S.C.I Mystery Series Volume 2 Chapter 3

The Innocent Murderer 03 - Undercurrent

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After eating, Bai Chi went back and ordered two big portions to go to feed Zhao Zhen and Lisbon. Bai Yutang said that he was a little full and wanted to walk back with Zhan Zhao, so Bai Chi left his two brothers and drove off first.

Out of the hotel, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang slowly walked back side by side. The weather was still sultry, but there was a muffled thunder in the sky, and it seemed that it was about to rain.

As they were walking, Zhan Zhao's phone rang, and when he looked at it, Zhan Zhao frowned.

"Editor again, huh?" Bai Yutang laughed.

Zhan Zhao sighed and picked it up, "Hey..."

Bai Yutang heard that there was a woman on the other end of the phone, who seemed to be talking at a very fast speed. He knew that this was Qian Mingyue, Zhan Zhao's editor, who was very capable and very impatient. Zhan Zhao got a headache whenever he saw her.

The person on the other end of the phone spoke for a long time, but Zhan Zhao did not answer a word, but listened quietly. Finally, when the other end was finished, Zhan Zhao said, "I will not go, I said I will not participate in any commercial activities." After speaking, he hung up the phone.

Bai Yutang turned and saw that Zhan Zhao's face was not good, and he laughed, "What? She hasn't given up on making you a star author yet?"

Zhan Zhao remained silent for a long time before suddenly saying, "Xiao Bai, I don't want to write the book anymore."

Bai Yutang was slightly surprised and smiled, "Don't you like to write books, why give up?"

Zhan Zhao sighed and said: "I wrote an academic book, but it's been hyped up as a novel. If you don't understand psychology properly and use it indiscriminately based on a shallow understanding alone, it's very dangerous!"

Bai Yutang nodded and laughed, "You can decide by yourself, I'm all for it."

Zhan Zhao was discouraged, "There is no principle, no constructiveness at all."

Bai Yutang was helpless, "I just want you to be happy, no matter what books you write or don’t write."

Zhan Zhao stopped speaking, but most of the depression in his heart dissipated.

A cool breeze suddenly blew through the sultry air, there was a flash of lightning in the sky, a blast of thunder rang out, and the wind was strong.

"It's going to rain!" Bai Yutang pulled Zhan Zhao's hand and ran forward.

Bai Yutang pulled Zhan Zhao into his arms and held out his hand to shield him from the rain, and the two of them ran a few steps to hide on the porch in front of a building.

At the same time, the heavy rain poured down and the surrounding air instantly became refreshed and cool.

"That's good," Bai Yutang stretched out his hand to wipe the drops of water on Zhan Zhao's face, "it will definitely be cooler when we go back later."

After a few steps and a cool breeze, Zhan Zhao felt much better and was just about to speak when he saw Bai Yutang suddenly frown for no reason.

"What's the matter? Xiao Bai?" Zhan Zhao was puzzled.

Bai Yutang shook his head and said, "It's nothing."

Zhan Zhao felt strange. At this moment, another person rushed over, rushed onto the porch and patted the water on his body. While smiling at the two of them, he said, "Wow, it's really pouring."

Zhan Zhao nodded to him, but Bai Yutang was silent, pulling Zhan Zhao to the other side and putting his hands in his pockets as he waited for the rain to stop.

The summer rain was short, but after all, it had been holding off all day, and the heavens seemed to want to release a good deal of it. It rained for a while, but it didn't stop even though it was getting lighter.

Bai Yutang did not say a word, blocking most of Zhan Zhao's body while standing in place. Zhan Zhao felt strange, Bai Yutang seemed to have suddenly changed his mood.

The man who was waiting on the other side seemed anxious, muttering, "Why doesn't it stop?" as he walked back and forth behind the two, and when he reached Zhan Zhao's side, he heard Bai Yutang suddenly say coldly, "Haven't you photographed enough?"

The man was stunned, and Zhan Zhao was puzzled.

The man looked at Bai Yutang blankly and saw that Bai Yutang was frowning at him, and he smiled somewhat uncomfortably, "You're talking to me? Oh… this is the first time we met, right? Did we know each other before?"

Bai Yutang sneered and suddenly reached out, grabbing the man's arm and holding it behind his back. He took a watch off his wrist and handed it to Zhan Zhao.　　

When Zhan Zhao took it, he saw that there was a pinhole camera on the watch.

"Ugh… ouch ouch… gently, my hand is broken." The man yelled. Bai Yutang didn't pay any attention to him and reached out to rip off the bag he was carrying, handing it to Zhan Zhao, "Cat, take out the camera!"

Zhan Zhao reached out and fished out a digital camera from the bag. When he opened it, he saw that it was full of pictures, both near and far, of himself from when he came out of the shop until he came here to hide from the rain.

"Who are you?" Zhan Zhao asked him puzzledly, "Why are you taking pictures of me?"

