Chapter Sixty: At a Loss

“What are you doing here?” Liu Rushao’s face was cold.

Liu Sixue smiled indifferently. “I came to see what my dear sister’s detective agency looks like.”

“Now you’ve seen it. Go home.”

“You…” Liu Sixue was furious, but she forced herself to smile as she walked to face Liu Rushao. “My dear sister, there’s something I’d like to ask your help with.”

“You’re asking me?” Liu Rushao stared at Liu Sixue in disbelief.

Liu Sixue nodded. “Yes, I’m asking you.”

Seeing that Liu Sixue really had a favor to ask, Liu Rushao lifted her chin triumphantly. “That depends on my mood. Tell me first—I might help you if I’m in the mood, but if not, we’ll see.”

Liu Sixue scoffed. “Yes, everything depends on mood. When I’m in a good mood, your detective agency gets to operate. When I’m not, I can close it down.” Her voice rose deliberately at the end.

“Who do you think you are?” Liu Rushao was livid.

Liu Sixue laughed. “I’m your elder sister. If I decide to bring you along to help manage the cloth shop, do you think Father will let you keep running this agency, or will he have you join me?”

“Liu Sixue, you…” Liu Rushao was so angry she didn’t know what to say.

Nearby, Bai Yulou, seeing Liu Sixue’s venom, muttered softly, “Evil always outwits virtue.”

Liu Sixue shot Bai Yulou a cold glance. “If you still want to be my foolish sister’s sidekick, you’d better watch your mouth.”

Bai Yulou was cowed by her presence; he blinked. Liu Sixue’s gaze was sharp and malicious. Bai Yulou couldn’t withstand it and swallowed, nodding repeatedly. “Don’t worry, Miss Liu, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

Liu Sixue smiled smugly. “Smart.”

“Stop making things difficult for him. What do you want from me?” Liu Rushao interjected.

Liu Sixue turned to her, softening her tone. “All these years, you know my feelings for Lu Hehuan. Now that you’re close to him, why not help me arrange a dinner?”

Liu Rushao thought for a moment. “I can help you arrange it, but whether he’ll go or not, I can’t guarantee.”

“If you want to keep your detective agency open, find a way to make him go,” Liu Sixue said with a wicked smile.

Liu Rushao was anxious. “That’s unreasonable! If he doesn’t want to go, do you expect me to drag him there?”

Liu Sixue nodded. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“You…” Liu Rushao was left speechless.

“I’m leaving. Tomorrow evening at five, Baohui Western Restaurant. I don’t care if you drag or carry him—just make sure I have dinner with Lu Hehuan.” With that, Liu Sixue turned and left without waiting for a reply.

Liu Rushao, furious, shouted at her back, “That woman is so annoying! Why did she come back? Why can’t she stay in America forever?”

Bai Yulou propped his chin, sincerely sighing, “Shao, I’ve really misjudged you. Compared to your sister, you’re practically the reincarnation of Guanyin!”

Still seething, Liu Rushao glanced at Bai Yulou, who quickly looked elsewhere.

The next morning, in the police office, Liu Rushao and Bai Yulou stood respectfully beside Lu Hehuan, both wearing ingratiating smiles.

Lu Hehuan, seated at his desk, kept shaking his head. “I won’t go. I’m not familiar with your sister—dinner with her would be awkward.”

Bai Yulou tried earnestly to persuade him. “Hehuan, if you don’t go, Shaoxi Detective Agency might be finished.”

Lu Hehuan looked honestly at Liu Rushao. “To be honest, I never thought Miss Liu was cut out for detective work. Maybe it’s best to let things take their course.”

“How can that be? If Shao doesn’t run the detective agency, what will I do?” Bai Yulou panicked, his voice pitching high.

Lu Hehuan considered. “You could help Miss Liu run the cloth shop. She’ll need an assistant wherever she goes.”

Bai Yulou nodded in sudden realization. “That makes sense.” He shot Liu Rushao a questioning look. “Right, Shao?”

