The precinct colleagues arrived quickly, cordoning off the entire courtyard. While they conducted their forensic investigation inside, Yu Xiaoluo and I waited outside. Bathed in moonlight, Yu Xiaoluo showed no signs of sleepiness. She asked seriously, "Tang Nan, how did you know Fourth Master was in danger?"
The first step in my plan was to break through the facade, to get Fourth Master and Bi Shuwen to unite against the Cat Eye Man. My strategy was sound. Fourth Master, with his experience and intelligence, quickly deduced that the Cat Eye Man was a non-existent entity, and the mastermind behind it all was Liu Chenxi.
Understanding the situation, strategizing, and breaking the trap – my steps were correct, all following Old Ghost's teachings. But I overlooked one thing: pacing. Liu Chenxi's pace was too fast. She seemed to know everything I was doing and had anticipated every possibility, acting ahead of time.
When I went to Fourth Master's place, she foresaw her identity being exposed. She immediately exploited conditions I was unaware of, namely Bi Shuwen's mounting debts and the fact that her son had died years ago. Living in misery and without Fourth Master's support, Bi Shuwen harbored no conjugal affection, only hatred. If there was a way to legitimately kill Fourth Master, acquire all his assets, and then sell the Qianlong fingerlings for a profit of 40 million yuan – such a temptation was irresistible to Bi Shuwen. Completing all this would bring about a life-altering change for Bi Shuwen.
I was a step behind in this particular game, but it wasn't a losing one yet. Liu Chenxi's game was a trial of human nature, and she wouldn't let Bi Shuwen off the hook. Therefore, I decided to leverage this momentum and continue my plan, enlisting Yu Xiaoluo's help to disrupt Liu Chenxi's rhythm.
Yu Xiaoluo's question now presented the perfect opportunity. Feigning a somber expression, I said, "Fourth Master uniting with Bi Shuwen against Liu Chenxi – on the surface, it seems straightforward, doesn't it? But is it really? After losing her son and then her brother, Bi Shuwen's hatred for Fourth Master runs deep. She's likely cooperating with Fourth Master only in appearance, while actually working with Liu Chenxi. Considering this, Fourth Master's danger is entirely predictable."
I needed to convey this information to Yu Xiaoluo with conviction, laying the groundwork for her to help me detain Bi Shuwen.
"You guessed correctly, but unfortunately, we were a step too late."
Yu Xiaoluo's expression was regretful, and she showed no inclination to act.
"The killer must be Bi Shuwen."
"Don't speak carelessly before any conclusions are reached," Yu Xiaoluo maintained her professional demeanor, unwilling to suspect anyone without evidence.
"Think about it. Fourth Master was poisoned to death. With his life experience, would he drink a bottle of beverage from a stranger?"
"That makes sense." Yu Xiaoluo began to be swayed.
"It must have been someone he knew. Fourth Master has no family in the capital. Who else could it be but his only wife, Bi Shuwen?"
"The word 'must' is inappropriate. Can you find proof?"
It seemed I had persuaded Yu Xiaoluo. However, her work habits dictated that she act based on evidence.
"No, these are just speculations. But it's undeniable that Bi Shuwen is the biggest beneficiary of Fourth Master's death. If I were Bi Shuwen, and Liu Chenxi told me those fingerlings could be sold for 40 million yuan after Fourth Master's death, I would be very tempted."
Yu Xiaoluo, with her overflowing sense of justice and courage, looked displeased by my words.
"According to what you're saying, Bi Shuwen will die due to greed."
"I don't wish that for her. I wish Fourth Master's estate had enough money for Bi Shuwen to clear her debts and start a new life. But things in this world rarely go as planned. She won't suddenly have an epiphany and give everything up like in the movies. Not only does she hate Fourth Master, but she also has a habit of greed. Liu Chenxi won't overlook her weaknesses."
"What if we arrest Bi Shuwen now?" Yu Xiaoluo finally seemed convinced, offering the opinion I desired.
I chuckled inwardly, guiding her, "There must be a reason, right?"
"Use your reasoning: suspicion of murder."
While my expression remained calm, I was ecstatic inside. I was beginning to understand this girl; she wasn't someone bound by rigid rules. She would still act to prevent a potential murder by using the grounds of suspicion.
"What about you?"
"I need to lure Liu Chenxi out. To set up this scheme, Liu Chenxi gave me a crucial item. I'm going to use this item to draw her out, and then we'll capture her."
...
After parting ways with Yu Xiaoluo, I took a taxi back to Lao Tie's residence. I assumed it was rush hour? Definitely the commute home. It was already ten o'clock at night; could there still be rush hour on the Second Ring Road?
