Chapter 13: A Little Bit of Magic (Revised)

Chapter 13: A Touch of Magic (Revised)

Sunday morning.

A startled exclamation echoed from the Major Crimes Unit A office within the Criminal Investigation Department of the West Kowloon Regional Police Station: "Ten *what*?!"

Jian Ruochen rubbed his ear, which had almost gone numb from the shout, and calmly repeated, "Ten male models."

Zhang Xingzong glanced at Guan Yingjun, who sat nearby with arms crossed and an impassive face, then turned to the unperturbed Jian Ruochen, muttering under his breath, "Bold, bold, bold..."

He had fully expected Detective Guan to erupt.

But after a moment's thought, Guan Yingjun said, "Feasible."

Zhang Xingzong: *How* is that feasible?

"Detective Guan, isn't this a bit… against regulations?"

"What regulations?" Guan Yingjun's sharp eyes lifted, radiating intensity. "Will regulations help you solve the case? Or should we just sit here idly, waiting for my informant to tell us which store sold the invitation, then go door-to-door for interviews? Take the item and ask each suspect what they look like, then spend another ten days or half a month searching for them?"

Zhang Xingzong stammered, "But Detective Guan, the team has no money. Can't we just have Jian Ruochen sit at the bar and wait for the suspect to take the bait?"

The Major Crimes Unit was truly strapped for cash.

Team A was slightly better off—Detective Guan was generous and often paid out of his own pocket.

Team B was so broke they were practically eating gruel, and the other teams, C through G, were in even direr straits.

After all, solving cold cases demanded real money.

Field investigations cost money, maintaining informants cost money, hiring diving teams for submerged bodies cost money, and even professional excavation teams for missing persons in the mountains cost money. Even buying decent coffee during overtime required cash.

They didn't have a single spare cent.

How could they afford such extravagance?

Guan Yingjun fell silent for a moment. "Put it on my tab."

Zhang Xingzong's black-framed glasses nearly slid off his nose, his expression dazed. "Huh?"

Guan Yingjun lit a cigarette and tucked the pack back into his pocket. "This suspect is extremely cautious. Just waiting around will likely make it hard for him to show himself. Besides, with Jian Ruochen’s looks, if he sits in a corner of the nightclub, people will swarm him. How will you identify which one is the suspect?"

"Then how will ordering male models help us identify him?"

Jian Ruochen reminded, "The one who gets the angriest."

Zhang Xingzong suddenly understood.

Right, Detective Guan had mentioned the day before that the suspect seemed to have a thing for Jian Ruochen.

Putting himself in the suspect’s shoes—if someone thought they had helped their crush solve a problem, prepared a romantic meeting spot, only to see their crush show up and immediately order ten male models...

...How infuriating would that be?

Zhang Xingzong gritted his teeth and asked, "Isn't ten too many? Can you handle it?"

The people in that place, regardless of gender, were extremely skilled in their methods.

He rambled on, "You absolutely cannot drink, and don't let anyone get too close. If they get too close, it'll affect our surveillance."

Jian Ruochen gave an "okay," sounding obedient and understanding.

Zhang Xingzong and the other teammates in the Major Crimes Unit slowly felt a bit more at ease.

As evening approached.

Guan Yingjun used a cigarette to light incense and led the teammates of Major Crimes Unit A to the shrine in the southeast corner of the Major Crimes Unit hall to pay respects to the Green-Robed Guan Yu.

The bronze statue of Lord Guan was imposing, his left hand stroking his beard and his right hand holding a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, radiating majesty.

Jian Ruochen had only seen such a scene in Hong Kong films and widened his eyes curiously. He waited until Guan Yingjun finished speaking and placed the incense in the burner before blinking his slightly dry eyes.

Guan Yingjun asked, "Haven't seen this before?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Jian Ruochen shrink his fingers and let out a soft "Mm." His face was slightly flushed, unusually meek and earnest.

The West Kowloon Regional Crime Unit had a total of 10 teams, each with about 15 members, totaling around 150 people. The teams were distinguished by their English initials and worked on the same floor.

