Chapter Thirty: A Night Visit to the Flower House, Part One

In the stillness of the deep night, Chen Tianyu slipped out of the inn in a coat, moving like a wraith toward a certain destination. It was obvious enough where he was headed: the pleasure house of Yinuo.

At the corner of the street, a pair of wolfish eyes watched his figure intently.

When Chen Tianyu's shadow vanished from sight, those eyes began to move, but in the exact opposite direction.

Liu Zichen could not sleep, tossing and turning in bed. That night her mood was especially irritable, and for no reason she could understand, there came a knock at the door.

At first she thought she had heard wrong. Who would be knocking on her door so late at night?

Could it be Tianyu had returned? But how could that be so soon? He had only just left.

Her feelings were tangled and restless. She both hoped it was Tianyu and hoped it was not, until a second knock sounded.

"Who is it?" Liu Zichen asked warily from beside the door, lowering her voice.

No one answered. Only after a long pause did several measured taps sound from outside. Liu Zichen was somewhat puzzled by what it meant, but she was certain it was not Chen Tianyu.

A deep voice came from outside. "It's inconvenient for me to come in. I'll wait for you in the corridor."

Liu Zichen was startled. She immediately recognized that distinctive voice. Wasn't it Yunji? What was he doing here, and how did he know the timing so well?

After hesitating for a moment, she still dressed herself and opened the door to step outside.

Yunji had his back to her, leaning against the railing on the second floor. A pipe was held between his lips, though no smoke rose from it. He clearly knew his manners; this was a meeting with a lady.

"What do you want with me at this hour?" Liu Zichen asked coolly.

Yunji did not turn around. He only said slowly, "Your boyfriend just left the inn. Aren't you going to ask about it?"

Liu Zichen replied coldly, "What does that have to do with me? I can't control whatever he wants to do."

"Is that so?" Yunji's tone remained calm. "Even if he goes looking for another woman?"

Liu Zichen said without the slightest courtesy, "And what does that have to do with you?"

"Heh..." Yunji seemed somewhat taken aback. "I didn't expect you to be so composed. The two of you really make me look at you in a new light."

Liu Zichen was secretly alarmed. Suddenly she thought of Chen Tianyu's analysis and decided to yield by seeming to retreat.

"So tell me, what exactly is your purpose? I'm in a foul mood right now, so don't poke the bear." Her tone remained icy, so as not to arouse Yunji's suspicion.

"You only quarreled a little, and it's come to this?" Yunji exposed her with complete bluntness. "From what I can see, you are usually inseparable, close as can be. Your relationship must be very deep."

Liu Zichen was not one to be trifled with. "So you understand women?"

As expected, Yunji fell silent for a moment, then turned to look at her.

"At such a late hour, are you here to mediate?" Liu Zichen simply put on a full show of temper.

"I don't have that kind of leisure." Yunji also found himself slightly at a loss.

Liu Zichen shot him a glare and turned as if to go back inside. Yunji hurriedly said, "Wait."

"What is it? I advise you not to meddle in other people's business." Liu Zichen frowned.

Yunji rarely let out a wry smile. "I really didn't realize that a woman as composed as you could have such a fiery temper. I was rude."

Liu Zichen relented at the right moment; she still wanted to find out this mysterious man's purpose.

"Then stop beating around the bush," she said, curling her lip.

Yunji nodded. "All right. As you know, I am a private detective, and I can take commissions to look into things for you."

Liu Zichen was very direct. "No need."

"If I have a secret I want to tell you, would you change your mind?" Seeing the moment, Yunji had no choice but to lay his cards on the table.

That sparked a bit of interest in Liu Zichen. "Well... that depends on whether the secret has anything to do with me."

"Of course it does." Yunji's expression was half smile, half not.

Liu Zichen considered it. "What are your conditions?"

"Straight to the point," Yunji said with satisfaction. "The condition is simple. I want to know why you came here."

"That's rather amusing. I'm a tourist. Why else would we have come?" Liu Zichen said unhurriedly.

Yunji shook his head. "Tourists are no problem. But this doesn't seem that simple. At the very least, your identities interest me."

"What exactly do you want to know?" Liu Zichen gave him a sidelong glance.

Yunji said to himself, "I heard the police recently got involved in a case of an attempted rape by a tour guide. I wonder if you've heard of it?"

"Ah?" Liu Zichen exclaimed reflexively. "Did that happen here?"

"Yes, not long ago." Yunji nodded, his eyes watching Liu Zichen's slightest expression all the while.

Liu Zichen suddenly understood. "You think we're plainclothes officers sent by the police?" She was secretly startled as well. This fellow really was not to be underestimated, just as Tianyu had said.

Yunji said nothing. His gaze turned cold and sharp, and it seemed this was the answer he wanted.

"We are absolutely not police," Liu Zichen said firmly. "Why would you even think that?"

Yunji sneered. "Every profession has its own traits, police included. I've never seen one who was truly watertight. Since I'm in this business, of course I have to avoid head-on conflict with my peers."

"Oh, I see now." Liu Zichen felt somewhat reassured. By that logic, this Yunji at least still had some professional ethics.

She smiled. "We're not your rivals, so you can rest easy."

"Then why are you so actively involving yourselves in the sensitive matters around Dragon's Lake?" Yunji remained unmoved. He would not believe anyone's assurances.

Liu Zichen had a sudden idea. "When you say sensitive matters, what exactly do you mean?"

"You don't know?" There was a hint of mockery in Yunji's face.

Liu Zichen shook her head frankly. "I really don't."

"Then I'll tell you. After you arrived, the people and matters you came into contact with were almost all connected to the case the police want to investigate. That should be clear enough for you," Yunji said slowly.

Liu Zichen was secretly astonished. What was going on? She was utterly bewildered as well.

"Do you mean Yinuo is involved in this matter?" she asked.

Yunji shook his head. "Not her. Everyone except her."

"Ah!" Liu Zichen racked her memory, but still could not think of anyone. In the end, she could only shake her head in confusion. "Sorry, then I'm completely lost."

Yunji suddenly gave up pressing further, perhaps because he approved of Liu Zichen's reaction.

"Fine, I understand." He nodded.

Liu Zichen was not about to let him off. "And the secret you mentioned? Don't forget this is a trade."

The corners of Yunji's mouth lifted in a faint, mocking smile. "I have always done things properly. Of course I'll tell you the secret."

"Please be careful around the woman beside Yinuo. She's no simple person."

After saying that, he did not wait for Liu Zichen's reply. He took off his hat, bowed to her, and then walked away without looking back.