What was thought to be a case that would last several months or even half a year was suddenly solved.
It was as if a tangled mess had been cut through with a single swift stroke. How satisfying.
And quite sudden.
But of course, the satisfaction was the main thing.
No detective wants their case to be a tangled mess; everyone hopes to have that mighty sword to swiftly and decisively cut through lingering unsolved cases.
They hope all criminals can be caught immediately, and all cases solved right away.
Every time a meteor flies by, Liu Jiaming wishes for peace and swift, certain justice!
After experiencing the miraculous rapid solution of the ‘sitting corpse’ case, Jiaming seemed to start believing in miracles. Maybe the fortune telling his mother had done for him, saying his life would be smooth sailing and filled with noble people, was actually onto something.
“After investigation, it was found that Mr. Fang, like Liu Dahong, drove for a freight company two years ago. Later, Mr. Fang had a car accident and his driver’s license was revoked, so he had to change jobs. Liu Dahong, however, saved enough money to buy his own car.” After feeling happy about his own fate, Liu Jiaming turned his attention back to the meeting and reported his findings to Mr. Fang.
“According to the testimonies from neighbors and the building superintendent of Fuk Oi Estate, the relationship between Liu Dahong and Mrs. Fang has been maintained for over two years. The more setbacks Mr. Fang faced in his career, the more frequent were the secret meetings between Mrs. Fang and Liu Dahong,” Sanfu also shared the clues he had gathered.
“Neighbors of the Fang family in Fuk Oi Village often heard Mr. and Mrs. Fang arguing. The grandmother living in Apartment B across the hall even heard Mr. Fang beating Mrs. Fang while drunk on the balcony, clearly indicating that Mr. Fang has more than once exhibited violent tendencies when drunk,” Jiayi said.
“According to former colleagues who were drivers, Mr. Fang and Liu Dahong used to work together, and Mr. Fang was originally better than Liu Dahong. Mr. Fang was warm-hearted and liked to help others, so both colleagues and superiors preferred him. It seems Mrs. Fang met Mr. Fang and Liu Dahong around the same time, but ultimately chose to start a family with Mr. Fang. Maybe that’s when the seeds of disaster were sown,” Gary said.
“Liu Dahong occasionally contacted Mr. Fang, probably just to boast about his current successes to his former colleague. Maybe he even secretly relished it while drinking, considering he not only surpassed Mr. Fang in his career but was also involved with Mrs. Fang. Perhaps there was some kind of perverse pleasure in it,” Uncle Jiu sighed deeply with a sense of worldly weariness.
“…” Sergeant Fang stared at the whiteboard, organizing his thoughts before speaking:
“So regarding the narrative of the motive for murder, it might be depicted like this:
“Mr. Fang likely had discovered the affair between Mrs. Fang and Liu Dahong, especially since he was unemployed during this time and randomly looking for jobs, and could have accidentally walked in on Liu Dahong and Mrs. Fang together.”
“This visit by Liu Dahong to the Fang’s home might have been a trap set by Mr. Fang, a modern-day ‘Red Banquet.’”
“After drinking, everyone’s rationality fades, and an uncontrollable conflict erupted, leading to irreversible consequences.”
“Mrs. Fang plunged a fatal knife into Liu Dahong likely because, although she had cheated on Mr. Fang, she had no intention of leaving him. Even though she sought thrills with Liu Dahong in an immoral act, she probably still had feelings for Mr. Fang. So, her affair with Liu Dahong didn’t mean Liu could kill Mr. Fang. Hence, when Mr. Fang was attacked, she intervened… Everyone lost their sense of judgment after drinking…”
“The three entangled individuals ultimately became each other’s life-enders.” Jiayi jotted down a few words in her notebook, then looked up and sighed.
Director Fang nodded, and the air was silent for several seconds.
As everyone reflected on life because of this case, and the atmosphere gradually became somber, Liu Jiaming suddenly looked up, very serious, and asked Director Fang:
“Brother Yue, the case is solved, what are we eating tonight?”
“…” Sergeant Fang.
“…” Jiayi.
“…” Uncle Jiu.
“…” Gary.
“It’s cold, I want something hot, preferably with soup. But is it too much to keep eating lamb hotpot? I keep getting nosebleeds. How about we have snake soup or a nice soup tonight?” Liu Jiaming asked anxiously.
Snake soup? Or a nice soup?
Such a critical life decision indeed.
Sergeant Fang shook his head with a wry smile, “Isn’t there a Snake King Soup place next to Yi Ji? Let’s try there?”
“Great idea!” Liu Jiaming gave a thumbs up.
Jiayi propped her cheek, her lips curving into a high smile supported by her palm.
Everyone became lively again, ready to joyfully explore and enjoy good food.
Uncle Jiu took a deep breath, coughed softly, and exclaimed:
“At last another case is solved, and we can eat, drink, and sleep without worries.”
