“A man from Huahai City was murdered here. His hometown is Jinxiang Village in Huahai City. We’re heading over to investigate his background.” Ji Chenjiao spoke very slowly, observing Jin Liuyun’s reaction.

Jin Liuyun revealed a look of concern, showing no signs of panic. He seemed unaware he was being tested, acting like someone completely unrelated to the case who simply treated the police’s probing as gossip.

“Jinxiang Village? I can’t recall it. Huahai City is huge. My hometown is also a village, but not Jinxiang.”

Ji Chenjiao said, “That’s normal. That village has already been merged into Jianling Town.”

Jin Liuyun said, “Now, Jianling Town, I do have an impression of. So, how is your investigation going? Have you caught the killer?”

Ji Chenjiao sighed. “It’s a bit thorny. It might involve grudges from within their village from many years ago. Mr. Jin, since you happen to be from Huahai City as well, if you don’t mind, may I ask you a few questions too?”

Jin Liuyun laughed with ease. “Ask away. If you solve the case, send me a banner that says ‘Warm-hearted International Friend’.”

Ji Chenjiao smiled slightly. “Have you heard of the Duan family in Jianling Town?”

Jin Liuyun’s brow furrowed slightly, seemingly in thought. “The Duan family… can you give me a hint? What did they do?”

Ji Chenjiao said, “They were said to be local tyrants.”

Jin Liuyun was amused by the title. “When you put it that way, I do remember. Is that the Duan family that killed a lot of people? The elders in my family mentioned them. I heard quite a few of them died in prison. Why, is your case related to the Duan family?”

Ji Chenjiao locked eyes with Jin Liuyun. The man’s gaze was too calm; the only ripple within it was the most ordinary kind of curiosity.

Was the previous deduction wrong? Or had this man anticipated every move the police would make, his acting simply that impeccable?

Ji Chenjiao decided to be direct. “The deceased was a member of the Duan family. We suspect it was revenge exacted by one of the Duan family’s victims.”

Jin Liuyun took a sip of tea. “I saw the news. It said someone in the East District fell from a building to their death. Was that him?”

“Yes. Have you been to that street? Guishui Road. It has a lot of local snacks.”

“Not yet. Since Officer Ji recommends it, I’ll go try it another day.”

Jin Liuyun showed no intention of chasing his guest away. Ji Chenjiao quickly organized his thoughts and switched topics. “While interviewing people in Huahai City, we heard that many people from your area go abroad for development.”

Jin Liuyun said, “True. Back then, there were more opportunities abroad. Unlike now, where there are more opportunities domestically.”

“But most people went to Country L. Did you never consider Country L?”

“Country L, where they’re always fighting? I know you can make money there, but me… I’m greedy for life and afraid of death.”

After speaking, both men laughed.

The answers Jin Liuyun provided indirectly were: He didn’t intentionally hide the photo, he hadn’t been to Country L, he didn’t know the victim who fell to his death, and he had absolutely nothing to do with the Duan family of Jianling Town.

He was almost—no, he was completely watertight.

Ji Chenjiao planned to end it there for today, but just as he was about to bid farewell, Jin Liuyun suddenly spoke. “Officer Ji, actually, you didn’t just drop by to ask me about the whereabouts of a photo, did you?”

Ji Chenjiao’s expression paused slightly.

Jin Liuyun smiled. “That was just a photo. From one single photo, you’ve branched out into many questions.”

Since they had reached this point, Ji Chenjiao stopped speaking in riddles. “Mr. Jin, your insight is sharp. In fact, we did find a very interesting issue regarding you.”

“Oh?”

“By what method did you return to the country?”

Jin Liuyun’s eyelids lifted slightly.

“I recall you saying you had just returned, and that you entered through Xiarong City. But in the entry records, there is no information on you.”

After a moment, Jin Liuyun said, “I told a small lie.”

Ji Chenjiao raised his chin slightly, his eyes taking on a scrutinizing look.

“I entered the country some time ago, and the entry city was not Xiarong City. I plan to look for business opportunities here, and I told some potential partners that I liked Xiarong City and that it was my first stop upon returning. Chatting with you that day, I subconsciously told that lie. I am truly sorry.”

Jin Liuyun was very open. “My identity information can all be checked. If you are concerned, go ahead and check.”

