Chapter 24: Nothing Comes Easy

“Yes, yes, but you look like you’re in your thirties.” Director Liu was certainly quite humorous.

Lin Chuan smiled, then said, “This whole matter was thanks to Xiao Bei.”

Director Liu nodded, and then, turning to me with seriousness, said, “Since Captain Lin trusts you, I trust you as well.”

With that, he called Lin Chuan into his office, as if there was something important to discuss. Once again, I was left waiting outside.

After some time, Lin Chuan emerged, pulled me aside, and said, “Zhang Xiaobei, this case is rather significant, and since you don’t have an official status in our bureau, the higher-ups are concerned it might not look good if word gets out. So, they want to give you a temporary police identity—are you okay with that?”

I thought for a moment; it made sense. In their eyes, I was just an ordinary citizen, yet I understood the case better than the patrol officers. If people heard about this, wouldn’t it make them look incompetent? So I nodded, “Alright, it’s all for serving the people anyway.”

Seeing me agree, Lin Chuan let out a sigh of relief and patted my shoulder. “Thank you for supporting my work.”

“No need for thanks, it’s what I ought to do. I promised those children I’d catch the bad guys. I’ve already asked my friend to look for a woman named Rose. The little girl mentioned before that Fang Xiaolong and his group are a gang, and this time it was likely one of his accomplices named Chen Fei who acted. He’s probably fled by now, but he has a woman named Rose. If we find her, we should be able to find Chen Fei.”

“Rose?” Lin Chuan seemed to recall something upon hearing the name.

“Did you think of something?” I asked.

He frowned and shook his head. “No, go on. It just sounds familiar.”

I nodded, then told him about another member of Fang Xiaolong’s crew, a man called Yang Minghui.

Lin Chuan was furious when he heard this. “People like that wasted all those years of education.”

“Exactly. We must catch them and prevent such things from happening again,” I said solemnly.

“Right, I’ll call my colleagues in the city right away and have them search for this woman named Rose,” Lin Chuan said, heading off to make the call.

I returned to Tan Xiao’s side, where she was still playing with the children.

“Have their parents arrived?” I asked.

“Some have, some haven’t yet,” Tan Xiao replied.

“When will you take them down?”

“Let’s wait until they’ve all seen their parents. These children are really pitiful.” Tan Xiao was gentle and caring in front of them.

I nodded, waiting there for Lin Chuan.

Soon, he came over, car keys in hand, and said, “Let’s go. We should head out and look as well.”

I nodded, then turned to Tan Xiao. “Stay here with them. Once they’ve all seen their parents, take them away.”

“What about you?” she asked.

“Now it’s a matter for the living. After you’re done, go and rest. If I need you, I’ll call. Otherwise, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Fang will handle things.”

She nodded. “Be careful. If you find Fang Xiaolong’s ghost, let me know.”

“Mm!” I responded and followed Lin Chuan out.

It was already six o’clock in the evening, and I remembered He Yanran was still waiting for me at the hotel. I took out my phone and called her.

She answered almost instantly, “Xiao Bei!”

“Are you at the hotel?” I asked.

“Yes!”

“Have you eaten?”

“No, I’m waiting for you to eat together!” she replied.

Knowing she would wait for me no matter what, I said, “Come out then, I’ll be downstairs at the hotel soon.”

After hanging up, I turned to Lin Chuan. “Lin, we haven’t eaten yet. How about we grab dinner first?”

“Right, I forgot. I promised to treat you tonight,” Lin Chuan laughed.

“It’s fine. I’m not alone this time—she’s waiting for me to eat, so I’d like to bring her along before we look for Rose,” I said, a bit helplessly.

Lin Chuan glanced at me, “Is she your girlfriend?”

“Maybe in the future, but not officially yet,” I admitted, a little embarrassed.

“Is she the girl I saw when I came to find you yesterday?” He asked with a gossiping look.

Only then did I remember he’d met He Yanran yesterday. I smiled sheepishly and nodded.

“Not bad. She’s quite pretty, and it’s obvious she likes you. Yesterday, she kept insisting on your innocence when I came by.”

I lowered my head, smiling without saying anything.

When the car pulled up outside the hotel, He Yanran was already waiting by the roadside.

