Chapter 157 A Visitor Arrives

"Can't do it anymore, I'm going to burst," Ning Xi said, her small hand gently stroking her stomach, her delicate face radiating contentment.

The dishes were so delicious...

After her meal, she lowered her head bashfully. The food Ye Fan had brought was completely eaten by her alone.

Ye Fan, fully aware of what the girl was thinking, smiled faintly. "It's fine. I'll eat yours instead."

"Um..."

Ning Xi softly pushed the lunchbox toward Ye Fan, explaining in a gentle voice, "It's a bit plain. I hope you don't mind. If anything..."

"If anything, what?" Ye Fan seized the opportunity, teasing, "Are you saying you'll treat me to a meal after the exams?"

"I-I can," Ning Xi murmured, turning her head aside, her voice barely audible.

Bingo! Mission accomplished.

Ye Fan didn't tease Ning Xi further. Picking up the lunchbox with its two small portions of green vegetables, he started eating. Chewing as he spoke, he mumbled, "Tastes pretty good."

Ning Xi's cheeks flushed, her soft hands clasping tightly together as she tried to hide her embarrassment. The stray strands of her hair couldn't conceal her growing shyness.

This swapping-lunchboxes scenario was undeniably awkward.

Ning Xi, can't you control that mouth of yours? Too gluttonous!

Little did she know, Ye Fan had deliberately set up this trap, just waiting for her to fall right into it.

In the following days, Ye Fan alternated between reading books to gain experience and teasing Ning Xi. Life was smooth and carefree. Of course, it was limited to verbal banter.

After all, Ye Fan and Ning Xi had an unspoken understanding, and he wouldn't risk tarnishing his image in her eyes.

Thursday, 9:00 PM

"Book completed. Experience points +50."

Hearing the system notification in his mind, Ye Fan put down the book in his hands and stretched lazily.

To finish the second volume of Quantum Mechanics, he hadn't even eaten after getting home. Instead, he'd sat in front of his desk for over three hours.

Heaven helps those who persevere.

The reward for completing the book wasn't bad at all!

"Grumble, grumble..."

Hearing the protest from his stomach, Ye Fan got up and headed toward the kitchen. Just as he stepped out of his room, his phone started ringing. He turned back to pick it up and answered the call.

"Hello, who's this?"

"Is this Ye Fan?"

A familiar voice came through.

Ye Fan's mind clicked, and he immediately recalled the owner of the voice—Director Cao Guanghai of the Imperial Capital's Order Bureau!

Sitting down on the living room sofa, he asked, "Director Cao, what's the matter?"

"Ye Fan, where are you right now?"

"At home."

Ye Fan was puzzled. "Director Cao, what's going on?"

"Great news—huge news!"

Cao Guanghai's laughter was full of excitement. "Send me your address. I'll come over. This is too complicated to explain over the phone."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Ye Fan sent his address to Cao Guanghai and saved his number.

As for the "great news," Ye Fan had already guessed most of it.

If nothing unexpected happened, it had to be about the locked-room murder case from before.

Based on Director Cao's excited tone, they had likely identified the murderer from the four witnesses.

That said, their efficiency was... quite slow.

Given the number of clues he'd provided, they should have solved it in half a day. Yet, it had taken the Order Bureau five whole days.

However, Ye Fan dismissed the thought as soon as it appeared.

One shouldn't always evaluate issues from their own perspective. Not everyone is like him, with the help of a system. Thinking from their point of view, solving the case within five days was perfectly reasonable.

9:14 PM

Cao Guanghai arrived at Ye Fan's door, followed by Xing Zhengtao and a man in his thirties.

When Ye Fan opened the door and saw the large bags in their hands, he was a little surprised. "Director Cao, you didn't need to bring all this stuff."

Cao Guanghai laughed heartily, his face glowing with joy. "It's nothing much, just some snacks to go with drinks. I'm thrilled today. I must reward our big hero."

"Snacks for drinks?"

Ye Fan stepped aside, chuckling. "Come on in. It's perfect timing—I haven't eaten yet. Director Cao, you're just in time."

The three men chuckled along with him.

Ye Fan's demeanor was calm and genuine, without a hint of pretense.

A few minutes later

The coffee table was filled with a dozen dishes.

Cao Guanghai introduced, "Ye Fan, you already know me and Captain Xing. This is Captain Yu Changsheng from Squad One of the Order Bureau. When he heard we were coming here, he couldn't wait to tag along!"

Yu Changsheng extended his right hand, his expression a mix of curiosity, amazement, and goodwill. "Hello, I'm Yu Changsheng. This locked-room murder case wouldn't have been solved without you, Ye."

"It was nothing."

Ye Fan shook Yu's hand briefly, then asked calmly, "So this locked-room murder—was it a crime of passion?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

The three men exchanged astonished glances, waves of shock surging in their hearts.

Two hours ago, the case had just been solved.

Only five people knew the details—these three and two female officers who recorded statements. They were certain no one else had been informed.

So how did Ye Fan know?

Cao Guanghai took a sharp breath, startled. "How did you know it was a crime of passion?"

"Just a guess."

Ye Fan shook his head slightly, offering no further explanation.

In truth, he had deduced the murderer's motive back in Director Cao's office. But since he hadn't visited the crime scene or met the four witnesses, he refrained from jumping to conclusions.

His earlier question was merely to verify his initial reasoning.

Level-three intelligence had not let him down. The trio's expressions confirmed it—a crime of passion!

"Goodness!"

Xing Zhengtao and Yu Changsheng exchanged silent glances, their eyes filled with awe.

This young man...

He's incredible!

Suppressing his many thoughts, Cao Guanghai glanced around and asked, "Ye Fan, where's your sister?"

"Ahem!"

Ye Fan nearly choked on the peanut he was eating. "Uh... my sister doesn't live here."

Xing Zhengtao chuckled softly. "Director, didn't you notice something odd last time?"

"What oddity?"

"That young girl isn't Ye Fan's sister. If I'm not mistaken, she's probably Ye Fan's girlfriend."

"...?"

Cao Guanghai stared at Ye Fan in disbelief. "You're still in your senior year, aren't you? Since when do high schoolers date?"

Hearing this, Ye Fan's eyes revealed a hint of surprise, but he quickly smiled and explained, "Director Cao, high schoolers shouldn't date, but university students can. Right now, we're just good friends."

The three men, fully aware of the underlying truth, burst into laughter.

Yu Changsheng couldn't take his eyes off Ye Fan. "Ye Fan, have you ever considered becoming an Order Officer? If you're interested, with your contributions to this case, the director can recommend you for a special admission spot at the Imperial Order University."

"A reasoning genius like you was born for this role!"