Chapter Ten: The Cohabitation Pact

In the corridor of the police station, Bao Rong glanced uneasily at Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi, who were hidden around the corner. The two of them returned her a look of encouragement. Taking a deep breath, Bao Rong strode toward the records room and beckoned to the policewoman in charge of the archives. “Sister Nan.”

“Is something the matter, Xiao Rong?” Sister Nan was surprised, never having seen Bao Rong so amiable before.

“Sister Nan, I need to talk to you about something,” Bao Rong said in a low voice, her tone somewhat stiff.

Sister Nan, curious, came over. “What is it?”

“Come with me.” Bao Rong led her to a nearby corner.

“I heard someone’s been reporting you to my brother lately,” Bao Rong gossiped for the first time in her life.

“Who? That’s so malicious!” Sister Nan believed her instantly, her anger rising.

“I’m not sure who, but I heard they said you often…” Bao Rong hesitated, finding it hard to continue.

“Often what?” Sister Nan pressed.

“They said you often flirt with the male officers,” Bao Rong blurted out.

Sister Nan was so furious her chest heaved. “What else did they say?”

“And that you…”

While Sister Nan’s attention was entirely fixed on Bao Rong, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi quietly slipped into the records room behind her.

Inside, the air was thick with dust. Ying Xi led Lu Hehuan in their frantic search among the thousands of case files.

“Hurry up, Bao Rong’s not cut out for gossip. She’ll be exposed in no time,” Ying Xi urged.

Lu Hehuan nodded and sifted through the files at speed. “Here it is!”

She finally found the file on Ling Yan, and with trembling hands, began to read:

"Ling Yan, female, eighteen, native of Old Zha, second-year student at Mingde High School. Out of daily grudges, she harbored hatred toward classmates Liu Sixue, Mary, Song Xiaowan, Wen Hui, and others. Attempted to harm them by capturing a venomous snake, but accidentally caused the death of Liu Sixue’s mother at the scene. Ling Yan, terrified by her crime, fled. Whereabouts unknown..."

As Lu Hehuan read, her heart bled.

Outside, Bao Kang approached with Ah Hua in his arms and a police officer in tow. Seeing Bao Rong and Sister Nan whispering in the corner, he couldn’t help but ask, “What are you two doing?”

Both Bao Rong and Sister Nan were startled.

“Director Bao, we’re just chatting,” Sister Nan replied with a wide grin.

Worried about Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi in the records room, Bao Rong deliberately raised her voice, “Brother! You’re here? I’ve got to get back to work!”

She hurried away in feigned panic.

Inside the records room, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi heard Bao Rong’s alarm and were instantly thrown into a panic.

“It’s over, Director Bao’s here!” Ying Xi cried.

“What do we do?” Lu Hehuan was still reluctant to put down the file.

“Hide, quick!”

They looked around, but the room was too small to conceal them. In their confusion, they bumped heads.

At the doorway, Bao Kang watched Bao Rong depart and felt it inappropriate to pursue the matter further, so he turned to Sister Nan. “Put the Jin Lu case file inside.”

As he spoke, a noise came from the records room. He raised a finger to his lips for silence, listened for a moment, and then burst into the room.

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stood frozen as Bao Kang stormed in. Pointing at them, he exploded, “Well, well! You two broke in and rifled through the case files without my permission—bold, aren’t you!”

Sister Nan followed and was equally startled to see them there. She stammered, “How did you get in here? Director Bao, this—this isn’t my fault!”

Flustered, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi hastily put down the files. Ying Xi, terrified, grabbed Lu Hehuan and bowed repeatedly in apology. “Director Bao, please be magnanimous! A prime minister’s heart can house a battleship…”

He even spat on his hand to pretend to wipe away tears.

Bao Kang waved his hand impatiently. “All right, all right. You’ve done plenty for this station over the years; I know your worth. I’ll let you off this time.”

“Thank you, Director!” Ying Xi’s relief was short-lived.

“But trespassing in the records room for confidential files can’t go unpunished. There must be consequences…” Bao Kang’s tone shifted.

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi exchanged alarmed glances, nervous as fish laid out on a cutting board, uncertain whether Bao Kang would stew, steam, or deep-fry them.

“What would be a suitable penalty?” Bao Kang mused, stroking his chin. Suddenly his eyes brightened. “I’ve got it. You’ll both catch bugs for Ah Hua to eat. Ah Hua, what do you think?”

He lovingly stroked his pet chicken as he spoke.

The two men looked at each other and then at the proud hen in Bao Kang’s arms, who gazed down at them with a king’s disdain. Left with no choice, they resigned themselves.

Lu Xiang marched proudly into the officers’ office. He’d been recovering at home for several days, and at last, the bruises on his face had faded.

The usually indolent officers straightened up at his arrival.

“Director Lu…” they saluted.

