Chapter Fifty-Nine: A Fateful Encounter Descends from the Heavens

"Don't go!" The burly men shouted in unison, halting Yingxi and Lu Hehuan. The leader, his face full of scars and flesh, even reached out and grabbed Yingxi by the arm.

Yingxi recoiled in fear, stepping back twice, but still put on a front, warning the man, "What are you doing? Assaulting a police officer is a serious crime!"

To his surprise, the man suddenly dropped to his knees before Yingxi with a thud. Immediately, the crowd behind him knelt down in perfect unison.

Yingxi and Lu Hehuan were both taken aback.

"Officer, you must stand up for us!" the man pleaded, his voice choked with tears.

The more Yingxi listened, the more confused he became, and he stood there, bewildered. Lu Hehuan, regaining his senses, stepped forward to help the man up. "Get up and talk. What on earth has happened?"

The man remained silent, simply breaking down into sobs.

Yingxi and Lu Hehuan exchanged glances. Seeing the man's overwhelming grief, they didn't dare press further. All they could do was look helplessly at the people kneeling before them.

At that moment, Bao Kang came striding over from across the street. Seeing the crowd kneeling before Yingxi and Lu Hehuan, his face immediately darkened.

"What are you doing? This is the police station—what's with this kneeling and bowing? Yingxi, Lu Hehuan, what are you two playing at?" Bao Kang bellowed as he approached them.

Yingxi and Lu Hehuan, both aggrieved, pointed at the burly man and then at themselves.

"Chief Bao, we have no idea what's going on..."

Bao Kang waved his hand impatiently. "You have no idea, and yet they're kneeling to you? Do you take me for a three-year-old?"

Hearing that the man before them was the chief, the crowd immediately stifled their sobs.

"So this is the chief!" the burly man exclaimed, taking the lead in turning to kneel in Bao Kang's direction.

Lu Hehuan, seeing everyone now kneeling before Bao Kang, couldn't help but remark, "Chief Bao, now they're kneeling to you. Do you know what's going on?"

Bao Kang, realizing he was at a loss, glared at the kneeling crowd. "What on earth do you want?"

"Chief, we are employees of Zhu Real Estate. Our boss, Zhu Wolong, has run off with all our hard-earned money and vanished. Please, sir, give the order to catch this heartless man!" As the man spoke, he broke down, crying uncontrollably.

Bao Kang was taken aback, thinking he'd misheard. He stared at the man. "Who did you say?"

"Zhu Wolong."

"Impossible! Just two days ago, Boss Zhu drove me home in his sedan. If he can afford a car, how can he owe you wages?" Bao Kang was incredulous.

The burly man wiped his tears, gazing at Bao Kang. "It's him. He lost everything investing in Locust Blossom Lane, is up to his neck in loan shark debt, and owes us a year's wages. He tricked us into investing, promising to return tenfold once the company turned around. Seeing him dressed to the nines and driving a sedan, we trusted him with all our savings. But last night he ran off! We went to his house and found everything of value gone—even the house was seized by loan sharks. Our whole families depend on these wages. What are we supposed to do now—starve?"

"Boss Zhu is bankrupt?" Bao Kang still couldn't believe it.

The crowd pleaded in unison, "Chief, please help us and catch Zhu Wolong!"

At last, Bao Kang accepted the truth, disappointment clouding his face. He clutched his chest, sighing heavily.

Yingxi, ever quick to flatter, saw Bao Kang in a predicament and immediately stepped forward to reassure the crowd. "Everyone, please go home for now. Rest assured, we will do everything we can to apprehend Zhu Wolong!" He looked at Bao Kang. "Chief Bao..."

Bao Kang sighed, picking up the thread of Yingxi's words. "Issue a warrant for Zhu Wolong's arrest!" With that, he turned and walked forlornly into the station.

Lu Hehuan, seeing that Bao Kang had made up his mind, quickly helped everyone up. "Go on home, everyone. As soon as Zhu Wolong is caught, I'll let you all know."

Off to the side, Yingxi eyed Bao Kang's dejected back. Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, his eyes glimmered and he slipped after him.

Bao Kang trudged into his office, drained. The sunlight streaming through the window brought no warmth, only a chill that seeped into his bones. He collapsed weakly into his chair.

"Well, there goes Xiaoyong's chance to marry into a wealthy family... How does a big boss just go bankrupt overnight?" Bao Kang muttered, massaging his temples.

At that moment, Yingxi knocked and entered. "Chief Bao..."

Bao Kang shot him a cold glance. "What is it?"

Yingxi put on a sycophantic smile and approached respectfully. "I know you're troubled about Xiaoyong's marriage. Honestly, Zhu Wolong was as much a frequenter of brothels as I am—maybe not the best match for Xiaoyong..."

Bao Kang glared fiercely at him.

Yingxi grinned obsequiously and continued, "But I know someone who might be just right for her."

"Who could you possibly know?" Bao Kang eyed him with suspicion.

Yingxi lowered his voice mysteriously. "This young man is about Xiaoyong's age, handsome, talented, responsible, and comes from a good family—his father is in government, and his mother is straightforward and forthright."