Ji Chenjiao said, “You make it sound serious.”

Jin Liuyun said magnanimously, “Returning to develop here, one should respect domestic regulations.”

Ji Chenjiao took out a form. “Please sign here.”

“This is?”

“An inquiry receipt. Didn’t I just ask you some questions regarding the case?”

Jin Liuyun picked up the pen without further questions and wrote down his name.

But as Ji Chenjiao walked to the door, Jin Liuyun said, “The person with you that day was?”

The question was unexpected. Ji Chenjiao froze for a moment. “You mean when the photo was taken?”

Jin Liuyun wore a gentle smile. “Is he your lover?”

Ji Chenjiao’s pupils constricted abruptly.

“Hahaha, don’t be nervous,” Jin Liuyun said. “Was I being abrupt? There are many young people like you two in Country O. I wish you blessings.”

Ji Chenjiao frowned, then nodded after a moment. “Thank you.”

---

Back at the Major Crimes Unit, Ji Chenjiao sat at Ling Lie’s desk, eyes closed in thought.

Jin Liuyun’s reaction was too normal, but that normality made it even more suspicious. When Jin Liuyun was brewing tea, Ji Chenjiao noticed distinct calluses on his hands. Heavy manual labor leaves calluses, but those looked more like gun calluses developed from holding a firearm over a long period.

Why would a wealthy merchant have gun calluses?

Jin Liuyun mentioning Ling Lie at the end—that was hard to explain. It felt a bit like a threat or a hint, yet at the time, Ji couldn’t sense either of those emotions. Jin Liuyun seemed more like an elder engaging in small talk with a junior, showing concern for the younger generation’s love life.

Ji Chenjiao sat up straight and picked up the paper Jin Liuyun had signed.

It wasn’t an inquiry receipt at all; he just wanted to get a sample of Jin Liuyun’s handwriting. The writing was vigorous and elegant. At first glance, it looked somewhat similar to the letters Ling Lie had brought back from Jinxiang Village.

However, handwriting analysis is a specialized field. His feeling that they looked similar was likely a subjective judgment.

Ji Chenjiao handed the paper to Xi Wan.

Currently, the Major Crimes Unit had no grounds to arrest Jin Liuyun, only enough to send someone to monitor him secretly. After meeting with some of the team members, the general consensus was that Ji Chenjiao was drilling into a dead end.

And he couldn’t explain the key point to his team: he felt Jin Liuyun was paying attention to him, and that the photo was likely hidden by Jin Liuyun. This attention felt completely inexplicable.

After the meeting, he wanted to communicate with Ling Lie, but there was a time difference, so he could only wait.

---

Country L, Salingauke City.

Ling Lie was dressed as a construction worker today, his face and hair smeared with mud and ash. He had gradually figured out the demographic composition of this “toy” city—

The poorest were those doing small-time business in the back alleys, or those with no business at all. Many weren’t native to Country L; they were stowaways who came ten or twenty years ago hoping to sell their lives for money in the war. Not skilled at fighting, they hadn’t earned any merits before the chaos ended, and ended up disabled, huddled in the city’s ruins to scrape by.

The middle layer consisted of the builders: road repairers, miners, high-rise constructors, and those in construction-related businesses. As long as they were willing to put in the effort, they could live like human beings. They were also mercenaries initially, just luckier than the disabled ones.

Those doing even better in this group were like mall managers or hotel waiters—no longer doing heavy labor, dressed smartly, with higher salaries, though still working for others.

The top layer was “Jasmine Tea” and other small gangs attached to “Jasmine Tea.” Of course, they weren’t openly gangs anymore; they only did business and didn’t fight. Salingauke City had even established a Chamber of Commerce, and the president was none other than Wonder, the boss of “Jasmine Tea.”

Ling Lie couldn’t find out Wonder’s real name, but it was very likely Duan Wande.

Salingauke City was full of active construction sites. Many people from other regions came to work and earn money. Foremen registered personal information but didn’t verify it. Ling Lie claimed to be a laborer from the countryside, speaking a bizarre version of the common tongue. Seeing he was honest and not as burly as the others, the foreman took him to a building currently being renovated.

The building was being built like a palace. The decoration was only halfway done, but the skeleton of luxury was already visible.

