, whether he was from the police headquarters or the city government, they were taking him away to teach him a lesson. Even if someone came, they could just make excuses that they were carrying out their duties. Who could they argue with?

    Baldy Huang stubbornly refused to comply, his body restrained, yet his mouth still cursed non-stop.

    Ya Qi and Rosie were both scared, even the manager had come to try to mediate, and convince them not to make trouble here.

    Ling Shu directly picked up a loaf of bread from the side and stuffed it into Baldy Huang''s big mouth that was still cursing.

    Peace was restored to the world.

    "He is now a suspect, according to the rules, he must cooperate with the investigation, interrogate and make it clear, you can rest assured, we will not wrong a good person."

    After Ling Shu spoke to the manager, he said to Cheng Si, "Okay, you take the person back first, I''ll leave later."

    Cheng Si glared at him: "You are not righteous!"

    "Miss Ya Qi is such a difficult person, can I just leave like this? We have to stay together for a while, right?"

    Ling Shu smiled at Ya Qi, her face immediately flushed.

    Cheng Si''s teeth itched, he got close and lowered his voice: "Three meals at De Xing Guan, I''ll turn and leave!"

    Ling Shu was not happy: "Are you robbing? One meal, no more!"

    Cheng Si: "Two meals, if it''s less than that I won''t leave, I''ll just stay here with Baldy Huang and watch you guys dance."

    Ling Shu waved his hand like chasing away a fly: "Two meals, hurry up and go!"

    Cheng Si laughed, not regretting that he didn''t get to spend more time with Rosie tonight, he grabbed Baldy Huang and left with satisfaction.

    "Alright, from now on, this evening is our time together."

    The gentleman held out his hand to Miss Ya Qi.

    "I wonder if Miss Ya Qi would be interested in dancing another round with me?"

    "I would be honoured," Miss Yaki replied with a smile.

    But her joy that evening was destined to not last long.

    Halfway through the dance, from outside to inside, a small commotion came.

    The first to go out were several members of the dance floor, and soon they returned, and their faces didn''t look very good, they had to force a smile and raise the corners of their mouths.

    Putting aside the clueless Rosie, Ya Qi, who had been mingling in the party scene for many years, knew at once something was wrong.

    A big shot had arrived.

    Unlike the bluster of Baldy Huang, it was a real big shot who could not be provoked.

    Many guests and dancers, not knowing what was going on, unconsciously gave way, retreating to both sides.

    In front were two tall, deep-nosed Western police officers, commonly known as foreign police, who were obviously from the concession areas occupied by foreign powers.

    But what was even more attention-grabbing were the two people behind them.

    One was a Westerner, the other was Chinese.

    The Westerner was wearing a police uniform and was a high-ranking police officer in the concession.

    These days, in Shanghai and even across China, Westerners are a group of people one shouldn''t mess with.

    Wherever there is a Westerner, simple things often become complicated.

    The Chinese man walking alongside him - his face half-hidden in the interweaving of light and shadow, the contours blurred, but arousing even more inquisitiveness in the viewers.

    Then, he slightly raised his chin.

    The whole face was then revealed in the light.

    Many people immediately gave a silent praise in their hearts, but this praise was soon suppressed by the other''s imposing aura and they could not tell if it was because of the aura or the appearance.

    Ling Shu and Ya Qi also stopped dancing and watched as the other person crossed the dense crowd, walking towards them.

    Ya Qi was a little flustered and started searching her memory for someone she had offended from the Western Police.

    Ling Shu slightly narrowed his eyes.

    The shiny leather shoes stepped on the checked floor, exuding an irresistible aura.

    Ya Qi was so scared that she didn''t even notice that the man''s gaze was fixed on Ling Shu from start to finish.

    Ling Shu suddenly smiled lazily.

    "Ah, isn''t this Mr. Yue? With your standards and level, why come to a small place like Feilengcui instead of the Bailemen and the Fairy Music Palace?"

    Ya Qi was confused.

    The phrase sounded like the two were old acquaintances.

    Though they were close, the air between them was tense.

    Before she could make sense of it, she heard the man in the coat speak.

    "Du Yunning is dead."

    Lingshu''s careless expression changed slightly.

    Then the high ranking police officer beside the man said, "We suspect you are the murderer."

 CH 2

    Who is Du Yunning?

    She is Ling Shu''s high school classmate.

    She is also ¡ª

    His former girlfriend.

    She was also the white moonlight and cinnabar mole in the eyes of almost all the boys in the school at that time.

    Even the man before him surnamed Yue, he had liked her too.

    When Yue Dingtang said this, he wanted to say it was impossible, but the other party didn''t seem to be joking.

    Those deep brown eyes were almost a deep well, staring at Ling Shu without blinking, with a sharpness hidden inside, as if to probe whether Ling Shu''s response was true or false.

    "When did it happen?" Ling Shu asked.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t answer, Ling Shu guessed that the other party was trying not to give him a chance to figure out the case and find loopholes.

    That is to say, in Yue''s eyes, he was the primary suspect at the moment.

    Ling Shu: "After work tonight, I came directly to Feilengcui, there is no time to commit a crime, all the people here can be witnesses for me."

    Yue Dingtang said lightly: "The corpse was discovered two hours ago, but the person died more than two hours ago. I am not the police officer in charge of the case. If you have anything to say, you can say it when you make a statement."

    He stepped back and introduced the foreign policeman next to him. "This is Mr. Smith from the Public Concessionary Police. I was at a private gathering with him when the incident happened. Since the deceased was an acquaintance of both you and me, I took the initiative to accompany Mr. Smith here."

    Ling Shu said, "This is not the Public Concessionary, and I am not a resident of the Public Concessionary. I need to report this matter to my superiors."

    Mr. Smith spoke fluent Chinese: "Ling Shu, right? When we came, Mr. Yue had already introduced your general situation to us. I will have someone inform your superiors. Now come with us."

    This foreign man was wearing expensive clothes, and was probably a person of influence in the police station.

    The two foreign constables behind were watching him intently, as if they would pounce on him and subdue him the moment he displayed any resistance.

    They had bulging pouches at their waists, and in addition to the truncheons, they must have guns.

    Ya Qi and the others had already turned pale and were at a loss.

    Ling Shu was like an antelope surrounded by fierce beasts, no matter how he jumped, he could not jump out of the encirclement.

    The prey of tonight had been decided.

    He looked at Yue Dingtang.

    Yue Dingtang''s gaze was profound, the meaning unclear.

    In Ling Shu''s view, the other party had a detached attitude, as if he had come here specially to watch a show.

    Falling into the hands of this guy surnamed Yue, he was destined to be unable to dine and saunter away tonight.

    Ling Shu secretly thought to himself that he must check the almanac before leaving the house next time.

    __

    It is said that the central prison in the French concession, can be described as a model of all the prisons and police stations in Shanghai.

    It is said that the various district prisons have once organized a visit to the concession to learn, but that was before Ling Shu was a policeman.

    It is also said that the public concession''s patrol houses are modeled after the regulations of the concession.

    Ling Shu has never been to the concession''s prison.

    In his opinion, the old gated prisons located in the bustling area of the public concession were undoubtedly much better than their small broken police station.

    At least all the tables were new.

    But, all places of interrogation and torture in the world are similar.

    "Name, address, occupation."

    "Ling Shu. Home address is 36 Zhujiaqiao in Yingxiang District. Currently posted at Jiangwan District Police Station as a police officer."

    "Where were you yesterday and today?"

    "Working during the day, resting at home at night."

    "Tell me more details!"

    Ling Shu: "Yesterday I got off work around 4 o''clock and Du Yunning asked me to go to the Xinyue Cafe. We stayed there for about an hour and a half, then I sent her home. After that, we never saw each other again..."

    "Wait a minute." The police officer recording the statement interrupted him. "You two were alone for an hour and a half?"

    Ling Shu leaned back lazily.

    "I said, it was 4 o''clock in the afternoon, broad daylight, people coming and going outside the cafe, and there were waiters and other customers in the cafe. How can it be just the two of us?"

    The police officer frowned, thinking of reprimanding him, but then his eyes fell on Ling Shu''s western-style clothing and he paused.

    An expensive lambswool coat, with a bright-colored tie inside.

    Nowadays there are many people wearing western-style clothing, but there is a big difference between good fabric and bad fabric, let alone the red silver-patterned tie...

    The police officer glanced at Smith and Yue Dingtang sitting next to him, and seeing that they weren''t paying attention to him, he cleared his throat and said, "Fine, I won¡¯t debate details. Then what?"

    "Then I went for a late-night snack and went home. Today I worked during the day and went to the Feilengcui to dance in the evening."

    Police Officer: "You and Du Yunning, were you classmates in middle school and had you been in a relationship before?"

    Ling Shu: "Yes, our families were considered to be a match for each other at the time, and our elders did have intentions to get us together."

    Police Officer: "But then Du Yunning married the son of the warlord Yuan Bingdao, Yuan Bing."

    Ling Shu sighed: "Brother, where do you think I''m going? Do you think I''m the kind of person who would randomly pick married women? As long as I snap my fingers, there are plenty of beautiful women from ten miles away who would come to me, from the Huangpu River all the way to The Workers¡¯ Stadium."

    The police knocked on the table: "Don''t change the topic!" His tone was not very stern, probably because Ling Shu was a colleague, and his clothing and appearance obviously showed that he came from a good background. It could also be because Smith and Yue Dingtang were watching from the side, so he couldn''t be too rough.

    Ling Shu: "After Du Yunning got married, she did ask to meet, but I didn''t go. Later, she sent a servant to come plead with me, and after much entreaty, I went to see her a few times, probably two or three times. You should already have questioned the people in the Yuan Manor, and their testimony can prove that I''m not lying."

    Police: "What was she pleading for?"

    Ling Shu: "She just wanted to tell me about how unhappy she was after getting married, to relieve her grievances."

    Police: "Didn''t she have any close friends to confide in? Why did she want to share her feelings with a big man like you?"

    Ling Shu: "I don''t know."

    Police: "What did Du Yunning say to you yesterday afternoon?

    Ling Shu: "She wanted me to elope with her, and I didn''t agree."

    This statement was shocking.

    When Du Yunning got married into the Yuan family, the grand wedding had caused a huge stir in half the Shanghai area. Even today, many people remember it clearly.

    The once famous Western Sichuan warlord, Yuan Bingdao, had been dethroned and exiled to Shanghai. He only had one son, Yuan Bing.

    When Yuan Bingdao was in power, he had seized a lot of wealth from the people, and it was all left to Yuan Bing. It could be said that Yuan Bing was born into a mountain of gold and silver.

    But Yuan Bing was also a famous playboy from Shanghai, today he might keep a concubine, tomorrow he would pair up with a star.

    The mountains of gold and silver left by his father were squandered away by him in a few years, and the union between the Yuan and Du families naturally also became a regrettable affair.

    However, in the eyes of outsiders, Mrs. Yuan and Du Yunning were still often active socialites. Her lifestyle was not inferior to when she first entered the door, and she often led the societal fashion trends.

    Such a young and beautiful woman was actually killed in her own bedroom.

    And even more shockingly, it was revealed that she wanted to run away with someone.

    The policeman was at a loss for words: "You''re joking with me, right?"

    Ling Shu shrugged: "It''s what you asked me. I''m just telling the truth. Besides, I''m not as licentious as Yuan Bing. Du Yunning still had feelings for me, what''s so strange about it?"

    When the other party was about to ask again, he suddenly heard a light cough beside him and immediately came back to his senses. He no longer tangled up in gossip and secrets, and immediately straightened his back and continued to ask questions.

    "What happened next?"

    Ling Shu: "She was very sad, she clung onto me and spoke about the things that happened when she was in school before. Later, I saw that she was not in a good mental state, so I sent her home."

    The policeman: "According to the people at the Yuan Manor, you had an argument with Yuan Bing at the entrance of Yuan Manor afterwards."

    Ling Shu: "He was ashamed of me, jealous that I was younger and more capable than him, so of course he didn''t like me."

    The policeman was dissatisfied: "Be serious!"

    Ling Shu innocently said: "Who''s joking with you?"

    Police: "How long did the two of you argue for?"

    Ling Shu: "I don''t remember, probably for half an hour."

    Police: "Where did you go afterwards?"

    Ling Shu: "I went to Xiaoji Noodles for a bowl of noodles."

    Police: "What time did you leave the Yuan Manor and what time did you get back home?"

    Ling Shu: "I left at around six in the evening and got back home around eleven or so at night."

    The police scoffed: "You stayed in the noodle place for five hours? You must''ve eaten at least ten bowls of noodles, right?"

    Ling Shu sighed: "Brother, have you ever tried their scallion oil noodles? The taste is just amazing. I''m acquainted with the owner of the noodle shop. Once it''s dark, he''ll set up a pot and make the noodle soup with some chopped chili peppers to warm up the dish. Then he''ll add some beef, mutton, bean curd, and fish slices..."

    Shen Renjie had just come home for the night, but was called back to record a statement before he had even had a chance to sit down. He was full of anger as he had not even had time to eat dinner.

    At this moment, when he heard the other person describe the dishes in such detail, it was as if a steaming hot pot was in front of him. His mouth began to water and he was about to drool.

    "Stop!" Shen Renjie yelled, "So in these five hours, you ate scallion oil noodles and hot pot?"

    Ling Shu nodded: "We chatted while eating, what''s so strange about coming back at midnight?"

    ¡°Can anyone testify for you?¡± Shen Renjie asked.

    ¡°Xiao Guowei, the boss of Xiaoji Noodles. You can just ask him and you''ll know,¡± Ling Shu answered.

    ¡°Is it the one on Gengtong Road?¡± Shen Renjie asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Ling Shu answered.

    ¡°The house next to it caught fire last night around 3am. The couple and their maid, as well as their children, couldn''t escape in time and were burned to death. The fire spread to the noodle shop next door. After the fire was put out, we found a male body that was burnt beyond recognition in the noodle shop. Most likely, it''s the Xiao Guowei you just mentioned,¡± Shen Renjie said.

    Ling Shu suddenly stopped tapping his finger on the desk.

    ¡°No way?¡± Ling Shu said, astonished.

    How coincidental, he thought.

    He had thought this questioning was just a routine procedure.

    It was also possible that Yue Dingtang found out about his past with Du Yunning and had asked Smith to put pressure on him.

    But now it seemed that wasn''t the case.

    Du Yunning was dead and had wanted to elope with Ling Shu before she died. Ling Shu had also argued with her husband Yuan Bing in front of an audience. Things had almost turned violent.

    To outsiders, the relationship between Ling Shu and Du Yunning seemed ambiguous, at least.

    Yue Dingtang said Du Yunning had been dead for more than two hours, which meant it must have happened earlier.

    At the same time, Ling Shu had been away for more than five hours, neither at home nor on duty.

    He was having supper at Xiaoji Noodles, chatting with the boss casually.

    But the boss was dead now.

    No one could prove whether his words were true.

    "Why doubt me?"

    Ling Shu said slowly, "I had no motive to kill Du Yunning. What would I gain from it?"

    It was Yue Dingtang who spoke.

    "Your words that Du Yunning wanted to elope with you are one-sided."

    "It could also be the other way round: You wanted to elope with Du Yunning, but she didn''t agree. Yuan Bing found out that she had something to do with you even after marriage, so after you left yesterday, he had a big fight with Du Yunning and left the Yuan Manor, while you took the opportunity to return and tried to convince her to come with you, but Du Yunning regretted and refused, and you were so angry that you strangled her to death."

    Ling Shu sighed: "Old Yue, we''re old classmates, how come I didn''t notice that you can talk nonsense with your eyes open?"

    Yue Dingtang said calmly: "This is just a reasonable speculation. Moreover, we have a very important discovery."

    Ling Shu raised his hand: "Wait, you just said that you''re not a policeman, you just came here because of your old acquaintances. So what are you here for now?"

    Smith beside him said, "Professor Yue is our station''s specially appointed consultant who can participate in any case consultation and investigation."

    Ling Shu: ...

    "This consultant was just employed at the last second, right?"

    Smith ignored his sarcasm and stood up, patting Yue Dingtang''s shoulder.

    "I have something else to do, so I''ll leave this to you guys."

    The iron door opened and then closed again.

    Ling Shu usually sat on the opposite side, never expecting to be a suspect one day.

    It was a very strange experience.

    At this time, he should have been sitting in Xiaoji Noodles.

    Yue Dingtang: "This case happened under the Public Concessionary, with Du Yunning''s fame and Yuan Bing''s connections, it will definitely soon be reported by the media and draw attention. Smith is handling it as a political accomplishment, and your brother-in-law in the city government wants to get involved but may lack the ability. I advise you to face it seriously and tell the truth."

    Ling Shu: "What was the important discovery you just mentioned?"

    Yue Dingtang: "On the windowsill of Du Yunning''s bedroom where the incident happened, a footprint was found. After verification, it was a police boot and its size -"

    He looked at Ling Shu''s shoes.

    Shen Renjie stepped forward and took off the leather shoes from Ling Shu''s feet, nodding in agreement with the picture printed from the crime scene.

    Yue Dingtang said, "Unfortunately, it''s exactly the same as yours."

    On the day before Chinese New Year''s Eve, instead of feeling any joy of the upcoming holiday, Ling Shu realized that he had stepped into a maze.

    Surrounded on all sides by a web of intricate traps, he felt completely suffocated.

    ___

    Author''s words: I, too, have arrived!

    Good evening, everyone, have you eaten dinner yet? What are we having for late night snacks? Ling Shu has nothing to eat, but you can send him a photo of the snacks ahead of time.

 CH 3

    Ling Shu had determined that he was framed. But he couldn''t figure out why someone would want to pin the death of Du Yunning on him.

    He was just a small policeman who had been working for a few years, with mediocre performance; every day he would show up and leave on time, either lingering on the streets looking for food or going to watch shows and dance.

    As for the Ling family, it was even simpler.

    Ling Shu''s parents had passed away without any enemies or grudges. His elder sister, Ling Yao, was married and was a housewife. Her husband, Zhou San, was a director in the municipal government.

    Even if there were colleagues who did not like him, it would not be necessary for them to go around in circles and frame his wife''s younger brother to discredit him.

    Ling Shu said nothing and Yue Dingtang also did not rush him. The two of them seemed to be competing to see who had more patience.

    The lantern swayed overhead, and the cold wind that came in through the cracks of the windows searched around the interrogation room, trying to take away the meager warmth that remained.

    As for the interrogating policeman, Shen Renjie, he was already so famished with his chest practically sticking to his back.

    In the past, he would have thrown Ling Shu into the prison without saying a word and gone out to get night snacks, waiting for his family to come with money to bail him out. But now he dared not.

    Firstly, the case was too big and had a drastic impact, with the victims having a special identity.

    Secondly, Smith himself was paying close attention to the case, and Yue Dingtang was standing by.

    Shen Renjie was not clear about Mr. Yue''s exact position, but from Smith''s attitude, it would be best not to offend him.

    "... Mr. Yue?"

    The two of them were having a silent confrontation, but Shen Renjie was so hungry he could no longer take it, so he lightly asked in a trembling voice.

    Yue Dingtang glanced at him: "You can go first."

    "It''s okay, you can continue!" Shen Renjie said with a bitter face. Yue Dingtang didn''t leave, so how could he leave?

    Yue Dingtang turned to Ling Shu: "It''s almost New Year''s."

    Ling Shu: ???

    Yue Dingtang: "I''m sure you don''t want to spend New Year in prison."

    Ling Shu: "My sister will find a way to bail me out."

    Yue Dingtang: "This case is serious, she may not be able to bail you out. The only way you can survive is to cooperate with us, confess honestly."

    Ling Shu: "I''ve always been curious about why you suddenly got involved in this matter, since Du Yunning chose to be with me instead of you?"

    Yue Dingtang didn''t say a word.

    Shen Renjie felt like he had heard something he shouldn''t have, so he quickly looked up at the poor hanging lamp, imagining it to be a steaming big chicken leg.

    The freshly steamed chicken legs were so tender that the moisture inside the chicken burst out and condensed into beads on the lid of the pot, then fell back onto the chicken. One bite was enough to fill the taste buds.

    Shen Renjie was a police officer, but his family could only have a feast on special occasions, especially in the days leading up to the New Year, when all families worshipped their ancestors and made offerings, even if it wasn''t chicken legs, but freshly steamed rice cakes...

    As he thought about this, his expression became dazed and he suddenly noticed that he hadn''t been paying attention to what the two were talking about.

    Ling Shu was also hungry.

    But he didn''t look up at the light bulb like Shen Renjie did.

    Because no matter how long he looked at the light bulb, it wouldn''t turn into a chicken leg.

    He knew that Yue Dingtang was waiting for him to surrender.

    This situation hadn''t changed since the beginning.

    Ling Shu chose to fight back quickly.

    ¡°If I''m suspicious, then Yuan Bing and the people at Yuan Manor are too.¡± He said.

    Yue Dingtang: ¡°Of course, Yuan Manor has already been sealed off, and no one can enter or leave, and Yuan Bing has also been arrested. But out of everyone, your suspicion is the greatest.¡±

    After he said that, he stood up.

    ¡°It''s a pity that your statement didn''t provide any key clues to clear your suspicion. As old classmates, I really want to help you, but I can''t do anything.¡±

    Shen Renjie let out a sigh of relief and also stood up.

    Finally, he could eat and he pushed away the statement book in his hand.

    "Sign it," Ling Shu said as he glanced over a few lines before picking up the pen.

    He looked up again, "Am I going to be spending the night in jail?"

    Yue Dingtang looked at the hand holding the pen, not responding to the question, "I remember you''re not left-handed."

    Ling Shu lazily curved his lips and signed his name in a hurry, "It''s been a long time since I''ve had any fun. Old classmate, I hope our little friendship can exchange for me a midnight snack in jail."

    The three of them left the interrogation room.

    Right in front of them, Yuan Bing was brought out of the other interrogation room.

    Their eyes met and the situation was grim.

    Yuan Bing roared and lunged towards Ling Shu!

    Caught off guard, the people around them could not hold him back.

    "You little runt of a dog!"

    Ling Shu stuck out his foot.

    The roaring suddenly stopped.

    Under the sudden shift in momentum, Yuan Bing embraced his leg and wailed in pain, curling on the ground.

    "He''s fighting! He''s killing! Help!"

    A man who had been addicted to opium for a long time, how could his strength be strong? But Ling Shu''s kick was really fierce. According to Yue Dingtang''s estimation, even if Yuan Bing hadn''t broken any bones, he would be severely injured.

    But the one who started it had already hid behind Yue Dingtang, with an indifferent expression.

    Yuan Bing was still rolling on the ground, mumbling incoherently.

    Yue Dingtang coldly said, ¡°Take both of them away.¡±

    Young Master Yuan''s identity was special, so no one dared to act. With his words, they immediately dragged the person away.

    ¡°Ling Shu, you mongrel, you killed my wife and wanted to blame it on me. You won''t get away with this!¡±

    Ling Shu was unconcerned: ¡°Yuan Bing, I think it''s better for you to plead guilty as soon as possible. Otherwise, you''ll suffer a lot in prison without opium.¡±

    Yuan Bing was dragged away, his voice gradually fading away.

    Unwillingness and anger echoed in the police station, making Shen Renjie unable to help but sigh.

    He had seen Du Yunning from a distance before, when she was still alive.

    At that time, Du Yunning was wearing a pink robe with silver edges. Such a vulgar color was worn by her, giving off a unique charm that was different from others.

    In the whole Shanghai beach, there were not many beauties like Du Yunning.

    It was a pity that beauty was brief.

    This case was destined to shake the Shanghai beach.

    When the two had gone, Shen Renjie quietly asked, ¡°Mr. Yue, should we give the food to Ling Shu just now?¡±

    This matter was originally not Yue Dingtang''s decision, but Smith had just given him a different look, so Shen Renjie naturally wanted to take the opportunity to please him.

    Yue Dingtang said: "According to your usual practice, will you give it or not?"

    Shen Renjie gave a knowing smile: "Well... "

    Yue Dingtang immediately understood the unspoken words¨C give it if they pay a bribe, nothing without payment.

    Shanghai can be called the centre of the far east and the model of the Republic of China, but behind its prosperity, there is also corruption. After all, it has only been twenty years since the decadent Qing Dynasty.

    "Then I won''t give it!" He said sternly with a righteous expression, "All I asked for is fairness!¡±

    ___

    Ling Shu knew what a prison environment was like, being a police officer himself.

    The brick and tile houses had walls covered in moss and cracks, stained with black marks. Under the eaves was a small window, the only source of light. In the day it was just barely enough to make out some brightness, but at night, the guards certainly wouldn''t waste candles or electric lights on the prisoners, leaving everyone to sleep in the darkness while they whiffed the smell.

    In winter it was even harder to survive. The stone floor was cold and hard, with bumps and hollows. At most, some straw would be spread out. If someone was sent to prison wearing thin clothing, it wouldn''t take long for them to freeze, with some of the heavier criminals having a harder time and even not living to see their sentence announced.

    Ling Shu''s body was warm, wrapped in a thick coat. It was the one his sister had bought from the Yong''an Department Store last month, intended for him to wear during the New Year''s holiday, but Ling Shu had taken it without asking when he went out tonight, never expecting it would come in handy like this.

    Dark, damp, and dim, that was all Ling Shu''s impression of prison.

    No matter where the prison was, it was all more or less the same.

    In the dark depths, faint sobbing and muddled muttering could be heard from time to time, coming and going, easily stirring up fear in the depths of one''s heart.

    The only source of light came from the low-wattage lightbulbs on the ceiling. The feeble light not only failed to generate any warmth, but even made the shadows look more sinister.

    Standing at the gate of the cell, the smell of urine and moisture made him hesitate.

    The guard behind him gave him a shove, pushing him in.

    With a clang, the cell door was locked again.

    "Behave yourselves!" came the guard''s voice from outside.

    The prison guard gave a not-so-serious warning and left.

    The prison cell was another world. In the darkness, one could hear various breaths coming from different directions, indicating that there were at least five or six people in the cell.

    When the brightness suddenly changed to darkness, Ling Su¡¯s eyes hadn¡¯t adjusted yet and he couldn¡¯t make out the people around him. However, with the little bit of light from outside the window, those who had been in the cell prior could see him clearly.

    The young man had fair skin and an average build; it was obvious that he was from a wealthy background and had never suffered hardships. Such a person in prison was like a sheep among wolves, a walking target, a firefly in the night, right down to the ¡°come bully me and exploit me¡± sign on his forehead.

    Every inch of his body was under scrutiny in the darkness, particularly the thick wool coat that he was wearing.

    Ling Su didn¡¯t move an inch. He knew that the beasts would only attack after confirming the prey¡¯s weaknesses; if he made the slightest movement, those countless pairs of eyes in the darkness would pick up on his vulnerability immediately.

    These days, those who were sent to prison weren¡¯t just him and Yuan Bing, the suspects. From gang members to fugitives, from swindlers to murderers, the weak ones would not last more than a few days here; only the ones with viciousness and cunning would survive.

    As a cold wind blew, Ling Su felt an itch in his nose. He tried to resist but couldn¡¯t help but scratch it.

    He opened his mouth, lowered his head, and gave a small sneeze.

    Just as he was about to rub his nose, an extra hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

    Before he had time to react, Ling Shu was already harshly pushed against the iron door!

    The loud bang from his back colliding with the iron door echoed in the empty prison, piercingly loud and shocking.

    In the distance, the sound of the jailer running over could be heard, but it soon disappeared without a trace.

    In such places, no one would come to manage as long as there were no casualties.

    Even if there were casualties, unless the deceased had a powerful background, there would not be severe consequences.

    In a chaotic world, life was as fragile as grass, even in the most prosperous city in the Far East.

    It was foreseeable that he would be facing a harsh night.

    Why was it so hard to get a midnight snack?

    Ling Shu was filled with sorrow.

    ___

    Author had this to say:

    Ling Shu: Life¡¯s too difficult.jpg

    Reader''s question: I''m a bit confused. So Ling is a small police officer from outside, and he is being interrogated by the police inside the concession. Yue is an advisor who helps the concessionary police station. Do they belong to two different police stations?"

    Answer: Let me answer this here.

    At that time, Shanghai was divided into three parts: one was the foreign concessions, one was the public concessions (from the English, Americans, Japanese, etc.), and one was the Republic of China government.

    Ling Shu was from the Jiangwan district police station under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China government.

    The case happened in the public concessions, and the one who interrogated him was also from the public concessions.

 CH 4

    The car stopped at the entrance of Yue Manor when the pointer of the pocket watch pointed exactly to midnight.

    The driver walked up, opened the door.

    Suddenly, his right cheek felt a chill, and Yue Dingtang reached out to feel it, it was snow water.

    Under the illumination of the car''s headlights, the tiny snowflakes were clearly visible, and occasionally there was a bit of wind, blowing the snowflakes into his neck. Unconsciously, the driver shrank back and muttered, "How could it still be snowing?"

    But when he entered the gate, it felt warm.

    Warm air came towards him, intertwined with a faint scent. The sudden change from cold to hot made his nose itchy and the driver couldn''t help but sneeze.

    "Little brother!"

    A graceful figure walked down from the second floor. It was impressive that she was wearing thin high heels and a qipao, yet she rushed over like a whirlwind.

    Without having to look at the other person''s face, Yue Dingtang could immediately say: "Third Sister, why have you come back?"

    Yue Chunxiao smiled faintly: "What? You don''t want to see me? Your brother-in-law has returned to the country with the imperial envoy. I didn''t want to go to Nanjing, so I decided to come back home to take a look."

    Yue Dingtang said: "Mrs. Jiang is in Nanjing, there are dances and banquets every day, isn''t that what you like most?"

    Yue Chunxiao puckered his lips: ¡°I like to stand out. I don¡¯t like to go around lowering myself, not knowing about all the officials in Nanjing. Those courtiers and imperial relatives are everywhere, I just don¡¯t feel like catering to them, isn''t it more comfortable to just go back home? Besides, people that think going abroad is a great thing would surely ask around, thinking your brother-in-law had earned a lot of money!¡±

    Yue Dingtang nodded: ¡°Still the same temper.¡±

    Yue Chunxiao acted as if he was about to hit him, but Yue Dingtang was quick and dodged, so Yue Chunxiao''s hand stopped halfway, she changed it to a fist and pinched his ear.

    Yue Dingtang yelled: ¡°Gently!¡±

    Yue Chunxiao: ¡°Will you obey?¡±

    Yue Dingtang: ¡°I surrender.¡±

    Yue Chunxiao felt satisfied and let go: ¡°I¡¯ve packed some dumplings and made noodles. What do you want to eat, dumpling soup? Scallion oil noodles?¡±

    Yue Dingtang: ¡°Scallion oil noodles.¡±

    Yue Chunxiao snappily said: ¡°Still the same thing since you were a kid, nothing has changed.¡±

    Having said that, he happily went to prepare it.

    Making scallion oil noodles was quick. She heated the oil in a wok until the scallions changed color, then boiled the noodles and scooped them up, before pouring the hot, sizzling scallion oil over them.

    A bowl of scallion oil noodles became the dream of most of the people in this city, regardless of their status.

    Yue Chunxiao had not only made scallion oil noodles.

    The table was also filled with braised mushrooms and soup dumplings.

    "These two things can''t be made in just a while," Yue Dingtang said, curling his lips. "The late-night snack we talked about, aren''t you afraid I''ll get stuffed?"

    Yue Chunxiao did not get help from a hired hand and personally brought the scallion oil noodles to him, placing them in front of him.

    "I originally thought your second brother would come back for dinner, but who knew he had something come up and had to go to Beijing," Yue Chunxiao sat down opposite him and sighed. "Home is still the best. Whatever I see here looks pleasing to the eye. Even that cabinet with the broken door in the room looks better than those outside."

    Yue Dingtang lowered his head to eat a few mouthfuls of noodles before smiling. "What kind of crime have you committed to be saying such things? Weren''t you always saying how much better the foreign countries were than places here, that they were more advanced and prettier, with tall buildings and civilized etiquette?"

    Yue Chunxiao shot him a glance. "When I went abroad before, it was for study. How is that the same as being stationed there? All you do is talk nonsense here. You should really go see for yourself and find out that what you thought were embassies were actually dilapidated haunted houses!"

    Yue Dingtang was surprised. "You''re representing a country after all, didn''t the Nanjing government allocate funds?"

    Yue Chunxiao sighed with bitterness: "Dignity? Nanjing should have paid salaries to your brother-in-law and the rest of them, but they are still not paid from the first half of the year. Those with some family background can still make ends meet, but those from poor families cannot even afford winter clothes! Furthermore, the embassy needs repairs, and every time it rains, the ceiling will leak. That office of your brother-in-law is even worse; the windows are broken and cannot be closed, and rain will pour in, soaking the walls and floors around it. If it stays wet for long, it will start to mildew. Even if they want to move somewhere else, they still haven''t received their salaries, so where can they get the money from?"

    Her hands that were folding the dumpling wrapper had not stopped, but gradually, the movement slowed down.

    Silence flowed between the two of them.

    "What did Nanjing say after Ambassador Chen sent the telegram?"

    "They sent it, every few days, urging for salary and funds, but Nanjing just keeps saying that it is difficult and that they have to figure out how to get it themselves. If you ask me, these damn diplomats don''t do their job!"

    "Dignity comes from what you earn, not what others give. If even their own country does not treat them with dignity, why should your brother-in-law and the rest suffer overseas?"

    "You don''t know, before we returned to China, there was a dance party at the British embassy. Your brother-in-law took me there too. At that time, the French charg¨¦ d''affaires, even in front of other charg¨¦s d''affaires and secretaries, asked your brother-in-law if it was true that it had stopped raining outside but was still raining inside the Chinese embassy¡ªit was quite a scene!"

    She was filled with complaints and did not have the ambition she had before going abroad.

    Yue Dingtang asked: "How did your brother-in-law reply?"

    Yue Chunxiao: "Your brother-in-law said, the world is still not peaceful. We Chinese like to be prepared for danger and always remind ourselves not to forget the suffering, so we can do more practical things for the people."

    Yue Dingtang smiled: "This answer is not bad."

    Yue Chunxiao said angrily: "You are still laughing! If your brother-in-law was a diplomat from the United States or the United Kingdom, would they dare to make such a joke?!"

    Yue Dingtang: "This was just an informal joke. In times of internal distress and external dangers, we can''t blame others for looking down on us."

    Yue Chunxiao: "So I''m definitely not going to Nanjing. Your brother-in-law and them are facing wind and rain outside, eating little and wearing less. But those people in Nanjing are indulged in luxury and pleasure all day. I''m afraid that if I go there, I won''t be able to help myself and start blaming people and scolding, which would affect your brother-in-law''s career. It''s better to stay at home comfortably, go out for a walk, and visit old friends."

    She complained a lot and Yue Dingtang listened patiently. After all, if they had to go abroad again, the whole family didn''t know when they could meet again.

    "By the way," Yue Chunxiao used chopsticks to poke a soup dumpling and the juice flowed out with a fragrant smell. "When I went out for afternoon tea today, I ran into Ling Yao. You remember, your old classmate Ling Shu''s sister."

    Yue Dingtang''s hand, which was holding a bowl of soup, froze.

    "What''s wrong with her?"

    Yue Chunxiao: "Nothing, I only found out when I returned this time. She married a small clerk in the city government. She hasn''t changed, but her situation has. Sigh, thinking of the glory and prestige of the Ling family back then, now it''s gone. She still tried to maintain her appearance as a rich lady in front of me, but I pierced through her without mercy."

    Yue Dingtang: "I remember you two were quite friendly before, weren''t you?"

    Yue Chunxiao chuckled: "You don''t understand women. She wants to suppress me, and I want to suppress her. Do you get it?"

    Yue Dingtang concluded: "Superficial, phony friendship."

    He then quickly stepped aside, dodging the grab from his sister.

    Yue Chunxiao continued wistfully: "I still remember when we were in school, Ling Yao changed clothes every day, never a piece worn twice, and the handbags and perfumes that weren''t available in China yet, she already had someone bring them back from the West. But now, look at the checkered qipao she''s still wearing, it''s so worn out you can see the fuzz. You can imagine what kind of life Ling Yao''s living now! That said, how is your old classmate Ling Shu? Have you kept in touch with him?"

    Yue Dingtang: "Not often."

    Yue Chunxiao: "As the saying goes, friendships from school days are the most precious. If you ever have time, why don''t you invite him to our home for a chat, and reminisce about the old days. I''ve always liked that child since he was small, so smart and pretty. If it weren''t for his family''s financial difficulties, who knows, he might be doing better than you!"

    Yue Dingtang: "What''s wrong with you? On one hand you hate his sister, and on the other you want me to invite him home."

    Yue Chunxiao laughed: "How is that contradictory? Hating his sister doesn''t mean hating him."

    Yue Dingtang put down the bowl of soup.

    "I''m afraid that might disappoint you."

    Yue Chunxiao was puzzled.

    Yue Dingtang: "Ling Shu has been dragged into a murder case, he is the biggest suspect."

    Yue Chunxiao was shocked: "Then Ling Yao..."

    Yue Dingtang: "She should not know about this yet, the news has been suppressed by us, newspapers are also temporarily forbidden to publish the news, otherwise, with the identity of the deceased, it is likely to cause a stir."

    Yue Chunxiao: "Impossible, Ling Shu was such a well-behaved child when he was in school, I still remember..."

    Yue Dingtang: "The deceased was Du Yunning, you also know her, an old classmate of Ling Shu."

    Yue Chunxiao was speechless.

    "I have finished eating."

    Yue Dingtang stood up, ready to go upstairs to his room.

    "Little brother."

    Yue Chunxiao stopped him.

    "Ling Yao, I don''t like her, but I don''t have any deep grudges, after all, we are old classmates, now that Ling''s family is like this, Ling Shu is the only male in Ling''s family, what if this matter turns out to be wrong?"

    Yue Dingtang: "The case happened in a public concessionary area, I will help Smith follow up, now we are still in the stage of evidence collection."

    Yue Chunxiao was silent, and sighed again.

    "What kind of thing is this? It''s almost the new year, if Ling Yao finds out, I''m afraid the sky will collapse."

    Yue Dingtang walked up the stairs and glanced back one last time at the table full of steaming home-cooked dishes and Yue Chunxiao who was frowning at the table.

    Back in his room, after washing up, he should have gone to bed for a rest since he had to go to school to mark papers tomorrow. But Yue Dingtang was tossing and turning without any signs of sleep.

    The phrase ¡°Ling Shu is the only male heir of the Ling family¡± kept running through his mind.

    He grabbed the pocket watch from the bedside table and it showed it was already midnight.

    Yue Dingtang rubbed his nose, sat up and took off his wrinkled silk pajamas, slowly changing into a suit. He then called for a servant.

    ¡°Fourth Young Master, do you have any orders?¡±

    ¡°Go and call the driver, I¡¯m going out.¡±

    ¡°At this hour?¡±

    ¡°Mm, go.¡±

    ___

    Just as he entered the guardhouse, Shen Renjie rushed up.

    Yue Dingtang already had an impression of this slightly plump Chinese guard.

    "Mr. Yue, it''s so late, why are you still here?"

    Shen Renjie''s face was devoid of the pleasure of sucking up from last time, and his lips barely managed to stretch into a forced smile.

    Yue Dingtang was filled with suspicions.

    "The case of Du Yunning, I have come up with some details, and I want to ask the suspect, can you help me bring out Ling Shu?"

    "This..." Shen Renjie looked embarrassed.

    Yue Dingtang: "What, not possible?"

    Shen Renjie: "No no, you see, it''s so late already, it''s almost midnight. Why don''t we do it tomorrow? At least let the suspect have a good sleep, and it will be clearer when they remember it tomorrow, right?"

    Yue Dingtang had heard many stories about the methods used by the guardhouse against suspects.

    Although he had never seen it with his own eyes, Yue Dingtang knew that most of them were true.

    There are countless ways to make someone submit¡ªMake people want to die, make people want to live, and make people unable to seek life and unable to seek death.

    "I don''t know when the police officers became so lenient towards suspects, they even make a distinction between day and night to investigate cases."

    Under his sharp gaze, even the tip of Shen Renjie''s nose was sweating in the cold winter.

    "Uh, then you wait a bit. I will go and have them bring the person here!"

    "No need."

    He stepped past Shen Renjie and walked towards the prison in the back.

    "I''ll go and get him myself!"

    ___

    Author says: "Here it comes, the scallion oil noodles are here!"

 CH 5

    Where there are people, there is the jianghu; even in prison, there are factions.

    A bit of background and money could often get one into a single cell, though the environment wasn''t much better, at least one wouldn''t be bullied.

    However, this case was rather special, a major case, with Smith personally overseeing it, and Yue Dingtang watching it closely. The police didn''t dare to try anything, and threw the suspect directly into the most chaotic cell.

    After graduation, they all went their separate ways, and Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu had not seen each other in many years.

    But he still remembered, the teenager whose hand was pricked by thorns and had to press a handkerchief against it to wipe it.

    Even though the Ling family was not doing well now, some habits ingrained in a person are hard to change. This environment was the biggest torture for Ling Shu, and combined with Shen Renjie''s expression of wanting to say something but holding back, he could almost imagine what kind of treatment Ling Shu, who had been spoiled and pampered, would get in the hands of these people.

    Even though he was a police officer himself, Shanghai was still divided into the public concessionary and the municipal government, separated by more than just a street.

    That was a treaty of inequality signed by one country and another decades ago.

    A country within a country, outside the law.

    Not to mention that Ling Shu''s brother-in-law was only a clerk in the municipal government, even if it was the mayor of Shanghai, he wouldn''t be able to do anything.

    The stench came from all directions, entering the nose and seeping into the five viscera and six bowels, as if it wanted to corrode and melt every person that came in, burying them here completely.

    Shen Renjie had gotten used to it and didn''t feel much, he didn''t dare to comment on Yue Dingtang taking out a handkerchief to cover his nose, because his heart was tightly gripped by tension.

    Accompanying the pace of their advance, the noise from the depths of the prison grew nearer and nearer.

    Faintly, there were loud voices, as if a group of people were engaged in an argument.

    Yue Dingtang gave Shen Renjie a glance.

    "What is going on?"

    Shen Renjie nervously chuckled, ¡°Nothing, I guess the prisoners are too cold, so they are making some noise. Maybe you should come back tomorrow to inspect? It''s cold and dark today, and it''s almost the new year, which is not a good sign..."

    Yue Dingtang did not say anything else, but his footsteps quickened slightly.

    Shen Renjie hurried to catch up, wanting to yell at the people to settle down, but not daring to.

    In the dark corners, different kinds of social phenomena were coiled up.

    The people who had been sent in for petty theft or pickpocketing may not have been fond of steA¡¯Lang or being sly; they may have just been poor and destitute, and could not make ends meet.

    Then there were those who stayed in the shadows, quietly and particularly still. Whenever Yue Dingtang''s gaze swept past them, they would shoot back a piercing glare. These were certainly murderers who had killed and seen blood.

    An ordinary good-hearted person who spent a night here would likely be greatly shocked.

    As for Ling Shu...

    Just like these people whose faces couldn''t be seen, he was cowering in the depths of the prison, forcibly suppressing his inner fear, enduring hunger and thirst.

    He was still wearing a woolen overcoat when he arrived, but once he got in here, no matter what kind of wool or cashmere he had on, it wouldn''t protect him from the inevitable beating he was about to receive in order to learn this fact.

    Those people were making a lot of noise, and it was almost certain that they were teaching a lesson to the new guy who didn''t know any better.

    "Big or small, make a decision."

    The lazy voice wasn''t loud, but it had a sense of standing out in the noisy chaos.

    "Big!"

    "Big Big Big!"

    "Small!"

    In the musty air, there was also a strange smell mixed in, which made people feel weird and indescribable.

    From the small door on the iron door of the prison in the innermost room, Yue Dingtang finally saw Ling Shu.

    The other person was sitting against the wall.

    One hand was holding a pottery jar with dice in it, and the other hand was holding a chicken leg.

    A piece of cloth was spread out in front of him, and the black and gray wooden sticks were twisted and written on both sides respectively with "big" and "small".

    At the four corners of the cloth were four plates, which were scattered with dishes and cold dishes. Although they were picked and eaten almost by people, there were also a pile of bones on the side, but Yue Dingtang saw the mark on the edge of the plate with sharp eyes. It was "Old Jiangxi" family''s signature dish, the five-flavored duck.

    The boss of this restaurant was very dedicated. Every year during the Chinese New Year, he did not close his shop and did not take a break. For more than ten years, every year was like this, and the price of dishes was also affordable. Many people liked to go to his restaurant when they were having a banquet during the Chinese New Year.

    There were four or five people surrounding Ling Shu. As there was no kerosene lamp, the patrolling officers did not dare to be too bold and only gave them two candles.

    Yue Dingtang found that the cashmere greatcoat was still properly worn by Ling Shu. The coat was open, the scarf was padded on the body, and the person was kneeling and had a playful smile faintly on his face.

    Although the surrounding environment was dirty and filthy, it seemed to have no effect on him. There was no bullying or desperation, but rather a cheerful atmosphere.

    Yue Dingtang slowly turned his head and looked at Shen Renjie who was next to him. Shen Renjie was full of cold sweat.

    "Yue, Mr. Yue, let me explain." Yue Dingtang had no expression on his face.

    Shen Renjie: ......

    He couldn''t get out an explanation for half a day, stumbling and stammering.

    "This, this is all because of the negligence of the people below. The food and gambling tools must have been secretly brought in by the suspect! I will immediately separate them!"

    Yue Dingtang said nothing and turned around to leave. He felt that the little kindness that suddenly came to him in the middle of the night must have been because he was full. When he went out later, he should take that kindness to feed the dog.

    "Hey, Mr. Yue! Mr. Yue! Don''t be angry, wait for me!"

    ___

    Ling Shu stretched his back, opened his eyes and felt sore all over.

    This bed definitely wasn''t as comfortable as the one at home. During his sleep, he vaguely heard the sound of nibbling, like a mouse gnawing on his hair.

    The brand new cashmere coat was definitely dirty now, luckily it was originally grey-black, so it wasn''t too obvious. Otherwise, he would definitely be scolded when he got back.

    Just when he entered this prison cell last night, this coat was immediately noticed by the others. He almost became someone else''s bedding. If it wasn''t for his quick reaction, agile movements, and ability to knock the snake onto the ground and overpower the others, his money wouldn''t have been spared and he wouldn''t have been able to make the best of a bad situation last night and fill his stomach.

    Ling Shu touched his stomach.

    The midnight snack he ate last night was still there, he wasn''t very hungry, but he definitely wouldn''t be able to stomach the prison food. According to the time, his family should have been notified by now and would be here to bail him out soon. Maybe he could still make it home in time for dinner.

    Just as he thought of this, he heard footsteps coming from outside.

    A few seconds later, the prison door was opened, and several police officers appeared in front of him.

    Ling Shu glanced around, there was no Shen Renjie.

    Neither was there the police officer who was secretly in cahoots with him last night.

    Instead, there were several unfamiliar faces.

    Suddenly, he felt something was off.

    Before he had time to think about it, the leader of the group raised his hand.

    "Take him away!"

    Ling Shu was pulled up by the arms on either side.

    He was quickly brought to the interrogation room, still the same one from yesterday.

    But the interrogator had changed.

    Neither Smith nor Yue Dingtang was present.

    "Speak up, tell the truth - why did you kill Du Yunning?"

    The other person had a cold expression and spoke sternly.

    Ling Shu raised his eyebrows: "I have not killed anyone."

    Bang!

    The table was slammed, echoing loudly throughout the small room.

    "Still want to quibble? Before the deceased died, you two were in private contact. After Du Yunning passed away, you can''t provide any evidence of absence, even the shoe print on her bedroom windowsill was left by you. In terms of suspicion and motive, only you!"

    Ling Shu: "I cannot take the charge of murder. I hope you can find evidence to prove my innocence soon."

    The other person coldly smiled: "Evidence? There''s no evidence that can prove your innocence, but there is new evidence that can prove you are the murderer."

    He opened the book in his hand, took out a few letters and threw them in front of Ling Shu.

    Ling Shu picked up and opened the package.

    There were three letters, all of them written by Du Yunning.

    Ling Shu recognized her handwriting, even the finishing stroke of the character ¡°Äþ¡±, which was written with a flourish and an air of grace that was characteristic of Du Yunning.

    Ever since they were in school, Du Yunning had been fond of writing her name with various fonts, and this particular one was chosen out of many by Ling Shu.

    The content of the letters was not much - one of them was a love poem written by Du Yunning, expressing her longing for something she yearns but can¡¯t have.

    She was renowned for her tA¡¯Lant in school, and although it was not without its share of admirers, her style was unique, embodying the beauty and free-spiritedness of the Xinyue School.

    The other two letters were similar, with Du Yunning expressing her distress.

    As soon as Ling Shu saw certain phrases in the letters, he raised his eyebrows.

    ¡°Firstly, I¡¯ve never written to her and secondly, I¡¯ve never suggested to her to endure for a while before she can be released from her misery. All these are fabrications.¡±

    ¡°But we compared the handwriting and signature, and they are confirmed to be from Du Yunning. How do you explain that?¡±

    The interrogator stared at him intensely, like a vulture that has its prey firmly in its grasp, not allowing the slightest chance of escape.

    Ling Shu: ¡°Your Honor, if I¡¯m wrongly accused, how would I know the origin of these letters? Shouldn¡¯t this be something that you should be looking into? I haven¡¯t seen Du Yunning since she got married. Two months ago, she suddenly sent someone to look for me, saying she had something to tell me and asked me to meet her at a cafe.¡±

    Interrogator: ¡°What did she say?¡±

    Ling Shu: ¡°She said Yuan Bing smoked heavily and scolded her, and she was in a lot of pain, not knowing what to do. I suggested that she divorce him.¡±

    Interrogator: ¡°And then?¡±

    Ling Shu: "Then she kept pouring her heart out about how she was incompatible with Yuan Bing. Out of consideration for our relationship as old classmates, I wanted to help her out and I had met her a few times. But then, I saw that she had no intention of divorcing Yuan Bing, so I stopped going to see her until two days ago in the afternoon when she sent someone to find me urgently, asking me to come out and meet her. So I went."

    "She told me that the valuables she had secretly kept had been found by Yuan Bing, and she wanted to send them to me to avoid them being taken away by him. She also said that the Yuans'' financial situation was not as good as it seemed on the surface; the assets left by Yuan Bingdao had already been squandered by Yuan Bing, leaving only an empty frame behind."

    "She also said that she regretted not having the courage to refuse the Yuans'' marriage proposal back then, and said she wanted to start anew with me¡ªjust like the elopement we had talked about before, of course, which I refused."

    The Examiner: "What about the valuables?"

    Ling Shu: "I don''t know, of course I didn''t agree, I just suggested she deposit them in the bank or entrust them to someone else."

    The Examiner: "Why didn''t you help her? Wasn''t there still some fondness left in your relationship with her?"

    Ling Shu raised an eyebrow: "Back in school, I did talk to her as a friend, and her family also liked us. But then, due to the changes in my family, our fortunes declined, and the Dus immediately found a young master from the Yuans as a suitable match for her. She didn''t resist at all from start to finish. From then on, our old relationship was left with just a little bit of camaraderie. So, if she hadn''t come looking for me, I would have had nothing to do with her at all."

    The Examiner: "In that case, it''s also possible that you saw the valuables and had ulterior motives, so you pretended to agree with her, and then you two had a dispute and you killed her before fleeing in a hurry."

    Ling Shu sneered: "Those are all your speculations. I never even saw the valuables she mentioned. Where would I get the idea of getting rich? Besides, if I had killed someone and fled, I wouldn''t have left such obvious footprints behind."

    The Examiner nodded: "That just shows that you killed her on the spur of the moment and then fled without thinking through your actions."

    Ling Shu: "Then how do you explain the death of the noodle shop owner? The murderer deliberately eliminated my alibi in order to frame me, isn''t that proof that I am not the murderer?"

    The examiner: "The fire at the noodle shop was purely accidental and cannot prove anything."

    Ling Shu was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "I want to see my family and lawyer. I need to apply for bail."

    The policeman stepped back with a determined look.

    "Family? Yes, you might have missed something when you came in. Your brother-in-law, Zhou San, was taken away from home last night on suspicion of bribery and corruption. Your sister is in a mess now and is probably not paying attention to you."

    Ling Shu''s eyebrows twitched.

    "What about Yue Dingtang? Let him come out, I have something to talk to him about."

    "You probably don''t have that chance."

    The other party shook his head and stood up, calling the policeman outside the door.

    "He won''t admit it, take him to another place."

    ___

    The author has something to say: Ling Shu: Survival of the fittest, is it easy for me?

    Yue Dingtang: Hehe.

 CH 6

    In a single night, the attitude of the prison towards Ling Shu had changed drastically.

    At first, when he was brought in, the people here were still quite courteous to him.

    Shen Renjie was an old slickster. Although he was on official business, he still had some room for maneuvering in his words and deeds. In the evening, he even arranged for extra entertainment for him. Although money can make the ghosts grind, it also depends on the other party''s flexibility.

    But everything changed after Ling Shu woke up from his sleep.

    Not only was the interrogator changed, but even Shen Renjie''s attitude towards him was no longer so accommodating.

    Shen Renjie was the one escorting him out.

    "Old Shen, we can be considered as having some relations. Give me a signal. Where are we going?"

    Shen Renjie looked cold and didn''t say anything, completely different from the night before when he had been close to Ling Shu.

    Ling Shu didn''t mind. Human relations are cold and warm, and he had experienced it these years.

    What''s more, Shen Renjie was a stranger, so of course he couldn''t expect the other party to have much friendship.

    Do you think I could ever kill anyone? When I clear my name, we will still be brothers in arms. You know my brother-in-law works at the municipal government, but you don''t know he''s in charge of housing, right? You said your parents still live in the old house, don''t you want to get them a new one?

    Shen Renjie didn''t intend to bother him, but when he heard this, he couldn''t help but sneer: "Your brother-in-law has been arrested. How can he still help? What kind of help can he give in prison? Just give up struggling, you can''t protect yourself now."

    Ling Shu said seriously: "Old Shen, you know what the world is like now. Bribery and corruption, big or small. My brother-in-law is an honest person. Not to mention that it is absolutely impossible for him to do this, even if he was framed and implicated, he was still able to become the head of the municipal government at a young age. Don''t the superiors have someone? Think about it, when he comes out, he will certainly do his best to exonerate me."

    Shen Renjie didn''t say anything, but he didn''t interrupt Ling Shu either.

    Ling Shu knew he was listening intently.

    "Our Ling family also has some financial means, although not as much as before. We still have some money to pay for my release if we need to. We can make a big thing into a small thing, and a small thing into nothing. Then we''ll both be good people again. We''re all in Shanghai, so we can look each other in the eye. It''s convenient for both of us, right?"

    "This is an order from above. It''s not up to me."

    Shen Renjie finally softened a bit.

    Ling Shu: "I know, it''s not your fault. But where are they taking me? What kind of charge are they pressing against me?"

    Shen Renjie thought for a moment, then sighed: "I hear they''re transferring you to the Central Prison. I don''t know the specifics. Don''t think too hard about how to get out of this. It''s impossible! If your family comes to visit, tell them to find connections quickly and save your life. Don''t come back to the prison and not know how you''re going to die!"

    He was not threatening. Ling Shu was currently carrying the suspicion of murder, and he didn''t kill just anyone--he killed a famous lady from Shanghai with an even more famous husband. In this situation, public opinion would quickly turn against him, and Ling Shu wouldn''t have any chance to escape.

    Although Shen Renjie didn''t seem like a murderer, in today''s world where the tide of the times was ever-changing, were there not still criminals who were hypocritical and self-righteous?

    "Hey, Old Shen, I have an idea."

    Just then they reached the doorway, and the car was already waiting for them.

    Shen Renjie was shocked at what he heard whispered in his ear.

    "Are you crazy?!"

    ___

    Half an hour later, Shen Renjie felt it was not Ling Shu who had gone mad, but himself.

    The two of them stood at the entrance of Ling Shu''s home.

    "You only have an hour," Shen Renjie said nervously, "I can''t help you for too long, if I don''t return beyond an hour, they''ll start suspecting!"

    Ling Shu comforted him, "Don''t worry, you''ll come in with me and when the time comes, you''ll take me away immediately. I won''t implicate you, my sister loves me so much, she''ll definitely help me out, and you''ll be involved too."

    If it wasn''t for this benefit, Shen Renjie wouldn''t have taken the risk to run away in the middle, and the other two people accompanying them wouldn''t have turned a blind eye.

    Everyone tacitly agreed, pretending that Ling Shu was just in a hurry to use the restroom.

    Ling Shu knew this was risky.

    Ever since he was identified as the murderer, things had been heading out of control.

    It felt like someone was throwing a net over his head, tightly binding him and not letting him leave.

    The matter of his brother-in-law was even more abrupt and strange.

    On this trip home, he had no choice but to go back.

    Aunt Hong opened the door.

    After getting married, Ling Yao brought her younger brother and the family servant, Aunt Hong, to live with them.

    This old servant had watched Ling Yao and her brother grow up and to them, she was like family.

    However, upon meeting each other, Ling Shu felt something was off.

    Aunt Hong''s expression was no different from usual.

    It was precisely because of this that something was wrong.

    If Ling Yao''s husband had been taken away for suspected corruption, and Ling Yao herself was implicated in a murder, the family should have been in chaos by now. The old servant shouldn''t have been able to open the door so slowly, with a relaxed face, not showing even a bit of tension.

    Seeing him, the old servant''s face lit up with surprise.

    "You''re back! No one''s seen you for a day and a night, where did you go? You didn''t even ask someone to carry a message. The young mistress was so worried. Oh, you must be careful now, there are guests in the house, don''t make the young mistress angry in front of outsiders!"

    Aunt Hong kept chattering as Ling Shu felt a headache, especially when he heard the last sentence. He unconsciously asked, "Who came?"

    "It''s your old classmate, a Mr. Yue."

    Other than Yue Dingtang, who else could be this old classmate with the surname Yue?

    Ling Shu¡¯s heart rang with alarm.

    He suddenly realised that he had probably stepped into a trap, but it was too late to back out.

    "Younger brother?"

    Ling Yao walked out from inside, her expression transforming from surprise to worry in a few seconds.

    "Where have you been all day and night, you didn''t even come back last night!"

    Ling Shu laughed dryly, "I met an old friend, catching up. I forgot to tell someone I was coming back and made you worry, sis!"

    He shifted his gaze towards Ling Yao and hastily changed the topic.

    "Is there a guest?"

    "It''s Dingtang. Do you remember him? You two were close during school and he even came to the house for dinner. He recently returned from studying abroad, it''s been so long since you guys last saw each other, you must have lots to talk about."

    Ling Yao laughed and gestured for him to come in. Suddenly, she sniffed and furrowed her brows.

    "What''s that smell on you?"

    Ling Shu replied calmly, "I probably drank some wine last night, just stayed over at a friend''s place."

    Ling Yao: "I heard from Cheng Si that you went to the club and stayed overnight, hm?"

    She shifted her gaze to Shen Renjie beside Ling Shu.

    "And who''s this?"

    Ling Shu didn''t bat an eye, "This is a brother I met on a business trip. He''s a patrol officer from the public concessionary side. He''s the old friend I just mentioned and we went out to drink last night."

    Shen Renjie didn''t know whether to laugh or put on a serious face, his expression becoming a bit awkward.

    "Welcome, you are a guest, let''s go inside," Ling Yao said with puzzlement, but thankfully didn''t ask too many questions.

    As they talked, Ling Shu and Shen Renjie saw Yue Dingtang sitting on the sofa in the living room reading the newspaper.

    He was wearing a neat three-piece suit, his hair not combed all the way back, a bit of hair oil added but not too much, still looking fresh. A pair of thin-rimmed glasses was perched on the bridge of his nose. In Ling Shu''s eyes, he was a real ''animal in human clothing, with a heart as savage as a beast.''.

    Yue Dingtang heard the noise and looked up, smiling at them.

    "Ling Shu is back?"

    The smile was like seeing an old friend after a long time apart, especially friendly and joyful, with a hint of excitement that was hard to detect beneath the surface.

    But to Ling Shu, the other person was more like a hunter waiting for a rabbit, and he had just stumbled into a foolish one ¨C himself.

    Shen Renjie was stunned and realized his brain wasn''t working. So instead of going up and greeting Yue Dingtang, he just stood there.

    "Mister Yue..."

    Yue Dingtang''s expression did not look like that of a person who had come to punish them, much unlike in the interrogation room.

    Shen Renjie had no idea what kind of attitude to take.

    "You''re here too," Yue Dingtang nodded at him, a hint of amusement on his face as if he had expected it.

    Shen Renjie suddenly said: "I suddenly remembered I have something urgent to do and need to rush back, so I won''t disturb you guys catching up!"

    Ling Yao saw that he was about to leave and hurriedly tried to stop him: "Can''t you stay for a bit longer?"

    "No, no!" Shen Renjie forced a smile and turned to Ling Shu, making a gesture with his mouth: "I''ll be waiting outside."

    He left in a hurry, without lingering, and Ling Yao couldn''t stop him. All she could do was say: "Go, hurry and send your friend off!"

    Ling Shu said: "No need, he knows the way."

    Ling Yao felt that the two of them were acting strange, and she didn''t want to ask too many questions in front of Yue Dingtang.

    Yue Dingtang smiled: "What''s wrong? When he saw me, your old classmate didn''t seem too happy?"

    Ling Shu, who was good at putting on an act, feigned a smile.

    "How could I not be happy? I was just too excited. Old Yue, look at you, you''ve aged so much. I almost didn''t recognize you. How many years has it been since we last saw each other?"

    The words "many years" were stressed especially heavily, and he turned his greeting and friendly words towards Yue Dingtang into a passionate smile and opened his arms to welcome him.

    In front of Ling Yao, Yue Dingtang awkwardly moved closer, but then he was suddenly pulled into a bear hug by Ling Shu, and the smell of the jail that he had been in for a day and a night was pressed on to him.

    Yue Dingtang: ....

    Ling Yao was very pleased: "I didn''t expect that after so many years, your feelings for each other are still so strong!"

    Yue Dingtang curled his lips, finally understanding what it meant to lift a stone to smash one''s own feet.

    He stiffened his body, allowing Ling Shu to hold him for one second, two seconds, three seconds.

    "Don''t be too excessive!" Yue Dingtang couldn''t take it anymore, his voice squeezing out from between his teeth.

    "To each their own," Ling Shu coldly laughed without a sound.

    "Big sis, I''m hungry, can you help me prepare something to eat? I haven''t seen Old Yue for a long time, so let''s catch up."

    After a few seconds, he finally took pity on Yue Dingtang and released him, then turning back to give orders to Ling Yao.

    Ling Yao furrowed her brows, disdainfully looking at his disheveled attire: "Don''t you even want to take a shower first!"

    Yue Dingtang: "It''s fine, big sis, Ling Shu and I are old classmates, it''s rare to run into each other, let us chat first."

    Ling Yao shot a glare at Ling Shu, implying for him to be better behaved.

    "I''ll go prepare lunch for you two, Dingtang should stay here for lunch today, I''ll have Aunt Hong make some extra dishes!"

    "Thanks, big sis."

    Yue Dingtang was courteous and straightforward at the same time, making Ling Yao unable to help but smile as she left.

    Ling Shu clearly saw that his big sis had a really good impression of Yue Dingtang, wishing that he would stay for dinner as well.

    Watching Ling Yao''s figure disappear into the kitchen, the corner of Ling Shu''s mouth that had been carelessly curved became cold.

    He looked towards Yue Dingtang, who was seated on the other sofa, and smiled insincerely.

    "My brother-in-law was arrested for alleged bribery and embezzlement - I suppose this must be the false news you sent to scare me?"

    "That''s right."

    With Ling Yao and Aunt Hong gone, Yue Dingtang no longer had the energy to pretend. He adjusted himself into a slightly more relaxed posture.

    "Did I sleep with your wife or burn your family alive - is that why you won''t let me go?"

    Ling Shu was getting a bit angry. The carefree, elegant look he had in prison was no longer present. The scarf was hung messily around his neck, and its owner was like an impatient and angry wolf, ready to destroy the place.

    Yue Dingtang thought his metaphor was quite accurate, but sadly he couldn''t say it out loud or else the other person would really come and bite him.

    "If I hadn''t forced you, you would still be spinning circles around me."

    Ling Shu sneered: "I don''t understand what you mean."

    Yue Dingtang: "Your confession is not complete and there are still things you haven''t said."

    Ling Shu: "Solving the case is your responsibility."

    Yue Dingtang: "But your life is in your own hands. Even though your brother-in-law is unharmed, you bribed the officer to escape without permission. What kind of crime do you think you¡¯re guilty of?"

    Seeing that Ling Shu did not respond, he continued: "You also know that all the evidence in this case points to something disadvantageous to you. If you want to clear up your suspicions, you will have to cooperate with me and tell me everything. This will benefit not only Du Yunning, but also you."

    The two men stared at each other in silence.

    Could he trust him?

    A huge doubt arose in Ling Shu''s heart.

    Many years ago, his relationship with Yue Dingtang started with a fight and ended in a cold war, so it was not pleasant.

    Therefore, when he saw his former classmate participating in his arrest and interrogation, Ling Shu found it difficult to not connect the surname Yue to revenge.

    It was hard to change the established impression.

    But now, it seemed he had no choice.

    "I suspect," Ling Shu finally spoke up slowly, "that Du Yunning is not dead."

    Author''s note: Ling Yao: Old classmates should be like this. When they meet, they can forget about past grievances and laugh together. Come on, let''s laugh.

    Yue Dingtang: Hehe.

    Ling Shu: Hehe.

 CH 7

    As he said this, Ling Shu''s gaze never left Yue Dingtang''s face.

    His reaction was unexpected.

    Yue Dingtang showed a slight look of surprise.

    "Why do you think that?"

    Ling Shu asked in return, "Have you seen Du Yunning''s corpse with your own eyes? Have you personally checked? Is it really Du Yunning?"

    Yue Dingtang fell into deep thought, and opened his mouth slowly after a while.

    "I remember that she had a red mole near her left wrist, and on school days, the female students would make fun of her and say it was a palace mark. Also, she fell off her bike before, leaving a scar behind her knee. I saw all of this."

    Now it was Ling Shu''s turn to frown.

    Yue Dingtang: "What was it that made you have such doubts?"

    Ling Shu: ¡°In the process of my deAh Langs with her before Du Yunning was born, I found that she was not only dissatisfied with Yuan Bing¡¯s many things, but was also very likely to have the intention to escape from the Yuan family. Even the day before she met with an accident, she had proposed eloping with me. After I refused her, she said one sentence.¡±

    ¡°Uh?¡± Yue Dingtang spoke with a questioning tone.

    Ling Shu: ¡°If you won¡¯t come with me, I¡¯ll go by myself, go far away to the ends of the world, don''t regret it then.¡±

    Yue Dingtang: ¡°That does sound like her tone.¡±

    Ling Shu, no longer happy: ¡°I guess you think I¡¯m making up stories?¡±

    Yue Dingtang: ¡°Of course not, but Yunning had always said a lot and done little since she was a child. Although dissatisfied with her own situation, she never had the courage to make a change, like when she went abroad for her studies, or even when she was married off.

    Ling Shu: "If we only go by this sentence, of course not. Do you remember, I told you, she wanted to entrust a fortune to me for safekeeping, to avoid it being taken away by Yuan Bing."

    Yue Dingtang hummed in response, not thinking that Ling Shu was stalling for time.

    For the other party to bring it up again at this time, there must be something previously omitted.

    Sure enough, he heard Ling Shu say: "At that time, she gave me a list of assets, which listed the assets she wanted to transfer. But I saw the handwriting of two people on it."

    Yue Dingtang: "Could it be her female servant who wrote it with her?"

    Ling Shu: "I know that when she got married to the Yuan family, she only brought one person with her, the female servant who is still with her now, but the other person can''t read."

    Yue Dingtang: "So there was someone else helping her plan and leaving the Yuan family?"

    Ling Shu: "Du Yunning is weak-minded and has no opinions of her own. It''s impossible for her to have the courage to leave the Yuan family alone. When she invited me out before, she just complained and cried, but recently she started to talk about running away, and even prepared a list of valuables for me to keep. It''s been planned step-by-step, which is not something she could''ve thought of."

    Yue Dingtang pondered: "So you suspect she used you as a scapegoat to attract attention, and then faked her death and ran away with someone else?"

    Ling Shu: "It''s not impossible."

    Yue Dingtang: "Why didn''t you tell me this important clue earlier?"

    Ling Shu: "Because your timing of appearing is really too coincidental, I cannot determine whether you are related to Du Yunning."

    Yue Dingtang: "Do you still think like this now? If I say, your current situation is like being surrounded, I am the only one who can open a way of life for you. Don''t you want to find out the real culprit and let her have peace in the underworld? Besides, she was a good girl."

    Ling Shu remained silent.

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t tell anything from his expression.

    It wasn''t like this a long time ago.

    He would be competitive in academic performance and often talk about the current situation, news of society. Who knew where he got so much news from, but every time after class, he was surrounded by three layers of people, and students were willing to listen to his stories which were slightly exaggerated and full ofups and downs.

    Although Yue Dingtang felt that most of the words were nonsense, he actually liked to listen. What teenager doesn''t like to hear those mysterious stories?

    He never admitted it on the surface, but he always stood outside, pretending to pass by inadvertently, and eavesdropping.

    In the crowd, Ling Shu was always the focus of pursuit. His expression was changeable, with some pride in his lively demeanor, especially his eyes. Even when he wasn''t smiling, he seemed to be smiling, and his eyebrows were even more vivid when he was dancing.

    It was not like this at all, lazy, fighting for nothing, taking things as they come.

    "I''m going out to get a smoke."

    Yue Dingtang got up and was walking out, feeling around in his pocket, only to realize he had left in a hurry and had forgotten to bring cigarettes.

    Half a pack of cigarettes were tossed over from Ling Shu, and the other person gave him a sidelong glance.

    Before Yue Dingtang could even be moved for half a second, he heard Ling Shu say, "Two for one! I''m poor."

    Yue Dingtang: ......

    Ling Shu guessed he wasn''t really going out for a smoke.

    After all, when Shen Renjie had sent him over earlier, there were still two patrol officers who were escorting him outside.

    Shen Renjie didn''t dare to take this responsibility, and Yue Dingtang still had to solve all these troubles himself.

    Sure enough, before he had even lit half a cigarette, the person surnamed Yue had already returned.

    Ling Yao and the old servant had already arranged a table of dishes.

    It was not as exquisite as the Yue Manor, but it was homely.

    Ling Yao wiped her hands and took a deep breath.

    "There wasn''t enough time to buy the dishes you like to eat, so Aunt Hong and I just made something quickly. Please be understanding!"

    Yue Dingtang glanced at it, smiling, "Elder sister, so many dishes and you call it ''quickly.'' I don''t even eat this much at home."

    Ling Yao chuckled, "That''s different. You''re our guest, so we have to make sure you feel welcome. Come on, sit down, don''t be polite. Eat more. If you don''t eat enough today, I won''t let you go out!"

    Yue Dingtang originally hadn''t planned to stay for dinner, but Ling Yao was insistent, and Ling Shu had not yet given him a final reply regarding Du Yunning''s case. He agreed and removed his coat and scarf.

    Without a word, the old servant immediately came to take it away and promised to return it before the guest left.

    The servants for the wealthy were rarely as meticulous and sharp-eyed as this, and an attentive person could easily see the former glory of the Ling family from these details.

    Yue Dingtang''s eyes fell on the dining table where the old servant had placed his coat. Inadvertently, he noticed that the corner of the table was badly worn and a piece of paper was stuffed between one of the table legs.

    Ling Yao was a good cook. Yue Dingtang had eaten at the Ling family before, and she had cooked the meal herself. The long-forgotten familiar taste, combined with Ling Yao''s enthusiasm, was enough to offset Ling Shu''s negative indifference.

    "Dingtang, where are you working now?"

    Ling Yao served him a bowl of chicken soup and asked casually.

    Yue Dingtang: "I''m teaching law at the university, mainly teaching the history of Western legal systems."

    Ling Yao''s eyes lit up: "It''s a good job, decent and leisurely. Are there a lot of knowledgeable female teachers at the school?"

    Yue Dingtang: "There are a few, but not many."

    Ling Shu felt uneasy: "It seems like someone is knocking at the door, I''ll go see."

    "Sit down!"

    Ling Yao shouted, giving Ling Shu a paralyzing spell, and then smiled and looked at Yue Dingtang.

    "What kind of girls are they? Are any of them unmarried? You and Ling Shu are old classmates. I don¡¯t have any other requirements for him, only hoping he will get married soon. The woman doesn''t have to be wealthy, as long as she is of good character and her family background is clean."

    "Ling Shu isn''t like you. He''s always running errands at the police station. All his colleagues are men, and the only women he sees are suspects. It''s hard to expect him to find someone on his own. If he waits until he''s thirty, he''ll be a bachelor!"

    Ling Shu let out a helpless sigh: "Sis, can you at least let the guest eat a meal in peace, don''t scare him away!"

    Yue Dingtang said, "It''s alright. There aren''t many female teachers of the appropriate age at school, but my third elder sister knows a lot of people, I''ll ask her to keep an eye out for us."

    Ling Yao smiled, her eyes and brows both lifting, and nodded in agreement.

    "Dingtang, you''re so outstanding, you must have gotten married already, right? When should we have the newlyweds over for a meal? Sis doesn''t have much else to offer, but my cooking skills are still impressive."

    Yue Dingtang laughed: "Not yet, my family isn''t in a rush."

    Ling Shu seized the opportunity: "Sis, look at him, he hasn''t gotten married yet and you''re asking him to help me find someone? That''s like asking a blind man to light a lamp!"

    Ling Yao sighed: "You''re such an outstanding person, there must be someone willing to pursue you. They''ll be queuing up from outside the city walls to the North of the Su River. Unlike Ling Shu, I''m afraid no one would even take him if he shouted from the streets."

    Ling Shu: ......

    Yue Dingtang, as if the firewood wasn''t burning hot enough, consoled her: "Maybe Ling Shu has a girlfriend outside and just hasn''t told you. Sis, don''t worry too much, these things should sort themselves out."

    Ling Yao rolled her eyes: "Him? As long as he doesn¡¯t bring home a dancer one day asking to marry her, I''ll thank the Heavens!"

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but comment: "You said last time that as long as I was willing to marry, you''d even accept a dancer."

    Ling Yao gave him a stern look.

    The topic ended, and after a few moments of silence--

    "Dingtang, you''ve been overseas for a few years, why haven''t we heard from you since then?"

    "I stayed in France for three years, and then traveled around Europe for another two, visiting several countries."

    "So you can speak all the languages of Europe then?"

    Yue Dingtang calmly said, "Not really, I can speak English and French fluently, but I can only say a few phrases in Russian and Spanish. After returning, I almost forgot them since there isn''t the same language environment."

    Ling Yao said, "That''s amazing. No wonder you can teach in college. Our Ling Shu can''t even speak a few sentences of foreign language up to now."

    Ling Shu: ...

    Finally, he understood that Yue Dingtang was the "exceptionally brilliant child next door". As long as he was there, it was doomed that he couldn''t have a peaceful meal.

    "Big sister, you can''t say that. We have been speaking Chinese since we were young, so it''s natural that we would feel uncomfortable suddenly going abroad. I have seen people who have stayed abroad for several years, but still can''t speak a foreign language, and still stammer when they meet foreigners."

    Yue Dingtang eased the situation in time.

    "You are right, but after all, they are both abroad. You should compare the good ones, not the bad ones. If Ling Shu can have half of your ability, I wouldn''t have to worry so much."

    Ling Yao looked at him, and when she did, her face lit up, her voice softened, in stark contrast to when she faced her younger brother.

    "Ling Shu was very outstanding when he was studying. Now, everyone''s post-graduation experiences and directions are different. With Ling Shu''s ability, he will surely have a bright future soon."

    Yue Dingtang comforted and looked at Ling Shu, who had a face of despair, feeling quite good.

 CH 8

    After the meal was finished, Ling Shu breathed a sigh of relief as if he had been reborn.

    He thought he might as well stay in prison, at least his ears wouldn''t suffer there.

    Ling Yao couldn''t take the smell coming off of him any longer and immediately sent him to take a bath after the meal was finished.

    "Clean yourself up, it''s embarrassing to go out for dinner with an old classmate looking like a vagrant!"

    Ling Yao dragged him upstairs and whispered, "Tell me, what did you do last night? Why did you come back so dirty and smelly?"

    Ling Shu looked innocent, "Nothing really, just chasing after a criminal and fell down."

    Ling Yao gave him a look of disbelief, but since they had guests she only poked him on the forehead and didn''t question further.

    Ling Shu thought for a moment and grabbed her arm, "Big sister, did your husband mention anything to you recently, any difficulties at work or anyone he had offended?"

    Ling Yao was first puzzled, then nervous.

    "No, what''s wrong? Is something happening to your brother-in-law?"

    "Don''t worry," Ling Shu casually said, "our boss had a fight with his peers recently and lost, so he was randomly accused and arrested. I was just concerned about your husband."

    Ling Yao said, "Don''t scare me. He was fine yesterday when he came home from work, he even bought me my favorite Napoleon cake from Lao Dachang."

    Ling Shu replied, "Alright, alright, I''m going to take a bath now and bring this guy surnamed Yue back to our alma mater later."

    Ling Yao grabbed him and said in a low voice, "Don''t call him that! He''s doing very well now and has a good family background. It''s hard for him to come here and see you out of old friendship, so you need to be considerate and find this bond again. Who knows, you might even need him to help you find a wife in the future!"

    Ling Shu: "Can he help? Help me dig a pit, and find you a crooked and cracked sister-in-law?¡±

    Ling Yao made a move to hit him, Ling Shu quickly disappeared behind the bathroom door.

    He deliberately dragged his heels, and stayed in the bathroom for almost an hour before coming out.

    Yue Dingtang was still sitting in the same spot, and his posture hadn''t changed much. His expression didn''t show any impatience.

    "Do you need a glass of water before going out? You slept out last night, if you''re tired, you can rest for a while before leaving." He asked kindly and with concern.

    If it weren''t for the interrogation room, Ling Shu would have thought that the other party was an old classmate who was loyal and honest.

    "If I rest I¡¯ll end up sleeping for a few hours, how can I let you wait so long?"

    "No problem, anyway when it''s time I''ll just stay for dinner at your place. Your sister definitely won''t mind," he said.

    Ling Yao hadn''t noticed the hidden turmoil between them, and she agreed, asking him to come back for dinner later.

    Only Ling Shu heard the implied threat in the other''s words.

    The two of them looked at each other, and both saw the insincerity and hypocrisy in the other''s expression.

    Nowadays, most people who die are left at home to wait for the funeral procession, while those with no family or home have to be taken to a charity mortuary.

    Du Yunning''s situation was a bit special.

    She was murdered and her identity was not insignificant, so even though the Yuan family had no one to come and claim the body, it couldn''t just be thrown away in the countryside. Thanks to Smith''s coordination, the body was temporarily stored in an ice house next to a hospital not far from the police station.

    After two days, the weather was cold and the corpse had not changed much, except for the overall dismal pale color, which no longer had the vitality of life.

    The two of them stood on either side of the corpse, lowered their heads to take a look, and were speechless for a moment.

    Yue Dingtang was the first to break the silence.

    "The newspapers have started reporting about the Yuan family''s affair now and Smith won''t be able to keep it quiet for long."

    "If the real murderer can''t be found, under the pressure of public opinion, the police station will have to take the suspect they have evidence on to appease their superiors."

    "It''s hard to get you released, I have had to use a lot of connections for it."

    "You don''t have much time left."

    In the presence of the deceased, Yue Dingtang tried to make his tone as humane as possible.

    No matter how much enmity he had with Ling Shu in the past, at least the two of them now had a common goal.

    Ling Shu walked around the corpse twice, his expression solemn. He looked carefully, as if he hadn''t heard Yue Dingtang''s words at all.

    "She has changed a lot."

    Yue Dingtang moved his lips, wanting to say that a person changes a lot after death.

    But he soon realized he was mistaken.

    The change that Ling Shu was talking about was not this physical change.

    "She was very naive before, she always said she wanted to go out and see the world, but she didn''t have the courage to do it."

    "I still remember one time, when we found an abandoned nestling in the school backyard, Du Yunning held the nestling and said she would wait for its mother to come, and she waited until it was dark."

    ¡°Sometimes when she passed by and saw impoverished people begging, she would definitely take out some pocket money to give them a portion. Even when I said those people were possibly being manipulated by beggar gangs such as the Gaibang or Qingbang, she said, these people may be forced to beg against their will, but any money that goes into their own pockets, or to their children for clothing, food, and schooling, could possibly save a life.¡±

    ¡°When she studied, she would also write good poems, which were often recited in public by the Chinese teacher. Everyone said that she would definitely become a tAh Lanted woman like Lu Bicheng.¡±

    ¡°But these things,¡±

    Ling Shu raised his head and looked at Yue Dingtang.

    ¡°I did not see a trace of them on Du Yunning after our reunion after so many years.¡±

    The deepest impression Ling Shu had of Du Yunning was when he came to propose to her, her father was sitting on the sofa with a lofty attitude, saying that the Du family had already made arrangements to marry the Yuan family.

    And at that time, Du Yunning was hiding behind a pillar at the grape trellis in the outdoor garden, with tears in her eyes, unwillingly watching Ling Shu. Ling Shu was so moved that he brought out the enthusiasm of a young man and asked her if she was willing to go abroad with him to study, severing ties with her family, and living a modern life like many new young people nowadays, full of ideals.

    He still remembers Du Yunning''s answer to this day-

    No, I can''t. Ling Shu, this is my home, my parents, I can''t do that.

    ¡°So, she had no courage to leave home with me before, and after enjoying so many years of wealth and glory in the Yuan family, she was even less likely to want to come with me.¡±

    At this point, Ling Shu frowned.

    ¡°But, the corpse really is her. My guess that she was pretending to be dead to escape was wrong.¡±

    Yue Dingtang: ¡°Do you still remember, the list of properties she showed you, what was the handwriting like, can you copy it?¡±

    Ling Shu shook his head: ¡°If I can see it again, I should be able to recognize it.¡±

    Yue Dingtang: ¡°After you told me that day, I had already sent someone to ask. No one in the Yuan family had seen the whereabouts of Du Yunning''s property. She had never dealt with any bank managers or pawnshop owners before her death. After she parted with you at the coffee shop that day, she returned to the Yuan Manor until she was found dead in the room.¡±

    Ling Shu: ¡°What about the Yuan family''s property, is it less?¡±

    Yue Dingtang sighed: ¡°I don''t know, there is no way to calculate. The Yuan family''s property has been very chaotic these years. The old housekeeper''s ledger does not match. They also don''t know which ones were taken away and squandered by Yuan Bing and which ones were taken away by their subordinates. In this situation, it would be easy for Du Yunning as the mistress of the house to do something.¡±

    Ling Shu: "That person could be someone from the Yuan family, or someone that Du Yunning met outside."

    Yue Dingtang: "Let''s go ask the people from the Yuan family first."

    Ling Shu: "Is the Yuan Manor sealed off?"

    Yue Dingtang: "The Yuan Manor has two buildings, the main building has been sealed for now, but the back building is still left for the Yuan family''s servants, they are watched by the police, and cannot leave before the case is investigated."

    Seeing Du Yunning''s corpse again, the two of them were somewhat affected.

    No one spoke on the way until the car stopped outside the Yuan Manor.

    Outside there were a few people with cameras, clearly reporters.

    Seeing Yue Dingtang and them walking in, they came up to try and interview them.

    Yue Dingtang waved his hand without speaking, and the police immediately separated them and escorted them to the back building.

    The Yuan family was wealthy, and had a two-story building for the servants, but other than the rooms being a bit cramped, there was not too much difference than the main building''s luxury.

    Since the death of Yuan Bingdao, Yuan Bing was not good at management, and the Yuan family was no longer like before, many of the rooms were now empty. Now, in the small building, including the housekeeper, there were only six servants, and Du Yunning''s personal maid Ah Lan was the most special one.

    "I remember you, one time Yunning met me and you were with her. According to what I know, she has long since lost contact with her family, you should be someone she trusts a lot." Ling Shu said when he saw her.

    Ah Lan shyly smiled and shook her head, making a gesture.

    The housekeeper understood sign language and served as the translator.

    "Ah Lan said she does not deserve your praise."

    Ling Shu: "What did she do after coming home from the cafe the day before she passed away?"

    This question, the people in the police station must have already asked, Ah Lan did not have to think before answering, and the housekeeper answered quickly.

    "She said Madam seemed to be in a bad mood, she did not eat much dinner and said she was tired and wanted to rest. She did not dare disturb her, and when she knocked on the door at night, asking if Madam wanted some midnight snack, Madam replied no, and it was only until noon the next day, which was Madam''s usual waking time, that she went to wake her up, only to find out what had happened."

    Ling Shu: "Did she have any close friends?"

    The old housekeeper: "Madam often attended banquets, but rarely asked people out alone, I have never heard of her having any close female friends, but recently she mentioned a Mr. Ling twice."

    Ling Shu: ...

    Yue Dingtang: "What did she say?"

    The old housekeeper: "She said she had met an old classmate from before, and said this Mr. Ling was still as handsome as before."

    Yue Dingtang''s chin lifted slightly, he gave Ling Shu a glance: "That''s him, this Mr. Ling."

    The old butler''s gaze at Ling Shu immediately changed, as if a thousand words were spoken without saying a word.

    Ling Shu: ...

    He could neither explain or deny it, and simply acted like he hadn''t seen.

    "I want to take them to the scene of the crime to have a look."

    Yue Dingtang nodded: "After the incident, they immediately sealed the scene, even the footprints on the windowsill have not been touched."

    But he soon realized he had spoken out of turn.

    It had just snowed the day before, and even without wind, the original footprints were already covered with a layer of unmelted thin snow.

    Not only that, the wind blew away the false window, bringing in snow and dust particles, which could be seen even under the bed.

    This was naturally dereliction of duty from the relevant patrol officers, but these days, such things were normal, Yue Dingtang knew that it was of no use to say it.

    Everyone''s gaze swept across every corner.

    The room was in the style that Du Yunning liked, everywhere was soft and exquisite and luxurious.

    Yuan Bing probably doesn''t like it here, Ling Shu didn''t find any male objects in the room, even the wardrobe was filled with Du Yunning''s own clothes.

    In other words, these two couples were sleeping in separate rooms.

    No wonder Du Yunning was unaware when something happened.

    "When the thief came and went through the window, did you not hear any movement at all?"

    This time, Ling Shu asked the butler.

    The old butler smiled bitterly: "When the old master was there, the house was originally guarded, but when our master was in charge, he said that this was a rented area and was safe enough, so he dismissed many people. Before the incident, the Yuan family had three male servants on duty in turns every night, sometimes there were shortages, and I would temporarily take over. That night, three people had a stomachache, Old De took leave and went home, so I temporarily took over, but I was too old to be of any use, and I dozed off in the middle of the night, and when I woke up, it was almost dawn, and I didn''t take it seriously when I saw that there was no movement in the house. Who knew it would be such a big thing."

    He was nearly seventy years old, his hair was all white, and his long robe couldn''t support his slightly hunched waist.

    Such an old man, let alone killing someone, couldn''t even escape through the window.

    According to the butler and the maid, Du Yunning usually went to the cafe for tea, went to the department store, and attended the salon parties of the nobles.

    If it was revenge, at most it was a verbal dispute with the ladies. Women often get into silly arguments, but it was impossible to come to the point of murder.

    "I heard from the first patrolman to arrive here--"

    Yue Dingtang walked to the bedside and pulled open the drawer.

    "They saw that the drawer was half open at the time."

    Ling Shu subconsciously asked: "What''s inside?"

    Yue Dingtang: "There''s no lack of it. Big Ocean, jewelry, gold watches, all in it."

    Ling Shu: "That means the murderer was not purely here to make money and kill."

    Yue Dingtang hummed: "In fact, the questions you just asked them, we have asked them before."

    He didn''t stop Ling Shu, but he wanted to see what new discoveries he could make.

    The old steward and the maid stood at the door and waited for them to inspect the room before they followed the patrol down the stairs.

    Ling Shu remembered the three letters from Du Yunning, and he was about to ask something when he heard a loud noise behind him.

    He turned around and just saw the maid stepping on the air and sliding down the stairs.

    The other party was leaning sideways, luckily the patrolman was quick-eyed and quick-handed, otherwise the old steward in front of her would have suffered.

    "What''s wrong, can''t you go down the stairs?" The patrol scolded.

    The maid Ah Lan seemed not to hear it, her face was full of fear and fear, and she turned fiercely, as if she saw something extremely fearful.

    Ling Shu looked in the direction of her gaze, and found that the room that had been closed just now was open again without knowing when.

    The wind blew the gauze curtain at the window, and the light and shadow changed from time to time, and the snow brought the cold from the open room to the stairs.

    In a daze, there seemed to be a figure by the bed, but it was like an illusion, like a phantom created by the rise and fall of the gauze curtain.

 CH 9

    ¡°What did you see?¡±

    Ah Lan couldn''t answer, only making a vague groan.

    But her face was obviously full of fear to the extreme, all the emotion that could not be expressed in words was written in her expression, so that she was shaking like a sieve.

    She held the corner of her clothes, fumbled from her pocket to take out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat, but because she was too nervous, she also took out the keys and sundries, and all of them rolled down the stairs.

    She gestured wildly, trying to explain clearly to everyone, but only the old steward could understand.

    "What are you talking about!" The old steward also changed his face.

    "What''s going on?" asked Yue Dingtang.

    The old steward hesitated: "She, she lost her mind, you don''t need to take care of her ..."

    Yue Dingtang''s face sank: "Say!"

    The old steward helplessly: "She said she just saw the lady, how can this be! The lady died already, and in broad daylight!"

    He said it, but he couldn''t help but show a fearful expression.

    The patrolman was still hesitating, and Ling Shu stepped back and walked up the stairs to the room.

    Of course, there was no one in the room.

    They had not closed the windows before, so it was re-blown by the wind.

    Curtains flew with soft and graceful beauty, perhaps this was the reason for the female maid''s false impression.

    "There''s nothing here, you''re mistaken," Ling Shu said.

    But Ah Lan hid behind the housekeeper and dared not come in again.

    "Is this yours?" Yue Dingtang came up and handed him something.

    The keys, handkerchief, and lipstick.

    Ah Lan hurriedly received it, but her grip was weak, and the lipstick dropped to the floor, rolling into the bottom of the bed.

    Lingxiao bent down to help her pick it up.

    When he straightened up, in addition to the lipstick in his hand, there was also a black pile of debris.

    It was not pure black, but there was a little gray and yellow mixed in it, which looked like coal ash, but it was definitely not.

    Yue Dingtang: "Gongban soil?"

    Ling Shu looked at the old housekeeper and Ah Lan: "Did the lady smoke big cigarettes before?"

    The old housekeeper was unconsciously shocked, but Ah Lan was a little flustered, and he quickly waved and gesticulated.

    "Ah Lan said that the lady was very disgusted with the old man''s smoking before, but a few days ago suddenly asked her to buy some big cigarettes to let her try. Ah Lan couldn''t refuse her, so she had to buy it. She didn''t see the lady often smoking, just occasionally when she was in a bad mood, so she didn''t dare to tell anyone else."

    Opium also has different varieties, and Gongban soil is a superior product.

    At present, those who are knowledgeable are disgusted by opium, but the world is in chaos and despite the laws, it cannot be stopped, rendering the law a mere formality.

    Those who have empty pockets and become addicted, rush to the tobacco pipe after work, while the wealthy families naturally smoke in their homes.

    Ling Shu: "When was it that she started smoking?"

    Old housekeeper: "Ah Lan said it was about a month ago."

    A month, not enough time to get addicted yet, naturally she did not smoke often, but this was already the first step into the abyss.

    Looking at Yuan Bing''s current virtue, you can see how cigarettes can turn a person into a beast.

    Who would have thought that Du Yunning, who was able to sing and dance well in school and was loved by many progressive students, would end up like this?

    The happy laughter and youthful spirit seem to be things of a past life.

    Ling Shu: "Is this lipstick yours?"

    Ah Lan gestured.

    Old housekeeper: "She said that it was not used by the lady before, and she gave it to her."

    Ah Lan nodded and pointed to the drawer of the dressing table.

    Ling Shu stepped forward, pulling open a box filled with all sorts of lipsticks; there were foreign brands imported from abroad, as well as new domestic ones.

    The wealthy women of this day and age are keenly interested in chasing after fashionable name brands. Ever since the Chinese market opened its doors to foreign goods, such items as clothing and cosmetics from brands like EL and LV have become commonplace, and they often compete with each other in comparison. In comparison to the poor state of the Yuans now, this half box of lipsticks was not exactly luxurious, but it was still rather ironic.

    The old steward said, "The mistress is very generous; sometimes when she returns from her travels, she would bring us some snacks from outside. There was an old servant who had worked in the Yuans'' for decades, A¡¯Feng; not only did the mistress pay her several months of wages, she even bought her several sets of new clothes."

    He and Yue Dingtang then went to the back house to inquire more from the Yuans'' staff, but they couldn''t get any useful information.

    After the Yuans'' fall, the wages Yuan Bing gave them were often delayed. Other than the old steward, the rest of them naturally had their minds wandering, and some had even privately taken on other jobs, just waiting for the final straw to break the camel''s back and scatter.

    But when it came to having an ulterior motive, none of them had the courage to conspire with outsiders to kill their mistress.

    These days, with the winds of rumors, the Yuans'' staff were forbidden to go outside. Everyone was so frightened that the patrolling officers had asked all the relevant questions they could.

    Ling Shu asked, "What did Yuan Bing say?"

    Yue Dingtang shook his head, knowing what he was asking, "We''ve asked everything we could. He and Du Yunning had been living in separate rooms for a long time and rarely even saw each other during the day. On the day of the incident, Yuan Bing went to Jin Fen Lou to see one of the women there and stayed there overnight, never coming back. Someone witnessed it. Also, when we interrogated him, he was suffering from nicotine cravings and could hardly answer any questions."

    A person having nicotine cravings was out of his mind and couldn''t distinguish between friend and foe, let alone communicate properly.

    Ling Shu asked, "Did Yuan Bing mention if Du Yunning had a close relationship with anyone?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Yes."

    Ling Shu asked, "Who?"

    Yue Dingtang answered, "You."

    Ling Shu was silent.

    Yue Dingtang continued, "A warlord¡¯s daughter-in-law dying mysteriously, and his son accusing her suspected lover of being the murderer¡ªI don''t have to think to know what the newspapers will write. This will definitely be explosive news. Even some newspapers, in order to gain attention, won''t even add the words ''suspected'' to it."

    Ling Shu was anxious, "For the sake of my precious life, I want to solve the case as soon as possible."

    Yue Dingtang patted him on the shoulder, "It''s a long and difficult journey."

    Ling Shu: "Where are Yuan Bing''s relatives? I remember that the Yuan family is a big family. Although the property was left to Yuan Bing after Yuan Bingdao died, Yuan Bing still had several aunts. At that time, there were not a few lawsuits, and these people also had the motive to kill."

    Yue Dingtang: "Yuan Bingdao had three sisters. The eldest was married to the United States, the second was in Hong Kong, and the third was the one who had a lawsuit with Yuan Bing at the time. Last year, she was ill and passed away without any children or grandchildren, so she is not under suspicion."

    In the middle of the conversation, the two of them went downstairs and out of the door, preparing to get into the car.

    Yue Dingtang looked up and looked back at the balcony on the second floor.

    That was where they had just been to Du Yunning''s room.

    There were cars and horses in front of the door, and people came and went. How many days and nights did Du Yunning look out from here to the bustling world?

    Her soul was already locked in this gorgeous cage.

    She was both thirsty for the outside world and had no courage to escape, both envied the wings of freedom and did not want to give up the luxury and joy of habit.

    Her ending was almost doomed when she obediently married into the Yuan family in that year.

    But at the moment when he looked up, a flash of lightning.

    Yue Dingtang''s expression changed drastically!

    Ling Shu was just about to tell Yue Dingtang that he wanted to go back to bed when suddenly a strong force came from Yue Dingtang''s direction, pushing and knocking him to the ground heavily.

    Without even reacting, his shoulder hit the ground and he was directly stunned.

    "You mother---"

    Before the words were finished, there was a loud bang!

    Just where they stood, there was an extra flowerpot.

    The pottery basin shattered into several pieces, and the soil and branches scattered all over the ground, broken and fragmented.

    The delicate roses were no longer sheltered by the soil, and died on the spot, refusing to close their eyes.

    "Mr. Yue! Are you okay!"

    The patrol officer was shocked.

    If Yue Dingtang hadn''t looked back in the blink of an eye, if his reaction was slower for a half second, the consequences of the flowerpot falling would be unimaginable.

    "It''s okay."

    Yue Dingtang patted the dust on his coat and gracefully stood up.

    Ling Shu held his shoulder and opened his mouth, and the words he wanted to scold were suddenly swallowed back, not to mention how uncomfortable.

    A hand reached out, and Yue Dingtang raised his eyebrows at him.

    Ling Shu grabbed it without hesitation, and he stood up with his help.

    "The debt of life should be returned in kind." Yue Dingtang deliberately pressed a few times in the painful place, almost pushing Ling Shu down again.

    "I''ll go up and have a look!"

    Before Yue Dingtang could speak, the patrol officer had already run back to the Yuan family.

    Yue Dingtang: "There was no wind just now."

    Ling Shu: "There was no one in the room either."

    They had just gone to check it out, with five people including themselves, the old butler Alan, and the patrol officers, with ten pairs of eyes in total. Unless someone could turn invisible, they couldn''t have possibly missed a living person.

    It¡¯s unbelievable.

    Soon, the patrolman panting and out of breath ran back.

    "There''s nobody in the room! There''s nobody in the main hall either!"

    Of course there was nobody, they had locked the door when they left, and the key was in the hands of the patrolman, so how could there be anyone.

    But in broad daylight, no wind and no rain, a flowerpot was placed neatly on the balcony, how could it suddenly fall?

    The patrolman obviously also noticed the strangeness, his face couldn''t help but show a hint of fear.

    Moreover, Ah Lan Fei said he saw the figure of his wife, it was hard not to let people associate.

    "Give me the key, I''ll talk to your leader later." Yue Dingtang stretched out his hand.

    The patrolman didn''t hesitate and handed over the key.

    He felt a chill even thinking about having to be on duty here tonight.

    Unknowingly, they had been staying at the Yuan Manor for almost an afternoon.

    The rosy clouds paint the sky with a beautiful display of red and orange, forming crescent moons reminiscent of the graceful antlers of a deer.

    But Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu felt like two flies that had been thrown into a net, headless and bumping around.

    And the person holding the net was invisible to them.

    The other party might be the murderer of Du Yunning.

    The fire at Xiaoji Noodles might not have been an accident either.

    In this case, Ling Shu would become the target of public censure.

    Once public opinion fermented...

    "Breaking news! Breaking news! The famous lady of Shanghai, Du Yunning, died a violent death!"

    "Breaking news! Who is the real murderer of the famous lady Du Yunning!"

    "Selling newspapers! Freshly printed two hours ago, shocking content, limited quantity, first come first served!"

    The newspaper boy shouted as he ran past them.

    Yue Dingtang was fast, he grabbed one.

    "How much money, I want two copies!"

    "Yes!"

    The newspaper boy smiled, took two newspapers out of his arm and handed them to Yue Dingtang.

    "Are these newspapers selling well?" Yue Dingtang asked as he handed over the money.

    "Yes, very well. Look, only a short while, there''s only a few left, if you two were a bit later, there wouldn''t be any!"

    There were many small newspapers on the Shanghai Bund, unlike the famous Shen Bao and Da Gong Bao, they had to find another way, relying on the rumors and bizarre stories of the streets to make sales.

    Take the Huangpu News in front of them, Yue Dingtang had never heard of it before.

    He took the newspaper and saw a big headline -

    Famous Lady of Shanghai, Du Yunning, died a violent death!

    Below are two subheadings -

    From patriotic woman to noble lady, why did the famous lady die?

    From childhood sweetheart to the son of the warlord, who was the culprit behind the ten thousand people''s puzzle?

    Full of headlines, instantly eye-catching.

    __

    Author had something to say: A small stage unrelated to the main plot

    Ling Shu: A debt of life...

    Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow: You figure it out.

    The next day, Ling Shu released a vicious dog to bite Yue Dingtang and chased him down three streets. Then, with a meat bone, he lured the dog away, saving Yue Dingtang.

    Ling Shu raised an eyebrow: A debt of life, I''m returning it.

 CH 10

    A newspaper was three cents on average, not too expensive for ordinary people.

    Those who couldn''t read could go to the teahouse and listen to people read the newspaper. A pot of tea could allow one to pass the better part of an afternoon, killing two birds with one stone.

    The Huangpu News was a small newspaper with few readers. It needed to be sold cheaply in order to make a profit, so it was sold for two cents. With the first to report such explosive news, it could be seen that it would be sold out today.

    As the news fermented, it wouldn''t take long for the news of Du Yunning''s death to spread to every corner of Shanghai.

    And Ling Shu''s identity as a suspect would be difficult to suppress. Everyone was a judge, newspapers and magazines, countless people, and all public opinion would point the finger at him, which would put a lot of pressure on the person investigating the case.

    Under pressure, with so-called evidence, Ling Shu would find it harder to escape guilt.

    Throughout the ages, killing for revenge has been a common motive.

    "Boss Yue, your ability is limited, you can''t even suppress a piece of news. I have to doubt how much of the accomplishments you''ve claimed over the years are true!"

    Ling Shu said coldly, reaching into his pocket and taking out five cents, putting it on the newspaper and folding it up, stuffing it into the beggar on the side of the road.

    "There is no wall that can''t be penetrated." Yue Dingtang said calmly, "From the moment the case was related to you, you should have expected this result. Although the servants of the Yuan family were restricted from entering and leaving, they still need to eat and drink and had to contact the outside world, and there were so many patrols handling errands, it was not uncommon for someone to leak a few pieces of news to the newspaper and make a little pocket money.

    Ling Shu sighed. Innocently sitting at home but getting struck by thunder from the sky was the best way to describe his situation now.

    If the murderer was not found in one day, the case would be like an invisible rope around his neck, and it could tighten at any time and put him to death.

    The person who helped Du Yunning write the list of property might have had a relationship with Du Yunning, or even lured her to elope, and finally killed her and silenced her. Like a non-existent ghost, he always lingered around, but they could not find any trace.

    If Ling Shu had not seen the list of property himself, he would even doubt whether such a person had ever existed.

    Ling Shu felt that his idea of following Du Yunning''s footsteps to look for clues was correct, but it was like being led by the nose, and the opponent hiding in the dark knew what he would do next, and he could easily control his whereabouts and make a preemptive strike.

    Then, what about another approach?

    If even the close servants of the Yuan family had never seen this person ¡ª

    Then, how could Du Yunning meet the other party without being seen by the Yuan family?

    As if God had sent a messenger to them, Ling Shu''s spirit brightened in an instant!

    "Xinyue Cafe?!"

    "Where have you been meeting Du Yunning before?"

    Yue Dingtang and him spoke almost at the same time.

    Their words were different, but the ultimate thought was the same.

    They thought of it together.

    Yue Dingtang: "All at Xinyue Cafe?"

    Ling Shu: "Yes, she had called me three times and each time we were there."

    Yue Dingtang: "Did you notice her being close to anyone there?¡±

    Ling Shu pondered for a moment, shaking his head, "I don''t remember seeing that. She seemed to know the cafe''s owner and the second time we met there, she even introduced me to the boss who was busy washing cups."

    Yue Dingtang: "How much do you know about that boss, does he have a spouse?"

    Ling Shu: "You suspect that Du Yunning might have an ambiguous relationship with him? Impossible."

    Yue Dingtang''s driver had been waiting at the corner, and when they came, he quickly came out to open the door.

    When the two were inside and the car started, Ling Shu opened his mouth.

    "You''ll know when you see the boss. He''s quite old and not very articulate so it''s impossible for Du Yunning to have a deep relationship with him."

    Yue Dingtang pondered for a moment, "Then let''s go to Xinyue Cafe and take a look."

    It only took fifteen minutes to get to Xinyue Cafe from here without traffic.

    Yue Dingtang and him got off at the corner, and after a few steps, they could see the cafe''s signboard hanging outside.

    Xinyue Cafe looked quite old.

    The freshly painted exterior walls, several windows that were neither new nor old, plants struggling to maintain their green color in the cold winter, and waiters dressed in Western-style clothes¡ªall these details reveal the owner''s care for this caf¨¦.

    However, as a caf¨¦ located in China, it inevitably carries Chinese elements. For example, the music currently playing from the caf¨¦ is not foreign music, but the familiar Chinese song "Jasmine Flower".

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang didn''t rush into the cafe. They strolled around the shops near the cafe and chatted casually with the shopkeepers, bought some things and inquired about Xinyue Cafe casually.

    This cafe had been around for some years and had had two owners before. The previous owner, surnamed Han, was said to have gone bankrupt and gone back to the countryside to pack his things. The current owner, surnamed Li, was a friend of Han''s. It was said that he needed money urgently and bought the cafe, renovated it and opened it again.

    The cafe business was doing well, and the owner was a good person. He had several helpers in his store all of whom he had helped out, and even when his neighbors had difficulties, he would help them out whenever he could.

    "The owner has a good heart, but unfortunately it''s hard for good people to make it in this world, it''s only the bad people who succeed!"

    Ling Shu walked over from the opposite side of the street, entering the tea shop, and he heard this phrase from Old Tang, the shopkeeper.

    "What do you mean by that?" Ling Shu asked.

    "Who is he?" Old Tang looked towards Ling Shu.

    Yue Dingtang: "He''s surnamed Yang, he''s a colleague of mine, we came out together to do a social survey."

    Old Tang smiled: "So it''s Professor Yang, please come in! Xiaodong, get the tea!"

    Nowadays, intellectuals are particularly respected, especially someone like Professor Yue Dingtang, who is a literary person. In the Qing Dynasty, he would have been a top-level official and could have been appointed to a high-ranking position at any time. To ordinary people, there is a sense of distance and the feeling of having to look up to him.

    Yue Dingtang talked with the other party in the name of the social survey, and bought two liang of tea, naturally receiving an especially warm reception.

    "It wasn''t easy for Boss Li to take over this cafe. Originally he thought he was helping a friend, being kind and helpful, but he hadn''t expected someone to come to his door within a month, saying that Old Han''s cafe had been sold off twice, and the cafe was first sold to him. Old Han had taken his money, and disappeared. Both parties went to court, and Boss Li had no choice but to pay a sum of money to the other party in order to take this place back."

    This tea shopkeeper, Old Tang, was just across the street from the cafe, and he seemed to know both the owner of the cafe and his predecessor very well.

    "So, Boss Li is a particularly righteous person then?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    Mr. Tang nodded, "Yes, that''s right. During the heavy rain in Shanghai this summer, many places were flooded. My precious tea leaves are the most vulnerable to even a drop of water, but thanks to Mr. Li lending me several large jars, I was able to store the tea leaves inside and seal them tightly, and they didn''t get damp at all. As for his own coffee beans, about half of them were damaged. If you ask anyone on this street, nine out of ten households who mention him would give him a thumbs up!"

    Ling Shu said: "I don''t see many customers in the cafe, so doesn''t he lose money by helping others?"

    Mr. Tang smiled: "It is said that he is a returning overseas Chinese, and his family has businesses in Southeast Asia. He said he wanted to return to retire, and his son is still doing business in Southeast Asia and sends him living expenses every month, very filial. From my point of view, even if the cafe loses money, it''s no problem. His son has written many letters asking him to go back. Mr. Li said that he now has hands and feet and can still work, so he doesn''t want to go abroad for the time being."

    Ling Shu: "Are these all his own words?"

    Mr. Tang: "Yes, I have seen the photos his son sent back. Mr. Li''s grandson is white, fat and clever, and he can call grandpa."

    Yue Dingtang: "Listening to you, we feel that the direction of this investigation is correct, and we can do a related article about the Southeast Asian businessman returning home."

    Mr. Tang looked forward to it: "I don''t know if our little shop can be honored enough to be in your article?"

    Yue Dingtang smiled: "Of course, Tangji Tea House, I have written it down."

    He also showed the book in his hand to the other party. Mr. Tang was even happier.

    Ling Shu interrupted in time: "Right, Old Yue, have you seen today''s newspaper? By the way, it is related to our social investigation."

    Yue Dingtang: "Not yet, what''s the matter?"

    Ling Shu: "Shanghai celebrity Du Yunning died. Now the cause of death is unknown. It is suspected to be a murder. Is security included in our social investigation? Let''s go to the patrol room and ask later."

    The teahouse owner next door gasped, which drew the attention of Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang.

    "Are you talking about Du Yunning? Mrs. Yuan? She died?! "

    Ling Shu: "It''s Mrs. Yuan from the Yuan Manor. How about it, do you know her?"

    The teahouse owner: "I don''t know her, but such a famous person, our small shop won¡¯t have the honor to make friends with her. I have seen her drinking coffee in the cafe across the street before... It''s a pity. Mrs. Yuan was a beautiful woman with a good temperament. How could she die?!"

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang looked at each other.

    "Did she come alone to drink coffee, didn''t she make an appointment with anyone?"

    The boss hesitated for a moment: "Yes, but I can''t remember it clearly. "

    Ling Shu: "Is it a man or a woman?"

    "It''s a man," the boss slapped his thigh, "I remember! It''s two people! She only made an appointment with one each time, but it seemed to be two people coming and going. One of them, don''t say it, looks a bit like you in size! The other one is shorter than you, about half a head, but often wearing a dark red Western suit!"

    Ling Shu: "Are you sure?"

    The boss: "Of course, the gentleman bought snowflake cream in the foreign goods store next door once. I ran into him and he was very handsome and literate, just like you two. He was a cultured person."

    After bidding farewell to the tea house owner, when Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang entered the cafe, the sky had become deep and dark blue, as if it would be completely black at any time.

    The cold and merciless cold wind of winter whirled on the neon lights of Shanghai, passed through the alleys and streets, making the beggars who were not covered by clothes curl up more and more, and finally was blocked outside the heavy door of the cafe.

    Inside was a warm and fragrant atmosphere.

 CH 11

    "Today is New Year¡¯s Eve."

    As soon as he stepped in, he heard Yue Dingtang say.

    Ling Shu''s footsteps paused slightly.

    If it weren''t for Yue Dingtang''s reminder, he would have forgotten that it was New Year''s Eve tonight.

    Because he was involved in this case, and because of Du Yunning''s death, these two days have been hectic, and Ling Shu almost forgot that before he left the house today, his sister Ling Yao reminded him to go back early for the reunion dinner.

    Now there must be a big table of dishes at home, and his brother-in-law must have gone home from work. The two of them sat around the table, only missing Ling Shu.

    But if the real culprit for this case can¡¯t be found soon, and bound under the law, his family may be even more uneasy.

    Anyway, now there is Yue Dingtang, and when heading back later, he can use him as an excuse.

    The cafe was deserted and quiet, with only one table of Westerners having dinner.

    Rich or poor, all go home for the New Year.

    As the most prosperous city in the Far East, the New Year''s Eve in Shanghai is no different from other places in China.

    It was not dark yet, and the streets were sparsely populated. Now it is even quieter outside, as if everyone in Shanghai has hidden in an instant and won''t show up.

    The Xinyue Cafe was still open for business.

    There was a waiter carrying a basket of bread out.

    Ling Shu turned his head and saw him standing on the side of the road, distributing to a few beggars.

    "Sir, here is the menu, please take a look at it first. If you need it, just press the service bell on the table, and I will be here soon. This is a lemonade, warm, to quench your thirst first."

    Two waiters came up to them as soon as they entered, took their hats, scarves, and coats, led them to a quiet corner, lit the candles on the table, and brought them the menu.

    Yue Dingtang opened it and glanced at it.

    Pure Western food is unlikely to get the favor of all customers in China, even if this is the International Settlement, so the Xinyue Cafe is no exception. The menu is a combination of Chinese and Western food, such as tomato egg beef noodle, which he would never order, but one can imagine that this dish will be ordered by many customers, otherwise the boss would not keep it on the menu.

    "Don''t you close the cafe on the thirtieth?" Ling Shu asked the waiter.

    The waiter smiled and said, ¡°Our boss said that on New Year''s Eve, everyone must have closed the door, but there must be many people who cannot go back, at least here is a shelter from the wind and rain, for people to come in and take a break.¡±

    Ling Shu: "Then you can''t go home either?"

    Waiter: "We are all people without family or come to this place alone. Fortunately, the boss took us in. We eat and live here, which is also convenient."

    The two were talking, and Yue Dingtang had finished ordering.

    "I''ll take this set meal, charbroiled sirloin steak, seven parts cooked, and melon ice cream for dessert."

    "Yes sir. And what would you like, sir?"

    Ling Shu was silent, and the servants dared not rush him, but just waited patiently by his side.

    Yue Dingtang glanced at him and noticed that Ling Shu had skipped the main course page and went straight to the desserts section without even moving his eyes.

    Time ticked away, and Ling Shu was like the master waiting at the summit of Shushan, not moving a muscle, like a wooden statue, forever.

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t take it anymore and finally broke the silence.

    "I''ll treat this meal."

    Ling Shu visibly relaxed, as if he had been reborn.

    "Give us a set of Lobster Fried Noodles, some Cheesecake, Raspberry Ice Cream, Strawberry Pudding and a bottle of Champagne."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    The servants were relieved and hurried away.

    Yue Dingtang: "Why not just order all the desserts?"

    Ling Shu leaned back in his chair lazily: "You think I was screwing with you? My sister made dinner at home, so I don''t want to be too presumptuous and alert the owner. If he really is a nice guy like the people around here say, he''ll definitely come out and stop us when he sees us ordering so much; then we''ll have the chance to talk to him."

    Yue Dingtang hadn''t thought of that and was momentarily speechless.

    Seeing this, Ling Shu raised his chin slightly and crossed his legs: "Surprised, weren''t you? How would the little rich boy like you understand these tricks? In the end, someone still had to come to the rescue."

    He had a Damocles sword hanging over his head, yet he could still be so carefree and look for a breakthrough calmly, despite the looming death sentence and the complete absence of clues.

    "Back then,"

    Seeing him like this, Yue Dingtang slowly opened his mouth.

    "Given the Ling family''s misfortune, has the Du family been throwing stones down the well and brought you some humiliation?"

    Ling Shu was taken aback, then laughed: "Why did you suddenly ask this? I have already forgotten. Besides, the dead are gone, and Du Yunning has passed away, these matters have also disappeared without a trace, it''s better to not mention them."

    Yue Dingtang asked: "How have you been the past few years?"

    Ling Shu: "What''s this, Professor Yue, are you trying to arrange a job for me?"

    Yue Dingtang: "I can keep an eye out for you, but I''m afraid you won''t take it."

    Ling Shu: "That''s true, I feel that I''m doing quite well now."

    "You also studied abroad, so why did you ultimately settle in such a minor position, don''t you feel it is a pity?"

    "It''s still quite alright. If it were before, when my father was still alive and when the Ling family was still in its glory, whatever he arranged for me, I would go for it, going to Nanjing to do some minor job wouldn''t have been impossible. But, in the few years I studied abroad, I didn''t learn much proper skills, I only know a few sentences in foreign language, if they really gave me a job, I wouldn''t take it, it''s better to just stay in the police station and do some minor job, have some leisure time, something many people can''t have."

    As the warmth in the room soaked in, Ling Shu''s tone also became warmer and gentle, as if nothing could make him stir, his expression didn''t change much.

    But Yue Dingtang felt that this may have been an illusion.

    Ling Shu used to be competitive and proud, but now he seems to have become subdued, just passing his days, but you can already see how a three-year-old will be like when they get old, it''s hard to change one''s nature, he may not be content with just getting by like this inside.

    "If Du Yunning had thought like you, perhaps the tragedy of today wouldn''t have happened."

    Ling Shu used to be proud and impetuous, but he was quite good at guessing.

    Now, even though Ling Shu seemed to have fallen, he had also become more composed, making it hard to see through him.

    Ling Shu: "Du Yunning isn''t like me. Even if she had a bad relationship with Yuan Bing, she still had all the luxuries, all her worries were whether her husband loves her or not, whether the gorgeous prison has a few less locks and a bit more of the gaudy decor. In a certain way, she was still as naive as before, never having changed."

    Yue Dingtang: "Since she had already married Yuan Bing according to her family''s arrangements, why did she later quarrel with her family?"

    Ling Shu: "You''ve seen how Yuan Bing is, after the marriage, when the Du family was in trouble, and hoped the Yuan family would extend a hand, Yuan Bingdao had already passed away, and so he refused to help, and the Du family''s eldest son died tragically because of this, since then, the Du family has cut all ties with Du Yunning and had no contact with her ever since."

    Yue Dingtang wasn''t too clear about these matters, he had originally considered the possibility of the Du family doing something to Yunning, but after hearing what the other said, it could be mostly excluded.

    As they talked, dishes of food arrived.

    To be honest, the chef''s skills were average, but the two had been running around all day, so they were very hungry, they ate the food quickly and didn''t talk much about the case.

    When it was time for desserts, a middle-aged man with a servant walked over.

    "Let me first give my greetings to both of you!"

    The other was polite, wearing western clothes, but still used the Chinese style of greeting with cupped hands.

    "Sorry for intruding, my surname is Li, I am the boss here. Thank you two for coming, are you two here for the first time?"

    "Yes, we are university teachers, we had business to attend to today." Yue Dingtang said.

    "Oh, professors! My apologies!" Boss Li quickly cupped his hands together and said, "I noticed that the two of you have ordered quite a few desserts, and I was worried that if you have too many one after another it would be too much, so I came over to remind you. Please don''t take offence!"

    Yue Dingtang smiled, "Businessmen usually want customers to buy more, but you are worried that you don''t have enough to sell and that you are being too generous. People like you, who are so honest in their business, are rare nowadays."

    Boss Li was a bit embarrassed, "As you said, running a business is about being honest. If I didn''t remind you two, then I would not have done my part, and if you two were to come back, it would not be unprofitable for me in the long run."

    Ling Shu said, "Please package up the extra desserts for us, I''d like to take them back home for my family to enjoy."

    Boss Li was surprised, "No problem!"

    The food was quickly packaged up and delivered. There was a ribbon tied around the small box, and a small card with ''Happy New Year'' written on it, which was thoughtful.

    Even Yue Dingtang, who was used to grand occasions, thought that the food here may not be the best, but with Boss Li''s service attitude, there would certainly be a lot of repeat customers, and these customers were enough to sustain the cafe''s turnover.

    In the middle of the meal, Boss Li left to serve another table of Westerners, returning only after the two had finished eating.

    "As two educated gentlemen, could I ask you two to leave a message in the cafe''s guestbook?"

    "We can''t call ourselves gentlemen, we are just scholars." Yue Dingtang waved his hand.

    Boss Li smiled, "It was my presumption. I, Li, am not well-educated and only know that you two have read a lot and have a high level of cultivation. I wish I could keep your words of wisdom as a treasure, so that when I go back home I can show them to my grandchildren, to teach them a lesson."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "If you don''t mind, we will be honoured."

    Boss Li was delighted, and quickly brought the guestbook over.

    When Yue Dingtang looked at it, he saw that there were some familiar names on it, which may not be well-known throughout the country, but here on the Shanghai beach, they were considered minor celebrities.

    He wrote a sentence ¡®ll guests feel at home'' and signed his name, then flipped a few pages.

    A familiar signature caught his eye.

    ''Like a spring breeze.¡¯

    ¡®Du Yunning.''

    The author has something to say:

    Interlude unrelated to the main story¡ª¡ª

    About Job Hunting 1

    Ling Shu: Is there such a job, where you get paid a lot, have little work to do and lots of holidays, without having to investigate cases or take the blame?

    Yue Dingtang: Anything is possible in your dreams.

    About Job Hunting 2

    Ling Shu saw that a domestic brand was recruiting an advertising male star, so he went for the job.

    Yue Dingtang was waiting to pour cold water on him.

    Who knew that Ling Shu actually got the job.

    Yue Dingtang: With your looks, you can be a star just by sitting there?

    Ling Shu: Yeah, they said I look nice, so I just had to sit there and let them take pictures for calendars. I just slept there for a day, and my waist and back were sore. Fortunately, I got paid.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

 CH 12

    "Du Yunning, is that Mrs. Yuan?"

    Yue Dingtang raised his head with a suitable amount of surprise and curiosity on his face.

    Mr. Li sighed, "It is. Mrs. Yuan comes for afternoon tea when she has time, and now just over the New Year¡­ Just now my staff already read the news to me, who knew that this would suddenly happen!"

    Yue Dingtang: "How often do you and Mrs. Yuan meet?"

    Mr. Li: "She was a very reserved lady. We''ve talked a few times, but we don''t have a deep relationship."

    Yue Dingtang: "We are currently conducting a social survey, which includes content related to Shanghai''s public security. We happened to come across Mrs. Yuan''s case. Do you mind if we talk to you about it?"

    Mr. Li: "No problem. My son and daughter-in-law are in Nanyang. I have no relatives or acquaintances here. I was just about to have a reunion dinner with the guys. You can ask whatever you want."

    Yue Dingtang looked at Ling Shu and handed him the notebook.

    "Little Yang, come help me take notes."

    He was treating Ling Shu like his assistant.

    Ling Shu: ...

    He wiped his mouth and reluctantly took out a pen.

    "Sure! But, Old Yue, you have to hurry. Your wife is waiting for you at home. If you don''t go home on New Year''s Eve, your knees will be swollen from kneeling when you wake up tomorrow."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    He forced himself to suppress the twisted corners of his mouth and looked at Mr. Li with a serious expression.

    "When was the last time you talked to Mrs. Yuan?"

    "The day before yesterday."

    That was the last time Du Yunning and Ling Shu met.

    The two of them exchanged glances.

    "What did you and Mrs. Yuan talk about? Was her mood different from usual?"

    Mr. Li thought for a while, "It seemed like it wasn''t."

    Yue Dingtang: "She wasn''t unhappy, or sorrowful and depressed, or complaining to you?"

    Mr. Li shook his head. "I saw that Mrs. Yuan was in a very good mood that day. She told me that when she comes here, the thing she likes the most is strawberry cake. She only wants to eat it when she''s in a good mood. That day she ordered one and took one home."

    Ling Shu: "Was there anything else?"

    Mr. Li: "No, that''s it."

    Ling Shu: "When Mrs. Yuan comes here, other than me, has she had any other interactions with people?"

    Mr. Li hesitated, "It seemed like there was someone else."

    Ling Shu: "What was he like?"

    Mr. Li: "He was well-mannered and gentlemanly."

    Ling Shu: "Was he wearing glasses?"

    Mr. Li thought for a while, "He should have been."

    Ling Shu: "Was he wearing a red western suit?"

    Mr. Li awkwardly laughed, "I don''t remember that. Sometimes I''m not in the shop and it''s the guys who take care of the business. I don''t always meet Mrs. Yuan. Shall I call them over and you can ask them?"

    Ling Shu: "Sure. Please call the guys who are usually here during the day. It won''t take them long. We just need to ask a few questions."

    Mr. Li agreed and became a little confused.

    "Gentlemen," said Mr. Li, "please forgive me for being so direct, but aren''t you both teachers? Why do you seem to be asking about a case?"

