Chapter 26: Sister, Won’t You Come In and Sit?

Upon hearing this, Captain Yan’s deep eyes grew even more complex. This kid—how could he be so probing, so determined to dig for the truth? At this moment, Yan genuinely wished he could see right through Chen Yu. His gaze lingered until Chen Yu felt a shiver in his heart, only then did Yan finally curl his lips into a satisfied smile and say, “Kid, I have to admit, my first impression of you was absolutely terrible!”

“But last night, I took a few hours to carefully watch several playback sessions of the live broadcast.” Yan paused, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. “The more I watched, the more I felt a powerful illusion. I started to think, deep down, you’re a born investigator! In fact, you reminded me of myself back when I graduated from the police academy—full of passion, but with a touch of rebelliousness!”

“The way you seem to break the rules, yet truly understand human nature with your investigative techniques, and your knack for extracting key information without anyone noticing—it’s uncanny! You’re practically cut from the same mold!”

Yan smiled with nostalgia in his eyes.

Old fox, such sharp insight! Chen Yu cursed inwardly. Wasn’t it true? Before he crossed over, he’d just graduated from the police academy himself, eager to prove himself, still brimming with youthful bravado.

“Of course,” Yan’s smile faded, his expression growing serious again, “choosing you isn’t just about that ‘familiarity’. There are deeper reasons as well.”

“Let me guess,” Chen Yu’s lips curled into a mischievous smile, “I bet you’re not about to flatter me.”

“Flattery... well, there’s some too!” Yan stroked his chin and said in a low voice, “Looking back at your actions yesterday—seemingly casual, even reckless—when analyzed, each one had a clear purpose, and the results were surprisingly effective.”

“I truly appreciate your ability to achieve so much with so little effort!”

“But most importantly, there’s Zhang Fu.” Yan’s tone grew grave. “He’s like a shroud of mist—no one can really see through him. His daughter’s tragic death... who knows what kind of storm he’ll stir in River City next? No one can predict it.”

“If I rely solely on my regular team, those who follow the rules, I fear this case won’t be solved anytime soon.”

“And this case... cannot be delayed!”

“That’s why I need you—the catfish!” Yan enunciated each word. “Your methods, which outsiders view as almost ‘lawless’, might be the key to breaking the stalemate! Using you is a risky move—a gamble I must take!”

Chen Yu felt a stir in his heart, just about to speak.

Yan raised his hand, cutting him off. “Initially, I was just trying my luck. But after a whole afternoon talking with you, I’m more convinced than ever that this risky move might turn into a winning strategy!”

“Oh, Captain Yan, please don’t put me on such a pedestal!” Chen Yu exaggeratedly patted his chest. “My heart can’t handle this kind of praise!”

“But rest assured, I’ll give my all to this case!”

“After all, the Zhang Luoluo case has also drawn out another partner of Luo Xiangdong.”

“These two cases—I feel there’s a special connection between them.”

“Though I don’t have concrete evidence yet, give me a few days, and I’ll give you a clear answer!”

“Good, very good!” Yan nodded with satisfaction. “Back then, I was just as confident—perhaps even arrogant!”

Then he asked, “Next, how do you plan to handle Luo Xiangdong’s case?”

---

“According to the usual format of ‘Cold Case Revisited’, tomorrow all contestants should gather for the case deduction and presentation session.”

“Most cases are concluded on the third day—tomorrow—with the top-performing contestant revealing the so-called ‘truth’, to show off their ‘quick’ detective skills.”

“Are you planning to play along, label Luo Xiangdong’s case as ‘accidental’, wrap up the show early, and continue our investigation in secret? Or will you refute it on the spot, go along with the flow, extend the show’s duration, and use the program’s resources and influence to keep investigating?”

“Hmm...” Chen Yu rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

It was indeed a tough choice.

“If I pretend Luo Xiangdong died accidentally, end the show quickly, and win the two million prize money, subsequent secret investigations would be much easier and more free.”

“But I worry that, after getting the prize, I’ll get cocky!” Chen Yu suddenly grinned, half-joking.

Yan’s mouth twitched, shooting him an annoyed glance.

