Chapter Fifty-Three: Riding High on the Spring Breeze

Lu Hehuan stared in shock at the unconscious Long Zhentian. "Why? Inspector Ying, what are you doing? Knocking out a suspect who's already subdued is against regulations."

Ying Xi shot Lu Hehuan an annoyed glance and explained, "Are you stupid? If we don’t knock her out, how are we supposed to hand her over to Headquarters? Do you think she’s a kitten or puppy who won’t talk? If she learns we’re police, she’ll definitely tell them how we rescued her from Inspector Yuan that day."

Lu Hehuan shrugged indifferently. "Even if she spills it, so what? We’ve already made up for our mistake by catching her again. I was just thinking of reporting everything honestly to our superiors."

Ying Xi glanced at Lu Hehuan, puffing up his cheeks in indignation. "You really are dense. You know how hard it was to catch Long Zhentian! You, me, your father, and Chief Bao all risked our lives for this."

"So what?" Lu Hehuan remained puzzled.

"Did you forget Chief Bao said catching Long Zhentian comes with a hefty reward? As long as we hand her over to Headquarters without revealing who we are, Bao can apply for the reward as Old Gate Station’s achievement. Even if we don’t get all the money, he’ll at least split half with us," Ying Xi struggled to keep his patience, speaking calmly.

"Inspector Ying, don’t forget we made mistakes before. We’re not eligible for the reward," Lu Hehuan said, deadly serious.

Ying Xi, always eager for glory, grew impatient, feeling Lu Hehuan’s forehead. "Lu Hehuan, does your brain not turn? Even if we let Long Zhentian go before, it was unintentional—not a real mistake. And as long as Long Zhentian doesn't know who we are, no one will find out. She’s killed so many, she’ll soon be executed, and then our previous error will disappear."

"Just because no one knows doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Mistakes must be owned. I understand you want a raise and promotion, Inspector Ying, and I can help you solve more cases," Lu Hehuan insisted.

Ying Xi, seeing Lu Hehuan’s stubborn honesty flare up, retorted emotionally, "Long Zhentian’s serial murders—thirteen lives—how many times can you encounter such a case in a lifetime? Solving a case this big is an honor you can’t imagine!"

"But it’s not the whole truth!" Lu Hehuan persisted.

"As long as it’s the truth! We caught her ourselves, risked our lives with real bullets and blades," Ying Xi paused, lifting his shirt to show the wound he got saving Lu Hehuan during Long Zhentian’s capture. "This injury is real!"

Lu Hehuan was moved, frowning. "But if we hadn’t rescued Long Zhentian that day, she would have been caught earlier. Then there wouldn’t have been two more murders, nor your injury."

Ying Xi glared, furious. "That was an accident!"

"Accident or not, we’re responsible," Lu Hehuan held firm.

Ying Xi, patience gone, pointed at Lu Hehuan. "Fine, go confess—but forget about investigating Ling Yan’s case ever again!"

Lu Hehuan was startled, pointing back at Ying Xi. "I can’t believe you’d use Ling Yan to threaten me!"

"I am that kind of person! Decide: confess, or keep investigating Ling Yan. Your choice," Ying Xi raised his chin defiantly.

"You..." Lu Hehuan was speechless with anger.

As the two were at an impasse, a headquarters patrol officer walked over, curious to see two men guarding an unconscious woman at the door. "What are you doing here?"

Ying Xi instantly put on a polite smile, nodding. "Hello, I’m Inspector Ying Xi from Old Gate Police Station, and this is Officer Lu Hehuan. We’ve apprehended the wanted criminal Long Zhentian."

The patrol officer was shocked, glancing at the unconscious Long Zhentian.

Lu Hehuan tried to interject, but Ying Xi shot him a deadly glare, and Lu Hehuan held back.

Ying Xi turned to the patrol officer, suppressing his anger. "We’ll hand Long Zhentian over to you. Chief Bao will report the details to Chief Inspector Gordon."

"You caught Long Zhentian?" The patrol officer’s admiration showed.

Ying Xi feigned humility and nodded. "That’s right."

"Don’t leave yet; this is serious. I’ll report to the Chief Inspector right away," said the patrol officer as he hurried inside.

Dusk fell, and the streets were nearly empty. Lu Xiang strode at the front, Bao Kang following behind, singing mocking verses about Lu Xiang.

