FI Ch10: The Second Client

The smooth car surface reflected the sunlight, shimmering brightly. The middle-aged man still stood upright in front of the car, his smile unwavering.

Lin Su squinted slightly. Heh, He Zhenling, very good…

He spoke politely and courteously, “Then may I ask, in your self-introduction, what is your name?”

This time, “Lao Zhang” replied, “Kong Fu.”

Lin Su praised, “What a great name. It sounds distinctly Chinese.” Chinese Kongfu.

Kong Fu beamed, “You flatter me.”

As he spoke, he opened the car door. “Please get in. Mr. He is still handling official business. I’ll take you to the headquarters first.”

Lin Su nodded and got in. “Thank you for your trouble.”

…

After getting in the car, he sent a message to He Zhenling: [Your AKA. Lao Zhang has picked me up. 😀] 

[Ling: Make sure to thank him.]

“……”

Xue Nima, perched on his shoulder, praised: [He actually remembers all your lame jokes. He’s really got ulterior motives for you.]

“…‘Ulterior motives’ and ‘thoughtfulness’ aren’t progressively related.”

Lin Su turned off his phone and closed his eyes to rest. “Learn your idioms properly before you speak.”

The private car drove smoothly for a while.

Lin Su originally thought the “headquarters” Kong Fu mentioned was the Survelliance Association’s headquarters, but to his surprise, they stopped in front of a commercial building.

Lin Su rolled down the window and poked his head out: ?

Kong Fu had already gotten out of the car. He smiled at Lin Su, saying, “Mr. He’s company.” With that, he walked toward the building.

The entire building’s glass windows reflected the sunlight, dazzling to the point of making one’s eyes ache. Its scale was clearly not small.

“How many aliases does He Zhenling even have?”

[No comment.] Xue Ni Ma remarked: [Why don’t you just ask him directly?]

“Forget it.” Lin Su retracted his head and leaned against the seatback, squinting. “We’re not that close yet.”

From his shoulder came a soft “heheh.”

Less than five minutes later, the car door was suddenly pulled open.

A tall figure momentarily blocked the outside light, casting a shadow over Lin Su.

Lin Su looked up and saw He Zhenling getting into the car.

The latter was still wearing a black base layer under a light gray suit. His broad shoulders and straight back made the previously spacious backseat feel a little cramped.

Lin Su couldn’t resist speaking. “Inspector He, aren’t you hot?”

He Zhenling tugged at his collar with one hand, his gaze lowered, his Adam’s apple moving slightly. “Not really. Let’s go.”

The private car started and merged onto the road.

Light flickered across the car windows in patches, and the cool air inside dispelled a trace of the heat. The backseat was momentarily quiet. Lin Su tilted his head, glancing at He Zhenling, who was wrapped up tightly, his thoughts wandering:

Does He Zhenling wear so much to hide that ring?

Or could it be he’s actually the reincarnation of a sensitive plant, shrinking into a ball when touched…

“What are you looking at?”

The calm voice pulled his thoughts back.

Lin Su’s gaze had been caught keenly. He shifted his eyes away, saying, “I didn’t expect Inspector He to have yet another alias.”

“How did you think I got into the Board of Trustees?”

“……”

So he had invested his way in.

“Yin and yang operate separately,” He Zhenling said. “I just chose the most convenient profession for handling affairs in modern society.”

Lin Su looked at him deeply.

So, to facilitate his work, he casually started a big company. Is that it?

Xue Nima poked him: [Look at him. What about you?]

Lin Su lifted his chin slightly, righteous and confident. “I picked a job with the most holidays in a year.”

[…]
[You’re still more impressive.]

*

By the time they arrived in Li City, it was close to evening.

The dusky sky draped down from the horizon, with crimson and purple sunset hues spreading in various depths. Twilight, since ancient times, has also been called the Witching Hour.

He Zhenling glanced at the sky. “Should we visit the Qi family now, or wait until tomorrow?”

“Let’s do it now,” Lin Su said. “The yin energy is rising; some things will be clearer to see.”

Kong Fu then drove straight to the Qi family residence.

The Qi family lived in a traditional Chinese courtyard house.

Lanterns hung on either side of the large gate, the courtyard walls were painted vermilion, and bamboo shoots emerged above the walls, casting shifting shadows.

As soon as Lin Su and He Zhenling got out of the car, they ran into the Qi family patriarch of Li City, who had come out to greet them after hearing of their arrival.

Qi Zhuang looked to be about fifty, his face full of an ingratiating smile.

Although he emerged from a traditional courtyard, he was dressed entirely in the style of modern high society. When he saw He Zhenling accompanying them, his smile froze momentarily before returning to normal.

“I didn’t expect Chairman He to come as well. What an honor, what an honor. Please come in first, and we can talk inside.”

Qi Zhuang turned and led the way.

Lin Su didn’t bother to lower his voice much as he quietly commented to He Zhenling, “‘Didn’t expect’ means uninvited.”

The figure ahead nearly stumbled on the stone-paved path.

He Zhenling cast a light glance back at him but said nothing.

The group quickly passed through the courtyard and entered the living room.

