Chapter Seven: Next Time for Sure

Now, all that remained was to wait and see if the Federal Police would produce any results from their investigation. As for Li Changqing’s current network of contacts, it was nearly impossible to locate a specific individual within the city. Unlike many large detective agencies, he lacked a well-staffed team, abundant funds, or a host of informants ready to provide leads.

Of course, as a professional detective, he did have an informant or two, but his particular contact charged exorbitant fees and wasn’t exactly reliable…

After leaving the Federal Police precinct, the two did not return to the detective agency. Instead, they caught a bus to Silverlin Plaza in the heart of the city.

Silverlin Plaza was home to well-known clothing boutiques, upscale restaurants, cinemas, and even several multinational companies and international banks.

Upon arrival, they found the streets bustling with handsome men, beautiful women, and couples strolling leisurely, all dressed in stylish attire. Among the pedestrians were many foreigners—blue-eyed, fair-skinned—most hailing from the neighboring Lamella Empire, a constitutional monarchy.

“What are we doing here, Li Changqing?” Tang Xiaoyu, nestled beneath her felt hat, already sensed something amiss.

For most people, Silverlin Plaza was the perfect destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment. But to Tang Xiaoyu, it was nothing short of a den of iniquity!

The prices here were outrageous! A cup of coffee that would cost twenty Lang coins elsewhere was forty here.

“To spend money, of course. Why else would we come?” Li Changqing replied.

“Since you’re here, you can help me pick something girls would like—I’m not well-versed in these things.”

“Had a change of heart, have you? Planning to give me a present? No need for the fuss—cash is always best,” Tang Xiaoyu quipped.

“I want your opinion, not to buy you something,” Li Changqing retorted, buying a cup of milk tea from a shop along the pedestrian street. He took a sip—the taste was excellent, the fruit pieces inside fresh and tender, unlike the rubbery bits he remembered from the milk teas of his previous life.

Tang Xiaoyu perked up immediately, interrogating him as if conducting a census: “You know other girls? Since when? Are you dating? Where’s the girl from? How did you meet? How far have you two gone?”

What was going through her head? Did giving a gift to a girl always mean romance?

Li Changqing took another sip of milk tea. “It’s for my sister and cousin. I haven’t been home in almost a month. Once this case is over, I’ll pay a visit. I can’t come empty-handed, after all.”

For the previous Li Changqing, these were merely relatives he’d never met. But for the first meeting, he couldn’t possibly show up without a gift.

“So, tell me—if you were in their shoes, what would you want?” he asked.

As a clueless man, he had no experience buying gifts for women. Clothes? What if the size was wrong? The style unappealing?

No matter how useful or expensive the gift, if it wasn’t to a woman’s taste, it would end up gathering dust at home, never to be touched again. It was safest to consult Tang Xiaoyu.

“Money. Just give cash—that’s always best,” she answered.

Li Changqing fell silent. He’d clearly asked the wrong person. Never mind, he’d just figure it out himself.

Clothing stores were out of the question—the risks of getting the size or style wrong were too high.

He recalled that his cousin wasn’t fond of expensive things and had little interest in clothes or accessories. His younger sister, still a student, might like something fashionable.

After wandering the plaza, he found nothing suitable. His straightforward way of thinking made him ill-suited for shopping for gifts.

But as they passed a jewelry store, Tang Xiaoyu suddenly said, “Those bracelets are beautiful. Your sister’s about my age—she’d probably love one.”

He glanced in the direction she indicated. Inside the shop’s glass case was a strikingly beautiful bracelet.

Li Changqing entered the store, and a foreign saleswoman in a black suit greeted him with a smile. “Hello, sir. How may I help you?”

“Could I see that bracelet?” he asked, pointing to the one in the display case.

“Of course. You have a discerning eye, sir. This bracelet was imported from our home country, the Lamella Empire, designed by master craftsman Galahad Rudolph. It’s inlaid with blue kyanite and crimson gold...”

Li Changqing examined the bracelet—it was indeed beautiful.

For someone as oblivious as he was to find something attractive, that was high praise indeed.

“How much is it?” he asked.

“Three thousand five hundred Lang coins. But we’re celebrating our anniversary right now, so you get a five percent discount—three thousand three hundred.”

The salesperson had already offered a discount, closing off any room for negotiation.

Li Changqing paused to consider, then decided, “Wrap it up for me.”

“Of course, sir…”

For once, Tang Xiaoyu did not protest that the price was highway robbery. In her view, no gift was too extravagant for his younger sister.

The present for his sister sorted, finding one for his cousin proved a headache.

He wandered a while longer, but, unable to find anything suitable, took Tang Xiaoyu back to the detective agency, deciding to leave it for another time.

Once back, he stored the gift in his wardrobe, then busied himself with study, poring over books on detective work. When his eyes grew tired, he practiced drawing talismans, gathering spiritual energy, hoping to perfect the “Great General Arrives” talisman soon so he could finally stop eating raw glutinous rice every day…

He practiced until his arm ached.

Drawing talismans was no simple task—it required absolute focus, an undisturbed mind, the work completed in a single breath.

Li Changqing couldn’t help but sigh. This was far more exhausting than schoolwork. If only he’d studied harder back then, he wouldn’t have had to steal that cursed die before the college entrance exams…

While Li Changqing bent to his tasks, Tang Xiaoyu was in the living room, happily watching idol dramas. Bursts of laughter and the occasional scolding of a male lead echoed through the apartment.

The day passed swiftly.

The next morning, Li Changqing was roused by the ringing of his phone.

It was a call from an unfamiliar landline. He answered, and the female officer from the day before spoke: “Hello, this is the South District Federal Police Station of Nanlin City. Am I speaking with Mr. Li?”

“Yes, this is Li.”

“We have found the man who stole your wallet and brought him to the station, but he denies the theft. Could you please come down in person?”

“I’ll be there right away.”

They’d found the suspect already? The Federal Police were more efficient than he’d expected.

“Let’s go—to the station,” he called.

He quickly got up, ate a small bite of raw glutinous rice, dressed, and tucked his revolver and ammunition into his pocket. After a moment’s thought, he also took along a dozen or so summoning talismans he’d drawn. Weak as they were, they were better than nothing.

When he entered the living room, he found Tang Xiaoyu still sleeping in the coin pouch.

“Time to get up. We’ve got business,” he called.

“Let me sleep a bit longer…”

“Oh, look—someone dropped some money!” he teased.

“Where?” With a swoosh, Tang Xiaoyu floated out of the pouch, looking around. Realizing she’d been tricked, she grumbled, “Don’t you know that lack of sleep gives girls pimples and freckles and—”

Li Changqing nodded solemnly. “You’re absolutely right. Go ahead and sleep. Of course, the reward money for solving the case…”

“Scoundrel!” Tang Xiaoyu, her weakness exposed, yawned and asked, “Did you wash your felt hat?”

“I’ll wash it next time, I promise.”