Only Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie were left in the office. On the whiteboard, complex arrows and names appeared and were erased; the truth was beginning to take shape within these intricate lines.

“Luo Manchai was a complex person with many stories surrounding her. In college, she would do anything for fame and profit, driving Dai Jing, whom she saw as a rival, mad. After entering the entertainment industry, she remained a Z-list celebrity for a long time but was willing to hone her acting skills. When Sun Jing was at his most painful, she even thought of giving him a hand. She must have had redeeming qualities; helping Sun Jing was one of them, and it was her redeeming qualities that attracted Fu Chunxing. So Fu Chunxing silently helped her, sending her to the position of ‘Goddess’.”

“Her despicable nature coexisted with her redeeming qualities. At her lowest point, she even considered life-exchange surgery. Although it wasn’t carried out in the end, it was likely because she had already become popular. If Fu Chunxing hadn’t helped her and she remained unable to make a name for herself, maybe she would have still gone down that path.”

“Fu Chunxing died, and the Fu family looked for a ‘bride,’ needing to force her to commit suicide. At this time, another force intervened, treating Luo Manchai as a ‘Feng Shui Fish.’ This force might be even richer and more powerful than Zhuiting.”

Both thought of the same name simultaneously: “The Yu Corporation?”

There are thousands of wealthy families, but the one the Serious Crimes Unit had dealt with the most recently was the Yu Corporation. With successive incidents at Rongmei, and Ling Lie having just learned about Rongmei’s sinister architectural layout from Tu Wang, it was simply impossible not to think of the Yu Corporation.

The Rongmei case led by Sun Jing had already been separated from the Luo Manchai case, but new evidence once again turned the Serious Crimes Unit’s attention to Rongmei. If Tu Wang’s analysis was accurate, then the Yu family, being this superstitious, was very likely to do something like using a person as a ‘Feng Shui Fish.’

Ji Chenjiao said, “But there’s one point—I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or an accident. The Fu family wanted to find Luo Manchai as a ‘bride,’ which is understandable. Why did the other party insist on finding Luo Manchai as a ‘Feng Shui Fish’? Everyone targeted her?”

Luo Manchai became the central figure on the clue map, but ironically, her death didn’t seem to be retribution for her past actions. She had hurt people weaker than herself; Dai Jing’s failure, madness, and even death became nutrients for her entry into the entertainment industry. She was a glamorous rose blooming on the corpse of a young girl.

And when she grew to her current state, becoming the “Goddess” in the hearts of thousands of fans, two forces far stronger than her engulfed her. She would either die from the Fu family’s long-term, slow mental erosion to accompany Fu Chunxing underground, or die to “block disaster” for someone.

Reality gave the second answer.

Xi Wan worked overtime to complete the appraisal of the two types of charms. Ji Chenjiao’s was very ordinary and could be bought in many ancient towns and streets. Considering that foreign folklore had become an internet celebrity selling point, it wasn’t surprising that many mysterious objects from southern countries had been imitated as commodities in recent years.

But what was shocking was that Luo Manchai’s charm was only better crafted but also belonged to mass imitation.

“Interesting. Superstitious enough to use a person as a ‘Feng Shui Fish’ to block disaster, yet the props used are high-quality fakes.” Ling Lie tossed the charm in his hand. “Is it that they couldn’t get real ones, or couldn’t be bothered to get real ones?”

The answer was obvious. If they could buy a life, obtaining a real charm would definitely not be difficult.

On TV, the local financial channel was reporting on a new project of the Yu Corporation, and Yu Qin appeared on camera.

“She came to Xiarong.” Ji Chenjiao took the remote control and turned up the volume. Yu Qin talked eloquently, looking forward to the group’s future. When a reporter asked about Chairman Yu Qianming’s illness, Yu Qin said everything was under control.

“The Yu family is superstitious about ghosts and gods. If it was the Yu family who hired the killer to murder Luo Manchai, who did they want to block disaster for?” Ji Chenjiao said, “The long-ill Yu Qianming?”

Ling Lie said, “That’s actually possible. When I was little, the Yu family’s old residence held a very sinister blessing ceremony.”

“Oh?”