Lu Xiang smiled in satisfaction. After being suppressed by Lin Zhi at home, he was regaining his confidence here.

“I heard Lu Hehuan solved the Jin Lu case and Director Bao’s allowing him back on the force?”

The officers nodded.

“Where is he?”

“He was punished by Director Bao for snooping into the Ling Yan case file—he’s in the yard catching bugs for Ah Hua.”

Just as Lu Xiang’s opinion of Lu Hehuan had improved, his anger flared again. “That rascal is meddling in the Ling Yan case again?”

The officer nodded noncommittally.

“Hmph! Useless wood, impossible to carve!” Lu Xiang stomped off in a huff.

Following Bao Kang’s orders, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi rummaged through the grass in the station courtyard. Ying Xi knelt, face twisted as he picked up a tiny bug and tossed it into the glass jar in his hand—inside were only two pitiful insects.

“That’s not even enough for Ah Hua’s beak! A molting phoenix is worse off than a chicken! Me, a dignified detective, kneeling down to serve a chicken!” Ying Xi grew angrier, glaring at Lu Hehuan. “I told you not to be so rash, but you never listen!”

Lu Hehuan ignored him, focused on the task. He spotted a bug in the grass, hesitated, then reluctantly reached for it.

“Disgusting… so filthy…”

Though he grumbled, he steeled himself, using a handkerchief to gingerly pick up the bug and toss it into Ying Xi’s jar.

“Usually, just sitting under a tree, bugs would rain down. Now that I actually need them, I can’t find a single one,” Ying Xi lamented.

Suddenly, Lu Hehuan stared fixedly at Ying Xi’s head, making the latter uneasy.

“What are you staring at?”

“Don’t move. There’s a big bug on your head—Ah Hua’s banquet!” Lu Hehuan eyed the bug, fearing it would fly off.

Ying Xi didn’t dare move, rolling his eyes upward—sure enough, a grasshopper perched atop his head.

With a lunge, Lu Hehuan tried to grab it with his handkerchief, but overdid it, knocking Ying Xi over. By some misfortune, Lu Hehuan’s mouth collided with Ying Xi’s forehead—just in time for Bao Rong, sneaking over to find Lu Hehuan, to witness this scene.

The two men, having shared an awkwardly intimate moment, were mortified.

Ying Xi shoved Lu Hehuan off with a look of outrage. “Ugh! Was that Ah Hua’s banquet or yours? Disgraceful—for you to do that to your chief… disgusting!”

He wiped his forehead with his sleeve.

“You think I wanted that? It was an accident—I’m more disgusted than you are,” Lu Hehuan protested, wiping his mouth.

Bao Rong approached, smiling. “It was just an accident, no need to dwell on it. The ancients said, ‘Even strangers would share a horse and robe without regret; how much more so brothers.’”

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi simultaneously shot each other a glare and turned away coldly. “Who’s his brother?”

Bao Rong only smiled. “Hehuan, take these bugs to your brother.”

She produced a tin box from her bag.

Lu Hehuan took it as Ying Xi peered over curiously. When Lu Hehuan opened it, his hand nearly shook the box loose—inside, it was packed with insects.

“Incredible! We struggled to catch a single one, and here you are with a boxful,” Ying Xi gave Bao Rong a thumbs-up.

“Where did you get them, Xiao Rong?” Lu Hehuan was amazed.

“My brother caught them himself. Just use them—he won’t be able to tell the difference,” she whispered, wary of eavesdroppers.

“No, that would be cheating Director Bao,” Lu Hehuan objected.

Ying Xi, seeing Lu Hehuan about to give up a golden opportunity, snatched the box. “Nonsense! That’s called a white lie.”

“But if Director Bao finds out, he’ll be even angrier,” Lu Hehuan’s upright nature emerged.

“You blockhead! All bugs are alike—you think Director Bao can tell which ones he caught?” Ying Xi said, then beamed at Bao Rong. “Thanks, Xiao Rong, I’ll keep these for Hehuan.”

Bao Rong nodded with a bright smile. “I’ll head off now, before my brother spots me.”

“Thank you, Xiao Rong,” Lu Hehuan said with sincere gratitude, seeing she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

She dismissed his thanks. “No need to be polite. I should be helping you. My brother shouldn’t punish you on a whim.”

Ying Xi threw up his hand. “And me! I’m the real innocent here!” He pulled a pitiful face, making both Lu Hehuan and Bao Rong laugh.

After delivering the bugs to Bao Kang, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi returned to their dorm exhausted. Lu Hehuan lugged a pile of belongings while Ying Xi went ahead to open the door.

“I don’t get it—why did you buy so much stuff? Things like basins and towels, I already have,” Ying Xi grumbled, even though it wasn’t his money.

“I’m not mooching anymore, I’m sharing the room. Technically, it’s half mine now,” Lu Hehuan said, gaining confidence.

