Chapter 1: Strange Phenomena in the Underworld

  Xiong Lunbing's death brought a temporary end to the sensational murder case in Haizhen City, but just as Director Jin announced the case was solved with his gold-toothed mouth, Ran Luojiao and Qin Yin's souls floated into the air, looking at the triumphant police officers with even more anger. A string of resentment shot up to the sky, shouting "I'll be back for revenge!" before floating towards the Black Kill Star.

  Just as the resentment was about to erupt, the police station was holding a celebration meeting. Everyone thought that Huang Aiguo and Chen Zhenhua would definitely receive praise from the director at this meeting, and might even gain attention from higher-level leaders. Upon hearing that there was an awards ceremony at the police station, even Huang Aiguo and Chen Zhenhua were somewhat excited. Although they didn't expect to be promoted or get rich from solving the case, they should at least receive recognition from everyone. People all have this kind of thinking: working hard isn't always for promotion, but it needs their praise and recognition. If one works hard and doesn't even get a word of encouragement, it's inevitable that those who work hard will feel disheartened. After all, vanity is something that everyone has to some extent.

  But in fact, the director only mentioned the name of Yan Song, the captain of the team, and only Yan Song's name was mentioned. In other words, the director attributed all the credit to Yan Song alone, which is really unexpected. This can't help but make Chen Zhenhua and others feel disappointed and extremely dissatisfied. But what can they do about their dissatisfaction?

  Chen Zhenhua glanced at Huang Aiguo, the two exchanged a look, smiled helplessly, shook their heads, and after the director's "dismissal", they walked out of the conference room amidst the crowded police.

  Out of the door, many police officers ran to the captain's side. After a round of congratulatory words, everyone laughed and asked the captain to treat them to a meal. The captain readily agreed to their request, and then they all poured out of the police station gate together.

  After passing by Chen Zhenhua and Huang Aiguo, the team leader looked at them with a scornful expression, extremely contemptuous, extremely pleased, and extremely exaggerated. Such an expression, of course, didn't even mention calling them together to celebrate.

  "How was it? Did the director praise you?" Huo Jucai met them at the police station door, then stopped the car and couldn't wait to know what rewards they would get. But as soon as he asked, he saw their dejected expressions, looking down with a defeated attitude, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

  Chen Zhenhua sneered and said: "What reward? Not even our names were mentioned, all the credit went to Yan Song."

  "Yan Song?" said Huo Jucai, "What's his basis? They haven't done anything about this case."

  "Whatever," Huang Aiguo sighed, "this is just the way things are in official circles, this is reality. I've seen through it all long ago - whenever a case comes up, the director always says to everyone, 'Comrades, the time has come for the organization and the people to test us, all the citizens of the city are watching what we do! As long as we crack the case, no matter who it is, I will definitely not forget him, whoever deserves a reward will get one.' But once things are over, the ones who really benefit in the end are still those few who have been fawning on him all along and that crowd who come to pay their respects during holidays."

  "We don't care about that either. After all, we didn't become police officers to get promoted or rich. I like it so I work hard, as long as I'm happy, that's enough." Chen Zhenhua said.

  What he said was, of course, sincere. For so many years, wasn't it just to be a policeman and solve cases? And because I liked this profession, I even lost my life. In fact, many things in life are done because they like them, for their ideals, no matter how bitter or tired they are, it's worth it. If there is not even this ideal, then living is really just for survival.

  "What Zhenhua said is absolutely right," said Huo Jucai. "By the way, tomorrow is my father's birthday, and as my friends, I invite you to attend. You must come!"

  "Is your respected father's birthday?" Huang Aiguo shrugged and said, "Are we suitable to go? The whole city knows that your respected father only socializes with people of high status, everyone who goes is either rich or noble. Will he welcome us, the working class? With just that little salary every month, it's not enough to buy a decent gift, to avoid being seen as poor, I think we'd better not go."

  "What's the matter?" said Huo Jucai, "I want you to go, not to give gifts, and you are my friends, I invited you myself. You must go, do you know? I'm not inviting you for my father's birthday, but taking this opportunity for everyone to gather together. I've already asked Lan Gege and they all agreed to come."

  Chen Zhenhua had always lived at the bottom of society, never knowing anyone from the upper class, nor thinking he would ever meet a wealthy person. He met Huo Jucai because they both died and returned to the world under the arrangement of Yan Wangye. Otherwise, he wouldn't have even known Huo Jucai. Hearing that Lan Jingqiu and others would also be going, he readily agreed. His brain still lacked an understanding of human relationships in reality, and someone as simple-minded as him couldn't think of this point.

  The next day, the luxurious villa of the Huo family was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Various exquisite utensils were placed in the courtyard, giving off an air of grandeur and wealth. Fine wines and delicacies were arranged around the courtyard, while a large table stood in the center of the lawn, stacked high with wine glasses. Next to the glasses sat a massive cake, topped with a golden longevity star sculpture that was nearly half a meter tall. The cake was placed in a gold-plated box, which was coated with a layer of yellow gold powder on the outside, indicating that it was no ordinary cake.

