Chapter 17: Deliberating the Case
The road home with Liu Hong was unexpectedly long.
They walked side by side, resembling young lovers reluctant to part after their first date. The streetlights stretched their shadows, then gradually drew them back in. The night wind was gentle.
When they reached the villa gate, beneath the soft yellow glow, Liu Hong lowered her eyes and spoke in a voice as light as a whisper, “Can… you hug me once more?”
Chen Yu rolled his eyes inwardly.
A hug?
Sister, if you’d invited me in for a bowl of your instant noodles, I wouldn’t have hesitated for a second!
But his expression remained calm, even touched with the tenderness expected in the moment. He opened his arms and gave Liu Hong a solid embrace.
The warmth and fragrance in his arms made Chen Yu’s heart flutter slightly.
Liu Hong lingered in his embrace for a few seconds, her voice trembling with satisfaction as she said softly, “Thank you, little brother. I’ll be at tomorrow afternoon’s event, we… will meet again.”
She turned quickly, as if afraid another second would betray her composure, pushed open the door, and vanished inside.
Chen Yu stood there, rubbing his chin. The air still carried the faint scent of her perfume.
“Tsk, this charming sister really has a powerful effect.”
He murmured, then shook his head, his gaze clearing.
“No matter how alluring, she’s a rose with thorns. Can’t let myself get caught up—too dangerous, too distracting from making money and solving cases.”
He turned away, walking lightly.
Quietly returning to the hotel arranged by the production team, Chen Yu had just stepped out of the elevator when he caught a faint movement near the stairwell.
Someone was there!
His eyes sharpened, steps lightened. Like a panther, he silently approached.
A shadow lurked at the stairwell’s corner, sneaking a look at something.
Chen Yu sneered coldly. Four years of military boxing—was it all for nothing?
He sprang forward, closing the distance in a flash. Before the figure could react, he was behind them, his right hand gripping their shoulder like iron pincers, his left leg sweeping swiftly.
A dull thud sounded, followed by a soft cry.
“Ouch! It hurts… Brother, go easy!”
That voice… so familiar.
Chen Yu paused, lowering his gaze.
Moonlight streamed through the stairwell window, illuminating the “assassin” he’d pinned to the ground—a face showing panic and pain.
The Bubble Girl?
Chen Yu’s mouth twitched, awkwardly letting her go.
“It’s you?”
He demanded, not kindly, “Miss, what are you doing skulking outside my room in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”
Bubble Girl rubbed her sore arm, scowling up at him with a hint of playful reproach.
“I couldn’t sleep! So I thought I’d come find you… to discuss the case!”
---
Her voice carried a deliberate hint of coyness.
“Tch!”
Chen Yu snorted, bluntly exposing her excuse, “You can’t sleep so you come bother me? What if I was already asleep?”
Bubble Girl’s eyes darted, her tone righteous, “But you’re not asleep, are you? Come on, confess—where did you go so late?”
Her big eyes sparkled with gossip.
“Where else? Just sat in the bar downstairs.”
Chen Yu replied casually, swiping his card to unlock the door, then gestured for her to enter.
Inside, a trace of the blonde beauty’s perfume lingered, mingling with a subtle air of intimacy.
Bubble Girl wrinkled her petite nose exaggeratedly as she entered, then flashed a knowing, mischievous grin.
“Well, Chen Yu, why does your room… smell like ‘spring awakening’?”
Chen Yu remained unfazed, playing along, “Of course—spring has arrived!”
He tossed his jacket onto the sofa, then pulled back a corner of the duvet, indicating she should sit.
“Take a seat.”
Now, with her daytime makeup washed away, Bubble Girl’s bare face looked even more pure.
She wore pink cartoon pajamas, her hair loose and casual, less like a gothic Lolita and more like the charming girl next door.
Chen Yu now noticed—her features were well-proportioned, her skin fair and delicate, and without makeup she was a real beauty in the making.
“What, thinking about ‘awakening’ again? Animal?”
Bubble Girl sensed his appraising gaze and, instead of shying away, squared her shoulders in challenge.
“I’m ready for anything.”
