Translator-Lucyferase
Editor-Alysia
Wu Shuwei’s body was lying on the desk, his eyes wide open, and blood was leaking from the corner of his mouth; smeared all over the desk.
Sun Yongren still couldn’t believe it, “Dead?! Could it be that he committed suicide to escape punishment?”
“Impossible.” Jiang Yue Lou categorically said, “A person who is greedy for life and afraid of death* like him will never die easily until he reached the end of the road!”
He picked up the teacup and looked at it carefully, “The water is still hot, and the good Bi Luo Chun* is brewed. Wu Shu is a greedy and stingy person, and he would never drink such fine tea unless it was a special occasion.”
Jiang Yue Lou approached the coffee table. There were several teacups on the tray on the coffee table. He took a slightly skewed cup and examined it. The cup was tainted with tea leaves, but there was still tea in it. He was terrified.
“It’s murder! And an acquaintance committed the crime! Song Rong, immediately impose martial law in the surroundings! I will check the visitor’s book for today. Yongren, go and find Dr. Chen and ask him to examine the body! I will give him an hour, and the autopsy must be completed before then.”
“Yes Sir!”
Chen Yu Zhi had just treated a patient. There were still two family members waiting for the prescription. After hearing Sun Yongren’s words, he did not hesitate a minute and promptly apologized to the patient’s family members. He directed them to another clinic to obtain the medication, and he immediately packed his equipment and accompanied Sun Yongren to Wu Shuwei’s office.
He first checked the general condition of the corpse, and then took out some bottles and cans for clinical tests. His movements were skillful and calm, which made Sun Yongren stunned. No wonder the boss gave him this task, he has the calm and composure of a great coroner!
It was already dark when Jiang Yue Lou and Song Rong came back to the bureau. Sun Yongren was leaning on a chair and was sleeping soundly. Chen Yu Zhi was sitting at the table, writing something. Jiang Yue Lou kicked Sun Yongren and threw him off the chair.
“Who is this! Who is this!” Sun Yongren jumped up like a carp and saw Jiang Yue Lou standing up impatiently, “The boss is back! How did it go?”
Jiang Yue Lou was too lazy to pay attention to him and walked over to Chen Yu Zhi; to read the report he was writing.
Chen Yu Zhi stopped the pen in his hand and looked at Jiang Yue Lou’s expression, “How did it go? Something is wrong?”
“Don’t mention it.” Jiang Yue Lou, annoyed, threw his hat on the table, “Obviously, an acquaintance committed the crime, but we found nothing! There was no visitor mentioned on the record that afternoon. There were no witnesses who saw anyone entering or leaving Wu Shuwei’s office. And on your side?”
Chen Yu Zhi pushed the report to him.
“The deceased was fifty years old. The time of death was around 8.20 pm and the cause was poisoning.”
“Which poison?”
“Based on the analysis of the smell and color of the blood, it is a very rare western drug, called Quinidine.”
“What kind of drug is it?”
“The deceased should have suffered from heart disease when he was alive. An overdose of this drug can cause sudden death.”
Jiang Yue Lou grabbed his hair and said, “I was right to ask for your help. You’re better than the coroners in our department. I’m sure they don’t even know this drug at all.”
Chen Yu Zhi nodded, “This kind of drug is indeed rare, even in Europe. It has just appeared recently. This explains two things: First, the murderer must be familiar with the dead. Second, the source of the drug…”
Sun Yongren and Song Rong, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, looked at each other.
“Smuggling?” Sun Yongren widened his eyes, “Isn’t this connected?”
“Yes.” Chen Yu Zhi glanced at him approvingly, then said, “There is another thing that troubles me, this watch was on the table.”
“Watch?” Song Rong said, “This is Wu Shuwei’s watch. I have already asked someone about it.”
“That’s why it’s weird.” Jiang Yue Lou smiled slightly, “I also noticed.”
“This is Wu Shuwei’s watch. What about it?” Bai Jinbo looked at the old watch carefully.
“There are several issues. If we think about two people enjoying a nice conversation, why did one of them take his watch?” Jiang Yue Lou asked. The most possible explanation is that the stranger gave him a new watch to paralyze Wu Shuwei.”
“Have you found the new watch?”
“No, it must have been taken away by the murderer with the poison.”
Bai Jinbo nodded, “That sounds highly plausible. What is the result of the autopsy?”
“The poison used is a western drug called Quinidine, which can induce heart failure.” Jiang Yue Lou said, “I asked Wu Shu’s family members, and they confirmed he did have suffered from a heart disease.”
“Quinidine?” Bai Jinbo frowned, “Does our office know about this medicine?”
“I can’t trust the laboratory of the department.” Jiang Yue Lou answered honestly, “I found a reliable friend to do it.”
Bai Jinbo probably guessed that answer too, he stared at him but didn’t ask more.
