Wang Zeyî, knowing Cao Shí's preferences, took him to Huguó Temple and ordered several delicious dishes at a restaurant.
Boiled Sheep Head, Rolling Donkey, Ding-shaped Meat Pastry, and a large bowl of Mung Bean Ball Soup.
Cao Shí ate with his head down, silent. Wang Zeyî carefully chose his words, smiling as he said, "This matter with Cui Fāng, with your sister-in-law..."
"Her name is Cui Fāng?" Cao Shí looked up and asked.
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"A few days ago, Xiǎo Yuàn had a friend visit, brought by Xiǎo Juān. She seemed very nice, but she came with a purpose of seduction."
"Seduction?"
"She took a fancy to my senior brother, Lǐ Jiǔ's talent. She instigated things. A married woman, trying to ensnare my senior brother into her bed. My senior brother saw through her and turned her away."
Wang Zeyî frowned. He had vaguely heard of this matter, but only knew that Gāo Xiǎo Juān bought things at Cui Fāng's shop, and they chatted amiably. Gāo Xiǎo Juān mentioned having had many boyfriends while abroad.
"I will cut off contact with Cui Fāng from now on."
"When she was at Xiǎo Yuàn's, she called herself Shěn Xuě. I'm just telling you this, it has nothing to do with me what you do with her. By the way, does your head still hurt?"
"It's fine now. I was wrong that day."
"Forget it!"
Cao Shí said, glancing at the menu again, and finally smiled, "I feel like my stomach is missing something fiery. Let's have another plate of Chestnut Cooling Cake."
"Alright!"
Wang Zeyî admired Cao Shí's appetite. Every time they ate, he would clean the plates and bowls. Wang Zeyî had long since been unable to eat more and was drinking tea, waiting for Cao Shí to finish his meal with enjoyment. Then, he poured Cao Shí a bowl of tea.
"That Rì Yuè Tán black tea you delivered to Wéndé Xiǎo Yuàn, did Cui Fāng take you to buy it?"
"Mm, I don't know much about tea. That night at Cui Fāng's house, her tea was good, so I asked her. She took me to a familiar tea house to buy some. I heard it's an old tea, but they recently introduced foreign varieties, so it tastes unique."
"My senior brother Zhū Guāng also drinks tea at that tea house. Perhaps he invited Cui Fāng to his home."
"Zhū Guāng and Cui Fāng?"
Wang Zeyî's expression turned grim. He had known them for over a year and was very familiar with Wéndé Xiǎo Yuàn. Zhū Guāng was wealthy and often frequented the pleasure houses in the capital. He heard that Zhū Guāng was very close to Cui Fāng, which made Wang Zeyî feel rather embarrassed and regretful, wondering why he had gotten involved with such a woman.
Seeing Wang Zeyî's expression, Cao Shí chuckled, "Don't overthink it. Hunters only target prey."
"What do you mean?"
"My senior brother Zhū Guāng and Cui Fāng are both hunters, just of different genders."
...
Hunters? Wang Zeyî clenched his fists tightly, a sense of humiliated defeat surging within him. Cui Fāng was not a woman who would indiscriminately seek out men; she had targets and specifically went after outstanding men.
"Wang Zeyî, I didn't intentionally seek you out today."
"Mm~"
"There's a murder case outside your jurisdiction that's been causing quite a stir. On the body, a B was written in blood."
"B?"
"Yes, according to the order of the English alphabet, he should be the second victim, and your jurisdiction's Hàn Jiàn Jūn should be the third victim."
Upon hearing it was a serial murder case, Wang Zeyî felt inexplicably relieved and said with a smile, "Cao Shí, thank you."
"I should be thanking you for treating me to a good meal."
"We're brothers, no need for formalities."
"Smashing a wine bottle on someone's head, what kind of brotherhood is that?"
Wang Zeyî laughed heartily, not minding the incident. He looked at Cao Shí and said earnestly, "Perhaps you haven't interacted with many people. This kind of behavior is precisely what brothers should have."
Cao Shí was taken aback.
Wang Zeyî felt even better, "So, even you, Cao Shí, have things you don't understand. We'll eat together again later. I need to go solve this case."
The diced meat and flatbread at the restaurant were ready-made. Wang Zeyî bought a few more and rode his bicycle to find his assistant, Xiǎo Zhōu. Xiǎo Zhōu, while eating the flatbread, said cheerfully, "Thanks, Brother Wang. I've already inquired. Hàn Jiàn Jūn wasn't well-liked, and even after his death, few people have anything good to say about him. However, these people wouldn't kill Hàn Jiàn Jūn."
