Chapter 135: That Was Legendary

Wang Dali scoffed. "Damn, rich kids really live messed-up lives."

Normally, a trust-fund brat like Young Master Wang would never let a nobody comment on his private affairs—but under the current circumstances, his face turned pale, then flushed red. He kept his head down, speechless.

Frankly, I hadn't planned to get too involved in this case. I'd already pointed out the key leads. Let Captain Xing follow up on his own—pull the surveillance footage from the hotel, figure out who the victim had beef with. Standard procedure.

I waved my hand. "Take that stuff in the trash back for testing. I'm heading out."

Seeing I was about to leave, Captain Xing offered me a ride. I politely declined. "We'll grab a cab."Just then, Wang Dali muttered under his breath, "Yangzi, aren't you forgetting something?"

I sighed. "Forget it—sometimes, it's better to let things go."

Wang Dali gave me a look. "Wow, since when did you get so magnanimous?"

We were just stepping out of the hotel when Forensic Officer Wu came rushing out behind us, shouting, "Detective Song! Please forgive me for my earlier rudeness—allow me to offer my respect!"

Before I could react, the man actually dropped to his knees. Students were still milling around outside the hotel—this scene was drawing way too much attention.

I quickly stopped him. "Sir, please! You'll shorten my lifespan pulling stunts like that. I was just joking earlier."

Wu's face turned red. "I didn't recognize true talent when I saw it. Your mortuary skills are phenomenal. Honestly, old Qin told me you'd been giving him a hard time, so I just assumed you were a punk. Guess I should've known better—never trust a one-sided story."

I chuckled. "Seeing is believing. I didn't give Dr. Qin a hard time—he just lost a bet, that's all."

Wu nodded earnestly. "I'm completely convinced now. Totally. Honestly, I want to learn more about those mysterious mortician techniques. Where should I start?"

"Pick up a copy of The Washing Away of Wrongs. I think forensic scientists and traditional morticians have a lot to learn from each other."

Wu beamed. "Exactly! And I think you should study some forensic science too—you might gain a fresh perspective."

I smiled faintly. "I already finished the entire forensics curriculum back in college. Anyway, I'll be on my way."

Leaving Wu in stunned silence, I turned and walked off. Wang Dali gave me a big thumbs-up. "That performance? Absolute ten outta ten."

I had just turned a corner when I nearly collided face-first with a girl.

She had shoulder-length hair, a t-shirt and shorts, sneakers on her feet, and a warm, clean look that made her seem refreshingly down-to-earth. One hand held a kettle, the other pointed straight at me. Her jaw dropped.

We both froze.

Wait—that's Sun Bingxin?

It had been years, but she'd grown into a graceful, elegant beauty.

She stared at me, clearly trying to remember. After a few seconds, her eyes lit up. "Oh my gosh! You're Song Yang!"

"Hey, Bingxin. Long time no see."

Wang Dali looked between us, eyes wide. "Whoa, Yangzi… who's this beauty? What's the story here? Spill!"

Before I could say anything, Sun Bingxin ran up and threw her arms around me. "Song Yang-ge! Hug time!"

"Hey, whoa—wait a second!"

Too late. She tackled me in a warm embrace. The kettle in her hand sloshed over. "Why haven't you come to visit me in all these years? Did you forget me or something?"

Wang Dali looked like he'd just seen a UFO. His mouth could've swallowed a whole egg.

It had been, what, seven years? Last time I saw her, I was in middle school. Her dad, "Old Sun," had sweet-talked me into visiting during summer break. She'd taken me all over the city during the day, and I'd told her detective stories at night—she'd hide under the covers terrified, but beg for more.

Time had flown. We were both adults now.

I gently eased her off. "You're still the same—so bold! What if your classmates saw that?"

She giggled. "Let them! Who cares? Anyway, what are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that," I said.

"I just finished fetching hot water and heard there was a murder outside. Came to check it out. Then I saw you walking out of a hotel—with some guy chasing after you yelling 'detective'. Wait... were you solving a case?"

So much for keeping things quiet. I nodded sheepishly. "Nothing major. I just gave them some advice. I'm still a student—I don't actually solve crimes."

"Uh-huh," she raised an eyebrow. "I don't buy it. Let me ask your friend here."

She turned to Wang Dali, who immediately spilled the beans about the entire autopsy and investigation. I could've strangled him.

Sun Bingxin clapped her hands excitedly. "I knew it! My dad let something slip at dinner the other day—something about a student helping the police. I was wondering who it could be. Turns out, it's you!"

I gave her a helpless smile, but she wasn't letting it go. "How could you keep something this huge from me? Come on, fess up—how many cases have you solved?"

"Just got lucky a couple times," I said modestly.

"I don't believe you. Let me ask your friend again."

Wang Dali cheerfully betrayed me again. "Seven cases. In less than half a year."

Sun Bingxin was floored. "Amazing! I'm buying you dinner. You have so much explaining to do."

"I already ate."

"Don't care! Let's go!"

She grabbed her kettle and pulled me toward the dining hall. On the way, Wang Dali whispered, "Who is she? Why's she so close to you?"

"Just a childhood friend," I replied. "She's like a little sister to me."

Wang Dali lit up. "Damn, didn't know you had a 'dry sister' in med school! You gotta introduce me. From now on, you're Yang-ge."

Now, Bingxin might've been playful, but she had sharp eyes and didn't warm up to just anyone. I wasn't sure if Wang Dali had a shot, but he'd have to find out for himself.

He pulled a little comb from his pocket, slicked back his hair, and wiggled his eyebrows. "Relax. I'm the Jay Chou of Nanjiang City."

At the cafeteria, Bingxin ordered like a queen—ten-plus dishes, easy.

"Hey, that's too much. We can't finish all this," I protested.

She smiled. "The portions here are tiny. I don't want you boys to go hungry!"

I laughed. "We're guys, not pigs."

She even grabbed us drinks while we found a table. Dali took every chance he could to introduce himself.

"Your name's Dali?" she giggled. "As in, 'Miracle Dali'?"

"That's me! I'm Yangzi's lucky charm. Every time he brings me along, the case gets cracked!"

He tried every trick in the book to keep the conversation going. But Bingxin had eyes only for me—constantly asking about the cases I'd worked on. Problem was, most of it was confidential, and I couldn't really talk.

So one guy had nothing to say, and the other couldn't say anything. The atmosphere got a little awkward.

Finally, the chef called out, "Your dishes are ready!"

Bingxin was about to go get them, but Dali jumped up. "I'll grab them!"

Little did we know—This casual dinner was about to turn into our next big case.