Chapter Sixty-five: Turning Misfortune into Blessing

Early in the morning, under Lin Zhi’s coercion, Lu Xiang braced himself and made his way to Gordon’s office. He took a deep breath, about to knock, but noticed the door was slightly ajar. Pausing, he peered through the gap.

Inside, Mary was holding Gordon’s arm, pleading for Lu Hehuan’s sake.

“Uncle, I’ve liked Hehuan since middle school. Now I’m eager to win his favor, and you’re about to condemn him!”

“My niece is a natural beauty—why should she need to curry favor?” Gordon grumbled.

“Uncle, Hehuan is handsome and talented. Many girls in our school like him.” Mary wrapped her arms around Gordon’s neck. “Uncle, please let Hehuan go, so I can ask him for a favor. I’m begging you.”

Gordon considered for a moment, then gently patted her head with indulgence. “OK, uncle agrees. I’ll spare Lu Hehuan.”

“Thanks, uncle.”

Lu Xiang, spying from the doorway, witnessed everything. Overjoyed, he hurried away.

In the cell, Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan were pressed against the wall, held firmly by several prisoners. Both were unable to move, panic in their eyes.

“What do you want? Don’t act recklessly—this is the police station’s cell!” Lu Hehuan warned sharply.

The lead prisoner shrugged disdainfully, laughing.

Ying Xi struggled and glared at him. “You dare?”

“I do,” the lead prisoner replied, rubbing his hands and approaching Ying Xi with a wicked grin.

Lu Hehuan glanced at Ying Xi, gritting his teeth. “Wait!”

The lead prisoner paused and turned to Lu Hehuan.

Lu Hehuan steeled himself, closed his eyes. “Don’t touch him—come for me!”

The lead prisoner pinched Lu Hehuan’s chin. “Fine, I’ll grant your wish.” With a lascivious lick of his lips, he reached for Lu Hehuan.

Ying Xi looked at Lu Hehuan with anguish, then bit his lip. “Bastard, if you have the guts, come for me—leave him alone!”

“Alright…” The lead prisoner smirked.

Lu Hehuan couldn’t bear Ying Xi’s humiliation. He bit his lip. “Don’t listen to him—come for me!”

“Leave him—come for me!” Ying Xi insisted.

“Detective Ying, don’t argue. Let them come for me.”

“If you know to call me detective, then listen to me. Come for me!”

The lead prisoner grew impatient with their bickering and shouted, “Stop arguing—shut up, both of you!”

Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan looked at him expectantly, asking in unison, “Have you changed your mind?”

He nodded, “That’s right.”

Both breathed a sigh of relief.

“You two together.”

With that, Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan were stunned.

He gestured to his companions. “Strip them!”

The prisoners began to remove Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan’s clothing. Both struggled desperately.

Ying Xi shouted at the top of his lungs, “Guards! Where are the prison guards? What are you doing? Guards!”

Lu Hehuan struggled and tried to reason, “Calm down, don’t do this!”

In moments, their clothes were torn open, exposing their backs.

“Let go of me, let go!” Ying Xi shouted hoarsely.

Lu Hehuan’s face flushed. “Let go!”

The lead prisoner sneered coldly, “Save your strength. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you.”

Several prisoners began tugging at their trousers. Though Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan fought fiercely, they were outnumbered; their belts were pulled off, and their trousers dropped, revealing identical boxer shorts.

The prisoners paused, then burst out laughing. “They’re wearing the same!” Laughter filled the cell.

Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan were mortified.

The lead prisoner barked at them, “Stop giggling! Get on with it!”

The prisoners nodded, reaching for their underwear. At that critical moment, the cell door was suddenly opened by the guard.

The guard, seeing the scene, shouted, “What are you doing?”

The prisoners retreated, standing obediently to the side.

The guard respectfully addressed the two, their clothes torn, clad only in underwear. “Detective Ying, Officer Lu, you may go.”

“What?” Ying Xi was overjoyed.

“Chief Superintendent’s orders—you’re released.”

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi exchanged a glance, then embraced in relief.

The prisoners looked at each other, fear in their eyes.

Ying Xi, realizing his loss of composure, quickly released Lu Hehuan, put on his trousers, and glared at the prisoners.

They knelt in panic. “Spare us, Detective!”

Ying Xi gave them a cold look. “I won’t take your lives…”

The prisoners relaxed.

Ying Xi’s tone shifted as he glared at the guard. “Castrate these beasts for me.”