Liu Rushao’s face darkened. She barked at Bai Yulou, “Nonsense! If I don’t run the detective agency, won’t I drift further from Xige?”

Bai Yulou thought about it. “Actually, the more I think about it, the better it sounds. Shao, I support you going back to manage the cloth shop—as long as you take me along.”

Liu Rushao, exasperated, kicked Bai Yulou hard. “Get lost!”

“Ouch…” Bai Yulou clutched his backside.

Liu Rushao edged closer, lowering her pride to beg Lu Hehuan. “Lu Hehuan, can’t you do me this favor? Just have dinner with Liu Sixue, maybe a few drinks. I promise she won’t make any further unreasonable demands. Even if she tries, drinking is your strong suit—you could just outdrink her!”

Suddenly, Ying Xi pushed the door open. “Drinking is my strong suit, too.”

Everyone turned to look at Ying Xi.

Ying Xi nonchalantly rubbed his beard. “What’s the matter?” He strode over and patted Lu Hehuan’s shoulder. “What must come will come. If you don’t go this time, there’ll be another. I say it’s better to be clear at once, so she won’t pester you in the future.”

Suddenly, Lu Hehuan seemed to recall something. “I’ll go.”

Liu Rushao, jealous, pointed accusingly at Lu Hehuan. “Lu Hehuan, I’ve tried for ages and you wouldn’t budge, but one word from Xige and you agree? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lu Hehuan shrugged innocently. “What’s up?”

As evening fell, Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan arrived as planned at Baohui Western Restaurant. The restaurant’s sign glowed in many colors, and blond, green-eyed doormen stood on either side of the entrance.

They approached the door. Ying Xi glanced expectantly inside, straightened his clothes. “Let’s go in.”

“You persuaded me to come just to get a free meal, didn’t you?” Lu Hehuan teased.

Ying Xi laughed, unfazed. “You guessed right. The eldest Miss Liu is paying—it’ll be a feast for sure!”

Lu Hehuan smiled helplessly.

Suddenly, Ying Xi remembered something and looked at Lu Hehuan seriously. “Have you decided how you’ll refuse?”

“Refuse what?” Lu Hehuan was startled.

“Aren’t you here to turn down Liu Sixue’s affection?”

“I just remembered Ling Yan’s case—I want to see if Liu Sixue knows anything.”

Ying Xi hadn’t expected Lu Hehuan to be so straightforward. He sighed deeply. “Whatever. I’m still getting my free meal.”

Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan entered the restaurant. There, in the corner, Liu Sixue, dressed elegantly in a floor-length gown, waved at Lu Hehuan.

Liu Sixue sat gracefully. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi walked over.

“Hehuan, it’s been a long time.” Liu Sixue smiled radiantly.

Lu Hehuan smiled and gestured behind him. “Let me introduce you—this is Detective Ying Xi from the Old Zha Police Station.”

Liu Sixue’s expression cooled as she turned to Ying Xi. “Detective Ying, you have nothing to do today?”

Ying Xi, knowing he wasn’t welcome, put on a hearty smile. “I happen to be free.”

“If you’re not welcome, I and Detective Ying can eat elsewhere,” Lu Hehuan said sternly.

Liu Sixue quickly changed her tune. “You’re welcome, very welcome. Please, sit.”

Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan sat opposite Liu Sixue.

Liu Sixue looked at Lu Hehuan with delight. “Hehuan, you’re just like you were in school—unchanged.”

“Am I?” Lu Hehuan replied perfunctorily.

Liu Sixue pushed her wavy hair. “Have I changed much?”

Lu Hehuan looked carefully and shook his head. “Not really.”

“My hair was permed in America—the most fashionable style now.”

“I don’t know much about that.”

Ying Xi, seeing Lu Hehuan’s lack of romantic interest, couldn’t help but cover his mouth and snicker.

Liu Sixue glared at Ying Xi with annoyance.

Soon, the waiter brought three steaks and set them before them.

Liu Sixue pointed delicately at Lu Hehuan’s steak. “The steak here is good. Try it.”