Chen Yu grinned, showing a few white teeth, his tone playfully provocative, “A man can never say he’s not up for it!”
He lay back on the bed, hands behind his head, settling into a comfortable position.
“All right, enough nonsense.”
He glanced lazily at Bubble Girl, getting straight to the point, “So—why are you really here in the middle of the night? It’s not just to ‘discuss the case,’ is it? Looking to pry some information from me?”
“Tch! As if you’re some grand master!”
Bubble Girl pouted, her tone mocking, but obediently sat at the edge of the bed.
“I just want to ask, what’s your opinion of Liu Hong now? And for Luo Xiangdong’s case, where do you think we should start?”
“Liu Hong…”
Chen Yu dragged out the name, smiling meaningfully, “She can be crossed off your main suspect list for now. But if you want to waste time on her, I won’t stop you.”
“Oh?”
Bubble Girl’s eyes brightened, her curiosity piqued, leaning closer.
“How did you rule her out? Tell me, tell me!”
Chen Yu only shook his head with a mischievous smile, refusing to answer directly.
His gaze roamed lazily over her cute pajamas.
He hadn’t paid much attention during the day, but now, in sleepwear, her figure was surprisingly curvy.
Under his gaze, a blush crept up Bubble Girl’s fair cheeks.
She shifted uneasily, her voice softening with a hint of coquettish complaint, “Did you… use your looks to charm that pretty widow?”
“What a joke!”
---
Chen Yu scoffed, declaring, “Do you take me for that kind of man? I am a gentleman!”
He paused, then shifted gears, “Giving you the result is generous enough—the process… kids don’t need to know.”
“Oh, right,” Chen Yu suddenly remembered, sitting up and looking intently at Bubble Girl, “That diary of Luo Xiangdong—who has it now? I seriously suspect you three teamed up, deliberately sidelining me! That diary is crucial evidence, and I haven’t even touched it!”
This was no exaggeration.
He desperately wanted to get his hands on the diary, hoping to trigger the system’s ‘retrospect’ skill and uncover key clues.
“Hmph, I’m not with those two blockheads!”
Bubble Girl distanced herself at once, complaining, “They look young but their minds are ancient—creepy, really! The diary’s with that arrogant Sherlock now, he treats it like treasure and won’t let anyone near it, so don’t get your hopes up!”
She hesitated, her gaze flickering, then circled back to the case, inching closer to Chen Yu, her breath fragrant.
“Forget the diary—just tell me, how do you think we should investigate next?”
Her big, watery eyes blinked, brimming with… a hint of intimacy.
“You know…”
Chen Yu couldn’t help but tease, “Aren’t you ranked seventh among detectives? How’d you get that high—by gossiping for clues? Did you start out as a paparazzo?”
“Come on! Tell me, tell me!”
Bubble Girl pleaded, her voice softer still, almost pressing herself against Chen Yu, tugging gently at his sleeve.
Chen Yu sighed, “Why ask me? Those two ahead of you—don’t their opinions matter more?”
Bubble Girl blinked, her tone matter-of-fact, “You’re handsome!”
She paused, then whispered so only he could hear, “And I feel like you’re better than both of them—together!”
“Oh, please!”
Chen Yu exaggeratedly leaned back, creating distance, feigning shock.
“Girl, confess—you didn’t come to discuss the case, you’re after me, wanting a little ‘academic exchange,’ right?”
Bubble Girl’s cheeks flushed, but instead of denying it, she met his gaze boldly, her teeth gently biting her lip.
“Yes, you saw right through me.”
She traced a finger lightly over his chest, her eyes dreamy, breath fragrant.
“So… shall we, brother?”
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
Chen Yu protested once more, “I am a gentleman!”
…
An hour later.
Chen Yu stared blankly at the ceiling, feeling utterly drained.
Beside him, Bubble Girl was fast asleep, her long lashes casting shadows, a contented smile on her lips.
Tiny beads of sweat lingered on her smooth forehead, remnants of their “intense discussion,” adding a touch of alluring charm.
“Hiss…”
“How many points does it take to exchange for kidney enhancements in the system?”
“What a damn fulfilling day!”