"The widow’s tea is strong, the widow’s tea is fragrant, the widow’s tea makes you pine with heartbreak..." Bao Kang’s laughter reached the ears of the undercover officers, who struggled to suppress their amusement.

"No eavesdropping on indecent things..." One young officer covered his ears.

The others followed suit.

Lu Xiang, annoyed by Bao Kang’s ridicule, grew resentful. He cursed quietly, then suddenly noticed Bao Kang’s hat and hatched an idea.

Lu Xiang dropped back two steps, pretending to accidentally step on Bao Kang’s heel. Bao Kang stumbled, his hat falling to the ground, exposing his bald head.

Lu Xiang burst out laughing. Passersby turned to look, whispering about Bao Kang’s odd hairstyle.

Bao Kang, embarrassed and angry, knew Lu Xiang was behind it. He stood up and knocked off Lu Xiang’s hat. Lu Xiang couldn’t dodge, revealing his own bald head.

The two made a comical pair, and both officers and pedestrians snickered.

"What do their heads look like?"

"The Mediterranean, ha ha ha..."

"Why would they do that to their hair? It’s so ugly."

"They must have some strange disease."

"Is it contagious?"

"Let’s go."

The comments reached Bao Kang and Lu Xiang, who flushed with shame, hurriedly picking up their hats and putting them back on.

"What are you staring at? Nothing to see here!" Bao Kang shouted at the crowd.

"Move along, move along!" Lu Xiang barked.

The crowd dispersed.

Lu Xiang glanced at Bao Kang, realizing this self-destructive tactic wouldn’t work—if things continued, neither would come out ahead. Simultaneously, Bao Kang looked at Lu Xiang, thinking he needed to reconcile before more trouble started.

They silently reached the same conclusion, cleared their throats, and changed their attitude completely.

"Chief Bao..." Lu Xiang forced a smile.

"Yes? Deputy Chief Lu?" Bao Kang smiled back.

"Since you know my secret, and I know yours, why don’t we pretend neither of us knows?"

"Deputy Chief Lu, you’ve read my mind. Deal?"

"Deal!"

Bao Kang felt a weight lift off his shoulders, sighing in relief.

"Chief Bao, please keep your word and guard my secret—don’t let my wife find out," Lu Xiang urged.

Bao Kang feigned ignorance. "You mean about you following me?"

"And meeting Widow Li," Lu Xiang added awkwardly.

Bao Kang pretended sudden realization. "Oh, don’t worry, Deputy Chief Lu. I’ve already forgotten about it."

Lu Xiang smiled gratefully.

Bao Kang, equally uneasy, reminded Lu Xiang, "You also must keep your word—don’t let Xiaoyong find out."

"About the erotic paintings?" Lu Xiang played dumb.

Bao Kang blushed, lowering his voice. "And my visit to Spring Fragrance Lane."

"Nearly forgot," Lu Xiang said with a forced smile.

The two laughed it off, while nearby officers tried hard not to laugh.

Lu Xiang glanced at the darkening sky and signaled to Bao Kang. "Shall we go?"

"After you, Deputy Chief," Bao Kang gestured.

"You first, Chief Bao," Lu Xiang politely stepped aside.

Bao Kang, embarrassed by further pleasantries, walked ahead. Lu Xiang dropped his smile and followed. The undercover officers breathed a sigh of relief and hurried after them.

Night deepened. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stood at Headquarters’ entrance with the unconscious Long Zhentian, waiting for the patrol officer.

Ying Xi glanced nervously at Long Zhentian, complaining to Lu Hehuan, "Why isn’t that patrol officer back yet? If Long Zhentian wakes up, everything’s ruined."

Lu Hehuan snorted. "When you have a guilty conscience, you can’t rest easy."

"You’re the only one with a clear conscience!" Ying Xi shot back.

Just then, the patrol officer returned. Ying Xi relaxed and smiled at him. "Finally, you’re back. The suspect’s yours; we have to go."

"Don’t rush off. Chief Inspector Gordon is coming here to personally commend you both," the officer said happily.

Ying Xi, hoping to slip away, was momentarily stunned. He glanced at Long Zhentian, hesitating. "Now? But... maybe take the suspect downstairs first?"

The patrol officer smiled apologetically. "Chief Inspector Gordon said he wants a photo with you and the suspect. Long Zhentian is the top murderer caught in the past decade—you two are heroes and should be commemorated."