    Yue Dingtang gently said, "Social investigations involve all aspects, and there is no lack of case narratives. It''s inevitable to ask more carefully. We have had a few connections with Mrs. Yuan, and it''s quite regrettable to hear the bad news. We just came by to ask, in case we might be of help."

    "I see," said the shopkeeper, nodding. He then went to call someone.

    A tall and thin waiter soon arrived. He was wearing a uniform and had an honest face, ready to answer their questions.

    "When Mrs. Yuan came, there was a man who often appeared with her. They would sit here for half a day and then leave together. I was on duty three times when this happened," he said.

    Ling Shu and Du Yunning had met up three times as well. Ling Shu asked, "Could it have been me?"

    The waiter looked him up and down, then shook his head. "It wasn''t you. That gentleman often wore a red Western-style suit and glasses."

    "What did they talk about?" asked Yue Dingtang.

    The waiter shook his head, then said, "Once, when I brought them tea, I heard them talking about poetry. I''m not very educated, so I didn''t understand what they were saying."

    "What was his name and do you remember anything else about him?"

    "He said his last name was Hong. He didn''t mention anything else, but he looked like you two, so he must have been a cultured man."

    Yue Dingtang and Du Yunning exchanged a glance. This was similar to what the tea shopkeeper had said. This meant that it was likely the same man.

    A new character has emerged.

    This matches their previous speculation.

    So, this man is very likely the one who helped Du Yunning draft the inventory of assets.

    Even more, the two may have a closer relationship.

    "Is he a regular here?"

    The waiter replied, "I''ve been working here for three years, from the previous owner to the current owner, Mr. Li. Mr. Li has been kind enough to keep me on. But I rarely saw Mr. Hong before."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "So where does he live and work? Do you know?"

    The waiter shook his head naturally.

    He was just a random guest. Unless he was a celebrity like Du Yunning, how could others recognize him?

    Yue Dingtang frowned, a little disappointed.

    This was certainly a clue worth exploring, but if this Mr. Hong was really related to Du Yunning''s death, once the news was released, he would definitely never show up in the area again. Moreover, he might even buy a ticket to leave town and disappear into the vast sea of people, leaving them completely helpless.

    If this man was related to Du Yunning''s death, then he wouldn''t show up here again. He might even buy a ticket and leave the city, never to be seen again.

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s right!¡±

    Suddenly, the waiter remembered something. "The last time it snowed, Mr. Hong had to leave. I called a taxi for him and heard him give the driver an address - 36 Hengtong Road."

    Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu looked at each other.

    That was the address of the Xiaoji Noodles restaurant. Two days ago, the owner, Old Xiao, had been implicated in the fire next door and burned alive in the restaurant.

    Was this a coincidence, or was it intentional? What was the connection between Mr. Hong, Du Yunning, and Old Xiao?

    Just then, Boss Li spoke up. "Gentlemen, it''s getting late. If you wait too long, you won''t be able to find a taxi."

    The sky outside had gone completely dark, making it even colder outside.

    Yue Dingtang checked his watch and realized they had to leave.

    "Thank you for your hospitality," he said. "We''ll come back to apologize after the New Year for bothering you."

    The other foreign customers had already left.

    "It¡¯s not a bother at all, anyway I¡¯ll be spending my New Year¡¯s here. After the New Year¡¯s, our cafe will be taking a short break. If you like it here," said the shopkeeper, "then come back after that."

    Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu made their way to the entrance.

    The driver was still waiting outside.

    "Big Sister must be waiting for you to go home for the reunion dinner. You can go home first and then let¡¯s talk about it in a couple days," Yue Dingtang said.

    He called her ¡°Big Sister¡± in such a warm and affectionate tone that Ling Shu had to swallow his complaints.

    "We should strike while the iron is hot. Who knows what might happen in two days? We can''t risk our lives for the reunion dinner; let''s go straight to Hengtong Road," he said, before getting into the car.

    ...

    The area around Hengtong Road was a mix of old and new houses. In the night, the different colors of the buildings were not so distinct. However, the lights from all the houses lit up the street. The smell of steamed fish and rice cakes drifted in the air, giving the night of New Year''s Eve a festive atmosphere.

    The fish and pork were only lightly seasoned, almost tasteless. For ordinary people, having a dish of steamed pork and rice cake on the table during the New Year was already considered a feast. Eating lobster and steak, like they just did, was a luxury they could hardly imagine.

    Most of the buildings here were residential, with a few stores. They were all old-fashioned stores, run by generations of the same family, relying on word-of-mouth from regulars.

    The country was in turmoil, with some places still in war. Although Shanghai was relatively peaceful, people could still see the smoke from the newspapers. Except for the passionate young people and intellectuals who were worried about the country, most ordinary people were still living their daily lives, following the same routine.

    However, there were two exceptions in this festive atmosphere of New Year''s Eve.

    These were the two houses that had been destroyed by fire.

    One of them was the Xiaoji Noodles shophouse that Ling Shu often visited.

    "The man in the house where the fire started was originally a laborer at the dock. He injured his leg when he was carrying goods and could only do some light work at home, such as stuffing cotton. His wife was good at embroidery and often brought fabric from outside to embroider. So their house was full of cotton and fabric, which were highly flammable," Yue Dingtang said as they walked to No. 36 Hengtong Road.

    "According to the investigation, it is likely that their child was playing with fire and the adults were asleep and didn''t notice it in time, resulting in the fire spreading quickly. They were all burned to death, and even Xiaoji Noodles next door was affected," he continued.

    "That doesn''t make sense," Ling Shu said, stopping in his tracks. "Poor people usually don''t light lamps at night to save money, so it''s unlikely they had matches or candles or even oil lamps. Even if their child found matches in the middle of the night, why didn''t the couple or the boss of the noodle shop escape?"

    Author''s note: If you have any unused nutrition drinks, feel free to send them my way. They expire in two days.

    Unrelated to the main story ¡ª

    Yue Dingtang: Where did I get a wife from?

    Ling Shu: When did I become your assistant?

    Yue Dingtang: You will eventually have to call me boss.

    Ling Shu: You will eventually have to call me husband.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Realizing what he said, Ling Shu turned around and yelled, "Director, the script is wrong!"

 CH 13

    Yue Dingtang had no answer to this question.

    He had the same doubts.

    The forensic doctor had examined the bodies of the three family members and the Xiao family from the neighbouring noodle shop, all of them had been burned to death.

    It was impossible to know if something had happened to them before their deaths, unless Boss Xiao had come back from the dead to tell them a dream.

    They had arrived at No. 36 Hengtong Road.

    It was a typical Shanghai residential house.

    Such houses were usually not occupied by one family, but by several families. The owner would occupy one of the rooms and rent out the rest. Most of the tenants were from other provinces.

    At that time, Shanghai had gathered the most luxurious pleasures in China, and its economy was more developed than that of other cities in the south. Its customs were more open than those in the north. When people in the north were still arguing about whether women could wear short-sleeved cheongsams ten or twenty years ago, fashionable women in Shanghai had already appeared in the streets and alleys in Shanghai.

    So there were many people from other provinces in Shanghai. Those who came to study, to make money, or to seek power, even if they could not become important people, still wanted to try their luck. So these houses were never short of tenants, and the rent was naturally not cheap.

    On New Year''s Eve, families were eating reunion dinner, but there were also naughty children running out to set off firecrackers. The firecrackers sounded one after another, accompanied by the shouts of the children, and occasionally bright fireworks, which made Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu seem out of place.

    Yue Dingtang had originally been worried about how to find an opportunity to go in and take a look, but when he came to the house, he found that their children had also eaten and drunk enough to run out and play, and the door was half open, and he stepped over the threshold at once.

    "Who are you looking for?" A middle-aged woman came out to meet them.

    "Auntie, first let me wish you a happy New Year, do you know if there is a Mr. Hong here?" Yue Dingtang asked politely.

    "What do you want to do with Mr. Hong?" The woman''s face looked unpleasant, but she didn''t get angry when she saw their clothes.

    This sentence had two meanings. One, they had come to the right place, and the man surnamed Hong who had dealings with Du Yunning was indeed living here. Two, the woman didn''t like him because of his behavior here.

    "We are his friends. It''s New Year''s Eve, so we came to see him. Take these pastries and give them to the children."

    Yue Dingtang took the pastry box from Ling Shu and handed it to the other party without stopping for a moment.

    Ling Shu: ...

    This was the pastry box he had packed in the cafe and was going to take back for dinner!

    The woman looked at the exquisite pastry box and couldn''t bear to put on a sour face. She forced a smile.

    "I didn''t expect that Mr. Hong... had friends. He hasn''t been back for two or three days. I''m afraid you''ve come to the wrong place."

    Yue Dingtang: "Do you know where he went?"

    The woman said sarcastically, ¡°If he isn¡¯t at the gambling house, then he¡¯ll be at the dance halls, where else could he go?¡±

    Yue Dingtang was patient and politely asked: ¡°Would you happen to know where we could find him?¡±

    The woman sighed: "I don''t know either. His rent for this month has not been paid yet. I also want to find him. Well, you can sit here first. Maybe he will come back soon."

    The landlord went back to the house to get the key and took Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu upstairs.

    The wooden stairs of some years creaked, and the light from outside shone on the uneven window edges.

    "By the way, how do you know such a person?" The landlord asked curiously. "How can Mr. Hong make friends with people like you?"

    Ling Shu: "We met him on the train to Shanghai. Mr. Hong was very enthusiastic and helped us carry our luggage. We chatted for a while, and later he wrote to us and told us that he was living here."

    The woman said, "He helped you carry your luggage, I can only say that it¡¯s like a weasel paying New Year''s calls to a chicken, there¡¯s no way he had good intentions, there must be something else going on!"

    Ling Shu smiled, "We are all from the same area here, we don''t usually have contact. It''s almost New Year''s, so I''m here to visit my fellow townsman. If I had known he was living in such a lively place, with an enthusiastic and responsible landlord like you, and such lovely children, I would have moved here sooner!"

    The woman was flattered by his compliments and she was laughing.

    "His lease is almost up, if you want to move here, I''ll keep the room for you," she said.

    "Okay, I''ll discuss it with my wife when I get back. She always complains about where we live now, saying that since I''m a teacher, I should live somewhere with a scholarly atmosphere. I think this place looks pretty good. Ah, women are so troublesome, nobody can stand up to them. If she had someone like you to talk to, I wouldn''t have to worry so much."

    Yue Dingtang was speechless...

    He thought he was doing pretty well with his improvisations, but he had no idea there was someone else who was even better at it.

    The woman was almost overwhelmed by his compliments, and when she heard they were teachers, she was even more enthusiastic.

    "Oh, look at what you said! You go back and tell your wife to come over and have a look. Big sister here will make sure she likes it. But you''re so young and you''re already married?"

    "Yes, it was all the orders of our parents back home. It''s common to get married early there. But I haven''t heard that Mr. Hong is married. He lives alone, right?" Ling Shu brought the conversation back around without anyone noticing.

    "I haven''t seen him bring a woman back. Oh, don''t even mention it. He told us before that he was an editor at a newspaper. I thought his income each month was enough to pay for the rent, but he''s been living here for almost half a year. Apart from paying the rent on time for three months, he''s been dragging his feet and he''s even taken all the deposit. He still owes a month and hasn''t paid a cent!"

    The woman complained discontentedly in the stairwell.

    "The rent here isn''t that expensive. The other day he came back looking very excited and he even brought me a roasted chicken, and he changed his entire outfit. I thought he was about to get rich. Who would have thought he''d rather spend his money on clothes than pay the rent? It''s ridiculous! I''ve never seen anyone as good at dodging rent as him! With his character, he can''t even call himself a cultured person, he''s no different from a street thug!"

    "There, this is it!"

    The woman brought them to the room at the end of the second floor, took out the key and opened the door.

    "Since you know him, why don''t you come in and sit down? I''ll let you know if he comes back."

    "That''s not quite right, we haven''t gotten the host''s permission," Ling Shu said politely.

    The landlord didn''t mind, "It''s fine, there''s nothing valuable in there anyway. You can sit for a bit, I''ll make some tea for you two."

    Since she said that, the two naturally stopped being polite and started to look around the room.

    Ling Shu was a policeman, he knew how to look around without leaving a trace.

    Yue Dingtang just wandered around, looking everywhere.

    The room was very simple, almost crude.

    There was paper and pens on the desk, and underneath was a Wusong University library card.

    The card was new, with the number of uses written on the back. There was only three strokes of the character "Õý".

    At the same time, Ling Shu saw the name on the card.

    Hong Xiaoguang.

    There were three books next to it.

    One was a collection of poems from the European Renaissance.

    One was Tagore''s Fruit-Gathering.

    The last one was Shakespeare''s most well-known work, Romeo and Juliet.

    About half of the notebook had been used up, and it was mostly copying down verses, mostly from Shakespeare.

    "Find anything?" Yue Dingtang walked over.

    "The handwriting in the front is more serious, the handwriting in the back is sloppier, and there are scribbles," Ling Shu said.

    Ling Shu flipped to the last few pages and Yue Dingtang realized that the scribbles were just a few characters from a poem that was copied over and over again.

    "A wise man becomes a fool, an easy prey for the angler; for he relies on his talents and knowledge, yet fails to see his own arrogance." Yue Dingtang read it out loud. "Who wrote this?"

    "Shakespeare," Ling Shu replied. "Du Yunning loved reading his works when she was in school, and she could recite these lines like the back of her hand."

    "So Mr. Hong was trying to win her over?"

    "Interestingly, all three books are foreign works, none of them are from our country. And Du Yunning also had a preference for poetry. Maybe she couldn''t recite Bai Letian''s most famous three poems, but she could write out half of Shakespeare''s lines by heart."

    "I have some interesting findings here, come and have a look."

    Yue Dingtang walked to the bedside and gently lifted the pillow.

    Underneath was a book.

    The Golden Lotus.

    Ling Shu picked it up and flipped it open.

    Yue Dingtang noticed that he was wearing two white gloves: "Where did you get the gloves from?"

    Ling Shu glanced at the book and said absentmindedly, "I asked Shen Renjie and he gave them to me without hesitation after I cited your name. They''re not expensive but they can come in handy in critical moments to avoid leaving fingerprints on the book cover and being noticed by someone who pays attention to details. Look¡ª"

    Li Pinger whispered to Fei Cuixuan while Pan Jinlian made a drunken scene at the grape trellis.

    This was one of the most famous lines in The Golden Lotus.

    It not only profoundly depicted human nature and customs, but also satisfied people''s curiosity.

    This chapter''s few pages were flipped through repeatedly and were much more wrinkled and worn out than the other pages, indicating that the owner must have read it often.

    Ling Shu had an enigmatic smile on his face: "I''m afraid the attraction of The Golden Lotus to Hong Xiaoguang is much greater than those poetry collections on the table."

    "The poetry collections were used to please Du Yunning, while The Golden Lotus was something he liked to read, of course it''s different," Yue Dingtang said. "Is this Hong Xiaoguang a con artist?"

    Con artists and Fairy Jumpers were similar societal terms, referring to those who swindled money and sex through some means, setting traps for the victims.

    With the world in disorder, all kinds of people emerged. Such con artists were everywhere, the small ones swindling money and food, while the big ones could make people lose their property.

    Especially those originally poor and humble men, who, with a passable face, dressed up, talked sweetly, and lured rich girls into their traps, making them befuddled by their own beauty and asking for something in return. This was often reported in newspapers and people had already become accustomed to it.

    "But con artists usually only swindle money and not take lives, right?"

    Now not only was Du Yunning dead, but he was also unfairly implicated.

    This case was still shrouded in mystery, and the real culprit was yet to be revealed. If it was a con artist, they would have been too powerful.

    Ling Shu flipped the novel and put it back in its place.

    The room was not big, and a few steps were enough to turn around and see the whole thing. Most of the furnishings were the landlord''s, and even the wardrobe contained only one set of pajamas, showing that Hong Xiaoguang''s financial situation was not good.

    Although Du Yunning was naive and inexperienced, her literary accomplishments were far greater than those of ordinary rich girls. If Hong Xiaoguang could win her heart just by twisting a few foreign poems, it would be too ridiculous.

    Ling Shu felt that there must be other links and hidden information that they were not aware of yet.

    "Here."

    Yue Dingtang suddenly spoke up.

    "What do you see when you look here?"

    Ling Shu walked over and stood by the window, following his gaze outside.

    As the fireworks and lights of the night faded away, one could still vaguely make out the scene outside.

    Ling Shu was taken aback and couldn''t help but take a deep breath.

    "He had definitely planned this ahead of time!"

    Author''s note: Happy Tuesday! Leave a comment and get 66 red packets~

    Side scene unrelated to the main story¨C

    Ling Shu: My desserts...

    Yue Dingtang: Handle the case with care and win the people''s trust.

    Ling Shu: My cigarettes...

    Yue Dingtang took the cigarette and put it in his mouth: Smoking is bad for your health.

    Ling Shu said nothing and three days later gave Yue Dingtang a birthday present.

    Yue Dingtang opened it to find a copy of The Golden Lotus.

    Yue Chunxiao said with a heavy heart: Little brother, I have already told you, get married early and don''t read too many of these novels, it''s bad for your health!

    Yue Dingtang: ...

 CH 14

    Peering out of the window, they could see a cluster of low buildings and the street in front of it. This included the two houses that had just been burned down. From their direction, they had a clear view of the entrance of Xiaoji Noodles.

    "It''s just a hypothesis," Yue Dingtang began. "If this Hong Xiaoguang is a fraud, and he was trying to lure Du Yunning for the Yuans'' money. When Du Yunning found out his true identity, they had a falling out and Hong Xiaoguang killed her out of anger. That would explain why he was living in this place, wearing a suit and glasses when he came and went, and talking about poetry with Du Yunning, all to deceive her."

    "He knew of your existence from his dealings with Du Yunning, and since he was living here, he could see you going in and out of Xiaoji Noodles. So after killing Du Yunning, he decided to kill the owner of the noodle house to get rid of your alibi and frame you for the murder."

    Ling Shu''s brows furrowed tighter. Finally, when Yue Dingtang finished speaking, he spoke up.

    "No, there''s a flaw in your deduction. I''ve dealt with a lot of frauds, and when the scam is exposed, their first reaction is usually to run away, not to kill another person just to frame me. Since their identity is already fake, they just need to change their name and background to scam someone else, which is the easiest and safest way."

    "He didn''t even take anything from Du Yunning''s room, but he hurried to Xiaoji Noodles to kill the owner and frame me. That doesn''t make any sense."

    "Maybe we got the direction wrong from the start," Yue Dingtang nodded. "Let''s make a second assumption. This Hong Xiaoguang is not after the Yuans'' money or Du Yunning''s beauty, but he gave us that impression."

    "If you compare the time he and Du Yunning knew each other and the time you reconnected with Du Yunning, he was before you, which means Du Yunning thought of contacting you after knowing him. Do you think Du Yunning contacted you on his orders?" Ling Shu asked.

    "Yes. This Hong Xiaoguang is not simple. There must be something he needs from Du Yunning''s place. Beauty alone may not be enough to satisfy him. Or, maybe there is someone behind him who doesn''t need money or people, but something else. What is it?"

    Since Du Yunning''s family had already fallen, and she had cut off contact with them, it was unlikely that anyone from the Du family would think of her. Even though Yuan Bingdao was a powerful figure in the past, his son Yuan Bing was a failure, so there was nothing of value on him that someone could use to frame him. Unless...

    "Is it something Yuan Bingdao left behind? Or something the Yuans have?" Yue Dingtang pondered. "Yuan Bing is always in a daze from smoking too much, and he wasn''t at the Yuans'' on the day Du Yunning died, so we haven''t asked him any in-depth questions. We can try to break through that tomorrow."

    "It''s too late now. Can we meet tomorrow morning? I need to go home soon, or else my sister will be worried. If she sees the news of Du Yunning''s death in the newspaper, she will definitely start to worry."

    Yue Dingtang looked at his watch. "Okay, let''s meet at 8am tomorrow. I''ll have the driver pick you up at the same place you''re familiar with¡ªthe concession¡¯s prison. Yuan Bing is now staying in a single room there, and he''s living quite comfortably. They said..."

    He didn''t finish his sentence before noticing that Ling Shu wasn''t responding. He looked up to see the latter staring out the window intently.

    In the distance, the occasional sparkles of fireworks lit up the night sky. The flickering lights also cast a mysterious shadow on the side of Ling Shu''s face.

    "What are you looking at?" Yue Dingtang asked, before being pulled by Ling Shu to the wall beside the window.

    "Shh," Ling Shu whispered. "I just saw someone go into the noodle house."

    Yue Dingtang''s brows twitched.

    Xiaoji Noodles had been deserted since the owner''s death. Even a thief wouldn''t choose such a place to steal from. Could it be a homeless person seeking shelter from the cold?

    Yue Dingtang immediately dismissed this idea. Who would stay in a place full of charred smells? It would be better to try their luck at the welfare home.

    If it wasn''t a thief or a homeless person, then it must be someone related to the case. The two of them quickly left the building without saying goodbye to the landlord.

    Although they didn''t say it out loud, they both had the same thought: with the slightest bit of caution, Hong Xiaoguang wouldn''t come back here. There were few personal items in the room, and the only thing that could expose his identity was the library card.

    Even his name could be faked. He must have more than one hideout.

    It was a short distance from the window to the noodle house. After turning a corner and crossing a few buildings, they arrived.

    Next to the noodle house was a ruin where three people had died tragically.

    On the other side, although it hadn''t been affected by the fire, only an old man and a child were left, so there was no festive atmosphere. It was cold and quiet, in stark contrast to the fireworks across the street.

    Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu split up, with Yue Dingtang going to the front and Ling Shu going to the back door. If the person who had gone in earlier was indeed Hong Xiaoguang, he would have no choice but to surrender when blocked from both sides.

    The back door of the noodle house was ajar. It was meant for delivering ingredients and for the owner to come and go, and many restaurants and hotels had such a back door, regardless of their size.

    The fire might not have spread to the back first, because the wooden door wasn''t completely burned and still had half of it left, hanging in the frame. The wind blew in and out of the broken wood, carrying a faint smell of burning.

    Ling Shu reached out to push the door. Crack! The broken wooden door fell straight from the frame. If he hadn''t stepped back quickly, his foot would have been the one getting crushed.

    Without the wooden door blocking it, the darkness came rushing in like a wild beast, opening its bloody mouth and waiting for him to fall into its trap. Ling Shu took out the flashlight he had taken from Yue Dingtang and stepped inside.

    He covered his mouth and nose with a scarf. The dim light from the flashlight revealed that the noodle house was no longer the same.

    Ling Shu remembered when he and Old Xiao were sitting inside, slightly drunk, chatting and laughing. Old Xiao had waved his arms and said that he wanted to make the noodle house bigger within three years and turn it into an international business, so that foreigners could also experience the vastness of Chinese cuisine.

    Although he knew Old Xiao was bragging, he had no children and saw making noodles as a way to pass his loneliness. Who was he to stop him from talking nonsense?

    Now, even listening to him brag has become a luxury. Ling Shu couldn''t help but sigh.

    The place was deserted, and his sigh echoed multiple times, as if there were many ghosts in the dark responding. His body suddenly became covered in goosebumps!

    The noodle house didn''t seem that big before, but without the tables and chairs, and the front hall to the back kitchens unblocked, it immediately felt overly spacious. The small range of the flashlight revealed very little, and most of it was still shrouded in darkness.

    Ling Shu had the feeling that the figure who had gone in earlier was now hiding somewhere, observing his every move in the dark.

    He tried to be as quiet as possible, even his breathing blended in with the place. But he still heard a sobbing sound coming from all directions. It was the sound of the wind in the cold night, piercing through the gaps of his scarf and stabbing his skin.

    According to folk tales, the souls of those who die unjustly can''t be reincarnated and will linger in the place of their death, looking for a substitute to vent their grievances. Ling Shu wasn''t sure if what he had seen at the window on the second floor was a real figure or just an illusion.

    Or was it Old Xiao''s vengeful ghost?

    Not wanting to think too much, his hair stood on end as soon as his imagination ran wild.

    Yue Dingtang was ahead, but it was unclear if he had gone in or not. Ling Shu hadn''t seen him, nor had he seen anyone else.

    Besides the sound of the wind, the only sound was his own slightly heavy breathing.

    "Old Xiao, we''re friends. I''m here to help you find the killer. You have to recognize your enemies from your allies. There''s a head for every loan and a master for every debt. Don''t look for revenge in the wrong place!"

    Ling Shu muttered to himself as he stepped on a broken stone, causing his foot to hurt.

    Suddenly, something seemed to fly past behind him!

    Ling Shu didn''t pay attention to his foot, quickly turning around and shining his flashlight.

    Nothing was there.

    Suddenly, a pot dropped to the ground.

    To the right in front of him!

    Ling Shu rushed over.

    "Meow!"

    A black, long-tailed animal jumped out from the stove before Ling Shu could react, quickly running away.

    So it was a cat?

    Ling Shu still had doubts when there was noise from the front.

    Bang!

    It was a gunshot!

    Yue Dingtang was there!

    Ling Shu''s heart sank as he thought, without even thinking, he ran towards the front door.

    Yue Dingtang was a scholar, and although he was temporarily hired as an advisor by Smith, it was impossible for him to carry a gun. So where did the gunshot come from? Someone must have shot at Yue Dingtang.

    But just as he took a step forward, a gust of wind came from behind, directly aiming at the back of his head!

    The author has something to say:

    Ling Shu expressionlessly dragged the cat actor away: Flirting is forbidden at critical moments.

    The black cat: Meow?

 CH 15

    Ling Shu bent over to avoid the attack and spun around, sweeping his leg and knocking the other person down. Taking advantage of the momentum, he rolled to the side and jumped up again, waving a wooden stick at him. With a quick and precise movement, the flashlight in Ling Shu''s hand was sent flying.

    The flashlight landed in the corner and the only feeble light disappeared completely.

    The moment he turned around, Ling Shu saw that the other person was wearing a Nuo opera mask, with a short gown that was peculiar and exaggerated.

    He was a martial artist.

    And a good one at that.

    Before Ling Shu''s eyes could adjust to the darkness, the other person lunged forward again. The wooden stick roared as it was aimed at his vital points.

    At the same time, gunshots sounded again from the front door of the restaurant!

    Ling Shu was a bit anxious.

    The other person''s movements were quick, precise, and professional; he was no ordinary street fighter.

    Whenever Ling Shu reached for his gun at his waist, he was always interrupted by the other person''s stick, leaving him with no time to pay attention to Yue Dingtang''s situation.

    Once he lost the initiative, he was at a disadvantage everywhere.

    When the other person kicked at him, Ling Shu took the opportunity to roll to the side and, without paying attention to the pain from the broken stones and wood, grabbed a handy stick and swung it at the other person.

    With a loud bang, their sticks collided and the one in Ling Shu''s hand groaned from the impact before breaking in two. The other person kicked Ling Shu in the waist and he let out a grunt as he fell backwards.

    More gunshots sounded from outside.

    At the same time, there were also sounds of fighting.

    One could imagine that the situation outside must be very intense.

    Ling Shu felt that his rib might have been fractured and a piercing pain was coming in waves.

    But the assailant''s movements did not stop at all. With fists and feet combined with the waving of the stick, every move was aimed at disabling Ling Shu.

    The gun had just been pulled out when it was kicked away again. The other person''s toes kicked Ling Shu''s wrist.

    At that moment, he almost thought that his hand was going to be useless.

    Yue Dingtang knew his situation was dangerous.

    He also knew that if he hadn''t reacted quickly just now, the one bleeding wouldn''t be his arm, but his heart.

    The gunman was so close to him, maybe hiding at the entrance to the restaurant, maybe at the wall. As soon as he showed himself, the gun would be aimed at him.

    There was a light source in the distance behind him, and with light comes exposure.

    The other person had no hiding place.

    As the saying goes, the enemy is in the dark and I am in the light.

    The only consolation was that the other person''s gunmanship was not very good. At such a close distance, three shots were fired, one hitting Yue Dingtang''s arm and the other two missing.

    Yue Dingtang thought that this might be a novice, maybe it was his first time killing someone, and he was still very nervous.

    There were fighting sounds coming from inside the house.

    The other person should not be alone.

    In other words, Hong Xiaoguang may have had accomplices.

    He and Ling Shu hadn''t found out anything yet, but the other person was already in a hurry to come out and kill. Wasn''t that too hasty?

    Yue Dingtang wanted to help Ling Shu.

    But as soon as his figure emerged from behind the column, gunshots sounded again.

    A burning pain spread from his cheek. Yue Dingtang touched it with his hand and it was sticky.

    He realized that the other person''s gunmanship was not accurate enough, and it only took one bullet to kill him.

    He had to think of a way.

    Yue Dingtang''s gaze fell on the stones at his feet.

    Ling Shu panted heavily and turned his head to avoid the heavy blow from the other person. He punched the assailant in the heart with his backhand.

    At the same time, his head was hit hard with a stick!

    He and the other person fell backwards involuntarily.

    His ears buzzed and it seemed like countless flies were flying around. After the dull pain spread, his entire head was wooden and he couldn''t think of anything for a moment, and his body was screaming to faint in many places.

    The assailant seemed to have not anticipated that Ling Shu would act so ruthlessly, his heart was kicked squarely, the pain was unbearable, he could only cover his chest and gasp for breath, while clutching the wooden stick and trying to get up.

    He was familiar with the weak points of the human body and was sure that the stick he just used would not have been able to escape Ling Shu¡¯s notice, and he must have been briefly knocked out.

    He didn¡¯t want Ling Shu¡¯s life, otherwise with his gunmanship, Ling Shu would have been dead on the spot, and it would have been impossible for him to have been here for so long.

    But he was also very angry.

    He was angry that the situation outside had not been resolved yet, and he was angry that he had been outwitted by Ling Shu.

    The pain in his chest intensified his anger.

    The assailant stumbled to his feet, took a deep breath, and walked towards Ling Shu¡¯s direction.

    He fumbled in his pocket for a flashlight, took it out, and shone it on Ling Shu.

    The other lay motionless on the ground, seemingly unconscious.

    He bent down to take a look.

    He had to temporarily keep Ling Shu¡¯s life, but he couldn¡¯t let him wake up too soon.

    If he didn¡¯t handle the timing well, there would be a slight difference, and the matter would not be resolved satisfactorily, and there would be many aftershocks.

    He had already made a mistake, and he couldn¡¯t be careless again.

    He put the flashlight aside and reached out towards Ling Shu¡¯s neck.

    Gunshots sounded outside again.

    The assailant couldn¡¯t help but curse his companions outside in his heart.

    Just then, he felt that the body he had touched seemed to tremble slightly, and the muscles unconsciously contracted.

    The assailant¡¯s heart was ringing alarm bells, and he immediately snatched up the stick and swung it towards Ling Shu¡¯s head!

    It was too late!

    Ling Shu caught it firmly, and the other hand was reaching out to him.

    Only then did the assailant see that the other was holding a broken stick in his hand, which had been hidden behind him all the time, and he hadn¡¯t seen it.

    It was too late to retreat, and he immediately felt a sharp pain in his abdomen!

    He didn¡¯t need to look down to feel what it was like for the broken stick to stab into his body.

    The broken wood and thorns pierced the fabric of his robe, blending into the flesh and blood, bursting out with a tooth-aching sound.

    Especially when this sound was coming from himself.

    The face behind the mask showed an expression of disbelief, he couldn¡¯t imagine that after the heavy blow just now, Ling Shu could not only wake up, but also counterattack in time.

    After the broken stick was stabbed into his body, the assailant staggered and involuntarily retreated, trying to find a balance to support his body.

    But in a blink of an eye, Ling Shu had pulled out the stick and kicked it.

    The criminal groaned and fell back heavily.

    Ling Shu was not doing well either.

    For a normal person, he should have been unconscious by now.

    But he forced himself to overcome his body¡¯s instinct. Although he reversed the situation and temporarily suppressed the assailant, his head was getting heavier and heavier, the side of the neck where he was hit just now was almost too painful to touch, his limbs were heavy, his mind was muddled, he was swaying, as long as the lights were bright, the other party would immediately find out his false bravado, and he was actually weak.

    Warm liquid flowed out of his nostrils and seeped into his mouth, salty and briny.

    Ling Shu took out his gun and walked two steps forward.

    The sound of the gun being cocked startled the criminal, who got up and stumbled into the darkness and quickly disappeared through the back door.

    The other person might afterwards come to their senses and found it strange that Ling Shu hadn''t taken advantage of their victory and pursued them, and perhaps regretted their misstep, but currently they were certain that Ling Shu had the upper hand and didn''t want to risk it.

    The assailant didn''t know that Ling Shu was barely able to hold the gun, let alone aim it.

    Another bullet hit the pillar.

    The gunshots echoed in all directions, not quietly at all.

    But the police hadn''t arrived yet, perhaps because it was New Year''s Eve and they had all gone to rest, or perhaps the people around didn''t want to get involved, as it wasn''t strange for anything to happen in Shanghai''s nests of dragons and snakes, and ordinary people didn''t want to lose their peaceful lives because of their own moment of curiosity.

    How many bullets can a gun hold?

    The capacity of the magazine varies depending on the model, and if the other person had a spare one, sooner or later, one of them would hit Yue Dingtang.

    Light footsteps sounded, but under his full concentration, Yue Dingtang heard them.

    He held his breath and suddenly threw a stone from his hand!

    Bang!

    Sure enough, the other person was startled and fired.

    At the same time, Yue Dingtang lunged forward!

    Between shots, the gunman surely had more than half a second to react, not to mention that his gunmanship wasn''t good, indicating he was a novice.

    Yue Dingtang no longer hesitated, he acted according to his judgment and lunged fiercely at the other person.

    The two of them tumbled out of the door, Yue Dingtang grabbing the other person''s neck with one hand and trying to knock the gun out of their hand with the other, but the other person punched him on the face, forcing Yue Dingtang to lean back, and the gunman took the opportunity to sit up, gun pointed at him!

    It was a critical moment!

    The gunman was kicked from behind, the gun was knocked off, the bullet grazed Yue Dingtang''s ear, and nailed into the wall opposite him.

    The gun was thrown out and slid away.

    The gunman immediately realized that his companion had failed.

    If he made one more attempt now, he might be able to kill Yue Dingtang, but he would also die in Ling Shu''s hands.

    It took a few seconds for the gunman to make a choice.

    Even ants are greedy for life, and he didn''t desire death.

    He dodged Ling Shu''s kick and crawled up, hastily escaping from the scene.

    "Where''s the person?"

    Yue Dingtang asked about the person who had just fought with Ling Shu in the room.

    "He ran away."

    Ling Shu replied.

    He didn''t know if he had spoken out loud or just hummed in his nose, his brain only responded instinctively, unable to think any more.

    The surroundings were dark, Yue Dingtang was also injured, and he didn''t notice the strangeness of his companion, he tried to get up.

    "Help me up."

    Ling Shu didn''t make a sound.

    Yue Dingtang turned his head and saw that the other person was still holding a gun, and asked casually, "Why didn''t you shoot just now?"

    As soon as the words fell, like a city collapsing, Ling Shu fell down and pressed on him.

    Including his injured arm.

    Yue Dingtang''s face changed.

    He didn''t know if it was because of the pain or because he was shocked by Ling Shu.

    "Are you okay!" He reached out and touched only blood.

    "...Don''t tell my sister the truth and just say I fell down." Ling Shu murmured, not knowing if he heard Yue Dingtang''s words.

    "Shut up!"

    Yue Dingtang gritted his teeth and ignored the injured arm, pulling Ling Shu over onto his back.

    The driver was a bit far away and should not have heard the noise here, otherwise he would have come over long ago.

    They were careless tonight, thinking they were just looking for clues, not expecting the other person to be prepared.

    "We can''t even have dinner tonight, my big chicken legs..."

    "The packaged cake, you even gave it away."

    "My sister will definitely not give me money this year..."

    Yue Dingtang could not bear it anymore and interrupted his chatter on his back.

    "If you say one more word, I''ll throw you down and let you fend for yourself."

    Ling Shu didn''t seem to have heard it and continued.

    "There were two people just now, one wanted to kill you and one didn''t want to kill me."

    This was a bit awkward.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t want to talk, but suddenly frowned.

    "Do you mean that the person inside didn''t have a gun?"

    Ling Shu murmured, "He wanted to knock me out, but didn''t want my life. Otherwise, with his skill, I wouldn''t have been able to survive and rescue you."

    "But this person outside wants to kill me," Yue Dingtang said firmly.

    If it weren''t for his poor aim, he would have been dead by now, and his body would have been turned into a cold dish.

    "Killing me but not you, if we''re together, can he frame me for another murder...?"

    Ling Shu mumbled as if he was not fully awake, but it suddenly made Yue Dingtang come to his senses, as if he had just woken up from a dream, good fortune coming to his heart.

    It was as if all the fuzzy connections he had made before had suddenly become clear.

    "They don''t want us to investigate this case any further, just like how you were framed as the murderer before. Now they have the murderer pinned on you and with one more life taken, you''ll surely be sentenced to death, and the case will be over, with no one else pursuing it."

    "On the other hand, it also shows that our investigative direction is correct, otherwise they wouldn''t have come out to take action."

    "The Yuan family, Du Yunning, and Hong Xiaoguang, it looks like the Hongs are almost certainly related to Du Yunning''s death."

    Yue Dingtang finished speaking but didn''t get a response from Ling Shu.

    "Hello?"

    The hand that had been resting on his shoulder had gone limp.

    Yue Dingtang''s heart sank.

    Author''s Note: Happy Thursday, tomorrow is the weekend, let''s celebrate, what shall we eat for a late night snack.

 CH 16

    Ling Shu opened his eyes, with a momentary daze in his expression. He saw a white expanse. The white color had a familiar feeling, as if he had returned to a snowy sky. That feeling was etched in his memory.

    When one first arrived in the snow, they wouldn''t feel cold, but for those from the south who had become accustomed to small bridges and flowing rivers, and soft snow and gentle winds, the power and strength of the snowy sky was beyond description. Besides being speechless in admiration, there were no other words to describe it.

    But this feeling wouldn''t last for long. Soon the cold would seep into the body from the clothing, which was not thick to begin with, to the skin and muscles, then even deeper into the bones, until one finally understood that the cold penetrating the bones was not a description, but a state.

    Putting one''s hands outside for more than five minutes would make them numb and sore, but they couldn''t draw them back to keep warm, because they were still holding a gun, nor could they stand up to shake off the snow and stamp their feet to warm up. They had to make an effort to hide in the snow and blend in with it until the moment they could fire the gun.

    The dizziness and confusion felt like time and space were reversed, going back and forth between illusion and reality. Even though the body was still lying down, it was hard to control the chaotic thoughts. Ling Shu couldn''t help but frown and close his eyes again.

    "You''re awake!" He heard a familiar voice.

    The person sounded a little excited, but also cautious, lest a loud voice would cause his old injuries to flare up again.

    Ling Shu didn''t open his eyes, he just raised his hand towards Ling Yao.

    His back felt a slight sting.

    "Don''t move, you''re still hooked up to an IV!"

    Ling Yao quickly stopped him, just as she had grabbed his hand, she quickly let go with a gentle force and steadied it on the bed.

    "Can you talk now, do you feel unwell anywhere?"

    It was another male voice, melodious and low, but not entirely deep.

    It was like the coldness of melted snow, with rational calmness and composure, which could not be easily disturbed by external forces.

    Ling Shu finally opened his eyes.

    His movements were slow, but it was obvious that he was uncomfortable.

    Both people in the sickroom quieted down, not daring to rush him.

    They watched as Ling Shu''s gaze slowly circled around them, with a puzzled expression on his face.

    Ling Yao''s heart suddenly lifted, suspended in midair.

    Then she heard Ling Shu say something unexpected yet reasonable, something she couldn''t believe yet couldn''t not believe.

    "Who are you?"

    Ling Yao¡¯s legs suddenly felt weak, if it weren¡¯t for Yue Dingtang quickly supporting her, she would have fallen down directly.

    "Little brother!"

    Ling Yao tearfully stifled a cry.

    Yue Dingtang became solemn, helping Ling Yao to sit down.

    "You don''t remember anything? Do you still remember who you are?"

    Ling Shu had a blank expression, shaking his head.

    Ling Yao couldn''t help but bury her face and look away.

    The doctor had told them before that the patient had a head injury, and when they woke up they might have some temporary memory loss, but hearing such a possibility was different from seeing it with their own eyes. Ling Yao felt that she hadn''t been so shocked since the collapse of the Ling family.

    "You are Ling Shu, the Ling of Ling Bing, and the Shu of the Dubhe star from The Plough, or the Big Dipper. I am your elder sister, Ling Yao, the Yao of distant Yao.¡±

    ¡°The doctor said that you were hit on the head by a wooden stick and your head was stitched with more than a dozen stitches, so your memory may be a bit confused for a while.¡±

    ¡°Don''t worry about it now, when you are better, you can slowly recall things.¡±

    Yue Dingtang''s expression softened, and his tone was slow, afraid that the other party could not hear clearly.

    Unfortunately, Ling Shu''s expression remained confused.

    ¡°So who are you?¡±

    He looked towards Yue Dingtang.

    ¡°I am Yue Dingtang, the Yue of Yue Fei, in our family there were three boys and one girl, all with dynasties as their names, I was the third, the two brothers above were Ding Qin and Ding Jin. My elder sister Yue Chunxiao, you have seen before too, she had a good impression of you and even invited you to eat at our house.¡±

    With unprecedented patience and tolerance, Yue Dingtang explained the origin of his name in detail.

    Ling Shu was puzzled: ¡°Who is Yue Fei?¡±

    Yue Dingtang: ¡°A famous anti-Jin general in history.¡±

    Ling Shu: ¡°What is the relationship between you and I?¡±

    Yue Dingtang sighed: ¡°We were high school classmates, we were very close before, so close that we practically wore the same pair of pants, every time there was something delicious, you would let me have it, during exams you would even show me the answers, once I was late and you even helped me cover up so the teacher wouldn¡¯t know. Later, you asked me to lend you five hundred yuan, saying that you wanted to go to the Red Powder House to see the world, I gave it to you without saying a word, even though you never returned it to me afterwards, I never asked you to.¡±

    Ling Yao stopped her sobbing, and suddenly raised her head.

    ¡°What Red Powder House? What five hundred yuan?¡±

    Yue Dingtang looked solemn: ¡°Big sister, Ling Shu is like this now, let''s not talk about these for now, let''s talk about it later, the five hundred yuan is not something I need urgently.¡±

    ¡°No, five hundred yuan is not a small amount, I did not know that this young rascal had borrowed such a large sum from you, you wait, I will go home to get the money, we must pay you back!¡±

    Ling Shu: ¡­¡­

    Yue Dingtang stood up and tried to stop her.

    ¡°Big sister, how about this, you take out as much as you can conveniently, just pay a little bit, the rest can be talked about when Ling Shu gets better, don''t worry!¡±

    ¡°Repaying debts is a matter of conscience, although our Ling family is not as good as before, I can''t let others say that the Ling family can''t even pay back their debts!¡±

    ¡°Pay back my ass!¡±

    Ling Shu couldn¡¯t help it.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t borrow money from anyone surnamed Yue at all, let alone go to the Red Powder House, you don¡¯t even believe your own younger brother, yet you¡¯re still being led around by someone surnamed Yue!¡±

    Ling Yao was dumbfounded for a moment, and then suddenly became furious.

    ¡°Are you pretending to have amnesia?!¡±

    Fury rose in her, and she took a few steps forward, and grabbed Ling Shu¡¯s ear!

    ¡°Have your wings hardened or your guts swollen, do you know how much I¡¯ve cared for you! You were always causing trouble outside, and now even being accused of being a murderer, did you want to keep me in the dark?! Even now I only know when you got your head injured and were admitted to the hospital! Have you ever thought of how scared I was when I saw your wounds! I¡¯ll beat you to death today, on behalf of my parents and let you go down to play mahjong with them first!

    Ling Shu was so scared that his face was pale, he almost fell off the bed and even the IV drip on his wrist started to reverse with the flow of his blood.

    Yue Dingtang saw that something was wrong and quickly went up to drag away the angry Ling Yao.

    "Big sister, let''s talk calmly, don''t be so agitated, he just had stitches on his head and he''s still dizzy."

    "Let him faint, this kid, if he doesn¡¯t die, I''d be dead from anger first!"

    Ling Yao was furious, but her voice was much softer.

    The nurse just pushed open the door and saw that Ling Yao''s hand was still twisted in the patient''s ear and couldn''t help but frown.

    "What are you doing here? Don''t you know that the patient needs to rest and stay quiet now?"

    Ling Yao let go and said embarrassingly: "I''m sorry."

    The nurse went to change Ling Shu''s IV drip.

    "How do you feel?"

    "My head feels a bit dizzy."

    "My hand hurts, and my ear hurts too."

    "Miss, I''m uncomfortable all over."

    Ling Shu''s face was pale and his breath was weak, his eyes looking at the nurse as if he was looking at a fairy who had descended from the sky.

    The nurse gave Ling Yao and Yue Dingtang a stern look.

    "The family members should take care of the patient properly, don''t make too much noise, it will affect the patient''s recovery, otherwise I''ll have to call the doctor."

    When she turned to Ling Shu, she softened her voice.

    "Don''t be afraid, if they make noise again, just press the bell at the head of the bed, we''ll come over right away."

    "Thank you, miss." Ling Shu smiled gratefully at her.

    Ling Yao and Yue Dingtang: ...

    After the nurse finally finished changing the nutrition solution and warned them again not to affect the patient''s rest, she left with the medicine tray, Ling Yao was so angry that her teeth itched, and she wanted to twist off Ling Shu''s ear.

    Under her deathly glare, Ling Shu covered his head and said weakly: "I was scared you would scold me."

    Ling Yao was both angry and distressed: "You think you won''t get scolded like this? Now the newspapers have all reported it, some of the shameless ones have already exposed your name, even if you don''t say anything, how long can you hide it!"

    Ling Shu: "If I could have found the murderer before it was reported, you wouldn''t have known. Don''t worry, we''ve got a lead now."

    Ling Yao: "You rest well first, then I can be at ease!"

    She wanted to say more, but when she saw Ling Shu holding his head and showing an uncomfortable expression, she quickly shut up.

    "Sis, I want to eat oranges." Ling Shu acted cute.

    "It''s so cold, who sells oranges outside!" After Ling Yao said that, she added, "I''ll go take a look, you drink the chicken soup first!"

    She also said to Yue Dingtang: "I prepared two bowls of chicken soup, you and my brother should have one each, you should rest too, don''t keep running around!"

    Yue Dingtang smiled: "Don''t worry big sister, my arm was just grazed by a bullet, it''s nothing, I will watch him, you are busy with your matters."

    When Ling Yao left, the two of them started to give each other weird looks.

    There were two beds in the room, one was Ling Shu''s, the other was Yue Dingtang''s.

    Ling Shu lay in bed, he would get dizzy if he moved.

    But Yue Dingtang didn''t even have to change into a hospital gown, he could move around freely.

    The more Ling Shu looked, the more unhappy he became.

    "How did you know I was pretending?" He couldn''t help but complain.

    Yue Dingtang remained calm: "The doctor said you had temporary amnesia, you kept asking me about my name and even didn''t know what Yue Fei was, isn''t that obvious? How could I bear to make your sister stay distressed?"

    Ling Shu snorted, thinking, the one I wanted to get even with was you.

    "I risked my life to save yours, is this how you thank your savior?"

    Yue Dingtang nodded: "It''s precisely because of your lifesaving grace that I talked to big sister."

    Ling Shu furrowed his brow: "What?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Once this case is settled, I''ll see if I can find you a stable job, like being my teaching assistant."

    Ling Shu blinked: "Huh?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Don''t look so moved. I see you''re content with the arrangement, so I''m relieved."

    Ling Shu snorted with a half-smile: "Which eye of yours saw me content with the arrangement? I won''t be your slave. Give up on that thought."

    Yue Dingtang was surprised: "But big sister was very satisfied, isn''t she the head of the family?"

    Ling Shu harrumphed: "Don''t say ¡®big sister¡¯ so familiarly, she is my elder sister, not yours."

    He felt his head spinning and his vision blurring, and he subconsciously leaned to the side.

    He felt a warm body supporting his neck.

    "Fine, fine. She''s your elder sister, not mine. We can discuss the arrangement later. It seems like there are some new findings in the case, we can talk about it when you''re feeling better."

    Yue Dingtang was afraid that he would faint in the hospital and get scolded by the nurses, so he surprisingly compromised.

    The author has something to say:

    Ling Shu thought to himself: Damn it, the guy surnamed Yue always screws me over.

    Yue Dingtang chuckled: Haha, you can try to screw me over, but you¡¯ll never succeed.

 CH 17

    What new findings?

    Ling Shu had already laid back down, but upon hearing the last words, he sat up again.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t mince words either, taking out a gun and several bullets from the leather bag.

    At this point, not only was Ling Shu involved, but even Yue Dingtang was no longer able to be a bystander.

    The other party obviously did not want them to uncover anything, but since they failed to kill him tonight, this move was obsolete, and instead it had confirmed the direction of their investigation.

    "The gun and bullets were left behind by the other party."

    Ling Shu accepted the gun.

    "1906, commonly known as the Heart Thunder, is light and delicate, and easy to carry. From what I know, Nanjing''s officials, even some ladies for the sake of self-defense, also like to use this pistol. It is easy to buy through foreign firms, although it is a bit expensive, but there is no problem."

    Yue Dingtang raised his chin slightly. "Look at it again carefully."

    He must have made some discovery. Ling Shu was serious and picked up the bullets one by one, looked at them, then put them down, and then picked up the gun. In a short while, he frowned.

    "What is this?"

    The gun itself was intact, maybe it had not been used a few times, at least it was still ninety percent new.

    However, Ling Shu found black powder sticking to the trigger.

    He scratched it slightly with his fingernail, took a few and smelled it under his nose, and his expression changed slightly.

    Ling Shu looked towards Yue Dingtang, and the latter nodded.

    "It turns out to be cigarette ash."

    When they searched Du Yunning''s room before, they accidentally found cigarette ash under her bed.

    It was this kind of cigarette ash.

    "Too many coincidences are no longer coincidences. Can I assume that the two people who attacked us tonight are likely to be the people who lured Du Yunning to smoke?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Du Yunning has always been deeply disgusted with cigarettes, because her grandfather and father were addicted to smoking. Her grandfather even died tragically. She was also an educated woman who had gone to school, and under normal circumstances, she would never touch these things.

    Ling Shu continued naturally: "After marriage, Yuan Bing may have been fascinated by her beauty at first, but the good times did not last long. Everyone in Shanghai knows that Yuan Bing, the young master, likes to take dancing girls out to play, and there are several wives outside. Even though Du Yunning was dressed in gold and silver, and she would not lack food and clothing, her heart was definitely not happy. The more she indulged in the splendor and wealth, the more empty her heart became. It can be understood that she started smoking under the inducement of Hong Xiaoguang.

    Yue Dingtang: "We still don''t know what Hong Xiaoguang''s people are plotting with the Yuan family, but if he can completely control Du Yunning, it will not be difficult for them to achieve their goals."

    Ling Shu: "Why didn''t they start from Yuan Bing? This person is weak in character and greedy for beauty. Isn''t it easier to attack? And as the master of the Yuan family, he knows what Du Yunning may know, and he may also know what Du Yunning certainly does not know."

    Yue Dingtang: "How do you know they haven''t tried it?"

    Before the voice fell, both of them were stunned.

    Looking each other in the eyes, they seemed to think of something crucial.

    At this time, knocking on the door sounded.

    The two had to temporarily put the conversation on hold.

    Yue Dingtang put away the bullets and the gun.

    "Please come in."

    The one who pushed the door in was Yue Chunxiao.

    She was carrying a bag and a basket in her hand, and a male servant was following her with a meal box in both hands.

    "Are you alright? I brought you something to eat."

    She put down the fruit basket and glanced over Yue Dingtang to make sure that he was not seriously injured except for external injuries, and finally her eyes stayed on Ling Shu.

    "Are you Ling Shu? Do you remember me?"

    Ling Shu smiled: "Sister Chunxiao, how can I not remember? In the past, Du Yunning and I went to the Yue family as guests, and you personally went to the kitchen to make us some snacks, and I also complimented them to Yue Dingtang at that time."

    His head and neck were wrapped in gauze and he was wearing hospital gowns, but he still smiled softly like an innocent little animal, which made people feel that he was especially pitiful.

    Yue Chunxiao had already liked him, and now that she had seen him in person and found that he was even better-looking than her memories, she was immediately charmed by his laughter and her feelings of pity and love exploded in an instant.

    ¡°How did you get hurt like this? What did the doctor say? This hospital doesn¡¯t seem very good, should I find someone to change rooms for you guys?¡±

    She stepped forward to check Ling Shu¡¯s injury and felt her heart ache the more she looked.

    ¡°Such a good head, and it¡¯s been injured. How can there be no scar left behind? Are you dizzy now? Can you move?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Sister Chunxiao, I just got hit on the back of my head, my forehead isn¡¯t hurt.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s even worse! Things concerning the head can¡¯t be taken lightly, unlike broken hands and feet. I brought some food and drinks here for you. There¡¯s Chinese food and Western food, but it took some time to get here so the taste may not be as good as when it was just made. Take a look and see what you like to eat!¡±

    Yue Dingtang looked at the two of them joking and laughing, with a speechless face.

    He didn¡¯t know if perhaps the two of them were brother and sister, and he was actually the one picked up off the street.

    ¡°Don¡¯t the two of you remember that there¡¯s a living person here?¡±

    Yue Chunxiao shot him a look.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have any big problems, it¡¯s just an arm injury, it will heal soon. Ling Shu¡¯s injury is to the head, he needs to make up for it so he won¡¯t have any troubles in the future.¡±

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    He felt like Ling Shu¡¯s cause and effect had been reversed, but he had indeed saved his life, which was without a doubt.

    If it wasn¡¯t for Ling Shu¡¯s kick, he would probably be lying in the mortuary now facing his elder sister¡¯s tears.

    When Yue Chunxiao heard this, she was truly shocked.

    ¡°What¡¯s with the gunmen again? What¡¯s going on here, did you guys offend someone? Should I send our elder and second brothers a telegram and let them hurry back?¡±

    Yue Dingtang said in a low voice: ¡°We can solve it ourselves, there¡¯s no need for our brothers to worry.¡±

    Yue Chunxiao looked into his eyes, stayed silent for a moment, then looked towards Ling Shu with a face full of pity.

    ¡°You¡¯re a good kid, you¡¯re Dingtang¡¯s lifesaver and from today on you¡¯re also a lifesaver of our Yue family. I¡¯ve been treating you like my little brother before, and from now on you don¡¯t have to be polite with me. If you have anything, just say it. Come and see what elder sister brought for you guys to eat!¡±

    She instructed the maidservant who came with her to open the food boxes one by one.

    The aroma of steamed pork and sweet and sour fish came out first and occupied the entire room, followed slowly and orderly by chicken soup with ginseng.

    Although Ling Shu had just drunk the chicken soup sent by Ling Yao, he couldn¡¯t help but move his fingers when he saw the sweet and sour fish.

    Yue Chunxiao smiled when she saw this and quickly took out the chopsticks and handed them to him.

    ¡°Sweet and sour fish tastes the best when it¡¯s just out of the oven, the skin is crispy and the meat is tender, with a sweet and sour taste. If it¡¯s been sitting for too long, the skin will become soft and the sweet and sour sauce will become thick, and it won¡¯t have that taste anymore.¡±

    Yue Dingtang preferred the pig¡¯s feet.

    The pork trotters were stewed until they were soft and all the bones had been removed. The vinegar sauce that had been seasoned with soy sauce glistened on the pork skin.

    The meat wasn''t just fatty, but the perfect mix of fat and lean that melted in your mouth.

    Yue Dingtang could finish a bowl of rice with this dish of stewed pork trotters.

    Just as the two of them had started eating, Ling Yao came back, carrying a bag of oranges.

    Yue Chunxiao just happened to turn around, and the two of them were stunned. But when Ling Yao saw the smile on his face, she stiffened.

    Yue Dingtang had heard his sister''s complaints back at home, and he was afraid she would be sarcastic if she spoke up, so he was about to smoothen things over when Yue Chunxiao spoke first.

    "You''re here to see Ling Shu."

    Her tone was fairly even.

    Ling Yao nodded and gave a polite response, then saw Ling Shu eagerly eating sweet and sour fish with chopsticks, and her smile immediately disappeared.

    Ling Shu quickly put down her chopsticks, fawning over her, saying, "Big sister, you''re finally here! I''ve waited so long for these oranges you bought!"

    Ling Yao raised her eyebrows and said, "You''re already eating fish, and you can still eat oranges? You just banged your head, and you want to ruin your stomach too?"

    Ling Shu: "No way, I love the oranges you bought!"

    Ling Yao coldly said, "I''ll take the oranges back. You should drink some water."

    Yue Chunxiao couldn''t take it anymore.

    "What are you getting mad at the kid for! He''s already hurt like this, and you won''t let him eat something good to nourish him? It''s winter, what are you going to do with oranges, this cold thing can''t be eaten, why don''t you buy canned oranges instead? You can''t afford it yourself, so you let Ling Shu suffer with you?!"

    Ling Yao angrily said, "He''s my little brother, not yours. What does it have to do with you?!"

    Ling Shu: "Big sister, Sister Chunxiao, I asked for the oranges myself, it''s my fault, you guys don''t fight."

    Yue Chunxiao: "Look at how sensible the kid is! He''s not my brother, but I treat him like one. I feel for him. All you ever do is scold and teach him, what else do you do?"

    Ling Yao: "That''s still better than you! Since you started school, you''ve been like a peacock, making noise here and there, I know who''s been badmouthing me behind my back, and it''s always you!"

    Yue Chunxiao: "I said bad things about you? You don''t need me to tell you who among the girls in school had a good impression of you, you wear a different set of clothes everyday, more extravagant than a butterfly, and you still have the nerve to say I''m like a peacock?!"

    Yue Dingtang was stunned.

    He was known to be eloquent and never ran out of words, but he couldn''t find any now.

    ¡ª¡ªFinally understanding what it meant that a woman''s war is not for bystanders.

    He couldn''t help but turn to look at Ling Shu.

    The latter had already lain on the bed, covered in a blanket, in an "I''m sleeping, please don''t disturb" state.

    Yue Dingtang:......

    He hurriedly came up with an idea, and ran to Ling Shu''s bedside.

    "Ling Shu, what''s wrong, wake up!"

    The two women immediately stopped talking, and looked over with tension.

    "Little brother, are you okay!"

    "Hurry, go call a doctor!"

    The doctor came quickly, followed by a nurse.

    "Where do you feel uncomfortable?"

    Ling Shu held her head, looking pale and helpless.

    "I don''t know, I just feel dizzy and I can''t sit on the bed, I can only lie down."

    From an angle no one was paying attention to, Yue Dingtang gave Ling Shu a thumbs up for his performance.

    Ling Shu felt his life was too difficult.

 CH 18

    It''s hard to send a deity away after asking for help.

    After much effort, the doctors and nurses finally left and the two sisters settled down. Ling Shu was exhausted in body and mind.

    Ling Yao looked at Ling Shu''s haggard expression and, although she said nothing, she felt a little guilty in her heart.

    She put down the orange, reminded Ling Shu to rest well, and led the way out of the battlefield.

    Yue Chunxiao also found it boring and left soon after Ling Yao.

    Ling Shu let out a breath and looked at the cold sweet and sour fish in the food box with regret.

    "It''s really not reassuring!"

    Yue Dingtang''s rice was not finished either, because the pig''s feet were cold, the taste had changed.

    He got up, put on his coat and scarf, touched his injured arm, and picked up an apple from the fruit basket and took a bite.

    "I''m going to go to the detainment area to ask Yuan Bing some questions. I''ll come back later. You should rest first."

    He put on his hat and went to the door, but he turned back.

    "Oh, Happy New Year."

    Ling Shu smiled wryly.

    This New Year''s Day was really eventful.

    It was the first time spending New Year''s Eve in the hospital.

    As the afternoon approached, the sun shone through the window, the ice and snow melted, and a warm atmosphere was felt.

    From the outside, the sound of firecrackers could be heard, transmitting a bit of the flavor of the city¡¯s fireworks.

    But the corridor outside the ward was very quiet, probably because most of the patients had been taken away by their families to spend the New Year.

    In previous years at this time, he should have been driven out of the door by his sister to go door to door visiting their relatives for the New Year, or he should have followed them to his elder sister''s husband''s home, eating the freshly baked New Year cake with a sip of tea and chatting around the stove.

    Thinking of his unexpected misfortune coming from the sky, Ling Shu couldn''t help but sigh again.

    "What are you doing? It''s the New Year, and you''re sitting here sighing. Be careful not to sigh away all your luck!"

    Accompanied by the sound, the visitor pushed the door in.

    Ling Shu raised his eyebrows.

    "What wind blew you in?"

    "East, west, north and south wind!" Cheng Si smiled. "You can still joke, I guess it''s not serious?"

    Ling Shu extended his hand without hesitation.

    "It''s not serious, but there''s a minor injury. I bumped my head and I might lose my memory at any time. Don''t you have to comfort me?"

    "Yes."

    Cheng Si handed him the paper bag in his hand.

    "Candied chestnuts, just out of the oven, still hot, enough sincerity!"

    Ling Shu reached into the paper bag without hesitation and took out one, throwing it to Cheng Si.

    "Help me peel it."

    Cheng Si stared at him: "You bumped your head, did your hands break too?"

    Ling Shu raised his hand that was being injected, indicating.

    Cheng Si reluctantly helped him peel it, and then handed him the sweet chestnut meat.

    "It''s all your fault! If you had gone to the dance hall that night when I asked, not running to Xiaoji Noodles to eat noodles, I could still help you be a witness, and you wouldn''t be in such a situation now, having to bear the crime of murder!"

    Ling Shu said meaningfully: "If it had been you with me that night, it''s likely that I wouldn''t be able to see you now."

    Cheng Si was stunned for a moment. He didn''t even have the mood to peel the chestnuts.

    "Don''t scare me! Who has such a deep hatred for you, driving you to such a corner?!"

    Ling Shu: "It doesn''t have to be against me, I just happened to be a suitable candidate. How is it outside now? Has the news of Du Yunning''s death spread across the entire Shanghai beach? What did the news say?"

    Cheng Si came to his senses.

    "You really said it. Big newspapers and small newspapers have all reported it. It''s very mysterious now. Since yesterday morning, when a female servant in the Yuan family died, it has been almost the top news in the whole city, everyone is talking about this news..."

    "Who died?" Ling Shu interrupted him.

    "A female servant in the Yuan family."

    Ling Shu had a bad feeling.

    "What''s the name, how did she die?"

    Cheng Si said with a hoarse voice, "I didn''t pay attention to the name...the newspapers said it was found hanged in the front hall of the Yuan family this morning. The corpse was cold, there was no saving her."

    Ling Shu replied, "The front hall has been locked, the servants all live in the back house."

    Cheng Si sighed, "So what the newspapers wrote is true, that Lady Du''s vengeful spirit won''t rest and she''s using this maid as a substitute?"

    Ling Shu said, "You were also in a modern school. To actually believe these stories, how well did the newspapers write it?"

    "Many versions are being said."

    "Some say that this maid wanted to go for greener pastures, climbing into the bed of the male master while serving the mistress, and even secretly married him. After Lady Du found out, the couple had a quarrel and Yuan Bing killed her by accident. Lady Du''s ghost won''t rest and is coming back for revenge on the maid."

    "Some say that this maid caused the destruction of the Yuan family, and felt guilty in her heart. She would dream of Lady Du coming everyday to take revenge and she died because of it."

    "There''s even more bizarre ones, saying that Lady Du was trying to get her husband''s heart, so she sent the maid to seduce Yuan Bing. After all, the child born in the Yuan family was better than an unknown wildflower outside. But who knew the maid was strong-willed and wouldn''t yield, and was defiled by Yuan Bing..."

    "Stop!"

    Ling Shu became more and more speechless.

    But he was sure of one thing.

    The maid that Cheng Si mentioned was most likely the mute girl Ah Lan who was serving Lady Du.

    "What kind of nonsense is this? I''ve seen the maid before, she''s beautiful, but Yuan Bing is a playboy who has seen it all, not even Lady Du could tie him down. How can Ah Lan possibly do it? The talk of her vengeful spirit and ghost looking for revenge is even more ridiculous!"

    Cheng Si spread his hands innocently: "What do I know? But the good thing is that your name wasn''t mentioned much. Except for the first few reports suspecting you, the public''s attention is now focused on the quarrels between the two couples, and how much of the Yuan family''s assets are still left."

    Cheng Si''s ideas represent those of the general public. For a straightforward description of the case, many people would rather read the analyses and imaginations that take a different route. To them, it''s a real story to be enjoyed and talked about after a meal.

    Some small newspapers even launched the Yuan Family''s Three-Part Series, starting from Yuan Bingdao''s rise to power. Its contents are two-parts true and eight-parts fictional, with exaggerated and fantasy contents. But it won the favor of many people, and the newspaper sales increased significantly.

    The Yuan family is gone, the whole family scattered after the death of Yuan Bingdao, and Yuan Bing himself is not fighting for it, still in prison. If the Yuan family still had some power, this fictional story wouldn''t be able to see the light of day.

    Under the influence of public opinion, the thinking of the investigation room may also be affected, which may be a good thing for Ling Shu.

    But Ling Shu was lost in thought.

    They had just encountered an assassination last night, and now Ah Lan was dead.

    In terms of time, Ah Lan should have met with misfortune after midnight yesterday.

    As Lady Du''s personal maid, Ah Lan must have known many things. But why wasn''t she dead before, and now she is?

    Did the killer think she knew something and couldn''t let her live, afraid that she would reveal it?

    Ah Lan''s identity meant that she was the key to their inquiry.

    But before they didn''t suspect her too much, because she was a mute who couldn''t read and was a weak woman who couldn''t have the strength to kill Lady Du.

    Now that Ah Lan is dead, her relationship with the case was exposed.

    The dead can''t speak, and they''re the safest. Even if they realized this, it was hard to make a breakthrough.

    Yuan Bing, the Yuan family.

    It now seems like the truth is getting further and further away, but from another angle, it''s actually helping them slowly filter out the truth.

 CH 19

    Ling Shu was deeply immersed in his thoughts as he munched on a chestnut, completely unaware of when Cheng Si had left.

    His energy was far from what it used to be, and he had just been injured. His mind blurred and the half-eaten chestnut dropped to the floor, rolling across the room.

    In a daze, someone bent over and picked it up, setting it on the cabinet next to the sickbed.

    "You''re always so scatterbrained," the voice said softly.

    It was not Cheng Si''s urgent shouts, but the gentle and sweet voice from his memory, like a bowl of ice-cold sugarcane juice that was sweet enough without honey, soothing his heart.

    Ling Shu rubbed his eyes, and indeed, he saw someone standing at the window, drawing the curtains.

    "It''s very windy outside, you can''t just sleep with the windows open, else you won''t be feeling well later."

    "Du... Yun Ning?" Ling Shu asked hesitantly.

    The woman in the qipao hummed in response.

    "You aren''t...?"

    Ling Shu wanted to ask if she wasn''t dead, but he couldn''t bring himself to say it.

    Du Yunning had a peaceful aura about her, unlike her fiery personality when she was first married into the Yuan family, or her resentful demeanor when she became the mistress. Instead, she was like the carefree days when she was studying, when everyone had lots of enthusiasm to pour into their youthful passions.

    "I''m not dead, I''m still alive," Du Yunning said before he could, "Did you all think I was dead?"

    Ling Shu propped himself up, his head aching, his vision blurring occasionally. The sky was darkening, and with the curtains drawn, he could barely make out her expression.

    "You''re not dead? Where were you? We''ve been looking for you all this time. Everyone in Shanghai thought you were dead, and your husband Yuan Bing was imprisoned!"

    "I know," Du Yunning said cheerfully.

    "This is the result I wanted. I hate him. If he hadn''t locked me up here and watched me deteriorate, then I wouldn''t have become addicted to smoking. Do you know, he has illegitimate children outside. I''m like a fool, knowing nothing. Why can he have three wives and four concubines, and I have to bear the name of Mrs. Yuan and remain virtuous for the rest of my life?"

    Ling Shu: "So you really are involved with Hong Xiaoguang. Who is he exactly?"

    Du Yunning: "He? He''s you!"

    Ling Shu: "What nonsense..."

    Just as he was about to get up to grab Du Yunning and stop her from running away, she spoke and suddenly turned around. Her face was pale, her lips stained with blood, her eyes almost falling out of their sockets, a shocking sight.

    Ling Shu was drenched in cold sweat, his body trembling violently as he jumped up.

    "You woke up?"

    Du Yunning was gone.

    Sitting in her direction was a man, his head bowed over some documents.

    It was Yue Dingtang.

    "I just had a dream," he said.

    He breathed heavily, his chest and back were wet as if he had just been pulled out of the water.

    His slender neck was stiff and straight, as if it could break at any moment.

    "A nightmare?"

    Yue Dingtang looked up, took off his glasses, and turned on the light as he stood up.

    The room was brightly lit.

    Ling Shu inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

    But Yue Dingtang''s next words made him hold his breath again.

    "Bad news, Yuan Bing has died."

    Just as he feared.

    Ling Shu was stunned for a moment, his head buzzing, feeling disoriented.

    "How did he die?"

    His lips were pale and dry, his voice filled with difficulty.

    "He had a smoking attack, the illness had set in too deeply, nothing could be done."

    Yue Dingtang raised his head, took off his glasses, and stood up to turn on the lights.

    The room was now brightly lit.

    Ling Shu was suddenly relieved, yet Yue Dingtang''s next words made him pause again.

    "Someone visited him before he died."

    Ling Shu: "Who?"

    Yue Dingtang: "Yuan Lingbo, Yuan Bingdao''s second younger sister."

    Ling Shu: "This person should have settled in Hong Kong early, how can she suddenly come back?"

    Yue Dingtang nodded: "Yuan Bing has a separate prison cell, he and the patrolmen are also on good terms, the person who came to visit the prison claimed to be his second aunt, and they agreed to let her visit without further questions."

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but say: "The jurisdiction of the concession¡¯s prison can be so relaxed?"

    Yue Dingtang snorted: "That should be so, else how can people drink, play cards, and eat night snacks in it?"

    Ling Shu wore a look of: what are you saying, I can''t understand it at all.

    His hair, damp with sweat, stuck to his forehead. He was pale and did not have his usual relaxed manner.

    Yue Dingtang glanced at him and swallowed the words of irony that had reached his lips.

    "In theory, if Yuan Lingbo is fake, Yuan Bing would immediately find out, but according to the patrolmen''s testimony, this woman went in and stayed in for about an hour without much noise. After the other left, he went in and saw that Yuan Bing was sitting there obediently without any noise. Until half an hour later, there was a sound in it, Yuan Bing said that he was uncomfortable and the situation was getting worse. The patrolman quickly called for a doctor, but it was too late."

    Ling Shu: "Food poisoning? Have you confirmed that the corpse is him?"

    Yue Dingtang: "The corpse is indeed him, without a doubt. His death was preliminarily judged to be excessive smoking, that is to say, his second aunt went to visit the prison and brought them for him. The patrolman of the prison accepted bribes, so he initially concealed this from us, and now he has been dismissed for questioning."

    Money can make the devil push the mill, this sentence is commonly used in the current Shanghai, and was not exaggerated at all.

    Although Yuan Bing was temporarily detained due to suspicion, after all, the Yuan family still had some family background, enough to buy through the patrolhouse, so that he could live comfortably in it, and because of his identity, everyone would not dare to mess around, and Yuan Lingbo''s sudden appearance would not be overly questioned. It was so easy to be put in and contact Yuan Bing closely.

    No one knows what they talked about in that hour, and whether the woman is really Yuan Bing''s second aunt, all of which will be completely a mystery with Yuan Bing''s death.

    Unless something unexpected happens, even if they overturn the whole of Shanghai, they will not find a woman named Yuan Lingbo.

    "What about Ah Lan, what is the autopsy result?" Ling Shu turned to ask the female servant.

    "You may not believe it." Yue Dingtang said, "The preliminary report now shows that Ah Lan was indeed hanged to death."

    Ling Shu: "This can¡¯t completely exclude the possibility of murder. If someone first made her faint, then moves her onto the hanging rope, she can also be suffocated to death and no abnormality can be found."

    Yue Dingtang shook his head.

    "No matter what, it doesn''t matter now."

    Before, they were wondering why the other party didn''t target Yuan Bing directly if they were coming for the Yuan family, but instead went through Du Yunning. It wasn''t long after they said this that Yuan Bing indeed met with an accident.

    Once news of Yuan Bing''s death spread, it would undoubtedly cause another sensation and add more mysterious colors to this unsolved case.

    Many novelists may be inspired by this and come up with even more bizarre plots, and the serialized trilogy of the Yuan family in newspapers and magazines could also earn a lot of money as a result.

    However, all of this has little to do with the case itself, and may even make the truth of the case even further away from being grasped.

    If the focus is pulled back from the death of the three people, and drawn directly to the results?

    After becoming a policeman, Ling Shu has dealt with many cases, from trivial matters to major cases, and many things happen in Shanghai every day, and more cases cannot be solved. Many files have been accumulated in the archives room. When Ling Shu has nothing to do, he will go to the archives room to slowly look at it, and no one will rush him to finish it. It has become a pastime and pleasure for him.

    From these cases, Ling Shu slowly realized some things.

    When it seems like you''re being led by a string, don''t pay attention to it. Instead, try to go around the one leading you and go ahead. Perhaps a different scene will be found.

    "Does Yuan Bing have any illegitimate children?"

    "No," Yue Dingtang said confidently. "Although Yuan Bing was a womanizer, his long-term smoking should have affected his fertility."

    Ling Shu: "Yuan Bing had three aunts. If both Yuan Bing and Du Yunning are dead, then logically, the Yuan family inheritance should be passed down to the three aunts. But the three aunts are dead and have no children. The eldest aunt is in the United States and may not even have heard about the incident at the Yuan family yet. The only one who came to visit Yuan Bing before he died was his second aunt, Yuan Lingbo."

    Yue Dingtang: "That''s right. But as soon as she appears, she will inevitably be suspected of killing her nephew and scheming for the property. If this Yuan Lingbo is real, she will not be able to appear."

    Ling Shu: "If no one inherits the Yuan family property, the government will take it and put the house up for auction again."

    Yue Dingtang furrowed his eyebrows.

    He made a gesture, indicating to Ling Shu not to talk anymore.

    But he himself had not spoken for a long time, obviously sorting out his thoughts.

    Ling Shu thought of the maid Ah Lan and also of the Yuan family house.

    This woman must be the key link.

    She may have been an informant or a participant, so she had to die.

    The murderer killed her to cover up some things and thought that when one dies, the matter would be settled. But from another perspective, the more people who die, the more flaws there will be.

    "I''ll go check Ah Lan''s background first."

    "I want to go to the Yuan family and have a look."

    The two spoke almost at the same time.

    Yue Dingtang: "The death of Yuan Bing and Ah Lan is unfortunate news, but it also has one advantage, which is to indirectly help you clear your suspicion. You don''t have to be so anxious now."

    Ling Shu: "I can only completely get rid of suspicion when the case is solved soon. Otherwise, the murderer will get away with it and I''ll be suspended from the police station for sure. My career goal is to be a policeman, and I don''t want to lose this job."

    He added in his heart, this job of eating and waiting to die and being idle.

    Yue Dingtang had a look that said he understood but did not say anything.

    "The doctor asked you to rest more. You should not walk around now."

    "I feel much better," Ling Shu touched his head, "I just dreamed of Du Yunning."

    Yue Dingtang was silent.

    This name was already a past memory for them, but the memory was still there and would never be erased.

    How pitiful Du Yunning was now, how pure and good her past was.

    It was a past shared by the two of them.

    Although they did not say it, everyone wanted to comfort her spirit in heaven with the truth.

    "After the doctor checks your condition tomorrow and makes sure you can be discharged, we will go to the Yuan family and have a thorough look." Yue Dingtang said.

    Ling Shu yawned: "I feel like we missed an important detail last time."

    Yue Dingtang saw his tired and pale face and tidied up the files in his hand.

    "Rest well. I will come tomorrow."

    "No need to see me off. Don''t turn off the light." Ling Shu slipped into the bed and pulled the quilt up over his ears.

    "Are you afraid of the dark or ghosts?" Yue Dingtang teased.

    The person did not say anything, as if he had fallen asleep.

    Yue Dingtang smiled and walked to the door, ready to open it. As if remembering something, he turned back.

    "Right, I forgot to ask you. You said you were learning to write with your left hand for fun, why did you switch to your right hand when shooting? Is that also for fun?"

    Ling Shu did not move.

    After a long while, just as Yue Dingtang was about to leave, he heard the other''s sleepy voice.

    "I''m a policeman. I have to be able to use both hands in a critical moment to save my life. You wouldn''t understand even if I told you."

    Author''s note: What should we have for midnight snacks?

    Little theatre unrelated to the main text:

    Yue Dingtang: Let me tell you a ghost story.

    After listening, Ling Shu''s face did not change and he remained calm.

    Yue Dingtang thought, he''s not afraid at all, did I guess wrong?

    Taking advantage of the moment when he was got up to smoke, Ling Shu took out the cloth that was stuffed into his ears and threw it into the basket.

 CH 20

    It was the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year.

    Yue Dingtang woke up early and first went to school to drop off his graded assignments at the office before heading to the hospital.

    He thought Ling Shu would already be dressed and waiting for him, but when he pushed open the door to the room, he saw Ling Shu still lying in bed with their two sisters, Ling Yao and Yue Chunxiao, on either side.

    "Quick, get up and eat something. How can you go out on an empty stomach?" Yue Chunxiao said.

    "I brought you some freshly fried dough sticks and soy milk. The dough sticks are still crispy, but if you wait any longer, they''ll get soft and won''t taste as good. And I also brought soy sauce. You love dipping your dough sticks in soy sauce, right? I''ve got it all ready for you," Ling Yao continued.

    "I also have some tofu pudding here. If you don''t like these things, you can drink some chicken soup that I''ve been simmering since last night. I didn''t even let Yue Dingtang have any because I knew you would want it."

    Standing by the door, Yue Dingtang watched as two old ladies coaxed a child incessantly. The problem was that the "old ladies'''' weren''t actually old, and the "child" wasn''t really a child anymore.

    Yue Chunxiao, his third sister whom he knew well, didn''t seem like a patient person either. Perhaps it was because she had two older brothers and a younger one, all independent and with their own careers, so she never had to worry about them growing up.

    But when she saw Ling Shu, with her fair and pretty appearance, both her motherly love and sisterly affection overflowed instantly. In short, it was all about looks.

    Yue Dingtang had to admit that Ling Shu could be quite deceiving when he wasn''t speaking and wasn''t acting nonchalant. Many women, from young to old, fell for this trick.

    The two young women didn''t know Yue Dingtang''s inner thoughts and continued to persuade and coax Ling Shu with all their might. Just getting Ling Shu out of bed and sitting him up, and then seeing him willing to nibble on an oil cake, was enough to give the two women a great sense of accomplishment.

    "Have some more, have some more."

    "Eat slower, eat slower."

    The two women sang in opposition, standing on either side, yet maintaining a subtle harmony.

    All because of this person in the middle.

    But he still managed to take advantage and act cute.

    "Sis, Sister Chunxiao, I want to eat bean skin."

    "What''s that?" Yue Chunxiao was puzzled, "Made of tofu?"

    Ling Shu: "It''s said to be a snack from Hubei. Someone was selling it on the street last time, and I tried it once. It''s bean skin wrapped in glutinous rice and mushrooms, fried in a pan, and it''s especially fragrant." Yue Chunxiao smiled and said, "That''s easy. My family''s chef is from Wuhan. I''ll have him make one for you and send it over at noon. Should I also make some soup for you? Do you prefer pork rib soup or fresh shrimp and tofu soup?"

    Ling Yao''s face darkened slightly. "You don''t have to trouble yourself. I already made some at home and just forgot to bring it with me this morning."

    Yue Chunxiao sneered, "Look at you. You''re doing this again. If you really made soup, would I be able to take the credit today? Pork ribs are so expensive now. You guys should eat less and not be so stubborn. Don''t let Ling Shu starve himself just to save face!"

    "Yue Chunxiao, this is my brother. It''s none of your business. Don''t pretend to be a good person and try to sow discord between us siblings."

    "He saved Dingtang. How is that not my business? I have a soft heart and can''t bear to see Ling Shu suffer for you and sacrifice himself!" Ling Shu sipped his soy milk and ate his tofu pudding in silence, trying to lower his presence.

    Yue Dingtang almost burst out laughing. He coughed to bring their attention back to the matter at hand.

    "Sis, Sister Yao, I have some important business to discuss with him. You two can go first."

    Yue Chunxiao finally remembered that her little brother was there.

    "Did you have breakfast? I saved you a portion at home," she asked.

    Ling Yao also chimed in, "If you haven''t eaten, I brought an extra portion. It''s in the food box on the table, unopened. I don''t know if you prefer sweet or salty, so I bought both."

    Yue Chunxiao sneered at her, "Now you want to be a good person? Just a moment ago, you said your brother didn''t need my concern."

    Ling Yao coldly laughed, "I like Dingtang''s maturity and responsibility. What does that have to do with you?"

    Yue Dingtang finally couldn''t take it anymore and kicked them all out. As he turned around, Ling Shu saw Yue Dingtang smiling at him.

    "So they were arguing over you, and you seem to be enjoying it?" Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow.

    Ling Shu looked innocent. "My sisters are good to me, of course I know that."

    The words sounded like there was a hint of schadenfreude in them.

    Yue Dingtang thought to himself that this person could talk to anyone and say anything, even someone as difficult to please as Yue Chunxiao was easily charmed by him. If Ling Shu''s father were still alive and allowed him to enter the officialdom, he might have risen up the ranks in just a few years.

    But now, as a police officer, Ling Shu seemed to fit in perfectly with his slippery and cunning nature. It was no wonder he was reluctant to give up this job.

    "I have two pieces of news," he said, lighting a cigarette and walking to the window. "The woman who claimed to be Yuan Lingbo cannot be traced. All we know is that after leaving the patrol room, she called a yellow cab and headed towards the train station. We will continue to search, but it is unlikely that we will find any results."

    This was expected news.

    Ling Shu nodded and finished the last bite of his tofu pudding.

    "Another piece of news is about the maid, Ah Lan?"

    "Ah Lan was a child bride sold to a family surnamed Shen when she was seven years old. Her husband died just two months after their marriage when she was fifteen. She fell ill and her husband''s family considered her a burden since she couldn''t work and needed to eat. They kicked her out, but Du Mianqing brought her back. Do you know Du Mianqing?"

    Ling Shu replied, "She is Du Yunning''s younger sister. I have met her once, but we are not familiar." Yue Dingtang nodded, "Within two years, Du Mianqing got married and moved to Wuxi, leaving Ah Lan behind at the Du family. Mrs. Du saw that she was hardworking and didn''t gossip, so she let her serve Du Yunning. Later, she followed Du Yunning to live at the Yuan family."

    These were just experiences, and nothing useful could be found from them.

    Ling Shu said, "So should we go to the Yuan family now?"

    Yue Dingtang checked his watch, "I have a cocktail party tonight hosted by the American Consulate. We can go now and come back in the afternoon to change clothes. Our old classmate, Lin Dingkang, is now a translator at the consulate and he should be there. You can catch up with him."

    Ling Shu stretched lazily, "I think I''ll pass."

    Compared to the cocktail party, he would rather go home and sleep. Yue Dingtang seemed to have anticipated his answer and sighed.

    "Well, I''m afraid you won''t get your wish. First of all, your sister asked me to introduce you to potential career opportunities, and I already mentioned tonight¡¯s party to her. If you don''t go, you won''t have a peaceful homecoming. Second, although you have temporarily cleared half of the suspicion, you still cannot prove that Du Yunning''s killer is someone else. Although the patrol room agreed to bail you out, Smith also instructed that you cannot leave my sight for too long."

    Ling Shu said, "I don''t understand social etiquette."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "I''ll teach you."

    Ling Shu said, "I don''t have formal attire."

    Yue Dingtang said, "I''ll lend you some."

    Ling Shu said, "I''m afraid of offending people with my words. You''ll have to take the blame."

    Yue Dingtang said, "Then you can eat more and talk less." Ling Shu said, "I''m afraid my face will cause a frenzy among the ladies present and make other men uncomfortable."

    "It''s okay," Yue Dingtang replied confidently. "I believe my charm is enough to dispel your concerns."

    Ling Shu remained silent.

    Yue Dingtang continued, "As your old classmate and at the request of Sister Ling, I sincerely advise you to go. This banquet is not just about marriage prospects, even your immediate boss may not have the qualifications to receive an invitation. And your boss''s boss, the chief of the city police, will be proud to attend. If you can be there, how will your boss see you? And how will it help your career? You''re a smart person, I don''t need to say more, do I?"

    Ling Shu rubbed his nose, looking hopeless.

    The two of them dragged their feet and didn''t leave until noon. It wasn''t that Ling Shu was dragging his feet, but rather that the doctor came to check on him and originally didn''t agree to let him leave the hospital. Ling Shu did ten push-ups in front of the doctor, shocking him on the spot. The doctor reluctantly agreed to let them leave for half a day, but still required Ling Shu to return to the hospital that night before signing the consent form.

    Along the way, Yue Dingtang kept glancing at Ling Shu.

    Ling Shu was puzzled: "Did I not wash my face? Are my buttons not done up properly?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "When you were in school, if your hand was pricked by a thorn, you would hold a handkerchief and wipe it for half a day. Now you can even do push-ups after getting stitches on your head. I just want to see if this Ling Shu now is not an imposter." Ling Shu rubbed the wound on the back of his head and said, "If I don''t do this, how will the doctor agree to let me leave the hospital? If I sneak out and my sister comes to the hospital and sees me gone, she''ll cry again. I can''t stand to see a woman''s tears."

    Yue Dingtang smiled and said, "With your personality, French women should like you, right?"

    Ling Shu felt that there was some deep meaning behind his words, but he had just been jostled around in the car and his head was still a little dizzy, so he didn''t delve into it.

    "Well, before I went abroad, my sister specifically told me not to find a foreign woman, at least not to bring her back to China. Otherwise, I would have to worry about which one to bring back. What about you? Have you ever thought about marrying a foreign wife?"

    Yue Dingtang said casually, "I have a Chinese stomach. I don''t eat foreign food often, and even if I do, I won''t be able to eat it every day. Don''t be fooled by the fact that my third sister and your sister don''t get along. They actually have similar views on this."

    He didn''t continue the topic and instead rolled down the car window to look outside.

    "It''s going to snow soon."

    The sky was gloomy, not like it was midday, but more like evening.

    Without the sun, pedestrians hurried along, and the festive atmosphere of the second day of the Lunar New Year could only be seen from the decorations and clothing.

    Ling Yao brought a new set of clothes for Ling Shu to wear out for the New Year, but Ling Shu ended up in the hospital and only now was able to wear them.

    The dark clouds loomed over the city, as if ready to crush it.

    The Yuan Manor was almost bending under the weight. The old white walls looked even more eerie, even in broad daylight, making people feel very uncomfortable.

    Ling Shu looked up at the balcony on the second floor.

    That was Du Yunning''s room, and also the place where the flowerpot had fallen last time.

    Since the flowerpot incident, the patrol responsible for guarding had removed all the flowerpots from the balcony. Now it was bare, with nothing there.

    But the thin curtains by the window fluttered in the wind, visible from downstairs, always giving people the illusion that someone was standing behind them.

    The author has something to say: Congratulations to Ling Shu for winning the title of "Little Cutie" that is loved by women everywhere.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Ling Shu: The ellipsis fully reflects the jealousy of someone with the surname Yue.

 CH 21

    The Yuan family was still not allowed to leave the small building. After Ah Lan''s death, they all looked even more haggard and thin than before. When Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang walked in, they immediately felt the oppressive atmosphere.

    Even the patrol officer couldn''t stand it and found an excuse to leave and go drink.

    "I think the front building isn''t very clean. The master and madam''s deaths may be related to it," the butler was called forward and after hesitating for a long time, finally spoke up.

    Yue Dingtang furrowed his brow. "You didn''t say that last time."

    The butler forced a smile. "Last time, I didn''t know it would escalate to this level. Now even Ah Lan...it''s hard not to believe!"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What do you mean by ''not clean''?" The butler sighed, "When the old master moved into this mansion, he was warned..."

    In the years before, political power frequently changed hands, and chaos reigned supreme. Warlords with recognizable names were everywhere, today they were friends, but tomorrow they could be enemies. The lesser-known warlords were even more numerous and easy to come by.

    Yuan Bingdao was originally a subordinate of Sichuan Governor Liu Cunhou. When Liu Cunhou began to lose power, Yuan Bingdao immediately gathered a group of men and tried to establish his own foothold.

    However, his good fortune did not last long, as he was quickly swallowed up by other warlords. His men were either killed or defected to higher branches.

    Yuan Bingdao wanted to attach himself to the Nationalist government and make a comeback, but the government looked down on his bad reputation and lack of military power.

    Feeling helpless, Yuan Bingdao had no choice but to bring his family to Shanghai and live in this apartment. He had carefully selected this house as his retirement home, and valued it greatly.

    At the time, there were three houses for him to choose from, but he was particularly drawn to this one. The cunning Yuan Bingdao believed that in today''s world, with foreign powers lurking around, and China being weak and vulnerable, this fertile land would eventually be targeted.

    Whether it was the British or the Japanese, a house located in the concession would be safer.

    The previous owner of this house was a British man who had been married three times, and each wife had died under suspicious circumstances. There were rumors that the British man had killed his wives, but no one reported it and there was no evidence, so the matter was dropped.

    Later, the British man also died. When he was found, it was too late to save him. Rumor has it that before he died, he described something terrifying, as if he had seen something extremely scary. The rumors of haunting spread like wildfire.

    After Yuan Bingdao bought the house, it became known as the Yuan Manor and for about ten years, nothing happened.

    People gradually forgot about the rumors from before, but the old butler still remembered. When three people died in succession, the memories were suddenly brought back from the depths of his mind, making him more and more afraid.

    Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu exchanged a glance.

    Even the younger servants in the Yuan family probably didn''t know about the events from ten years ago, let alone them.

    "Your master is so rich, he could buy any house he wants. Why insist on buying a haunted one?" Ling Shu asked. The butler smiled bitterly, "At the time, we were in a hurry to move in, and this house happened to be big enough. The old master had several wives and concubines, and without a house like this, we couldn''t accommodate them all."

    Ling Shu looked around and said, "Although the Yuan Manor has a good location, the lighting is not great, and the houses facing the street are quite noisy. For someone like Yuan Bingdao, who has plenty of money, this place is definitely not the first choice for retirement. Moreover, as far as I know, when the Yuan family moved here, your old master only brought one wife, one concubine, and one child, Yuan Bing. After more than ten years in Shanghai, he hasn''t taken in any new people, so it seems like he doesn''t need such a big house."

    The butler replied, "The old master''s considerations are not something we can comment on. I advised him against it, but he insisted on buying this place, and we could only obey."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "So, in the more than ten years that you have lived here, have you ever experienced any ghostly occurrences?"

    The old butler hesitated for a moment before answering, "There were a few incidents, but at that time, there were still many members of the Yuan family living here, and no one really paid much attention to it. However, after the old master and mistress passed away one after the other, the house gradually became empty, and strange things started happening more frequently."

    Ling Shu asked, "Then why didn''t Yuan Bing and the others think about moving out?"

    The old butler sighed, "My master was a spendthrift and often spent half of his day outside of the house. He didn''t have the time or energy to deal with these things. Besides, after he squandered all his wealth, there was nowhere else for him to go except for this house."

    When they asked about Ah Lan, both the butler and the other members of the Yuan family were clueless. As expected by Ling Shu and his team, Ah Lan''s presence in the Yuan family was almost invisible. Although she was an extremely important person by Du Yunning''s side, her muteness and illiteracy created serious communication barriers with others. Except for the old butler who knew some sign language, other servants couldn''t communicate with her at all.

    No one liked her, no one hated her, and no one cared about her. If it weren''t for her connection to the murder case this time, her every breath and movement were destined to not cause any ripples.

    Such a small character, in this era, in this city, was nothing out of the ordinary.

    Ling Shu asked, "Did Ah Lan leave anything behind?" The butler said, "After she had an accident, the chief of the patrol room came and took away all the things she usually used. You can go and ask."

    Yue Dingtang didn''t express any opinion, "Let''s go to the front building first."

    The butler hesitated and refused to go with them.

    Yue Dingtang knew the reason why.

    Nowadays, rumors are flying around outside, especially the rumors of ghosts in the Yuan Manor. They are getting more and more intense every day. Even the patrol responsible for guarding the mansion swear that they have seen Du Yunning standing at the window looking out.

    Under these circumstances, everyone is naturally on edge and suspicious.

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang didn''t force him, and since Yue Dingtang had the key in his hand, he could directly open the door of the front building. A musty smell hit them in the face, carrying the cold of ice and snow. It swirled around them, gloomy and dry, without a single element that could lift one''s spirits.

    The owner of this small building had only left for a short while, yet all signs of life had vanished. It even had a slightly eerie atmosphere, no wonder the old butler stood outside and refused to come in.

    Yue Dingtang went to the servants'' quarters downstairs, while Ling Shu went upstairs to Du Yunning''s room.

    He had already seen everything there was to see last time, and there wasn''t much new to discover. But Ling Shu was afraid of missing something, so he carefully examined every corner and detail again.

    Footsteps could be heard outside the door, light and unhurried.

    "Did you find anything?" Ling Shu didn''t even turn his head, thinking it was Yue Dingtang.

    But no one spoke from behind him. Ling Shu was rummaging through the drawer next to his bed when he suddenly felt a light breath on the back of his neck. The cool air sent shivers down his spine. He quickly turned around, but there was no one there.

    As he looked up, the light bulb above his head suddenly went out. Ling Shu was left in complete darkness.

 CH 22

    Winter nights were dark, and outside it was impossible to see anything once the lights went out.

    As he turned around, he couldn''t see a thing.

    Without hesitation, Ling Shu quickly got up and rushed forward.

    But he found nothing.

    The room was empty.

    The hallway was empty.

    In this large building, only the sound of his hurried footsteps echoed on the wooden floor.

    "Yue Dingtang!" he shouted.

    "I''m here," came the steady voice from downstairs.

    "Power outage?" he asked.

    "Seems like it," Yue Dingtang replied, lighting a kerosene lamp he had found and holding it up as he climbed the stairs.

    The dim flickering light became the only source of illumination in the entire building, making the surrounding darkness even more pronounced. Walking with a lamp in what felt like hell, Yue Dingtang found that light couldn''t scare away the darkness. Instead, it seemed to stir up the lurking shadows.

    "I didn''t come up here earlier," he said as he climbed the stairs to the second floor.

    Ling Shu stood at the doorway, watching as Yue Dingtang pushed open each room and shone his light inside.

    "Did you see anything?"

    "I felt like someone was behind me just now, but when I turned around, there was no one there," Ling Shu replied.

    "Could it have been your imagination?" Yue Dingtang walked into Du Yunning''s room and looked around.

    "Maybe," Ling Shu said uncertainly. He even suspected that his head injury from earlier was still affecting him, as he felt dizzy and disoriented. "But the old butler might have lied."

    "You noticed that too?" Yue Dingtang asked. Ling Shu nodded, "When you asked him if there were any ghosts after the Yuan family moved in, he looked uneasy. First, he fidgeted with his fingers, then he scratched his ear and cheek. Among the suspects I''ve interrogated, this is often a sign of lying."

    Yue Dingtang said, "If he''s lying, then it''s very likely that the ghostly incidents in the Yuan family were artificially created."

    Ling Shu asked, "Are you suspecting that the deaths of these three people are related to the old butler?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Yuan Bing and Du Yunning had no children, and the old butler had enough motive. Moreover, he lied about the ghostly incidents, so there must be something he''s hiding from us. This may be the key to solving the mystery." Ling Shu yawned, "Shouldn''t we head back home now? With the power outage, we won''t find anything even if we keep searching. I need to go home and rest."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "It''s only six in the evening. Come back with me and change into something suitable for the seven o''clock cocktail party."

    Ling Shu''s hand covering his mouth froze. Couldn¡¯t Yue Dingtang forget about the matter?

    He walked down the stairs and stopped at the landing because Yue Dingtang still held the lantern.

    "I think I can just go to the party in this outfit," Ling Shu said, looking up.

    Yue Dingtang was about to descend the stairs.

    In the limited range of the kerosene lamp, Ling Shu clearly saw a black shadow on the wall behind Yue Dingtang.

    The shadow was long and humanoid, but it was definitely not Yue Dingtang''s. Because -

    The dark figure held an axe high in its hand, ready to strike at Yue Dingtang''s back!

    "Get out of the way!"

    In that critical moment, Ling Shu only had time to shout two words.

    Those two words were enough to convey all the meaning.

    If he had shouted "be careful," Yue Dingtang wouldn''t have known what to be careful of.

    If he had shouted "behind you," Yue Dingtang might have turned around, leaving him with no time to dodge.

    For half a second, it all depended on Yue Dingtang''s reaction time and whether he trusted Ling Shu.

    If he thought Ling Shu was joking, he might not have moved at all.

    But Yue Dingtang did move.

    He immediately grabbed the staircase railing and leaped forward, his lower back slamming into the railing, his feet slipping, and he tumbled down several steps before finally regaining his footing at the bottom of the stairs.

    The kerosene lamp in his hand fell and shattered on the ground, extinguishing the flame. As he pounced, Ling Shu had already jumped several steps away, completely unaffected and standing unscathed on the side.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    He didn''t even have time to touch his aching old waist before turning his head to look up.

    The faint light outside reflected the swaying bare branches, resembling human figures with bared teeth and claws.

    But there was nothing there.

    He suspected that Ling Shu had either mistaken what he saw or was deliberately playing a trick on him.

    Looking at Ling Shu again, his expression was as innocent as could be, as if he wasn''t the one who had just spoken.

    "Two gentlemen..."

    The old butler stood outside the door, holding a lamp and stretching his neck to look inside, but he refused to take a step forward.

    "Have you seen everything clearly? Do you need a lamp?"

    In the cold wind, his hunched back trembled as if it could collapse at any moment on this winter night.

    "Just now, did you enter the room?" Yue Dingtang walked out. The butler shook his head like a drum. "I was standing outside when I heard someone shouting inside, so I walked a few steps closer to take a look. As I''ve told you before, it''s best not to come to this room at night!"

    Ling Shu said, "Even if the room is not clean, it''s just the ghosts of your master and mistress. It''s understandable for others to be afraid, but why are you so scared? Did you do something wrong and now you can''t face them?"

    The butler hesitated, his face showing a difficult expression. "Madam didn''t treat us well when she was alive. Once, after a fight with the master, she even said that the Yuan family had delayed half of her life. Even if she became a ghost in the future, she wouldn''t let everyone here be happy..."

    Under the gaze of Yue Dingtang, his voice became smaller and smaller.

    "You''re lying," Yue Dingtang said calmly. "The madam never said those words. And just now, when you were making up the story about the haunting at the Yuan family''s house, you were clearly lying," said Ling Shu.

    "I would never dare to deceive you both!" the old butler argued. "Madam did indeed..."

    "I just saw her," Ling Shu interrupted.

    His tone was eerie and ethereal, like a cool breeze on a dark night blowing towards the old butler.

    The butler was so frightened that he shuddered. Before he could react, Ling Shu continued, "She was just standing in the room in her nightgown, just as beautiful as she was in life, but with a gloomy expression and blood dripping from the corner of her mouth."

    Ling Shu stared straight at the butler, as if his gaze was fixed on a point behind him.

    "Don''t believe me? Turn around and see for yourself," Ling Shu challenged.

    The butler almost dropped the lantern in his hand. He didn''t turn his head, but instead took a few steps forward. "Don''t scare me. Every wrongdoing has its perpetrator. I am not the one who killed Madam, so why would she come back to haunt me?"

    Ling Shu smiled coldly, "Are you saying that you know who killed me?"

    He deliberately lowered his voice, adding a touch of sinister sharpness, speaking slowly and deliberately. It almost sounded like the emphasis Du Yunning used to put on her words when she was alive.

    The old butler''s knees gave out and he fell to the ground.

    "I don''t know anything! I swear! The Yuan family is really haunted. If you don''t believe me, ask them. The servants and even the chief of the patrol room have all seen it. How could I have made this up on my own?" Ling Shu crouched down, ready to continue his investigation, when a patrol officer returned with two boxes of late-night snacks. He was planning to butter up Yue Dingtang, the red man in front of the foreign high-ranking police officer.

    "Boss, why don''t you take a break?" The officer approached with a smile, unknowingly interrupting Ling Shu''s progress.

    The old butler suddenly snapped out of his daze, sweating profusely and shifting from fear to alertness.

    His mouth clamped shut like a clam, refusing to utter a single word.

    "You came just in time. Take him back to the patrol station and interrogate him thoroughly about his involvement in these murders," Yue Dingtang thought for a moment. "The other members of the Yuan family may also be involved, so bring them all in together."

    The patrol officer was taken aback but quickly agreed, calling his colleagues to take everyone away. The Yuan family had never had many members, so two patrol officers were enough to handle them. However, the servants of the Yuan family were already frightened by the murder case, and when they suddenly heard that they were going to be taken back for questioning, they panicked, shouting and crying out for injustice, causing chaos with five or six people in a mess.

    "This person is already old, and can be interrogated, but not excessively, to avoid causing trouble that outweighs the benefits," Yue Dingtang instructed.

    "I understand, you can rest assured!" the patrol officer replied.

    The Yuan family members were soon brought out, all looking dejected and worried.

    Ling Shu took a quick glance.

    "How come one is missing?"

 CH 23

    "Who''s missing?"

    The patrol officer was startled and quickly counted. Soon, he had an answer.

    "Sir, we''re missing a servant named Sancai!"

    Normally, those few people stayed in the small building at the back, eating, drinking, and taking care of their bodily needs inside. At most, someone would come in and out to deliver food or take out the trash.

    After all, their suspicion wasn''t that great, and they hadn''t been convicted yet. It was just a precaution to keep them under guard. The person in charge of watching over them wasn''t that diligent, and didn''t even bother to count the number of people every day.

    Who was Sancai?

    Ling Shu narrowed his eyes and looked at the old butler.

    "On the night when Du Yunning had an accident, you said that Sancai had a stomachache and Lao De went back to his hometown on leave, so Sancai took over their night watch duties." He didn''t miss any change in the old butler''s expression.

    The calm demeanor that the butler had just managed to regain was once again disrupted.

    But he quickly lowered his head, afraid that they would continue to question him and refused to speak up.

    "What about you guys? Didn''t anyone see anything?" The patrolman shouted at the others.

    "Reporting to the officer," a timid middle-aged maid raised her hand. She was the cook of the Yuan family. "I saw Sancai during lunchtime."

    "What about after lunch? Did anyone see him?" The patrolman looked around.

    No one could answer.

    "After you finish asking, take your brothers to have some supper." Yue Dingtang took out a few silver dollars and placed them openly and calmly in the patrolman¡¯s palm.

    If he didn''t do this, even with Smith''s support, these people would still be passive and uncooperative. Lowering his voice, he added, "He¡¯s getting old, so no torture. Try to coax a confession out of him instead."

    The patrolman nodded and saluted, "I understand. Don''t worry, he''ll spill everything tomorrow morning!"

    Yue Dingtang interjected, "And what about here..."

    The patrolman replied, "Let''s search this place first. If we don''t find anyone, we''ll take them back and have our brothers come search and guard the area."

    If there were enough people in the patrol station, they could have torn apart both small buildings and maybe even found the "ghosts" hiding inside. But with limited manpower, they had to settle for this.

    Although Yue Dingtang wasn''t their direct superior, the two patrolmen were polite to him. However, he couldn''t give them direct orders. "Then I''ll trouble you all. I happen to be attending a banquet at the consulate later, and I will inform Mr. Smith of your contributions."

    The patrol officer was overjoyed. "Thank you, sir!"

    Leaving the grieving Yuan family behind, Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu quickly got into the car.

    "We''re a bit rushed for time, so I''m afraid we won''t have time for you to change clothes," Yue Dingtang glanced at his watch.

    Ling Shu was about to say that he could skip the banquet, but then he thought that if he didn''t go with Yue Dingtang, the despicable villain would never let the driver take him home separately. He would have to walk back.

    Thinking about the journey from here to home, Ling Shu quickly changed the subject.

    "The butler is not the murderer."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "How do you know?" Ling Shu said, "His performance was too panicked, and he easily revealed his flaws. And Du Yunning''s death was a trap, just like the night when the person who attacked you and me seemed to have blood on their hands. If the gunman had better aim, you might not be alive to attend the banquet now."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "The butler may not have killed anyone, but he definitely knows the secret of the Yuan family, and this secret may be related to the deaths of the three people."

    Ling Shu rubbed his chin and said, "If all the ghosts and monsters are man-made, and the old butler deliberately created an atmosphere of haunting in the Yuan family, wanting to establish the fact that it is a haunted house, over time, the news of the Yuan family''s haunting will spread, and no matter what strange things happen there, it will not be surprising."

    Yue Dingtang furrowed his brow, "The secret of the Yuan family must be hidden in the details we have yet to discover. Regardless of whether the butler is colluding with the culprit or not, these people''s plans and actions will ultimately lead back to the key secrets of the Yuan family."

    In other words, as long as they keep watch over the Yuan family, the other side will be helpless and unable to achieve their goals.

    Ling Shu raised an eyebrow, "So you deliberately sent people away for a while to lure the snake out of its hole?"

    Yue Dingtang did not directly answer, "The banquet will end around ten o''clock in the evening. You and I will go to the patrol station to see what results the butler''s interrogation yields."

    Ling Shu replied, "I''m still a patient."

    Yue Dingtang said calmly, "You had a bowl of tofu pudding, two fried dough sticks, and half a bowl of tomato noodle soup for breakfast."

    Ling Shu remained calm and said, "Patients need to eat more to recover quickly."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "The consulate''s buffet is very abundant."

    Finally, Ling Shu stopped talking.

    ...

    The car drove from Yuan Manor all the way to the consulate.

    Along the way, there were several people who were barely dressed or wrapped in tattered cotton coats, shivering under the round columns on the roadside.

    The poor have no right to celebrate the New Year. Their only wish is to survive this winter.

    Ling Shu knew that some of these people might not even survive until he returned from his short trip in the car.

    As they got closer to the consulate, the scenery on both sides changed rapidly. Everything became more upscale, with countless Western-style buildings and elegant, beautiful red walls shining brightly in the night, far away from poverty.

    It was as if they had entered another world.

    But, this was still the same Shanghai. Poverty and wealth, desolation and prosperity, are only a stone''s throw away from each other.

    In 1933, Shanghai still appeared bustling and prosperous.

    The clouds of war had briefly lingered last year, but quickly dissipated.

    Perhaps the local residents still remembered, or perhaps they deliberately forgot, but everyone sang, danced, raced horses, and gradually the smoke and blood faded with time, returning this largest city in the Far East to its original appearance.

    Beneath the glamour lies decay, like flesh and blood.

    Outside the consulate, colorful lanterns were hung, and even small lanterns were placed at the doors of the small Western-style houses, illuminating the smiling faces of the people with a red glow, making the atmosphere joyous. As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." The longer foreign diplomats stay in China, the more they adopt Chinese characteristics in their every move. Little do people know that this is just a facade they put on for protection and as a means to negotiate and make connections with military and political figures. Deep down, they are still shrewd and capable Westerners who never want to be at a disadvantage.

    However, the Nanjing government is still willing to deal with these "China experts."

    Many people in this era admire Western civilization and look up to it with envy and humility, yet they are unwilling to bend their proud 5,000-year-old heritage. There is always a contradictory mentality of inferiority and superiority.

    The owner of this consulate, Terry Pence, perfectly understands and exploits this mentality of the masses. He wasn''t dressed like a typical guest in a suit and tie. Instead, he wore a long robe and jacket, bowing and greeting everyone he met. This drew praise and admiration from many of the banquet attendees. Of course, there were also those who secretly mocked and ridiculed him.

    "Mr. Pence is truly well-versed in Chinese etiquette and culture!"

    "I heard that Mr. Pence has a wide network of connections in Nanjing. Even the Chairman has heard of him. He''s not like other foreigners, he''s a true China expert."

    "Tsk, tsk. They''re not one of us, so their hearts must be different. What''s there to praise?"

    "As a dignified American Consul in Shanghai, he personally came out to greet us at the door. This is truly more courteous than some of our own people. Isn''t it worthy of praise? Nowadays, everyone talks about democracy and science, but since the May Fourth Movement, many people have gone too far in their admiration of foreign things, overcorrecting and forgetting our ancestors'' etiquette. It''s shameful, shameful!"

    "Alright, enough of that. In this kind of setting, with so many high-ranking officials and celebrities from Shanghai, don''t just blabber on. Don¡¯t let anyone hear you, just eat your food and keep quiet. Eat more, talk less!"

    Whispers could be heard from all directions, but Ling Shu calmly picked up a piece of melon and ham and savored it in his mouth.

    As one of the few China experts, Pence was naturally very courteous. However, not everyone was fortunate enough to receive a personal welcome from him, and unfortunately, Ling Shu was one of them. He only got the opportunity thanks to Yue Dingtang''s connections.

    Judging from the friendly conversation between Pence and Yue Dingtang, it was clear that Yue Dingtang''s two older brothers must have been doing very well in both the government and business sectors, and had maintained good relationships with diplomats like Pence.

    But none of this mattered to Ling Shu.

    His seat was located at the end of the long buffet table, and few people would come over to him.

    However, several circles had formed around him, and he had managed to pick up quite a few pieces of gossip by listening in on conversations nearby.

    For example, at the banquet, there were not only politicians and businessmen, but also many cultural celebrities. Even the famous movie star He You¡¯an, who has recently gained a lot of fame, was brought along.

    Another example is Miss Liu San, who is well-known in Shanghai. She actually left her fianc¨¦, whom she was already engaged to, and ran away with someone else.

    The news was suppressed by the Liu family, but it couldn''t be contained any longer and eventually came out. Her future in-laws were furious and dissatisfied, and the two families, both with their own backgrounds and connections, are now almost taking the lawsuit to Nanjing.

    For example, the "Sheshan Evening News" recently serialized a novel called "The Chronicles of Liuquan". It borrowed the background of the late Qing Dynasty and wrote about the strange things and suspenseful cases encountered by a county magistrate in Liuquan County. The plot is thrilling and has become popular recently. Not only are people discussing it in the streets, but even in such occasions, people are mentioning it and guessing the plot.

    Another example is the recent rumors of ghosts in the Yuan Manor, which have caused a lot of commotion and become one of the hot topics of discussion.

    Many people are talking about Du Yunning''s cause of death and even the various female stars that Yuan Bing had relationships with. Even Du Yunning''s name is barely mentioned in the newspaper, only referring to her childhood sweetheart surnamed ¡°Ling¡±.

    "Ling, the childhood sweetheart," went from eating melon and ham to enjoying French foie gras, sipping on wine, and listening to these stories with great interest. Suddenly, someone called out to him from behind.

    "Well, well, isn''t this our handsome Young Master Ling?" they said.

    A little side story unrelated to the main plot:

    Yue Chunxiao was happily preparing a bunch of food to bring to the hospital to visit someone who was sick. Yue Dingtang glanced over and saw small cakes, cookies, sweet and sour pork ribs, vegetarian goose, drunken crabs, and braised bamboo shoots, all of which she had personally cooked.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Are you bringing all of this? Will he be able to eat it all? And shouldn''t he be eating light food since he''s sick?"

    Yue Chunxiao stood firm and confident, "Even if he can''t eat it, just looking at it is enough. With such a perfect combination of color, fragrance, and taste, it can lift his mood and help him recover faster from my illness."

    Yue Dingtang was speechless, "When I was sick as a child, why didn''t you treat me so well?"

    Yue Chunxiao replied with a smile, "Well, you have to act a little spoiled first."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    Yue Chunxiao then turned and left.

 CH 24

    Others may not know who Young Master Ling is, but as soon as someone mentions his handsome appearance, all eyes immediately turn towards him.

    Ling Shu and the person he was talking to became the center of attention.

    Naturally, everyone first looked at the speaker''s appearance, which was plain and unremarkable, leading to some disappointment.

    But when they looked back at Ling Shu, their eyes lit up.

    In fact, when Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang had just entered the room, many young ladies had already secretly noticed him. However, Ling Shu quickly hid in a corner, not wanting to appear too eager in such a crowded and lively event. But to his surprise, when he turned around, the other person was standing in the dim light.

    Compared to Yue Dingtang''s calm and capable demeanor, many girls preferred Ling Shu''s handsome and suave appearance. As soon as they laid eyes on Ling Shu, they couldn''t help but realize that "beautiful" was not just an adjective reserved for women.

    There is a kind of beauty that is like a refreshing breeze in spring, unforgettable once seen.

    Ling Shu has always been popular with women, even at the dance hall where the dancers would tip him. Even Ling Yao and Yue Chunxiao, who didn''t get along, could temporarily set aside their differences for him. Although the circumstances were different, some things never changed.

    This moment was no exception.

    Lin Dingkang was a bit surprised by the unintentional effect Ling Shu had on people.

    He knew Ling Shu was handsome, and during their school days, he was the focus of female students'' attention. Now, he hadn''t aged poorly and had grown even taller than Lin remembered.

    "It''s been a long time, Ling Shu. How have you been?" He reached out his hand.

    "Great." Ling Shu put down the cake and shook his hand.

    "A few years ago, I heard that you went to study in France and then I never heard from you again. I thought you settled down there." Lin Dingkang took two glasses of wine from the waiter and handed one to him. "When did you come back? Why didn''t you make plans to meet up with old classmates for a drink?"

    Ling Shu raised his glass in a toast. "Why wait for a specific day when we can drink now?"

    The other person was taken aback and laughed, "You''re still so humorous! A talented person like you must be doing well now. Are you a high-ranking official in the consulate or in the government?"

    Ling Shu shrugged. "I''m just a small police officer in Jiangwan District."

    Lin Dingkang didn''t believe him. "How is that possible? Someone like you should at least be a deputy director, right?"

    Ling Shu smiled. "My father passed away."

    Lin Dingkang suddenly remembered that since Ling Shu''s father passed away, the Ling family had fallen from grace and disappeared from high society. However, when he saw Ling Shu just now, who had always been elegant, he couldn''t help but have a momentary illusion that the Ling family was still the same and Ling Shu was still the same.

    But anyone who could be invited to such an occasion must have some connections. Today there may be a downfall, but tomorrow may not be.

    After working for years, Lin Dingkang had seen many political figures rise and fall, and he understood this well. He would not look down on Ling Shu because of this.

    Moreover, with Ling Shu''s talent, if he caught the eye of some wealthy young lady tonight, he would immediately soar to new heights.

    After all, back in the day, a certain chairman was able to climb higher by marrying into the Song family. He was about to say a few comforting words to ease the awkwardness, when suddenly a voice chimed in from beside him.

    "Dingkang, what are you doing here? And who is this young master? Introduce us, won''t you?"

    The newcomer''s tone was flippant, but as Lin Dingkang turned to see who it was, he knew that this person had a natural talent for being disrespectful.

    Shen Shiqi, of course, was not his real name. He was called that because he was the seventeenth in line in the Shen family.

    This family was large and full of talented individuals, with some pursuing academia and others in business. Shen Shiqi''s uncle was even serving in the Nanjing government, holding a high position. It was said that he was part of the pro-Chiang Kai-shek faction, and had recently become very popular.

    Shen Shiqi was also in the business of import and export trade. The Shen family was a big business, and once their capital had reached a certain level, regardless of whether Shen Shiqi had exceptional business acumen or not, as long as he didn''t do anything outrageously stupid, his qualifications were at the level of an average person and he wouldn''t suffer any losses.

    The people around him naturally praised him like a rising star, causing Shen Shiqi to become increasingly inflated and arrogant. Tonight''s banquet was attended by many celebrities, but only a few caught his eye.

    Lin Dingkang''s job was obtained through his uncle''s connections, so Shen Shiqi didn''t even bother to pay attention to him. He spoke casually, as if ordering his household servants.

    Lin Dingkang smiled and said, "Master Shen, what brings you here? I just happened to run into an old classmate and we were catching up!" Shen Shiqi lifted his chin and nodded at Ling Shu.

    "Could it be that you''re also working as a translator at some consulate?" Wasn''t he just insulting him? Although Lin Dingkang was unhappy in his heart, he didn''t show it on his face and continued to warmly introduce the two.

    "This is my high school classmate, surnamed Ling, with the single name Shu. And this is Shen Shiqi, the famous young master of the Shen family!"

    He deliberately emphasized the words "famous young master" to prevent Ling Shu from accidentally offending this important person.

    "Hello, Mr. Shen," Ling Shu was indeed well-mannered and immediately reached out his hand.

    But Shen Shiqi slowly looked him up and down and didn''t move.

    Lin Dingkang was taken aback and thought that this Shen guy was here to cause trouble.

    Sure enough, Shen Shiqi ignored Ling Shu and looked at Lin Dingkang.

    "Is this classmate of yours living off his looks?"

    Lin Dingkang chuckled, "Master Shen, you''re quite humorous. Ling Shu is currently working at the police station!"

    "Oh?" Shen Shiqi raised an eyebrow and drawled, "He looks like a pretty boy. Why would he become a police officer instead of a movie star? Let me introduce you to someone."

    He pulled over the beauty next to him, "You all definitely know her, movie star He You''an. She''s been making waves recently and I''m sure everyone in Shanghai has heard of her. She admires you and can introduce you to a job that will guarantee your success. You won''t have to be a police officer anymore. Just think of how much you can earn in a month!"

    Lin Dingkang had already recognized Shen Shiqi''s companion as He You''an.

    Not only him, but all the guests present knew her. There were socialites and young gentlemen who liked her and came to ask for her autograph. He You''an welcomed them all, signing many without putting on any airs of a big star. She spoke very little and followed Shen Shiqi around like a shadow.

    Although beautiful, she was still just a plaything. Acting was still an industry that was not highly regarded these days. Despite He You''an''s fame, in this kind of occasion, she could only attract attention because of her beauty and reputation. Shen Shiqi paraded her around like a precious vase.

    When He You''an heard Shen Shiqi''s words, she smiled and said softly, "Don''t be ridiculous."

    Shen Shiqi hugged her slender waist and said proudly, "Didn''t you say he''s good-looking? With such a beautiful appearance, it would be a waste not to benefit the public, wouldn''t it?"

    Lin Dingkang could sense the hostility in his words and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Ling Shu is a police officer, patrolling the streets to maintain order and catch those thieves and criminals. Only then can we feel safe when we go out. This is also for the benefit of the public!"

    He then turned to Shen Shiqi and said, "Ling Shu is also a well-educated person who has studied abroad. When he was in school, his grades were top-notch!"

    These days, those who can afford to study abroad are either sponsored students or come from wealthy families. Lin Dingkang was reminding Shen Shiqi to leave some room for compromise in everything.

    Unexpectedly, Shen Shiqi was not buying it at all. "Studying abroad? Hmph, nowadays even borrowing money from relatives can get you to go abroad for work-study programs. Those who don''t know think they''ve learned something, but like father like son, even a mouse''s child still knows how to dig holes. Mr. Ling is a talented person, I think becoming a police officer is really a waste of talent. If you''re not willing to become a movie star, I have a friend who can recommend you. He loves young and beautiful people like you who have the drive to succeed. If you work under him for a few years, I guarantee you''ll earn more than you would as a police officer for ten years. What do you think?"

    He stared at Ling Shu with piercing eyes, wanting to see the other''s embarrassed expression before he was satisfied.

    But Ling Shu remained calm and even leisurely finished his champagne before speaking.

    "Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Shen. The job sounds good, but unfortunately, it''s not for me."

    Shen Shiqi was not pleased. "What a pity."

    Ling Shu replied, "It''s a shame that I am currently carrying a murder case on my back. The case involves three lives, and those three restless souls haunt me day and night. How could I..."

    He gave Shen Shiqi a sly smile, which was eerie and chilling, and even took a step towards him.

    Shen Shiqi instinctively took two steps back.

    "How could I go on harming others and adding more lives to my burden?"

    "Are you the police officer surnamed Ling...the childhood sweetheart of Du Yunning?!"

    Some young lady from an unknown family exclaimed, revealing Ling Shu''s identity.

    Everyone''s expression changed, and they all stepped back, afraid that Ling Shu would stab them with a knife if they were too slow.

    In an instant, a large area around him cleared out like a tide.

    "What happened here?" With a foreign accent, the host of the banquet arrived and everyone made way for him. Most people were focused on Pence, but Ling Shu''s attention was on Yue Dingtang, who stood beside him. Their eyes met in a silent battle.

    Ling Shu: Have you been enjoying the show after watching it for so long?

    Yue Dingtang: It''s been alright. I was hoping to see you flustered, but it''s been a bit underwhelming.

    Finally, Ling Shu understood why he had always disliked Yue Dingtang since their school days. It wasn''t because he competed with him in academics and social status, or even because he stole his women. It was because of that smirk on his face, neither a smile nor a sneer, that made Ling Shu want to smash a bottle over his head and shatter that face to pieces. As he grew older, his provocative appearance became more and more noticeable.

    Shen Shiqi snapped out of his daze and immediately frowned at Ling Shu''s audacity, feeling a bit annoyed.

    With his family background and confidence in dealing with British and American consuls, he immediately questioned, "Mr. Pence, your banquet is elegant and frequented by high society. When did you start allowing murderers in? I heard he''s even a police officer? I remember Chief Huang from the city bureau is here tonight, right? Chief Huang, don''t hide behind the crowd, come over and explain to us!"

    Chief Huang looked embarrassed, never expecting to be forced to show his face in this situation.

    "Well, Master Shen, you''ve got me there. Du Yunning''s case happened in the concession, which is not under my jurisdiction. Besides, I have so many people under my command, how could I possibly know a small police officer in a district?"

    The cold wind outside the window was biting, but inside the room the heating was warm and cozy. It was so warm that even Chief Huang was on the verge of pulling out a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat on his forehead.

    Shen Shiqi chuckled, "So, Chief Huang, are you trying to shirk responsibility?"

    Chief Huang didn''t want to offend Shen Shiqi over a small matter, so he quickly denied it and looked towards Ling Shu.

    "You, come here!" Ling Shu had eaten and drank his fill, put down his cup, and walked over to Chief Huang, bowing respectfully.

    "Hello, Chief. Ling Shu of the Jiangwan District Police Station reports to you!" Chief Huang''s face was dark, and he naturally vented all his displeasure on Ling Shu, who had embarrassed him in front of everyone.

    "How did you manage to sneak in here?" Ling Shu reported, "Director, someone brought me here. Before coming, he told me that you would also be present. I said that I am currently under suspicion and must stay in the patrol house, and I cannot cause you any trouble. But that person said that no one can challenge his authority tonight, and even you must show him some respect. I believed him. Who knew that he was just talking nonsense? Master Shen completely disregarded him."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, having only watched the play for a minute, Ling Shu had already dug a one-meter deep hole for him.

    Chief Huang exclaimed, "Who? Who said that? Bring him out!"

    "It was me who brought him here," Yue Dingtang finally spoke up.

    He smiled slightly at Chief Huang, "My surname is Yue, and my elder brother is Yue Dingqin. He used to work in Shanghai, and I believe you know him." The name Yue Dingqin, more than just Chief Huang knew it, most people present should know it too.

