The dynamic, explosive DJ beats thundered deafeningly, while men and women clad in flashy attire twisted their bodies madly under the flickering neon lights, creating an utterly chaotic spectacle.
"Let’s begin," Luo Jianbi bared a row of gleaming white teeth at Xia Rou, "I trust in your acupuncture skills."
Xia Rou furrowed her brow, took a deep breath, sat down next to Luo Jianbi, adjusted her mindset, and prepared to perform acupuncture on him.
After entering the Traditional Chinese Medicine Academy through self-study, Xia Rou learned some basic acupuncture techniques. Later on, the old Chinese doctor at Dexi Hall shared his ancestral secret techniques with Xia Rou before retiring.
She vividly remembered when the old doctor had said to her, "In the past, according to tradition, this set of ancestral acupuncture techniques was passed down internally but not externally, only to men and not to women. However, given the decline of traditional Chinese medicine nowadays, there are few young people like you who are dedicated to studying and continuing this practice. I’ll consider you my last disciple and pass this technique on to you."
Xia Rou didn’t know the name of this technique, but once she mastered it, its effectiveness in treating patients was unexpectedly remarkable.
Therefore, in the short few years she worked at Dexi Hall, Xia Rou had become a somewhat renowned female practitioner in the nearby neighborhood blocks. Her acupuncture techniques gained quite the reputation, almost turning her into Dexi Hall’s "flagship treasure."
Once Xia Rou steadied her state of mind, her hands remained unwavering and precise even in the noisy and chaotic KTV private room.
Luo Jianbi, after having his acupoints immobilized by Yan Xiaobao with the "Black Tiger Heart Stealing" technique for an entire day and night, could neither lift his arms nor move his legs, rendering him almost paralyzed.
At this moment, Xia Rou inserted a silver needle into the acupoint near Luo Jianbi’s elbow joint and gently rotated it. Luo Jianbi instantly felt a slight tingling sensation in the joint, and the unbearable soreness quickly faded, leaving him much more comfortable.
"Xia Rou’s Miracle Needle lives up to its name. To have a wife like you would truly be a blessing," Luo Jianbi chuckled slyly and added, "Why don’t you reconsider? Stick with me, and I promise you’ll live a life of luxury and comfort."
Xia Rou’s hand, holding the silver needle, paused. She replied coldly, "There’s no possibility between us. Once I fix the joints in your arms and legs, all grievances will be settled as agreed. Are you planning to go back on your word?"
"Certainly not. I stand by my word; you can trust me. Go ahead and continue with the needles," Luo Jianbi bowed his head, though a sinister, malicious gleam flickered in his eyes.
When Han Ruobing woke up, the sky had already turned completely dark. The glow of the streetlights outside shone faintly through the curtains, casting a gentle golden hue that felt incredibly cozy.
This sleep was exceedingly restful and sweet, so much so that Han Ruobing couldn’t remember the last time she had slept this well. She stretched lazily, only to suddenly realize she was lying in an unusually intimate position in Yan Xiaobao’s embrace.
"You!" Han Ruobing abruptly sat up and frantically searched for her gun.
Yan Xiaobao retrieved the firearm from under the pillow and handed it to Han Ruobing, explaining innocently, "I didn’t touch you—it was you who leaned over in your sleep."
Han Ruobing aimed the gun at Yan Xiaobao’s head, then glanced down at herself to check. Her clothes were slightly creased, but her buttons remained securely fastened.
"You really didn’t take advantage of me in my sleep?"
Yan Xiaobao shook his head innocently, "Although you’ll eventually become my wife, until the day you do, I certainly won’t sneak kisses or touches."
"Shut up!" Han Ruobing flipped off the bed, her tone icy. "Let’s pretend none of this happened. You better not breathe a word of it to anyone."
Yan Xiaobao grinned cheekily and nodded, "Of course not. How could I share private matters between us with others?"
Han Ruobing couldn’t be bothered to say any more. She opened the door and headed to the bathroom to tidy her wrinkled clothes and slightly messy hair.
Yan Xiaobao lounged on Han Ruobing’s bed, looked at his own hands, and seemed to reminisce longingly. "Bingbing is really an amazing wife—the feeling of holding her while sleeping is unbelievably comfortable. I definitely have to sleep more with Bingbing in the future."
"Stop it! Not another word!" Han Ruobing stood at the living room door, her face frosty. "Get up! I’m taking you back."
"What’s the rush, Bingbing? I’ve got orders from Chief Zhang that you’re supposed to stick with me for a whole day. We’ve only been at it for eight hours, and your mission isn’t over yet."
Just as Han Ruobing was about to throw Yan Xiaobao out of her house, her phone rang.
After finishing the call, Han Ruobing immediately opened the door, urging, "Hurry up. A murder has occurred—I need to get to the scene."
Yan Xiaobao had no choice but to follow Han Ruobing out of the house and into the car.
"You’re getting out at the next intersection. Take a cab yourself." Han Ruobing prepared to slow down and park.
Yan Xiaobao protested, "No way. Your mission isn’t over yet. How can I just leave on my own? Chief Zhang will scold you for not completing your task."
"I’m heading to a murder scene on official duty. What are you tagging along for?"
"I can help with the investigation too. Your husband is quite capable—I guarantee I’ll be of assistance."
"If you just don’t cause trouble, that’s assistance enough." Han Ruobing stopped the car. "Out!"
"No!" Yan Xiaobao threatened, "If you don’t stay with me for the whole day, I’ll complain to Chief Zhang and have him give you a week off to keep me company."
"You..." Han Ruobing was out of options.
Given Zhang Zhixue’s attitude toward Yan Xiaobao, he might actually do it—granting her a week off...
Han Ruobing silently started the car again, treating Yan Xiaobao entirely as if he were invisible, praying that once they arrived at the crime scene, Yan Xiaobao would get bored and leave on his own.
The crime scene was at a secluded lakeside spot near Willow Leaf Lake. By the time Han Ruobing arrived, the patrol officers had already set up a cordon and secured the area.
Yan Xiaobao followed Han Ruobing through the cordon and into the crime scene, and surprisingly, none of the officers stopped him.
Han Ruobing’s deputy, Constable Xing, approached to report the situation. Upon seeing Yan Xiaobao, he refrained from commenting.
"Chief Han, the two deceased individuals were discovered half an hour ago by three night anglers. Both victims are in their early twenties, with dyed hair and tattoos—likely delinquent youth from the streets. Based on the condition of the bodies, the estimated time of death is less than a day."
Han Ruobing paid no attention to Yan Xiaobao and followed Constable Xing to the two bodies that had been dragged ashore. She lifted the covering and inspected the victims.
The two bodies hadn’t been soaking in the lake for long—their faces were clearly discernible. They bore a resemblance, possibly brothers, one with red-dyed hair and the other with yellow.