Chapter 37: A Detailed Discussion of Tea

  " What's wrong? Is the case not going smoothly?"

  Although he is careless and doesn't bother with trivial matters in life, he is extremely cautious at work, especially when it comes to the case. He keeps everything confidential. However, when facing his close friend Lu Sihao, he finally opens up: "Actually, there have been some developments, but after that damned royal wife came here making a big show, everyone in Leijiang knows that the one who died was the evil 'Haitai Jun', even Fang Zhengwu said it was retribution, and whoever would still provide clues? Now I'm just like a headless fly, bumping into walls everywhere... Alas!"

  "What will you do next?" asked Ruth Xia.

  Yu Xin Yuan said in a distant tone: "I don't know what to do either! The mass line is the magic weapon for public security to crack cases. In the past, when cracking cases, the masses would actively cooperate and even come to provide clues on their own initiative. But this case has been hitting a snag everywhere... To be honest, if it weren't for the leadership's pressure from above, I wouldn't want to deal with this case either. Yamada Jiro, this 'Haita Jun', is just like his original name, Inukawa, dog-raised! He did so many despicable things in China and deserved to die!" Yu Xin Yuan became more and more indignant as he spoke.

  Ruth was amused by his childish complaints.

  Yu Xinbai glared at Lu Sihao with a cold eye: "Still smiling? I'm not laughing. If the case can't be cracked, it's nothing more than proof of my incompetence. But if the case is cracked and the real culprit is indeed a hero who has rid the people of a scourge, just as Fang Zhengwu said, then what am I supposed to do?" Yu Xinbai seemed to be talking to Lu Sihao, yet also seemed to be muttering to himself.

  Ruth took a sip of tea and said solemnly, "Xin Yuan, you're still the same old Xin An! How can you be so childish? The organization entrusting such an important case to you is a great trust, how can you think of shirking responsibility? Even if it weren't you handling this case, the superior public security department would send other comrades to take over. Since that person dared to kill 'Haitai Jun', he has already fully considered the consequences, and no matter who captures him, he will have no regrets!"

  Yu Xin let out a long sigh and said: "But now I have no clue at all!"

  "Look at our detective in a hurry," Ruth teased, "Can I help you with something?"

  Yu Xin looked at Lu Si Xiao with a seemingly hesitant expression.

  Ruth saw through Yu Xin Yuan's thoughts and said: "Xin Yuan, we don't need to be polite with each other. If there's anything you need, just say it!"

  Yu Xin hesitated for a moment, and then said in a stuttering tone: "When we were collecting evidence earlier, we found that some of the evidence was actually related to the Japanese invasion of China decades ago in Leijiang, and...and it also involves your family, Mei Xia..."

  As he said this, Ruth's hand holding the teacup suddenly stopped as he was sipping tea with his head down. He raised his head and looked at Yu Xin Yuan with a calm expression like autumn water.

  Yu Xin Yuan hastily explained, "Si Xia, don't misunderstand! I'm not suspecting you of anything! I firmly believe in your character, you wouldn't possibly sneak into a guest room at night to secretly meet with a foreign businessman, especially one who harbors national hatred and family resentment; nor would you 'sit on an equal footing' with the old devil and drink Japanese liquor together, or conveniently snatch his watch and lighter." According to Yu Xin Yuan's usual principles, he wouldn't discuss case details with outsiders before it was solved, but today he had slightly crossed the line.

  On the one hand, Ruth had already learned a lot about the case when he temporarily translated for Oshima Michiko, and on the other hand, he was worried that it would lead to misunderstandings. "I just want to know more about Mei Xia, maybe I can find some clues from it."

  Yù Xīn Yuǎn's eager expression was met with a gentle smile from Lǔ Sī Xiá, who set down his teacup and said, "Xīn Yuǎn, no need to be so anxious. I understand. You often say that before a case is solved, everyone is a suspect. Thank you for trusting me. What you said is right; it's impossible for me to have a private drink with Yamada Jirō on equal terms!" He paused and asked Yù Xīn Yuǎn, "Has Fāng Zhèng Wǔ not told you about some things regarding Xià ér?"

  Yu Xin Yuan said: "Fang Zhengwu said a few things, but at the crucial point, he refused to say anything. I also understand that a beautiful girl like Yu Hua falls into the hands of the devils, what would be the outcome? Everyone knows it in their heart, but everyone finds it hard to mention." He spoke hesitantly, but Lu Si Xia had already completely understood his meaning.

  "Alright", Lu Sihao took another sip of tea, "I still have two sessions of graduate tutoring this afternoon, how about this, come to my dormitory tonight and I'll tell you in person!"

  He hesitated in his heart after all, this was exposing someone's inner wounds and prying into their private matters.

  Seeing Yu Xin's hesitant expression, Lu Sihao smiled calmly: "These things have been pent up in my heart for many years, and I've always wanted to find someone to confide in. It's just that I haven't found the right opportunity or met the right person yet. Now that the political atmosphere has relaxed, 'Haitai Jun' is also dead, and I should let go of many things. You are my most understanding friend, and I want to unburden myself to you!"

  I had two assistants stand by, hoping to have a face-to-face conversation with you. Perhaps I can find the key clue to the case from you. So he immediately responded: "Okay, I'll go see you tonight!"

  "But for now, you and I have a crucial mission!" Ruth said with a serious face.

  Yu Xin was taken aback by a sudden thought and stared at Lu Suxia in surprise.

  Ruth Knight nodded at the table of dim sum in front of her: "Our mission for now is... to eliminate these dim sum in front of us first!"

  Yu Xin Yuan couldn't help but burst out laughing, never expecting that the usually serious Lu Si Xiao also had a playful and mischievous side.

  "I guarantee completion of the task!" Yu Xin said as he worked with his hands and mouth simultaneously.

  Two people ate all the dim sum as if sweeping away the remaining clouds, and drank three infusions of the precious "Mingqian Tea", then went downstairs with full bellies.

  The female manager of Linjiang Garden only accepted Lu Suxia's grain tickets, but no matter what she wouldn't accept money. "County Magistrate Lu, you haven't even paid me the bonus for the couplet yet, how can you have the nerve to take my money after eating some snacks? Although we're in a new society now and don't follow the old ways, to be honest, on both banks of the Lei River, which family's industries weren't left behind by your ancestors? Even my father Mei Cheng..."

  "Stop it! These are all national property now, we're fellow revolutionaries!"

  A faint tremor in Ruth's heart. It seems that the trauma of "**" still lingers in his memory. This steady and gentle man, how many traumas has he experienced? Tonight, what kind of tragic story will Ruth tell again? What clues to the case can be inferred from it?

  Longing from the heart and expecting afar.