The man was pushed back by Bai Yutang and bared his teeth in pain, stammering, "I… I am gay. Seeing how beautiful you look… I couldn't help but take a couple more pictures… oh…"

The words were not finished before Bai Yutang twisted his wrist fiercely, it hurt so much that he screamed out an octave higher and shouted, "Police… the police beat people up…"

Bai Yutang sneered, "You knew I was a police officer the first time we met?" While saying that, he pulled out his handcuffs, "You'd better give an honest explanation today, or I won't let you off the hook."

"Hey hey… forget it, I'll say it… there was a woman who paid for me to photograph him." The man's whole arm went numb with pain and he said, "It's none of my business."

"Which woman?" Bai Yutang frowned.

"I don't know." The man shook his head repeatedly, "She came to my office this morning and gave me money asking me to photograph him… If you don't believe me, I have a business card in my pocket."

Bai Yutang reached out and took out a business card from his jacket pocket. The person in front of him was a person from "Tianxiang Detective Agency" named Zhang Tianxiang.

"What does that woman look like?" Bai Yutang asked.

"Slim, tall, and in good shape, with short hair and a pair of rimless glasses. She looks very fashionable." Zhang Tianxiang hurriedly confessed.

Bai Yutang's expression became cold, and Zhan Zhao immediately understood that the person Zhang Tianxiang described was his editor – Qian Mingyue.

The rain outside had stopped at some unknown time. Zhan Zhao saw Bai Yutang's cold face as he pulled Zhang Tianxiang and said, "You come with me!" After finishing speaking, he pulled him, as he was still screaming, and went out. 

"Xiao Bai!" Zhan Zhao hurriedly chased after him, but Bai Yutang did not have the slightest intention to stop, only saying to Zhan Zhao, "Cat, you come too!" As he said this, he raised his hand to stop a car and threw Zhang Tianxiang inside. After getting into the car, Bai Yutang said to the driver, "South Street Publishing House!"

The driver drove quickly.

The three got out of the car at the entrance of the publishing house. Bai Yutang pushed Zhang Tianxiang and led him into the front of the building. Security came up to block him, but Bai Yutang showed him his ID and asked, "Is Qian Mingyue here?"

"Uh... yes, in the office on the third floor." The security nodded quickly, and Bai Yutang pushed Zhang Tianxiang into the elevator,  and when he arrived at the office on the third floor, he opened the door and threw the person in.

In the office, Qian Mingyue was having a meeting with several editors. When the door was pushed open and someone was thrown in, she was shocked. After seeing it clearly, it was Zhang Tianxiang who was thrown in, and the one who walked in behind was Bai Yutang, who had a serious expression. Qian Mingyue's face turned a little pale.

Fortunately, seeing that Zhan Zhao was behind Bai Yutang, Qian Mingyue was a little relieved, and quickly stood up and said, "Xiao Zhan… Captain Bai is also here… a rare guest."

Bai Yutang ignored her and asked Zhang Tianxiang, "Is it her?"

"…Yes." Zhang Tianxiang had been frightened by Bai Yutang a long time ago. On the one hand, his "evil" name is outside. Just kidding, this is the captain of the SCI. Even the big brother of the underworld avoids him, not to mention he who is simply a little detective?! On the other hand, it’s important to stay safe. Anyway, he is taking people's money to do things for others, so he would probably be fine if he told them.

After hearing Zhang Tianxiang's identification, Bai Yutang moved the camera and the miniature video camera in front of Qian Mingyue's eyes and spoke coldly, "Explain yourself."

Qian Mingyue is in her thirties and is not a timid person, but Bai Yutang has a strong aura. Because she was wrong first, her face turned red andwhite and she had to ask Zhan Zhao for help, "Xiao Zhan… why is Captain Bai so angry?"

Zhan Zhao was actually quite angry, as he knew why Qian Mingyue was looking for someone to follow him. She had mentioned that she wanted to put his photo on the cover of the book many times before, saying that it would definitely promote the book’s sales. He firmly disagreed, so she found someone to take pictures secretly.

Bai Yutang and Qian Mingyue have always kept their distance. He knows most of Zhan Zhao's friends, but he is not familiar with most of them and will be polite when they meet, but… Bai Yutang has a bottom line, and that bottom line is Zhan Zhao! Once you upset him, he will turn his face and never show any mercy to you!

"Oh…" Qian Mingyue sighed helplessly, and said, "Xiao Zhan,  I'm sorry, we are under pressure to sell, that's why we are doing this."

After all, she has been working as his editor for many years, and Zhan Zhao is soft-hearted, so he pulled Bai Yutang and said, "Xiao Bai, forget it."

Bai Yutang took out the SD cards from the camera and video camera, glanced at Qian Mingyue, and said, "No second time!"

"Okay, I know." Only then did Qian Mingyue breathe and she quickly apologised to Zhan Zhao, but Zhan Zhao just smiled and left with Bai Yutang.

After leaving the publishing house, Bai Yutang's complexion was still not very good. Zhan Zhao took two steps forward and pinched his cheeks, "So powerful, Captain Bai~~"

Bai Yutang was discouraged and looked at Zhan Zhao weakly, "You cat, you are too easy to forgive!"