Lu Hehuan nodded and picked up his knife and fork.

Liu Sixue cut her steak elegantly into small pieces. Lu Hehuan sliced his steak gently, while Ying Xi simply picked up his fork and bit into the steak.

Lu Hehuan was amused. “Detective Ying’s eating style is certainly uninhibited.”

“My principle is, no matter how you eat, as long as you’re full.” Ying Xi ate without looking up.

Lu Hehuan gave Ying Xi a thumbs up.

Liu Sixue looked disdainfully at Ying Xi’s hearty eating.

Lu Hehuan glanced at Liu Sixue and began probing. “Liu Sixue, after I went abroad, what happened with Ling Yan?”

Liu Sixue froze, her fork dropping to the floor.

Lu Hehuan fixed his gaze on her, frowning slightly, and continued, “The police files say Ling Yan, out of jealousy toward you and Mary’s group—the ‘Four Beauties’—caught a venomous snake to harm you, but ended up accidentally killing your mother…” He paused deliberately, then asked cautiously, “Is that true?”

Liu Sixue’s expression turned sad; she lowered her head in silent acknowledgment. “Hehuan, can we not talk about it? Whenever I think of my mother…” She wiped away tears.

Lu Hehuan hesitated, unable to press further.

As the sun set, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi walked side by side down a quiet path, their shadows lengthened by the evening light.

Lu Hehuan gazed at their shadows, lost in thought. In his memories, he and Ling Yan had walked this secluded path together.

He still remembered that day, when the sunset stretched their shadows long. He gently took Ling Yan’s hand, and their two shadows moved joyfully side by side.

“Hehuan, I wish time would stop like this,” Ling Yan said, face full of happiness.

Lu Hehuan looked at her, puzzled. “Why stop?”

“Because I’m happy.”

Lu Hehuan smiled, teasing Ling Yan’s nose. “Silly, happiness should continue.”

Ling Yan said nothing, her smile tinged with sadness.

Lu Hehuan understood, and squeezed her hand. “Believe me, all obstacles are temporary. We’ll walk hand in hand forever.”

Ling Yan nodded blissfully.

Lu Hehuan returned from his reverie and shifted his gaze from the shadows.

Ying Xi noticed his melancholy and spoke in earnest. “Actually, I think Xiaoying is quite nice.”

“She is, so?”

“So you could consider her.”

Lu Hehuan gave a brief, bitter laugh and shook his head.

Ying Xi understood, looking serious. “Still can’t forget Ling Yan?”

Lu Hehuan was silent for a moment before replying softly, “Some people can’t be forgotten just because you want to.”

Lu Hehuan quickened his pace. Ying Xi shook his head and followed.

In the police dormitory, a ray of morning light fell on Ying Xi’s sleeping face. He turned over, reached for Lu Hehuan’s bed, and opened his eyes to find Lu Hehuan gone.

Ying Xi was startled and murmured, “That kid isn’t off doing something foolish, is he?” With that, he scrambled out of bed, grabbed a jacket, and rushed out.

Early in the morning, the officers lounged in the office, sleepy and yawning.

Ying Xi burst in, startling them to attention.

He glanced around. “Has anyone seen Lu Hehuan?”

They all shook their heads. The bald officer added, “Detective Ying, Hehuan hasn’t come in today.”

Disappointed, Ying Xi turned and left.

“Detective Ying, is something wrong?” The bald officer called after him, but Ying Xi didn’t look back.

Ying Xi hurried to the banks of the Suzhou River, searching for Lu Hehuan among the morning exercisers. Suddenly, he spotted someone resembling Lu Hehuan by the river.

His face lit up. He walked over and tapped the man’s shoulder. “What are you doing here so early?”

When the man turned, Ying Xi realized it wasn’t Lu Hehuan and quickly bowed his head. “Sorry, wrong person.”

He turned and continued searching anxiously. Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he hurried away.

Ying Xi arrived at the old house where Ling Yan had lived, peering through the gate. Sure enough, he saw Lu Hehuan inside.