“Director, whether it is the watch or the drug, all problems point to the customs department”
Jiang Yue Lou continued, “I plan to…”
“The customs department is not a place under my control! You should listen to me!” Bai Jinbo did not give him a chance to finish his sentence. “Mayor Cai is back from Nanjing today. You should first think about how to report it to him!”
“I will just tell the truth.” Jiang Yue Lou didn’t care, “I didn’t kill Wu Shuwei, how can the mayor remove me from my position?”
“I’m going to remove you from your position!” The mayor Cai Chang Yao roared and took the ink tank and smashed it on Jiang Yue Lou.
The ink tank flew past his arm, staining his uniform. Jiang Yue Lou didn’t even flinch and kept standing motionless.
His unshakable appearance made Cai Chang Yao even angrier, he pointed to Jiang Yue Lou’s face and shouted, “Jiang Yue Lou, you are so bold! Without my approval, who gave you the right to arrest members of the committee!”
Bai Jinbo said respectfully, “Mayor, we couldn’t reach you in Nanjing at that time. The situation was urgent. So, Section Chief Jiang reported to me instead.”
Cai Chang Yao turned to Bai Jinbo, “Director Bai, are you accusing me?”
“Your subordinates dare not.”
“Is there anything you dare not to do?! Is the evidence conclusive? Alright, take it out! How about that? There is no physical evidence, and the only witness is dead. Is this the proof you mentioned to me?! There is also the death of Wu Shuwei; you said that someone used a new western drug, but the cause of the poison is yet to be discovered, and no information about the individual who poisoned him has been published. Director Bai, concerning this drug, are you purposefully accusing the wrong person and putting on this show to bring an end to everything?”
Bai Jinbo waved his hand in panic, “Of course not! You gave me a hundred courage, and I wouldn’t dare.”
Cai Chang Yao sneered and said, “You dare not, but he would. I heard that your Jiang Yue Lou is bold and violent. Do you know what other people said about him: Be prepared to face the demon!”
“Mayor, Director, please rest assured,” Jiang Yue Lou said stiffly, no expression appeared on his face. Sooner or later, I will apprehend the murderer.”
Cai Chang Yao squinted at him, “Why should I believe you?”
“You don’t need to believe me, but for me, the evidence is sufficient to prove that Committee Wu had been secretly in contact with Jimmatang and the Hong Kong underworld. This information was not only found by us but was also reported by the newspaper reporters. If we don’t make a clear statement, I am afraid that the prestige of the government will be affected!”
“You!”
Bai Jinbo also sang along with Jiang Yue Lou, “Mayor Cai, those tabloids like to make up news and get attention. But you shouldn’t forget that people can easily be fooled. And if these kinds of fake news spread out, your reputation will be tarnished.”
As it suddenly concerned his future, Cai Chang Yao’s demeanor eventually eased. “If you can’t show proof, you’ll hear from me!” he exclaimed emphatically as he glared at Jiang Yue Lou.
“Yes Sir!”
Jiang Yue Lou saluted, turned, and walked away. His expression was cynical rather than respectful. Cai Chang Yao, still enraged, continued to pound the table. He was about to curse him once more, but Jiang Yue Lou had already left.
Jiang Yue Lou strode out of the office building and walked towards his car. Sun Yongren and Song Rong leaned in front of the car waiting.
Seeing Jiang Yue Lou’s stern expression, Sun Yongren asked cautiously, “Boss, where shall we go?”
“To the Customs office.”
Song Rong’s eyes lit up, “The mayor agreed with you to search the Customs?”
“Agreed?!” Jiang Yue Lou dismisses, “Cai Chang Yao wanted to dismiss me on the spot for Wu Shuwei’s death.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Then, why are we going to the Customs office?”
“P’w jogjlv lo kf vfijs atlcur, atf rqs bo atf Jerabwr vfqjgawfca klii mbcalcef ab rtjgf lcobgwjalbc klat atbrf yjrajgvr.” Aljcu Tef Obe uglaafv tlr affat jcv rjlv, “P’ii ibbx ja fnfgsbcf jr j agjlabg cbk!”
Djl Alcyb jirb mjwf bea bo atf yelivlcu ja atlr alwf, jcv ktfc tf rjk Aljcu Tef Obe ufaalcu lc atf mjg, tf mjiifv tlw, “Tef Obe, kjla j wlceaf.”
Song Rong turned around to ask Jiang Yue Lou for instructions. Jiang Yue Lou turned his head and pretended not to hear, “Go!”
The car drove away, leaving nothing but dust in its path. Bai Jinbo’s heart sank with an unexpected heaviness. He had a gut feeling Jiang Yue Lou was going to get into trouble again, so he hurried into his car and said, “Go, keep up with them.”
The guards at the Customs building entrance were not very strict, and let Jiang Yue Lou, and his subordinates go in. They broke into the administrative office without too much effort. When they opened the door of the building, the two clerks in the office were startled.
“Who are you?”
Sun Yongren took a step forward, “Brother, we are from the General Police Department. We are ordered to read the registration book of Jingcheng imported drugs this month.” He raised a document in his hand and put it back in his pocket before the others could read it.
