Chapter 47: Shadows of a Bygone Era

Evening.

Lin Tiansheng held a statement and stopped Pi Zhibang, who was finishing his shift in the corridor. He said loudly, “Officer Pi, the Lobster Bay murder case is solved.”

Pi Zhibang took the file, eyes wide with surprise. “You can solve cold cases too, Sheng? Impressive.”

“It’s not me who’s impressive, it’s Scotland Yard,” Lin Tiansheng replied. “If the police force invested in DNA analysis equipment, the case clearance rate could improve by ten percent.”

Pi Zhibang spoke seriously, “Sorry, the police don’t have ten percent unsolved cases. Want to have tea tonight with Officer Qiao in Mong Kok? Join us?”

“You go ahead. I have work to do,” Lin Tiansheng waved him off, focused entirely on cracking cases, uninterested in mingling at the senior officers’ dinner.

“DNA, thinking of DNA technology—that’s brains. Three years at the reservoir, reading scientific papers every day?” Pi Zhibang looked skeptical but admitted that solving a murder case was a merit.

Although the Hong Kong Police don’t promise to solve every murder, such cases are classified as violent crimes, second only to shootings, terrorism, and violent protests.

Back in the office area, Lin Tiansheng checked his watch and instructed, “Old Ma, keep Yun here. Someone from the Correctional Services will come later to pick up Lu Guohua. Others, off duty.”

“Yes, sir...”

Faced with irrefutable evidence, Lu Guohua and Kong Manman, the adulterous couple, quickly broke down mentally. Old Ma used separated interrogations, bluffing and cunning, and was the first to get Kong Manman to speak.

The case was straightforward. Kong Manman, a housewife managing finances, met Lu Guohua at a securities firm.

Lu, a manager who long courted clients for private equity investments, helped Kong make a lot of money during a bullish market.

Kong, once meek and submissive to her husband, gradually lifted her head, feeling neglected by her doctor husband who worked late and offered no companionship.

Running a clinic earned only a little; her monthly income couldn’t keep up with daily market gains.

Eventually, the classic tale of infidelity unfolded: during the day, Kong and Lu traded stocks; at night, they invested together. But markets are risky. After six months, Lu’s private equity fund suffered huge losses. He suggested Kong use her clinic’s license to apply for a commercial loan from the bank.

Because the clinic had good credentials, she secured 800,000 to cover losses, all hidden from her husband. When he discovered and questioned her, he was cruelly discarded like rubble.

Walking out of the office with the boss, young He Li expressed his feelings, “Kong Manman is worse than Pan Jinlian—a real vile woman.”

Zhang Jinrong, who always hated treacherous women, shook his head thoughtfully. “No, no, no, the one at fault isn’t Kong Manman; it’s her doctor husband.”

“Giving money to a woman, tsk tsk, he got what he deserved!”

Lin Tiansheng glanced sideways at Ah Rong, who had become even more radical.

He opened the car door and advised, “When working in law enforcement, you face the worst of human nature. Don’t confuse one person with everyone. You all know where you stand.”

Gao Zicong muttered, “Ah Rong’s right, it’s always those who eat at the table who get harmed.”

“Hopeless.”

Lin Tiansheng shook his head—not blaming Gao Zicong, but lamenting the hopelessness of the culture. When the previous National Service just started, many comrades suffered. He was busy dealing with multiple demobilization affairs and communicating with leadership. After being reborn decades ago, if he rejoined the advanced service now and led the brothers, it would be like fighting a peak-level boxing match all over again!

...

Mong Kok, Garden Street, No. 135.

In front of a two-story teahouse without a signboard.

Pi Zhibang loosened his tie, nodded to the undercover guard at the door, clutching a folder, and strode inside. He smiled at the officers around two Eight Immortals tables. “Gentlemen, long time no see.”