At that time, the young and ignorant Yu Ge didn’t know why the house was suddenly filled with smoke and fragrance. He only saw a group of masked people in colorful robes holding bells, torches, and small wood carvings he didn’t recognize, chanting and dancing in the main hall of the main house. The blood of something unknown was burned, and the sound of blood boiling was very sticky, unlike other boiling liquids. Listening to it for a long time made one’s hair stand on end.

The ceremony lasted for about half a month. Little Yu Ge remembered very clearly that Yu Qin didn’t come back once during that half month. Living alone in Yu Qin’s house, he heard screams coming from the main house every night, gradually turning from fear to calmness.

Half a year after the incident, he learned that the old matriarch of the Yu family was critically ill at that time, and Yu Qianming had invited a famous foreign shaman to perform magic. Although he was young, he knew there were no ghosts or gods in the world and scoffed at the Yu family’s behavior. That ceremony ultimately failed to save the old lady’s life; she died a week after the ceremony ended.

“Now it’s Yu Qianming’s turn to face death’s door. I wouldn’t be surprised by anything he does.” Ling Lie changed his tone. “However, since it’s a hired hit, I’m afraid it will be very difficult to find evidence within the Yu family.”

Ji Chenjiao stared at the TV. “But Yu Qin is in Xiarong now, and we still have the card of Rongmei in our hands.”

After a moment of silence, Ling Lie said, “I’ll find an opportunity to probe Yu Qin again.”

Yu Qin’s work schedule in Xiarong City wasn’t publicly announced, but Shen Qi found out she was staying in a suite on the 37th floor of the Yurong Yongge, a five-star hotel owned by the Yu Group, where the Yu Group would also hold a small business banquet.

After getting the information, Ling Lie dove into Ji Chenjiao’s closet.

Ji Chenjiao hooked his back collar and lifted him out. “Do you think you can fit into my formal wear?”

Ling Lie: “What if there’s a smaller size?”

Ji Chenjiao: “Can’t you just go buy a set now?”

Ling Lie shook his head wildly. “I’m stingy.”

Ji Chenjiao’s eyelids twitched. “I’ll buy it!”

Ling Lie smiled and wrapped his arms around Ji Chenjiao’s waist. “Xiao Ji, wearing yours is OK for me.”

Ji Chenjiao was electrified by his gaze. This person was teasing him all the time.

The distance between the closet and the bed was so small. Ji Chenjiao pushed gently, pushing Ling Lie into the closet. A full row of hanging clothes covered Ling Lie’s laughter and also covered the subsequent sounds.

Serious Crimes Unit, Technical Investigation Area.

“Brother Team, here to order me around again?” Shen Qi put down the coffee he just bought.

Ji Chenjiao nodded and handed the photo of the charm to Shen Qi. “Check in the system to see if this thing has appeared in any cases from various police stations or detachments in the last year.”

Shen Qi was stunned. “If there were any, shouldn’t we have known long ago?”

Ji Chenjiao: “Not necessarily. This kind of thing that looks like a peace charm at first glance might be ignored by the handling officers. Didn’t we ignore it too?”

“Then, then now that the scene is gone, how to find it?”

“Check the original investigation records. The handling officers might not have taken it seriously, but it’s very likely they recorded it.”

“Okay, I’ll check right away!”

At dusk, Ling Lie and Ji Chenjiao arrived at Yurong Yongge one after another. Ling Lie ultimately didn’t find formal wear that fit his figure and wore casual clothes. Ji Chenjiao, on the other hand, was in a suit and tie, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking like a quintessential refined scoundrel.

This banquet of the Yu Group was quite private. They might not be able to sneak in, but the purpose of this trip wasn’t to attend the banquet anyway, just to change the scene and chat with Yu Qin about Rongmei.

The banquet was held on the 32nd floor, and the entire floor was sealed off. Shen Qi found out that Yu Qin stayed in a suite on the 37th floor. Ling Lie took a hacked card and lay in wait on the 37th floor. Ji Chenjiao waited for an opportunity in the ordinary banquet hall on the 3rd floor.