The clerk was a newcomer and was a little dazed, “Oh… OK, wait a minute.” As he said, he opened the drawer to find the registration book.
Sun Yongren smiled triumphantly and reached out to pick it up. but another older clerk stopped him and suddenly picked up the phone.
“Brother Rong has to report it first, and the three officers would have to wait a moment.”
Seeing that he was about to make a call, Sun Yongren grabbed his hand first.
“We need this registration book.” Jiang Yue Lou said, “Bring it here.”
“That’s not going to be possible.” The two customs clerks who were not that alert before suddenly stood up, “There is no such rule.”
Sun Yongren has been following Jiang Yue Lou for many years, and his rogue skills are no worse than those of his boss, so he simply took out his gun and pointed at the clerk.
“Is it “OK” now? Sorry I didn’t catch that.”
“… Okay, okay, ” the young clerk said nervously, his legs shivering. “Please leave a message for the officers so that we can explain the situation to the higher-ups.”
Jiang Yue Lou snorted and reached out to take the registration book when a shout from behind him yelled, “Section Chief Jiang!”
He turned out to see that it was Zhao Jingming who was walking in with several customs officers. Seeing Sun Yongren holding a gun, his face was unhappy, but his tone was still polite.
“Chief Jiang, what is this about?” He smiled, but there was no smile in his eyes, “Were you not well received by the brothers?”
Jiang Yue Lou remonstrates, “Chief Zhao, I’m sorry, we need to review some customs registration of imported goods.”
“To review?” Zhao Jingming glanced at the gun in Sun Yongren’s hand. The latter quickly put the gun away and forced a smile.
“If my Zhao family business handled the Customs, Brother Jiang and I could have made some arrangements,” Zhao Jingming said emphatically. ” Isn’t it a shame that the customs are official and that I, Zhao Jingming, have to keep the public and private sector separate? No one has the authority to read this form until the director or mayor has signed the warrant paper.”
He insulted Jiang Yue Lou by deliberately using the same words that Jiang Yue Lou had used to taunt him the last time. Jiang Yue Lou sent him a disgusted glance before turning and walking away. Song Rong also followed without saying a word, only Sun Yongren made a fake salute.
Looking at their backs, Zhao Jingming’s smile faded on his face, and he spat on the ground.
When he came out of the Customs office, Jiang Yue Lou’s face was still gloomy and scary. Sun Yongren angrily followed, “This Zhao, who the hell does he think he is!? Maybe Wu Shuwei’s death was his doing! Boss, let’s go back and catch him!”
“You dare!” When Sun Yongren looked up, he was shocked to see that Director Bai Jinbo was standing at the Customs office’s gate, angrily waiting for them.
“If you cannot persuade your Chief to stay calm, at least don’t speak and don’t give him a lighter!”
Bai Jinbo said angrily, “I just calmed down the mayor’s anger, and you ran directly to the Customs services to make trouble! Aren’t you scared that Zhao Jingming will come after you and sue you?!”
Jiang Yue Lou was not convinced and did not reply. Bai Jinbo, who was looking at him, started to have a headache.
“You two go back to the station! Yue Lou get in the car with me!”
The car drove across the city. The atmosphere in the car was quiet and depressive and nobody was speaking. After a long while, Bai Jinbo sighed.
“Yue Lou, Jingcheng is not the same as it was five years ago, the time has changed and some people are really powerful” There was some helplessness in his tone, “You should take a step back, why don’t you understand this?”
“I won’t retreat even half of a step.” Jiang Yue Lou said in a dull voice, “If I step back, there is no future for Jingcheng, the city will completely fall into a swamp of drugs.”
“You are too impulsive, and being that way, you’ll give people power over you*!” Bai Jinbo said, “Do you know how many people want to stab you in the back!”
“Then, they can stab me to death if they have the ability! I’m waiting for them!”
“Yue Lou!” Bai Jinbo snapped.
He managed to calm down after a while, and sighed, “Forget it, you are too tense now. I will ask Director Zhan later to reconcile you with Zhao Jingming, and this problem will be solved.”
Jiang Yue Lou was taken aback, and then he noticed that Tianyun Garden was not far in front.
“Stop the car!”
The driver was startled. Bai Jinbo raised his voice, “Don’t stop! Keep driving!”
The driver obeyed Bai Jinbo’s order and the car continued forward.
“Yue Lou, sometimes you are too stubborn. You should learn from Director Zhan. He strikes water right and left.* Let alone Zhao Jingming bending down to him, even Mayor Cai has to give him some face. You should get along with him, it will not hurt.”
Jiang Yue Lou was sitting coldly without speaking. Thinking that he was now ready to listen, Bai Jinbo tried to persuade him again, “Yue Lou, you want to achieve your ambitions, and you want to do what you think is best for Jingcheng, but are you strong enough? If Zhao Jingming goes to the mayor to complain about you it will not end well for you. Therefore, you have to feign civility* on this matter. I suggest you be nicer with Zhao Jimming for the time being to improve the friendship between your peers. This is also what one has to do to be a government official.”
