Chapter Thirteen: The Enigma of the Pagoda Tree Blossoms

"You scoundrel!" Lu Hehuan struggled desperately.

"This is skill!" Ying Xi locked his arms tighter around Lu Hehuan from behind, smugly triumphant.

As Lu Hehuan continued to struggle, Ying Xi suddenly bit down on his ear, making him cry out in pain. In exasperation, Lu Hehuan shoved two fingers up Ying Xi’s nostrils. Ying Xi yelped and let go, allowing Lu Hehuan to throw him to the floor.

"You shameless rogue!" Ying Xi was stunned that the usually upright Lu Hehuan would resort to such underhanded tactics.

"I had no choice!"

"Well, neither do I! Today I'll settle the score with you!" Refusing to admit defeat, Ying Xi squared his shoulders, determined to take Lu Hehuan head-on.

Lu Hehuan faced him, bouncing back and forth in a boxer's stance, waiting for Ying Xi to make his move.

"Come on!" Lu Hehuan taunted.

With a furious roar, Ying Xi swung his fists wildly, only to be greeted by a punch from Lu Hehuan straight to his nose.

Clutching his nose, Ying Xi cried, "That hurts like hell!"

"You brought this on yourself!" Lu Hehuan yelled back.

Ying Xi became even more agitated, lowered his head, and swung his fists recklessly. Caught off guard, Lu Hehuan took a blow to the eye socket.

"Ha! That’s karma!" Ying Xi crowed, delighted with his small victory.

The two of them, eyes blazing with fury, charged at each other again, grappling and grabbing at each other's necks, neither willing to yield.

"Let go, or I'll strangle you!" Ying Xi threatened.

"You let go first, or I'll do the same!" Lu Hehuan countered.

"Fine, on three, we let go together!" Ying Xi suggested.

"Alright," Lu Hehuan agreed.

They released their grips simultaneously, gasping for breath.

"It's not as if you killed my father—why are you trying to kill me?" Ying Xi protested indignantly.

"And I haven’t stolen your wife—what are you trying to kill me for?" Lu Hehuan shot back.

"Look at my nose! You broke it! Don’t you know I make my living off my looks?"

"And you scratched my face! Isn’t that the same?"

"You put the medicine on for me, I can't see," Ying Xi said, his tone softening.

"Fine, but you’ll help with my face too. I can’t reach," Lu Hehuan agreed, knowing a scar was never a good thing, even if he didn’t rely on his looks.

"Deal, deal."

They sat together, tending to each other's wounds, wiping away the blood.

"What kind of bizarre moves were those?" Ying Xi remembered Lu Hehuan’s strange tactics.

"Close-quarters grappling and Western boxing. More effective than your wild swinging, isn’t it?"

"Effective, my foot! You hit way too hard..." Ying Xi whimpered. "This is a human nose, not an elephant’s trunk!"

"And this is a human face, not a pig’s head for your drinking games!" Lu Hehuan couldn’t help complaining.

"Alright, I’ll be gentler."

"I’ll be gentler too."

"Right, right, just there—are we both swollen?"

Lu Hehuan leaned in, "Closer, I can’t see clearly."

Ying Xi shifted nearer, and the two were almost pressed together. Lu Hehuan suddenly felt a strange embarrassment and pulled away, but Ying Xi’s hand slipped and pressed hard against Lu Hehuan’s face once more.

"Hiss—" Lu Hehuan gasped in pain.

"I told you not to move, didn’t I?" Ying Xi chided, pinning him in place to finish applying the medicine.

"With looks like yours, if you end up scarred, I’ll have ruined you for life," Ying Xi teased.

Lu Hehuan couldn’t be bothered to retort, and obediently let Ying Xi finish.

Upon learning that the plan to play the hero and win the beauty had failed, Bao Kang, terrified that his golden opportunity would slip away, rushed to Zhu Wolong’s residence.

Zhu Wolong and Bao Kang sat in the grand hall, sipping tea.

"Director Bao, what on earth happened? How could someone snatch my chance away at the last moment?" Zhu Wolong was still fuming, unable to make sense of the situation.

"Boss Zhu, it was just an accident. My man Ying Xi handled things poorly and ruined our arrangement," Bao Kang tried to mollify him.