“If I choose to extend the show,” Chen Yu’s smile faded, his brows furrowed, “the investigation would be more constrained, plus I’d have to endure those three clowns and their nauseating deductions.”

“But this might be better for Liu Hong.”

“At least, letting her know the truth about her husband’s death is the basic respect she deserves.”

Chen Yu couldn’t help but picture Liu Hong’s tear-stained yet strangely alluring face.

“Let me give you a word of advice, as someone who’s been there.” Yan seemed to see through Chen Yu’s little distractions, warning sternly, “Don’t get too involved with any related parties in the case, especially the victims’ family members!”

“Otherwise, your judgment might suffer fatal errors!”

“Uh...”

He could see that? This old fox was uncanny!

Chen Yu’s heart leapt, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

Just now, he’d indeed lost control for a moment, imagining some... rather inappropriate scenes.

For example, Liu Hong being deeply moved by his insistence on finding the truth, and then the two of them ending up in Luo Xiangdong’s old villa, with things happening that couldn’t be described...

Wait!

Chen Yu suddenly caught a key word in Yan’s warning.

“Someone who’s been there?”

Could it be that this old fox once...?

Chen Yu’s lips unconsciously curled into a sly arc.

---

The second day’s live broadcast of “Cold Case Revisited” ended with the main screen cloaked in heavy, oppressive silence, while Chen Yu and Yan’s secondary feed filled with complaints like “What are they up to?”, “Is this paid content?”, “Let us see what’s happening in the car!”

If it weren’t for the presence of Goddess Su Qingzhu, the second day’s ratings would have hit rock bottom.

The director frowned as he watched the backstage data. Who could he blame? How could he blame anyone?

No one had expected Luo Xiangdong’s death to be an accident. Not even the viewers—or the director himself—could accept it.

The three contestants were even more dissatisfied!

Chen Yu had always been the show’s traffic magnet! Could the poor ratings be blamed on him? Hardly.

---

The earlier high-energy scene in the secret chamber, where he “came back to life” once more, had sent the livestream into a frenzy, with online viewership even surpassing the first day.

But afterward, no one knew what he and Yan were up to—they hid in the car for the entire afternoon, not emerging until the broadcast ended.

What were they discussing in secret? Anyone could guess it was confidential.

“I have to find out what they talked about this afternoon!” The director anxiously dialed Lin Bing’s number...

---

Evening passed, and dusk deepened.

Chen Yu parked the black special operations vehicle smoothly in the parking lot of the five-star hotel where the production team was staying.

After a lingering farewell with Captain Yan, and agreeing on future contact, he leisurely walked toward the elevator.

Returning to his floor, he stepped out of the elevator and immediately spotted a striking figure.

The beautiful host Lin Bing was standing outside his room, as if she’d been waiting for some time.

“Bingbing, what brings you here so late?” Chen Yu plastered on his trademark dazzling smile—the kind that could make any woman’s heart skip a beat—and quickened his pace to greet her.

The moment Lin Bing saw Chen Yu, obvious delight flashed in her eyes.

It was as if she’d been bewitched by something called “Chen Yu”—her heart skipped a beat, and it took her a while to recover.

With a hint of reproach and curiosity, she asked, “You’re one to talk!”

“I want to know, Detective Chen, what on earth were you and Captain Yan up to in the car all afternoon? Why so mysterious?”

Lin Bing was here, of course, because of the director’s “strong suggestion”—she must subtly probe what Chen Yu and Yan were up to.

She agreed readily, because she was curious herself.

Yet, when Chen Yu bounced back, she couldn’t even figure out her own feelings.

She was a popular host, seasoned and worldly—why was it that this young man, sometimes serious, sometimes roguish, who loved to “play dead” for attention, made her heart race uncontrollably?

Was this the legendary... love at first sight?

Nonsense!

Lin Bing’s cheeks flushed as she mentally chided herself.

“What could two grown men like Captain Yan and me possibly get up to?” Chen Yu approached, pulled out his room card, and swiped it against the lock.

With a soft beep, the door opened.

He turned, giving Lin Bing a look so enchanting it could make any woman’s heart race.

“Of course... we were deeply discussing the case.”

“Sister, the night is getting late. Would you like to come in... and sit for a while?”