“Stop the car!” Jiang Yue Lou shouted to the driver suddenly. The driver promptly stepped on the brakes, and the car made a sharp rubbing noise. Bai Jinbo’s head almost hit the front seat.
“I don’t know what the way of being an official is, I only know the way of being a person and you are the one you taught me that!”
Jiang Yue Lou slammed the door and left without looking back.
Bai Jinbo wanted to get angry but he was already gone. He leaned back in the seat, sighed for a long time
It was late, and the streets were completely deserted and dark. Jiang Yue Lou didn’t call for a car and walked in the cold wind. He has never been afraid of the cold and was walking fast with a slight sweat on his head so when the wind blew coldly, he just felt a little chill. He looked up to see that he was near the home of Chen Yu Zhi.
The two wooden doors were closed tightly, and there was no light in the yard. Jiang Yue Lou touched the stone door pillars and simply sat down.
He used to walk in and out by Shouxi Road which was closer to the main road, but now he always likes to walk around Donghua Street. Seeing the warm yellow lights of Chen Yu Zhi’s house from time to time made him feel at ease.
It was completely dark all around, and only a few stars could be seen in the sky. He waited for a while, but the owner of the house hadn’t returned yet, probably delayed by something. Jiang Yue Lou stood up and patted his clothes, and the exhaled white mist was dispersed in the night breeze. He started to walk and turned back to his home.
As soon as he turned the corner, he saw Chen Yu Zhi standing at the gate of his home.
Chen Yu Zhi probably waited for a long time. His face had turned pale with the cold, and even though he was wearing a coat, he was still flinching and squeezing his arms. Hearing the footsteps, he turned his head and a smile emerged on his lips.
“You…you are back.”
Chen Yu Zhi’s little stiff smile drove away all of his intense, gloomy thoughts, which had accumulated above his head like black clouds. Jiang Yue Lou was taken aback, and the corners of his mouth unexpectedly rose.
“You’re waiting for me?”
The room was warm and cozy. The small clay stove was burning, and the cleaning lady had changed the charcoal before leaving. The Kang* was also warm and Xiao Bai was curling up lazily on the low table. Seeing the two people who came back, he just hummed and continued to doze off.
Jiang Yue Lou dragged Chen Yu Zhi to sit on the Kang, took his medicine kit and put it aside, put the half-warm water in the clay pot on the stove, and then grabbed a handful of dried chestnuts and filled it into the hearth. Chen Yu Zhi’s body was cold, he was rubbing his hands on the Kang to warm them up. Xiao Bai meowed again, and with his eyes half-closed, crawled to Chen Yu Zhi’s knees, and snuggled in his arms motionless.
Chen Yu Zhi chuckled and reached out to touch his warm body. “This cat is really like a human.”
“Oh yeah!” Jiang Yue Lou said casually, “One night, I was wandering on the street and I almost froze to death. He kept me warm this way and that’s how I survived.”
Chen Yu Zhi paused and turned his head to look at Jiang Yue Lou in surprise, “Wandering?”
The water in the jug was already churning, and the spout was steaming. Jiang Yue Lou made tea with a pair of large colored cups. This thing was quite rare. It was a European product given to him by Bai Jinbo. It was big and warm in his hands. He handed the cup to Chen Yu Zhi, and shoveled out the simmering chestnuts from the ashes, and blew off the floating ashes with his hands upside down before sitting on the opposite side of the low table.
When Chen Yu Zhi wanted to reach out to pick up chestnuts, Jiang Yue Lou shook his head. He picked up a chestnut and squeezed it with his fingertips, the chestnut skin split, and the simmered chestnut immediately emitted a warm and sweet aroma. Xiao Bai stretched out his tongue and licked the air. Jiang Yue Lou rubbed the skin off the inside and handed it over. Chen Yu Zhi took it with a smile, broke half and put it in his mouth, and gave the other half to Xiao Bai. Jiang Yue Lou was attentively watching his movements.
“I always owe you a thank you.”
“What?”
Chen Yu Zhi raised his head without understanding. He was holding chestnuts in his hand, and his fair face with his black onyx-like eyes was a little confused, but his expression was still gentle and serene, just like he was many years ago.
“I shouldn’t have run away like that, or at least I should have said thank you.” Jiang Yue Lou said, “Thank you for your frostbite cream.”
Chen Yu Zhi was startled, and the cold winter solstice night suddenly resurfaced in his memory. The stubborn teenager shrank under the wall, with frostbite on his face and hands, wearing ragged and dirty clothes, but his eyes seemed to be burning.
“Oh, it was you…”
“It was me.” Jiang Yue Lou nodded.
“When I called Master to come, you were already gone.”
For several days, Chen Yu Zhi was looking forward to seeing the boy again. He quietly put some snacks on the window sill, but no one took them.