The prisoners were horrified, clutching themselves. “Spare us, Detective!”

Lu Hehuan pulled Ying Xi back. “Let it go. We’re police officers—we can’t do that. Let’s go.”

The prisoners gratefully bowed to Lu Hehuan. “Thank you, officer, thank you!”

Ying Xi, still at the door, looked back at the prisoners resentfully. “You lot, kick each other a hundred times, or I won’t let this go!”

The prisoners hesitated, then stood, facing each other. They glanced at each other’s bodies, grimaced, and bit their lips.

Ying Xi dragged Lu Hehuan out. Behind them, cries of pain echoed.

Though the day was still young, Frost Joy Detective Agency was already closed. Liu Rushuang sat anxiously at her desk, glancing at the door.

After a while, Bai Yulou rushed in. “Shuang, it’s no longer necessary.”

“What’s no longer necessary?” Liu Rushuang asked, confused.

Bai Yulou grabbed a glass of water from the table and drained it.

Liu Rushuang stood up, anxious. “Oh, Bai Bai, you’re killing me with suspense!”

Bai Yulou set down the glass and continued, “No need to find a way to rescue Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan—they’ve been released and are back at the police station.”

“Weren’t they accused of abuse of power?”

Bai Yulou waved it off with a flourish. “Black or white, it’s all a matter of a word.”

Liu Rushuang scratched her head in frustration. “So much for saving the heroes!”

Sunlight poured over Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi’s shoulders as they walked briskly into the police officers’ office.

The officers greeted them with joy. Baldy hurried up. “Detective Ying, Hehuan, you’re finally out! We were about to sign a petition for your bail.”

Lu Hehuan was touched.

Ying Xi laughed heartily. “We appreciate your brotherhood! Tonight, Hehuan will buy everyone drinks.”

“You’re involved too—why aren’t you buying?” Lu Hehuan shot him a glance.

Ying Xi grinned, stroking his beard. “I’m giving you a chance to win everyone’s favor.”

The room erupted in laughter.

Baldy remembered the important matter and leaned in. “Detective Ying, Hehuan, rumor has it you offended Chief Superintendent Gordon. Director Bao probably won’t get involved. Who actually got you out?”

Lu Hehuan shook his head.

Just then, Mary burst in and took up the question. “Of course, it was me.”

Everyone looked at her. Mary smiled at Lu Hehuan.

“You?” Lu Hehuan stared at her incredulously.

Mary nodded with a proud smile. “Hehuan, I saved you once. Surely you should treat me to a meal as thanks?”

Lu Hehuan couldn’t refuse. He nodded hesitantly. “Alright.”

“Then tonight at quarter past five, Bright Moon Restaurant. Don’t be late.” Mary was delighted.

Lu Hehuan nodded.

Mary waved cheerfully at him. “I’ll be off then. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Mary left. Ying Xi looked at Lu Hehuan, puzzled. “You’re about the same age—why say ‘bye’?”

Lu Hehuan laughed, patient. “Bye is English—it means goodbye.”

Ying Xi frowned in embarrassment. “If you want to say goodbye, just say it plainly. Why use foreign words?”

“Detective Ying, come with me tonight,” Lu Hehuan smiled helplessly.

Ying Xi lounged in his chair. “Not going. I don’t like that rich girl’s attitude.”

“That’s why I want you to come,” Lu Hehuan replied.

Ying Xi looked at him, unsure.

Lu Hehuan smiled mysteriously. “When we get to the restaurant, pretend to be ill. We can leave early.”

“Why should I help you?” Ying Xi still resisted.

“There’ll be plenty of wine tonight.”

“Deal.” The promise of wine erased any hesitation.

As evening fell, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi arrived together at Bright Moon Restaurant.

The table was laden with delicacies. Lu Hehuan, Ying Xi, and Mary sat around it.

Mary shot a look at Ying Xi, displeased. “‘Detective Joy’—it’s one thing to work together on cases, but I didn’t expect you’d even eat and sleep together.”

Ying Xi grinned at Mary, then at Lu Hehuan. “You two chat; just treat me as air.”

Mary smiled. “Alright, you eat—we’ll ignore you.”

Just then, Ying Xi’s stomach rumbled. He laughed sheepishly. “Then I won’t hold back.” He began to eat with gusto.

Under the table, Lu Hehuan nudged Ying Xi, whispering, “Start pretending to be sick.”

