Chapter 350: Where There’s a Will

The long case of Zheng Guohao’s murder finally came to an end. Lin Qiupu and the director suggested publishing the case in the newspaper. In a sense, the root cause of this incident was the inadequate protection of minors. Lin Qiupu hoped that the report could have a positive impact and also serve as a slight deterrent to those despicable adults with intentions of sexually assaulting minors.

On the evening of June 4th, Chen Shi lay on the sofa at Lin Dongxue’s place, flipping through the newspaper. He remarked, “Look at what the journalist wrote. They made Yi Qing seem like an innocent, pitiful woman with a lot of heartache, when she’s actually the murderer!”

“That’s the style the public enjoys. But it does make the police look like the villains who drove Yi Qing to her death,” Lin Dongxue said, wearing an apron as she brought a plate of sweet and sour ribs from the kitchen. She smiled at Chen Shi, “Congratulations on quitting smoking. This is your reward.”

“Let me try!” Chen Shi picked up his chopsticks and tasted a piece. For her first attempt at this dish, Lin Dongxue did a decent job.

“How is it?” Lin Dongxue asked eagerly.

“It’s really good!”

“Haha, I was worried it might be too bland. I’m glad you like it.”

“If I successfully quit smoking again, will you reward me?”

“In your dreams! If I find out you’ve relapsed, there will be consequences.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Chen Shi’s phone rang. After answering, he told Lin Dongxue, “Can you pick up a package for me downstairs?”

“Sure!”

Once Lin Dongxue left, Chen Shi quickly took the plate of sweet and sour ribs back to the kitchen, reheated and re-seasoned them, added a thickening sauce, and garnished them before bringing the plate back to the living room.

Lin Dongxue returned joyfully with a large box, “What’s this? Is it for me?”

“Open it and see!”

Inside was a bouquet of red roses with a card that read, “Nice to meet you.”

Holding the roses, Lin Dongxue’s cheeks blushed like the flowers. Chen Shi took out a small box and pulled out a platinum ring, placing it on her middle finger, “This is my formal confession.”

“Say it then!” Lin Dongxue hid her face in the roses, blushing deeply.

“Lin Dongxue, will you be my girlfriend?”

“Yes! For how long?”

“Until you find someone better.”

“Then that’s forever!” Lin Dongxue laughed happily.

They smiled at each other. After a while, Lin Dongxue said, “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

They served the meal. Lin Dongxue took a bite of the ribs, covering her face, “Are my ribs really this good?”

“Yes, you have a talent for cooking.”

“Humph, you just want me to cook for you every day,” she said, putting another piece on Chen Shi’s plate.

The next morning, after dropping Lin Dongxue off at work, Chen Shi drove around aimlessly. Honestly, solving cases recently had brought in more consultant fees than his driving earnings, but he still enjoyed driving and chatting with different people, learning new things.

During the morning rush, Chen Shi saw a man in a suit riding a bicycle. It struck him as amusing to see someone in a fancy suit on a shared bike. When he got a closer look in the rearview mirror, he was stunned and called out, “Hey!”

Wang Haitao turned and was pleasantly surprised, “Mr. Chen?”

“Riding a bike this early? Getting some exercise?”

“Going to work!”

“Work!?”

Wang Haitao pointed to the intersection ahead, “Let’s grab breakfast at that shop.”

“I’ve already eaten.”

“Come chat with me. It’s been a while.”

Chen Shi thought it had only been a month since they last met, but he agreed to join him.

At the Yong’an Soy Milk Shop, they ordered buns, porridge, and pickles. Chen Shi asked, “Why are you still working? Isn’t your father’s money enough?”

“It is, but staying home every day, playing golf or going to parties gets boring. I’ve been working a nine-to-five job for years, and suddenly not working felt strange. So, I sent out resumes and found a clerical job.”

“What kind of company?”

“A small tutoring agency. I handle paperwork and make tea.”

The image made Chen Shi chuckle, “Your boss must have no idea who you are. You didn’t change your name, did you?”

“No, my father said I should keep the Wang surname, as a tribute to my mother… Honestly, my monthly salary isn’t enough for a day’s expenses, so working feels pointless.”

“Rich people’s perspectives are different.”

“Mr. Chen, don’t label me as a rich kid. I’m still the same person, despite living in a mansion and driving nice cars.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t judge you for being rich… But I have to ask, can you stop secretly paying my bills? I can’t even take friends out to eat without feeling embarrassed.”

“I just wanted to repay you! Not only you, but my father also said Detective Song is a friend worth having.”

“Your father is mistaken. My name is Chen!” Chen Shi glanced at the clock, “It’s nine. You’re going to be late.”

“No worries. The attendance bonus is only 500 yuan. Let’s take our time.”

As they finished eating, Wang Haitao said, “Mr. Chen, I have a business idea.”

“Great! You have the capital to take risks, so go for it!”

“But I need your help.”

“No way. I still need to help the police solve cases.”

“It won’t interfere. Just come with me to a place.”

“You’re skipping work?”

“It’s fine. I’ve already lost this month’s bonus.”

With the case behind him, Chen Shi felt like relaxing. He drove Wang Haitao to a location. They stopped at a “MasterCard Information Consulting Office,” which had a transfer notice on the window. Chen Shi said, “Isn’t this a private detective agency? You want to buy it?”

“Yes, big cities have these. I’ve always thought being a detective was cool since watching TV shows as a kid. Mr. Chen, with your skills, you could run a private detective agency and still cooperate with the police.”

Chen Shi smiled wryly, “You think private detectives do what? They mostly track affairs and catch cheaters.”

This was a gray area. The Public Security Bureau used to prohibit registration of such agencies, which had to masquerade as information consulting or business investigation. If done poorly, they’d be shut down. If successful, they’d draw police attention for privacy invasion.

Although later, the business bureau allowed registration of services like personal security, detective work, and missing person investigations, their legality was somewhere between the sex industry and private lending.

Wang Haitao, full of enthusiasm, said, “We won’t do that. We’ll be like Sherlock Holmes! Mr. Chen, you’re the Sherlock Holmes in my eyes.”

Chen Shi laughed, “Who would hire an expensive private detective for criminal cases? It’s like going to a fancy restaurant that only sells chopsticks.”

Wang Haitao confidently gave a thumbs-up, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”