At the head seat sat Chief Inspector Qiao Jingxing from the Criminal Investigation Department; on his right was Wong Kaihin from the Internal Investigation Section; on his left stood Fu Yongshi, Chief Inspector of the Mobile Unit. Senior Inspector Li Jiaxiang from the Special Duties Unit and Female Inspector Hong Baolian from the Public Relations Department were also present.

Senior Inspectors Zeng Xiangrong of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department and An Zhihong from the East Kowloon Uniformed Unit were there as well...

Among the remnants, all senior inspectors and above with real power were present.

The most powerful, Qiao Jingxing, clearly in charge, pointed to a chair when Pi arrived and said, “Most people are here. Those who aren’t either aren’t suitable or don’t want to come.”

“Brothers used to be scattered like sand; if we could avoid seeing each other, we would. But since we’ve decided to support Officer Sheng, we should sit down and talk.”

Pi Zhibang didn’t take the seat but raised his file and approached Officer Qiao. “Wait a moment, Officer Sheng just solved a murder case.”

Qiao Jingxing looked surprised, took the file, and after reading it, smiled. “Smart, daring, skilled—good news.”

Everyone sipped tea, not rushing to speak, reviewing the documents.

Hong Baolian, the female inspector from Public Relations, wore short hair and light makeup. Though professional, her features were fair and pretty. Crossing her legs in high heels, holding a well-known brand of mint-flavored ladies’ cigarettes, she exhaled through red lips and said slowly, “Send him to handle arms cases, not some dismemberment. If he likes murder cases so much, why wave that flag? He’ll be stuck in Major Crimes Division forever.”

Pi Zhibang grinned, wanting to praise Lin Tiansheng but found no mouth to speak for him. Fortunately, Officer Sheng wasn’t here; otherwise, the first meeting of the remnants would explode.

No choice—the smaller the group, the weaker the power, the fiercer the internal competition, and the easier it is to collapse.

Unable to fight outwardly, they vented internally.

Pi Zhibang protested, “Big Sis, it’s only been less than a week in a month; no need to rush.”

Hong Baolian was one of the four top detectives’ mistress, rising through her looks and connections. During the anti-corruption storm, she bedded a foreigner and easily avoided struggles, securing a powerful position as Senior Inspector in Public Relations. But as she aged and lost favor with foreigners, she had to return to play with the remnants, like a resentful woman.

Now the remnants were just defeated soldiers left behind.

They urgently needed a strong leader!

Qiao Jingxing was capable but over forty, nearing retirement, lacking ambition. He smiled and maintained the status quo. “If the Criminal Investigation Department can’t handle cases well, forget about one month or three to four months. If Officer Sheng can solve them, he’s ready to take the lead.”

“Today I called everyone together to unite and discuss how to support Officer Sheng in rebuilding his reputation.”

Li Jiaxiang from the Special Duties Unit, with a buzz cut, dark skin, and lean build, spoke straightforwardly, “The operational units provide manpower; the authorities give powers; the profitable departments should contribute more money.”

“A teahouse signboard is easy to find—just put it up again. But what sign should we raise in the police force?”

This unlicensed teahouse appeared freshly cleaned: Eight Immortals tables, armchairs, spotless. Yet the dusty corners, cobwebbed beams, and yellowed leather spoke of years without operation. Unlike before, when every day after work, agents and detectives came and went, drinking tea, chatting, and playing cards.

The reunion of old brothers felt like a shadow cast on the windowsill—raising one’s hand to see the old moon. The people were the same; the moon was the same; the whole picture was gone, leaving only fragments.

Wong Kaihin spoke calmly, “The signboard should be decided by those who carry it!”

“Let’s just talk about how to contribute effort and money.”

The first meeting lacked the most crucial person. Within two hours, the officers dispersed hastily, but a beginning was made, and with a beginning, there was a future.

Zhong Zhihui sat in the intelligence vehicle, eyes fixed on the red dot representing ‘Daozai East’ as it slowly approached Tsuen Wan Pier. She put the eavesdropping earplugs on and signaled to her partner, “Notify Major Crimes Unit; operation at Tsuen Wan Pier is underway.”

“Yes, sir.”