Reunion (2)

A profiler: an expert who sketches the psyche of a suspect based on the methods and layout of a crime scene, thereby predicting characteristics such as age, occupation, and appearance to narrow the scope of an investigation and improve efficiency.

However, this position usually exists only in developed regions; Weng City’s economy was lagging and its terrain remote.

It was only after the Director applied repeatedly that they secured two positions for criminal investigation consultants.

Even while pursuing advanced studies abroad, Liu Huisheng had taken deep pride in the title of “Profiler.”

But clearly, obtaining the title of Criminal Investigation Consultant was a better situation than she had anticipated.

What was even better was that her superiors had assigned her to Zhao Yu’s Major Crimes Unit.

The police station was frantically busy that afternoon.

The chaotic footsteps sounded like the dense war drums of an ancient battlefield, crossing from the entrance through the lobby, only to be halted in the hallway.

“Captain Zhao, wait a moment.”

The Instructor, Li Xia, stood in front.

Captain Zhao—Zhao Yu.

Captain of the Major Crimes Unit.

The old acquaintance with whom Liu Huisheng had shared a night of passion.

Zhao Yu was very tall; her height of 176cm, combined with her proud proportions, made her resemble a pristine, elegant snow-capped peak.

Her blue police shirt was smooth and crisp, sleeves rolled to the elbows to reveal lean, powerful forearms.

Her face was not quite as strikingly beautiful as Liu Huisheng’s, but she was still a woman of distinguished features.

However, her overly thin lips distanced any sense of approachability, and a one-centimeter diagonal scar on her right brow bone only deepened her air of detachment.

Seeing Li Xia, her cold eyes narrowed, her gaze resembling a sharp military blade laid flat upon the snow.

“What is it?”

Li Xia still wore that expression of worrying about everything, her eyebrows always knitted above her black-rimmed glasses; Zhao Yu was long accustomed to it.

However, the tall, slender silhouette following behind Li Xia caused her pupils to tremor.

The blade in her eyes turned, stabbing back at herself.

Li Xia gestured for Liu Huisheng to step forward, then introduced her:

“Let me introduce you. This is the newcomer for your unit, Liu Huisheng.”

Liu Huisheng stepped forward leisurely, stopping fifty centimeters in front of Zhao Yu.

The dark blue material of her tailored jumpsuit traced her long, slender frame, her curly black hair cascading down her back.

The corners of her upturned eyes curved slightly, her lightly made-up face looking exactly like the one from countless dreams.

She gracefully raised her hand, extending it between them, a shallow smile on her lips:

“Captain Zhao, a pleasure.”

Zhao Yu did not speak. Her brow seemed to twitch, her obsidian pupils contracting.

Her thin lips moved slightly as she gave her a brief handshake before quickly tucking her hand back to her waist.

“What do you do?” she asked.

Zhao Yu’s voice was on the lower side for a woman, like a bowl of chilled well water.

As her voice traveled from the first-floor lobby to the second, everyone stopped their work, stooping over to watch the movement over there.

That detached attitude was like Chinese goldthread touching the root of the tongue; the bitterness traveled along the nerves to the brain, announcing the end of the “adult one-night stand” drama where both parties go their separate ways.

Liu Huisheng lowered her eyelids for just a second before lifting them again, appearing calm and serene, presenting the dignity and professionalism she displayed on every public occasion.

And, the distance.

“Criminal Investigation Consultant,” Liu Huisheng said.

“Consultant?” Zhao Yu was clearly dissatisfied with the word.

Beside them, Li Xia interjected with a timely explanation:

“Didn’t the Municipal Bureau send down two profilers? But our branch doesn’t have a ‘Profiler’ position, so the Director applied for two consultant spots.”

Zhao Yu was displeased. “I don’t need a consultant to solve cases.”

Li Xia explained with a smile: “Of course, your unit’s solve rate has always been the highest in the bureau. But we can’t let all the weight rest on your shoulders. An extra consultant might help lighten the load. It’s…”

She lowered her voice, speaking in a volume only audible to those present:

“It’s what Teacher Ouyang wanted.”

Everyone has someone they fear.

Often, a wild growth that even the Heavens can’t control will instantly become obedient the moment a certain person appears.

