Chapter 55: Forced Buy, Forced Sell!

The Live Stream Chat erupted in laughter.

Xiao Fen said, “Just tell me if I’m a conscientious seller or not?”

Lu Jin: “……”

He placed his hands on his hips and looked around, wondering if there was a hammer or something he could use to smash this guy dead in one go.

Xiao Fen stepped right up to him, blocking his view. “Miss this village, and there won’t be this shop. Next time you come looking for me, I won’t be so easygoing.”

Lu Jin pinched his chin and lifted his face, tugging at the corner of his mouth. “How is your skin so thick?”

Xiao Fen pulled out his phone. “One lump sum transfer or split into multiple? Bank card or check?”

“I’ll tell Ou Yu.”

“Sure, if you don’t mind him getting caught right away for killing you.” Xiao Fen’s gaze turned icy and mocking. “Without me cleaning up after you, do you think you can escape the Pursuit Team’s tracking?”

“Does he know what you’ve been doing to me behind his back?” Lu Jin gritted his teeth and whispered.

“Ask him yourself if he knows.” Xiao Fen flashed a smile at him. “Five million. Consider what just happened as my fee for cleaning up after Brother Ou Yu. Of course, for ten million, I’d provide full service—the most thrilling murder experience for Brother Ou Yu.”

“In your dreams.”

“What are you two doing?”

They both looked toward the door, where Ou Yu stood expressionless.

Lu Jin let go. As Ou Yu approached, he took a step back.

Ou Yu stood in front of Lu Jin, eyeing the two of them unkindly.

“What did he say to you?”

“Nothing.” Xiao Fen said.

“Ou Yu, if you can’t find someone, I can be your corpse,” Lu Jin said. “Your first body on hand.”

“No need to trouble Boss Lu.” Ou Yu finally turned to look at him, his tone polite but distant. “Boss Lu hasn’t done his mission yet. If you die, our Criminal Team loses a point for nothing.”

“So,” his tone grew two degrees sterner, “for the sake of our entire Criminal Team, can you stop selfishly egging Xiao Fen on?”

Lu Jin was at a loss.

“I… didn’t…”

“Little Fen, let’s go eat.” Ou Yu pulled Xiao Fen into the inner room.

Xiao Fen let himself be pulled along, sauntering past Lu Jin. The corners of his fox-like eyes hooked upward as he raised a brow and shot him a mocking look.

【Why do I feel like the relationship between these three is kinda weird?】

【I think so too. Lu Jin kept denying any connection to Ouyou before, but anyone with eyes can see he likes him and can’t win him over. But why do I feel like Ouyou is more into Xiao Fen?】

【And Xiao Fen seems to get along well with Lu Jin too. Lu Jin got totally scammed like that, but he didn’t even blink—that was real money, transferred away in just a few words?】

【He’ll probably pay it back off the record. After all, this is just a show.】

【Whatever, I don’t get it. It’s a tangled mess—three-way chaos.】

【I’m getting dizzy.】

【Are they for real or acting? All I can say is, your circle is truly chaotic.】

Ou Yu coldly told Xiao Fen to go wash his hands. By the time he finished, a bowl piled high with rice was already waiting at his spot.

“Brother Ou Yu, how are you so domesticated?”

“Wipe your hands properly.” Ou Yu saw him rubbing the water from his hands onto himself under the pretense of a hug and disgustedly tried to push him away.

Xiao Fen pulled his hand back first and shoveled a big mouthful of rice at the table.

“Starving ghost reincarnated.” Ou Yu watched him pull away so cleanly and felt dissatisfied again.

“That’s because Sister-in-law Jinlan’s cooking smells so good. I’ve never had such delicious food—even the rice is more fragrant than anywhere else.”

Sister-in-law Jinlan beamed, unable to close her mouth. “If you like it, eat more. You young folks are always moving around—you need to eat your fill to have energy. Tell Auntie what you want for dinner, and she’ll make it.”

“Then I want sesame paste noodles and fried chicken wings.”

“Got it, she’ll make them for you.” Sister-in-law Jinlan laughed. “Today’s the Temple Fair. For your show, the Five Directions God Temple is hosting and explaining local legends to tourists. Don’t stay cooped up—go take a look.”

Xiao Fen was about to refuse but saw Ou Yu about to speak and quickly said, “We were planning to. I’ve already made plans with Inspector Fang for the afternoon.”

His fingers happily tapped away under the table.

Less than a minute later, his phone vibrated. He sneaked a peek—Lu Jin had transferred one million over.

Xiao Fen grinned cheerfully at Ou Yu.

A few words, and Boss Lu willingly shelled out money. Was there a bigger sucker than him?

“What’s got you so happy?”

“Nothing.”

When the show ends, I’ll split the earnings with you half and half.

