Chapter 20: The Rouge Horse

The original inhabitant had deep feelings for Old Anthony, and these emotions naturally influenced Zhou Sen as well. Zhou Sen felt a powerful urge to erect a cenotaph for Old Anthony. Yet, it was clearly not possible at this moment. First, he needed to select an auspicious site, and when spring arrived next year, he would raise the cenotaph for him. In Ice City, there was a cemetery where White Russians were buried after death; that place was quite suitable, though he would have to choose a favorable spot. This was something he had to do himself—no delegation, and certainly not letting anyone else know.

...

"Buying a cemetery plot—why would he do that?" Lin Dakuan received a report from his surveillance team and was puzzled. "Could it be for Sherkin?" "Impossible. The Songjiang Daily hasn't even brought Sherkin's body back yet, and besides, even if Sherkin were to be buried, it wouldn't be Zhou Sen's place to arrange it." Lin Dakuan rejected Li Shaotang's speculation.

Zou Shuxun and Li Shaotang were his two trusted subordinates, one literary, one martial. When there was a need for strategic thinking, Li Shaotang was always called in for advice. After all, Lin himself couldn't figure out what Saburo Shibuya was planning; the Japanese, this time, were acting with an air of mystery.

"Is he picking a burial site for himself? He's not nearly old enough for that." "Besides choosing a plot, did he do anything else?" Lin Dakuan asked the men tracking Zhou Sen. "No, he simply bought a plot, then left. I checked, and he didn't use his real name." "Boss, what is this kid up to? Should we bring him in for questioning?" Li Shaotang suggested.

"No. Mr. Shibuya instructed us not to interfere, no matter what he does. We are only to report if anything happens." "All right." Li Shaotang nodded; with Saburo Shibuya's direct order, they wouldn't dare go against it. Changing the topic, he said, "Boss, tonight the master of Seven Stars Hall, Su Wenqing, is inviting you to dinner at Sihai Pavilion. Will you go?" "What does he want now?" "Su Wenqing and Old Qin both want to take over Ningxiang House. They've been fighting overtly and covertly for years. No one knows who will tame Bai Yulan, the prized beauty." Li Shaotang chuckled.

"After Old Ma's death, Bai Yulan, a woman, has managed to keep Ningxiang House afloat, which is no small feat," Lin Dakuan remarked.

"Exactly. Su Wenqing and Old Qin want to swallow Bai Yulan whole, bones and all. Their rivalry has given Bai Yulan a chance to survive in the gaps. Now Old Qin's health is failing, and his son is just a useless fool, infatuated with Bai Yulan. Once Old Qin passes, who knows where his vast fortune will end up!" Li Shaotang said.

"We'll stay out of their affairs. Decline the invitation for me," Lin Dakuan decided after considering it.

"Boss, you don't want to be used by Su Wenqing, right?" Li Shaotang immediately understood Lin Dakuan's reasoning. If he attended Su Wenqing's banquet, it would signal to Old Qin that he had sided with Su Wenqing. What would Old Qin think then? Although he was backed by the Japanese and feared no one in Ice City, to conduct business on this turf, he couldn't ignore the local powers. With their support, his job was easier. Besides, if he joined the fray himself, he'd lose his detached position.

In truth, the Japanese were happy to see gangs fighting for power—whoever won, they benefited in the end.

As for Su Wenqing, Old Qin, and the others, as long as they obeyed, they'd stay; if not, they'd be replaced. There were plenty eager to climb the ranks. The only concern was if someone grew too powerful and threatened the Japanese rule and interests.

"Boss, I've heard something else," Li Shaotang said.

"Oh? What is it?" Lin Dakuan shook his large head, curious.

"Bai Yulan sent her personal maid to Yishi Hall to buy a medicine. Guess what it was?" Li Shaotang teased.

"How would I know?"

"I had the prescription copied and consulted a doctor familiar with pharmacology. Bai Yulan's maid bought an abortion remedy," Li Shaotang revealed.

"Ningxiang House is a place of pleasure; what's strange about buying an abortion drug?"

"The key is whether it's for Bai Yulan herself or one of her girls," Li Shaotang replied. "What’s most intriguing is that Bai Yulan hasn't shown herself these days, claiming to have caught a cold and feeling unwell. Is that just coincidence?"

"You mean Bai Yulan is pregnant but doesn’t want to keep the child?" Lin Dakuan grasped the implication.

Li Shaotang nodded, "That's the most reasonable explanation."

