Chapter 66: Modern Day Golden Lotus

Chen Shi turned to see an elderly man with a head full of white hair and a face marked by wrinkles, exuding a sense of authority.

“How did you find me?” Chen Shi asked.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on Tao Yueyue’s condition. I knew she was going to have surgery, and you would definitely come,” the old man replied.

“Experience comes with age!” Chen Shi smiled, lighting the cigarette in his mouth.

“I never thought you’d come back this way, with a fake face, fooling your old colleagues and juniors who admire you. How does that feel?” the old man asked.

“Not bad, it feels like being reborn,” Chen Shi replied.

The old man sighed, “Why come back after hiding your identity for so long?”

“Maybe it’s just my nature.”

“Your nature?”

“Just like some people are greedy and some are lecherous, I can’t stand seeing criminals go free. We all have our natures, and mine is no different. But lately, I’ve been too high-profile, even catching your attention. I think it’s time to dial it back,” Chen Shi admitted.

“You know that too, huh?” The old man laughed. “Why not come back openly?”

“I…”

“Because you’re still accused of murder, and that person is still at large?”

“No, because that person has something on me.”

“Let me guess, it’s about Tao Yueyue? He threatened you, saying he’d strike again if you showed up, right?”

Although unwilling to admit it, Chen Shi nodded. His cigarette was almost finished, and he flicked it out the window, extending his hands.

“What are you doing?”

“Aren’t you here to arrest me?”

The old man laughed heartily. “If I were here to arrest you, I wouldn’t come alone in the middle of the night. Chen Shi, you think you’re clever, but you can’t fool everyone. That night never ended; the case against Zhou Xiao was never closed. Some of my top men have been tracking him. I’ve known about your actions from the start. Call it shielding a subordinate or bending the law, but I know you didn’t kill anyone. You couldn’t have shot your superior and girlfriend. Only by catching Zhou Xiao can we clear your name. That’s why the higher-ups in the police have turned a blind eye to your actions. Your badge hasn’t been deactivated; in a confidential file in my safe, you’re still listed as an undercover officer.”

Chen Shi looked surprised, then resumed his usual smile. “So, I’m still a cop. You guys didn’t even pay me a dime.”

“I’ll pay you for this case once it’s over. Don’t forget to have dinner with me then!”

“Take care of yourself, Chief. Live long enough for that.”

“You little rascal, I’ll outlive you!” The old man laughed and took out an envelope, handing it to Chen Shi. From the feel of it, it was a wad of cash.

“Is the boss giving out bonuses?”

“It’s for Tao Yueyue’s treatment, my personal savings. Don’t let my wife know.”

“Just keep her out of my cab.”

The old man opened the door, then paused. “Why did you become a cab driver?”

“I don’t know how to do anything else. Do you want to see me selling stinky tofu on the street?”

“You little rascal, take care!” The old man walked away, his slightly hunched figure disappearing into the night. Chen Shi saluted him, murmuring, “Thank you, Chief!” He held the salute for a full minute, feeling overwhelmed. He needed a drink to calm his mind, so he headed to his usual bar.

Wang Jinsong’s case caused a stir in Long’an, but soon the public’s attention shifted to celebrity tax evasion and rising gas prices. A week later, the incident was forgotten, and life went on as usual.

Chen Shi drove his cab late into the night. After work, he joined some driver friends at Stone Monkey Road for skewers. They shared stories over cola and grilled food.

Chen Shi was usually the life of the party, telling sensational stories about various cases, claiming he saw them on legal shows when asked.

But tonight, the spotlight was on a middle-aged driver named Li Tao. He animatedly recounted a modern-day version of “Golden Lotus.” According to him, a woman named Pan was having an affair with a small-time boss surnamed Ximen. Her husband, surnamed Wu, found out and started causing trouble at Ximen’s company. A month later, Wu died in a car accident, his car and body burnt to ashes. The police suspected Ximen of hiring a killer and were investigating him, even shutting down his company.

Everyone at the table said, “You made that up. Such coincidences don’t happen.”

“It’s true! The whole city is talking about it. It seems like any woman named Pan who meets a man named Ximen is doomed.”

“Superstition!”

“Damn, my wife’s last name is Pan. Does that mean…”

“You better check if any of her friends are named Ximen.”

“You’re asking for a beating!”

“Calm down. Brother Li, when did this happen?” Chen Shi asked.

“Just a couple of days ago. I heard it from a passenger.”

Chen Shi quickly finished his grilled eggplant, “Sorry, I have to go. Something came up at home.”

Everyone teased, “Forgot to inflate your wife?”

In the car, Chen Shi texted Lin Dongxue, “A modern-day Golden Lotus? Such an interesting case, and you didn’t call me?”

Lin Dongxue replied, “Where did you hear about that? We’re not desperate enough to call you for every case. This one’s almost solved. It’s definitely that Ximen Qing.”

“Just don’t mess it up.”

“Jinx! You just want to hog the spotlight.”

The next morning, Lin Dongxue arrived at the precinct. They were indeed investigating the case. The names of the involved parties were almost too fitting. The deceased, Wu, even had a brother who filed the report and provided key evidence.

Lin Dongxue had met Wu’s brother, Wu Hao, once. He was a fitness coach, trained in Taekwondo and Sanda, with a muscular build and handsome features. Whenever he mentioned his brother’s death, he got extremely agitated, vowing to chop off the heads of the adulterous couple and place them on his brother’s grave. Everyone feared he might actually do it.

At the time of the crime, Pan and “Ximen Qing” were at a resort, with a clear alibi. The police suspected Ximen of hiring a killer, mainly focusing on his financial records and uncovering tax evasion. They were just missing the final piece of evidence.

Now it was up to Lin Qiupu to address it at the meeting…