The room sunk into oppressive silence as the last of Feng Ling's words left his lips.
Chu Nuan stared quietly at the hunched figure in front of her. The sound of water dripping occasionally sounded in the room.
"Di da, di da." It drummed.
The story of a little fox. She remembers, It was only a meeting by chance when a small creature rolled to her feet one day. Who would've thought this simple encounter will lead to such an ending.
"How complicated." She whispered, looking into the cup she's holding. Black eyes with golden specks returned her stare.
"So?" She asked. "What will you do?" Her fingers caressed the edges of the teacup absentmindedly.
Prostrating before her, Feng Ling pleaded. "Please allow me to assist in your investigation. I have a feeling, Cui Lian might be related to the case you are working on." He said as he glanced at the door where Blackie was guarding at.
Stopping her finger movement, Chu Nuan looked dazed at her fingernails. "What if I said no?"
She asked, without giving him a glance.
"....."Stiffening up at her answer, Feng Ling stuttered to form words. "Yy..yo..your Honor..."
"Haaa." Chu Nuan sighed as she stood up to head towards the door, not sparing a glance at the still kneeling Feng Ling.
The kneeling figure was sinking deeper onto the floor, when he suddenly heard, "follow." Raising his head abruptly, his wrinkled lips formed a bright smile as he stood up unsteadily. "Many thanks, Your Honor!"
As Chu Nuan exited the doorway, her eyes landed on the black figure sitting next to the nearest red pillar. "Busybody." She glared as she walked by.
Blackie only shrugged his shoulders at her words, eyes following the two as they left.
__________________
At the public park, striking yellow tape surrounds the crowded entrance. The flashing of camera lights and shouts of reporters vibrate across the park.
"Can you give us information regarding this serial killer on the loose?"
"Is it true that the murderer drinks the blood of its victims?"
"Even till now the police are not willing to share information. Could you be hiding some sort of secret?"
"Please answer us!"
Amongst the shouting reporters, obstructing police officers, and curious onlookers, no one noticed two shadows stealthy passing through the yellow barricade.
Moving their way to the public restroom, the location where the body was found, Chu Nuan opened her mouth. "In a bit, no matter what, you listen to me."
"Understood." Feng Ling replied.
"Stop!" An officer standing near the area shouted. "This is restricted territory, turn back now."
Smiling awkwardly, Chu Nuan said, Mr. Police Officer, we have some business with the scene inside. If you would inform Hong Wen about my arrival....."
"I don't care!" The policeman said sternly. "Unless you have the proper identification, you aren't going anywhere."
How troublesome, Chu Nuan thought as she glanced at the phone in her hand. No reply from either Hong Wen, Lei Lin, or Xie Luochen. They must have put their phones on silent.
I didn't want to show this….Chu Nuan thought as her hands reached into her pockets slowly.
Alerted by her actions, the policeman gradually put his hand on his gun holster. "Don't do anything reckless!" The officer shouted. "I won't hold back!"
It can't be helped, she concluded while watching the nervous officer in front. I just have to….."take care of this….." she whispered, as black tablet slowly surfacing from her pockets.
"Take a good look at this officer. I am Chu Nuan, the-"
"Chu Nuan." Xie Luochen suddenly called out to her from the entrance of the public restroom, attracting her attention.
At the same time.
"Dong!"
Shocked, the policeman made eye contact with the equally surprised Chu Nuan. Before falling face down onto the ground with a loud thud.
Chu Nuan that's holding a black tablet midair. "....."
A shocked Xie Luochen from afar. "....."
"What….are you doing?" Chu Nuan asked as her sight landed on Feng Ling. His walking cane still shaking in midair. Aged skin wrinkled together as he gave her a proud smile. His eyes shine brightly with anticipation, as if asking her to compliment him on his good work.
"Didn't I tell you to listen to me?" She asked with a frown. How can he attack an innocent person without her permission?
"I did listen, Your Honor." Old man Feng said confusingly as he lowered the walking cane. "Did you not tell me to take care of him?"
"Ah?! When did I...…" Shocked by his proclamation, Chu Nuan was about to rebuke when she suddenly remembered something. It seems…...maybe…...possibly, she might have blurted out something similar by accident.
"What is going on?!" A loud voice abruptly sounded from behind. Due to the commotion, it drew another two more officers to the scene.
Startled, Chu Nuan immediately turned around to face the officer coming their way. Attempting to shield the body from prying eyes. To no avail.
The moment the figures grew near enough to make out the faces of the two intruders, their eyes also landed on the body of a fellow comrade. Eyes widening in horror, one officer pointed his fingers at Chu Nuan while the other policeman reached for the baton on his belt.
"Don't move!!" they yelled.
"Wait!" Chu Nuan shouted with her hand outstretched.
"Dong!"
Another two fell to the ground…...
Standing in the middle of three fainted bodies, Chu Nuan looked up with an indescribable expression. Please, someone please tell her what is happening right now.