    Chief Huang''s face changed instantly, from anger to shock, embarrassment to fear, all in just a few seconds.

    "So it''s the second young master of the Yue family!"

    Yue Dingtang smiled, "My second brother went north."

    Chief Huang laughed, "It''s the third young master Yue, your brother and I had a good relationship back then. Unfortunately, after he went to Nanjing, we rarely kept in touch. Today is a rare encounter!"

    Yue Dingtang nodded, not caring whether what he said was true or false.

    "Let me introduce, this is Mr. Pence, the Consul General of the United States in Shanghai, and this is Chief Huang of the Municipal Police Bureau, who was recently promoted to his current position for his outstanding performance."

    Chief Huang quickly adjusted his tie, stepped forward and extended his hands, slightly bowing. "Mr. Pence, I''m Huang Qi, nice to meet you!"

    Pence shook hands with him, his gaze falling on Ling Shu and Shen Shiqi.

    "I heard there was a misunderstanding here earlier, has it all been resolved?"

    Although Shen Shiqi wasn''t afraid of Americans, he wasn''t foolish enough to cause trouble on their turf.

    He had originally taken issue with Ling Shu and wanted to teach him a lesson. Usually in these small matters, the other party would end up apologizing and begging for forgiveness. Whether or not Shen Shiqi was willing to spare their life depended on his mood.

    But this time, the situation had unexpectedly spiraled out of his control.

    "It''s been resolved, it was just a small misunderstanding," Shen Shiqi said reluctantly.

    Pence nodded, but regardless of whether he seemed natural or not, willing or unwilling, he immediately turned to chat with the person next to him.

    "Mr. Pence, this is my old friend and classmate, Ling Shu. Like you and me, he was a student in France. Although he has been implicated in a case, there is evidence that proves his innocence."

    Since he had already stepped forward, Yue Dingtang decided to formally introduce Ling Shu.

    Pence nodded and smiled, extending his hand to greet Ling Shu.

    Ling Shu hesitated for a moment before responding.

    Chief Huang listened in confusion and turned to Lin Dingkang, asking, "What are they saying? Is it English?"

    Lin Dingkang replied, "It''s French. The consul said, ''I believe the truth will clear the gentleman''s name.'' Ling Shu responded with a thank you."

    Chief Huang scratched his head and asked, "He really studied abroad, so why did he become a police officer?" Lin Dingkang didn''t mind helping out an old classmate, and said, "You may not know this, but the Ling family was also a prestigious family in the past. It''s just that their fortunes declined later on. People, you know, all have their ups and downs in life!"

    Chief Huang suddenly realized something. "It''s rare to see someone who can overcome adversity and strive for success. He''s truly a good young man and deserves to be rewarded!"

    Lin Dingkang smiled but didn''t say anything.

    How did being a small police officer have anything to do with overcoming adversity? He was afraid that in the end, the relationship would still fall on Yue Dingtang. But since Chief Huang said so, he would listen to him. Lin Dingkang also thought about going to strengthen his relationship with Yue Dingtang later.

    The storm was loud but the rain was small. The host of the banquet didn''t even care, and everyone else pretended to forget that Ling Shu was a suspect. Besides, his appearance and demeanor were enough to make people let down their guard and get close to him. Some of the more daring socialites took the initiative to chat with him.

    The only one who felt embarrassed and angry was Shen Shiqi.

    Although He You''an beside him was quiet the whole time, he felt like everyone around him was sneering and mocking him.

    "Why are you laughing?" he suddenly looked at He You''an and asked coldly.

    The other was listening to Yue Dingtang and the rest chatting, with a slight smile on her lips.

    He You''an was called out and looked surprised, quickly retracting her smile: "Mr. Shen, I wasn''t laughing."

    Shen Shiqi snorted: "Don''t think that just because I brought you here, you can climb up the social ladder. In their eyes, no matter how famous you are, you''re still a third-rate actor!"

    His voice was loud, and everyone around him heard it.

    He You''an''s face turned white in an instant, biting her lip tightly, seemingly trying to control her emotions. Ling Shu was about to speak, but he was stopped by Yue Dingtang, who placed a hand on his shoulder.

    He met Yue Dingtang''s eyes, which remained calm and steady, but his hand never moved.

    The message was clear: he should not interfere.

    Ling Shu and they had no personal or familial relationship with He You''an, and they did not understand the relationship between her and Shen Shiqi. To act rashly might not be heroic, but rather a joke.

    However, Ling Shu still made a move.

    A paper and pen appeared in front of He You''an, along with a beautiful hand.

    "Miss He, my sister is your fan. Can you sign your name for me?"

    "Of course!"

    He You''an hurriedly took the paper and pen, gave him a forced smile, and quickly signed her name.

    "Do you need me to write a blessing for your sister?"

    "If it''s convenient, that would be even better. My sister''s nickname is Ling Yao, which means ''far away.'' I wish her good health."

    He You''an finished writing quickly, with elegant handwriting that showed she had practiced.

    "Write one for me too!"

    "I want one too!"

    "Write a few more, I''ll give them as gifts!"

    The young miss and young master next to them saw how much fun they were having and quickly pulled out their own notebooks that they had only just gotten He You''an to sign.

    The crowd swarmed around, pushing Shen Shiqi to the outskirts.

    He stared at Ling Shu for three seconds before turning and leaving, remembering him as a new enemy.

    "Looks like we have a new enemy out of nowhere."

    Ling Shu was about to turn around and get some wine when Yue Dingtang''s voice sounded from behind him.

    "Shen Shiqi is arrogant and domineering, he does things his own way and doesn''t follow the rules. You stood up for the beauty, will she be grateful and offer herself to you?"

    Ling Shu didn''t answer, instead bending down to examine the taste of each type of liquor.

    "Apple or orange?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Oranges..."

    Ling Shu handed him a glass of orange liquor and took a glass of apple for himself.

    "Helping out in times of trouble, isn''t that what a gentleman does? Whether or not the beauty is grateful, it doesn''t matter. Mr. Pence saw it and that''s good enough. Didn''t you see the admiration he showed me just now?" Ling Shu said.

    Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow, "Pence has no say in the police station. What''s the use of impressing him?"

    Ling Shu replied, "The suspect has to do a few good deeds, otherwise how can I justify you bringing me here? Alright, I''m going to flatter Chief Huang now."

    With that, he picked up his glass and walked confidently towards Chief Huang.

    "If I hadn''t taught you that phrase of thanks in French just now, could you have handled Pence?" Yue Dingtang asked leisurely. Ling Shutou didn''t even turn around, he just waved his hand and made a farewell gesture towards him.

    Yue Dingtang narrowed his eyes.

    With the previous groundwork laid, Chief Huang did indeed look at Ling Shutou with new eyes.

    Chief Huang was a coarse man who relied on flattery and luck to climb to his position. He didn''t fit in with the literati, celebrities, and wealthy families here. He just wanted to flatter people, but no one was interested in listening to him.

    However, he met Ling Shutou and they chatted happily about the delicious food in the south and the recent cases. They hit it off surprisingly well.

    It wasn''t until Chief Huang went to the restroom that another charming guest arrived on the balcony.

    "I''m really sorry, Master Shen wasn''t intentionally targeting you just now. It''s just that I praised you in front of him, and he became jealous. It''s all my fault," said He You''an sincerely, even bowing slightly towards Ling Shutou. Ling Shu raised his glass: "It''s okay, it''s every gentleman''s duty to help a beautiful lady out of a predicament."

    Sure enough, He You''an laughed.

    Ling Shu pointed to his own lips and reminded her, "Your lipstick is a little smudged."

    He You''an quickly took out a mirror and lipstick, and began to touch up her makeup under the balcony''s chandelier.

    By some strange coincidence, Ling Shu happened to see the lipstick in her hand.

    In a flash, memories intertwined and something suddenly flashed before his eyes.

    The truth was hidden behind the thick fog of the night, waiting for him to capture it.

    "Is that your lipstick?"

    He You''an looked up and saw Ling Shu staring at her lipstick, and couldn''t help but smile. "What, you want to buy it for your girlfriend? This is Danqi''s newly released lipstick, rose red. This color is limited edition and the packaging is different from other colors. It''s probably sold out now. If you want other colors, I have a few unopened ones that I bought before. I can send them to you later," said He You''an.

    Ling Shu asked, "Is it very expensive because it''s a limited edition?"

    "It''s priced the same as other colors, but it''s just hard to get. It was sold out on the day of release and I had to ask someone to get it for me," replied He You''an.

    "When was it released?" asked Ling Shu.

    "I heard it was released in Europe and America three months ago, but it takes time to ship to China. It was released here on January 25th," said He You''an.

    January 25th, the eve of Chinese New Year.

    It was after Du Yunning''s accident. The lipstick in He You''an''s hand was exactly the same as the one that dropped at the Yuan family with the maid, Ah Lan. But Ah Lan claimed that it was given to her by Du Yunning.

    However, Du Yunning was already dead. Did she come back as a ghost just to give lipstick to the maid? Therefore, Ah Lan must be lying!

    As he was pondering, Yue Dingtang suddenly walked in. "Come with me to the police station now!"

 CH 25

    "Another person died?" Ling Shu blurted out unconsciously.

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Can''t you hope for something good?"

    Ling Shu innocently said, "It''s not my fault. There are too many people dying in this case. Every time we find a clue, it disappears. If it weren''t for your luck, you would be lying in a coffin now, and I should be in jail."

    "It''s the old butler. He revealed something," Yue Dingtang said.

    The police station couldn''t reach the consulate by phone, and the person who came to report couldn''t explain everything in a few words.

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtant had to go there in person.

    Yue Dingtang said goodbye to Pence and took Ling Shu to the car outside.

    Ling Shu didn''t notice that there had been a pair of eyes following him all along. Shen Shiqi had a stern face, with a gloomy and irritable expression that almost overflowed from his eyes. No one within three feet of him wanted to approach him, even those who usually flattered him were temporarily silent, as if they were invisible.

    With Pence present, Shen Shiqi couldn''t cause trouble at the banquet. Not only would it upset the Americans, but his uncle would also not let him off the hook. But once he left here, no one could control him.

    Shen Shiqi slowly chuckled.

    "Master Shen."

    Shen Shiqi turned his head towards the voice, and He You''an walked over with two glasses of wine.

    "Have a drink and calm down, okay?"

    She was gentle and graceful, just like the countless wealthy young ladies she had played on the silver screen, a virtuous wife and loving mother.

    Any beauty with an outstanding temperament was not just a beauty, but could enter the ranks of unforgettable great beauties. Although He You''an was quiet and silent like a vase when she didn''t speak, when she smiled and spoke, there was a dazzling brilliance like swaying flowers, making every move and gesture beautiful beyond words.

    No man was immune to such beauty, and Shen Shiqi was no exception at first. He had exerted great effort to win over this beauty, but at this moment, even before her face, he could not dispel the resentment and anger in his heart.

    "You''ve been avoiding me just now, afraid that I''ll be angry? Or did you go to meet that person surnamed Ling?" Shen Shiqi said with a sinister expression, looking like a demon returned from hell.

    Her voice softened, "You''ve misunderstood. The wife of the first secretary at the consulate stopped me earlier and asked where I got my earrings. I told her you gave them to me, and we chatted for a bit. It''s all my fault. Please don''t be angry, okay?"

    But her meekness did little to quell Shen Shiqi''s rage. He took the drink she offered him with a blank expression and then splashed it in her face.

    The beautiful woman''s hair and face were drenched in alcohol, her stunning features now marred.

    The crowd erupted in shock and everyone''s eyes were on them.

    "What are you doing? Even if Miss He is here with you, you can''t just bully her like this! It''s a new era of equality, you can''t use old-fashioned methods to oppress people!"

    Someone immediately stepped forward, standing in front of He You''an. Many were fans of He You''an, but even more were admirers who fell under her beauty. Shen Shiqi''s attitude towards her as a plaything had long been noticed by everyone, but they had held back due to the occasion and the banquet director. Now that Shen Shiqi stepped over the line, everyone spoke up for her.

    Of course, there were also those who were jealous of He You''an''s looks and secretly cursed her as a femme fatale. But with her delicate and pitiful appearance, who could find fault with her?

    Shen Shiqi saw that he had become the target of everyone''s criticism, and Mr. Pence also turned his head to look over. Knowing that he had once again made an impulsive mistake, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger.

    He no longer paid attention to He You''an, but instead crossed the crowd to bid farewell to Pence before leaving the banquet hall in large strides.

    He had brought He You''an with him, so naturally she had to follow. She took the handkerchief handed to her by the waiter and quickly wiped her damp hair. Her expression of enduring grievance and forcing a smile could move anyone, regardless of gender.

    Immediately, someone couldn''t bear to watch anymore and spoke up, "Miss He, you don''t have to go with him. I can take you back later. My father has some face in Shanghai and Shen Shiqi wouldn''t dare do anything to you!"

    He You''an smiled gratefully at him, "If it weren''t for Mr. Shen bringing me here, I wouldn''t have met all of you tonight. He may be heartless, but I cannot be ungrateful. Although I come from a humble background, there are certain principles one must abide by. Anyway, thank you all for tonight. When the new movie is released, I''ll have someone send everyone tickets."

    Her words were reasonable and clear, even those who previously disliked her were slightly impressed. Women are often soft-hearted and easily swayed, but with these words, He You''an gained many supporters.

    "If he gives you trouble, be sure to tell us. I''ll give you my phone number and you can come straight to my house, Liugong Manor. Just mention my name, Liu Wu, and someone will let me know."

    "Yes, I''ll also let your film company know and have them send two people to protect you!"

    "Shen Shiqi won''t dare to do anything. He still relies on his uncle for a living. I''ll have my dad talk to his uncle and make sure you can focus on filming without any worries."

    With everyone''s encouragement, He You''an felt more courageous and surrounded by their support. She thanked everyone one by one and quickly walked out of the door, leaving with Shen Shiqi''s bodyguards who were waiting outside.

    Shen Shiqi was already sitting in the car, his face gloomy and not much better than when he left.

    If Ling Shu had only filled half of the gunpowder barrel before, the words of the guests who sided with He You''an were like adding fuel to the fire, causing Shen Shiqi to completely explode, but he had to restrain himself in the end.

    His expression under the mottled light and shadow was even more gloomy than before.

    He You''an sighed quietly and said, "Master Shen, I''m back."

    Shen Shiqi replied, "Why did you come back? So many people admire you, why not leave with someone else instead of suffering here with me?"

    He You''an said, "I came with you, so naturally I will follow you. I understand how good you have been to me. That Ling guy is just a small character who is not worth your attention. Don''t be angry, okay?"

    Suddenly, her chin was pinched and forcefully pulled closer.

    With their faces almost touching, Shen Shiqi''s breath almost sprayed onto her face.

    Mixed with the alcohol that was splashed on her face just now, and the alcohol in the other party''s nasal cavity, He You''an''s eyes quickly became moist.

    "Master Shen..."

    "Don''t think that just because you are a popular movie star in front of others, your wings have grown and you can leave me to fly solo. I can lift you up, but I can also pull you down and make you fall even harder than before..."

    Shen Shiqi paused between each word, his tone sinister and cruel.

    "...and make you crash even harder!"

    He You''an''s breath was weak, and her eyelashes trembled. At that moment, she was like a swan with a broken neck, on the brink of death.

    Perhaps she didn''t know that often, when a damsel in distress falls into darkness and begs for mercy, it only fuels some people''s sadistic desires to destroy beauty.

    "I understand, Master Shen. I have been yours my whole life and have never dared to have a second thought."

    ...

    When Ling Shu and the others saw the old butler, he already looked pale and weak, barely able to speak.

    It wasn''t because of the torture from the police station. The old butler was already so old and couldn''t withstand the tiger bench or chili water. It was because after being arrested, facing the oppressive atmosphere of the interrogation room and the intimidating questioning from the interrogators, it was hard for anyone to maintain their composure.

    "It was me who made Sancai scare people at the Yuan Manor!" After all the fuss, the old butler finally stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point when he met with Ling Shu and the others.

    Shen Renjie handed him a small bowl of water, allowing him to quench his thirst after being parched for so long.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "So you''re saying that you didn''t kill the person?"

    The butler quickly shook his head and said, "No, no! I''ve never killed anyone! I''ve been loyal to the Yuan family since I was a teenager. How could I possibly harm my master?"

    Shen Renjie asked, "Then why did you send Sancai to scare people?"

    The old butler took a deep breath and from his expression, Ling Shu could tell that he didn''t want to talk about it. However, the situation had already spiraled out of control and the old butler was starting to panic.

    Three people, with six piercing eyes, stared intently. The flickering lights in the interrogation room seemed to be haunted, refusing to rest. Outside the iron bars, the trees rustled and whispered, and the sound of weeping could be heard faintly in the distance. It was eerie and unsettling.

    But it was precisely because the sound was indistinct that it made people even more fearful.

    The old butler''s psychological defenses had completely collapsed.

    "Because, because when the old master was alive, he left a batch of valuables to the Yuan family!"

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang exchanged a glance.

    They had previously speculated that the killer''s multiple murders, seemingly related to Du Yunning''s affair, were actually all revolving around the Yuan family. It was very likely that the Yuan family possessed something that the killer desperately wanted.

    Now it seemed that the deaths of Du Yunning, Yuan Bing, and Ah Lan were all related to this matter, even if the old butler was not directly involved.

    "What kind of valuables?" The butler''s hands trembled as he held the bowl, his expression changing as he struggled internally.

    At this point, he could no longer continue to conceal the secrets buried for many years.

    "Gold, endless gold... enough to fill half a room!"

    Not only was Shen Renjie unable to close his mouth, even Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but show a look of shock.

    Money moves the heart, fortunately, there were only the three of them in the interrogation room now. Otherwise, it would be difficult to guarantee that others would not go crazy and cause trouble after hearing this news.

    Yue Dingtang looked at Shen Renjie at the right time.

    Shen Renjie was so clever that he immediately stood up straight and said, "All the contents of the case must not be made public before the case is closed. I will also keep the testimony of the relevant personnel properly. Once it leaks out, you can come after me!"

    Yue Dingtang nodded and turned to the old butler. "Please continue. Where did the gold come from?"

    Yuan Bingdao didn''t spend much time in Sichuan before he could speak the language fluently.

    After losing in the factional struggles, he was soon forced to leave. However, the reason why he was able to live comfortably for the rest of his life, with endless wealth, was not only because he had plundered the people during his time in power, but also because of a sunken ship he discovered.

    Yuan Bingdao''s trusted aide was the first to discover the sunken ship. At the time, they only thought it was an ordinary civilian ship, dating back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.

    But later, when Yuan Bingdao sent people to salvage most of the boxes from the ship, they found either gold or precious objects inside. Who the ship owner was and why the ship sank here was not Yuan Bingdao''s main concern. In times of warlords and chaos, nothing brings more joy than a fortune that falls from the sky.

    Yuan Bingdao quickly snapped out of his daze.

    Although he was a warlord, there were different levels of power among them. Big fish eat small fish, and Yuan Bingdao''s influence was not enough to dominate. If someone discovered that these huge fortunes were concentrated in his hands, it wouldn''t be long before he couldn''t even ensure his own safety, let alone leave Sichuan.

    Yuan Bingdao thought for three days and three nights before finally making a decision. He called his trusted men, gave them a portion of the wealth, and then disguised the rest in batches to be transported out of Sichuan.

    He himself pretended to be sick and gradually withdrew from the military and political circles of Sichuan, retiring from the rapids and going to Shanghai to enjoy the high life. His plan was a success, although there were some unexpected incidents on the way or perhaps some gold was embezzled, but most of the gold was still transported to Shanghai.

    "Only by keeping the gold under his own eyes can the old master rest assured. But at that time, time was tight, and it was not easy to find such a house. In the end, the old master chose the Yuan Manor because it had a large enough cellar."

    Shen Renjie asked, "Cellar? We searched but didn''t find the gold you mentioned."

    The old butler replied, "What you saw was just the cellar that came with the house. There is another layer underneath."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "The house already had it?" The butler nodded, "When we bought the house, we unexpectedly discovered it. It was already abandoned, with piles of rocks and dirt that made it unusable. The old master had someone clean it up and hide the gold inside before locking it up again. The entrance is hidden and ordinary people wouldn''t be able to find it. Even if they did, they wouldn''t have the key to open it."

    Ling Shu said, "So you made up the ghost stories about the house after all?"

    The old butler sighed, "I had no choice. The old master only had one son, who he knew was a spendthrift and incapable of running the family business. He never told him about the secret stash of gold, fearing that he would squander it all and bring the Yuan family to ruin. The master gave the key to his son and entrusted me to keep the secret until he got his act together or until his children were born."

    As expected, Yuan Bing lived up to his father''s fears. He not only became addicted to opium, but also squandered the family fortune. If he got his hands on the stash of gold, the family''s power would soon dissipate.

    However, Yuan Bing''s demise came sooner than anyone expected. Not only did he fail to turn his life around, but the old butler didn''t even have to wait for his child to be born before Yuan Bing met his untimely end.

    "I thought to myself, the old master''s hard-earned family business should not be taken away by outsiders no matter what. This secret, I will keep it day by day. Even if Miss Yuan and her family return to the country in the future, at least it will be inherited by the Yuan family."

    "But that house has had one problem after another, and all of you are focused on it. I''m afraid that if too many people come and go, sooner or later they will discover the secret there. That''s why I had Sancai dress up as a ghost to scare people."

    "Scaring people is one thing, but I would never go and kill anyone. Your Honor, how could I possibly harm the old master and his wife?"

    "And as for Ah Lan, I never thought she would hang herself. It must be because she did something wrong to the old master and his wife, and her guilty conscience kept her up at night until she chose to die as an apology!"

    As he spoke, Shen Renjie brought in an iron box from outside. "Mr. Yue, this is what we found in Ah Lan''s room. It''s said to contain all her belongings," the person said.

    Yue Dingtang took it and opened it, but his expression was doubtful.

    The author has something to say: The truth is gradually coming to light, so what should we have for our midnight snack?

 CH 26

    "Is this all?"

    In the iron box where Ah Lan''s savings were kept, there were only scattered ten or so silver dollars.

    Yue Dingtang looked up at the butler.

    "How much is Ah Lan''s salary usually?"

    The butler didn''t hesitate: "Three yuan a month, including food and lodging at the Yuan family''s."

    "How long has she been with the Yuan family?"

    "She came with the lady when she got married, about five or six years ago."

    "Does she usually spend money recklessly?"

    "Impossible, she''s always been frugal. She wouldn''t even buy a new headband if hers broke, she would just patch it up and keep using it."

    "If she''s so thrifty, how could she only have this little savings after five or six years?"

    The old butler naturally couldn''t answer.

    Shen Renjie was afraid that Yue Dingtang would misunderstand, so he quickly explained. "Mr. Yue, we know that this case is highly valued. After the confiscation of the Yuan family''s belongings, our brothers didn''t dare to touch anything. What was there before is still there now, nothing more and nothing less. These are the things that were originally in the iron box!"

    Yue Dingtang nodded in agreement. He believed that the officers from the patrol house wouldn''t dare to tamper with the evidence. If they did, it would affect the progress of the case and they would all be in trouble.

    Ling Shu picked up the iron box. The box had an advertisement for candy on it, but it was covered in rust and the colors were faded, indicating that it was quite old. But around the box, she carefully knitted a cover with yarn, tightly wrapping the corners of the box. Although the yarn cover was not particularly exquisite, made with the roughest and cheapest thread, for Ah Lan''s living conditions, this was the best way she could cherish it.

    This shows how much she values the box.

    There must have been her hard-earned savings stored inside the box, accumulated through years of hard work. She had lived a life of drifting and had no one to rely on. The only thing that could bring her comfort was the fruit of her labor. If someone were to take away her hard-earned savings, it would be worse than taking her life.

    If neither the police nor the old housekeeper had taken anything, then there were only two possibilities. "One possibility is that Ah Lan spent all the money herself, which must mean she received more money and no longer cared about these savings. Another possibility is that Ah Lan''s relatives suddenly appeared, causing her to willingly spend the money on them."

    Suddenly, Yue Dingtang said, "Why does it have to be relatives? Can''t it be a lover?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Where would a lover come from?"

    But in the next moment, Yue Dingtang''s words silenced him completely.

    "Hong Xiaoguang."

    Ling Shu had never associated Hong Xiaoguang with Ah Lan.

    Because in the descriptions of many people, this young man was handsome and extraordinary. Although they discovered in his temporary residence that he was not as knowledgeable as others thought, as long as Du Yunning was willing to immerse herself in the beautiful dreams he weaved, no one could ever wake her up.

    And Ah Lan, was even easier to handle. This mute and illiterate maid had no way to survive after leaving the Yuan family, but her life took a turn when she met a benefactor from the Du family. However, it was also the Du family who eventually buried her.

    If there was someone who spoke kindly to her, communicated with her through skilled sign language, and showed her unprecedented care, making her feel warmth she had never felt from anyone else before, like a ray of sunshine shining into a perpetually dark prison cell, the person in the cell would undoubtedly feel as if they had been granted a reprieve from heaven and experience a rebirth.

    Yue Dingtang''s words opened a new door for him.

    "Where''s the key?" Yue Dingtang asked the old butler. "You said the key to the cellar entrance, where is it?"

    "In the master''s possession. The key was made into a pendant, and the master didn''t even know it was a pendant. He casually gave it to his favorite head dancer, and when I found out, I quickly told the madam that it was a family heirloom left by the old lady. The madam then stepped in and retrieved the key. Afterwards, the key was kept with the madam." The butler looked tired. "But after the madam had an accident, I never saw the key again."

    All the details and clues were pieced together, and Ling Shu had a vague idea.

    Hong Xiaoguang and his mastermind learned about the underground gold vault of the Yuan family through some means. They took the opportunity to approach the family and fabricated a person who matched Du Yunning''s preferences in appearance, personality, and hobbies, gradually winning her heart.

    Perhaps during their time together, Hong Xiaoguang constantly brainwashed Du Yunning with visions of a better future, contrasting it with the harsh reality of their present situation. This made Du Yunning''s desire to escape the luxurious cage of the Yuan family grow stronger with each passing day, until she finally made the decision to elope with Hong Xiaoguang.

    This is also why she came to find Ling Shu. As their meetings increased, she revealed more and more of her desire to leave the Yuan family.

    Ling Shu remembered that at the time, Du Yunning was already thoroughly disappointed with Yuan Bing. She no longer cared for the lavish lifestyle of fine clothes and luxury, and her behavior and demeanor were genuine.

    She never imagined that the romantic pursuit she had been so single-mindedly chasing was actually a stumbling block on the road to death. At the time, Ling Shu thought that Du Yunning still had feelings for him and avoided her at all costs, fearing that he would become entangled with a married woman. Little did he know that Du Yunning was only using him as a pawn to set up a trap.

    If Du Yunning had truly eloped with Hong Xiaoguang at that time, the witnesses who had met with her several times would have been enough to drag Ling Shu into a quagmire. However, Du Yunning had already slipped away and was enjoying herself somewhere.

    But all of this was just Du Yunning''s wishful thinking.

    She failed to elope and instead doomed herself and her lover.

    Ling Shu was indeed dragged into her trap, but now he had become the person helping her to find the real culprit.

    The old butler had devoted his life to serving the Yuan family, but now he was unable to fulfill his dying master''s wishes and was already exhausted, with deep wrinkles etched on his face. "I can take you to the entrance of the basement, but as for the key, I really don''t know where it is," said the man.

    "We can''t waste any more time, let''s go now," urged Ling Shu.

    Yue Dingtang shared the same sentiment, but with just the two of them and the old butler, they were clearly outnumbered.

    If they were to encounter the same dangerous criminals as before, they would be in serious trouble.

    Yue Dingtang looked towards Shen Renjie.

    Before he could even speak, Shen Renjie understood and said, "Mr. Yue, I can come with you. Do you think we need to bring two more brothers along?"

    According to the old butler, the basement is full of gold. It''s hard to say if anyone can resist the temptation. Most of the police officers in the concession are not trustworthy. Yue Dingtang knows this well. There are many like Shen Renjie who are good at reading people''s expressions and body language, but also many who are greedy and willing to sacrifice the greater good for a small gain. There are also many foreign police officers who think they are superior because of their skin color and do not regard Chinese people as equals. They may not be willing to take orders from Yue Dingtang.

    In comparison, Shen Renjie is more reliable.

    "No need, just give me a gun when you come back. I need to be prepared for self-defense. We''ll leave in half an hour," said Yue Dingtang.

    Shen Renjie stood at attention and replied, "Yes! I''ll go prepare now!"

    While Shen Renjie went to get the gun, Ling Shu took the opportunity to interrogate the old butler. He could tell that the latter was losing energy and his thoughts were starting to wander. If they waited any longer, he might not be able to answer the question.

    "Did Miss Ah Lan follow the madam when she went out?"

    "Sometimes she did, sometimes she didn''t."

    "When did she follow and when did she not?"

    "Let me think... When the madam went out to attend banquets, she wouldn''t let Ah Lan come along. I once heard her say to someone else that Ah Lan couldn''t speak and was afraid of making a mistake, which would make the ladies laugh at her. There used to be another girl in the Yuan family named Ah Qing who was literate and quick-witted. The madam always took her along when she went out. But later on, the Yuan family declined day by day and the master lost all his money on gambling. Ah Qing was a free servant, so she left the Yuan family."

    The old butler was indeed getting on in years, and once he started talking, he tended to go off on tangents. Ling Shu had to remind him, "You haven''t said when the madam will bring Ah Lan with her."

    The old butler replied, "Sometimes when the madam goes out to buy things and needs someone to help carry them, like when she goes to the department store or meets up with friends, she will bring Ah Lan along."

    Ling Shu asked, "Do you remember which friend she met up with?"

    The old butler replied, "I dare not inquire about these things, but one time when she had a fight with the master, he said some very hurtful things. He said she didn''t have any real friends and that it was just an excuse to go see her lover."

    Ling Shu asked, "How did your madam respond to that?"

    The old butler smiled bitterly, "Madam said that the master is unkind, so she doesn''t have to remain faithful. Even if she has an affair, it''s because the master forced her to. But in my opinion, these are just angry words. The master still cherishes the madam deep down. Otherwise, all these years, there wouldn''t have been so many outside temptations, yet the master never thought of taking a new wife. It''s just the master''s temperament...sigh! I can''t explain it. If the old master were still alive, the master would have restrained himself more and wouldn''t have ended up like this!"

    Yue Dingtang said calmly, "Even when your old master was alive, he couldn''t control him. Even if he were still alive, he''s old and frail, what could he do? When he was young, he was the only son, so he was inevitably spoiled. Even if he made some small mistakes, they could be tolerated. Over time, small mistakes turned into big ones, and the tolerance level increased. In the end, he harmed himself and others."

    Yuan Bingdao was not a good person. During his time in Sichuan, he never did anything good for the people there. Instead, he used his power to plunder the wealth of the region.

    Even when the gold fell from the sky, he never thought to use it for good. He only gave a small portion to his subordinates and kept the rest for himself. It''s no wonder that he ended up in such a tragic state, with his family destroyed and himself dead.

    However, Yue Dingtang didn''t say these unfinished words when facing the old butler.

    The butler understood this in his heart, but he didn''t want to admit it. He was just facing reality.

    As the two of them faced each other in silence, Ling Shu broke the silence.

    "When was the last time your lady took Ah Lan out? Do you remember?"

    The butler pondered for a moment and replied unsurely, "It seems like it was on the 23rd."

    Ling Shu said, "Don''t be unsure, think carefully."

    The butler replied, "I remember now, it was indeed on the 23rd. That day, Ah Lan came to me and said she wanted to buy some things for the New Year while Madam was out, so she asked for a day off and came back later. She hasn''t bought anything for herself during the New Year for so many years, and I felt sorry for her, so I agreed."

    It was January 23rd, two days before New Year''s Eve.

    That day was the last time Ling Shu and Du Yunning met.

    But he didn''t see Ah Lan.

    Perhaps Ah Lan had already taken a day off and left, or maybe Du Yunning didn''t want her around and made an excuse to send her away.

    There are many coincidences in this world. If all the coincidences happen to be true, then it''s not a coincidence, but rather inevitable.

    As they were talking, Shen Renjie came back. He handed a floral-patterned revolver to Yue Dingtang.

    This is the most commonly used police pistol nowadays, officially named Browning 1910. Although it is slightly larger than a Heart Thunder, it is also more practical.

    "The bullets inside are all loaded, I just tested it. Don''t worry! I have called two other brothers to come with us. They will be guarding outside the Yuan Manor. Once there is any movement, we will shout inside and they will rush over immediately."

    Shen Renjie was very thoughtful and had everything planned out.

    Yue Dingtang nodded and put the gun and holster under his coat.

    Ling Shu smiled ambiguously, "Old Yue, you''re a teacher, but you handle the gun so skillfully, without any hesitation!"

    Yue Dingtang asked in surprise, "Didn''t you do the same thing?"

    Ling Shu replied, "I am a police officer." Yue Dingtang nodded, "The learning ability of a genius is always stronger than that of a cop who just eats and waits to die, don''t you agree?"

    Ling Shu: ...

    Yue Dingtang patted his shoulder, "Don''t be jealous. If you want to learn to be as suave as me, come back and I''ll teach you the secret."

    Ling Shu twitched his mouth and really wanted to chop off his hand. He thought to himself, "Don''t get caught by me later, or I''ll definitely make you regret it!"

    ...

    Yuan Manor.

    The two small buildings that were once thriving were now pitch black and quiet in the thick night.

    The houses in this area were already expensive, and even the neighbors who used to live next door had moved out after several consecutive violent incidents. Those who couldn''t move out had gone to stay with relatives and friends, waiting for the storm to pass before returning. The servants of the Yuan family were once locked up in the back building. Even after nightfall, there were still some lights on, but after they were taken away and imprisoned, the place became even more lifeless and eerie, enough to scare anyone.

    "Before the banquet, I had someone come back to keep watch. How come there''s not a single person here?" Yue Dingtang frowned.

    Shen Renjie could hear the dissatisfaction in his tone and quickly laughed, "They must be slacking off. I''ll make sure to report to their superiors and punish these people severely. You don''t need to lower yourself to their level!"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    Ling Shu noticed that he had his hands in his pockets, right where his gun holster was.

    The old butler led them into the small building in front.

    Ling Shu noticed that he was walking towards the room where Ah Lan''s formerly lived.

    "The entrance to the cellar is here?"

    "Yes, it''s right under the bed," the butler pointed to the bed where Ah Lan used to sleep. "If you lift the bed, you''ll find the entrance to the cellar."

    Ling Shu asked Shen Renjie, "Has anyone searched here before?"

    "Yes, everyone has searched here. The cellar is not a secret, and there are many pickled vegetables stored down there. But we didn''t find the entrance to the lower level," Shen Renjie replied.

    "The Yuan family has a cook, but Ah Lan was the one who took care of the pickled vegetables. The entrance is conveniently located in her room, but the entrance to the secret vault is well hidden. She couldn''t have found it," the old butler added.

    Ling Shu didn''t believe the old butler''s words. After all, he was old and could easily lose his judgment. Alone and friendless in the Yuan household, Ah Lan poured all her energy into the repetitive task of pickling vegetables. The monotony of her work left her with plenty of time to explore every nook and cranny of the cellar, and she had long since discovered the entrance to a secret chamber.

    But what was impossible for the old butler was merely a matter of limited knowledge. Ling Shu was still recovering from his injuries and couldn''t do the heavy lifting, so Shen Renjie stepped forward and lifted the wooden boards covering the entrance. Sure enough, a flight of stone steps was revealed.

    "I''ve been down there once before, following the butler. You guys go last, and the butler can lead the way," he said.

    The old butler hobbled ahead with his cane, muttering to himself as they descended. "I haven''t been down here for a long time. In the past, it was Ah Lan who brought out the pickled vegetables and sent them directly to the kitchen..."

    Shen Renjie''s lamp in his hand swayed with his footsteps, slowly moving forward in the darkness.

    To Ling Shu, the darkness below seemed more like a giant monster, ready to devour the only remaining light at any moment.

    The author has something to say:

    In order to comfort the single people, Ling Shu, who is single on Singles'' Day, has a good heart and is not showing off his love. Instead, he is preparing to tease each other in the main text ¡ú_¡ú

 CH 27

    This place never sees the light of day, with a cold and damp atmosphere that, although not as biting as the winds above ground, exudes a frozen stillness that is more like a silent and creeping fear, making every pore on one''s body suddenly alert.

    Shen Renjie couldn''t help but tighten his grip on his gun.

    But the dampness continued to seep through his palms.

    He began to regret his decision.

    In the concession, there was a well-known rule that the salary and treatment of foreign and Chinese police officers were not the same. Their status was naturally very different, and sometimes Chinese officers were even treated worse than Indian patrolmen.

    When it came to difficult and tricky tasks, it was usually Chinese officers who took the lead. But when it came to easy and commendable tasks, it was often the foreign officers who got the credit. Even when it came to apprehending criminals, they might resist when they saw a foreign officer, despite the fact that in recent years, the Chinese directors of the Commercial Bureau, who held power over the concessions, had increased.

    However, this did not provide much help to the grassroots officers like Shen Renjie, who had been working in the police station for several years but was still just an ordinary patrol officer. It was difficult for him to be promoted unless he had connections or someone to rely on.

    That''s where Yue Dingtang came in. He was the big shot that Shen Renjie had his eyes on. Having returned from studying abroad, Yue Dingtanghad a wide network and great influence. Even someone like Smith, who was usually very arrogant, was polite to Yue Dingtang.

    Shen Renjie had heard that Yue Dingtang''s family background was even more impressive. His two older brothers had good relationships with various parties in both the political and business worlds. With such a powerful ally, if he missed this opportunity, he might never have another chance.

    Rarely did he have the chance to come out and investigate a case. Even if he was afraid, he had to grit his teeth and persevere. But now, Shen Renjie was truly feeling a bit chilly.

    The kerosene lamp in his hand did not give him any more courage. Instead, it produced a coldness that came from within.

    He reached into his pocket and fumbled around, pulling out a flashlight.

    A faint sound behind him was particularly clear in the darkness.

    Shen Renjie was startled and almost jumped up. Half a second later, he realized that it was the person behind him who had turned on a flashlight, and couldn''t help but curse himself.

    With a few flashlights, the surroundings were much brighter, and he finally managed to alleviate some of his fear. The old butler walked ahead without a lantern, his pace not like Shen Renjie and the others who stopped to survey their surroundings. He walked ahead on his own, getting faster and faster. Shen Renjie didn''t notice and reached out, only to grab air and lose the old butler.

    "Butler! Old Bai!" Shen Renjie shouted several times but received no response.

    "Mr. Yue, what should we do? Did the old butler purposely hide?" Shen Renjie tried to remain calm but couldn''t help but shiver with fear.

    With the butler''s age, where could he hide? Shen Renjie was more afraid of someone hiding in the darkness and taking the old butler away.

    In the darkness, Shen Renjie didn''t even know if the other person was human or a ghost.

    People and ghosts aren''t necessarily scary, but the unknown that constantly makes one imagine and speculate is terrifying.

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, which made Shen Renjie even more anxious. He was afraid that the two people behind him would suddenly disappear, so he kept turning back to check.

    "Mr. Yue, should I go look for him?"

    "I''ll look for the entrance. It should be here, why is it gone..." Finally, the old butler''s movement came from the other side.

    There were jars in the middle, and no one could be seen.

    But Shen Renjie finally breathed a sigh of relief.

    "Don''t be nervous." Yue Dingtang''s voice also sounded, as he bent down to look at the jars piled up in the cellar.

    There were many such jars, piled up in every corner and central space of the cellar, one on top of the other, like small mountains.

    In the area illuminated by the flashlight, they could see the winding paths left between the jars, for people to walk on. This was for the convenience of taking pickled vegetables, otherwise if...

    Ling Shu exclaimed.

    Shen Renjie''s heart tightened fiercely!

    He was starting to get a bit paranoid.

    But the next moment, he realized it was a false alarm.

    Because Ling Shu was crouching in the corner, looking at the jar in front of him, and nothing supernatural had appeared.

    Due to Yue Dingtang''s presence, Shen Renjie didn''t dare to curse at anyone, but he couldn''t help but give Ling Shu a fierce glare behind his back.

    Before he could finish rolling his eyes, Ling Shu turned his head.

    Shen Renjie was startled again.

    But he quickly realized that Ling Shu couldn''t see his expression at all because it was too dark there.

    "Come over here and take a look." Ling Shu beckoned.

    Shen Renjie walked over, half-believing and half-doubting.

    He thought he would see a truly horrifying scene, like severed limbs or blood flowing out of the jar.

    But there was nothing like that.

    The jar that Ling Shu wanted them to see was buried at the bottom, and it was no different from the others. "The traces around the jar, as well as the jar itself," said Ling Shu before Shen Renjie could even ask the question.

    "This jar is too clean. When you touch it, there''s hardly any dust. It''s obviously different from the ones next to it," Ling Shu explained, shining his flashlight on the jar. "The other jars have handprints on them, indicating that someone has moved them. Let''s move the ones on top first."

    Yue Dingtang said, "Old Shen, can you help?"

    Shen Renjie reluctantly walked over and began moving the jars one by one. Ling Shu was finally able to take out the one at the bottom and punctured the paper on top.

    "No seal," he said.

    No seal meant that there weren''t pickled vegetables inside.

    As soon as they entered, they noticed that the smell of pickled vegetables was not strong at all, almost non-existent, only the damp and cold smell of dust. This meant that at least in the past few months, or even further back, Ah Lan had probably stopped making pickles.

    As for what she was doing in this cellar and whether she had already discovered the entrance to the secret vault, that was one of their goals for this exploration.

    Ling Shu picked up a jar and shook it, making a clanging sound. Shen Renjie''s heart skipped a beat, wondering if there were gold and silver treasures inside.

    Ling Shu directly pushed the jar over and smashed it, scattering the contents all over the ground. When the flashlight shone on it, Shen Renjie was stunned.

    It was all women''s cosmetics - lipstick, snow cream, rouge, eyeshadow. They included both domestic and imported brands, all of which were well-known and recognized even by three burly men.

    However, there was a problem. Each item of makeup was expensive, and while Ah Lan could afford one or two, there were at least dozens, if not hundreds, of brand new, unopened products.

    Even if she spent her entire life savings, she couldn''t afford them. Where would she get the money? Or perhaps, who gave them to her? Was it Hong Xiaoguang? Did he use this method to win Ah Lan''s heart while also pursuing Du Yunning? Did Hong Xiaoguang already know about the existence of the secret vault, and that''s why he schemed to get close to these two women? Perhaps he had already taken the key from Du Yunning?

    In addition to the makeup, there were also several letters in the jar. Ling Shu didn''t recognize these as letters at first. They were all folded into cylindrical shapes and stuffed into a small box. It wasn''t until he opened the box with the Snowflake Cream label that the letters fell out.

    Ling Shu quickly realized that they were all love letters, mostly excerpts from foreign poets, with Shakespeare making up the majority. To be exact, they were love letters written by Hong Xiaoguang to Ah Lan, as the handwriting was identical to what they had found in Hong Xiaoguang''s temporary residence.

    "Does the maid really not know how to read?" Shen Renjie couldn''t help but ask.

    "She probably doesn''t," Ling Shu replied, sliding his slender fingers over the back of the envelope. "But look, she recognizes her own name, so she copied Hong Xiaoguang''s handwriting on the back, writing that ''Lan'' character over and over again."

    Shen Renjie clicked his tongue twice and exclaimed, "I always knew that beauty could be deceiving, but I never realized that it wasn''t just women who could use their looks to manipulate men. Even men can use their handsome appearance to enchant a woman like this!"

    The love letters on the paper were poorly written, with awkward transitions between paragraphs. It was clear that the person who copied these love poems lacked any real skill and simply copied them without much thought. Perhaps the recipient didn''t even put much effort into writing them for Ah Lan, thinking that she wasn''t worth the effort.

    Despite not being able to read, Ah Lan still treasured these letters and kept them hidden in her "secret garden," where she believed no one could find them. Judging from the repeated creases on the letters, she must have taken them out to admire and silently read them whenever she had a spare moment, easing her longing for her secret lover.

    Suddenly, the old butler on the other side let out a startled cry, caught off guard and unprepared. With a sudden stop, the sound abruptly ended.

    Shen Renjie hesitated for half a second, but Yue Dingtang had already rushed ahead.

    He had no choice but to hurry and catch up.

    The three of them followed the sound and ran to where the old butler had just made a noise, only to find him lying on the ground with his head seemingly struck by something heavy, blood flowing in all directions.

    Shen Renjie quickly shone his flashlight around, but saw nothing.

    "Who''s there?"

    Suddenly, Ling Shu shouted, pulling out his gun and turning to chase after the shadow that Shen Renjie''s flashlight had inadvertently revealed behind them.

    But Ling Shu had noticed it.

    He only spoke out to get the attention of his two companions, as in such a rush, the only choice was to pursue. The shadow reacted quickly, knocking over the jar as he ran, causing it to shatter into pieces on the ground.

    Ling Shu, who was chasing after him, couldn''t avoid stepping on the broken pieces and slipped forward. If it weren''t for Yue Dingtang grabbing him from behind, he would have fallen face-first onto the shards.

    "Don''t let him get away!" Ling Shu gritted his teeth in pain, not because his shoes were too thin and got punctured, but because he had just kneeled on the ground and landed on the broken pieces, which were probably already causing him to bleed.

    "Mr. Yue, come and take a look!" Shen Renjie shouted from the front.

    As the two rushed over, they saw the shattered jar and the bricks and stones that had been pried open, revealing a dark entrance underneath.

    Shen Renjie stood there hesitantly, unsure if he should go down.

    Yue Dingtang was suspicious. "Is this an underground secret vault? Don''t we need a key for it?" Shen Renjie exclaimed, "I heard some movement downstairs just now, there must be another door!"

    As they spoke, Ling Shu had already bent down and squeezed through the opening, leaving Yue Dingtang with no time to stop him.

    "Ling Shu!"

    Just as he disappeared through the door, Ling Shu caught a glimpse of the shadow he had been chasing all along slipping through the iron gate. Without hesitation, he followed after it.

    He had a strong feeling that he was getting closer and closer to the truth, whether the culprit was Hong Xiaoguang or someone else.

    Perhaps tonight, everything will finally become clear!

 CH 28

    The words of the old butler left a deep impression on Ling Shu. In his imagination, the underground vault probably contained half a room of gold. After he broke in, what he would see might not be blindingly shiny gold, but possibly one box after another.

    But Ling Shu was dumbfounded.

    In front of him was a wall.

    If he hadn''t stopped in time just now, his head would have hit it.

    Despite this, the wall was less than half a meter away from his nose.

    The wall was so high that it reached the ceiling, and there was a gap of less than half a palm. Even if he climbed up, he wouldn''t be able to see the other side of the wall.

    There were two narrow passages on either side, leading to the same darkness.

    The old butler had fainted, and they no longer had a guide. They could only explore on their own.

    In just a few seconds, Yue Dingtang and Shen Renjie caught up with him. They also saw the wall.

    Ling Shu didn''t give them any time to be dumbfounded: "Split up and chase!"

    He led the way to the left, and Yue Dingtang followed without hesitation.

    Shen Renjie... He was half a step behind and could only run to the other end. If regret could be measured by the amount of green bile, then Shen Renjie would have bought ten cans of regret medicine and swallowed them all. He kept slapping himself in his mind.

    "You wanted to show off! You wanted to suck up to them! If you die here tonight, where will you find someone to suck up to?" Shen Renjie thought anxiously, finally reaching the end of the passage and circling around the wall.

    There was another iron door. But the door was already open. Shen Renjie shook his flashlight and it seemed to be a room.

    Strangely, despite only a few walls separating them, Shen Renjie didn''t hear any footsteps from Yue Dingtang and the others. With no way out now, Shen Renjie took a deep breath and bravely walked in.

    But the next second, a gun was pointed at his forehead.

    "Don''t move!"

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang discovered that the so-called underground secret vault was actually a series of small rooms. Narrow passages connected each room, twisting and turning like a maze. Each room was filled with various items and a few boxes.

    Ling Shu entered one of the rooms and opened a box, only to find clothes inside. There were all kinds of formal wear, from qipaos to Western dresses. Lifting it up and giving it a shake, the pearls and sequins on the skirt shimmered in the dim light. One could imagine a woman wearing it, twirling under a crystal chandelier, radiating elegance and grace.

    "Is this Du Yunning''s?" Yue Dingtang stood at the door, keeping watch, and casually asked, turning his head for a glance.

    Ling Shu measured it up and replied, "No, it''s not hers. Du Yunning is taller than this, and she wouldn''t fit into these skirts. If I''m not mistaken, it should belong to Ah Lan."

    Yue Dingtang looked surprised.

    Ling Shu continued, "It seems that Ah Lan already knows about the existence of this place. She was probably killed because she knew too much..."

    Before he could finish his sentence, gunshots rang out!

    And it was coming from not far away!

    Almost simultaneously, Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu stopped their conversation and immediately ran towards the source of the gunfire. Several gunshots rang out, accompanied by the sounds of a fight!

    When the two arrived, two figures were locked in a fierce battle.

    A gun lay kicked to the side.

    One man wore a suit and leather shoes, while the other wore a cloth jacket and cloth shoes. They fought barehanded, each strike aimed at a deadly spot.

    Even when they saw Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang, they didn''t pay attention. The man in the suit didn''t notice and was kicked in the stomach, instinctively taking a few steps back. The young man in the cloth jacket didn''t pursue his advantage, but instead turned to grab the gun on the ground.

    Bang!

    He screamed in agony, clutching his hand and rolling to the side.

    Ling Shu thought he had curled up and was unable to fight back, but in the next moment, he suddenly stretched out his body like a frog, gathering strength and smashing into the man in the suit.

    His other hand, which had not been shot, formed a fist and aimed straight for the man''s temple!

    With this punch from a trained person, it was likely that the opponent would die on the spot!

    He was willing to risk his own safety to bring his opponent to death!

    No sooner said than done, Yue Dingtang kicked out.

    He put about seventy to eighty percent of his strength into this kick, which was fast and accurate, but it still couldn''t completely kick the man away. It only made his fist slightly deviate and hit the stone slab next to the man in Western clothes.

    A muffled sound came, and the sound of bones breaking made people''s scalp tingle.

    The man in Western clothes scrambled to get up and tried to hide behind Yue Dingtang, but he was pushed away by him.

    "Save me! Save me!" He cried out for help, with snot and tears all over his face.

    Yue Dingtang ignored him and just shouted for help, with a sneer on his face.

    "Don''t kill me, I know where the gold is, I''ll tell you everything!"

    Hearing this, the young man in the cloth coat laughed wickedly.

    Ling Shu kept a close eye on his every move and immediately pulled the trigger when he saw the situation. However, the other party was half a second faster and pulled out a short blade from somewhere, throwing it directly at the man in the suit!

    The latter couldn''t react in time and was still standing there motionless. Yue Dingtang fiercely pushed him away, but then groaned and fell heavily to the ground with the man in the suit.

    Almost at the same time, Ling Shu''s bullet pierced the back of the man''s head. Blood splattered and the young man in the cloth coat fell heavily into a pool of blood.

    The man in the suit wanted to run when he saw the situation, but was immediately shot in the back of the leg by Ling Shu without hesitation.

    "Don''t shoot, don''t shoot! I won''t run anymore! Don''t kill me!"

    Ling Shu walked over and kicked the man, who groaned and rolled to the side. "How are you?" he asked Yue Dingtang. The dagger hit Yue Dingtang''s shoulder right in the middle. "I won''t die." Yue Dingtang''s face was pale, but his tone was steady.

    He lifted his chin and pointed to the dead young man in the cloth jacket. "This person is Sancai, do you remember?"

    Ling Shu nodded.

    Sancai was a servant of the Yuan family.

    Previously, the old butler had said that he did not want anyone to approach the small building and discover the secret left by Yuan Bingdao. So he had Sancai scare people in the small building, creating the illusion of a haunted Yuan family.

    Earlier, Sancai had disappeared, but now he was here killing people.

    As a servant of the Yuan family, even if he was a guard, he should not have such skill.

    Self-defense and killing techniques were completely different. The former was only for self-defense, while the latter was truly experienced in bloodshed.

    When Sancai made his move just now, he was undoubtedly going for the kill, with a single move to take a life, no hesitation.

    "Are you Hong Xiaoguang?" Ling Shu looked at the man in Western clothes. The other person was crying and nodding uncontrollably.

    "Did you kill Ah Lan?"

    "No no no!" Hong Xiaoguang shook his head frantically.

    Ling Shu aimed the gun at his head.

    "My head is a bit dizzy now, and my hands might shake later. I don''t want to kill you. If I shoot your legs or arms, it won''t be good, right?"

    "It wasn''t me! I was forced to do it! Ah Lan knew too much, and he made me kill her! I didn''t want to kill anyone!"

    "Who is he? What did he know about you? Were you afraid that Ah Lan would demand a share of the profits? And what about Du Yunning, did you kill her too?"

    The sound of the gun rang out again.

    Bang!

    The deep-rooted fear in Hong Xiaoguang''s heart made his whole body jump.

    Then he realized that the bullet had hit the ground next to him.

    But Hong Xiaoguang had already gone weak in the knees.

    "I''ll talk! I''ll talk! Don''t kill me!"

    The beginning of the story is a bit like a sparrow turning into a phoenix. Except this sparrow is a man.

    Hong Xiaoguang came from a humble background and lived in the poorest shantytown in Shanghai. Children there could almost see their own fate from birth, and Hong Xiaoguang was no exception. He sold newspapers, ran errands, did odd jobs, and even dabbled in the underworld, but he never made it to the top. He couldn''t even become a small gang leader and had to work odd jobs just to survive.

    One day, he was driving a rickshaw when he met Du Yunning, who had just come out of a silver building.

    Du Yunning was a beauty beyond compare, elegant and graceful, with a fragrant breath like orchids. She was like a fairy who had stepped off a calendar, instantly lighting up Hong Xiaoguang''s eyes. He had never seen such a beautiful and elegant woman before. Even the most prestigious dancers couldn''t compare to Du Yunning, who was nurtured in luxury and refinement.

    Hong Xiaoguang wanted to say something to Du Yunning, even if it was just a simple greeting.

    But from beginning to end, she didn''t even glance his way.

    As they got out of the car, Hong Xiaoguang overheard Du Yunning talking to the servants of the Yuan family and learned of her identity.

    He also found out that if it weren''t for the breakdown of the Yuan family''s car that day, someone like Du Yunning wouldn''t have needed to ride in a humble carriage.

    "Excuse me, madam!" Hong Xiaoguang summoned the courage to call out to Du Yunning.

    But she didn''t even turn her head, and floated away as if on a cloud. Hong Xiaoguang didn''t even know if he had shouted out that cry, or if it had been stuck in his throat like a mosquito''s buzz, or if Du Yunning had never even thought of turning back. He only felt a bottomless sense of loss.

    He inquired about Du Yunning''s husband and learned that the man was a philanderer. With Du Yunning''s empty title of Mrs. Yuan, he couldn''t help but wonder, if he had money and power, would Du Yunning still not look back that day?

    "Speak faster!" Ling Shu kicked him in the wound.

    Hong Xiaoguang howled again, unable to speak his anger, and was forced to wake up from his daydream and quicken his pace.

    A few days later, someone approached Hong Xiaoguang.

    He claimed to be able to transform Hong Xiaoguang and help him win Du Yunning without any payment. All he needed was to share the spoils of the Yuan family with him after the deed was done. "He told Hong Xiaoguang that he could take all of the Yuan family''s belongings, and all he wanted was the Yuan family''s house, the Yuan Manor.

    Ling Shu asked, "Who is he?"

    Hong Xiaoguang replied, "I don''t know. He asked me to call him boss and wouldn''t tell me anything else."

    Ling Shu asked, "What does he look like? Does he wear a mask every day?"

    Hong Xiaoguang said, "No, but he has an ordinary appearance. He usually wears a long robe, and I don''t know how to describe him... He''s around 40 or 50 years old, and he''s very polite and kind when he talks to me, but if I don''t do as he says, he will punish me."

    Suddenly, Ling Shu interrupted, "Does he run a coffee shop named Li?"

    Hong Xiaoguang asked, "How did you know? But he doesn''t actually have the surname Li. I don''t know what his surname is."

    He is the owner of the Xinyue Cafe, Mr. Li. Returning overseas Chinese, with a home in Nanhai, two children, and a wealthy background. The cafe was not for making money, but just to have something to do. The neighbors all praised it.

    But all of this could be fabricated.

    A person who wants to disguise their identity can sometimes change their accent, appearance, way of speaking, and even their gestures. And he had only created a good image in the eyes of others.

    Ling Shu still remembered when he and Yue Dingtang went to the coffee shop to inquire about Du Yunning''s life. The boss, Li, warmly welcomed them and spoke freely. Even when they asked the staff, they didn''t interrupt, allowing them to discover Hong Xiaoguang''s address and uncover his true character.

    This person had dug a pit and led them step by step into it.

    The author has something to say: Today, something unexpected came up and I couldn''t fulfill my promise to update. I''ll try my best to make up for it tomorrow and not let you down!

    A little side drama that has nothing to do with the main story:

    Shen Renjie: I am a tool.

    Hong Xiaoguang: No, you are a light bulb.

    Shen Renjie: Then what about you?

    Hong Xiaoguang: I am a cannon fodder...

 CH 29

    At first, Hong Xiaoguang had no idea that this person was actually Mr. Li, the owner of the Xinyue Cafe. He just thought the guy was crazy. But when the man generously bought him new clothes, took him to get a haircut and makeover, and even rented a place for him to live at 36 Hengtong Road, Hong Xiaoguang began to believe him a little.

    Although the apartment at 36 Hengtong Road wasn''t luxurious, it was the best place Hong Xiaoguang had ever lived in. The walls were freshly painted, the rooms were bright and clean, and there was even a bunk bed and a wardrobe. Once upon a time, when it rained, his old house would leak and no amount of patching could fix it. He had to use a basin to catch the water on his bed. He would fall asleep to the sound of raindrops and wake up with a new wound from being bitten by mice in the night.

    These nightmare-inducing memories made Boss Li''s generosity all the more heavenly compared to his past. Hong Xiaoguang didn''t need to say it, but he didn''t want to go back to his old life.

    However, Boss Li didn''t rush to introduce him to Du Yunning. Instead, he began teaching Hong Xiaoguang etiquette and literacy. Hong Xiaoguang knew a few characters from his days as a newspaper boy. He was clever and quick-witted, able to learn many things easily and apply them in different situations. Boss Li was very pleased with his choice. Mr. Li hired two teachers, one to teach literacy and the other to teach etiquette. The former focused mainly on poetry and literature, while the latter taught him Western etiquette, such as how to eat Western food correctly and how to treat women elegantly. Mr. Li told him that many upper-class women, especially those who had attended the new school, were particularly fond of this.

    Finally, after some time had passed, Mr. Li told Hong Xiaoguang that he had basically completed his training, but he could not immediately go to find Du Yunning. Mr. Li arranged an experimental subject for him, and only if he successfully conquered her could he truly graduate.

    "Is it Ah Lan?" Ling Shu had already guessed it.

    Hong Xiaoguang nodded weakly and asked, "Can you give me some water?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Where would I get water from here?"

    Hong Xiaoguang said, "There''s some food and a few bottles of whiskey and brandy in the next room."

    Ling Shu replied, "You can''t get drunk and forget about our mission."

    But without another word, he got up and walked to the next room.

    Sure enough, there were some packages piled up in the corner. Ling Shu used his pocket knife to open them and found some dry food and a few bottles of alcohol.

    He picked up two bottles and returned to Hong Xiaoguang, who was already on the brink of death. Yue Dingtang wasn''t doing much better, with his eyes closed and the knife still in his shoulder.

    Ling Shu opened one of the bottles and poured some onto Yue Dingtang''s wound. He suddenly opened his eyes and glared at Ling Shu.

    "Disinfectant," Ling Shu handed him the bottle. "Do it yourself?"

    Yue Dingtang''s mouth twitched twice, but he didn''t say anything, perhaps to conserve his energy. Ling Shu chuckled to himself before tossing another bottle of alcohol to Hong Xiaoguang.

    Struggling to open the bottle, Hong Xiaoguang took a sip before the bottle was snatched away from him.

    "Speak up!" Ling Shu pointed his gun at him, looking like a thug who wouldn''t take no for an answer.

    Hong Xiaoguang remained silent, licking his lips before finally speaking up.

    He believed that Boss Li had been observing Du Yunning for a long time.

    He even knew that Du Yunning had a mute maid by her side, and he knew when she would leave the house.

    Ah Lan didn''t leave the house every day. At most, she would leave once a month, sometimes even two months. She couldn''t speak and was sensitive and insecure, so she always went to the same store to buy things.

    But one day, she met Hong Xiaoguang at the fabric store she frequented. She accidentally knocked over what Hong Xiaoguang was holding in his hand, but instead of getting impatient, he spoke kindly to her. When he realized she couldn''t speak, he even took the initiative to help her ask the boss for some suitable scraps for embroidery, and even got a discount for her.

    It was raining outside, and Hong Xiaoguang gave her his umbrella and called a taxi for her, sending her to the door of the Yuan family. The Yuan family was surprised that Ah Lan, who was always frugal, was willing to hire a taxi this time.

    With the borrowed umbrella, there naturally had to be something returned. It was all arranged, and the plot was not afraid of being old, as long as she took the bait.

    In Ah Lan''s life of more than ten or twenty years, she had never met a man like Hong Xiaoguang. He didn''t look down on her or mock her, but was gentle and even a scholar. She quickly fell for him, but kept her feelings hidden deep inside.

    However, how could Hong Xiaoguang not notice? He was pleased with himself and began to plan his attack on Du Yunning.

    Through Ah Lan, Hong Xiaoguang learned about Du Yunning''s daily routine. When Du Yunning went to the bookstore, Hong Xiaoguang used a rare poetry collection that Boss Li had searched for him to catch her attention and strike up a conversation.

    Hong Xiaoguang, who had already memorized the poetry collection, talked with Du Yunning confidently and impressively, leaving her dazzled.

    Du Yunning never imagined that the well-dressed, polite gentleman in front of her was the same yellow cab driver she had ignored not long ago.

    Back then, Hong Xiaoguang could never have imagined that his goddess, who he thought was out of reach, would often lie in his arms wearing a silk camisole and cry about her husband''s neglect. His immense vanity of conquering a beautiful woman captured him, and he couldn''t help but fall into the trap he had woven for himself.

    He really started dating Du Yunning, and the two of them had a secret rendezvous behind Yuan Bing and the entire Yuan family''s backs, experiencing both anxiety and excitement.

    Moreover, Hong Xiaoguang didn''t have to worry about money, as Boss Li continuously provided him with funds, allowing him to generously buy various items for Du Yunning, making her believe even more firmly that she had found a true gentleman.

    However, the good times didn''t last long, as Boss Li approached Hong Xiaoguang and told him that he had to fulfill his promise. In Boss Li''s plan, the Yuan Manor was a must-have. Yuan Bing and Du Yunning had no children, so once they were gone, the government would naturally take back the Yuan Manor and put it up for auction again, making it easy to operate.

    Yuan Bing was a heavy smoker and enjoyed pleasure-seeking. It wouldn''t be difficult to make him disappear, but the difficult part was Du Yunning. Although she was lonely as a spinster, she had no bad habits.

    On the other hand, Du Yunning''s relationship with Hong Xiaoguang was growing deeper and deeper. Under Hong Xiaoguang''s influence, she began to develop a smoking addiction.

    She became more and more obedient and dependent on Hong Xiaoguang, telling him all the grievances she had suffered under Yuan Bing and craving his comfort. She began to confide in Hong Xiaoguang about her past, recounting her upbringing in the Du family, how she met Ling Shu, how she broke off the engagement with the Ling family, and married Yuan Bing, telling the story in great detail.

    As the goddess descended from her pedestal and removed her veil, Hong Xiaoguang discovered that Du Yunning was not as aloof as he had imagined.

    She was weak-willed, loved Ling Shu but dared not rebel against her family, despised Yuan Bing''s philandering ways, yet could not bear to give up wealth and status. She professed to hate smokers, but could not resist the lure of addiction.

    Her lack of willpower was the tragedy of her life.

    As Du Yunning spoke, the name Ling Shu caught the attention of Mr. Li.

    "Du Yunning has invited you out several times, but it was actually Boss Li''s idea. He asked me to encourage Du Yunning to elope and then seize the opportunity to kill her. Others will naturally think of you, and he can push the blame onto you without anyone knowing."

    At the same time, Du Yunning, who had already deeply rooted feelings for Hong Xiaoguang, also told him a secret: that Yuan Bingdao had hidden the gold underground in the Yuan family''s property, and the key to the secret vault was on her.

    To make Hong Xiaoguang believe that she wasn''t just making things up, Du Yunning personally took him to the underground vault.

    In the lower level of the cellar, Hong Xiaoguang saw with his own eyes that boxes of gold were displayed there, filling his entire field of vision at once.

    Has Hong Xiaoguang ever seen so much gold in his lifetime?

    Don''t even mention Hong Xiaoguang, he believes that even Boss Li has never seen this before.

    Du Yunning gradually accepted the proposal of eloping and began to plan for their future with all her heart. In her opinion, it was impossible to move all the gold out, but as long as they could smuggle out one box and hide it properly, they would have enough to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

    As Du Yunning''s personal maid, Ah Lan definitely knew about all of this. Du Yunning didn''t avoid her and even arranged their future together after they left.

    But Du Yunning didn''t know that Ah Lan also had feelings for Hong Xiaoguang. It was a love that slowly fermented in her heart, one that she couldn''t express to anyone and couldn''t bear to see the light of day.

    Hong Xiaoguang regretted it.

    He never wanted to kill anyone. After hearing the secret from Du Yunning, he only wanted to escape with wealth and a beautiful woman, not to be found by the Yuan family or Mr. Li, and live carefreely.

    Although at first, he only approached Du Yunning with revenge in mind and to get closer to the bright future Mr. Li had constructed for him, as they spent more time together, he gradually developed some feelings. Although he didn''t know if these feelings were due to his admiration for the beauty or his pursuit of gold.

    But how could a young and inexperienced beast escape the cunning hunter?

    "Mr. Li somehow discovered my plan to take Du Yunning away. He threatened me that if I dared to escape his control, he would hand me over to the Yuan family. I only then realized that Sancai, a servant of the Yuan family, was also his spy. My every move was under his surveillance."

    "So you killed Du Yunning?"

    "I had no choice! I had no choice... He forced me to do it. If I didn''t act, he would have killed me, you know!"

    Hong Xiaoguang looked pained as he stared at the bottle of alcohol in Yue Dingtang''s hand. He wished he could snatch it away and drown his sorrows, forgetting all his troubles.

    "That day, Du Yunning gave me the key to the secret vault. That night, Boss Li told me to do it. It was my first time killing someone. Watching her struggle in my hands, slowly losing her breath, I really didn''t want to kill her. But Boss Li and Sancai were right beside me..."

    Ling Shu: ¡°Did Ah Lan witness all of this?"

    Hong Xiaoguang nodded randomly, "Sancai originally wanted to get rid of Ah Lan too, but was stopped by Boss Li. He said that too many people had died and it would be hard to explain. He told me to first stabilize Ah Lan and use money and goods to tempt her. Ah Lan promised not to leak anything."

    Ling Shu asked, "Then why did Ah Lan die later? Did Boss Li regret it?"

    Hong Xiaoguang replied, "After Ah Lan''s death, she always felt that her madam couldn''t rest in peace and became paranoid. You were also investigating the case at the time, and Boss Li was afraid she would leak information, so he took action and had Sancai kill her."

    Ling Shu asked again, "Did you kill the noodle shop owner Old Xiao? And was it you who tried to kill us when we were talking at the ruins of the noodle shop that night?"

    Hong Xiaoguang said, "When the boss made up his mind to blame Du Yunning''s death on you, he had already figured out your whereabouts... I, cough cough, I was just following orders. That night, he led you to that place, intending for me and Sancai to kill your companions and frame you. He said that Yue''s family had connections, and if Yue Dingtang died, you wouldn''t be able to escape. With you in front, no matter what we did, it wouldn''t attract attention from others... But I messed up. My aim was off, and I couldn''t bring myself to kill. Please spare me, I really had no choice!"

    Ling Shu ignored his plea and asked, "Who is Boss Li?"

    This was the question he most wanted an answer to. Ordinary people, even if they have malicious intentions and aim to seize the wealth of the Yuan family, would never have raised a well-trained professional killer like Sancai. Sancai had been hiding within the Yuan family all along, and no one had even noticed him.

    Ling Shu had already told Yue Dingtang that if it had been Sancai instead of Hong Xiaoguang who had acted that night, Yue Dingtang would have been dead long ago.

    "I don''t know... I don''t even know his real name. All I know is that he is ruthless and will never spare anyone who disobeys or betrays him. If only I had known, I wouldn''t have gotten on this thief ship!" Hong Xiaoguang cried.

    His handsome face was now wrinkled up, weak and hypocritical, like a peacock with perfect packaging that had been plucked of its colorful feathers, revealing that it was just a bald bird.

    If Du Yunning saw him now, she might give herself a slap and regret her foolishness. But it was too late, she had become a sacrifice the moment she stepped into Boss Li''s trap.

    Compared to Du Yunning, Hong Xiaoguang wasn''t any better. Both of them were pawns in Boss Li''s hands.

    But who was Boss Li? Was he a chess player? Or was he someone else''s pawn?

    "No," Yue Dingtang suddenly spoke up. "Mr. Li shouldn''t have known about the existence of the cellar of gold, so why did he plot against the Yuan family?"

    "He did it for..." Hong Xiaoguang''s breathing became rapid. "What''s beneath the cellar!"

    His words were shocking. Ling Shu couldn''t help but glance at Yue Dingtang, who showed the same surprise on his face. Does Yuan Bingdao know if there''s something else beneath the secret gold vault, and is it something he''s hiding?

    Just as Ling Shu was about to ask again, Hong Xiaoguang passed out from excessive blood loss.

    His breathing was weak, but he wasn''t dead yet.

    Ling Shu withdrew his hand and walked towards Yue Dingtang.

    "Let''s first find Shen Renjie and regroup outside before..."

    Bang!

    A gunshot interrupted Ling Shu''s words!

    Both of them were startled.

    ...

    Shen Renjie felt that tonight''s unexpected events were more than he had experienced in the past few years.

    He was just an ordinary patrol officer, why did he have to suffer like this?

    If he hadn''t been so impulsive and followed Yue Dingtang here, he wouldn''t have encountered all these things.

    Shen Renjie felt bitter as he looked back on his short and ordinary life. He used to feel ashamed of his mediocrity and always wanted a chance to make a difference, but when the opportunity finally came, he realized that being mediocre was actually better.

    Peace is a blessing!

    "Boss, the car is ready and waiting outside," a voice interrupted Shen Renjie''s thoughts.

    He saw Sancai walk up to the man in the long robe.

    The man nodded, and his gaze under the round hat fell on Shen Renjie, making him feel like he was being stared at by a venomous snake.

    "Uh, sir, I was just grabbed to do this job temporarily and I don''t know anything. I don''t want to know anything either. How about you go ahead and leave me here? I won''t say anything. I will definitely repay your kindness!" Shen Renjie''s tongue was tied, and he stumbled over his words, not knowing what he was saying towards the end.

    "Bring him onto the car and wait for me, I''ll meet them," said Sancai, nodding his head.

    He roughly pulled Shen Renjie and headed outside.

    Bang!

    Shen Renjie heard a gunshot.

    His legs went weak.

    But then he realized he didn''t feel any pain, the bullet didn''t hit him.

    Meanwhile, Boss Li and Sancai had already started a gunfight inside the room.

    Two former allies suddenly turned against each other.

    What kind of drama was this?

    Shen Renjie was stunned, instinctively rolling to the side and crawling behind a shelf.

    "I raised this dog with my own hands, and now he wants to kill me," Shen Renjie heard Boss Li say with a sinister tone.

    "Teacher, don''t blame me. This is an order from above. They clearly said they wanted gold, but you had other ideas and wanted to keep it all for yourself. Naturally, they are not happy about it," Sancai replied.

    Shen Renjie had met Sancai a few times before. At that time, Sancai was timid and answered his questions with hesitation, looking like a naive country bumpkin. He was honest and cowardly, completely different from the calm and ruthless Sancai who now held a gun and killed without hesitation. They were like two different people.

    Shen Renjie couldn''t help but shrink into the corner, hoping that these two troublemakers would fight each other and both end up injured. That way, he might still be able to save his own life. "I worked hard for them, found what they wanted, and all I asked for was a little bit of gold. But they wanted to kill me, afraid I knew too much," sneered Boss Li.

    "I won''t end up like that," calmly replied Sancai. "Those who are not of our kind will always have different intentions."

    Shen Renjie didn''t react much to Sancai''s words, but Boss Li''s reaction was intense.

    "So, you think you''re better than us?" he exclaimed.

    He said three "good" words in a row, then suddenly fell silent.

    Bang! Bang! Bang!

    Several gunshots rang out, and the overhead lights went out!

    Shen Renjie was suddenly plunged into pitch-black darkness.

    The author has something to say: Today, I am different from yesterday. Today, I am a chubby me.

    The applause rang out o(£þ¨Œ£þ)

 CH 30

    The darkness amplified the fear deep within.

    Shen Renjie sat on the cold ground, unable to control his trembling.

    He remembered being in the interrogation room, hearing the old butler mention the underground gold in the Yuan Manor. It was hard to avoid being tempted.

    Shen Renjie believed that even Yue Dingtang, who always appeared righteous, couldn''t resist the temptation of gold.

    But Shen Renjie never expected that he wouldn''t even lay eyes on a single gold bar, and now he was tied up and left in this place, about to become cannon fodder. He didn''t even know if he would see the sun tomorrow.

    He recalled everything he saw before the lights went out, and his breathing became more rapid.

    Telegraph machines, maps, diesel, firearms... Who could have guessed that there was such a big secret hidden beneath the Yuan Manor?

    Shen Renjie didn''t know much about firearms, but just now, in his panic, he caught a glimpse of what looked like parts of a Maxim machine gun.

    Even now, he still doubted whether he had seen it correctly.

    For most families, the necessities of life are rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea. Ultimately, money is indispensable, which is why even warlords like Yuan Bingdao never forget to hoard wealth, because only with money can one buy their life.

    But who would place a radio transmitter and receiver in the basement?

    As for the Maxim machine gun, it was more than enough for self-defense, assassination, and attacks. This heavy machine gun, invented in 1883 and played a significant role in World War I, was generally only seen on the battlefield. In the Battle of the Somme, the Germans used this machine gun and killed tens of thousands of British soldiers in just one day.

    Why would such a terrifying weapon appear in the basement of a residential building in Shanghai? Could it be that after being ousted from Sichuan, Yuan Bingdao still harbored ambitions to make a comeback and secretly prepared for it? If not him, then who else could it be?

    Shen Renjie dared not delve deeper into these thoughts. He felt that the pit was too deep, and one wrong move could lead to his demise. He only wanted to make a name for himself and get promoted. If he could also benefit from it and bring back a few gold bars, that would be even better.

    The darkness remained, as dark as ever. In the distance, there were footsteps - fast, agile, and gone in a flash.

    Shen Renjie''s nerves were on edge.

    But soon, everything returned to quiet.

    He knew that the two people nearby were definitely searching for their opponent''s weaknesses, trying to take them down. And he was caught in the middle, a small and insignificant fish. Shen Renjie knew that these two people wouldn''t care about his life.

    He could only pity himself and his own life.

    Lost in thought, suddenly his shoulder felt heavy.

    Shen Renjie was about to scream, but his mouth was covered tightly!

    "It''s me."

    A warm breath whispered into Shen Renjie''s ear, and he could feel the other person suppressing even their breath.

    It was Ling Shu.

    Shen Renjie immediately felt weak and broke out in a cold sweat. He wanted to blame the other for arriving so late, and also wanted to remind him that there were two skilled people with guns, but the current situation left Shen Renjie unable to say anything.

    Ling Shu reached behind and untied Shen Renjie''s ropes.

    Sancai tied the knots tightly and professionally, but there was no knot that couldn''t be untied.

    There was a sound of heavy objects falling in the darkness, and someone accidentally knocked over something on a shelf. Then there was the sound of gunshots, and both sides were undoubtedly testing each other and didn''t want to be caught off guard.

    Shen Renjie''s body visibly trembled in fear.

    When Ling Shu came in, he only had time to take a quick glance before everything went completely dark.

    He could only roughly guess that they were currently in a corner and wouldn''t be affected for the time being. But if one side moves towards this direction, it''s not certain anymore. Now he urgently needs to figure out a solution.

    Ling Shu grabbed Shen Renjie''s hand and wrote a few words in his palm. "Who''s attacking?"

    Based on deduction, one of them should be Boss Li. But who could have clashed with Boss Li before they arrived?

    Shen Renjie finally reacted, trembling as he wrote a few words in Ling Shu''s palm. "Sancai."

    Ling Shu was puzzled. He thought Shen Renjie had made a mistake and wrote two more words: "Internal conflict?"

    Shen Renjie replied simply and clearly: "Yes."

    Bang!

    A gunshot rang out.

    Shen Renjie was startled.

    Something on a nearby shelf fell down with a clatter, causing a chain reaction as the entire shelf was overturned. In the next moment, he felt someone running towards him, their footsteps urgent and rapid.

    Before he knew it, they were already behind him! Shen Renjie felt himself being pulled by Ling Shu, but the hand that was holding him suddenly let go.

    Ling Shu''s back was kicked hard, causing him to crash into a nearby shelf. The radio on the top of the shelf fell down and barely missed him as he instinctively dodged it. Without hesitation, he turned around and lunged towards the other person, grabbing the gun in their hand!

    The other person then used their arm to wrap around Ling Shu''s neck with such force that he couldn''t resist. His grip on the gun loosened and he was punched in the chin, causing him to see stars and stumble backwards.

    Suddenly, a faint light appeared. Someone had lit a kerosene lamp in a nearby corner. At the moment the light came on, Ling Shu saw a blurry figure in front of him.

    It was none other than Sancai, who had just fought with Hong Xiaoguang and was killed by him in the end!

    How could a dead person suddenly come back to life and appear here?

    There were only two possibilities.

    Either one of the two Sancais was fake.

    Or both of these people were Sancai.

    In a flash, Ling Shu tackled Sancai to the ground while he was distracted, and the two of them instantly began to fight.

    Ling Shu was skilled, but he had been injured earlier and was still dizzy.

    Sancai, on the other hand, was unusually fierce and every move was aimed at killing. Ling Shu''s ribs were hit by a palm strike, causing him unbearable pain and leaving him unable to speak.

    Sancai then locked his neck and pressed him to the ground.

    The opponent''s face was ferocious, and his fingers tightened around Ling Shu''s neck, intending to strangle him on the spot.

    Bang!

    Gunshots rang out.

    It wasn''t coming from their side. Sancai''s gun had already been kicked away by Ling Shu.

    But Sancai couldn''t avoid hesitating for a moment. In that half second, Ling Shu took the opportunity to kick him directly in the groin.

    Shen Renjie had already scrambled to grab the gun and aimed it at Sancai, firing a shot. Sancai fell backwards. Blood spread from his shoulder, but despite his injuries, he still crawled towards Shen Renjie!

    The latter never expected him to react so quickly and was tackled head-on. The gun went off several times during the struggle, hitting the ceiling.

    Ling Shu felt like even his breath was now tainted with the smell of blood. His mouth felt rusty, and liquid kept flowing from his nose, which he swallowed down. His head was heavier than his body, swaying and tilting to the side.

    Even with a glimmer of light, everything in Ling Shu''s eyes was distorted and out of focus. The figures around him blurred and he couldn''t focus on anything.

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but rub his eyes, only to feel blood on his hand. It was then that he remembered being punched by Sancai earlier, leaving his chin swollen and his eye corner cut.

    Gunshots rang out several times. Shen Renjie''s face was splattered with hot blood, some even getting into his mouth. He stared blankly at the blood gushing from Sancai''s head, realizing too late that the shot wasn''t fired by him. During the struggle with Sancai, the gun went off accidentally, and all the bullets were used up.

    Before he could react, Ling Shu had already pushed him behind a cabinet.

    "Come out," they heard the voice of Boss Li. The atmosphere was cold and sticky, like some kind of creature that lived underground all year round.

    Ling Shu still remembered the scene when he dealt with Boss Li at the Xinyue Cafe.

    The same voice could have completely different styles.

    The former was warm, honest, generous, and passionate.

    The latter was ruthless, shooting his accomplice dead.

    Ling Shu had to admit that he had misjudged Boss Li. He may have doubted Boss Li''s perfection, but he never thought that he could disguise himself to such an extent.

    "I didn''t kill that patrolman just now, and I won''t kill you now. The person I wanted to kill is already dead. As long as you help me find the thing I''m looking for, tonight''s events will be forgotten."

    Boss Li spoke slowly, as if to reassure them. He didn''t come any closer, just stood two or three cabinets away. Shen Renjie saw Ling Shu make a gesture, signaling him to hide inside while Ling Shu moved outside.

    "What are you looking for? How do we trust you?" Shen Renjie heard Ling Shu ask after a while.

    "A foreign document."

    "What language?"

    "German, but there''s an English version too."

    "I don''t know German, but I can understand English."

    "Great. There are a few unused kerosene lamps in the corner. Light them up and then look in the last two cabinets. Most of the documents should be there."

    Ling Shu knew he wouldn''t die for the time being.

    Before Mr. Li left, he would definitely silence them all. But this document was important to him, so he would rather let Ling Shu live for another half hour.

    Of course, that was under the premise that Ling Shu was within his control. "Where is your accomplice? Bring him out!" Mr. Li squinted at Ling Shu, who was the only one holding a kerosene lamp.

    Ling Shu pointed towards the door. "He got injured just now and can''t move."

    Mr. Li waved his gun and said, "Take me to see him."

    Ling Shu led him to the door, and Mr. Li saw Shen Renjie sitting against the wall, covered in blood and unable to open his eyes.

    Mr. Li squinted again. "What about the person who went to the caf¨¦ with you? Where is he?"

    Ling Shu replied, "We only had a chance encounter. He wanted to use me to gain merit, and I wanted to use him to clear my name. When disaster struck, we each went our separate ways. He''s a wealthy young master, and he already had a close call last time. How could he possibly follow me into danger?"

    The other side sneered, "This is the result of meddling in other people''s business!"

    Ling Shu sighed, "I was sitting at home when the pot fell from the sky and I inexplicably became a murderer. If I don''t actively clear my name, how will I ever get to the bottom of this and see the impressive side of Mr. Li, who is praised by everyone?"

    "Stop talking nonsense and find the documents!" Mr. Li''s tone was flat and cold.

    Ling Shu walked over to the last two cabinets.

    They were packed tightly with stacks upon stacks of files.

    Each stack had a label on the front.

    "What''s the first letter of the file you need?"

    "Maybe it''s ''A'', or it could be ''N''. Look through both stacks," Mr. Li replied.

    "What''s the general content of the file?" Ling Shu asked.

    Mr. Li was getting impatient. "I''ve already told you, there are some mechanical design patterns inside. Just find the two stacks of files with the design patterns!"

    Ling Shu took down the two stacks of files with the letters "N" and "" at the beginning and began to search through them one by one.

    The dim lighting made it difficult to search, but every time Ling Shu slowed down, Mr. Li immediately noticed and scolded him coldly, threatening him and forcing him to work harder.

    The faster Ling Shu found the files, the closer his death would be.

    Ling Shu began to speak aimlessly, "Although you used me as a pawn, it seems that we have some fate. You helped me deal with Yuan Bing, who took away my love and caused me to fall to this point. If it weren''t for you framing me for murder, I would have thanked you even more. Now that you''ve killed Sancai, those people outside will definitely not let you go. Why don''t we work together, the three of us, to deal with the outsiders and split the gold here? What do you think?"

    Mr. Li remained silent.

    "If you don''t speak, I''ll assume you''re considering it. Old Li, I''m sure that''s not your real name, but you probably won''t tell me your true name, so I''ll just call you that for now."

    "I mean, Old Li, you put your heart and soul into training them, but they still treat you like an outsider and even want to silence you. In the end, they even want to betray you. I understand that feeling of being betrayed, just like when Du Yunning wanted to break off our engagement. I still remember that feeling to this day."

    "Speaking of which, I clearly saw the Sancais up there just now, but why is there still one here? Are they twins?"

    Old Li seemed annoyed and finally spoke up.

    "Where in the world are there so many twins? With deliberate training, even their speech, behavior, and habits can be the same. Even if their appearance is slightly different, it can still create an illusion that is indistinguishable. What do you know!"

    Ling Shu suddenly realized, "You''ve been running the Xinyue Cafe for so long without arousing suspicion. Your skills are extraordinary, Old Li. How about taking me as your apprentice and teaching me? I promise not to hold you back!"

    Yue Dingtang didn''t know where Ling Shu got his skills from. He was able to talk non-stop and distract Old Li, who was such a cunning and vicious person. But it couldn''t be denied that his words diverted Old Li''s attention, allowing Yue Dingtang to slowly move behind him.

    "You?" Old Li sneered when he heard Yue Dingtang. "Do you still need me to teach you? I see that you''re already skilled at misdirection, but unfortunately--"

    He suddenly turned around, pointing his gun directly at Yue Dingtang!

    In the nick of time, Ling Shu leaped up from the ground and pounced on Old Li''s back! Gunshots rang out as Boss Li was tackled by Ling Shu, causing the bullet to miss its mark.

    The two men struggled with each other, and Yue Dingtang couldn''t risk firing his gun. Boss Li seemed to be aware of this and kicked Ling Shu away, shooting the kerosene lamp with one shot.

    Two kerosene lamps in the corner were knocked over, and the flames quickly spread to the files in the cabinet.

    Yue Dingtang fired several shots, but Boss Li was hit in the arm and let out a muffled groan. He continued to pull the trigger, seemingly hitting Yue Dingtang''s leg.

    Suddenly, Shen Renjie, who had been pretending to be dead with his face covered in blood, leaped up and grabbed Ling Shu, quickly running towards the door on the other side.

    "There are explosives inside, and they''ll explode if there''s a fire!" Shen Renjie wouldn''t have cared about Ling Shu if he hadn''t just saved him.

    Ling Shu said, "You go first, I''ll go back and save people!"

    Shen Renjie refused to let go, his voice trembling with tears: "They also strapped explosives to me!"

    Ling Shu was taken aback and pulled him out.

    They had just escaped when a loud explosion came from behind them.

    The ground shook and trembled.

    It was a small explosion.

    Although Boss Li''s death was not regrettable, Yue Dingtang was still inside.

    Ling Shu took a closer look and realized that the place they came out of was not the same entrance they had just entered.

    Behind them was a small building next to the courtyard shed, behind the Yuan Manor.

    Not far away, a truck was parked in an open grassy area.

    Two people got off the truck, wearing duckbill caps and black jackets, one holding a stick and the other a gun.

    These were obviously the people Boss Li had mentioned who were waiting outside to help them.

    The two men were slowly approaching Ling Shu and Shen Renjie. Behind them, the basement was silent after the explosion.

    They were in a dilemma, surrounded by enemies on all sides.

    Ling Shu felt Shen Renjie''s hand trembling as he held onto him.

    As long as those two people knew that Shen Renjie was carrying explosives, with just one shot, they could send both of them to meet the recently deceased Sancai.

    The author has something to say:

    We''re almost at the end of this volume, just one more chapter to go! Then, get ready for the exciting new volume, featuring the witty subordinate Ling Shu and the perfectionist boss Yue Dingtang in a battle of wits and intelligence~~~

 CH 31

    In less than three seconds, they had to make a decision. Behind them was the basement that had just exploded, and next to them was the small gate in the backyard of the Yuan Manor.

    Ling Shu pulled Shen Renjie and quickly hid in the doorway. Luckily, he was quick-witted and just as their bodies were shielded by the wall, two gunshots rang out from outside.

    The bullets were half a step too slow and hit the door frame, just half a step away from them.

    Shen Renjie was gasping heavily and trembling as he spoke in fragments, "You, you need to untie the bomb on me first!"

    He felt like he was carrying a grim reaper on his back, with the reaper''s hands still around his neck, ready to strangle him at any moment.

    But there was no time left. The sound of footsteps grew closer and the two men were already running towards them.

    They could only hide in the small building. In its heyday, this small building was home to Yuan Bingdao''s sisters and concubines, and its decoration must have been impeccable. With three floors and rooms on each level, it was a grand residence.

    As soon as the two entered, they headed straight for the third floor.

    Ling Shu quickly whispered, "When we get up there, we''ll split up. One person will go out the window on one side, and you don''t have to worry about anything, just run towards the concession!"

    Shen Renjie replied, "I don''t want to split up with you. Don''t leave me behind!"

    Ling Shu sighed inwardly. If it were a young and beautiful girl speaking, there might be a hint of romanticism in their escape, but looking at Shen Renjie''s round face shimmering with tears, he couldn''t help but feel sorry for him.

    "It''s settled then. We have to split up to have a chance at survival. I have to go back and save the person with the surname Yue!"

    Ling Shu was too exhausted to say anything more. He felt like he hadn''t had a peaceful day since the night before Chinese New Year''s Eve when Du Yunning had an accident and the real culprit had been exposed. He had to run for his life everywhere, fearing that he could be shot dead at any moment.

    His head was pounding, and even without electricity, he could feel himself spinning like a drunk person. He felt light-headed, as if he were walking on clouds. If it weren''t for the fact that he still had a tight grip on the stair railing and was climbing up, he would have fallen down long ago.

    Shen Renjie held onto this lifeline tightly, not daring to let go for even a moment. He was so close to making a lifelong commitment with Ling Shu.

    The pursuers were almost upon them.

    Ling Shu had just climbed up to the third floor and, from the stairwell, he could see a dark figure entering the doorway. The sound of leather shoes on the wooden floor could not be concealed, even if the other person tried to walk quietly.

    "Why is there only one?" The question arose in his mind, but before he could think too much, Ling Shu pushed Shen Renjie into a nearby room and pointed to the window inside.

    Shen Renjie couldn''t resist him and had to let go of his hand. As he left, his silent and reluctant eyes were caught in the light outside the window, giving Ling Shu goosebumps.

    He deliberately increased his own footsteps and ran to the room at the end of the corridor. He took off his shoes and walked quietly before bending down and entering the second to last room.

    A young man walked into the small building.

    His steps were not slow, and his pace was even, as if he had experienced this many times before on countless nights.

    There were no lights in the small building, but he still instinctively pulled down the brim of his checkered cap.

    He had intended to reach out and turn on the light, but quickly dismissed the idea. Sometimes, it''s easier to move around in the dark.

    Although the other person didn''t seem like a big threat, Hua Gezi was accustomed to treating every enemy with caution.

    He slowly made his way up the stairs. His leather shoes made a rhythmic and pleasing sound on the wooden boards, just like the moment he pulled the trigger.

    Especially when the bullet hit the prey and they let out a scream, it made him even more delighted. In his mind, Hua Gezi had already paired the scene with a waltz, but his face remained calm.

    He held his gun steadily and aimed it at the empty corridor before standing still for a moment, then walked towards the first room.

    The door was slightly ajar.

    Hua Gezi kicked it open with one swift motion. The door slammed against the wall and bounced back, making a loud noise.

    Bathed in the moonlight outside, the room was fully visible. There was only a small bed, taking up the entire space.

    Hua Gezi''s gaze swept over the spot behind the door, then turned to the next room. One by one, Hua Gezi checked each room, but they were all empty.

    Only one room remained.

    The silence was eerie, but Hua Gezi was certain that the person couldn''t have escaped in such a short time. Besides, his companion was still outside. Even if the person had fled through the window, they would have noticed immediately.

    The door to the last room was tightly shut and wouldn''t budge. It must have been locked from the other side. The person was definitely in there.

    Hua Gezi sneered silently, aimed his gun at the lock, and fired. Then he kicked the door open!

    This room was much larger, probably the former owner''s bedroom, with a big bed, a wardrobe, and even an en suite bathroom. At first glance, the room was empty.

    Hua Gezi approached the wardrobe and opened it, then went to the bathroom to check, but found nothing. Immediately, he ran to the window and looked out. There were no footprints or signs of climbing, indicating that the culprit did not escape through the window.

    That left only one possibility - Hua Gezi quickly bent down to look under the bed! Almost simultaneously, a cloud of incense ash hit him in the face!

    Hua Gezi''s eyes were blinded, but his hand on the trigger immediately fired!

    Bang! Bang!

    He didn''t hear any screams, and his heart sank. His wrist was twisted and he felt a sharp pain, causing him to drop the gun.

    He was then kicked hard in the head!

    All of this happened in a flash, no more than a second! Hua Gezi realized that he had underestimated his opponent, but quickly grabbed the bedpost and rolled on the ground to get up. If the culprit wanted to attack him, he would have to crawl out from under the bed.

    As expected, at the moment when Ling Shu appeared, he twisted his elbow and fiercely smashed it towards the opponent''s head!

    But the other party reacted extremely quickly and actually dodged it in an instant, which made Hua Gezi feel a bit strange.

    Their mission this time was not only to obtain the things in Yuan Manor, but also to silence Boss Li. But now things have changed, and Hua Gezi suspects that there are other forces involved.

    Otherwise, did Boss Li already know his fate and bring in reinforcements to resist?

    While pondering, the two of them had already exchanged several moves.

    Hua Gezi, who was skilled in combat and killing, quickly discovered a secret.

    Although the opponent''s reaction was fast and his skills were not bad, his right hand obviously couldn''t exert any force, and all his punches were made with his left hand.

    So as long as his left hand was disabled... Hua Gezi narrowed his eyes and a thin blade as light as a cicada''s wings appeared in the palm of his right hand, swiftly sliding towards his opponent.

    ...

    Shen Renjie felt that his luck was truly terrible. He could only stand on the small stone steps with great effort, grabbing onto the window ledge to avoid falling. This was the third floor. Even if there was a lawn below, falling would still be fatal. Moreover, he was carrying explosives.

    Thinking of the explosives, Shen Renjie felt a pang of sadness. In the cold wind, he pressed himself against the wall outside the third-floor window, trying his best to imitate a gecko. On the other side of the corner, Hua Gezi''s accomplice was approaching.

    With a quick glance, Shen Renjie was in a panic and attempted to crouch down and slip into the second-floor window. With explosives tied around his waist, he dared not bend over too much and could only stretch out his hand to reach for the window ledge. As the story goes, with his physique, it was a bit difficult for him to accomplish this move.

    But he only had three seconds.

    After three seconds, the other person would come over and as long as they looked up, they would see Shen Renjie.

    That would be his death sentence.

    Three.

    Two.

    One.

    Shen Renjie counted silently, gritted his teeth, and lunged forward, grabbing onto the edge of the window with both hands. His hands slipped and he fell!

    Oh my god!

    He almost screamed out loud, quickly grabbing onto the window sill and firmly planting his feet on the wall to stabilize himself.

    But the person in the duckbill cap had already walked over.

    With his rich experience and expertise, he naturally looked up and saw Shen Renjie.

    After a moment of shock, the person in the duckbill cap raised his gun, his movements swift and his safety catch simultaneously released.

    It''s all over.

    Shen Renjie thought.

    He had completely given up resistance and was ready to die. As the bullet hit him, it exploded instantly, and what awaited him was not a normal death, but a gruesome one where his flesh and blood were torn apart.

    It was too tragic.

    Shen Renjie felt that the biggest regret of his life was when his neighbor wanted to arrange his chubby daughter to marry him two years ago. He didn''t like her and thought he was still young. He wanted to establish his career before settling down and find a more beautiful wife.

    Now he regrets it.

    Regardless of whether the girl was chubby or ugly, at least she could have given him a child.

    All sorts of thoughts exploded in his mind, and Shen Renjie was in disarray, like a pile of rubble shaken by an earthquake. He didn''t even feel the pain of the bullet hitting him.

    After several seconds, he realized that it wasn''t his mind trembling, but the house shaking. To be precise, it was the ground beneath the house that was shaking!

    "An earthquake?!" Shen Renjie looked down without even thinking about the gunman, towards the direction of the explosion.

    He quickly bent down and flipped himself into the room through the window with all his might.

    Shen Renjie was still trembling with fear when he remembered the source of the explosion.

    It was the place they had just come from.

    Had there been a second explosion in the underground vault?

    After saving his own life, his mind began to race again, but he feared that Yue Dingtang''s chances of survival were slim.

    Mr. Li was ruthless and suspicious, and Shen Renjie truly doubted the possibility of Yue Dingtang surviving in the hands of the other party.

    He sighed quietly and peeked his head out of the room''s doorway, planning to quickly find reinforcements before anyone could escape. Blood flowed down his arm, winding and twisting, almost dyeing his entire hand red, and dripping onto the ground with a steady tap-tap-tap.

    Struggling to climb up from under the corpse, Ling Shu''s movements tugged at the wound in his abdomen, causing his body to stiffen uncontrollably.

    After a long while, he finally let out a gentle sigh.

    Ling Shu couldn''t remember the last time he had exerted himself like this, to the point where even his bones had become sluggish, almost costing him his life.

    In the past, he had suffered more serious injuries, but those were visible opponents. Now, what was this?

    Dealing with ghosts that lurked in the darkness, never seeing the light of day?

    He took a few steps, picked up the gun that had just been kicked into the corner, grabbed onto the bedpost to steady himself, and walked towards the window.

    Outside, a dark figure rushed towards the source of the explosion.

    Ling Shu raised his gun and fired without hesitation.

    The other side fell in response. He was certain that he had hit his opponent, but he couldn''t be sure if he had hit a vital spot.

    In the bitter cold of winter, Ling Shu was sweating profusely, his chest soaked with either blood or sweat, his clothes sticking to his skin and making him uncomfortable.

    Stars seemed to be flying around in front of his eyes, and every time he closed them and opened them again, it was a difficult struggle.

    Ling Shu slowly made his way downstairs without looking back, saying, "Help me, I''ve been injured."

    Shen Renjie, who was sneaking behind him, wanted to ask if Ling Shu had eyes on the back of his head, but he wisely said nothing and quickly helped him.

    The explosion sent flames shooting into the sky, and the fire spread quickly, soon engulfing the small building on the ground.

    The criminal lying on the ground didn''t move a muscle. It seemed that he had been killed by Ling Shu''s gun.

    Shen Renjie bent down and reached out to the other''s neck.

    Suddenly, the other person flipped over and revealed a gun hidden on their body!

    The gun was pointed at Shen Renjie in an instant!

    A shot rang out!

    Shen Renjie trembled!

    There was a bloody hole in the center of his forehead, and his body fell backwards.

    Shen Renjie collapsed to the ground.

    He had experienced too many life and death moments tonight to count.

    "Ling Shu, my friend..." he weakly called out, "let me rest for a while!"

    Shen Renjie couldn''t walk anymore.

    He knew he should go to the explosion site to see if Yue Dingtang had any hope of survival, he should hurry to the police station to get help, and he should have Smith mobilize everyone to come rescue them.

    But his body wouldn''t listen to him.

    Ling Shu couldn''t respond at all.

    He opened his mouth, feeling the sticky blood in his throat. Despite this, he managed to maintain consciousness through sheer willpower.

    Squinting his eyes, he looked towards the towering flames. It seemed as though someone was slowly emerging from the blaze, their silhouette illuminated by the fire like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

    Was it Yue Dingtang or Boss Li? Ling Shu couldn''t tell. He tried to lift the gun in his hand, but found himself falling backwards instead.

    His last conscious thought was of the thick smoke above him and the half-moon peeking out from behind the dark clouds. Perhaps when he woke up, it would already be morning.

    Ling Shu slowly closed his eyes.

    The author has something to say: The first volume comes to a close, and all unanswered questions will be addressed in the second volume. I apologize for the delay in posting due to some typos that needed to be corrected.

 CH 32

    Ling Shu caught a whiff of floral fragrance.

    The first to hit him was the scent of narcissus, rich and strong, instantly infiltrating every corner of his nasal cavity, attempting to occupy all his senses, before giving way to the subtle and elegant aroma unique to winter. The colder it got, the more vibrant it bloomed.

    Whose plum blossoms were in full bloom?

    As Ling Shu''s muddled mind was met with a sea of white, memories slowly came flooding back.

    He found himself back at the hospital, going round and round in circles.

    Letting out a soft sigh, someone immediately took notice.

    "What happened to you?"

    A gentle, cautious voice, filled with surprise.

    It wasn''t his sister, but it sounded familiar.

    Ling Shu blinked, staring blankly at the heavily made-up and beautiful woman before finally remembering who she was. This is Ya Qi, a dancer he met in Feilengcu.

    "Can you give me some water?" he licked his dry lips.

    Ya Qi quickly got up to pour water and sat back down, holding his head up to help him drink.

    The soft jade fragrance and gentle gestures were enjoyable for anyone, including Ling Shu.

    To avoid any misunderstandings, he chose to take the cup from her hands, even though it took him a few extra seconds.

    "How did you find this place?" he asked.

    "I asked Cheng Si to bring me here. He had to go back on duty and left first." Ya Qi picked up an apple and peeled it, occasionally glancing at him with affectionate eyes.

    "I heard about what happened to you, being falsely accused by the killer. I''m glad you''ve cleared your name. When you were taken away, I was afraid I would never see you again..."

    Ling Shu''s attention was focused on one sentence. "The culprit? Have they caught the culprit?"

    Ya Qi was puzzled. "Didn''t they all die in the explosion? That''s what the newspaper said."

    Ling Shu asked, "Do you have the newspaper? Let me see."

    Ya Qi looked around. "I don''t have it here, but maybe another ward does. Wait here, I''ll go get a copy for you!"

    Before Ling Shu could respond, she ran out in her high heels. In no time, she came back with a copy of the morning paper.

    The dust has settled on the Yuan Manor case, and the real culprit is him?!

    The sensational headline was enough to attract any reader. The news story took up an entire page, starting with the tragic death of Shanghai socialite Du Yunning in her home, and detailing the explosion at the Yuan Manor before finally mentioning the owner of the Xinyue Cafe.

    It turns out that Du Yunning was a regular at the cafe, and when the owner learned of her wealthy background, he hatched a sinister plan to use her to steal from the Yuan family. But his scheme was foiled, and he and his accomplice met a fiery end.

    In several hundred words, the author also described the kind and generous nature of the cafe owner, Mr. Li.

    When news of his involvement in the plot broke, his neighbors and acquaintances were in disbelief. They couldn''t believe that someone like Mr. Li could be capable of such a heinous act, and some even suspected that he was being falsely accused.

    The report mentioned that Yuan Bing died from smoking too much opium in the police station. The couple had no children, and although there were some assets left in the safe deposit box, no one could inherit them. They had to be temporarily confiscated until Yuan Bing''s two aunts returned to claim them.

    Ling Shu''s gaze was fixed on the black and white photos of the two small buildings belonging to the Yuan family that had been ravaged by the fire.

    The report was undoubtedly detailed, and the journalist must have done a lot of research. Given the credibility of this newspaper, even if the content was somewhat exaggerated, it would not be too far-fetched.

    In other words, the journalist believed that he had written everything he had heard and seen truthfully.

    But Ling Shu knew that there were many discrepancies between the report and the facts.

    Although Boss Li was ruthless, he only acted on orders. The person who could command Sancai was perhaps the real mastermind behind the scenes. Before Yuan Bing''s death, his aunt had appeared, but this was not reported. It seemed like a colorful display, but it held no value for Ling Shu, who knew the truth.

    "What''s wrong?" Ya Qi asked, worried as Ling Shu remained silent for a long time.

    Ling Shu shook his head, closed the newspaper, and considered whether to politely send the guest away or just lie down and rest. Then, someone pushed the door open.

    Ya Qi was surprised to see the visitor, but when she heard Ling Shu call her "sister," her mood changed instantly. She greeted the visitor with a sincere and natural smile, as if she had jumped from a sandy spring to a brilliant summer.

    Ling Yao was delighted to see that Ling Shu was awake, and was somewhat surprised to see Ya Qi.

    "Who is this?"

    Ya Qi stepped forward, "Hello, my name is Ya Qi and I am a friend of Ling Shu."

    She didn''t mention her surname or whether she was studying, working, or married, but Ling Yao could guess from her appearance and demeanor.

    "Hello, I am Ling Shu''s sister. Thank you for coming to visit him. Ling Shu often causes trouble, and with a friend like you, I''m sure you''ve had your fair share of it."

    Ya Qi quickly replied, "No, not at all. I heard that Ling Shu was injured and I was very worried. I just couldn''t find out which hospital he was in before!"

    Ling Yao smiled, "Now that you''ve seen that he''s okay, you can rest assured. You''re so young, you must still be in school. It''s time for classes now, so go back and don''t miss your studies!"

    Ya Qi hesitated to speak, wanting to stay a little longer but finding it difficult to reveal her profession. She forced a smile and bid farewell.

    As soon as she left, Ling Yao glared at the person on the sickbed. "Look at you, always attracting the wrong kind of people!"

    Ling Shu was indifferent.

    "Ya Qi is a good girl, she just fell into the wrong line of work. When did you become so vulgar, sister?"

    Ling Yao reached out to poke his forehead but saw the thick bandage wrapped around his head and couldn''t bring herself to do it.

    "If you have the ability to attract bees and butterflies, then find me a decent sister-in-law instead of hanging out with dancers all day. What kind of future can you have?"

    Ling Shu was getting a headache from her scolding and weakly said, "If you keep nagging me, I''ll complain to Sister Chunxiao."

    What a little rascal! Ling Yao''s teeth itched, and she wished she could just stuff her water bottle into his mouth.

    "Where is Yue Dingtang? Is he not injured?" Ling Shu couldn''t move, but his mouth was never idle, and he asked again.

    "He''s not any better off than you. He was stabbed in the shoulder and shot in the leg, but fortunately, his life is not in danger. The Yue family arranged for you to have a single room for more convenient rest, and he''s next door to you."

    Ling Yao still remembers the way Ling Shu was pushed out of the operating room. If it weren''t for her husband holding her up, she might have collapsed on the spot.

    "How did you end up like this? Is it so dangerous to investigate a case? You shouldn''t be a police officer. I''ll have your brother-in-law find you a new job. Nothing is more important than safety..."

    "Big sister," Ling Shu said helplessly, "this matter has nothing to do with me being a police officer. The fact that I can sit here and talk to you means that continuing my investigation is the right thing to do. You know that too. I may be covered in injuries, but I am not wrongfully accused of murder."

    Ling Yao''s gaze fell on his left arm, which was wrapped in layers of bandages, and her eyes immediately turned red.

    "Can you help me see who sent the gifts on the table?" Ling Shu whined.

    Ling Yao had no choice but to walk over to the table and sift through the pile of things.

    There were flowers, useful items, and even food.

    She didn''t realize how many people cared for her little brother, especially women.

    Not just Ya Qi from earlier, but also two dancers he had dealings with in the past had sent their condolences.

    Ling Yao skipped over a few of the items and went to look at others.

    "I know this one, it''s from Cheng Si. And a few of your colleagues from the bureau came to see you when you were still unconscious. They left quickly."

    "This is a flower from He You''an, and two tickets...oh, is it that movie star He You''an?"

    Ling Shu lazily replied, "Now you know your little brother''s abilities, don''t you?"

    Ling Yao scoffed at him, "You must have used your face to deceive people again!"

    Ling Shu: ...

    Ling Yao naturally confiscated the two tickets. "I''ll give them back to you when you behave."

    Ling Shu knew she liked He You''an, so he said, "You can go with your brother-in-law, I don''t really like watching movies."

    After he spoke, he suddenly remembered something. "When I came out earlier, where did my coat go?"

    "Why are you looking for it? You made that coat so dirty and damaged, I was planning to find a chance to have it repaired. If it can''t be fixed, I''ll have to give it to your brother-in-law''s relatives in the countryside to wear," said Ling Yao with a regretful tone.

    Ling Shu urged, "Quickly bring it here. I put something inside, let me take it out first!"

    "You should rest and recover now that you''ve cleared your name. What else do you need?" Ling Yao replied.

    "I don''t care, just bring it here. You''re the best, sis. I won''t be able to sleep if you don''t show it to me!" Ling Shu insisted.

    Unable to resist Ling Shu''s persistence, Ling Yao got up and went to the washroom to take down the coat hanging on the wall. She had to be careful when taking it down because it was covered in dust. Luckily, it was originally gray, or else if it was a light-colored garment, it would be completely ruined now.

    "Here it is," she handed it over to Ling Shu. Ling Yao handed over the coat, and Ling Shu snatched it eagerly, sticking his hand inside and rummaging around. His expressions changed rapidly, from suspicion to delight, like a master of Sichuan opera changing faces.

    "What''s inside? Look at your precious treasure!" Ling Shu hugged the coat tightly, refusing to let go.

    "Sis, you can go back now. It has accompanied me through life and death, and now it''s my loyal brother in times of trouble. I need to hold it to fall asleep," Ling Shu said, still hugging the dirty coat like a beloved pet, almost kissing it.

    Ling Yao suspected that her brother''s brain might have been damaged, and not in a normal way.

    Not only was he hugging the coat, but he was also shooing her away.

    "Sis, you should go back first. You still have to cook for your husband, right? Come back tomorrow, I''ll be fine."

    After a moment of silence, Ling Yao realized he had no choice but to leave. "Just be careful, and if you need anything, call the nurse. I''ll bring you your favorite scallion oil noodles for dinner," he said before departing.

    "Thank you, sis!" the patient replied gratefully.

    As soon as Ling Yao left, the patient eagerly retrieved something hidden in a secret pocket of his clothes. He pulled out four taels of gold, which he had risked his life to obtain. He was overjoyed.

    Before he could even warm his treasure, someone rudely pushed open the door without knocking. Who could be so impolite?

    Panicking, the patient quickly stuffed the fish under his body and covered himself with a blanket. It was Yue Dingtang, who had wheeled himself in.

    "Are you awake?" he asked, surprised. "Why are you sweating so much? Do you need me to call the nurse?"

    Ling Shu said, "No need, that was just me being excited to see you alive after the robbery."

    Yue Dingtang: ¡­¡­

    Author''s note: It''s late tonight. I had to take a break from Weibo earlier because my chubby little cat suddenly had some issues and I had to consider taking it to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up. I''ve been busy with that, so my word count is lower and I apologize for that. I''ll try to make up for it tomorrow.

 CH 33

    "Do you get so excited just by seeing me?"

    Yue Dingtang looked up and down at Ling Shu, with a strange expression on his face.

    The small yellow taels was hidden inside Ling Shu''s coat, but even through the thin pajamas, he could feel the sensation of the gold moving with his body, like pebbles rubbing against his skin.

    Ling Shu forced a weak smile.

    "We are friends who have survived life and death together. How can I not be excited? How did you manage to escape?"

    Yue Dingtang had injured his shoulder and it was difficult for him to push the wheelchair with one hand, so he used crutches to support himself as he limped over to Ling Shu''s bedside and sat down.

    "It''s warm inside, why are you still so cold? You have to wrap yourself in a blanket and hold onto your coat?"

    Ling Shu hugged his coat tighter. "He is my brother in adversity, and no one can separate us."

    The expression on Yue Dingtang''s face was exactly the same as Ling Yao''s a few minutes ago.

    He sighed and took out a half piece of paper from the pocket of his hospital gown.

    "Take a look at this first."

    The piece of paper was one page of a document.

    But that was only its original appearance.

    Ling Shu could only see about four or five incomplete English phrases in the piece of paper.

    The edges were black and charred, and there were small burnt black holes in the center of the handwriting.

    Knowing Yue Dingtang''s style, if he could bring out a whole document, he would not have just brought this piece of paper.

    The situation at that time was even more critical than imagined.

    When the other party handed over the piece of paper, Ling Shu noticed that there were also burn scars on the half arm under his hospital gown.

    "From the remaining words, it seems to be related to the source of those weapons."

    Ling Shu carefully identified the words on top. "The British United Transport Company..."

    "There''s a name in the middle, but it''s not clear. This company transported a batch of matches and medicine to China in 1920, in response to the possible danger that could happen."

    "The rest of it was burned, but there''s one more word. Let me see... street fighti... the last two letters might be ''ng''? Alley fight? Why would they mention alley fights?"

    "We can only make out this much. If we could get hold of the whole document, we could learn more."

    "At the time, the fire spread quickly. I didn''t have time to rescue the document and almost lost my life in it."

    As Yue Dingtang recalled the scene from before, he remembered how he had narrowly escaped disaster. Instead of following Ling Shu and the others, he had turned back towards the entrance they had come in from.

    Just as he had left, the explosion caused by the collapsing basement shook the ground. Yue Dingtang managed to make it to the second floor, with Boss Li hot on his heels.

    Yue Dingtang had initially planned to take Hong Xiaoguang with him, but Boss Li refused to let him go. It seemed he was afraid that Hong Xiaoguang would reveal too much information. In the end, Boss Li shot Hong Xiaoguang, and the two of them fought and wasted a lot of time in the basement. When the second explosion occurred, Yue Dingtang almost lost his life in the flames.

    Ling Shu stroked his chin thoughtfully.

    "Don''t worry, we can still make some educated guesses based on what we''ve seen," he said. "The underground weapons from the Yuan family were probably brought over with the batch of goods mentioned in the documents. Even the so-called matches and medicine might just be a cover-up."

    "I remember in 1919, not long after the war had ended, Europe, America, and Japan implemented an arms embargo against China. However, this measure was not actually enforced."

    Yue Dingtang nodded, "That''s right. Many weapons were still able to be dismantled and transported here. Local warlords also continued to purchase weapons from Europe and America, but they had to cover it up, hence the use of medicine as a disguise."

    Ling Shu said, "These things have never left Shanghai since they arrived, indicating that the person who ordered this batch of goods originally intended to use them here, but they were not needed later on. So the question is, what ''potential dangerous situations'' occurred in Shanghai in the 1920s?"

    It was more than ten years ago, and those in power were confused. It was difficult for them to recall everything at once.

    As far as they could remember, Shanghai had been thriving since its opening, and there were many important events.

    At that time, the warlords were still fighting fiercely, and Shanghai seemed to be the territory of the Anhui warlords.

    Names like Duan Qirui, Xu Shuzheng, and Duan Zhigui flashed through Ling Shu''s mind. The names mentioned were all prominent figures in the Anhui warlord faction at the time.

    Of course, now over a decade has passed and some have already passed away.

    Many young men in the area may not even know about this past, but what does it have to do with these weapons?

    Suddenly, Ling Shu had a flash of inspiration and thought of a possibility.

    Indirect benefits.

    "The original owner of the Yuan Manor was British," Yue Dingtang suddenly said.

    "At that time, the Anhui warlords had sided with Japan. Perhaps the British were worried about Japan''s rapidly expanding interests and the conflict eventually spread to the public concession here. That''s why they prepared this batch of weapons, just in case. But later on, the situation changed and the Anhui faction gradually lost power, so these weapons were never used."

    It seems that the British person who previously bought this house must have had a significant identity. This includes why he suddenly abandoned the house and everything inside, allowing it to be sold. Whether this person is alive or dead now, and other details, are impossible to trace due to the passage of time.

    As for Yuan Bingdao, he probably didn''t know the secret beneath the gold. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have hidden the gold he worked so hard to transport from Sichuan in the armory.

    Who recommended this house to Yuan Bingdao in the first place, and whether the recommender knew about the secret hidden beneath the house, is unknown.

    The people who obey the orders of the organization behind Sancai orders probably learned about this secret from the information left behind by the British person or other channels. That''s why they sent Mr. Li, who was determined to get the house.

    "Where is Mr. Li?" Ling Shu asked.

    Yue Dingtang shook his head.

    "After the fire was put out, the police station was responsible for cleaning up the aftermath. Currently, they have only found two bodies, preliminarily identified as Hong Xiaoguang and the old butler. It''s not ruled out that there may be more discoveries later."

    The old butler was knocked unconscious by Sancai at the entrance of the second floor. Later, the scene was chaotic and everyone was too busy to rescue the elderly butler who couldn''t move.

    Ling Shu asked, "Xinyue Cafe?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "We''ve checked there too. Smith personally led people over and caught all the staff, but from the preliminary interrogation results, they don''t know anything. In their eyes, Boss Li is a completely good and kind person."

    This was an expected result.

    The more people who knew, the quicker the truth would be revealed. With Boss Li''s cunning, he certainly wouldn''t expose himself to these small fry. If it weren''t for Hong Xiaoguang''s confession, they might still not have been able to connect Mr. Li, even if they had suspicions, it would be difficult to prove.

    Ling Shu asked about Shen Renjie.

    Yue Dingtang: "He was burned and broke a leg, but he''s okay, better than being dead."

    If there are no surprises, this case will soon come to a close.

    The killer of Du Yunning has been revealed, justice has been served, and the real culprit has met their deserved end.

    This is a satisfying conclusion that satisfies the public''s desire for cause and effect. The destruction of the Yuan Manor and the death of the real culprit in the fire also saved the trouble of tracking and capturing them later.

    This is exactly the result that Smith wanted, he can report to his superiors and boast in the newspapers, no matter what, he can turn it into a great achievement.

    For Ling Shu, having his suspicion completely cleared was a good thing.

    Moreover...

    "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

    Yue Dingtang looked at him slightly twisting under the blanket.

    The movement was small, but noticeable up close.

    "It''s okay, my back is a bit itchy."

    "Holding onto dirty clothes, how can it not be itchy?" Yue Dingtang frowned and took the coat away. "Where does it itch? Shall I call a nurse to help you scratch?"

    Ling Shu: "No need, as a grown man, I don''t need physical contact with women. I''ll do it myself later."

    Yue Dingtang:...

    He still remembered Ling Shu''s scene of embracing beauty and laughing at the Feilengcui dance hall, and it was hard to connect the person who said "I don''t need physical contact with women'''' with the lipstick mark on the card sent to the table.

    "Turn around, I''ll help you scratch." "How can I accept this? You go back and rest first. I can see that you''re badly injured. Hurry back and rest, don''t worry about me!"

    Before he could finish his sentence, Yue Dingtang had already lifted his blanket.

    The hospital gown was pulled up by Ling Shu himself, revealing a white belly with gauze taped in the middle where he had been stabbed before. The area around it was as delicate as a woman''s skin, having never seen the sun for years.

    "What are you doing?" Ling Shu hissed, about to resist, but his injured hand moved and he trembled in pain. His body was already flipped over, revealing the yellow taels of gold that shone brightly under the lamp, tempting him silently.

    Before Ling Shu could reach out, the other person had already taken his property that wasn''t even warmed up yet.

    "Give it back to me!" he demanded.

    "Where did you get this gold?" Yue Dingtang held his hand up high, out of reach of Ling Shu, who couldn''t possibly flip over and grab it.

    "This was given to me by my sister! What are you going to do about it? The fourth son of the Yue family has resorted to robbery in broad daylight. Have you no shame?"

    Yue Dingtang smiled slyly, "Did your sister give you this gold with the Chongzhen inscription on it?"

    Ling Shu remained calm, "So what? The Ling family is also wealthy and prosperous. Are we not allowed to have some assets?"

    "Of course you can. In that case, I''ll ask your sister first. If it really was from her, I''ll return it to you. If not, I''ll help you keep it safe so you don''t squander it on those dancing girls again."

    Ling Shu laughed in anger, "Yue Dingtang, you have some nerve!"

    Yue Dingtang put the small yellow taels in his pocket, his expression full of meaning.

    "You''ll soon be thanking me."

    The days of recuperation were dull and boring, and it didn''t take long for Ling Shu to start clamoring to be discharged from the hospital, only to be ruthlessly suppressed by Ling Yao.

    On the other hand, Yue Dingtang was allowed to be discharged and go home for recuperation, without having to continue being trapped here like him.

    Yue Chunxiao, on the other hand, came to see him every three or four days. Even if she couldn''t come himself, she would send someone to bring some soup and water. When Ling Shu was finally able to be discharged after ten days or half a month, he had not lost weight but had instead gained a few pounds.

    As soon as he returned to the police station, Cheng Si saw him and clicked his tongue in disapproval. He slapped him on the back, but was caught off guard when Ling Shu showed a pained expression and quickly withdrew his hand.

    "Are you okay? Your injury hasn''t healed yet?"

    "Ouch, you hit my wound!" Ling Shu gave him a glare. "You saw how the Yuan Manor was burned down. Even if it was you, you wouldn''t have recovered so quickly! I was just stuck in the hospital for too long and begged the doctor to let me out!"

    Cheng Si laughed mischievously, "Well, that''s great news! Double happiness has arrived. You have to treat us to a meal today. You can''t drink because of your injury, but you can order drinks for us!"

    Ling Shu looked at him with a face that said, "Are you crazy?"

    His wound still hadn''t healed, and just the thought of his four taels of gold made him want to twist Yue Dingtang''s head off and fry it with the fish.

    Cheng Si said, "You''re going to get promoted!"

    The author has something to say: In the previous chapter, there was a bug. The four big yellow fish weighed four catties, and they couldn''t be hidden in the coat. They would definitely be discovered. It should have been four small yellow fish. It has been corrected now, so please refer to the new version.

    A small theater unrelated to the main text:

    Yue Dingtang: Today''s chapter is sweet again.

    Ling Shu: Are you blind? Where is it sweet?

    Yue Dingtang: Four small yellow taels.

    Ling Shu: ???

 CH 34

    "Early this morning, before you arrived, the Old Ghost came and asked about your whereabouts as soon as he saw someone."

    The Old Ghost was the highest-ranking boss in their Jiangwan District police station. He was described as thin and dark-skinned, with a laugh like a bell. People called him the Old Ghost, and over time, everyone forgot his real name and only addressed him as Bureau Chief Jiang in front of others and the Old Ghost behind his back.

    "I thought he was looking for trouble with you, but he didn''t seem like it with his happy expression. So I sent Zhu Gan to inquire about it, subtly hinting at you to be prepared. How about that? Am I a loyal brother?"

    Cheng Si spoke vividly and proudly, and instinctively tried to nudge him with his elbow. Ling Shu, however, was quick to dodge half a step away.

    "And then what happened?"

    "Then the Zhu Gan probably heard from the Old Ghost that he wants to take you to the city bureau to do something, it''s definitely not a bad thing, can''t you see it from his expression? Since it''s not a bad thing, then it must be a chance to show off? After you show off, won''t you be promoted?"

    Cheng Si clicked his tongue twice, feeling proud of his perfect logical reasoning ability.

    Ling Shu was speechless, "If you had this kind of enthusiasm for solving cases, wouldn''t you have been promoted by now?"

    Cheng Si smirked and hooked arms with Ling Shu, "I''m counting on you to promote me now."

    As soon as he finished speaking, a colleague who had just come out of the chief''s office called out to Ling Shu.

    "The bureau chief wants you to come in."

    Cheng Si made a face at him.

    "See, speak of the devil and he shall appear. You have to speak well of me later!" Ling Shu ignored him and straightened his clothes before walking into the director''s office.

    Bureau Chief Jiang, also known as "Old Ghost," was reviewing documents at his desk.

    He had suffered facial injuries in his youth, leaving a diagonal scar from his nose to his mouth that resembled a natural wrinkle.

    When he didn''t smile, he looked old and somewhat ferocious, and no one could tell whether he was happy or angry, so they didn''t dare to offend him easily.

    Ling Shu wondered how Cheng Si could tell that he was in a good mood.

    "Bureau Chief Jiang, hello!" Ling Shu saluted. "What can I do for you?"

    Bureau Chief Jiang grunted, looking up at him. Surprisingly, he slowly broke into a smile.