Many people witnessed Guan Yingjun’s ritual of paying respects to Guan Yu.

The head of Team C exclaimed in surprise, "Detective Guan, you already have leads on the Sham Shui Po patrol officer case?"

Guan Yingjun: "Mm."

The Inspector of Team C gasped, "I’m envious. We’ve been working on our case for two months now. How did you manage it?"

Guan Yingjun didn’t respond. It wouldn't be appropriate to say they were ordering male models to solve the case.

He led the team out on the operation.

Guan Yingjun’s Team A was streamlined, with only eight members. Including Jian Ruochen as an auxiliary member, there were nine in total.

Nine people, three cars, divided into three groups, sped toward the Platinum Club near the University of Hong Kong.

Jian Ruochen and Guan Yingjun were in the same car, with Zhang Xingzong driving. The two sat in the back.

Guan Yingjun said, "The Platinum Club is one of the Lu family’s businesses. Currently, Team Z is responsible for gathering vice evidence there."

Zhang Xingzong said enviously, "That’s a lucrative assignment. Investigating places like this brings in a lot of money, and the bonuses from higher-ups are substantial."

Jian Ruochen mused, *Lu Qian’s?*

The city lights began to glow.

Night deepened.

Inside the Platinum Club, the lights were dazzling, the music deafening. Men and women clinked glasses and indulged in revelry.

Following the agreed-upon plan, Jian Ruochen walked to the center of the circle formed by the officers and sat down.

He took off his heavy coat, revealing a white knit sweater underneath.

The sweater’s collar dipped to his collarbone, the cuffs resting on his palms. His tight jeans outlined his slender legs, and his thighs, though not particularly fleshy, were slightly pressed by the edge of the sofa, exuding a hint of youthful allure.

The duty manager took one look and noticed the sweater was Armani!

A big spender!

He personally brought over the drink menu. "Hello, what would you like?"

Jian Ruochen leaned back in the sofa of the booth, legs crossed, lazily tilting his chin up. "I'll cover all the drinks tonight."

A few soft gasps came from the nearby booths.

"So generous!"

"Such luck, running into a rich kid like this~"

"Want to go talk to him? Ask for his contact info."

Amid the hushed flattery, someone scoffed, "Big deal, just buying drinks? What’s that gonna cost?"

"Nothing compared to you," someone beside them sucked up to them.

Jian Ruochen glanced around, taking in the expressions of everyone in the surrounding booths.

Those without money were thrilled; those with money were disdainful.

Only a few solitary men hidden in the shadows were hard to read, standing out starkly against the suddenly lively atmosphere of the nightclub thanks to the free drinks.

Jian Ruochen looked away.

The manager bent even lower, handing over a photo booklet and whispering, "Would you like any other services?"

Jian Ruochen subtly slipped a silver cigarette case from his pocket, copying Guan Yingjun's movements as he took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and tilted his head.

The manager quickly produced a lighter and lit it for him.

Zhang Xingzong stared, dumbfounded.

He grabbed his chest. "I spoke too soon."

Turning to Detective Guan, he asked, "Does he have a grudge against you?"

Guan Yingjun looked at the familiar cigarette case, his face darkening as he patted his pocket—the case inside was indeed missing.

He didn’t even know when it had been taken.

Quite nimble—and he said he didn’t smoke?

Guan Yingjun narrowed his eyes at Jian Ruochen, watching as he clumsily puffed smoke, just holding it in his mouth before exhaling without really inhaling.

Amid the haze of smoke, Jian Ruochen said pointedly, "Manager, hm? Your eye for people isn’t great."

The manager suddenly understood, quickly switching the booklet for another—this one filled with men, all handsome with sharp brows and bright eyes, each with their specialties and prices listed beside them.

Jian Ruochen picked ten at random. "Just these. Leave both booklets on my table."

"Of course." Though confused, the manager agreed to whatever the big spender said.

He glanced back, and a waiter promptly brought over a fruit tray.

"Please, enjoy some fruit first," the manager said.

