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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 47: Human Skin Puppet (36)
Qin Jian didn't believe that I had really fallen asleep. After suffering from insomnia for so long, I had long lost interest in dozing off in the car. I was just pretending to sleep, deliberately avoiding his questions.
I could only respond with a noncommittal sound, wanting to get out of the car early and prepare to return my rental accommodation to go back to Ma Wu Funeral Home and resume my old job.
However, at that moment, Qin Jian said something that shook my resolve. "I still want to check out the luxury villa; I feel like there's something we've missed."
Honestly, I wanted to go too. I was reluctant to give up on a case I had been following for nearly half a month.
Seeing that I was also interested, Qin Jian continued, "You should really try using your strengths more. We only have this last chance left; do you really want to give up? I wouldn't blame you if you did."
It wasn't that I wanted to give up; I was just afraid of one thing becoming a reality. But could I say that? Under Qin Jian's relentless pressure, I had no choice but to tell him what I saw when the wild ghost hypnotized me.
Upon hearing this, Qin Jian couldn't help but joke, "Who do you think I am? How could I die so easily? Don't use that as an excuse to back out. I'm counting on you to find some useful clues this time."
"Lao Qin, when have I ever backed out? It's just that the current situation is not in our favor. I need to eat; my grandfather's Funeral Home needs me to regroup. The bureau isn't willing to pay me; do you think I can keep going?"
"Yeah, I know that. I'm just not willing to let it go. We're still a team for now, so I'm hoping you'll cooperate and check out Gousi's place with me. If you can sense something from a pair of socks, then you can definitely find valuable clues on the deceased's clothing. I'm sure you'll gain something this time."
"Lao Qin, it's not that I'm trying to rain on your parade. Since the bureau has decided to disband our team, someone else has already taken over the crime scene. Wouldn't we be hitting a brick wall by going there?" I truly didn't dare take the risk. If trying led me to lose a good buddy, I'd rather reject all his suggestions because I believed that those close to me would suffer varying degrees of misfortune. So I couldn't gamble; since there were new decisions at the station, it would be better for me to step back and focus on my funeral business.
At this point, I became cold and unapproachable in front of Qin Jian. No matter how much he pleaded, I remained silent. In the end, he gave a bitter smile and said, "Well then, brother, take care. Let's part ways here; hopefully, we can have tea together sometime in the future." People are contradictory; while I longed for him to continue holding on, fearing that if he did persist, it might ultimately lead to his downfall.
"Take care." I feigned calmness and forced a smile without looking at him. With a grand gesture of my hand, I turned and walked away without looking back. I thought I could hold it together; I believed myself to be a tough guy. Yet after distancing myself from him, my nose felt unbearably sour.
There was a department store nearby, and I knew that Qin Jian had not left yet. He was silently watching me, so to show him that I was determined, I turned and slipped into the Department Store.
The Department Store had been transformed into a multi-story haven for branded goods. The saleswomen there were incredibly enthusiastic. As soon as I stepped inside, they greeted me with professional smiles, eagerly asking which items I was interested in and if I needed any recommendations.
I maintained a blank expression with my hands in my pockets, casually browsing through various brands while walking deeper into the store. I figured that by the time I came out, Qin Jian would have already left. Inside the Department Store, the dazzling array of products attracted many young shoppers, while elderly people rarely ventured into such upscale places.
The store boasted thousands of brands, with items priced in the hundreds haphazardly piled in discount areas, almost completely ignored. I declined the eager saleswomen's suggestions and wandered around until I found myself back at the entrance.
As I walked out onto the street, I indeed did not see Qin Jian. Just when I thought he had left, a car slowly approached from behind. Turning to look inside, I saw a pair of hands waving at me—was it Ling Juan?
Sigh!
What on earth did Lao Qin want?
I got into the car without a word. The quirky Ling Juan immediately spoke up, "Qin knows you too well. After knowing you for so long, I've never seen you shop alone at the Department Store. It must be pretty boring for you to go shopping by yourself, so he called me to come and keep you company."
"Lao Qin, what are you playing at?"
Qin Jian gave a wry smile. "Now that we're no longer a duo, can't we still be friends? Since I'm dissolving our partnership today, how about we have a farewell meal together?"
"Sure, eating isn't a crime." Ling Juan perked up at the mention of food and even hummed a tune related to dining.
"Food is fine, but no business talk." That was my stipulation—not up for discussion with either of them; it was my bottom line.
Qin Jian cursed, "Damn it, what a heartless face you have."
Ling Juan looked at me and then at him. "Brother Qi, this suggestion is pretty good. I also have good news to share with you all. My internship period is over, and from now on, I'm going to start my own business."
"Juanzi, if that's good news, then Qin and I are in for a treat."
Ling Juan widened her beautiful eyes and asked, "What do you mean?"
Qin Jian chuckled, "Brother Qi means that you're treating us today."
"I'm treating? Then aren't you two big men fools?"
"Come on. We're not freeloading; we're here to celebrate you!"
"Fine, if you both think it's okay for me to treat you, just know that no abalone or seafood—anything expensive—is allowed. I'm a girl, ladies first. So I'll treat today, and I'll make sure it's perfect. I'll handle the ordering."
The girl had some peculiar demands, and Qin Jian and I exchanged amused glances.
Just then, Qin Jian's phone rang. He handed it to me as usual. "It's Rongrong calling. You tell her where we're going for dinner."
Chi Xinrong's sweet voice came through the phone. "Honey, what are you up to?"
I replied, "Stop with the honey; if you call the wrong person, I'm going to get hit. You need to come to Xinhai Manor Hotel right now; Juanzi is treating us to celebrate her completing her internship." As I said this, Juanzi pitifully covered her bag and pointed at it before gesturing toward us, implying that this was supposed to be a farewell meal, not a celebration for her internship completion. How could we really do this?
Chi Xinrong laughed on the phone, "Hmm, I'll be there soon, sis."
"Stop it. You need to be more proper in front of Brother Qi; don't call yourself sis."
"You talk too much, alright? I have things to do, so that's that!"
After hanging up, I handed my phone to Qin Jian. He shot me a glare. "Rongrong is my wife now. Don't tease her for no reason; my fists don't know how to hold back."
I rolled my eyes. "Come on, if I want to tease someone, why would I do it over the phone when she's right here?"
Qin Jian replied, "That's a good point."
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