    However, his smile, combined with the scar, was somewhat frightening.

    Bureau Chief Jiang seemed to realize this and immediately restrained himself, trying to make his gaze appear gentle and watery.

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but shiver inwardly.

    "Today I need to take care of something at the city bureau, would you accompany me?" Bureau Chief Jiang said, getting up to tidy the files on his desk.

    Ling Shu eagerly stepped forward, taking on the task at hand. He even went the extra mile to make tea, pour water, and clean up the desk. He fetched clothes and a hat from the hanger for Bureau Chief Jiang to change into.

    Bureau Chief Jiang looked at him with a newfound appreciation, as if to say, "Why didn''t I notice your talent before?"

    Ling Shu responded with a simple, honest smile.

    Bureau Chief Jiang was not one to waste time. He promptly called the driver to bring the car to the door and led Ling Shu to the back seat.

    Ling Shu innocently asked, "Director, as a small fry like me, I don''t usually have contact with people from the city bureau. Why did you suddenly bring me along? Did I do something wrong?"

    Bureau Chief Jiang leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. "Recently, weren''t you involved in a case, the Shanghai socialite murder case?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Yes, but I have already cleared my name. I had asked Cheng Si to help me take a leave of absence earlier, fearing that it would have a negative impact on the bureau."

    Bureau Chief Jiang smiled slightly, "I heard about that case too. You were indeed wrongly implicated, and I heard that you even assisted the Concession in solving the case and bringing the real culprit to justice?"

    Ling Shu humbly replied, "It was all luck. I almost lost my life. The doctor originally didn''t allow me to leave the hospital. They said I had been stabbed in the abdomen and my hand was seriously injured. I needed at least a month of rest, but I was concerned about my duty and didn''t want to delay any important tasks for the bureau. So, I insisted on coming back, even with my injuries."

    If it were someone else boasting like this, Bureau Chief Jiang would have just ignored it with a cold eye. But today, his mood was surprisingly good. Not only did he not interrupt Ling Shu, but his eyes were even gentler.

    "Good, very good! Young people should have this kind of vitality and perseverance. Since the day you entered the bureau, I have been silently observing you. You have not disappointed me!"

    Ling Shu: ...

    This is too unusual.

    The district bureau is not small, and usually Bureau Chief Jiang comes and goes in a hurry. He has not even met Ling Shu a few times, let alone let Bureau Chief Jiang praise him.

    Could it be that his long-dead father is actually still alive, suddenly transformed and returned home in glory, and the Ling family rises again, and he also rises with them?

    Or did his brother-in-law suddenly get promoted to become a big shot who didn''t even put the police chief in his eyes that made everyone bow down to him, and even he gets to enjoy better treatment?

    Ling Shu''s mind was wandering as the car drove smoothly and quickly to the city bureau.

    And finally, he understood why Bureau Chief Jiang had such a high tolerance for him.

    It was because there was a meeting at the city bureau, attended by the deputy mayor and various distinguished figures. The former even specifically requested to meet with Bureau Chief Jiang and Ling Shu.

    Of course, the main reason was to meet Ling Shu.

    "Is this the rising star of the police world who assisted in solving the Yuan Manor case and showed outstanding bravery?"

    Not only was the deputy mayor present, but also the chief of the city bureau, Chief Huang, and a familiar old acquaintance standing beside them.

    Yue Dingtang. Facing the friendly greetings from the deputy mayor, Ling Shu responded with an innocent and pure smile, playing the role of a responsible and diligent accompaniment to Bureau Chief Jiang''s boasting and humility. Although he didn''t know yet that his actions, which were meant to clear his own name, had become a credit to him.

    Speaking of credit, this should also be attributed to Yue Dingtang and the Concessionary police station. The concession would never easily give up credit, especially to a small police officer like Ling Shu who had no background or connections.

    But this magical thing actually happened. Ling Shu wouldn''t have believed it if he hadn''t seen it with his own eyes. He had a feeling that this had something to do with someone surnamed Yue.

    Yue, who had eaten his four taels, was now standing beside them in a suit and leather shoes. There was no need for him to back down or try to impress with his own opinions. He simply let his presence speak for itself, and many eyes were drawn to him.

    Mr. Yue remained expressionless, putting on a facade of righteousness.

    Inwardly, Ling Shu rolled his eyes.

    As someone in his position, being able to exchange a few words with the deputy mayor was already a great honor.

    The rest of the meeting had nothing to do with him, so Ling Shu could slip away.

    However, he had to wait for Bureau Chief Jiang to finish the meeting before they could leave together. In just an hour and a half, Ling Shu had explored every corner of the city bureau, getting to know every employee who was working in each department during that time period.

    He even didn''t miss the janitor cleaning the garbage in the stairwell, and found out what they had for breakfast and what they were planning to have for lunch. As the meeting was coming to an end, he confidently returned to Bureau Chief Jiang''s temporary resting room.

    However, when Bureau Chief Jiang returned from the meeting, he didn''t ask Ling Shu to leave with him. Instead, he gave him some advice.

    "You don''t need to come back with me. Familiarize yourself with the environment here first. Someone will take you to your new department later. You''ll be working at the city bureau starting tomorrow."

    Ling Shu was surprised. Did he really get promoted?

    "You praised me this morning, and now you don''t need me anymore?"

    Bureau Chief Jiang chuckled, "If I had known this news earlier, I wouldn''t have let you, my lucky star, go. But now that you have made a contribution, the city bureau is also asking for you. I can''t delay your future anymore. I just hope that when you have a bright future, you won''t forget the old friends when you have new ones!"

    Ling Shu replied, "You are my old leader and boss. Wherever I go, I will remember you and the Jiangwan District Bureau. But this new position came too suddenly. I am still confused. Can you give me some guidance?"

    Bureau Chief Jiang said, "It''s not that sudden. The notice of your contribution came a few days before you were hospitalized. We were in a hurry, so you came to report first. There will be news about the award ceremony in a while."

    Ling Shu asked, "What is the specific job title?"

    Bureau Chief Jiang: "Assistant to the Advisor of the City Bureau."

    Ling Shu felt a sense of foreboding in his heart and asked hopefully, "Who is the advisor?"

    Bureau Chief Jiang replied, "You just saw him earlier, Mr. Yue Dingtang, who was standing next to me when I was with the mayor. He''s an old acquaintance of yours."

    Ling Shu: ...

 CH 35

    Although Yue Dingtang was titled as a consultant, he didn''t really have any specific duties. As long as the police station didn''t summon him, no one would question his absence for ten days or even half a month.

    In the end, this position was just a way for the higher-ups to keep him around, and Yue Dingtang was well aware of that. So, his main work was still focused on the school¡¯s side. As long as Ling Shu was overseeing things at the police station, help run errands and pass on messages, it would be enough.

    After handing over the documents to Ling Shu to deliver, Yue Dingtang went back to teaching at the school.

    At noon, the driver arrived on time and took him to the pre-arranged tea house for a banquet.

    Another banquet.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t like going to banquets. Although he appeared to be smooth and flawless in front of others, even a bit hot and cold on the inside, given the choice, he would rather quietly stay at home to read and write.

    Silence is golden, and it''s better to remain silent than to say something that could lead to mistakes. No matter how eloquent someone may be, speaking too much will inevitably lead to mistakes, which will require endless trouble to fix. Only by not speaking at all can one avoid trouble.

    However, sometimes these kinds of dinner parties are necessary. Especially for intellectuals, there are always social interactions within literary circles.

    For example, tonight''s guests came from the capital in the north to participate in an event. They are well-known avant-garde poets and writers in the country, and they specifically requested to experience southern opera.

    The host arranged the dinner party in this tea house with Huangmei opera on the second floor, where they could listen to the opera, eat, and discuss matters comfortably.

    During the day, the tea house was not crowded. The real excitement happened at night.

    From the second floor, they looked down at the stage performers and the sparse audience on the first floor. Everything was in full view.

    "Minghong and Shaoyu have come from afar. Please forgive our inadequate hospitality. Although this tea house may seem simple, it has some history and reputation in this area. Even Mr. Mei performed here in his early years."

    "Oh, no need to be so polite, Brother Zhao. We came here to exchange ideas and stay for a few days. You could have just let us wander around on our own. Who is this?"

    Polite greetings were inevitable as the opening remarks.

    Among the group were those dressed in Western suits like Yue Dingtang, as well as those in traditional Chinese attire. The combination of East and West was the most common feature nowadays.

    "Come, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Han Zhouhan, the editor-in-chief of the Times. I''m sure you''ve heard of him before."

    "More than just heard of him! Mr. Han''s name is well-known, and I''ve admired your social commentary under the pen name ''Xiao Baiyang'' in every issue. I haven''t missed a single one!"

    "Hahaha, Brother Minghong, you flatter me. Your poetry collections are also a must-buy for me every time I''m in Shanghai!"

    "And this is Mr. Yue Dingtang, not only a law professor but also an advisor to the Shanghai Police Department and the Concessionary Police Department."

    Compared to the well-known names in the literary world, the name Yue Dingtang is relatively unfamiliar.

    As expected, the two guests didn''t have much of a reaction.

    The vice principal in charge of introductions spoke up, ¡°The recent famous Shanghai socialite murder case was solved by Mr. Yue here."

    The two men suddenly realized and looked at Mr. Yue with more admiration.

    "So it was Mr. Yue who solved the case. We have also heard about it in Beijing!"

    "This case was reported in newspapers all over the country, and we followed it from beginning to end. It was indeed full of twists and turns. However, even though the newspapers may exaggerate, we are fortunate to meet you today. Would Mr. Yue have the leisure to share some of the details with us?"

    Mr. Yue was lost in thought.

    It was the first time he had ever zoned out at a dinner party and didn''t hear what others were saying to him.

    Because he saw someone.

    On the first floor, in front of the stage, at the first table.

    That table had only one person, him. On the table sat a plate of peanuts, a stack of osmanthus cakes, and a bowl of hot tea freshly brewed. With one leg crossed over the other, he tapped his fingers to the beat on the table, and a faint bandage could be seen on the back of his hand.

    Yue Dingtang thought he was seeing things.

    "Mr. Yue? Mr. Yue?"

    Yue Dingtang snapped out of his daze.

    "Sorry, I just saw a friend and got distracted."

    "No worries, no worries. If you have a friend here, why not invite him up for tea and a chat?"

    "He likes to listen to opera, so I''ll let him stay downstairs. No need to disturb each other."

    Despite his reluctance, at the insistence of the others, he briefly recounted the details of the case. Though his words were few, they were enough to leave everyone in awe. After all, not everyone can experience the thrill of walking on the edge of life and death. For many scholars who spend their days writing at their desks, it seems like a story from another world.

    Yue Dingtang finished telling the story and glanced at his watch. It was one o''clock in the afternoon, during work hours, and he should have been out delivering files instead of listening to a play here.

    Even though he had taken half a day off, it was only to go back and pack things, not to enjoy himself.

    A tiger does not show its might, should he be treated like a sick cat?

    Yue Dingtang sneered inwardly, naturally lifting his head and looking down at the stage.

    A cold smile formed on his lips.

    The person who was just sitting there munching on peanuts had disappeared without a trace.

    Yue Dingtang furrowed his brows slightly. As the meal was halfway through, he found an excuse to leave and returned to the city bureau.

    The corridor was quiet and empty, with no one in sight.

    It was probably still lunchtime now.

    Yue Dingtang walked slowly to the front of the office and stopped for a moment.

    There was no movement inside, and it was quiet both inside and outside.

    Yue Dingtang was confident that Ling Shu must not have returned yet, so he reached out and pushed open the door.

    The main table was naturally empty.

    At the desk on the side of the office, a person sat upright, writing with a pen, working hard and diligently.

    Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, the person looked up with a surprised expression.

    "Chief, you''re back so soon. Wasn''t there a lunch appointment?"

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    He walked over.

    On the blank paper under Ling Shu''s pen, there was only one title written.

    "The necessity of improving the security around Shanghai teahouses."

    "I asked you to deliver the documents, and you''ve already delivered them so quickly?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    Ling Shu said, "I''ve delivered the goods. The place you sent me to wasn''t far, and I happened to run into Secretary Song on his way to handle some business. He let me hitch a ride with his driver, so I got back quickly."

    Secretary Song was the secretary of the deputy mayor, and logically speaking, he had nothing to do with Ling Shu. Moreover, Yue Dingtang had heard of Secretary Song before and knew that he wasn''t someone easy to get close to.

    But on his first day of work, Ling Shu had already made a connection with him and even got him to give him a ride. Even if it was just a ride, it still depended on the person.

    Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow and said, "Ling, you''re quite sociable!"

    Ling Shu humbly replied, "Not at all, I learned it all from my superiors!"

    Yue Dingtang thought to himself, something doesn''t seem quite right here.

    "I gave you half a day off, and you''ve already finished moving your things?"

    "I haven''t gone back to move yet. When I passed by the teahouse, I saw someone being robbed at the entrance. That''s when I thought of this topic. After I finish writing it, could I trouble you to give it a look?"

    Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow, implying doubt. "You just passed by and didn''t go in to sit down, rest your feet, and listen to the opera?"

    Ling Shu looked innocent and pure. "How could I? This is about work. How could I do such a thing during work hours?"

    Yue Dingtang smiled slightly. "I knew I didn''t misjudge you. When we were in school, you were always diligent and proactive. Now, it''s no different. Can I see the report you write tomorrow?"

    Ling Shu hesitated. "I''m afraid tomorrow will be too rushed. Can you give me some more time?"

    Yue Dingtang refused to let him off the hook: "So when will you have it done? But it''s just a report, it shouldn''t take ten days or half a month, right?"

    Ling Shu replied, "It won''t take that long. I can finish it within a month."

    Yue Dingtang nodded, "Alright, I''ll give you a month."

    And that was that.

    That night, when Yue Dingtang returned home, his sister Yue Chunxiao heard that Ling Shu was working under him and asked him to take care of his old classmate and not let him work too hard.

    Yue Dingtang smirked at her words, "As a consultant assistant, he sits in the office all day and doesn''t have to run around like before. How could it be hard?"

    Yue Chunxiao said, "So you''re still making him write some reports? I heard he has to travel all over Shanghai and even go to the surrounding counties for investigation. He also needs to apply for funding. It sounds like a lot of work. Little Ling''s injury hasn''t fully healed yet. I''ve seen the wound in the hospital. If you want him to help, you need to be considerate."

    Yue Dingtang felt that something was off as he asked, "What funding? How did he explain it to you?"

    Yue Chunxiao scolded him, "He didn''t say anything. I just feel sorry for him. He took on everything to repay your kindness. You have to help him."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, letting his sister ramble on.

    Since it was already late, he didn''t have time to go find Ling Shu to ask about it.

    The next morning, Yue Dingtang went straight to Ling''s house. Ling Yao told him that Ling Shu had gotten up early and gone to the city bureau.

    Yue Dingtang had to hurry to the city bureau again.

    As soon as he got out of the car and before he could go to the office, he met Secretary Song face to face.

    Upon seeing him, Secretary Song said, "Brother Yue, you came just in time. The funds you applied for have come down. Come with me to sign the papers."

    After speaking, he leaned in closer and said with a mysterious tone, "You have a big reputation. The road was smooth all the way. When Mayor Chen heard that it was your proposal, he immediately approved it from the finance department. But it''s also because your proposal is really good. Brother Yue, you have the potential to climb the ranks. Why not quit your job at the school and focus on this side?"

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Although he didn''t know what had happened yet, he had a feeling that all of this was definitely related to Ling Shu!

    Ling Shu, who was preparing to enter the cinema, sneezed.

    Of course, it must be Yue Dingtang cursing at him.

    Yue Dingtang was new to the city bureau, with no work to do.

    He took the initiative to establish relationships with various parties, applied for funding projects for his superiors, and even spent half a night working on it.

    However, the surname Yue could not appreciate his good intentions and even plotted against him behind his back.

    Sigh, it''s really hard to be a good person these days.

 CH 36

    Ling Shu was here for the movie premiere.

    The movie was called "Reborn from the Flames".

    The male and female leads were both famous movie stars of the moment, and tickets were hard to come by.

    But Ling Shu had two.

    When he was hospitalized before, He You''an came to visit and brought two tickets. Ling Shu gave them both to Ling Yao because Ling Yao was a die-hard fan of He You''an.

    Recently, Ling Yao returned the tickets because she was having a cold war with his brother-in-law. So Ling Shu had to come alone with two tickets.

    He snuck out of work to come here, which was impossible in the past.

    But Yue Dingtang, the police station consultant, was actually given a leisurely job with a fancy title and generous pay just to win him over. He didn''t have to do any work.

    Even Ling Shu, his assistant, could wander around all day without going to the city bureau and still collect his salary without anyone saying a word.

    So, going to see a movie wasn''t a big deal.

    Ling Shu looked up at the sky. It was a sunny day with no snow or wind, and the big sun was shining warmly overhead, spreading its warmth to the people below.

    Shanghai was as bustling and lively as ever.

    Outside the cinema, people who had come for the premiere had formed a queue that stretched half a block.

    There were also many people who couldn''t get tickets waiting on the sidelines for someone to sell theirs. Above their heads hung a large colorful movie poster featuring the lead actors, He You''an and Lin Feng.

    The poster was surrounded by bright, multicolored lights, a privilege reserved only for the most prominent movie stars of the time.

    Although the figures in the poster were slightly exaggerated, He You''an''s beauty still shone through. Many people who had never seen her in person were drawn in by the poster alone.

    That''s the power of true beauty.

    A few people in long robes wandered outside the queue, quietly selling and buying the few expensive tickets they had in their hands. As they walked, they came across Ling Shu.

    "Sir, are you selling tickets?" they asked.

    "How can I sell them?" Ling Shu replied.

    "According to the price on your ticket, I''ll pay double. Think about it, the movie isn''t just showing for one day. You can come and watch it anytime, but it''s more profitable for you to get an extra payment, don''t you think?" the other party said.

    Ling Shu replied, "What if I also want to sell an additional signature?"

    "What signature?" the other party asked.

    "He You''an''s personal signature," Ling Shu said.

    "Do you also have Miss He''s signature? Is it real or fake?" the other party asked.

    "It''s definitely real. A premiere movie ticket with a signature, I¡¯ll sell for two silver dollars. How about it?" Ling Shu replied.

    "Wow! You really know how to ask for a lot!" the other party exclaimed.

    Ling Shu took out the movie ticket with the signature. The elegant signature was clearly visible, and those familiar with He You''an could immediately recognize that it was indeed her signature.

    The other party reached out to take a closer look, but Ling Shu quickly pulled it back.

    "Many people want He You''an''s autograph, but I was able to get it because my sister''s classmate is Miss He''s neighbor. You know what they say, proximity is power. If I wasn''t in a rush to get into the theater to watch the movie, I could have sold this ticket for at least two yuan."

    After spouting off some nonsense, the other person was immediately intrigued.

    Ling Shu pretended to put the ticket back in his pocket.

    "If you don''t want it, then forget it. With the autograph, I can always find a loyal fan of Miss He to add it to their collection."

    "No no no, I''ll take it!"

    Not only was Ling Shu able to watch a movie, but he also stumbled upon a windfall. He happily pocketed the silver yuan and walked into the cinema. These days, two yuan is not a small amount of money.

    Of course, for the wealthy, they can afford not only five silver dollars, but even one hundred. Among the fans of He You''an, there are many rich kids. When they sell these items, doubling the profit is not a problem.

    Ling Shu doesn''t like watching movies.

    But compared to sitting in the office all day, this is naturally more interesting.

    The movie tells the story of the female protagonist played by He You''an, who changes her appearance and approaches her enemy to make him fall in love with her, all in order to seek revenge for her family.

    However, she eventually falls in love with him and tragically commits suicide after killing him.

    At that moment, the audience sitting in front, behind, and to the sides were all immersed in the superb performance of the male and female leads.

    Some were even moved to tears, quietly sobbing. With a small paper bag in his hand, Ling Shu fished out one salt and pepper peanut after another, his eyes and mouth working in unison, while also sharing his thoughts internally.

    As the movie came to a close, He You''an also appeared.

    The scene immediately went from sorrowful to boiling with excitement.

    She was surrounded by Lin Feng and a group of supporting actors, dressed in a white Western-style dress and wearing a hat, with a slight smile on her lips.

    Unlike the loneliness she exuded when Ling Shu first saw her that night, He You''an now exuded a peaceful elegance, smiling sweetly and brilliantly, just like the grandeur of the movie playing.

    Barring any unforeseen circumstances, "Reborn from the Ashes" will once again become the focus of discussion on every street and alley, and will add another brilliant chapter to He You''an''s acting career.

    Even though she was already famous and had far surpassed the average person in terms of material wealth, no one would refuse the honor of adding more glory to her name.

    The producers gave their speeches first, followed by Lin Feng and He You''an.

    Both of them spoke in a conventional manner, expressing their gratitude, but the audience who attended this premiere would have the opportunity to line up and ask for autographs from the movie stars.

    This was why there was a long line outside earlier - not only He You''an, but also Lin Feng, a handsome young actor, was quite popular among the wealthy young ladies.

    Among the fans who came to line up for autographs today, many were employed by these wealthy young ladies to help them get autographs.

    Originally, Ling Shu didn''t want to go, he was just planning to leave after finishing his peanuts. A young man approached Ling Shu, claiming to be from the film company where He You''an worked.

    He said that He You''an had just seen Ling Shu and hoped to speak with him backstage after the premiere.

    Ling Shu agreed and found a quiet corner to wait for He You''an to finish.

    As the premiere ended, many fans approached their favorite movie stars for photos.

    He You''an was surrounded by the most people, and one person even brought a large bouquet of bright red flowers that caught everyone''s attention, including He You''an''s.

    The flowers emitted a unique fragrance that was neither orchid nor rose.

    He You''an smiled and accepted the bouquet, about to thank the person when suddenly, something unexpected happened!

    A sharp knife flashed from behind the bouquet, heading straight towards He You''an!

    Someone screamed first, but it was unclear who.

    He You''an''s face turned pale, and she instinctively tried to dodge backwards.

    But she forgot she was still wearing high heels, and when her heel twisted, her whole body became unsteady.

    The knife was about to pierce through her clothes and into her flesh, blood splattering everywhere.

    The people around scattered and some tried to pull He You''an to the side, but the attacker was extremely persistent, charging forward and refusing to stop until someone was hurt.

    Given He You''an''s delicate body, it was uncertain whether she would survive the attack.

    The people who were slow to react could only watch in shock and horror, frozen in place, as a tragedy was about to unfold.

    Fortunately, the beauty did not fall victim to the attack. Someone flew in with a kick and knocked the knife-wielding thug to the ground.

    Others finally snapped out of their daze and rushed forward, quickly pinning the criminal down so he couldn''t move.

    The thug continued to struggle fiercely, his neck stiff, glaring fiercely at He You''an with bloodshot eyes like a wild beast that hadn''t tasted meat in days.

    He You''an''s face turned pale as someone helped her up, trembling as she asked, "Who are you?!"

    "I put your photo by my bedside every day, but why did you smile at someone else? So many people saw you smile, I want you to only smile for me from now on! I really like you!"

    The other person chuckled strangely, their voice eerie and unsettling.

    In this day and age, those who can run a movie company naturally have some connections and abilities.

    When this incident broke out, the police quickly arrived and took the criminal away.

    The meet-and-greet couldn''t even happen, and the premiere ended hastily. The staff escorted the fans and audience out one by one, and the other actors in the movie also left one after another.

    However, He You''an stayed behind to rest backstage.

    She still hadn''t recovered from the shock earlier, looking dazed as she held a cup of hot tea without taking a sip.

    It wasn''t until Ling Shu arrived that she forced herself to perk up and express her gratitude.

    "If it weren''t for you just now, I might have..."

    He You''an seemed to be trying hard to show that she was calm, but the more she tried, the more charming she appeared.

    Her eyes were moist, but she held back the tears, like a crescent moon spring, radiating brilliance and beauty.

    It''s hard to imagine someone could hurt such a beautiful woman, but it''s a reminder that the world is full of different people and situations.

    "Small matter, if you feel guilty, just sign a few more photos for me. I''ll take them back to appease my sister," said Ling Shu in a casual tone, making He You''an smile and feel better.

    "No problem, I''ll sign as many as you want. And if there''s a new movie coming out, I''ll send some tickets to your sister," replied He You''an.

    "Great, from now on, you''ll be in charge of our movie tickets," joked Ling Shu.

    "What movie tickets?" Suddenly, Shen Shiqi walked in and casually asked the last question.

    The next second, he saw Ling Shu and his face immediately turned ugly.

    "What are you guys doing behind my back? You said you came to attend the premiere today, but it turns out you''re here to have a secret meeting with a lover?"

    The words were clearly directed at He You''an, but there were also two members from the film company present besides He You''an and Ling Shu. The words were like a public humiliation, trampling He You''an''s dignity in front of everyone.

    Although Shen Shiqi''s flirtation with her was not a secret, and He You''an had already become accustomed to Shen Shiqi treating her like a plaything, sometimes passionately loving her and pampering her, and sometimes treating her coldly and playing with her at will, it did not mean that she would not feel embarrassed and angry, especially after just experiencing an assassination attempt.

    He You''an''s mood suddenly turned sour.

    The tears she had been holding back just now also broke free and turned into falling pearls.

    Shen Shiqi coldly sneered at the sight, showing no pity or sympathy, and instead walked towards Ling Shu with big strides. "Good, today I finally caught you in the act. Get out of here!"

    As he spoke, he reached out to grab Ling Shu''s collar.

    Before he could even finish saying "get out," Shen Shiqi felt the world spin around him and suddenly found himself pinned to the ground.

    His chin was then met with a heavy blow, causing him to scream in agony like a fat pig being slaughtered!

 CH 37

    This punch was earth-shattering.

    Shen Shiqi had never been hurt before, let alone by such a merciless punch.

    It shattered all of his pride, arrogance, and dominance.

    Amidst his howls, his two bodyguards rushed in and without hesitation, threw punches at Ling Shu. But they were quickly knocked down.

    These two so-called bodyguards were just thugs hired from the Qing Gang. They knew some fighting skills and followed Shen Shiqi to make a living. They usually flattered him and accompanied him in his car, so they rarely encountered any danger.

    But today, they miscalculated.

    Shen Shiqi''s screams grew louder, and they could be heard for miles around.

    Ling Shu''s wound also throbbed with pain. The wound on his abdomen from that knife cut was deep, and it still hasn''t fully healed to this day.

    Just now, with all the sudden movements, it seemed like the wound was starting to reopen.

    But it was still better than the current state of Shen Shiqi.

    He took a step closer to Shen Shiqi.

    He You''an thought he was going to attack, so she quickly stopped him and gestured for him to leave.

    But Ling Shu didn''t leave. Instead, he crouched down and said to Shen Shiqi, "Young Master Shen, if you keep howling like this, tomorrow''s headline will read that the Shen family is trying to bully others and will only end up being laughed at."

    Shen Shiqi''s howling abruptly stopped.

    He glared fiercely at Ling Shu.

    "I dare you to appear in front of me again!"

    Ling Shu said, "I came to watch a movie. Miss He was just attacked, and I acted bravely. If it weren''t for me, what you would be seeing now is Miss He''s corpse. Instead of thanking me, you even raised your fists against me. That''s not right, is it?"

    Shen Shiqi sneered, "Don''t think I don''t know that you, Ling Shu, want to eat swan meat. I''ll remember this incident. If you have the guts, don''t leave Shanghai. As long as you''re here, I have plenty of ways to deal with you!"

    Ling Shu laughed, "Young Master Shen, how do you plan to deal with me?"

    Shen Shiqi said with a sinister smile, "Your name is Ling Shu, right? I''ve heard that your Ling family used to be powerful, but now you''re just a fallen aristocrat. I heard that your brother-in-law works in the government, but he''s just a low-level clerk. You''re barefoot and not afraid to wear shoes. Can''t I deal with your brother-in-law?"

    Ling Shu''s face lit up and he said solemnly, "If Master Shen can really take care of my brother-in-law, I will be truly grateful to you!"

    Shen Shiqi: ???

    "You don''t know this, but I was very unhappy when my sister married my brother-in-law. And since they still don''t have any children, if you can ruin my brother-in-law''s job, wouldn''t it be perfect for me to persuade my sister to remarry? As you saw last time, I was able to attend the consulate''s banquet because of Yue Dingtang''s lingering feelings for my sister. So if Yue Dingtang becomes my new brother-in-law, shouldn''t I thank you even more?"

    Shen Shiqi was speechless, unsure if he was angry or simply had no response.

    Ling Shu dusted himself off and stood up. "Since Master Shen is here as a protector of flowers, I will take my leave."

    With a heavy heart, He You''an apologized, "I''m really sorry. I''ll explain this to Mr. Shen. You can go now, I won''t see you off."

    Ling Shu didn''t even turn back, just waved his hand.

    Leaving the cinema, Ling Shu leisurely returned to the city bureau.

    Yue Dingtang was waiting for him in the office.

    "Has the great young master Ling finally decided to come back?"

    He put on a posture of having been waiting for a long time, with a slight smile on his face, very kind.

    But in Ling Shu''s eyes, this smile seemed to have a hint of trouble.

    Ling Shu shook the paper bag in his hand.

    "Boss, have you had lunch yet? I brought you some meat buns, there''s pork and cabbage filling, and also red bean paste filling. I remember you used to love the red bean paste filling when you were in school, so I bought two extra. You won''t blame me, will you?"

    Yue Dingtang looked at him with a smirk and said, "You disappeared all morning, did you go out to buy buns?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Of course not, I went out to do some research. You were kind enough to give me a month to complete the feasibility report on the security situation around the Shanghai teahouses. I was deeply moved and after thinking about it all night, I finally had a burst of inspiration and finished the entire report."

    Yue Dingtang said, "So this morning you surprised me by submitting the report and even applying for funding?"

    Ling Shu looked embarrassed and said, "I really wanted to surprise you, but I didn''t expect you to find out."

    Yue Dingtang realized that after not seeing his old classmate for several years, his thick-skinned friend had become even more shameless. Perhaps if you put a piece of cowhide in front of him and poke it with a needle, the cowhide would break before Ling Shu''s face does.

    Yue Dingtang said coldly, "You haven''t shown it to me yet, but you went ahead and reported the project. Have you forgotten who your boss is?"

    "Boss, I swear on my conscience that I have to speak up for myself. When I arrived at the city bureau early this morning, I happened to run into Deputy Mayor Chen passing by the entrance. As you know, the government and our city bureau are right next to each other. I naturally greeted him respectfully. He was very approachable and asked me what I was busy with. As a newcomer, he asked if I was adjusting well, so I reported to him one by one."

    Ling Shu looked innocent and spoke vividly, singing and acting in perfect harmony.

    Yue Dingtang knew that the other person was acting, but he also wanted to know what story he was planning to sell. This conflicting feeling made him hesitate to interrupt the other person''s words.

    "In the end, the old man not only patiently listened, but also offered to help us. I thought to myself, this is all because of your reputation, boss. I can''t let you lose face. So I bravely applied for funding for the project, and Mayor Chen approved it immediately. In order to fulfill the plan as soon as possible, I spent the whole day outside conducting detailed investigations for the plan!"

    Yue Dingtang watched as he spouted nonsense, "So what did you find out from your investigation?"

    Ling Shu said, "The investigation results show that the reason for the poor public security near the teahouses is because it attracts people from all walks of life, making it a hub for robbery and theft. The number of patrol police is limited and they cannot attend to every incident. However, if we mobilize the people, even in the moment of many incidents, we can find clues in the first place.¡±

    ¡°Therefore, I suggest that we spend this budget on improving the relationship with the surrounding residents. Most of the families around the teahouse have average living conditions. We can provide them with some assistance when they encounter difficulties, and they will be our eyes and ears as they have lived in the area for decades and know the people and environment well. Even if a real incident occurs, they can help us gather information."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent for a while.

    Ignoring him, Ling Shu continued speaking. "You see, the government allocates a large amount of funds every year, but who knows how much actually goes towards practical use. Since there''s an opportunity now that can benefit you and help others at the same time, it''s a win-win situation. Why not take advantage of it?"

    Yue Dingtang smiled wryly. "I never expected that Young Master Ling would have such a compassionate heart for helping the needy."

    Ling Shu bowed. "I dare not accept such flattery from my superior. My main goal is to bring in revenue for you. Although you may not care about a small sum of money, you are now a member of the city bureau and need to establish your prestige. As your subordinate, I have no other skills but to work hard and do my best for you!"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, staring at Ling Shu for a long time.

    He didn''t know what to say because he was impressed by Ling Shu''s dedication.

    He didn''t know what he was feeling at the moment, but it might be similar to how Shen Shiqi felt after being beaten down just now.

    "This matter ends here. Without my permission, you cannot act on your own, especially when it comes to reporting to higher-ups."

    Yue Dingtang chuckled.

    "I know you don''t want to stay under my command and hope that I''ll kick you out, but the more you act like this, the less likely I am to let you go."

    "Ling Shu, think about how many favors you owe me since we reunited. Even if you leave now, can Big Sister let you off the hook?"

    Yue Dingtang''s words successfully silenced Ling Shu.

    The two of them stared at each other for a moment.

    Gurgle.

    Ling Shu''s stomach growled.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Ling Shu looked innocent. "Boss, I haven''t had lunch yet, and the buns are cold."

    Yue Dingtang felt like he was playing the piano to a cow and a goose, so he didn''t bother saying anything and turned around to leave the office.

    Perhaps he was really annoyed by him, but Yue Dingtang didn''t come back all afternoon.

    Ling Shu was calm and collected. As evening approached, he slowly packed up his things and went to someone else''s house for dinner.

    By the time Yue Dingtang''s school matters were settled, it was already completely dark outside.

    The days of severe cold were particularly difficult to endure. Even if he was wrapped up tightly, after only a short time outside, Yue Dingtang hoped to quickly return to the warmth of indoors. Especially in this kind of weather, if he could have a hot pot with various meats and vegetables to dip in sauces, it would definitely be a wonderful thing.

    Yue Dingtang was really hungry.

    To him, what happened in the afternoon was just a small episode.

    Although Ling Shu took the initiative without permission, Yue Dingtang reviewed the proposal and found no flaws.

    Admittedly, Ling Shu''s direct application for funding without going through him was a major taboo in the workplace, but this old classmate was determined to get himself fired, so the taboo became a trivial matter.

    Moreover, nowadays, the misuse, abuse, and even embezzlement of funds have become an unspoken reality.

    To be honest, Yue Dingtang even had a hint of approval in his heart for the purpose of Ling Shu''s application.

    But this trend cannot continue, otherwise, day after day, where would his face be?

    "Did you tell my sister that we''re having hot pot tonight?"

    As he entered the door, he didn''t forget to ask the old servant.

    "I did, Miss prepared a lot of dishes, it''s enough even with the guest," the old servant said with a smile.

    "What guests?" Yue Dingtang''s question had not even been asked when he saw his third sister sitting in the dining room, picking up a chopstick of beef and putting it into Ling Shu''s bowl.

    As she served, she spoke, "Eat more quickly, while Dingtang hasn''t come back yet. He loves beef, don''t let him eat it all!"

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Am I not her real brother?

    Was I switched at birth?

    Why is my sister more enthusiastic towards Ling Shu than towards me, her own brother?

    These questions, coming from the depths of his soul, exploded in Yue Dingtang''s mind.

    His current mood was like a cat that had just come back to its nest after a fight outside, only to find that its spot had been taken by someone else.

    Exhausted, disheveled, and slightly jealous.

    The author has something to say:

    Ling Shu: There is a cause for every effect, and your retribution is me.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

 CH 38

    What''s the best thing to do in winter?

    Set up a pot, pour in three cups of light wine, and prepare a table of hot pot ingredients.

    Thinly sliced beef, with a good mix of fat and lean, is the best. The thinner the better, so it cooks quickly in the boiling pot and is tender to the bite.

    As for the broth, it''s best to use a high-quality chicken stock that has been simmered for several hours. Add some white radish and mushrooms, and let it cook for half an hour. This will infuse the vegetables with the rich flavor of the chicken broth, making them an essential element of this feast.

    There are also duck tongues, beef tripe, and Chinese cabbage, among other meats and vegetables, which make for a lively winter hot pot.

    This is the home banquet that Yue Dingtang remembers. Unlike other households, the Yue family doesn''t like to have their chef prepare fancy and complicated dishes for their family banquets.

    Instead, they simply set up a table, especially during the winter when even the wealthiest families need a group of servants to keep watch.

    If the host eats slowly, the food must be taken away and reheated, which can make guests feel a chill emanating from their chopsticks as soon as they sit down.

    The patriarch of the Yue family settled in from the north and loved to eat a steaming hot pot during his lifetime.

    From the start of the meal to the end, the table was filled with a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere. The soup pot boiled, and hearts were warmed, even the coldest topics became warm.

    Gathering around a hot pot together is more like a tradition in the Yue family.

    Yue Dingtang doesn''t like to eat lamb.

    Yue Chunxiao loves to eat lamb.

    The other two men in the Yue family, one loves to eat braised meat, and the other enjoys pig brain. Each of the four had their own preferences, so the hot pot had to be divided into four compartments. They could all gather together and enjoy their own choices, which was a great example of tolerance and inclusivity.

    Even when the Yue family members went their separate ways later on, with Yue Chunxiao following her husband abroad, the four-compartment hot pot remained an indispensable presence during holidays and festivals.

    Sometimes, when the eldest was absent and the second was missing, only Yue Dingtang was left in front of the pot, enjoying the four compartments and the warmth of loneliness.

    Tonight was a rare lively occasion for the Yue family. With Yue Chunxiao present, it was just two people sitting opposite each other, but with Ling Shu joining in, everything changed completely.

    Ling Shu was always good at livening up the atmosphere, and with him around, Yue Chunxiao''s smile never disappeared from her face.

    It wasn''t the kind of polite and distant smile, but a genuine expression of joy from the heart. "Why does Sister like Ling Shu so much?" Yue Dingtang couldn''t understand this.

    The two had known each other for many years, and Ling Shu had come to their house for dinner before. Of course, at that time, his sister had shown a liking for Ling Shu, but she had a similar attitude towards her peers and towards Du Yunning.

    Young people''s passion often comes quickly and goes quickly. After many years, his sister¡¯s continued treatment of Ling Shu in the same way is somewhat surprising.

    Of course, Yue Dingtang knew that Ling Shu was good-looking and had a sweet mouth. He would say one thing and do another, but when it came to Yue Chunxiao, he would put on a show to please his sister.

    As long as the hoe is wielded well, there is no corner that cannot be dug.

    Yue Chunxiao, this "corner," had already leaned towards someone else''s house. Yue Dingtang didn''t want to admit it, but when Ling Shu wanted to charm people, he was truly irresistible, causing everyone to love him and everything to bloom in him presence.

    "Little brother is back!" Yue Chunxiao waved at him with a smile.

    "What are you standing there for? Come over here, we''ve already prepared the dishes and utensils for you!" Yue Dingtang took off his hat, scarf, and coat, handed them to the servant, wiped his hands clean, and walked over.

    "Why are you here again?" This question was directed at Ling Shu.

    Although the sentence was stern, there was not much severity in the tone.

    Ling Shu looked innocent and had not yet answered when Yue Chunxiao spoke up.

    "Ling Shu and her family went back to their hometown to visit relatives. Ling Shu is all alone at home, so I invited her to come over for dinner. It''s just after the fifteenth day of the lunar new year, and the house is empty. It''s so depressing to eat leftovers alone at an empty table!"

    Yue Dingtang said, "But he still has his old servant Aunt Hong at home. You make it sound like he''s helpless."

    Ling Shu cleverly replied, "Sister Chunxiao cares for me and invited me over for dinner. After dinner, I''ll leave."

    Yue Chunxiao said, "Don''t rush to leave. It''s freezing outside and your brother-in-law is still in Nanjing. Dingtang won''t keep me company tonight, so stay and chat with me. We have plenty of empty rooms upstairs. I''ll have the servant prepare one for you, and you can stay there whenever you come over in the future."

    Ling Shu replied, "That won''t do. It would be too much of a bother for you, and besides, Sister isn''t here. I have to go back and check on things. Aunt Hong is getting old and I worry about leaving her alone at home."

    Yue Chunxiao affectionately said, ''You are so thoughtful, but don''t be shy. You are working with Dingtang now, so let''s have breakfast together and then head out. Later, I will send someone to your house to bring some food for Aunt Hong and let her know that you will be back tomorrow.''

    These two were like a duet.

    Yue Dingtang had no expression on his face as he thought to himself and took a bite of the radish.

    October radishes are as good as ginseng. Although it is no longer October, the radish soaked in chicken soup for a long time still has a unique sweetness.

    With one bite, the chicken soup and radish juice burst in his mouth, instantly driving away all the coldness and warming his stomach.

    The four-compartment that was originally shared only between him and Yue Chunxiao now had an extra person, but it felt like double the fun.

    Ling Shu could single-handedly create an atmosphere that made three people feel like five or six. Even a plain Shanghai Qing vegetable could become the subject of an interesting story in his hands.

    "There was a man who loved to eat Shanghai Qing, but he was wandering outside of Shanghai and couldn''t get his hands on any. So, he had to make do with some big cabbage and bought some vermicelli. Since pork stewed with vermicelli was popular in Northeast China, he wanted to try it too. But he couldn''t find any fresh pork, so he used the cabbage and vermicelli, added some radish and dried corn, and borrowed some old bacon from his neighbor. After stewing it all together, he surprisingly found the taste of Shanghai Qing in it."

    Yue Chunxiao''s appetite was whetted by Ling Shu''s story, and she couldn''t resist taking another piece of Shanghai Qing and blanching it. "This cabbage stew with vermicelli has nothing to do with Shanghai greens, does it?"

    Ling Shu smiled and said, "It may seem unrelated, but he can taste the flavor of Shanghai greens in it. Isn''t it because of homesickness? So, no matter what we eat, we can taste the flavor of our hometown dishes."

    Yue Chunxiao was inspired and said, "Exactly! When I was abroad, I didn''t want anything else but a taste of my hometown dishes. I thought about it every day and every month. Although there are Chinatowns and I can cook for myself, the dishes I make are always missing something. Take vegetarian goose for example, my brother-in-law likes it, so I bought tofu skin and vermicelli to make it myself, but he always says it''s not as good as the one at home. One time, he even made me angry."

    Ling Shu picked up a slice of thin beef, dipped it in sauce, and put it in his mouth.

    He savored the taste and concluded, "It''s true that nothing can compare to the taste of home." "So, being born as a Chinese is a blessing," he said.

    Yue Chunxiao retorted, "What blessing? Only Shanghai is relatively peaceful, but in other places, there are wars every other day. It''s not easy to pursue peace when there are natural disasters and man-made calamities everywhere."

    It felt like a family gathering during the holidays, even though there was only one family member present and the other was an unexpected guest. But Yue Dingtang''s mood improved unconsciously, and he cautiously joined the conversation.

    "Without destruction, there can be no construction. Only by being prepared for danger in times of peace can we strive for progress and pursue peace."

    Yue Chunxiao was not convinced and criticized him, "Whenever you men speak, it''s always these vague and abstract ideas that are out of touch with reality!"

    Yue Dingtang remained calm and said, "This is called having a bird''s-eye view and a long-term vision."

    Ignoring Yue Chunxiao''s disdainful expression, he turned to Ling Shu and asked, "Why did Ling Yao and the others suddenly go to the countryside to visit relatives?"

    Ling Shu glanced at Yue Chunxiao, who gently encouraged him, "Don''t be afraid, just speak up. You haven''t done anything wrong."

    Yue Dingtang had a bad feeling and wanted Ling Shu to stop talking.

    "I saved He You''an from a radical fan who tried to kill her. When she thanked me, Shen Shiqi happened to see it. He wanted to fight me, but I beat him up instead. I was afraid he would go after Ling Yao and her husband, so I let them leave to avoid trouble and visit their relatives in the countryside."

    Yue Chunxiao added, ¡°He was clearly acting bravely and righteously. When he saw injustice, he couldn''t just stand by. That Shen Shiqi doesn''t know how to be grateful and even repays kindness with enmity. In my opinion, next time you encounter that He You¡¯an, just ignore her. It''s better to avoid trouble from someone with the surname Shen!¡±

    Ling Shu helplessly replied, ¡°She was in danger right in front of me. I can''t just let her die. Next time I see Shen Shiqi, I''ll just take a detour and wait for ten or twenty days. Then he''ll forget about me, a nobody.¡±

    Yue Chunxiao felt sorry for him and said, ¡°Why does it have to be this way? Good people can''t do anything these days? Don''t worry, our Yue family still has some influence in Shanghai. I''ll have your second brother go talk to Shen Shiqi''s elders. What kind of family is the Shen family?¡±

    She couldn''t help but look at Yue Dingtang.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    How did this become my problem again?

    Yue Dingtang thought to himself and slowly spoke, "The Shen family is nothing special, except for Shen Shiqi''s uncle who is connected to Madam Jiang. He can talk a big game, but it''s all just empty words."

    Yue Chunxiao replied, "Well then, we have even less reason to fear him. In my opinion, there''s no need for your second brother to step in. Little brother, why don''t you handle this?"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    Ling Shu said, "Chunxiao, thank you, but I don''t want to trouble you all. The Yue family has already helped me enough, even if we were old classmates, I can''t repay this debt of gratitude. Since we can''t afford to provoke them, I''ll just keep my distance. Everyone is responsible for their own actions, so you don''t need to worry about me."

    Yue Chunxiao replied, "You''re sensible, but I still worry. If your face gets beaten up, how will that be good?"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    At this moment, Ling Shu was as innocent as innocent could be. It was as if the world could crumble and the sun and moon could lose their light, but it wouldn''t affect him.

    He was like a pure and flawless snowflake, or a feather plucked from an angel''s wing - clean, clear, and without a speck of dust.

    But Yue Dingtang hadn''t forgotten the moment when Ling Shu had shot and killed Sancai in the underground warehouse of the Yuan family.

    In that split second, his reaction had been precise, ruthless, and without hesitation. A novice or a thug who had never seen blood or death could never have had that kind of reaction.

    It could only be said that Ling Shu and Yue Chunxiao were both willing to be fooled - one willing to deceive, the other willing to be deceived, one willing to fight, the other willing to take a beating.

    In Yue Dingtang''s view, Yue Chunxiao and Ling Shu were like siblings, and he himself was just back from the roadside.

    "Since Ling Shu has said so, let him solve the problem of Shen Shiqi himself," said Yue Dingtang firmly refusing to step into this trap. "Sis, Ling Shu is already an adult and has been in the military for a few years. He''s not a baby that needs to be coddled. You have to trust his abilities, and we don''t need to interfere,"

    Yue Chunxiao glared harshly at him.

    Yue Dingtang remained unmoved.

    On the other hand, Ling Shu was very understanding.

    "Chunxiao, don''t worry about it. I heard that your husband will come soon to take you for a reunion, and you''ll be going abroad again. I asked my sister to prepare some local specialties like pickled vegetables and dried shrimp for you to take with you, to ease your homesickness," said Ling Shu.

    Yue Chunxiao ignored the "my sister" part of his words and focused on Ling Shu, touched by his thoughtfulness.

    "You''re such a good kid, and I didn¡¯t dote on you in vain!" she exclaimed.

    She glanced at Yue Dingtang, her expression clearly saying: "You should learn from him."

    Yue Dingtang didn''t want to talk anymore. He put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

    "Sis, I''ll take Ling Shu home," said Yue Chunxiao.

    "Why do you have to go back? Didn''t we agree to spend the night here?" Yue Chunxiao asked.

    Yue Dingtang frowned. "Don''t be reckless. The servants at his house don''t know he''s staying out tonight. They''ll worry. Besides, the guest rooms haven''t been used in a long time. It''ll take a while to clean them up. If we want to host guests, we can do it another day."

    He became serious and stern, with a hint of the aura of Yue''s grandfather. Yue Chunxiao didn''t know what to say.

    Ling Shu smiled and said, "Sis Chunxiao, I''ll go back first. I''ll come see you another day."

    Yue Chunxiao felt a bit reluctant, "Then please ask the driver to drive slowly. It''s cold and slippery outside. Oh, by the way, I have some freshly baked pastries that I made myself. Take some back for Aunt Hong to enjoy. You can also have some as a snack if you get hungry later."

    Her attitude towards Ling Shu was almost doting. Yue Dingtang could guarantee that even when he went abroad to study, he never received such treatment. If one didn''t know better, they would think that Ling Shu was going to travel far and wide and wouldn''t return for a decade or more.

    Yue Dingtang sighed. It''s true that a doting mother spoils the child. Ling Yao and Ling Shu''s old lady must have also doted on Ling Shu like this, which made him complacent and not strive for progress, which is truly frustrating.

    As soon as Ling Shu stepped out of the Yue family''s house, the fierce wind rushed at him from all directions, almost corroding him completely. He felt like he had fallen from a warm paradise to a freezing hell, and couldn''t help but shiver.

    Yue Dingtang walked ahead and bent down to enter the carriage, while Ling Shu followed behind in silence. They didn''t speak a word until they were halfway through the journey, when Yue Dingtang suddenly spoke up.

    "Are you trying to get close to and please my sister because you have a connection with her, or because of the Yue family''s reputation?"

    His voice was low, and with the car engine running and the windows closed, it was almost like an illusion if one didn''t listen carefully.

    Ling Shu, who had just finished a satisfying meal and was dozing off in the warm carriage, was startled by this question.

    In a daze, he subconsciously murmured, "Huh?" before slowly coming back to his senses. "Chunxiao has a strong personality, just like my sister," said Yue Dingtang.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t say anything else.

    Ling Shu also didn''t explain further.

    Even the driver in the front seat seemed to sense the strange atmosphere and couldn''t help but fidget in his seat, feeling uneasy.

    Fortunately, there weren''t many cars on the street and the house was not far away.

    Soon, they arrived at Ling Shu''s house.

    "You can stop here, thank you," Ling Shu said, and the driver naturally pulled over to the side of the street.

    "Thanks, Captain Yue. See you tomorrow," Ling Shu said nonchalantly, waving his hand without looking back, and his figure quickly disappeared into the snowy night.

    Yue Dingtang watched for a while before saying, "Let''s go."

    Ling Shu carried the pastries that Chunxiao had given him, humming a tune, and walked up the steps while taking out his keys to open the door.

    Suddenly, there was a small movement from behind.

    Before he could react, he was directly covered by a burlap sack from above, and everything went black in front of him!

 CH 39

    "Fourth Young Master, Mr. Ling dropped something," the driver spoke up not long after the car had left.

    "What did he drop?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    "It''s a paper bag that was placed on the passenger seat. It seems to contain some food. Miss asked someone to put it in the car for Mr. Ling, but he forgot to take it," the driver explained.

    Yue Dingtang was at a loss at his sister¡¯s request.

    Ling Shu was carrying so many bags and packages, it was as if he was a country relative visiting the city. He wanted to pretend he didn''t see the paper bag and just say he forgot it himself when he got home. But he knew his sister would nag him about it endlessly, and his ears would be sore from listening.

    Yue Dingtang sighed. "Turn around and go back. You''ll get out of the car and deliver it to him later."

    "Yes, sir."

    Ling Shu received a hit on his back with a stick. The force from the other side was strong and merciless, hitting him directly in the back and causing pain that penetrated his chest.

    He almost vomited blood. Even the wound on his abdomen, which had not yet healed, almost tore open again.

    Judging from the punches and kicks that attacked him, there was more than one person on the other side. And from the way they attacked, it seemed like they didn''t plan on leaving him alive.

    The other side thought this was an easy task. After all, Ling Shu was alone and had already been captured. A few blows and he would be unconscious.

    If they added a fatal blow to his temple, by tomorrow his body would already be cold.

    Even without waiting until tomorrow, in this kind of weather, a person could lose consciousness and stop breathing in just one or two hours.

    But Ling Shu didn''t give them that chance. Suddenly, he curled up into a ball inside the sack and rolled to the side!

    Next to him was a flight of stairs, and he rolled straight down them. Taking advantage of the momentum, Ling Shu struggled to open the mouth of the sack and revealed half of his body.

    Half of his body was enough!

    He grabbed the stick that was swung at him, pulled it towards himself, and then pushed it back with force. The other person was unconsciously pulled towards him, and their grip on the stick loosened.

    In the next moment, Ling Shu snatched the stick away.

    With the stick in hand, Ling Shu immediately blocked the other sticks, kicked open the sack with his legs, and struggled out of it.

    He then bent over and swept his body directly towards the opponents. The three of them were caught off guard as Ling Shu used his body as a weapon and knocked them backwards. One fell into a bush, another tumbled down the stairs, and the third tried to grab Ling Shu but was flipped over and pinned down by him.

    With one punch, then another, and a flurry of left and right hooks, his opponent saw stars and blood gushed from his nose.

    Another man, sensing danger, quickly scrambled to his feet and grabbed a stick, swinging it towards Ling Shu''s head from behind!

    The tension was palpable, the moment of truth.

    A gunshot rang out.

    The other man screamed in pain and fell to the ground.

    Ling Shu gasped for air as he turned around and collapsed onto the ground.

    His back was on fire, and he knew it was bruised and swollen.

    He didn''t fire the gun, but he had anticipated the blow to the back of his head and had planned to duck. He never expected someone to be faster and shoot instead.

    The two thugs in black jackets scrambled to their feet and ran away without waiting for their companion.

    The man who had been hit in the knee couldn''t run and gave up after two steps.

    In the darkness, the man in the windbreaker approached step by step. The hand holding the gun was wearing black gloves, straight and steady without any tremble.

    The headlights behind him cast a beam of light, but it was not a redemption to heaven, but more like a guide to hell. And the man in the windbreaker was the Grim Reaper.

    The face of the man couldn''t help but show fear, but most of it was concealed by the darkness of the night.

    Ling Shu was angry and took the opportunity to kick him hard. The other party groaned, watching the man with the gun getting closer and closer, daring not to speak or fight back.

    Ling Shu kicked him a few more times, not holding back, directly kicking his shin bone. With each kick, the man finally screamed and begged for mercy.

    "Stop kicking, stop kicking, I was just doing someone else''s bidding, it has nothing to do with me!"

    As soon as the words fell, a cold gun was pressed against his forehead. He took a deep breath and froze in place.

    With a cold tone, Yue Dingtang said to him, "Go back and tell Shen Shiqi that Ling Shu is my person. If he loses a single hair, I will create trouble for the Shen family. Ask Shen Shiqi if his uncle is willing to clean up the mess for him."

    The man was about to argue, but he heard a low "get lost" and instinctively struggled to get up, ignoring his broken leg and gunshot wound as he limped away.

    He walked far enough until he couldn''t see Yue Dingtang and the other person, then he breathed a sigh of relief and slowly turned the corner, where a car was parked.

    The car''s headlights were off, but there was still someone inside.

    "Mr. Shen..."

    The car window slowly rolled down, revealing half of Shen Shiqi''s face. "What''s wrong? You didn''t finish the job, and where is your partner?" Shen Shiqi could already guess the result from the disheveled appearance of the jacketed man.

    "They all ran away!" The jacketed man lamented, "Someone suddenly appeared, claiming to be named Yue Dingtang, and even pointed a gun at me. I really had no choice. And look, I''m injured. This job tonight..."

    Before he could finish bargaining, he was hit hard on the back of his head and immediately collapsed, held up by someone''s arms under his armpits.

    "Mr. Shen, how should we deal with him?" The driver asked in a low voice.

    "Whatever, just don''t let me see him again!" Shen Shiqi said fiercely, looking at the man with disgust, as if he were looking at a pile of dirty garbage.

    "Pathetic! Three against one and they still failed. And now they have the nerve to ask for payment? I''ll feed them to the dogs! I won''t hire anyone from the Qing gang again. They can''t even handle a simple task. Uncle, find me some new people. Actually, I''ll go see Mr. Cheng. He''ll have a solution!"

    The driver wisely refrained from interrupting his boss''s rant.

    After Shen Shiqi had finished venting, he calmly asked, "What about the Yue family? They''ve already intervened. This situation can''t be made public. Is it worth offending the Yue family over Ling Shu?"

    In the end, it was just Shen Shiqi''s jealousy that had caused this mess. He looked down on everyone, thinking he could control the winds and rain.

    But suddenly, Ling Shu appeared, who was inferior to him in every way. Ling Shu relied on his good looks to catch the eye of He You''an, even though in the eyes of Shen Shiqi, He You''an was just a plaything.

    Shen Shiqi couldn''t tolerate anyone or anything that was not under his control, and even the slightest discomfort made him unhappy.

    Ling Shu was like a thorn stuck in his finger, not painful but uncomfortable, and he had to pull it out.

    This was a common problem among those who were used to being high and mighty, and Shen Shiqi was no exception. Perhaps in the eyes of the real big shots in Shanghai, he was nothing, but he thought he had more than enough ability to deal with someone like Ling Shu.

    But suddenly, Yue Dingtang appeared, becoming a variable in his otherwise foolproof plan.

    Shen Shiqi remained silent for a long time before reluctantly uttering, "Let''s put that guy Ling''s life on hold for now. We''ll settle the score with him later!"

    "Thank you, General Yue, for saving my life. Would you like me to offer myself to you?" Ling Shu still had that nonchalant tone and a hint of a smile on his face.

    If Yue Dingtang hadn''t seen it with his own eyes, he might have actually believed that Ling Shu was completely unscathed.

    "You still have the energy to joke around. Why don''t you stand up on your own?" Yue Dingtang gave him a disdainful look and only extended his hand when he saw Ling Shu wince in pain.

    Ling Shu grabbed his hand without hesitation and used his strength to stand up abruptly.

    It''s better to endure short-term pain than long-term pain.

    Even so, he still let out a hoarse cry of pain.

    It seems that his back is swollen.

    Luckily, it wasn''t a metal rod, or else he would have internal injuries by now. Ling Shu seemed to have had a string of bad luck lately, always getting injured. And it seemed that it was only after he ran into someone with the surname Yue that things started to go wrong again.

    It must be because this Yue person had a dark mole on his forehead that brought bad luck to Ling Shu.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t know what Ling Shu was thinking.

    "Can you walk?" he asked.

    Ling Shu sighed, "I have to be able to, it''s not like my legs are injured."

    But every step he took seemed to aggravate his injuries.

    His back, his stomach, the pain was like being caught between ice and fire.

    Suddenly, Yue Dingtang pulled him up onto his back and carried him effortlessly towards the car.

    The driver hurried over, wanting to help, but Yue Dingtang lifted his chin and pointed towards the entrance of Ling Shu''s house.

    "Go tell Aunt Hong that this guy will be staying over at my place tonight."

 CH 40

    Yue Dingtang quickly regretted his moment of weakness that lasted only 0.01 seconds.

    "My stomach is still injured and hasn''t fully healed, please don''t touch it."

    "If you move your hand down a bit, my back hurts too."

    "Sigh, we haven''t even entered my house yet and now we have to return to your place. It''s too much trouble for Sister Chunxiao."

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t help it anymore.

    "Why don''t you ever say that it''s going to be troublesome for me?"

    Ling Shu replied, "We''ve been old classmates for so long, there''s no such thing as trouble or not trouble. You''re being too formal."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    He truly admired Ling Shu.

    Just as the car came to a stop, Yue Dingtang witnessed with his own eyes the stick hitting Ling Shu''s back.

    He knew the other party must have been seriously injured, in addition to the injuries he had suffered in the underground warehouse of the Yuan family.

    Yet Ling Shu was still able to joke and laugh, which was truly admirable.

    But despite his admiration, Yue Dingtang really wanted to throw Ling Shu off his back.

    Fortunately, they only had a few steps to go.

    As soon as the driver finished speaking to Aunt Hong and hurried over to open the car door, Yue Dingtang quickly threw Ling Shu into the back seat like a hot potato and walked to the other side, expressionless, to give instructions to the driver.

    "Drive."

    Yue Chunxiao was surprised to see them come and go, but when she heard Yue Dingtang''s account of what had happened, her surprise quickly turned to anger.

    "Unbelievable! Who does Shen Shiqi think he is? He even dares to mess with our Yue family. Little brother, he''s acting so recklessly right under your nose. If you still do nothing, then you''re letting down the honor of our Yue family!"

    Yue Dingtang sighed, feeling that this statement had countless loopholes.

    Since when did Ling Shu become a member of the Yue family? And when did the Yue family become known for their honor? His older brother and second brother had nothing to do with these two words.

    "I''ll ask about this tomorrow. It''s too late now. Sister, go call Doctor Qian."

    "I''ll go right away!"

    Yue Chunxiao woke up as if from a dream and hurriedly ran to call the family doctor.

    Ling Shu coughed twice. "Chunxiao, there''s no need to shout. I just need to sleep."

    "Don''t move!" Yue Chunxiao held a phone and pointed at him from a distance, shouting loudly as if she could cast a spell to immobilize him. Ling Shu had no choice but to stay still.

    The family doctor quickly arrived with a medicine box and treated Ling Shu in the room.

    Yue Chunxiao couldn''t go in, so she waited outside for a while and muttered to himself, "I''ll go get him some supper."

    Yue Dingtang stopped her and said, "Didn''t he just finish eating hotpot?" Did his sister become stupid?

    Yue Chunxiao scolded, "You don''t understand. I''ll have them cook some lotus seed and sugar water to calm him down first, and then stew some blood-activating and stasis-dissolving soup for him to drink tomorrow when he wakes up."

    Yue Dingtang frowned, "Sis, you treat him like a younger brother, but he still has a real sister. Why do you have to be so busy taking care of him? Are you being too good to him? Be careful not to be taken advantage of and end up counting someone else''s money!"

    Yue Chunxiao smiled, "You know my personality. I am clear about my likes and dislikes. For someone I have a good connection with, I want to give them the best in the world. Ling Shu is someone who caught my eye, and he is also well-behaved, sweet-tongued, and good-looking."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Is the last sentence the most important?

    "Someone like him is destined to have admirers everywhere in the future. There will be plenty of girls willing to take the initiative to approach him. If I were ten years younger, I would also pursue him. Are you jealous? I will prepare both sweet drinks and soup for you. After all, you are my real younger brother!"

    Without waiting for him to react, Yue Chunxiao turned around and rushed down the stairs.

    Yue Dingtang turned around and went back to the room.

    The doctor was giving Ling Shu medicine.

    A purple and red wound on his fair back was strikingly visible.

    And it had just appeared, in a few hours, the blood would clot under the skin, and the color would only become more terrifying.

    "Do you have a cough?" The doctor asked while applying the medicine.

    "It''s okay," Ling Shu lay on the bed, burying his head in the pillow, his voice muffled. "I caught a cold yesterday, it''s not from being beaten."

    Yue Dingtang watched coldly, feeling that the wound was somewhat shocking.

    "Do you need further examination at the hospital?" He spoke up.

    Dr. Qian said, "Let me take a look first. Later, I''ll prescribe some medicine for you to take. Be careful not to get the wound wet. Just wipe it clean with a damp towel every day. When you sleep tonight, remember to lie on your side or stomach."

    "Thank you, Dr. Qian. Let me walk you out," said Yue Dingtang.

    Dr. Qian packed up his medical kit and left with Yue Dingtang, who closed the door behind them.

    Their voices faded away as they descended the stairs.

    The guest room had not been used for a long time, so Yue Chunxiao decided to let Ling Shu stay in Yue Dingtang¡¯s own room for the night.

    Yue Dingtang was a neat freak, and his room was sparsely decorated with no picture frames or paintings. Even the bedside table had nothing on it except for a lamp.

    The bedding had a faint scent of cologne and smoke, but it didn''t make the room look messy. It could only be said that the owner of the room was a smoker, but also a smoker who paid attention to personal grooming.

    Other than that, there was a book by the pillow.

    Ling Shu picked it up.

    ¡®Lin Family''s Shop.¡¯

    Ling Shu raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. This didn''t seem like the kind of book Yue Dingtang would read.

    But the bookmark in the middle pages and the creases in the book indicated that he had already read more than half of it, and he had read it carefully.

    In Ling Shu''s impression, Yue Dingtang, who was now so righteous, should prefer to read books that matched his status, such as "The Wealth of Nations" and "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," rather than being interested in the subject matter of small business owners on the brink of bankruptcy in a society of darkness and turmoil.

    With the connections and abilities of the Yue family, even if they were to move abroad, they would still be able to live a wealthy and worry-free life. Perhaps Yue Dingtang simply had a pure love for literature and wanted to expand his reading horizons in his free time.

    Ling Shu put down his book and yawned, feeling a bit drowsy. But he struggled to get up, buttoning up his pajamas one by one and straightening his sleeves, covering the scars on his right arm in the process.

    Even though the old injury had long since healed, the scars still bore witness to the brutality of the past. The scar that ran almost from his right shoulder down to his arm was so severe that it probably tore through his flesh and tendons.

    Even now, his right hand, though it appeared normal on the surface, still trembled slightly when he wrote with a pen, and he couldn''t even lift heavy objects. He refused to become a useless person and decided to train his left hand instead.

    With gritted teeth and perseverance, he trained hard and after several months, his left hand began to function like his right hand. Now, there was hardly any difference between the two.

    Through his sleeve, his gaze fell on the wound. But after only a moment, he looked away without hesitation.

    The past was gone, and dwelling on it was pointless. It was better to focus on the present.

    Footsteps outside came and went, gradually getting closer until there was a knock on the door. Ling Shu didn''t answer. Instead, he calmly lay down, pulled up the covers, closed his eyes, and breathed shallowly.

    Soon, the person outside pushed open the door. Yue Dingtang was holding a bowl of lotus seed and coix seed soup that Yue Chunxiao had just cooked.

    "If you''re still awake, come have some late-night snacks. My sister made them specially for you," he said in a voice that was neither too low nor too high, enough to wake up those who were still awake but not enough to disturb those who were already asleep.

    Ling Shu didn''t move.

    He slept on his side, with his back to the door, lost in a deep sleep.

    Yue Dingtang asked again, waited for a moment, and when Ling Shu didn''t respond, he turned and left.

    Ling Shu stirred, struggling to turn over and reaching for the book on the pillow.

    He had no desire to sleep, so he decided to read for a while to help him fall asleep.

    Suddenly, the door opened again!

    With a loud bang, the light came on.

    Ling Shu''s hand froze in mid-air.

    Their eyes met.

    Yue Dingtang had no expression on his face.

    Ling Shu looked innocent.

    "Are you pretending to sleep?"

    "No, I really fell asleep just now. I woke up when you closed the door."

    "You woke up and immediately wanted to read?"

    "Yes, I''m curious to see what books Captain Yue usually reads, so I can learn from him and gain some insight."

    Yue Dingtang walked over and placed the bowl on the bedside table with a bit of force.

    "Drink the sweet soup, or Sister will nag at you again later."

    Ling Shu obediently sat up and followed his instructions without arguing or causing trouble. The sweetness of the soup soothed his frightened heart and his wounds seemed to hurt less.

    "Sister is so kind!" Ling Shu exclaimed with genuine admiration.

    Yue Dingtang said, "Starting tomorrow, you''ll come to work with me. If I have to go to school, try to stay at the police station and don''t move. I''ll handle things with the Shen family, but Shen Shiqi probably won''t let it go easily. Don''t cause any more trouble."

    Ling Shu said, "But even with the best-laid plans, there will always be slip-ups. If he makes a move, I can''t just sit and wait for death. And if I accidentally kill Shen Shiqi, what will I do?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "He''s not a fool. After today, he won''t show his face again. If he wants to do something, he''ll do it in secret, away from the elders. You just have to be careful. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for attracting the attention of a beauty and not a gentleman."

    Ling Shu sighed, "If you want to blame someone, blame me for being too outstanding and attracting the attention of beauties. From now on, I''ll stay far away from them and not attract these kinds of troubles."

    He drank the sweet soup in two gulps, and Ling Shu suddenly remembered something. "By the way, how did you know I was pretending to sleep?"

    Ling Shu was confident that he had not made any mistakes in his breathing or movements just now.

    Yue Dingtang chuckled, "Because you''re in an unfamiliar place and you''re used to sleeping with the lights on. Before I came in, you turned off the lights."

    Ling Shu was surprised, "I didn''t expect you, Old Yue, to observe me so closely. If you were a girl and we were childhood sweethearts who reunited after a long separation, wouldn''t we rewrite a love story?"

    Yue Dingtang thought to himself, "If any girl was unlucky enough to marry you, she would probably be on edge every day, afraid that you would bring back some peach blossom."

    Even Ling Shu didn''t expect that he slept exceptionally well that night, without any dreams.

    The next day, as soon as he arrived at the police station, Ling Shu received a package sent by He You''an.

 CH 41

    The package arrived wrapped in a silk scarf embroidered with golden auspicious clouds and emitting a faint sandalwood scent.

    It was clearly a luxurious item.

    Untying the bow, inside the scarf was a wooden box in a clean and smooth grey-black color, with no rough edges or splinters.

    In the bottom right corner of the box was a single character engraved in silver - the character "He".

    The sender was a beautiful woman with a gentle and virtuous heart.

    Ling Shu had received gifts before, even gifts from beautiful women.

    In school, many female classmates would leave anonymous small gifts on his desk every day, and even at the dance hall, Ya Qi and others would rather dance with him for free than accept his tips.

    But suddenly, Ling Shu found himself eagerly anticipating what was inside the box. It must be something extraordinary that He You''an sent over.

    The box was not locked, only secured with a latch that could be easily opened.

    Inside, there was a piece of red paper with gold sprinkles, a pen, and a bottle of liquid that looked like perfume but also resembled ink.

    The red paper looked like an invitation or a wedding announcement, but it was blank with not a single word written on it.

    Ling Shu became interested.

    Based on his guess, He You''an must have sent the gift because he saved her life last time.

    Since it was a gift, it must not be hastily put together, and the name and content would not be forgotten.

    Perhaps this was a puzzle with a prize, like the lantern riddles at the lantern festival. Only by solving the riddle could the lantern truly belong to you.

    It was very interesting.

    "What is this?" Yue Dingtang pushed open the door, bringing in a chill with him.

    Seeing Ling Shu''s surprised expression, he explained, "There were no classes for me at school today, so I came here to grade the students'' homework. It''s warmer here."

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but think that he was here to monitor him.

    "Miss He sent this as a thank you for saving her life last time," Ling Shu said, feeling a bit proud, like a child showing off his candy box to someone who couldn''t have any.

    "She sent it here, but not to the Ling family. It must not be just for you, but for both of us," Yue Dingtang said.

    Ling Shu didn''t think much of it. "You''re my superior, so if it''s for two people, why did she only send it to me?"

    Yue Dingtang smiled faintly, "That''s because you saved her life. He You''an came from a poor background and was lifted to fame by Shen Shiqi. She socializes among the elite and wealthy. At the last consulate banquet, when Shen Shiqi caused a scene, she not only wasn''t looked down upon by the crowd, but also gained a lot of sympathy. I heard that after that night, her movies were sold out and wealthy young men went to send her flowers. She even gained more fans who were willing to spend money on her. Some even wanted to buy the movie company to rescue her from Shen Shiqi. She is very careful in her actions and never offends anyone, so how could there be any mistakes as you said?"

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but ask, "Someone wanted to buy the movie company just to promote her, why didn''t she agree?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "She didn''t agree, and she said that Shen Shiqi had shown her kindness. Although she has a quick temper, she cannot forget her gratitude just because of the other person''s temperament. When this was spread, everyone praised her for being loyal and righteous. Even Mr. Pence from the US Consulate invited her to attend a banquet and perform a singing performance on Washington''s birthday next month. I heard that a French counselor is also pursuing Miss He."

    His sources of information were indeed much broader than Ling Shu''s.

    But after hearing this, Ling Shu not only didn''t feel jealous or depressed, but instead praised, "There are many beautiful women who are only superficially beautiful, but there are very few who are beautiful both inside and out. Miss He is truly outstanding among them!"

    Yue Dingtang felt that he was deeply poisoned, and even ten horses could not pull him back. This poison was called the "He You''an Beauty Poison". Those who were lightly affected would blush and feel hot when they saw He You''an, while those who were heavily affected would applaud and cheer even if He You''an committed murder and arson.

    Based on Yue Dingtang''s deduction, Ling Shu was showing signs of transitioning from mild to severe poisoning. He picked up the piece of red paper and examined it closely.

    "It must be invisible ink. If you heat the paper, the writing will appear. Nowadays, in college chemistry classes, there is a basic course on using squid ink to write messages. After a few days, the writing disappears. Many students enjoy playing with it and use it to pass secret messages to each other."

    After hearing this, Ling Shu lost interest in guessing riddles.

    Yue Dingtang flipped the red paper over and over, playing with it.

    "I have an idea." He smirked, "Why don''t we make a bet? If this gift is really for both of us, then I win. If it''s just for you, then I lose. How about it?"

    Ling Shu asked, "What''s the wager?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Do something for the other person. Of course, it can''t be illegal or against public morals."

    Ling Shu thought about it and felt like he wouldn''t lose out on this deal.

    "Okay, but we need a notary to make it official."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Are you afraid I''ll back out?"

    Ling Shu pretended to be coy, "After all, you''re my superior and I''m your subordinate. Whatever you say goes. How could I dare to speak out of turn?"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Then who do you suggest as the notary?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Let''s choose Sister Chunxiao. Even though you''re siblings, I believe in her impartiality."

    Yue Dingtang: "...I don''t believe it. She must be biased towards you. If that''s the case, I might as well ask Sister Ling," Ling Yao wouldn''t tolerate Ling Shu''s excuses.

    Ling Shu''s mouth twitched. "Then how about finding a colleague from your school, a university professor who is a role model and surely impartial?"

    "That could work," nodded Yue Dingtang.

    The morning passed quickly as they each went about their own business. Yue Dingtang corrected homework with lightning speed while Ling Shu picked up a book from the shelf to read.

    Yue Dingtang stole a glance at the book''s title when he had a moment to spare. ¡®Debating Social Issues.¡¯ Wow, it was quite profound and impressive.

    Yue Dingtang was surprised. Half an hour later, he finished grading the assignments and looked up to find Ling Shu already asleep with his head resting on the book.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Ling Shu had a dream where he was happily chatting with the owner of Xiaoji Noodles, drinking and enjoying each other''s company. Old Xiao was bragging about his endless stream of cows, while Ling Shu slurped the soup from his chicken noodle dish and watched Old Xiao''s lively conversation with a sense of nostalgia for simpler times. Suddenly, a loud noise interrupted his dream.

    He woke up in a panic, realizing that Old Xiao had been dead for many days and his dream had turned into a nightmare.

    Yue Dingtang noticed his changing expression and said, "Wake up, you''re drooling."

    Ling Shu wiped his mouth instinctively and asked, "Was I drooling?"

    Yue Dingtang remained expressionless.

    Feeling guilty, Ling Shu chuckled and closed his book. "Are you done with your work? Let''s go eat lunch," he said.

    Yue Dingtang glanced at the thin book, which he had only flipped through a few pages of, and thought to himself, "Well, that was a quick read."

    Ling Shu quickly said, "Let''s go out to eat."

    Yue Dingtang picked up his scarf and coat and walked ahead. The sun was shining directly on the spot where they had just hung their coats, warming them up and making them feel like they were wearing a layer of sunshine.

    Ling Shu suddenly felt a sense of peace.

    "What do you want to eat?" asked Yue Dingtang.

    "What do you feel like?" Ling Shu replied.

    "Chicken noodle soup?"

    "Sure."

    "Actually, I just had a dream about beef noodle soup, so let''s have that instead."

    "..."

    ...

    After lunch, the two of them went to school.

    Ling Shu noticed that Yue Dingtang was quite popular among the students, as they were constantly greeting him along the way.

    Especially the female students. In those days, the slogan of democracy and science had just emerged.

    Although some families sent their daughters to school, the majority remained closed-minded. Female students in universities were either from enlightened gentry families, government officials, or those who had returned from studying abroad.

    Regardless of their background, their families had to have some wealth to afford their children''s tuition fees. Therefore, female university students were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

    They were all outstanding women in society.

    Professors who were welcomed by such outstanding women were naturally extraordinary.

    However, today was slightly different.

    The admiration that usually fell on Yue Dingtang was now spread thin.

    Ling Shu, who stood behind Yue Dingtang, had taken the lead. Some bold female students even asked about Yue Dingtang after greeting Ling Shu.

    "Mr. Yue, is this your friend?"

    Mr. Yue wanted to say, ¡®Don''t be fooled by his appearance. This person can only read three pages of ''Discussions on Social Issues'' before falling asleep.¡¯

    "Yes, he is my assistant, Ling Shu."

    The female student''s eyes lit up. "So he''s also a teacher at the school?"

    "He is my assistant in the advisory position at the city bureau, not a teacher at this school," replied Mr. Yue.

    The female student was not disappointed.

    Instead, she graciously extended her hand to Ling Shu.

    "Hello, my name is Xiao Yue, Xiao as in melancholy, Yue as in new moon."

    This introduction made Ling Shu think of the Xinyue Cafe, but Xiao Yue''s appearance had nothing to do with the cafe. Instead, she looked like the moon in a poet''s pen, elegant and noble, with a poetic and picturesque quality.

    "Hello, my name is Ling Shu."

    The short hair of the female student moved as her clear gaze rippled like a calm wave.

    "It''s Ling Han''s Ling, and the Shu Ministry''s Shu."

    The female student blushed, a rare sight. "Okay, thank you, Ling Shu. I''ll remember that. Will you come to our school to listen to a class when you have time? You''re a police officer, right? We have a legal history class, and you can come and listen."

    Ling Shu smiled. "The teacher who teaches you legal history is right beside me. Shouldn''t you invite me to listen to another class?"

    The female student wanted to say something else, but her companion was already feeling embarrassed and pulled her away.

    Ling Shu sighed. "Being a student is really great, with the sound of rustling books and vibrant energy."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Is it really great to chat with female students?

    Although he knew that Ling Shu had many admirers, he underestimated the extent of it.

    He never imagined that even the walk from the campus to the office would be delayed by lingering admirers.

    Luckily, finding someone in the office was easy.

    Professor Zhao, who taught Chinese, happened to be free.

    When he heard their request, he laughed heartily and readily agreed to be a witness. He even volunteered to find two candles and roast the red paper over the fire. After a while, a few lines of words gradually appeared on the paper.

    "Mr. Ling and Mr. Yue, please accept my gratitude for your care. I am deeply moved and regret not being able to meet you in person. It has been several days since I last saw you. I do not know if you are free tonight, but we invite you to the Sun and Moon Pavilion at the Baofeng Building. Please do us the honor of coming as our guests. I will be the hostess.

    Also, knowing that Mr. Ling enjoys solving riddles, we added some unconventional touches to the invitation to make it more interesting. If we have offended you in any way, please forgive us."

    It turns out that she invited them for a meal.

    Ling Shu was a little disappointed and annoyed. As expected, He You''an mentioned Yue Dingtang''s name.

    This unique invitation, with its sprinkling of golden red paper, was just a simple invitation.

    "What''s wrong? Are you disappointed that it''s not just for you?" Yue Dingtang was in a good mood.

    "Don''t forget the bet, Old Zhao. You were there to witness it." Yue Dingtang reminded Zhao Professor.

    "I testify that Mr. Ling lost a game!" Professor Zhao laughed heartily.

    Unlike Yue Dingtang, Ling Shu''s mood was like being lifted up after lying down for only three minutes, and then being told to work all night, instantly wilted.

    He had no interest in a beauty treating him to a meal.

    But neither he nor Yue Dingtang knew that at this moment, He You''an''s mood was very bad.

    There was some anxiety and fear.

    The author has something to say: The case officially begins tomorrow.

 CH 42

    This was the third death letter she had received.

    He You¡¯an looked at the unfolded paper in front of jer, feeling restless.

    It was a piece of high-quality Xuan paper, known as the Golden Flower Letter.

    During the Tang Dynasty, the imperial palace used this paper to write poems and paint pictures of golden flowers, and it was given to the concubines and courtiers as a trend.

    Nowadays, people have been imitating the ancient style and creating a replica of the Golden Flower Letter with hidden patterns, commonly known as the Imitation Golden Flower, which is popular among wealthy young ladies and those who pursue romance.

    On this "Imitation Golden Flower" paper, there was a painting.

    A beautiful woman in a qipao was pushing open a door, surrounded by withered plants and flowers, broken petals, and a messy tangle of branches and shrubs, left unattended. On the side were two lines of poetry, but it was strange because they weren''t handwritten, but rather cut out from a newspaper and pasted on.

    "Poor servant girl, living only to die for you."

    The qipao-clad woman in the painting couldn''t be seen clearly, but her grace and figure were all like He You''an.

    Inside the room.

    Besides He You''an, there were two other people.

    One was Shen Shiqi, pacing back and forth with his hands on his hips.

    The other was Teng Siping, the boss of a movie company, sitting across from He You''an.

    "I''m telling you, can you stop being so jumpy? This is just a painting and a poem, what can they explain?" Shen Shiqi''s tone was very impatient.

    He had just been scolded by his uncle on the phone this morning. His uncle was the biggest support of the Shen family and held a superior position. He rarely intervened in small matters directly, but this time he personally called to reprimand Shen Shiqi.

    He told him to keep a low profile and not cause trouble for the Shen family all the time. Shen Shiqi was frightened by the scolding and naturally didn''t feel good.

    He knew why he was scolded, but he didn''t expect that the Yue family would go to such lengths for a mere Ling Shu. They even went to the Yue family''s head and used his uncle to teach him a lesson.

    Shen Shiqi became even more angry.

    He didn''t dare to argue with his uncle or seek revenge from the Yue family, so he could only vent all his anger on the weak.

    "Sorry, maybe I was too nervous," said He You''an with a forced smile, still frowning.

    When a beauty is worried, she has a certain charm, even more so than usual, and it makes people feel sorry for her.

    Shen Shiqi pursed his lips and regretted it a little.

    If he didn''t like He You''an, he wouldn''t have kept her by his side all the time.

    However, their status was disparate, and Shen Shiqi believed that he had saved He You''an from the slums and brought her to the pinnacle of stardom that everyone pursued.

    With fame and fortune, coupled with He You''an''s gentle words and never being arrogant, Shen Shiqi naturally became more domineering.

    But that doesn''t mean he doesn''t like He You''an.

    Teng Siping had a soft spot for women and couldn''t bear to see her being scolded after being frightened.

    He intervened, "Mr. Shen, if you''re busy, you can go first. I''ll have someone look into this. It''s probably just a prank, no big deal. Miss He was frightened yesterday and her emotions may be unstable. I''ll send two people to protect her."

    Shen Shiqi''s expression softened slightly, although his tone was still not very good, but at least not as harsh as before.

    "That''s settled then. I''ll have the driver take you to Yong''an Department Store. Buy whatever you want and put it on my account. I''ll come back tomorrow, okay?"

    He pinched He You''an''s chin and lifted it slightly, as if observing her expression and reaction.

    He You''an responded with a soft and gentle "okay", like a docile sheep snuggling in its owner''s arms, obediently accepting whatever punishment was given without resistance.

    But such a gentle beauty can sometimes arouse a desire for domination.

    Shen Shiqi''s heart stirred, but with Teng Siping present, he said nothing. He only lightly hooked his finger under He You''an''s delicate chin and slid it down.

    He You''an trembled slightly, a small movement that Shen Shiqi noticed. He smiled smugly.

    As Shen Shiqi left, Teng Siping looked at her worried expression and couldn''t bear it.

    "Don''t be afraid. I''ll have someone follow you. The first two times were just coincidences, don''t think too much about it."

    Teng Siping''s words were meant to comfort her, but as the owner of a film company, there was only so much he could do.

    Everyone knew that He You''an was Shen Shiqi''s forbidden fruit. Even if Teng Siping had the intention, he had to avoid suspicion. Otherwise, if Shen Shiqi went crazy, not even ten stone lions could hold him back.

    He You''an nodded absentmindedly.

    To prevent her from thinking about the painting, Teng Siping reached out and snatched the "Imitation Golden Flower" away.

    Before He You''an could stop him, he tore the painting into several pieces and lit it on fire with a match. His movements were fierce, as if he could drive away the lingering gloom and bad luck in this way.

    He You''an let out a soft sigh.

    She had received three strange letters in total.

    The envelopes were the same, but the contents were different.

    After receiving the letters, strange things began to happen one after another.

    The first incident occurred three weeks ago.

    He You''an remembered clearly that it was snowing heavily that day. She had just finished filming and the driver had dropped her off at the entrance of her apartment building. The maid was waiting for her at the door.

    She was tired and dusty, ready to take a shower and go to bed. As soon as she entered the bathroom, she saw a white cloth bag on the windowsill.

    She was curious and thought the maid had dropped something. But when she opened it, she was shocked to find a dead cat inside.

    She was frightened and even Shen Shiqi knew about it.

    However, he didn''t take it seriously and thought the maid was just being malicious. He wanted to fire her, but He You''an stopped him.

    The bathroom window faced a small alley outside, secluded and uninhabited. During the day, the maid often opened the window to ventilate the room.

    But who could climb up to the second floor? It was no challenge, which meant that the culprit was nowhere to be found.

    Besides, it was just a dead cat, at most a scare. Even if He You''an reported the case to the police station, they wouldn''t have the manpower to investigate and solve it.

    Not long after, He You''an received a letter.

    It was also on the same imitation gold flower paper, with only a short poem written on it.

    "I couldn''t help but worry about your beauty, one day you will join the waste heap of time. Since beauty and fragrance will leave you, watching others grow while you wither away."

    As He You''an softly recited these lines of poetry, she was already in the Sun and Moon Pavilion of Baofeng Building.

    Sitting across from her were Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang. As the west wind blew stronger in Shanghai, more and more Western restaurants sprouted up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Within the concessions, there were also many Japanese restaurants, making this place suddenly feel like an exhibition of international cuisine, with a dazzling array of options that were hard to choose from.

    However, the local old-timers still had a strong market presence. After all, China''s regional cuisines were already diverse enough, and only the Chinese knew how to cater to the tastes of their own people. Baofeng Building has been open since the late Qing Dynasty, during the Guangxu reign, for only a few decades, but it has already gone through three generations of owners, passing down their culinary skills and earning a reputation.

    The private rooms are arranged according to the "Thousand Character Classic," with names like "Heaven and Earth," "Universe and Chaos," "Sun and Moon," and "Stars and Constellations."

    This "Sun and Moon Pavilion" is one of the four best private rooms in Baofeng Building, located right next to the "Stars and Constellations Pavilion."

    The Eight Immortals table was made of yellow rosewood and looked a bit old, but it must have been polished daily without fail.

    The table corners and handles were shining brightly, while the walls and pillars nearby were recently painted and hung with landscape paintings by contemporary masters.

    With a slender and fair wrist, He You''an wore a jade-colored and smooth jade bracelet. As she gently turned her hand, the jade and marble tabletop made a crisp sound, as if adding a footnote to her narrative.

    The melodious sound of the zither and the beauty in front of him made it a pleasant moment, if not for the threat of death involved. She read intermittently, occasionally recalling some details, and then smiled shyly.

    "This seems to be a foreign poem. I don''t know any foreign languages myself, so I had someone translate it. I only remember the general meaning, but there shouldn''t be much deviation."

    Yue Dingtang took the paper she handed him. It was a piece of imitation gold flower paper with beautiful English writing on it. The font was elegant and flowing, truly magnificent. There were only a few lines of English poetry, and the Chinese meaning was similar to what He You''an had just read.

    Yue Dingtang slowly spoke, "The poem you just read should be a Chinese translation of Shakespeare''s Sonnet. Different translators have different habits and sentence structures, but the meaning is similar."

    He You''an asked, "The person who helped translate it said the same thing, but what does the poem actually mean?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "There is no special meaning. Shakespeare wrote many poems like this throughout his life, either praising love or singing the beauty of things. But if you connect it to the assassination incident later, it becomes a bit meaningful."

    "Shortly after I received this letter, the premiere assassination incident occurred," nodded He You''an.

    At this point, Ling Shu also asked, "What about before you received the dead cat?"

    He You''an replied, "After the assassination, the maid was inspired to remember that she had also received a bouquet of flowers with a few words written inside before we found the dead cat package on the bathroom windowsill. At the time, she thought it was from a fan and couldn''t read, so she didn''t think much of it. Because I often receive bouquets from fans, most of which have three or four lines of greeting cards, I can''t open and read every single one."

    Ling Shu asked, "Since there were so many bouquets, why did she only remember this one?"

    He You''an said, "Because other movie fans usually send roses or lilies, but this bouquet is different. It''s a dried bouquet of camellias, which is why the maid thought someone had made a mistake or was playing a prank on me."

    It seemed like the camellia flowers had become a symbol of estrangement, especially when they were dried.

    If a fan wanted to express their love for a movie star, they wouldn''t send dried flowers.

    "The first time, it was a dried bouquet of camellias and a card. The second time, it was a sonnet, and then the incident at the premiere happened."

    "And now, it''s a painting. In the painting, you push open the door and all the flowers around you are withering. You''re worried about what''s going to happen next."

    "¡¯Poor servant girl, living only to die for you.¡¯ Although I''m not very knowledgeable, I can still understand these two lines."

    He You''an gave a bitter smile.

    It seemed like the dried camellias had become a sign of something ominous, and the gifts from the mysterious admirer were becoming increasingly disturbing.

    "I''m worried that someone close to me will suffer this time."

    "Who could it be that wants to play such tricks on me? No, he not only wants to play tricks on me, but also wants my life and the lives of those related to me!"

    "Mr. Yue, Mr. Ling, to be honest with you, I''m very scared."

 CH 43

    Ling Shu thought that He You''an had invited him out to dinner simply to express her gratitude.

    But because they were both single, she had also invited Yue Dingtang to avoid any misunderstandings.

    Little did they know that the assassination at the cinema was not a coincidence, but rather a part of a larger threat of death.

    "The fan who tried to assassinate you escaped during the chaos yesterday. The crowd didn''t react in time, and the police have been searching for him ever since, but they haven''t found him yet," said Yue Dingtang.

    This meant that, given the current efficiency of the police, the chances of finding the culprit were slim to none.

    He You''an''s face showed no surprise.

    "I had expected it, but still thank you all, especially Mr. Ling. If it weren''t for you, I''m afraid I wouldn''t be able to sit here and talk to you now. I can never repay your kindness, but I''m afraid Mr. Shen might misunderstand if I meet you alone to express my gratitude. Please forgive me."

    Naturally, Ling Shu wouldn''t care about whether or not he was thanked. Anyone who faced such a threat of death would surely be uneasy.

    "It''s nothing. I just couldn''t stand by and watch. If someone else was in danger, I would do the same. But have you encountered any danger again after that? Has Shen Shiqi done anything to help?"

    He You''an smiled bitterly. "Mr. Shen sent two people to protect me. He thinks it''s all just a coincidence and that I''m overreacting."

    A beauty like her deserved someone who understood her charms, not someone like Shen Shiqi who was clueless. Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang were not the first to feel this way, nor would they be the last.

    As an orphan with a delicate heart, He You''an needed someone who loved and protected her, someone who could ease her worries, not a man like Shen Shiqi who was rough and treated her like a canary.

    But He You''an was grateful to Shen Shiqi and refused to leave him. Others could only watch and hope that one day she would realize her mistake and escape from her misery.

    More and more women are pursuing freedom and liberation these days. Rich girls run away from home for thousands of miles in search of true love, and stories of rebellion against parental orders are not uncommon.

    Some end in happy reunions, while others end tragically with the girl being forced to marry after running away from home to study.

    Compared to them, women like He You''an, who live in big cities but are still confined by old-fashioned ideas, are truly regrettable.

    Yue Dingtang is not like Ling Shu. He doesn''t have too much pity for beautiful women. In his opinion, everyone chooses their own path in life.

    He You''an has a desire to change her own destiny, so she followed Shen Shiqi.

    It was her choice, so she should be prepared to accept the difficulties that come with it. If being forced because of beauty, then being ruthless and cutting off one''s appearance would eliminate future troubles and ensure a peaceful life. However, since she couldn''t bear to do so, she had to bear the corresponding consequences.

    Yue Dingtang coldly believed that the current situation of He You''an was not only due to external factors, but also internal ones. Without Shen Shiqi, there would be Li Shiba and Zhang Shijiu popping up one after another, and it would be useless to resist. In times of chaos, if a beauty lacked the ability to protect herself, she would only become a plaything of the powerful.

    He was only interested in the death threat letter that threatened He You''an.

    And since Ling Shu was involved, it might not be easy for him to get away.

    Therefore, Yue Dingtang focused only on the case itself and discussed it objectively. "Three warnings, the first one seemed more like a prank, just to scare you and make you uneasy. But combined with the other two, the dead cat seems more like a warning."

    That dead cat was like a dark cloud looming overhead before a storm, filling people with unease.

    And the stabbing at the movie theater was like pressing the button for the storm, with waves crashing and bringing destructive power, also foreshadowing the unrest to come. Because even though He You''an was lucky to be unharmed, it didn''t mean that she would be safe in the future.

    "Have you offended anyone before? Or to put it another way, among the people you have offended, are there any with strong revengeful hearts, capable of putting you to death, but unwilling to kill you outright and instead torture you in this way?"

    Upon hearing Yue Dingtang''s words, He You''an furrowed her brows slightly.

    "Yes." She didn''t ponder for long, obviously having considered this question before.

    "Have you heard of Su Tao?"

    Ling Shu had a movie-loving older sister, and  didn''t hesitate to respond, "The female lead in ''Noble Family''?"

    He You''an nodded, "In the movie I''m currently filming, she was originally cast as the female lead. But later, Mr. Teng, the boss of my film company, successfully fought for the investment rights, and the female lead was changed to me. Su Tao has said more than once that she wants to get back at me, and someone overheard her."

    Ling Shu asked, "Did you have a conflict with her before?"

    He You''an sighed and said, "Actually, we knew each other a long time ago and had a good relationship. When we were casting for the movie company, my family wasn''t well off, and she often shared her lunch with me. But later on, our paths in the industry became similar, and competition was inevitable."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Is it really enough to make her want to kill someone just for that?"

    Ling Shu replied, "I remember last year there was a pretty famous scandal. Su Tao publicly released a statement in the newspaper, accusing you of trying to seduce her husband, Wei Hongxuan. She said that Wei Hongxuan had no interest in you and asked you to have some self-respect."

    He You''an continued where Ling Shu left off, sounding increasingly helpless.

    "Just before the statement was released, Wei Hongxuan and I collaborated on a movie where we played a married couple. But I swear, I never crossed any boundaries with him."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Have you had any previous contact with Wei Hongxuan?"

    He You''an said, "That was a long time ago. I was hit by a yellow cart on the road, and the person sitting in the cartwas him. He apologized to me and took me to the hospital. We gradually got in touch, and he wanted to pursue me. I rejected him because I only saw him as a brother. Later, to avoid suspicion, I moved and cut off contact with him. It wasn''t until I acted in a movie and worked with him on screen that we met again."

    Yue Dingtang said calmly, "A woman''s intuition is the most sensitive. Even if you try to keep your distance, it doesn''t stop Wei Hongxuan from being unable to forget his old feelings for you. Su Tao must have noticed this, which is why she is targeting you like this."

    He You''an looked embarrassed and said, "Actually, this kind of thing has not been uncommon in the past few years. There are always some ladies who think that there is something going on between me and their husband or boyfriend. But you both know that with Master Shen around, how could I be involved with other men?"

    Ling Shu believed this point, after all, at the banquet, everyone could see Shen Shiqi''s possessiveness towards He You''an.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Have you had any contact with Wei Hongxuan since Su Tao''s public statement last year until now?"

    "What happened next made me even more cautious. Whenever there was a chance of encountering Wei Hongxuan, I would try my best to avoid it. Even collaborations in movies were turned down by Boss Teng. But I heard that the relationship between the Wei couple wasn''t good. They had public fights on set several times, witnessed by many. Su Tao even attempted suicide by cutting her wrists."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Besides Su Tao, were there any others?"

    "There was one more person, named Lu Tongcang."

    Lu was a unique surname. In Shanghai, there were hardly any people with the same name, and the only one was quite famous.

    Lu Tongcang was originally from Sichuan and was a big shot in his gang, even at the level of a boss.

    Later, for reasons unknown, he left Sichuan and came to Shanghai to start a business. His business was involved in both legal and illegal activities, especially in the inland transportation industry.

    He had good relations with members of the Qing gang and was considered a half-celebrity in the gang. He was ruthless and extremely loyal to the gang, and he valued his reputation above all else.

    One day, Lu Tongcang met He You''an and was immediately captivated by her. With his status and position, he could have anyone he wanted, and Shen Shiqi could hardly resist him. Even when he learned of Lu Tongcang''s intentions, he dared not speak out and simply accepted the situation.

    However, to his surprise, He You''an refused. She attended Lu Tongcang''s banquet, and he pointed to a large jar of wine, saying that if she could drink it all, he would no longer force her. Otherwise, He You''an would have to stay by his side forever.

    Despite her delicate appearance, He You''an was surprisingly fierce. She immediately poured herself bowl after bowl of the strong liquor, drinking until she was vomiting and crying, but still refusing to beg for mercy.

    In front of everyone, although Lu Tongcang''s face was grim, he couldn''t go back on his word and had to let He You''an go. However, since then, Lu Tongcang has been at odds with He You''an, even going out of his way to support the rival company and suppress He You''an''s reputation.

    Yue Dingtang pondered for a moment.

    "From your description, it seems that Lu Tongcang wants you to submit to him and not necessarily take your life. If he wanted to kill you, he wouldn''t have gone through all this trouble. He could have just sent someone to do it directly. Why bother with all this mystery?"

    He You''an forced a bitter smile, "Lu Tongcang may not do it himself, but his subordinates might. Lu Tongcang has a capable right-hand man named Jiang He, who is devoted to him and thinks that Lu Tongcang pays too much attention to me. He believes it could become a weakness for Lu Tongcang and even sent someone to warn me and try to ruin my appearance. Fortunately, Mr. Teng discovered it and sent people to help me. Although Jiang He hasn''t acted again, every time I meet Lu Tongcang, he always stands behind him with a cold, sinister look in his eyes, making me feel like I''m being targeted by a poisonous spider, trapped with no escape."

    "There''s also the fact that Master Shen has some enemies. They can''t harm him directly, so sometimes they come after me. Before, there was an attempted kidnapping of Master Shen, and once when we were out together, the car suddenly had a flat tire and there was a bomb hidden in the back."

    It seemed that there were quite a few people who wanted He You''an dead.

    Indirectly or directly, she was pushed to the forefront of danger. Countless pairs of eyes watched her every move, filled with ill intentions, jealousy, and hatred born from love. She was surrounded by hidden threats, unable to move forward or backward.

    In the end, it all came down to one thing.

    When beauty doesn''t come with the corresponding power to protect oneself, it becomes a disaster rather than a blessing.

    Although He You''an seemed to be showered with endless love, she was actually helpless and could only rely on Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang.

    After all, they had just become famous in Shanghai for solving the Yuan family¡¯s murder case.

 CH 44

    It was difficult for He You''an to express her inner fears and worries in her current environment. With her fame, any slight deviation in her behavior would immediately be reported in the newspapers and criticized by the public.

    She had only met Ling Shu a few times and they were not close, but at this moment and in this place, she could confide in him and relieve some of her burdens. Even with her beauty, she still longed for a confidant.

    Perhaps it was because she had finally spoken about the suppressed issues that He You''an''s expression became much lighter.

    "Thank you both for your help. I know you don''t care for these common copper items, and I wouldn''t want to offend your refined tastes. Over the years, I''ve also acquired some jade and stone paintings with my savings. Although they may not be worth much, some of them are works by famous Song and Ming artists, which you can also appreciate."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "We didn''t help you for the sake of these things."

    He You''an earnestly said, "I understand that these items have a clear origin and were purchased with clean money. Please don''t refuse them. I know that no matter how much I give, it cannot express my gratitude. But this is the best way I can think of. If you don''t accept them, I won''t have the face to ask for your help again."

    Since she had already said this much, Yue Dingtang naturally couldn''t say anything more.

    Ling Shu suddenly coughed lightly, "Miss He, what you said is extraordinary, that''s Mr. Yue. He''s a university professor with an extraordinary family background and indeed likes these things. I''m different, I''m very ordinary, I don''t like antiques or calligraphy, I only like President Yuan''s bald head."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    He You''an couldn''t help but chuckle.

    Although it''s been years since President Yuan was in power, the silver coin with his portrait, "Yuan''s Big Head," has been passed down and become one of the hard currencies still in circulation today.

    Ling Shu''s words naturally implied that he likes money and that He You''an can directly use money as payment.

    It''s no longer a hint, it''s a clear statement.

    Yue Dingtang was speechless, he didn''t know what to say to stop Ling Shu from embarrassing himself.

    He You''an nodded with a suppressed smile, "I understand, don''t worry."

    As they chatted, the door to the private room opened and dishes were brought in one after another.

    The crab meat lion''s head, made with a secret recipe exclusive to Baofeng Building, was cooked in chicken broth. The meatballs absorbed the flavor of the vegetables and emitted a rich aroma, blending perfectly with the broth. The diners were so enamored with the dish that they couldn''t tell where they ended and the food began.

    The Wensi tofu looked like ordinary tofu soup to outsiders, but upon closer inspection, the tofu had been sliced into thin, silky strands that were so delicate they could pass through the eye of a needle. Yet, they melted in the mouth, leaving a smooth and delicate texture that was both gentle and strong.

    Last but not least, the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish and crystal pork were arranged on the Eight Immortals table. Although these dishes could be found elsewhere, the chef hired by Baofeng Building was truly exceptional.

    Even with the same ingredients, he could create a unique and exciting dining experience that left the diners eagerly anticipating the next course. There were also dishes like candied lotus root with rock sugar and braised winter bamboo shoots, catering to both meat-eaters and vegetarians, showing great attention to everyone''s taste buds. The presentation, aroma, and taste alone made it a masterpiece.

    "Neither of you are from the north, so I ordered Huaiyang cuisine," said He You¡¯an.

    "Thank you, Miss He, for your thoughtfulness. I won''t hold back then."

    "You two gentlemen can take your time. I also had osmanthus wine and green plum wine prepared, which will be served warm later," she added.

    With Ling Shu present, even a small gathering wouldn''t feel dull.

    With food and drink, He You''an gradually relaxed and joined in the conversation with the two of them. Although she had never received any formal education, since entering the film industry, she was aware of her own shortcomings.

    She had to accompany Shen Shiqi to various occasions and had put in a lot of effort to improve herself. She had learned many words and even read books, and could even speak a few words of English.

    So when faced with Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang, she didn''t feel at a loss for words and could even exchange a few sentences with them.

    Ling Shu suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom. He had drunk a lot of water before leaving and had also had a few drinks at the banquet, so he couldn''t hold it in any longer. He excused himself and got up to go relieve himself.

    On his way back, he passed by the adjacent private room where a waiter was coming out with a tray. The door was half-open and he looked up to see Ling Shu. The waiter quickly stepped aside and apologized, but Ling Shu couldn''t help but glance inside the room.

    This glance was enough to catch the attention of someone inside the room, who also looked up.

    Their eyes met.

    Ling Shu saw an old acquaintance. The other party was first stunned, then anger surfaced, and suddenly stood up and walked towards him.

    Well, well, well, old enemies do meet again.

    Ling Shu laughed.

    One smile, one anger.

    The reactions of the two were completely different.

    "You dare to come and show off in front of me?"

    Shen Shiqi sneered, and couldn''t even wait for his own bodyguards to come. He reached out and grabbed Ling Shu''s collar.

    Ling Shu dodged easily with a slight side step.

    His movements were smooth and graceful, seemingly elegant, but in reality, he accidentally touched his old injury from being beaten with a stick last night, and his back began to ache. Ling Shu felt like crying but kept a straight face.

    However, Shen Shiqi didn''t care if he had any grace or not. When his first attempt failed, he directly threw his whole body at Ling Shu, grabbing his shoulders tightly and pushing him towards the corridor!

    With a lift and a push of his hands, Ling Shu caused him to involuntarily release their grip. He stumbled forward due to the momentum, almost falling off the balcony. But just in time, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed onto his clothes, pulling him back to safety.

    Shen Shiqi sat on the ground, his face turning red with anger. Just as he was about to explode, he saw Yue Dingtang walk out from the adjacent room.

    The curse words that were on the tip of his tongue suddenly became stuck, unable to be spoken or swallowed.

    One Yue Dingtang alone was not enough to worry about, but the Yue family behind him was not to be underestimated.

    At this point, Shen Shiqi did not want to start a conflict with Yue Dingtang, nor did he want to lose his composure tonight.

    Ling Shu found it amusing to watch the other person''s twisted and convulsing expression, and finally, he spoke, "Thank you!"

    Ling Shu almost burst out laughing, "Master Shen, what are you thanking me for?"

    Shen Shiqi forced a smile, "Thank you for pulling me just now. Otherwise, I might have fallen down."

    Ling Shu teased, "So, I saved your life. Don''t you think you should show some gratitude?"

    Shen Shiqi''s lips twitched, "I''ll have someone send some gifts to your house later to express my thanks."

    "What''s going on?" Someone helped Shen Shiqi up and asked casually.

    Only then did Ling Shu notice that there was another person in the private room where Shen Shiqi was. The man was in his thirties or forties, with an ordinary appearance and average features.

    However, there was a shrewdness in his eyes that revealed he was a businessman who was doing well. He probably had dealings with people from all walks of life and had deep laugh lines around his mouth and eyes.

    "Mr. Cheng!" Shen Shiqi quickly got up, with his usual style of dealing with American consuls without any fear, but he was somewhat nervous facing Mr. Cheng.

    "There''s nothing wrong, I met a friend, there was a misunderstanding, but it''s been cleared up now."

    Shen Shiqi not only didn''t continue to hold on, but took the initiative to calm things down.

    Mr. Cheng nodded and helped him up.

    "That''s good, businessmen value harmony, we come out to travel the world, relying on friends, the more friends we have, the wider the road."

    Shen Shiqi smiled, "That''s right, that''s a very reasonable thing to say!"

    Mr. Cheng was about to say something, but his voice suddenly stopped, and his gaze fell on the woman behind Yue Dingtang.

    "This lady seems a bit familiar."

    Shen Shiqi saw He You''an and his face changed slightly. As she heard Shen Shiqi''s voice from the other room, He You''an had originally planned to avoid him and prevent any unnecessary trouble.

    But then she heard his attitude suddenly change, and couldn''t help but peek her head out with curiosity. Unfortunately, she was caught by Mr. Cheng.

    Shen Shiqi''s face darkened as he suppressed his anger and introduced He You''an to Mr. Cheng, "This is the famous movie star, Miss He You''an. I''m sure you''ve heard of her."

    Mr. Cheng suddenly realized, "So you''re Miss He. I''ve heard of you and seen your movies. They were fantastic!"

    Although most of his attention was on He You''an, his gaze was not lecherous. He simply looked like a pure fan who loved movies and characters.

    Shen Shiqi added, "This is Mr. Cheng, my business partner."

    He You''an smiled and nodded, "Thank you for your appreciation. I feel honored."

    Mr. Cheng said, "Miss He, there''s no need to be modest. When I was in Nanjing, I heard many people mention your name and praise your acting. While others may act like something, you truly become that something. If there were titles like in opera for movies, Miss He would undoubtedly deserve it."

    His words were eloquent, polite, and not too intimate. He You''an had heard many compliments before, but couldn''t help but be moved by his words and bowed in return.

    "Mr. Cheng, you flatter me. I am not worthy of such praise."

    Ling Shu, who was still hungry, saw that their conversation was dragging on and quickly interrupted.

    "Alright, we''ve all been introduced. Master Shen, the debt of life-saving can never be repaid, but there¡¯s no need for repayment either. Just help us cover tonight''s dinner bill, how about that?"

    He was sure that the other party wouldn''t make a scene in front of Mr. Cheng, and indeed he smiled and said, ''Of course, it''s just a small matter. You can eat as much as you want, and put it on my tab.''"

    Shen Shiqi''s smile was even uglier than crying, as expected.

    "Also, Miss He You''an is inviting us to a banquet tonight to ask for our help. You won''t blame her, will you?" Ling Shu asked.

    Shen Shiqi replied, "No, You''an also has the freedom to make friends, especially with someone like Mr. Yue, who is a good mentor and friend."

    Ignoring his deliberate omission of himself, Ling Shu was satisfied and said, "Then we''ll thank Mr. Shen first. You two can continue chatting and don''t mind us."

    Shen Shiqi was no longer in the mood to eat. He returned to the private room and rubbed his arm, which had been twisted by Ling Shu. He forced himself to be polite to Mr. Cheng.

    "I apologize for the inconvenience." Mr. Cheng asked, "Are you very familiar with Miss He?"

    Shen Shiqi replied, "She and I are close friends."

    The so-called close friends were ambiguous, neither husband and wife nor just friends.

    Mr. Cheng understood without saying anything.

    Meanwhile, Ling Shu returned to the private room and called for the waiter.

    "I want to order some takeout food and drinks."

    Yue Dingtang thought it was just as he expected.

    But it''s always better to cheat others than to cheat oneself. Besides, it was Shen Shiqi who was being cheated. With their relationship already at this point, a meal wouldn''t make a difference, so he didn''t say anything.

    The waiter took out a small notebook and said, "Sir, please tell me what you would like to order. I will have it prepared right away!"

    "Marinated delicacies, salted duck, osmanthus cake, candied lotus root, eight-treasure duck with glutinous rice, duck blood vermicelli soup, wine barrel glutinous rice balls, crab roe tofu soup, and dry noodles in a big pot."

    Ling Shu listed off the dishes without taking a breath, as if he had already glanced at the menu hanging on the first floor when he entered.

    "That''s all for now. Three servings of each dish, all packed up. I''ll take them with me later. Oh, and three more jars of aged Fenjiu. Don''t try to fool me with new wine!"

    Waiter: ... Aren''t you afraid of overeating?

 CH 45

    "To find out who threatened He You''an with death, we must investigate everyone related to her."

    "People with power and influence who want to harm her don''t need to go through all this trouble, unless they have a specific purpose and don''t want to be discovered. Through a series of events, they can mislead others and escape punishment."

    "He You''an is confused. Not everyone she knows who has a grudge against her is necessarily involved, and not everything she knows is necessarily correct."

    "An example would be, I was walking down the street and accidentally bumped into a pedestrian. I apologized and moved on, but because of my bump, he lost the life-saving money he had prepared to cure his mother''s illness, which led to his family''s ruin and his own demise. Later, he met me again, but I didn''t recognize him anymore. However, he held a grudge and wanted to seek revenge."

    "Another example is that I feel like you, Captain Yue, don''t like me and think I''m useless. Yet, you insist on transferring me to your side to control and manipulate me, making me feel uncomfortable under your watchful eye. But these are just my own speculations and may not be true. The same goes for He You''an. Don''t you think so?"

    "Hmm, you analyzed it well. So, what do you plan to do next?" Yue Dingtang didn''t even lift his head, but picked up his pen and wrote a few comments on the paper he was revising:

    "The argument is good, but the evidence is insufficient. I suggest starting with historical facts."

    "If you want to investigate, you have to start from the beginning."

    Ling Shu spread out the files on his desk. These were the materials he had obtained from the police station for He You''an''s area, which included her place of origin, age, family members, and some basic family information.

    It was really convenient to have connections in the city bureau.

    When he was in Jiangwan District before, it was almost impossible to get this information. Now with the city bureau''s reputation, he could get whatever information he wanted just by asking.

    This was what they called ¡®using a tiger''s skin to make a big banner.¡¯

    "He You''an came from a poor family, with both parents deceased and only she and her older brother surviving. When her parents passed away, she was only three years old, and her brother, seven years older, became her sole support. It can be inferred that he raised her to adulthood.

    ¡°However, their happiness was short-lived. When He You''an was fourteen, her brother, He Chang''an, went missing while working at the docks and never returned. Some say he fell into the water and drowned, while others claim he angered a gang and was beaten to death in a dark alley.

    ¡°As a result, He You''an, a young girl without any family, was left to face an even more difficult life than before.

    "At the age of twenty, He You''an began her career in the film industry. Now, at twenty-five, before meeting Shen Shiqi, she had only her beauty but no power or influence. Anything could have happened to her, but she was fortunate enough to meet Shen Shiqi, who helped her become a well-known movie star and was also so knowledgeable and understanding. Impressive!"

    "There is a site here where He You''an used to live. I want to go see it and ask her former neighbors. Maybe we can find out something that wasn''t written in the files."

    After finishing speaking, Ling Shu closed the file and turned to Yue Dingtang.

    Yue Dingtang nodded.

    "Perfect timing. If you''re going out, could you help me with something?"

    He took out a photo from the drawer.

    "There''s a lunch meeting at the Shanghai Hotel''s Four Seasons restaurant at noon. Could you go and meet her for me?"

    Ling Shu took a look at the photo and whistled.

    "What a beauty!" In the black and white photo, a beautiful woman in a Western dress smiled brightly, with a steamship billowing white smoke in the background.

    Back in those days, not everyone could afford to have their photo taken. Many people may have never even seen what a camera looked like from birth to death. Even those who had the means to take photos would often feel timid and hesitant in front of the lens, resulting in most people looking serious in their photos.

    Confident individuals like the person in the photo were most likely wealthy young ladies who had returned from studying abroad.

    "Lucky Officer Yue!" Ling Shu exclaimed.

    "Are you going or not? If not, forget it," Yue Dingtang pretended to snatch the photo back, but Ling Shu held him down.

    "Of course I''m going! But I don''t know what to do or say when I meet her. Please give me some guidance, Officer."

    Yue Dingtang said, "She is Zhen Congyun, the youngest daughter of the Zhen family. She just returned from studying in Japan and was introduced to me by my sister. She wants to match us up, but I don''t like the way the Zhen family operates. I have no intention of meeting her. Can you go in my stead and tell her that I am going out of town to give a lecture and have no time to meet her? She will naturally back off."

    Ling Shu said, "Not many people can be personally introduced by Sister Chunxiao. Could it be the Zhen family that is close to President Wang of the Executive Yuan?"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, but his silence was an answer in itself.

    Ling Shu laughed and said, "Miss Zhen is young and beautiful. She was once known as one of the four famous beauties in Nanjing and was even called ''South Zhen, North Lin''. You''re amazing, Officer Yue. You have a stunning beauty like her and you''re still hesitating?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Zhen Congyun is not just a pretty face. Before she went abroad, she was her father''s secretary. She played a big role in the communication between the Zhen family and the Wang family. In the circle of Nanjing officials'' wives, Zhen Congyun is also a powerful figure. I am just a teacher and don''t want to get involved too much. I am not fortunate enough to enjoy Miss Zhen''s company."

    Ling Shu replied, "Alright, leave it to me. I guarantee that Miss Zhen will never come to bother you again. However, this person judges others by their appearance. If I go dressed like this, Miss Zhen may not even give me a second glance. This will also damage your reputation. Besides, since we are meeting Miss Zhen today, I should at least pay for the meal. Otherwise, she might go around saying that you are stingy and cheap, right?"

    He made a gesture of counting money with his fingers.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "How much do you want?"

    Ling Shu smiled, "Just give me whatever you think is appropriate."

    After Ling Shu left, Yue Dingtang became increasingly uneasy.

    While Ling Shu was capable of getting things done, it was only when he wanted to.

    If he ended up provoking someone like Shen Shiqi again...

    Two hours later, nearing noon, Yue Dingtang''s regret reached its peak.

    He picked up the phone and dialed the hotel''s number.

    "Hello, this is Shanghai Hotel."

    "Hello, my surname is Yue. Could you please transfer me to the Four Seasons restaurant? I''m looking for someone."

    "Sure, Mr. Yue. Please hold on."

    The efficiency of the other party was not slow, but Yue Dingtang''s eyelids were twitching faster and faster.

    Was it left wealth and right disaster, or left disaster and right wealth?

    After returning from studying abroad, Professor Yue, who was full of knowledge, began to ponder the superstitions of his ancestors. The restaurant quickly responded.

    "Hello, Mr. Yue, who are you looking for?"

    "There is a guest in your hotel named Zhen, Miss Zhen. She should be eating with a male guest in your restaurant. He is my friend and I need to speak with him. Could you please ask the male guest to come to the phone?"

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Yue, but Miss Zhen and the gentleman just left."

    "They left together?"

    "Yes, when Miss Zhen arrived, she seemed very unhappy. But after the gentleman arrived and they started eating, her mood improved. When they left, she was even smiling."

    "Do you know where they went?"

    "When we were checking out, I overheard Miss Zhen asking about recent movies. The gentleman said he had tickets and suggested watching the one with the famous actress He You''an as the lead."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    His lips twitched, feeling a sense of "I knew it" and "as expected."

    Around 5 pm, Yue Dingtang returned to the police station after coming back from school.

    The office was empty and quiet. The files on Ling Shu''s desk were still in the same position as when he left in the morning, indicating that he hadn''t returned.

    Yue Dingtang frowned.

    He thought Ling Shu was a smart person who knew how to handle things.

    Getting involved with Shen Shiqi was unexpected, but after he had already warned him about Zhen Congyun, Ling Shu shouldn''t have gone near her.

    He was disappointed to find out that he had let him down. How could such a clever person lose their sense of propriety in the face of wealth and power?

    The Yue family manor was cold and desolate.

    Despite her reluctance, Yue Chunxiao set off for Nanjing to reunite with her husband.

    Usually, when Yue Dingtang returned home, he would be greeted with his sister''s warm hospitality. Today, although there were hot dishes and rice, they were all made by the servants.

    At most, the old housekeeper would exchange a few words with him, and he suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.

    "Is there soup tonight?" he asked the old housekeeper.

    "Yes, it''s so cold outside and you''ve been working hard all day. You need to replenish your energy. Miss wrote out the daily menu for the main dishes before she left and instructed the kitchen to follow it. Tonight, we have old duck and tea tree mushroom soup, which has been simmering for two hours. I''ll go and serve it to you."

    As soon as the old housekeeper finished speaking, the doorbell rang.

    "Who is it? So late at night, could it be that Miss forgot something and came back again..."

    The old man muttered as he walked towards the gate.

    There was no need for him to open the door, as a servant had already returned to report.

    "Fourth Young Master, it''s Mr. Ling."

    Yue Dingtang''s hand holding the keys paused.

    Instead of letting the person in directly, he asked,

    "What does he want?"

    "Mr. Ling said he hasn''t had dinner yet and wants to come in for a meal."

    The servant was also amazed, never before had he heard someone ask for a free meal so openly.

    Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow, "Tell him we''ve already finished dinner and let him wait."

    As soon as he finished speaking, they heard Ling Shu raising his voice outside.

    "Captain Yue, Old Yue, you can''t do this. You''re shutting out your old classmates, friends, and subordinates. Sister Chunxiao just left, and you''re already bullying me. You won''t even give me a meal. This is unacceptable! Are you trying to trick me into thinking I''ve already eaten? I can smell the aroma of the duck soup!"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent for a moment before finally saying, "Let him in."

    The old housekeeper suppressed a smile and personally went to bring the person in.

    In truth, he quite liked Ling Shu.

    The reason was simple: with Ling Shu around, the usually cold and distant Yue family would have moments filled with laughter, even if Fourth Young Master was often left speechless with anger.

    Ling Shu sighed as he entered and sat directly across from Yue Dingtang.

    "Uncle Zhou, bring me a bowl of soup with extra meat. I''m starving!"

    The old housekeeper chuckled and said, "Alright, I''ll serve you myself."

    Yue Dingtang said, "You don''t treat yourself as an outsider."

    "Captain Yue, you''re not being fair!" Ling Shu shook his head. "Today, I risked my life for you, fought off a mother tiger, and even took the time to investigate He You''an''s case. And yet, you won''t even let me have a meal. Be careful, I might just report you to Nanjing."

    "Far water cannot put out a nearby fire." Yue Dingtang pointed to his own bowl.

    "Tell me about today''s situation. If it''s not good news, then there''s no food for you. Uncle Zhou, don''t bother giving him any soup."

 CH 46

    The old housekeeper chuckled at the words and held the bowl of soup in front of him, not moving a muscle.

    He simply gave a signal to Ling Shu, who immediately rushed forward and snatched the bowl from him.

    "It wasn''t given to me by Uncle Zhou, I took it myself. Don''t blame him," Ling Shu said after taking a sip of the soup, which immediately warmed his stomach that had been suffering from the cold.

    "Uncle Zhou, did you put pork bones in this soup?" Ling Shu asked.

    The old housekeeper gave a thumbs up. "It''s for flavor."

    Ling Shu boasted, "As soon as I drink it, I can immediately tell what''s in it!"

    Yue Dingtang said slowly, "There is an animal that is very similar to you."

    "Captain Yue, I went through a whole day of trouble with Miss Zhen just for you. Even if I didn''t accomplish anything, I still put in the effort. Are you not afraid of hurting the heart of someone who has done well for you?"

    Ling Shu sighed, touching his chest after drinking a bowl of soup.

    "My heart feels so cold," he continued.

    But Yue Dingtang remained unmoved. "I sent you to deal with her, not to go on a movie date with her."

    Ling Shu chuckled. "Oh, so you were really keeping tabs on me. It seems like you don''t trust me. So, did you find out anything useful?"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent and began eating his meal. He had a good habit of not speaking with food in his mouth, even in urgent situations. He would chew carefully and swallow before speaking.

    This was in stark contrast to Ling Shu. Ling Shu had never paid attention to the speed of eating, especially when he was working at the police station.

    If there was an urgent matter during a meal, he would either have to put down his chopsticks and attend to it immediately, or quickly finish his meal in just a few bites.

    In the past, when the Ling family was wealthy, they also followed proper dining etiquette.

    However, for common people who were constantly busy with their daily lives, the saying "food is not to be talked about, and sleep is not to be disturbed" was only meant for those who were wealthy and had leisure time.

    Ling Shu felt that he had already completed the transition from a wealthy family to a commoner, and if he had to eat every meal like Yue Dingtang, who was so formal and long-winded, it would probably take him half an hour to finish.

    However, after spending some time together, he also noticed a pattern.

    When Yue Dingtang was not in a good mood or lost in thought, he would only pick at the two dishes closest to him, even if the dishes he really liked were further away.

    It was clear that Yue Dingtangye was not in a good mood.

    Ling Shu smiled and didn''t rush to speak since the other party remained silent. He slowed down his eating speed, trying to reduce his chewing frequency from four times per second to two times, and sipping the soup in small sips.

    For river-fresh dishes like steamed fish, one should dip a piece of fish meat into the soup, savor it for a while, swallow the soup, and then swallow the fish meat to fully enjoy the flavor.

    Ling Shu was enjoying himself, stealing a half-day of leisure.

    Yue Dingtang watched coldly, feeling that Ling Shu was always idle and carefree.

    While others wished they could have three days in one, Ling Shu either slept in the office or went to the movies during work breaks.

    If he hadn''t skipped out halfway, how could he have encountered He You''an''s assassination?

    "If you have nothing else to say, you can go back," he said calmly.

    After dinner, the servant brought out some fruit. Ling Shu didn''t consider himself an outsider and reached out to grab a piece with a fork.

    "Is this apple from Yantai? It''s so sweet and crispy, really good!" Ling Shu finished one piece and reached out for another, but the plate was taken away.

    "Uncle Zhou, please see the guest out," said Yue Dingtang.

    Uncle Zhou hesitated, "Fourth Young Master..."

    Yue Dingtang interrupted, "What''s wrong? I can''t even get you to do it? Then how about Old Hong..."

    "I¡¯ll speak, I¡¯ll speak." Ling Shu snatched the fruit plate back and casually picked up an apple. "The news we found was too shocking. I was afraid you wouldn''t be able to digest it for a while, so I wanted to give you some time to react. After I broke up with Miss Zhen at noon, I went to the old address where He You''an used to live and asked around the neighbors, friends, and relatives. Can you guess what I found out?"