Ying Xi sighed, worriedly glancing at Long Zhentian, then leaned close to Lu Hehuan, whispering, "What now? If Long Zhentian wakes up, she’ll expose us!"

Lu Hehuan smirked at Ying Xi’s predicament. "When you act with a guilty conscience, you just invite trouble. You might end up with nothing!"

Ying Xi, seeing Lu Hehuan unmoved, stomped anxiously and turned to the patrol officer. "Capturing criminals and keeping the peace is our duty—nothing special. A photo isn’t necessary."

The patrol officer, unaware, looked at Ying Xi admiringly. "Inspector Ying is noble and modest. But please wait—Chief Inspector insisted."

Ying Xi was now completely panicked, looking miserably at Long Zhentian, his mind in turmoil. Meanwhile, Lu Hehuan appeared calm, watching Ying Xi with resignation.

The patrol officer looked at them with reverence, glancing now and then into the distance, waiting for Chief Inspector Gordon.

As night deepened, Bao Yong placed dishes on the table and checked the time. Bao Kang had told her before work he’d be late due to urgent business, but now it was so late and he still hadn’t returned. Bao Yong began to worry.

The door creaked open. Bao Kang entered, instinctively pressing his hat down.

Bao Yong greeted him with a smile. "Brother, your timing is perfect—dinner’s ready."

"Oh, good." Bao Kang sat stiffly at the table.

Bao Yong brought him bowl and chopsticks, eyeing his hat curiously. "Brother, why aren’t you taking off your hat?"

"Oh, my head hurts," Bao Kang replied nervously.

Bao Yong frowned. "How does wearing a hat help a headache? Tell me your symptoms—I’ll take a look."

"No, no need, it’s already better," Bao Kang said, flustered.

Bao Yong smiled and reached to remove his hat. "If you’re better, why keep it on?"

Bao Kang tried to stop her, but it was too late. She took his hat off, and both froze.

"Brother, where’s your hair?" Bao Yong stared in shock at his bald head.

"I... I..." Bao Kang stammered, mortified.

"Brother, our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents—we mustn’t damage them. That’s the beginning of filial piety... How could you do this to your hair?" Bao Yong lectured angrily.

Bao Kang grimaced. "Xiaoyong, let me explain."

"No matter what, we must cherish ourselves. Our bodies, hair, skin are given by our parents—we must value and care for them. How could you be so careless?" Bao Yong said sternly.

Bao Kang’s eyes darted, and he improvised desperately. "Xiaoyong, during Long Zhentian’s capture, I protected Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan, and Long Zhentian’s blade chopped off my hair. I know I let our parents down—I’ll kneel before their memorial and apologize."

He acted pitifully, standing up as if to leave.

"Brother..." Bao Yong, moved by his story of protecting Lu Hehuan, called him back.

Bao Kang stopped, secretly delighted.

Bao Yong softened her tone. "You protected your colleagues, caught a murderer, brought peace. Our parents would forgive you."

Bao Kang feigned gratitude and nodded.

Bao Yong smiled, placing a large piece of meat in his bowl. "Eat."

"Alright." Bao Kang picked up his chopsticks, recalling the moment he lost his hair. He gritted his teeth, blaming Lu Xiang for it all.

Lights glowed in the Lu family hall. Lu Xiang wrapped gauze around his head. Hearing the door open, he hurriedly covered his head.

Lin Zhi returned from mahjong, seeing the gauze and was startled. "What happened to your head?"

Lu Xiang avoided her gaze. "Oh, nothing. Just bumped my head, got a little hurt."

"Bumped your head? How? Let me see," Lin Zhi, believing him, walked over to unwrap the gauze.

"No need, it’s already bandaged," Lu Xiang dodged and stalled.

"Let me check—I’ll apply some medicine and rewrap it," Lin Zhi said, worried.

"No need," Lu Xiang insisted.

"Let me see."

Lu Xiang dodged, but Lin Zhi insisted, and the gauze fell away.

Lin Zhi saw his bald head and exploded. "Lu Xiang! What happened to your hair?"

Lu Xiang hesitated, then quickly improvised. "Oh, it was chopped off when we caught Long Zhentian."

"Catching Long Zhentian?" Lin Zhi suddenly thought of something, pulling Lu Xiang in panic. "What about our son? Is he alright?"