“Look at you, finally holding your head up,” Ying Xi teased.

“Of course—I’m not living off anyone anymore!”

Ying Xi grinned slyly. “You should be proud. From now on, you’re one of mine. Stick with me, and I’ll take care of you.”

He reached out to sling an arm around Lu Hehuan’s shoulder, but Lu Hehuan dodged him, placing his luggage on the only bed in the room.

“Can’t we get another bed?” Lu Hehuan protested, finding it awkward for two men to share.

“Beds are tight, funds are tight, space is tight—everything’s tight. Don’t worry, I’m not going to eat you.”

Lu Hehuan had no comeback and began unpacking.

“What’s this?” Ying Xi noticed a tuft of fur peeking from the suitcase and curiously pulled out a scarf.

Lu Hehuan snatched it away. “Don’t touch other people’s things—it’s impolite!”

Ying Xi hadn’t expected him to get angry. “I thought it was some hidden treasure—it’s just a scarf. Was it from a lover in Britain?”

Lu Hehuan carefully folded the scarf and put it away. “Nonsense. I bought it for Ling Yan. She’s sensitive to the cold—Shanghai winters are damp and chilly, and she suffers rheumatism. I got it to keep her warm.”

“So Ling Yan is your old flame. No wonder you’re so obsessed with her case,” Ying Xi said, enlightened.

Lu Hehuan, still annoyed, corrected him sternly, “Don’t call her that. Ling Yan is the woman I love—we grew up together. I went to Britain to prepare for our marriage. If nothing had happened, we’d be wed by now.”

“Didn’t know you were such a devoted guy.” Ying Xi eyed him, his opportunistic side surfacing. “Well, I have rheumatism too. Since Ling Yan’s not around, why not give the scarf to me?”

“No. It’s for Ling Yan. Even if she’s gone now, someday I’ll find her and give it to her myself.”

Seeing Lu Hehuan’s determination, Ying Xi realized he wouldn’t get his way and shook his head. “Stingy. Whatever you say.”

Lu Hehuan gazed at the scarf and sighed. “Ling Yan, where are you?”

Ying Xi looked at him and deliberately raised his voice, “Usually, sentimental types are pretty sheltered. Today’s a good day, and as your chief, I’ll take you to the ‘Courtesan’s Lane’—let you see some real beauties, all finer than Ling Yan.”

He tried to drag Lu Hehuan along, but the latter shook him off. “No thanks. I avoid places of debauchery. I suggest you keep yourself clean, Chief Ying.”

That made Ying Xi bristle. “Why do I work myself to the bone? To have fun! If you neither eat nor carouse, what’s the point of living?”

He flung his hand and sat down.

Lu Hehuan ignored him and kept tidying up.

Pinching his nose and waving a hand, he complained, “Chief Ying, could you please not leave your socks everywhere?”

Ying Xi sprawled in the chair, unconcerned. “This is my turf. I’ll do as I like. If you can’t stand it, wash them for me—I won’t mind.”

Lu Hehuan’s face darkened. “Forget it. I’ll just move to Ling Yan’s old house.”

He grabbed his suitcase and made to leave. Ying Xi panicked and grabbed his arm. “I finally have a useful partner—how could I let you just walk away?”

Lu Hehuan remained unmoved.

“You’d rather live with filth than with me?”

He got no response. Ying Xi tried his trump card. “Aren’t you obsessed with the Ling Yan case?”

Still nothing.

“Fine, I give in. I promise not to be messy anymore, all right?” Ying Xi finally relented.

Lu Hehuan put down the suitcase, and Ying Xi released his arm.

Not trusting him, Lu Hehuan set terms. “Then let’s agree on some rules: keep your things in order, don’t make a mess for the other, and I’ll write it all down.”

“Sure, whatever you say,” Ying Xi scratched his head.

Lu Hehuan quickly drafted a set of dorm rules, which Ying Xi picked up and read.

“Roommate Agreement… Neither party may leave trash lying around, to avoid inconveniencing the other—fair enough. Next, neither may touch the other’s belongings or cross the agreed sleeping boundary. Who wrote this?”

Lu Hehuan pointed at the bed, where a police baton marked the middle. “That’s to mark our sleeping area, so we don’t bother each other at night.”

“Fine by me,” Ying Xi agreed, “but will you stick to it?”

“Sure, of course,” Lu Hehuan vowed.

“And you?”

“I will too,” Ying Xi swore.

Lu Hehuan signed the agreement and handed it over. Ying Xi scribbled his name.

“Your post is restored, the agreement is signed. We should celebrate. I’ll go buy some snacks—we’re not sleeping till we’re drunk tonight!”

Ying Xi was full of enthusiasm, and Lu Hehuan, not wanting to dampen his spirits, let him go make preparations.