Leaning back in the plush office chair, he crossed his legs, pondering whether to chat with the elderly person who reported the family annihilation case…
Maybe there really was something sinister…
…
As the rain stopped in the evening, both Team A and Team B managed to finish work on time.
Sergeant Fang stood at the doorway of Team B’s office, calling out to You Zhaohua: “Let’s go, Snake King Soup, let’s have soup together.”
“What, you’re treating?” You Zhaohua stepped forward, peeking at the detectives of Team B, all of whom seemed invigorated now that the case was solved.
“Yeah, we solved the corpse sitting case, let’s celebrate,” Sergeant Fang said, tilting his chin slightly.
“No way. We solved a case in Team A too, we should celebrate. I’ll treat today,” You Zhaohua immediately raised the stakes.
“Next time it’s on you,” Sergeant Fang said as he led the team out, casually.
“No! It has to be me,” You Zhaohua insisted.
“…” Sergeant Fang raised an eyebrow, “You said it.”
“I said it, what about it?” You Zhaohua puffed up, trying to look imposing.
Sergeant Fang just smiled ambiguously, and You Zhaohua didn’t understand.
Until dinner when Liu Jiaming and the others ordered without restraint, stacking plates like skyscrapers, You Zhaohua finally understood the meaning behind Director Fang’s expression.
Darn it!
This group of big eaters, all spoiled by Director Fang, had mouths and appetites as big as ever.
What a loss…
….
“To come here for nourishment, how can we miss this ingredient?” said the owner of the Snake King soup as he walked over to the cages filled with various venomous and non-venomous snakes, selecting the type of snake specified by You Zhaohua, and then opened the cage to grab a snake.
The small snake bit through the owner’s arm, but the owner just pinched the snake’s head, wiped the wound, and brushed off the blood, saying indifferently, “The venom glands have been removed, it’s nothing.”
He then went behind the counter to the kitchen, extracted the snake gall and served it at the table, where Sir You performed swallowing the snake gall live.
Jiayi screamed in shock, while You Zhaohua felt his actions were bold and quite proud of himself.
“Jiayi, do you want to try one?” You Zhaohua wiped his mouth, ready to call over friends.
“No need, I’m not lacking anything, SirbYou, no need for tonics,” Jiayi quickly waved her hand.
You Zhaohua then turned to Fang Zhenyue, “SirbFang, dare to try the snake gall?”
“I’ve had enough, it’s boring,” Fang Zhenyue said nonchalantly, legs crossed, leisurely sipping soup while giving You Zhaohua a glance.
“Who else? Anyone else dare to try?” You Zhaohua continued to stir up the crowd.
“Forget it, let’s just have the soup, SirbYou,” Tony quickly said with a laugh, trying to calm him down. Their team A is good at creating a lively atmosphere.
Sure enough, Tony managed to coax You Zhaohua back to his seat in just a few words.
In a short while, You sir was enjoying his soup and meat, having forgotten about encouraging everyone to try the snake gall.
Uncle Jiu, with his legs crossed, leisurely sipped his soup, watching everyone laugh and joke around, occasionally joining in the laughter, already exhibiting the demeanor of an elderly gentleman enjoying his later years.
The owner of the Snake King soup asked if anyone wanted some snake wine, just as the TV on the small counter in the restaurant suddenly started broadcasting a murder case.
The detectives hurriedly answered the owner’s question, then all turned to watch the TV.
The talk show discussing the case had invited a master and a director who specialized in horror films, who discussed the case with no taboos, covering all topics from ghosts to feng shui as if they were real.
The master confidently claimed that the building’s feng shui was peculiar, suggesting that the property developer hadn’t consulted the right feng shui master before construction, implying that if the developer had hired him to check the feng shui, such a tragic mass murder would not have occurred, nor would there have been any accumulation of negative energy trapping restless spirits, causing ghostly pleas for help.
The horror film director seriously inquired about the specific feng shui flaws of the building in Fuk Oi Estate, and the feng shui master provided a detailed critique of everything from the trees in front of the building to the sunlight exposure behind it, and the arrangement of several buildings, fascinating everyone at the Snake King soup restaurant, even those who were staunch materialists who did not believe in ghosts or feng shui.
The director loudly praised the information and expressed his intention to adapt the case into a film as a warning to everyone to work properly, not to abuse wives and children, to be faithful in marriage, not to cheat, and to be kind to colleagues and friends, not to betray them.
The host immediately exposed the director: “You just want to capitalize on the ghostly hype to scare the public, don’t you?”
The director was visibly embarrassed, then humorously admitted it, openly acknowledging that the story would definitely be a box office hit.
The detectives watching TV couldn’t help but laugh out loud as the director was publicly called out on air.
Jiayi was silent.
They’re actually making a movie out of this?