Night fell, and the 3rd floor gradually became lively. There was also a banquet on the 3rd floor today, much looser than the one on the 32nd floor. Seeing well-dressed guests, the doorman almost never stopped them to ask for invitations. Ji Chenjiao’s outstanding appearance allowed him to sneak in easily, attracting many gazes before long.

He knew who was looking at him; they were all predatory gazes. But suddenly, he noticed a familiar face.

Bo… Bo what was it again?

In June of this year, a murder occurred at the crayfish party in Fengyi Mountain Villa. During the Serious Crimes Unit’s investigation, they met this noticeably calm UP host.

Ji Chenjiao remembered his name: Bo Lingxue, working in a foreign trade company, an amateur universe sci-fi UP host.

Seeming to notice a scrutinizing gaze falling on him, Bo Lingxue turned to Ji Chenjiao. After searching for a moment, his eyes met Ji Chenjiao’s. He obviously recognized Ji Chenjiao too, walking over quickly with a plate in one hand. “Isn’t this Officer Ji? We meet again.”

Bo Lingxue wore a light gray shirt and black trousers today, appearing more mature than at Fengyi Mountain Villa.

“Here for the event?” Ji Chenjiao asked.

Bo Lingxue answered with a question, “Officer Ji is dressed like this; could you be here to investigate something?”

Ji Chenjiao chuckled. “Can’t I just come for a casual meal?”

Bo Lingxue also laughed. “Of course you can. Police officers need rest too.”

The two went to a corner by the window and chatted for a while about the case at the crayfish party. Ji Chenjiao felt that Bo Lingxue seemed to be expecting something. associating it with how he hadn’t been invited last time but sneaked in among the guests, could he be trying to fish in troubled waters this time too?

Ji Chenjiao probed, “There’s more than this one banquet here today.”

Bo Lingxue raised an eyebrow. “I knew it. Officer Ji, you must be aiming for the banquet on the 32nd floor.”

“Hmm?”

“I also want to go up and see. This Yurong Yongge is a property of the Yu Group, one of the best five-star hotels in Xiarong. The one holding the banquet upstairs today is the boss of the Yu Group. If I can sneak in, maybe I can expand my social circle.”

Ji Chenjiao asked, “Do you have an invitation?”

Bo Lingxue said, “No, so I’m here looking for a chance. Officer Ji, I guess you came for the Rongmei Rehabilitation Center?”

Ji Chenjiao put down his goblet.

“Everyone in our company thinks that case is suspicious and guesses you guys are definitely continuing the investigation.” Bo Lingxue smiled. “How about this, I, as a member of the public, will also contribute.”

With that, Bo Lingxue walked into the crowd.

Bo Lingxue had good looks, elegant and gentle. Standing among the ladies, he soon elicited bursts of laughter.

A quarter of an hour later, he bid farewell to the ladies gentlemanly. When he returned to Ji Chenjiao, he held an invitation ticket between his index and middle fingers.

“Let’s go, Officer Ji. Let’s go see the Yu Group’s banquet.”

On the 32nd floor, after checking the invitation ticket, the security guard respectfully invited the two inside. In the banquet hall, melodious piano music played, and people in fine clothes chatted in low voices while tasting wine.

Ji Chenjiao looked around in the crowd for a while and saw Yu Qin chatting with a couple.

He didn’t act rashly but observed Yu Qin from a distance. Yu Qin seemed to sense something and suddenly looked over at him. At that moment, he saw very obvious surprise in Yu Qin’s eyes.

The captain of the Serious Crimes Unit arriving uninvited at such an occasion—it was normal for Yu Qin to be surprised. But a trace of confusion flashed through Ji Chenjiao’s mind; he felt that Yu Qin’s surprise contained other meanings.

“Officer Ji, I’m going to expand my network now,” Bo Lingxue said. “Make yourself at home.”

Ji Chenjiao nodded. “Thank you.”

Bo Lingxue: “You’re welcome.”

When Ji Chenjiao looked at Yu Qin again, he couldn’t find her anymore. Ji Chenjiao took a few steps forward, quickly looking around, and confirmed that Yu Qin was no longer in the banquet hall.

Yu Qin recognized him, so she fled?