Clearly, “Teacher Ouyang” was that person.

Seeing the change in Zhao Yu’s expression, Liu Huisheng wanted to ask who this Teacher Ouyang was, but she was interrupted as Zhao Yu took a step forward.

The extra eight centimeters in height allowed Zhao Yu’s eyelids to droop halfway as she looked down at Liu Huisheng.

“I respect every decision my mentor makes. However, Ms. Liu, I hope you understand one thing.”

“Please, go on.”

“The police station isn’t a school. We face criminals who kill and commit arson, not models.”

“Are you questioning my ability?” Her beautiful eyes narrowed, showing a hint of displeasure.

The source of her displeasure was not the rupture of their emotional connection, but the questioning of her personal ability and worth.

She, Liu Huisheng, could live without love, but she could not live without herself.

Answering her was a pair of eyes like a goshawk’s, capable of seeing through the abyss.

“The police station is a place where ability does the talking.”

Liu Huisheng did not snap back. She pressed her tongue against her left cheek, swallowing all her words.

The icy dialogue showed no regard for their past relationship.

Or rather, if they had regarded their past, it wouldn’t have been so breezy and painless.

To the uninformed onlookers, however, Zhao Yu still seemed freezing.

On the second floor, Feng Xiaojing shivered:

‘Good grief, I’m glad I didn’t go to the Major Crimes Unit.’

Given Zhao Yu’s personality, she would have come out crying on the first day.

****************

After the introductions, Zhao Yu took the Major Crimes Unit back to the office for a meeting to organize the evidence gathered from the crime scene today.

“Zhao Yu has always been like this toward newcomers; don’t take it to heart.”

Fearing Liu Huisheng might feel upset, Li Xia tried to do some “ideological work” while showing her around the station:

“Her personality is a bit different from most people; you might need some time to adjust. But she has handled several major cases before. You’ll learn a lot in this unit. Her first apprentice is already a Criminal Investigation Captain in another district. When working under her, it’s best to let your strength speak for itself. Don’t try to play the social game with her; she doesn’t like that.”

Liu Huisheng listened quietly. Hearing how Zhao Yu had changed into someone completely different during their eight years apart, a string in her heart vibrated slightly.

“Mm, I don’t like those things either.”

Beside them, Chen Doudou, a young officer responsible for organizing induction files, leaned in to add: “And don’t ask about her love life! She lives alone and doesn’t have a partner. But don’t think about setting her up, and don’t ask about her past relationships—those are all huge taboos.”

“Was she hurt in love?”

“Probably.” Chen Doudou shrugged. “Who knows who was so heartless? Captain Zhao is beautiful and capable, and I heard she’s quite the devoted type. Someone actually dumped her out of the blue.”

A bitter curve hooked around Liu Huisheng’s lips, like bitter melon juice falling into a drink, ruining the sweetness of the entire cup.

“Maybe she was the one who dumped them.”

Chen Doudou thought about it. “That’s possible too. With that stubborn temper of hers, she’s capable of it.”

She was glared at by Li Xia and promptly made a gesture of zipping her lips.

After the chat, Li Xia went back to handle other matters. Chen Doudou led Liu Huisheng to her workspace.

The Major Crimes Unit office was a large room; as a newcomer, Liu Huisheng’s desk was at the very edge by the window.

Zhao Yu was at the very front.

Two long tables were pushed together to form a $3m \times 3m$ square, piled high with documents.

She was writing key clues on a whiteboard used for case analysis.

Her shoulder-length hair was tied in a small bun at the back of her head.

Her dark blue police shirt was rolled up to her elbows and tucked into her trousers; her waist was slender yet exuded a sense of healthy power.

Her frame was a bit thinner than the male officers beside her, yet she stood as straight as a sturdy pine.

The lines of her forearm as she rested one hand on her hip were smooth, and a winding blue vein crossed the back of her hand, igniting memories of last night’s intensity in the depths of Liu Huisheng’s eyes.

Zhao Yu’s hands were particularly beautiful.

From her arms to her fingers, every inch of skin and every bone was like a meticulously crafted statue in a museum.

Withdrawing her gaze, Liu Huisheng asked Chen Doudou in a low voice.

“Is there a case?”

“Our unit has cases every day.”

