Yuan Minsheng had given up protesting his innocence. He looked utterly defeated, slumped like a wilted plant, supported by two policemen as they held him firmly in place. Meanwhile, two other officers were busy taking statements from the staff.
"Don't worry. Your dad will be fine," Fang Ming said softly, kneeling beside Yuan's tear-streaked young daughter. Her eyes were red and swollen, radiating helplessness. "I'll find the real thief soon."
While Fang Ming comforted the little girl, Ouyang Xueqing descended the staircase. Her sharp gaze swept over the room, eventually settling on the golden Pixiu statue prominently displayed in the center of the hall.
"Xueqing, why are your colleagues questioning others instead of interrogating Yuan Minsheng about where he hid the stolen gold?" complained Cai Wenli, the jewelry hall owner, his frustration bubbling over. He firmly believed the evidence against Yuan was irrefutable.
"Uncle," Ouyang replied, her tone calm but firm, "while Yuan Minsheng is a suspect, we don't yet have solid evidence. Taking statements from others ensures he won't find loopholes to exploit."
Diverting the topic, she asked, "Uncle, why did you decide to put a Pixiu here? I don't recall seeing it before."
"Business hasn't been great lately," Cai admitted with a sigh. "Pixiu is supposed to bring wealth, right? I thought it'd be a good omen. Didn't expect it to attract a thief instead of fortune."
With that, Cai's frustration deepened, but Ouyang ignored it and approached the Pixiu. Placing her hand on the statue, she observed it carefully before suggesting, "Uncle, since this Pixiu hasn't brought good fortune, why not move it out?"
"You want it? Take it," Cai replied nonchalantly.
However, the jewelry hall's manager, Ge Daquan, immediately interjected, his tone laced with alarm. "Miss Ouyang, this statue must not be moved! If you do, the boss's fortune could be ruined."
"That's superstitious nonsense!" Ouyang scoffed. "If it were truly effective, would the gold have been stolen in the first place?"
Ignoring the manager's protests, Ouyang seemed determined to move the Pixiu.
"Boss, please stop her! That master who brought the Pixiu said moving it would cost you ten years of prosperity!"
Cai hesitated, recalling the dire warnings from the so-called master. Perhaps it was better to leave the statue undisturbed, as a symbolic source of comfort.
"It's like praying at a temple," Ge Daquan added. "Even if we don't expect blessings, we'd rather avoid bringing misfortune."
"That's true. Ever since I brought the Pixiu back, I've been cleaning it daily. One time, I missed a spot, and I almost got into a car accident on my way home!" Ge's words made Cai Wenli visibly uneasy.
"Alright, Xueqing, let's leave it for now. If you like it, I'll get you another one later," Cai said.
With her uncle's decision made, Ouyang had no choice but to comply. She glanced toward Fang Ming, clearly expecting a suggestion. However, he didn't return her gaze. Instead, he walked toward her, a sly smile on his face.
"I think I've found the real thief," Fang Ming declared, loud enough for everyone to hear.
His words immediately drew everyone's attention. Even Yuan Minsheng, who had been dejectedly staring at the ground, looked up in surprise.
"What do you mean, the real thief? Isn't it obvious? Yuan Minsheng stole the gold!" Cai Wenli retorted.
"Yuan Minsheng is just a scapegoat," Fang Ming replied firmly. "The real thief is someone else—and they're here in this room."
His gaze scanned the room before settling on Ge Daquan.
"It's you, isn't it?" Fang Ming's voice was calm but carried a weight that made everyone freeze.
"W-What are you talking about?" Ge stammered before bursting into laughter. "Are you out of your mind? I don't even have the key to the vault! And every time I enter, Yuan is right there with me. How could I have stolen anything?"
Ouyang Xueqing narrowed her eyes at Ge Daquan's unusually defensive tone. She turned to Fang Ming. "Are you sure about this? Or are you suggesting they worked together?"
"No," Fang Ming shook his head. "There was no collusion. Yuan Minsheng is completely innocent. This was Ge Daquan's operation from start to finish."
"Utter nonsense!" Ge shouted, his voice rising. "You're not even a cop! Where's your evidence? If baseless accusations were enough, I could say you're the thief!"
Fang Ming remained unfazed. "Of course I have evidence."
"Then show it!" Ouyang demanded.
Fang Ming's gaze fell on the Pixiu. "The evidence is inside this statue—the very one Ge Daquan has been so desperate to protect."
All eyes turned to Ge. For a brief moment, his face betrayed unease before he quickly masked it.
"What evidence could a statue possibly hold?" Ouyang asked, skepticism lacing her voice.
"Pick it up and see," Fang Ming suggested.
Though hesitant, Ouyang complied. As she lifted the Pixiu, her expression shifted to one of astonishment.
"There's something inside!" she exclaimed.
The sound of metal clinking echoed from within the statue. Unable to find an opening, Ouyang slammed the Pixiu onto the ground.
Crash!
The statue shattered, revealing a pile of gold rings, necklaces, and bracelets among the fragments.
"These... these are the stolen gold pieces!" Cai Wenli gasped, recognizing them immediately.
"How did they get inside the statue? And when?"
The staff exchanged bewildered glances, each more confused than the last.
Ouyang's piercing gaze shifted to Ge Daquan. "Care to explain, Manager Ge?"
Ge's face turned pale. "I-I don't know how that gold got there! I've never moved the Pixiu, and it's been in plain sight the entire time! Someone else must have done it!"
"Enough with the excuses!" Cai Wenli snapped. Though initially enraged, he began to waver, acknowledging that Ge's claims weren't entirely implausible.
"This Pixiu has no opening besides its mouth," Cai observed. "And its mouth is too small for bracelets to fit through. How did the gold get inside?"
All eyes turned to Fang Ming, waiting for an explanation.
Fang Ming smiled faintly. "Cai Wenli, who suggested you buy this Pixiu?"
"Ge Daquan did," Cai replied. "He said it was very effective, though I bought it from a master myself."
"There's your answer," Fang Ming said, turning to Ouyang. "Ge recommended the Pixiu, took charge of cleaning it, and insisted it not be moved. Now the stolen gold is inside. Do I really need to spell out what comes next?"