In the yard, Lu Hehuan sat in a corner on a wooden chair, morning sunlight falling across his sharp features. He sat unmoving for a long time, holding a faded photo of himself and Ling Yan, gazing intently at it.

Ying Xi stood outside, looking at Lu Hehuan with a complicated expression. The narrow gap in the gate made Lu Hehuan appear even more thin and fragile.

After a while, Ying Xi quietly left.

Later that morning, Ying Xi leaned against an ancient tree in the police yard, tossing peanuts into his mouth and watching the entrance. Nearby, Ahua circled, occasionally fluttering his wings.

Suddenly, Ying Xi missed a peanut, dropping it. Ahua quickly snatched it up and ate it.

Ying Xi, annoyed, chased after Ahua. “Ahua, spit it out! That’s my peanut, mine…”

Just then, Lu Hehuan walked in. Ying Xi stopped, acting nonchalant as he greeted him.

“Hehuan, where were you so early?”

“I went to Ling Yan’s old house.” Lu Hehuan’s expression was a bit gloomy.

Ying Xi walked over, solemnly patting his shoulder. “Let go of Ling Yan—you should learn to cherish those before you.”

Lu Hehuan forced a smile and joked, “I have no interest in men.”

Ying Xi pointed with his mouth toward the forensics lab window, where Bao Ying stood smiling at them.

Ying Xi smiled at Bao Ying, then turned to Lu Hehuan. “In family, looks, character, talent, Xiaoying isn’t lacking compared to Ling Yan. Most importantly, Xiaoying is devoted to you—everyone in the station sees it.”

“Xiaoying is indeed a good girl, but I’ve always seen her as a sister, nothing more. Detective Ying, don’t trouble yourself matchmaking,” Lu Hehuan said, unmoved.

Ying Xi grew anxious, raising his voice unconsciously. “Hey, you—good intentions wasted! Listen, Zhu Wolong disappeared to avoid his debts, and Director Bao is worried about his sister’s marriage. If you pair up with Xiaoying now, Director Bao won’t object…”

Lu Hehuan raised a hand to interrupt, speaking seriously. “Detective Ying, the only one I love is Ling Yan. Even if there’s no news of her, I’ll keep waiting, keep searching.” With that, he walked toward the office.

“You’re such a blockhead!” Ying Xi watched his retreating figure, exasperated.

Just then, Ahua fluttered around Ying Xi, leaping about.

Ying Xi glanced at Ahua, picking up the thread of conversation. “Even Ahua is smarter than you!”

As soon as Lu Hehuan entered the office, he found roses everywhere. Surprised, he asked a nearby officer, “Did a rose-related case occur?”

The officers shook their heads.

“Then what are these flowers?”

“They’re for you,” the bald officer said, grinning.

“For me? Who sent them?” Lu Hehuan was even more puzzled.

As they spoke, Liu Sixue walked in. “I sent them.” She smiled as she approached Lu Hehuan. “What do you think? Pretty?”

Lu Hehuan was unsure how to respond when angry voices sounded from outside.

“The station looks like a flower shop—ridiculous! Get all these plants out!” Ying Xi strode in, irritated.

The officers responded at once, removing all the roses.

Liu Sixue glared at Ying Xi, gritting her teeth.

Ying Xi frowned at her. “Doesn’t your Liu family have any rules? Why are you so indiscriminate about time and place? This is a police station, not a place for Miss Liu’s romantic gestures.”

Liu Sixue arrogantly lifted her chin. “What I do is none of your concern, Detective!” She took a rose and pinned it to Lu Hehuan’s clothes, smiling seductively. “Hehuan, today is ‘Rose Day.’ Tomorrow there’ll be another surprise. I’ll make every day exciting for you.”

With that, Liu Sixue glanced disdainfully at Ying Xi and left.

Ying Xi shook his head and sighed. “One troublemaker Liu Rushao was enough—now there’s an even bigger troublemaker Liu Sixue. The station is lively now.”

Lu Hehuan frowned in distress, troubled about what lay ahead.