"Hey, weren't we supposed to be going to the police station? Why are we here instead?" Xiang Ri called out to the female officer in front of him, who walked on as though he didn't exist, stopping only at the entrance of the Bihai Qingtian Restaurant.
"If you don't want to come in, you're free to wait outside," Tie Wan retorted without looking back, continuing inside.
"Damn!" Xiang Ri muttered disdainfully, grudgingly following her in.
They had barely settled in when a waiter approached, flashing a polite smile as he handed them a menu. "What would you like to order?"
Tie Wan casually ordered a selection of mid-to-high-range dishes, handed back the menu, and the waiter left with a nod.
"All right, spill it. What's the reason you lured me here?" Xiang Ri asked, feeling a pang of resignation as she ignored him when ordering. He had already eaten in the canteen, but Tie's choice of dishes, all his favorites, was a clear ploy to tempt him. How could bland canteen food compete with a restaurant feast? Had she actually done her research on his tastes? Could it be that she'd been scheming all along, waiting for the chance to charm him?
"'Lure' you?" Tie Wan scoffed with a look of disdain. "Do you really think I'd need to trick you? I was just hungry, so I came here to eat. You followed me of your own accord."
"Don't get too cocky, girl!" Xiang Ri scowled at her.
"Hmph!" Tie Wan turned away with a smug expression, then suddenly whipped back around, her tone sharp. "Xiang Kui, you've got a case."
"A case? What case? Are you kidding? Seriously, call 120 now," he mocked, reaching for his phone. Clearly, this girl was trying to pry information from him, but her little scare tactics might work on a greenhorn, not him.
"Don't play dumb! I'm asking you—where were you last night between 9 and 11? And can anyone vouch for you?" Tie Wan persisted, undeterred.
"Well..." He wanted to say he'd been watching TV at home with his wife, but reconsidered; this sharp little detective wouldn't fall for a flimsy alibi. If she questioned Chu Chu or his apprentice, the lie would crumble instantly.
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Tie Wan sneered, her lips curving smugly. "Last night, a fire broke out at the Chenlun Bar, killing thirteen people."
"What?" Xiang Ri interrupted her, his face filled with incredulity. "No way. A fire? You've got to be kidding."
"Who's joking with you! I'm telling you, this wasn't an accident—it was arson," Tie Wan said, scrutinizing his face as though hoping to catch some flicker of guilt. Yet, all she found was his genuine shock upon hearing this tragic news.
Tie Wan decided to push a bit more. "And wouldn't you know it, a certain someone can't account for his whereabouts last night. Don't you think that makes him a prime suspect?"
"You might as well come out and say I'm the 'certain someone,'" Xiang Ri chuckled bitterly, inwardly impressed by her reasoning. The truth was, this incident was connected to him. He had arranged it.
"That's as good as a confession!" Tie Wan seized his words triumphantly. "So, tell me honestly—why did you start that fire? Who were those thirteen people to you? Was it a crime of passion, revenge, or to silence witnesses?"
"Your imagination is boundless," Xiang Ri sighed inwardly, conceding to her flair for deduction. She could even guess at silencing witnesses! "But come on, would a model citizen like me commit such a heinous act? Accuse me unfairly, and, friend or not, I'll charge you with defamation."
"I'll find proof soon enough, and then you're done for." Oddly, despite his denial, a sense of relief washed over her, though she kept her gaze stern.
"Sure, go ahead. I'll wait till you do," Xiang Ri replied, spreading his hands indifferently.
Just then, the waiter returned with their food, carefully arranging the dishes on the table before stepping back with a courteous nod.
"Not going to have a bite?" Tie Wan teased, watching the rogue across from her swallow involuntarily. She picked up a perfectly golden, crisp piece of fish, savoring it with a look of utter enjoyment as she took a delicate bite.
"My stomach's full already—I couldn't eat another bite," Xiang Ri muttered, looking a bit deflated.
Tie Wan's smile widened. "Oh, really? No need to be polite with me. Remember, I did say I'd treat you to a meal. Now, if you're declining, that's on you, not me."
Seeing her smug expression, Xiang Ri instantly realized she was mocking him. With a sly look, he feigned embarrassment. "Well… I mean, if you insist…"
"Go ahead, order to your heart's content," Tie Wan replied confidently, assuming he was bluffing to try to shock her. Little did she know, she was about to be outwitted.
"Then, I'll take you up on that!" Xiang Ri's eyes gleamed with mischief as he gestured for the waiter to come over.
"Yes, sir, what would you like?" the polite, smiling waitress asked.
"For starters, bring me a bowl of bird's nest soup, and follow that with a prime double-headed abalone. Oh, and do you have bear paw? Preferably aged for two years. And deep-sea tiger shark fins…"
As a string of luxury dishes poured from Xiang Ri's mouth, Tie Wan's expression turned stormy as she realized he was playing her. "Enough, Xiang Kui! What on earth do you think you're doing?"
"Huh? Weren't you the one who told me not to hold back? Why the sudden change of heart?" Xiang Ri replied with exaggerated innocence.
"You…!" Tie Wan was speechless, seething with a rage that nearly made her want to swallow him whole.
"Miss, perhaps…?" The waitress, sensing who held the authority, turned to Tie Wan with a pleading glance.
"Bring him one bowl of bird's nest soup to keep his mouth shut!" Tie Wan snapped, her good mood evaporating as she realized she'd been outplayed.
"Yes, Miss!" the waitress replied hastily, only to realize her words had implied she agreed with Tie Wan's rebuke. She cast Xiang Ri a wary glance before quickly retreating.
"Stingy woman—so much for a treat! Who could have seen this coming…?" Xiang Ri muttered, shaking his head theatrically.
"Who are you calling stingy!" Tie Wan's eyes flashed with anger. "You shameless fool! Do you even know what you ordered? I've never even tasted half of that! I'd have to sell myself just to cover a fraction of that bill!"
"You could've just said you were broke." Xiang Ri's reply left her speechless. "But don't worry, I'll lend you the money. Or better yet, you could 'sell yourself'… as collateral. After all, you said it yourself—you couldn't afford even a fraction. I'm generous enough to clear the debt and let you off without repaying it. Quite a bargain, wouldn't you say?"
"Get lost!" Tie Wan glared at him with such a fiery charm that Xiang Ri's heart skipped a beat.
"Seriously though, you're quite the beauty. Why don't we give romance a shot?"
"If you want to die, go right ahead and try!"
"Falling in love couldn't possibly be that deadly, could it?"
"Humph…" Tie Wan scoffed dismissively, ignoring him, until suddenly a bright smile broke over her face. "Actually… if you really want to pursue me, it's not impossible."
"Really?" Xiang Ri's eyes widened in disbelief. Was his luck turning?
"Just agree to one condition," Tie Wan replied, her smile dazzling.
A foreboding sense crept over Xiang Ri. "What condition?"