"Stop investigating. There's a case in the old imperial city area of Xicheng. Let's go inquire."
Xicheng's old imperial city area was not under Wang Zeyî's jurisdiction, but he knew the public security there was poor. This was due to a ghost market, where people with antiques of unknown origin appeared every midnight.
The case Wang Zeyî was investigating today was also quite peculiar. The case file was titled "Searching for the Head."
No one would believe in such superstitious nonsense, but that night, more than one person saw a headless body wandering around, searching for its head. The deceased was dressed ordinarily, with no distinguishing features, but a B was written in blood on his back.
...
This bizarre case reminded Wang Zeyî of the unseen executioner at the execution ground. Old Qū's head flying off appeared in Wang Zeyî's mind. Old Qū's gun had yet to be found.
The Third Criminal Investigation Team was responsible for this case. Wang Zeyî knew Old Mǎ, Mǎ Qìng Guó. He was slovenly and unkempt but a highly capable detective. Despite his age, he remained on the front lines due to a drinking problem that led to mistakes after his daughter's death.
Wang Zeyî met Old Mǎ when he was working with Old Qū. Wang Zeyî had called Team Three earlier and knew Old Mǎ was in charge of this case, so he hurried over. Old Mǎ was sitting in front of a small shop, with a sausage, a bottle of Èrguōtóu, and half a loaf of bread.
Wang Zeyî saw the military water canteen on Old Mǎ from afar and called out happily, "Old Mǎ."
Old Mǎ slowly raised his bleary eyes, looked at Wang Zeyî, and without saying a word, gestured.
"I heard from people in Team Three that you're looking for witnesses. Why are you drinking?"
"I'm thirsty. Why would a great god like you come to my humble temple to burn incense?"
"I'm here to learn from you."
"Hypocritical. The petty ghosts I deal with, would they enter your esteemed eyes?"
Wang Zeyî smiled awkwardly and said to the shop owner, "Boss, do you have peanuts? One bag, please."
"Yes."
Wang Zeyî handed the peanuts to Old Mǎ, who accepted them without politeness, putting them in his pocket. He poured the Èrguōtóu from the bottle into his military canteen, tightened the lid, hung it on himself, and said to Wang Zeyî, "Let's go, I'll take you to see."
Xicheng's old imperial city area was quite lively, resembling a flea market. There were old hats, old clothes, and some antique items. Some people also sold walnuts and bracelets.
Old Mǎ led Wang Zeyî and Xiǎo Zhōu on a long walk around the area. They found a place to rest. Old Mǎ unscrewed his canteen, took a sip of wine, and pointed at the bustling street, saying, "The murder happened on this street."
Usually, streets were deserted at night, but this place was different. At night, people would bring antiques here to trade. They came in the middle of the night and left at dawn.
The headless body appeared at night. It was headless and wandered around, seemingly looking for something. After terrifying several pedestrians, it collapsed on the imperial city grounds.
Xiǎo Zhōu listened, bewildered, and whispered to Wang Zeyî, "Brother Wang, he looks drunk. Can what he's saying be true?"
"I don't know."
Wang Zeyî couldn't be sure either. He looked at Old Mǎ, who was drinking again, and asked earnestly, "Old Mǎ, where are the witnesses? Can I question them?"
"It's all over town. You can ask anyone."
"I mean the witnesses."
"Who would want to be a witness for this mess? You might get into trouble without catching the fox. What if you encounter something unholy, who can afford that?"
Xiǎo Zhōu was somewhat displeased, "Comrade Old Mǎ, how can you be like this? As a people's policeman, you..."
"Who are you, kid? Are you a rookie? Why are you pretending? If you're so capable, solve this case for me."
Wang Zeyî quickly intervened, "Old Mǎ, there's no need to argue with a child. No one but you can solve this case. We won't bother you further. We'll talk another day."
Old Mǎ took another sip from his military canteen and impatiently waved Wang Zeyî away. Wang Zeyî bowed and scraped, pulling Xiǎo Zhōu along as they left.
...
Xiǎo Zhōu was very unhappy. On the road, he said to Wang Zeyî, "People like Old Mǎ don't deserve to be people's policemen."
"Don't talk nonsense."
"Where am I talking nonsense? He doesn't look like a policeman at all."
Wang Zeyî didn't know what to say. He thought for a moment and said to Xiǎo Zhōu, "Let's not get involved in this case."
"How can we do that? This is a serial murder case!" Xiǎo Zhōu was unwilling to give up. Wang Zeyî gave Xiǎo Zhōu a thumbs-up and said, "Well done. You're right, it's a serial murder case. If there's a C and a B, then there must be an A. Go ask, whose case has an A written in blood!"