“I was so fierce, do you feel wronged?” Jiang Yue Lou laughed self-deprecatingly, “But at that time my house was gone, and my heart was filled with hatred. I couldn’t stand anyone.”
Chen Yu Zhi hesitated for a moment, “Was it… because of opium?”
“Yes, it was because of opium.” Jiang Yue Lou nodded, and his breathing became heavy.
“My father was also a scholar, but one day he started to smoke a lot of opium which ruined our home life…”
He grumbled and a shadow was cast on his forehead as if he was enduring great pain. Chen Yu Zhi carefully observed his expression. He had gradually understood Jiang Yue Lou’s sore point, and there was only one way to make it disappear, and that was to directly confront his past.
Chen Yu Zhi considered it before asking, “What about your mother?”
“My mother…”
Jiang Yue Lou’s throat moved as if there was a bitter fruit stuck in it, “My mother… ran away, maybe she is dead or maybe she is alive, but no corpse was found…”
He clenched his fists with both hands to support his forehead. The back of the hands swelled with blue veins, and he was trembling slightly.
“I couldn’t protect her… If it weren’t for me, she might have left a long time ago. I was so useless …”
Chen Yu Zhi stared at Jiang Yue Lou with a gentle look. Seeing him blaming himself like this, he grabbed his shoulders and whispered to him, “You were young at that time. If it was now, you’ll protect her.”
“No! I’m still the same, and cannot protect anyone!” Jiang Yue Lou stood up abruptly and rushed to the door.
He opened the door, pointed outside, and shouted at Chen Yu Zhi, “Even though I became a policeman, Jingcheng is still the same, I let those invisible black hands control it! I can’t change anything! Nothing can be reversed!”
The cold wind blew in with few snowflakes, and the first snow of winter was already floating outside.
Chen Yu Zhi shivered, jumped off the kang, and pulled Jiang Yue Lou back inside.
“Please calm down! Did something wrong happen today during the operation?” Chen Yu Zhi closed the door and calmly said, “I figured out a long time ago that this black hand pulling the strings from behind is not an ordinary person, and these poisonous roots can’t be pulled off so easily in one move.”
Jiang Yue Lou couldn’t hear him at all and he was still pacing back and forth.
“Bai Jinbo said that I don’t know how to be an official. Zhan Junbai said that I only know the law and that I’m unreasonable. But eradicating opium is my “<i>raison d’être*”, and I will never deviate from this path! Whatever the others said, even if it’s Lao Tzu, I will never fucking change!”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t understand! You are a doctor and you have a conscience. Regardless of good or evil, you will treat anyone as long as this person is a patient. But I am not! I believe in a tooth for a tooth* and I use violence to curb violence! To face those who do evil, I will become a killer, I will be 10,000 times more ruthless than them!”
Jiang Yue Lou became more and more excited, punching the wall, shaking off the white dust.
Chen Yu Zhi grabbed his arm and stopped him gently and firmly, “Jiang Yue Lou, you are too emotional now, you have to try to control yourself.”
“You want me to control myself! Why? To let those people selling opium take control!”
“You are too anxious.”
“I can’t help but get anxious!” Jiang Yue Lou flicked away, “I keep my eyes open even when I want to sleep! As long as I’m a little negligent, these bastards will get out of the basket!”
Chen Yu Zhi was shocked by his reactions and took a step back and sat down on the edge of the Kang. The screams woke up Xiao Bai who jumped off the Kang, squeezed through the door, and ran away.
“You scared Xiao bai.” Chen Yu Zhi said calmly, “You are not in control right now but if you work harder, I’m sure you can do it.”
Encouragement and trust in his tone made Jiang Yue Lou’s guilt even heavier, biting his chest like a poisonous snake. “You don’t even know what I did.” He said hoarsely, “I saw someone walking down the street holding Keying that night. But I was eager to find Director Bai, and I didn’t stop to question them…”
Chen Yu Zhi was taken aback by the answer and lingered for a while, “You…, you never said…”
Jiang Yue Lou had never been as ashamed as he was now, and he hardly dared to look into Chen Yu Zhi’s eyes. That damp and cold night hovered in his mind all the time, and that was the beginning of the disaster for Chen Yu Zhi and his sister.
“I couldn’t say it…” He lowered his head, “I not only owe you a “thank you”, but I also owe you “an apology”.”
Before he finished speaking, he received a punch in the chest. Jiang Yue Lou retreated two steps back and leaned against the wall.
There was no color on Chen Yu Zhi’s face, and anger was burning in his eyes. He picked up his medicine kit, as if he didn’t want to stay a minute more, turned around, and walked out, but stopped after one step, took out a bottle from his medicine kit, and placed it on the low table.
“This medication should be useful to treat your disease. I have written the usage and dosage on the label.” His voice trembled, not knowing whether he was holding back his anger or his sadness, “I won’t come again.”
Jiang Yue Lou leaned against the wall, bowing his head unable to look at him. The sound of his footsteps passed through the yard, and a slamming door echoed, and then everything returned to silence.