Zhu Wolong forced a bitter smile and quickly professed his sincerity. "Director Bao, my feelings for your sister are genuine—if I could, I’d lay my heart out for her to see."

Bao Kang returned a polite smile. He’d always said sincerity was worthless—he wanted something else entirely. "I understand, I understand. We’ll find another opportunity."

Relieved, Zhu Wolong raised his teacup. "Director Bao, have some tea."

"Alright, tea it is." Bao Kang took a sip and couldn’t help but praise it, giving a thumbs-up. "Excellent tea, truly excellent."

Seeing Bao Kang pleased, Zhu Wolong laughed heartily. "It’s a fresh batch of Tieguanyin. Since you like it, I’ll have some sent to you."

"Oh, I couldn’t possibly accept..." Bao Kang demurred, though his greedy gaze betrayed him.

"Don’t be so formal, Director Bao. We’re all family here."

"Family?"

"If you don’t object, I’ve set my heart on making your sister my wife."

"Object? I couldn’t be happier!"

"That’s wonderful!"

Bao Kang was overjoyed, sure his golden opportunity was in the bag. The tea tasted all the sweeter.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhi, unable to contain her longing, came to the police station to see Lu Hehuan. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she spotted him and rushed over, excitement shining in her eyes.

"My son!"

Lu Hehuan turned and, seeing his mother, ran to meet her. "Mother!"

"My darling, you’ve lost so much weight. Let me have a good look at you." Lin Zhi gazed at him with boundless affection.

"Mother, what brings you here?"

"I came to see you. It’s nearly Qingming, time to honor our ancestors. No matter what, you must come home for dinner tonight. I’ve prepared a whole chicken feast—all your favorites."

Lu Hehuan nodded. "I understand, Mother."

Lin Zhi stroked his face gently, smiling. "That’s my good boy."

The wounds on his face hadn’t yet healed, and he couldn’t help but wince. "Hiss—"

"What’s wrong, son?" Lin Zhi’s concern was immediate.

"It’s just a scratch, nothing serious."

Though he tried to reassure her, Lin Zhi’s eyes filled with tears, and she spoke with a quaver in her voice.

"My poor child, you’ve suffered so much out there."

"It’s nothing, Mother. I’m all grown up now."

"No matter how old you are, you’ll always be my son."

Moved by his mother’s unwavering care, Lu Hehuan’s own eyes reddened, and the two embraced—a reunion three years in the making.

He returned home with his mother for dinner. At the Lu family table, Lin Zhi was overjoyed, constantly piling Lu Hehuan’s plate with food as if making up for all the missed meals of the past three years.

Lu Xiang, seeing his wife dote so excessively, put on a stern face. "Let him serve himself—he’s not a child anymore."

"I’ll do as I please. No matter how old he gets, he’s still my son," Lin Zhi retorted, then softened her tone as she turned to Lu Hehuan. "Eat more, son. You have to eat well to grow tall."

Lu Hehuan chuckled. "Mother, I’m already an adult. I’m not getting any taller."

Only then did Lin Zhi realize her mistake, smacking her forehead. "I’m so muddle-headed—always thinking you’re still the boy who left for overseas. I’ve been waiting for you these three years."

"But I’m back now, Mother," he comforted her.

"That’s all that matters," Lin Zhi said, truly relieved.

Lu Xiang, feeling left out as mother and son chatted happily, put on a grave expression. "Hehuan, from now on, you’re not to investigate Ling Yan’s case any further. Focus on your career. Together, we’ll replace Bao Kang."

"Your father’s right, son. Don’t let your emotions rule you. I know you can’t let go of that girl Ling Yan, but the past is past—you must look forward," Lin Zhi urged.

Lu Hehuan set down his chopsticks. "I’ll do my best as an officer and bring honor to our family."

"That’s my boy," Lin Zhi smiled, thinking her son had finally grown up.

But her joy was short-lived. Lu Hehuan added, "However, I’ll never give up searching for Ling Yan. I believe she’s been wronged, and I must clear her name."

Lu Xiang, seeing his son’s stubbornness, slammed his chopsticks on the table, stood up, and pointed at him.

"You unfilial wretch! How could the Lu family have such a son? Get out! Never set foot in this house again!"

"Sit down, old man! At least let him finish eating," Lin Zhi intervened.