“What kind of nonsense is this call about? It’s just that old man seeking attention,” You Zhaohua said as he ate snake gall soup, which seemed to have restored him completely. His face was flushed red, and his voice was loud. This man’s assertive presence made his dismissal of ghostly matters particularly persuasive.
“It’s hard to say; some things are quite bizarre,” Uncle Jiu commented, somehow casting a glance towards Jiayi.
“…” Jiayi. Uh, what’s up, Uncle Jiu? Don’t look at me, I feel so guilty!
“The butler was astute enough to notice the anomaly of the Fang couple not leaving their house for a long time and reported it. That was a good deed. He wanted some fame, to be adored a bit, and that’s not a problem,” Fang Zhenyue seemed to tease, his eyes clear as he watched the TV.
He was always like this, even when he seemed to be believing, one could feel he wasn’t fully sincere.
Even his laughter seemed to hide secrets.
Perhaps it was because no matter his expression, it seemed he was never fully engaged, always restrained.
Or maybe it was Jiayi feeling guilty, so when she observed others’ expressions or listened to their words, she always sensed a deeper meaning.
After secretly watching Sir Fang for a while, Jiayi thought maybe she was just overthinking.
Everyone was gathered together, drinking soup and watching TV, all very relaxed; how could anyone still be preoccupied or restrained at such a time?
Even a workaholic like Sir Fang must surely have moments of complete relaxation, unguarded.
Yet, this whole affair stirred up quite a storm, and it was frightening to think it might be uncovered… From now on, they should rely on scientific methods to solve cases.
We can’t encourage the spread of feudal superstition!
Stretching lazily, Detective Yi Jiayi, who solved cases by playing ghost, watched the TV where the experts were seriously discussing the reality of ‘ghost calls,’ and quietly made up her mind.
“Brother Yue, with another case solved, do we have a chance to get the pioneer red packet this month?” Jiayi anticipated as she thought, relieved that she didn’t have to go out to make calls tonight and could finally have a good night’s sleep.
“Very likely,” Fang Zhenyue shifted his gaze from the TV, “and it’ll also be noted in our records—fast case solving, high success rate, everyone gets a little red flower.”
“That’s great…” Jiayi covered her mouth, yawning.
Full of soup and rice, sleepiness crept up on her, and she was sure to sleep well tonight.
…
This meal considerably slimmed down Sir You’s wallet.
As they stepped out of the Snake King Soup Restaurant, Sir You loudly swore that he would never again treat Team B to a meal, as they were like bottomless pits.
You Zhaohua rambled on as he headed towards the parking lot in the distance.
The Snake King Soup was just a few steps away from Yi Ji, so this time Fang Zhenyue didn’t need to take Jiayi home and only brought along Liu Jiaming and a few others.
Uncle Jiu, to save on parking fees, parked his car in a distant alley, wiped his mouth, and said goodbye to Fang Zhenyue and the others.
“Be careful on the road,” Fang Zhenyue said goodbye to Uncle Jiu, waved, and walked towards another parking spot.
Liu Jiaming and the others followed Brother Yue, still reminiscing about how tasty the snake soup was. After saying goodbye to everyone, Jiayi turned back to Yi Ji Tea House, took over the chair that Jiaru was moving, and helped to close up and tidy up the shop.
In a distant alley, Uncle Jiu stepped out of the neon lights alone, pinched a piece of chewing gum from his cigarette case, tore off the wrapper, crumpled it, and tossed it towards the storm drain.
He popped the chewing gum into his mouth, chewing while muttering and complaining that it wasn’t as satisfying as a cigarette.
Turning another corner, he finally saw his car.
At the same time, another figure emerged from across the alley, tilting his head to light a cigarette he was holding. The thin shadow, unclear in features, swayed unsteadily, with a higher left shoulder, a lower right shoulder, and a wide, domineering stride—more detailed than the typical gangster’s walk…
Uncle Jiu suddenly stopped, staring at the man’s way of walking.
His chest heaving increasingly with each step, he spat out the chewing gum. The moment the man lit his cigarette and flicked his lighter back into his pocket after twirling it between his fingers, Uncle Jiu charged at him.
The light from outside the alley slanted over, casting colorful, intermittent flashes that illuminated Uncle Jiu’s face.
Even now, aged as he was, the visage of the once valiant detective still showed through…
….
Footnotes:
The “Red Banquet” or “Hongmen Banquet” refers to a famous historical event in Chinese history from around 206 BCE during the end of the Qin Dynasty. The banquet was ostensibly a friendly gathering hosted by Xiang Yu, a prominent military leader and political figure, for his rival Liu Bang, who would later become the founder of the Han Dynasty. The term “Hongmen Banquet” has since become a metaphor for an event where the host invites someone with the intention of dealing with them under the guise of a peaceful meeting.