Bao Kang's interest was piqued. He stood up, eyes alight. "Those are impressive credentials! Whose son is he? Introduce him to Xiaoyong!"

Yingxi smirked. "No need for introductions—Xiaoyong already knows him."

"Oh?" Bao Kang's curiosity deepened.

"It's Lu Hehuan!" Yingxi finished with a sly chuckle.

Bao Kang's face instantly darkened. He barked, "Yingxi, get out!"

"Chief Bao, Lu Hehuan is a fine young man—you should give it some thought..." Yingxi persisted.

Bao Kang, now truly furious, cut him off. "Give it some thought? Just for being Lu Xiang's son, he’s out of the question!"

"But, Chief Bao—"

"Out!" Bao Kang roared, nearly shaking the rafters.

Yingxi clapped his hands over his ears and beat a hasty retreat.

The sun blazed mercilessly, its golden rays flooding the river. Not far away, on the pier, Liu Rushuang stood beside her father, Liu Shan, both dressed in Western attire, watching as a passenger steamer approached. Behind them stood a line of servants.

Liu Rushuang seemed thoroughly displeased, tugging at the lace trim of her skirt, while Liu Shan was all smiles, unable to contain his delight.

Irritated, Liu Rushuang finally couldn't help but complain, "Father, why all this fuss just because she's coming home? Wouldn't it be enough to send the driver and Uncle Xiang?"

Liu Shan frowned. "Rushuang, she's your elder sister!"

"So what? She bullied me all my life and never acted like a proper elder. Anything she wanted was always hers—when was it ever my turn? Father, you’re so obviously partial."

"Aren’t you both my daughters? How could I play favorites? Your sister is a bit headstrong, but that's not such a bad thing." Liu Shan sighed.

Liu Rushuang sulked. "I don't see what's so great about her. She walks with her nose in the air, as if her eyes are glued to the sky, looking down on everyone."

Liu Shan patted her shoulder, trying to smooth things over. "Come now, your sister has been abroad for three years. We should welcome her warmly, shouldn't we?"

Reluctantly, Rushuang pouted but nodded.

The steamer docked, and passengers began to disembark. Among them, Liu Sixue emerged, dressed in Western fashion, her hair styled in waves, suitcase in hand, high heels clicking as she descended with an air of supreme confidence.

Liu Sixue and Liu Rushuang bore a strong resemblance—both had round faces and large eyes—but Liu Sixue's nose was higher, her lips fuller, with a trace of Western allure.

After only a few steps, Liu Sixue spotted her father and waved excitedly.

"Sixue!" Liu Shan beamed.

"Daddy!" Liu Sixue called, gracefully passing her suitcase to a servant.

Liu Shan, not understanding English, muttered, "Dai-dee?"

Next to him, Rushuang pouted. "Father, she's calling me stupid!"

"Don't talk about your sister that way," Liu Shan chided Sixue.

Sixue arched a graceful brow and shook her head at Rushuang. "Ignorance is truly frightening. Rushuang, didn’t you attend a Western school? How can you not know what 'Daddy' means?"

"I..." Rushuang was at a loss, then turned to her father. "See, Father? Just because she spent a few days abroad, she won't even call you properly!"

Liu Shan patted her shoulder. "Enough, you two. You haven't seen each other in years—must you start quarreling right away? Apologize to your sister."

"Why is it always me?" Rushuang protested.

Sixue curled her lip. "Forget it, Father, I won't stoop to her level."

"We're sisters—if I'm stupid, you can't be much better!" Rushuang retorted.

"You—" Sixue began.

Liu Shan, exasperated by their bickering, clutched his chest. "Oh, spare me! Can’t you let me live a few more years instead of fighting every time you meet?"

"Alright!" The two sisters replied in unison.

Sixue cast Rushuang a sidelong glance, then turned to her father with a sweet smile. "Did you miss me?" She slipped her arm through his, coaxing him as they walked away together.

"Of course I missed you. How was life in America?" Liu Shan asked, fussing over her.

Rushuang trailed awkwardly behind, rolling her eyes at Sixue.

At noon, the Liu household was gathered in the parlor for a meal. The table was laden with Shanghai delicacies.

Liu Shan eagerly served Sixue. "Sixue, these are all your favorites. Eat as much as you like. The food out there can't be as good as home, can it?"

Sixue smiled easily. "I'm adaptable, so everything is OK."

"OK? What's that?" Liu Shan was baffled.

"It means everything’s fine."

Liu Shan nodded. "You really are different after studying abroad. Rushuang, if only you'd gone to America with your sister. Look how refined Sixue is now."

Feeling slighted, Rushuang retorted, "I'm not adaptable. I can't stomach foreign food."

Liu Shan shook his head, disappointed.

Sixue, pleased, glanced at her father. "By the way, Dad, I studied fashion design abroad. I want to put my knowledge to use—could you let me take over one of the fabric shops? I'd like to turn it into a boutique."

"Of course! If you want to pursue a career, I'll support you," Liu Shan replied, overjoyed.