The interior was strikingly modern, with bright crystal chandeliers casting shimmering reflections on the floor.

Lin Su took a seat on the sofa.

Qi Zhuang got straight to the point. “Young friend, there was some misunderstanding between us before. The reason for inviting you this time is to express our apologies.”

He paused briefly. “You’re also aware of some of the ‘rumors’ surrounding you. The Qi family sent people to you only with the intention of protecting you…”

Lin Su turned to He Zhenling. “So what he means is, he’s on your side.”

“……” He Zhenling.

“……” Qi Zhuang.

Qi Zhuang’s smile nearly faltered.

Before he could speak, He Zhenling calmly and seriously responded, “I was just about to tell you: some thoughts are better kept in your head. Don’t say them in front of others.”

Qi Zhuang’s smile completely dropped.

The atmosphere in the bright living room turned stagnant.
Even the nearby servants lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Fortunately, a voice soon broke the awkward silence.

“Honored guests have arrived. My apologies for not welcoming you sooner. I hope you won’t mind.”

Lin Su looked up to see a graceful woman descending the stairs from the second floor.
She seemed to have hurriedly tidied herself up after their sudden arrival, only appearing now.

The woman was accompanied by a young man dressed in a neat little suit.

—Though calling him a “young man” didn’t feel entirely accurate.

Lin Su’s gaze landed on the eight characters above his head: already twenty-two years old.

However, in both appearance and demeanor, he seemed more like a naive teenager of seventeen or eighteen.

Suddenly, Lin Su frowned slightly.

[What’s wrong?]

“…Something feels off.”

He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

In front of them, Qi Zhuang was already calling the two over for introductions. “This is my wife, Jiang Yajin, and my youngest son, Qi Jiayuan.”

Jiang Yajin smiled at the two of them.

Qi Jiayuan also gave a polite smile and greeted them obediently. Noticing Lin Su looking at him, his smile deepened, revealing two dimples.

Lin Su looked at him for two seconds, then smiled faintly and turned to Qi Zhuang. “Youngest son? Then what about the eldest?”

“………”

The words fell, and for a moment, the air froze.

Qi Zhuang’s smile stiffened slightly before he forced himself to respond, “It’s just a humble expression…”

He gestured to the butler, who brought over an invitation. “As an apology, our humble abode happens to be hosting a banquet for the Feng Shui community tomorrow. We’d be honored if you would attend.”

Lin Su accepted the invitation and flipped it open to glance through it.

He spoke in his mind, ‘He’s trying to keep me here.’

Xue Nima remarked sarcastically, Of course, to treat you to a feast.

By now, the sky had already darkened.

Seeing Lin Su accept the invitation, Qi Zhuang seized the opportunity to invite them to stay overnight. Lin Su didn’t refuse and agreed directly.

Lin Su’s guest room had already been prepared.

The Qi family hadn’t expected He Zhenling to come along, so they were currently preparing an additional room for him. For now, He Zhenling followed Lin Su to his room.

…

As soon as the door closed,

He Zhenling casually pasted a soundproofing talisman on the door and asked, “You’ve been provoking Qi Zhuang all day. Are you trying to push him into a corner to see his reaction?”

Lin Su replied, “Half of it.”

“And the other half?”

“Purely wanted to provoke him.”

Silence seemed to fall for a moment.

Lin Su asked, “So, Inspector He’s sharp remarks today were also part of the plan?”

He Zhenling said coldly, “No, just purely to annoy him.”

“………”

Xue Nima insightfully remarked: [Feeling happy again, aren’t you?]

Lin Su replied, “Although He Zhenling is most likely dissatisfied with Qi Zhuang interfering in the Survelliance Association and reclaiming the holdouts, I judge actions, not motives. Very satisfying.”

“This residence is the ancestral property of the Qi family.”

Suddenly, He Zhenling spoke up from the front.

Lin Su pulled his thoughts back, glanced around at the interior, and smiled. “Making such extensive modifications—if not for the sake of keeping up with the times, one might think they’re covering something up.”

“What have you noticed?”

Outside, the shadows of the night flickered, and tree leaves swayed.

Lin Su glanced at it. “The more they try to cover, the more it reveals. At the very least, their invitation to me must have a motive.” He paused, turned to He Zhenling, and patted himself.

“What do you think—might I become the Qi family’s canary?”

“……”

He Zhenling’s eyebrows twitched as he calmly replied, “No, you’d be the cuckoo.”

Just then, the door sounded with two knocks.
A servant’s voice came from outside: “Mr. He, the guest room next door has been prepared.”

Lin Su exchanged a glance with He Zhenling.

Lin Su said, “Don’t worry. There’s a banquet tomorrow, so tonight is a safe and peaceful evening for us both. Go rest.”

He Zhenling shot him a glance before leaving.

Once the door closed, Lin Su spoke. “What do you think that reluctant glance before he left meant?”

Xue Nima coldly replied: [I suspect he was thinking: always eliminate the Seer first.]

“……” Lin Su lay down on the bed. “I’m the host, goodnight.”

*

The banquet began at noon the next day.