Ying Xi, mouth full, muttered back, “Such good food—waste not, want not.”

“Can’t you have a little dignity?” Lu Hehuan sighed.

“Dignity won’t pay the bills. This meal costs a month’s wages—no reason not to eat.”

Mary looked at them, smiling. “What are you two whispering about?”

Lu Hehuan smiled awkwardly. “Nothing, just asking Detective Ying if the food’s good.”

Mary quickly placed an abalone in his bowl. “Try it for yourself.”

Lu Hehuan smiled, even more awkward, and picked up his chopsticks.

Throughout the meal, Mary gazed at Lu Hehuan with affection, making him uneasy.

Mary coyly brushed her hair aside. “Hehuan, do you remember we once sat together in middle school?”

Lu Hehuan shook his head. “I remember always sitting with Ling Yan.”

Mary’s face briefly darkened, then she composed herself. “Do you remember the spring outing, when a snake almost bit me and you saved me?”

“Did I? I don’t recall.”

Mary smiled tenderly. “It’s alright. As long as I remember.” Her gaze lingered on him, burning.

Lu Hehuan, feeling the intensity, nudged Ying Xi under the table, signaling him to feign illness. “Detective Ying, if you don’t act soon, I can’t take it.”

Ying Xi understood, swallowed his food, and suddenly collapsed backward, foaming at the mouth.

His performance was so convincing that even Lu Hehuan, who’d planned it, was startled. He hurried to support Ying Xi.

Mary was shocked. “What happened?”

Lu Hehuan faked anxiety. “Mary, I’m so sorry. Detective Ying’s old illness has flared up. I need to get him to the hospital.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No need. You enjoy your meal—I’ll go ahead.” With that, Lu Hehuan lifted Ying Xi in a “princess carry” and hurried out.

“Hey, Hehuan! Hehuan!” Mary, still uncomprehending, angrily pounded the table and accidentally knocked food onto herself.

Night settled gently over the quiet dorm. Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan lay in bed, each lost in thought.

Ying Xi, as if remembering something, teased Lu Hehuan with a grin. “One Liu Sijue leaves, and now Mary arrives. Lu Hehuan, you sure have plenty of women chasing you—your luck with romance is extraordinary.”

Lu Hehuan frowned helplessly. “Detective Ying, don’t mock me. What kind of luck is this?”

Ying Xi turned with interest, gazing at Lu Hehuan’s profile. “Let’s talk about something serious.”

“Go ahead.” Lu Hehuan’s expression was earnest.

“You have too many messy admirers. The only way to solve it quickly is to decide on a partner. After careful observation, I think Xiaoyong is the best choice.”

Lu Hehuan glared at him. “You call that serious?”

Ying Xi grew impatient, staring at him. “A lifelong affair is serious! Look, Xiaoyong is beautiful, talented, and virtuous—and she’s Director Bao’s sister. If you marry her, your career will flourish.”

Lu Hehuan turned away, back to Ying Xi. “Detective Ying, please, worry about your own affairs instead of meddling in others’ business all day.”

Ying Xi looked at the back of Lu Hehuan’s head. “Can’t you show some respect? Who discusses serious matters with the back of their head?”

“Sorry, Detective Ying. I’m not interested in your serious matters. I’m going to sleep.”

Ying Xi, dissatisfied, made a fist above Lu Hehuan’s head, then restrained himself and continued gently, “Hey, you should give it a try. Xiaoyong’s great—you can get to know her better. It won’t hurt.”

Lu Hehuan’s voice was full of resignation. “Please stop worrying. I don’t want to get close to anyone. I’d rather help Ling Yan tidy her room.”

“You’re still helping her?” Ying Xi was surprised.

Lu Hehuan nodded. “Ling Yan likes cleanliness. She’ll be comfortable when she returns.”

Ying Xi was silent for a moment. “She won’t come back.”

“Don’t jinx it! Ling Yan will definitely return!” Lu Hehuan replied angrily.

Ying Xi smacked his lips and shook his head. “You really are hopeless.”

“If there’s hope, I’ve given up treatment.”

Ying Xi, seeing Lu Hehuan’s stubbornness, muttered quietly, “Can’t count on this blockhead to figure things out. I’ll have to come up with something myself.”

Lu Hehuan, eyes closed, warned, “I’m telling you—don’t cause trouble.”

Ying Xi rolled his eyes and said no more.