“You, come here and lend a hand!” a squad leader shouted.

Ling Lie immediately went over and found they were moving a pedestal. This pedestal looked very familiar; it was similar to the ones installed in the shopping malls for sculptures.

They were going to put a beauty sculpture here too.

After half a day of work, Ling Lie was drenched in sweat. He was good at mingling with the low-level workers, rushing to do work, helping wherever needed without complaining, and barely resting.

Construction sites didn’t pay you more for doing more work, so a fool like him who bore the burden without complaint was most welcome.

During the afternoon break, the squad leader let Ling Lie hang out with him and even treated him to a drink.

The squad leader was a mercenary for “Jasmine Tea.” He was good at fighting and working, so he was promoted to be one of the people in charge of the work crew. He loved to brag. Ling Lie showed a look of adoration, chasing him with questions about the war days.

Once the squad leader started, he couldn’t stop. He was a native of Country L but claimed his surname was Duan, and he worshipped Wonder like a god. He said that anyone in “Jasmine Tea” believed in Wonder.

“Jasmine Tea” started as a small gang bullied by everyone. Wonder led a group of brothers, assassinated several enemy leaders, and integrated the stragglers of Salingauke Town. Only then did his father’s generation have a protector and someone to swear loyalty to.

Ling Lie seized the opportunity to ask what the pedestal they moved today was for, mentioning he had seen similar ones elsewhere.

The squad leader’s eyes immediately lit up. Seeing no one was around, he whispered, “Wonder has a love story—do you want to hear it?”

Ling Lie nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

“We’re just talking in private, you just listen. You can tell others, but you can’t say you heard it from me.”

“Put your heart at rest, times a hundred!”

The squad leader began the tale.

The high-level members of “Jasmine Tea” all had crowds of lovers, many swinging both ways. But Wonder rarely had any news of lovers for so many years. Years ago, he had a partner, a local of Country L. She was beautiful when young, but not so much as she aged. Wonder had only her by his side. Three years ago, she passed away, and the spot beside Wonder became empty.

Everyone thought Wonder deeply loved this woman. But this year, in all these new buildings, there was a sudden demand to decorate them with a batch of beauty sculptures.

Malls, hotels, and even this casino under renovation—they all had them.

If the women were all different, it wouldn’t mean much. But the strange thing was, they were obviously the same person. No one knew who she was, but she definitely wasn’t Wonder’s deceased partner; even the race was different.

Many buildings in Salingauke City weren’t controlled by “Jasmine Tea,” but the places with sculptures were all key properties of “Jasmine Tea.” If the sculptures were a personal preference, it could only be Wonder’s.

People guessed back and forth, thinking this person was probably a lover Wonder liked in his youth. No one had seen her; she might have died long ago. Wonder created countless sculptures of her to remember her.

Some also guessed it was Wonder’s daughter, but few believed that.

The gossip the squad leader shared didn’t contradict Ling Lie’s earlier deductions. The woman was the one Wonder loved in his youth; the woman was Yu Qin. And the unspoken lover of Yu Qin was Wonder.

The child’s father was the head of “Jasmine Tea”—she had ten thousand reasons to remain silent.

Ling Lie seriously played the role of the fanboy and asked, “Bro, have you seen Wonder?”

The squad leader deflated a little. “My merits haven’t reached the level to see Wonder yet. But my buddy’s dad saw him. Their family fought fiercely; his dad was killed in action.”

Ling Lie: “…”

The squad leader added, “I’ll definitely have a chance to see Wonder in the future!”

Ling Lie mimicked him, thumping his chest. “I want to strive to see Wonder too!” Then he added, “Is Wonder always in Salingauke City? Does he go anywhere else?”

“Salingauke is our base camp. Just like the Weimannu District in the north is the base camp of the ‘Royal Court.’ The ‘Royal Court’ is ‘Jasmine Tea’s’ number one enemy. Wonder goes to other places, of course, but how could the Boss’s whereabouts be known to just anyone?”

“True, true. What about other powerful high-ups in ‘Jasmine Tea’? Who do you know?”

The squad leader took the bait, listing the “Jasmine Tea” celebrities he knew. Unlike Wonder, some of these famous people didn’t use code names but used their real names, and many of them had the surname Duan.