Lin Su wore a Tang suit, the frog buttons fastened to the collar, and red tassels draped over his shoulders. The ink-like black fabric made his skin appear even fairer. Silent and still, he exuded an air of nobility.

As he descended the stairs, the banquet was already underway.

From the staircase, the entire hall was visible at a glance. Most of the guests had arrived, roughly dividing into three groups.

The Qi family couple and their son Qi Jiayuan were welcoming one group of guests; He Zhenling, looking aloof, was surrounded by another group either probing or trying to make connections; the rest stood at a distance, observing.

When Lin Su appeared, all three groups simultaneously paused.

Their gazes shifted toward him—momentarily astonished—mingled with curiosity, scrutiny, and other intentions hidden beneath the surface.

Lin Su kept his eyes forward and approached Qi Zhuang to greet him.

“Mr. Qi, Madam.”

Qi Zhuang responded with a cheerful expression, offering a few kind words and encouraging him to enjoy the banquet freely. Jiang Yajin followed up with a compliment, and then Qi Jiayuan looked up with a sweet smile.

“Lin Su-gege, your outfit looks amazing!”

Lin Su glanced at him. “I’m 17 this year.”

Qi Jiayuan’s smile froze. He quickly adjusted and apologized, “Oh, is that so? I thought calling you ‘gege’ would be more respectful.”

Lin Su’s lips curved faintly, but he said nothing more, nodding to Qi Zhuang before turning to leave.

Once his figure disappeared into the distance, Qi Jiayuan withdrew his gaze, turned to Jiang Yajin, and asked in a slightly complaining tone, “Mom, do I really look so much older than him?”

Jiang Yajin, thinking he was being playful, bent down to cup her son’s face and reassured him, “Of course not. Our Jiayuan has a baby face and will always be Mommy’s little boy.”

Qi Jiayuan’s signature smile returned, but a fleeting sidelong glance at Lin Su’s direction revealed calm eyes devoid of any trace of humor.

*

Lin Su walked gracefully across the hall.

Xue Nima hovered nearby, commenting: [Did you say that on purpose? That kid’s mind seems pretty active.]

Lin Su casually picked up a drink. “Let him keep busy. It’s not me who’ll get tired.”

[I admire how you never waste energy on pointless drama.]

Just as they spoke, several figures stepped forward.

Lin Su stopped.
The newcomers were a few Feng Shui masters without clan emblems. Lin Su searched his mind but couldn’t place them.

At the moment, they were holding wine glasses and smiling as they inquired:

“First time meeting—how should we address you, young friend?”

“Are you also in the Feng Shui field? May I ask who your master is?”

“We heard you’re not from Li City and came alone to this banquet. Are your family members… your parents not accompanying you?”
…

Xue Nima enthusiastically chimed in: [Sus! Very sus!]

Lin Su ignored Xue Nima’s role-playing fervor, narrowed his eyes slightly at their probing questions, and quickly understood: they seemed unaware that He Zhenling had come with him.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned and called out, “Mr. He.”

From a distance, He Zhenling’s figure paused briefly. Then he turned, glanced at Lin Su, and walked over in a few strides.

Lin Su raised his hand in introduction. “This is my companion.”

The group immediately froze, their expressions showing surprise. Lin Su took half a step back at just the right moment, leaving He Zhenling to face them directly.

“………” He Zhenling.

The group recovered quickly and shifted to greeting He Zhenling instead.

“Oh, so you two came together.”

“Old acquaintances? Why not introduce yourselves…”

Amidst the flurry of chatter, He Zhenling’s thin lips moved slightly. A cold, low voice reached Lin Su’s ears:

“I’m in a really difficult position right now.”

Lin Su: “……”

He took a sip of his drink, straightened up, and said solemnly, “You hold the line; I’ll go somewhere and think of a plan.”

After speaking, he turned and quietly slipped away.

*

The Qi family’s banquet hall was quite large.

Lin Su made a round and found a quiet balcony behind the hall.

He pushed the door open and stepped outside.

Beyond lay a courtyard, likely the back of the estate. The courtyard was secluded and empty, shrouded in a chill emanating from the dense growth of vegetation.

Hidden beneath the overgrowth was a small pavilion.

Its wooden window frames were sealed shut, and creeping vines had almost entirely covered the small windows.

While Lin Su was gazing at it, a sound suddenly came from behind.

“Honored guest.”

Turning around, he saw the butler standing at the door. “What brings you here? Is there something we’ve neglected in our hospitality?”

“No, I’m just socially awkward.”

This successfully rendered the butler speechless for a moment before Lin Su asked, “What’s that building over there?”

“Just an old pavilion, used as a storage space,” the butler replied, stepping aside. “The master of the house is looking for you. Please come with me.”

Lin Su nodded, and the butler turned to lead the way.

Following behind, Lin Su glanced back just before stepping out the door.

It was only a fleeting moment, but Lin Su suddenly called out in his mind, “Ni ma.”

[What’s wrong?]

He withdrew his gaze, and a rare trace of disgust appeared on his usually calm face.

“I haven’t seen something this revolting in years.”