BL Ch138

Palace One was busy pursuing the final truth, and the police were equally occupied. The successive resolutions of the parcel bombing and rainy alley cases meant that the original suspect, Pei Ming, was completely cleared of those charges. However, his own jealousy and panic had led him to commit attempted murder, a crime for which the evidence was now conclusive. A prison sentence was inevitable.

After Fei Zheng’s death, Pei Ming was transferred to a detention center to await trial. Due to the involvement of several old cases, the police were actively gathering evidence. Until they could confirm his non-involvement in Pei Xianyong’s murder, kidnapping, and other criminal activities, Pei Ming would remain in custody for several months.

Pei Zhuo was struggling to shoulder the entire family business alone. The continuous plunge in stock prices caused partners to cancel unpaid orders, fearing bankruptcy and the disruption of their gemstone supply. At this rate, the company’s cash flow would soon dry up.

Meanwhile, Du Lingya was grieving the loss of her brother and knew nothing about the company’s operations. The board of directors, a pack of cunning old foxes, were eager to seize control and oust the siblings, their intentions clear as day.

With no one else to turn to, Du Lingya sought Pei Zhuo’s advice. But Pei Zhuo himself was in dire straits. Despite his willingness to help, he was powerless. He repeatedly tried to visit Pei Ming in the detention center, seeking his brother’s assistance. However, as a pre-trial detainee in criminal custody, Pei Ming was not allowed visitors. Pei Zhuo’s desperate attempts to gain entry only resulted in Ji Lin hauling him back to the police station.

“You think the detention center is your home? You can just waltz in whenever you please?” Ji Lin slammed the table, startling the frail young man. “Cause any more trouble, and I’ll lock you up too!”

Pei Zhuo’s last visit to the police station was for questioning regarding Dong Yongliang. Back then, lacking sufficient evidence and with Pei Zhuo’s genuine lack of involvement, he had arrogantly berated the officers, and they couldn’t touch him. Now, the situation was different. Aware of his own precarious position, he lowered his head like a scolded student, cautiously pleading, “Officer Ji, please have mercy. I really need to see my brother!”

Ji Lin waved him off. “I didn’t make the rules. What good is begging me? Besides, even if you saw your brother, what then? He’s one of the reasons your company is in this mess. You expect him to magically revive it?”

Lu Qing, scooting her chair closer, chimed in, “Exactly. If you’re looking for someone to blame, try your father. He’s been locked up for years and is still causing all this trouble. He’s far more capable than your brother. Ask him, maybe he’ll have some helpful advice.”

Niu Feng, stifling a laugh, gave her a thumbs-up.

Desperate, Pei Zhuo pretended not to hear the sarcasm. “I was only ten when my father went to prison. I don’t have much of a relationship with him. My brother is my closest family. If I can’t see him, I… I don’t know what to do…” He resembled a lost child at a mall, pleading with the staff to find his parents over the loudspeaker.

But the police station wasn’t a mall; no one would broadcast a missing person announcement for him.

Lu Qing, despite her earlier mockery, felt a pang of sympathy. Pei Zhuo was innocent in all this. His brother’s imprisonment was a catastrophe. The young man was inexperienced and lacked the ability to take charge like his brother. Now helpless, he could only humbly beg the police. It was a pitiful sight.

“While you can’t visit him, you can write a letter,” Lu Qing offered a compromise. “We’ll review it, and if it’s okay, we’ll deliver it for you.”

Pei Zhuo, with no other options, was about to agree when an officer knocked and entered the office. Oblivious to the dejected Pei Zhuo, he reported to Ji Lin, “Captain Ji, Bai Zhao just went to visit Pei Ming.”

“What?!” Pei Zhuo jumped up. “He can go, but I can’t?!”

“Sit down! Stop shouting!” Ji Lin pushed him back into his chair, then turned his fury on his subordinate. “I told you to keep an eye on him! Why didn’t you stop him?! What are the people at the detention center doing, letting him slip in like that?!”

