Chapter Thirty-Five: Punished for Overindulgence

As evening approached, Bao Kang finally received the good news he’d been waiting for. Sitting at his desk, a look of satisfaction played across his face; he hadn’t expected Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi to solve the case within a single day.

“Director Bao, ‘Night Bloom’ has confessed and is now in jail. Zheng Qiu and Zhang Chuan have also been acquitted and released. I'll tidy up the files and prepare to close the case soon,” Ying Xi reported, standing before Bao Kang with a fawning expression.

Bao Kang gave a grunt of approval. “I’m quite pleased with your performance this time.”

Seeing that Bao Kang was in a good mood, Ying Xi hurried to claim the credit for himself. “At first, we were at a loss, but at the critical moment, I noticed a few drops of kerosene on the street behind the Exotic Beast Garden. So, I tracked the lead and discovered that, on the day the elephant went missing, someone saw a truck pass by the back gate. But the stone pavement was undamaged, which made me boldly hypothesize—after careful verification—that perhaps someone had used a hot air balloon to carry the elephant away, leaving no trace. We followed this line of investigation and finally uncovered the truth.”

Lu Hehuan, standing nearby, looked at Ying Xi with helpless resignation.

Ying Xi, afraid Lu Hehuan would interrupt, shot him a warning look, signaling him to keep quiet.

“Very well. Detective Ying, you never disappoint me. If any promotions arise, I’ll be sure to recommend you,” Bao Kang said, beaming.

“Thank you, Director Bao.” Ying Xi grinned from ear to ear. He glanced sideways at Lu Hehuan and whispered, “If I get promoted, naturally I’ll take you with me.”

Lu Hehuan stared at him, speechless, utterly defeated by Ying Xi’s shamelessness.

Just then, the bald officer knocked and entered. “Report, Director Bao. The owner of the Exotic Beast Garden is here and wishes to thank the station personally.”

“To thank us?” Bao Kang stood up, delighted. “Where is he?”

“In the courtyard.”

In the courtyard of the police station, the owner of the Exotic Beast Garden stood cradling a peacock, watching as Ah Hua—Bao Kang’s beloved hen—scampered about. Several officers surrounded him, marveling at the bird in his arms and discussing it animatedly.

“So that’s a peacock,” one officer remarked, pointing.

Another curled his lip. “Looks a lot like a chicken to me.”

“It’s prettier than a chicken, isn’t it?” the first officer retorted.

“I heard peacocks only look good when they spread their tails,” added a third.

As the three chatted, one noticed Bao Kang approaching and called out, “Director Bao is here!”

The officers immediately fell silent.

Bao Kang, accompanied by Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi, walked over, surprised by the peacock in the owner's arms.

“Is that a pheasant?” Bao Kang asked.

“Director Bao, that’s a peacock,” Lu Hehuan whispered.

“So that’s what a peacock looks like—almost like a chicken,” Ying Xi mused, eyeing the bird.

“There’s quite a difference! It’s nowhere near as handsome as Ah Hua…” Bao Kang objected.

“Thank you, Detective Lu…” The owner of the Exotic Beast Garden warmly extended his hand to Lu Hehuan.

Lu Hehuan reached out, but Ying Xi seized his hand first, stepping in front of the owner and discreetly signaling toward Bao Kang. “This is our Director Bao of the Old Gate Police Station. It was thanks to his excellent guidance that we solved the case so quickly.”

The owner caught on immediately and shook Bao Kang’s hand instead. “Thank you, Director Bao! You may not know, but this case has become quite famous. Our visitor numbers have surged, all thanks to your swift action in helping me recover my elephant.”

“No need to thank me. Protecting the public’s interests is our duty and responsibility,” Bao Kang replied, donning his official tone with pride.

“Director Bao, you are the blessing of Old Gate. The townsfolk all say, ‘With Bao Kang, the people are safe and sound.’ With you here, we can live our lives at ease,” the owner praised.

Bao Kang nodded in satisfaction, thinking his parents had truly given him a fine name.

“To thank the Old Gate Police Station for helping recover the elephant, I’ve decided to donate a peacock. Peacocks symbolize wealth, good fortune, and ever-greater success. I hope all your officers will enjoy prosperity and continual advancement,” the owner declared.

“What a fine symbol! Thank you, thank you!” Bao Kang’s spirits soared; any mention of promotion and fortune filled him with joy.

“Director Bao, where shall we keep the peacock?”

Bao Kang glanced around and pointed to Ah Hua’s domain. “Put it there, let it live with Ah Hua.”

The owner nodded and set the peacock beside Ah Hua.

Bao Kang turned to Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi. “From now on, this peacock will be called Ah Mei. You two are responsible for looking after her. Imagine, Ah Hua and Ah Mei raising a brood of little ones together—how heartwarming that would be.”

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi looked at Bao Kang in embarrassment.