I was wrong!
I stared at the unmoving taxi, then at the meter that continued to tick regardless of the stalled traffic. It wasn't the money that bothered me, but the feeling of waste. Perhaps I did care about money; hundreds just vanished. https:/
Lao Tie was waiting for me at home. He said he had been restless all day, hadn't gone to the shop, and was just waiting for my news. He wondered if the fingerlings had fooled Fourth Master.
Speaking of the fingerlings, I suddenly remembered that Fourth Master had given me 2 million yuan. So, with a feigned sorrow, I said, "Fourth Master is dead."
"He's dead!"
Lao Tie didn't seem particularly concerned about Fourth Master's fate. His demeanor made me a little worried. After learning about the mastermind, he seemed too focused on my schemes. However, I needed his help for the next phase.
"Lao Tie, you need to go to the Ghost Market again tonight."
"Buy something?"
"Not buy. Sell."
I handed the crimson-skinned green jade fingerling, which I had been carrying with me, to Lao Tie. It was the first time Lao Tie had seen the true form of the fingerling. He marveled at it, holding it with affection, and then carefully returned it to me: "To create something like this, someone in Panjiayuan might have the skill, but I don't know who."
"It's not a fake. Go and sell it."
"Are you crazy! There are inscriptions on it, and the material is extremely rare. If Fourth Master had related historical documents, this would be a national treasure. A set would definitely be worth 30 to 40 million."
"Exactly. You can see it's a treasure, and others can too. Go to the Ghost Market and sell it for 2 million, cash."
"Who carries 2 million cash to the Ghost Market?"
"That's why you definitely won't sell it. But tomorrow, the entire Panjiayuan will know that you have a fingerling from the Qianlong era."
Lao Tie's eyes lit up: "Is this your plan?"
"Yes. I suspect Liu Chenxi is the real culprit. I want to use this fingerling to draw her out. Liu Chenxi wants a set of fingerlings; she won't let one of them enter the market. That would create too many variables, making it difficult for her to control."
"I understand. I'll go prepare now. What about you?"
"I'm tired. I need to rest and gather my strength to deal with Liu Chenxi."
"Okay!"
...
Lao Tie went to his shop to get other accompanying items for his stall at the Ghost Market. I, meanwhile, lay on the large bed in his small room, preparing to rest. Perhaps due to the Americano I had drunk, I couldn't sleep. My mind felt like a strained nerve. Deep into the night, I finally drifted off into a hazy sleep. Suddenly, my phone rang. Groggily, I answered, "Who is it?"
"Liu Chenxi."
I jolted upright in bed. "Where are you?"
"The rooftop of Jinshan Building."
"What are you doing there?"
"Come find me?"
"Now?"
"Mm!"
"No more rush hour, right?" I asked with lingering trepidation.
"Tang Nan, I didn't realize you had such a sense of humor. I've bribed the security. You can come straight up."
I hailed a taxi to Jinshan Building, wanting to contact Yu Xiaoluo, but I didn't have her number. This was a golden opportunity to arrest Liu Chenxi. However, luck seemed to be on my side. As I neared Jinshan Building, Yu Xiaoluo called me.
"I couldn't get in touch with Bi Shuwen."
A sense of unease washed over me.
"Forget Bi Shuwen for now. Liu Chenxi is at Jinshan Building. Come over and arrest her first."
Liu Chenxi also had suspicion of murder. Yu Xiaoluo didn't hesitate, exclaiming, "I'm on my way, but you'll have to wait for me. I'm on the Fourth Ring Road."
"Alright. I'll keep Liu Chenxi occupied for now. Hurry."
I took the elevator to the top floor. A door leading to the rooftop terrace was open. I saw a wire running to the balcony, a table set up, covered with the tablecloth from the building's five-star hotel. Two sets of exquisite plates and wine glasses were laid out. The plates held steak, and the glasses contained red wine. In addition, a three-candle candelabra sat on the table. The wire leading to the balcony was to power this romantic lamp.
Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and a cool evening breeze was blowing. I sat opposite Liu Chenxi, looked at the steak on the plate, and asked with a smile, "Is this prepared for me?"
"I don't know your taste, so I chose black pepper for you."
"I am indeed a bit hungry!"
I sat down and took a sip of the red wine, taking a large gulp. Liu Chenxi smiled and said, "Don't drink like a thirsty ox. This bottle of red wine is my entire fortune."
Hearing this, my brow furrowed. Tonight was destined to be an extraordinary night.