The officer quickly explained, “He didn’t sneak in. He went in with proper authorization.”

Ji Lin nearly flipped his desk. “Damn it! Who authorized it?! Are they insane?! He’s a walking question mark, and Pei Ming is his former employer! What if they collude and change their testimonies?! He even openly communicated with Liu Shaojie right in front of us! Which idiot gave him permission?!”

The officer stammered, “It… it was Officer Mu from the city bureau…”

Silence descended upon the office. Lu Qing pinched her thigh to suppress her laughter. Niu Feng craned his neck towards the window, pretending to admire the view, but his ears were perked.

Only the naive Pei Zhuo remained clueless about the sudden silence. Assuming Officer Mu was a high-ranking official with special privileges, he picked up where Ji Lin left off, ranting, “What kind of idiot is this Officer Mu?! Does he even know the meaning of justice?! I, a family member, can’t visit, but Bai Zhao can?! This is blatant favoritism! I’m going to file a complaint! Tell me his full name and badge number!”

“…Complain my ass! You dare?!” Ji Lin roared louder than before. “Officer Mu must have his reasons. You know nothing, so shut up!”

Pei Zhuo was dumbfounded.

“Lu Qing, come with me. Niu Feng, call that Yu guy. His mad dog is loose; he needs to put it back on a leash!” Ji Lin grabbed his jacket, threw it on, and stormed out of the office.

Niu Feng reluctantly picked up the phone. Lu Qing quickly locked the documents in her drawer. As she was leaving, a near-tearful Pei Zhuo tugged at her uniform. “How can your captain be so biased? I’m going to complain!”

Lu Qing gently pulled his hand away, patting it. “Complaining won’t do anything. Our captain is currently suspended.”

Pei Zhuo’s eyes widened. “So… he has no right to arrest me?”

Lu Qing glanced at her watch. “Oh dear! It’s getting late. You should go home. We’ll contact you if anything comes up.” With that, she dashed out after Ji Lin.

Pei Zhuo gritted his teeth. “You cops are all the same! In cahoots with that Yu!”

Yu Duqiu, who had just answered Niu Feng’s call, overheard the insult and chuckled. “Why is Pei Zhuo at your station? Why is he cursing me? Were you badmouthing me?”

Niu Feng retorted, “Mr. Yu, control your subordinate first. Bai Zhao went to visit Pei Ming. Did you know about this?”

The laughter on the other end abruptly ceased. A moment later, a cold reply came, “I just warned him yesterday… I understand. I’ll go there now.”

Meanwhile, Bai Zhao, having just completed the security check, was unaware that two parties were heading his way with hostile intent. He presented the visitation permit issued by Mu Hao – or rather, approved by Feng Jinmin and relayed by Mu Hao. However, Mu Hao, despite his recent illness and weakened state, had insisted on accompanying him.

They hadn’t spoken during the journey. Now, inside the detention center, Mu Hao finally broke the silence. “I’ll be auditing the visit. Please don’t mind.”

Bai Zhao glanced at him, his tone flat. “Officer Mu, you certainly have a reputation for being tenacious in the eyes of criminals.”

Mu Hao responded frankly, “I don’t consider you a criminal. I believe you have secrets you find difficult to reveal.”

“If you know they’re difficult to reveal, why force me?” Bai Zhao’s tone hardened. “You even used Duqiu to pry my mouth open. Don’t you think that’s a betrayal of your friendship?”

Who was using whom was debatable…

“If you could be honest, it would be good for Duqiu as well.” Mu Hao remained unmoved. “Your background is the final piece of the puzzle in these cases. Unraveling it is my duty.”

Bai Zhao scoffed. “Captain Ji has peculiar taste.” To admire such a workaholic obsessed with solving cases.

Confusion flickered in Mu Hao’s eyes. He was about to ask what this had to do with Ji Lin when the prison guard stopped in front of a metal door.

“Here we are. Visitation time is limited to half an hour. Officer Mu, please come in. Call me if you need anything; I’ll be right outside.”

Mu Hao nodded. “Thank you.”