“Director Bao, I’m not sure we’re up to the task. Ah Hua doesn’t seem to like Ah Mei very much…” Ying Xi stammered.

Bao Kang looked sideways at Ah Hua, only to see the hen and peacock already locked in furious combat, feathers flying everywhere.

“Hurry, save Ah Hua!” Bao Kang shouted in distress.

Lu Hehuan rushed to scoop up Ah Hua, while Ying Xi grabbed the peacock. At last, the battle subsided.

Bao Kang gazed at the feathers strewn across the ground with a pained expression. Gritting his teeth, he addressed the owner, “Perhaps it’s best to let Ah Mei return to the Exotic Beast Garden. If this goes on, Ah Hua will be left a nun.”

Ying Xi hastily returned the peacock to the owner.

“Very well, I’ll look after her for you. Director Bao, you can claim her whenever you wish,” the owner replied, unperturbed.

“It’s settled then!” Bao Kang was delighted—he could claim a beautiful peacock while saving on feed.

Night fell. Lu Xiang lay in bed preparing to sleep when Lin Zhi entered, her face covered in cucumber slices.

Lu Xiang glanced at Lin Zhi, utterly unfazed.

She lay down, closed her eyes, and massaged her face. “I heard they found the Exotic Beast Garden’s elephant. Take me to see it when you have time.”

“No—”

Lu Xiang hadn’t finished before Lin Zhi shot upright, sending cucumber slices tumbling to the floor.

“I meant, of course I’ll take you. We’ll go together when there’s time,” he quickly amended.

“That’s more like it,” Lin Zhi replied, her anger melting into happiness.

“Your cucumbers have all fallen off. You won’t get any whitening effect if you don’t put them back,” Lu Xiang said, picking up the slices and helping her reapply them.

Lin Zhi looked utterly content.

Lu Xiang pressed a slice over her eyes and shot her a fierce glare.

Blissfully unaware, Lin Zhi nestled into bed.

Meanwhile, the Bao family’s living room was brightly lit. Bao Rong and Bao Kang sat at the table, eating dinner.

“I heard Hehuan cracked another sensational case in Old Gate today,” Bao Rong said enthusiastically.

Bao Kang, however, was unimpressed. “Just a theft—nothing sensational about it. Boss Zhu came to see me today and told me about a big deal he just closed. Now, that’s sensational.”

At the mention of Zhu Wolong, Bao Rong’s face instantly darkened.

Bao Kang took a bite, pointedly warning her, “Rong, there’s not much happening at the station tomorrow. Perhaps you could go with Boss Zhu—”

“Brother, no talking at the table. Whatever it is, say it tomorrow,” Bao Rong interrupted impatiently, picking up her dishes and leaving.

“You were the one talking first! Honestly…” Bao Kang grumbled at her retreating back.

The night air was cool. Ying Xi lounged by the window of the dormitory, munching peanuts and humming a tune. Glancing outside, he suddenly spotted Lu Hehuan in the courtyard, sitting at a table set with a birthday cake, a bottle of wine, and a few small dishes.

“The rascal! Trying to sneak a feast without me? No way!” Ying Xi grumbled, dropping his peanuts and striding out.

In the courtyard, Lu Hehuan sat at the table, an empty chair across from him. He lit the birthday candle, poured wine for himself and the opposite cup. Tears shimmered in his eyes, blurring his vision, as if Ling Yan herself sat across from him.

“Ling Yan, today is your birthday. I bought cake and your favorite dishes,” Lu Hehuan said tenderly.

In a daze, he imagined Ling Yan sitting opposite, giving him a sad, gentle smile. “Hehuan, I haven't celebrated my birthday in years. No one does it for me.”

“I’ll celebrate it for you from now on.”

Ling Yan smiled. “You’re so good to me, Hehuan.”

“It’s only right. I’ll always be good to you—for a lifetime.”

Suddenly, Ling Yan gave a shiver and looked at him in mock disgust. “That’s so cheesy, how can you say things like that?”

Lu Hehuan blinked, realizing it was Ying Xi sitting across from him after all, and flushed with embarrassment.

“Detective Ying? What are you doing here?”

“You’re too much—fancy food and wine and you don’t invite me,” Ying Xi replied, eyeing the cake hungrily.

“Today is Ling Yan’s birthday. I just wanted to celebrate for her,” Lu Hehuan explained, his mood darkening.

“It’s my birthday too, so the cake’s half mine,” Ying Xi said with a grin.

Lu Hehuan curled his lip in disdain. “I’ve seen your ID. Your birthday isn’t today. Detective Ying, you really have no shame when it comes to free food and drink.”

“That’s harsh, Hehuan! When have I ever begrudged you anything to eat or drink?”

“That’s because you’re always eating and drinking mine,” Lu Hehuan replied.

Ying Xi jabbed a finger at him. “Ungrateful! Remember when Liu Rushuang treated us? You know why she did—it was because of me that you got to eat all those delicacies. And now you just forget it?”