Ling Lie said, “Have you heard of a man named Xing Yongqiang?”

The squad leader was clueless.

Ling Lie mysteriously lowered his voice. “My neighbor who fought here said he was quite a figure, very close to Wonder. How come you don’t know?”

The squad leader was a bit angry; this was questioning his authority. “Would your neighbor know better than me?”

“Of course you know best!”

The squad leader racked his brain. After a while, he actually recalled something. “I heard my friend’s dad say that Wonder had several confidants in the early years. Some died, and the living ones prospered with Wonder, but there was one who didn’t know life from death.”

Ling Lie: “Oh? Who was it?”

Squad Leader: “I don’t know. My friend’s dad didn’t know either. It was a long, long time ago.”

Just then, a large truck arrived outside with goods to unload. The squad leader called the workers to work but was kind to Ling Lie, saying he had done a lot already and could rest a bit more.

But Ling Lie eagerly ran to move the cargo. The squad leader shouted from behind to move the paintings to the second floor.

Paintings? Like the ones in the hotel?

This time Ling Lie guessed wrong. The paintings were large and fragile. The workers carefully moved them up. Upon unwrapping one, it revealed a fairytale-style scene. Ling Lie felt the scene was familiar but couldn’t place it immediately, until he saw the text on one of them—

[Alice! a childish story take, And with a gentle hand Lay it where Childhood’s dreams are twined… Like pilgrim’s wither’d wreath of flowers Pluck’d in a far-off land.] (Note ①)

Wasn’t this text from the fairytale Alice in Wonderland?

Alice?

Ling Lie immediately searched for the fairytale on his phone. Its English title is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Hidden within this title was Wonder, and also Alice.

The puzzle pieces were like bubbles spat out by the sea, shattering one by one under the sunlight. They dropped clues, and these clues linked together on the swaying surface of the sea like a floating bridge. Although it might be washed away in the next second, the sharp-eyed sea eagle had already seen their outline.

Inside the room at the Alice Hotel, Zhao Fan was absent. Ling Lie opened his notebook and wrote down keywords on a blank page.

Xing Yongqiang – Dan. Duan Wande – Wonder. Yu Qin – Alice.

“Jasmine Tea”, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Ji Chenjiao, the lost photo, the mysterious man.

When Yu Qin came to Country L, the gang that would later be called “Jasmine Tea” was just a struggling group. Yu Qin perhaps gave them help, thereby getting to know the key figures within.

Duan Wande fell in love with Yu Qin, and they had a child. Yu Qin understood the oppression from her family and brother long ago, so she would rather stay in Country L than go back.

But she couldn’t not return. She could only disappear. Conveniently, someone appeared back then who wanted to take her identity. She played along, logically staying behind.

However, there was a contradiction here: Why would she be willing to let Shaman take her child?

Did something happen to her back then?

Ling Lie temporarily set aside the tangled clues to sort out another thread.

Xing Yongqiang fled back to his home country back then. As Duan Wande’s brother and confidant, why did he flee? And after so many years, he still died.

What was the hatred that hadn’t been let go after all these years? He dared not return to his hometown, changing the ‘Qiang’ in his name to ‘Dan’, yet Duan Wande used “Floating Light” to finally find him and take the pouch from his neck.

Xing Yongdan being locked onto by “Floating Light” happened around the same time as the mass appearance of Yu Qin’s sculptures in Salingauke City. If all this is seen as Duan Wande’s grand move, could Xing Yongdan’s escape be related to Yu Qin?

Yu Qin died. Was her death caused by Xing Yongdan? Was Duan Wande using revenge, fairytales, and sculpted portraits to commemorate Yu Qin?

If Ji Chenjiao is Duan Wande’s child, that explains why Duan Wande intentionally took photos of them that day and kept a photo of Ji Chenjiao.

Ling Lie dropped his pen, his brow furrowed tighter. Does Duan Wande know Ji Chenjiao’s identity? When did he know? Why appear now? Just to look at Ji Chenjiao? Or is there another purpose?

If this deduction is close to the truth, given Duan Wande’s capability, he should have come to see his child long ago.

Ling Lie rubbed his temples. After a long while, he suddenly heard his phone vibrate. It was a video call request from Ji Chenjiao.

Author’s Note:

Note ①: Quoted from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.