Due to the special permission granted by higher-ups, they were given a private room. The guard brought in Pei Ming, cuffing his hands to the armrests of the chair, before stepping aside to observe.

After weeks of confinement, Pei Ming had lost weight. He appeared composed, but his eyes held a heaviness and weariness, his former arrogance gone. Having been detained for over a month, he likely understood how he’d landed in this predicament. Therefore, upon seeing Bai Zhao, the “culprit,” his face darkened. He told the guard, “I don’t want to see him. Take me back.”

The guard snorted. “You think you’re still Mr. Pei? Cooperate!”

The now-powerless Pei Ming had no choice but to sit. Unable to leave, he might as well vent.

“How dare you come see me?” He glared with undisguised contempt. “Bai Zhao, how many favors have I done for you? You latch onto someone else and forget all about it? Duqiu is a fool. You betrayed me, and you’ll betray him for a bigger reward later. He still treats you like a treasure.”

This was their first meeting since Mogok. Pei Ming unleashed all his pent-up resentment, his words laced with venom. “Who was it begging me for help all those years ago? Bai Zhiming was abusing you, and you came to me in secret. I took pity on you, kindly took you in. If it weren’t for me, he would have beaten you to death!”

Bai Zhao calmly watched his outburst without a word.

Mu Hao wasn’t surprised. Pei Ming’s composure was superficial. When faced with unexpected situations or life-or-death crises, he easily lost his cool and revealed his weaknesses.

But not Bai Zhao.

His thoughts were so deep that they were unreadable, like the deepest ocean waters, dark and impenetrable. He treated life and death with indifference. Nothing could shake him.

Except Yu Duqiu.

Bai Zhao had specifically requested Feng Jinmin’s approval for this visit, to see Pei Ming, who clearly didn’t care about his own fate. This must be for Yu Duqiu. They had fought two days ago, and Yu Duqiu had given him a week to confess. Today was the second day, and Bai Zhao couldn’t hold back any longer.

What information could he get from Pei Ming? Pei Ming probably knew less about these cases than he did. Eliminating that possibility, the most likely question Bai Zhao would ask concerned his own past.

Perhaps Bai Zhiming had given the adoption records to Pei Ming? Was Bai Zhao here to obtain proof that he was truly an orphan, acting alone, with no one behind him?

Mu Hao couldn’t be sure. He could only wait and see.

When Pei Ming’s tirade subsided, Bai Zhao slowly extended his hand, displaying a ruby ring.

Wait a minute… this scene… felt strangely familiar.

A sense of foreboding crept into Mu Hao’s heart – this kid wasn’t here for serious business.

“This is a Burmese pigeon’s blood ruby ring, worth over five million yuan. It symbolizes love, eternity, and fidelity. Duqiu gave it to me the day he fully accepted me.” Bai Zhao looked at him earnestly. “I wanted to give him a gemstone ring of equal value the day I confess everything to him, but I don’t know much about jewelry. I could have taken my time looking, but someone interfered, leaving me with only a week. You’re the only jeweler I know, so I wanted to ask you, do you have any recommendations?”

Pei Ming: “…”

Mu Hao: “…”

The guard: “…Impressive.”

Two speeding cars nearly collided in front of the detention center. The suspended Ji Lin, unable to drive a police car, had taken a taxi. The taxi driver, terrified of scratching the luxury car, swerved to the side.

Ji Lin watched Yu Duqiu emerge from the back seat and rush towards the detention center entrance before him.

“I’ll stop him! You pay the fare!” Ji Lin jumped out and chased after Yu Duqiu, fearing he’d do something reckless like Pei Zhuo.

Lu Qing, staring at the meter, winced internally. “Does this count as official business? Can I get reimbursed…”

Ji Lin assumed Yu Duqiu had already barged inside, but he was stopped by the guards at the entrance.

“Mr. Yu, you need a visitation permit to enter.”

“I’m just here to retrieve someone, not to visit Pei Ming.”

“That’s not allowed. We have rules.”