Jian Ruochen didn’t touch it. Instead, he pulled out his pager, held it to his lips, and said, "Suspicious reactions at eight o’clock and three o’clock."

The young man frowned slightly, as if growing impatient, his voice as light as a feather—probably inaudible even up close.

Guan Yingjun could hear it clearly because Jian Ruochen’s message had been sent to his pager.

After listening, his expression turned stormy.

Zhang Xingzong stood there, mouth agape, thinking that before the suspect lost his temper, the head of their Major Crimes Unit might just explode.

Detective Guan’s money was still money—should it really be spent like this?

If they returned empty-handed today, how would they explain it?

The male models arrived quickly.

Jian Ruochen’s gaze swept over the one wearing the least, who immediately smiled and swayed over flirtatiously.

Just as he moved to throw an arm around him, Jian Ruochen lifted his foot and kicked the man’s shin. "Did I call you over?"

He gave a cold look. "I don’t like disobedient dogs. Punish yourself with a drink."

To the manager, he said, "Bring a bottle of every expensive liquor."

Zhang Xingzong broke out in a cold sweat, feeling like he might pass out right there.

Before he did, he saw Jian Ruochen pull out a bank card, swipe it through the POS machine the manager brought, and pay the bill.

He no longer felt like fainting, exclaiming in awe, "He paid for it himself? He’s that rich?"

Guan Yingjun said coldly, "Just inherited. Reportedly billions."

Zhang Xingzong stared, green with envy.

Everyone was watching Jian Ruochen, allowing the undercover officers to openly fix their gazes on the center of the venue.

Zhang Xingzong wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked the stoic Guan Yingjun, "Boss, did you know he’d pay for it himself?"

Guan Yingjun’s tone was icy. "No." He paused, then reminded, "Don’t just stare at Jian Ruochen. Keep an eye on the young man in the windbreaker at eight o’clock and the man in the suit at three o’clock."

The man in the suit at three o’clock seemed like an office worker. He’d ordered a blue label whiskey, his gaze wandering, occasionally drifting toward the center of the room. His eyes looked unfocused, making it hard to tell if he was drunk or not.

The young man in the windbreaker at eight o’clock had only ordered a lemonade. His eyes kept glancing subtly toward Jian Ruochen’s direction, and he wore a Vacheron Constantin watch. His expression was stern, almost blank.

Jian Ruochen thought, *Not entirely blank.*

His lips were pressed downward, his upper lip slightly raised, and the corners of his mouth pulled tight—an expression of disgust and denial, tinged with tension.

This expression lasted only a moment before his frown deepened, his eyes narrowing further, clearly growing more irritated.

This subtle emotion wasn't enough to prove he was the suspect. He needed to be provoked.

Jian Ruochen subtly withdrew his gaze, raised his hand to take the drink offered by a male model, didn’t drink it, turned to the smiling blond model, whispered a few words, and then fed the drink to him.

A few bold ones tried to pretend they were drunk and lean in, but as soon as they got close, they were kicked back to their spots, then painfully yet happily knocked back a drink.

Zhang Xingzong was stunned again, completely forgetting Detective Guan’s reminder.

Guan Yingjun glanced at him. "Doesn’t it seem strange to you?"

Zhang Xingzong: "What?"

Guan Yingjun: "How could someone who’s withdrawn and silent suddenly become so lively and charming?"

Zhang Xingzong took a deep breath. "Not strange at all... If I were as rich as him, I can’t even imagine how much more lively and charming I’d be."

Guan Yingjun: "..."

As he spoke, Jian Ruochen actually picked up a silver fork from the fruit platter, speared a watermelon chunk, and held it to a male model's lips. He played the rebellious young master out hunting so naturally and vividly.

Zhang Xingzong choked, "He's such a good actor, I wouldn't be surprised by any personality he has."

Jian Ruochen didn’t allow the service staff to get too close, creating a natural buffer zone around him. This made it blatantly obvious when the suspect with ulterior motives approached.

The suspect was wearing a blue-black windbreaker, zipper undone, his eyes gloomy. He looked absolutely furious as he pushed through the crowd.