The bone-chilling wind blew carrying the ice particles inside the house, and the room’s warmth vanished all of a sudden.
The clock struck ten times, and most of the people in Jingcheng had already closed their doors and were asleep. Only the entertainment’s places were still brightly illuminated, and the most brilliant one was Tianyun Garden.
More than a dozen crystal lanterns hung around the stage, illuminating the stage as if it was in broad daylight. The scattered tables in the open space in front of the stage were full of guests eating pastries and melon seeds casually while listening to the play. Very attentive and thoughtful servers were shuttling back and forth, pouring tea and handing towels to the guests.
In the large auditorium facing the stage, Zhan Jun Bai and Zhao Jingming were sitting at the table, sipping tea and chatting.
Zhan Jun Bai put his teacup on the table and said with a smile, “I asked Qiu Ming to specifically request for Yu Tang Chun and it is really hard to get a ticket. Brother Zhao also specially booked the room today, which is expensive.”
Zhao Jingming quickly humbled, “It’s not worth mentioning, it’s nothing. As long as you are satisfied, the money will be worth it.”
Zhan Jun Bai nodded with a smile. Zhao Jingming cleared his throat, got closer to Zhan Jun Bai, and said, “This Jiang Yue Lou will be here soon, Director Zhan, you have to represent me on this matter. I don’t know who gave him such audacity to steal the registration book from the Customs which is completely wrong, right?”
He looked at Zhan Jun Bai’s face and said, “I listened to your advice and taught him a lesson. This guy not only didn’t appreciate it, it even became more intense*. This is not just slapping me in the face, but also yours.”
Zhan Jun Bai smiled, looked at Zhao Jingming, and slowly said, “I know Yue Lou very well, is a man who dedicated himself to serve the public. His temper maybe a little impetuous, but as for selfish motives, he doesn’t have any. Brother Zhao, shouldn’t care too much about it. In a moment I will try to arrange things between you. And once this matter will be settled, let’s forget about it.”
Zhao Jingming was not convinced yet and wanted to say more when the door was pushed open. Bai Jinbo walked in alone, and he bowed his hands to the two of them with a smile, “Director Zhan, Chief Zhao.”
The two hurriedly got up to pay the courtesy. Zhan Jun Bai looked behind him, “Did Director Bai come alone today? Yue Lou is not here?”
Bai Jinbo smiled helplessly, “Oh, with the mayor pressing hard to resolve the case, Yue Lou has only Committee Wu’s case in his mind, so he went back to the office to work overtime.”
Zhao Jingming turned his back on Zhan Jun Bai, his long face emphasizing his dissatisfaction. Instead of looking at him, Zhan Jun Bai turned his head to the door and made an eye wave at Qiu Ming. The latter nodded and walked out the door.
Zhan Jun Bai retracted his gaze and said with a meaningful smile, “It’s okay if Brother Jiang can’t come, and taking care of his duties is more important. Anyway, I’m sure there will be more opportunities in the future. Now please, let me toast to Director Bai.”
Yu Tang Chun sat in front of the mirror to retouch his make-up. His green jade jewelry quivered slightly with his delicate movements which were as sweet and charming as a blooming flower. Yuan Zining was holding the teapot next to him, staring at Yu Tang Chun in the mirror happily.
“Shi ge*, you are so good-looking.”
Yu Tang Chun smiled slightly.
“You’ve said it so many times already, aren’t you tired of it?”
“So good-looking.” Yuan Zining acted like a baby, “My brother is the most beautiful person in the world!”
She brought the teapot that was neither cold nor hot to Yu Tang Chun’s lips to moisturize his throat. The tea inside was prepared according to Chen Yu Zhi’s prescription, sweet and slightly bitter, producing fluid to moisten the lungs.
“The play will start soon. Senior brother must perform carefully today. The leader said that Director Zhan came again, and he is now in the VIP room.”
The pen in Yu Tang Chun’s hand stopped moving, “I see, you should go now. You have your “Golden Bottle*” to prepare today, it’s important.”
“Yes, I’m going to prepare it now.” Yuan Zining put down the teapot, smiled at Yu Tang Chun in the mirror, and left.
Yu Tang Chun put down the pen and looked at himself in the mirror. If Yuan Zining could see his cold expression at this time, she might fall into the teapot.
In the auditorium, several people were still chatting. Because they are both public servants, Bai Jinbo and Zhan Jun Bai were both clean and diligent, and most of the topics they talk about are related to official affairs, and they were always on good terms.
“Oh, life is hard.” Bai Jinbo sighed, “The department investigates smuggling cases, deploys spies and informers, and launches operations. Whoever doesn’t spend money nowadays, would have to see the quantity of rice decline in his pan. I will ask Brother Zhan to be generous* with the next financial allocation”
“What is Director Bai saying?” Zhan Jun Bai smiled and said, “The financial allocations have already been paid, I looked at it and increased it by 10%, knowing that the brothers in the department are working hard, I will let someone remit it tomorrow.”
