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The Secret of the Detective
墨書 Inktalez
The wind in the twelfth lunar month cut through the air like a sharp blade, freezing the earth into a rigid state. In the dim morning light, two figures clad in red appeared like flames, breaking through the deathly silence.
The taller of the two, Ying Xiaoque, was wrapped in a bright red down coat, her neck tucked into a high collar. One hand tightly held onto a shopping bag while the other rubbed her reddened ears, occasionally exhaling puffs of white mist in an attempt to warm her icy fingertips. The shorter girl, Zhang Qiyan, dressed in a red wool coat, was stomping her feet in place as if trying to crush the chill beneath her. She waved energetically at Ying Xiaoque, her movements so vigorous that it seemed she could disperse the surrounding cold.
“You must be Sister Ying Xiaoque! I’m Zhang Qiyan, it’s such a pleasure to meet you!” Zhang Qiyan’s eyes sparkled as she hurried forward in quick steps, excitedly grasping Ying Xiaoque’s hand with a warmth that seemed capable of melting the ice and snow around them.
“I’ve heard so much about you! How did you know it was me? I don’t think we’ve met before,” Ying Xiaoque raised an eyebrow, her expression filled with surprise, but she quickly followed up with her own question.
“That group email! It showed all the recipients’ addresses. I took a quick look and figured that besides me, the only women likely to come here would be you and Officer Yuwen. However, Brother Mu Rong might not call Sister Yuwen right away, and Mengcheng is closest to here. So the only person standing before me must be you—Sister Ying!” Zhang Qiyan spoke rapidly, her cheeks slightly flushed as she nervously shared her reasoning.
“Alright then, just call me Ying Xiaoque. No need for all this sister business,” Ying Xiaoque said playfully, winking at Zhang Qiyan with her left eye. “Also, according to my detective work, it seems you’re about the same age as me, Lawyer Zhang.”
The two girls burst into laughter, their bright giggles echoing in the cold wind.
As they chatted amiably, pointing out sights along the way and sharing jokes, they soon arrived at the wooden bridge before the strange rock beach.
“Look! Someone got here before us!” Ying Xiaoque suddenly stopped and pointed ahead at a Santana 2000 parked on the rocky beach, surprise evident in her voice.
“Let me check the license plate…” Zhang Qiyan squinted her eyes, seemingly unable to believe what she was seeing, confusion written all over her face.
She hurried over to the car and saw a man with disheveled hair and a vacant expression casually tossing sugar cubes for coffee back and forth in a mechanical manner.
“It’s really you! Brother Mu Rong!” Zhang Qiyan exclaimed excitedly. “You made it from L City in Guangdong to Qingshan in Shandong overnight! That’s some god-like speed!”
"And we have already crossed that wooden bridge ahead," Mu Rong Jing said without looking back, his voice flat, as if he were still lost in his own thoughts.
Ying Xiaoque, who had just arrived, gracefully picked up a sugar cube from the dashboard, a smile curling at the corners of her lips as she teased, "Detective Mu Rong, when did you start enjoying this sweet treat?"
Mu Rong Jing shrugged helplessly and let out a long sigh. "I had brought plenty of Tic Tac candies with me, but when I passed through the village earlier and saw those adorable children, I just..."
"In such a short time to get to the Stone Beach, you even found time to play with kids along the way? Are you driving a car or what?" Zhang Qiyan exclaimed, her face filled with admiration and her eyes sparkling.
What surprised the two girls even more was yet to come. Having been so astonished by Mu Rong Jing's driving skills that they forgot to introduce themselves, Ying Xiaoque suddenly realized this and was about to speak up. "Uh, I forgot to introduce myself; I am..."
"Kestrel Blanch," Mu Rong Jing interrupted sharply, his gaze piercing like an eagle's. "Though I can't see the bottle in your bag clearly, judging by the cork, it must be Kestrel Blanch from France. The only place nearby that could have such fine quality is probably Guiyuan Shop in Meng City! Are you planning to bring it to liven up this 'detective gathering,' Miss Ying Xiaoque?"
Ying Xiaoque clapped her hands in appreciation, her eyes full of admiration: with an IQ of 192, he truly lived up to his reputation.
"This should be Miss Zhang Qiyan," Mu Rong Jing nodded in acknowledgment. "I hope I haven't offended you—your height is quite a distinctive mark—there won't be another girl at one meter fifty with your charm."
Zhang Qiyan's face instantly flushed red as she shyly turned her head away. Indeed, although she was not tall, she possessed an exquisitely beautiful face and a unique aura that far surpassed mere beauty.
"Small talk done!" Mu Rong Jing suddenly grabbed all the sugar cubes and quickly stuffed them into his mouth. "I think we should get to work; let’s not forget we’re here for a murder case!"
Just as Zhang Qiyan was about to step forward, she saw Mu Rong Jing walk around to the back of the car and knock firmly on the trunk. "Hey buddy, aren’t you coming out yet?"
The trunk lid slowly opened, and a man dressed in a thick black overcoat first poked half of his body out before elegantly climbing out. He casually ran his fingers through his hair and adjusted his clothes as if this were a meticulously planned entrance. Then he put on a smile as if nothing had happened and greeted Mu Rong Jing and the others.
Ying Xiaoque looked astonished, blinking her big eyes vigorously, while Zhang Qiyan was almost taken aback. "You can't be...?"
Mu Rong Jing continued, "The person who would go so far as to squeeze into the trunk for a ride with me..."
Ying Xiaoque seemed to understand and quietly echoed, "The one who would spare no effort to join in wherever there's excitement..."
Of course, the man heard all of this. He cleared his throat and summarized for everyone, "It is I — Wu Yazhuo! However, I must correct you; I didn't squeeze into Mu Rong Jing's car out of greed for a free ride. It's just that no other mode of transportation could be as efficient. In situations like this, being late is quite unwise..."
Zhang Qiyan was about to ask how Wu Yazhuo managed to get into the trunk and why he didn't simply request Mu Rong Jing for a proper ride when Wu Yazhuo's expression suddenly changed. He quickly ran to a nearby tree, and in the wind came a few words: "Excuse me — motion sickness!"
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