"Forget it, they have troubles too." Zhan Zhao waved his hand.

"How about it? Can you walk?" Bai Yutang asked, "Want to take a taxi and go back?"

"Let's walk." Zhan Zhao smiled, "It's pretty refreshing."

Bai Yutang nodded and pulled Zhan Zhao back. Their moods gradually turned sunny as they talked and laughed all the way, and had a packet of ice cream together.

After sending away Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, Qian Mingyue sent Zhang Tianxiang away, sat down on the swivel chair in the office, and let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Bai Yutang wasn’t true to himself today, and Zhan Zhao was really good at talking.

When she was about to pack her things and go home, she heard the phone ring, and a text message arrived. As soon as she saw the name of the person, Qian Mingyue's hand shook, and she warily clicked on it to see the content. Qian Mingyue dropped the phone on the table and grabbed her hair in pain, muttering to herself, "Let me go… Let me go…"

……

In the hospital, it calmed down after seven o’clock. Zhao Jing’s ward was a special ward, with rooms consisting of two parts; the back part which held Zhao Jing’s bed and the front part which is where the police officers stayed. Luo Tian was reading on the sofa and the other officer on duty was reading the newspaper.

At this time, the door rang three times, then it was slowly pushed open, and a small head came in.

"Yang Yang?" Luo Tian put down his book quickly, "Why are you here?"

Luo Yang walked in with a smile, holding a plastic bag in one hand, and an umbrella in the other which was still dripping.

"Running out in such heavy rain." Luo Tian frowned, and took a tissue box from the side to wipe the drops of water from Luo Yang's hair.

"Dad, have you eaten?" Luo Yang lifted the plastic bag in his hand and took out a lunch box.

In fact, Luo Tian had already eaten, but when he saw the lunch box, he smiled and said, "Not yet, I am hungry."

"Why didn’t you eat?!" Luo Yang glared at the police officer on the side, "Do you guys not have dinner on duty?!"

The police officer looked at Luo Yang's posture and almost couldn't help laughing. He saw Luo Tian making a face at him, and hurriedly said, "Yes, but your dad said it didn't suit his taste, so he didn't eat it."

"I made something delicious!" Luo Yang took out the bento box and opened it like offering a treasure, and a burst of aroma hit his nose.

Luo Tian glanced at the lunch box and smiled, "When did you learn to make it?"

"I learned from Auntie when I went to Uncle Bai's house last time." Luo Yang took out his chopsticks to give to Luo Tian.

Luo Tian watched Luo Yang's eyes blink and blink, and braced himself to stuff it down.

"Dad… is she the person you want to protect this time?" Luo Yang lay on Luo Tian's lap and looked at the little girl sitting on the carpet in the room.

"Yes." Luo Tian glanced back and nodded.

"What is she doing?" Luo Yang was curious.

"I don't know, she just woke up and clambered onto the carpet to sit" The other police officer interrupted, "She didn't say anything, and she came back down after I carried her back to bed."

"Really?" Luo Yang was curious. He stood up, poured a glass of water for Luo Tian, and said, "Dad, I'll go play with her for a while."

Luo Tian took the water and nodded, and said, "Don't irritate her."

"I know!" Luo Yang walked into the room.

The other police officer looked at the food in Luo Tian's lunch box enviously, and said in a low voice, "My wife gave me a son a month ago… If that kid is half as kind-hearted as Yang Yang in the future, I will burn incense."

Luo Tian smiled and turned back to see Luo Yang sitting across from Zhao Jing, extending his hand to shake hers, "Hello, my name is Luo Yang."

Zhao Jing, who hadn't reacted at all, surprisingly extended her hand and shook Luo Yang's.

Luo Tian and the young police officer looked at each other in surprise and both watched attentively.

"What's your name?" Luo Yang asked.

The little girl kept her head down without speaking.

Luo Yang tilted his head and looked around. Because this is a children's ward, there were some toys lying around, "This room is so beautiful!" Luo Yang reached out and took a box of building blocks from the side and said, "Shall we build a house?"

Zhao Jing remained silent, so Luo Yang took out the building blocks and built them up piece by piece. Unexpectedly, Zhao Jing reached out and knocked over the house that Luo Yang had built.

… Luo Yang looked at her in confusion and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Zhao Jing slowly stretched out her hand, grabbed a few blocks, and placed them on the carpet piece by piece… Finally, after finishing the arrangement, she stood up, climbed back to the bed, covered herself with the quilt, and went to sleep.

Luo Tian put down his lunch box and walked in. When he saw Luo Yang sitting dumbfounded on the carpet, he leaned over to look. The building blocks on the carpet were clearly laid out in the English phrase – I LOVE YOU.

Luo Tian and the other police officer were speechless. Luo Yang suddenly blushed and pulled Luo Tian's trouser legs, asking in a low voice, "Dad, did she say she likes me?"

… Luo Tian couldn't laugh or cry.

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Note

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: March 12, 2021

Re-edited: March 17, 2022