Bai Jinbo was very happy and smiled and raised his teacup, “Thanks to Brother Zhan for taking this into consideration for the brothers.”
Zhao Jingming responded with flattery, “Our director understands the situation and his good intention speaks for itself! Director Bai is dedicated to the country, and is also a role model for my generation! Come, let me offer you a glass!”
Bai Jinbo took a sip of tea and took this opportunity to reconcile, “Jingming, Yue Lou was impulsive today. If you are offended, this old brother is here to compensate you.”
Zhao Jingming glanced at Zhan Jun Bai and smiled greatly, “There is no need! Section Chief Jiang’s purpose is to ban smoking in Jingcheng. Everyone here has the same enemy and wants to fight for the peace of the Jingcheng people. Although Zhao is not very talented, he will never hold a grudge. My foreign firm will open in two days and I would like to ask Brother Jiang to assist at the opening!”
Bai Jinbo was happy to see that this matter was solved. The two laughed out loud, and the atmosphere became more harmonious.
At this time the outside lights dimmed, and the musicians started to play as the show was about to begin. This time again, the play opened with Yu Tang Chun in the “Secret Garden The Peony Pavilion*”.
Du Liniang walked slowly onto the stage, and she only swept her eyes at the audience, like a feather sweeping everyone’s heart and making their hearts tremble. He lightly lifted his red lips, and sang with a powerful voice:
“Feng Weitai Hall is ringing with the sound of reeds of a panpipe. Deep in the poolside where clear green and cold rainbow-colored lotus flowers float, you can smell the fragrance at night. People are easy to grow old, things are troublesome, and dreams are hard to grow. Deep love, shallow earth, half of the setting sun…”
The crowd cheered, Zhan Jun Bai took the lead and raised his hands to applaud, with his face showing admiration, “Good…”
Yu Tang Chun watched his movements closely. When he saw Zhan Junbai raising his hand, the emerald-colored watch appeared on his wrist again. The sound of silk and bamboo in his ears suddenly weakened, replaced by panic gasps and sharp screams.
In the dim interior, his mother opened the trapdoor, revealing a small hole in the ground, and pushed him, still a little boy, in a hurry.
“Don’t make a noise! Ning’er! Don’t make a noise!” His mother whispered, then pulled his hand away, pressed the trapdoor, and pushed the cabinet over the trapdoor.
He wanted to open the trapdoor, but he didn’t have enough strength, he tried to call his mother, but his voice was covered by a more tragic scream. He was too frightened to utter a word. The vicious, bloody liquid leaked through a gap and landed on his forehead. He looked out along the gap and saw his mother lying on the ground with wide-open eyes and blood splattering on his neck. A hand carrying a knife leaned close to his mother’s face and turned her back. On that hand, there was a watch made of emeralds.
Yu Tang Chun lowered his eyes and turned slowly, showing his back to everyone. The tenderness disappeared from his eyes, now full of hatred.
Of course, Zhan Jun Bai in the auditorium couldn’t see Yu Tang Chun’s eyes at this time. He was still savoring the lingering sound and looked very satisfied, “This song should only be heard in heaven. For how long would the human world be allowed to listen to it?”
Zhao Jingming did not forget how to flatter, “It will also be a blessing for Boss Yu to meet a friend. Later, when he will come and will listen to the Director’s thoughts about the play, he will be able to make further progress.”
Zhan Jun Bai laughed, “Boss Ju is an expert, what can a layman like me offer?”
“Well, the director is tolerant and delicate, and it’s a blessing to be able to listen to his teachings.” Zhao Jingming said, “I already discussed with the leader of the troupe, choose a day, and Boss Yu will come to sing at your house.”
The feeling on his face was also noticed by Bai Jinbo who just smiled while holding a teacup and turned his head to listen to the play. Zhan Jun Bai smiled helplessly and shook his head, signaling Zhao Jingming to also listen to the play.
Chen Yu Zhi opened the door of Jiang Yue Lou’s house and strode out. There was a thin layer of snow on the ground outside. The north wind swept the thin snowflakes towards his face, blowing away the warmth and peace of mind that was there before. He raised his head and looked at the pitch-black night sky. After a long time, he wiped his face which was wet and cold, and he didn’t know whether it was because of snowflakes or…
That winter solstice night many years ago, the wind was also mixed with such snowflakes. The young man’s eyes were sad and stubborn, and he never returned from the cold winter wind. The anger gradually dissipated. Chen Yu Zhi sighed, dragged his heavy feet across the intersection, and opened the door of his home.
When his figure disappeared in the courtyard, Qiu Ming’s figure flashed out at the northeast corner of the intersection. His shoulders were covered with snowflakes, but he didn’t brush them. He looked at the two adjacent courtyards on the opposite side and then disappeared into the darkness.
The play was over, and the cars were waiting at the gate of Tianyun Garden. Zhan Jun Bai humbly asked Bai Jinbo to get in the car first, and then declined Zhao Jingming’s escort before getting in his car. Qiu Ming respectfully opened the car door for him, as if he hadn’t gone anywhere, and stayed here all night.