“Indeed, thanks to you I drank myself senseless that night.”

Ying Xi grinned unabashedly. “That’s because you overestimated your capacity.”

“No, I underestimated Detective Ying’s cunning.”

“Anyone trying to survive in this world needs a few tricks, or you’ll be taken out in no time,” Ying Xi boasted.

“If even a man like you is afraid of being tricked, what about Ling Yan, a defenseless woman?” Lu Hehuan suddenly grew somber, bowing his head in thought.

Seizing the opportunity, Ying Xi scooped a chunk of cake into his mouth and mumbled, “She has her own way of surviving. You should stop pining over her.”

“But I miss her so much,” Lu Hehuan admitted, eyes reddening.

“Women are like clothes, but brotherhood lasts forever. You’d be better off caring about me! I’m the one always by your side. That Ling Yan probably married someone else ages ago,” Ying Xi said, licking the cake from his fingers.

“You don’t understand my feelings for Ling Yan. She’d never betray me,” Lu Hehuan said, downing his wine in one gulp.

“Still playing the wine sage? I’ll keep up with you!” Ying Xi said, emptying his own glass.

Lu Hehuan, bristling, challenged, “So you want to compete? Come on! Let’s have a contest!”

“Speaking foreign lingo again—it’s just a drinking contest, bring it on!” Ying Xi replied, game for anything.

Lu Hehuan poured the wine, and the contest began.

Glass after glass, the two drank each other under the table, both ending up dead drunk.

In the middle of the night, the dormitory door burst open. Ying Xi staggered in, carrying Lu Hehuan slung across his shoulders. He dumped him on the bed and, slurring his words, began undressing him.

“If you can’t hold your liquor, don’t act tough—look at the state you’re in…”

He pulled off Lu Hehuan’s shirt, but then collapsed himself, falling asleep sprawled on top of him.

Sunlight poured through the dormitory window, filling every corner. Ying Xi woke up wrapped around Lu Hehuan, both still fast asleep, half-dressed. Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

“Detective Ying, Hehuan, Director Bao wants to see you in his office,” the bald officer called anxiously from outside.

The two woke with a start, groaning and rubbing their heads.

Ying Xi stretched and croaked, “What does Director Bao want?”

“He found out you skipped patrol this morning,” came the timid reply.

Both men jolted in alarm.

“This morning? What time is it now?” Lu Hehuan asked in confusion.

“One in the afternoon.”

They both leapt out of bed, shocked to discover half the day had passed. In their haste to dress, they realized they’d mixed up their clothes.

“Hey, those are my pants…” Ying Xi pointed.

“Why are you wearing my shirt?” Lu Hehuan retorted.

The two rushed to Bao Kang’s office, standing stiffly before him, guilty and unkempt, hair in wild disarray.

Bao Kang paced before them, furious. “Sleeping off a hangover and missing patrol—you’re the most unreliable officers in Old Gate! You’ve disgraced the station!”

“Director Bao, please don’t be angry. It won’t happen again,” Ying Xi promised earnestly, but Bao Kang was unmoved.

“No next time, eh?”

“It was our mistake. We’re willing to accept punishment,” Lu Hehuan admitted, all honesty.

Ying Xi glared at him—why drag him into this? He shuddered at the thought.

“Fine! The two of you—fifty slaps each, to teach you a lesson!”

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stared at each other in shock.

They looked at each other, unwilling to move.

Bao Kang roared, “Do it!”

They each raised a hand, lightly brushing the other’s cheek.

“I said slap, not caress!” Bao Kang snapped.

Realizing Bao Kang was determined to punish them, they reluctantly lifted their hands.

“Lu Hehuan…” Ying Xi hesitated, lowering his voice.

“Don’t worry, Detective Ying. Hit me hard—I can take it,” Lu Hehuan replied heroically.

Ying Xi whispered, “I meant, only one of us needs to actually hit hard.”

But the ever-honest Lu Hehuan didn’t get his drift, declaring righteously, “No need to worry about me, Detective. Let’s both do it properly!”

Bao Kang, impatient, barked, “Now!”

Resigned, they slapped each other. Instantly, red imprints appeared on their cheeks.

Ying Xi grimaced in pain, while Lu Hehuan clenched his jaw in silent endurance.

“Again! Keep going!” Bao Kang ordered, still fuming.

Lu Hehuan raised his hand again. “Here I come, Detective!” He struck, catching Ying Xi off guard.

“Lu Hehuan!” Ying Xi growled.

“Silence!” Bao Kang cut him off.

Ying Xi swallowed his anger.

“Don’t stop—let’s see if you dare drink on duty again!” Bao Kang threatened.

Gritting their teeth, the two continued slapping each other.

One slap after another rang out, each harder and crisper than the last, as Bao Kang looked on with malicious glee.