Guan Yingjun immediately stood up, his right hand reaching under his arm to draw his firearm. He moved toward Jian Ruochen, avoiding the crowd.

All the officers in the Major Crimes Unit were elite police officers, every one keen-eyed and alert—they naturally didn’t miss this detail.

By the time the suspect was pressed down onto the table by several pairs of hands, he was still dazed.

Guan Yingjun held a black gun against the man in the windbreaker’s temple, his grip on the man’s neck so tight that veins popped.

His tone was icy, like the King of Hell claiming a soul: "West Kowloon Major Crimes Unit, CID on duty, cuff him!"

Jian Ruochen stood up, picked up the two brochures the manager had left on the table, and said to the stunned "male models": "Sorry, it was for the case. Had to throw in a few extra kicks."

The male models felt a bit lost but soon perked up.

Even if the shortcut to moving up in the world that had dangled before them was fake, and they couldn’t latch onto a sugar daddy, today’s earnings were real!

Who wouldn’t love such a generous, easy client?

A blonde male model named Kelly boldly blew a kiss to Jian Ruochen: "Come back soon, Officer."

Guan Yingjun shot him a cold glance, then pressed down on the suspect’s neck, forcing him to bend over and bow his head. "Let’s go," he said.

The Major Crimes Unit detectives sighed in relief together after escorting the suspect out of Platinum Club.

Solving this case felt unreal—unbelievably easy!

Forensics hadn’t even finished their work yet, and they were already wrapping up the case.

In the past, cases with almost no clues would give them headaches for ten days to half a month, requiring several all-nighters to solve.

Now?

It was almost effortless!

The Major Crimes Unit didn’t even spend a dime...

Unbelievable!

Zhang Xingzong was totally impressed with Jian Ruochen: "Whoa, where’d you learn that? It takes both luck and skill—you acted so convincingly!"

Jian Ruochen smiled: "Must be natural talent."

Guan Yingjun had just put the suspect in the police car and turned around to hear this. Seeing Zhang Xingzong’s admiring and envious expression, he was speechless.

*He buys that?*

He reached out to Jian Ruochen: "The cigarette case—when’d you grab it?"

"When we were paying respects to Guan Gong. I was standing slightly behind you, and your pocket was wide open. The cigarette case was shining inside, luring me in!" Jian Ruochen handed it over, gesturing with his right hand about the size of a fingernail. "I know a bit of magic, so I swiped it."

Guan Yingjun went quiet.

How could someone so brazenly justify taking someone else’s property as "magic"?

He then glanced at the brochures Jian Ruochen had brought out, filled with revealing photos of men and women clearly priced. "Why did you bring these? Collecting them?"

Jian Ruochen looked surprised: "How could that be?"

He handed the brochures to Guan Yingjun: "Here, Detective Guan—evidence.

This is crucial for vice raids."

Most of Hong Kong’s nightclub scene was connected to Lu Qian.

He couldn’t let his money actually end up in that jerk’s pocket.

Jian Ruochen hinted meaningfully: "The large amount I swiped at the manager’s today should add to their charges. Seal the club ASAP, Detective Guan. After the investigation, all proceeds from Platinum Club will be confiscated—then the Major Crimes Unit will have funds."

Zhang Xingzong clasped his hands together, shaking one of Jian Ruochen’s hands up and down: "God of Wealth! You’re our God of Wealth!

Why are you still in university? When will you graduate? Will you become a police officer after graduating? If you do, will you consider joining our Major Crimes Unit?"

Jian Ruochen smiled: "We’ll see."

After this, no matter what he did in the Major Crimes Unit, he wouldn't be looked down upon. As for status and authority—opportunities would come naturally.

Sitting in the police car, Jian Ruochen couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Platinum Club being sealed.

Lu Qian, oh Lu Qian.

The police had just publicized the Jiang Yongyan hired killer case, and Heaven Entertainment City was already implicated, forced to prepare for police inspections.

If he now learned that Platinum Club was being shut down too—

one trouble after another.

How about that?

Overwhelmed, aren't you?