Chapter 2: Lin Dongxue

Lin Dongxue habitually went down to the underground garage, only to remember that her car was still in the repair shop. Two weeks ago, she had damaged it while chasing a suspect, breaking numerous traffic rules in the process. As a result, she had lost all her points and received severe disciplinary action for disobeying orders.

Frustrated, she walked out of the garage. A car horn sounded behind her. A police Jetta slowed down beside her, and a cheerful face appeared from the rolled-down window. “Dongxue, need a ride?”

“No, thanks!” Lin Dongxue refused curtly.

“Still mad at your brother?” The perceptive Xu Xiaodong guessed, “Why do you always fight with him? He’s the head of the criminal investigation team, your own brother. People would kill to have that connection. If it were me, I’d be laughing in my sleep.”

Lin Dongxue suddenly stopped, her eyebrows furrowed in anger. “Everyone sees me as the team leader’s sister. No one sees me as Lin Dongxue. You take that title if you want it, I don’t care!” She stormed out of the garage.

Xu Xiaodong scratched his head, puzzled. “I was just making a casual remark. No need to get so worked up.”

After passing a few intersections and estimating that she had avoided Xu Xiaodong’s route, Lin Dongxue took out her phone and called for a ride. The driver accepted the request almost immediately, but five minutes passed without the car icon on the map moving. Lin Dongxue called the driver, “What’s taking so long? I’ve been standing here for five minutes!”

The driver, unapologetic, replied, “Sorry, miss. I’m having some issues here. Could you walk over?”

“Forget it, I’ll call another car.”

“Wait, wait! I’ll give you a 20% discount. See the beef hot pot place across the street?”

“Yeah, I see it. So?”

“There’s an alley beside it. Walk through there, and you’ll find me.”

“What a hassle!” Lin Dongxue hung up and walked through the alley. She expected traffic, but the road was almost empty. A man was washing a red Changan Eado with a hose connected to a restaurant kitchen.

She checked the license plate; it was her ride. She walked over, arms crossed, and stood next to the driver, who seemed oblivious. “Damn sparrows, can’t they crap somewhere else?” he muttered.

Lin Dongxue cleared her throat loudly. The driver turned, smiling. “Oh, you’re here. Get in.”

Lin Dongxue glared at him, “Your ‘issue’ was washing your car? I waited five minutes while you leisurely washed your car?”

“Don’t be so serious, it’s just five minutes.”

“You say that casually, but even wasting one second of someone’s time is inexcusable.”

The driver turned, his smile fading, but his eyes serious. “If you want to argue, let’s argue. From where you were to here is a straight line of fifty meters, but driving around would take ten minutes. So, instead of wasting five minutes, I saved you five minutes. And I washed the car because I’m a neat freak. Bird poop on the windshield bothers me and could cause an accident. And a clean car provides better service, right?”

“You talk a good game,” Lin Dongxue sneered. “Why didn’t you call me to explain?”

“My bad. I was on the phone. My mom just had a stroke surgery, and the doctor called. Could I not answer?”

Lin Dongxue was momentarily speechless. “Fine, fine, stop playing the sympathy card and just drive.”

In the back seat, she noticed the driver’s license displayed with the name “Chen Shi.” Adjusting the rearview mirror, Chen Shi’s eyes lingered on Lin Dongxue’s chest. “Where to, miss?”

“What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you see the address before accepting the ride?”

“Sorry, old habit from my taxi days. Always asked where the passenger was going… just to make conversation.”

“Who wants to talk to you? Get over yourself.”

As the car drove, Lin Dongxue noticed his wandering eyes and felt uncomfortable. She tapped the seatback. “Watch the road, not me.”

“I’m not looking at you, I’m observing.”

“Observing what?” Lin Dongxue laughed in exasperation.

“You have liver fire. Been losing sleep? Waking up with a bitter taste and a heavy tongue?”

“Oh, you know traditional Chinese medicine too?”

“Just a bit.” Chen Shi smiled and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

“Hey, no smoking in the car. Have some manners.”

“Just checking how many are left, okay?” He shook the pack and put it back. “What do you do for work, miss?”

“None of your business! Just drive.”

“A cop, right?”

Lin Dongxue was startled, checking herself. She was in plain clothes. Did he see her gun? Impossible. It was well-hidden in her jacket.

“Jobs leave marks on people. The way you look at things isn’t like an ordinary person’s. That look is usually seen in law enforcement.”

“How did you figure I’m a cop?”

Chen Shi laughed. “You got in near the criminal police team headquarters, just two streets away. Several police cars just left. By the way, can you tell me what case you’re investigating?”

Lin Dongxue didn’t want to say, but decided to get back at him. “A ride-share driver murder case!”

Chen Shi remained calm. “Really? Let me know if you need help. By the way, is there a reward for providing clues?”

“You have clues?”

“Not yet, but if the reward is good, I might investigate.”

“Like you’d find anything.”

“Solving cases is about luck. Maybe today’s my lucky day.”

Lin Dongxue found his attitude annoying. Just as she was about to argue, her phone beeped. Xu Xiaodong had added her to a discussion group for the case, as he always did to share updates and progress.

Xu Xiaodong excitedly announced, “I found out who the ride-share driver was that day!”

Lin Dongxue rolled her eyes. Showoff.

A long message appeared: “Chen Shi, male, 36, from Wu’an City, 15 years of driving experience, license plate…”

Lin Dongxue glanced up at the license, seeing the smug face. Cold sweat broke out. She hastily drew her gun and pointed it at Chen Shi’s head. “I order you to stop the car immediately!”