Ten minutes later, Ling Lie “accidentally met” the hurried Yu Qin on the 37th floor.

Ling Lie leaned in the shadows of the corner and waved his hand at Yu Qin. Yu Qin stopped, the surprise in her eyes gradually turning into feigned gentleness. “Come in and sit.”

Ling Lie followed Yu Qin into the room. “Heard you came to Xiarong, so I came to visit.”

Yu Qin laughed, her tone a bit cold. “Coming in a private capacity, or as a police officer?”

Ling Lie smiled. “Both.”

Yu Qin poured two glasses of water, drank one herself, and placed the other in front of Ling Lie. “Ask whatever you want to know. If not you, it would be other police officers.”

Ling Lie: “Oh?”

Yu Qin: “I just met someone from your police force. The one who came to find me with you in Dongye City last time.”

Ling Lie was a bit thirsty and drank the water straightforwardly. “We are investigating the Rongmei case.”

Yu Qin interrupted, “Rongmei’s problem lies in management. Our original intention was to build a large rehabilitation center within the economic radiation zone of a big city, firstly to benefit the people, and secondly to boost the group’s reputation. It’s not a standalone profit project. The competent department’s poor management of employees led to the emergence of an evil doctor like Sun Jing. So now the North District of Rongmei is closed and won’t reopen until rectification is complete.”

These words were quite official, similar to what Yu Qin said at the press conference. And Ling Lie certainly didn’t come today to hear her bureaucratic speech.

Ling Lie: “During the investigation, I found something very strange. It has little to do with Sun Jing, but relates to the fire at the grocery market back then.”

Yu Qin frowned. “That fire has absolutely nothing to do with the Yu Group. You can choose not to believe me, but the investigation report was issued by your police. You don’t even trust your colleagues?”

“No, no, no.” Ling Lie’s tone was relaxed. “I didn’t say someone set that fire on purpose. But I consulted foreign folklore experts. Rongmei’s architectural layout likely utilizes the Feng Shui of the fire.”

Hearing this, Yu Qin’s pupils stagnated, and the skin on her face, covered with thick foundation, tightened.

“Investigating Rongmei inevitably leads to the Yu Group. So I found a phenomenon hard to understand—the Yu Group’s development direction has always been in big cities and overseas. Why go to small places like Chaoxia County for projects?” Ling Lie said, “Not just Chaoxia County, but other counties also had fires similar to the Chaoxia County grocery market. It’s hard for me to convince myself this is a coincidence.”

Yu Qin stared into Ling Lie’s eyes; neither dodged. After a moment, Yu Qin sighed helplessly. “I didn’t expect that one day I would have such a conversation with my child.”

Ling Lie said, “I haven’t turned on any recording devices.”

Yu Qin said, “Can I take this as a sentiment for family affection?”

Ling Lie didn’t speak. Yu Qin quickly added, “Sorry, I’m not mocking you. The group has had too many troubles recently, and Chairman Yu’s health fluctuates. I can’t quite control my temper.”

Ling Lie said, “Rongmei’s matter is also particularly troubling for you, right?”

Seeing the topic couldn’t be bypassed, Yu Qin lowered her eyes and remained silent for a long time. “Since you came today, I won’t hide anything from you. The group once had a strategy for expanding into counties. The projects in Chaoxia County and other counties were started during those times. But later developments proved this move wasn’t very successful. Except for Rongmei, supported by the huge economy of Xiarong City, projects in other counties haven’t developed well.”

Ling Lie could tell Yu Qin was dodging the question, but he didn’t interrupt immediately.

“You suspect we chose the fire site, but have you calculated the investment cost?” Yu Qin said, “Take Chaoxia County as an example. So many people burned to death in the grocery market at once. Many investors came to see it but were wary of the Feng Shui. They wanted it but didn’t dare take it. Such a good piece of land was rotting, and the price kept falling. The local area was also eager to find an investor, so we got it at the lowest price. You say I exploited the fire; that’s true. But the fire itself has nothing to do with the group.”

Ling Lie said, “What about the architectural layout? Its form is practically identical to the sacrificial altars on Pacific islands.”

Yu Qin’s fingers shrank slightly, barely noticeably. “I don’t know about any sacrificial altars. The design was handed over to a professional team.”