Chen Doudou was used to the busy atmosphere. “I’m usually in charge of organizing files; I can’t help much with solving cases. Everyone has their role. Our unit is full of gods and buddhas; for solving cases, we just need Captain Zhao and the others. Pretty sister, add me on WeChat first and send me your personal info. I’ll open up your cloud drive permissions.”

Feelings were feelings, and work was work.

Liu Huisheng didn’t want others to know about their relationship—especially since these were, at most, ancient history—so she didn’t intend to dwell on it, taking out her phone as Chen Doudou suggested.

Just as she pulled up her QR code, there were two knocks on the office door.

A young male officer leaned halfway in:

“Captain Zhao, a woman has come to turn herself in. It’s for that case in Tonghua Village.”

Crack!

It sounded like a bone snapping in the air, a piercing noise.

The entire office fell into a deep silence, as if a shroud of darkness had been cast over it.

After a second of stagnation, Zhao Yu’s brows drew together.

She threw her marker back into the pen holder on her desk and spoke while walking quickly toward the door:

“Register her and then bring her to the interrogation room.”

Liu Huisheng’s eyes narrowed—Tonghua Village, that name sounded very familiar.

Chen Doudou gasped. “No way…”

Liu Huisheng turned back. “What is it?”

Chen Doudou skillfully pulled out the files:

“It’s the case from this morning. Captain Zhao and the others went to the scene early today. The files were just brought back—look, there’s so much, it hasn’t even been organized yet.”

Liu Huisheng took the files. “From Captain Zhao’s expression, she seems very anxious?”

“Of course she’s anxious. Two people died—an old man and an old woman. Their two sons are the village chiefs. When they went over this morning, there was a huge scene; over a dozen people were in a brawl.”

“Are there photos?”

“Yes, hold on, I’ll find them for you.”

The female victim was lying face down in a dried-up rice field.

The injury was at the back of her head; her white hair was dyed red by blood which, due to oxidation, had turned nearly black.

The male victim lay about a dozen meters away.

He was lying face up, with injuries on the right side of his forehead and the top of his head; there wasn’t much blood, so it was likely caused by a blunt instrument.

There was a sharp, short wound on the bridge of his nose, angled from the top right to the bottom left, about 2 centimeters long.

“Captain Zhao and the others were busy for most of the day. The crime scene is in the village; there’s no surveillance, and the scene was a mess. Footprints, fingerprints—everything was destroyed.”

As she spoke, Chen Doudou closed the close-up photo of the deceased.

“It’s good that someone surrendered, otherwise it would be really hard to find clues.”

Liu Huisheng took the mouse and reopened the front close-up of the male victim.

Her deep eyes seemed to travel through the screen to the crime scene itself. She turned and asked:

“Did they just say the one who turned herself in is a woman?”

Chen Doudou nodded hesitantly. “I think so? Why?”

Liu Huisheng straightened her upper body. Her gaze lingered for one last second on the photo of the deceased.

Her next words were earth-shattering.

“She is not the killer.”

– [Who is that new beauty in the Major Crimes Unit?]

– [Don’t know. She hasn’t even seen the suspect, just looked at a few photos of the deceased and said that woman isn’t the killer.]

– [Sister Xia said she’s some kind of investigation consultant. Could she be a ‘special connection’ hire?]

– [Don’t be ridiculous. Would a connection hire be stuffed into the Major Crimes Unit?]

– [True.]

– [She probably has some skill.]

– [Even if she has skill, she shouldn’t be so reckless. She’s headed for the interrogation room, and Captain Zhao is inside right now. With that temper of hers, the last newcomer cried on their first day. If she goes in like this, won’t it be ‘destroying a flower with a ruthless hand’?]

– [Let her learn from her mistakes. It’s normal for young people to suffer a bit when they start out.]

– [I just hope Captain Zhao shows some mercy, after all, it’s only her first day.]

In the “Hekou Underlings” WeChat group, the newcomer Liu Huisheng was stirring up a considerable storm.

As they said, everyone was breaking into a cold sweat over Liu Huisheng’s move.

Reasonably, the harder you fall, the better you remember the lesson.

Only by hitting a snag today would she know how to work in the future.

And yet, they all silently prayed for Zhao Yu’s theoretical mercy.