"He’s fine, nothing happened," Lu Xiang replied.

Lin Zhi relaxed, but looked at his head with disdain. "It would look better with a proper injury."

"Crow’s mouth," Lu Xiang glared at her.

"You’re a deputy chief—how can you show up like this? The officers will laugh themselves silly," Lin Zhi grumbled, then, remembering how she often made him look worse, now worried about his image, Lu Xiang could only smile wryly. "No need to worry, I’m starving—go cook."

Lin Zhi rolled her eyes and muttered as she went to the kitchen, "He cares more about food than his appearance."

Lu Xiang sat angrily on the sofa, recalling how he lost his hair. He gritted his teeth, cursing Bao Kang.

Twilight deepened. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stood with Long Zhentian at Headquarters, waiting for Gordon. Ying Xi kept an anxious eye on Long Zhentian, silently praying she wouldn’t wake.

Suddenly, the patrol officer called, "Chief Inspector’s here!"

Ying Xi perked up, following the officer’s gaze.

Chief Inspector Gordon's car approached and stopped at the entrance. Lu Hehuan, Ying Xi, and the patrol officer hurried over to greet him.

Gordon kissed goodbye to a stylish lady in a veiled hat inside the car. Ying Xi winked at Lu Hehuan, who caught on and glanced at the woman, finding her familiar.

Suddenly, Lu Hehuan remembered seeing her poster in Bao Kang’s office.

It was when he had first joined the station. After reporting to Bao Kang, he was about to leave when he spotted a poster of a fashionable woman behind the door. He paused, noticing the lady in the picture was youthful and beautiful, with a voluptuous figure and a hint of Western allure.

Bao Kang saw him staring and stood up. "That’s the actress Hu Yiman. Pretty, isn’t she?"

Lu Hehuan turned. "Chief Bao, do you like her?"

"Who said I like her?" Bao Kang grew flustered.

Lu Hehuan laughed. "Just making conversation."

"This isn’t something you joke about! Out!" Bao Kang snapped.

"Yes," Lu Hehuan replied and left.

Remembering this, Lu Hehuan scrutinized the woman in the car and whispered to Ying Xi, "I think she’s the movie star Hu Yiman."

"How do you know?" Ying Xi was surprised that the usually indifferent Lu Hehuan recognized a film star.

"I saw her poster in Bao Kang’s office. Chief Bao seems to like her."

"Impossible," Ying Xi said incredulously. "Chief Bao is terrified of women—he trembles around pretty ones."

"I’m sure. I studied microexpressions at Scotland Yard; Chief Bao’s reactions show he likes Hu Yiman—no, he loves her," Lu Hehuan declared.

Ying Xi thought for a moment, glanced at Gordon, and chuckled, "Doesn’t matter if he likes her—she’s already spoken for."

Gordon exited the car and approached Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi.

They stood, supporting the unconscious Long Zhentian, saluting Gordon. "Chief Inspector, sir."

Gordon nodded, shaking hands with both.

A police officer arrived with a camera, ready to take a photo.

Gordon glanced at Long Zhentian, then signaled to Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi. "Lift Long Zhentian’s head."

Ying Xi did so, and Gordon stood beside him, gesturing to the photographer. "Take a group photo."

The officer nodded and took the picture.

Gordon turned to Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi, smiling with satisfaction. "Ying Xi, Lu Hehuan, you are the pride of the force."

Ying Xi, unable to relax, nervously glanced at Long Zhentian, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Chief Inspector. We’re just doing our duty."

Gordon’s delight grew. He continued, "You did outstanding work. Long Zhentian is a nationally wanted criminal—catching her proves you’re brave and clever, invaluable to the force."

"Thank you for your praise, Chief Inspector," Ying Xi began to feel a bit proud.

Lu Hehuan shot him a disdainful look, which Ying Xi pretended not to notice.

Gordon regarded them with admiration. "Tomorrow I’ve ordered a commendation ceremony at HQ. We’ll announce Long Zhentian’s arrest to the public and introduce our heroic investigators!"

"A commendation ceremony?" Ying Xi was both excited and curious.

Gordon nodded. "Prepare to recount the case for everyone tomorrow."

Ying Xi was dumbfounded.

As the three spoke, a peddler pushed his cart past, glanced at Ying Xi, thought a moment, and hurried away.