Lu Xiang, forced into his chair, glared furiously at Lu Hehuan, who lowered his head, his appetite gone.

"Don’t mind him, son. Eat," Lin Zhi soothed.

"Too much motherly love spoils the child!" Lu Xiang fumed.

"Shut up," Lin Zhi snapped, stuffing a chicken drumstick in his mouth.

Seeing the situation, Lu Hehuan hurriedly finished his meal and stood up.

"Father, Mother, I’m done. I’ll be heading back now."

"Have you had enough to eat?" Lin Zhi called after him, worried.

"I have," Lu Hehuan replied vaguely as he left.

Lin Zhi stared wistfully at the door, then turned to glare at Lu Xiang, rolling up her sleeves, teeth clenched.

"Don’t mistake me for a pushover. You old fool, today you’ll get what’s coming to you!"

Outside, Lu Hehuan heard the sound of dishes smashing and his father’s anguished cries, "Not the eyes… ow…"

He sighed and walked away.

Early the next morning, Bai Yulou came running into the officers’ office, breathless as he looked at Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi, who were seated together.

"In Locust Blossom Alley… there’s been another death!"

"Calm down and tell us slowly," Lu Hehuan said, surprised.

Bai Yulou took a few deep breaths, delicately raised his pinky, and began, "This morning, I was sleeping soundly when I heard a commotion in the alley. I got dressed and found the Chen house next door was surrounded. It took all my effort to squeeze through…"

Lu Hehuan listened patiently to his chattering, but Ying Xi grew impatient, patting his gun. "Get to the point."

Bai Yulou startled, as though wound too tightly, and hurried his speech. "Turns out my neighbor, Chen Xiue, hanged herself. What a way to start the day—there’s always death where I live, such bad luck."

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi exchanged glances and hurried to the scene.

They arrived at Chen Xiue’s modest home in Locust Blossom Alley, where Liu Rushuang was already waiting.

"Brother Xi!" Liu Rushuang greeted him eagerly, clearly the one who’d sent Bai Yulou to report the case.

"What are you doing here, barnacle? This is a crime scene—don’t touch anything and mess it up," Ying Xi snapped.

Liu Rushuang, used to his coldness, merely smiled. "I haven’t disturbed anything. On the contrary, I’ve already examined the scene. Preliminary judgment: suicide."

Ying Xi scoffed. "Just because you say so? You think you know it all? Stay out of this."

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi entered the room where the hanging had occurred. Apart from the hemp rope tied to a beam and a few locust blossoms scattered on the floor, nothing stood out.

With little to go on, Ying Xi ordered, "Check the victim’s background."

Liu Rushuang cut in, "Already done. The victim, Chen Xiue, was in her thirties, a widow whose husband drowned recently. They had no children; she lived alone."

Ying Xi was satisfied. "Good work."

"Thank you for the praise, Brother Xi."

No sooner had she finished than Ying Xi’s face turned stern. "Be serious—show some respect for the dead."

Liu Rushuang obediently put on a sorrowful expression. "How’s this?"

Ying Xi shot her a glare before turning away, and she stuck out her tongue playfully at his back.

Nearby, Bao Rong was examining the body. Lu Hehuan approached her.

"Xiao Rong, did you find anything?"

"No toxins in the victim’s system, no wounds on her body. On the surface, it looks like suicide."

"And the scene? Any footprints, fingerprints, or other evidence left by an intruder?" Lu Hehuan pressed.

Bao Rong shook her head. "I've already checked thoroughly—nothing at all."

Ying Xi, always eager for quick conclusions, overheard and declared, "So it’s suicide. Case closed."

Liu Rushuang, delighted, tried to claim credit. "See? My deduction was correct."

"Blind luck, nothing more," Ying Xi dismissed.

Lu Hehuan bent over the body for another careful look, then examined the locust blossom petals on the floor. "It might not be suicide."

Ying Xi, leaving Chen Xiue’s house, was quickly followed by Lu Hehuan, Bao Rong, and Liu Rushuang.

"Inspector Ying, there are still many doubts—we can’t close the case so hastily," Lu Hehuan argued.

Ying Xi, exasperated, circled him, jabbing a finger at him. "Lu Hehuan, why do you always complicate things? It’s clearly a suicide, but you insist on murder. If we can’t find the culprit, who’ll take the blame when the higher-ups get angry?"