Ji Lin, relieved, strolled over and smirked at the thwarted Yu Duqiu. “You think you own the place? Wait here. I’ll bring him out, then you can discipline him properly–”

“Captain Ji, you can’t enter either.” The guard said politely, “Director Peng specifically instructed us. You’re currently suspended and don’t have authorization to visit pre-trial detainees.”

Ji Lin: “…?”

Yu Duqiu coughed, barely concealing his amusement. “Captain Ji, your authority isn’t much greater than mine.”

“…Shut up.”

Lu Qing, arriving last after paying the fare, saw them standing there, her captain’s face as dark as coal. Confused, she asked, “Captain Ji, what are you doing standing here? Let’s go inside.”

The guard nodded. “Officer Lu can enter.”

Yu Duqiu immediately put on a charming smile. “Miss Lu, would you mind bringing Bai Zhao out? Tell him I’m waiting. Captain Ji and I have something to discuss, so we won’t be going in.”

Lu Qing, unsuspecting, agreed and hurried inside.

The two men, having lost face, moved to the side, out of the way of other people.

“So, you two are still fighting?” Ji Lin asked.

Yu Duqiu glanced at him sideways. “Isn’t that thanks to you?”

The unwitting officer felt a pang of guilt. “Uh… is there anything I can do?”

Never one to refuse free assistance, Yu Duqiu’s eyes gleamed as he formulated a request. “Anything?”

Ji Lin, all too familiar with that mischievous glint, immediately added restrictions, “Nothing illegal! Nothing that harms others! And nothing beyond my capabilities!”

“So many conditions.” Yu Duqiu pouted. “As it happens, there is something I need your help with.”

“What is it?”

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we’re getting engaged soon.” Yu Duqiu winked. “I want to surprise him at the engagement party. I need to use some drones. The approval process takes at least two months, which is too slow. Can you pull some strings and get it approved within a month?”

“…?” Ji Lin gaped. “Aren’t you two fighting? Didn’t you tell him to get lost?”

“We fight, but we’ll still get married.”

“You don’t care that he lied to you?”

“I do care, which is why I need to keep him close, lock the door, and properly train him.” Yu Duqiu patted his shoulder. “Making the puppy understand his mistake isn’t the main goal. It’s making him feel guilty, make amends, and obey. You still have much to learn, Captain Ji.”

Train… puppy… Such inappropriate language… Ji Lin’s mind was filled with these words when he turned and saw three figures emerging from the detention center.

Lu Qing had fulfilled her mission, successfully bringing them out. Mu Hao’s gait was still unsteady, and Bai Zhao offered him an arm for support. Mu Hao, looking up, saw the two men at the entrance and smiled. “Xiao Ji…”

Ji Lin instinctively wanted to reply “Hey,” but Yu Duqiu’s words echoed in his mind. Without thinking, he barked, “Woof!”

Mu Hao: “?”

Yu Duqiu looked at him with surprise. “Wow, you two. Seem so innocent, but it turns out you’ve already trained him to respond on reflex.”

Ji Lin: “…”

Lu Qing rushed over anxiously. “Hey! Don’t fight, Captain Ji! You’re still suspended! Director Peng will make you write another report!”

Mu Hao also wanted to stop Ji Lin, who was now chasing Yu Duqiu and yelling, but as he took a step, he was pulled back.

Confused, he turned. “What?”

Bai Zhao, while the others were distracted, lowered his voice. 

“Officer Mu, you may not understand me, but I’m a vengeful person. You disrupted my plan, forcing me to rush my preparations… I won’t let you off easy either.”

Mu Hao immediately became alert, gripping Bai Zhao’s wrist. Despite his weakness, he didn’t back down. 

“What are you planning?”

Bai Zhao stared at him with a sinister gaze, his voice low and menacing. 

“Since you enjoy reviewing case details so much, why don’t you go back to the station and check the evening surveillance footage of Yiqing Bar, the alley where you were attacked, from last October to this June, especially on rainy days… I believe you’ll find something interesting.”