Chapter 15 (1/2)

I Didn’t See Anything

Jiang Ru-Yi paused before the police officers’ cubicles.

The entire office was empty save for a few female desk clerk officers.

Jiang Ru-Yi walked to a female officer’s desk and asked, “Wang, what’s going on? Where is everyone?”

The officer called Wang replied, “They were all sent out by Deputy Huang.”

“Sent out to do what?”

“Some went to investigate old cases, some went on patrol and some went to follow up on a report of burglary which came in a few minutes ago.”

Jiang Ru-Yi was pale with anger, “Rubbish! The higher-ups told us to crack the case in a week! How can they be out chasing petty thieves at this time?”

“Ahem.” Huang Chang-Hai appeared in the office with a beautiful boccaro cup in hand and a gloating look on his face. “Wang, go make me a cup of tea.”

“Yes, sir.” Officer Wang stood from her desk right away to make tea for Huang Chang-Hai. Her attitude towards him was obviously more respectful than towards Jiang Ru-Yi.

“What is the meaning of this, Deputy Huang? Who is going to investigate Professor Zhang’s case if you send everyone out?” asked Jiang Ru-Yi angrily.

Huang Chang-Hai answered leisurely, “Me. I’ll investigate. I’ll personally lead a team of our best to investigate the murder of Professor Zhang.” He paused, then smiled as he continued, “Chief Jiang, you’ve never led a team nor cracked any case. You have no experience in this, so you can just wait comfortably in your office for my good news. I’ll be heading out after I finish my tea.”

“Huang Chang-Hai! You’re doing this on purpose!” Jiang Ru-Yi was quivering with rage, “I’ll report you to the higher-ups!”

Huang Chang-Hai chuckled. “As you wish. I’m leading an investigation team for Professor Zhang’s murder. What more do you want? Do it yourself if you’re so capable.”

“You…” Jiang Ru-Yi was so mad she couldn’t say a word.

“What? Do you mean to say you have no ability to solve a case?” Huang Chang-Hai’s words were fully intended to provoke her.

Xia Lei had not wanted to get involved but he could not watch by the sidelines anymore and spoke out, “Huang Chang-Hai, you think you can stop Ru-Yi from cracking the case by getting in her way? It’s no use, I tell you. The suspects’ faces are already known – this case is actually already half-solved.”

Huang Chang-Hai smirked. “These two supposed suspects were provided by you, weren’t they? How can a little construction worker like you meet the suspects of Professor Zhang’s murder? How trustworthy can your words be? Do you have proof? I think you produced these two suspects so you can get closer to Chief Jiang and woo her – am I right?”

Xia Lei also gave him a smile. “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. You can laugh only after Ru-Yi gets axed after a week. You should start crying if she cracks the case this week and secures the position of Chief. I was going to take care of matters at my shop but this guy is just too detestable. Ru-Yi, I’ve decided to help you with the case.” He looked at Ru-Yi, “But you have to promise to stick him in a little guard shed first chance you get.”

“Yes, I promise!” Jiang Ru-Yi’s voice was thick with emotion. A smile appeared on her lips. She looked at Xia Lei gratefully and felt some anger leave her.

“Hah! We’ll see who gets stuck in a little guard shed!” All smiles were wiped off Huang Chang-Hai’s face.

Xia Lei could not be bothered with him any more. He smiled and said, “Let’s go, Ru-Yi.”

After walking out the doors of the police station, Jiang Ru-Yi pulled the still forward-striding Xia Lei to a stop. “Lei, just now… Thank you. I would have lost my pride and reputation if not for you speaking up for me.”

“You were being bullied – of course I’d help you,” said Xia Lei.

Jiang Ru-Yi gave him a pretty smile and asked probingly, “Just now, Huang Chang-Hai said you… you want to woo me. Is it true?”

“Wha-?” Xia Lei reacted like he’d been kicked. “No way! I wouldn’t go after you even if you were the last woman on Earth! I totally gave up on you after you snitched on me eating sweets in class to the class monitor in Primary Three.”

Jiang Ru-Yi punched Xia Lei. “You’re still holding a grudge over something from Primary Three? You’re so petty!”

Xia Lei dodged her next fist, laughing as he said, “Okay, okay… I’ll stop joking. Let’s work on the case. What are your plans, Ru-Yi?”

Jiang Ru-Yi’s mood plummeted again. “I don’t know what to do either. That Huang Chang-Hai was right – I have no experience solving cases…” She looked at Xia Lei, “Tell me, do you think I’m useless?”

“Don’t underestimate yourself. The higher-ups must have seen something in you they liked to have selected you to be Chief. I don’t know what your good points are yet but it seems your boss has some idea.”

Jiang Ru-Yi fixed Xia Lei with a glare. “Are you praising me or dissing me?”

“Praise, of course,” said Xia Lei laughingly, “Okay, take me to Professor Zhang’s home to have a look around. I did say I’d help you solve this so I’ll help you.”

Jiang Ru-Yi frowned. “Professional teams have already gone through the crime scene and found nothing. We’ll just be wasting our time.”

“What if they missed something? Let’s go take a look around – maybe we will find some other clues if we’re lucky.”

Jiang Ru-Yi considered it. “Okay, let’s go. I don’t know where to begin looking for those two suspects anyway.”