“I remember our family has always been superstitious about Feng Shui,” Ling Lie said. “Other investors were wary of the grocery market’s Feng Shui, so why weren’t we suddenly? Not only did we take the land, but we didn’t even hire a ‘master’ to appease the dead souls.”

The words “our family” seemed to provoke Yu Qin. She looked at Ling Lie with a complex expression and didn’t answer for half a minute.

“Now I found the answer on the sacrificial altar of the small island. You directly utilized the fire, wanting the fire itself, and built an altar to continue the fortune of the Yu Group.”

Yu Qin’s face became somewhat ugly. “This is nonsense.”

Ling Lie smiled. “Just a casual chat, not an interrogation. Nonsense isn’t too excessive, is it?”

Yu Qin stood up and paced a few steps near the bar, then turned back. “Regarding Rongmei and the county projects, the truth is that our investment failed, plus we wanted to get land at the lowest price. There is no ghost or god superstition.”

Before Ling Lie could speak, Yu Qin added, “I know you saw some superstitious activities in the old house when you were little, but those were the preferences of the elderly. As children, besides going along with them, what else could we do? The Yu Group has developed to this point not by relying on the blessings of ghosts and gods.”

Ling Lie said, “That’s true. Back then, there was a blessing activity in the old house that lasted for half a month. Until the activity ended, you didn’t come back either.”

Yu Qin’s expression froze, but quickly recovered. “I only believe in brains and strength.”

Since Yu Qin found a reason for the county investment, it was almost impossible to force her to tell the truth now. But before leaving, Ling Lie dropped a question: “In the legend of that small island, the people who die under the altar must be an odd number, but those burned to death in the Chaoxia County grocery market were an even number.”

After a brief hesitation, Yu Qin laughed. “Doesn’t this exactly prove that Rongmei isn’t some altar form at all?”

A sly look appeared in Ling Lie’s eyes. “But there is another possibility: there was one more person mixed among the fire victims.”

Yu Qin’s pupils constricted. Ling Lie backed out the door. “Sorry to disturb you today. I’ll find a time to visit Chairman Yu.”

Ji Chenjiao leaned against the car door smoking, his mind swirling with what had just happened. He wasn’t the protagonist at Yurong Yongge today; Ling Lie meeting Yu Qin alone would have sufficed. He came along worried about unexpected situations. Ling Lie went to stake out Yu Qin, while he casually looked around the hotel, and encountered Bo Lingxue. Bo Lingxue acted like a social butterfly, taking him to the 32nd-floor banquet hall.

Without Bo Lingxue, getting up there wasn’t impossible, but he would have had to play the social butterfly himself. Was meeting Bo Lingxue a coincidence? Or did Bo Lingxue know he would appear and deliberately wait on the 3rd floor? If it was the latter, what was Bo Lingxue’s identity?

Rewinding to early June, facing Bo Lingxue for the first time, Ji Chenjiao felt a contradictory temperament about this person. Bo Lingxue said sneaking into the crayfish party was to expand his network, seemingly no different from those fame-chasing streamers, but Bo Lingxue had a sense of class. Would such a person expand his network by freeloading food and drinks?

This meeting felt the same. Although Bo Lingxue handled banter with rich wives with ease and easily obtained an invitation ticket, was his purpose really just to attend the 32nd-floor banquet?

He was also very clear about the police’s movements, at least knowing the Rongmei case wasn’t simple and predicting the police were still investigating.

Ji Chenjiao suddenly thought of someone, Jaco Xu Jiajia. Back then, Xu Jiajia also repeatedly appeared in the police’s field of vision, even providing “help.” Xu Jiajia had been missing for so long and was proven to be related to “Snow Child” and “Floating Light.”

At this moment, Ji Chenjiao caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in his peripheral vision. Ling Lie was back.

Ji Chenjiao was about to extinguish the cigarette, but Ling Lie grabbed his wrist, bit the filter, and took a deep drag. White smoke dispersed between the two, blurring features that looked exceptionally moving in the night.