  Early in the morning, many luxury cars came to the Huo's residence from all directions. When they arrived at the entrance, a servant would come to arrange the vehicles to be parked in designated locations. If the visitor was an official or someone of high social status, the servant would proactively help them park in the designated location. However, if it was just a regular businessman or someone trying to curry favor with the Huo family, the servant would display a very impatient attitude, pointing expressionlessly and saying coldly: "Just park over there, and preferably far away from the mayor's car."

  Guests who receive such treatment may feel resentful or angry in their hearts, but they often smile and endure it. After all, coming to celebrate a birthday is not only about flattering the host, but also an opportunity to meet other influential people in high society. To put it bluntly, sometimes a person's promotion or raise is not due to hard work, but rather because of connections made at social gatherings, in an environment of luxury and extravagance. Therefore, whenever high society hosts events like banquets or galas, they are always very lively.

  At noon, Chen Zhenhua and Huang Aiguo arrived. Chen Zhenhua had never seen such a high-society gathering before, so he didn't think much of it and even asked Huang Aiguo to drive the police car over. However, Huang Aiguo was well aware of the situation and did not drive the car, instead calling a taxi with Chen Zhenhua and getting out not far from the He's villa to walk the rest of the way.

  When they arrived at the Ho's, they saw that the courtyard was already packed with people. Everyone was dressed up and elegantly holding wine glasses, chatting in groups and occasionally bursting into loud laughter. Fashionably dressed women were scattered among the men in black suits, exchanging flirtatious glances and playful expressions. The servants were busy serving wine and dishes. The entire courtyard was bustling and lively.

  "Who are you looking for?" The servant guarding the door saw Chen Zhenhua and Huang Aiguo wanting to step inside, so he stepped forward to stop them, one of his thick hands held out in front of them, with an arrogant and unreasonable expression, looking down on them with disdain.

  "Get your filthy hoof away!" Huang Aiguo stepped forward, glaring furiously at the arrogant gatekeeper.

  "You can't go in!" The gatekeeper sneered, "Those who come to celebrate the birthday are all people with status in this city and even the whole province. Who are you two?"

  "We are police!" Chen Zhenhua said.

  "Good grief!" The servant looked utterly astonished, as if he didn't dare believe his ears. He stood there for a moment, then let out a cold laugh and said, "Police? What kind of identity is that?"

  "Don't mind what identity the police have, as long as they are individuals, it's fine as long as they are not a dog." Huang Aiguo was no longer angry at this time, he smiled slightly and said coldly.

  "Stop talking nonsense," Chen Zhenhua also stepped forward and said, "Just say whether you'll let us in or not?"

  "Impossible," the servant said, "considering your status, I think our master would not invite you either." He seemed to be unaffected by Huang Aiguo's words earlier and instead raised his head even higher towards them.

  "But can't I invite such a noble guest, young master?"

  As soon as the worker finished speaking, Huo Jucai came walking from behind. He spat at the servant and then directly pulled Chen Zhenhua and Huang Aiguo inside. Chen Zhenhua and Huo Jucai walked in while looking at the servant who was hastily smiling when he saw the young master, and coldly said: "Fawning on those with power!"

  Huo Jucai directly took them to the courtyard, asking them to drink and eat, without speaking to anyone else.

  Soon, Lan Jingqiu and Dugu Jin arrived.

  Qian Xiaohong and Lu Xiaoying also arrived.

  The last one to arrive was Ouyang Qing.

  Seven people gathered together, and it was inevitable that there would be a joyful atmosphere, after all, since the last time they parted ways, everyone had not been reunited again.

  Everyone exchanged a few pleasantries, and Qian Xiaohong and Lu Xiaoying immediately plunged into the crowd, fluttering about like butterflies in a flower garden, or like bees collecting nectar from flowers. They chatted and laughed here and there. After all, they were two great beauties, and many elegant men couldn't help but follow them with their eyes, sneaking glances at their lovely faces, ample busts, and round buttocks. Those balding, wrinkled old men with thick facial hair almost all had "tongues hanging out".

  Lan Jingqiu and Ouyang Qing, however, were not as lively. They stood in one place, chatting with each other, ignoring the gazes of others and not interacting with anyone else.

  "Son," Mr. Huo walked over with elegant demeanor, politely nodding and smiling at Lan Jingqiu and the others before saying, "Son, come, let your father introduce you to someone."

  Mr. Huo was not tall but very fat, also bald, with a full face of flesh, and under the sunlight, his oily complexion shone like ripples on the lake surface. In his sixties, he still looked vigorous, with a pair of triangular eyes that were sharp and astute, and thin lips that showed he was eloquent.

  Huo Jucai put down his wine cup and bid farewell to Chen Zhenhua, Lan Jingqiu and the others before leaving with his father.

  Chen Zhenhua turned around to watch the back of Mr. Huo leaving, and in her heart, she was painting a picture of this person who even their police chief showed great respect for.

  But at this moment, a black shadow slipped into the villa from beside them.