Harbin, Republic of China.
In front of a two-story Western-style house in the old Daowai district, a tall young man in a black modified Zhongshan suit and a black student cap ran upstairs breathlessly, shouting:
“Detective Lin, something’s happened! Something’s happened!”
After a long while, the door at the very end of the second floor was slowly pushed open, revealing a sleepy head with messy, bird’s nest hair.
“Yan Tinghao, why are you shouting like a madman so early in the morning? And how many times have I told you, don’t call me ‘Detective Lin,’ call me Boss Lin.”
“Yes, Detective Lin!”
The person in the room rolled his eyes speechlessly and then threatened in mock ferocity, “If you call me the wrong name one more time, I’ll deduct a day’s wages from you!”
“Yes, Boss Lin!”
The young man named Yan Tinghao slammed on the brakes mid-sentence, corrected himself, and then scratched his head, muttering in confusion, “But I’ve been working here for almost a month, and you haven’t paid me a single day’s wages, Boss.”
“What are you mumbling about? Just tell me, what’s happened?”
“Boss, it’s like this. Harbin’s wealthiest man, Shangguan Hong, was found dead in his home this morning. The entire upper-class circle of Harbin is in an uproar.”
“What does that have to do with me? He won’t leave me half a silver dollar in inheritance when he dies.”
“Boss, you might be right! Shangguan Hong left a will, but for added security, he locked it in a safe at his home. And only Shangguan Hong himself knew the safe’s password. So, the Shangguan family is offering a substantial reward for any skilled artisan who can open the safe. Since you’re so clever, Boss, a mere safe should be no problem for you!”
“Yan Tinghao, I’m a detective, not a locksmith. Why do you think I can open a safe?”
“Then why are you putting on your coat? I remember you saying this black trench coat is your most expensive one, and you only wear it for distinguished employers.”
“Tsk, I tell you you’re slow, and you get offended. When a murder occurs, a detective like me must rush to the scene immediately! Oh, right, I haven’t had breakfast yet. Go downstairs and buy two steamed buns for me.”
“Oh, alright, Boss.”
When the well-fed duo arrived at the Shangguan family’s luxurious villa, they were stopped by the police officers guarding the entrance.
“I am Lin Jingxing, a renowned detective. Hearing of Mr. Shangguan’s demise this morning, I am deeply saddened and have come to pay my respects.”
Seeing the guard remained impassive, the detective, who called himself Lin Jingxing, casually mentioned, “By the way, your Police Chief, Xu Changling, is my teacher. He invited me for coffee near the Sophia Cathedral a couple of days ago.”
“But I thought Chief Xu went to Nanjing for a conference a week ago and hasn’t returned yet~”
As the winding inflection of the last word faded, a young man emerged from the villa. The man was handsome, but the crisp police uniform he wore somehow exuded a touch of roguish charm. Especially the folding fan in his hand, which created a stark and unusual contrast with the pistol holstered at his waist. However, coupled with his smiling demeanor and languid posture, it gave the impression that it was all perfectly natural.
“Allow me to introduce myself, the new head inspector of the Daoli District Police Station, Hua Jinrong. Detective Lin Jingxing~ I’ve heard of you from Chief Xu. He said that among all his students, you are the most capable. Unfortunately, after the Lin family tragedy, you lost interest in public service and chose to become an unfettered detective. Chief Xu also mentioned that you’ve assisted our police station many times in solving cases. He told me to seek you out if I encounter any unsolvable cases~”
“Wow, just as I expected from my Boss, you’re even more amazing than I imagined! I thought you only investigated infidelity cases or helped people find lost cats and dogs.”
“What do you know, you’re just a newcomer to the detective agency. It’s a good sign that I don’t have to intervene, showing that Harbin’s public security is in good order.”
“But Boss, if you’re so capable, why aren’t you a police officer?”
Yan Tinghao’s detective boss remained silent, but Inspector Hua Jinrong spoke up leisurely, “This young man, judging by your accent, you’re not from Harbin, are you?”
“Oh, I’m from Nanjing. I came here to study. I lost my luggage shortly after arriving by train, and Boss helped me find it. My childhood dream was to become a great detective who upholds justice and exposes all criminals. However, my family disagreed, insisting I study business. I couldn’t defy them, but I can still work part-time at Boss’s detective agency and get a taste of being a detective.”
“I see~ But you’re studying business, young man…” Hua Jinrong surveyed the naive and somewhat bewildered young man from head to toe, his words trailing off.
Seemingly accustomed to such scrutiny, Yan Tinghao scratched his head sheepishly, “Actually, I know I’m not cut out for business. But my father only has me as his son. This year, the Dong Province Special Administrative Region University merged its Law and Commerce colleges, and my father found someone to push me into the Business College, hoping I’d learn at least a little.”
“Tsk, I knew you came from a good family, but I didn’t realize you were a second-generation rich kid?”
“Boss, please stop teasing me. By the way, Boss, what did Inspector Hua just say about the Lin family tragedy?”
“The Lin family massacre three years ago was a sensation, so almost everyone in the city knows about it. If I recall correctly, Detective Lin, you also have a twin sister, what was her name again~”
“Lin Qingge.”
“Yes, that’s the name. Speaking of which, Lin Qingge is quite an extraordinary woman. She was admitted to Jinling Women’s College with the highest score on the written exam, yet she was expelled less than a week after enrolling. The reason for her expulsion is still a hot topic among the college’s female students, an unsolved mystery~”
“Boss, you have a twin sister?”
“Mm.”
“Then why haven’t I seen her at the detective agency?”
“You wouldn’t know, young man~ Three years ago, the Lin lawyer’s family was shot. Except for Detective Lin, who was out of town at the time, everyone in the Lin household, including the servants and the driver, was killed on the spot.”
“Boss, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Facing Yan Tinghao’s apology, his boss waved it away dismissively and then looked at the person before him.
“Inspector Hua, if you have nothing pressing to do, perhaps you could escort me inside? Maybe I can be of some assistance.”
“It would be my honor~”
Led by Inspector Hua Jinrong, the two entered the Shangguan family’s villa. In the living room on the first floor, the female members of the Shangguan family were gathered. Among them, a young woman, naturally beautiful without makeup, was striking, capturing immediate attention.