"I’ll take full responsibility," Lu Hehuan answered resolutely.

"You? You’re just a junior officer! If this drags on, I’ll be out of a job too!"

Ying Xi’s words left Lu Hehuan speechless, but he remained troubled by the case.

"Even so, we can’t be careless."

"How am I being careless? Chen Xiue had no enemies, no grudges, no debts—there’s no motive for murder!"

Ying Xi rattled off his points, then looked at Bao Rong. "Xiao Rong, what was the cause of death?"

"Clear ligature marks on the front and sides of the neck, facial swelling, bulging eyes—all consistent with hanging," Bao Rong replied.

"See? Hanging! Her husband died recently, she was childless and alone—she must have been grief-stricken and ended her own life. It all fits! And there’s no evidence of foul play at the scene—it’s clearly suicide!"

"There are clues at the scene. First, there are no locust trees near the house, so why are there locust blossom petals here? Second, why were there no signs of struggle before death?" Lu Hehuan countered.

Ying Xi, growing angry, snapped, "Are you just trying to oppose me? What do a few petals prove? I told you, it’s suicide—why would there be a struggle?"

Lu Hehuan said nothing, but stepped forward and locked his arm around Ying Xi’s neck.

"Are you crazy?!"

Liu Rushuang, hearing Ying Xi’s shouts, ran over. "Lu Hehuan, let him go! No need to kill over an argument!"

Lu Hehuan kept his hold. "I just want to prove a point... See, your hands are grabbing my arm."

"So what? If you don’t let go, I’ll report you for assaulting an officer," Ying Xi retorted.

Bai Yulou, surprised to see the usually overbearing Ying Xi at a disadvantage, couldn’t resist a jab. "Police attacking police—now that’s a headline!"

Liu Rushuang, worried, threatened, "Let him go or I’ll bite you!"

She rushed over and was about to bite Lu Hehuan’s arm, so he quickly released Ying Xi, who coughed as Liu Rushuang patted his back.

"Are you alright, Brother Xi?"

"I’m fine as long as you stay away," he panted.

Hurt by his ingratitude, Liu Rushuang retreated, looking wronged.

Lu Hehuan addressed Ying Xi, "This proves that when someone is strangled, they instinctively grab whatever’s pressing on their neck. Even in suicide, this reflex would occur... If Chen Xiue had hanged herself, her hands would have rope fibers on them. But as I asked Xiao Rong, there were none."

"That just means she was determined to die—her willpower overrode her instincts," Ying Xi insisted.

"That’s not scientific. Instinct is an unconscious reaction to external stimuli—by definition, it’s uncontrollable, irrespective of willpower. Grabbing the rope is a reflex, not a matter of resolve."

"Nonsense!" Ying Xi scoffed, unable to follow the logic.

"It’s psychological fact—I learned this from Professor Nova, a student of Freud, during my studies in Britain. It’s not nonsense," Lu Hehuan explained.

"Save your foreign theories for someone who cares! So you’re saying Chen Xiue was strangled and then hanged?"

"It’s possible," Lu Hehuan admitted.

"Then how do you explain the swollen face and bulging eyes? That only happens in hangings!"

"Asphyxiation by strangulation can cause the same appearance," Bao Rong added quietly.

Ying Xi, frustrated, looked from Bao Rong to Lu Hehuan. "You two are just ganging up on me. I’m done arguing!"

He stalked off, leaving Lu Hehuan and Bao Rong exchanging glances.

Bai Yulou, pitifully, sidled up to Liu Rushuang. "Sister Shuang, someone just died next door—I’m too scared to go home alone. Will you stay with me?"

"Of course not—I have real work to do," she replied, hurrying after Ying Xi.

"Brother Xi, wait for me! I’m on your side!"

Bai Yulou followed, waving and calling in his effeminate voice, "Sister Shuang, wait for me! I’ll stick with you!"

Lu Hehuan looked to Bao Rong, who nodded back.

"Persistence carves wood, perseverance engraves stone. I’m with you, Hehuan."

Lu Hehuan smiled, warmed by her encouragement. As children, he had always comforted the weepy Bao Rong—now, the roles were reversed. The thought filled his heart with a gentle warmth.