“Fighting wits with such shrewd businessmen really kills brain cells.” Ling Lie finished the cigarette, shook his head, and regained his spirit. “Did you run into Yu Qin?”

Ji Chenjiao raised an eyebrow. “She told you?”

The two returned to the car, but didn’t start it immediately. When they came, Ji Chenjiao didn’t park in Yurong Yongge’s parking lot, but two streets away, so there was no need to worry about the Yu Group sending people to monitor them now.

“She returned to the room earlier than I expected, and her expression was very unnatural, as if she was startled,” Ling Lie said. “Did you sneak into the banquet?”

Ji Chenjiao told him about meeting Bo Lingxue. “Yu Qin has a guilty conscience. If she hadn’t found me in the banquet hall, she would definitely have stayed a while longer.”

Ling Lie recalled the strange man sitting next to him when leaving Fengyi Mountain Villa. That person also introduced himself as “Bo Lingxue.”

“This person…” Ling Lie felt a lump in his throat. “So you noticed him when investigating Kang Wanbin.”

Ji Chenjiao was slightly surprised. “You know him?”

“Not know him, I just saw him on the bus back to the city from Fengyi Mountain Villa,” Ling Lie said. “He was different from all the guests.”

“I checked him,” Ji Chenjiao said. “We let him go that day because we confirmed he had nothing to do with Kang Wanbin’s death. Later we found out he is an employee of a foreign trade company with no criminal record.”

Silence filled the car for a moment. Ling Lie said, “Bo Lingxue sort of did us a favor… But why did Yu Qin flee as soon as she saw you? Based on my understanding of her, meeting the captain of the Serious Crimes Unit at her own banquet might make her nervous for a moment, but not to the extent of leaving directly.”

Ji Chenjiao: “I also think it’s very fishy here. What about you? What did you talk about?”

After Ling Lie finished speaking, Ji Chenjiao said, “Yu Qin’s explanation sounds plausible at first, but she didn’t explain the similarity between Rongmei’s structure and the sacrificial altar at all.”

“There is one point she said that I believe.”

“What?”

“The Yu family is superstitious from top to bottom, but she believes in strength. Among so many descendants of the Yu family, only she can vie for power with Yu Qianming. She might not know about the ‘Feng Shui Fish’ matter.”

Ji Chenjiao turned his face. “You want to investigate Yu Qianming again?”

Ling Lie rubbed his temples exaggeratedly. “Let me think again. Drive quickly, I’m hungry.”

Yurong Yongge, 37th floor, suite.

Yu Qin watched the surveillance footage of Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie leaving one after another repeatedly, her face growing colder and colder.

The biggest shock to her today wasn’t Ling Lie’s sudden visit mentioning the evil art on that island, but that the police officer was standing with “Grey Peacock.”

Why did Ji Chenjiao appear in the banquet hall? Without an invitation ticket, no one could enter, not even police officers. It was “Grey Peacock” who brought him.

But why? What was “Grey Peacock’s” purpose?

She paced somewhat anxiously in front of the desk, feeling a pair of hands pulling her into the mire. Had she fallen into a trap?

But how was that possible? Every move she made this year was carefully calculated to set up “Floating Light.” She knew “Floating Light’s” purpose: outwardly working for various groups and families, but actually infiltrating constantly to become the true master at the peak of power. That old fool Yu Qianming stubbornly believed in “Floating Light.” The Yu family’s decline was precisely because of Yu Qianming’s stupidity!

“Floating Light’s” mysterious “Black Peacock” far away abroad never showed up in person, leaving everything in the country to “Grey Peacock.” To counter “Floating Light,” she had to make risky moves and infiltrate “Floating Light” first.

So far, the plan had gone smoothly. Although that rehabilitation scholar named Sun stirred up waves in Rongmei, Rongmei was still under her control. Just like now, Ling Lie had found out about the sacrifice on the Pacific island, but so what?

But “Grey Peacock” was actually with the captain of the Serious Crimes Unit!

And appeared in front of her without scruples, letting her see.

Was this implying something? I know your plot? Was this a warning?

The moment Yu Qin sat down, she felt a sensation of being pulled off a cliff. She plotted against “Floating Light,” but was she also plotted against by “Floating Light”?