    He spoke like this, even if he was being mysterious, the answer was definitely unexpected.

    Yue Dingtang was indeed a little interested.

    "Was she a murderer before?"

    Ling Shu replied, "She was married before."

    Yue Dingtang raised his eyebrows, his face showing surprise.

    "Could it be that her neighbors were jealous of her success and deliberately smeared her?"

    Ling Shu said, "It shouldn''t be, but not many people know about this. I visited several households and their impression of He You''an and her brother is that the elder brother is diligent and hardworking, studying by lamp light at night and working at the docks during the day to support himself and his sister. The younger sister also often goes out to find odd jobs to make ends meet. It wasn''t until He Chang''an disappeared that He You''an lost all support. With her beauty and no brother to protect her, no one was interested, which is strange."

    Yue Dingtang said, "Please continue."

    Ling Shu said, "At that time, there was a family surnamed Liang. The parents were acquainted with He You''an''s parents, and although they were also orphaned, their situation was slightly better. At least they had some wealth, and the Liang brothers were able to attend school. Liang Zhou, the eldest son of the Liang family, had long been fond of He You''an and proposed marriage to her."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Did she agree?"

    Ling Shu said, "She did. One of the witnesses at the wedding, a neighbor of He You''an named Mr. Zhong, told me about this. Unfortunately, not long after they got married, her husband, Liang Zhou, fell under the influence of smoking drugs. He secretly took drugs behind He You¡¯an''s back and wanted to get rich overnight to earn back the money he spent on drugs. As a result, he lost everything in the gambling den."

    These days, being addicted to smoking is bad enough, let alone being addicted to drugs.

    Yue Dingtang said, "It seems like they ended up in ruin."

    Ling Shu replied, "Although not exactly, it''s not far off. Liang Zhou didn''t die from a drug overdose, but instead, he was beaten half to death in the gambling den because he couldn''t pay his debts. He came back that day and couldn''t be saved."

    Yue Dingtang said, "Some gambling dens will hold back and not kill people on the spot. Instead, they will inflict internal injuries, which will only manifest when the person gets home. This makes it easier for them to shirk responsibility. Often, they have the backing of gang forces behind them, and even if it gets reported to the police, it''s useless."

    Ling Shu nodded in agreement. "That''s right. After Liang Zhou died, He You''an found out that Liang Zhou had squandered all his family''s wealth just to smoke expensive drugs. He even borrowed money from loan sharks with exorbitant interest rates. Even if he worked for ten years without eating or drinking, he still wouldn''t be able to pay it off. And to make matters worse, Liang Zhou had a younger brother, Liang Ye, who was still studying and needed financial support. The debt almost crushed them. It wasn''t until shortly after that He You''an started selling flowers outside the cinema and was spotted by Shen Shiqi."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Did He You''an''s neighbor tell you all of this?" Ling Shu nodded, "He You''an has many fans. If this matter is leaked, it will definitely damage her image and cause her reputation and value to plummet. The old neighbor took the hush money and also pitied He You''an''s difficult background, so he has not spread the news widely."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "But how did you get them to tell you?"

    Ling Shu lifted his chin slightly, "That''s just my ability. Uncle Zhou, don''t you think so?"

    The old housekeeper smiled and remained silent.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "So what''s your plan now?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Don''t worry, I have found out more than just this. Through that old neighbor, I found Liang Ye, the younger brother of He You''an''s ex-husband. Coincidentally, he is currently studying at the university where you teach. In other words, Captain Yue, this Liang Ye is also your student!"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Which department?"

    Ling Shu raised his eyebrows and spoke excitedly, "He''s a sophomore in the Spanish department. And here''s something even more interesting: the true owner of the gambling den that caused Liang Zhou''s family to be ruined after he was lured into placing a heavy bet was none other than Jiang He, a henchman of Lu Tongcang."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "He You''an once said that because Lu Tongcang had feelings for her, Jiang He was unhappy and afraid that her beauty would lead to Lu''s downfall. He even warned her."

    Ling Shu nodded, "That''s right, it was him."

    Yue Dingtang added, "But this incident probably happened after He You''an entered the entertainment industry."

    Ling Shu speculated, "What if Lu Tongcang had already met He You''an before that and set up this trap to force her to sell herself? Unfortunately, Shen Shiqi ended up benefiting from it."

    Yue Dingtang reminded him, "That''s just your guess."

    Ling Shu said, "So we still need further evidence. I plan to go find Liang Ye and Jiang He tomorrow. Maybe we can get some clues from them."

    Yue Dingtang looked at the fruit plate. One apple was cut into eight pieces, but Ling Shu ate six of them and only left two for himself.

    This guy eats every day, how come he still looks so skinny? Does he have two stomachs?

    Ling Shu noticed that Yue Dingtang''s gaze had shifted from the fruit plate to him, and he couldn''t help but cover his chest.

    "What, do you think I''m too smart and want to steal my heart?"

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but sigh.

    He felt that the most important thing in getting along with Ling Shu was to practice the Buddhist virtue of calmness to the extreme. There''s no need to get angry over small things. If I don''t get angry when others do, I won''t get sick alone. Yue Dingtang repeated these few sentences over and over again, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth as he looked at Ling Shu.

    "After all that talking, you still haven''t told me how things are with Zhen Congyun."

    Ling Shu: ...

    Perhaps feeling that Yue Dingtang''s reaction was too strange, Ling Shu spoke quite happily this time.

    "After meeting with Miss Zhen, I relayed your words truthfully. Surprisingly, Miss Zhen didn''t give me a hard time, and we chatted for a while."

    "What did you talk about?" asked Yue Dingtang.

    "We talked about folk customs, popular trends. Although she came back from America, she has a broad knowledge and has read many books. We talked about Chinese and foreign movies, and we happened to mention the new work of He You''an and Miss He. She invited me to go to the cinema to watch it."

    "Did you go?" asked Yue Dingtang.

    Ling Shu said, "Of course not. If I went, how could I investigate the case? With my determination, I naturally declined Miss Zhen''s kindness. However, Miss Zhen also invited me to dance at the Bailemen this weekend. The Zhen family will rent out the entire club and invite friends to celebrate her birthday."

    "You agreed," said Yue Dingtang.

    Ling Shu took out a list from his pocket and pushed it over to the table.

    "This is the guest list I obtained from Miss Zhen. The names on it are the guests she intends to invite. The ones in black are her own friends, and the ones in red were added by her secretary to expand the Zhen family''s network."

    Yue Dingtang took the list and scanned it briefly. In one corner, next to Lu Tongcang and his family, there was a familiar name.

    Jiang He.

 CH 47

    "Alright, class, that''s all for today''s lesson. I''m assigning a project for you all to discuss the origin and development of the English language, including its political and military influence on various ethnic groups around the world, as well as the emergence of a second-tier culture. Feel free to express yourselves, and the assignment is due next week."

    The professor, with his scholarly appearance, habitually tapped the desk before leaving. The students had already noticed that three taps meant he was satisfied with his lecture and the classroom atmosphere, while two taps meant he was not very satisfied.

    Today, he tapped three times, so it seemed like it went well.

    The students quickly stood up to bow to the professor and watched him leave before relaxing and chatting with each other. Unlike his classmates who were chatting in groups, Liang Ye quietly packed his books and headed towards the door.

    No one called out to him or even noticed him.

    It wasn''t until Liang Ye saw someone blocking his way at the door that he realized he wasn''t alone.

    The stranger raised his hand and gave him a Western-style greeting, which was quite unusual.

    But Liang Ye was sure he didn''t know him.

    "Brother, hold on a moment. My name is Ling Shu. You definitely don''t know me, but I know you. I have something to ask you. Can we talk for a bit?"

    Ling Shu smiled at him, exuding a charming and charismatic aura.

    Unfortunately, Liang Ye wasn''t interested.

    He only glanced at Ling Shu and planned to walk around him.

    But Ling Shu reached out and grabbed him.

    "Brother, I''m not a bad person. Look at my face, no bad person is born as good-looking as me. I''m a police officer and just want to ask you something!"

    But Liang Ye completely ignored him, pulling his hand away and refusing to make eye contact.

    Ling Shu had to use more force to try and drag him away.

    "Let go of me! What are you trying to do in broad daylight?!"

    Suddenly, Liang Ye shouted loudly, attracting the attention of many students.

    Seeing himself being scrutinized by so many eyes, Ling Shu put on an innocent face.

    "Cousin, my mother is seriously ill and wants to see you before she dies. Even if you don''t care about her being your aunt, please consider that she once supported you financially to go to school. Can you come?"

    Liang Ye angrily retorted, "You''re talking nonsense!"

    He didn''t even know Ling Shu, let alone have seen him before. He just went back and forth between school and home, minding his own business, never committing any crimes.

    So he instinctively saw Ling Shu as a fraud.

    "Cousin, I know you don''t want to acknowledge us as your family, but I''m not here to ask for money. My mom really misses you. She keeps talking about you while lying in bed. Just think of it as doing a good deed and please go see her!"

    Liang Ye looked at the young man in front of him.

    The guy begged and pleaded as if it were true, but the problem was that his grip was surprisingly strong, and Liang Ye couldn''t break free.

    What''s even scarier is that some of the onlookers actually believed him.

    "Liang Ye, as a filial son, you should value filial piety. What''s the point of studying if you don''t understand this principle? You''re a top student in university, don''t you understand this?"

    "Just think about it, your aunt is so sick, why not go see her? Do you want to wait until something happens to her and regret it then?" The crowd chimed in, supporting Ling Shu and blaming Liang Ye.

    "If you come with me, I won''t make things difficult for you," Liang Ye heard a young man whisper to him in a barely audible voice as he pulled him closer.

    He felt more and more like this was a conspiracy, but he had no way to resist.

    Usually, he hurried back and forth, not even making friends. His classmates didn''t know much about him, thinking he was a solitary person who couldn''t be melted by even the warmest sun.

    Gradually, they kept their distance, let alone Ling Shu, who was handsome and had a sorrowful expression, with every detail on his face writing the words "good person."

    Everyone was definitely on Ling Shu''s side, and they all joined in to condemn Liang Ye with one voice.

    Liang Ye realized that he was isolated, and his heart suddenly felt desolate. He finally gave up resistance and was led by Ling Shu out of the crowd and to a tree by the wall.

    Ling Shu found it a bit amusing. "Liang Ye, it seems like you don''t have many friends. As soon as I spoke, everyone believed me. Not a single person doubted that I supported you. If I had said that you owed me money just now, would everyone have forced you to pay me back?"

    "Who are you and why are you doing this to me?" Liang Ye leaned against the wall, feeling a mix of sadness, anger, and helplessness.

    Ling Shu replied, "My name is Ling Shu. I already introduced myself earlier. I''m a police officer and I''m here to ask you about a murder case that you''re suspected of being involved in."

    Liang Ye was very cautious. "I don''t have any money, and I don''t have an aunt!"

    Ling Shu said, "If I didn''t say that, would you have come out with me? I''m afraid you would have turned around and ran away."

    Liang Ye replied angrily, "What do you want to ask? I''ve been at school every day, how could I have killed someone? I haven''t even killed a chicken!"

    Ling Shu asked, "Then how did your older brother, Liang Zhou, die?"

    Liang Ye''s face changed.

    Ling Shu continued, "What, you don''t even remember your own brother? Let me remind you, Liang Zhou, like you, had the surname Liang. Your parents named him Zhou because they worked day and night for him, and they named you Ye because you were born at night. The Liang family was a scholarly family with some savings, able to afford for both of you to go to school. So why did it end up with the family being destroyed and someone dying?"

    Liang Ye asked, "Who told you all of this? Was it that woman surnamed He?"

    As Ling Shu spoke, he observed Liang Ye''s expression with interest. "So you call your own sister-in-law that woman with the surname He? As far as I know, your brother Liang Zhou was very fond of He You''an. He even went out of his way to propose to her and marry her. But instead, your brother fell into the trap of smoking and gambling, ruining his future and life. He left He You''an with a huge debt at a young age. Isn''t that the truth?"

    Liang Ye gritted his teeth in anger. "If it weren''t for her flaunting herself and fooling around with other men, how could my brother have argued with her? If they hadn''t argued, how could he have left in a fit of anger and smoked to relieve his stress? How could he have lost all our family''s wealth and hoped to earn my tuition through gambling?"

    Ling Shu raised an eyebrow. "So you''ve been threatening He You''an with death, one after another, trying to make her restless?"

    Liang Ye said, "I don''t know what you''re talking about!"

    "It doesn''t matter," Ling Shu replied. "I know enough. If you don''t tell me the truth today, you''ll have to go to the police. You know that He You''an is a big star now, and many of her supporters are wealthy young masters and rich young ladies. Those people can easily cause you endless trouble with just a few words. And then there''s Shen Shiqi. Have you heard of him? If he wants to crush you, it''s like crushing an ant. Do you think you can come out alive if you go in?"

    Liang Ye''s face turned pale as he looked up at Ling Shu.

    "Are you trying to force a confession out of me?" he asked.

    "I want you to tell me the truth, plain and simple," Ling Shu replied, unyielding.

    Liang Ye was furious, "The truth is, I could never have threatened her or harmed her in any way! I wish I never had to see that woman again! She''s the one who destroyed my family, and now all I want is to focus on my studies and have nothing to do with anyone surnamed He!"

    His disdain for He You''an was evident in his expression and he didn''t bother to hide it in front of others. That''s why he never mentioned their relationship to anyone.

    Ling Shu looked at Liang Ye again. He was a typical useless scholar, out of breath from running all the way from the classroom to here. It was hard to imagine him climbing up to the second floor of He You¡¯an''s house to put a dead cat on the windowsill. As for the second incident, hiring someone to attack, it didn''t seem like something Liang Ye would have the courage to do.

    "Since the Liang family has already fallen," he spoke slowly. "It is said that you live a reclusive life and do not associate with any classmates. They cannot sympathize and support you. I have also seen your academic record, which is average. There will be no teacher or mentor who will discover and appreciate you among the thousands of students. So, where do you get the money to pay for your tuition?"

    Liang Ye replied, "It''s from my distant cousin who sent it to me."

    Ling Shu asked, "What''s his name? Where is he from? What''s his occupation?"

    Liang Ye replied in a low voice, "I don''t know! He only wrote to me after my brother passed away, asking about my situation. He said my parents had helped him before, so he wanted to support me until I start a family. He claims to live in Beiping, but I don''t know what he does. I can''t write to him, but he sends me money regularly, enough for me to rent a place and study."

    Ling Shu said, "It''s such a coincidence that when your brother was alive, he never wrote to you. But when he passed away and the Liang family was left helpless, this person suddenly appeared and not only gave you money without expecting anything in return, but also never revealed his name or address. It''s like a bodhisattva or immortal reincarnated on earth. And you just accepted it without any guilt?"

    Liang Ye angrily replied, "If you don''t believe me, I can show you those letters. I''ve kept them all!"

    Ling Shu thought to himself that there must be something suspicious about a pitiful person, and this statement was quite reasonable.

    If Liang Zhou had fallen to such a low point, it was entirely his own fault. No matter how bad He You''an was, she couldn''t have forced him into smoking and gambling dens.

    Blaming others for one''s own mistakes is always the most useless kind of person.

    Even without any addiction to smoking or gambling, his achievements in life were limited.

    "I''ll tell you the truth, you don''t actually have a distant uncle. What distant relative would selflessly support a family they''ve never even met, and not even reveal their own name and background? All that money was sent to you by He You''an under false pretenses!"

    Liang Ye retorted, "That''s nonsense!"

    Ling Shu smiled slyly, "You actually already suspected it, but you didn''t want to admit that you were indebted to He You''an. You''d rather deceive yourself into believing in a distant uncle, so you wouldn''t owe her any favors and could feel at ease. It''s a win-win situation."

    Liang Ye looked embarrassed and tried to argue, but he wasn''t good with words.

    He opened his mouth and could only say things like, "You''re talking nonsense, I never thought that way."

    Ling Shu could be sure that Liang Ye was not someone who would plan death threats multiple times. Even though he had the knowledge, he lacked the courage. His heart was not cruel enough, and he was too attached to the present to admit to He You''an that he couldn''t live without her.

    This young man, who seemed to have received a modern education and became a university student, was actually just a poor creature surviving by sucking the blood of his relatives.

    While He You''an was being played by Shen Shiqi, Liang Ye was comfortably reading books, wandering in the ocean of knowledge, holding onto his dreams and looking forward to the future.

    Although Liang Zhou''s death was not glorious, for Liang Ye, his life still had a bright future.

    At first, when Ling Shu discovered that He You''an had been married before, he couldn''t help but have all sorts of suspicions and imaginations like any ordinary person. He even wondered if there was some hidden evil beneath He You''an''s beautiful appearance.

    However, when the incident with Liang Ye came to light, it indirectly confirmed He You''an''s innocence.

    The more Liang Ye despised her, the more people felt sorry for and regretful for He You''an. Ling Shu could guarantee that even if it was exposed that He You''an had been married before, at most she would face some criticism for a short period of time.

    But once people understood the story behind it, public opinion would immediately turn and sympathize with her. Under the current call for the liberation of women in the new era, especially in big cities like Shanghai, as long as there was a little guidance, the newspapers would immediately promote He You''an''s spirit of love and pursuit of freedom.

    If handled properly, not only would her career not be affected, but it could also reach new heights.

    Ling Shu sighed.

    Liang Ye looked at him in fear, as if afraid he would say something heartless next.

    But what Ling Shu was thinking was that since there was no result from Liang Ye''s side, they could only start from Jiang He''s side.

    Could Lu Tongcang''s capable right-hand man, the ruthless and cunning Jiang He, be the breakthrough point?

    "Take care of yourself. Each person is responsible for their own actions. Even if you don''t expect anything in return, at least be grateful. Don''t waste your education."

    Ling Shu patted Liang Ye''s shoulder, hands in his pockets, and left under the tree.

    He wondered if Yue Dingtang was still teaching at this time. He didn''t know what the young man who used to compete with him was like now that he was a teacher.

    Yue Dingtang almost sneezed. He pressed his nose and continued teaching.

    The students below the podium listened attentively. The position of a university professor was highly respected, especially for someone like Yue Dingtang, who had returned with honors.

    Furthermore, his lectures were not rigid. He could always cite classic examples and tell stories along with his explanations.

    The students were eager to learn and wished they could remember every word he said. Furthermore, Yue Dingtang had a charming demeanor, unlike the old scholars who were on the verge of senility. He wore a three-piece suit and stood tall and straight, with some students attentively listening to his lecture while others were daydreaming.

    Suddenly, someone entered through the back door without making a sound.

    There was an empty seat by the door, but the view from there was poor. Many students who came to audit the class preferred to sit in the middle aisle rather than stay there because it was difficult to see the words on the blackboard.

    However, Yue Dingtang had a bird''s-eye view and could see everything clearly.

    He looked at Ling Shu, who sat down sneakily, and twitched his mouth.

    "Just now, I want to ask the class for their opinions on a question. What kind of spirit does China need most to rise today? What do you think?" he asked.

    "Of course, it''s focus!" A student stood up without hesitation.

    "Looking at the world, Japan first underwent a Meiji Restoration and then became prosperous. Originally just a small and insignificant country, they were able to defeat the Qing Dynasty and become the fourth strongest navy in the world, ultimately becoming one of the great powers. The root of their success lies in their ability to humble themselves and learn from the West!

    ¡°On the other hand, in our country, some advocate for following England and America, while others promote learning from Germany and France. There are even those who suggest looking to the East for inspiration. We try to learn a little from the West and a little from the East, looking to England and America today and Germany and France tomorrow. In the end, we become neither here nor there, unable to rise or fall, leading to our current situation! Therefore, in my opinion, if China wants to rise today, we must have a spirit of focused learning. If we don''t learn, we will fall behind. If we learn, we should learn from the strongest, England!"

    "In my opinion, it''s about having backbone!"

    "No, it''s about peace. If we keep fighting within our own country, when will we ever have peace to talk about becoming strong?"

    Everyone had their own opinions and spoke up. Yue Dingtang pointed his teaching cane at Ling Shu from afar.

    "Let''s hear from the student sitting by the door," he said.

    "Me?" Ling Shu pointed to himself.

    Yue Dingtang nodded, and all eyes turned to Ling Shu.

    Ling Shu thought to himself that Mr. Yue must want to see him make a fool of himself.

    He stood up slowly and asked, "Do you really want me to speak, sir?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Just speak your mind. There are a thousand different opinions on this issue, and you don''t have to be a professional to answer it."

    Ling Shu smiled and said, "Well, in my opinion, what we need most is Mr. Yue''s serious and meticulous spirit. When it comes to anything, the most important thing is to take it seriously. As long as we do that, we can not only catch up with the top students, but even surpass them."

    The crowd caught on to the teasing and joking, bursting into laughter. They wondered which student was bold enough to openly mock their teacher.

    Yue Dingtang remained expressionless.

    Ling Shu winked at him.

    The uproar of the crowd became background noise and a stage for the two of them. They were like flirting, with hidden waves and deep waters.

    Yue Dingtang seemed to see the young man from years ago, full of spirit and vitality. Time had passed, but it was as if happiness could be relived.

    Meanwhile, Yue Dingtang received a phone call in his office at the police station.

    No one answered the phone, so the call was transferred to the secretary''s office outside.

    After some effort, they finally reached him at the school when he finished class.

    "Mr. Yue, my maid is in trouble!"

    He Yong''an''s voice was very nervous on the phone.

 CH 48

    "Poor servant girl, living only to die for you."

    "This is the content of the third letter."

    "I remember. At the time, you were worried about implicating the servants around you, so you gave her permission to take leave and visit her family in the countryside."

    "But she still got into trouble."

    He You''an gave a bitter smile.

    When Ling Shu and the others heard the content of the third letter, they guessed that the culprit''s target might be someone around He You''an.

    He You''an herself was even more direct, thinking of the maid who had been by her side all along. This maid had been with He You''an the longest and was the most compatible with her.

    She knew her daily routine and even her quirks and preferences like the back of her hand.

    To He You''an, this maid was like a half-relative, and their relationship couldn''t be measured by the simple terms of employer and employee.

    After receiving a threatening letter, He You''an did something unprecedented: she gave the maid a three-month long vacation to visit her family in the countryside. She also gave her a considerable amount of money to go shopping at the department store, so she could return home in style.

    Although the maid had seen a lot since she started working for He You''an, her family had not. She knew that even buying a few things in Shanghai would be enough to impress her relatives in the countryside.

    Due to her frequent visits to Xinxin Department Store, the maid had also become familiar with it. Carrying the money given to her by her employer, she bought a lot of things inside. However, when she came out, something unexpected happened.

    The maid was carrying too many things in her hands and didn''t pay attention when she stepped down the stairs. She stepped on air and fell heavily, hitting the back of her head on the steps. Blood flowed all over the place.

    "Miss Qian already in a serious coma on the way to the hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after being admitted. We are very sorry. This incident did not occur within the department store, so technically we should not be responsible. However, in the spirit of humanity, we will still do our best to help with her funeral arrangements. Please accept our condolences, Miss He."

    The speaker was the manager of the department store, and for him, it was a very stressful day.

    The news of a woman falling to her death outside the department store had made it to the newspapers. The bloodstains on the ground were enough to scare off many customers coming in and out.

    Ultimately, it was hard to say that this incident had no impact on the department store. If competitors like Yong''an Department Store or Parkson Department Store took advantage of this and spread rumors that there were feng shui problems with Xinxin Department Store, then business would definitely suffer in the future.

    If it weren''t for the fact that the deceased woman''s employer was the well-known He You''an, the department store manager would never have personally made this trip to apologize and offer compensation.

    Ling Shu said, "It snowed a few days ago. If the steps were too slippery and the victim fell, then the department store would definitely be at fault."

    Upon hearing this, the department store manager''s face turned black and he had to explain himself.

    "Mr. Ling, you''re accusing us wrongly! Yes, it''s snowing, but with so many customers coming in and out of the department store every day, we have to have someone clear the snow at the entrance every two hours. Even if the weather is cold and the road is slippery, we haven''t heard of any other customers besides Ms. Qian who suffered such a tragic accident."

    In other words, it was just bad luck for the maid Qian, who had a stroke of misfortune and lost her life after slipping and falling.

    He You''an sighed and said, "Although Qian and I are master and servant, we are like family. I feel very sad about this incident. I won''t call on you for now. You can discuss the compensation with Boss Teng later. I don''t want a single penny. I will make sure that all the money goes to Qian''s family."

    The manager of the department store couldn''t wait to leave. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "Miss He, you are very kind. We will publicly publish an obituary for Miss Qian, explaining the reason, and ask our customers to be more careful in the future. We will also praise Miss He for her kindness to her maid."

    Miss He shook her head and said, "Don''t mention me. You can publish it, but don''t deliberately smear Miss Qian''s name. The deceased has passed away, so please let her rest in peace."

    "Of course! Of course!" The department store manager said repeatedly.

    The third letter had come true.

    So far, the first two accidents could be considered unsuccessful. If the dead cat was just a prank, now someone had really died.

    With the third incident, will there be a fourth or fifth?

    What is the purpose of the other party?

    Perhaps he didn''t want to let He You''an die so easily, so he kept targeting the people around her, like a cat playing with a mouse it caught but not eating it.

    Maybe in the last movie theater assassination, the other party didn''t actually intend to take her life.

    He You''an''s face looked very bad.

    Not only was she depressed and sad, but also mixed with frustration.

    This time she thought she had detected it in time and took precautions, but who could have expected to still not avoid it.

    If you don''t believe that the maid was killed, there are so many witnesses in broad daylight.

    If you believe that her death was accidental, then what about the clearly prophetic letter?

    Ling Shu felt that it was not quite appropriate to mention Liang Ye again in this situation, but he still had some doubts in his heart.

    "Miss He, may I ask, do you know Liang Ye?"

    He You''an looked up. "Did you find him?"

    Ling Shu nodded. "I shouldn''t bring this up now, but in order to solve the case as soon as possible, I have to ask."

    He You''an replied calmly, "Go ahead and ask."

    Ling Shu asked, "Is Liang Ye really your younger brother-in-law?"

    He You''an confirmed, "Yes, he is."

    Ling Shu questioned, "Since you paid for his tuition, why did you keep it a secret?"

    He You''an explained, "You''ve met him, haven''t you? You know how he treats me. He treats me worse than a stranger. To him, I am indirectly responsible for his brother''s death and the destruction of his family. No matter what I do, he doesn''t want to see me. If he knew that I paid for his tuition, he would probably reject it even more."

    Ling Shu said, "That''s not necessarily true. I think he''s very self-aware, but he just doesn''t want to admit it. He takes advantage of you while looking down on you. Is he really worth your support?"

    "I only showed him kindness to fulfill my promise to Liang Zhou," replied He You''an. "When I was in my most difficult time, Liang Zhou reached out to help me, even if it meant using marriage as a condition. I don''t dislike him, and I also wanted a peaceful life, but unfortunately, things didn''t go as planned. Shortly after we got married, he became addicted to smoking and lost all our family''s wealth. Even if I worked day and night, I couldn''t repay our debts. I have nothing left except for this face."

    She touched her smooth cheek with a hint of sadness and asked Ling Shu.

    "Mr. Ling, in times of chaos, how can a woman survive? If I had the family background of Miss Zhen, I might be happily studying abroad in the West, returning as a new era woman. Unfortunately, I don''t have that. I only have this face. I hate it, but I can''t destroy it."

    Mr. Ling was at a loss for words, unable to come up with a suitable answer to Miss He''s question.

    Fortunately, Miss He didn''t need his answer.

    "My marriage is not a secret, but Mr. Teng didn''t want too many people to know because it would affect the success of the movie. Mr. Ling, do you suspect Liang Ye? From what I know, although he hates me, he shouldn''t be capable of such a thing. He wouldn''t even dare to kill a chicken, let alone a person. Even if I died, he would have no source of income for his tuition and living expenses. Since he guessed that the money was sent by me, he should know that it''s not in his best interest to harm me."

    He You''an made a convincing argument, and Ling Shu had already ruled out Liang Ye as a suspect.

    "Be careful of your actions lately. If a fourth letter arrives or you notice any suspicious people around you, please inform me immediately," he could only advise He You''an.

    Little did he know that the fourth letter would arrive so soon. Just as Ling Shu left He You''an''s residence and walked to the street corner, a newsboy came towards him.

    "Selling newspapers! Sir, buy a newspaper. The latest edition with headlines about the League of Nations not recognizing the state Manzhouguo and Germany electing a new chancellor!"

    "No thanks..." Ling Shu was completely focused on He You''an''s case and had no interest in reading the news. But before he could finish his sentence, the newsboy had already shoved a newspaper into his arms without a word.

    Surprisingly, the newsboy didn''t even ask for payment and was about to run away after handing over the paper. Ling Shu couldn''t let him go and quickly caught up to him.

    "You''re giving away newspapers for free?"

    "I don''t need payment. Someone else already bought this paper and asked me to give it to you!"

    The newsboy couldn''t break free from Ling Shu''s grip and had to confess.

    "Who gave this to you?" Ling Shu asked.

    The newsboy pointed casually.

    Ling Shu followed his gaze and looked up.

    People were bustling about on the street, and there was no one standing still waiting for them to identify.

    "Why did he buy me a newspaper?"

    "I don''t know. He seemed to have put a letter in the newspaper and asked me to deliver it to you along with the newspaper. I don''t know anything else!"

    Ling Shu weighed the newspaper and indeed felt something was inside.

    "What does he look like?"

    "I, I don''t remember."

    "If you don''t tell me, we''ll go to the police station."

    "I really don''t remember. He wore a hat, a scarf covered half of his face, and he was wrapped up tightly in a black coat. He was quite thin, but he should be a man!"

    Ling Shu saw that he didn''t seem to be lying, so he reached out and pulled out the letter from the newspaper. The envelope was thin, with only a photo inside.

    In the photo, a woman was hanging from a white cloth, having committed suicide.

    At first glance, Ling Shu recognized the woman in the photo as He You''an.

    This was a classic scene from one of He You''an''s movies, where the desperate female lead ultimately hangs herself. The still had been published in newspapers and magazines and was widely known.

    Flipping over the photo, there was a small line of pencil-written words:

    "A beauty by the pond, fragrant bones behind the bridge, a desolate tomb in the town. Winter is near, spring is coming, tears inside and out."

    It was a strange sentence, not even qualifying as a poem, but it exuded a creepy atmosphere.

    Ling Shu understood that this was probably the fourth letter targeting He You''an.

    But why was it sent to him?

    The culprit had been secretly watching his every move, and knew that he would definitely hand the letter to He You''an.

    Ling Shu furrowed his brows, feeling like he was caught in someone else''s trap. The more he struggled, the stronger the trap''s backlash became.

    The weavers of the trap were hiding in the shadows, laughing at their success, yet they hadn''t even noticed the culprit''s presence.

    Did this photo signify that something even more dangerous was about to happen to He You''an?

    Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder. Ling Shu turned around abruptly, only to see Yue Dingtang.

    The other person was puzzled by his overreaction and asked, "What happened?"

    Ling Shu inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

    He didn''t even know why he felt more relaxed upon seeing Yue Dingtang.

    The author has something to say:

    A small theater that has nothing to do with the main story:

    Yue Dingtang: Why do you breathe a sigh of relief when you see me?

    Ling Shu: Maybe it''s because I, such a handsome man, am often afraid of being flirted with by beautiful women.

    He thought Yue Dingtang would scold him for being shameless, but instead Yue Dingtang raised his eyebrows playfully.

    Yue Dingtang: Then how do you know that men are always safe? What if I also want to flirt with you?

    Ling Shu: ??

 CH 49

    "This case is too strange," Ling Shu handed the fourth letter he received to Yue Dingtang.

    "The killer seems to want to take the life of He You''an, but also seems like they only want to scare her."

    "I even suspect that these threatening letters may not be from the same group of people."

    "Why do you say that?" Yue Dingtang flipped the photo over and saw the mismatched poem.

    "Do you remember the poem in the third letter? It was made up of newspaper clippings to deliberately make it difficult for us to compare handwriting, but this time it was handwritten."

    "Perhaps the other party just wanted to make it impossible for you to compare," Yue Dingtang suggested.

    The handwriting was neat and tidy, making it impossible to determine whether it leaned more towards masculine or feminine traits.

    Ling Shu sighed, "If even my intelligence cannot uncover the truth of this case, then perhaps no one in the world can."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, choosing to ignore the statement.

    "You should take this letter to He You''an and see how she reacts. Also, have her try to obtain anything written by those around her, whether it be letters or notes."

    Ling Shu asked, "What are you thinking?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Even if a person intentionally changes their handwriting, there are certain writing habits that are difficult to change. We have an expert in epigraphy in our school''s history department who is skilled in handwriting analysis. I will take it to him to have a look. These recent cases have shown that the culprit knows He You''an very well, even her every move."

    Ling Shu said, "I didn''t notify anyone before coming here today, but as soon as I went downstairs, I received a letter from the other party, prepared to be handed over to He You''an through my hands."

    "Good point," said Yue Dingtang. "So the other party must be someone around He You''an. At least, the culprit must have an informant around He You''an."

    This was a breakthrough.

    He You''an didn''t expect Ling Shu to return quickly with the fourth letter in his hand.

    After hearing the intentions of the two, she thought for a moment and said, "Apart from my maid Qian Shi, there is also Master Shen and two people sent by Boss Teng to protect me, who contact me daily and know my whereabouts."

    Ling Shu said, "You missed one person."

    "Who?" asked He You''an.

    Ling Shu asked, "When I got off earlier, I saw your car parked on the side of the road. Isn''t your driver supposed to be with you all day?"

    "Yes, he''s Master Shen''s man. His name is Chen Wendong and he''s responsible for taking me around," replied He You''an.

    Ling Shu asked, "Do you know anything about his background?"

    He You''an pondered for a moment and said, "I''m not sure. I only know he''s from the northeast. But if Master Shen sent him, he must trust him. Master Shen isn''t always with me, but with Chen Wendong around, he always knows where I am and what I''m doing."

    In other words, he''s the one responsible for monitoring He You''an.

    Ling Shu asked, "Have you ever had any disputes or unpleasant experiences with Chen Wendong?"

    He You''an replied, "No, he was sent by Master Shen, and being a young man, I rarely speak to him unless necessary. He is also very quiet and seldom speaks."

    Ling Shu asked, "How long has he been with you, and what are his hobbies? How many people are in his family?"

    He You''an answered, "He has been my driver since I met Master Shen and got a car. I haven''t asked about his family or whether he is married, but he has a bit of a gambling addiction."

    Ling Shu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Gambling addiction?"

    He You''an sighed and said, "Yes, when it comes to gambling addiction, I think of Liang Zhou. Several times, I saw Chen Wendong coming out of the casino. Sometimes, when he drove me to the set, if there was a gambling stall nearby, he would always go and play a few rounds."

    Ten bets, nine losses. The more you lose, the more you want to win. The more you want to win, the more addicted you become. It''s a vicious cycle that never ends, ultimately turning you into a puppet controlled by money.

    If someone takes advantage of your vulnerability and buys you off, it''s not impossible.

    With that said, Chen Wendong''s suspicion grew even greater.

    Ling Shu asked, "On the day Qian Shi had an accident, did everyone around you know she was going to the department store to buy things?"

    He You''an replied, "No, she was hesitant at first, afraid of wasting money. It was me who encouraged her, saying that after so many years, it''s finally a chance to go home and buy some good things. I offered to pay for her, and she finally agreed. Oh, if only I hadn''t suggested it... Wait a minute! Now that you mention it, she was in the car with me at the time, and I was the one who said those words to her. Chen Wendong was also in the car and heard everything."

    "This is not something to dwell on, the more you think about it, the more terrifying it becomes.

    If it really is Chen Wendong, then every move that He You''an has made in the past few days has been under his watchful eye. His eyes are constantly observing her, but she remains completely unaware of his intentions.

    "Should we tell Young Master Shen?" He You''an asked fearfully.

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Right now, it''s just our speculation. What if it''s not Chen Wendong? Knowing Shen Shiqi''s character, Chen Wendong''s fate will not be a good one."

    He made a valid point. He You''an knew all too well that despite her seemingly glamorous life, she was like a rootless duckweed. Only by being kind to others at every turn could she leave herself a way out.

    So, not to mention Chen Wendong, even if she passed by a beggar, she would give them some spare change.

    "Thank you for reminding me, Mr. Yue. Let''s not tell Master Shen about this for now. We''ll investigate and find out the truth first."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "There''s no need to startle the snake before catching it. Keep an eye on Chen Wendong''s daily interactions and who he associates with. If there''s anything suspicious, let us know."

    Ling Shu added, "Don''t overlook the contents of the fourth letter. Be careful when filming and if there are any scenes involving suicide, it''s best to communicate with the director and change it to something else."

    Apologetically, He You''an said, "It''s all because of me that you''ve gone through so much trouble. Thank you both. If there''s any progress, I''ll definitely inform you."

    Despite her makeup, the faint dark circles under her beautiful eyes were hard to conceal.

    In just a short period of time, He You''an had become noticeably haggard.

    No one could be happy in a situation like this. Day after day, they lived in fear, never knowing what danger they might encounter next.

    Only in the face of the unknown did their hearts hang suspended in mid-air.

    If it were anyone else but He You''an, they would have lost their appetite and their sleep by now.

    Perhaps Ling Shu''s sympathy was too obvious, for He You''an turned around and comforted him instead.

    "Don''t worry about me. I won''t fall until the killer is caught."

    What a pity for such a beauty. For the 101st time, Ling Shu thought this to himself.

    Such thoughts were bound to leak out when he left.

    Yue Dingtang gave him a glance, as if he could see through all his thoughts.

    Ling Shu saw it.

    "Old Yue, you''re not cherishing this beauty. You''re not worthy of being a man!"

    Yue Dingtang sneered, "I can see that you''re so compassionate that you''d even sacrifice yourself. Give me some of that compassion, and I''ll have it too."

    Ling Shu asked, "Is that why you erased the pencil writing on the back of the photo?"

    When they showed the photo to He You''an earlier, Yue Dingtang had already erased the nonsensical poem on the back.

    "You think you''re so clever, but you didn''t even guess this?" Yue Dingtang said.

    "How could I not? I naturally guessed your intentions. You suspected He You''an," Ling Shu replied.

    "I wanted to see her reaction after she saw the photo," Yue Dingtang said.

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but feel a little smug, "Unfortunately, her reaction was normal. Captain Yue miscalculated."

    Yue Dingtang seemed to have not noticed his tone: "He You''an is right. The only people who know her whereabouts every day are the ones she mentioned. But He You''an missed one person, herself. She said that only the driver Chen Wendong heard the words she spoke to the maid, but this is only her side of the story. No one knows the truth."

    Ling Shu said, "But Chen Wendong does have suspicion. We can''t just go and ask him directly."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "This provides the conditions for her to lie. We don''t know the answer, so she can make up anything she wants."

    Ling Shu asked, "Then what was her reason for doing this? To design a series of events just to kill herself? Your hypothesis doesn''t make sense from the beginning."

    "I don''t know what her purpose is, but in these three incidents, the dead cat was irrelevant, the stabbing didn''t harm a hair, and the only victim was the maid, Ms. Qian. A widowed and weak woman who managed to turn her life around and become a movie star, gaining fame and fortune.

    ¡°Although Shen Shiqi treated her as a plaything, he always supported her. Her lifestyle was that of a wealthy young lady, and despite her success, she remained humble and kind to others. That''s why so many fans adore her, and even wealthy young men pursue her. Even if she loses Shen Shiqi in the future, there will be a bunch of men courting her. As a beauty at her level, her past and humble origins are no longer significant."

    Yue Dingtang stared directly at Ling Shu and slowly asked his question. "Do you think a woman like her would be a simple, weak, and helpless person?"

    Objectively speaking, Yue Dingtang''s speculation had some merit.

    But Ling Shu disagreed with his habit of thinking about human nature in a negative way. He had a good impression of He You''an, and even though he knew she might not be as pure and flawless as a blank piece of paper, her actions could still be understood.

    If she were a heartless person, she wouldn''t bother with Liang Ye''s life or death ¨C the latter had hands and feet, and even if he couldn''t read, he could still work to support himself.

    Yue Dingtang said, "I''ll find someone to investigate Chen Wendong''s background. You keep an eye on He You''an. The first three letters have all come true. No matter who the culprit is, this case won''t be over until the fourth letter comes true. Looking at it from another angle, if the matter is related to He You''an, she will still be safe this time."

    But what if Yue Dingtang''s guess is wrong?

    Ling Shu didn''t ask any more questions. Even though they were being pushed forward step by step while in the game, they couldn''t help but want to break free from the hand behind them, turn around, and use their own strength to stir up the chessboard.

    So far, all they could see when they looked back was a vast sea of fog.

    Ling Shu''s expression was solemn, as if he had something to say but was holding back.

    Yue Dingtang thought he still had something left unsaid and softened his heart. "This is just my speculation. You have your own judgment, so don''t let me influence you. Everyone should express their own opinions when investigating a case."

    Ling Shu said, "I was thinking..."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Hmm?"

    Ling Shu continued, "Should we have dinner at your place or at De Daxi restaurant?"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    Ling Shu asked, "What do you think?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Whichever!"

    The author has something to say:

    Upper line: Yue Dingtang''s heart softened.

    Lower line: Ling Shu is reckless.

    Horizontal scroll: Love and hate.

 CH 50

    In the end, the two of them went back to Yue Dingtang''s house for dinner.

    Firstly, the chef at his house was truly skilled.

    The taste of the old duck soup made Ling Shu crave it from the last time he had it until the next time. Not to mention the scallion oil noodles with fresh shrimp mixed in, or the chicken soup rice noodles with mushrooms and chicken that were tender and extraordinary.

    If Yue Chunxiao were here, her hand-made chicken vegetable dumplings would have had a taste of home. Now that she wasn''t here, there was a bit less warmth and enthusiasm, but it was still better than being at home alone with cold food and a cold stove.

    At the very least, the thoughtful and considerate steward made Ling Shu feel right at home.

    His sister and brother-in-law hadn''t returned yet, so this place had almost become his second dining hall.

    Secondly, ever since the incident at the Yuan Manor, the true nature of the owner of Xinyue Cafe, Mr. Li, was revealed when his facade of kindness was stripped away. In reality, he was a ruthless person. Ling Shu still had some lingering trauma from the Western meal they had at the cafe. If Mr. Li had wanted to do something to them at that time, they wouldn''t have even noticed. Ling Shu believed that Yue Dingtang had similar thoughts to his own.

    As expected, the housekeeper had prepared hot dishes.

    It wasn''t duck soup, but bone soup.

    There weren''t many mushrooms or other seasonings added, just simple bones that had been marinated to remove any unpleasant odors and boiled into a soup. The pepper helped to dispel the cold, and the perfect amount of salt brought out the rich flavor of the bones.

    As their bodies gradually warmed up, the harsh cold and snow outside seemed to fade away into the distance. The servants of the Yue family always appeared at the right time and quietly retreated when they were not needed.

    Before they knew it, only the two of them were left in the dining room.

    "Are you going to attend Zhen Congyun''s birthday banquet?" Ling Shu heard Yue Dingtang say as he was putting a piece of winter bamboo shoot into his mouth.

    He hummed in response and chewed the bamboo shoot.

    "If there''s nothing else, I''ll go and see the excitement. I heard that He You''an will also be there," Ling Shu continued.

    Yue Dingtang furrowed his brows slightly. "You care about her a lot."

    "I care about the case," Ling Shu shrugged.

    "Don''t forget, she belongs to Shen Shiqi," Yue Dingtang reminded him.

    "That may not be the case anymore," Ling Shu replied.

    "What do you mean?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    He had already felt that Ling Shu''s attention towards He You''an was excessive and had crossed a certain line. Now, this sentence seemed to confirm Yue Dingtang''s suspicions.

    If it were an ordinary woman, it would be nothing. Ling Shu has always had many admirers, and adding one more in the form of He You''an would only add to the beauty of the situation.

    But once He You''an became involved, things were different.

    Shen Shiqi was not someone to be trifled with.

    Although he was restrained by the existence of the Yue family and couldn''t take action against Ling Shu, that didn''t mean he didn''t hold a grudge.

    He couldn''t completely give up on seeking revenge against Ling Shu, especially with the threatening letters that kept coming.

    He You''an was like a beautiful flower, attracting countless suitors, but there was danger lurking beneath her gorgeous exterior.

    "Because when I was talking to He You''an just now, I saw a scarf."

    The scarf was draped over the armrest of the sofa, not hanging on a coat rack. This indicated that the owner of the scarf was quite casual at the home of He You''an, and also showed that the other person had a close relationship with He You''an.

    Perhaps they had just left and He You''an hadn''t had time to tidy up, or maybe they accidentally dropped something and would quickly come back to retrieve it.

    "That scarf is gray, white, and black, with a checkered pattern. Interestingly enough, not long ago, I saw an identical scarf," Ling Shu said, pausing to ask Yue Dingtang, "What were you about to say?"

    "Nothing," Yue Dingtang replied, realizing he had gotten off track. He calmly got up to scoop soup and turned his back to Ling Shu, smoothly changing the subject.

    "Please continue. What''s so special about that scarf?"

    Ling Shu continued, "That day we were at Baofeng Building, and sitting next to us was Shen Shiqi and his friend. Do you remember?"

    In a flash of insight, Yue Dingtang realized, "Mr. Cheng!"

    Ling Shu nodded, "It is indeed Mr. Cheng."

    Shen Shiqi did not specifically introduce Mr. Cheng, but he was always arrogant and looked down on people. From his attitude towards Mr. Cheng, it was clear that Mr. Cheng was one of the few people who could make him listen and obey.

    He You''an was originally Shen Shiqi''s person, but now a scarf that Mr. Cheng had just worn a few days ago appeared in her residence.

    What does this mean?

    Ling Shu didn''t want to think too much about it, but he couldn''t help but think about it. With He You''an''s appearance, even if Mr. Cheng had seen countless people, he might still be moved.

    That fleeting glance that day might have sparked something.

    But no matter what He You''an thought, without Shen Shiqi''s permission, she could not openly be with Mr. Cheng. So it was that Shen Shiqi had tacitly agreed, even personally delivering He You''an into Mr. Cheng''s hands.

    But what about He You''an?

    What was she feeling, like a gift being passed from one person to another?

    When Ling Shu recalled their conversation with He You''an earlier, he noticed a hidden sadness beneath her frightened expression, like a withered flower deprived of water.

    At the time, he had thought it was just the string of threats that had left her unsettled, but he had no idea of the hidden truth behind it all.

    Every human being has emotions and desires, joys and sorrows, and no one would willingly want to be treated like a plaything.

    He You''an had no way to resist.

    Whether she liked it or not, she couldn''t escape this fate.

    If Mr. Cheng had been more aware and willing to treat her better than Shen Shiqi, perhaps she would have gradually come to enjoy this forced hypnosis.

    "What a pity," Ling Shu would always say whenever the name He You''an was mentioned.

    But this time, it was not Ling Shu who spoke, but Yue Dingtang.

    "Your tone is too indifferent. Some things cannot be ignored and left hanging," Ling Shu commented.

    Yue Dingtang replied, "She has nothing to do with me. It''s rare for me to say ''what a pity.'' Since she''s now involved with Mr. Cheng, it''s best for you not to get too involved. If you''re interested, you can casually investigate the case, but don''t overdo it. If you''re interested in unsolved cases, there are plenty in all of Shanghai. You don''t need to focus on this one spot."

    Ling Shu looked suspiciously at Yue Dingtang and asked, "Have you found out anything about Mr. Cheng?"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent for a moment before responding, "His name is Cheng Gong, and he does timber business in the northeast. He frequently travels to the mainland and is said to have a large and diverse network. From the Northeast Army to the Japanese, from the Green Gang to the Nanjing government, everyone owes him favors. Many people like to do business with him, and over time, his influence has grown. It is said that if he agrees to help you, there is nothing he cannot accomplish."

    "So, Shen Shiqi sought his help?" Ling Shu asked.

    Yue Dingtang said, "Shen Shiqi values He You''an very much. Otherwise, he would have had countless opportunities to send her away, even if it meant making her a concubine for those powerful military officials. He could have easily gained enough capital for himself, but in the end, he sent He You''an to a businessman."

    Ling Shu replied, "Now that you put it that way, I''m even more interested."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    "Just kidding, I understand what you mean. The situation is complicated. It looks like a shallow pool, but once you step in, you realize it''s an unfathomable abyss. You''re afraid I''ll drown in it."

    Ling Shu grinned and saluted, "Don''t worry, I''ll be careful. Even if I die, I''ll make sure it''s far away from you, so as not to cause trouble for Captain Yue!"

    He had a way of turning a good conversation into something that could infuriate people.

    Yue Dingtang sighed. Out of nowhere, Ling Shu suddenly approached and leaned over, lowering his voice in a mysterious tone.

    "Hey, Old Yue, do you know what Miss Zhen likes?"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Are you planning to give her a gift?"

    Ling Shu replied, "You know me well, Officer Yue. What are you planning to give her? Never mind, I won''t ask. Whatever you give her, I definitely can''t afford it."

    Yue Dingtang said, "I''m not going. I have to go to Nanjing this weekend. There''s an academic conference and monthly salon at a university over there, and they invited me to attend."

    Ling Shu exclaimed, "So I''ll be left all alone?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "I think you''re actually quite happy about it."

    Ling Shu quickly wiped the upward curve of his mouth downward.

    "That''s not true! You still haven''t told me what Miss Zhen''s preferences are."

    If you''re going to a banquet, you have to bring a gift. It should be expensive, but also clever.

    Zhen Congyun just came back from abroad and has seen all sorts of new and interesting things. Ordinary gifts might not catch her eye.

    Yue Dingtang smirked, his expression full of meaning.

    "I happen to know something about Miss Zhen," he said.

    Ling Shu looked interested.

    Yue Dingtang continued, "She likes to dance. That''s why her family rented out the entire Bailemen for her birthday."

    Ling Shu replied, "I can do the tango and waltz, but with so many people at the party, I doubt I''ll get a chance to dance with her. I''m just going to enjoy the festivities, give my gift, and eat some good food."

    Yue Dingtang was speechless. "Can''t you have a little ambition?"

    Ling Shu said, "Food is the most important thing for people. Besides, I''ve been to Bailemen before and there are a few familiar dancers there. I don''t even have time to catch up with them, how can I have time for Miss Zhen?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Zhen Congyun is very proud. Since she has specially invited you, it means she values you. Even if you can''t dance the first dance with her, you will definitely have a chance to get close to her. If you want to save money, just don''t give her anything and make her happy. That''s more effective than anything else."

    Ling Shu thought for several seconds, weighing the options between buying a cheap gift to pass off and not buying anything at all to save money.

    "Tell me more," he said.

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Her favorite dance is actually the rumba."

    "How do you know?" Ling Shu asked.

    "My sister told me," Yue Dingtang said.

    "But I don''t know how to dance the rumba," Ling Shu said.

    "I do," Yue Dingtang said.

    The two of them stared at each other in surprise. Ling Shu said, "Old Yue, Captain Yue, Fourth Young Master, Dingtang, Little Tang Tang¨C"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    "I used to have a low salary, and now that I''m here, I haven''t even received my first month''s pay. I have to support myself, my family, and save some money for my future wife. Whether or not we can save money this time is all up to you!" Ling Shu said.

    "You can just not go," Yue Dingtang replied.

    Ling Shu stood firm, "A man without integrity cannot stand. Since we''ve already promised Miss Zhen, how can we go back on our word? Besides, I am now Captain Yue''s assistant, representing your face. If you don''t go, and I don''t go, wouldn''t that be impolite?"

    Yue Dingtang got up and walked towards the phonograph in the living room.

    He bent down and searched through the record box for a while before finding a disc.

    In just a moment, the music flowed out. Yue Dingtang raised his hand, gesturing for Ling Shu to follow.

    Ling Shu walked over.

    "Follow my steps and pay attention to my movements," he heard Yue Dingtang say. Ling Shu concentrated, his eyes fixed on the slender and straight back of the other person, his hands and feet constantly moving like a toddler learning to walk, imitating every move.

    After jumping for a while, Ling Shu suddenly realized something.

    ... Was he dancing in a feminine style?

 CH 51

    The rumba was known for its sensuality, and Ling Shu had heard of it and seen others dance it before. But now that he was immersed in it, he realized that the rumba was even more sensual than he had imagined.

    Yue Dingtang had already slowed down his movements as much as possible, but he still felt awkward and unsure. He had learned how to dance before, so he should have had a foundation, but now he felt like a beginner.

    Ling Shu was starting to regret his decision to dance the rumba. He felt like a puppet being pulled by Yue Dingtang, going east when he was pulled east, going west when he was pulled west. He had no willpower and his mind was muddled.

    Perhaps the bowl of bone soup he had just eaten had not fully digested yet. The tender meat and bone marrow were still dancing in his seven emotions and six desires, making it difficult for him to return to reality for a while. He could only rely on the foundation of social dance he had learned and react subconsciously with his body.

    "Wait!" Ling Shu couldn''t help but shout to stop.

    But Yue Dingtang ignored him.

    With a piece of music still playing, it was useless for anyone to stop.

    Dancing requires a beginning and an end, especially for a dance like the rumba that emphasizes mood and state of mind. It is important for a person to be able to fully immerse themselves in it, which determines their understanding and learning progress.

    Obviously, it was impossible for Ling Shu to become proficient in half an hour.

    At best, he could chat a little on the dance floor and make Miss Zhen think that he had some knowledge of the rumba, so as not to appear completely clueless.

    However, Ling Shu felt that something was off.

    He couldn''t help but express his doubts, "You want me to please Miss Zhen, but why do I feel like I''m pleasing you?"

    Yue Dingtang''s expression remained unchanged, "Do you care about pleasing me?"

    Ling Shu laughed, "If Captain Yue is willing to give me a raise, I will do my best to make you feel comfortable and at ease, like a breath of fresh air."

    To match the atmosphere of the dance, the main lights in the living room were turned off, leaving only dim lights for a slightly romantic ambiance.

    If you ignore their conversation, that is.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "You still haven''t told me what you were doing during those years you studied abroad. What were you up to?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Do I have to know how to dance the rumba just because I studied abroad? That''s asking too much of me, Captain Yue."

    Yue Dingtang retorted, "It''s normal for someone who studied in France for a few years to not know how to dance the rumba, but forgetting how to greet someone in French? At the consulate banquet last time, if I hadn''t helped you out, how were you planning to deal with the consul?"

    Ling Shu shrugged and said, "If I couldn''t handle it, I just wouldn''t. I''d say a few nonsense words and bluff my way through. The consul wouldn''t even know who I am, so why would he bother with a small fry like me?"

    Yue Dingtang sighed, "You weren''t like this before."

    Ling Shu lazily replied, "Captain Yue, your expectations of me may be too high. Nowadays, there are plenty of people who go abroad to get a degree and come back to find a mediocre job. Look at the high-ranking officials'' children in Nanjing, nine out of ten are like that. What''s so special about me? Besides, my father has passed away. No matter how hard I try, I won''t be able to make it to the top. It''s better to live a comfortable life. Now, it''s great that I''ve met someone like you, I don''t even have to go on night patrols anymore. My sister will be thrilled!"

    "Is that so?" Yue Dingtang didn''t comment on Ling Shu''s words.

    His thumb slid over Ling Shu''s wrist, unexpectedly rubbing it with a deliberate hint of flirtation.

    Ling Shu''s breath caught in his throat, feeling a chill run down his spine.

    "Captain Yue, you''re teaching us to dance, not to harass your subordinates. Is this why you''ve never had an assistant? It seems like you''ve scared them all away and can only resort to targeting old classmates?"

    "I''ve said it before, your marksmanship is excellent - fast, fierce, and accurate. Regular police or patrolmen don''t have your level of skill. Both your left and right hands have calluses, indicating that you''ve trained both hands. But why do you only use your left hand now?"

    His voice was low, almost a whisper, accompanied by the music, like a love confession.

    But the content had nothing to do with love, and even had a hint of a chilling taste.

    Yue Dingtang followed his right palm and rubbed it up to the tender flesh on the inside of his wrist, only to be suddenly grabbed by the back of his hand!

    "Captain Yue, I have a suspicion."

    "Hmm?"

    "You''re not getting married yet, is there something you''re hiding? Don''t worry, I won''t look down on you, and I won''t tell anyone. Tonight, I haven''t heard a thing."

    Yue Dingtang didn''t care that he was changing the subject and continued, "I''ve had someone check, and during the years you were abroad, not a single Chinese student named Ling Shu was accepted into any of the top universities in Paris. So, I have a bold guess."

    He looked directly into Ling Shu''s eyes, who also lifted his head, seemingly indifferent, with clear eyes and even a hint of a playful smile.

    "You never went to France, nor did you study there. So, during those years, where were you and what were you doing? Does your left hand switching to your right have anything to do with it?"

    Ling Shu suddenly burst out laughing. "I say, Captain Yue, you''ve been curious about this issue for a long time, asking me repeatedly, whether you''re interested in me or my experience, persistently pursuing an answer?"

    Captain Yue Dingtang replied, "I am interested in your transformation. A person who was once ambitious suddenly becomes complacent, there must have been some changes. I hope to find the root of the problem and help you become the Lin Shu you used to be."

    Lin Shu retorted, "Then bring my father back to life first. If he comes back to life, our family will have everything."

    Yue Dingtang said, "I was wrong. Not only do you have ambition, but you also have strong willpower. Your family''s downfall did not change your character, and even more so, Mr. Ling did not die a tragic death but passed away peacefully. It was inevitable that the Ling family would decline without a successor. The mysteries surrounding you make me suspect--"

    He intentionally paused, drawing out his tone.

    But Ling Shu still had no reaction. He even slightly widened his eyes, hoping that Yue Dingtang would reveal something shocking.

    Yue Dingtang was a bit disappointed. This was not the reaction he wanted.

    "What do you suspect?" Ling Shu asked eagerly, urging him to reveal the answer.

    "I suspect that you have received special training, completed missions, and even suffered serious injuries," Yue Dingtang said.

    Ling Shu laughed heartily, "Why don''t you just suspect me of working for the Japanese? To be honest, the Zhen family has a good relationship with Director Wang, who also has close ties with the Japanese. I need a way in, so I plan to cozy up to Director Wang. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have to rush to please Miss Zhen."

    The first half of Ling Shu''s statement was pure nonsense, but the second half was quite revealing, causing Yue Dingtang to furrow his brow.

    "What do you need Director Wang for?"

    "I went abroad, but not to France, I went to America. Haven''t you noticed that my English is pretty good? The person who took me there fooled me, saying that America was full of gold. At that time, you know our family''s situation, my sister had to sell everything to scrape together enough money for me to study abroad. I didn''t want to work hard and study for years outside, only to come back and maybe not even get a decent job. So, I added money at the last minute on the ship and went to America with that person."

    "What happened next?"

    "In the end, I was naturally deceived. America, far from being a land of gold, discriminates against anyone with yellow skin and black hair. The Chinese Exclusion Act made it even harder for us to get by. After working odd jobs in Chinatown for a few months, I found an opportunity to return to China. But I didn''t dare go home to see my sister because I had already spent the money she gave me for tuition. So, I wandered around Yunnan and Sichuan for a few years, joined bandits, and even hung out with gangsters. Are you curious about why my right hand is disabled? I learned how to fight like others and got injured. My right hand''s tendons were severed, and I couldn''t lift heavy objects or aim properly, so I switched to my left hand."

    He spoke candidly and honestly, blurring the line between truth and fiction, leaving even Yue Dingtang momentarily confused. The two locked eyes as Ling Shu spoke fluently and confidently, without any hesitation.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "So how did you manage to come back?"

    Ling Shu shrugged nonchalantly, "I had a sudden change of heart. One day, I woke up and realized that my sister was still waiting for me at home. It doesn''t matter if I waste my own life, but if my sister found out that I not only didn''t go abroad but also joined a gang, and ended up with nothing, she would be heartbroken."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Although the gang and the bandits are not a tightly organized group, they have shed blood and wielded knives. How could they just let you leave so easily?"

    Ling Shu chuckled, "Of course not. When I joined, I was cautious and used a fake name, posing as a one-eyed dragon. I always wore an eye patch and disguised myself. With my experience traveling all over the country, I''ve even been to America and fought against the foreigners. What are a few bandits to me? I faked my death and disappeared without a trace. They all thought I was dead and buried, with grass growing three feet high on my grave!"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What does this have to do with you and Director Wang getting close?"

    Ling Shu said, "Nowadays, China is full of foreign powers. Even Shanghai has been divided into three parts. People say that the Nanjing government, with the director at its front, is actually controlled by the English, Americans, Japanese, and Russians. Among them, the Japanese are the most ambitious and have already taken a big piece of meat from the three eastern provinces. Since Director Wang is close to the Japanese, if we can connect with him, it would be like having an extra network. Who knows, maybe we can get some benefits from the Japanese someday. How can we say it''s not necessary?"

    He analyzed the situation with confidence, but spoke in a nonchalant tone, as if he was watching a comedy that had nothing to do with him, cold and ruthless.

    Can Yue Dingtang believe his words?

    Doubts arose in his heart, even with his vast experience in reading people, he couldn''t be sure. If what Ling Shu said was true, then his experiences were nothing short of rich. His marksmanship and physical abilities could also be easily explained.

    After experiencing so much, one could become mature beyond their years, with their ambitions and aspirations worn down. They would only want to live a carefree life, indulging in food and laziness, and even their petty tricks and schemes could be justified.

    But the music had stopped, yet the crowd had not dispersed.

    Yue Dingtang did not let go, instead moving closer and speaking slowly.

    "Be careful, don''t try to take advantage and end up burning yourself."

    Ling Shu grinned, "Isn''t Captain Yue here to protect me? If there''s a problem, I''ll come to you. Don''t worry, besides Shen Shiqi, have you ever seen me come into conflict with anyone else? Everyone loves me, and flowers bloom wherever I go."

    Yue Dingtang snorted coldly, suddenly pushing him away and pointing a finger at Ling Shu.

    "At the dance party of the Zhen family, there were many people like Shen Shiqi who were difficult to deal with, and there were even more formidable opponents. You, behave yourself for me."

    Ling Shu pretended to bow respectfully.

    "Yes, sir!"

    Author''s note: In the previous chapter, although the historical place names were followed, the university mentioned was fictional, including the one where Yue Dingtang was located. To avoid confusion, the name of the university was changed.

 CH 52

    The news of the Paramount Hall opening had already spread throughout the streets and alleys of Shanghai, just after the holiday season.

    Shanghai was a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers resided, and those who could stand firm here were not ordinary people.

    Whether they worked in the government or on the streets, sometimes you could come across someone who seemed ordinary and unremarkable, blending in with the crowd. But perhaps their uncle''s wife''s second cousin had some incredible connections.

    However, being able to open a dance hall in Shanghai was even more extraordinary.

    Otherwise, today a small gangster would come to collect protection fees, and tomorrow some police officers would come looking for trouble, and the business would not be able to continue.

    Opening a dance hall is no easy feat, let alone one as grand as the Paramount Hall.

    On its opening day, Mayor Wu himself gave a speech and even the Qing Gang bosses came to show their support.

    Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that this owner had connections in both the black and white worlds, and causing trouble would only lead to a bloody end.

    But the name Paramount Hall was too foreign for the common folk to remember, so it was replaced with the catchy and easy-to-pronounce name of "Bailemen".

    Even the wealthy young ladies who had returned from studying abroad couldn''t be bothered to remember its original pronunciation and joined in with the crowd in calling it Bailemen.

    Meanwhile, Yue Dingtang was away on a three-day business trip to Nanjing.

    In these past three days, Ling Shu has been like a bird released from its cage.

    Today, he made plans to have dinner and go dancing with Cheng Si, and tomorrow he showed up uninvited at Yue Dingtang''s house to mooch a meal. Even though Yue Dingtang wasn''t there, the servants couldn''t possibly turn him away.

    With Ling Shu around, the house was never lonely. Ling Shu felt completely at ease and didn''t have the habit of eating in silence.

    He chatted with the old housekeeper about the latest gossip while eating. The old housekeeper really liked Ling Shu.

    Although the food at Yue Dingtang''s house wasn''t as good as when the owners were present, the old duck soup and scallion oil noodles were still the same.

    Without Yue Dingtang constantly probing and hiding his true intentions, Ling Shu was able to relax completely. He enjoyed his days in ease and comfort, even humming a little tune before going to sleep.

    Miss Zhen''s birthday banquet was held at the newly opened Bailemen.

    When Ling Shu arrived in the evening, the entrance was already bustling with cars and people.

    The line of cars stretched from the front gate all the way to the back, and the doorman responsible for greeting guests was bending over so much that his back couldn''t straighten and his hands had gone numb.

    This showed just how many guests there were, and gave a glimpse into Miss Zhen''s social connections.

    Compared to others who made grand entrances, Ling Shu appeared low-key and unassuming.

    He didn''t arrive in a car, didn''t bring a gift, and came empty-handed, almost to the point of being shabby. Fortunately, his face was still pleasing to the eye.

    After the Zhen family verified his invitation, they let him in.

    Since its construction, Ling Shu had never visited this place. Passing by on a regular day, one could only see the magnificent exterior, shining and glamorous.

    It was assumed that the interior would not be any less impressive. But upon entering, one would realize that it was a whole new world.

    Under the decoration of colorful glass bulbs, the large dance floor sparkled and shone. This was the only dance hall in all of Shanghai with a spring floor.

    Many people took pride in being able to come here and dance, even the tips were of a different level compared to other places.

    Various small and medium-sized dance floors were scattered around the central large pool.

    Usually, they were reserved separately, but today, the entire Bailemen was serving only one person.

    That person was Zhen Congyun.

    Dressed in a suit and leather shoes, with a pleasant fragrance emanating from their clothes and a dignified demeanor, the people invited by the Zhen family were naturally of high status and there was no chance of any poor, sneaky person slipping in, nor any chance of a wanted criminal being mistakenly recognized here.

    Ling Shu was quite interested in this and thought to himself that he was probably the most destitute person in the room.

    He took a glass of champagne and hid in a corner, enjoying himself as if he were a recluse observing the world, with a sense of pleasure that others could not understand.

    If Yue Dingtang were here, he would have realized that Ling Shu was just being lazy.

    Miss Zhen, the protagonist, had not yet appeared, and guests continued to arrive.

    "Hey! Ling Shu?!"

    His shoulder was suddenly tapped.

    Ling Shu turned around and was surprised to see his old classmate Lin Dingkang, whom he had met at the consulate banquet last time.

    "How did you end up here?" Lin Dingkang looked incredulous, but quickly realized his question was inappropriate and laughed, "Well, well, well, Ling Shu, absence makes the heart grow fonder!"

    Lin Dingkang was a translator at the consulate, and although he wasn''t quite qualified to receive an invitation on his own, there was no problem with coming in with the Americans.

    Since Ling Shu was able to attend the consulate banquet with Yue Dingtang last time, attending Miss Zhen''s birthday banquet was naturally not a big problem.

    He naturally assumed that Ling Shu had come with Yue Dingtang.

    "Where''s Dingtang? Haven''t seen him around," Lin Dingkang looked around.

    "He went to Nanjing for a meeting, I came alone," Ling Shu replied.

    Lin Dingkang half enviously and half jokingly said, "He treats you really well. If I lose my job in the future, I''ll come join you guys. You have to put in a good word for me, okay?"

    The invitation was personally given by Miss Zhen. Ling Shu saw his misunderstanding but didn''t explain. He just smiled and chatted with her.

    "You didn''t bring a female companion?"

    "No, did you? It''s okay. The dancers at the Bailemen have all been hired by the Zhen family tonight. They''ll dance with the guests later and won''t charge any fees. If you like one, just go talk to her. As long as she''s willing, even if you don''t pay, it''s not a problem. Haha!"

    "Who''s that?"

    Ling Shu suddenly pointed to a group of people coming in at the door.

    "That''s Zhen family''s fourth son, Zhen Ainong, the younger brother of Zhen Congyun''s father."

    "I meant the two next to him."

    Lin Dingkang exclaimed, "It''s people from the Japanese Consulate, one is Counselor Sada Mitsuki, and the other I don''t know, but he looks like Sada''s secretary."

    Ling Shu said, "The Zhen family is truly impressive. Not only did they invite people from the Consulate to celebrate Miss Zhen''s birthday, but also the leaders of the Qing Gang. Even if someone from Nanjing comes over later to congratulate Miss Zhen, I wouldn''t be surprised."

    Lin Dingkang laughed, "Indeed, these people can easily provide us with a year''s worth of food just by lifting a finger. Honestly, I didn''t expect Miss Zhen''s birthday celebration to be so grand. These guests are not easy to invite. I heard that Miss Zhen is still unmarried and has no boyfriend. If she falls in love at first sight tonight, he might become the lucky groom of the Zhen family. That would truly be a life-changing opportunity!"

    He talked on and on, only to realize that Ling Shu was not paying attention to him at all. Half of his focus was not even on him. He followed Ling Shu''s gaze and looked over.

    There was a beautiful woman in a wine-red cheongsam, holding onto the arm of a middle-aged man. The two of them were whispering to each other, their heads almost touching, as if they were intimate.

    The woman''s appearance was truly outstanding, surpassing most of the same gender here. Many gazes fell on her and lingered for more than three seconds.

    "Oh, isn''t that He You''an? She''s here too? The man next to her is not Shen Shiqi, who is he?"

    It was normal for Lin Dingkang to not recognize Mr. Cheng, whom he had never met before. Ling Shu remained silent.

    His gaze passed over He You''an and Mr. Cheng, through the bustling crowd, and landed in a corner not far away.

    There stood a person. Just like Ling Shu from a few minutes ago, he was alone and didn''t communicate with anyone around him.

    No one approached him for a chat, as if an invisible barrier separated him from the people around him.

    Their position was just a few steps up from the staircase, giving them a sense of superiority without being too conspicuous, perfect for observing and recognizing people.

    He saw the person staring in the direction of He You''an, expressionless and not seeming friendly.

    The person exuded an aura that was definitely not that of a good person.

    "Who is that person?" Ling Shu raised his chin, gesturing for Lin Dingkang to take a look.

    "The one standing next to the wine cabinet." Lin Dingkang focused his gaze, "It seems to be someone from Lu Tongcang''s side, named... Jiang something?"

    "Jiang He." Ling Shu corrected him. Lin Dingkang nodded in agreement, "Yes, Jiang He! He''s a ruthless person who kills without blinking an eye. Although he has the trust of Lu Tongcang and has some ability, it''s still better to avoid dealing with him if there''s no need."

    Through the crowd, the other party seemed to feel Ling Shu''s gaze on him and looked over in their direction.

    Lin Dingkang quickly averted his gaze, turned around, and pretended to drink his wine as if nothing had happened.

    However, Ling Shu did not dodge and instead raised his cup in a distant toast to Jiang He.

    Jiang He glanced at him coldly and turned away without any response.

    "Do you know each other?" Lin Dingkang couldn''t help but ask.

    "We didn''t know each other before, but now we do," Ling Shu shrugged.

    Lin Dingkang was speechless and thought he had a big heart.

    Out of old classmates'' friendship and his good relationship with Yue Dingtang, he reminded Ling Shu once again.

    "Do you remember the sensational headless corpse case from last year? It was said that the victim had offended Jiang He, which led to him being beheaded and dismembered by his men. To this day, no one dares to investigate further, and it remains unresolved. He usually follows Lu Tongcang around, responsible for doing all the dirty work that Lu Tongcang can''t do himself. He''s got blood on his hands, more than you can imagine."

    Ling Shu patted his shoulder.

    "Don''t worry, I understand."

    As they spoke, there was a commotion at the door.

    Many people looked up and turned towards the source of the disturbance.

    First, the gatekeeper cleared the way.

    Then, there was a glimmer of starlight and a gorgeous trailing skirt.

    Finally, it was Zhen Congyun, who was surrounded by many people and gracefully entered the room.

    The crowd automatically made way for her, allowing her to pass through unimpeded and bask in the admiring gazes.

    Zhen Congyun was calm and composed, showing no signs of nervousness or shyness. It was clear that she was used to this kind of scene. She walked directly onto the central stage and spoke into the microphone with ease.

    "Today is my birthday. Thank you all for coming and I wish you all a good time," she said, snapping her fingers as the band immediately started playing.

    The guests remained still, waiting for her to start dancing. She had come alone, surrounded by many young and handsome men. Zhen Congyun was bound to choose one of them.

    Those who had come with their female companions were probably regretting it now. The first dance held a different meaning, and many who thought they were qualified couldn''t help but show their eagerness on their faces.

    One even took the initiative to step forward and extend their hands towards Zhen Congyun.

    "Miss Zhen, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance the first dance?" he asked.

    Ling Shu knew the person who made the request. He came from a family that had been in the government for several generations, from the late Qing Dynasty to the Beiyang government, and then to the Republic of China. With the Zhen family''s status, they were more than a match.

    However, Zhen Congyun just smiled at him and did not take his hand.

    The man felt a bit embarrassed and had to retract his hand after a moment of hesitation.

    There were also many self-confident people who took the initiative to invite Zhen Congyun, including even the leaders of the Qing Gang and government officials.

    But Zhen Congyun politely declined all of them.

    "Miss Zhen has high standards," Lin Dingkang couldn''t help but mutter.

    "Choosing one person means offending others. It''s better to choose no one and find an outsider that no one dares to resent," Ling Shu smiled. Miss Zhen''s ideas were much smarter than the average person''s, no wonder she had been her father''s secretary.

    As soon as he finished speaking, Zhen Congyun walked towards them.

 CH 53

    Ling Shu felt that Zhen Congyun didn''t come for him at first.

    The target was the French consul not far in front of him.

    The French are romantic and love to join in the fun. Zhen Congyun''s birthday party caused a sensation in Shanghai, and both politicians and businessmen had to give her face. While other countries'' consuls might send a secretary to represent them, the French consul was interested enough to come in person.

    Choosing him as the first dance partner was both dignified and left no room for criticism.

    Those who were dissatisfied would definitely not dare to cause trouble for the "foreigner".

    It made perfect sense.

    However, when Zhen Congyun saw Ling Shu behind the French consul, she changed her mind at the last minute.

    Ling Shu felt uneasy and turned to leave, but it was already too late.

    Miss Zhen walked towards him with a smile on her face, extending her jade hand.

    "Mr. Ling, may I invite you to dance with me?"

    The crowd was stunned and in an uproar.

    Most of the people present did not know Mr. Ling. But it didn''t matter, from tonight on, Mr. Ling would become a celebrity in Shanghai.

    Because Miss Zhen had chosen an unknown young man over many young talents and big shots.

    Although he was indeed very handsome, and the light on his face was almost impossible to ignore, but with so many outstanding people present, how could he be the only one?

    Lin Dingkang was already stunned. He looked dreamy and even doubted whether he had not yet woken up.

    His face couldn''t help but show a dazed expression as he muttered to himself, "A true person does not reveal their appearance, and one who reveals their appearance is not a true person!"

    If only he had known twenty years ago that he could win over Miss Zhen with just his face, Lin Dingkang thought he would have stuffed himself back into his mother''s womb and come out as a fresh-faced young man again.

    He could already see Miss Zhen and Ling Shu walking hand in hand into the marriage hall, becoming the talk of the town in all of Shanghai, with Ling Shu''s success story of jumping over the dragon gate.

    To go or not to go.

    Ling Shu was hesitating.

    He didn''t have as many ridiculous fantasies as Lin Dingkang, nor did he have any grand ambitions.

    He had only wanted to come here for a sumptuous dinner and to find an opportunity to get closer to Miss Zhen, so that he could come and go as he pleased in the future. As he had told Yue Dingtang, if he could use this opportunity to get in touch with Director Wang, it would be one more path for him in the future.

    But he didn''t need to get so close all at once! The gazes that fell upon him were like sharp arrows, making Ling Shu''s scalp tingle.

    "I''m not very good at dancing, I only know a little waltz," Ling Shu said, taking Miss Zhen''s hand.

    If Zhen Congyun wanted to dance the rumba, she would willingly give up on him.

    If Zhen Congyun still insisted on dancing with Ling Shu, then his actions would not have caused her to lose face.

    "It''s okay, then let''s waltz. Just follow my rhythm," Zhen Congyun smiled, her skirt swaying like waves, shimmering brightly.

    She was surprisingly easy to talk to, so Ling Shu had no choice but to obey.

    The people around them saw that the dance was already set, so they dispersed and waited for them to spin into the center of the dance floor, surrounding them like stars around the moon.

    "Why aren''t you curious why I chose you?" Zhen Congyun asked as they danced gracefully. The voice was low, just between the two of them.

    "Ling Shu: "I have two answers, I don''t know which one to choose."

    "Zhen Congyun: "Oh?"

    "Ling Shu: "The first one is that my outstanding demeanor made you overlook the more suitable French consul. After all, being born with good looks is something that my parents gave me, I can''t help it."

    Zhen Congyun was amused by his words.

    "What about the second one?"

    "Ling Shu: "The second one is that Miss Zhen doesn''t like me and wants to see the show of this unknown little guy being hated and envied by everyone. Maybe, as soon as I step out of the Bailemen tonight, I''ll be blindfolded and beaten up and thrown into a dark alley."

    Zhen Congyun smiled slyly, "If it were me, I would say it''s the second one."

    Ling Shu said, "I have held Miss Zhen''s jade hand and danced with her, but can only bear a little of the weight that should not have been borne in my life."

    Zhen Congyun replied, "Talking to you is really interesting. If only I had met you earlier."

    Ling Shu had a bad feeling about her words and said, "This kind of talk often leads to something unpleasant."

    Zhen Congyun explained, "Tonight at the ball, there were countless people who wanted to get close to me and strike up a conversation. Some were favored by the Zhen family, while others were not to be offended. I was overwhelmed and didn''t know who to choose. Instead of picking one and making others unhappy, I decided to choose someone with the least background, so that everyone would have nothing to say."

    Ling Shu sighed, "Yue Dingtang is my immediate superior. You could say I have the least amount of background. It would be difficult for Captain Yue."

    Zhen Congyun smiled, "The Yue family does carry weight, but you''re neither Yue Dingtang''s brother nor his wife. Would he offend others for your sake? As for the assistant position, it can easily be replaced. Even with the bond of old classmates, your current job is already a favor from him, isn''t it?"

    Ling Shu replied, "It seems Miss Zhen has investigated me thoroughly. I feel like I''m completely exposed in front of you, like I''m standing naked."

    Zhen Congyun said, "I always make sure to investigate the background of anyone who gets close to me. Otherwise, how can I handle any potential danger?"

    Ling Shu nodded, "Makes sense. Others may be like hot cakes, but you are a big piece of gold. Hot cakes may be left on the road and only those who have not eaten will pick them up. But if you stand on the street, anyone will be tempted by you."

    Zhen Congyun pretended to be angry, "How can you use gold to describe women? Usually, people say roses."

    Ling Shu replied, "Roses will wither, but gold will always hold its value and never fade. Besides, while the French may find roses romantic, the Chinese may not be impressed. But gold is different. Who doesn''t like it among people from all over the world?"

    Zhen Congyun laughed again. Many of the small characters surrounding her often had extreme attitudes.

    They either flattered her excessively, hoping to gain some benefits from her, or pretended to be high-minded, using their rebelliousness to cover up their inferiority, as if this could eliminate the gap in their status.

    But Ling Shu was different.

    He was neither like the two types of people mentioned above, nor was he timid or shy. Even in such a situation, he could move freely and confidently.

    This could be said to be a kind of talent.

    Perhaps it was related to his past family background.

    "After the three dances are over and during the intermission, follow me and I''ll introduce you to some people. How much you can network depends on yourself." Zhen Congyun threw him a candy.

    Ling Shu dared not take the candy, afraid that there was rat poison inside.

    As the music ended, regardless of whether or not he dared to accept, Zhen Congyun and Ling Shu separated in an instant. She lightly touched her two fingers to her fiery red lips and blew a flying kiss towards Ling Shu.

    Zhen Congyun gracefully lifted her skirt and elegantly exited, not taking a single cloud with her.

    Meanwhile, Ling Shu was surrounded by a multitude of different gazes and voices.

    Those words and looks were like a hundred thousand arrows shot with precision towards Ling Shu. But he put on his armor of indifference, shaking off those arrows and disappearing into the crowd in the blink of an eye.

    As the music started up again, people took their partners'' hands and danced gracefully on the dance floor.

    Ling Shu''s name had already quietly appeared on many people''s lips, lingering in the air long after the first dance had ended.

    Lin Dingkang''s mind was filled with question marks, and he was looking for an opportunity to interrogate Ling Shu. This old classmate always seemed to bring him many surprises when he least expected it.

    Looking around, he just caught a glimpse of someone who looked like Ling Shu, but the next moment the person disappeared like a slippery eel in the crowd, evading anyone who tried to catch him.

    Although there was a lot of attention just now, in reality, only the closest people could see Ling Shu''s appearance clearly. The rest only knew his name but not his face. If Ling Shu walked away and stood in a corner, he would not be noticed by anyone.

    After arriving, he only had two sips of champagne and didn''t even taste the small cake.

    Ling Shu truly regretted that he had attracted so much attention. He picked up the strawberry cake closest to him and placed it on his plate, using a fork to take a small bite and savoring the sweet and sour taste of the strawberry sauce mixed with the creamy aroma.

    He had heard that tonight''s buffet was all ordered and delivered by the Zhen family from outside, using the skills of foreign chefs. It seemed that the skills of these foreign chefs were truly extraordinary.

    Ling Shu thought to himself that the annoyance of being used as a shield by Miss Zhen had dissipated somewhat.

    With his appetite appeased, he had time to do other things. He looked up and casually scanned the surroundings, while also avoiding the light and shadow.

    Suddenly, Ling Shu''s gaze stopped at one place. He saw Jiang He. This person was standing on the balcony not far away. Through the fluttering window screens, his face was vaguely visible.

    Lin Dingkang had just introduced him, and Ling Shu was impressed and quickly recognized him.

    Tonight, Jiang He was supposed to accompany Lu Tongcang, but the person he was talking to on the balcony was not Lu Tongcang. It was Chen Wendong, the driver of He You''an.

    Not long ago, Chen Wendong was just listed as one of the suspects in the serial threat letter case. According to He You''an, Jiang He had warned her not to get too close to Lu Tongcang.

    To others, Jiang He was a ruthless person who could do anything for Lu Tongcang''s safety. Even Lin Dingkang advised Ling Shu not to provoke Jiang He easily.

    Jiang He and Chen Wendong, two people who should not have any involvement, are now standing together and talking.

    If it were a chance encounter, with Jiang He''s unwelcoming aura, he would never have any interaction with He You''an''s driver.

    Does this mean that He You''an''s guess was true?

    The mastermind behind these threatening letters is indeed Chen Wendong?

    He couldn''t have done it alone, so he conspired with Jiang He?

    As Ling Shu was still enjoying his cake, the two people on the balcony had already separated. Chen Wendong hurriedly went inside and quickly disappeared into the crowd. The lights flickered, making it difficult for Ling Shu to find him.

    He decided to follow Jiang He.

    Just as the third dance ended, Jiang He put out his cigarette and left the balcony, heading towards the door. Without hesitation, Ling Shu put down his cake and followed him.

    He had a feeling that tonight might be the night to uncover the mystery of the death letters. At the very least, he could solve part of the puzzle.

    As for Miss Zhen''s offer to introduce him to her connections, it didn''t seem that important anymore.

 CH 54

    The Bailemen was located in the only area in Shanghai that did not border the suburbs, known as the aristocratic district.

    But even the aristocratic district was not entirely safe.

    In this era, amidst chaos there was order, and amidst order there was chaos. People from all over the country gathered here, hoping to make a name for themselves, with storms brewing and heroes emerging. Underneath the turbulent waves, there was not peace and tranquility, but rather even more dangerous storms and tsunamis.

    At this moment, Ling Shu followed behind Jiang He and hurriedly walked out of the Bailemen, looking up at the sky.

    The wind was strong and still piercingly cold, but there was not a trace of moon or starlight to be seen, only dark clouds filling the sky.

    Ling Shu remembered an old saying.

    "When the moon is black, people are killed at night; when the wind is high, fires are set in the sky."

    On a night like this, it was very suitable for something to happen. Jiang He''s actions were a bit strange. He had come to the banquet with Lu Tongcang, but now he was walking alone, without waiting for the driver or getting into any car. He just wrapped his coat tightly around himself and turned left without looking back.

    Ling Shu quickened his pace and followed the same left turn. He didn''t want to reveal himself, so he peeked his head out from behind the wall.

    Sure enough, not far away, Jiang He had stopped and suddenly turned around!

    Ling Shu quickly pulled his head back!

    That was close!

    He almost got caught.

    After counting to three in his head, Ling Shu peeked his head out again, but Jiang He had already walked far away.

    His shadow was stretched long by the street lamp, giving off an eerie feeling in the dark.

    It was like an unknown monster lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce at any moment.

    Jiang He was the kind of person who lived on the edge, constantly licking the blade of danger. His vigilance was extraordinary, for if it wasn''t, he would have been dead long ago.

    Therefore, the cardinal rule of tailing someone like him was to never get too close, especially at night when there were no pedestrians to provide cover.

    Even if your footsteps were as light as a feather, the silence of the night could betray you with echoes.

    But you couldn''t stay too far away either, or risk losing your target altogether.

    Jiang He was clearly not an ordinary night traveler. He had left the Bailemen for a specific purpose, or else he wouldn''t have left so early in the evening.

    This made him even more alert, and tailing him became a delicate art. It was easy to tail an average person, but tailing a master without being detected was the true test of skill.

    Ling Shu was quite satisfied with his own tailing skills. He and Jiang He maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, always keeping each other in sight.

    But Ling Shu also noticed that the other party had been wandering in the alley, constantly turning corners, as if aimless, yet also seemed to want to shake off their pursuer.

    He could be sure that Jiang He did not know of his existence.

    So why was Jiang He doing this?

    Bang!

    A gunshot in the middle of the night seemed to answer Ling Shu''s question.

    The gunshot came from the front, and it was very likely where Jiang He was.

    Ling Shu didn''t have time for anything else and hurried towards the sound.

    Then he saw Jiang He in a gunfight with four people who were trying to surround and kill him.

    ...

    Jiang He crouched down, his back against the wall.

    The stench of garbage wafted over, not much different from the environment where Jiang He grew up.

    He closed his eyes and reached for his arm.

    As expected, it was soaked in blood. The alley was cluttered with debris, providing enough cover for Jiang He to hide for a moment. However, it wouldn''t last long. With the skills of those four men, even if he emptied the bullets in his magazine, he might not be able to take them all down.

    But if he could fight for his life and find a way out, Jiang He was willing to give it a try. After all, he had experienced too many life-and-death moments and survived only by his abilities and luck.

    He hoped that his luck tonight wouldn''t be too bad. They had already left Zhabei, the aristocratic district, and the night patrol police were nowhere to be seen. The intense gunfire wouldn''t attract any onlookers either. Nearby residents knew that curiosity at this time could only bring disaster upon themselves.

    The footsteps grew closer and closer. As Jiang He concealed himself among the debris, the other side was also moving forward, taking advantage of the clutter. Jiang He perked up his ears and listened carefully, then suddenly popped up and fired two shots at the other side!

    Bang! Bang!

    One person on the other side was hit in the shoulder and fell to the ground.

    Jiang He didn''t hesitate and immediately retreated, but he was still a step too late.

    The people lying in ambush behind him almost simultaneously opened fire!

    Jiang He''s muffled groans echoed clearly in the alley.

    The assassins looked at each other and could hear the pain in his voice, unable to fake it.

    Several people stood up from behind cover and slowly surrounded Jiang He.

    Getting closer and closer.

    From dozens of meters to just a few meters away.

    Jiang He''s heart was pounding as he slowly tightened his grip on the gun in his hand.

    He only had one gun, if he had two, he could have caught them off guard and shot in both directions, giving himself a chance to survive.

    But with only one gun, it meant he could only choose one direction to defend himself.

    His back was exposed, leaving him vulnerable to the enemy''s attack.

    His pocket watch was pressed tightly against his chest, the hands ticking away the seconds in silence.

    Five.

    Four.

    Three.

    Two.

    Jiang He was ready to unleash his full force, to fight with all his might and carve out a path of blood.

    But in the final second--

    Gunshots rang out once again!

    Not from him, nor from the assassins closing in on him, but from even further away!

    Jiang He''s heart skipped a beat as he realized this was a golden opportunity.

    Whether friend or foe, this was his only chance to escape with his life!

    He leapt up and charged towards one of the enemies, firing two shots before quickly rolling behind a pile of garbage on the other side.

    As expected, the enemy''s attention was drawn away by the other gunshots. By the time they realized what had happened, one of them had already been shot in a vital spot. One person immediately lunged towards Jiang He!

    Jiang He grabbed some garbage and threw it at him, but his body was heading in the opposite direction.

    Because there were still two people behind him.

    Several gunshots rang out in succession, and Jiang He was hit in the waist and ribs by another bullet. But at the same time, he had already rushed to the front of the other person, shot and took down both of them, then without looking back, ran out of the alley!

    There were still people chasing after him.

    Their mission was definitely to leave no survivors. They had been paid to take his life, so naturally they would have to bring back his body. They couldn''t just let Jiang He go so easily.

    He could only keep running forward, stumbling and staggering, turning at every road and avoiding people.

    He couldn''t tell if the lights were getting darker or if his vision was getting blurry. The gunshot wound in his waist and ribs was causing intense pain, his nerves were jumping and his muscles were twitching, making it even more unbearable than the injury to his arm. Jiang He took a deep breath, but felt like he was inhaling his own blood, the smell of iron and sweetness clogging his throat.

    The noise behind him grew closer.

    The enemy was still biting onto him tightly, but Jiang He finally darted into a corner, leaning against the wall, gasping heavily. His arm was slightly bent, fingers gripping the trigger, ready to fire the last bullet at the closest enemy.

    Even in death, he wanted to take someone down with him.

    They''re here!

    Every nerve in his body screamed danger, and Jiang He suddenly burst out, pulling the trigger at the same time!

    Bang!

    He missed.

    He missed?!

    Before Jiang He could even react, his wrist was twisted and he let go of the gun, which fell to the ground. The enemy didn''t immediately shoot him, but instead pulled him back and pressed him against the wall.

    "Shh!" The other person covered Jiang He''s mouth and gestured for him to be quiet, then pulled him into a nearby alleyway.

    After pushing open a dilapidated door, the two of them quickly entered and the door was shut once again.

    Jiang He could hear the sounds outside growing fainter and couldn''t help but struggle, pushing the other person away.

    "Who are you?" he asked.

    "I am your savior, Mr. Jiang. Shouldn''t you show a little more gratitude to your savior?" The other person''s voice was low, but his tone was not serious.

    The light from afar was very dim, and Jiang He could only vaguely make out the contours of the other person''s face.

    He must be a very handsome man.

    Handsome men were not uncommon, but very handsome men were much rarer.

    Combined with his attire...

    Jiang He suddenly remembered.

    "Ling Shu?"

    "You know me?" Ling Shu was a bit surprised.

    "When you were dancing with Miss Zhen, I was nearby," Jiang He said. "I noticed you were observing me as soon as you arrived at the Bailemen, and now you''re even following me. Why?"

    Ling Shu replied, "If I hadn''t been observing you, how would I have known you were leaving early? And if I hadn''t followed you, how could I have missed the opportunity to get close to you and save your life? Your focus should be on that, shouldn''t it?"

    Jiang He pursed his lips, as if suppressing pain, and repeated his question. "We had no prior connection, why?"

    "Because of He You''an''s case," Ling Shu answered.

    Jiang He furrowed his brow, his scrutinizing gaze as sharp as ever despite his injury. It was like he was trying to see right through Ling Shu, as if he were a piece of wood being carved with a knife and axe.

    "I don''t know He You''an," Jiang He said.

    "Then why did you meet with her driver, Chen Wendong?"

    As soon as Ling Shu raised his question, Jiang He''s eyes were filled with killing intent. But Ling Shu was not afraid at all, standing his ground as the two silently clashed in the darkness.

    It wasn''t until a disturbance outside broke the silence. The assassins must have been unable to catch their target and returned.

    They were now kicking the door, and the already fragile latch was quickly breaking apart. Ling Shu didn''t have time to continue questioning and pulled Jiang He inside to hide.

    This was an abandoned residential building that had been empty since the previous owner moved out, and the smell of dust could be smelled everywhere.

    Ling Shu had stumbled upon it by chance while passing by.

    But Jiang He held his hand, not letting him go any further, and instead pointed to the wall in another direction, indicating that he should climb out from there. Ling Shu glanced at his wound.

    "Can you do it?"

    "Let''s go!" Jiang He was a man of few words, tough on others and even tougher on himself.

    He immediately stepped forward and climbed the wall.

    Ling Shu had been shot before and knew how painful it was. He immediately gave Jiang He a thumbs up from behind.

    What a man!

    The two of them crossed the low wall, with Ling Shu holding onto Jiang He as they ran.

    Ling Shu didn''t want to bring Jiang He to his own home or his in-laws'' home, so he could only follow Jiang He''s instructions and take a winding path into the concession.

    "That red western-style building ahead, the key is in my pocket, you take it."

    Jiang He''s breathing became more and more rapid, but his voice became lower and lower. If it weren''t for Ling Shu supporting his weight, he probably would have collapsed on the ground by now.

    Ling Shu reached into his jacket pocket and fumbled around for a moment, and sure enough, he found a key.

    "You''ve been shot, you should go to the hospital first, right? Hey, hey, don''t pass out on me, I still need to ask you about He You''an!"

    Before Ling Shu could finish his sentence, the other person''s shoulders slumped and he fainted.

    Ling Shu: ...

    With pursuers on their tail and a burden to carry, the best solution was to just toss the person aside and not care about them.

    Ling Shu grimaced, realizing he had just created a huge problem for himself.

    If Yue Dingtang returned from Nanjing and found out that he had teamed up with Lu Tongcang''s underling to escape in the middle of the night, who knows what expression he would make.

    Author''s note:

    Old Yue should be back from his business trip in the next chapter, and he will discover that Ling Shu has caused another big incident.

    Yue Dingtang: Why can''t you just be a helper and stay out of trouble every day?

    Ling Shu: How else would the story develop?

    Yue Dingtang: ...That''s a good point. I have nothing to say.

 CH 55

    Crack, crack.

    Jiang He had a strange dream.

    He dreamed that he had turned into an apple tree.

    The tree was laden with fruit, covered in ripe, red, and crispy Shandong apples.

    The apples were so ripe that they fell off the tree on their own.

    A person stood under the tree, catching the apples and taking a bite.

    Crunch, crunch.

    It never stopped.

    Jiang He opened his eyes.

    The first thing he saw was the white wall, followed by the iron frame and the drip bottles.

    A young man sat not far from his bed, eating an apple.

    Crunch, crunch.

    Jiang He''s teeth felt a little sour.

    He looked at the young man, and the young man looked back at him.

    After a while, the young man held up the apple core in his hand.

    "Do you want some?"

    Jiang He: ... "Where am I?"

    He suddenly became alert.

    "Did you bring me to the hospital?"

    Coming to the hospital meant his whereabouts were exposed, and the killer would soon come knocking.

    Instinctively, he tried to get up, but his hand felt a sharp pain.

    He had pulled out the needle, and blood droplets oozed out.

    Jiang He felt as if he had crossed over to another world.

    He remembered going to celebrate Miss Zhen''s birthday at the Bailemen, where guests were dressed in their finest attire.

    Miss Zhen was the most beautiful of them all, but there was also He You''an, who outshone everyone else. He also remembered how Miss Zhen ignored all the wealthy young men in Shanghai and chose an unknown pretty boy to dance the first dance with.

    He also remembered leaving early, being chased by a killer, who was determined to take his life.

    He was alone, exhausted, and had been shot.

    Then, someone suddenly appeared... It was the young man in front of him.

    His name was ¨C

    "Ling..."

    "Shu."

    Ling Shu finished his apple and tossed the core aside.

    "Don''t worry, you''re not in the hospital. This is a Western clinic in the concession, and the doctor is a foreigner. Those people won''t find you here for now. You can take your time to recover and have your men come pick you up later."

    Jiang He''s memories slowly returned.

    He seemed to have been dragged along half-consciously.

    The sensation of his feet dragging on the ground was so strong that his legs still felt numb and sore, as if... he had fallen?

    To confirm that his memory was not mistaken, he lifted the blanket and rolled up his pant leg.

    Sure enough, there was gauze on his knee, and he could see the red swelling at the edge.

    Jiang He looked up at Ling Shu.

    The latter exclaimed, "How come your knee is still injured? That''s not my problem! I almost lost my life trying to save you!"

    Jiang He asked, "What about those people?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Lost track of them."

    Jiang He said, "That''s impossible. They are skilled trackers, and I''m injured. Even if you took down one of the four assassins, there were still three left. It''s almost impossible for you to escape alone."

    Even if Ling Shu managed to take down one of the four assassins, there were still three left. It seemed almost impossible for him to escape alone.

    Ling Shu explained, "After you passed out, I didn''t take you over the wall. Instead, I ran into the house. After we left through the front door, there were three forks in the road. I made some adjustments to make them think we went down one of the paths, so they split up to follow us. But in reality, we were hiding in the house. I waited until they were far away before taking you with me."

    Jiang He remained noncommittal, unsure if he believed him or was simply impressed by Ling Shu''s quick wit.

    Ling Shu couldn''t be bothered with what he was thinking.

    "During your surgery, I ate two apples, a roujiamo, and a bowl of soy milk, totaling one point five cents. Seeing as we''re in this together, I''ll cover the rest. Also, if it weren''t for me earlier, you would have died on the street. After you passed out, you didn''t have enough money on you, so I covered the fees. With the debt of saving your life and helping you escape, what do you say?"

    Jiang He was silent for a moment.

    "Once I''m healed, I''ll go get the money and personally deliver it to your home."

    Ling Shu mockingly bowed. "Thank you then. Since we''re now life and death friends, may I ask you a few unrelated questions? You wouldn''t refuse a friend, would you?"

    Jiang He remained silent, but Ling Shu didn''t mind and continued to ask.

    "What is your relationship with He You''an?" Ling Shu asked with a serious tone.

    "We have no relationship. I told you, I don''t know her," Jiang He replied.

    Ling Shu stood up and sat on the edge of the bed, speaking with a heavy heart. "Old Jiang, this is not fair. I went through so much trouble to help you escape, risking our lives, and you still won''t be straightforward. If you have no relationship with her, then why did you secretly meet with Chen Wendong on the balcony of the Bailemen club?"

    "I didn''t seek him out, he came to find me," Jiang He explained.

    "Why did he come to find you?" Ling Shu asked.

    "To buy a life," Jiang He replied.

    "Whose life?" Ling Shu quickly corrected himself, realizing the question was inappropriate.

    "Wait a minute. You may not know this, but I have been commissioned by He You''an to find the culprit behind the death threats she has been receiving. If your answer has nothing to do with this matter, then you don''t need to answer me."

    "It''s related," Jiang He replied.

    Ling Shu was taken aback and before he could think deeply, he saw a hint of a smile on Jiang He''s pale lips, his eyes seemingly filled with malicious glee.

    "He wants to buy your life," Jiang He said.

    Ling Shu had been investigating the series of death threats against He You''an and traced it back to Chen Wendong.

    And now, Chen Wendong also wanted Ling Shu dead.

    What a coincidence.

    "I don''t even know him, we''ve barely spoken a few words," Ling Shu said.

    "I do things for money, I never ask for reasons. If he pays and I''m willing, I''ll take the job," Jiang He replied with a shrug.

    Ling Shu pointed to himself and said, "Lao Jiang, look at me. Handsome and elegant, a rare gem in this world. Once I''m gone, there won''t be many like me left. Besides, I just saved your life today. Are you going to repay me with ingratitude?"

    Jiang He replied, "I can give you a large sum of money to repay your kindness, and then kill you. That way, we''ll be even."

    Ling Shu retorted, "What kind of repayment is that? Can you measure a life with money? Give me the money first, and I''ll run for my life. You can pretend you never saw me today. We''ll meet again someday, or maybe never."

    Jiang He hadn''t felt the simple joy of laughter in a long time. But as soon as he tried to laugh, the pain from his wounds made his face turn dark.

    Ling Shu thought he wouldn''t agree and sighed, "Oh well, I guess I''m out of luck. I was originally going to ask you for some reward money, but now it seems that if you can give me back the surgery fee and meal money, it''s almost enough. I''ll take the loss. In light of our acquaintance, let''s call it ten silver dollars. I know you have money in your jacket pocket. When we were running for our lives earlier, I had high moral character and didn''t take a single penny. Now that you''re awake, if I take the money in front of you, it''s not considered stealing, right?"

    After speaking, he really got up and reached for the coat hanging on the rack.

    Jiang He said, "I didn''t agree."

    "Hmm?" Ling Shu searched in the coat pocket without looking up.

    Jiang He said, "I didn''t accept his deal."

    Ling Shu immediately withdrew his hand, returned to the bedside, and smiled warmly, asking about Jiang He''s well-being.

    "Why didn''t you say earlier if your wound still hurts? I can have the doctor come in and give you more painkillers," said Ling Shu.

    Jiang He remained silent.

    "Did he offer too little money?" Ling Shu asked.

    Jiang He answered evasively, "He You''an is not as simple as you think."

    The tension was palpable.

    Ling Shu tucked him in and poured a glass of hot water. "You need to drink more hot water when you''re sick. Please continue."

    Jiang He couldn''t hold a cup with one arm shot and the other on a drip, but Ling Shu didn''t seem to have any intention of feeding him. Instead, he grabbed an apple from the side and took a big bite.

    Crunch.

    Jiang He said, "He You''an once asked me to kill two people."

    Ling Shu was horrified. "She? Asked you to kill? Who?"

    If that was true, He You''an was quite the actress.

    Jiang He said, "Xiao Jun and Chen Youhua."

    "What''s their background?" asked Ling Shu.

    These were two completely unfamiliar names, and Ling Shu couldn''t find any information about them in his memory.

    Jiang He explained, "One is a tailor at a tailor shop. His family has been in the tailoring business for three generations, and he is the fourth generation. The tailor shop has been open for decades, and although it''s not very famous, the neighbors are willing to go to him for clothes. The other is a newspaper employee who is responsible for printing the newspaper. He''s in his forties, and his children died young. He has a second wife from a remarriage, and he''s honest and hardworking. He goes home on time every day and is a bit of a homebody."

    Ling Shu frowned, "These two people seem to have no connection to He You''an. Are you sure she asked you to kill them?"

    Jiang He said, "The hit list and the money were handed to me in a file bag by He You''an himself. However, according to my investigation, it was Shen Shiqi who wanted the person killed. He You''an didn''t know what was in the file bag, she just followed Shen Shiqi''s orders and gave it to me."

    Ling Shu breathed a sigh of relief, "That''s good, I knew she wasn''t that kind of person. Are those two people still alive?"

    Jiang He replied, "One is dead, the other is alive."

    Ling Shu asked, "Have you ever failed a mission?"

    Jiang He answered, "Chen Youhua disappeared on the day the hitman was sent out. Nothing in his house was touched, he and his wife just vanished."

    Ling Shu said, "So you failed the mission? What happened afterwards?"

    Jiang He said, "After a month, my men happened to be in Hangzhou and saw Chen Youhua frequenting a bookstore there. What''s more, just as he went in, He You''an also entered the same bookstore."

    Ling Shu asked, "Why would He You''an be in Hangzhou?"

    Jiang He replied, "I later found out that those days, He You''an happened to be visiting relatives in Hangzhou. She said she had a distant aunt living there."

    Ling Shu laughed, "I knew it. Your curiosity is no less than mine. You must have dug deep to find out if He You''an really had such an aunt."

    Jiang He said, "She does. Her aunt lives not far from West Lake, is quite old, and has limited mobility. I sent someone to investigate and the other party did indeed call He You''an her niece and even knew her nickname."

    Ling Shu asked, "So you''re saying that it''s just a coincidence that He You''an appeared with Chen Youhua?"

    Jiang He replied coldly, "There are no coincidences in life. Too many coincidences can make people suspicious. That''s why I say that He You''an is not as simple as she seems on the surface."

    Ling Shu said, "But she couldn''t possibly ask me for help while also sending Chen Wendong to hire you to kill me, right? I have no grudges with her. What would be the point of doing that?"

 CH 56

    The appearance of Jiang He indeed provided Ling Shu with more clues.

    However, these clues made the situation even more complicated.

    Ling Shu briefly sorted through them and found that there were two possibilities for He You''an''s role in this matter.

    Firstly, Shen Shiqi asked her to hand over the list of people to be killed to Jiang He, and Chen Wendong asked Jiang He to come and kill himself. In all of this, He You''an was completely unaware and only acted as a mediator.

    She didn''t know what was in the file folder, nor did she know Chen Wendong''s intentions. At most, she only linked Chen Wendong and the maid Qian Shi''s death, suspecting that Chen Wendong killed Qian Shi.

    Secondly, He You''an was not just an informant. If it was the second possibility, then why did He You''an expose herself by letting Ling Shu investigate everything? And if Chen Wendong had Jiang He kill Ling Shu under her orders, what benefit would it bring to He You''an if Ling Shu died?

    Not only would she expose herself voluntarily, but she would also gain another enemy. In the case of the death threat, whether it was the victim or the injured, it was either He You''an herself or someone who had a personal interest with her.

    As an outsider, Ling Shu had nothing to do with this matter. It was completely unnecessary for He You''an to involve him intentionally.

    "What do you think?" He couldn''t help but ask Jiang He''s opinion.

    The two of them had just met by chance, and they had never even seen each other before this. But they had just experienced life and death together, something that even family and friends may not have had the chance to do.

    Between them, they were neither enemies nor friends, their relationship maintained in a delicate balance.

    "That woman is not simple," Jiang He repeated.

    Ling Shu asked, "Then why didn''t you take Chen Wendong''s deal?"

    "Because He You''an is not simple," Jiang He replied.

    Ling Shu sighed, "Can''t you say something else?"

    "Ever since I saw her and Chen Youhua appear at the same bookstore, I refuse to work with her or anyone around her," Jiang He explained.

    Ling Shu asked, "Did you tell Shen Shiqi about seeing Chen Youhua?"

    "I have no direct contact with Shen Shiqi, we have no connection," Jiang He replied.

    Suddenly, Ling Shu thought of someone. "Where is Mr. Cheng? How much do you know about Mr. Cheng attending the birthday banquet with He You''an tonight?"

    Jiang He frowned slightly, "Why do you ask?"

    Ling Shu said, "Don''t you think these things are strange?"

    Jiang He replied, "I just think you''re meddling in other people''s business."

    Ling Shu pretended not to hear him and took another bite of his apple.

    Crunch, crunch.

    Jiang He seemed to be back in that nightmare, wanting to drive Ling Shu out.

    "You see, an ordinary businessman wouldn''t resort to violence so easily. Of course, Shen Shiqi is not an ordinary businessman. He thinks he can do whatever he wants because of his uncle''s background, just like how he didn''t like me. But why did he go to such lengths to send people to assassinate two small-time crooks?

    "A tailor and a newspaper employee, even if they really offended Shen Shiqi, he could just raise his hand and have a group of Qing gangsters beat them up, or even more maliciously, chop off the tailor''s hand and get the newspaper to fire the employee, leaving them with no way out. But he didn''t do any of that. Instead, he secretly put their names on a list and had He You''an assassinate them. Is this reasonable?"

    Jiang He asked, "What are you trying to say?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Where there is something unreasonable, there must be a reasonable explanation. This means that those two people must have something unusual about them, perhaps they are not just a tailor or a newspaper employee. And Shen Shiqi''s desire to kill them is definitely not just because of those superficial reasons. It''s a bit confusing, can you understand?"

    Jiang He said, "I don''t understand."

    Ling Shu said, "It''s okay, I understand now. I was just talking to myself to sort out my thoughts. Although Shen Shiqi doesn''t cherish and protect He You''an enough, he has a strong possessive desire and won''t allow anyone else to have any thoughts about her. But he treats Mr. Cheng with utmost respect, even offering He You''an to him. Considering his purposeful killings earlier, is there a different relationship between him and Mr. Cheng, other than just business? Could it even be related to that assassination list?"

    He quickly finished eating another apple in three bites, making it hard not to suspect him of being an apple spirit.

    "That Cheng Gong person is also very strange," Jiang He finally spoke up.

    Ling Shu became interested. "What do you mean by strange?"

    Jiang He explained, "He does timber and steel business in the northeast, with smooth transactions between the northeast and the mainland."

    Ling Shu: "I''ve heard before that he has a wide network and strong abilities."

    Jiang He: "The strange thing is here."

    Ling Shu: "What do you mean?"

    Jiang He: "The grain from Northeast China that is transported to Shanghai, Cheng Gong can get the business of transporting this, which is a large part of his income."

    In short, Ling Shu understood.

    Northeast China is the largest grain-producing base in the country, but it is now under Japanese occupation. The Japanese established the South Manchuria Railway to monopolize the railway and grain transportation in  China.

    Cheng Gong can actually get a share from the Japanese, which shows that his ability is not ordinary.

    At least, even the high-ranking officials'' children in Nanjing may not be able to get this kind of face from the Japanese. Not to mention those officials themselves who grovel and flatter, the Japanese may use small favors to win them over, but they won''t give such a big benefit.

    "Speaking of Mr. Cheng, I''ve heard some interesting stories about him," Ling Shu laughed. "My friend said that when Cheng Gong was struggling in Shanghai years ago, he would introduce himself to people and mention that his surname was ¡®Shi¡¯. He would say that he was a descendant of Shu Wu, the younger brother of King Wu of Zhou, and came from the oldest and most authentic Cheng clan, which was also a descendant of the imperial family."

    Jiang He didn''t understand what was so special about this sentence that made Ling Shu laugh so meaningfully.

    Ling Shu explained, "Do you know when people constantly emphasize their background? It''s when they want to use their background to gild themselves, to make others believe it, and to make themselves believe it by saying it over and over again."

    Jiang He asked, "Are you saying he''s lying?"

    "I''m not sure if he''s lying, but that''s what they''re saying. Thanks for giving me all these clues. I''ll go back and think about it." Ling Shu stood up and took a handful of apples from the table.

    Seeing Jiang He watching his every move, Ling Shu chuckled.

    "Since you need to rest, you shouldn''t be eating apples. I''ll take them back and have someone make apple jam for toast. If you want to keep some, we can add it to your medical expenses. I''ll bring you two more bags in the next couple of days. It won''t cost you much, just eleven yuan for medical expenses and my care for visiting you."

    Suddenly, Jiang He said, "If you come work for me, I''ll pay you a hundred silver dollars."

    "Don''t even mention it! Your being chased like this scared me to death. Even if I had ten times more courage, I couldn''t handle this every day!" Ling Shu waved his hands frantically, as if he was throwing away a hot potato.

    He had already walked halfway when he suddenly remembered something and turned back. "By the way, I spent a whole night risking my life with you, but I still don''t know who wants to kill you."

    "Do you want to know?" When Jiang He asked this question, Ling Shu knew he had asked the wrong thing.

    "Forget I asked. Don''t tell me anything. I''m leaving now, you keep it to yourself!"

    "It''s Lu Tongcang." Jiang He didn''t even give him a chance to cover his ears.

    Ling Shu let out a cry of despair. "I already said I don''t want to know!"

    "But I''ve already told you." Jiang He laughed with a hint of malice, but also with great pleasure. It is said that half of Lu Tongcang''s foundation was built with the help of the Jiang He gang.

    They also say that Lu Tongcang and Jiang He are like brothers, with the former as the big brother and the latter as the little brother. In reality, Jiang He is like his indispensable left arm and right hand. Without Jiang He, Lu Tongcang''s enemies would take advantage of the situation.

    But what people don''t know is that Lu Tongcang wants to kill Jiang He.

    Now Ling Shu knows.

    Although he was forced to know.

    People who know too many secrets often don''t have a good ending.

    Ling Shu: "I have amnesia and don''t remember anything. Goodbye!"

    He didn''t even look back and slammed the door.

    Jiang He''s gaze fell on the apples on the table and the apple core next to it.

    Just now, Ling Shu was in such a hurry to escape that he even left the apples behind.

    "I forgot something!" After a moment, the door opened again and Ling Shu poked his head in. He quickly grabbed the apple and disappeared without even glancing at the patient in the bed.

    Jiang He was left speechless.

    Meanwhile, Yue Dingtang never would have guessed that after just a three-day business trip, Ling Shu would become a celebrity in Shanghai''s high society.

    Rumor had it that at Miss Zhen''s birthday banquet, she personally chose Ling Shu as her dance partner, ignoring all the other guests in the room.

    It was said that Miss Zhen had secretly been seeing Ling Shu before, but their relationship was opposed by her family. So, she took advantage of her birthday banquet to introduce Ling Shu publicly and leave her elders with no choice.

    It was said...

    "So, is it true that you two are planning to elope?" Yue Dingtang casually tossed the newspaper in front of Ling Shu with a smirk.

    "When are you going to invite me to your wedding?"

    Ling Shu picked up the paper and burst out laughing. "They actually got it pretty close! Why didn''t they add in the part about a secret pregnancy and a forced marriage?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "If any tabloid dared to write that, they''d be out of business tomorrow!"

    Ling Shu nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The Zhen family wouldn''t allow their reputation to be tarnished like that. So how could any newspaper make up such nonsense? Just the fact that they''re saying I''m dating Miss Zhen is already baseless."

    Yue Dingtang suggested, "There''s only one possibility. Miss Zhen herself leaked the news."

    Ling Shu raised his hands in innocence. "I swear on my honor, there''s nothing between us!"

    Yue Dingtang pressed on, "Did you really dance the first dance with her?"

    "She came to me on her own, but I left the banquet halfway through and we haven''t seen each other since," said Ling Shu, pausing for a moment.

    "But when we were dancing that day, her attitude was a bit strange. She said it would have been better if we had met earlier."

    Yue Dingtang stared at him, silent for a long time.

    Ling Shu felt uneasy under his gaze. "What''s wrong? Don''t tell me you''ve been secretly admiring me too?"

    Yue Dingtang looked suspicious. "Did you cause any trouble while I was away?"

    Ling Shu protested, "Of course not! Do you really think I''m the kind of person who always causes trouble?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Yes."

    Ling Shu was speechless. "You''re insulting my character. But since you brought back some special products from Nanjing, I won''t argue with you."

    Ling Shu shrugged and opened the newspaper.

    "Do you usually not bring newspapers with you? Did you buy it on the way?"

    Yue Dingtang thought that this was a blatant attempt to change the subject.

    He became more suspicious that Ling Shu had done something wrong or caused trouble again in the past few days.

    Yue Dingtang was about to ask for clarification when he heard Ling Shu exclaim. A light and fluttery piece of paper fell out as he shook the newspaper.

    Yue Dingtang picked it up from the ground.

    There were only six words written in pen on it: Chen Wendong wants to kill you.

    The author has something to say:

    To avoid confusion, let me summarize the three main events:

    1) The death threat letter to He You''an,

    2) Miss Zhen''s claim of dating Ling Shu, and

    3) The grudge between Jiang He and Lu Tongcang.

 CH 57

    "Chen Wendong wants to kill you," Ling Shu read the message and looked up.

    "Who does he want to kill? Me? You?" Ling Shu asked.

    "I bought the newspaper this morning," Yue Dingtang said before Ling Shu could inquire further.

    Without waiting for Ling Shu to ask, Yue Dingtang recounted the process of buying the newspaper.

    "I went out early today and didn''t eat at home. I bought a morning paper halfway and then went to a stall to eat soy milk and oil cakes. The newspaper was left on the table, and there was someone at the same table who left earlier than me, and I just took the newspaper with me after finishing my meal."

    It was easy to slip a note into a public place, whether it was with a newspaper vendor, a snack shop owner, a dining companion, or even a passerby. There was no way to find out who did it.

    "It should be me he wants to kill," Ling Shu said.

    Yue Dingtang raised his eyebrows and asked in disbelief.

    Ling Shu said, "A few days ago, Chen Wendong approached Jiang He, wanting to hire someone to kill me."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Jiang He told you this? You have no prior relationship with him, why would he tell you?"

    Ling Shu blinked.

    Yue Dingtang understood, "You must have caused trouble."

    Ling Shu: ...

    He felt more wronged than Dowager Dou.

    From He You''an to Jiang He, it was obvious that trouble just came to him. How could it be said that he caused trouble?

    Ling Shu originally didn''t want to mention the fact that Jiang He was being chased by Lu Tongcang, but now he had to spill the beans.

    Sure enough, the more Yue Dingtang listened, the more his eyebrows raised.

    In the end, they were furrowed together, and his gaze towards Ling Shu was like that of a student who couldn''t pass their messy thesis, almost writing "rotten wood cannot be carved" on his face.

    "I thought after Shen Shiqi, you would have learned to mind your own business."

    Ling Shu tried to defend himself, "But with Jiang He, many things can be explained and connected, we did gain something."

    Upon reflection, it was impulsive to follow Jiang He and intervene in the situation.

    However, the development of the situation with He You''an was far more complicated than the case at Yuan Manor.

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang still couldn''t figure out whether He You''an was good or bad, black or white, or what role she played in it all.

    Jiang He was one breakthrough point.

    He did provide Ling Shu with quite a few clues.

    All things considered, it was a pretty good deal.

    Yue Dingtang said coldly, "Is that gain worth your life?"

    Ling Shu grinned, "With you, Captain Yue, Jiang He will definitely give you face."

    "If you hadn''t escaped in time that day, have you thought about the consequences?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    "I have," Ling Shu replied.

    Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to confess.

    "My sister and the others, you''ll help them out as old classmates, right? The biggest regret is not being able to eat one more meal of Sister Chunxiao''s cooking. Also, since starting my new job, I haven''t received my first month''s salary yet, and now I have to make a heroic sacrifice. It''s like going through all the trouble to buy a ticket and then being told the theatre is closed," Ling Shu lamented.

    He regretted his choices, but his focus was completely off.

    Yue Dingtang sneered, about to make a sarcastic remark, when his gaze suddenly froze.

    "Are you injured?" he asked.

    "No," Ling Shu replied.

    Yue Dingtang said, "Pick up the desk lamp on the table."

    Ling Shu reached out his hand.

    Yue Dingtang said coldly, "Use your right hand."

    Ling Shu hesitated, "I told you before, my right hand is injured and I can''t lift heavy objects."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "This desk lamp is not heavy, one hand is more than enough. I even saw you pick up a brick before."

    Ling Shu had no choice but to use his right hand to pick up the lamp.

    He bent his arm and exerted force, looking a bit stiff and even trembling slightly.

    "Enough."

    Yue Dingtang took the lamp from his hand and put it down.

    "Take off your coat."

    Ling Shu said, "Captain Yue, your request is a bit strange."

    Yue Dingtang narrowed his eyes, "Take it off or not?"

    His gaze was sharp as a knife, as if it could directly cut open the truth beneath the clothing.

    It seemed that he couldn''t hide it anymore.

    Ling Shu sighed softly and took off his coat. Yue Dingtang took matters into his own hands and rolled up his sleeves! A large area of striking bruises from his forearm to his elbow caught his eye.

    Even though Yue Dingtang was mentally prepared, his eyelids couldn''t help but twitch.

    "You didn''t get shot, but you still injured a vital area on your arm," he said.

    Ling Shu didn''t know how Yue Dingtang''s eyes were so sharp that he could spot the injury that even Jiang He didn''t notice.

    "Your right hand is already half useless. Do you want it to be completely disabled? If you don''t want it, I''ll just have someone chop it off for you. There''s no need for you to keep tormenting it," Yue Dingtang said coldly.

    Ling Shu smiled apologetically, "I didn''t bring a gun with me to the banquet this time, otherwise I wouldn''t be in such a passive situation. I''ll be more careful next time!"

    Yue Dingtang''s face remained cold as he asked, "How did you get injured?"

    Ling Shu said, "At that time, Jiang He was unconscious and couldn''t help. There were three people on the other side. One of them was already injured and I knocked him down. The other two chased after me relentlessly. I killed one of them, but the other one fought me to the death. I wasn''t paying attention and he kicked me in the forearm."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Are you sure they didn''t see what you looked like?"

    Ling Shu rubbed his nose and said, "I don''t think so."

    But Yue Dingtang refused to give up and continued to press him. "Do you know what Jiang He has been up to these past few days? Lu Tongcang just married his third concubine, and Jiang He is busy organizing the wedding. Lu Tongcang wants it to be grand, so Jiang He invited famous Peking Opera performers and movie stars like He You''an to attend. Do you think that just because you saved Jiang He''s life, he will return your feelings? He''s like a venomous snake, ruthless and selfish. If you try to show your loyalty to Lu Tongcang, you''ll be the first one sacrificed!"

    "You''re right. I''ll just stop associating with him from now on. Let''s focus on the matter at hand!" Ling Shu dismissed the other person like a docile donkey and quickly changed the subject.

    "Who do you think warned me that Chen Wendong wants to kill me?"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent for a moment before answering, "He You''an."

    "Why didn''t she just tell me directly?" Ling Shu asked.

    "It''s not convenient," Yue Dingtang replied.

    Is someone obstructing her? Is she indirectly sending out a distress signal, or is it all just a smokescreen?

    Ling Shu sighed.

    "All these twists and turns, it''s like a game within a game. I''m starting to regret getting involved with her."

    Yue Dingtang sneered, "I thought you had already regretted it when you offended Shen Shiqi."

    Ling Shu bitterly smiled, "Back then, I thought I was a hero saving a damsel in distress. I never expected that this damsel was actually a beautiful snake!"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, getting up to retrieve a bottle of medicinal wine from the cabinet.

    Ling Shu was about to put on his coat when he saw what Yue Dingtang was doing and quickly said, "I already applied medicine, it looks serious but it didn''t actually hurt the inside."

    Yue Dingtang looked at him.

    Three seconds.

    Ling Shu retreated in defeat.

    He resignedly took off his clothes again, rolled up his sleeves, and bravely offered his arm, ready to be used as fish meat. Yue Dingtang''s hand was warm, but the force on the flesh was not very comfortable.

    Ling Shu suppressed the urge to scream in pain and turned it into a hum.

    "If you really don''t want this arm, give it to me. Without my permission, you can''t mess with it," Yue Dingtang said.

    He heard Yue Dingtang say so.

 CH 58

    He You''an sat in front of the mirror, applying her makeup. In half an hour, she would be performing in a major scene and needed to give it her all.

    With her eyes closed, she silently recited her lines and prepared her emotions when suddenly, the voice of Teng Siping came from behind her.

    "You¡¯an, Mr. Cheng is here."

    Before she could respond, someone shushed the person who spoke.

    "She must be preparing for the script. Let''s not disturb her."

    He You''an heard Mr. Cheng softly say these words. She opened her eyes and saw Boss Teng''s face smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum. She wondered what Mr. Cheng had given him to make him switch from Shen Shiqi''s camp to Mr. Cheng''s.

    Compared to Shen Shiqi, Mr. Cheng was undoubtedly more considerate. The two of them were like heaven and earth, with no comparison to be made.

    Shen Shiqi treated He You''an like a plaything, a fact that many people around them knew but didn''t say out loud. Even though Shen Shiqi never hesitated to spend money on her and helped her rise to power, he would take out his anger on her without regard for time or place.

    But Mr. Cheng was different.

    Even though his methods of obtaining He You''an were not entirely honorable, ultimately amounting to seizing her by force, his attitude towards her after obtaining her was consistent.

