Hai returned to Weisheng's house with three bowls of Szechuan noodles. Two bowls for Xiaoling, one for Weisheng, zero for poor Hai.
"How is it?" Xiaoling asked while slurping the noodles.
Weisheng had no appetite, but the scrumptious noodles made him eat well.
"They're really good," Weisheng replied. He looked at Hai, staring at them. "Want some?" He asked Hai, trying to be nice.
"Don't bother," Xiaoling murmured while chewing.
Hai nodded, "I'm allergic to peppers," He muttered, "Thanks for asking, though."
"Oh," Weisheng nodded. Xiaoling wasn't a cruel teacher, after all.
After eating noodles, it was time to get down to business. Weisheng spread his personal reports of the case on the ground.
Xiaoling eyed all the reports carefully, then looked at Hai. Hai adjusted his glasses and went through the reports.
"Gao Bojing was indeed killed by the Cang Family. The Prosecution's investigation is going the right way," Hai concluded, "The only problem is the person who murdered Gao Bojing. We don't know who that is."
Xiaoling nodded, "Go fetch Ru," She ordered Hai. "Ru can find the culprit, or create one." She smiled. Hai nodded and disappeared at once.
Weisheng's eyes widened, "I thought we were cracking the case…"
"We are," Xiaoling nodded. "What's the problem?"
"What do you mean by creating the culprit?" Weisheng asked.
Xiaoling smiled, sitting down on the couch, "That's a limited-time offer if you want to climb the ladder of success. We'll do it only if you want to do it," She explained.
"I don't," Weisheng frowned.
He clenched his fists at the thought. He looked upset.
"What?" Xiaoling asked, "I thought you wanted to crack this case for a promotion. Isn't that why you are working so hard?"
Weisheng shook his head, "If I wanted a promotion, I'd work hard on other cases too."
Xiaoling raised an eyebrow, "Interesting. What's your relation with the Gao Family?" She asked, "Or should I ask… The Cang Family?"
Xiaoling concluded he had personal feelings involved in the case. Why else would someone from the Prosecution take a random case so seriously?
"You are wrong," Weisheng answered truthfully, "I have no relations to either family. This case just reminds me of a case that I've yet to solve. I figured solving this case would help me solve that one as well."
Weisheng frowned and continued to stare at the case reports. His expression made Xiaoling stay quiet, although she wanted to pry more out of him.
"The Cang Family has a man I'm suspicious about," Weisheng said randomly.
"Who would that be?" Xiaoling asked.
"Cang Tao," Weisheng replied.
"Why do you think it's him?"
"His ears were red during a recent broadcast," Weisheng explained, "When we went to the crime site, all the wounds on Gao Bojing's chest were at an angle, meaning the person who was holding the knife was left-handed. Cang Tao is left-handed. Moreover, Gao Bojing and Cang Tao were friends. It's easier for Cang Tao to get that close to the Gao Family's only heir. Gao Bojing trusted Cang Tao, and he usually met him without security."
Xiaoling smirked, "Really?"
"Yes," Weisheng nodded.
"Can I ask why you're still a level 12 Prosecutor? You should be higher, considering your skills and ambitions," Xiaoling murmured.
"You're flattering me. I seriously suck at this job," Weisheng said bluntly.
"Or you pretend to suck," Xiaoling shrugged, "Who knows?"
Weisheng's eyes narrowed to her words. She was a cunning woman. Although he trusted her, he felt the need to stay cautious around her for the time being.
Suddenly, Xiaoling looked to her right, startling Weisheng. He instantly hid behind her.
Xiaoling sighed, "Xiao Ru," She murmured, "Show yourself around Weisheng from now on. Don't startle Mr. Prosecutor or he'll faint," She sarcastically added.
Weisheng exhaled in disbelief as he saw a teenage boy emerge before him and Xiaoling.
"At your service, Master. Please command me," Ru, despite having a baby face, spoke eloquently.
Weisheng's jaw dropped to the ground at the sight. Ru was also wearing a Hanfu, which made Weisheng wonder if their clothing had something to do with ranks.
"Weisheng thinks Cang Tao is the culprit for the Gao Family Case. Can you confirm it for us?" Xiaoling spoke politely with the kid. There wasn't even a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice. It made Weisheng slightly envious.
Ru clasped his hands in front of him and bowed to Xiaoling, accepting the job. He snapped his fingers and a quill emerged in his hands. He respectfully handed his quill over to Weisheng.
Weisheng looked at Xiaoling, and she nodded. He received it from Ru. The quill was in a worn-out condition. Its wood had many dents, and its bristles were fanning out.
Ru put his palms together and chanted a spell. The quill in Weisheng's hand started to move in the air, writing a character.
"Shui," Weisheng read the character.
Ru put his hand out before Weisheng, and Weisheng slowly handed the quill back.
"You'll receive your answer in the pool inside Cang Tao's house," Ru eloquently said, "Master, may I have a word with you?" He asked politely.
Xiaoling smiled gently, "Of course," She walked with him to a corner. "What is it?" She asked.
Ru cleared his throat, "Cang Tao's next target is Mr. Yuan Weisheng. You should keep Mr. Yuan away from the water. He shouldn't go to the pool in Cang Tao's house."
Xiaoling frowned, "Why him? He just told me Cang Tao had nothing to do with him."
"He clearly lied to you," Ru shrugged, "Master," He whispered, "The character Shui explains more than you think. Mr. Yuan Weisheng is related to Gao Bojing and Cang Tao."
Xiaoling narrowed her eyes and nodded, "Thanks for the input, Ru."
Ru clasped his hands in front of him and lightly bowed to Xiaoling. Seeing that, Xiaoling also clasped her hands in front of her and lightly bowed to Ru. Weisheng, who was observing them, wondered what the gesture meant. He had seen it in dramas. But he was unsure what it meant.