"Could it be that Su Wenqing succeeded..." Lin Dakuan muttered. With a beauty like Bai Yulan, what man wouldn't harbor desires? He was no exception.

...

Leaving the White Russian cemetery office, Zhou Sen hailed a carriage—the distance to Nangang Police Station was quite far. Walking back would take at least two hours. As he alighted at the gate, he saw Bai Shoutian returning with his team from a case, bringing in a number of detainees from a truck. There were both men and women, all young—seventeen or eighteen at most—dressed like students.

Zhou Sen knew their fate would be grim, but with his own precarious situation, he could only sympathize, unwilling to meddle further. He headed straight for the station.

"Zhou Sen." Bai Shoutian, stepping out of his car, spotted Zhou Sen and called to him.

"Chief Bai." Zhou Sen had no choice but to stop and greet him.

"How's the Sherkin murder case going? Need my help?" Bai Shoutian, looking friendly, came closer and took out a silver cigarette case from his coat pocket, opening it and offering Zhou Sen a cigarette.

Zhou Sen accepted without fuss. He had no personal grudges with Bai Shoutian—just didn’t like the man. But as colleagues, there was no reason to offend him over trifles. He took a cigarette.

Bai Shoutian took one for himself, put the case away, and pulled out a lighter.

"Thank you, Chief Bai." Zhou Sen leaned in to light his cigarette and took a drag. "To be honest, I have only three men under me, and this is a huge case. The killer is unusual, and I have no leads at all."

"No suspects?"

"There are some clues about the killer: skilled with a knife, agile, adept at climbing, probably not tall. Judging from the wounds, the killer is likely left-handed," Zhou Sen explained.

"With all that information, the case should be easy to solve," Bai Shoutian said, surprised. To him, with those details, the case should already be cracked.

"Easy?"

"Let me tell you, Zhou Sen, it's just inexperience. Once you have more, this case will be simple. The killer was so efficient—it likely isn’t their first crime. With all these traits, just search the police records for similar profiles. If you find a match, you've got your man!" Bai Shoutian encouraged.

"Right, I hadn't thought of that. Thank you, Chief Bai, you've really helped me." Zhou Sen felt suddenly enlightened.

"So, Zhou Sen, want to join the Special Operations Division? With your intelligence, you could do great things—might even have to look after me someday!" Bai Shoutian joked, now much more amiable.

His attitude was completely different from before.

"Thank you, Chief Bai, but whether I transfer is not up to me—it needs Mr. Akiyama's approval," Zhou Sen replied with a smile.

"That's true. Then I wish you quick success." Bai Shoutian smiled back. Zhou Sen had suddenly become favored by Akiyama, and looked poised to rise swiftly. If Akiyama really wanted to place him in Special Operations...

Bai Shoutian was worried about his own position. The Japanese preferred to use the new generation of police they trained themselves. Zhou Sen, with a White Russian tycoon as a godfather and connections, would be a formidable competitor if he wanted to climb the ranks.

From Bai Shoutian’s changed attitude, Zhou Sen doubted he genuinely welcomed him to Special Operations—his friendliness was likely a probe, testing if Zhou Sen really would transfer.

Despite his lecherous tendencies, Bai Shoutian was shrewd.

Zhou Sen meant to just check in and leave, but as he exited the Security Division, he was stopped by Jin Suying.

"Zhou Sen, tonight the second son of the Charity Association president is hosting a dinner at the Yamato Hotel. Come with me?" Jin Suying said, "I’ll introduce you to Ice City's elite."

"Not interested." Zhou Sen walked past her. These so-called young masters, scions, were nothing but idle wastrels. Some had abilities, but he had no interest in their dinner parties—especially not with Jin Suying.

"Zhou Sen, what’s your problem? Are you done with your little tantrum?" Jin Suying’s face turned frosty, clearly angry.

She thought Zhou Sen was playing coy, a game of hard-to-get. Fine, she’d play along—it was a diversion. But he shouldn't overestimate himself; a lapdog must know its place!

"Secretary Jin, I’ll say it one more time: I’m not interested!" Zhou Sen felt he had to make a clean break with Jin Suying—otherwise, it would never end. It was also a break with his former self: he only needed the memories, not the tedious past relationships. Sever them if possible.

He spun around and left the station, ignoring Jin Suying in the corridor, her face cycling red and pale, becoming a spectacle for everyone—a clown to be mocked.

Zhou Sen, just you wait!

Having been humiliated in public, Jin Suying’s eyes flashed with venom. Her twisted expression sent chills through anyone who saw it.

Never provoke a woman, especially when she has begun to hate you.