    Every day, he would send someone to pick her up for meals, and sometimes he would come in person.

    He would take the time to carefully study the script and discuss it with He You''an. He would search for the flowers that He You''an liked, even in the dead of winter, bringing them from far away just to see her smile.

    If there were events that He You''an didn''t enjoy, he would never force her to attend.

    He was thoughtful and considerate, and it showed.

    Many husbands nowadays can''t even compare to him.

    She didn''t know if Mr. Cheng had a wife or not.

    Mr. Cheng never mentioned it, and she never asked because it wouldn''t change anything.

    At the very least, the affection Mr. Cheng showed her was something that most men couldn''t give.

    In this world, even though He You''an was known as a movie star and surrounded by many fans who were proud to catch a glimpse of her, in the eyes of many, actors were still considered a lowly profession, unworthy of the grand stage. He You''an had traveled through the mortal world and encountered many powerful and wealthy individuals, as well as experienced the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

    Apart from Shen Shiqi, countless men had tried to court her, but only Mr. Cheng could give her the respect that others could not.

    He You''an let out a soft sigh.

    "Aren''t you supposed to be thinking about the script? Why are you sighing?" She heard the man say and turned to look at the mirror.

    Mr. Cheng had quietly entered the room and was standing behind her, observing her reflection with his hands behind his back.

    "Do I look good?" He You''an smiled faintly.

    "Absolutely stunning," Mr. Cheng placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned in for a closer look. "You''re as beautiful as a flower in the clouds."

    "I''m not in the clouds, I''m right here in your hands," replied He You''an.

    "You may be by my side, but I always feel like you''re so far away. Your heart is floating in the sky, and I don''t know when it will fall into my hands," said Mr. Cheng.

    He You''an couldn''t help but chuckle.

    "Mr. Cheng, are you planning to act in a movie? Is that a line from a new script?"

    Mr. Cheng pretended to ponder for a moment. "Actually, I do want to make a movie with you as the main character. There won''t be a male lead, just you from beginning to end."

    He You''an was curious. "What''s the story about?" Mr. Cheng said, "It¡¯s your story. You have a noble character, but had to venture into the mortal world. After many twists and turns, you finally met me and lived the rest of your life in peace. We, two lovers, finally became a couple."

    He You''an said, "You always know how to flatter me. I''m just an actress, forced to do things against my will. It''s true that I didn''t intend to harm anyone, but I can''t say that I have a noble character."

    Mr. Cheng smiled and produced a bouquet of roses from behind his back.

    "I heard from Teng Siping that you secretly supported your younger brother-in-law''s education. You didn''t have to help him, but you still remembered your old relationships and didn''t ask for anything in return. Isn''t that a noble character?"

    He You''an''s smile disappeared.

    "You already know about that?"

    "It''s not a secret."

    Mr. Cheng placed the bouquet of roses in He You''an''s arms.

    The delicate and vibrant red color of the roses made her beauty even more radiant. With her head hung low, He You''an spoke softly, "If you don''t like it, I won''t send him money anymore."

    Mr. Cheng smiled and gently pinched her chin, lifting it up. "You have a kind heart, and that''s a good thing. I don''t want my woman to be cold and heartless. But from now on, don''t keep anything from me."

    "I don''t want to hide anything from you, but I''m afraid you won''t like it or approve. I want to live a pure and innocent life without any blemishes, but..."

    He You''an trailed off with a bitter smile.

    Mr. Cheng kissed her cheek lightly and pulled out an invitation from his pocket. "Lu Tongcang is marrying his third concubine and has invited us to the banquet."

    He You''an glanced at the invitation. It was exquisitely made with golden embossing, depicting a dragon and phoenix, symbolizing a hundred years of happiness.

    "Madam Yi, to put it plainly, is still a concubine and cannot even be called a wife. However, nowadays there is a trend where wealthy families take a concubine and are willing to spend extravagantly can make it even more lively than a wedding, providing an opportunity for those who cannot find a way to give gifts or establish connections on a regular basis to get close to them.

    After a wedding banquet, the host family is often left with plenty of money and goods, never at a loss.

    Although Lu Tongcang has no official position, he has more ability than those so-called senior officials with empty titles. There are many people in Shanghai who want to curry favor with him. This wedding will undoubtedly be a lively scene with drums, gongs, and firecrackers.

    "Do you want me to go?" He You''an was puzzled.

    "Have you seen the third concubine of Lu Tongcang?" Mr. Cheng asked before she could answer. "She looks a lot like you."

    He You''an was shocked and looked up. Mr. Cheng''s expression was inscrutable, and his emotions were indecipherable.

    Unable to resist, Miss He reached out and grabbed his clothes.

    "I am innocent with Lu Tongcang," she said.

    "I know," Mr. Cheng lightly touched her cheek and said softly, "Why are you so cold? I don''t blame you. Whether Lu Tongcang has feelings for you or not is not something you can control."

    "At that time, I would rather drink all the alcohol on that table than compromise," He You¡¯an said.

    He You¡¯an reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, her face pressed against his clothes.

    "If you don''t like it, from now on, whenever you hear his name, I will stay far away," she said.

    "Okay," Mr. Cheng also reached out and embraced her.

    The two enjoyed this silent moment.

    Outside, the filming was about to begin, and the director was anxious, but dared not come in to urge them.

    "Have you ever thought about taking a break from acting for a while?" Mr. Cheng suddenly asked. He You''an looked up at him in surprise.

    "If you want me to retire from the film industry, I will do so after finishing this movie," he said.

    Mr. Cheng chuckled. "I said temporarily, not asking you to give up completely. I know you love making movies and have aspirations to create a great film that will be remembered for a hundred years. How could I force you to do something you don''t want to do?"

    He You''an asked, "Then..."

    Mr. Cheng interrupted, "Have you been to Hong Kong? It''s similar to Shanghai, slightly less prosperous, but still a big city. Lately, those threatening letters have been making you uneasy. After finishing this film, why don''t you go to Hong Kong for a while?"

    He You''an asked, "What about you?"

    Mr. Cheng replied, "Naturally, I will go with you."

    "What happened, Mr. Cheng? Is there any danger in Shanghai, or..." He You''an furrowed her brows, but Mr. Cheng gently pressed his finger to her lips, stopping her from continuing.

    "Do you trust me?" he asked.

    He You''an nodded.

    "Then do as I say," Mr. Cheng replied.

    He You''an blinked and looked up at him with a gaze full of dependence and admiration, shimmering with radiance. Any person, especially a man, would be captivated by such a starry-eyed vortex.

    Mr. Cheng was undoubtedly successful and accomplished, but he was also a man. Only those who were extremely close to He You''an knew that her charm was not just in her appearance and figure, but also in her demeanor and speech.

    Mr. Cheng had met countless people, but had never encountered a flower like He You''an. This was the first time he had ever thought of leaving the flower garden and spending the rest of his life with a woman.

    "Listen to me, don''t ask so many questions," Mr. Cheng touched her cheek.

    He You''an whispered, "Okay, wherever you go, I''ll go."

    Mr. Cheng was very satisfied. Seeing her trying to remain calm, with a hint of unease and reluctance to ask, he couldn''t bear it and said, "I''m sending you to Hong Kong for your own good. I won''t harm you. Don''t you have a distant aunt in Hangzhou? If you can''t bear to leave your family, bring her along."

    At the mention of her only relative, He You''an He perked up a bit.

    "Then I''ll take a few days to go to Hangzhou and ask her to come with me."

    ...

    An hour later.

    Mr. Cheng came out of He You''an He''s resting room, looking satisfied. No one dared to rush him, nor did anyone dare to inquire about what he was doing inside.

    Mr. Cheng walked towards his own car when he came out.

    Chen Wendong was already waiting there.

    "Mr. Cheng."

    As he approached, Chen Wendong quickly bowed.

    "Mr. Shen said to follow you from now on, please take me in, Mr. Cheng."

    Mr. Cheng paused.

    "Did you send someone to kill Ling Shu?"

    "Yes, that kid was getting too close to Miss He, and Mr. Shen didn''t like it, so he asked me to..."

    "Without my orders, do not act recklessly."

    "But that kid has been investigating Miss He''s surroundings, what if..."

    "Did Shen Shiqi ask you to follow me to give me advice?"

    Chen Wendong quickly bowed even deeper. "Mr. Cheng, you misunderstood. Everything is up to you. I spoke out of turn!"

    "It''s also true that I know Shen Shiqi asked you to stay by He You''an''s side to monitor her. From today on, you only need to protect her. You don''t have to worry about anything else," Mr. Cheng said.

    Chen Wendong was taken aback.

    But Mr. Cheng didn''t pay attention to his reaction and opened the car door, ready to get in.

    Suddenly, someone rushed out of the set.

    "Mr. Cheng, something''s wrong! Miss He is injured!"

    Mr. Cheng turned around abruptly.

    ...

    Ling Shu sneezed.

    It was his fifth sneeze in ten minutes.

    "Who''s thinking of me so much?" he sighed. "Being handsome is a burden. My admirers could fill up the Huangpu River, and I really don''t know whose love is causing such a big reaction in me."

    "It''s a sickness." A blanket was thrown over Ling Shu''s head, covering him completely.

    At the same time, Yue Dingtang''s voice could be heard.

    "Uncle Zhou wants you to put this on."

    "Uncle Zhou is so kind," Ling Shu replied.

    He grabbed the blanket and wrapped himself up like a rice dumpling, sneezing as he spoke.

    He was wearing Yue Dingtang''s pajamas.

    Early that morning, Ling Shu had taken a train to Hangzhou, and had spent ten hours on the Shanghai-Hangzhou railway. He had managed to finish his business in one day, but in the afternoon, a sudden downpour had soaked him to the bone. He hadn''t brought any spare clothes, and by the time he returned, it was already 11pm.

    If it weren''t for Yue Dingtang sending someone to pick him up, he would probably still be sneezing at the train station.

    Yue Dingtang thought to himself that if he could carve eight words onto Ling Shu''s forehead, they would be: "Never stop living, even if it means risking your life."

    His arm wasn''t fully healed yet, but he ran out anyway. The rain pouring down on him was the least of his worries; his old injury was likely to flare up again.

    To put it plainly, it wasn''t his own discomfort, so what did it have to do with him?

    Even if Ling Shu turned himself into a short-lived ghost, it was his own doing.

    Just as he was about to make a sarcastic remark, the old housekeeper came over with chicken soup.

    "Drink some, it''ll warm you up."

    "Thank you, Uncle Zhou!" Ling Shu held the bowl and sipped the steaming chicken soup, not forgetting to give a thumbs up and boast.

    "Every time I drink this chicken soup, I taste different levels and depths, just like reading the works of a famous writer. There''s a saying in Zen, ''When you see a mountain, it''s a mountain; when you see water, it''s water.'' The chef at Yue''s household has reached this level!"

    Naturally, the old housekeeper laughed so hard that his eyes disappeared.

    "If you like it, drink more. There''s plenty in the kitchen, don''t rush, be careful not to burn yourself," said the old housekeeper.

    Yue Dingtang sighed and held back the sarcasm that was about to come out of his mouth.

    Just as Yue Chunxiao left, another old housekeeper came. These people had all fallen victim to Ling Shu''s curse.

    "There''s news about He You''an," said Ling Shu, without even looking up from his soup.

 CH 59

    Before dawn, Ling Shu took the earliest train to Hangzhou.

    The railway from Shanghai to Hangzhou was built in the late Qing Dynasty and is still in use today, taking about five hours for a one-way trip.

    When Ling Shu arrived in Hangzhou, it was almost noon. Instead of rushing to have lunch, he went to a bookstore first.

    The bookstore was located by the West Lake, with former Qing officials'' mansions on both sides.

    After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the country went through turbulent times, and the wealthy could not stay wealthy forever. The mansions changed hands several times, and one of them was turned into a bookstore, which was the Mingde Bookstore that Ling Shu came to find.

    It was midday, and there weren''t many people around. Ling Shu grabbed a small stool and sat in front of the bookshelves, randomly picking up a book to read.

    Not many people can afford to buy books these days, and there are countless young people like him who spend their time in bookstores reading for free.

    The owner is used to it and doesn''t bother chasing them away. If Ling Shu could buy one or two books before leaving, it would be considered generous.

    "Wait," Yue Dingtang interrupted him with a raised hand.

    "Is this the bookstore where Chen Youhua used to frequent?" he asked.

    "Yes, I want to wait there and see if I can catch Chen Youhua," Ling Shu replied.

    Among the two assassination targets that He You''an gave to Jiang He, one was the tailor Xiao Jun, who was already dead, and the other was the newspaper employee Chen Youhua, who had mysteriously disappeared after escaping the pursuit.

    A person who had just escaped from danger would naturally run as far away as possible, but Chen Youhua appeared in a bookstore in Hangzhou, which was unusual enough, let alone the fact that he appeared at the same time as He You''an.

    When coincidences pile up, they cease to be coincidences.

    By following the trail of Chen Youhua, they might be able to uncover the strange circumstances surrounding He You''an.

    However, Yue Dingtang''s focus was not on that. Instead, he asked, "How did you know about that bookstore?"

    Ling Shu blinked innocently. "I asked Cheng Si."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Cheng Si is just a small police officer in Jiangwan District. How could he have any influence in the Hangzhou Police Department?"

    Ling Shu continued to make up excuses. "Oh, I must have remembered wrong. I asked my brother-in-law to check."

    Yue Dingtang crossed his arms and watched him continue to talk nonsense. After Chen Youhua disappeared, he was already a dead man. It was impossible for him to continue using the identity of Chen Youhua, so relying on the power of the white path was definitely not feasible.

    "Jiang He found it for you," Ling Shu laughed. "It seems like it really was him. I asked a lot of people for help, and I don''t even remember who it was!"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Do you think your life is too long and want to try to make it shorter?"

    "Old Yue, you can''t blame me for this. Jiang He sent someone to actively send the news on Mingde Bookstore. He knew I was investigating He You''an''s affairs. In my opinion, he also wants to know what role He You''an plays in these things. So Jiang He is not only helping me, but also helping himself," Ling Shu explained.

    Yue Dingtang said, "If Lu Tongcang wants to kill him, he will pay attention to everyone around him. You saved his life, and now you are on Lu Tongcang''s radar. If you continue to associate with him, Lu Tongcang will take care of both of you."

    Ling Shu smiled apologetically, "Don''t worry, I won''t actively seek him out anymore. I''ll just hang out with you, is that okay?"

    The old housekeeper came over with a fruit plate and noticed the tense atmosphere around Yue Dingtang.

    He couldn''t help but interject in a gentle voice, "Take it easy, don''t scare the child."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent. Did Uncle Zhou forget that this person was his classmate?

    Ling Shu took the fruit plate with both hands and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhou!"

    The old housekeeper said, "You caught a cold, don''t eat too much. Before you go to bed, I''ll bring you some medicinal tea. Make sure you finish it before sleeping."

    Ling Shu obediently agreed. Yue Dingtang felt powerless and let out a deep sigh. He wondered what Uncle Zhou would think if he saw the ruthless decisiveness of the person who had just shot someone.

    The old housekeeper quickly left, and Yue Dingtang no longer had the desire to interrogate him.

    "Please continue," Yue Dingtang said.

    Ling Shu nodded and asked, "Where did I leave off?"

    "You were waiting for Chen Youhua at the bookstore," Yue Dingtang replied.

    Ling Shu slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Yes! The bookstore is called Mingde Bookstore, and the decor is quite nice with an antique feel. I was browsing books there for a while and thought I might have annoyed the owner, so I randomly grabbed a slightly cheaper book and paid for it. The owner was so happy and even gave me a pot of tea. By the way, can I expense that book on the company account? Okay, okay, I know, I''ll cover it myself. Don''t look at me like that!

    "I had already planned that if I couldn''t find him today, I would stake out the area tomorrow. I knew I would eventually find Chen Youhua. But luck was on my side today. Around 3 pm, Chen Youhua appeared," said Ling Shu.

    "When Jiang He took on the task, he naturally had a portrait. He gave me the portrait, but the Chen Youhua I saw was quite different from the portrait. Only the description of his build and his eyes were accurate. At the time, I couldn''t be sure it was him," Ling Shu continued.

    "After he circled the bookstore, he headed straight for the back door. I circled around to the front and followed him. I watched as he went to West Lake and sat there for a while before going to off for dinner," Ling Shu recounted.

    It was only at this point that Yue Dingtang asked, "Just for dinner?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Just for dinner."

    Yue Dingtang then asked, "But isn''t 3 pm too early for dinner?" Ling Shu said, "But he really ordered a table full of dishes."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Did he finish eating?"

    Ling Shu replied, "He didn''t finish, he left halfway through."

    Yue Dingtang said, "To prevent being followed and to deceive others."

    Ling Shu nodded, "Also to eliminate suspicion from others. If I hadn''t been sure that he was Chen Youhua, I would have given up and wouldn''t have followed him. But I followed him all the way to Guanyin Pond and witnessed a shocking secret. Can you guess what I saw?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Don''t keep me in suspense."

    Ling Shu said, "I saw someone trying to kill him."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Was it someone sent by Jiang He?"

    Ling Shu replied, "It shouldn''t be. After Jiang He''s mission failed, they returned the money. And as for the deal with Shen Shiqi, it''s already over. He doesn''t like being used by others, so he wouldn''t deceive me in this matter."

    Yue Dingtang said casually, "You seem to understand him well."

    Ling Shu asked, "Is that a compliment?"

    "What do you think?" Yue Dingtang replied.

    Ling Shu said confidently, "Of course it is. You''re asking me an obvious question."

    Yue Dingtang gave up on bantering with him. "With your personality, you would have definitely tried to stop him."

    Ling Shu explained, "No, Chen Youhua is very cautious. He circled around a few times to avoid being followed. I couldn''t get too close to him. By the time he was attacked, I couldn''t make it in time to rescue him. Chen Youhua was walking in a dark alley and the attacker was waiting there. He was killed with one strike and had no chance to fight back. I saw the attacker take a newspaper from Chen Youhua''s body."

    Yue Dingtang was about to ask if Ling Shu had chased after the attacker, but he heard Ling Shu speak in a calm and relaxed  tone, "Then I caught up with him, took down the culprit, and got the newspaper from his hand," said Ling Shu.

    Yue Dingtang: ???

    He had a feeling that Ling Shu was going to cause trouble again, but since reuniting with him, he had become accustomed to these kinds of scares. It was like someone who was used to being startled awake while sleeping. At first, it might be too much for their heart to handle, but over time, they would develop a tolerance for it.

    Thinking about this, Yue Dingtang furrowed his brow and asked, "What do you mean by ''took down''?"

    Ling Shu replied, "It means exactly what it sounds like. As a kind and benevolent person like myself, do you think I would kill someone to cover my tracks?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "...I would rather you did cover your tracks. This person was able to kill Chen Youhua, so he certainly wouldn''t spare you."

    Ling Shu waved his hand, "Don''t worry, I promise I didn''t let him see my true face. And since this person killed Chen Youhua and was knocked out by someone else, when he wakes up, won''t he suspect someone else? Can''t we use this to find out the truth?"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What do you want to do?"

    Ling Shu replied, "We need to find a way to let He You''an know about the existence of that newspaper. If she really has a connection with Chen Youhua, she will definitely go to that bookstore. And after the killer wakes up, he will definitely take action. This newspaper is a bait, causing all parties to compete and jump out of the water one by one."

    He finished speaking and placed the file bag on the table.

    "This is the newspaper."

    Yue Dingtang opened the file bag and pulled out the newspaper.

    It was a very ordinary Lin''an Daily. The newspaper was thin and had little content, indicating that it was likely struggling to survive due to insufficient funding.

    However, it had everything that a newspaper should have, including news, serialized novels, and advertisements. If the price was cheap enough, many local tea houses in Hangzhou might subscribe to it and read it aloud to their customers.

    Trying to find a clue from a newspaper was like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but even harder.

    "I can''t see any clues in it, and I don''t understand why the killer would murder Chen Youhua over this newspaper. We''ll have to rely on Professor Yue to decipher it," Ling Shu yawned, feeling tired after telling the story.

    Although he had glossed over the part where he had taken down the killer, the person who could cleanly and efficiently murder Chen Youhua was not someone to be trifled with.

    This person couldn''t go a day without causing trouble. Yue Dingtang thought that even if he were to die one day, he wouldn''t be surprised. But Yue Chunxiao really liked him.

    Yue Dingtang could tell that his sister really saw Ling Shu as a younger brother. She even sent him a special package from Nanjing, and didn''t forget to include a gift for Ling Shu. It should be noted that Yue Chunxiao wasn''t someone who would treat anyone so well just by seeing them.

    It could only be said that Ling Shu had really caught the eye of his sister. And also, there was the old housekeeper, Uncle Zhou, who was in charge of everything in the Yue family. These people didn''t say it out loud, but their expressions and actions had already revealed their inclinations and positions.

    Before Ling Shu appeared, Yue Dingtang''s life was routine and boring. He would go back and forth between school and the Yue Manor every day, and although it was stable, it was also dull.

    Until Ling Shu appeared. He threw himself directly into the tumultuous cases, sometimes even pushing the limits to the point where he almost lost his life. From the high-profile case at Yuan Manor to the death threats against a female celebrity, the latter seemed insignificant but gradually revealed a deeper and larger conspiracy.

    Yue Dingtang regretted agreeing to let Ling Shu step into the minefield without knowing the depth of the water behind He You''an.

    "This looks like an ordinary newspaper, unless..." Yue Dingtang paused.

    "Hmm?" Ling Shu, half asleep, reluctantly responded.

    Yue Dingtang continued, "There''s a corresponding codebook."

    "Hmm..." Ling Shu felt like a limp noodle and just wanted to go to sleep.

    Yue Dingtang''s voice was like a lullaby, sometimes distant and sometimes close.

    "I''ll send the newspaper to He You''an. If she really has something to do with Chen Youhua, the password book might be with her..."

    He vaguely remembered Yue Dingtang saying this, as if talking to himself.

    A cold breeze brushed against his forehead, and then Ling Shu knew nothing else.

 CH 60

    Ling Shu was running a high fever.

    It wasn''t just any ordinary fever, but a fever that had reached 40 degrees Celsius.

    The family doctor was unable to handle it, so they rushed him to the hospital overnight.

    Earlier, Yue Dingtang thought that Ling Shu was faking his illness to avoid being questioned and reprimanded. It wasn''t until he touched Ling Shu''s forehead and felt the scorching heat emanating from his palm that he realized something was seriously wrong.

    Ling Shu had been getting injured a lot lately, from the incident at the Yuan Manor¡¯s underground cellar, to Shen Shiqi and his men coming to teach him a lesson, to the late-night escape with Jiang He. His old wounds had not yet healed, and new ones had been added. Even an iron man would not be able to withstand such turmoil, let alone someone as delicate as Ling Shu.

    His face was very pale.

    So pale that there was not a hint of color, especially under the light bulb''s illumination. Still wearing Yue Dingtang''s pajamas, Ling Shu lay on the hospital bed with an IV needle in his hand.

    "Mr. Ling''s digestive system may not be in good condition. Let''s observe him overnight and see how he''s doing. Remember to eat light these days, and avoid meat and fish," the doctor''s words echoed in Yue Dingtang''s mind, giving him a headache.

    He caught a cold from the rain, so why is his digestive system acting up?

    How many more health issues does this person have?

    Yue Dingtang shifted his gaze back to the bed. The patient was in a daze, with half-opened eyes emitting a faint light. It was hard to tell if he was awake or not, lost in a foggy haze.

    He muttered something under his breath, but his voice was too low to hear.

    Yue Dingtang leaned in closer, bending down.

    "Old Yue..." the other person called out his name.

    Yue Dingtang responded with a grunt, "I''m here."

    Ling Shu said, "What about He You''an?"

    Yue Dingtang frowned slightly, "Just focus on yourself. You don''t need to worry about her."

    "No," Ling Shu weakly protested, raising his voice, "I mean, she still hasn''t given me the payment she promised last time. Remember to ask her to change it to US dollars. The US dollar holds its value these days, don''t take the old Chinese currency..."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    At that moment, he truly felt like bowing down to Ling Shu.

    But Ling Shu wasn''t finished.

    "Also, Uncle Zhou''s chicken soup, he worked so hard to make it, and I haven''t finished drinking it yet..."

    The old housekeeper standing nearby was moved to tears.

    This child must really care about his feelings, even when he''s half-delirious with a high fever, he still remembers that half-bowl of chicken soup.

    "I''ll have someone make it for you right away. Tomorrow when you''re feeling better, I''ll bring it over. I guarantee you''ll have your fill of it, along with your favorite snacks like jade pastry and golden shrimp balls. I''ll have the chef make all of them. How does that sound?"

    Ling Shu smiled contentedly and muttered, "Uncle Zhou is so kind."

    The old housekeeper looked kindly at him.

    Yue Dingtang had nothing to say. He couldn''t bear to watch any longer, so he left the sickroom and strolled around the corridor.

    Even though it was nighttime, he didn''t feel tired. The scent of snow drifted in through the open window, refreshing and invigorating.

    Occasionally, he heard family members of patients pleading with doctors, their emotions running high as they acted out scenes of separation and reunion. He also saw doctors shaking their heads at family members through a crack in the door, offering words of comfort that had nothing to do with the patient''s condition.

    But there were still more patients who couldn''t afford to stay in the hospital.

    Looking down from the third-floor window, beggars huddled in the snow-covered streets, while passersby in thin clothing hurried by, unable to spare a penny for charity.

    Suddenly, a commotion broke out nearby, interrupting Yue Dingtang''s quiet contemplation.

    He followed the sound and saw a crowd gathered outside a hospital room at the end of the corridor, including some old acquaintances.

    One of them, who happened to catch sight of him, was initially taken aback but quickly put on a smile and hurried over.

    "Mr. Yue, what brings you here? Is someone in your family...?"

    It was none other than Teng Siping, the boss of a film company.

    Yue Dingtang just grunted in response, not wanting to say much, and instead asked, "I saw Cheng Gong enter the room just now. Who''s inside?"

    Teng Siping sighed, "Miss He is injured."

    Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow, "Is she well?"

    Teng Siping forced a smile, "I can''t say she¡¯s completely well, things got a little too close. It was too dangerous!"

    In He You''an''s new play, she played a progressive female student.

    In order to resist the arranged feudal marriage set by her family and to rebel against her father''s oppression of her mother, the female protagonist angrily ran away, but was caught again due to lack of experience.

    Her parents wanted her to marry the son of a local gentry, but she refused and went on a hunger strike to protest.

    Instead of compromising, her family and the groom''s family worked together to tie her up in a bridal sedan, trying to force her into marriage.

    On the night of her wedding, the female student woke up in despair and planned to hang herself. After being saved, she realized that she needed to find a way to escape.

    After many twists and turns, she finally escaped from what she considered a hellish home and went to the advanced and enlightened city of Shanghai. She wrote about her experiences and became well-known, eventually being hired by a girls'' school and falling in love with a male teacher.

    However, even after becoming famous, the protagonist was not free from trouble. Her fame reached her hometown, and her former husband came to Shanghai to sue her for being immoral.

    This is a typical movie that reflects the tragedy of the times. There are many movies like this nowadays, with similar plots.

    However, this one attracted the attention of the newspapers even before it started filming because of the participation of He You''an. A well-known writer also discussed the harm of feudal marriage to women in the application, sparking a wave of discussion.

    When He You''an had her accident, she was filming the scene where the bride hangs herself on the wedding night.

    The beautiful woman in the red candle flower tent, wearing a phoenix crown and a red veil, weeps in sorrow, feeling trapped and helpless. Her husband, whom she has never met before, is outside drinking and toasting with the guests.

    She is locked in the room, waiting for an unknown fate, guarded by her husband''s family. As a weak woman, she has no way to resist and can only choose the most decisive way out.

    Ever since receiving that deeply meaningful script, He You''an had been on high alert and refused to play the scene where her character hangs herself, fearing that something might go wrong. However, the director believed that this was a scene of great tragedy and the most emotionally resonant moment in the entire play, and the two of them debated for a long time on set, with everyone watching.

    Upon hearing this, Yue Dingtang asked, "Did Miss He eventually compromise?"

    Teng Siping nodded, "He You''an loves movies and is willing to make sacrifices. She didn''t want to ruin the essence of the entire play for herself, but we couldn''t ignore her concerns. So we sent more people to watch around her. Once she hung the white cloth, someone would immediately go up and help her down by standing on tiptoe. We checked and double-checked the stool, but we didn''t expect that something would still go wrong."

    It wasn''t the unstable stool or the white cloth that caused He You''an''s injury. It wasn''t even the crossbeam that she hung the cloth on. It was the adjacent crossbeam that suddenly fell and hit her and another crew member when He You''an was leaving the white cloth.

    The other crew member had a gaping wound the size of a bowl on their head, and their life is still in danger to this day. He You''an was hit on the shoulder and head, still conscious but bleeding heavily, which scared everyone around her.

    Mr. Cheng had just gone to the set to visit when He You''an had his accident. Teng Siping rushed to the hospital, fearing for He You''an''s safety and also worried that Mr. Cheng would blame him.

    "Thank goodness, thank Buddha, heaven has blessed us. You''an is not in danger of losing her life, but the doctor said he has a concussion and serious injuries. He will need to rest for several days and cannot film for the time being," Teng Siping said, relieved.

    Yue Dingtang nodded in agreement, "As long as she is not in danger of losing his life, everything else is secondary."

    Teng Siping forced a bitter smile, "Who wouldn''t say so? Fortunately, You''an is still conscious and can recognize people. I heard that those who are seriously ill can''t even remember people. Mr. Yue, would you like to go in and see her?"

    Yue Dingtang calmly replied, "Since Mr. Cheng is here, I won''t disturb her. Please convey my regards and wish her a speedy recovery. I''ll go back and check on my family first."

    Teng Siping nodded repeatedly and watched as Yue Dingtang left.

    As soon as the other party was far away, he remembered that he had been frightened by He You''an just now and forgot to ask about Yue Dingtang''s family members who were hospitalized, whether it was important, and which ward they were in.

    This was a great opportunity to get closer to the Yue family, but he missed it.

    Teng Siping regretted it deeply.

    When Yue Dingtang returned, the old housekeeper was still there, sitting by the bed talking to Ling Shu. The latter was clearly exhausted but refused to sleep, insisting on chatting with the old housekeeper.

    As soon as the old housekeeper saw Yue Dingtang, he breathed a sigh of relief.

    "Fourth Young Master, this child won''t listen and refuses to sleep. You''ll have to take care of him."

    The old housekeeper gestured behind him.

    Ling Shu gave him a wink and made a hand gesture.

    Yue Dingtang remained expressionless.

    "Don''t worry about him. He''s not a child anymore. If he gets sick again, he can just stay in the hospital and take more medicine. You can save your chicken soup, duck soup, and sesame green bean soup for someone else."

    "Oh, don''t say that. Ling Shu is also feeling uncomfortable. The doctor said he needs to stay in the hospital tonight. Why don''t I stay and watch over him? You can go back and rest!" said the old housekeeper.

    "No need. You can go back. I''ll stay here," said Yue Dingtang, seeing the old housekeeper about to persuade him again. "I have something to talk to him about."

    The old housekeeper looked worried and agreed to leave, but his body remained in the hospital room, his steps slow and hesitant.

    "Is there something else on your mind, Uncle Zhou?" asked Yue Dingtang.

    The old housekeeper hesitated to speak, then said, "If you have something to say, please don''t hit me or scold him."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, perhaps because his expression was particularly unpleasant. Uncle Zhou didn''t dare say more and left quickly.

    Yue Dingtang escorted the old housekeeper to the hospital door and instructed the driver to take him back. Turning back, he saw Ling Shu sitting up and smiling at him.

    "I knew you saw my gesture," Ling Shu said.

    "I just ran into He You''an," Yue Dingtang said.

    Ling Shu looked surprised. "So, the anonymous letter was right again," he said.

    "But she didn''t die again," said Yue Dingtang.

    "Are you saying that she set this up herself?" asked Ling Shu.

    "There''s a possibility," replied Yue Dingtang.

    "What about Chen Wendong?" asked Ling Shu.

    "I didn''t see him," said Yue Dingtang.

    He casually took an apple from the fruit basket.

    Yue Dingtang took off his gloves and held the fruit knife in his hand. His slender fingers moved skillfully, and the skin of the apple was easily peeled off in a curved and artistic manner.

    Ling Shu was mesmerized for a moment.

    He rarely saw anyone use a knife like that.

    There may be many people who can peel fruit, but there are few who can play with a knife like Yue Dingtang, almost merging the knife and his hand into one.

    He had only seen one other person do it before.

    And that person was very good at killing. Ling Shu wiped his hot forehead. Just moments ago, he felt like he was drowning in a sea of blood, every step he took was like being bound. Now, he realized it was just an illusion.

    Yue Dingtang''s eyes showed no signs of killing intent, and his hands were not stained with blood. He was refined and reliable, with decent marksmanship and slightly faster reflexes than the average person, but that was all.

    The apple was quickly peeled, and it looked crisp and sweet, emitting a tempting aroma. Yue Dingtang handed it over to Ling Shu, who opened his mouth to take a bite.

    But he bit into thin air.

    "Sorry, I forgot about your weak stomach," Yue Dingtang said, as he took a bite of the apple himself.

    The crunch was loud and satisfying.

    This was definitely revenge.

    Ling Shu sighed and pulled out a piece of paper from his pajama pocket. It was something he had just brought from home.

    "When you go to see He You''an later, could you bring this note with you?"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "How are you so sure that I will go see her?"

    Ling Shu innocently replied, "Do you want me to drag my sickly body there?"

    "I think you look pretty energetic," Yue Dingtang said.

    Ling Shu lay down and covered himself with a blanket.

    "My head is spinning, I can''t sit up. Please go ahead without me," he said.

    Yue Dingtang waited for a while.

    Ling Shu''s eyes closed, his breathing steady. His soft hair made him look like a harmless little animal.

    Yue Dingtang poked his arm, but there was no response.

    He poked again, still no movement.

    He really was asleep.

    Yue Dingtang left the half-eaten apple on the table, picked up the note, and walked out.

    It was already late at night.

    Mr. Cheng had already left, and most of the guards at the door had also left, leaving only two men guarding the entrance. As Yue Dingtang approached, he was immediately stopped by the men standing guard.

    "I am a friend of Miss He''s, here to visit her. Please let her know," he said politely.

    The guards, noticing his suit and coat, responded with equal courtesy, "Miss He has already gone to bed. Please come back tomorrow."

    "I won''t have time tomorrow. Please go in and tell her that Yue Dingtang is here to see her," he replied calmly.

    The guards were originally from the Qing Gang and were used to looking down on people.

    However, upon hearing his name, they dared not be disrespectful.

    Yue Dingtang added, "Mr. Cheng is also here and I''m sure he would like to see me. If you''re not sure, you can go ask him now."

    Realizing that he even knew about Cheng Gong, they became even more cautious.

    At that moment, a weak voice came from inside, "Who''s outside?"

    The guard opened the door halfway.

    "Miss He, it''s a Mr. Yue."

    "It''s me," said Yue Dingtang.

    "Mr. Yue? Please come in quickly!" He You''an hurriedly said.

    The guard dared not stop him anymore and opened the door for Yue Dingtang to enter.

    He You''an sat up from the bed.

    "Mr. Yue, why did you come?"

    "Ling Shu is hospitalized, and I came to visit him. I heard you were here, so I came to see you. I didn''t bring any gifts, please forgive me. I''ll make it up to you another day."

    He You''an smiled weakly, "Mr. Yue is too polite. It''s already an honor for me that you can come. Is Ling Shu okay?"

    "He''s fine," Yue Dingtang casually nodded, discreetly observing He You''an.

    She was indeed injured, her spirits were not very good, and she was only barely able to entertain him. The patient''s neck, which should have been exposed, was wrapped in thick gauze that extended all the way to her elbow, bulging and swollen.

    Her head was also wrapped in layer upon layer of white gauze, with a bit of blood seeping out near her temple. This was a dangerous area, and even a slight mistake could be fatal.

    At this moment, He You''an''s defenses were at their weakest. Could they find a way to break through her defenses?

    Yue Dingtang placed a note in front of her.

    "What did you mean by writing this note to us?"

    He didn''t ask if she had written the note, but went straight to the point and assumed it was her, not giving her any chance to react.

    He You''an was taken aback.

    Her injury had slowed her reaction time, and it was only after a moment of hesitation that she showed surprise.

    "Mr. Yue, what are you talking about?"

    But this sentence was already too late.

    With an extremely affirmative tone, Yue Dingtang came to a conclusion: "It''s really you!"

    Author''s note:

    Ling Shu: Please call me Ling "Offending People Without Fear" Shu.

    Yue Dingtang: Please call me Yue "Exemplary Calm" Dingtang.

 CH 61

    Realizing she had slipped up and revealed a flaw, He You''an immediately shut her mouth and remained silent.

    But Yue Dingtang was in no hurry. He sat across from He You''an, in the same chair that Mr. Cheng had sat in when he arrived.

    With his hands clasped and his legs crossed, he exuded an air of calm and sophistication. He was practically tailor-made to be a professor, and it was clear at a glance that he was a scholar who had returned from studying abroad. Local scholars typically wore long robes in their daily lives, so there was a clear distinction between the two.

    He You''an had seen many handsome men before, but none quite like him. The men she acted with, like Wei Hongxuan, were one in a hundred with extraordinary looks. Otherwise, his wife Su Tao wouldn''t be so guarded against other women, treating them like thieves, afraid that Wei Hongxuan would have any entanglements with them.

    Even so, whether it was Yue Dingtang or Ling Shu, they were still considered the cream of the crop here.

    Ling Shu''s handsomeness was completely different from Yue Dingtang''s meticulousness. Unlike the latter''s attention to detail, Ling Shu was carefree and unrestrained, his peach blossom eyes inadvertently attracting a bunch of uninvited admirers. Whether he wore a cloth jacket or a long coat, he had a different kind of charm.

    But right now, He You''an had no mood to appreciate it all. Her mind was in chaos, unable to meet Yue Dingtang''s gaze as usual, their wills locked in a tug of war.

    "Mr. Yue, I''m feeling a bit tired and it''s inconvenient to entertain you. Please come back tomorrow."

    "Miss Qian, your relationship with her is not actually very good."

    Yue Dingtang said calmly, adjusting his posture and finding a more comfortable position.

    "I''ve had someone investigate and found that Miss Qian has not been entirely honest. During her time as your maid, she has stolen from you several times. You wanted to get rid of her, but couldn''t. So, you are not entirely unsuspicious in her death."

    "Ling Shu has a good impression of you and has never suspected you. He believes everything you say and has been following your lead in the investigation. But I am not like that.

    "I feel that in this case, you have behaved too innocently and too perfectly, making it feel too unreal. So when Ling Shu helped you search for the killer, I started from a different angle and tried to open the box of truth.

    "As a movie star, you have a far-reaching reputation and many people either like or dislike you. But to put it plainly, if you were to die, you would only get one day on the front page of the newspaper. Soon after, a more beautiful, younger, and better actress would appear, replacing you and occupying people''s attention.

    If you were a high-ranking official, perhaps there would be value in threatening your life through assassination. But Miss He, forgive me for being blunt, those who hate you would either kill you directly or make meaningless threats that cannot mobilize such manpower to harm you repeatedly.

    "Since neither of these possibilities exist, there is only one left: these threatening letters were all planned by you alone."

    Miss He listened quietly without interruption. Until Yue Dingtang stopped talking, she slowly said, "I thought Mr. Yue came to visit my illness, but I didn''t expect him to come and accuse me. May I ask Mr. Yue, if all of this is my doing, why would I harm myself? If there was even a slight mistake today, my life would have been lost. The injuries on my head and shoulders are severe, any doctor who comes can prove it. Why do you have to make such malicious speculations about me?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "That''s for you to answer. As I just said, you had a feud with the Miss Qian, but after her death, you didn''t mention it at all. Wasn''t that intentional concealment? I even have reason to suspect that you deliberately created all of this to kill Miss Qian."

    He You''an frowned, "According to what you said, since my maid has already died, why would I need to create this injury myself?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Perhaps you want to completely clear yourself of suspicion. After all, the matter ends with Miss Qian. Some things are too obvious. The trick of pretending to be sick should have a beginning and an end, a head and a tail."

    He You''an sighed.

    She felt dizzy, closed her eyes and remained silent for a while before opening them again.

    "Mr. Yue, in my mind, you are calm and rational. You shouldn''t be so eager to label people. Qian Shi was indeed unscrupulous. I once wanted to drive her away, but she begged me pitifully. I felt sorry for her poor family background and difficult life, so I let her stay. Besides, at that time, Mr. Shen also pleaded for her."

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows. "Mr. Shen? Shen Shiqi?"

    "Yes," He You''an replied.

    How could someone like Shen Shiqi plead for a maid who was not particularly attractive or special?

    Not to mention, she had no outstanding qualities. If it weren''t for He You''an speaking up, Yue Dingtang would never have thought there was such a hidden truth.

    "Why did Shen Shiqi plead for her?"

    "Because Qian Shi was sent by Shen Shiqi to monitor me."

    He You''an''s expression remained calm and unchanged, as if she had not realized she had just said something shocking.

    Even Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but be stunned.

    But He You''an just laughed.

    "Mr. Yue, why are you so surprised? It''s a well-known fact that I am Shen Shiqi''s person."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "And what about Chen Wendong?"

    He You''an was silent for a moment.

    "I can tell you some of what I know about the situation."

    "Please do."

    "Many people know about my relationship with Mr. Shen, but he has an extremely strong desire for control. He not only wants to possess me, but also does not allow me to leave his grasp. So, Qian Shi and Chen Wendong, in name, are a maid and a driver who take care of my daily needs, but in reality, both of them were sent by Shen Shiqi to monitor me.

    "I need to interact with many people for my work. At first, I thought it was because Mr. Shen didn''t trust me. But later, I found out that there were some things he couldn''t handle himself and needed me to do it for him. He would give me some documents to pass on to others because my identity was enough to cover up any suspicion. The presence of Chen Wendong and Qian Shi ensures that I won''t make any mistakes."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What kind of documents? Is Shen Shiqi not just a businessman?"

    He You''an said calmly, "I don''t know. I never ask. I believe you know better than me that the less you know, the safer you are."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Then why did you suddenly tell me all this?"

    He You''an replied, "Because Chen Wendong disappeared."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "When?"

    He You''an said, "He was still here this morning, but after the accident on set, he disappeared."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Was there anything strange about it?"

    He You''an said, "To be honest, I did write that note. At the time, I had already noticed something strange about Chen Wendong. He wasn''t just monitoring me, he also wanted to kill me.

    "But I had no evidence, so I could only write that anonymous note to warn you all. Who knew that right after that, the accident on set happened. Cheng Wendong came to visit me and happened to be standing under the collapsed beam. He had just left when the beam fell, luckily he was unharmed, but another person and I were injured. So, they suspected that Chen Wendong was the mastermind behind all the threatening letters. He appeared to be targeting me, but in reality, he wanted to kill Mr. Cheng."

    Yue Dingtang said, "I don''t understand. Even if Cheng Gong is just a businessman with a wide network and more acquaintances, what ability does he have to make Chen Wendong go through so much trouble? If Chen Wendong really wants to kill someone, he could just shoot and kill both of you when you''re in the car with Mr. Cheng."

    He You''an replied, "That''s not something I should be concerned about. All I know is that Chen Wendong''s plot failed, and he fled in a panic without a trace. Mr. Cheng has ordered people to search for him everywhere, and I''m sure they''ll find him soon enough, and then we''ll have our answers."

    "That''s not it," said Yue Dingtang, not stopping his thoughts because of her words.

    "When you received the first threatening letter, you didn''t know Mr. Cheng yet, so Chen Wendong''s hypothesis of using you to kill Mr. Cheng is contradictory."

    "There is no contradiction at all. Chen Wendong''s initial target was Mr. Shen, but later he switched to Mr. Cheng. He wanted to kill Shen Shiqi and Cheng Gong easily, and make everyone not suspect him. However, it was difficult, so he needed to go through such twists and turns. Otherwise, as you said, I am just an actor. If I die, I die. There is really no need to make such a fuss."

    He You''an shook her head, as if sighing about the wickedness of human nature.

    "Mr. Yue, I know that you and Mr. Ling have been working hard for my sake. I also feel guilty and will definitely give you both the reward you deserve. Since Mr. Cheng has already noticed, Chen Wendong is unlikely to come after me again. Let''s stop investigating this matter."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Did Mr. Cheng tell you all of this?"

    He You''an nodded and said, "Yes, after Mr. Cheng found out about the threats and harassment I had been receiving through those letters, he sent people to investigate. Eventually, they traced it back to Chen Wendong. Chen Wendong became desperate and planned the accident on the set. He even wanted to ambush Mr. Cheng''s car on the street before, but luckily Mr. Cheng was alert and nothing happened."

    Yue Dingtang pondered for a moment.

    "It seems that Mr. Cheng treats you very well. When he saw you with him before, Ling Shu even felt sorry for you for a while."

    He You''an smiled bitterly, "Someone like me, how could I have true freedom of choice? Meeting Mr. Cheng is already a stroke of luck for me. Mr. Ling treats me well, and I know that many people like me because of my appearance and fame, but Mr. Ling treats me like a true friend, with equal respect, always considering me. Talking to him is like basking in the warm spring breeze. Unfortunately, as a wandering actor with no family background, I don''t deserve such a good friend. Please convey my apologies to Mr. Ling and tell him not to bother with my affairs from now on."

    Yue Dingtang said coldly, "If he hears what you just said, he will definitely come to help you find the murderer. He will never leave you alone."

    He You''an sighed, "Then there''s no need to say anything. Just tell him that I don''t want to pursue this any further."

    ...

    When Yue Dingtang returned to the hospital room, Ling Shu was already fast asleep.

    The light was still on, shining brightly and piercing to the eyes, but Ling Shu had pulled the blanket over his eyes and buried his head halfway in it, yet he could still sleep soundly.

    Yue Dingtang walked over and pulled Ling Shu''s hand, which was covered by the blanket, out and placed it outside the bed to prevent the needle on the back of his hand from being misplaced.

    Ling Shu, unaware of his surroundings, had a slight smile on his lips, innocent and carefree.

    Although his forehead was still a bit warm, it had improved significantly compared to before, and he would probably be discharged in a couple of days.

    The premise was that he wouldn''t continue to torment himself.

    Yue Dingtang felt that with Ling Shu''s personality, he would probably remember about himself and He You''an sharing a hospital tomorrow, and he wouldn''t be able to resist asking for the truth. To avoid running into Mr. Cheng and causing any misunderstandings, Yue Dingtang decided to stay overnight at the hospital to keep an eye on him.

    Occasionally, Yue Dingtang had this feeling that he had inexplicably gained a son, and he was especially worried about him.

    With this helpless thought in mind, Yue Dingtang leaned back in his chair and entered an uncomfortable sleep.

    After a night of bizarre and fragmented dreams, he opened his eyes again to the light pouring in through the curtains.

    Yue Dingtang found himself lying flat on the bed, still covered in blankets.

    His suit jacket was still there, as were his shoes, but Ling Shu, who should have been lying here, was nowhere to be found.

    Yue Dingtang rubbed his forehead, trying to clear his head.

    Just then, the door opened and Ling Shu walked in, swaying gently. Wrapped in his coat and still wearing his hospital gown, "Oh, Old Yue, you''re awake?" he greeted, acting as though the patient was Yue Dingtang.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Where did you go?"

    "I went to buy breakfast!" Ling Shu held up his soy milk and fried dough sticks, "I figured you stayed up all night watching over me, so you must be hungry. Now that you''re awake, you can have breakfast."

    "I really appreciate it, but do you remember how you got sick?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    Ling Shu was puzzled, "I had a fever. Why, did you wake up with amnesia?"

    Yue Dingtang took a deep breath and realized that from past to present, people with the surname Ling had a talent for being infuriating.

    "If you remember, you should know that going out to eat while still sick can worsen the condition."

    "Thank you for your hard work, Captain Yue. Everything is in order now. Do you know what?" Ling Shu leaned in mysteriously. "Something big has happened!"

    Yue Dingtang replied casually, "He You''an is also in this hospital. I found out yesterday."

    Ling Shu was taken aback. "What happened to her?"

    Yue Dingtang thought to himself, "I shouldn''t have been so quick to speak."

    "So, what''s the big news?" Ling Shu asked.

    "Shen Shiqi is dead!" he replied.

 CH 62

    Shen Shiqi is dead.

    The cause of his death is somewhat mysterious.

    Two nights ago, someone rented out the Xianlemen, and Shen Shiqi eagerly went, holding onto several beautiful dancers and dancing the night away. According to the playboys who went with him, Shen Shiqi was in a great mood and had a blast. In the end, he even bought one of the dancers'' "outdoor clocks" and took her to a famous hotel in Shanghai.

    The last time the hotel staff saw him was around one o''clock in the morning, holding onto the seductive woman, checking into a room with a key card, and never coming out again.

    The next afternoon, the maid needed to clean the room and rang the doorbell for a long time with no answer. She had to use the key to open the door herself, and was almost scared half to death - Shen Shiqi lay naked on the bed, eyes wide open, blood flowing from his seven orifices, and had long lost his breath.

    The dancer was half-naked, lying on the bed, still breathing, but unconscious.

    The waiter was in shock and immediately found the hotel manager, and the news quickly spread.

    "What kind of death causes bleeding from the seven orifices?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    "I don''t know. I just saw it reported in the newspaper. The body should have been taken back to the city bureau. It''s up to you, Officer Yue!" Ling Shu opened a paper bag, took out a fried stick of dough, and bit off a big piece, causing Yue Dingtang to frown.

    "The doctor said you have a bad stomach, and you''re still eating such greasy food?"

    Ling Shu didn''t care, "Isn''t there soy milk to go with it? Besides, this is called fighting poison with poison!"

    Although it was a human life, Shen Shiqi''s past deeds were truly not worth grieving over. It was difficult to even put on a show of mourning, and it wouldn''t be surprising if some people set off firecrackers behind his back. This just goes to show how poor Shen Shiqi''s social skills were.

    But the Shen family still had some ability, especially Shen Shiqi''s uncle. With this matter coming to light, he would definitely not give up easily. He might even put pressure on the city bureau to solve the case within a deadline.

    "There are many people who dislike Shen Shiqi, and I am one of them. There are even more people who wanted him dead. This time, it''s really hard to find the killer." Ling Shu chewed on a fried dough stick, speaking unclearly, "But do you think this could be the work of Mr. Cheng?"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What''s the motive?"

    Ling Shu said, "It''s simple. Mr. Cheng has taken the woman that Shen Shiqi loves, and Shen Shiqi must be resentful but dare not resist. Mr. Cheng is wary of him seeking revenge in the future, so he strikes first."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "He You''an was offered to Mr. Cheng by Shen Shiqi himself. In fact, I suspect that He You''an deliberately let Mr. Cheng discover her existence."

    Ling Shu asked, "What do you mean?"

    Yue Dingtang explained, "Do you remember the first time we met Mr. Cheng?"

    Ling Shu naturally remembered.

    That day, He You''an invited them to an old restaurant to discuss the threatening letter. The adjacent private room happened to be occupied by Shen Shiqi and Cheng Gong.

    "So, you mean He You''an knew in advance that Shen Shiqi would be dining there and deliberately arranged to be next door?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Not only that, but we came out first and He You''an was still inside. She could have avoided us, but she chose to show herself."

    Ling Shu replied, "Maybe she was just afraid of being discovered by Shen Shiqi and it would be even harder to explain, so she took the initiative to come out."

    Yue Dingtang glanced at him and said lightly, "You''re good at making excuses for her."

    "Beautiful women deserve some special treatment," Ling Shu rubbed his nose.

    "Besides, I haven''t been blinded by beauty. I''m still analyzing the situation with a clear and rational mind. With so many restaurants in Shanghai, what are the chances that the place chosen by He You''an happens to be the same one as Shen Shiqi''s? And what are the chances that they would arrange for us to be seated next to each other? It''s too much of a coincidence to be believed.

    "If all of this was intentional, what is her motive? Is she trying to ditch Shen Shiqi and board a bigger and more stable ship like me?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Regardless of her intentions, Jiang He is right that He You''an is not as simple as she appears. Her kindness towards you is not purely genuine. So far, I still don''t know what role she plays and what her purpose is. If she''s just trying to get close to Cheng Gong and find another sugar daddy, then it''s too much fuss over nothing."

    Ling Shu asked, "Did you show her the newspaper article about Chen Youhua?"

    "I did, but she didn''t react much, not even a second glance," Yue Dingtang replied.

    Ling Shu lazily said, "Dealing with women is not your forte. Let me handle it."

    Yue Dingtang retorted, "You''re going to handle it in slippers and a hospital gown?"

    Ling Shu ran his hand through his hair and said, "With my charm and charisma, does it matter what I wear?"

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t bear to tell him that Ling Shu''s hair was in disarray from being pressed against the pillow, and when he went out to buy breakfast and the cold wind blew, it stood up even more, making people can''t help but laugh.

    With a pale face and lips, and a bewildered look in his eyes, if he went to see He You''an like this, he would most likely be stopped outside before even seeing him.

    "You lie down honestly for me. The doctor said that if there are no major problems today, you can be discharged in the evening."

    Yue Dingtang got up to get a scarf and hat, put them on one by one, and reached out to him.

    Ling Shu asked, "What are you doing?"

    "My coat," Yue Dingtang replied.

    Ling Shu took it off and handed it to him, grumbling that it was really cold. Then he crawled back into bed, rolled around inside the covers, and turned over to nibble on a fried dough stick, looking like a rice ball at first glance. This appearance was nothing like the unstoppable Ling Shu in front of women.

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t bear to witness it and turned around to leave, not willing to stay for even a moment longer.

    Or perhaps, he was in a hurry to learn more about the truth behind Shen Shiqi''s death.

    Since He You''an came to them, this series of events that followed not only piqued Ling Shu''s curiosity, but also greatly interested Yue Dingtang. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have agreed to help He You''an uncover the truth.

    However, the more they dug, the more they felt that the truth below would be unexpected.

    They originally thought it was the work of the murderer, but there were always last-minute changes that made them change their suspicions.

    If everything was really as He You''an said, all planned by Chen Wendong, then was Shen Shiqi''s death also related to Chen Wendong? Why did Chen Wendong want to kill Shen Shiqi?

    The snowball rolled bigger and bigger like a mystery, chasing after them heavily. They wanted to change course and quit the game, but it was too late.

    Ever since they took on He You''an''s commission, they were already in the game.

    When he rushed back to the police station, he received news that Shen Shiqi had been brought back. And judging from Chief Huang''s troubled expression, the phone call with Shen Shiqi''s uncle didn''t go well.

    "Mr. Yue, this case is quite peculiar. I''m afraid we need your help," the chief sighed before even speaking.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What''s the matter? No leads?"

    "There are some clues, but unfortunately, Shen Shiqi''s uncle called and was very impolite. I''m afraid that if this case isn''t solved, I''ll lose my position. Mr. Yue, we''ve known each other for a long time. I''m sure you wouldn''t want to see me lose my job. If that happens, I may have to ask for your help..."

    Chief Huang was a fan of officials, and Yue Dingtang had already noticed that. He was hired as a consultant by the city bureau, not because he solved the Yuan Manor case, but because of his connections to the Yue family.

    "Chief Huang, you''re overestimating me. I''m just a poor teacher, what help can I offer? The most important thing now is to solve the case. If we can''t do that, the Shen family will have something to say. Even if they use their connections to have you removed, can the next person guarantee that they will solve the case?"

    Without receiving his assurance, Chief Huang was a bit disappointed, but he couldn''t say anything.

    "The body has been brought back. According to the forensic examination, the cause of death was poisoning. It seems to be caused by a poison called see-something, which is even more powerful than arsenic."

    "Cyanide?"

    "Exactly, that''s the name! You guys are impressive for having been abroad! Here''s the deal, go to the second floor now. The person in charge of the interrogations is there and can tell you all the details. I have an important guest coming soon, so I have to attend to them. I won''t keep you any longer!"

    Yue Dingtang guessed that Chief Huang was intimidated by the Shen family''s threat and was busy finding a backer. He didn''t stay any longer and said his goodbyes before heading straight to the second floor.

    Potassium cyanide is a highly toxic substance that has been used in industrial chemical production for over forty years. However, it''s not easy for ordinary people to find, let alone have heard of this poison. The other party must have been planning this for a long time, even specifically targeting Shen Shiqi.

    According to the testimony, around 2am the night before last, someone saw a hotel waiter carrying a tray walking on the fourth floor of the restaurant where Shen Shiqi was staying. He eventually walked towards room 407, the presidential suite where Shen Shiqi was staying.

    However, the hotel later confirmed that Shen Shiqi did not order any room service that night, nor did he make any phone calls. After entering the room, he lost contact.

    As for the two bodyguards who were with him, because the accompanying dancer felt uncomfortable with someone outside, Shen Shiqi sent them out to eat supper and they were not outside when the incident occurred.

    As for the cause of Shen Shiqi''s death, preliminary examination showed that he smoked a cigarette sent by a fake waiter, which contained a deadly poison. The dancer only ate the food on the tray and only passed out without any harm. After listening, Yue Dingtang pondered for a moment.

    "So you''re saying the food was not poisoned, only drugged, and the poison was in the cigarettes?" he asked.

    The police officer in charge of questioning opened the file and pointed to it.

    "Yes, the dancer didn''t smoke, she only ate the food. The victim had both," he explained.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "How did they determine it was potassium cyanide so quickly?"

    The police officer replied, "It''s not certain yet. The forensic team made a preliminary judgment, but further testing is needed. However, the deadly substance in the cigarettes has been confirmed through animal testing."

    Yue Dingtang''s mind was in turmoil, with various thoughts racing through his head. He had some ideas, but they were fleeting and hard to grasp. He was brought back to reality when he heard the police officer complaining,

    "It''s been raining for the past two days, making it difficult to track down many pieces of evidence. It''s adding to the difficulties of the investigation."

    Suddenly, a bright idea struck him, like two parallel lines that had never intersected before, he had discovered their point of intersection.

    "Go and help me investigate someone!" he exclaimed.

 CH 63

    In a flash, Yue Dingtang thought of someone.

    Chen Youhua.

    His name was on the list of deaths handed over to Jiang He by Shen Shiqi.

    He had escaped Jiang He''s pursuit, but ultimately could not escape the sudden knife in the dark alley.

    But this name had never disappeared from their sight.

    Yesterday, Ling Shu went to Mingde Bookstore and met Chen Youhua, who was later killed.

    Before that, Shen Shiqi was poisoned and killed in the hotel, and the killer was nowhere to be found.

    It just so happened that the timing was right, because after midnight, it started to rain, from drizzle to pouring rain, and it didn''t stop for half a day from Shanghai to Hangzhou, so Ling Shu caught a cold from being soaked in the rain. So when Yue Dingtang heard the police complaining about the rain making it difficult to find evidence, he immediately connected the two incidents.

    Although the timing was right, it was not enough to prove that Chen Youhua was the killer.

    Yue Dingtang needed to find more evidence.

    "Mr. Yue, who do you want me to find?" the other person asked him strangely, still waiting for an answer.

    Yue Dingtang realized that he couldn''t let the police station find someone.

    Because Chen Youhua''s name may not be real, and his identity as a newspaper employee may also be a cover.

    An ordinary person, how could he be worth being assassinated by Shen Shiqi?

    Compared to the power of the upright path, maybe finding Jiang He would be more effective.

    But Yue Dingtang had no relationship with Jiang He.

    The one he had a relationship with was Ling Shu.

    Thinking of this, Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but sigh. He didn''t want Ling Shu to have too much contact with Jiang He, but after going around in circles, he still had to go through Ling Shu to find someone.

    "No need," he said to the other person and quickly left.

    ...

    Ling Shu had intended to go find He You''an.

    But he didn''t have the chance.

    Because visitors came one after another.

    First was Cheng Si.

    He was an old acquaintance and easy to deal with. After exchanging a few words with Ling Shu, he was sent away.

    Then came the dancer Ya Qi.

    She was deeply in love with Ling Shu. Since entering the city bureau, Ling Shu''s attention and interest had been diverted with two consecutive cases. He hadn''t visited Feilengcui for a long time, but Ya Qi heard from somewhere that he was sick and in the hospital, so she brought a handful of pastries to visit.

    It''s hardest to accept a beauty''s kindness. Ling Shu couldn''t bear to shout at her and drive her away, but he also couldn''t give her what she wanted. So he let her pour out her heart with tears in her eyes, and finally bid her farewell with reluctance.

    But she wasn''t the last guest.

    No sooner had Ya Qi left than the fragrance of incense wafted in, and another beauty pushed open the door.

    At the sight of this beauty, Ling Shu would rather chat with Ya Qi for a few more minutes.

    "You don''t seem to want to see me."

    With a blink of her eye, she exuded a different kind of charm.

    She carried a small sachet and wore a little Western-style dress as she walked in.

    Her demeanor and gait were completely different from Ya Qi''s.

    People nowadays call this "Western style."

    Ling Shu was wrapped up in a blanket, with only his head sticking out.

    "Where did you hear that? When I saw Miss Zhen coming, I thought the room was glowing with golden light. But I was too sick to get up and entertain you. Please help yourself, there are apples on the table, already washed."

    He was just being polite, but to his surprise, Zhen Congyun reached out to take one.

    He quickly added, "Remember to leave two for me. The doctor said I need to eat at least two apples a day."

    Zhen Congyun raised an eyebrow. There were only three apples in the basket, and one was particularly small, like the son of the other two.

    "Who is this Mongolian doctor who says you need two apples a day? Bring him here and let me have a look," she said.

    Ling Shu laughed, "Well, doctors have different opinions and traditions. It''s all a matter of perspective."

    Zhen Congyun smiled slyly, "Last time I asked you to dance the first dance, I pushed you to the forefront. Do you still hold a grudge against me?"

    Her tone elongated the word "you", soft and gentle like a sticky rice cake in the summer, melting in your mouth and turning into a sweet chill.

    Unfortunately, it was winter now.

    Ling Shu replied, "No, Miss Zhen, it was my honor to dance with you."

    Zhen Congyun asked, "Then why did you leave early? I wanted to introduce you to some of the famous people in front of Chairman Wang!"

    Ling Shu explained, "I saw an old friend and chatted with him for a while. I forgot to say goodbye to you. I apologize for that."

    Zhen Congyun teased, "Who is this old friend that made you forget about me? Maybe I''m not pretty enough for you to remember me."

    With each teasing remark, Zhen Congyun was even more carefree than Ya Qi.

    If it were Ya Qi, Ling Shu could still hold his own and not fall behind.

    But facing Zhen Congyun, he couldn''t be too reckless. After all, the lesson from the past was still fresh in his mind. This Miss Zhen was not like other rich girls who were easily fooled. Instead, she could easily make people fall into the traps she set.

    Seeing his lackluster response, Zhen Congyun smiled, as if she had guessed his thoughts.

    "Are you afraid of being tricked by me? Don''t worry, I heard you were sick today, so I came to visit you."

    Zhen Congyun took out a velvet jewelry box from her pocket and placed it on the bedside table.

    "Just a small token of my concern, please don''t reject it."

    He had seen people bring flowers and food when visiting the sick, but he had never seen anyone bring a jewelry box.

    Ling Shu said, "Miss Zhen''s gift must be very valuable. I dare not accept it. You should take it back. I am already happy that you came today."

    Unexpectedly, Zhen Congyun''s face turned cold, as the weather can change in June.

    "I never take back gifts that I give. If you don''t like it, you can throw it away after I leave. And also, when I first met you, I thought you were very interesting. Unlike those who are afraid of my identity and act timidly. But today, why do you seem to have fallen ill and become less fun?"

    As she spoke, there was a different, chilling meaning in the corners of her mouth.

    Ling Shu had seen Zhen Congyun''s father from afar and thought she resembled her mother. But now, he didn''t mind and continued to joke around as usual.

    "You know I''m sick. How can I have fun when I''m sick? Why don''t we wait until I''m better and then we can have fun together?"

    Suddenly, Zhen Congyun''s mouth curved up, like a new moon, shining brightly.

    "It''s true that it''s a good idea, but I came here today to tell you some news. I consider you a good friend, so I wanted to be the first to tell you."

    Ling Shu was taken aback and said, "No! Your parents are your closest relatives. You should tell them first!"

    But Zhen Congyun didn''t listen and continued to speak.

    "I''ve fallen in love with a married man and want to elope with him. But for now, I can''t do it. My family is pressuring me to get married, so I have to find a way to delay it. After today, I''m afraid I''ll be very busy and won''t have much time to see you!"

    Ling Shu: ...

    "I''m tired, I didn''t hear anything."

    Ling Shu closed his eyes and lay down, covered himself with the blanket, and fell asleep peacefully.

    Zhen Congyun didn''t pay any attention and just waved goodbye, grabbed her bag, and left.

    "Well, you rest well!"

    As soon as she opened the door, flashes of light outside kept flashing.

    Several reporters were waiting outside, sticking their heads out and even trying to hand in their cameras.

    "Miss Zhen! Can you say a few words? Why did you suddenly come to this hospital to visit someone today?"

    "Yes, Miss Zhen, your wedding is coming up soon. How are the preparations going?"

    "Miss Zhen, can we interview you..."

    Ling Shu heard Zhen Congyun standing at the door, speaking to the reporters.

    "I don''t like this arranged marriage. It''s all because of our parents. Who still believes in that these days? The person I like is in the hospital, so of course I have to come see him!"

    Ling Shu: ...

    He couldn''t just rush out now, otherwise Zhen Congyun would definitely turn their lie into a well-known love affair.

    He also couldn''t directly tell the reporters that Zhen Congyun likes someone else, because he didn''t even know that person''s name. It would be meaningless to say those words.

    Ling Shu never imagined that this woman would be so crazy. She had already arranged for reporters to ambush them outside. One second she was telling him she likes a married man, and the next second she was spouting nonsense to the reporters.

    The reporters immediately became agitated and bombarded her with questions about his identity.

    In reality, they didn''t need to ask. They could just ask the nurses and Ling Shu''s name would surface. Soon, everyone will know that the man Miss Zhen personally visited at the hospital is the same pretty boy she invited to dance the first dance with at the birthday party.

    After the party, Zhen Congyun and Ling Shu lost touch and the public''s attention gradually faded. Now, with this sudden appearance, Zhen Congyun will once again attract everyone''s attention.

    Even if it''s reported in the news, no one will believe that Ling Shu and Zhen Congyun have no kind of relationship, let alone a close one.

    Zhen Congyun left with a few ambiguous words, leaving behind some restless reporters who wanted to barge in and find Ling Shu. Luckily, the nurses arrived in time to drive them away.

    Ling Shu was left with a cold sweat, wondering what Zhen Congyun was up to. Why did she come to see him out of the blue and say such strange things? If all she wanted was to use Ling Shu as a smoke bomb, then she has undoubtedly succeeded.

    Tomorrow''s newspapers will surely publish the news that Miss Zhen is not happy with the arranged marriage in her family and has someone else in mind. It will be all over the streets and everyone will be curious about who Ling Shu, the man Miss Zhen likes, really is.

    Ling Shu is now regretting it a bit.

    If he had known this woman was so troublesome, he should have found an excuse to decline when Yue Dingtang asked him to deal with Miss Zhen. Without any contact, there would have been no beginning, and certainly no series of troubles that followed.

    No wonder Yue Dingtang is not interested in marrying Miss Zhen. Who can be happy with such a woman?

    But then again, there are always some men who don''t know any better and are more eager to conquer women who are harder to conquer.

    As he was lost in thought, his eyes inadvertently glanced at the bedside table. There was a jewelry box sitting there, the gift brought by Zhen Congyun.

    Ling Shu slowly reached out and grasped the box in his hand.

    He wanted to open it, but hesitated. He felt like he was holding Pandora''s box, and if he wasn''t careful, he would release all sorts of monsters and demons. After all, the things Zhen Congyun brought were not something to be taken lightly.

    He pinched the lid of the box with his fingers and slowly flipped it open. Just as he had opened a small gap, the door to the sickroom was pushed open!

    Ling Shu was startled and almost dropped the box to the ground. The person who came in was not Zhen Congyun, nor was it Yue Dingtang. It was Jiang He. Today was really a day of unexpected visitors.

 CH 64

    "Mr. Jiang, what brings you here?"

    "I came to visit the sick."

    Jiang He took off his hat and casually placed it aside.

    "You don''t seem too welcoming."

    Ling Shu gave a fake smile, "How could that be? But usually when someone visits the sick, they bring a gift. You came empty-handed, it doesn''t seem like a visit."

    "You have a point. I came in a hurry and forgot."

    Jiang He thought for a moment and pulled out a small stack of dollars from his pocket, placing it on the table.

    "It''s not much, but please accept it as a token of my respect."

    This was a generous gesture.

    Ling Shu gave a thumbs up and praised, "Very straightforward!"

    He still didn''t believe that Jiang He came solely to visit the sick, but since the other party didn''t speak first, Ling Shu didn''t ask. Jiang He walked around the hospital room and strolled to the window, half-hidden behind the curtain, looking down at the street below.

    Ling Shu felt that Jiang He''s actions often revealed some of his habits and past experiences, like the shadows of swords and knives.

    For example, a normal person standing by the window would simply look out, but would never half-hide themselves and be ready to conceal their presence, with clear and hidden enemies, making it easy to ambush.

    Only those who often licked blood on the edge of a knife and were accustomed to lurking in the dark of night would have such vigilance.

    Jiang He seemed to sense the gaze behind him and turned around.

    Ling Shu was sitting on the bed, wrapped in a quilt, counting a stack of dollars.

    Jiang He: ...

    He had never seen anyone as straightforward and impolite as Ling Shu.

    Naturally, he had also never encountered anyone who was eager to wade into troubled waters to help him evade pursuit just to investigate the case.

    "You don''t seem curious about why I''m here," Jiang He said.

    "Aren''t you here to visit the sick?" Ling Shu raised the money in his hand. "I appreciate the gesture, and there are apples on the table. Help yourself."

    Jiang He replied, "Besides the money, I also have important news that you''ll be interested in."

    Ling Shu looked up and said, "Please tell me more."

    "Chen Youhua is dead," Jiang He said.

    Ling Shu was shocked. "What?!"

    Jiang He said, "You seem surprised."

    Ling Shu asked, "Why wouldn''t I be surprised?"

    Jiang He said, "I thought you already knew."

    Ling Shu would never admit that he not only witnessed Chen Youhua''s murder but also took his belongings.

    "I had no idea, thanks for telling me! Now another lead is lost, and it may take a long time to find out if He You''an is lying or not."

    Jiang He reached into his coat and pulled out a file folder, tossing it onto the bed.

    "This is Chen Youhua''s information, you might find it useful."

    Ling Shu opened the folder and quickly flipped through it. It contained records of Chen Youhua''s employment at the newspaper and some of his past experiences, which were indeed helpful.

    "Thanks!"

    Ling Shu casually tossed the jewelry box he hadn''t had a chance to open yet to Jiang He.

    Jiang He caught it, confused.

    Ling Shu said, "As a token of my gratitude, this is my gift to you."

    Jiang He frowned.

    The only reason he had sent Ling Shu this file was to repay the favor from that night.

    A life-saving favor, not something small.

    Jiang He never liked owing anyone a favor. If he could repay it, he always would.

    However, Ling Shu was quite an interesting person. Because a dull and boring person would never make the choice to flee with him.

    Jiang He opened the jewelry box and his expression suddenly became strange.

    "You gave me this?"

    "Hmm?"

    Ling Shu didn''t plan to browse through information in front of him. He was just putting the thing back when he looked up and saw Jiang He turn the direction of the jewelry box.

    A diamond ring caught his eye.

    Ling Shu: ......

    Could it be that Zhen Congyun gave him her engagement ring?! There are countless unpredictable women in the world, and Miss Zhen should be one of the best. Ling Shu has met many women who are fascinated by him, but there are few like Zhen Congyun who use him as a shield while having other intentions.

    Who is the married man that she has fallen in love with? The man who has caught the eye of Zhen Congyun must be someone extraordinary, perhaps even a high-ranking official. But why would such a person risk their reputation to pursue an engaged young lady?

    Did this woman really throw her engagement ring at him because she wants to run away from her wedding?

    Will the man she loves run away with her?

    Zhen Congyun''s ring is definitely not of inferior quality. The diamond sparkles brilliantly in the light, causing Ling Shu to blink uncontrollably.

    Judging from the design of the ring, it was probably created by a foreign designer. This valuable ring was thrown at him like a hot potato by Miss Zhen, who said she didn''t want it.

    "As the saying goes, ''falling flowers have intentions, flowing water is heartless.'' I don''t like men, so you can give this ring to someone else." Jiang He placed the box down.

    Ling Shu: ...

    Although Ling Shu couldn''t figure out why Zhen Congyun gave him this ring, he had a feeling that it wasn''t a good thing. Words like "inviting disaster" and "diverting attention" even popped up in his mind. He didn''t want to be the unlucky one.

    He was thinking about how to come up with a touching story to convince Jiang He to accept the ring and become the new scapegoat when someone pushed the door open.

    Ling Shu and Jiang He both instinctively turned to look at the door. In Yue Dingtang''s eyes, one person was sitting on the bed while the other was standing beside it, holding a half-opened jewelry box.

    Yue Dingtang said, "..."

    Ling Shu and Jiang He remained silent.

    After a moment of silence, Yue Dingtang asked, "Do I need to clear a few minutes for you?"

    "No need," Jiang He answered. Jiang He handed the jewelry box to Ling Shu.

    "I''m leaving."

    "Wait!"

    Ignoring Ling Shu''s plea, Jiang He quickly disappeared out the door.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What''s in the box?"

    Ling Shu replied weakly, "A diamond ring."

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but recall the same strange expression on Jiang He''s face.

    "I never thought your peach blossom luck would extend to men."

    Ling Shu protested, "It''s not what you think. I don''t have feelings for her. This ring belongs to Zhen Congyun."

    Yue Dingtang furrowed his brow. "Zhen Congyun? What is she doing here?"

    Ling Shu briefly explained the situation.

    "Do you know which married man she likes?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "I''m not sure. My family and the Zhen family have never had much contact. We just exchange greetings when we meet. The reason why my sister introduced her to me was also because of someone else''s introduction. She didn''t want to refuse."

    Ling Shu gloated, "You''re lucky you didn''t like Miss Zhen. If you had fallen for her and she put this green hat on you, what would you do?"

    Yue Dingtang calmly replied, "It seems like she has her eye on you now."

    Ling Shu choked for a moment.

    "Let''s talk about something else. Jiang He sent over some information about Chen Youhua."

    It was like someone bringing a pillow when you''re already nodding off.

    Yue Dingtang left and returned, wanting Ling Shu to go and talk to Jiang He about Chen Youhua''s situation.

    Unexpectedly, Jiang He came to them on his own.

    "He knows that Chen Youhua is dead."

    "I know," Ling Shu replied.

    "Did he suspect you?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    Ling Shu thought for a moment and shook his head. "He did ask, but it was just a passing remark. He came today because he heard about Chen Youhua''s death and knew I was investigating the case of He You''an. He didn''t want to owe me any favors."

    Yue Dingtang pulled out a stack of documents and flipped through them, raising an eyebrow. "Jiang He really has some skills."

    Many things can be investigated through official channels, but not necessarily found. However, Jiang He is different. His subordinates are like members of the Qing Gang, spread throughout various industries in Shanghai, especially the docks, gambling dens, dance halls, and pawn shops. These places are full of danger, but they are also the easiest places to get and gather information.

    Perhaps Lu Tongcang felt that his trusted ally had become too powerful for him to control, which led to his murderous intentions.

    "Chen Youhua is not his real name, as expected. His real name is Cheng Feng, a chemistry teacher at Shanghai Jiuying Middle School. He was fired after getting into a fight with other teachers due to his laziness and lack of ambition. He then went to work for a newspaper and changed his name to Chen Youhua, until he was hunted down and went missing."

    "What about his family?"

    "When he was a teacher in high school, his resume stated that he was from Ji''an, Jiangxi, with parents and an only child, himself. He was unmarried and had a high school education, but it didn''t specify where he had studied. The school required an interview for employment, so he must have passed it, otherwise he wouldn''t have been hired. However, this person definitely had some issues. Most people would write as much detail as possible on their resumes when applying for a job, but Chen Youhua went against the norm. This was one of his peculiarities.

    "Furthermore, according to his colleagues from the high school where he worked, Chen Youhua rarely mentioned his family and had a solitary and unsociable personality. However, when he started working at the newspaper, he became friendly and approachable. You see, his colleagues at the newspaper have a high opinion of him, saying that Chen Youhua is optimistic and kind-hearted, a good person. How could such opposite personalities exist in the same person?"

    "If Chen Youhua is indeed Cheng Feng, then there is only one explanation: one of his personalities is deliberately disguised, or perhaps both his unsociable and optimistic personalities are fake. No one knows his true character or his background. Everything about him is like a mystery. Now that he''s dead, unless we find someone who has a connection with him, even the name Cheng Feng might be fake." Yue Dingtang fell into deep thought.

    Ling Shu also needed some time to sort out his ideas.

    Since Jiang He could treat this information as a favor, its authenticity was beyond doubt.

    "Have you been to Mingde Bookstore?" Yue Dingtang suddenly asked.

    "Not bad. Jiang He and I suspected the same thing, so he also had someone investigate the Mingde Bookstore in Hangzhou. It''s quite a coincidence that on the same day I returned from Hangzhou after Chen Youhua''s death, the Mingde Bookstore closed down for good. There was a notice posted outside the door, saying that the owner had gone out and the return date was uncertain, and that book lovers should go elsewhere."

    Although this indicated that the bookstore was also involved in the case, they could no longer follow this lead.

    After going around in circles, only He You''an was left.

    All the clues were only on He You''an. "I still can''t figure it out," said the speaker. "Why did He You''an entrust us with the task of investigating the threatening letter? If everything is related to her, then her actions will only draw attention to something that originally had little notice."

    "There are two possibilities," Yue Dingtang replied calmly.

    "The first is that the matter has nothing to do with He You''an. She doesn''t know that Shen Shiqi wants to kill Chen Youhua, nor does she know that Chen Youhua escaped the assassination. The fact that the two of them appeared in that bookstore one after the other was purely coincidental."

    "The second possibility is that she is in cahoots with Chen Youhua. She pulled us into this situation, but only with the intention of dragging us down when needed. To put it bluntly, she wants to push some things onto us."

    "I don''t think she''s that kind of person," said Ling Shu.

    Yue Dingtang said, "Your impression of her has already deviated from the objective standpoint it should be."

    Ling Shu innocently replied, "Why do I feel like you also have formed a bias towards her?"

    "You yourself have said that all coincidences put together are no longer coincidences. When Chen Youhua went to Mingde Bookstore, why did she just happen to go to Hangzhou? Hangzhou is so big, why did she specifically choose Mingde?" Yue Dingtang questioned.

    Ling Shu responded, "Chen Wendong wanted to kill me, but she could have chosen not to send that note. This shows that she still has some basic goodwill towards us."

    "You are too naive," Yue Dingtang said.

    "Old Yue, although human nature may not be inherently good, He You''an has not done anything to harm us so far. I believe we can still make a breakthrough with her," Ling Shu suggested.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Tell me about it."

    Ling Shu replied, "Let''s just say this has nothing to do with her. Chen Youhua definitely has accomplices. If he really killed Shen Shiqi, Chen Youhua''s accomplices might come after He You''an. I am warning He You''an to see how she reacts."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What if she doesn''t react at all?"

    Ling Shu replied, "I am still confident in my ability to read people."

    Just a few minutes after saying this, Ling Shu began to regret it.

    He stood outside He You''an''s hospital room, staring at the two bodyguards.

    There was noise coming from inside the room, indicating that there was more than just He You''an in there. However, the door was tightly closed and nothing could be seen. The guards also refused to report anything, so Ling Shu had no choice but to wait.

    It wasn''t until a nurse came to change the bandages and knocked on the door that Ling Shu took the opportunity to shout out. "Miss He, it''s Ling Shu. I''ve come to see you!"

    "You little brat!"

    "What are you doing?"

    The two bodyguards were furious and were about to drag him out, one on each side.

    Fortunately, He You''an finally heard him.

    "Is it Mr. Ling? Please come in."

    Ling Shu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly slipped inside under the bodyguards'' glare.

    But once he got inside, he saw two large suitcases in the room and two servants helping He You''an pack. They were busy going in and out, occasionally asking her whether to throw something away or keep it.

    "Miss He, are you going on a trip?"

    "Yes, I''ll be leaving Shanghai soon."

    "Where are you going?" Ling Shu asked instinctively.

    "I haven''t decided yet. Maybe Hong Kong, maybe abroad. I just want to travel and clear my mind."

    After a few days, He You''an had changed a bit. The changes were difficult to explain in just a few words.

    But one thing remained the same - He You''an was still He You''an.

    Her beauty was still there, serene and peaceful.

    If the He You''an of the past was like a blooming flower hanging over a stream, brilliant and delicate, falling with the current and having nowhere to rely on, then the current her was like a stone in the stream, letting the water rush past her countless times, resting on the current and gazing at the moon, her reflection still and serene, never wavering.

    This kind of change was particularly subtle, and if it weren''t for Ling Shu noticing it after a few days and paying special attention to her, it would be impossible to detect.

    Even someone who was more careless and inattentive wouldn''t be able to observe it.

    "Why did this happen so suddenly? Didn''t you just finish filming half of the play?" Ling Shu asked.

    He You''an pointed to the bandage on her forehead. "You see me like this, can I still continue filming? This movie is definitely not going to work, they''ll have to find a replacement last minute. Mr. Cheng is afraid I''ll get bored, so he''s letting me travel around. It''s a good thing too, I''ve been in Shanghai for long enough, it''s time to go out and see the world."

    "That''s a good idea. When are you leaving?"

    "In the next couple of days."

    Ling Shu was surprised.

    "So soon? Your injury hasn''t fully healed yet, don''t you need to rest?"

    He You''an smiled, "Resting on a ship is just as good. Mr. Cheng brought a private doctor, so if anything happens, they can diagnose me right away."

    "But medical equipment isn''t as convenient as a hospital," Ling Shu pointed out.

    "It''s not too bad. I don''t think I have any major issues anymore. As long as it''s not as intense as filming, I can handle it."

    Finally, Ling Shu understood where He You''an''s change was coming from. She became distant, her facial expressions and demeanor no longer lively.

    Ling Shu didn''t know how she was with others, but at least towards himself, the previous tenderness and closeness were gone.

    "Since that''s the case, before we part ways, there are some things I''d like to say to Miss He. Would that be convenient?"

    He You''an glanced at him and said to the two maids, "I want to have some oranges and sugar-coated chestnuts. Go out and buy them for me, and come back to clean up later."

    After the two maids left, He You''an took out a small brocade pouch from her handbag.

    "Mr. Ling, rest assured, I promise you the reward and will not go back on my word. This is the key to the HSBC Bank''s safe deposit box 7708. Five days later, you can go to the bank and see the manager. He will naturally take you to retrieve what''s inside."

    Ling Shu asked, "Why wait five days?"

    "What if I''m not ready in time? I don''t want to inconvenience you both. Can we postpone for a couple more days to make sure everything is well-prepared?" asked He You''an with a worried expression.

    Ling Shu replied, "To be honest, I initially took on this case because of the reward promised by Miss He. But later on, whether or not there was a reward became secondary."

    He You''an nodded in understanding and said, "I know that you saved me at the premiere not because of the reward. Mr. Ling, you are a kind-hearted person and I am very grateful. Unfortunately, besides material possessions, I don''t know how else to express my gratitude."

    Ling Shu then asked, "I want to know the truth."

    He You''an was surprised and asked, "What truth?"

    Ling Shu looked directly at her and said abruptly, "Chen Youhua is dead."

    He thought his words would elicit a reaction from He You''an. But there was nothing, and He You''an was still at a loss.

    "Who is Chen Youhua?"

    Ling Shu said, "Shen Shiqi is also dead, did you know?"

    "I know," He You''an replied.

    "Who told you?" Ling Shu asked.

    "Mr. Cheng, he just came by," He You''an said.

    "Don''t you have anything to say?" Ling Shu sighed, showing a hint of sadness.

    "What can I say? The connection between Mr. Shen and me is well known, no matter how he was in his lifetime, he is now gone like a candle in the wind. All I can do is mourn for him, pray for him, and hope that he can rest in peace."

 CH 65

    Yue Dingtang didn''t rush to leave.

    He was still waiting in Ling Shu''s hospital room, waiting for the result of his conversation with He You''an.

    Although Yue Dingtang knew that it was highly likely that Ling Shu would return empty-handed and He You''an would try to shift the blame onto someone else, Ling Shu was a person who appeared lively but was actually deep and profound. Even if he encountered the most cunning person, he should still have gained something.

    With nothing else to do, Yue Dingtang picked up a foreign book and started reading in the hospital room.

    Just as he had started reading about Miss Mostyn''s visit, Ling Shu returned.

    When he left, Ling Shu had nothing in his hands, but when he returned, he was loaded down with bags and packages. Ling Shu laid out the things he had brought. There were soy sauce duck collar bones, malt sugar, oranges, and even fresh flowers. All sorts of things that could fill a small table.

    In the hospital room, there was an empty vase. Ling Shu cleaned it and put some flowers in it, instantly adding a touch of warmth to the room.

    "Did He You''an give this to you?" Yue Dingtang couldn''t imagine the reclusive He You''an carrying a duck collarbone and giving it to Ling Shu.

    "How is that possible? I picked these up on my way back, visiting different rooms," Ling Shu replied.

    Seeing that Yue Dingtang still had some doubts, Ling Shu recounted the story.

    "He You''an is staying beside an old lady, who comes from a wealthy family and has some heart problems. The doctor asked her to stay in the hospital, but her family isn''t here, so there''s only one servant taking care of her. The old lady was in a bad mood because of her illness and had an argument with the servant. I happened to pass by and went in to persuade them. The old lady took a liking to me and we chatted for a while. Before I left, she even gave me two bags of oranges."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "You ate a whole bag on the way here?"

    Ling Shu replied, "I went to the ward next door where the patient was originally an officer who left the military to do business in Shanghai. He was quite successful and had some wealth, but unfortunately had no children and was quite lonely. When he saw me bringing oranges to visit him, he couldn''t help but feel happy. Plus, I am quite good-looking, so after a few words, he gave me most of the gifts that others had brought him and even left me his contact information, making plans to meet up after he is discharged."

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Ling Shu said, "Then I went to another ward. The nurse had just finished giving the patient an injection and left. A spoiled rich girl was crying inside, and her mother and servant couldn''t comfort her. As soon as I arrived, the young lady stopped crying and I managed to make her laugh. She held onto me tightly and even wanted to give me flowers. In the end, her mother managed to put her to sleep and I was able to leave."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "How old was the young lady?"

    Ling Shu replied, "She was four years old."

    Yue Dingtang was speechless.

    Ling Shu spoke earnestly, "Think about it, anyone who can afford to live on the same floor as He You''an must be wealthy. I didn''t wander around for nothing, and the most important thing is that I made friends with people. I even gave some things to the nurse. If I ever have to come back here, at least I''ll know some people."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Do you plan on coming back?"

    Ling Shu laughed it off, "I misspoke, just in case!"

    He closed the book and Yue Dingtang started a casual conversation.

    "How did your talk with He You''an go?"

    "It didn''t have a clear outcome, but it wasn''t a complete failure either," Ling Shu said vaguely, placing the key on the table. "HSBC Bank, Safe No. 7708, He You''an''s payment to us."

    Yue Dingtang glanced at the key. "What else did she say?"

    Ling Shu replied, "She claimed she didn''t know Chen Youhua and had just learned of Shen Shiqi''s death. From start to finish, she had nothing to do with any of it. She even called herself a victim. Besides writing that note to warn us about Chen Wendong, she did nothing else. She also mentioned that she''s leaving Shanghai in a few days to clear her mind and doesn''t know when she''ll be back."

    Yue Dingtang sighed, "So, we still have nothing to show for it."

    "But before I left, she said something very strange," Ling Shu said, pausing to ponder once again on what He You''an had said.

    "She said, ''Mr. Ling, I''ve been in the film industry for years, and I''ve taken many photos. They''re all stored with Mr. Teng Siping. If your brother-in-law is interested, you can ask Mr. Teng for them after I''m gone. I''ve already told him that he can give them all to you as a gift.''"

    Yue Dingtang pondered for a moment. "Your brother-in-law is a fan of He You''an?"

    "The strange thing is that my sister is the one who''s a fan of hers. I never mentioned my brother-in-law, and given He You''an''s age, she shouldn''t have mistaken him for a fan," Ling Shu replied.

    "Do you think she was hinting at something?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    Ling Shu said, "She is a smart person who can read people''s hearts. People like her usually don''t speak nonsense before leaving. And from what I gathered, she may not return to Shanghai for a long time, or even settle down in Hong Kong if it suits her."

    He You''an reminded him to wait until she left before retrieving something.

    The scene was like this.

    The safe was also like this.

    Perhaps she had something she couldn''t say in person, so she left behind some cryptic words for Ling Shu to figure out on his own.

    It''s also possible that she couldn''t bear Shen Shiqi''s humiliation and decided to kill him, then fled with Mr. Cheng to live freely in the wide open sea and sky. She left behind some clues for Ling Shu out of friendship, so he wouldn''t obsess over it and lose his mind.

    Ling Shu felt that his brain couldn''t be considered stupid, but when he met He You''an, he always couldn''t quite figure her out.

    This woman held a pipa and half-covered her face, and every time he thought he had seen her clearly, she would become blurry again.

    Once she left Shanghai, the deaths of Shen Shiqi and Qian Shi might be buried and impossible to trace.

    "It seems that I can only wait for her to leave and then search for answers," Ling Shu yawned and noticed the empty plate beside him.

    "Where are the apples?" he asked.

    Yue Dingtang replied, "I ate them. There was a whole bag of apples yesterday, how come there''s only one left?"

    "I was hungry last night and didn''t have anything to eat in the second half of the night. The guests also ate a lot during the day," Ling Shu explained.

    "Most of it was still eaten by you, right? And you still want to be discharged from the hospital soon?" Yue Dingtang teased.

    Ling Shu laughed, "I can stay in the hospital, it doesn''t matter. Uncle Zhou brings me hot soup and rice every day, so I feel like I''m at home."

    Well, he had become addicted to staying in the hospital.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t want to argue with him anymore, so he got up and picked up the book.

    "I''m leaving now. Uncle Zhou will come later to negotiate with the doctor. If you''re okay, he''ll handle your discharge procedures."

    "Officer Yue," Ling Shu called out to him, "there''s something I want to ask, but I don''t know if I should."

    Yue Dingtang stopped and turned around.

    Ling Shu innocently asked, "Do I still need to go to work tomorrow?"

    Yue Dingtang didn''t want to say anything more, so he just turned and left.

    After he left, Ling Shu chuckled.

    He shook his head, picked up an orange, and slowly peeled it.

    Just like how Yue Dingtang was trying to probe his bottom line. He also enjoyed teasing the other from time to time, probing Yue Dingtang''s bottom line step by step.

    The two of them interacted like dancing a tango, where either one of them would take the lead.

    They were like friends and enemies, superiors and subordinates, old classmates, with multiple identities intertwined. They oscillated between intimacy and distance, maintaining a delicate balance.

    Not long after Yue Dingtang left, the doctor and the old housekeeper, Uncle Zhou, arrived.

    Perhaps due to his lack of self-control in the past few days, the doctor diagnosed that his body had not fully recovered yet, and his temperature was fluctuating around 38 degrees.

    He still needed to stay in the hospital for observation for two more days.

    Under the condemning gaze of the old housekeeper, Ling Shu obediently surrendered the duck collarbone and oranges he hadn''t had a chance to eat.

    The housekeeper''s eyes were like those of a hawk, and he even found the oranges Ling Shu had hidden under his pillow. Ling Shu''s entire stock was ransacked, leaving him with only watery porridge and salty vegetables to survive on.

    He felt doubly bleak.

    The consequence of drinking porridge was that after several trips to the bathroom, his stomach began to growl.

    Despite searching the ward, he couldn''t find anything to eat, so he had to lie down early, cover himself with a blanket, and imagine a sumptuous feast in his mind, with abalone, shark fin, and sea cucumber.

    He endured his hunger and fell asleep.

    In the middle of the night, Ling Shu was awakened by the urge to urinate.

    The surroundings were silent, and outside the window was quiet and empty, but beside his bed, he felt as if someone was there. The feeling was inexplicable, difficult to put into words. But when someone closes their eyes and there are others nearby, it''s easy to sense it. Ling Shu was feeling this way now.

    It was said that people often entered the hospital standing up and left lying down. Funerals were common here, and over the years, countless ghosts had lingered around, unwilling to leave the mortal world.

    It was also said that this hospital used to be a cemetery, and many lost souls had nowhere else to go, so they made the hospital their home. At midnight, when no one was around, it was natural for "them" to be active.

    Ling Shu''s hair stood on end. He held his breath and pretended to toss and turn in his sleep, squeezing his eyes shut except for a tiny slit. In the spot where the moonlight shone on the edge of the bed, there were faint black shadows.

    Suddenly, a hand dropped down. Ling Shu wanted to move, but he couldn''t!

    His neck was being strangled!

 CH 66

    Suddenly, Ling Shu felt a suffocating sensation and couldn''t catch his breath!

    Without thinking, he kicked the other person, but forgot that he was still covered in a blanket, so the kick was not as effective.

    The other person increased their strength and almost crushed Ling Shu underneath them.

    At that moment, he saw stars and felt his body go limp.

    But the instinct that had been honed through countless life and death situations kicked in.

    Like a reflex that had been trained a thousand times, this instinct had saved his life countless times before.

    Ling Shu used his two fingers to poke the other person''s heart like a lightning bolt, hitting their weak spot!

    It wasn''t a ghost, but a person.

    The shadow cried out in pain, recoiled, and their strength weakened. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ling Shu broke free from his grasp and leaped off the bed, pouncing on his opponent.

    Caught off guard, his opponent was tackled and the two of them rolled off the bed and onto the floor.

    Once Ling Shu confirmed that his opponent was human and not a ghost, he didn''t hold back and threw a punch with nine-tenths of his strength.

    But halfway through the punch, he suddenly stopped!

    In the dim light, Ling Shu saw a gun.

    The barrel was pointed directly at his forehead.

    And the person holding the gun was...

    "Chen Wendong?!"

    This man was originally Shen Shiqi''s driver assigned to He You''an, but he was more than just a driver. He often helped Shen Shiqi with shady business. The list of assassination targets given to He You''an was definitely not the first or the last thing he had done.

    Ling Shu still remembered discussing with Yue Dingtang that Shen Shiqi, as a businessman and even a playboy, would call on gang members to beat up anyone he didn''t like and throw them into the Huangpu River. That was considered the most severe retaliation. Sending people to assassinate them was going too far, and maybe Mr. Cheng was involved instead.

    Qian Shi''s death was a turning point.

    He You''an began to suspect Chen Wendong and shared her doubts with Ling Shu and the others. She even issued a warning for them to be careful of Chen Wendong.

    The development of events seemed to confirm her words. He You''an was injured and almost died, and the place where the beam fell that day happened to be where Mr. Cheng had stood before.

    After that, Chen Wendong disappeared without a trace.

    Now, he has reappeared. It wasn''t to meet He You''an, but to appear in Ling Shu''s hospital room.

    "Don''t move, don''t make a sound, or I''ll shoot!" The deliberately lowered ferocity was particularly frightening in the silent darkness, like a cornered wild beast.

    "I can stay still," Ling Shu sighed, "but we have no grudges or grievances. If you kill me, what''s the point?"

    "I''m being chased now!" Chen Wendong said fiercely, "It''s all because of you!"

    "Brother Chen, you''re wronging me. This matter was clearly commissioned by Miss He for me to investigate. When entrusted with a task, one should do it to the best of their ability. If there''s a debt, there''s a debtor. If you don''t go to Miss He, why come to me?"

    Tonight, there was no wind, the clouds revealed the moon, and there was a light outside the window.

    Through the curtains, Ling Shu saw the hand holding the gun trembling.

    It wasn''t anger, but nervousness.

    Chen Wendong is very nervous right now.

    His forehead is slightly sweating, and even his nose is not exempt.

    His palms are definitely wet and slippery with sweat.

    What is he nervous about?

    Ling Shu thinks that the other party must not want to kill him, otherwise he would have shot him first.

    Not wanting to kill someone means that Chen Wendong has not completely lost his mind and there is room for negotiation.

    Ling Shu doesn''t want to risk challenging his marksmanship.

    At this point, Chen Wendong has gradually retreated, with a safe distance between the two, enough for him to shoot and kill Ling Shu if he tries to attack.

    From the way Chen Wendong holds the gun, it is clear that he is also an expert in using firearms. His performance just now was also impressive, further proving that he is not just a driver.

    A movie star''s driver with such skillful and clean movements is already a strange existence.

    Recently, Ling Shu had been hospitalized frequently.

    He was tired of seeing the IV needle and smelling the disinfectant.

    Even if the nurse was beautiful, it didn''t matter.

    What was even scarier was that his sister, Ling Yao, would be back soon. If he got injured again, he would have to face her tearful complaints.

    "Is there anything we can sit down and talk about? How can I help you?" Ling Shu tried to slow down his tone to avoid upsetting the other person.

    "You see, I have a fever and I''m in the hospital. Can I at least put on some clothes?"

    Chen Wendong didn''t move.

    Ling Shu had no choice but to say, "Then let''s talk first. Who is chasing after you? He You''an? I don''t think she has that much power. Shen Shiqi? He''s already dead. That leaves only Mr. Cheng. He sent people to chase after you. Why?"

    He continued speaking when he saw that Chen Wendong remained silent.

    "I don''t think you came all the way here in the middle of the night just to point a gun at me and shoot me dead. My life is worthless, but if you still have unresolved anger and grievances, then you must be at a loss for what to do."

    "Mr. Cheng is a very capable person. If he ordered someone to chase after you, then it would be difficult to handle. Unless you can explain the misunderstanding clearly..."

    At this point, Ling Shu suddenly had a flash of insight. "So you didn''t originally come to the hospital to find me? You wanted to find He You''an or Mr. Cheng? Miss He has been discharged? You couldn''t find her, so you came to me instead?!"

    Finally, the mention of He You''an''s name caused Chen Wendong to react.

    "I have fallen to this state today, all thanks to He You''an! I did not harm Mr. Cheng, nor did I plan those assassinations. It was He You''an who pushed everything onto me, making Mr. Cheng believe that I was the spy!"

    Chen Wendong''s face was twisted in anger, as if He You''an was right in front of him.

    Ling Shu noticed that he looked disheveled, as if he had just gone through a great escape, still shaken and unable to calm his soul.

    "So, you''re saying that you weren''t the one who wanted to kill me before?"

    Chen Wendong choked.

    "It was Shen Shiqi, he made me do it!"

    Ling Shu asked, "Why did Shen Shiqi want to kill me?"

    Chen Wendong replied, "You offended him at the banquet. He has hated you to the bone for a long time. If it weren''t for the Yue family, he would have killed you long ago!"

    Ling Shu chased after him closely, "What about Chen Youhua and Xiao Jun? These two people, one is a journalist and the other is a tailor. They have nothing to do with Shen. Why did he want to kill them?"

    Chen Wendong was gasping for breath but didn''t say anything.

    "Lao Chen, Mr. Cheng''s men are looking for you everywhere. He won''t listen to your explanation anymore. Miss He will soon be leaving with him. If you don''t act fast, you might not even have a chance to speak before you''re shot by Mr. Cheng''s men. If you want to live, the only way is to tell me everything. I have the support of the Yue family and the city bureau. We can at least confront Mr. Cheng and ensure your safety."

    Ling Shu had no backing from the city bureau, and he didn''t even know if Yue Dingtang would come to his aid. But at this moment, he could only talk nonsense and make big claims to stabilize the other party.

    Little did he know that Chen Wendong was not at all grateful.

    "It''s impossible, it''s simply impossible! You can''t beat Mr. Cheng! His abilities are beyond your imagination!"

    Ling Shu was skeptical and followed his words, "Impossible? Even though Mr. Cheng has a wide network, he''s at best just a businessman with some connections to the Japanese military. Where does he have such extraordinary abilities? Don''t tell me he''s Chairman Jiang''s nephew, he doesn''t even have the surname Song!"

    Chen Wendong sneered, "So what if he''s related to Mr. Jiang? He''s not even surnamed Cheng! His surname is Narita, and his real name is Naritagu!"

 CH 67

    Naritagu.

    As soon as this name was mentioned, many things became clear.

    Why could a Chinese person travel freely in the northeast, which is now Japanese territory?

    Why would the Kwantung Army give him face and let him manage the interests of Manchuria Railway in Shanghai?

    Why would Shen Shiqi, a reckless and arrogant person who didn''t know his place, show a bit of respect towards Yue Dingtang but be so obedient to Mr. Cheng?

    It''s because Mr. Cheng is not Cheng Gong, but Naritagu.

    Only a Japanese person can make the Kwantung Army treat him as one of their own, rather than a servant looking for benefits.

    And only Naritagu can make Shen Shiqi behave like a mouse in front of a cat, obedient and honest.

    Ling Shu still remembered that Yue Dingtang had once said that although Cheng Gong was a businessman, he had a deep understanding of traditional Chinese culture and often talked about the origin of his surname.

    He claimed to be a direct descendant of King Wu of Zhou, and many people knew that Mr. Cheng''s bloodline traced back to ancient times and was very noble.

    Others only saw Mr. Cheng as a businessman and worried that his status would be looked down upon by government officials, so he emphasized the origin of his surname. But after several contacts, Ling Shu did not think so.

    Now it seems that his guess has indeed come true, but this is definitely not the result Ling Shu wanted.

    "Brother Chen, things have come to this point, it''s useless for you to point a gun at me. Why don''t we sit down and talk?"

    "What do we have to talk about?" Chen Wendong asked coldly.

    "Negotiation," Ling Shu smiled, realizing that the room was still dark and his friendly smile wouldn''t be visible to the other party.

    He had left the light on before going to bed, but Chen Wendong must have turned it off after coming in.

    "Don''t move!" Chen Wendong immediately spoke up when he saw Ling Shu reaching for the lamp.

    Ling Shu reassured him, "Don''t be nervous, I just want to turn on the light and put on a jacket."

    Chen Wendong warned him, "You better not do anything, or I don''t know if my gun will accidentally go off."

    Ling Shu sighed, "Since Mr. Cheng''s people are chasing you all over the world, they will definitely cut off all your familiar contacts. Whether you are looking for old brothers or old friends, it is probably not reliable. They may promise you good things, but they may turn around and sell you to Mr. Cheng. Mr. Cheng already believes that you are the traitor. Only I can provide you with a breakthrough and a chance to survive."

    Chen Wendong remained silent, but did not refute.

    Ling Shu said, "Then we should put aside our prejudices and cooperate with each other. Although my position is not high, I know people from all walks of life, both good and bad. Even if I can''t compare to Mr. Cheng, I can still help you forge an identity and escape. Even if you don''t believe me, you should believe Yue Dingtang. The Yue family wants to save your life, and they don''t need to go through Mr. Cheng, or should I say, Mr. Naritagu. What a mouthful! Naritagu may have connections in  China and Shanghai, but once someone leaves here, they''ll be in Hubei, Sichuan, or even abroad, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and all over the world. Can he still reach out his hand there?"

    Chen Wendong may have been tired of standing, so he found a chair to sit down.

    But this also meant that his guard was relaxed a bit.

    Shivering from the cold, Ling Shu quickly wrapped himself in a blanket, leaving only his head exposed.

    Chen Wendong didn''t say anything.

    "Continue, how can you help me?"

    "I already said earlier, we can forge a new identity for you and alter your appearance with makeup or even disguise you as a woman. It would be easy for you to leave Shanghai, but Japan is out of the question. I suggest Southeast Asia, where the terrain is complex and there are many Chinese people. It''s a good place for you to settle down. Europe and America are also options, but the journey is long and full of obstacles. Plus, you may not be accustomed to the language. The Yue family has rubber plantations in Southeast Asia and can provide you with a way out," Ling Shu explained.

    "What do you want in return for this cooperation?" Chen Wendong asked.

    "An answer. I just want an answer. Did you kill Shen Shiqi?" Ling Shu replied.

    "No, I didn''t," Chen Wendong said.

    Ling Shu asked, "So are you Shen Shiqi''s man or Narita''s?"

    Chen Wendong replied, "The more you know, the faster you die. Are you sure you want to know?"

    Ling Shu wanted to shrug to show his nonchalance, but he realized he was wrapped in a blanket. The movement was not cool at all, but rather silly, so he stopped.

    "Well, since you already have my life in your hands, why not satisfy my curiosity? I''ll give you another piece of information. He You''an will leave Shanghai in the next few days, and Narita will definitely accompany her. Most of his men will follow, so it''s the best time for you to leave Shanghai."

    Chen Wendong pondered for a long time before finally speaking slowly.

    "I am both a member of Shen Shiqi''s group and a member of the Naritagu''s. Strictly speaking, I am a person sent by Narita to assist Shen Shiqi and follow the orders of Shen Shiqi. Shen Shiqi asked me to be the driver for He You''an, for the convenience of monitoring her closely. Later, when He You''an was with Narita, I returned to Mr. Cheng''s side."

    There seemed to be a deep respect and fear for Narita in him. He was not used to calling Narita by his real name and after mentioning it two or three times, he naturally returned to calling him "Mr. Cheng."

    Ling Shu did not correct him and also called him Mr. Cheng.

    "As far as I know, Miss He is just a movie star. Why do we need to monitor her?"

    "Shen Shiqi needed to handle some shady business, but couldn''t do it himself. He had to entrust it to He You''an. Few people would suspect her, as she was exposed to the public eye, which was both dangerous and safe."

    Ling Shu raised an eyebrow. "For example, letting her hand over the death list of Chen Youhua and Xiao Jun to Jiang He?"

    Chen Wendong glanced at him. His gaze was sharp as a knife, deadly with every cut. If looks could kill, Ling Shu would have been dismembered a thousand times over.

    Ling Shu thought Chen Wendong wouldn''t answer the question, but he did.

    "Yes."

    Ling Shu asked, "Were these two people given the task by Mr. Cheng to Shen Shiqi?"

    Chen Wendong was silent for a moment. "Yes."

    Ling Shu asked, "Do you know why Mr. Cheng wanted to kill them?"

    Chen Wendong replied, "I don''t know."

    Ling Shu said, "Brother Chen, if Yue Dingtang and I don''t understand the whole story, how can we fully trust you and cooperate with you?"

    Chen Wendong replied, "Although I work for Mr. Cheng, I am not his confidant and don''t know much. All I know is that he is Japanese and has deep connections with the Kwantung Army. Shen Shiqi appears to do business with him and is his partner, but in reality, he also works for Mr. Cheng. Since Chen Youhua is the person Mr. Cheng wants to kill, I cannot possibly know the details of the situation."

    He paused and continued, "All I know is that Chen Youhua is not dead. Mr. Cheng suspected He You''an at first and tested her several times, but for some reason, he suddenly turned his attention to me and even sent people to chase me. I have never met Mr. Cheng and have no way to explain myself."

    Chen Wendong still harbored resentment when it came to his own unexplained journey into exile. The name "He You''an" was like a bitter pill in his mouth, and he feared he would never be able to let go of his anger.

    Ling Shu said, "Do you think that He You''an was already dissatisfied with Shen Shiqi, but was just holding back? And then, when Mr. Cheng appeared, she used Shen Shiqi to climb up the tree of Mr. Cheng? Does she know Chen Youhua?"

    Suddenly, Chen Wendong said, "I heard Shen Shiqi mention before that the death list seems to involve some intelligence."

    Ling Shu asked, "What intelligence?"

    Chen Wendong replied, "You seem very interested in this matter."

    Ling Shu said, "Well, how about we talk about something else? Where is your hometown? How many people are in your family? What are your plans for the future?"

    Chen Wendong immediately fell silent. His elbow rested on the armrest of the chair, appearing relaxed and drooping, but in reality, he could flip his wrist and open fire at any sign of movement from Ling Shu. However, Ling Shu knew that he was very uneasy inside.

    He was both fearful of the constant pursuit he faced day and night, and filled with resentment and injustice that he couldn''t explain.

    He wanted to see Mr. Cheng and find a way out, but he was afraid that Mr. Cheng wouldn''t even see him and would send him straight to his death without a second thought.

    He wanted to use Ling Shu to save his own life through Yue Dingtang, but he was afraid that Yue Dingtang''s influence was not enough and he was not reliable.

    Caught between a rock and a hard place, he was walking on thin ice.

    Although he held Ling Shu''s life in his hands, he also entrusted his own life to someone else. If he killed Ling Shu, he would be cutting off half of his own escape route.

    It was a delicate balance, with both ends of the scale in danger of tipping over.

    Ling Shu wasn''t afraid of his nervousness, but he was afraid of his fearlessness.

    Someone once said that having fear in your heart is the weakness that leads to action.

    "Brother Chen, I understand your concerns. After all, we all have families to take care of. Even if we don''t, we''re in the prime of our youth. How can we throw our lives away for no reason? Sure, in 18 years, we''ll be heroes, but who knows what kind of world we''ll be living in then? We might not even make it that far. We could starve to death before we even have a chance to grow up..."

    "You make a good point," replied Chen.

    Suddenly, Chen walked over to Ling Shu and pointed his gun at his temple.

    "Yue Dingtang and Mr. Cheng have no reason to help me. They wouldn''t risk offending Mr. Cheng for no reason. But my life is precious, and I want to live a few more years. Since there''s no hope of getting close to He You''an, I''ll have to ask you to come with me."

    Ling Shu laughed, "Brother Chen, are you confused? Yue Dingtang and I are at most just old classmates, plus a superior-subordinate relationship. We can''t be considered close friends. Since he couldn''t possibly offend Mr. Cheng, how could he bow down to you to save me? If you''re not willing to sit down and talk, even if I have the intention, I can''t help you."

    Chen Wendong sneered, "Mr. Ling, you underestimate yourself. I remember the night when Shen Shiqi wanted to kill you, someone with the surname Yue stood up to Shen Shiqi. Afterwards, he even used his family''s connections to pressure Shen Shiqi''s uncle. Ordinary classmates can''t possibly do this."

    The gun pointed at Ling Shu''s head.

    Ling Shu was worried that the other party might accidentally fire the gun, and he might really have to die here heroically.

    "If you want to blame someone, blame He You''an for leaving first. I came here to find her, but she was nowhere to be found, so I had to settle for second best."

    "Whether you live or die depends on how much weight Yue''s surname puts on you."

    At this point, Chen Wendong''s lips curled up, revealing a slightly eerie smile in the dim light.

    "Even if we die together, at least I''ll have someone to back me up."

 CH 68

    Ling Shu felt very unlucky.

    Even though he wasn''t the one who ordered Chen Wendong to monitor He You''an, and he wasn''t the one chasing after Chen Wendong, why was it that in the end, he was the one with a gun pointed at his temple, forced to face a mutual destruction?

    Did he not check the almanac before leaving, or did he get too close to Yue Dingtang and get infected by his bad luck?

    Ling Shu still remembered that when they were in school, Yue Dingtang was indeed a little bit unlucky.

    When they played cards together, Yue Dingtang always got the worst cards.

    When they went out to eat, the dishes Yue Dingtang ordered were always sold out.

    Even when they went to buy tickets for a movie, as long as Yue Dingtang went to buy them, they would always end up with seats in the corner.

    In summary, Ling Shu believed that he had been completely infected by this kind of bad luck.

    "Write a letter," Chen Wendong''s voice rang out.

    "What kind of letter?"

    "A plea for help to Yue Dingtang," Chen Wendong said coldly. "Leave the letter and come with me. Let him bring the things I need to exchange for you. Otherwise, you''re as good as dead."

    Ling Shu laughed in disbelief. "Brother Chen, what makes you think I''m worth all this trouble? I''m not a stunning beauty, nor am I Yue Dingtang''s parent. Why should he bow down to your demands for the sake of a high school classmate like me? Are you overestimating my worth a bit?"

    "It doesn''t matter," Chen Wendong replied. "As long as you come with me, you''re already on Mr. Cheng''s hit list. Even if Yue Dingtang refuses to save you, we''ll have to fight for our lives together. Two people have a better chance of survival than one."

    Ling Shu felt something was off: "Why is Mr. Cheng chasing after me?"

    Chen Wendong sneered at him, but in the dim light, his expression was no longer important.

    "Because someone as suspicious as Mr. Cheng, once he has decided that I am the mole, if you walk with me, I will definitely leak some information about Mr. Cheng to you, including his identity. Instead of leaving a potential disaster to erupt at an unknown time in the future, it''s better to take advantage of our journey together and eliminate it together."

    "So, you have no way out now, unless Yue Dingtang is willing to use his power and connections to save you."

    Ling Shu thought about it and realized it was true.

    No wonder Chen Wendong was so quick to reveal Mr. Cheng''s true identity to him earlier. It turns out this guy had already planted a trap with ill intentions.

    "I still have another choice, which is not to go with you," Ling Shu said.

    "You have no choice," Chen Wendong directly put the safety catch on his gun.

    With just a slight movement of his index finger, he could send Ling Shu to heaven immediately.

    Ling Shu quickly thought of various ways to escape, such as lifting the blanket to block the other''s line of sight and rolling under the bed, or curling up in the blanket and rolling off the bed, or grabbing the nearby iron plate to block in front of his head and charging straight at the other person.

    However, all of these methods were quickly rejected.

    The safe distance between the two was enough to make the possibility of Ling Shu successfully resisting very slim.

    Realizing the situation, Ling Shu sighed and emerged from under the blanket, raising his hands.

    "Can you at least let me put on a jacket?" he asked. Five minutes later, Ling Shu, who had changed his clothes, began to write a distress letter.

    "Dear Commander Yue, Mr. Chen Wendong came to visit me and we had a great conversation. We hit it off immediately..."

    Ling Shu felt uneasy about the letter and quickly crossed out the last four words and rewrote them.

    "We met each other too late. I heard that Mr. Chen wants to settle abroad, and I am particularly reluctant to see him go. I am preparing to personally send him off and I kindly request that Commander Yue prepare plane tickets, boat tickets, and travel expenses for Mr. Chen, so that he can have a smooth journey. Without further ado, let''s meet at Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing at 1 pm in three days."

    He had originally intended to leak some information in the letter, but Chen Wendong was watching him closely, scrutinizing every word he wrote.

    Ling Shu couldn''t make any mistakes or he would be caught red-handed.

    Ling Shu wasn''t nervous at the moment.

    On the contrary, his thoughts were complicated and even a bit fanciful.

    It was certain that Chen Wendong wouldn''t kill himself, or else he would have pulled the trigger the moment he entered the door.

    He was now trying to find a way out for himself, even if the straw he was grasping onto, Ling Shu, seemed easy to sink.

    After confirming this, Ling Shu began to search for various loopholes.

    He had not found any in Chen Wendong yet, but while writing this plea for help, he remembered something else.

    They had received a still from a movie, showing He You''an hanging himself.

    Not only that, there was also a nonsensical poem written behind the photo.

    "A beauty by the pond, fragrant bones behind the bridge, a withered tomb in the town. Winter has passed, spring is coming, tears of blood inside and out."

    It seemed poetic, but it made no sense and contradicted itself. It was precisely because he didn''t understand it that Ling Shu was firmly reminded of it.

    He never figured out the meaning of this little poem.

    What''s even more interesting is that all the other death threats received by He You''an were handed to her by herself, except for that still photo, which was handed to them by someone on the road, sandwiched between newspapers.

    At this moment, in a flash of lightning, this poem inexplicably popped up again and took the initiative to jump in front of him.

    Ling Shu, who had failed to write a hidden message in a poem asking for help, instead remembered another inexplicable little poem.

    Tang, Qiao, Zhen, Dong, Chun, Li.

    Is this a place name?!

    Ling Shu knew Tangqiao Town, which was on the outskirts of Shanghai, but he had never been there. He didn''t know if there really was a place called Dongchunli, but the problem was--

    Who gave them this place name, He You''an, or someone else?

    What''s the purpose of this place?

    Are they supposed to go there and find something?

    In fact, the hidden meaning behind this poem is not difficult to understand. It''s just that those who are involved are confused.

    At that time, no one thought of this section, and everyone was trying to guess the content of the poem.

    Ling Shu wished he could sprout wings and fly to Tangqiao Town immediately to see what the other party had hidden there.

    "What are you thinking about?"

    But the cold barrel of the gun on his forehead quickly brought him back to reality.

    Chen Wendong''s voice was like a death knell, making his head ache.

    Ling Shu felt helpless.

    "I''m not thinking about anything. It''s done, take a look."

    Chen Wendong glanced at it briefly and found no problems.

    "Let''s go."

    "Where are we going?"

    "You''ll find out when we get there."

    There wasn''t much space to maneuver in the hospital room, but once they left the hospital, Chen Wendong would find it difficult to keep an eye on everything and Ling Shu would undoubtedly find plenty of opportunities to escape.

    But Chen Wendong seemed to have anticipated this, and he was extremely cautious.

    Ling Shu''s hands were handcuffed and hidden under a scarf, while a gun was pressed against his lower back. Chen Wendong had his coat draped over his arm, and even a passerby would have a hard time noticing anything suspicious.

    A yellow cart had been waiting outside the door.

    The driver was dozing off in the car, but when he saw Chen Wendong come out, he quickly greeted him.

    "Sir, you''re here. Sorry for the wait!"

    "Get in." Chen Wendong said to Ling Shu.

    The two of them squeezed into the small cab, which was uncomfortable, but Ling Shu had no room to resist.

    Chen Wendong''s gun was already loaded.

    But the cart driver was not happy.

    "Hey, mister, we didn''t agree to take on another passenger. It''s already hard enough to drive with two people, and now we have to go to the train station too!"

    "Triple the price," said Chen Wendong succinctly, as he pulled out a silver dollar from his pocket and tossed it over. "This is a reward for you, not included in the fare."

    The yellow cart driver had never received such a large sum of money before. He took it and examined it carefully, even taking a bite out of it, his face beaming with joy.

    "Thank you very much, sir!"

    "Now let''s go straight to the train station. I need to catch the earliest train."

    "Okay!"

    It''s not easy for a cart driver to pull two people, but Ling Shu noticed that Chen Wendong had deliberately chosen a strong and healthy driver, so the journey was not slow.

    If they wanted to go faster, they could have taken a car, but that would have required one of them to drive.

    Chen Wendong wasn''t sure if Ling Shu could drive, and even if he could, he didn''t trust him enough to not drive them into a ditch.

    This also indirectly shows that Chen Wendong does not trust anyone now, and there is no one around him that he can use. He is surrounded by enemies and can only rely on himself.

    "Where are we going, Nanjing? The earliest bus from Shanghai to Nanjing is at 8:05 in the morning. Are we going too early? We''ll have to wait at the train station for a long time." Ling Shu started to talk aimlessly.

    "What time is it now? Let me see your watch. Ah, Brother Chen, your hand must be sore from holding that position for so long. As you said, Mr. Cheng will take care of me as well since we left together. So, let''s make a deal. You put down your gun, and I''ll still go with you until Yue Dingtang comes with what you want to exchange for me. How about that?"

    "Shut up." Chen Wendong couldn''t take it anymore and two words burst out of his teeth.

    Finally, Ling Shu quieted down.

    But after a few minutes, he spoke again.

    "Can you turn on the safety? I''m scared you''ll shake and if the wheels hit a rock and bounce..."

    As if to prove his point, the yellow cart tilted and shook slightly.

    Chen Wendong''s body involuntarily leaned towards him.

    Ling Shu was shocked.

    "Be careful, be careful, keep your hand steady!"

    There was no gunshot, only the hand holding the gun trembled slightly with the movement of the car, then returned to normal.

    Ling Shu breathed a sigh of relief.

    Chen Wendong sneered, "Look at your courage!"

    Ling Shu replied, "You don''t know, it''s because I''m a coward that my brother-in-law helped me get a backdoor into becoming a police officer."

    Chen Wendong sneered, "Are police officers not in danger? Even if they sit at home, the sky could still fall. It''s better to not do anything at all!"

    Ling Shu replied, "You don''t understand. There are many types of police officers. There are those who patrol the streets, those who handle cases, and those who work in the office as clerks. I followed the path of the district police, where all I did was organize files. I had a leisurely day and could come in and leave whenever I wanted, as long as I flattered my superiors. But later on, I realized that it wasn''t enough!"

    It was the middle of the night on the streets of Shanghai, and there were few pedestrians.

    Even the streetlights were hard to see.

    At first glance, it was empty and quiet.

    Chen Wendong had been vigilant for a long time, and was starting to feel a bit tired.

    Surprisingly, he didn''t stop Ling Shu from talking and instead asked, "Why wasn''t it enough?"

    Ling Shu smiled and said, "There''s no profit in being a small police officer. With such a meager salary each month, you have to please your superiors and make friends with your colleagues. How is that enough? It''s better to find some side jobs to do for a few years, so you can live comfortably for the rest of your life. But I''m a coward and can''t stand the violence, so I had to find another way. I became a teacher at the local police academy for a year, and then..."

    Chen Wendong interrupted him, "But where''s the profit in being a teacher?"

    Ling Shu said, "You don''t understand. Those who want to become police officers usually have some connections. The wealthy and privileged sons naturally look down on our profession. But even those from modest backgrounds want their children to have a stable government job. Once they''re in, it''s up to us to teach them what to do and what not to do, whether they can be lazy or learn more. After all, we are the instructors."

    Chen Wendong was speechless.

    "What''s even better is that these students are not like those in military schools who have to study for years. They only train for a month or two before starting their jobs. Even if they are dissatisfied, they won''t accumulate resentment over time. In short, we are the ironclad instructors, and they are the flowing students. The profits we make in a year are enough for me to sit in the office for several years!"

    "You really know how to make money," Chen Wendong said.

    "Thank you for the compliment," Ling Shu dismissed his sarcasm with ease, feeling quite pleased with himself.

    "You know, in this world, things may be chaotic, but the good thing is that you can do whatever you want as long as you don''t cross the line. No one will chase after you for being a little sneaky or taking advantage of a situation. Compared to murder and arson, you''re already a model citizen. But speaking of which, Brother Chen, I have to say something to you. Why would you work for the Japanese? They''re not our people. Can you really trust them? Isn''t it obvious that they''ll betray you in the end? If you had worked for Lu Tongcang or the Zhen family from the beginning, maybe you would be living a comfortable life with all the luxuries by now."

    Chen Wendong sneered, "Do you think the Zhen family is so clean? These so-called prestigious families, which one doesn''t do some dirty dealings behind the scenes! Let''s not talk about anything else, if Shen Shiqi hadn''t become Mr. Cheng''s man, could he have been so arrogant and domineering before? Those big shots in Shanghai who can stand up and speak, whose hands are not covered in blood?"

    Ling Shu nodded, "You have a point. So, did Shen Shiqi really betray the country? Did he provide Mr. Cheng with a lot of confidential information?"

    "It''s not that Shen Shiqi provided it to Mr. Cheng, it''s that Mr. Cheng sold the information to Shen Shiqi. In terms of being well-informed, no one in Shanghai can compare to Mr. Cheng. He can even influence the decisions of the Kwantung Army regarding the interior of the country..." Chen Wendong was about to continue, but he suddenly stopped talking.

    "Gentlemen, the train station is up ahead!" The car finally came to a stop, and the exhausted driver could barely catch his breath, let alone speak.