There were documents in the car that hadn’t been read during the day, and Zhan Jun Bai opened it and looked through it.
“You guessed it right, Jiang Yue Lou didn’t work overtime today.” Qiu Ming reported as he drove, “He was at home.”
“Alone?”
“With Chen Yu Zhi.”
Zhan Jun Bai put down the file. “Chen Yu Zhi?”
“The two are neighbors, just separated by a wall.”
Qiu Ming said, “Jiang Yue Lou is very sharp, I didn’t dare to come closer, but the two seemed to quarrel at the end.”
“There’s only one reason for those two people to conflict.” Zhan Junbai said, “And it seems that Chen Yu Zhi has already become aware of it.”
Qiu Ming looked at him in the rearview mirror, as if waiting for the next step.
“Jiang Yue Lou has always been outstanding and it’s rare to have friends who are worthy of you.” Zhan Jun Bai thought for a while and smiled slightly, “Well, I’ll help him.”
Sun Yongren and Song Rong hurriedly walked through the corridor of the police station towards the office of Jiang Yue Lou.
“Did the director discipline the boss last night?” Sun Yongren softly inquired, “Today his face is the same as the bottom of an empty pot!”
“No,” Song Rong shook his head, “I saw the director just now, and he didn’t look angry.”
“So, why is he like that?” Sun Yongren stuck his tongue out, “Did you see the Boss this morning? He looked like he was possessed by the devil! He gathered a group of people and planned a dawn attack on Nianchun Pavilion. Didn’t you say that we shouldn’t leave him alone?”
Song Rong shrugged. He couldn’t find the reason either. However, Nianchun Pavilion was not wronged by the raid, no proof of human trafficking was found, and only people infected with opium were there at that time. However, the amount detected was not much and was just used to cheer up the clients.
The two knocked on Jiang Yue Lou’s door.
Sitting behind his desk, Jiang Yue Lou looked up at his two subordinates and said, “Did you find anything?”
“They were recruited by the brothel keeper and they were Wang Meng’s subordinates for sure.”
Song Rong nodded, “But these people are not in Jingcheng at the moment, so they probably went out to expand into overseas markets and to lie low.”
“Then they will come back after expanding into overseas markets.” Jiang Yue Lou grumbled, “Also they can’t hide forever.”
“They have a deep bond with us.” Sun Yongren continued, “Wang Meng is now the third main figure at Jinmatang, and even the brothel belongs to him. And for those missing little girls…”
Jiang Yue Lou shook his head. His eyes were dark, and he had not slept all night.
“Although Wang Meng is a bastard, he would never abduct and sell women.” Jiang Yue Lou said, “It should be someone else. Although the amount of opium in Nianchun Pavilion was not large, we can’t keep them from harming other girls. Sun Yongren keep an eye on it, don’t let the brothel keeper go, and inquired about the girls she had dealt with.”
“Yes Sir.”
Jiang Yue Lou turned to Song Rong, “How is the investigation going?”
“In addition to Wu Shuwei, the two departments of the Ministry of Urban Defense and the Ministry of Industry were having a meeting that night, but all of them were in the conference room. No one had the time and the motivation to commit the crime.”
Song Rong reported, “Members inside of the conference room and also the guards can testify.”
“Cai Chang Yao is tense about this case, so we have to find the murderer as soon as possible.” Jiang Yue Lou frowned, “I think that to keep it up with the people above him, he just wanted to find a scapegoat for Wu Shuwei’s death. He is not sincerely pursuing this case at all.”
“Yes.”
The phone rang suddenly. Jiang Yue Lou answered the phone.
“Director Zhan?”
“You are a busy person, I specifically ask Director Bai to invite you to come but you stayed in office for overtime.”
Jiang Yue Lou smiled a little apologetically, “It’s true that I can’t go away. A lot of stuff is keeping me busy. The murderer who killed Wu Shuwei has yet to be found and the mayor can’t wait to make me pay for it.”
“I really can’t help with this, and I didn’t kill the man either.” Zhan Jun Bai smiled blankly, “But I’m bringing you good news that can cheer you up.”
Jiang Yue Lou leaned on the chair indifferently while listening, but his expression changed, holding the microphone and sitting upright suddenly, “What?! You found Chen Keying?!”
Sun Yongren and Song Rong were taken aback, and they looked at each other, and both saw shocked expressions on each other’s faces.
Thank you for the chapter 🌻
you most welcome <3
Thank you for the chapter! To still have a clear mind despite his grief, Yuezhi has a really strong mind. What he said at the end really showed his character. I feel bad for the little girl.
Yu Zhi is probably the most strongest character of the show! JYL is lucky to have him!😀
And yes this is so sad for this little girl, she didn’t deserve this 😢
Aww~~ true friendship…. 😬😬
My heart is sinking every time I remember what happened to Keying☹️
no se porque I don’t know why but I have a very bad feeling 😭