“Xiao Bei, what’s going on?” she asked, worried as she saw me get out of Lin Chuan’s car.

“It’s nothing. I’m friends with Officer Lin now. Come on, let’s get in the car and have dinner first,” I said, opening the door for her.

Once she was in, Lin Chuan drove us to the best restaurant in town. “I said I’d treat you tonight, so order whatever you like.”

“Lin, let’s just have something simple. No need for such a fancy place, we still have business to attend to later,” I told him.

“No worries. We have a lead now, and since your sister-in-law is here, I should treat you to something nice,” Lin Chuan said, starting to order dishes.

He Yanran blushed instantly at the mention of “sister-in-law,” though it was clear she didn’t mind the title.

After ordering, I asked the waiter for an extra set of dishes, since Xiao Yuan was with me.

Lin Chuan was surprised, “Are you expecting another friend?”

“No, it’s just that I have an invisible friend with me. Hope you don’t mind,” I replied honestly.

He was taken aback, but quickly said, “Not at all. I’m sure he helped a lot with this case. If we weren’t about to drive and had more work to do, I’d love to toast you both.”

“Next time,” I said, smiling.

We chatted over dinner, but didn’t mention anything important—not because I didn’t trust He Yanran, but because I didn’t want to frighten her, or risk others overhearing.

After eating, I took He Yanran back to the hotel. Since I had to go out again and didn’t know when I’d return, I told her, “Watch some TV and go to bed early. No need to wait for me. I still have things to do and can’t say when I’ll be back. But since you’ll be alone here, make sure to keep the door locked. Don’t open it for anyone, and I’ll call when I return.”

“Mm, stay safe and come back soon,” she replied, not asking any further, which made me feel tender towards her gentle nature.

“Alright, I’m off. Call me if you need anything.” With that, I closed the door and left. Still uneasy, I considered leaving Xiao Yuan behind, but realized that having a male ghost around might not be appropriate. If He Yanran went to shower and thought no one was there, she might be caught off guard without her clothes. That wouldn’t do. I hadn’t even seen her like that myself—how could I let him see? No, even if I had, it wouldn’t be right.

So I called Tan Xiao. “Could you stay here for a while after you’re done?”

“Why?” she asked.

“The town’s been unsettled lately, and I’m worried about her staying alone,” I answered.

She retorted, “What, am I not a girl?”

“… Sister, no one else can see you. Please just keep an eye out. If anyone suspicious knocks, scare them off!”

“But didn’t you tell me to rest?” Tan Xiao protested.

“You can rest inside too. Please, Miss Underworld Messenger!” I pleaded.

Seeing my earnestness, she finally agreed, “I’ll come over when I’m finished.”

“Great, thank you!” I said, and headed downstairs.

In Lin Chuan’s car, I noticed only Xiao Yuan was with me. “Has Xiao Fang not returned yet?” I asked.

Xiao Yuan looked worried. “Sir, do you think something happened to him?”

“He should be fine. Ghosts like you, whose aura isn’t strong, are usually ignored by evil spirits,” I reassured him.

“Yes, but what if they know he was sent by you?” Xiao Yuan replied.

He had a point. After all, we’d dealt with the evil spirit in Fang Xiaolong’s house today. If Chen Fei’s home had such a spirit too, given their connection, it might sense something.

“Xiao Yuan, can you sense where Xiao Fang is?” I asked, concerned.

“Not in the car. I’d have to go out,” he answered.

“Alright, go find him. If there’s danger, don’t approach—come back and tell me first!” I instructed. Xiao Yuan got out of the car.

“It seems your work is quite dangerous,” Lin Chuan commented.

I sighed, “Every job has its risks, doesn’t it?”

He nodded, then said, “We’re heading to a county bar soon. Rose works there, apparently as the manager. But we can’t go as police officers, so we’ll have to play a part.”

“Alright, but are you certain this Rose is the one we’re looking for?” I asked.

“I’m quite sure. There are only a few women named Rose in the city with a special background, and among those who know Chen Fei well, she’s the only one,” Lin Chuan replied.

Hearing his analysis, I was convinced she was our target.

We sped through the city, arriving outside the bar around eight-thirty. Lin Chuan thought it was a bit early, so we wandered nearby. When it was about nine-thirty, we parked and walked inside.