"Thank you, Dad," Sixue said, her face lighting up.

Rushuang rolled her eyes at the father-daughter closeness.

After a while, Liu Shan turned to Rushuang. "Rushuang, you should learn from your sister and help manage the family business. Enough with that detective agency—stop running around with those two boys, Yingxi and Lu Hehuan."

At the mention of Lu Hehuan, Sixue paused.

Rushuang immediately defended her friends. "Dad, they're not just any boys—they're the famous 'Joyful Detectives' of Shanghai!"

"'Joyful Detectives'? They're just two second-rate cops," Liu Shan scoffed.

"Dad, don't talk about my friends like that." Rushuang bristled and began to argue.

Unwilling to quarrel further, Liu Shan set his face sternly. "Enough. Eat your meal!"

"I'm not hungry." Rushuang, full of resentment, put down her chopsticks and left.

"You child—" Liu Shan began, but she had already stormed out.

Sixue, seeing her sister had angered their father, feigned understanding. "Don't be upset, Dad. Sister's just used to being willful. Let her be. At least you have me for company."

Liu Shan sighed. "If only your sister were half as sensible as you, I'd have nothing to worry about."

Sixue smiled demurely, but her eyes darkened with some hidden thought.

By dusk, the streets around Avenue Joffre bustled with traffic and crowds. The Joyful Detective Agency's door was ajar. Inside, Rushuang sat sulking at her desk, chin in her hands, lost in thought.

Bai Yulou, filing his nails, tried to comfort her. "Rushuang, you and Sixue squabble like enemies. Sometimes I wonder if you're really sisters."

Rushuang sighed. "Sometimes I wonder, too. Our personalities couldn't be more different. And ever since we were little, she’s never treated me like a sister."

"If not a sister, then what?"

"I don't know." Rushuang shook her head, aggrieved, then muttered, "A maid?"

As children, Sixue and Rushuang played in the garden pavilion. On the stone table sat a plate of fruit. Just as they were enjoying themselves, Sixue picked up an orange and handed it to Rushuang.

Rushuang accepted it happily. "Thank you, sister."

Sixue, in a commanding tone, said, "Peel it for me."

"What?" Rushuang blinked.

Sixue grew impatient. "What do you mean, what? Hurry up!"

"Why should I peel it for you? You're the elder—you should do it!"

Infuriated, Sixue snatched the orange back, a sly smile curling her lips. "Fine, I'll do it." She peeled it deftly, then tossed the peel at Rushuang, landing it squarely on her face.

Rushuang burst into tears of frustration.

Bai Yulou stared in shock as Rushuang scratched her nose, thinking. "A hired thug?"

As a child, Rushuang followed Sixue through a narrow alley. A boy their age accidentally bumped into Sixue.

Annoyed, Sixue shoved him. "Are you blind? How dare you bump into me?"

The boy cowered.

Sixue glared at Rushuang. "Rushuang, hit him!"

"Why should I? He didn't do anything to me," Rushuang protested.

Sixue, growing angrier, twisted Rushuang's ear. "He bumped into me! Are you going to hit him or not?"

"Ow! I'll tell Father!" Rushuang cried.

When Rushuang still refused, Sixue pinched her cheeks hard. "Will you hit him or not?"

The boy was already bawling.

"It hurts..."

"Hit him!"

Forced to comply, Rushuang slapped the boy a few times, then both children sobbed together.

Bai Yulou's mouth hung open in disbelief. Rushuang scratched her head and declared, "A servant?"

When they were older, Rushuang trailed Sixue through the marketplace, where the stalls brimmed with goods.

Sixue stopped at a lantern seller's stand, pointed at a dozen lanterns, and handed over money. "I'll take them all."

"Of course!" The delighted vendor passed her the lanterns.

Sixue glanced at Rushuang and ordered, "Carry these."

"Why me? You're the elder—you should carry them!"

"Fine." Sixue smirked wickedly.

Soon, Rushuang was laden with lanterns, her ears being tugged by Sixue as they walked.

"You carry the lanterns, I carry you. Satisfied?"

"Sixue, what are you doing!" Rushuang fumed, her face flushed.

Sixue looked at her haughtily. "Shouldn’t you call me Sister? How dare you use my name—so disrespectful!"

Rushuang, tearful, muttered, "What kind of sister are you..."

Bai Yulou's jaw dropped. After a long moment, he recovered. "How shameless is Sixue! She's nothing like you, Rushuang!"

Rushuang sighed wearily. "Yet my father always favors her, says she's clever and accomplished, while I'm willful and spoiled."

Bai Yulou thought for a moment, then said, "You and Sixue are both two-faced in your own ways."

"What did you say?" Rushuang bristled.

"Wait, hear me out," Bai Yulou said seriously, raising a delicate finger. "You're sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, and Sixue is sweet-tongued but hard-hearted."

At that moment, a cold voice came from the door.

"Who are you calling sweet-tongued but hard-hearted?"

Rushuang and Bai Yulou looked up in astonishment to see Sixue entering.