    Chen Wendong paid triple the fare and pulled Ling Shu towards the ticket booth at the station.

    Ling Shu was still eager to ask more questions, but he knew he couldn''t push it any further.

    From the moment the driver announced their destination, Chen Wendong was on high alert.

    He couldn''t let anything distract him.

    Ling Shu asked, "Are we really going to Nanjing? We still have at least three hours until 8:05, and the longer we stay here, the more likely Mr. Cheng''s men will catch up to us."

    Chen Wendong replied, "Buy the earliest ticket to Hangzhou."

    He handed Ling Shu the money and followed closely behind him, never leaving his side.

    After buying their tickets, there were still forty minutes until departure time, so the two of them sat in a corner of the waiting room.

    Chen Wendong kept scanning the area, trying to eliminate any suspicious individuals that Mr. Cheng had sent to hunt him down.

    His body was so tense that even in the cold weather, sweat began to form on his neck.

    Ling Shu had wanted to say something to distract him and see if he could get any information out of him, but it was clear that Chen Wendong was not in a state to engage in conversation.

    Any sudden movement or noise might cause him to react excessively.

    After daybreak, the first person to visit him might not necessarily be Yue Dingtang.

    As usual, after waking up, Mr. Yue would take a walk and practice Tai Chi in his backyard before having breakfast. Then he would go to school, even if he didn''t have any classes, and spend the morning in his office preparing lessons and grading assignments. It wasn''t until the afternoon that he would find time to visit the city bureau or the hospital to take care of his business.

    If it weren''t for Yue Dingtang being the first to receive the distress signal, he would have been notified even later.

    As for whether Yue Dingtang would agree to Chen Wendong''s conditions, Ling Shu was skeptical.

    Even though they were colleagues and old classmates, and even with Yue Chunxiao''s fondness for Ling Shu, their relationship only went so far.

    Was it really worth it for Yue Dingtang to go through all the trouble of rescuing him?

    If he was willing to help, it was out of his sense of loyalty and obligation to old friendships. But if he wasn''t willing, no one could blame him.

    After all, the whole thing had nothing to do with Yue Dingtang.

    If Yue Chunxiao asked about it later, he could just shrug his shoulders and say it was a pity.

    Ling Shu didn''t have high hopes for this matter.

    He needed to find a chance to escape.

    Thinking of this, he couldn''t help but silently repeat it in his mind.

    But opportunities were hard to come by.

    Chen Wendong was an experienced old hand, and his expertise in this area was enough to give Ling Shu a headache.

    Finally, the train arrived at the station and the passengers rushed towards the gate.

    Chen Wendong and Ling Shu didn''t push forward in a hurry, because Chen Wendong was afraid that too many people would scatter them, so they waited until the end to board the train.

    The train carriage was bustling early in the morning.

    People carrying luggage, hot water bottles, and pushing carts were shouting and selling, in stark contrast to the quiet streets outside.

    The heat was suffocating, making people sweat.

    "Excuse me, excuse me! I''m in first class, let me through!"

    "Hey, watch where you''re going! You almost hit my child!"

    "Are you trying to scam me? I didn''t touch anything just now!"

    These arguments between ordinary people were constant and commonplace.

    But Chen Wendong paid no attention to them. He had found a seat with Ling Shu.

    These days, there are no assigned seats on trains. It''s first come, first served. If you''re quick, you''ll get a seat. If not, tough luck. If you have a ticket for a certain carriage, you have to find your own seat inside.

    They bought second-class tickets, which were not as conspicuous as first-class ones, nor as crowded as third-class ones, making it easy to avoid trouble.

    There were four seats facing each other in this compartment. Chen Wendong bought four seats to avoid unwanted company, but he naturally had to sit next to Ling Shu in order to monitor him.

    When others tried to sit down and saw the murderous look on Chen Wendong''s face, they became afraid and left without looking back.

    So when the conductor came by to check tickets, he saw two big men squeezed into one seat, shoulder to shoulder, while the two seats opposite were empty.

    Chen Wendong gestured for Ling Shu to show his ticket for inspection.

    "Sir, since you''ve also bought the two seats opposite, why not sit on one side each? It''ll be more spacious that way," the conductor kindly suggested.

    "Ling Shu smiled and said, ''No problem, I''m afraid of the cold, sitting with a friend will keep me warm.''"

    Chen Wendong lifted his head and glanced at the train attendant as if he were looking at a dead person.

    The latter dared not speak and fled in panic.

    "Brother Chen, I''m thirsty."

    "Endure it."

    "We''re going to Nanjing, why did we buy tickets to Hangzhou?"

    Amidst the roaring sound, the train started moving and the scenery outside the window was no longer still.

    The crowded and bustling crowd gradually quieted down and regained some order.

    As fewer people passed by, Chen Wendong''s emotions slowly calmed down.

    "I let you leave a letter for Nanjing, but we don''t necessarily have to go there first," he said, leaning back against the seat and relaxing slightly.

    "Let''s go to Hangzhou first, and then leave from there."

    Ling Shu smiled and said, "That sounds great. Hangzhou has delicious food and beautiful scenery. After we arrive at noon, we must have a good meal. I''ll take you to the Louwailou restaurant, but let''s make it clear first, I didn''t bring any money."

    Chen Wendong replied, "You''re so carefree. Aren''t you afraid I''ll shoot you?"

    Ling Shu retorted, "Of course I''m afraid, but what''s the use? As long as we''re alive, we still need to eat and drink. Chen, we''ll be on the train to Hangzhou for five hours. Are you planning on not letting me have a sip of water the whole time?"

    Chen Wendong closed his eyes and remained silent.

    Ling Shu had no choice but to shut up.

    The train attendant came over with a hot water kettle.

    Ling Shu quickly stopped him and asked for two cups of water.

    "Sir, did you bring a water bottle or cup?" the attendant asked.

    Ling Shu replied, "No."

    The attendant suggested, "There are cups available in the dining car. Why don''t you come with me to get some?"

    Ling Shu laughed and said, "My brother and I haven''t seen each other for many years, and we have a lot to talk about. We don''t want to leave each other for a moment. Can you help us out?"

    The train attendant''s face looked strange, as if he wanted to say something but didn''t.

    He turned around and went to get them some cups.

    On the train, the passengers in the first and second class carriages were either rich or of high status, or at least literate.

    They had certain expectations, and the train attendant dared not offend them and had to work diligently to meet their demands.

    However, for the passengers in the third class carriage, he was not so polite.

    It was precisely because of the saying "judge people by their dishes" that this was the case.

    The cups were brought over and filled with hot water. Ling Shu held it in his arms, feeling satisfied and emotional.

    "It''s so cold outside, but a cup of hot water is enough to warm my body and soul."

    Chen Wendong did not go to get a cup, nor did he stop him from drinking water.

    Ling Shu laughed, "Don''t be so nervous. Mr. Cheng''s people couldn''t possibly have known that you wanted to go to Nanjing but took a detour to Hangzhou first..."

    Before he could finish his sentence, there was suddenly a commotion from the back of the train car.

    "Stop the thief! There''s a thief!"

    "Hey, you, stop!"

    The sound of chasing and running came from behind, and Ling Shu instinctively turned around to see two people running towards them from far away.

    The one in front was a young man wearing a duckbill cap, and the one chasing behind was a middle-aged woman in a qipao and leather shoes, struggling to keep up and panting heavily.

    The crowd was in a flurry of discussion, but they hadn''t yet realized what was happening when the young man in the duckbill cap had already run far ahead and arrived at their train car in a flash. When Ling Shu turned around, the other person happened to run in their direction. Without thinking, he threw his bag and it landed on Ling Shu''s leg before disappearing into the distance.

    The woman and her husband, who were chasing after the person, finally caught up, sweating profusely and extremely anxious.

    As the train was about to arrive at the station, its speed gradually slowed down. If the person wearing the duckbill cap jumped out of the window and escaped, they would definitely not be able to catch up.

    Ling Shu handed over the bag.

    "Is this yours? He just dropped it on me."

    The woman snatched the bag and opened it.

    "There''s nothing in it!"

    She was both anxious and angry, and instead of thanking Ling Shu, she shouted at him.

    "Are you in cahoots with him? Why did he throw the bag to you?"

    Ling Shu was speechless. "Isn''t this like the story of a dog biting a random person? If I were with him, would I be waiting here for you?"

    The woman was furious: "How was I supposed to know? If you hadn''t stopped me, I could have caught up with them! You have to compensate me for my money! I had tens of yuan in my wallet, that was our emergency fund!"

    It was a classic case of a scholar encountering soldiers, where reason could not prevail.

    Ling Shu shrugged: "I don''t have any money, but my brother does. You can ask him."

    Naturally, the couple turned to Chen Wendong, who was standing beside Ling Shu.

    Just as Ling Shu thought they were going to argue with Chen Wendong, something unexpected happened.

    Even Chen Wendong did not expect that the middle-aged woman in front of him, who looked ordinary and even had wrinkles at the corners of her mouth, would suddenly pull out a gun from her coat pocket and aim it at his own forehead!

    Ling Shu: ?!

    At the moment the gun went off, Ling Shu almost simultaneously bent down to dodge!

    He didn''t have time to worry about whether Chen Wendong would shoot him or not.

    On the contrary, Chen Wendong rushed towards the woman, knocking her wrist off course and causing the bullet to hit a passenger''s head nearby!

    Blood splattered and the passenger fell to the ground with a cry!

    Screams erupted around them as everyone in the carriage instinctively stood up and ran towards both ends of the carriage, desperately trying to escape!

    The failed shot and the rush of people disrupted the plans of the two men.

    Ling Shu and Chen Wendong took advantage of the chaos and slipped away into the crowd.

    Even if the killer was reckless enough to cause casualties, they couldn''t waste bullets in such a dense crowd.

    Chen Wendong and Ling Shu both ran towards the direction of the third-class carriage.

    Because the first-class carriage had more wealthy people and fewer people overall, it was not a good place to hide. On the other hand, the third-class carriage was cheaper, noisy, and crowded, making it easier to blend in during the chaos.

    The chaotic crowd hindered Ling Shu''s escape plan. He wanted to get off the train, but the door was blocked. It was clear that he wouldn''t have time to crawl out of the window before the train came to a complete stop.

    He could only continue to push forward.

    The two assassins'' target may have only been Chen Wendong, but Ling Shu didn''t want to take that risk. After all, Chen Wendong was right.

    In Mr. Cheng''s eyes, anyone who could "escape" with Chen Wendong was a companion, and it wouldn''t be unfair to take them out together.

    Gunshots rang out from behind, and it was unclear who was hit and who fell. The crowd was once again in chaos.

    The restroom was right in front of him, and Ling Shu twisted the door handle and slipped inside.

 CH 69

    The window was only half open, and it was unclear whether it was due to years of disrepair or water damage to the frame.

    The back half simply wouldn''t budge, so Ling Shu had to grab onto the handle above the window frame with both hands, lift his feet up first, and then his body, struggling to squeeze out.

    As he did so, he couldn''t help but think that he had gained some weight recently.

    Going to Yue Dingtang''s house for dinner every day was not a wise choice after all.

    Indulging in food had led to the current situation where he could barely jump over a car window.

    The station was bustling with people, and Ling Shu''s hands were still handcuffed, making him look like a criminal.

    As soon as he jumped out of the window, many eyes were on him. He didn''t have time to worry about them, though.

    As soon as he landed, he started running towards the station exit.

    As long as he left the station, he would be temporarily safe. In the crowd coming towards him, many were waiting for a ride, and there were not many people like Ling Shu who got off midway.

    Going against the flow was difficult step by step.

    Ling Shu was looking around, trying to find a gap in the crowd to slip through, when he saw a little girl in a cotton coat running towards him, holding a stick of sugar-coated haws.

    The little girl was dressed warmly, but she stumbled as she walked, as if she had lost her parents. She looked around with tears in her eyes.

    She fell accidentally right in front of Ling Shu, and although she was not hurt, the sugar-coated haws flew out of her hand.

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but bend down to help the crying child, but at that moment, he suddenly felt a sense of alertness in his heart.

    It was hard to describe this feeling. It''s like being in a constant state of danger for a long time, where one easily reacts to any potential threat, even the slightest breeze can make one jumpy like a startled bird.

    But these instincts and awareness have saved his life countless times.

    When his internal alarm bells rang, Ling Shu didn''t even have time to look up before grabbing the child and rolling to the side!

    Bang!

    Gunshots rang out, and the bullet hit the spot where he had just been standing!

    The child was not the target of the shooter, so Ling Shu put the child down and charged straight into the densest part of the crowd.

    He had originally held onto a glimmer of hope, thinking that Mr. Cheng''s men would focus their pursuit on Chen Wendong.

    As for himself, he was just an additional trouble and burden.

    But now it seemed that Mr. Cheng was determined to eliminate all potential future problems.

    If Ling Shu were to die, even if Yue Dingtang were to question him afterwards, Mr. Cheng could easily shift all the blame onto Chen Wendong, citing his numerous enemies and claiming that Ling Shu was caught in the crossfire.

    Furthermore, Yue Dingtang might not even confront Mr. Cheng directly for the sake of an old classmate and subordinate.

    The police at the station rushed out upon hearing the gunshots, but the two assassins had long disappeared into the crowd.

    Ling Shu risked his life and ran wildly!

    He leaped over several fences without hesitation, pulling out a steel wire he had just picked up in the train restroom.

    As he ran for his life, he also worked to free himself from the handcuffs.

    This little life may not be very valuable, but Ling Shu doesn''t want to die just yet, especially not in such a miserable way.

    He takes a quick glance behind him and sure enough, two men in coats and hats are chasing after him.

    Up ahead is a three-way intersection. To the left is the exit of the train station, to the right is the entrance, and in the middle is a work passage.

    Without hesitation, Ling Shu turns left and disappears from the sight of the two men.

    The two assassins exchange a glance and immediately give chase.

    A few minutes later, Ling Shu appears at the entrance on the right, now wearing a hat on his head. He chuckles to himself, holding the train ticket he had just bought at a high price from someone else''s hand, and boards the train once again.

    The train started from Hangzhou and passed through Jiaxing before arriving in Shanghai.

    This is Jiaxing Station, where the train made a brief stop before continuing on to Shanghai.

    It was exactly what Ling Shu wanted.

    Chen Wendong had originally planned to play a trick and go to Hangzhou first before heading to Nanjing, but now things had changed and it seemed unlikely they would make it to Hangzhou at all.

    Just now, the two men thought Ling Shu wanted to leave the train station, but little did they know that after Ling Shu left the station, he actually circled back and found a passenger to buy his ticket at triple the price, along with the hat on the passenger''s head. Then he returned to the train.

    Even if the two assassins realized what had happened and tried to catch up to the train, it was already too late. Unless... there were more than just those two people sent by Mr. Cheng to kill them.

    Ling Shu felt like he was a master strategist today.

    Sometimes things that seemed good didn''t work out, while things that seemed bad turned out to be good.

    The ticket he bought was a third-class ticket. These days, the closer you are to the front of the train, the worse the environment and the more dangerous it becomes.

    The smell of coal smoke permeates the carriage, and when you get off at the next stop, your hair and clothes are sure to be covered in a layer of coal dust.

    But such places are also better for hiding.

    Obviously, someone else had the same idea as him.

    Ling Shu looked around and found an empty seat to sit down. He pulled his hat down to cover half of his face.

    Someone next to him handed him a bag of hot roasted chestnuts.

    "Want some?" The voice was deep and somewhat familiar.

    Ling Shu turned his head.

    Chen Wendong, wearing a women''s cotton coat and a woman''s headscarf, was also looking at him.

    Ling Shu: ...

    Seeing his horrified expression, Chen Wendong rarely pulled the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile-like expression.

    "What a coincidence."

    Indeed, it was a coincidence.

    Ling Shu calmed down his frightened heart.

    "How did you know?" Chen Wendong said, "It seems like we have the same plan."

    Ling Shu replied, "Going back to Shanghai is a dead end for you."

    "That''s why I said it''s a coincidence," Chen Wendong said as he pulled out a gun from his coat and aimed it at Ling Shu''s waist once again.

    Ling Shu''s mouth twitched as he tried to reason with him. "Brother Chen, you saw it yourself, Mr. Cheng sent so many people after us. We might not be able to escape safely even if we stick together on this boat. Is it appropriate for us to fight amongst ourselves?"

    "You''re half right," Chen Wendong replied. "Because you want to get off this boat so badly, I can only keep you tied up on it."

    "You don''t know how to use a gun. If you do, it won''t do you any good and will only attract assassins. You''ve seen Mr. Cheng''s abilities for yourself. Those are not ordinary gangsters. Judging from their skills and movements, they may have even served in the military. Since they won''t let me go, I have no choice but to stick with you." His words seemed to convince the other person.

    Chen Wendong pondered for a moment before finally putting away the gun.

    Ling Shu breathed a sigh of relief.

    "That''s right, we need to work together sincerely. Maybe we can still escape. Don''t worry, I won''t betray you. Mr. Cheng has made it clear that he won''t let me go, so if I sell you out, I won''t benefit either."

    Chen Wendong said coldly, "I hope your words match your actions."

    Ling Shu asked, "What''s your plan now? Are you still going to Nanjing?"

    Chen Wendong did not answer. In that moment, a hint of confusion appeared on his face.

    Ling Shu realized that maybe he didn''t want to answer, but truly didn''t know what to do.

    Having lost Mr. Cheng''s trust, he was now like a stray dog, with nowhere to go.

    "Let''s go back to Shanghai first," he heard the other person say.

    Chen Wendong tilted his head slightly, leaning against Ling Shu''s shoulder.

    Their mismatched appearances drew more than a few curious glances from passersby.

    Ling Shu pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but feeling that communication with Chen Wendong was difficult. They had finally reached a consensus, and he didn''t want any more complications.

    After wandering around, they had barely left Shanghai before having to return.

    Ling Shu felt that Chen Wendong''s escape route was destined to be anything but smooth.

    Little did he know, trouble was brewing just as he had settled down.

    The train, which was supposed to depart on time, was delayed. Confused and curious passengers began to speculate and discuss the situation.

    The train attendant became impatient and started arguing with the passengers, almost resorting to violence, causing chaos to ensue.

    Amidst the commotion, Ling Shu noticed that some of the onlookers were not paying attention to the quarrel, but were instead looking around, particularly in his direction. Finally, the train started moving, gradually picking up speed with the sound of the whistle.

    As the anger of the passengers and train attendant subsided and the crowd dispersed, Ling Shu remained vigilant. He had noticed a passenger who had been looking around earlier, now walking towards them.

    Chen Wendong reached for his gun, but Ling Shu stopped him.

    He lowered his voice and growled, "Do you want to alert the enemy? What if he''s not the one we''re looking for?"

    Chen Wendong''s face turned cold, his murderous intent barely concealed.

    The man quickly approached them.

    "Excuse me, sir. Are you Mr. Ling?" he asked.

    Ling Shu replied, "Who are you?"

    The man exclaimed with delight, "Oh, great! Do you remember Boss Teng? I work under him as the theater manager. Last time at Miss He''s movie premiere, you saved her. I even sent someone to buy you some medicine for your injuries!"

    It seemed like it did happen. Ling Shu asked, "What are you doing here?"

    The theater manager sighed, "It''s a long story. Miss He is planning to retire from acting, and our theater''s income is already limited. Mr. Teng is considering closing down a few theaters, which means I''ll be out of a job. I went back to my hometown for a few days and now I''m planning to return to Shanghai to look for new opportunities. But what about you? What brings you here?"

    Suddenly, a passerby interrupted with a lively conversation, as if he had met an old friend. He talked endlessly, but Ling Shu had something on his mind and couldn''t spare the time to listen.

    "I''m sorry, I have something to attend to right now. How about we continue our chat in Shanghai?" Ling Shu interrupted him.

    "Oh, oh, I''m sorry to have bothered you. Let''s talk when we get back!" The other person quickly apologized, as if waking up from a dream.

    Just as the theater manager turned around, he immediately turned back with a gun in his hand, pointing it directly at Chen Wendong behind Ling Shu!

    Without warning, someone forcefully pulled Ling Shu back just as he was about to react!

    It was Chen Wendong, who was using him as a human shield!

    Quick as lightning, Ling Shu dodged backwards and kicked the theater manager, causing him to stumble back two steps and the gun to misfire, hitting the roof of the car instead.

    Bang! The bullet exploded like boiling water in oil, startling the fish in the entire car and causing everyone to scream and scramble for their lives, just like on the train before. The difference was that this time, the train was still moving forward and there was no way to stop it, let alone jump out of the window.

    Everyone could only run towards the front and back of the car, but Ling Shu couldn''t run because he was still grappling with the theater manager in the aisle. They had already exchanged several blows in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, Chen Wendong, who had used Ling Shu as a shield, didn''t even pause for a moment and ran towards the front of the car.

    Bang! Bang! Bang! The sound of consecutive gunshots rang out, making one''s heart race up and down.

    Whether the other party was a theater manager with multiple identities or a temporary assassin trying to strike up a conversation, Ling Shu no longer wanted to delve into it.

    He just wanted to get away as soon as possible.

    He clamped down on the other party''s hand, lifted his knee, and knocked the gun out of the way with a bang. Then, with his other hand, he swung a punch!

    The other party groaned and turned his head.

    Ling Shu realized that his right hand had lost some strength.

    If it were before, this punch would have knocked out a few teeth.

    The gun fell into the gap between the seats and could not be found for a while, so the other party had to continue to fight Ling Shu barehanded.

    At some point, the crowded train car had dwindled down to just the two of them.

    Fighting while maintaining balance on a moving train was no easy feat, but the other person clearly wasn''t as skilled as Ling Shu.

    Within moments, Ling Shu had landed several blows, breaking several of the other person''s ribs and causing them to spit up blood as they stumbled backwards.

    Ling Shu showed no mercy, relentlessly pursuing his opponent. In a situation like this, showing mercy was equivalent to signing your own death warrant.

    He had made up his mind to finish the other person off right then and there.

    Seeing his opponent retreat, Ling Shu immediately closed in, kicking the person down and pinning them to the ground, his hands around their neck.

    Suddenly, a flash of light from the other person''s hand caught Ling Shu off guard. He tried to retreat, but was too slow. The dagger was inches away from piercing his vital organs.

    Bang!

    Bang!

    Two gunshots rang out, one from in front and one from behind. The sound of gunfire had a clear order, with the first shot being faster and the second a few seconds slower.

    Two bullets were fired, one hitting the back of the head of the theater manager and the other hitting his leg.

    The theater manager died on the spot.

    However, Ling Shu was unharmed.

    He suddenly looked up and turned around!

    Jiang He was standing in the front car, and it was obvious that he was the one who fired the shot that hit the back of the killer''s head.

    Meanwhile, Yue Dingtang was standing in the connecting car behind Ling Shu. His marksmanship was also good, but Jiang He''s shot was naturally more effective.

    Ling Shu breathed a sigh of relief and realized that he was sweating profusely.

    "I thought no one was coming to save me, but then two people showed up. I''m really flattered!" Ling Shu''s nonchalant nature emerged as soon as the crisis was over.

    He casually gestured to the front and back and sat down without bothering to get up.

    "Oh, by the way, Chen Wendong seems to have run to the front carriage," he said.

    "He''s dead," Jiang He said.

    Ling Shu was taken aback. "Was it done by Mr. Cheng''s people?"

    "I did it," Jiang He said.

    Ling Shu laughed in surprise. "Are you here to kill me too?"

    "Originally, yes. But I owe you a life, so I won''t kill you. And now, I don''t need to kill you," Jiang He replied.

    Ling Shu understood the first part of what was said in front, but not the second.

    Jiang He didn''t explain much and went ahead to confirm if the assassin was really dead.

    The train conductor soon arrived and shouted at the three of them not to move and to raise their hands.

    As Jiang He and Yue Dingtang, they naturally wouldn''t encounter any trouble.

    They didn''t need to use excessive force to accomplish their goal.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t even need to reveal his identity as a member of the Yue family.

    Jiang He had connections with the Shanghai gang, although he wasn''t a member of the Qing gang, he had deep ties with them. As long as they mentioned the Qing gang''s name and the identity of the killer, the police wouldn''t dare to do anything. They even had to politely invite the three of them to the lounge and confirm their identities before getting off the car.

    Until now, Ling Shu was still a bit confused.

    "Why do I feel like this all ended anticlimatically?"

    It wasn''t that he wanted to stay in danger, but this crisis seemed to have ended abruptly, leaving behind a huge question mark.

    Did Mr. Cheng''s men really just crumble so easily?

    Yue Dingtang answered his doubts. "Mr. Cheng''s plane crashed on the way to Hong Kong with He You''an, and everyone on board died."

 CH 70

    "Has He You''an died?"

    Ling Shu felt a surreal sense of confusion.

    It all started with He You''an.

    The first time Ling Shu saw her was at a consulate banquet.

    This woman, who was incomparably beautiful, was like a gem under the light. No matter which angle she was viewed from, she was dazzling.

    Her beauty was not just in her appearance, but also in her temperament, speech, and behavior. If all women were different poems, then He You''an was undoubtedly the most beloved one under Tagore''s pen.

    At that time, Ling Shu never would have thought that this woman would have any intersection with him, let alone trigger a series of subsequent events.

    In this story, there''s the overbearing Shen Shiqi, the unrequited love of Lu Tongcang, the capable Jiang He who works under Lu Tongcang, the mysterious Mr. Cheng, and even Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang, who were originally unrelated to the story but got involved halfway through.

    They were all men surrounding He You''an.

    The more Ling Shu delved into the story, the more he realized how twisted and bizarre it was. The love and entanglements he thought he knew were all overturned.

    He You''an''s plans and motives seemed to have far exceeded his imagination.

    But now, the source of all the entanglements, He You''an, was dead.

    Ling Shu''s curiosity was like a stone thrown high into the air, refusing to come down and find a place to rest.

    "Could it be a mistake? Or did she fake her death and run away?" "Yue Dingtang shook his head.

    "Many people went to Longhua Airport to see off He You''an and Mr. Cheng. The plane exploded and crashed shortly after takeoff, still within the sight of the crowd. When we rushed over, some people''s bodies were still there, albeit incomplete. We also found He You''an and Mr. Cheng''s bodies."

    In this situation, it was almost certain that there was no mistake.

    Ling Shu was still a bit dazed until Yue Dingtang handed him a cup of hot water.

    Only then did he realize that Jiang He had already left.

    "Where''s Jiang He?"

    It turned out that Jiang He had said before that he didn''t need to kill Ling Shu, precisely because of the sudden news of Mr. Cheng''s death.

    This news must have disrupted everyone''s plans, even the assassins who came to chase them, were probably leaderless and hastily retreating.

    "Before leaving, he said he has repaid your life-saving grace," Yue Dingtang said.

    Yue Dingtang furrowed his brows slightly at the Ling Shu''s absent-minded expression.

    "Have you been injured again?" he asked.

    "It''s nothing serious, just some superficial wounds," Ling Shu replied, collecting himself. "Why are you here?"

    "I went to the hospital and saw that you were gone, leaving only a letter," Yue Dingtang explained.

    "Did you discover it?" Ling Shu assumed that the first person to find the letter would have been the nurse who came to give him his injections and change his bandages in the morning.

    "Uncle Zhou asked me to bring you some soup on my way to work," Yue Dingtang said.

    Ling Shu chuckled. "Captain Yue doesn''t usually start work so early, does he?"

    "What are you trying to say?" Yue Dingtang remained calm and collected, throwing Ling Shu off his teasing game.

    "Nothing much, Old Yue, thank you so much. If you and Jiang He hadn''t arrived in time today, I would have lost my life here!"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "I only hit the man''s leg just now. Strictly speaking, it was not me who saved you, but Jiang He."

    Hearing this, it seemed that he was still a little unwilling.

    Since they were in school, Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang had been competing.

    They competed for academic performance, for the teacher''s attention, and for the favor of girls.

    At that time, there were not many co-ed schools, and most of the female students came from open and wealthy families.

    Du Yunning was one of the best, naturally attracting the admiration of many male students.

    At that moment, Yue Dingtang''s face was calm and composed, but in reality, he was secretly competing with Ling Shu.

    They went back and forth, winning and losing, but every time Yue Dingtang lost, he would come back even stronger the next time, showing Ling Shu that he was not one to forget a grudge and was just as competitive as anyone else.

    However, most people couldn''t see through his facade and thought he was as steady as a rock.

    Upon hearing this, Ling Shu couldn''t help but feel that Yue Dingtang''s competitive spirit had been reignited because he couldn''t save him perfectly, which made him feel a bit uneasy.

    As for Ling Shu, he had already learned to let go of unnecessary competitiveness and his past after experiencing a decline in his family''s fortunes and living in the mortal world.

    He had long since thrown it all away into the clouds.

    "No, no, don''t say that! Even without Jiang He, your shot was enough to slow down the assassin and help me escape. That shot was so precious, and I never expected you to be the first to see my distress signal and bring people to help. I don''t even know how to express my gratitude!"

    He quickly smoothed down his old classmate''s fur.

    Yue Dingtang said, "No worries, take your time to find the right words."

    In other words, he didn''t mind if he praised him in different ways.

    Ling Shu: ...

    Wasn''t the original intention of this person surnamed Yue to save people?

    "I won''t say thank you for your great kindness. How about I kneel down and kowtow to you?" Ling Shu said insincerely.

    He was sure that someone surnamed Yue would care about his reputation and wouldn''t agree.

    Who knew -

    Yue Dingtang was very straightforward and said, "Sure!"

    Ling Shu: ??

    "...Suddenly, I remembered that I injured my knee while running just now. It''s still too painful to bend, so how about we postpone our matter to another day?" He groaned while holding his knee.

    "It hurts so much. I just got discharged from the hospital for a fever, and now I feel weak all over again. I also injured my knee. I have to go back to the hospital to check it out!" Despite being an adult, he acted like a child.

    Yue Dingtang sighed. "Alright, stop pretending. After you go back, go to HSBC Bank. He You''an must have left something for you there."

    He was also curious about what role He You''an played in this abrupt story. When it came to curiosity, Yue Dingtang was no less than anyone else, but he rarely showed it.

    Ling Shu said, "No, I think we should go somewhere else first."

    "Where?" asked Yue Dingtang.

    "Tangqiao Town in Dongchunli," replied Ling Shu.

    Tangqiao Town is a beautiful place nestled among mountains and water.

    Even in winter, the fields are green and lush.

    The Lantern Festival has passed, and some brave new shoots have already emerged from the branches, clamoring to take the lead in spring.

    Although Ling Shu had never been to Tangqiao Town before, his deepest impression of the place was not the scenery, but rather...

    "My sister says the drag stove cakes and snow-faced melons here are delicious. She knows how to make them, I don''t know where she learned it from. She made them for me once before, and they were fragrant and crispy, with some wild vegetables inside. If you add some lard to the vegetable filling, it would be even more delicious!"

    As he spoke, Ling Shu held a freshly baked, steaming hot drag stove cake, stretching his neck to take a bite, revealing a contradictory expression of being burned by his tongue and filled with the aroma.

    In comparison, Yue Dingtang was much more refined. He chose to use one hand to poke the cake with chopsticks, and the other to break off a small piece, gently blowing on it before putting it in his mouth once it had cooled.

    Even now, he couldn''t explain why he had gone to the hospital so early in the morning.

    Perhaps it was because he had slept poorly the night before, or maybe he was thinking about the student papers that still needed grading at school.

    Or maybe it was because he felt that Ling Shu was too much trouble and wanted to bring him back early to avoid any further mishaps with Mr. Cheng.

    Who knew that what Yue Dingtang would see was not the lively and energetic Ling Shu, but a cry for help.

    At first, Yue Dingtang''s immediate reaction was that Ling Shu was playing a prank on him.

    But upon further thought, it seemed unreasonable. Driven by this slight sense of irrationality, Yue Dingtang went straight to the home of the chief of the local police station early in the morning and asked him to send someone to follow him and track Ling Shu''s path.

    Thanks to Ling Shu''s outstanding appearance, many people remembered him, and they finally found him on the train.

    Therefore, the only food that Yue Dingtang had eaten today was the flatbread cake in his hand.

    Even if Ling Shu praised it to the skies, let alone saying nothing, a hungry person could taste a hint of sweetness in plain water.

    "Madam, is there a place called Dongchunli in this town?" On the other end, Ling Shu, with a flatbread in his stomach, slightly satisfied, had already begun to inquire about the situation with the owner of the flatbread shop.

    The owner was in her forties, but still had some charm. When Ling Shu and his companion entered, she stared at Ling Shu''s face without turning her gaze away for a while.

    Yue Dingtang, with his sharp eyes, noticed that the plate of flatbread brought over by the owner seemed to be slightly larger in size and quantity than those at the other tables.

    "What are you doing there?" It was just idle chatter, but the owner''s expression changed instantly.

    Ling Shu noticed, but remained calm. "I have a distant relative living there. Our elders had a relationship, but I haven''t met them yet. However, my elders asked me to bring something over. No matter how cold it is outside, I still have to make the trip. Do you happen to know anything about it?"

    The owner looked around and sat down, leaning on the table and getting closer, looking like a gossip.

    "Everyone in this town knows that it''s a cursed place. Ever since a few years ago, when a disease killed many people in Dongchunli, only one household remained. It was a woman, and two years ago, she somehow acquired a baby and has been raising it there. Some say she stole the child from another family, while others say it''s a ghost child she found on a grave. So, people avoid going there, and no new families have moved in."

    After saying this, she let out a sigh.

    "It''s true that the widow is pitiful, but unfortunately, her luck is too strong. Who knows if she''ll end up taking the child''s life too!"

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang exchanged a glance.

    They had thought that Dongchunli area was vast and would be difficult to search, but it turned out there was only one household.

    To be precise, it was a widow and a child. Has the puzzle left by He You''an been solved so quickly?

    The two of them lost their appetite for chatting and set off in the direction pointed out by the boss lady, with Ling Shu casually dismissing her with a few words.

    They were almost in the outskirts of town in Dongchunli, and with the gloomy weather today and the boss lady''s words earlier, there was a creepy atmosphere.

    The few households they passed by were all dilapidated and abandoned, with no inhabitants and open houses. The yards were covered in dust, and who knows what was behind the half-closed doors.

    The only relatively clean household was naturally the one with widow mentioned by the boss lady.

    As they stood outside the yard looking around, someone happened to come out from inside.

    A middle-aged woman with a child behind her, with a clear and beautiful face, wearing a large cotton coat that made it hard to tell if it was a boy or a girl.

    To Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang''s surprise, the woman''s first words upon seeing them were not to ask for their names or purpose, but to exclaim, "Are you here to pick someone up?"

 CH 71

    Faced with the middle-aged woman''s suspicion, Ling Shu played it safe.

    He didn''t say whether he was here to pick someone up or not.

    "Sister, can we come in and take a look? Is it convenient?"

    But the woman shook her head.

    "Forget it, my place is a widow''s home, not auspicious. It''s better if you don''t come in."

    Ling Shu smiled and stepped in directly.

    "It''s okay, we don''t mind. It''s a new era now, and we advocate science and democracy. We don''t believe in these superstitious beliefs."

    The child saw strangers coming in and quickly hid behind the woman, holding onto her legs.

    Timidly, he peeked out with a pair of watery eyes, reflecting the shadow of someone unknown.

    Ling Shu''s heart skipped a beat and he blurted out, "This child, is his last name He?"

    The woman replied, "Yes, you must be here to pick him up. Miss He sent someone to give me a message last week, saying that someone would come to take the child away soon. I wanted to keep the child for a while longer, but it seems that it''s not possible now. Sigh, I''ve been taking care of him since he was a baby. Even though I''m not his real mother, I treat him like my own!"

    The more Ling Shu listened, the more he felt that this child had a deep connection with He You''an. It was even possible that the child was He You''an''s own child.

    However, although He You''an had been married before, there was no news of her having children with Liang Zhou.

    So where did this child come from?

    "Did Miss He say what kind of person would come to pick up the child?" Ling Shu bent down to play with the child for a while.

    He didn''t have any toys in his hands, but luckily there was a piece of leather lying around.

    The little one gradually relaxed his guard and soon was willing to play in Ling Shu''s arms.

    But when he asked this question, the woman suddenly became alert, her gaze shifting back and forth between Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu.

    "Aren''t you here to pick him up? Miss He said two people were coming, one surnamed Ling and the other..."

    "Ling Shu," Ling Shu interrupted.

    "The other one is called Yue Dingtang, and the other one is Ling..." the woman continued.

    "Ling Shu," Ling Shu said.

    "Yes, that''s right!" The woman breathed a sigh of relief, afraid that she had mistaken the wrong person and let the bad guy in. "I knew Miss He wouldn''t lie to me!"

    But these few words only aroused Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang''s suspicion even more.

    Not only did He You''an anticipate that she would be in trouble, she also anticipated that Ling Shu and his team would find this place, and even instructed the woman to give the child to them.

    But why was she so sure that they would take the child?

    Suddenly, Ling Shu remembered the relics that He You''an had placed in the safety deposit box at HSBC. Perhaps the answers they needed were inside.

    But for now, they needed to deal with the child''s situation first.

    "What else did Miss He tell you?" Ling Shu asked.

    "She didn''t say much. She never came to see the child, only occasionally sent money and messages through others. I''ve kept the child''s origin a secret, and even the people in town don''t know. They think he''s an orphan I picked up from an unmarked grave."

    Ling Shu asked, "Is the child hers?"

    The woman was unsure. "I think so, but I really don''t know. She just sent someone to tell me that you would come to take the child away and give me some money. Honestly, if she hadn''t given me the money, I couldn''t afford to raise this child. I really don''t want to let him go. But, if you could come and bring some things for him like Miss He does, I could continue to help you raise him."

    "How much did Miss He promise you?" Yue Dingtang appeared behind Ling Shu at some point.

    The woman seemed a little afraid of him and pursed her lips before using her fingers to indicate a number.

    Yue Dingtang took out a few silver coins from his pocket. "Take these for now. We don''t have much on us at the moment, but we''ll have someone bring more later."

    Ling Shu crouched down to meet the child''s gaze. The child''s reaction was a bit slow, perhaps due to the fact that he had not seen strangers for years with the woman.

    Given the woman''s situation in town, leaving the child here was naturally safe enough, as no one would come knocking on the door. However, such an environment was obviously not good for the child''s growth.

    If Ling Shu and the others had not come, in a few more years, the child would have grown older and his temperament would have formed, and he would probably have been half-wasted.

    This may be why He You''an hoped they would take the child away.

    "What''s your name?" Ling Shu asked softly.

    The child did not speak.

    The woman said, "This child''s name is He Ku, he can''t speak yet, and he''s also a bit dull on weekdays."

    Ling Shu asked, "He Ku, what kind of hardship is the ''Ku'' referring to?"

    The woman replied, "What other hardship could it be? The hardship of suffering!"

    What a strange name.

    What parent would give their child such a name? He Ye''an''s death was causing unrest, as a scheme had ensnared them and left behind countless mysteries.

    She seemed to have piqued Ling Shu''s curiosity, forcing him to unravel the clues bit by bit.

    Ling Shu really wanted to resist her wishes, but his damn curiosity made him unable to turn and walk away.

    It was a pity that he couldn''t speak and couldn''t walk properly without someone leading him, or else he would fall.

    Ling Shu decided to pick him up, but he was reluctant to let go of the woman. he lay on his shoulder, tears streaming down like a speechless porcelain doll.

    The woman''s eyes also turned red, as she followed a few steps behind, not daring to snatch him away.

    "You, you go, I can''t afford to take care of you. Go with them, they will treat you well!"

    In order to avoid drawing attention, when Ling Shu and his companions left Tangqiao Town, they did not go back to the pastry shop they had just visited.

    They hurried along, looking like thieves. The child was wrapped in a blanket and held in their arms. At first glance, it looked like a bundle.

    "Now what do we do?"

    It wasn''t until they returned to Shanghai that Ling Shu realized what kind of trouble he had brought upon himself.

    This was not a small animal or a decorative trinket, but a living, breathing child.

    Raising a child was not something you could just hand off to someone else.

    Not only did you have to take care of their basic needs, but you also had to teach them how to read, write, and behave properly.

    Ling Shu had no problem taking care of himself. He was carefree and didn''t worry about getting hurt. If he did get injured, he would just go to the hospital and be back on his feet in no time.

    But now, he was at a loss.

    Yue Dingtang let out a sigh.

    "You just hugged the child and left decisively, I couldn''t even stop you," said Yue Dingtang.

    "I just couldn''t bear to leave the child to die after what happened to He You''an," replied Ling Shu. "If we didn''t help, the child would have died."

    "Have you considered that this might be another trap set by He You''an?" Yue Dingtang asked. "Since she asked for our help, she has been pulling us into her scheme. Even though she''s dead now, her plan is still in motion. Even you taking the child away was probably within her expectations."

    "So, what do you suggest we do?" Ling Shu asked.

    "Take the child to a foster home," Yue Dingtang replied.

    When Ling Shu remained silent, Yue Dingtang added, "Ling Yao should be back today."

    Ling Shu shuddered and looked down.

    The child had cried himself to sleep in Ling Shu''s arms, his thumb in his mouth as he sucked contentedly.

    Eventually, they had to temporarily leave the child at the Yue house.

    The orphanage was too far away, and they didn''t have time to go back and forth to the bank.

    When the door opened, it was the old housekeeper Uncle Zhou who greeted them. He was taken aback when he saw Ling Shu holding the child.

    "Where did this child come from?" he asked.

    "This is Yue Dingtang''s illegitimate child who was abandoned. His mother passed away, and he brought the child back to raise him," Ling Shu explained with a smile.

    Uncle Zhou believed him and immediately became anxious, looking at Yue Dingtang and then the child.

    "Oh, this is so sudden! The young master and the others are not here. What should we do? I''ll call Miss in Nanjing to come back first!" he said, turning to make the call.

    Yue Dingtang had to stop him.

    "Ling Shu is just joking. This is not my child, but a child of a friend who passed away unexpectedly. We are taking care of the child temporarily until we finish our work, and then we will send the child to an orphanage."

    Uncle Zhou looked suspicious. "Fourth Young Master, please don''t lie to me. This child looks a lot like you!"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    If Ling Shu wasn''t holding the child, he would have laughed so hard he would have fallen over.

    Despite this, he managed to control his facial expression, which was twitching with the effort.

    Uncle Zhou was getting confused, and his imagination began to take flight.

    "Is there something you''re not telling us? Or is the child''s mother of low status and cannot be seen in public? It doesn''t matter. Once the child enters the Yue family, he will be considered a Yue family member. The eldest young master and the others will find a way to help. Fourth Young Master, you cannot let the bloodline of the Yue family be lost!"

    Yue Dingtang had nothing to say in response.

    Trembling with both hands, Ling Shu couldn''t hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

    ...

    The number 7708 safe deposit box was just an ordinary one among the many in HSBC Bank, with an appearance no different from the others.

    But in Ling Shu''s eyes, this safe deposit box held the relics of He You''an and the words she wanted to say to Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang.

    Even more so, this safe deposit box would be the key clue to unraveling all the mysteries.

    As they sat in the reception room and watched the bank manager take out the box from the safe deposit box and place it in front of them, Ling Shu''s hand holding the key felt a bit slippery.

    He both wanted to open it and didn''t want to open it.

    This conflicting feeling lasted for a full five minutes until Ling Shu finally opened the box.

    Inside, there was only one letter and a thick stack of dollars underneath. Ling Shu opened the letter.

    The letter was written by He You''an herself, with elegant handwriting no different from the autographs she gave to her fans on a daily basis.

    Mr. Ling, Mr. Yue, please take note,

    If you are reading this letter, it means that I am no longer in this world.

    I know that you must have many questions and even grievances in your hearts.

    You may feel that I have no enmity with you, yet I have involved you for no reason. This is unjust.

    However, please forgive me, as I am unable to apologize in person from the underworld.

    Allow me to explain everything to you.

    My name is He You''an.

    I was an ordinary woman. I grew up with my elder brother, He Chang''an, who treated me kindly and taught me many things. Although he was my brother, he was like a father to me.

    One day, our family encountered a sudden change, and my brother disappeared while he was out. Since then, his whereabouts have been unknown. I searched tirelessly but to no avail. I even went to the places where my brother used to work, but unfortunately, I couldn''t find any clues.

    Many people said that my brother left home because of our poor family situation and the burden of having a younger sister. But I never believed it because my brother was not that kind of person.

    Until one day, my brother''s friend came to visit.

    It was after my brother had passed away and I had already married into the Liang family.

    Liang Zhou was a useless man who gambled and owed debts, and was beaten to death. I felt like my world had collapsed and almost ended my life, but someone came to deliver news about my brother.

    I only found out later that my older brother didn''t just disappear, he had died in an incident. He had left work early that day to attend a progressive youth reading group, but was chased and persecuted by Chen Wendong, who was with Shen Shiqi, and ultimately met an untimely death.

    Before he passed away, he entrusted someone to leave a message for me, telling me to live well, and also revealed that he had met a woman and had a child two years ago.

    At this point, you may have many questions. Yes, at the time, I suspected that my brother''s identity was not simple. He and my sister-in-law may have had other tasks at hand, and their public jobs were just a cover.

    The reason why the child was left outside was also because he was afraid of implicating his family.

    Even to me, he never revealed a hint of his situation. Shen Shiqi found me and groomed me to become a movie star, not just because of my looks.

    He knew about my brother''s identity and wanted to keep a close eye on me, to control me. On one hand, he saw me as a plaything, but on the other hand, he hoped to uncover more secrets about my brother through me.

    But now that I know all of this, I won''t let it happen. Especially since I learned about what my brother swore to protect, it only strengthens my resolve.

    As I grew closer to Shen Shiqi, I became more open with him. He knew I had no knowledge of my brother''s past, and gradually let his guard down.

    I couldn''t escape his grasp, so I followed his every word. And slowly, he began to reveal some things to me. I discovered that behind Shen Shiqi, there was also a Mr. Cheng.

    This Mr. Cheng was even more capable and had a more mysterious background. Even Shen Shiqi was meek in front of him. I knew that I could get what I wanted from him.

    Sure enough, I uncovered Mr. Cheng''s secret.

    I imagine that with Mr. Yue''s abilities, you must already know something about Mr. Cheng.

    His original surname was Narita, with the given name Gu. He was Japanese and did business between Shanghai and  China. He was very successful, with connections in both the underworld and upper society of Shanghai.

    Many people thought he had close ties with the Kwantung Army, but in reality, he was their representative in Shanghai.

    I received some very important news from Mr. Cheng, and I must share it with you. The contents of this news have all come to pass, so there''s no harm in telling you now, but let''s not talk about that just yet.

    Let''s talk about me.

    At first, I was only seeking revenge for my brother''s death. But it''s funny how things turned out.

    Shen Shiqi trained me to become a movie star, and many of the films I starred in exposed social injustices and called for patriotic progress among the youth.

    I wonder if Shen Shiqi regrets it now?

    But regrets won''t do him any good. He can only settle the score with me in the afterlife.

    Perhaps I got too deep into my roles.

    After playing these kinds of characters for so long, I can no longer tolerate Shen Shiqi and Mr. Cheng.

    There are probably many people like them in this land, but if I can eliminate one or two, it would still be beneficial.

    So I made a decision to kill Mr. Cheng.

    He You''an''s letter was a bit rambling, but it seemed more like a stream of consciousness, as if she wrote down whatever came to mind.

    It was as if she knew her time was running out and wanted to confess everything from her past.

    Ling Shu could almost see this woman in front of him. She sat at her desk, chin in hand, deep in thought.

    Sometimes she would pick up her pen and write, and outside the window, the sky would go from dark to light, and back to dark again. The clouds would come and go, and the sun and moon would rise and set.

    And slowly, a long letter took shape.

    At some point, Yue Dingtang brought a chair over and sat next to him, reading her letter with him.

    Two cups of hot water appeared on the table.

    Ling Shu held his cup, using it to warm his hands, and continued reading.

 CH 72

    Killing Mr. Cheng was not an easy task.

    I had to set up a complete plan.

    Firstly, I needed to clear myself of suspicion. Mr. Cheng and Shen Shiqi had never fully trusted me because of my brother''s identity. If they suspected me, the whole plan would fall apart.

    Secondly, I had to ensure that no one around me would be implicated. Even if the worst happened and I failed and died, it was best if it only affected me and didn''t spread any further.

    That''s why I received a series of death threats aimed at myself.

    Directly or indirectly assassinating Mr. Cheng was clearly not feasible.

    Mr. Cheng was an extremely suspicious person.

    Despite his wealth and abilities, he could have easily frequented high-end places in Shanghai and chatted with many important people without having to act so low-key.

    However, he knew that if his identity was exposed, it could easily lead to various unforeseen circumstances.

    Even when it came to eating, he had to have someone taste his food first, just like an ancient emperor.

    This was something his previous lover did, and later, it was something I did.

    For those around Mr. Cheng, this was not a difficult task, but rather a sign of his trust in them.

    To this day, I still cannot understand why I was "fortunate" enough to be the one to try his food, medicine, and even poison.

    Perhaps, this is the allure of power and money, something I may never fully comprehend.

    The threat of death loomed over me, escalating from a warning left on the second-floor window sill of my residence to an assassination attempt at the premiere.

    But I never showed mercy to myself. I knew I had to fully immerse myself in the role to gain the trust of intelligent people like Mr. Ling and Mr. Cheng.

    Of course, I couldn''t pull off the entire scheme alone.

    Luckily, my late brother had a friend named Chen who also wanted to kill Mr. Cheng. From start to finish, I relied on his help.

    The man who tried to kill me at the premiere was another friend of Chen''s named Xiao, and I had no idea where they came from or if there were others behind them.

    All I knew was that we shared the same goal: to see Mr. Cheng dead.

    Since we were on the same path, we were kindred spirits.

    I told Mr. Chen not to hold back, just avoid the vital areas and inflict serious injuries on me, so as to gain their trust. I never expected Mr. Ling to appear.

    Your intervention saved me from harm, but it also gave me the idea to involve you in this. I''m sorry to drag you into this, but your special status as outsiders, coupled with your fame for solving the case at Yuan Manor and the background of the Yue family, made me invite you to investigate the death threat. This way, Shen and Cheng would not suspect anything.

    Later, I invited you to dine at the restaurant, and the adjacent room was where Shen Shiqi and Cheng Gong met in secret.

    This was not a coincidence.

    My intention was not to eavesdrop, but to make Cheng Gong notice me.

    A few years ago, I was just a lonely girl.

    Despite having decent looks, my lack of experience and knowledge failed to catch Mr. Cheng''s attention.

    But now, things are different.

    The aura of being a movie star adds a certain charm to my persona.

    Mr. Cheng had only seen me on the silver screen, but not in person. Comparing the two, the feeling of being amazed only grows stronger.

    I am confident that I can make him fall for me at first sight, or at least leave a lasting impression.

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but exclaim, "He You''an has a deep understanding of human nature!"

    Upon reading this, Yue Dingtang corrected him, "It should be said that she has a good grasp of men''s thoughts."

    Ling Shu nodded, "Not bad. Do you remember when I had a conflict with Shen Shiqi at the restaurant? I knew she wanted to avoid suspicion and had no intention of drawing attention to herself. If she had just stayed in the private room, nothing would have happened."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "But she appeared unnecessarily and let Mr. Cheng see her face."

    Ling Shu explained, "She came dressed up that day. I thought it was just a woman''s love for beauty, and she didn''t want to relax even during a private gathering."

    Yue Dingtang said, "Now you know she was there for Mr. Cheng."

    Ling Shu rubbed his nose, "I didn''t expect that I, who thought I was clever, would be used once."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "She didn''t come for you at all. Are you disappointed?"

    Ling Shu honestly replied, "A little. Don''t tell me you''re not?"

    Yue Dingtang answered, "No, I''m not."

    Ling Shu looked at him suspiciously, as if trying to find some clues from the other''s expression.

    But Old Yue remained calm and composed, like an old god.

    Ling Shu was convinced: "You must have liked He You''an before!"

    Even if it wasn''t love, there must have been at least some fondness. Who wouldn''t feel something for such a peerless beauty?

    Yue Dingtang replied, "No matter how beautiful someone is on the outside, it''s not what I''m looking for. The person I like must have a deep understanding of me. They should know what I want to do before I even say it. That''s what a true soulmate is."

    Ling Shu clicked his tongue in admiration, "I didn''t expect you, Old Yue, to have such romantic ideas. No wonder you studied in France. I thought you were like your older brother, having one at home and one outside!"

    At the beginning of the Republic of China, the government advocated for civilized marriages, but the remnants of the previous dynasty still prevailed. Those powerful and influential families not only took in concubines, but also remarried while still married to their original wives.

    "He is him, and I am me. Women like He You''an are not to my liking. Only you are easily swayed by their beauty and can be softened by their tears and words."

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t resist his addiction to smoking and reached for his cigarette case, but didn''t want to miss the contents of the letter.

    "However, I do admire her determination and perseverance. If it were anyone else, they would have been caught before killing Naritagu, and the plan would have failed."

    Ling Shu took a few sips of water to moisten his throat and felt that he had rested enough, so he picked up the letter and continued reading.

    The journey of He You''an was actually a tragic one, a runaway train that couldn''t be stopped.

    Just as Yue Dingtang said, Ling Shu admired her determination, but couldn''t bear to witness her fate.

    It''s as if by reading slower, we could prevent the tragedy from happening.

    Sure enough, as I expected, Mr. Cheng couldn''t forget about me and contacted me through Shen Shiqi.

    Although Shen Shiqi didn''t want to let go, he also didn''t dare to offend Mr. Cheng, so I smoothly arrived by Mr. Cheng''s side.

    The story was far from over, it had only just begun.

    Mr. Cheng was even more suspicious and cautious than Shen Shiqi.

    Even after several years of proving my innocence, he still wouldn''t trust me too much.

    It wasn''t until we were on a trip and he was shot in an assassination attempt that I didn''t hesitate to throw myself on top of him to protect him.

    Although I was unharmed, I won his trust because of it.

    Don''t get me wrong, the assassination attempt had nothing to do with me. People like Mr. Cheng may have a low profile, but they definitely have enemies.

    Later on, I took the initiative to try dishes for him, which gradually made him see me as one of his own and even developed deep feelings for me.

    Of course, I used many methods and put in a lot of effort, some of which were things I learned from my years of interacting with men, but I won''t go into detail here.

    In short, Mr. Cheng abandoned all other women around him and saw me as his only one, planning to spend the rest of his life with me.

    He proposed that we leave Shanghai, and from the tone of his voice, it seemed like he wanted to go far away and not come back for several years, or even longer.

    Shanghai was his foundation, where he achieved most of his power and status. Leaving Shanghai would mean that he would still have food and clothing, but that was not what he wanted.

    Unless he had a more important mission.

    I had no way of knowing more, nor did I want to dig deeper and expose myself to danger. Because I knew that the moment to act had come. And the best time was on the plane to Hong Kong.

    I had to strike with one blow, with no room for regret or failure. If you are reading this letter, it means that I have succeeded.

    As for the death of my maid Qian Shi , it was actually my doing, because she was a spy planted by Shen Shiqi by my side.

    I only used this person to remove an obstacle on my path to killing Naritagu.

    I never thought that as a weak woman with no strength, I could become so adept at killing, without any fear or guilt. They say that prostitutes have no mercy and actors have no loyalty, perhaps I embody both.

    I didn''t plan on leaving this letter.

    But last time at the hospital, even when Mr. Ling suspected me, he still warned me to be careful. So I decided to tell you everything, so you wouldn''t be kept in the dark.

    After you said goodbye to me that day, I put this letter and the payment I gave you in the 7708 safe deposit box.

    Mr. Ling, thank you. You are a good person.

    Unfortunately, I have let down your trust and care. But if I hadn''t involved you, we would still be strangers and I wouldn''t have met the two of you.

    In that sense, it''s not a bad thing. At least I now know that there are people like you in this world who are righteous and kind-hearted.

    I killed Mr. Cheng not for justice or for the people, but for personal revenge.

    However, if in avenging myself, I can also save more people from suffering the same fate as him, then I would be very happy.

    In my lifetime, I hope to do more than just be a performer. I want to contribute in any small way I can to my country and its people.

    I have limited knowledge and abilities. Since entering the film industry, I have read more scripts than books. Killing one Naritagu may not be enough, as there are countless others like my brother who have suffered and died.

    However, I can only think of one solution to ensure the happiness and peace of more people in the future. I must rely on knowledgeable and capable gentlemen like you two.

    My brother''s illegitimate child is placed in a location that you have received a hidden poem about, which I believe you now know. For his safety, I have rarely visited him in person.

    But if both Mr. Cheng and I were to die, the child should no longer have to hide and live in secrecy. I ask that you help me bring him out and find a reliable family to adopt him.

    The adoptive parents don''t need to come from a wealthy family, as long as they are kind and courteous, and raise the child to be independent and self-reliant. If it''s too much trouble, the child can be placed in an orphanage.

    I know we''ve only just met, and this is asking a lot of you both. I am grateful for your help and will repay you in the next life.

    As I finish writing, I realize that words can never truly express my gratitude. Thank you for patiently listening to my ramblings. My writing may be poor, but I hope you can forgive me.

    I dream of a future where our country is no longer poor and weak, where everyone has enough to eat and wear, and ordinary people are strong and intelligent. No one will have to wander or abandon their children, and those with malicious intentions will no longer threaten us.

    Mr. Ling and Mr. Yue, I hope you both can see that day come.

    The scent of smoke fills the air. Yue Dingtang couldn''t resist and lit a cigarette, which was already halfway smoked.

    The sound of tobacco burning in the reception room became clear. Ling Shu held the letter and stared at the last two words of He You''an''s letter, lost in thought.

    Until Yue Dingtang spoke up.

    "There''s a compartment in this box."

    Ling Shu followed his gaze and saw that he was pulling out a velvet board from the box. Sure enough, there was a thin booklet underneath.

    Yue Dingtang opened it, and it only had a few pages with no text, only a series of numbers, sparsely distributed in rows, making it incomprehensible.

    Ling Shu said, "This seems to be-"

    "A codebook," Yue Dingtang interrupted.

    In an instant, memories were triggered, connecting the dots!

    "The newspaper! ''Lin''an Daily''!" Ling Shu suddenly exclaimed!

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Do you remember the date?"

    "I do, but I gave that newspaper to He You''an and I doubt she still has it," Ling Shu replied.

    "The content corresponding to this codebook wouldn''t be printed in a separate newspaper. It must be within the pages of the newspaper. Let''s go to the library. They must have a copy of the Lin''an Daily from that day," Yue Dingtang suggested.

    Without delay, the two of them grabbed the box and left the meeting room, heading straight to the periodicals room of the local library.

    There, they found a collection of newspapers from the past decade, both big and small.

    "December 17th newspaper... no, that''s from last year. I found an old newspaper on Chen Youhua, so I need to find one from last year," Ling Shu muttered as he searched through the papers.

    "Here it is."

    On the other side, good news came from Yue Dingtang and he immediately went over.

    "The December 17th issue of the Lin''an Daily, yes, match it with the codebook quickly. It''s marked in red here, it should be this page! There''s so much content in this newspaper, which article is the real intelligence?"

    "Try looking from right to left, use the numbers on this page to match the word in the report."

    "Four, eight, thirteen, seven, three, eighty-eight, seventy-six..."

    Ling Shu wrote down each word as he found it. These individual, unrelated words looked completely chaotic at first glance. Yue Dingtang rearranged and sorted them into a coherent sentence.

    "The Japanese army intends to take Chengde and aim for Beijing."

    The two of them were slightly stunned. This was undoubtedly outdated intelligence. In just the past month, the Japanese army fired their first shot from Yuguang and quickly took over Rehe before attacking Gubeikou.

    There were those who surrendered without a fight, those who would rather die than surrender, those who fled in the face of battle, and those who fought fiercely with bloodshed. The news was everywhere, even in Shanghai.

    But this sentence in the intelligence report was already a done deal.

    Even though it was outdated, there were people like Chen Youhua and Xiao Jun who gave up their lives for these few words.

    "Did this intelligence ultimately get sent out?"

    "It should have been sent out, but in reality, it wouldn''t make much of a difference," Yue Dingtang said in a low voice. "The Japanese have had their sights set on swallowing up all of  China since they started. And now, the situation has indeed turned out that way. Compared to that, the death of Naritagu is even more significant. His subordinates with hidden agendas will undoubtedly be targeted because there is no leader, and they may even be uprooted. Even if his successor takes over quickly, it will take several years to rebuild an intelligence network and a network of personal connections."

    Ling Su fell silent for a moment. "So, the sacrifice of He You''an was valuable."

    Yue Dingtang affirmed, "Yes! Naritagu is deeply rooted, and with him there, it will be difficult to eradicate this point in Shanghai. But now, for some people, it is at least an opportunity. Moreover, He You''an also mentioned in her letter that the Naritagu may have received even more important tasks, which is one of the reasons why He You''an made up her mind to take action."

    Ling Shu said, "I just didn''t expect her to set up such a big plan."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "I also didn''t expect that she, as a mere woman, could achieve such a feat. It is rare in the world."

    It''s hard to imagine that on the plane, life and death are just a thought away.

    On one side, there is the sweet and tender love of a lover.

    On the other side, there is the belief of avenging a brother.

    If only He You''an had given up that dangerous idea, she could have lived carefree with Naritagu, traveling to the ends of the earth. But she still chose the most difficult decision, the path of self-destruction.

    Even though she claimed to be just a vengeful actress with no sense of patriotism, in Ling Shu''s eyes, she was braver than most men.

    People slandered and criticized her, calling her a clinging vine to men, but they didn''t know what amazing feat she would eventually accomplish.

    Perhaps in a few years, someone will discover this secret and uncover the story of this remarkable woman. Or maybe it will forever be lost to time and never see the light of day again.

    But Ling Shu will never forget the three words "He You''an," representing a stunning legend.

    The sky outside had already turned completely dark. It was almost time for the newspaper office to close. The two of them put the newspapers back and Ling Shu walked to the library door, where he borrowed a match from Yue Dingtang and lit it.

    In the darkness, a cluster of flames ignited and consumed He You''an''s farewell letter and the codebook, bit by bit, until they were reduced to ashes and carried away by the night wind.

    "I feel like having a bowl of scallion oil noodles," Ling Shu suddenly said.

    Yue Dingtang responded with an ''Mm-hmm'', saying,"Let''s have Zhou Uncle make it when we get back."

    This time, he was surprisingly easy to talk to.

    Because Yue Dingtang knew that Ling Shu wasn''t really craving the taste of scallion oil noodles, but rather wanted to borrow the bowl of noodles to return to the warmth of the world of mortals.

    The memories belonging to He You''an did not disappear with the burning of the letter, but instead settled even deeper in their minds.

    The two of them walked down the steps side by side, blending into the chill of early spring.

    The author has something to say:

    With this chapter, the story of the late-night snack comes to a temporary end. The details of what happens next will be revealed in the next chapter. Sweet dreams, dear readers. Thank you for living in a peaceful era where we can write and read without forcing ourselves.

    Although the historical background is a bit unique, the main characters are not burdened and are a happy couple. So, don''t worry.

 CH 73

    "A bowl of scallion oil noodles, a small bowl of chicken soup, and I feel like life couldn''t be better. I have no more worries for the rest of my days!" Ling Shu sighed contentedly, leaning back in his chair and patting his stomach.

    Yue Dingtang, who had also put down his chopsticks, became more refined and sat up straight, closing his eyes as if savoring the delicious food from earlier.

    Ling Shu clicked his tongue twice. "Old Yue, sometimes I really feel like we''re not just high school classmates, but rather, you''re like my elder and I''m your junior."

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Then why don''t you call me ''Dad''?"

    Ling Shu almost sprayed out the tea he had just sipped.

    "You wish!" he retorted.

    Yue Dingtang quickly grabbed a napkin from the table and held it up to block the tea that was about to spill, letting it drip onto the napkin.

    "Eat without speaking and sleep without talking. Isn''t that how you were taught at the Ling household since you were young?" he said.

    Ling Shu coughed twice and had to take another big sip of tea to calm himself down.

    "You might say it''s all in the past, but if we keep bringing it up while we''re out and about, the body will be cold before we know it!" he exclaimed.

    Just as he finished speaking, he saw Yue Dingtang put his index finger to his lips and make a quiet gesture, reminding him that there were others present.

    The young child who had been brought back and temporarily settled in was sleeping peacefully on the sofa, holding a blanket.

    There was a hint of the beauty of the He family in his features.

    But why was he named He Ku?

    Did He You''an feel that this child had a difficult background and was born to suffer, or did he believe that all living beings suffer and there are no exceptions?

    The name was truly too miserable.

    "Let''s give him a new name," Ling Shu said. "Miss He must be aware of it even in the afterlife, and she would surely hope for him to have a fresh start."

    The two words ''He Ku'' should have been buried with the conclusion of this matter.`

    Yue Dingtang had no objections: "What about ''Lixin''?"

    Ling Shu didn''t expect him to come up with a name so quickly.

    It was clear that the person surnamed Yue also agreed with his opinion, but refused to speak first, which was truly cunning.

    "Which ''Li'' and which ''Xin''?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Establish morality, establish speech, establish heart. Establish a heart for heaven and earth, establish a life for the people, continue the legacy of the past sages, and bring peace to the prosperous era. Speech is the voice of the heart, so we establish the heart. I hope that the two siblings of the He family will also be as resolute and determined, and act according to their hearts, not disappointing their elders."

    Ling Shu was stunned for a moment. The name was too grand.

    "Why not call him ''Iron Will''?" He blurted out.

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Ling Shu raised his hands, "Alright, you''re the big professor, you have the final say. Let''s call him Lixin, it sounds good. But, how do we take care of this child? We''re not married and we have no experience raising children. It''s not appropriate to take him in, right?"

    This problem had already been considered by Yue Dingtang on his way back.

    "I have a colleague named Li who teaches Chinese. He and his wife have been married for many years and originally had a daughter who passed away from illness three years ago. Now that they are getting older, they are suffering from not having their own child. I can go ask them, they should be very willing."

    Ling Shu asked, "What kind of person is he?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Kind, optimistic, and helpful. His wife is the same. We can rest assured that Lixin will be well taken care of by them."

    "Then he can stay at my place for a few days. My sister has always wanted a child, so she''ll be thrilled to see him," Ling Shu said, yawning.

    "I''m a bit tired after eating, so let me take a quick nap here. Wake me up in half an hour so I don''t have to listen to my sister nagging me all night," he continued, his voice getting quieter and more drowsy.

    Yue Dingtang pushed him towards the couch.

    "Go sleep on the couch."

    Ling Shu followed the command without hesitation, floating over to the couch and sitting next to He Lixin. He tilted his head back and immediately fell asleep.

    He Lixin was awakened by his movements, but only rubbed his eyes and glanced at them before closing his eyes and curling up next to Ling Shu to continue sleeping.

    This child is very sensitive to the outside world, but also has a speech impediment.

    Since leaving with them, he has only responded with a few "uh-huh"s to Ling Shu.

    Now he is willing to sleep peacefully by Ling Shu''s side, which shows that he trusts Ling Shu.

    However, for someone like Ling Shu with such strong peach blossom luck, being able to coax a child is not really a big deal.

    Uncle Zhou walked over with a blanket, tiptoed over, pointed to Ling Shu, and looked at Yue Dingtang, silently asking for permission.

    Yue Dingtang nodded, and Uncle Zhou went over and covered the two of them with the blanket.

    The two heads, one big and one small, were snuggled together, exposed outside the blanket, inexplicably harmonious.

    Suddenly, Uncle Zhou looked over at Yue Dingtang and smiled.

    Yue Dingtang was puzzled.

    Uncle Zhou smiled and said, "Fourth Young Master, I only laughed because I saw you laughing."

    Did he just laugh?

    Yue Dingtang touched the corner of his mouth, feeling the slight curve that was not very noticeable.

    "Since Little Ling came to our house, it has become livelier. You also smile more often. You should keep smiling like this instead of being like the eldest and second young masters, who always have a stern face," whispered Uncle Zhou.

    Yue Dingtang sneered, "He always causes trouble. I don''t even have time to deal with my headaches. Even if I smile, it''s a bitter smile."

    Uncle Zhou silently thought to himself, "A dead duck''s mouth is hard, but his heart is soft."

    He knew Yue Dingtang from his high school days, when he was still like a child his age.

    But after graduating and going abroad, Uncle Zhou hadn''t seen him for a long time. During several years of summer and winter breaks, Yue Dingtang never came back.

    When they met again, Uncle Zhou found that Yue Dingtang had suddenly become a mature and steady young man.

    Only when facing Ling Shu would he reveal his frustration, helplessness, and even respond with verbal attacks.

    Sometimes Uncle Zhou would think, as the three Yue brothers grew up and pursued their own careers, they gradually drifted apart.

    The eldest and second eldest were rarely home and he didn''t know what they were busy with. Their figures seemed to blend into the tumultuous Shanghai, sometimes clear and sometimes blurry.

    One day before Yue Dingtang returned home after completing his studies, Uncle Zhou witnessed a fierce argument between the eldest brother Yue Dingqin and the second eldest brother Yue Dingjin.

    From then on, they met even less frequently.

    It was only after Yue Dingtang returned to China to teach that the second eldest brother Yue Dingjin occasionally came back for a meal, but there was almost never a scene of the family gathering and laughing together.

    The only one who could mediate, Yue Chunxiao, had already become someone''s wife and accompanied her husband on overseas missions for years.

    It wasn''t until Ling Shu appeared that Uncle Zhou felt like he had glimpsed a corner of the once lively and harmonious Yue family.

    All the nostalgia about the past had nowhere to go, but found solace in Ling Shu.

    Uncle Zhou knew that although Yue Dingtang didn''t say it, he must have a special treatment towards Ling Shu in his heart.

    Moreover, he knew that Fourth Young Master''s curiosity was no less than that of Little Ling, otherwise they wouldn''t have hit it off and caused trouble everywhere.

    Ling Shu slept directly until dawn. When he woke up in bed at dawn, he found that He Lixin next to him had already woken up.

    He was observing him quietly, without making any noise.

    The more Ling Shu looked at him, the more he felt that this child not only had beautiful features, but also had the charm of He You''an in the way he looked at people.

    Unfortunately, although He You''an smiled like gentle waves, who knew how long it would take this child to smile.

    "He Ku, do you even remember your own name? Your aunt said she usually calls you Ah Ku."

    After returning, Ling Shu had talked to him a lot. Although the child was gradually becoming less shy, he still responded very little.

    This time was no exception.

    Without waiting for his response, Ling Shu continued, "He Ku is not a good name. We don''t want you to suffer in the future, so we have given you a new name, He Lixin. Before you go to your new home and meet your new dad and mom, come with me first. I have a sister who loves children, especially beautiful and obedient ones like you. Come stay with me for a few days, okay?"

    He Lixin still didn''t say a word.

    Ling Shu patted his head. "Your biological father and your aunt are both righteous people. They didn''t mean to abandon you. It''s just that there are many things in this world that are beyond our control. They hope to use their own limited power to change the world."

    He Lixin seemed to understand, and nodded lightly.

    Yue Dingtang walked in, and Ling Shu had already dressed the child and was carrying him out of the room.

    "Not staying for a few more days?"

    Uncle Zhou was a little reluctant.

    Even if the child didn''t like to talk, having more people in the house would make it livelier.

    Ling Shu chuckled, "It''s not that I don''t want to stay, but my sister is back and I have to report to her. Otherwise, she''ll skin me alive! With He Lixin here, she won''t go too crazy, right?"

    Yue Dingtang gave him a sideways glance.

    So, he was using He Lixin as an excuse. No wonder he suddenly became so enthusiastic about going home. He was on his way to school and decided to give Ling Shu a ride home with the driver. From afar, they saw Ling Yao shoveling snow at the doorstep.

    It had snowed heavily the night before, and the thick layer of snow made it difficult for adults to travel. Some places were even too difficult for cars to drive through. Children in the distance were already playing with snowballs.

    Ling Yao raised her head and saw Ling Shu coming back. She was about to scold him, but her attention was drawn to the little child he was holding.

    "Where did this child come from?" Ling Yao asked.

    Ling Shu replied, "Sister, I''ve come back to apologize."

    Ling Yao was surprised by his sudden honesty and couldn''t help but feel suspicious.

    "Apologize for what? Where did this child come from?"

    Ling Shu realized that his sister had misunderstood him. "Sister, at this point, with the child being so big, I can''t keep it a secret anymore. He is my illegitimate child from when I was wandering outside."

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    Ling Yao''s eyes widened in shock as she looked at him, then at He Lixin.

    After a long moment, she pointed her finger at Ling Shu and stuttered, "Y-y-you...you''re saying that he''s...he''s..."

    "Are you trying to trick me?" Ling Yao couldn''t believe it and looked back at Yue Dingtang.

    "Dingtang, tell me, is this really true? Where did he get this child from? And it''s so big!"

    Yue Dingtang smiled and said, "He''s lying to you. This is our friend''s child."

    Without hesitation, Ling Yao grabbed the broom next to her and started hitting Ling Shu with it. The latter was quick on his feet and ran away, his agility and speed clearly honed from years of oppression.

    "I''ll teach you a lesson! I''ll teach you a lesson!" The two siblings were chasing and playfully hitting each other in the yard.

    However, Ling Shu slipped and was hit on the butt by Ling Yao''s broom, causing him to cry out in pain.

    "Be gentle, sis! I''m sorry, I''m sorry! I was just joking with you!" Ling Shu pleaded.

    "Is this something to joke about? You almost scared me to death!" Ling Yao scolded.

    Finally, when Ling Yao got tired of chasing and hitting her brother, Ling Shu approached her cautiously with a smile.

    "He''s called He Lixin, and he''ll be staying with us for a few days, maybe even two weeks," Ling Shu explained.

    Ling Yao frowned. "What about his parents?"

    "They can''t be found at the moment, so he''s staying with us for now," Ling Shu replied.

    Ling Yao sighed. "You''re being too kind again, aren''t you? Remember last year when you brought home an old man from the countryside who claimed to be homeless? We ended up getting scammed and had to spend a lot of money to send him away. Have you not learned your lesson?"

    Feeling embarrassed in front of Yue Dingtang, Ling Shu quickly helped him inside and interrupted her.

    "Let''s talk inside, we can discuss everything in here!" But Ling Yao didn''t stop her aggressive stance.

    "First it was the old man, now it''s the child. Are you waiting for the Beggar''s Sect to come and extort us, so we can have a full house of descendants?!"

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but suppress a laugh.

    Ling Shu glared at him fiercely.

    "Old Yue, Officer Yue, Brother Dingtang, please help me testify that this time it''s not true!"

    Ling Yao wasn''t buying it: "Dingtang, don''t try to defend him. He''s always up to no good, while others become police officers and make a good living, he always ends up empty-handed! Let me tell you, we can''t afford to raise this child in our family. Don''t just dump him on me again and expect me to take care of him. You should take responsibility and handle it yourself!"

    The more she spoke, the angrier she became, and her voice grew louder.

    He Lixin seemed to be frightened and hid behind Ling Shu, afraid to come out.

    Ling Shu had to tell half the truth: "This child is actually the child of an old friend of ours. His parents have passed away, and his only remaining relative, his aunt, also passed away at a young age. There''s no one to take care of him, so we were planning to find a reliable family to adopt him. In the meantime, we''ll take care of him."

    Ling Yao looked at Yue Dingtang, half-believing and half-doubting. "Is what he said true?"

    Ling Shu was so angry that he fell backwards. He thought to himself, ''Who is your real brother? You only believe what he says, but not me.''

    Luckily, Yue Dingtang had some conscience. "Yes, this friend had a good relationship with us. Before he passed away, he entrusted his child to us and asked us to find a good family for him. I have already found one. Ling Shu said that you like children, so I brought him over. If it''s not convenient, he can stay at my house for now."

    Ling Yao''s anger turned into joy.

    "Why didn''t you say so earlier? If he is really your friend''s child, I will definitely help. This child is also pitiful, losing his parents at such a young age, but he looks good."

    She then scolded Ling Shu again. "You were so rude at the beginning that you scared the little kid."

    Ling Shu felt deeply wronged: "I told you but you didn''t believe me!"

    Ling Yao replied naturally, "Of course not. I don''t believe a word that comes out of your mouth. Luckily, Dingtang is here, or else there would be a big misunderstanding today."

    Ling Shu felt unfairly treated and almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

    He couldn''t help but shout, "You''re just biased towards him! One day, when he sells you out, you''ll still be counting his money for him!"

    Ling Yao didn''t hesitate to reply, "That''s still better than being sold out by you!"

    Ling Shu: ...

    Yue Dingtang felt that if he didn''t smooth things over, Ling Shu might just die of anger on the spot.

    But watching Ling Shu spin around in frustration was quite amusing.

 CH 74

    On a warm and breezy afternoon with a hint of chill in the air, it was the perfect time for a nap.

    Yue Dingtang was in the midst of writing a paper comparing the legal systems of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

    He had collected all the necessary materials and now all that was left was to organize the sentences in his mind and put them down on paper.

    He had written quite a bit when he reached for his cigarette box, only to find it empty.

    As soon as the craving hit, all his inspiration shattered into pieces and Yue Dingtang became restless, wishing he could immediately hold a cigarette in his hand and take a puff.

    "Can you go buy me a pack..." he started to say, but when he looked up, he was speechless.

    Ling Shu was sound asleep, his head resting on his arm and his mouth slightly open, ready to drool at any moment. He couldn''t even tell what he was dreaming about.

    When Yue Dingtang looked over, he saw a mysterious smile on Ling''s face, as if he was drowning in a pile of money and sleeping on top of it.

    Yue Dingtang sighed and walked over to him, tapping on the table.

    Tap, tap, tap.

    Ling Shu didn''t react.

    Yue Dingtang reached out and pushed him.

    Ling Shu let out an unsatisfied sneeze from his nose, shifted his position, and continued to snore.

    Yue Dingtang leaned in close to his ear and spoke in a magnetic, charming voice, almost like whispering sweet nothings:

    "Today is payday."

    "Hmm? Hmm!"

    It took Ling Shu about three seconds to process the information and wake up. He suddenly sat up straight, his shoulders emitting a painful crack from being hunched over for so long.

    Ling Shu winced in pain.

    "What payday? Did I hear you correctly?" he asked.

    "You heard me right. I received my salary and bonus this month," replied Yue Dingtang.

    Ling Shu looked confused. "What about mine?"

    Yue Dingtang looked at him as if he hadn''t woken up yet. "Didn''t you just receive yours?"

    Ling Shu''s official position was as a secretary assistant for the city bureau, with a fixed monthly salary. However, Yue Dingtang also held a position as a professor at a university, allowing him to receive double the salary.

    Ignoring Yue Dingtang''s family background, his two jobs combined provided him with a comfortable life in Shanghai.

    In comparison, Ling Shu had to live on a tighter budget.

    When He You''an left them that money, Yue Dingtang thought that Ling Shu would split it with him.

    But to his surprise, Ling Shu didn''t touch a single penny and left it in the safe deposit box at 7708. He said he would wait until He Lixin grew up before giving it to him.

    Ling Shu continued to be stingy and haggle with the boss even when it came to breakfast, trying to get more tofu pudding for the same price.

    "My salary was just brought home yesterday, but it was sniffed out by my sister''s dog and confiscated," Ling Shu said, stretching and yawning heavily, feeling drowsy and about to slump onto the table again.

    Yue Dingtang quickly grabbed his collar. "Go buy me a pack of cigarettes, Hademen." He pulled out a big bill. "You can keep the change."

    The office fell silent once again.

    As he thought about the cigarettes that would arrive soon, Yue Dingtang reluctantly suppressed his addiction and tried to focus on the initial draft of his paper.

    However, he kept writing and stopping, and before he knew it, half an hour had passed. He knew that Ling Shu, with his long legs, could easily make it back from the cigarette vendor across the street from the police station in just a few moments.

    Ling Shu had been gone for almost an hour, which was a miracle in itself, unless he had encountered some unexpected event on the way.

    Yue Dingtang had seen Ling Shu being accosted by female students before. This was an era where even students dared to pursue their teachers for love.

    With Ling Shu''s charm, he was like a peach blossom tree that could attract passionate and clingy women wherever he went. If he encountered someone like He You''an, it would be fine, but if he ran into someone like Miss Zhen from the Zhen family, it would be a disaster.

    Although this wasn''t a school, the female students should be in class at this time.

    Yue Dingtang stood up, afraid that if he didn''t go out and find the person, he wouldn''t be able to smoke today.

    Ling Shu was chatting with a cigarette vendor.

    Northeasterners call this "telling big stories," while Sichuanese call it "setting up a dragon gate formation to chat."

    But Yue Dingtang had never seen someone chat for half an hour while buying a box of cigarettes. As he approached, he realized that Ling Shu was bargaining with the vendor.

    One box of Hademen cigarettes cost a few copper coins, and the vendor didn''t have enough change.

    Ling Shu insisted on buying ten boxes and demanded that the vendor give him one for free. The vendor only agreed to give half a box for free, and the two of them chatted away.

    The vendor met someone who was eloquent and knowledgeable, and he talked about the origin of the name "Hademen" and whether the tobacco company would raise prices soon.

    In the end, they settled on a price of half a box of cigarettes plus two extra cigarettes.

    Yue Dingtang was amazed.

    Ling Shu bought ten packs of cigarettes in one go, even though he couldn''t possibly smoke them all.

    Every time Ling Shu was sent to buy cigarettes, he would be given a big bill, and after doing this ten times, he would have earned a lot of extra money without having to go out each time.

    It was a time-saving, effortless and money-saving strategy.

    But it was also a bit embarrassing.

    As a university professor and consultant for the city bureau, with a secretary and assistant, who had stooped so low as to haggle on the street.

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t bear to watch and reached out to pat Ling Shu''s shoulder.

    The latter was happily counting his cigarettes.

    "Hey, don''t pull me, wait a minute! Who is it?" Ling Shu turned his head and lowered his voice.

    "You''ve had a good haul today!" Yue Dingtang grinned.

    "It''s not bad, not bad!" Ling Shu laughed and pulled him away. "We made a small profit today. I''ll treat you to lunch and we can go for a walk!"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "With just one silver dollar, what can we eat?"

    Ling Shu said, "Plenty! You''re a wealthy young master who never touches cheap food. Besides the famous restaurants, there are also street vendors and bakeries where you can eat your fill for just a few cents. But I do have to be careful with my spending. As you know, my salary was just cut and confiscated by my sister. I have to be frugal with what''s left."

    Yue Dingtang thought that being diligent and frugal was not a bad thing.

    The Ling family''s current financial situation was indeed different from before, and it made sense for Ling Yao to confiscate Ling Shu''s money to prevent him from spending recklessly.

    Although Yue Dingtang didn''t believe that Ling Shu would honestly turn over every penny without keeping some for himself, he didn''t criticize him when he heard the sadness in his tone.

    Little did he know that Ling Shu would make his way through the bustling streets, passing by many steaming bowls of lamb soup noodles and braised pork rice, and finally arriving at a small shop in a corner of the alley.

    The shop was pitch black and filled with flies, leaving Yue Dingtang with a terrible first impression.

    It was also the only impression he had.

    "Don''t judge this place by its poor environment, the taste is really good. Last time, I brought Chief Huang''s nephew''s cousin''s neighbor here, and he had the same disgusted expression as you. But after he tried the food, he asked me to bring him here again and even said he wanted to introduce it to his whole family..."

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t take it anymore and interrupted his endless chatter.

    "We''ll have lunch at De Xing Guan, my treat."

    Ling Shu decisively muted himself and gave Yue Dingtang a thumbs up.

    "Yue Dingtang, you''re a real man, so straightforward!"

    Yue Dingtang felt that Ling Shu had never even eaten here, but he didn''t want to delve into the truth. He just wanted to leave this uncomfortable place as soon as possible.

    A plump green fly flew past Yue Dingtang''s nose, emitting a deafening buzzing sound that made his face turn even paler.

    He pulled Ling Shu''s wrist tightly, without looking back, and ran away quickly.

    Ling Shu''s lips curled up slightly, and he immediately wiped away the uncontrollable curve, maintaining his innocent and inexplicable expression.

    He could now freeload and enjoy a big meal.

    Having lunch at De Xing Guan was naturally a feast.

    Everyone in old Shanghai knew that this was a restaurant that could accommodate people from all walks of life.

    Even ordinary people couldn''t afford to eat here, but whether it was the leader of the Qing gang or the high-ranking officials, they could all find their own bold and spicy or elegant and stable dishes here.

    The most popular dish at the time was the dumplings filled with shepherd''s purse and bamboo shoots. Add in a serving of braised pork trotters and crispy radish cakes, and you have a satisfying meal.

    Sure, you could have a couple more bowls of soup to make it more extravagant, but the difference between having a little less soup is negligible.

    However, Ling Shu felt that the soup made by the chefs at Yue''s family was just as good as the master chefs at De Xing Guan.

    After finishing his meal, Ling Shu didn''t forget to ask about the son of his old friend.

    "How has Lixin been doing lately?" he inquired.

    Yue Dingtang replied, "Professor Li and his wife have been taking good care of him. They even take him along when they go out to explore architecture and nature. Perhaps because he''s seen more of the world, the child has become more outgoing and willing to talk about simple things."

    Just two days after Ling Shu brought Lixin back to his home to stay temporarily, Yue Dingtang had already contacted Professor Li.

    The Li couple had lost their beloved daughter and had been searching for a son to adopt for many years.

    However, adoption is a matter of fate, and sometimes even a slight difference in first impressions can make all the difference.

    Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu thought that He Lixin was too quiet and timid, and Li couple might not be satisfied with him.

    But to their surprise, Professor Li and his wife immediately fell in love with He Lixin and even promised to let him decide whether to change his surname back to He or not after he turned sixteen.

    After spending a few days together, Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu saw that He Lixin did not show any obvious resistance.

    With his consent, they officially handed over the adoption to Li couple.

    From then on, He Lixin became Li Lixin and officially became a member of the Li family.

    "Although He You''an and Narita have both met their end, the matter regarding her should come to a close. However, it''s hard to say if someone will dig deeper and uncover this child, especially since he bears a resemblance to He You''an. That''s why I agreed to change his surname," said Yue Dingtang.

    "I understand. If anyone asks, just say he''s my illegitimate child. With my outstanding appearance, no one will doubt it," replied Ling Shu.

    Yue Dingtang smirked, wanting to say something to diminish Ling Shu''s arrogance, but decided against it.

    He didn''t see the need to argue with this uncouth fellow.

    After dinner, Yue Dingtang had the driver take them to the school.

    Ling Shu had nothing else to do, so he tagged along for the ride. A lazy bum like him would rather spend an afternoon at school with Yue Dingtang and hitch a ride home than walk all the way back.

    However, as soon as they arrived at school, Yue Dingtang received a letter from the postman. It was sent from Northeast China and addressed to Guan Shi in Fengtian.

    Ling Shu only glanced at the few words on the envelope before making an excuse to go for a walk. He met some beautiful female students and chatted with them for a while, even sat in on a few classes, until it was almost dark before he strolled back.

    The school office was an open space shared by several professors in the department, unlike the police station where Ling Shu had his own desk.

    With his silver tongue, Ling Shu could easily get along with anyone if he wanted to.

    However, he didn''t enjoy listening to those professors who had returned from studying abroad in Europe and America, constantly advocating for the establishment of a constitutional system in the Western style and completely rejecting all local products.

    Therefore, he didn''t feel like joining in the fun at Yue Dingtang''s office.

    Those people were polite to Yue Dingtang, but they didn''t necessarily hold him in high regard.

    Yue Dingtang had almost finished writing his paper and had no intention of working overtime. When he saw Ling Shu return, he tidied up his papers and put them all in the drawer.

    "Let''s go, come to my house for dinner tonight."

    He rarely took the initiative to invite Ling Shu to his house for a meal, which made Ling Shu a little surprised.

    "Aren''t you going to write for a while longer?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "No, let''s go back first."

    Ling Shu had a feeling that Yue Dingtang''s behavior was related to the letter he had received earlier, but Yue Dingtang didn''t say anything and he didn''t ask.

    Although he was curious, he never went looking for trouble without reason.

    Sure enough, when Ling Shu returned to the Yue Manor, he saw Yue Dingtang busy upstairs, making several phone calls in a row. He didn''t even come downstairs for dinner, and the old housekeeper had to urge him repeatedly before the food was brought up to him.

    It wasn''t until Ling Shu finished his meal and was ready to have the driver take him back that Yue Dingtang came down from upstairs.

    "Don''t leave yet," Yue Dingtang said. "I''m planning to go to the northeast. I''ll be leaving tomorrow."

    "What happened?" Ling Shu asked.

    "My uncle passed away," Yue Dingtang replied.

    "Uncle Guan?"

    Yue Dingtang nodded.

    Yue Dingtang''s mother''s surname was Guan, but she was not Han Chinese, but Manchu. The Guan family was one of the Eight Great Clans of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and had produced many founding fathers, prime ministers, and imperial concubines.

    However, times change and even the most prosperous families can fall. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, revolutionaries rose to power by opposing the Qing.

    To hide their identities or make things easier, many elderly and young people changed their surnames, including the Guan family.

    Since the changing times, the Guan family moved from Beijing to Tianjin, and then back to their hometown of Fengtian. They settled there and Yue Dingtang''s mother passed away early on.

    He lost contact with his extended family soon after and occasional letters were exchanged with gifts of local products.

    However, even these occasional communications eventually ceased.

    When Yue Dingtang''s mother passed away, no one from Fengtian came to pay their respects.

    Instead, they sent a message saying that the old master of the Guan family was also on his deathbed and too weak to attend the funeral. They asked the Yue family to handle it themselves.

    Now the Guan family has sent a letter, saying that the maternal uncle of Yue Dingtang''s mother has passed away and asking the Yue family to send someone to offer condolences.

    "So, it seems that the relationship between the Yue family and the Guan family is not very good?" Ling Shu concluded after hearing this.

    Yue Dingtang said, "It has never been good. Originally, the Guan family had arranged a marriage for my late mother with a member of the former Qing imperial family, but my mother was not happy and broke off the engagement herself. She then married my father, which caused a rift between the Yue and Guan families for a while."

    Ling Shu praised, "Your late mother was truly a heroine among women, a pioneer of women''s liberation!"

    Yue Dingtang gave him a sideways glance and continued, "After that, the relationship between the two families became cold, which is understandable. This time, the deceased uncle was the oldest elder of the Guan family in Fengtian and also the ancestor of the Guan family. It is said that it was his decision to move the Guan family to Fengtian."

    Ling Shu bowed and said, "I understand. You will represent the Yue family to pay your respects tomorrow. I wish you a safe journey, smooth sailing, and success in all your endeavors. May you rise to great heights and have a blessed life with your loved ones. It''s getting late, so I won''t bother you any longer. Farewell!"

    He said it all in one breath and got up to leave.

    "Come with me," Yue Dingtang said from behind him.

    Ling Shu stopped and turned around, looking distressed.

    "Please don''t ask me to. It''s a long journey, taking several days and nights on a train. Besides, it''s still Japanese territory over there, and I feel uncomfortable speaking and acting there. Moreover, as you can see, I''m frail and could be blown away by a gust of wind. It''s not suitable for me to travel long distances."

    Yue Dingtang said, "The Guan family is a big business with a lot of wealth. According to my father, when they give rewards to their servants, they don''t use copper coins, but instead use gold and silver leaves. Each room has a small kitchen, and there are seven or eight dishes for every meal, plus a chef who used to work in the imperial kitchen..."

    Ling Shu put on a smile and took a few steps forward.

    "Oh, where would you like to go? Just give the order and I''ll follow you wherever you go!"

 CH 75

    "Hey, Old Yue, do you think the chicken soup from the Guan family is even better than what your family''s chef can make?"

    A sip of perfectly warm chicken soup is enough to evoke all the warmth of a winter day. Even though it''s already spring, the chill of the night lingers, making a steaming bowl of soup the perfect addition to the dinner table.

    Of course, this is not a luxury that ordinary families can enjoy. For most families, having vegetables and meat on the table is already considered a feast.

    Upon hearing Ling Shu''s question, Yue Dingtang smirked.

    "That soup is ten times as sweet or fragrant as the one in your hands. You can smell the aroma standing by the Huangpu River."

    Ling Shu laughed heartily, "Your answer sounds perfunctory! I''m not using an emperor''s golden pole to speculate, after all, you want me to accompany you on a long train ride from warm Shanghai to Fengtian to see how the Japanese are doing. Don''t you think you should give me some encouragement?"

    Yue Dingtang was at a loss.

    "How come gold and silver leaves are not enough to inspire you? If I say mountains of gold and silver, you won''t believe me either."

    Ling Shu scratched his nose, "I don''t expect to strike it rich. Last time, I got a few yellow taels from Yuan cellar, but they were gone before I could even warm them up. With my weak and helpless position, I dare not ask for them back. I just hope that this time, there will be some gold and silver leaves for me to keep."

    Yue Dingtang smiled knowingly. It seemed that Ling Shu was still thinking about those yellow taels.

    "Didn''t I tell you last time that the yellow taels helped you to network? Otherwise, how could you have been transferred from the district to the city so quickly?"

    Ling Shu didn''t believe a word of it. With Yue Dingtang''s ability, it was just a matter of a word to transfer Ling Shu to the city bureau. Those few small yellow taels were at most just icing on the cake. Without the existence of the Yue family, even if Ling Shu had a box of small yellow taels, he wouldn''t have found a way in.

    Moreover, he really couldn''t bear to part with those few small yellow taels.

    Every time he thought about it, he felt heartbroken.

    He felt that the Yue family was cunning and ruthless, even depriving the poor working people of their meager stock, which was simply outrageous.

    But Ling Shu still smiled and bowed his head. "Thank you, Chief Yue, for your great kindness. I could never repay you even if I worked like a horse or an ox for the rest of my life."

    So he simply didn''t repay him at all, damn it!

    Tomorrow is the day of departure, and the journey will be rushed.

    After finishing dinner, Ling Shu suggested that he should go home and pack his luggage first, so that he could inform his sister and brother-in-law and avoid worrying his family if he couldn''t come back for ten days or half a month.

    Yue Dingtang was about to go upstairs to read when he heard this and asked the driver to take him back.

    The weather was unusual in the past two days.

    It suddenly turned cold after warming up, and a spring rain suddenly fell. It was not small, and the road near Ling Shu''s house was slippery and muddy. Ling Shu asked the driver to stop the car, and he could walk back by himself.

    Feeling the cold and slippery road, he couldn''t help but tighten his collar.

    The alley leading to Ling''s house was just ahead, and he turned into it and walked a few steps before arriving.

    The light shone from behind, accompanied by the friction between the wheels and the road.

    Ling Shu thought it was the car from the Yue family and instinctively turned his head.

    The headlights were so bright that he had to raise his hand to shield his eyes for a moment before he could see the license plate number. It was a very unfamiliar license plate number.

    The car slowly stopped, but the headlights were not turned off. The light was shining directly on Ling Shu, enough for the people in the car to see him clearly, but Ling Shu couldn''t see the situation on the other side of the car.

    This was a very rude behavior, but some people, who were self-righteous about their status, would not consider others in these details, but instead took it for granted.

    Soon, a person got out of the car. He was wearing a silk long shirt, short hair, and leather shoes, very particular. But he didn''t look like the one in charge.

    Ling Shu stood still. He didn''t want to bring trouble to his home.

    A middle-aged man approached.

    "Are you Ling Shu, Mr. Ling?" he asked.

    Ling Shu nodded. "Yes, that''s me."

    The man gestured with his hand. "Our master would like to invite Mr. Ling to come and speak with him. Please follow me."

    The man was polite, but there was no room for negotiation.

    Ling Shu chuckled upon hearing this. "With this kind of attitude, I''m guessing it''s not just a simple chat. You want me to come to your master''s house, don''t you?"

    The middle-aged man remained silent, with an attitude that implied Ling Shu had no choice.

    "I''m sorry, I''m in a hurry to go back and have supper. I''m afraid I don''t have time to meet your master. If he wants to see me, he can come to the police station tomorrow and make an appointment. Oh, and don''t forget to bring an invitation card!"

    After finishing his careless remark, Ling Shu turned around to leave.

    However, the middle-aged man stepped forward and blocked his path with a hand gesture.

    "Ling, our master doesn''t appreciate anyone who disobeys him," the man said sternly.

    Ling Shu chuckled, "Sorry, I don''t like being forced either."

    He tried to walk around the man, but the man grabbed his arm without hesitation.

    Ling Shu''s reaction was lightning fast, displaying his expert martial arts skills.

    It was a stance that only a skilled fighter could execute, and it was clear that Ling Shu was one of them.

    The middle-aged man thought he had the upper hand, but he was wrong.

    He had underestimated the young man in front of him. Little did they know, Ling Shu not only resisted, but did so with skill.

    He dodged and grabbed the middle-aged man''s arm, using just the right amount of force to push him back several steps!

    The people in the car saw the situation was not good and grabbed their guns, loading their bullets and aiming in Ling Shu''s direction.

    But in the next second, the gun holder froze.

    Ling Shu had one arm across the middle-aged man''s neck and the other arm twisted behind his back, ready to strike at any moment. He stood in front of the man, shielding himself.

    His expression remained indifferent, but his eyes and smile were soft and gentle like the blossoming of peach flowers in spring.

    "You can shoot, as long as you don''t care about your companion''s life. And let me remind you, once you shoot, given the distance between us, I can easily take you down before your bullets run out. Before I die, I will drag your master out, even if we both end up losing, at least we will both be injured. If you don''t care about your own life and the safety of your master, you can give it a try."

    The person holding the gun had never encountered such a tricky and embarrassing situation before, and for a moment, didn''t know what to do.

    Instinctively, they turned to look at the car.

    Then, another person got out.

    Dressed in a suit and leather shoes, not too old, somewhere between middle-aged and young, their face was a bit blurry due to the headlights.

    But Ling Shu knew that this person was the one who truly had the power to make things happen.

    "Mr. Ling is truly bold and knowledgeable," he praised insincerely.

    Even though Ling Shu acted quickly and avoided being held hostage, the man''s attitude didn''t change much.

    It seemed that in his eyes, whether it was his subordinates or Ling Shu, they were all insignificant pawns whose fate could be decided at any moment.

    Ling Shu remained silent, waiting for the man to speak again.

    After waiting for a while and seeing that Ling Shu wasn''t in a hurry and had no intention of releasing the hostage, the man became a little annoyed and finally spoke up.

    "I am Zhen Shulan."

    Ling Shu still didn''t react.

    Zhen Shulan couldn''t help but raise his voice.

    "Zhen Congyun is my little sister."

    Finally, Ling Shu raised an eyebrow. "Turns out you''re Miss Zhen''s older brother. May I ask what brings you here?"

    Zhen Shulan replied, "I have some questions regarding my sister."

    "I''m sorry, but I''m not acquainted with Miss Zhen. You may have the wrong person," Ling Shu said.

    Since his last hospitalization, Zhen Congyun had only visited him once, and they hadn''t seen each other since.

    Outside his hospital room, Zhen Congyun had told reporters that she liked Ling Shu very much.

    The next day, all the newspapers and magazines were using this as a headline, saying that Miss Zhen had fallen for an unknown, poor boy and might even marry him.

    But two days later, all the reports disappeared without a trace.

    Ling Shu knew that the Zhen family must have intervened to suppress the news.

    After that, Ling Shu did not hear any news related to Miss Zhen. Miss Zhen, who used to act so boldly, seemed to suddenly become low-key.

    "I didn''t find the wrong person. This is not the place to talk. Come with me, and I''ll explain everything to you in detail."

    Even though he tried to maintain basic politeness, his stiffness was still evident.

    Ling Shu found it a bit amusing.

    Now, it was Zhen Shulan who needed his help, yet he was speaking in such a domineering tone.

    "Mr. Zhen, I have only met Miss Zhen a few times. She has the temperament of a wealthy young lady. Regardless of what she may have said to the outside world, you must know better than me how much credibility she has. So why bother troubling someone like me, a small fry?"

    "Mr. Shu," Zhen Shulan said in a low voice, "if you''re not comfortable, we can talk at your home. I''ll say what I need to and leave immediately, without disturbing your family."

    Ling Shu replied, "Mr. Zhen, you came at me aggressively, even pointing a gun at me. Your ruthlessness makes it hard for me to trust you. My family are ordinary citizens, and if you plan on doing anything to them, I won''t be able to stop you."

    Zhen took a deep breath and suppressed his anger. "So what do you suggest?"

    "Let''s talk here. There''s no one around, and we can say whatever we need to."

    Zhen Shulan wanted nothing more than to kill Ling Shu.

    No one had ever been so disrespectful and impolite to him, even if the person was a stunning beauty.

    And Ling Shu was far from that.

    He stared at the other person for several seconds.

    Ling Shu remained indifferent and even smiled at him.

    Zhen Shulan had to signal his subordinates to put away their guns and took a few steps forward herself.

    "My little sister has encountered some trouble, and I had to come to seek advice from Mr. Ling. I apologize for any rudeness earlier and hope for your forgiveness."

    He paused and lowered his voice.

    "She''s missing."

    "Hmm?"

    Ling Shu had already guessed the severity of the situation, with Zhen Shulan personally searching for clues in a state of desperation.

    It must be a matter of life or death, or at least a disappearance.

    "Two days ago, she left the department store and never returned home. We couldn''t find her that night and only realized she was missing."

    Ling Shu asked, "Did Miss Zhen leave any clues?"

    "No," Zhen Shulan replied calmly. "We need to think this through carefully. I know she and you are old acquaintances, so I came to ask if you have any leads. I also know that you solved the Yuan family case and got promoted, gaining some fame. If you''re willing to cooperate, I can offer a generous reward. I hope you can find her as soon as possible to prevent any mishaps."

    At the mention of money, Zhen Shulan straightened his back and regained his previous arrogance.

    Because he was sure Ling Shu would agree, he thought.

    "Not quite," Ling Shu shook his head after looking at him for a few seconds.

    "Miss Zhen didn''t disappear, she ran away from home, right?"

    Zhen Shulan''s face immediately turned ugly.

    In that moment, Ling Shu felt as though with just a lift of his hand, the gunman''s henchman would shoot him.

 CH 76

    But in the end, Zhen Shulan did not raise his hand.

    A few minutes ago, he might have done so, but now he knew that Ling Shu was not to be underestimated.

    This seemingly weak young man could hold one of his subordinates hostage with just one arm.

    It was unknown what the other party could do if pushed to the limit.

    People without strength have no bargaining power.

    Once they have the corresponding strength, even proud people like Zhen Shulan would reconsider their position towards the other party.

    "Since you''ve already guessed it, I won''t hide it from you. Although my little sister is smart and clever, she''s still a girl at the end of the day. When she left without a word, although our father was angry, we''re also afraid that something might happen to her. So we still want to ask for your help." He reluctantly lowered himself to ask for help.

    However, at the moment, Ling Shu still had four people from the Zhen family standing in a standoff, with swords drawn and bows bent.

    This request seemed somewhat ridiculous.

    Ling Shu said, "Mr. Zhen, I''m afraid you''ve got the wrong person. I haven''t had much contact with Miss Zhen, but her unusual attention to me has made me curious. Last time I was hospitalized, Miss Zhen came to visit me in person and told me something."

    Zhen Shulan asked eagerly, "What did she say?"

    Ling Shu replied, "She said she had fallen in love with a married man and wanted to elope with him. However, the man''s sensitive identity could harm his reputation if exposed, so she used me as a shield. She also said that she would elope soon, break off the engagement, and run away."

    "Rubbish!" Zhen Shulan exclaimed in a stern voice.

    "I''m not talking rubbish. You should know better than me," Ling Shu replied.

    "Why did Miss Zhen ignore all the young talents at the birthday party and favor me instead? She even invited me to dance the first dance. Perhaps you didn''t know? I guess you must have asked Miss Zhen afterwards. She probably told you that she likes me a lot, maybe even love at first sight. And you must have scolded her and investigated me, right?"

    Zhen Shulan didn''t answer, but his changing facial expression already gave away the answer.

    Ling Shu chuckled. "After your investigation, you must have realized that I am just a harmless little person. Perhaps Miss Zhen was just attracted to my face on a whim. After being reprimanded by the Zhen family, she is likely to behave herself. And you all thought she had listened and let down your guard, but who knew something would still happen."

    Zhen Shulan''s chest heaved up and down.

    He had indeed harbored murderous intentions just now.

    If news of Zhen Congyun eloping with a man were to spread, the reputation of the Zhen family would be ruined.

    Even if it didn''t affect anything else, Zhen Congyun''s marriage would definitely be called off.

    They had planned to catch them before they could run too far, but the Zhen family searched for two days and two nights without finding them.

    Zhen Shulan remembered Zhen Congyun''s connection with Ling Shu and came to ask for information in a panic.

    Unexpectedly, he didn''t find out his sister''s whereabouts, but instead was tricked into revealing the truth.

    Zhen Shulan quickly realized that even if he killed Ling Shu, it wouldn''t help.

    The news of Zhen Congyun''s elopement was not a secret in the Zhen family.

    Even if the tabloids didn''t track it, Zhen Congyun''s fianc¨¦''s family would eventually find out.

    Now, the most important thing was to quickly eliminate the impact and reduce the losses.

    Ling Shu was a clever man. If he could deduce all of this, there might be a way to find the missing person after all.

    After realizing this, Zhen Shulan finally gave up on his plan to use force and the power of the Zhen family to make the other party submit.

    "I''m sorry for my rudeness earlier. My younger sister is missing, and I''m feeling anxious. I hope you can forgive me. If it''s not convenient for you to receive us tonight, I will personally go to the police station tomorrow to visit Mr. Ling and Mr. Yue. Would that be okay?"

    Ling Shu replied, "I will be accompanying Officer Yue on a trip tomorrow and won''t be back for ten days or so. How about we meet at the train station waiting room at 7 o''clock tomorrow morning?"

    After thinking for a moment, Zhen Shulan readily agreed.

    Ling Shu finally released the thug from the Zhen family who had been held by him by the neck.

    The man immediately lost his strength and stumbled forward, almost falling.

    Zhen Shulan thought he was embarrassing and didn''t even bother to look at him, turning to get into the car.

    The car didn''t start immediately. After the man got into the car just now, he got out again and walked towards Ling Shu, handing him an envelope with both hands.

    "Mr. Ling, my Third Master of the Zhen family is very sorry for what happened just now. He ordered me to come and apologize and offer a small gift as a token of his sincerity. Please accept it."

    Judging from the thickness, there should be a lot of money in the envelope, at least a few hundred dollars.

    Ling Shu smiled and didn''t bother to be polite with him. "Then I''ll thank you, Mr. Zhen, for your generosity. If every apology was this sincere, I wouldn''t mind if he made a few more mistakes in the future."

    The other party awkwardly smiled and hurried back to their car.

    Under Ling Shu''s watchful gaze, the car quickly turned around and left, never to return.

    When Ling Yao heard that he was going on a trip with Yue Dingtang, she didn''t question it at all. Instead, she reminded him to listen to Yue Dingtang''s instructions and not act on his own.

    Ling Shu couldn''t take it anymore and pretended to sleep to avoid further nagging.

    The next day, before dawn, Ling Shu quickly packed his bags and left the house to avoid being lectured by his older sister.

    Yue Dingtang had arranged for a first-class carriage. The first-class waiting room is different from the ordinary one. After all, the ticket price is three times higher, and the waiting room is like a Western restaurant, with tablecloths, flowers, coffee, and snacks, everything you could want.

    Ling Shu had never taken a first-class train before, but this time he was lucky enough to experience it.

    Yue Dingtang is not a person who likes to be late, so he arrived earlier than Ling Shu.

    When Ling Shu arrived, he saw Yue Dingtang and Zhen Shulan drinking coffee at the same table.

    Generally speaking, people who haven''t bought a ticket can''t enter the waiting room, but this doesn''t pose a problem for the Zhen family''s third young master.

    Although Zhen Shulan was holding coffee in his hand, his expression was not very relaxed. When he saw Ling Shu, he immediately straightened his back and almost stood up.

    With his luggage in hand, Ling Shu hurried over and spoke before the other person could say anything.

    "I have something that Miss Zhen left behind last time, I hope it can be helpful to you."

    He pulled out a jewelry box from his pocket.

    Zhen Shulan frowned as she opened it and his expression changed slightly.

    Inside was a diamond ring.

    Without a doubt, judging from its size and the degree of sparkle, it was valuable and difficult to fake.

    "Miss Zhen left this ring with me when she last visited. At the time, I didn''t understand why and planned to return it to her the next time we met. But she never came back, so I guess it''s a case of finders keepers. However, since she was willing to give the ring to someone like me, who she barely knows and can''t even call a friend, I assume she must be resistant to her own marriage."

    Zhen Shulan''s face turned pale and then green.

    After Zhen Congyun disappeared, her engagement ring also went missing. The Zhen family searched everywhere for it, but never imagined that she had already thrown it away to Ling Shu.

    The value of this ring is not only in its own worth, but also in the alliance it represents between the Zhen family and another family.

    "I heard that you two are heading to the northeast," said Zhen Shulan.

    Yue Dingtang said, "That''s right. I''m sorry about Miss Zhen''s situation. I wish you all the best in finding her soon. We should get on the car now. I won''t keep you company any longer. Goodbye."

    "Wait," Zhen Shulan stepped forward.

    He was even more polite to Yue Dingtang than to Ling Shu.

    "I have a favor to ask of you both."

    Yue Dingtang didn''t say anything. He looked down at his watch, and his refusal was clear.

    Zhen Shulan smiled bitterly, "Three minutes, please give me three minutes. It''s just a small favor that won''t delay Mr. Yue''s important matters."

    Yue Dingtang said, "Go ahead."

    Zhen Shulan said, "My younger sister was naive and was deceived by others. Coupled with the impulsiveness of youth, she made a mistake. If you happen to see her on your way to the northeast, please tell her that our family misses her and ask her to come back as soon as possible. If she doesn''t listen, please try to keep her stable and then notify us. The Zhen family has a business in Fengtian and we can immediately send people to bring her back."

    Yue Dingtang pondered and said, "Your sister is already an adult and has the right to make her own decisions. It may not be appropriate for us to intervene in this matter, but we can inform you of her whereabouts."

    Zhen Shulan replied, "Thank you so much. Let me write down the address of our family''s shop in Fengtian for you. If you need anything, you can go there anytime. I will instruct the shopkeeper to take good care of you both!"

    He saw that Yue Dingtang did not object, so he quickly took out pen and paper, wrote down the address, and handed the note to him.

    Ling Shu went from being the protagonist to a supporting character, watching Zhen Shulan politely send them off to the car.

    He couldn''t help but tease, "This is quite different from the mighty Zhen Shulan of last night!"

    Yue Dingtang said, "This matter seems to be not so simple."

    Ling Shu brushed off the dust on his clothes with a casual gesture, but his words were surprising.

    "The person who eloped with Zhen Congyun must have gone to the northeast."

    Yue Dingtang nodded, "That''s right."

    Ling Shu asked, "So, do we intervene in this matter? If we see the person, should we really notify him?"

    Yue Dingtang gave him a disdainful look and drawled, "That''s just what I said."

    "Ling Shu clicked his tongue twice and said, "Old Yue, Old Yue, I finally understand. You''ve been practicing your serious face all these years, but deep down you''re still as mischievous as ever!"

    When Zhen Shulan came to see Ling Shu last night, he should have known that Ling Shu had nothing to do with the disappearance of Miss Zhen.

    Otherwise, Ling Shu wouldn''t have stayed in Shanghai and gone to work as usual after Zhen Congyun disappeared.

    Since that''s the case, why is Zhen''s family still searching for her everywhere and why did Zhen Shulan come all the way to the train station early in the morning just to get Ling Shu''s irrelevant clue and request for Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu''s help oto look for her too?"

    From the way Zhen Shulan hesitated to speak about his sister eloping with someone, he must know something but couldn''t say it.

    It was related to the reputation of the Zhen family, so he couldn''t confide in Ling Shu and the others.

    There was only one explanation - Zhen Shulan had known early on that Yue Dingtang went to Fengtian to mourn for his uncle, and Zhen Congyun was likely heading towards the northeast, perhaps even in Fengtian now.

    The Zhen family may have had some influence in Shanghai or Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, but once they left this area and went to the northeast, they were beyond their reach.

    Even if they had business in that area, they had to be cautious and low-key because the complexity of that place far exceeded that of Shanghai. The various factions in the latter are mixed, but they can maintain a delicate balance. In the northeast, the tentacles of Manchuria have already penetrated in all directions.

    Even if there are ups and downs under the ice, they can only proceed quietly.

    Since Zhen Shulan had something to hide, Yue Dingtang must have also held back.

    To help or not to help, that''s the question.

    Even if they really meet Zhen Congyun, with the sky high and the Zhen family far away, the other party may not necessarily want to go back with them.

    In Ling Shu''s view, Miss Zhen''s idea is very ambitious. She has been planning this elopement for a long time.

    At least at her birthday party, she had already made up her mind. With her pride and boldness, whoever catches her eye and is willing to leave the family behind and go with her must not be an ordinary person.

    The Zhen family was not to be underestimated, especially not Miss Zhen.

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but wonder how she would fare outside of her sheltered life.

    He hoped she wouldn''t turn out to be a spoiled and calculating rich girl, only to end up like a fallen phoenix.

    Putting that aside, the train journey was unforgettable.

    Currently, there was no direct train from Shanghai to Fengtian, so they had to take the Shanghai-Nanjing railway first, then cross the treacherous Yangtze River by ferry, and finally take the Jinpu train from Pukou to Tianjin before heading to Fengtian.

    The journey was not only long, but also winding. For ordinary people who study and work in Beijing but come from the south, going home requires a three or four day journey. Some areas in the Jiangnan region have no train access, so one can only travel by boat or on foot.

    However, if one is wealthy and not in a hurry, and only travels between big cities, they can enjoy the luxury of traveling in a first-class carriage like Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu. It is truly a unique experience and can even be considered a form of indulgence.

    Inside the first-class carriage, there were not only private bathrooms and dressing rooms, but also seats covered in soft red and purple velvet. Three or four chairs were arranged in a circle with ample space, making it convenient for fellow passengers to chat and converse. Freshly picked flowers were placed at both ends of the carriage, and once the metal door was closed, all the noise from outside was shut out, leaving only a faint fragrance of flowers.

    As for dining, both Chinese and Western cuisine were available, along with a wide selection of fine wines. It was an experience that could not be compared to an ordinary carriage, and if traveling in a third-class carriage was torture, then traveling in a first-class carriage was pure enjoyment.

    Moreover, Ling Shu was not even paying for it himself. The entire trip, including food and drink, was all paid for by Yue Dingtang.

    They traveled all the way from Shanghai to Nanjing, then crossed the river by boat and continued on to Tianjin. Along the way, Ling Shu couldn''t stop exploring in the train carriage.

    He would either go to the restroom to take a look or wander around the dressing room. There was even a train attendant who noticed his curiosity and thought he was riding a train for the first time, so he offered to take him to other carriages to explore.

    If it were someone else who was looking around with such a curious and rustic attitude, they might be looked down upon by some people. But when it came to Ling Shu, it made people unable to resist the urge to help him.

    People are just so different from one another.

    "Sir, there''s a vacant seat over there with a good view. Would you like to sit there? I can bring you a cup of coffee," the train attendant said. The train attendant whispered to Ling Shu with a smile on his face, afraid to startle the handsome young man with a loud voice.

    Yue Dingtang lowered his head to read his book, too engrossed in the exciting plot to bother with Ling Shu''s antics. As long as he didn''t disturb himself, he could go around and do whatever he wanted.

    Ling Shu got up and sat in the position the train attendant suggested, which wasn''t much different from his original seat. The scenery outside the window was also just a different direction, with no shortage of fields and forests.

    They had seen many different landscapes on their journey from Shanghai to Nanjing, but they were all so similar.

    Ling Shu longed for a change, perhaps after crossing the Yellow River, they could see the snowy peaks of some mountains in the distance.

    However, Ling Shu did not refuse the kind offer of the train attendant. He chose to sit down here, holding a cup of freshly brewed coffee, ready to rest his eyes.

    Suddenly, a sharp scream rang out! It was as loud as a train whistle, almost piercing the sky.

    The fear in the scream made people shudder and tremble without feeling cold!

    Inside the carriage, everyone turned their heads sharply towards the sound.

    The scream came from the dressing room in the first-class carriage!

    The train attendant was on his way back from the bar with sugar cubes for Ling Shu when he was just a stone''s throw away from the dressing room.

    The scream scared him so much that his legs went weak, and the sugar cubes fell out of his hand and scattered all over the floor.

 CH 77

    Let''s go back an hour in time.

    After Ling Shu eagerly visiting the dressing room, half an hour later, Mrs. Zhang was sitting in the first-class carriage wanted to touch up her makeup.

    She felt that she had rushed out too quickly this morning, and her foundation might not have been applied evenly, causing people to look at her frequently on the way.

    So as soon as she got on the train from Nanjing with her companion servant, she immediately headed to the dressing room.

    But someone grabbed the door handle faster than her.

    It was the janitor responsible for cleaning the train.

    He said that the dressing room had just been used at the previous station and needed a moment to be cleaned.

    He asked Mrs. Zhang to wait a few minutes before entering. With a broom in hand, he entered the dressing room and closed the door behind him.

    Ms. Zhang had no choice but to return to her seat, feeling restless and uneasy. She couldn''t help but think back to the rude and arrogant attitude of the janitor who didn''t even nod or bow to her.

    She was dissatisfied and couldn''t resist the urge to confront him about his poor service attitude. So she got up and headed towards the restroom.

    Even though it was the Republican era and society was supposed to be civilized and enlightened, the deep-seated hierarchy of respect and disrespect was not something that could be easily overcome.

    On this train, the first and second-class attendants would actively announce the stations to passengers, but those in third-class had no such service and had to rely on themselves to keep track.

    Ms. Zhang felt that the janitor had been disrespectful to her and wanted to teach him a lesson with her words.

    Unfortunately, she hadn''t been able to get a good look at his face when he had lowered his head earlier.

    Otherwise, she would have complained about him long ago. When Mrs. Zhang returned to the dressing room, she found the door slightly ajar and the attendant gone. In his place was a woman, resting her head on the makeup table with her back to Mrs. Zhang.

    At a glance, Mrs. Zhang could tell that this woman was tall and slender, with ill-fitting clothes and a crude posture.

    She couldn''t possibly be a first-class passenger, and Mrs. Zhang suspected that she had sneaked into the dressing room to take advantage of the amenities.

    Annoyed, Mrs. Zhang scolded her, "You can''t rest here, you''re disturbing others!"

    But the woman either slept too soundly or ignored her completely. Mrs. Zhang grew angrier and pushed her, but the woman still didn''t budge. "I''m talking to you, can''t you hear me?"

    Ms. Zhang was a bold and direct woman who immediately grabbed the other person''s hair.

    With a swift motion, she yanked up the permed, shoulder-length hair, causing a loud rustling sound!

    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

    Beneath the wig, there was a man''s head and hairstyle. However, he was wearing a woman''s skirt.

    Even a fool could see that something was wrong, yet he remained sound asleep despite the commotion.

    Ms. Zhang was terrified, her face turning pale as she trembled.

    She even forgot to let go of the wig she was holding, let alone approach the man to investigate.

    It was a brave male passenger who reached out to check the man''s breathing.

    "He''s dead!" he exclaimed in just two words.

    The crowd immediately retreated with a gasp, causing a small commotion. The onlookers were almost pushed aside by the curious bystanders.

    The train attendant who had just given Ling Shu a sugar cube was at a loss. He had worked hard to get this job, but just two days after his promotion, he was faced with such a tragedy.

    This was the first time such a heinous crime had occurred on the train since it began operating.

    Summoning his courage, he stepped forward. Someone pushed him from behind.

    "Excuse us, we''re police officers. Let us in to take a look!"

    The train attendant turned around.

    It was the handsome young man who had just been about to offer him a sugar cube.

    He never would have guessed that this well-mannered, casually dressed man was actually a police officer.

    "Train attendant! Train attendant!"

    Someone shouted and grabbed him by the arm.

    "People have died, hurry up and stop the train! How can it keep going?! Where is it even going?! Who would dare to sit on it?!"

    The train attendant was pushed and shoved out of the crowd, stumbling and falling. He didn''t know who to report to, so he just stood there dumbfounded.

    Meanwhile, Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang had already arrived at the side of the dead man.

    "Did you discover him first?" Ling Shu asked Ms. Zhang.

    Ms. Zhang nodded, then began to shout.

    "It was that janitor! He must have killed him!" Without waiting for Ling Shu to ask, she recounted everything that had happened in detail.

    "There were marks on his neck, and his cervical vertebrae were twisted. It was undoubtedly a homicide."

    "He was wearing a dress and a wig, but the dress didn''t fit him properly, and the buttons weren''t even done up. His stockings were also on the wrong way round, and the wig fell off with just a tug. Such attire would attract attention not just on a train, but even on the streets."

    Yue Dingtang stood up and removed the gloves he had used to examine the body. It was clear that he would rather not wear the gloves than use them again.

    "Yes, yes!" Mrs. Zhang suddenly came to her senses and quickly threw away the wig in her hand. "When I tried to grab his hair earlier, it came off easily without any force!"

    There was only one possibility: the victim''s clothing had been changed after death. The killer must have done it to delay the discovery of the body and buy time to escape.

    "Excuse me, when and where is the next stop?" Yue Dingtang asked the train attendant who was standing nearby.

    "The next stop is Bengbu, but it''s still a long way off," the attendant replied.

    The train ride from Nanjing to Bengbu takes about six hours. The train had only traveled about a third of the way, so it couldn''t suddenly stop, even if there was a murder.

    They would have to report it and wait until they reached the station to handle it.

    Ling Shu showed his credentials and asked the train attendants and porters who had come to investigate to help evacuate the crowd, restore order, and assist Ms. Zhang out of the train.

    The clothes on the deceased had been hastily replaced by someone, so naturally there couldn''t be any clues left behind.

    The only lead was the janitor that Ms. Zhang had just mentioned.

    If that janitor wasn''t the killer, then the deceased must have died after he left, otherwise the janitor would have caused a commotion like Ms. Zhang did.

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang obviously had the same idea.

    "The train had only just started moving when I went around to explore. I even went to the dressing room, but there was no one there at the time, probably about an hour ago. Half an hour later, Ms. Zhang came over and happened to run into that janitor. The janitor wasn''t very polite and didn''t even say hello, which made Ms. Zhang very unhappy. So, half an hour later, she became more and more angry and went to the dressing room to confront the janitor, only to find the deceased."

    "So, in other words, there was only a short half hour window for the killer to commit the murder, dispose of the body, change clothes, and leave without being caught. It''s a very rushed task and almost impossible to achieve. Unless..."

    Yue Dingtang nodded, "When Ms. Zhang encountered the janitor, she was only standing at the door with it slightly ajar. She didn''t look inside and didn''t know if anyone was in there. She said she saw the janitor coming from elsewhere, not from inside, which means there was already someone inside, possibly the killer."

    Ling Shu added, "Within half an hour after I left, the victim was killed and Ms. Zhang encountered the janitor who was trying to cover up the crime scene. That''s the perfect timing."

    Yue Dingtang concluded, "So the janitor may not be the killer, but he must be an accomplice."

    The train attendant standing nearby was already confused by their conversation.

    "Officers, what do we do now?" he asked urgently.

    Yue Dingtang said, "We need to find someone," he pointed to the dead man, "someone with a similar build to him. The clothes he was wearing may now be on someone else, and they are likely too big for them. That person may be the killer!"

 CH 78

    The train continued on its journey.

    News of the murder spread quickly, causing panic like a plague.

    Passengers discussed in whispers, as if the killer was sitting right next to them.

    Some passengers in first class even shouted, demanding the train to stop immediately and let them off.

    But it was just talk.

    Even if the train stopped now, there was no station nearby, and they would be stranded.

    The train attendant was helpless and could only try to appease the first-class passengers. Anyone who stood up and complained would be too much for them to handle.

    "Find someone? How do we do that? The first-class passengers are causing a commotion, and they probably won''t cooperate!" The train attendant who was helping Ling Shu and his team was at a loss and had placed all his hopes on the two in front of him.

    "What should I call you, little brother?"

    "You can call me Ah Cai, sir!"

    Ling Shu''s friendly demeanor made Ah Cai feel honored and he quickly responded.

    "Okay, Brother Ah Cai, please take us to the second carriage and make sure to close the doors leading to the first and third carriages. Don''t let anyone pass through."

    Ah Cai was confused, "Why not check the third carriage? There are more people and the culprit may be hiding there."

    As they walked, Ling Shu explained his reasoning. "After preliminary deduction, it is believed that not only the murderer was involved in the killing, but also an accomplice. The victim was a passenger in the second carriage and was traveling alone. Because the second carriage is close to the restroom in the first carriage and has loopholes to exploit, if the victim was in the third carriage, it would have been difficult for the murderer to move the body and commit the crime. The murderer may have hidden in the third carriage, but the accomplice must be a familiar worker on the train, and should have been working in the second carriage for a long time. It is still possible to block the passage between the two carriages now. The murderer must have chosen a familiar place to hide, rather than rashly going to an unfamiliar third carriage."

    Ah Cai seemed to understand but also felt confused, thinking that the other person made some sense, but he himself had not yet fully understood the situation.

    "Up ahead is the second carriage. You two go find the person, I''ll go guard the passage!"

    The second carriage was also noisy, but overall much better than the third carriage.

    Businessmen, those who value their daily lives, or wealthy literati often choose the second carriage, which is better than those below but not quite as good as those above.

    It was mealtime and the various smells of food mixed together and hit them in the face. Even the most delicious food would pale in comparison.

    Most of the passengers in the second-class carriage were eating and discussing the news of the dead person up ahead.

    Misinformation spread like a virus, and by the time Ling Shu and his companions arrived, the rumors had already turned the victim into a government official''s daughter or someone killed by a lover on the train, which was both ridiculous and amusing.

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang stood in the space near the door, observing the bustling servants coming and going, delivering meals to the passengers.

    Although the food in the second-class carriage was not as good as that in the first-class carriage, it was still hot and fresh. Especially after the new regulations issued by the Ministry of Railways this year, Chinese cuisine was added to the menu, and the chefs'' skills were quite good.

    Ah Cai was also standing next to them, looking around suspiciously. He felt like everyone was a suspect, but also felt like no one was a suspect.

    "Boss, do you think your servant might have escaped to the third carriage?" Ah Cai asked.

    Before he could finish his sentence, Ling Shu pointed to a person not far away and asked, "Do you know him?"

    Ah Cai looked closely and saw the man was busy tidying up things on the dining car.

    "He seems to be new here. I heard someone call him Shi Er, but I haven''t talked to him. Why, is he suspicious?" Ah Cai looked around but couldn''t see anything wrong with Shi Er.

    But in Ling Shu''s eyes, Shi Er was full of problems.

    First of all, he had already swapped the positions of two dishes twice in a row, left to right, right to left, and left to right again.

    Repeating ineffective actions showed that he was absent-minded or had something else on his mind.

    Other servants were busy running back and forth delivering meals, very enthusiastic because there were some generous customers who would allow them to keep the change as a tip when buying food.

    Of course, such passengers were rare, and most people still cherished their silver coins, but there was no servant like the one Ling Shu was focusing on, who was motionless for a long time, slow and lazy.

    If someone saw him and reported it, he would lose his job. Yue Dingtang walked over and patted the man''s shoulder.

    The man was startled and jumped up.

    His reaction was too exaggerated, even Ah Cai could tell something was off.

    He wanted to show off in front of the two bosses, so he quickly stepped forward and grabbed his arm.

    "Did you go to the dressing room in the first-class carriage just now?"

    "No, I''ve been here the whole time!" Shi Er shook his head and quickly denied it.

    "What''s on your sleeve?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    Shi Er looked down at his sleeve.

    There was a circle of stubborn black stains that couldn''t be washed away due to frequent work, nothing special.

    "Besides the stains, there''s also a faint red color here, not like blood, but more like a woman''s rouge."

    Yue Dingtang pointed it out, but the more light and airy his tone was, the more panicked Shi Er looked on his face.

    "This is soup that I accidentally spilled on myself. It won''t wash off. It''s not rouge!"

    "Is that so?"

    Suddenly, Ling Shu interrupted.

    "I know women''s rouge the best. Let me smell it and I''ll know if you''re lying."

    His teasing tone didn''t relax Shi Er, but instead made him tense up and wary.

    Shi Er wanted to step back, but Ling Shu blocked him.

    Without a word, Shi Er pushed Ling Shu aside and turned to run, but Ling Shu dodged and grabbed him by the back of his collar.

    As they struggled, the dining car rattled and dishes clattered to the ground.

    The passengers were alarmed and looked over.

    Shi Er fought with all his might, but Ling Shu pounced on him and held him down.

    Yue Dingtang stepped forward to search him.

    He quickly found something.

    "What is this?"

    In the pocket of his layered undergarment, Yue Dingtang found a package of gold foil wrapped in a handkerchief. The foil was exquisitely carved, though the dim lighting made it difficult to discern the details.

    It was undoubtedly a luxurious and valuable item, not something that should be found on a servant''s person.

    "Did you get this from the deceased? It seems like you killed them," Ling Shu pressed.

    "It wasn''t me! I just helped clean up the body! I didn''t kill anyone!" Shi Er immediately protested.

    But Ling Shu wasn''t convinced. "Then who did kill them?"

    "I...I don''t know!" Shi Er stammered, clearly panicked.

    Ling Shu said, "If you don''t know, then you are the murderer! After we arrive at the station, we will hand you and the stolen goods over to the local police station. The real murderer will escape, and you will be the one taking the blame. Is it worth it?"

    Shi Er replied with a sobbing voice, "I really don''t know where he went! Before we got on the train, we made a deal. He would kill someone, and I would help to cover it up and delay time for him. As soon as we got off the train, he would fo his own way, and I would immediately go back home!"

    Ling Shu said, "But the train hasn''t arrived at the station yet. You can still point him out. Think carefully, where could he be hiding on the train?"

    Shi Er was panting heavily.

    He couldn''t understand how he had only acted out of greed and agreed to help a stranger from his hometown, but now he had become a murder suspect.

    The light above his head was flickering so much that he felt dizzy and almost had a hallucination.

    The train beneath him was rumbling and shaking, and the cold wooden board was uncomfortable, just like the feeling of the corpse lying on the ground a moment ago.

    The thought flashed through his mind, and he shuddered.

    "He, he should be in the third carriage!"

    "Take us there, and you might have a chance to survive!"

    Shi Er was not from Nanjing, he had fled from the northeast to Nanjing to make a living.

    Although Nanjing was not as prosperous as Shanghai, it was still the capital, with people coming and going, and easy to find a job.

    After working hard for several years, Shi Er finally landed this job as a train attendant.

    If he was willing to work hard and had a good mouth, he might be able to become a train conductor in a few years.

    But such opportunities were precious.

    He worked hard every day and had to support his family.

    He felt the pain and hardship, gritting his teeth and enduring the loneliness of the night.

    Until a few days ago, on a train from Tianjin to Nanjing, he met a fellow villager named Douli.

    When Douli helped him out of a difficult situation with some passengers, they became acquainted. Douli told him about a profitable deal, one that promised great returns.

    If he did this deal, he could live freely without having to worry about pleasing others. Even if he didn''t become rich, he could buy some good land in his hometown and marry a wife without any problems.

    Shi Er was tempted and took the first step onto the path of crime.

    The deal that Douli spoke of was a deal to kill someone. He had taken on a job to kill someone on the train from Nanjing to Tianjin. This person was carrying a huge sum of money, and killing him would also mean robbing him.

    As long as he could endure the time on the train, he could disappear without a trace once he got off, making it impossible for anyone to find him.

    Timid Shi Er wanted to back out, but it was too late.

    Under the coercion and temptation of Douli, he agreed to help clean up the scene, hide the body, and delay time. In return, Douli promised to give him a share of the dead man''s wealth, ensuring a worry-free life for him in the future.

    On the way to the third-class carriage, Shi Er stuttered and roughly outlined the situation. Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang were able to piece together the details, but there were still many unclear shadows that needed further investigation.

    The noise was overwhelming, suffocating, and oppressive. This was the visual impact of the third-class carriage.

    Ling Shu was not unfamiliar with this place, as he had sat here before.

    However, he couldn''t help but feel uncomfortable. But the killer was hiding here.

    Shi Er scanned the crowd with his eyes closed, feeling like everyone was wearing a hat, and he couldn''t distinguish anyone.

    "Do you remember what the victim was wearing?" Ling Shu asked, placing his hand on Shi Er''s shoulder.

    "Don''t be nervous. As long as you find him, we will guarantee your safety. Not only that, we will also give you a reward so that you don''t have to do this kind of hard work on the train again," Ling Shu said, reaching out to Yue Dingtang.

    Yue Dingtang: ?

    Ling Shu grinned, "Yue Officer, can you lend me a silver dollar?"

    Yue Dingtang frowned and took out money from his pocket to give to him.

    After thinking for a moment, he still felt uneasy and asked, "If I lend you the money, when will you pay me back?"

    It wasn''t that he was stingy with the silver dollar, but Ling Shu had accumulated a lot of debt from his previous studies and had only been able to earn money without being able to spend it.

    Sure enough, Ling Shu smirked and said, "Let''s talk about it later, let''s talk about it later!"

    He stuffed the silver dollar he had taken into Shi Er''s hands.

    "Take it, as compensation for your reward. Now you can feel more at ease, right?"

    Shi Er bit into the silver dollar and immediately felt invigorated.

    His back and legs no longer hurt, and he could speak more fluently.

    "Two officers, I remember that the shape of the hat was very small, and the deceased''s suit didn''t fit him at all. Also, there was a prominent black mole on the back of his right hand. If we search the third carriage thoroughly, we should be able to find him!"

    As Shi Er led Ling Shu around to introduce him to people, Yue Dingtang reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of gold foil, examining it under the light.

    The intricate carvings on it seemed to be writing, not patterns. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be Tibetan script.

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but exclaim in surprise.

    Shi Er must have collected these gold foils not for their engravings, but for their quality. With so many of them, they could be melted down into a small gold ingot. However, Yue Dingtang had a feeling that there was more to these gold foils than met the eye.

 CH 79

    The people in the third carriage were a mixed bunch.

    In the early years, Ling Shu would also take the third carriage.

    Some of the most famous literati, in order to save money, would rather ride in the third carriage.

    But this did not add any literary atmosphere to the third carriage.

    Those who carried goods from north to south, those who traveled thousands of miles to visit their hometowns, and those who went on long journeys while they were young, were all crowded into this dusty carriage.

    Looking around, almost everyone wore the same gray-black long robes, with the occasional person wearing a Western suit, which was also stained with dust.

    After a long journey, the vast majority of them looked tired, and few could enjoy the leisurely and elegant pastime of looking out the window like the passengers in the first and second carriages.

    As the sky gradually darkened, the inside of the carriage was dimly lit by swaying electric lights.

    Ah Cai had to hold his kerosene lamp and flashlight high in order to barely recognize each passenger''s face.

    Some people were dozing off and were awakened by the light, not too happy about it.

    They were about to get angry, but as soon as they saw Ah Cai''s attire, they immediately quieted down and grumpily turned over to continue sleeping.

    Train attendants like Ah Cai often had a bad attitude towards passengers in the third carriage, often scolding and arguing with them. Passengers, thinking it was better to avoid trouble, tried not to provoke them.

    Shi Er was being escorted by Ling Shu and obediently followed them.

    "Boss, I didn''t see a bamboo hat." Ah Cai raised his eyebrows and stared at the empty space behind them. "There''s no one else back there, just cargo. You''re not trying to trick us, are you?"

    Shi Er looked mournful. "I swear on my life, I wouldn''t dare lie again! When I was finishing up with him, he gave me the gold leaf and we settled our debts. He didn''t tell me where he was going!"

    Ling Shu said, "Let''s go check it out."

    The last two cars of the train were filled with various goods, each packed in tall wooden crates with clear labels indicating their numbers. They were headed from Nanjing to Tianjin.

    Ling Shu walked through the aisle between the crates and turned to ask Shi Er, "What''s in here?"

    "I heard them say that they were all enamel, shipped from Nanjing Enamel Factory to Tianjin for sale. Someone will pick them up at the station. It''s hard to breathe here, even for a short while. He shouldn''t be here, right?" Shi Er hesitated.

    The carriage had no lights, and the air was even more stuffy than the third carriage. Large boxes stood like beasts in the darkness, with only a glimpse of them visible from flashlights and kerosene lamps.

    In the aisle and further into the darkness, there were many shadows that could not be detected. The sound of the train rushing on the tracks outside seemed to be separated by a layer, like another world that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

    Ah Cai was timid, and even with Ling Shu leading the way, he still felt scared.

    The lights on the tracks outside flashed by quickly, leaving shadows that flickered at their feet.

    Ah Cai couldn''t help but look down to see. The more he looked, the more the shadows seemed to have a will of their own, drifting and flickering about.

    After the crowded train car emptied out, it suddenly became desolate and quiet.

    Suddenly, Ah Cai''s gaze froze. He thought he saw a dark shadow flicker by.

    Doubting his own eyes, he rubbed them and looked again.

    The shadow was gone.

    Meanwhile, Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang had split up to search for someone.

    Ah Cai felt a bit scared and hurried to catch up with them. Lost in thought, he tripped over a wooden plank and fell flat on his face.

    As he got up, Ah Cai saw the shadow behind the box flicker again. He looked again and saw Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang leading Shi Er in another direction. He cautiously approached the shadow.

    Without shouting out at the first moment, he was afraid that Ling Shu and the others would come over and find it was a false alarm, blaming him for being overly nervous.

    Ah Cai felt that he could at least help the two bosses and maybe even earn some silver as a reward like Shi Er did just now.

    But a few seconds later, he regretted it.

    Just as Ah Cai approached the box, a hand suddenly reached out and dragged him in!

    "Uh!"

    Ah Cai didn''t even have time to call for help before his mouth was covered, and then a sharp pain shot through his back!

    A dagger pierced straight through his heart from behind.

    One blow, one kill.

    Ah Cai didn''t even have a chance to look back before he died, so he never saw the face of his killer.

    But if he had turned around, he would have seen a small, withered figure standing on top of the box, holding a bloody knife in his hand.

    The commotion surrounding Ah Cai''s murder was drowned out by the noise of the train speeding past outside, but Ling Shu still sensed that something was amiss.

    "Ah Cai!" he called out, raising his voice, but there was no response.

    Ling Shu looked up and in the dim light, he noticed that Yue Dingtang was also looking in his direction.

    They exchanged a meaningful glance, and Ling Shu thought that Yue Dingtang was signaling for him to come over and take Shi Er from his hand. However, Yue Dingtang stood up and walked over himself.

    Shi Er was feeling uneasy. He had seen the skills of the man in the bamboo hat before.

    Although he was short in stature, his movements were as quick as lightning. He didn''t even need a gun, as his short dagger was faster than any firearm.

    In close combat, a gun was often ineffective, but a sharp weapon could catch one off guard.

    Shi Er was starting to regret confessing so easily about the man in the bamboo hat.

    With the other side being so ruthless, if Ling Shu and his team couldn''t subdue them this time, he himself might not be able to escape.

    Yue Dingtang took step by step towards the box.

    Behind the box, the hooded man also tightly held the short knife in his hand.

    As long as Yue Dingtang took one more step forward, he could strike lightning-fast and stab the other person to death.

    But, Yue Dingtang stopped right where he was.

    Just one step away, neither more nor less.

    The hooded man was secretly frustrated.

    Was it possible that Yue Dingtang had grown an extra pair of eyes beside him?

    The sound of footsteps stopped, and even the sound of breathing couldn''t be heard.

    The hooded man perked up his ears and leaned forward.

    Suddenly, a dangerous alarm bell made him instinctively turn his head back!

    It was too late by half a step.

    The back of the hooded man''s head was hit by a hard object.

    "Don''t move."

    The hooded man knew that Yue Dingtang didn''t want to kill him.

    He needed to extract more information about the source of the Tibetan script on the gold foil from the man himself.

    Since he didn''t want to use force, he decided to be blunt!

    Without hesitation, he spun around and delivered a flying kick.

    Yue Dingtang retreated, trying to escape the carriage, but found the door locked.

    He had no choice but to turn around and face his attacker, hoping to take him down before dealing with anyone else.

    In a split second, Yue Dingtang didn''t raise his gun - he wouldn''t have had time to shoot anyway - but instead met the assassin''s dagger head-on!

    Just then, a gunshot rang out from the other side.

    The assassin screamed in agony and fell to the ground, dropping his dagger.

    Yue Dingtang seized the opportunity to grab it, and two more gunshots were drowned out by the train''s whistle. Ling Shu walked over and pointed his gun at his head, speaking in a light and cheerful tone.

    "You''re called Douli, right? We don''t want to kill you, but if you keep moving, you won''t just hurt your leg. There are plenty of places on your body that we can hit without killing you. Your life isn''t worth much anyway, so letting you slowly suffer to death isn''t a bad idea, is it?"

    Douli''s wound was bleeding profusely, and he was sweating coldly, only able to gasp for air.

    Yue Dingtang immediately began to search his body.

    Ling Shu then strode over to check on Ah Cai''s condition, shaking his head after a moment.

    Douli had a lot of things on him, all sorts of odds and ends.

    Aside from finding a book wrapped in thick cloth, there were also several silver dollars, some loose change, a dagger, and even a hand grenade.

    Yue Dingtang unwrapped the thick cloth layer by layer.

    Several white thin slices came into view. The object was about the size of a palm and felt slightly cold to the touch.

    It was neither made of gold, nor jade, nor bamboo.

    So what could it be?

    "It''s ivory," Ling Shu declared, the first to recognize it.

    His fingers followed suit and traced over the surface.

    Tiny characters, as small as grains of rice, were carved into the thin ivory piece.

    "An ivory-carved scripture?"

    Beneath the ivory-carved scripture lay an even thinner layer of gold foil, more intact and exquisite than Shi Er previously obtained. Its value was naturally beyond comparison. The gold foil was also engraved with characters, but they were too small to read clearly. One would need to examine them under broad daylight.

    "Where did you steal these things from?"

    Douli clenched his teeth and remained silent.

    "Ah!"

    The next second, Ling Shu stepped directly on the gunshot wound on his leg.

    For someone who could kill two people in a row, someone who was ruthless and merciless, there was no need for Ling Shu to show any mercy.

    "Brother Douli, if you don''t speak up, this leg might be useless. If you confess, we''ll bandage you up and take you to the police station to recover. Maybe there''s still a way out for you."

    Douli closed his eyes.

    "I got it from that person Zhang Chaofeng!"

    "Who is Zhang? The person you killed in the dressing room?"

    "..."

    "How did you know he had these things on him? And where did these ivory carvings come from?"

    "He used to work as a pawnshop attendant. When he drank too much, he loved to brag. One time, I happened to be sitting at the table next to him and overheard him boasting to his friends about how he had come across a sucker with plenty of valuable items in his possession. He claimed he could sell them for enough money to buy several mansions and never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of his life. I was in desperate need of money at the time, so I became interested..."

    The voice under the straw hat grew quieter and quieter until Ling Shu lightly kicked him, causing the man to yelp and raise his voice again.

    "After he left Fengtian, I followed him all the way to Beijing and then to Nanjing. He met many people, seemingly trying to sell his treasures. He always had someone with him, so I never found an opportunity to make a move. That''s when I thought of doing it on this train. And then, well, you all saw what happened!"

    Ling Shu asked, "Where did these things come from? Did that man surnamed Zhang say anything?"

    Douli panted and replied, "He did mention it, but I can''t quite remember. It was something like... surnamed Guan... yes, it was Guan! The Guan family from Fengtian! Many people know about them. Their second young master, Guan Qizhi, always sells things cheaply. He said that the Guan family loves antiques but doesn''t know their true value. With just a few words, they can easily get their hands on things without any effort!"

    Ling Shu remembered that their destination this time was also Fengtian.

    What a coincidence! Yue Dingtang''s uncle is also surnamed Guan.

    Yue Dingtang nodded slightly at Ling Shu.

    It was indeed the Guan family. So, it turns out that a man named Zhang, who is a distant relative of Yue Dingtang, managed to get a set of treasures from his second cousin''s hands. He then sold and traded them around, but was eventually targeted by Douli who coveted the treasures. Douli planned to attack Zhang on the train and then escape after getting off at the next stop. Little did he know, he would run into Ling Shu and his companions, and after a series of twists and turns, the treasures ended up back in the hands of the Guan family.

    "Zhang had also m-mentioned, the Guan family is going through some changes right now. There''s a lot of turmoil and many of the treasures that were once held tightly by the old lady Guan are now up for grabs. It''s a great opportunity to buy them at a low price. The Guan family has a rich history and who knows, you might even be able to find some rare and valuable treasures!"

    Douli winced in pain as he had revealed more than he intended to under Ling Shu''s pressure.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "How many sons does Elder Guan have? They are all grown up, so even if he suddenly passes away, his family shouldn''t fall into chaos. Where would the instability come from?"

    Douli replied, "It''s a complete mess. If you go to Fengtian, you''ll see for yourself! I, I''ve told you everything!"

 CH 80

    It is said that the Guan family has a prestigious ancestry. This surname is divided into several branches, including Suwan Guerjia and Yehu Guerjia.

    However, overall, from imperial concubines, princes'' legitimate wives, to high-ranking officials, they have all been illustrious and prosperous, with wealth and glory accumulated in one body.

    Along with the rise and fall of dynasties, just like other children of the Eight Banners, the Guerjia family''s fortunes have plummeted.

    In order to avoid disaster, not only did they scatter and change their surnames to a Han name in various places, but their glorious history of producing generals and ministers has long since disappeared without a trace.

    The branch of the Guan family from Yue Dingtang''s mother''s side was not like those fallen families.

    When Yue Dingtang''s mother was young, their family was still a wealthy and influential household with many visitors.

    Yue Dingtang had heard his mother talk about how the elders had given her a white jade pillow as a gift.

    Sleeping on this pillow, she would dream of mountains, rivers, and lakes from all over the world, as if her body was flying through the clouds and sky.

    Yue Dingtang thought it was just his mother''s imagination from her youth, but Lady Guan said it was just one of the many gifts she had received from the elders, showing how extravagant the Guan family was.

    As time passed, the era changed and there were no more emperors or kingdoms.

    The Guan family was forced to change their surname and move from Beijing to Tianjin. They originally planned to settle down and observe like other ethnic groups, but the elders of the Guan family felt that Tianjin was not safe.

    So, they moved their entire family back to their hometown of Fengtian, thinking that this was their ancestral foundation and a safe haven away from the wars in the Central Plains.

    However, a few years later, everything changed. Even the Zhang family was driven out and the area became controlled by another ethnic group.

    At that time, the Guan family was already struggling. Although they still had some wealth, their large family could not withstand the turmoil of moving again.

    Additionally, the elderly Guan patriarch was unable to handle the stress of another move. So, they had no choice but to continue living in Fengtian.

    As for Yue Dingtang''s mother, she had gradually cut off contact with her family after marrying into the Yue family and had not heard from them for decades, until news of the elderly Guan patriarch''s death reached her.

    Yue Dingtang knew very little about the Guan family, his only impressions coming from his mother''s descriptions. He had never been there himself, let alone confirmed the truth of these descriptions.

    "If the Guan family is really as you say, having fallen from power but still possessing great treasures, chaos is sure to ensue once Old Master Guan is gone. The rumors of fighting and chaos are probably not exaggerated," said Ling Shu, yawning and slumping over the table, feeling drowsy.

    At this point, they had already passed Tianjin and were heading towards their destination.

    With each passing moment, they were getting closer to Fengtian City.

    Douli and Shi Er had already been handed over to the local police station in Tianjin, along with the bodies of Mr. Zhang and Ah Cai.

    They couldn''t possibly drag these people all the way to Fengtian for the funeral procession.

    After some communication, the local police station promised to keep in touch with Yue Dingtang regularly to update him on the progress of the case.

    However, in the eyes of the two men, it seemed unlikely that this case would make much progress in the end.

    After all, the efficiency of handling cases was low these days, and most of the case had already been resolved. The only possibility left was to try and get something more out of Douli''s mouth, but that was highly unlikely.

    "Last year, the Manchukuo was established, claiming to be the legitimate successor of the Qing Dynasty. But in the end, it''s still controlled by the Japanese. It''s not like Shanghai, where things can be done more openly. We need to be careful and low-key," Yue Dingtang said, pondering the situation and advising Ling Shu to be cautious, which was rare for him.

    In Shanghai, various forces were mixed and intertwined, and even the Japanese couldn''t dominate everything. Everyone maintained a delicate balance, which ironically made it safer.

    But things were different in Fengtian.

    In the three eastern provinces, even the Zhang family had been driven out. The people behind the Qing Dynasty''s emperor had complete control, and Yue Dingtang couldn''t be sure if his connections still held any weight.

    Ling Shu promised, "Don''t worry, do I look like someone who causes trouble?"

    Yue Dingtang thought to himself, "Actually, you do."

    Ling Shu continued, "I''ll just follow you, Captain Yue, and enjoy the food and drinks. I won''t pay attention to anything else, whether it''s the Guan family''s treasures or lost pearls in the sea. Of course, if you do end up repairing your relationship with the Guan family, don''t forget about me, your little follower. And if you happen to reward me with some big or small yellow taels, that would be even better..."

    He was feeling drowsy and his words became increasingly unclear towards the end, but the big and small yellow taels was pronounced with clarity and could not be mistaken.

    "I heard that there are many gambling houses in Fengtian, you can go and play a few rounds and win big or small yellow taels."

    "But aren''t those places just being taken advantage of by the local police? Let''s make it clear, I didn''t bring any money with me this time, it''s all up to you."

    Yue Dingtang chuckled softly, he wouldn''t let himself be taken advantage of even when he was half asleep.

    "There''s a new gambling house in Fengtian that''s not bad. I heard it''s run by local gentry and it''s quite fair. They even brought over some of the tricks from the Shanghai Bailemen dance hall, so it''s quite popular. I''m going back for a funeral this time, but you don''t have to be stuck with me. You can go out and explore on your own as long as you''re careful and don''t cause any trouble.

    "You might not know this, but in Fengtian, the local gentry are actually backed by Japanese bosses. There''s even a place there that offers bathing and massage services, which many local celebrities enjoy. But, as a result..."

    Ling Shu suddenly fell silent, his drowsiness dissipating. He felt that Yue Dingtang was testing whether he had actually been to Northeast China or not.

    Seemingly just chatting, but actually delving deeper and deeper.

    He pretended to be deeply asleep, murmuring a few words before falling silent.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t ask any further questions.

    It was all just Ling Shu''s imagination.

    Outside the window, the scenery flew by, indistinct in the darkness, with fleeting shadows and light.

    Only the distant mountain shadows were hazy, ancient and unchanging, familiar yet unfamiliar.

    He had indeed been on this road before.

    At that time... The train was well-heated, especially in the first-class carriage. Passengers could sit comfortably in the warm compartment and look out at the cold early spring through the frosted windows.

    However, Ling Shu was not sleeping soundly. He trembled slightly, especially his teeth, which were tightly clenched as if he were freezing or enduring some kind of pain.

    In his dreams, he was still in a colder, snowy wilderness, enduring the harsh winter and slowly moving his fingers to force the numbness and tingling sensation back.

    His body had been stiff for so long that he had lost all sense of pain and the ability to sense cold and warmth, and gradually, even his blood flow and breathing would freeze.

    His companion, Qin Laosan, was just as helpless.

    Qin Laosan was a rough and tough man from Northeast China. He couldn''t go three sentences without cursing, and he didn''t care about the little things. He went around carrying a gun and a stick.

    Once, he picked a fight with Ling Shu over a small matter, and they even came to blows. He thought he could easily take down this pretty boy, but Ling Shu turned the tables on him. From then on, Qin Laosan behaved himself and didn''t dare to cause trouble.

    But once he truly respected someone, he would treat them like a friend.

    Qin Laosan had a bullet hole in his waist, which he got while protecting Ling Shu from gunfire.

    Later on...

    Later on, he stayed by Ling Shu''s side without moving, no matter how much he was called.

    He never responded again.

    Ling Shu couldn''t bury him on the spot or take him away, so he had to let Qin Laosan rest forever under the ice and snow.

    Under the ice and snow, there were many people like Qin Laosan.

    Yue Dingtang noticed that Ling Shu was trembling and sweating profusely on his forehead.

    He gently pushed the other''s shoulder.

    No response.

    Ling Shu made a sound of agreement, stopped trembling, but his teeth were still tightly clenched, and even his cheeks were slightly bulging.

    "Relax."

    Yue Dingtang whispered in his ear, reaching out to pinch the back of his neck.

    Ling Shu''s expression suddenly relaxed.

    Yue Dingtang took out a handkerchief and wiped away the fine sweat on his forehead.

    On the way, his hand suddenly stopped.

    Yue Dingtang remembered a phone call he received from his second brother, Yue Dingjin, just before leaving.

    That phone call made this trip not just about mourning.

    Looking at Ling Shu''s calm sleeping face, Yue Dingtang''s expression became somewhat complicated.

    But a few seconds later, his emotions were swept away like the wind, quickly returning to normal.

    He put away the handkerchief, put it in his pocket, closed his eyes, and began to rest. "I hope this trip will be safe and smooth, and that we can quickly resolve the matter at hand.

    ...

    The name "Fengtian" carries the meaning of being blessed by heaven.

    This former capital of the Qing Dynasty was given special attention and significance by the rulers of that era.

    Although the dynasty has changed and the city has undergone many transformations, Fengtian still boasts a large population and bustling streets.

    If there is one noticeable difference, it would be the presence of many fair-haired and blue-eyed Russians, as well as those dressed in Chinese wear or Western suits with unmistakably foreign faces.

    Outside the Fengtian station, the crowds are just as dense as those in Beijing or Shanghai. The city''s prosperity seems unaffected by the changing of powers or outbreak of war.

    There are those driving yellow carts, hauling goods, and standing under eaves waiting for work, as well as pickpockets who appear to be well-dressed but are actually waiting for an opportunity to strike...

    The only thing that hadn''t been arranged was for the Guan family to come and pick them up.

    Ling Shu let out a yawn.

    It wasn''t that he hadn''t slept enough, but the exhaustion from the long journey couldn''t be shaken off no matter how long he slept.

    "Captain Yue, Old Yue, I thought someone would come to pick us up. It''s been so many years since we''ve seen each other, the Guan family should at least send a car to pick us up. A yellow cart is not good enough!"

    Yue Dingtang looked at him for a while before shaking his head.

    "The Guan family didn''t come to pick us up."

    Ling Shu''s drowsiness disappeared in an instant.

    "What''s going on? Don''t tell me we have to walk to the Guan family on our own two legs. My skinny arms and legs can''t handle it!"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "The Guan family sent a letter saying they would send a car and someone to pick us up. The person in charge of the pick-up is Guan Shizhi, the fifth son of the Guan family. They even attached his photo, but I haven''t seen him."

    Ling Shu asked, "Is it possible that we arrived before the agreed time?"

    Yue Dingtang checked his watch: "We still have five minutes. If the person doesn''t show up, we''ll go to the hotel ourselves."

    Five minutes passed, but they not only didn''t see the person they were waiting for, but also attracted a lot of attention.

    After all, two well-dressed young men standing at the entrance of the bustling Fengtian City train station for half a day was eye-catching in itself.

    It was not a big deal, but enough to make them stand out to those who were paying attention.

    Even Yue Dingtang, who had good patience and composure, was starting to feel uneasy.

    He picked up his suitcase and hailed two yellow carts, asking the drivers to take them to the largest hotel in the city, Yuelai Inn.

    The two of them rested and dined at Yuelai Inn, not leaving for most of the day.

    Yue Dingtang entrusted someone to deliver a letter to the Guan family, and it wasn''t until the next morning that a middle-aged man claiming to be a representative of the Guan family came to visit, saying that he was sent by several old masters of the Guan family to invite the young master of the Yue family to come over.

    Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang thought they would see a scene of mourning with white cloth and mourning bands everywhere. But they were completely wrong.

    Ling Shu stood in front of the gate of the Guan family, stunned and frozen in shock.

    Yue Dingtang was no better off.

    He was speechless and didn''t even want to take another step forward.

 CH 81

    The atmosphere in the Guan family was lively.

    People were coming and going, and it felt like a temple fair.

    The sound of gongs and drums filled the air, and the chatter of the crowd was deafening.

    People''s heads were split into two sides, some holding name cards and queuing up, while others were huddled in groups whispering to each other. Some were gathered around two small stalls at the door, watching who knows what.

    It was just like a temple fair!

    But if you counted the days, the old man should have been buried by now, and the seventh day might have passed.

    Yue Dingtang could only come and pay his respects to the old man''s grave, but even if the funeral had been completed, the Guan family shouldn''t be so lively, like a festival!

    Looking at the expressions on these people''s faces, some are smiling, some are beaming with joy. You might even think that the temple fair from Fengtian City has been moved to the Guan family''s place.

    Ling Shu looked around and headed towards the crowd on the left.

    "Excuse me, sir, what is this line for?" he asked the elderly man in the double-ear cotton hat in front of him.

    The man looked mysterious.

    "Are you from out of town?" he asked.

    Ling Shu replied, "Yes!"

    "Well, you''re in luck. Today is the day when Grandmaster Huang comes out to open the court. See that person in front with paper and pen? When he comes to you, ask him for a piece of paper and write down your birth date and time. Keep it with you and when it''s your turn, go ask Grandmaster Huang whatever you want to know."

    Ling Shu was confused. "After a moment, sir, isn''t this household surnamed Guan?"

    "Oh, you child, you don''t understand no matter how much you say. That''s Grandmaster Huang, the protector of the family. Do you understand? Asking for help to avoid disaster, drive away evil spirits, and dispel calamities. It''s very effective. The Fourth Master Guan has a connection with the divine, so Grandmaster Huang chose him. My neighbor asked him once, and it was very effective!"

    Ling Shu: ...

    After asking for a long time, he finally understood.

    The so-called Grandmaster Huang is actually a yellow weasel who has become a spirit and possesses a person with fate. Through them doing good deeds and accumulating virtue, they cultivate and accumulate Taoism.

    In other words, the Fourth Master Guan, who was possessed by the yellow weasel, became a well-known immortal who helps people far and wide!

    The old man with the earflap hat also listed for Ling Shu the various miraculous and effective things that Fourth Master Guan had done.

    For example, there was a child who cried every night without stopping.

    Not only did he cry and make a fuss, but he also spoke incoherently. He claimed that his family lived in a certain suburb of the city and that his father was a scholar in the Qing Dynasty who had been wrongfully executed. His spirit was restless and he could not find peace.

    The family was terrified and sought medical help everywhere, but to no avail. However, when they brought the child to Fourth Master Guan, the next day he was back to his normal self, jumping and playing around.

    Once upon a time, there was a family where the husband was murdered and the wife was suspected to be the culprit. Despite her protests of innocence, the police couldn''t find any evidence and were ready to close the case.

    However, the wife''s friends and family sought the help of Fourth Master Guan to intervene. With his extraordinary skills, Fourth Master Guan took the suspect''s relatives to the husband''s grave at midnight and performed a ritual that brought the corpse back to life. The corpse spoke and revealed that the true culprit was the husband''s brother...

    As the story unfolded, the sound of cracking sunflower seeds filled the air.

    The elderly man spoke with great enthusiasm, and Ling Shu listened with great interest. He even found a bag of sunflower seeds and shared them with him as they chatted away.

    The old man took a liking to Ling Shu and offered to show him around here.

    Ling Shu readily agreed, his words dripping with honey.

    "You''re such a kind man, sir. They say people from Northeast China are straightforward, and I can see that now," said Ling Shu.

    The elderly mand was coaxed into grinning from ear to ear under his double-ear hat.

    "Are you here in Fengtian for business or something else?" he asked.

    "Visiting relatives. A friend of mine came to pay respects to his elders, and I came along to bow to them too," replied Ling Shu.

    "Well, you''re a good friend to come all this way. You must be very close," said the man in the hat.

    Ling Shu popped a sunflower seed into his mouth and said, "We''re pretty close, I guess."

    "Where is your friend''s relative''s house? Have you found it yet? I don''t know this city very well, but if you can''t find it, you can ask me!" offered the man in the hat.

    "We found it. We''re actually visiting right now," said Ling Shu.

    "What are you doing...visiting?" asked the man in the hat, looking puzzled before pointing to the plaque above the door.

    "This? The Guan family?"

    Ling Shu grinned, "Isn''t it just the Guan family?"

    The man remained silent.

    "I''ll tell you, my friend is a close relative of the Guan family, not some distant relative. Their family patriarch passed away, and my friend came to represent the family and take a look. I heard that the Guan family is a wealthy and powerful household, and now that I see it for myself, it''s truly extraordinary. I mean, sir, look at your reaction, why aren''t you even a little envious?"

    The man retorted, "I''m not envious at all! The Guan family is a mess right now. Just take a look for yourself. They''re not even a proper family anymore, with no distinction between upper and lower ranks. The patriarch of the Guan family just passed away not long ago, and their doorstep looks like a temple fair. Is that respectable?"

    Ling Shu almost burst out laughing, "But didn''t you just say that Fourth Master Guan is very effective?"

    The old man with the double-eared hat exclaimed, "Oh, you child, you don''t understand! I said that the one who is effective is Grandmaster Huang, not the Guan family! Fourth Master Guan has a spiritual connection with Grandmaster Huang, but the other members of the Guan family are not like that at all. Have you seen the stall next to yours?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Yes, I saw it. I was just about to ask you, what''s going on? Did the Guan family produce two immortal families?"

    The old man with the double-eared hat said, "Of course not. The five brothers of the Guan family, except for Fourth Master Guan, are all ordinary people. However, the eldest son of the Guan family has always been obsessed with Buddhism, eating vegetarian food and reciting Buddhist scriptures all day long, and performing rituals..."

    "Wait a minute, old man!" Ling Shu had to interrupt him, "This eating vegetarian food and reciting Buddhist scriptures, and performing rituals, Buddhism and Taoism, are they not incompatible?"

    The elderly man said, "You may think it doesn''t match, but he thinks it''s compatible. Just look at him, he even found some monks and Taoist priests to help her compete against Fourth Master Guan. They claimed to be local high-ranking monks and Taoist masters, but I''ve never even heard of them. They were performing rituals and blessings, giving out peace charms with the word ''Fortune'' written on them, and even offering healing water. It is all a mess!"

    Ling Shu asked, "Do they sell these peace charms for a high price?"

    The elderly man replied, "No, they give them out for free!"

    As he spoke, he showed Ling Shu a glimpse of his sleeve, revealing a yellow corner that looked like a piece of charm paper.

    Ling Shu thought to himself, "This guy is really hedging his bets and not losing out on either side, isn''t he?"

    The elderly man chuckled, "You don''t understand. It''s free, so why not take it? Who knows, it might actually work? Of course, I believe in Fourth Master Guan. Don''t tell anyone else, or else Grandpa Huang might think I''m insincere and won''t let me see him!"

    Ling Shu asked, "What do you want to ask Fourth Master Guan?"

    At this, the elderly man''s enthusiasm suddenly waned.

    "My grandson is sick and no matter how many doctors we see, they all say it''s not good. We''re desperate, so I thought I''d try this. I have many grandchildren, but this one is the most lively and likable. I pray that he''ll get better!"

    The smile on the elderly man''s face disappeared, and he clasped his hands together, muttering to himself. The passion he had just shared with Ling Shu was gone.

    "Ling Shu." A familiar voice came from not far away.

    Ling Shu turned his head.

    Yue Dingtang had already turned a circle from the crowd on the right and was accompanied by a middle-aged man in a gray robe.

    Ling Shu rubbed his nose.

    He was actually interested in checking out Fourth Master Guan''s abilities.

    "Ling Shu, come here."

    Seeing that he didn''t respond, Yue Dingtang shouted again.

    Ling Shu had to bid farewell to the elderly man and walked over.

    "What were you chatting about while standing there for so long?" Yue Dingtang frowned. "I called you several times but you didn''t hear me."

    Ling Shu truthfully replied, "I was waiting in line to ask Fourth Master Guan about something."

    Yue Dingtang twitched his mouth. "Do you have any difficult problems?"

    Ling Shu laughed, "I want to ask when I can become successful, and when my sister can become gentler, especially towards me."

    "Don''t be ridiculous!" In a soft voice, Yue Dingtang reprimanded Ling Yue and introduced the middle-aged man beside him. "This is the steward, Mr. He, who has been working for the Guan family for generations. He will take us inside."

    As Yue Dingtang spoke, Mr. He also observed the two of them. Both were tall and imposing figures, with the young master of the Yue family slightly taller than Ling Shu. They were both talented and impressive individuals.

    The Yue and Guan families had not had much contact for many years, with occasional polite and distant letters exchanged.

    The Guan family was located in the northeast and knew little about the Yue family, except that they were doing well in Shanghai. Although the previous generation had passed away, the three young masters of the Yue family were all outstanding individuals, rising to the top of society.

    Now, looking at Yue Dingtang''s demeanor and appearance, it confirmed this statement. In comparison, the peers of the Guan family were far inferior. The place was more than just inferior.

    Mr. He sighed inwardly, but smiled on the surface.

    "Master Yue and Mr. Ling, please follow me. The entrance is chaotic today, and it''s embarrassing for our family. We should have gone to the station to pick you up yesterday, but there was a family emergency, so..."

    Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu followed him through the side door.

    It wasn''t that the Guan family was intentionally neglectful, but the main entrance was crowded and impassable.

    The interior was spacious and open.

    The courtyards were numerous and the specifications were not lower than those of the former family. Although there were occasional cracks in the corners of the steps and the red paint on the pillars was gradually fading, the wealth of the Guan family when they moved to Fengtian was still visible.

    However, many modern people were no longer willing to live in such a house, even the Yue family lived in a detached small western-style house.

    As Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang walked through the estate, they saw people rushing about and shouting, making it far from peaceful. It wasn''t until they passed through the central courtyard that the crowds thinned out, giving them a chance to take in the surroundings.

    However, as they entered the flower hall, they found themselves amidst a noisy crowd, seemingly arguing and shouting at each other. The voices rose and fell like a dramatic opera performance.

    Ling Shu couldn''t resist stopping and reaching for the melon seeds in his pocket.

    But before he could even grab a handful, Yue Dingtang grabbed his wrist, giving him a stern look.

    Ling Shu looked back at him innocently.

    "What''s going on?" Yue Dingtang asked the steward.

    He gave a bitter smile. "It''s the Eldest Master and the Fourth Master. They seem to be having a disagreement. Let''s go inside, the Second Master is waiting for you."

    Not only were they arguing, but Ling Shu also saw one of them throw a punch at the other''s face.

    Are they really brothers? Someone who doesn''t know might think they have a vendetta against each other.

    It''s like what the old saying goes: "Chaos, too much chaos, it''s a complete mess!"

 CH 82

    On one side, there was chaos and noise, but on the other side, the scenery was beautiful.

    Ling Shu had rooted himself to the ground and refused to leave, preferring to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

    Yue Dingtang was at a loss and could only stand there and watch.

    Steward He felt embarrassed and couldn''t force the young master to leave, so he resorted to making jokes.

    "Yesterday, someone was supposed to pick you up, but he was clueless and didn''t go to the station. He wandered around outside for a long time and couldn''t find you. Just now, the young master had him punished. Please don''t be angry with him. The young master is overjoyed to hear that you''ve arrived and has already prepared food and drinks to welcome you!"

    Yue Dingtang suddenly asked, "So, the one in charge of the Guan family now is the Second Master?"

    The smile on Steward He''s face froze for a moment.

    "It''s not exactly like that. The Old Master just passed away not long ago, and now the important matters in the family are being discussed by the various branches sitting together. Several old masters, without distinction of seniority, are all the masters of the Guan family. By the way, when The Old Master was seriously ill, the family sent a telegram to the Fifth Master. He rushed back immediately and fortunately saw The Old Master for the last time. Now he is also still at home. I heard that you also returned from studying abroad, and happen to get along well with the Fifth Master."

    He hurriedly changed the subject, not directly answering Yue Dingtang''s question, but Yue Dingtang already knew the answer.

    The Guan family was not only not peaceful, but also not united. After the old master passed away, there was no leader among the group, so when it came to important matters, no one could make a decision. They would all sit together and discuss, but in reality, no one would listen to anyone else.

    But let''s be honest, if the eldest and fourth sons were already arguing, how could they expect anyone else to do anything?

    "Speaking of which, how many of the family''s young masters are there and where are they?" Yue Dingtang didn''t dwell on these matters and instead asked about others.

    He was just a guest for a few days, after all, and was still an outsider to the Guan family. He wasn''t suitable to interfere, nor would he.

    He thought it was a common question, but even then the steward looked troubled.

    "The Eldest Master had a son and a daughter. The daughter had already married and left Fengtian City, while the son managed several pawnshops and was often busy outside. The Second Master had two sons, the older young master is following in his footsteps to do business, and the younger one is still in school. The third and Fifth Masters are not yet married, while the fourth one had three daughters, with the oldest married, the middle one studying, and the youngest only eight years old."

    Yue Dingtang was puzzled and asked, "The Third Master has not yet married?"

    Steward He smiled awkwardly and replied, "Yes."

    Another strange thing had come up.

    The five brothers of the Guan family were ranked according to their skills in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and poetry. The third brother, Guan Shuzhi, was almost fifty years old, an age where most men would have grandchildren, yet Steward He said he had not yet married.

    The two men locked eyes, and the awkward expression on Steward He''s face had yet to dissipate.

    His expression clearly conveyed the message: "Don''t ask me any more questions."

    Yue Dingtang quickly caught on and decided to end the conversation there.

    "The weather is nice today," he said.

    Steward He breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled.

    "Indeed, it''s so blue and bright. We haven''t had weather like this in days!"

    Despite the overcast sky and gusts of wind, they both pretended to see a clear blue sky.

    They were in perfect harmony, one telling a white lie and the other blindly agreeing.

    Meanwhile, on the other side, the commotion between Second and Fourth Masters Guan had escalated.

    But where was Ling Shu?

    Yue Dingtang was puzzled. He had let his guard down for a moment, and Ling Shu had slipped into the crowd and become the center of attention.

    The Second and Fourth Masters Guan were now arguing furiously, their faces red with anger.

    "You''re practicing some kind of evil magic. If you want to worship a god, you should worship a proper one. I think all that Grandmaster Huang is fake, and you''re just using this as an opportunity to make money! After Dad passed away, how many valuable things did you take from his room? Don''t think I don''t know. The jade ring he wore on his hand and the jade pendant under his pillow were never found when the family prepared for his funeral. You were the only one with him in his final hour. Who else could it be? You''re a family thief, and beware that even after Dad''s death, his spirit may come back to take you away in the middle of the night!"

    With a cold sneer, Fourth Master wiped off the spittle that had landed on his face from the outburst of the First Master.

    "Big brother, you speak with such righteousness and self-righteousness, but in the end, it''s just jealousy towards me! I have the fate of immortality, while you do not, so you can only use these fake moves to try and bring me down. But my fate is real, and you, who mix up Buddhism and Taoism and worship recklessly, are the ones who truly offend the gods and Buddhas, and will be punished by them!"

    The elder brother angrily retorted, "What right do you have to speak for the gods and Buddhas?! Every person who comes to you seeking answers has been deceived by you. I don''t believe that everything you say is accurate. You are just fooling the common people and cheating them out of their hard-earned money for your own gain. Look into your own conscience, have it been eaten by dogs?"

    Fourth Master: "Big Brother, are you getting angry out of embarrassment? How unfortunate. I am always honest in my words and deeds. Look at the long line outside the door. Everyone is here for me. And yet, you take advantage of the crowd to promote yourself and steal my followers. Otherwise, let''s compare and see who is the donkey and who is the horse. Let''s take this matter out for a walk!"

    "Exactly! Well said!" Ling Shu applauded, enjoying the spectacle.

    The two turned their heads and looked at him together.

    "Who are you?"

    "Who are you?"

    "I was queuing outside to see Fourth Master and ask for advice, but I was just brought in."

    Ling Shu looked completely innocent and uninvolved, to the point where the two didn''t even think to pick a fight with him.

    Instead, Fourth Master took a step forward and grabbed Ling Shu''s arm.

    "Perfect timing, let him come and test who is the real thing and who is just pretending! The loser will kneel down and apologize in front of everyone, confessing how they deceived their brothers and sisters. Can you do it?"

    The Eldest Master asked, "Why should I gamble with you?"

    The Fourth Master sneered, "Are you scared? Fine, in front of all these people, just kneel down and admit your mistake, and we''ll call it even. Don''t spout nonsense in the future!"

    The Eldest Master agreed, "Let''s gamble! But first, what are the stakes?"

    The Fourth Master looked at Ling Shu and asked, "What do you want to know?"

    Ling Shu smiled and said, "If we''re talking about the future, no one can be certain. It''s hard to judge whether it''s accurate or not. How about you two elders predict my fortune from last month?"

    The Eldest Master and the Fourth Master fell silent. The two of them scrutinized Ling Shu from head to toe, as if they wanted to see every strand of hair on his face and every line on his hands.

    The Eldest Master grabbed his arm and examined his palm lines.

    The Fourth Master closed his eyes and muttered some words, making strange hand gestures and occasionally trembling, but no one could hear what he was saying.

    After a few breaths, suddenly, the Fourth Master opened his eyes!

    The Eldest Master sneered, "Still pretending to be mysterious?"

    The Fourth Master ignored him and stared straight at Ling Shu.

    "Last month, you had a close call with a bloody disaster, but luckily a benefactor helped you turn the situation around. As someone with a water destiny, good fortune comes with water. However, you always seem to be wandering far away from water, which is not ideal. You should pay attention to this in the future! Also, your destiny is filled with peach blossoms, and last month you encountered a rotten one. But as the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. It seems that your new peach blossom is already starting to bloom, and if nothing unexpected happens, you will soon meet someone special."

    The Eldest Master was quick to pour cold water on the situation.

    "What new peach blossom? You''re just trying to push your own daughter onto this young man because he''s handsome. Let me tell you, with the temperament of our third niece, she still needs another two years of polishing. Don''t ruin this poor guy''s life!"

    "Guan Qinzhi!" Suddenly, the Fourth Master shouted. "You are destined to have no children, no reliance on your relatives, and to be someone who brings bad luck to your father, mother, wife, and children. Yet you still don''t know how to love and care for your siblings, unite your family, and instead you have squandered all of the blessings of the Guan family! The Guan family was supposed to have thirty years of good fortune, but because of you, this unfilial son, the Guan family has fallen into misfortune. You are the culprit of the Guan family!"

    "You are talking nonsense! I let you speak, and now you dare to speak to me like this!"

    The Eldest Master was so angry that he forgot his composure and immediately rushed forward with a punch.

    The Fourth Master was caught off guard and let out a cry as he stumbled back several steps, his previous air of superiority instantly gone.

    He refused to show weakness and quickly regained his composure before pouncing towards the Eldest Master. The two brothers immediately began to fight, leaving the onlookers stunned.

    No one dared to step forward to stop them, only shouting empty words of "stop, don''t fight". Eventually, the two angry men were pulled apart, but not before causing a scene.

    Yue Dingtang remained silent, observing the chaos around him.

    Meanwhile, the one in charge, Steward He, was at a loss for words and his face turned red with embarrassment.

    Just moments ago, he was discussing matters with the young master of the Yue family, but now he was witnessing a full-blown brawl between the eldest and fourth sons.

    Steward He felt exhausted, as he had worked hard to maintain the peace within the Guan family. However, it only took half a day for the masters to break it themselves.

    The women of the household soon heard the commotion and rushed over, crying and pleading for the fighting to stop. The Guan family''s residence was now filled with excitement, even more so than the crowds outside their gates.

    Both of them were not skilled in martial arts, and being of a certain age, they quickly grew tired after a few moves and gradually stopped.

    The servants took the opportunity to pull them apart.

    Fourth Master couldn''t help but turn his head and ask Ling Shu, panting heavily.

    "You tell me, tell me, am I right or not?"

    Ling Shu scratched his chin. "It should be somewhat accurate, right?"

    Fourth Master exclaimed, "What do you mean by ''should be''! Either it''s accurate or it''s not! Do you know how much it costs for someone to ask for advice? I only give three sentences per person, and I won''t say more. Today, you got lucky, and the extra ones don''t count as your money!"

    Ling Shu grinned, "Fourth Master, as for those new peach blossoms you mentioned, I haven''t encountered them yet, so I don''t know if they''re accurate or not. Besides, I didn''t pay to come in, so whether it''s accurate or not doesn''t matter to me!"

    "You didn''t pay, how did you get in?" Fourth Master glared, "Who let you in?"

    The Eldest Master gloated, "Ha! Serves you right, don''t give in! Young man, let me tell you, you don''t have to pay. These crooked ways are all scams, deliberately confusing you with things that seem true but are not!"

    "Don''t let him go, someone come and take him down, he can''t leave without paying!" Fourth Master shouted hoarsely, pointing at Ling Shu. "Catch him!"

    Someone from the Guan family really stepped forward to try to catch Ling Shu, and Yue Dingtang couldn''t bear to watch.

    "Eldest Uncle! Fourth Uncle!"

    His call really caught everyone''s attention.

    The Eldest Master was stunned, "Where did you come from, nephew?"

    Yue Dingtang said in a deep voice, "I am Yue Dingtang, here to pay my respects to the late Old Master Guan."

    "Yue Dingtang..." the Eldest Master exclaimed, "You are from the Yue family? My cousin''s son?!"

    "Yes, I am the third son of my mother, as my elder brothers are too busy to come, so I came instead," Yue Dingtang replied.

    He pulled Ling Shu over.

    "This is my friend who accompanied me here."

    The members of the Guan family were speechless, including the women who had stopped crying.

    As they looked at Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu, they couldn''t help but think of what Mr. He had thought just fifteen minutes ago: this is a huge embarrassment.

 CH 83

    Finally, the members of the Guan family were able to sit together, but it was under these circumstances.

    Yue Dingtang, as a semi-insider and the visitor who came from afar, was seated among them, while Ling Shu was a guest and also had a seat.

    Eldest Master Guan and Fourth Master Guan each sat on the left and right sides, with cold faces and ignoring each other. Even when their eyes occasionally met, they quickly looked away, afraid of being contaminated by each other''s bad luck.

    With limited seats and the tradition of the Guan family, the women and the five brothers of the Guan family were unable to join.

    Eldest Master Guan and Fourth Master Guan had left a deep impression on Yue Dingtang, and there was no need for introductions, he could recognize them.

    Second Master Guan was the second to arrive. He leaned on his cane, with a pipe in his mouth and his eyes habitually squinted. He stood at the door, surveyed the crowd, and then strolled over slowly.

    "Are you Dingtang?" The Second Master''s gaze fell accurately on Yue Dingtang, without even looking at Ling Shu, as if he was very confident in his judgment.

    Yue Dingtang stood up. "Yes, second uncle, I am Dingtang."

    "Is there a courtesy name?" The Second Master asked.

    "My courtesy name is Wude. Wu means martial arts, and De means virtue," Yue Dingtang replied.

    The Second Master thought for a moment. "It''s a bit too aggressive."

    "Wude was the reign title of the Tang Dynasty''s founding emperor. I believe the elders meant it in this way," Yue Dingtang explained.

    The Second Master clapped his hands and laughed. "I didn''t think of that. You''re quite clever."

    Seeing the two of them chatting happily, the Eldest Master couldn''t help but snort coldly. As he caught a glimpse of Ling Shu''s idle and curious expression, his annoyance grew even stronger.

    In his eyes, if it weren''t for Ling Shu''s instigation earlier, he wouldn''t have been ridiculed by Fourth Master.

    Ling Shu noticed the gaze of the Eldest Master and even smiled at him.

    The Eldest Master thought to himself, "This pretty boy looks good when he smiles. No wonder Fourth Master is eager to help his own daughter, but unfortunately, even if he likes her, she may not like him. This appearance of Ling''s shows that he must have been pampered and spoiled at home. Fourth Master''s plan may fall through."

    With this thought, the Eldest Master''s mood improved slightly.

    Soon after, Fifth Master Guan Shizhi arrived. The young man with a poetic and romantic name was indeed around the same age as Ling Shu and his friends, but he stood out with his Zhongshan suit and confident stride, seeming somewhat out of place among his brothers.

    "So, you must be Dingtang?"

    Fifth Master extended his hand to Yue Dingtang, who quickly shook it, a satisfied expression on his face.

    "My father has spoken of you before. He said that the Yue family has three talented sons, and today I see that it is not an exaggeration!"

    Even though he was a younger relative, he was still a relative.

    Judging by Fifth Master''s age, it was clear that he was the beloved son of an elderly patriarch. He was young and full of energy, having traveled to the West and returned with confidence, but also with the flaw of youthful arrogance.

    Yue Dingtang felt that he was always criticizing Ling Shu for being impulsive, but compared to this fifth uncle, Ling Shu seemed to have better judgment.

    "Fifth uncle, I am Dingtang, pleased to meet you," he said.

    Fifth Master looked around and asked, "Where are my nephews? Why haven''t they come?"

    Second Master waved his hand and replied, "They are young. In situations like this, it''s up to us elders to make decisions. We can introduce them to their distant cousins when we have dinner later."

    Suddenly, Fifth Master said, "Second Brother, before our father passed away, he called us all together and said he had some heirlooms to leave us. But he wanted to wait until the Yue family arrived before revealing them. Now that everyone is here, can''t we open the box?"

    Yue Dingtang looked at Second Master. When he received the letters and telegrams, they only mentioned the death and funeral of the old master of the Guan family, requesting the Yue family to send someone to mourn. Not a word was mentioned about the so-called inheritance. But now, hearing what the Fifth Master said, it seems that the old master may have left something for him or for the Yue family?

    The Second Master said to Yue Dingtang, "That''s right. Since the Fifth Master mentioned it, I might as well tell you. Before the old master passed away, he divided the Guan family''s wealth into six parts. Five parts were given to us brothers, and the other part, the old master instructed us to hand it over to you. Because when your mother got married, the Guan family did not prepare a dowry due to some circumstances. You should have heard about this."

    Yue Dingtang nodded, "My mother mentioned it occasionally before she passed away. She said she was young and foolish and hurt the elders'' feelings."

    The old man sighed and said, "Time has passed and we should not dwell on the past. No matter what, your mother''s surname is Guan and she left the Guan family. The dowry was not given before, but it should be made up for now. Even if your mother is no longer with us, it should be received by the Yue family on her behalf. Now that you are willing to come, we can also fulfill our duty to the old man."

    The Yue family did not lack any dowry, but since it concerned the old man''s will and his mother, Yue Dingtang naturally would not refuse.

    The Second Master turned to the Fifth Master and said, "What''s the rush? Third brother hasn''t arrived yet. Dingtang just arrived today. Let him meet all the elders first. We''ll have dinner together tonight and pick a lucky time tomorrow to gather everyone. The old man''s things are now sealed in the warehouse with five locks, one for each room. We need everyone to be present before the warehouse can be opened. No one can sneak away. Don''t worry."

    The Fifth Master was not very happy. "It''s not that I''m unhappy. I just casually asked. In two months, I''m going to England for further studies. Who can afford to waste this time? If you want to say who''s in a rush, it''s our oldest brother!"

    The Eldest Master slammed the table and stood up. "What did you say? Is this how you talk to your elder brother?"

    Seeing that they were about to argue again, the Second Master quickly intervened.

    "Alright, alright, we''re all family here. Fifth brother, your nephew is still here, you need to act like an elder! We''ve been waiting for so long, and Dingtang came all the way from Shanghai, we need to make him feel welcome and get him acquainted. Where''s our third brother? Why hasn''t he come yet?"

    As they were speaking, a servant from the Guan family came to report.

    "Second Master, Third Master said he doesn''t want to come."

    Second Master Guan''s face immediately darkened.

    "What do you mean he doesn''t want to come?"

    The servant stuttered, "Third Master is busy and didn''t have time to talk to me. When I mentioned that Yue family''s young master was coming, he didn''t seem interested and just waved his hand. So I had to come back and report."

    "This is unacceptable, completely unacceptable!" Second Master Guan kept muttering a few words, but it was just that - muttering.

    He didn''t send anyone to forcibly bring the person over, nor did he say he would personally call for them. He just gave a bitter smile to his nephew Yue Dingtang.

    "Dingtang, your third uncle has a bit of a strange temper. He usually likes woodworking and carving. He''s probably working on a piece he really likes right now, maybe even a gift for you. How about this, I''ll have someone take you to rest first, and we''ll have dinner together later. What do you think?"

    Yue Dingtang had never met his third uncle before, and now the elder didn''t even say a word, let alone show any hospitality. His temper was more than just strange.

    Yue Dingtang had originally thought that Second Master Guan seemed normal and reliable, but now it seemed that he was just putting on a show.

    His authority was limited.

    He replied, "As the guest, I will follow the host''s lead." The Second Master seemed to feel a bit embarrassed and wanted to say something.

    He opened their mouths but hesitated because of the presence of others, and ended up just coughing lightly.

    "Steward He, why don''t you take Dingtang and Mr. Ling with you?"

    "Yes, sir."

    Ling Shu was in a good mood and hummed a little tune as he followed Mr. He.

    However, when they arrived at the guest room in the backyard, even the carefree Ling Shu was left with his jaw dropped.

    Mr. He looked embarrassed and gave a bitter smile towards Ling and Yue.

 CH 84

    The room was not small, with the bedroom connected to the study, separated by a sandalwood bookcase with elegant and antique lattice work.

    The windows did not have glass, but were pasted with old-fashioned paper, with good lighting and a view of the wildflowers beginning to bloom in the courtyard.

    From Ling Shu''s perspective, he could see a vibrant spring scene.

    But all of this could not hide the poverty of the room.

    There should have been a desk next to the window.

    The bookcase should have had neatly arranged books.

    The curio cabinet should have had vases and other common household decorations.

    Perhaps there should have been a gentleman orchid or bonsai, the four treasures of the study, or open calligraphy or letter paper on the desk.

    But now--

    There was nothing.

    This was an empty room. "No, there''s still something here," he thought to herself.

    A bed and some bedding were all that was in the room.

    This couldn''t possibly be a guest room, it seemed more like a place to mistreat disobedient concubines.

    Even Steward He knew that the environment was too shabby. He couldn''t come up with anything nice to say, so he desperately tried to think of excuses to cover up the situation.

    "Steward He."

    "Yes? Yes! Young Master Yue, what can I do for you?"

    Upon hearing Yue Dingtang''s voice, he quickly looked up and forced a smile.

    "May I ask if all of the guest rooms in the Guan family are like this?"

    Steward He repeatedly said, "Yes, yes, you are half of our own family and also an honored guest. I dare not show any neglect. To be honest, this room is already the best among all the guest rooms. The others either haven''t been cleaned or don''t even have bedding. The bedding on your bed was specially prepared and delivered yesterday!"

    Ling Shu asked, "Steward He, what about my room?"

    Steward He smiled and replied, "If you don''t mind, this pull-out bed is also quite large. I can have someone bring an extra pillow for you later."

    Ling Shu: ...

    Yue Dingtang''s face visibly darkened. He didn''t say anything, but a storm seemed to be brewing in his eyes, which might erupt soon.

    Steward He couldn''t quite read the other''s temperament, but he had heard of the Yue family''s background. The young master from the Yue family is probably used to being treated like royalty at home.

    But now, he has come to pay his respects to the deceased and is being treated poorly. Anyone in his shoes would be unhappy.

    "You don''t understand," the steward explains. "After the old master fell ill, everything in these guest rooms, regardless of its value, was taken away. This room is the cleanest and most well-equipped of all the guest rooms. I have prepared it for you, and I cannot bear to let you stay in any of the others."

    Yue Dingtang furrows his brow. "The servants sold everything? Why didn''t you report this to the master?"

    The steward can only smile wryly.

    Suddenly, Ling Shu speaks up. "Perhaps the sons of Old Master Guan have already divided up everything."

    Yue Dingtang looks at the steward intently.

    After a moment of resistance, the steward finally succumbs to his gaze.

    "Master Yue, if I tell you this, please don''t go to Second Master, or else I won''t be able to stay in the Guan family anymore with my big mouth," the steward said nervously.

    "Go ahead and tell me," Yue replied calmly.

    "During the old master''s illness, he called several sons together and divided the family''s wealth among them, allowing them to go their separate ways. However, he did not mention who would inherit the house. The Eldest Master bought a new house in the city and moved his belongings out, saying that he could make his own decisions about his own things without reporting to the old master. The Second and Fourth Masters followed suit, at first only taking things from their own rooms, but gradually moving on to the guest rooms, afraid of missing out and not wanting to fall behind. Even the servants began to sneak around and steal things, and I caught several of them, but I couldn''t interfere with the masters'' affairs. Fortunately, the things in the storeroom were still untouched. The old master gave five keys to the five masters, but no one could open the storeroom without all five being present."

    Yue Dingtang knew that there were internal conflicts within the Guan family, but he didn''t expect it to be so chaotic.

    In the guest room, the originally displayed vases and decorations were either sold off or taken away to fill their own new homes.

    With the old master gone, there was no leader and everyone was out for their own gain.

    As the masters acted, the servants naturally began to steal and deceive, becoming more and more unscrupulous.

    "What about the Third and Fifth Masters?" Ling Shu asked.

    "Third Master loves woodworking and often locks himself in his room, so no one dares to disturb him. Fifth Master wasn''t here at the time. When he returned and heard about this, he was furious. I saw it with my own eyes, he even had a fight with the Eldest Master," replied He, the steward.

    "What about you? Whose side are you on?" Yue Dingtang asked.

    He was taken aback. "Why do you ask?"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "After exposing all the misdeeds of the masters, can you still continue working in this household?"

    "Master Yue, you don''t know the whole story. I used to serve the old master, but when he passed away, the other masters didn''t want me. It was only the Second Master who asked me to receive you. If he doesn''t want to keep me after you leave, I''ll have to pack up and return to my hometown."

    With nothing else to say, he bowed and took his leave.

    "You two can rest for now. Hot water and towels have been sent for and will arrive soon. In an hour, I''ll come to escort you to the dining hall."

    "Why so quiet now?"

    After Steward He left, Yue Dingtang glanced at Ling Shu.

    "It''s rare to see you at a loss for words like this."

    "Old Yue, your maternal family is really something else," Ling Shu clicked his tongue twice. "Look, not only is there nothing on the table, even the chairs have been moved. That chair was originally made of yellow pear wood, right? If they didn''t want to save face, I bet the table would be gone too!"

    Yue Dingtang frowned, "What kind of language is that? They''re not my maternal family, they''re my mother''s maternal family."

    "Close enough, close enough!" Ling Shu laughed, "So where do I sit?"

    He directly sat on the yellow flower pear wood table, his long legs dangling in the air, arms crossed.

    "Interesting, really interesting!"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What''s so interesting?"

    Ling Shu exclaimed, "Everywhere is interesting! According to Steward He, it seems that there isn''t a single one of your uncles who is pleasing to the eye. What did the old master leave for you that required you to travel all the way from Shanghai to here? Does he not know the character of his own descendants and wants you to come and witness a joke?"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "We cannot fully trust Steward He''s words."

    Ling Shu waved his hand, "I know, but you have seen how your eldest and fourth uncles are always at odds. Now, only the Fifth Master can be relied upon."

    Yue Dingtang pursed his lips, revealing a hint of helplessness on his face.

    With his calm and composed personality that never showed his emotions, he must have been impressed by the lively scene that greeted him upon entering the house and amazed by the eccentricities of the entire Guan family.

    But he was still a relative, a relative who hadn''t visited for decades. If it weren''t for the old master''s funeral, he probably wouldn''t have remembered that there was still this relative, let alone come here.

    "Old Yue, there''s something I need to tell you in advance," Ling Shu interrupted his thoughts.

    Yue Dingtang looked puzzled.

    Ling Shu said, "Um, I don''t sleep well."

    Yue Dingtang responded, "Then you can sleep on the floor at night. I''ll have Steward He take care of it and bring an extra blanket."

    Ling Shu exaggerated his expression: "How can you bear to let your old classmate who came from afar to accompany you at the risk of his life sleep on the floor!"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "But you are still my subordinate. The boss sleeps on the bed, and the subordinate sleeps on the floor. Isn''t that how it should be?"

    The more serious Yue Dingtang''s expression was, the more Ling Shu believed that he had some ulterior motives. Under the eaves, one must bow their head.

    Ling Shu didn''t want to spend his own money on a hotel, let alone settle for other unswept rooms.

    If this room was so rundown, it was hard to imagine how other rooms would be.

    Ling Shu approached with a flattering smile.

    "I know you talk tough but have a soft heart, and you always cherish old friendships with your former classmates. How about we go back to Yuelai Inn and stay for another night?"

    Yue Dingtang shook his head. "I have to go up the mountain early tomorrow morning to pay my respects to the old master. I''m afraid I won''t make it back in time. I''ll just have to make do tonight."

    "Okay, okay. I sleep pretty well, I promise not to move around."

    With that, Ling Shu took advantage of his unpreparedness and lay directly on the pallet bed, taking the initiative and rolling around before getting up.

    "See, now the bed has my scent. Don''t be disgusted, okay?"

 CH 85

    When Yue Dingtang''s pocket watch struck six in the afternoon, Steward He arrived on time to invite them for dinner.

    Ling Shu, who had been hungry for most of the day, thought he could finally have a good meal. Even if the sleeping arrangements were not ideal, the Guan family would not mistreat their guests. Even if they didn''t have a full banquet, they should at least have eight dishes and a soup.

    Yue Dingtang''s previous mention of a small kitchen in each room had become Ling Shu''s hope and dream throughout the journey. Despite seeing the unreliability of the Guan family, Ling Shu still clung to his last bit of persistence and dream.

    But this dream was quickly shattered.

    A plate of dumplings, a bowl of pork and cabbage stew with vermicelli, and a politely smiling Second Master Guan.

    This was the supposedly wealthy and prosperous Guan family?

    Ling Shu began to doubt his own eyes. He not only doubted his own eyesight, but also suspected that the Guan family had a problem with their brains.

    Those who didn''t know thought that Yue Dingtang was some poor relative who had come from somewhere, and the Guan family couldn''t wait to get rid of him, hence the subtle hint to leave.

    "You''re here, come, have a seat!"

    The Second Master got up and gestured with his hand, showing his courtesy.

    But Yue Dingtang did not take a seat.

    "Second Uncle, I''m not a poor relative coming to beg for food. I''m here to pay my respects to our ancestors and fulfill my mother''s regret of not being able to see her family before she passed away. If my mother were still alive, she would never have imagined that the Guan family would fall to such a state. Ling Shu is my friend, and I can endure this treatment, but I cannot let my friend suffer with me. Tonight, I will take him out to eat, and tomorrow we will go up the mountain to pay our respects to our ancestors. We will leave for Shanghai immediately and will not bother you again."

    Second Uncle was speechless until he saw Yue Dingtang turning to leave, then he panicked and quickly got up to stop him.

    "Dingtang, what are you doing? We finally get a chance to see each other and now you want to leave so soon? Don''t be in such a hurry, listen to your uncle and let me explain. It''s a long story, so don''t rush. Mr. Ling, can you help me persuade him?"

    Ling smiled and said, "Mr. Guan, I''m just an outsider and it''s not appropriate for me to interfere in your family affairs. Besides, you''ve got it wrong. Old Yue said I''m his friend, but that''s just out of loyalty to an old classmate. In reality, I''m his secretary and assistant, which means I''m his subordinate. How could I dare to advise my superior? I''m afraid you''ve got the wrong person."

    Second Master was helpless and held onto Yue Dingtang''s arm tightly, afraid that he would run away if he let go.

    "Dingtang, to be honest, you''ve seen the situation at the Guan family. The eldest brother doesn''t act like a responsible leader, always fooling around with the fourth brother. The third brother doesn''t take care of anything, and the fifth brother just returned and is young and impulsive. Tonight''s dinner should have been a grand welcome for you, but the others refused to come. Your second uncle is doing his best with what he has, but please don''t be offended. When our father opens the warehouse and I have more money, I''ll take you to the best restaurant in town for a proper meal. How does that sound?"

    Yue Dingtang replied calmly, "The guest room we''re staying in doesn''t even have chairs, let alone any decorations. Is this how the Guan family treats their guests?"

    The old man sighed, "It''s all because of the eldest brother. He claims that as the eldest, most of the belongings of the Guan family should belong to him. Once he started, the fourth brother followed suit, and chaos ensued. I tried to stop them, but to no avail. Just today, they caused a scene and refused to come to your welcoming feast. Since the passing of the old master, the eldest brother has been pushing to divide the family''s wealth. Although we haven''t officially split, each household is managing their own affairs, and no one wants to give up a single penny!"

    While the two old men were talking, Ling Shu''s eyes were fixed on the dumplings in the dish.

    Yue Dingtang didn''t comment on the old man''s words but instead reminded him, "Second Uncle, we''re a bit hungry. Why don''t we finish eating first?"

    The Second Master hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, let''s eat first. Come on, use your chopsticks!"

    The dumplings, according to the Second Master, were filled with vegetables and pork.

    Ling Shu chewed for a long time and found his mouth full of  vegetables. The pork seemed to have disappeared into the vast filling and was nowhere to be found.

    Then, looking at the stewed noodles with cabbage and pork, with a flick of his chopsticks, Ling Shu saw some scattered bits of fat in the sea of cabbage and noodles. It was still better than the idle gossip of some nosy women.

    "Second Master, we heard some idle talk from a servant of the Guan family just now," Ling Shu said as he chewed on the noodles, unable to taste any pork.

    "Which blabbermouth servant told you nonsense?" The Second Master raised their eyebrows and their tone became more forceful, but unfortunately, it had no intimidating effect.

    Ling Shu said, "They say that among the people who moved things from the Guan family to their own private residence, besides the eldest and Fourth Masters, there was also you, Second Master."

    The Second Master''s face turned red and he exclaimed, "Nonsense!"

    Ling Shu chuckled and replied, "I agree, it''s all nonsense. Anyway, Old Yue and I will be leaving in a few days, so it''s up to you to discipline these servants and their loose tongues. As outsiders, we have no right to interfere. However, on the train ride here, we witnessed a strange incident that I thought you might find interesting, Second Master."

    With that, Ling Shu stopped talking and focused on picking out the meat from the stewed noodles.

    The Second Master was displeased.

    He didn''t think much of Ling Shu.

    At first, he thought the other was a friend of Yue Dingtang, also from a decent background, so gave him some face. But later he found out that this guy named Ling was just an old classmate of Yue Dingtang''s, who relied on him to make a living. It was clear that his family background was limited. The so-called secretary assistant was nothing more than a follower, just a change in terminology with the changing times.

    But then Ling Shu took out a small white ivory plaque from his pocket. It was the gold foil and ivory carved scripture they had confiscated from Dongli on the train.

    The face of the Second Master changed.

    "Where did you get this thing?" asked the Second Master.

    Ling Shu sighed and evaded the question.

    "Old Yue, I think you''re really in a tough spot," he said.

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What do you mean by that?"

    Ling Shu said, "As soon as you received the letter from the Guan family, you immediately packed your bags and traveled day and night without stopping, enduring exhaustion and hardship, just to come here. And what happened? Except for the Second Master, no one gave you a sincere word of thanks, and no one understood that you couldn''t even have a decent meal on the way. They were either busy quarreling or didn''t even show their faces. I really feel sorry for you!"

    Yue Dingtang thought to himself that although they had to turn back several times on the way, they were all traveling in first-class compartments, with steak and red wine as well as dumplings and fried rice.

    How could they not have enough to eat?

    But he had long been disgusted with the way the Guan family behaved, so he just went along with it without saying a word.

    "Well, there''s nothing we can do. They''re relatives," he replied.

    Ling Shu said, "I thought we would have a good meal at the Guan family''s, but these dumplings are barely warm and it''s hard to even find any meat filling."

    Yue Dingtang said, "The Guan family is in such a mess, they don''t even have money."

    Ling Shu replied, "Really? I saw Second Master using that set of tea utensils. It''s worth at least several dozen silver dollars in Shanghai''s antique shops. Could it be a fake?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "The Guan family is a distinguished family. Their ancestors were great people. Second Master is also a dignified person. It''s unlikely that they would use fakes."

    The Second Master remained silent.

    Ling Shu continued, "But something doesn''t add up. If it''s not a fake, why would Second Master Gao Ji casually leave it there with unfinished tea in the cup? It seems like an ordinary thing to him, not worth even several tens of dollars. So why would he serve us pork dumplings without any meat filling? Could it be the servants acting on their own, or a conspiracy by the Eldest Master or Fourth Master to drive us away ahead of time?"

    After pondering for a moment, Yue Dingtang nodded solemnly, "It''s possible."

    Second Master: ...

    Ling Shu said, "Let''s not make things difficult for Second Master. I heard that the donkey meat hotpot at the street corner outside the Guan family is especially delicious. Why don''t we go try it tonight?"

    Yue Dingtang asked, "What about Second Master?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Second Master probably eats it every day and is tired of it. He''s not like us country bumpkins who just arrived. You still have to go up the mountain to pay respects tomorrow, so you can''t eat too plain. Otherwise, how will you manage?"

    Whether it''s good or bad, you''ve said it all. What else can I say?!

    Second Master roared and screamed in his heart, his face slightly distorted.

    Ling Shu still showed him a brilliant smile.

    "Alright, Second Uncle, you go ahead and eat first. We''ll go out and find something to fill our stomachs. If there''s anything you need, we''ll talk about it when we come back. And when we do, do you want us to bring you something to eat too?"

    Without waiting for a response from Second Master Guan, Ling Shu continued, "Forget it, the Guan family is wealthy and prosperous. You don''t lack anything. You''re getting older, so it''s better to eat more vegetarian dishes. Why don''t you stay and have some dumplings and noodles? Old Yue, let''s go."

    "Wait!" Old Master Guan suddenly stood up, his face turning red and his expression frightening as he glared at Ling Shu.

    Ling Shu thought he was going to start cursing at them.

    If Old Master Guan did curse at them, they could leave the Guan family with their heads held high and not have to sleep in that empty guest room at night.

    "Old Li!!!" After holding his breath for a while, Old Master Guan shouted at his attendant beside him. "Go to the small kitchen and prepare a donkey meat hotpot, quickly, Tang and the others must be hungry!"

    The servant rushed in, looking puzzled upon hearing the order.

    "Master, where can we get donkey meat now?"

    "There''s a ready-made one at the street corner! Go ask them to buy it, I don''t care how much money you spend. Bring back the donkey meat hotpot and all the side dishes. Dingtang and his friend came from far away, they deserve a good meal!"

    The last four words were bitten out by Second Master, as if his teeth were bleeding.

    He took out a money bag from his sleeve and handed it tremblingly to the servant. The gaze on the money bag was like that of Emperor Tang Minghuang, who helplessly watched his beloved consort go to her death. It was desolate and mournful.

    As for Ling Shu, he laughed like a treacherous minister misleading the king, taking advantage and acting cute. "How can we let Second Master pay for it?"

    "It''s okay, we''re all family. You guys enjoy your meal, and Second Uncle will be happy."

    Second Master forced a smile that was uglier than crying.

    The three of them sat down again.

    Second Master adjusted his mood and tried not to focus on the money bag that had just been taken away by his servant.

    "Little Ling, can you show Second Master the ivory carved scripture that you just took out?"

    "You mean Zhang Chaofeng''s ivory carved scripture?"

    As soon as the name Zhang Chaofeng was mentioned, Second Master became even more convinced that Ling Shu wasn''t lying to him.

    "What do you mean?"

    "This thing was sold to him by you, right?"

    Second Master laughed and refused to admit it.

    "How could that be? I just thought it looked nice and wanted to borrow it to play with."

    Ling Shu pretended not to notice his abnormality and let out a long sigh of relief.

    "If it has nothing to do with you, then that''s good. I won''t hide it from you, Zhang Chaofeng was murdered, and the cause of death was these ivory and gold leaf carved scriptures."

    Second Master Guan''s heart trembled.

 CH 86

    The bubbling sound of the donkey meat in the pot filled the air, and the fragrant aroma of the sauce could be smelled from three or four miles away.

    Ling Shu picked up a spoonful of tender donkey meat and bravely put it in his mouth, despite the scorching heat. He gasped for air and gave a thumbs up to the Second Master.

    "Now this is a true welcoming feast, Second Master, you have great taste!"

    "As long as you''re enjoying it, that''s all that matters. If you need more, just let me know," the Second Master said with a forced smile.

    In the next moment -

    Ling Shu raised his hand and said, "Waiter, bring us another pound of sauce-covered donkey meat and a large serving of bok choy!"

    The corners of the Second Master''s mouth twitched. He never expected Ling Shu to take his words seriously.

    He decided that from now on, he would never use polite language again.

    "Little Ling, since you are a good friend of Dingtang, I won''t treat you as an outsider. Let me call you my nephew. Tell me, how did Zhang Chaofeng die? And how did the ivory carved scripture end up in your hands?"

    Ling Shu replied, "Uncle, please don''t be anxious. Before we talk about that, could you tell us how you met Zhang Chaofeng and where these things came from? Let''s be honest with each other, only then can we have a frank discussion."

    He took a bite of the donkey meat with great satisfaction, but spoke bluntly.

    Old Second Master Guan''s teeth itched as he watched Ling Shu''s expression, just like Ling Shu''s expression when he looked at the donkey meat pot.

    "Can you return the ivory-carved scripture to me first?"

    Ling Shu asked, "Didn''t you say it wasn''t yours?"

    Old Master Guan chuckled, "I just want to take a look, what if it is?"

    With a calm demeanor, despite his heart racing, the old man finally received the ivory carved scripture from Ling Shu.

    The ivory was the size of a palm, with a slight yellowish tinge and a lustrous shine. It was as thin as cicada wings or even thinner than rice paper.

    However, it was covered in countless tiny characters, smaller than ants. Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang had borrowed a magnifying glass on the road to study it carefully.

    Under the lens, every character was clear and the carvings were all from the Buddhist scriptures, including the Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, and others in different languages such as Chinese, Tibetan, Manchu, and Mongolian.

    The ivory and gold foil were incomplete, but if all the pieces were connected , it would surely become a complete treasure.

    "My grandfather loved collecting antiques during his lifetime, and I was influenced by him since childhood. I also have this hobby," Second Master explained.

    Ling Shu refused to speak, and even the Second Master couldn''t force him by grabbing his neck as he wasn''t his real nephew.

    Turning to Yue Dingtang, it was unclear whether he was naturally reserved or simply indifferent towards his distant relative, as he didn''t utter a single word.

    The Second Master had no choice but to continue speaking.

    "Last year, when he was seriously ill, I often tended to him. Whenever he was in a good mood, he would offer to reward me with something. One time, he brought out a box from his study and gave me half of the gold leaf and ivory-carved sutras inside.

    "Embarrassingly, at that time, the brothers in each room were not united. My eldest and fourth brothers were fiercely competing. The old master was seriously ill and spending money like water. Anything like ginseng, deer antler, and lingzhi were being brought into the house like they were free. The household had no money left, and I was also tight on funds. I had no choice but to take the carved scripture to the pawnshop, thinking that I could exchange it for some medicine money for grandfather. That''s when I met Zhang Chaofeng.

    "I heard from others that the carved scripture was likely a treasure that was enshrined in the old imperial palace in Shenyang before our ancestors entered the pass. Later, during the turbulent times, it was stolen by those palace maids and eunuchs and sold off. But Zhang Chaofeng told me that they were all fakes. Although the gold and ivory were real, they were intentionally made to look old by people of that time and sold as antiques. Grandfather believed they were real and kept them."

    "That doesn''t seem right, does it?" As the old man was speaking, he was interrupted by Ling Shu.

    "If we were talking about fake blue and white porcelain or famous paintings, that would be one thing," Ling Shu said. "But these carved scriptures are as intricate as grains of corn. They can''t be easily forged by just anyone. It''s not worth the effort. How could they be fake?"

    The old man blushed.

    "I thought the same thing," he said. "But I''ve known Zhang Chaofeng for years. You know how it is with antiques. Throughout the ages, from the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns to the present day, although it''s been thousands of years, there are definitely more fakes than real ones. Even a collector like me can make mistakes sometimes. He talked me into leaving the carved scriptures with him, promising to find a good buyer. But who knew things would go wrong as soon as I left them with him?

    "After a few days, I remembered the matter and sent someone to inquire about the progress with Zhang Chaofeng. The person who came back said that Zhang Chaofeng had disappeared a few days ago and had not returned to the pawnshop. It was then that I realized I had been completely fooled! I thought those things had been taken by that bastard, but I never expected them to be recovered. Thank you so much, my dear nephew Little Ling! How about this, you return the items to me, and when my cousin sells them for a good price, I''ll treat you to a nice meal?"

    "My dear uncle, if these treasures are truly valuable, not to mention priceless, they certainly cannot be compensated for with just one meal. Moreover, Zhang Chaofeng brought danger upon himself for this, and we also took risks. Even if it''s just one meal, it''s not enough to make up for it."

    With a smile on his face, Ling Shu said things that his nephew Yue Dingtang couldn''t say.

    Ling Shu had no reservations and spoke freely.

    The Second Master cursed under his breath at the little brat, but still had to smile and say, "I know the meal must have been meager for you. It''s because your second uncle doesn''t have any money right now. But when he does, before you leave, he will definitely give you a large sum for your journey. And look, the old master specifically said he wanted to leave something for your mother. Since she has passed away, it belongs to Yue Dingtang. Knowing the old master''s love for collecting antiques, who knows what treasures he might have left for you?"

    After Ling Shu had eaten and drank his fill, he finally put down his chopsticks and spoke calmly, without any hint of anger.

    "Second Uncle, it''s not that we refuse to return your belongings. Since Zhang Chaofeng died because of this, can you guarantee that there were no accomplices and they won''t track us down? We have investigated and found that after leaving Fengtian, Zhang Chaofeng traveled for months, passing through Tianjin, Nanjing, Anhui, and other places. We have no idea who he met, what he encountered, or what troubles he caused. What if they follow his trail to the Guan family and you become their real target?"

    Old Master Guan was indeed startled. He regained his composure and waved his hand, saying, "Impossible. I don''t have any enemies. Even if I did, it must be caused by my fourth brother. He''s always reading people''s fortunes and claiming to have a divine connection. He interacts with countless people every day, and even the Japanese come to seek his advice. His temperament is also very easy to offend people, but it couldn''t possibly be me! Good nephew, please return the carved scripture to me first. This time, I will keep it safe and won''t let it leak out!"

    Suddenly, Yue Dingtang said, "Give the ivory-carved scriptures to Second Uncle Guan."

    Ling Shu smiled and didn''t mind. He took out a package of cloth from his pocket and placed it on the table, pushing it over.

    "Second Master, the six sides of the ivory carved scripture, with three gold foils and three ivory pieces. We have returned the full set."

    Second Master Guan untied the knot on the cloth and his face lit up with joy.

    "Good nephew, you are truly the lucky star of your uncle''s family. As soon as you arrived, my lost belongings were found again!"

    Ling Shu took advantage of the situation: "Second uncle, I heard that there is a restaurant called Fulailou in Fengtian City. The chef there came from the capital, and there are people in his family who used to be imperial chefs. The food there is delicious!"

    The expression on Second Master''s face twitched slightly.

    "Well, you''re exaggerating. It''s not that delicious..."

    Ling Shu smiled innocently.

    "But we just want to experience it and try something new. We can''t come all the way to Fengtian City and not eat anything. When we go back and our friends and relatives ask, are we going to say that we ate cabbage dumplings every day at the Guan family''s house?"

    "Please, I insist on treating you. We must eat there!"

    These words were spoken through gritted teeth by Second Master Guan. After finishing a pot of donkey meat, when it was time to pay, Mr. Guan Er''s heart had already shattered into several pieces, unable to be pieced back together even with the best glue.

    "You young people stay up late, go have some fun on your own. Second Uncle won''t accompany you anymore. Although it''s dark outside, there are still some places in the city that haven''t closed yet, like gambling houses. You can go take a look, but don''t gamble too much. Gambling is just for fun. If you lose too much, you''ll lose everything. Second Uncle has no extra money to help you. Ah?"

    Second Master was afraid that Ling Shu and his friends would ask him for money, so he didn''t want to stay any longer. He immediately paid the bill and left in a hurry, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

    Ling Shu yawned and stretched lazily.

    "The Second Master Guan is lying."

 CH 87

    Yue Dingtang didn''t express any surprise or refute Ling Shu''s words, he just nodded calmly.

    This indicated that he also agreed with Ling Shu''s opinion.

    Those pieces of gold foil and ivory products were so rare that even outsiders like them who didn''t know much about antiques could tell.

    How could Second Master, who was supposedly enthusiastic about collecting and researching antiques, not know?

    From Second Master''s words and actions, it was unclear whether he really needed money, but he certainly valued silver coins.

    So why would he easily hand over valuable carved scripture pages to Zhang Chaofeng?

    Unless he was lying--

    The carved scripture pages were not a reward from the old master, but rather stolen from the study.

    Now things were getting interesting.

    In a household with several brothers, the eldest, second, and fourth brothers all reached into the study while their father was gravely ill. They each took a few pages of the carved scriptures, treating their father''s study as a free treasure trove. However, even the greatest wealth cannot withstand the extravagance of these brothers.

    "There''s another interesting thing," said Ling Shu.

    After a long journey, they should have been able to clean themselves up, but they couldn''t find a servant to boil water for them anywhere.

    In the end, Yue Dingtang had to give money to Steward He to buy two large barrels of hot water, allowing them to take a hot bath separately.

    This was the first time Ling Shu had ever visited his relatives'' home and had to buy his own bathwater.

    He changed into his pajamas and sat cross-legged on the bed, chatting away.

    "The old man divided the keys to the storeroom into five and asked his sons to gather and open the room together to distribute the goods. Isn''t this clearly showing that he doesn''t trust his sons?"

    Suddenly, an old piece of clothing was thrown over his head, covering his face completely.

    "Don''t talk nonsense, dry your hair and go to sleep," Yue Dingtang pushed him.

    "Go sleep inside," he added.

    Ling Shu slowly played with his hair and asked, "Can I sleep outside?"

    Yue Dingtang raised an eyebrow and replied, "You can either sleep on the floor or go to the next room. Choose one."

    Ling Shu said fawningly, "I won''t say anything more!"

    He crumpled the old clothes into a ball and threw them under the bed. He lay down, pulled the covers over himself, revealing only half of his head.

    His half-dried hair was still dripping water onto the pillow.

    Yue Dingtang was a bit of a neat freak.

    During his stay at the Yue family, Ling Shu had slept in his room due to illness. Now, with the floor scrubbed clean, he was starting to feel at home. He didn''t mind much, except for the annoying water droplets of water dripping from Ling Shu''s hair.

    Unable to bear it any longer, he grabbed a clean towel and wiped Ling Shu''s head.

    Ling Shu grunted twice but didn''t resist as his head was rubbed and flattened by the towel.

    "Hey, Old Yue, I didn''t know you had this kind of skill. If you ever lose your job as a university professor, you could make a living by rubbing people''s backs and feet at a bathhouse," he joked.

    "That sounds a bit strange to me," Yue Dingtang paused, unsure of how to respond.

    Although there was no structure to his rambling, Ling Shu was so tired that he was almost falling asleep.

    He felt his eyelids getting heavy and noticed that the other person had stopped rubbing.

    He quickly said, "Hey, don''t stop! I''m praising you. You can do anything and everything, and you''re the best at everything!"

    Yue Dingtang replied, "As long as I still have the surname Yue, and as long as the Yue family hasn''t fallen, even if I''m a fool and sit silently on the podium, the school won''t dismiss me. They''ll still let me continue to be a respectable professor. If one day I can''t even be a university professor, then I guess even if I wanted to work at a bathhouse, no one would dare to hire me."

    Ling Shu didn''t move his head and stuck his thumb out from under the covers, "Clear and thorough!"

    Yue Dingtang said, "Did you not expect that I haven''t been blinded by vanity and superficiality these past few years? I''m still quite clear-headed."

    Ling Shu said, "I have a great idea, Old Yue."

    "I''m tired," replied Yue Dingtang.

    "Don''t sleep yet, listen first!" Ling Shu was excited and sat up, with a towel hanging on his head and a few strands of hair sticking out.

    "What if you give me some money now to open a bathhouse, and I''ll use the annual profits to pay you back? And in the future, if you fall on hard times and no one else will hire you, I''ll definitely hire you as a masseur. How does that sound?"

    Yue Dingtang: ...

    Not very good.

    What kind of terrible idea was this?

    It was then that Yue Dingtang noticed how fair Ling Shu''s skin was.

    Perhaps it was because he had just washed his hair, but his wet hair looked shiny and his skin looked even fairer.

    It wasn''t an unhealthy or cold kind of fair, but more like the smooth egg white that is revealed when you peel off the thin film under the eggshell.

    In his twenties, he still had a bit of baby fat on him.

    "Ouch, let go!" With a sudden impulse, Yue Dingtang reached out and pinched him. The feel was just right.

    "Go to sleep!" He answered Ling Shu with only two words.

    The towel was snatched away and the light was turned off.

    Darkness enveloped them.

    Ling Shu had no choice but to retract his hand into the covers.

    "Hey, Old Yue, are you asleep? Let me tell you a ghost story.

    "The Guan family''s house was probably bought from someone else. The walls around it were all painted, and the house itself might be over a hundred years old. With these old houses, there are always some spooky things going on. I just heard one from the Guan family''s servant on my way back. Do you want to hear it?

    "Old Yue, give me some face. We rarely get to sleep together. Don''t you have any happy memories?"

    Yue Dingtang didn''t respond, but soon there was a steady and long breath.

    Ling Shu had no choice but to shut up.

    He liked to sleep with the lights on, even if it was just a small candle, a little light was enough to prevent him from falling into endless darkness in his sleep.

    This weakness was discovered by Yue Dingtang a long time ago, and he intentionally or unintentionally tested it several times.

    Ling Shu didn''t mind letting Yue Dingtang test him, this weakness was not insurmountable, but when there was light, he would never torture himself.

    Closing his eyes, he could clearly feel the presence of someone beside him.

    Ling Shu reluctantly convinced himself not to care about the fact that he was in the dark.

    He thought he would toss and turn and couldn''t sleep, but he didn''t expect that after a few breaths, he fell asleep.

    Perhaps he was too tired.

    Yue Dingtang was also very tired.

    He fell asleep quickly. In his dream, he was eating donkey meat hotpot, but not with Second Master Guan, but with his family.

    At that time, the relationship between his eldest and second brother was not so strained, his parents had not passed away yet, his third sister had not yet married, and the whole family was together, with old family members like Uncle Zhou by their side.

    It was a true reunion.

    His mother kept putting food in his bowl, urging him to eat more, even though he was already a grown man. Her gaze was still that of a mother looking at her child.

    In the past, Yue Dingtang couldn''t stand this kind of gaze from his mother. He always felt that she was nagging and talking too much, and his ears would grow calluses after just a few words.

    He was mature and steady at a young age, and didn''t need his parents or elders to say much. Being lectured too much made him not take it seriously, even if he didn''t say anything on the surface.

    Years after his mother''s passing, Yue Dingtang realized how precious his memories of his youth were.

    He longed to hear his mother''s nagging again, but it was now impossible.

    Everything from the past had become a treasure, including the competitive and argumentative school days with his classmates, who were once his rivals and enemies.

    As his mother served him food, Yue Dingtang felt too full to eat anymore.

    But his mother, with a smile on her face, suddenly grabbed a large fish and threw it at him, saying, "You must be starving! This fish is full of meat, so eat it first!"

    Caught off guard, Yue Dingtang was crushed by the fish, which was as tall as a person.

    He couldn''t even catch his breath.

    "I won''t eat it. You guys can have it. How can I eat raw fish?" he protested.

    He couldn''t help but shout out, but no one reached out to help him.

    The Yue family continued to sit and eat, chatting and laughing as if they hadn''t even noticed that Yue Dingtang was about to be crushed by a big fish.

    Suddenly, Yue Dingtang opened his eyes, drenched in sweat.

    His chest felt like it had a boulder on it, and he couldn''t catch his breath. He reached out to feel around and realized that the blanket had been rolled up by Ling Shu, who was like a sushi roll, and was pressing down on him.

    No wonder he dreamt of a big fish. He knew his mother couldn''t do something so foolish.

    Yue Dingtang took a deep breath and pushed Ling Shu away. The entire blanket was rolled up and taken away by Ling Shu, and Ling Shu himself had rolled to the other end of the bed, seemingly still asleep.

    Yue Dingtang reached out to pull the blanket, but after struggling for a while, he couldn''t pull it back from Ling Shu, who was still pressing down on him.

    He had no choice but to give up. Yue Dingtang got up and prepared to go find another blanket.

    He remembered that Steward He had just had someone move another blanket to the next room, so they could go get it if they needed it.

    Just as he reached out to grab his coat, he heard a piercing scream.

    "Ah!!!!"

    The scream came from far away, but echoed through the silent night.

    "It''s a flood!"

    "There''s a ghost!"

 CH 88

    13-16 minutes

    Ling Shu was sound asleep when suddenly a piercing scream jolted him awake, causing him to flail about on the bed.

    "Where''s the ghost? What ghost? Where is it?" he muttered, still not fully awake.

    Yue Dingtang had already dressed himself.

    "I''ll go check it out. You go back to sleep," he said.

    Ling Shu protested, "Don''t leave me alone! I''m already scared enough. What if the ghost sees that I''m young and beautiful and decides to come after me?"

    Yue Dingtang retorted, "I don''t think a lazy, good-for-nothing like you would be the ghost''s type."

    Ling Shu rubbed his eyes and got up to put on his clothes and shoes.

    "I told you, this old mansion is prone to ghosts, but then again, isn''t Fourth Master a protector of the family? What ghost would dare to cause trouble? Maybe they''re just bored. Let''s hurry over there. If we''re early enough, we might even witness a fierce battle between ghosts and protectors!"

    Yue Dingtang remained silent.

    The Guan family estate was large and labyrinthine.

    Even Ling Shu, let alone Yue Dingtang, had trouble finding his way around.

    They didn''t encounter any servants on their way out, so they followed the noise until they finally came across a group of people.

    Among them were female members of the Guan family and the younger generation, whom they hadn''t seen much of before.

    A faint smell of burnt food wafted through the air, but there was no smoke in sight, indicating that the fire wasn''t too severe and had been put out quickly.

    But the sound of crying was incessant.

    Some were sobbing softly, while others were cursing and crying at the same time.

    Ling Shu couldn''t make out what was being said and couldn''t help but push forward.

    The servant of the Guan family who was watching the commotion next to him turned his head and gave him a glance, whispering, "Don''t push!"

    Ling Shu took the opportunity to ask, "What''s going on? Why are they arguing?"

    In the dark of night, the servant couldn''t recognize him as a guest of the Guan family and hissed, "The warehouse was set on fire, but luckily it was discovered in time and nothing inside was burned. But the Eldest Master said his key is missing."

    "Missing a key?" Ling Shu asked.

    "The key to the warehouse!" the servant replied.

    Ling Shu understood. It was the key that the old master had entrusted to his five sons to open the warehouse.

    "Enough!"

    Suddenly, the Second Master shouted, silencing all the crying and commotion.

    "In the middle of the night, making such a commotion, aren''t you afraid of being laughed at? Everyone who should leave should leave, women and children, all of them must go back, not a single one can stay. Steward He, you go and tidy up the room next door, clear out a few chairs, and bring up some hot tea and snacks. Big brother, fourth brother, fifth brother, you stay. We brothers will have an open and honest discussion. Oh, and Old Li, go and call third borther over. If he refuses to come, even if you have to tie him up, bring him over to me!"

    Old Li and Steward He both agreed and went their separate ways.

    The women and children looked at each other and, seeing that the other elders had not spoken, they had no choice but to leave as well.

    As people gradually dispersed, Second Master saw that there were still two people standing there.

    At first, he thought they were gossipy servants and was about to scold them, but upon closer inspection, he realized they were Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang.

    After showing a family dispute to a nephew he hadn''t seen in years, he felt a bit awkward and couldn''t give him orders.

    "Dingtang, I need to discuss something with your uncles, why don''t you..."

    "Hold on!" Suddenly, the Fourth Master spoke up.

    "Dingtang, don''t leave just yet. Although you''re not surnamed Guan, you''re still part of the family. You can listen in and help us reason things out, so that your eldest uncle won''t accuse anyone of taking sides."

    The Eldest Master angrily retorted, "What do you mean I''m accusing? When did I ever accuse anyone? Give me back my key first before you say anything!"

    The Fourth Master replied irritably, "It''s not my problem if you lost your key. Don''t go blaming me for everything!"

    The Eldest Master exclaimed, "You still deny it! During the day, no one was close to me except for you when we argued. Tell me, do you want to monopolize the things in the warehouse?"

    The Fourth Master laughed in anger, "I want to monopolize? How could I? You tell me! Second, third, and fifth brothers also have keys. Do you think I could steal them all? We''ll open the warehouse tomorrow. Why are you in such a hurry?"

    The Eldest Master sneered, "Why am I in a hurry? Someone knows what''s going on. You colluded with outsiders to plot against the things in the warehouse. Don''t think I don''t know. That blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigner has been in and out of our house so many times. Every time, you two whisper in the small room. What kind of conspiracy are you plotting? Only you two know!"

    Fourth Master: "Guan Qinzhi, if you don''t have any evidence, I advise you to think carefully before speaking. Don''t just spout nonsense. Mr. Ivanov is my regular customer. He trusts my abilities and always comes to me when he encounters difficulties. Since you all want to invite witnesses for the opening of the warehouse tomorrow, I have already made an agreement with him. He will be my witness. You may not believe me in the Chinese, but should believe in foreigners, right?"

    Eldest Master: "What kind of witness? It''s just collusion."

    Fourth Master: "What did you say?"

    Second Master was getting a headache from the argument.

    These two people were born to be incompatible. They couldn''t be together for more than fifteen minutes without arguing, like two tireless fighting cocks.

    It was better when the old master was still alive, but after he passed away, the eldest son had no one to rely on and became even more unwilling to compromise with his brothers.

    Naturally, his fourth brother was not an easy person to deal with.

    Old Li hurried over.

    "Second Master, Third Master said that he will come tomorrow to open the warehouse. It''s already late at night and he can''t come now. Even if he did, he would just listen to the argument between the Old Master and Fourth Master. It would be a wasted trip."

    Second Master Guan was a little angry. "Third Master is really difficult to please. He''s even harder to invite than the Old Master!"

    Fifth Master, Guan Shizhi, interjected, "That can''t be true. You can try inviting the Old Master."

    Ling Shu couldn''t help but laugh out loud.

    Second Master gave Fifth Master a fierce glare.

    Amidst the argument between the Old Master and Fourth Master, Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu finally found out what was going on that night.

    It is said that in the middle of the night, the wife of the Eldest Master heard a baby crying outside the door. She woke up her husband and insisted that there was a ghost outside.

    The master didn''t believe her, but she kept making a fuss, so they both got up to investigate. They found a dark shadow on the ground outside, running away quickly.

    The stubborn Eldest Master insisted on finding out what it was and chased after the shadow. His wife had no choice but to follow behind. They chased all the way to the courtyard outside the storage room, where the master''s wife saw the shadow rushing towards her face!

    She couldn''t see what it was and fell back on the ground, screaming and shouting that there was a ghost.

    The master rushed into the courtyard and saw that the storage room door was on fire.

    The fire came strangely and suddenly, even the culprit couldn''t be seen.

    Afterwards, the family rushed over upon hearing the news.

    Fourth Master accused the Eldest Master of intentionally setting fire to the warehouse, but the latter claimed that his key was missing and must have been stolen by Fourth Master.

    The two argued fiercely until Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang arrived.

    Fifth Master Guan Shizhi yawned and said, "What''s the point of arguing? If the key is lost, just use an axe to break open the door in front of everyone, distribute the goods according to the old man''s will, and be done with it! Tomorrow, I''ll bring a classmate who is knowledgeable about antiques to be a witness and help verify everything."

    Second Master was a little unhappy and said, "Are you afraid that your brothers will deceive you with fake goods?"

    Fifth Master impatiently said, "Second Brother, it''s no fun for you to keep picking on me like this! Fourth Brother also got a foreigner to be a witness, why are you only talking about me and not him? How about this, from now on, nobody sleeps. We''ll stay here until noon tomorrow, open the warehouse, and with so many pairs of eyes watching each other, you should all feel at ease!"

    Everyone had thought of this idea, but they were too embarrassed to say it.

    Since Fifth Master had spoken up, they didn''t have to worry anymore.

    Old Second Master cleared his throat and said, "This idea is not bad. Let''s have one person from each room watch the warehouse here for the night. When Old Yuan comes down from the mountain tomorrow at noon, we''ll open the warehouse. How does that sound?"

    Everyone remained silent, which meant they all agreed. Even the nitpicky Eldest Master couldn''t find fault with anything.

    Even if Second Master didn''t say anything, he still didn''t feel at ease leaving and was willing to wait here for the night.

    "Second Master, let''s go back and rest first. We can come back tomorrow," Yue Dingtang suggested.

    "Dingtang, don''t leave yet," Second Master held onto him and smiled. "You''ve seen your uncles become a laughingstock, but you''re not an outsider. Tomorrow, the things in the warehouse that Grandfather left behind will also have a share for you. Why don''t you stay and be a witness? Your uncles all trust you."

    "There''s no need for that, Uncle. With so many eyes watching, one more person won''t make a difference," Yue Dingtang declined.

    But Second Master refused to let him go. "It''s necessary, it''s necessary. Listen to me, I''ll have someone bring over some bedding for you. Rest with Ling Shu for a bit and if you want to eat something, Second Master will have someone make it for you."

    Ling Shu yawned, "Second Uncle, is there anything to eat at this hour? We don''t want to eat dumplings with only vegetables and no meat."

    This mischievous child, always bringing up old troubles.

    Second Master smiled through gritted teeth, "How could I let you eat that? There''s some beef jerky and freshly warmed wine in the small kitchen. I''ll have them bring it over!"

    No one mentioned who started the fire or who caused the disturbance. It seemed like everyone had forgotten the chaos that had just occurred.

    In the small room, Second and Fourth Master each held their ground like two ruling powers, unwilling to take a step forward and afraid to lose their territory by stepping back.

    Second Master had someone bring over a reclining chair, along with a pillow and a thick cotton blanket to cover themselves. They swayed back and forth, closed their eyes, and rested comfortably.

    Following suit, Fifth Master had someone bring over a reclining chair as well and took a nap next to the Second Master. To prevent himself from falling asleep, he had a trustworthy servant keep an eye on the others.

    Soon, the beef and warm wine were brought over.

    Ling Shu patted his stomach and realized that he still hadn''t fully digested the donkey meat from earlier. He couldn''t eat the beef at this time, but he could still drink some wine.

    The wine was slightly sweet with a mild aftertaste, likely due to the Second Master''s poor tolerance for alcohol. However,

    it was perfect for Ling Shu, who had been forcibly awakened. A little bit of wine was just what he needed to make up for his unfinished sleep.

    They didn''t have any chairs in the room, and couldn''t find any at the moment.

    Yue Dingtang had someone bring over the entire set of bedding, with two blankets stacked on top of each other to reduce the cold.

    They leaned against pillows and covered themselves with another blanket, sitting cross-legged and keeping warm.

    With so many people in the room all of a sudden, everyone was feeling a bit restless. Before long, the Fourth and Fifth Masters, who couldn''t sleep, began whispering to each other, probably talking whether the Fourth Master''s divinations were real or fake.

    Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, the Eldest Master grunted and called for the servants to prepare food.

    There was a lot of noise and commotion, but Ling Shu, who was a bit drunk, unknowingly fell into a deep sleep.

    It wasn''t until the sky was slightly bright that he woke up in a daze, realizing that he had been leaning against a pillar before he fell asleep, but now he was lying on Yue Dingtang''s leg, using his thigh as a pillow.

    Poor Yue Dingtang was uncomfortable even in his sleep, his brows furrowed as if he was being crushed by eight hundred octopuses.

    Most people would have hurriedly gotten up upon seeing this scene, but Ling Shu was thinking about taking advantage of Yue Dingtang for a few more moments of rest.

    He turned over with a clear conscience and wanted to enjoy a little nap.

    Unfortunately, this wish was interrupted by the arrival of Steward He.

    "Second Master, Old Yuan has returned!"

 CH 89

    16-20 minutes

    As the day began, guests started arriving at the Guan family''s home. Some had come down from the mountain to keep watch over the old master''s wake.

    One of them was Old Yuan. According to what the steward said, Old Yuan was not just any ordinary servant.

    He had always been by the old master''s side, not only as a follower but also as a bodyguard and confidant.

    Legend has it that the old master trusted Old Yuan more than his own sons, and he never avoided him in any matter.

    Even when it came to opening the storage room after his death, the old master had Old Yuan stand by as a witness. Every box in the storage room was locked, and only Old Yuan had the key.

    It was only then that Yue Dingtang realized that his  uncles were eagerly waiting for Old Yuan to return, not out of brotherly love or loyalty to their father''s promise, but for the key in Old Yuan''s hands. Apart from Old Yuan, there were several foreign guests that had not been seen before.

    As soon as Ivanov entered the door, he was greeted with curious stares from the entire Guan family, big and small.

    Although there were foreigners in Fengtian City, most of them were still dark-haired and dark-eyed Asians. There were also blond-haired and blue-eyed foreigners, but young men as handsome and outstanding as Ivanov had never been seen before.

    His hair was a golden brown, shimmering like gold in the sunlight. He had fair skin and light blue eyes.

    The Guan family had never heard of foreign fairy tales, nor did they know that Ivanov was tailor-made for the word "handsome prince".

    They only felt that this foreigner was different from the fat, alcoholic ones they had seen before, and the women in the family couldn''t help but take a few more glances.

    Ivanov not only had no airs, but was also polite, bringing two bottles of wine as a gift.

    The respectable guest made the Fourth Master feel proud, who introduced Ivanov as a long-time business partner in China, an old friend with excellent character and noble background.

    "Fourth Brother, you''ve lived in Fengtian your whole life, what do you know about nobility? Russia has long been extinct, just like the Qing Dynasty, they''ve all been executed or poisoned, where are the nobles? They''re all just a bunch of fugitives!"

    Upon entering the room, Fifth Master immediately heard Fourth Master''s talk about noble background and scoffed, refuting him out loud.

    Fourth Uncle sneered, "Oh, Fifth Brother, just because you went out and had a few sips of foreign ink, you think you can sever ties with the family? Let me tell you, our family is also made up of noble Qing dynasty officials, with many respected elders and descendants of great figures. If you want to be a loyal subject in this new era, you still have to rely on others to give you that opportunity!"

    Fifth Brother replied, "Fourth Brother, you don''t have to worry about me. Just take care of yourself. Stop arguing with our eldest brother all the time. Our father is no longer with us, but he can rest in peace knowing that we are all doing well."

    Eldest Master had been listening intently the whole time and immediately jumped up in anger, looking like an enraged rooster with feathers standing on end.

    "Fifth brother, you unfilial son! When your father passed away, you didn''t come back to pay your respects. As soon as he took his last breath, you came back to fight for the inheritance. You''ve been studying for so many years, but it seems like it''s all gone to waste. Check your conscience, does it still feel warm? Does it hurt?"

    "Big Brother, don''t come picking on me just because you didn''t get anything from Fourth Brother. I was still on a ship at that time, how could I have rushed back? Did my soul fly back? And what about you? You''re always dabbling in those spiritual practices, claiming to be devout. When it''s time for you to show your powers, you can''t do it?"

    "Both of you, shut up!"

    The Second Master shouted, finally managing to silence both of them. "Usually it''s fine to make noise, but today we have guests and it''s also the big day for opening the warehouse. Can you all be quiet? Once the warehouse is opened and everything is distributed, you can make as much noise as you want! Where is Old Yuan? Has he arrived yet?"

    Steward He hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Second Master, Old Yuan went to invite Third Master. With him there, Third Master will definitely come!"

    Second Master snorted, "If Third Master dares not to come today, I''ll break his legs!"

    He then turned to Yue Dingtang and said, "Dingtang, don''t go up the mountain today. Wait until everything in the warehouse is distributed, then before you leave, go and kowtow to the old master. It''s the same thing. Otherwise, if the warehouse doesn''t open for a day, the family members will be uneasy. Even if the old master is in the afterlife, he won''t be able to rest in peace."

    Yue Dingtang nodded.

    Guan Shizhi said coolly, "Second Brother is so powerful. Is this the demeanor of the head of the family?"

    The Second Master spoke with great sincerity: "Fifth brother, I know that none of us are willing to back down, including myself. As the second eldest, it''s not really my place to intervene. I''m not the head of the family, I just want everyone to sit down and calmly discuss this matter. Our late father always emphasized the importance of brotherly love and unity. He''s still watching over us from above, and for the sake of two simple words, can''t we all just put aside our tempers and focus on what''s important?"

    His words were reasonable and faultless, and finally, Fifth Master remained silent.

    As the others spoke, Yue Dingtang observed from the sidelines, noticing that the brothers of the Guan family all had their own thoughts and were not on the same page.

    As soon as the Second Master finished speaking, the Eldest Master immediately showed a look of dissatisfaction.

    It was as if the Second Master had stolen his lines, leaving him as the ugly duckling with no spotlight.

    The Fourth Master, on the other hand, had a face full of schadenfreude.

    As for the guests brought by the other masters, Yue Dingtang''s gaze fell on the young man next to Fifth Master Guan Shizi.

    This person was probably a few years older than Guan Shizi, dressed in a three-piece suit with white gloves holding a civilized cane. He had a gentle and polite demeanor, with a smile on his lips.

    Yue Dingtang was not unfamiliar with this kind of dress in Shanghai, Beijing, or abroad, having been exposed to modern civilization.

    The other party noticed Yue Dingtang''s gaze and took a step forward, extending his hand towards him.

    "Hello, my surname is Kagesawa, and I''m also known as Akikatsu. I am a classmate of Shizhi." With fluent Mandarin, he was almost indistinguishable from a native Chinese speaker.

    Yue Dingtang shook his hand and said, "Mr. Kagesawa looks a little older than my fifth uncle, and speaks Chinese very well."

    "Yes, when I was young, I was playful and refused to go to school. It wasn''t until I was in my teens that I realized the importance of hard work. My father hired an English teacher for me, and after studying for a few years, I went to England to study and met Shizhi. This time, I came back to China with him because I heard that his father was seriously ill. I followed him back to see if there was anything I could do to help. I didn''t expect..." Kagesawa sighed, clearly expressing his regret.

    "I didn''t expect his father to pass away, and Shizhi didn''t get to see his father for the last time. He has been very upset these past few days, and I can only accompany him and offer some comfort," Kagesawa continued.

    Yue Dingtang said, "You are very thoughtful."

    With a slight smile, Kagesawa didn''t seem to be trying too hard. His expression was full of compassion rather than sorrow, making people feel a pang in their hearts and a sense of closeness, as if they could confide in him.

    With these people around, Ling Shu''s presence didn''t seem out of place.

    "Third Master has arrived!"

    Someone exclaimed, and the servants of the Guan family who were gathered at the door quickly made way for him.

    The two men stepped into the courtyard, one in front and one behind.

    One had white hair and a face full of wrinkles, making him look like he was in his sixties or seventies.

    The other had a face that looked like it had been hacked with an axe, with long crow''s feet extending from the corners of his eyes, as if they were about to reach his temples.

    However, there was a large burn scar on the right corner of his mouth that had destroyed his entire face.

    In addition, his eyes were filled with a fierce light, and wherever his gaze fell, people would avoid him and no one dared to look him in the eye.

    But this was only true for the people of the Guan family. At least the guests brought by Second Master and Fourth Master, as well as Yue Dingtang and Ling Shu, not only did not feel uneasy, but also carefully scrutinized him.

    As they observed him, he was also examining the outsiders in the courtyard.

    Yue Dingtang noticed that the man''s gaze lingered on Ling Shu for a second or two longer than the others.

    And Ling Shu...

    Ling Shu seemed to be taken aback for a moment, then nodded and smiled at the man.

    The man''s expressionless face shifted his gaze away, as if he had never met Ling Shu before.

    "This is Third Master Guan from our Guan family, and this is Old Yuan, the late master''s attendant," introduced Steward He.

    Third Master actually looked older than the Eldest and Second Masters, and with his appearance, it was likely that some people would believe he actually the Old Master Guan.

    Second Master seemed to notice the surprise of the crowd, so he added a few more words. "Third brother is not in good health and doesn''t like to be in the sun. He spends most of his time in the yard pursuing his hobbies and rarely receives guests. Third Brother, let me introduce you to Dingtang..."

    But before he could finish, Third Master waved his hand and interrupted him with a hoarse voice.

    "No need, let''s take care of the business that the old master entrusted to us first. I still have some carpentry work to finish."

    Third Master didn''t greet anyone and came in with an attitude of not being interested in anyone.

    Second Master felt embarrassed and no one was there to help him save face, so he had to do it himself.

    "Come, let''s go inside and talk."

    The inner room was the place where Ling Shu and his companions spent the night.

    The armchairs and bedding had been taken away, and some tables and chairs were placed inside for guests to sit.

    The Second Master took the seat of honor without hesitation, and the Eldest Master raised his eyebrows, ready to make trouble.

    But the Second Master spoke first in front of everyone.

    "Old Yuan, come over here and sit on my right. Today we need to act quickly. Big brother lost his key, and now we don''t have enough keys to open the warehouse. After discussing it last night, we decided to use an axe to break it open. What do you think, Old Yuan?"

    Old Yuan looked at the Eldest Master and asked, "How could the key be lost?"

    The Eldest Master was not happy. "I was pushed by the fourth brother during the day, and then found the key missing at night. I always carried that key with me. How could I lose it? You should ask my fourth brother!"

    The Fourth Master stood up suddenly!

    Old Yuan raised his hand and said, "Fourth Master, please calm down. Let''s not investigate for now. Since the key is lost, as Second Master suggested, let''s use an axe to break open the storeroom!"

    Second Master slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Exactly! That''s what we''ve been waiting for. Bring the axes!"

    Two strong servants quickly brought two axes and started hacking at the storeroom door with all their might. However, the wooden door was too sturdy, and after a long time of chopping, they only managed to create a three-finger-wide crack.

    The two men were already panting from exhaustion.

    After drinking three pots of tea and visiting the restroom, Kagesawa couldn''t help but suggest, "Why don''t we use explosives to blow it open?"

    "Absolutely not!" Second Master replied, "We''re afraid of damaging the valuable items inside the storeroom."

    If it were precious porcelain or paintings, the power of explosives could not be controlled, and everything would be destroyed.

    Kagesawa thought about it and decided to remain silent.

    The morning passed quickly as the servants of the Guan family took turns selling with all their might.

    In order to motivate them, Second Master Guan even dug into his own pocket to reward them.

    He knew that if he asked his brothers for money, it would likely lead to endless bickering. He also thought about the good things that Grandfather Guan might have left for everyone, so he gritted his teeth and considered it a necessary sacrifice.

    Ling Shu watched Second Master''s face, which was full of excitement, and found it amusing.

    He couldn''t take his eyes off him.

    Yue Dingtang couldn''t help but poke Ling Shu''s waist, trying to be subtle.

    Ling Shu turned his head.

    Yue Dingtang lowered his voice and said, "Wipe that look of amusement off your face."

    Ling Shu also lowered his voice and replied, "If I''m not watching the show, then what am I supposed to watch?"

    Yue Dingtang was speechless for a moment, then pulled out a bag of garlic-flavored green beans from his pocket and handed it to him.

    "Eat your beans with your head down."

    Ling Shu chuckled, "Old Yue, you''re too good at understanding people. Alright, I won''t look at Second Master, I''ll go look at Ivanov. He''s really handsome, not at all like the Westerners I know. His skin is as white as porcelain. Do you think a Westerners would believe in Fourth Master''s possession ritual? And he''s a regular customer, maybe he already knows everything about the Guan family and deliberately got close to Fourth Master?"

    Yue Dingtang said, "I don''t know if he really believes in Fourth Master''s ritual, but I know he follows the Eastern Orthodox Church."

    Ling Shu asked, "How do you know?"

    "Just now, I caught a glimpse of the ring on his hand. If I''m not mistaken, it should have the five-colored emblem representing the Eastern Orthodox Church," Yue Dingtang replied.

    Ling Shu said, "Believing in the Eastern Orthodox Church doesn''t prevent him from wanting to further understand and befriend Fourth Master after seeing his supernatural abilities."

    Yue Dingtang said, "You must have noticed his demeanor and behavior."

    Ling Shu replied, "Very arrogant."

    "More precisely, it''s the innate sense of superiority that comes with being a noble," Yue Dingtang explained.

    "But there are no more nobles in Tsarist Russia. Even if there were, they would only be fallen nobles," Ling Shu retorted.

    "He''s wearing clothes and accessories that are probably more expensive than all five of my uncles combined," Yue Dingtang added.

    This comparison was amusing, and Ling Shu couldn''t help but chuckle and toss a few green beans into his mouth to hide his amusement.

    "But that might be the only thing he has to show off. I''ve heard that some Tsarist nobles, even after being exiled, still try to maintain their former extravagance. But they are forced to bow down to the increasingly dire circumstances of their lives and eventually sell everything, becoming destitute. It''s hard to say if Ivanov is one of them."

    Yue Dingtang asked, "Do you know how much it costs to ask my fourth uncle for advice once?"

    Ling Shu replied, "I heard it''s given as fate decides?"

    "It''s said to be fate, but the more you give, the more you can win the favor of the Fourth Master. This Mr. Ivanov, according to the Guan family''s servants, has probably spent several hundred taels on asking for advice from the Fourth Master," Yue Dingtang explained.

    Ling Shu was so surprised that he forgot to chew his green beans. "He really is generous. Most wandering aristocrats don''t have that kind of money."

    "Open it, open it!" they heard cheers coming from the warehouse.

    Ling Shu looked over and saw that almost everyone had gathered at the door of the warehouse.

    The sun was shining outside, but inside, dust was flying and mice were scurrying to avoid the light.

    The warehouse was quite empty, but not completely empty.

    There were still a few boxes. The boxes were all very small, probably only the size of one person''s embrace, which was not what everyone had expected.

    Many people showed obvious disappointment on their faces.

    How could such small boxes possibly hold books, paintings, porcelain, antiques, and treasures?

    Old Yuan walked up to the steps and faced the crowd.

    "Gentlemen, there are a total of seven boxes here, each with a name and surname. The old master had ordered that one box be used for public expenses. If you insist on dividing the estate, then the contents of this box can be divided among you."

    "These five boxes are for the five gentlemen, from the eldest to the fifth, with labels on each box to avoid confusion." He pointed to the smallest box.

    "This box is for the young master of the Yue family."