Xiao Fen happily scarfed down his rice. Beside him, Ou Yu’s knuckles turned slightly white as he gripped his chopsticks tightly.

————

After dinner, Xiao Fen remembered he didn’t have Fang Si Ting’s contact info.

He said goodbye to Sister-in-law Jinlan, put on his cap, and headed to the Inspection Office.

He had just entered the big iron gate when some Action Team Vice Squad Officers greeted him. “Brother Fen, looking for the boss?”

“Yeah.” How did they know?

“Second floor, innermost room.”

“Thanks.”

Xiao Fen went up the stairs and soon reached Fang Si Ting’s office.

Only one person was inside, a man in a black suit bent over reviewing documents.

Before he even looked up, the crisp woody scent of Cliff Cypress incense hit his nose.

He set down his pen and picked up his teacup. “Here to scout intel?”

Was this guy getting more and more brazen toward the Pursuit Team?

“What are you talking about? I’m all about fairness and justice.” Xiao Fen plopped down familiarly across from the desk. “Mr. Black Cat, I’ve got a date that needs your cooperation.”

The man drinking water nearly choked.

“Just say if you’re in or not.” Xiao Fen said. “But I’ve already put the word out—you’re coming with me whether you like it or not.”

Fang Si Ting: “……”

“Trade you for some important intel.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Come with me first.”

Fang Si Ting was dragged out unwillingly and exchanged greetings with Tang Shen, who was just coming in.

The latter asked, “What are you two up to?”

“Business.”

“A date.”

Tang Shen’s eyes widened, then his face broke into an auntie smile. “Don’t worry, boss—I’ve got this covered.”

Fang Si Ting wanted to explain, but Xiao Fen had already yanked him out of the building by the hand.

Tang Shen poked his head out into the hallway. “You don’t have to come back to the dorm tonight—the live stream auto-censors that.”

“……” Inspector Fang sometimes really wanted to curse too.

【Censor what? They really treat us like outsiders.】

【What are they gonna do?】

【Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Kids should sleep early and rise early.】

【But the live stream restricts to 18+ only, right? Face scans pop up randomly during streams—they guard against us like thieves. Where are the kids?】

【Speaking of which, time to curse the Lu Family a hundred times over.】

————

The afternoon Temple Fair was much quieter than the morning. Villagers from nearby had mostly finished shopping and gone home by noon, leaving only a few tourists still excitedly wandering around.

Xiao Fen brought Fang Si Ting to the Five Directions God Temple. Neither was really interested in temples or gods.

But they were already there.

Listening to the guide wasn’t a big deal.

“The Five Directions God was a hero from our town in ancient times. Legend has it that…”

Xiao Fen yawned. His big eyes scanned around for half a day but found no chair. He leaned back with his arms and plopped his butt on a nearby table.

With the guide’s voice echoing in the hall, his eyes grew heavy in less than five minutes.

This was no different from class.

His head bobbed up and down, his fluffy black hair swaying with it.

As it swayed, his body finally tilted to one side.

Just as he was about to fall, a body blocked his side in time, reluctantly lending an arm for him to lean on.

Fang Si Ting stood ramrod straight beside him, utterly speechless inside.

How the hell did this guy graduate from a top university?

The afternoon sun filtered through the latticed windows, casting beams of dusty light around them.

His sharp side profile and handsome brow bone softened. In the moment he turned his head down, his usual stern gaze took on an unintended layer of honeyed gentleness.

His breathing evened out in deep, contented sleep, heartbeat steady.

“That’s the legend of the Five Directions God.”

The words were like a switch—Xiao Fen jolted awake, sat up straight, and looked around. “Done already?”

“……”

He really had the makings of a delinquent student.

“It’s over.” Fang Si Ting stepped away from the table and headed out without lingering. “I’m going back.”

Xiao Fen’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of Ou Yu’s face flashing past the latticed window in the hall. When he looked closely, it was gone.

“Next, everyone can head to the Refectory Hall behind the main hall for our free buffet.”

“There’s food—let’s go, let’s go.” Xiao Fen immediately grabbed the man.

Fang Si Ting helplessly let himself be pulled deeper inside.

The Refectory Hall was simple. Vegetarian dishes lined the walls in rows, while the center held three or four massive old-style copper hotpots, over a meter tall and nearly two meters wide, like tables themselves. The central chimney-like protrusion was hollow for holding red-hot coals. Each pot was divided into four sections with different broth bases.

Dozens of locals moved through the steamy food aromas, bowls and chopsticks in hand, scooping whatever from one pot to the next.

Not even a chair in sight.

Xiao Fen paused for two seconds, then grabbed his hand and turned to leave.

A hint of amusement leaked from the corner of Fang Si Ting’s eye. He deliberately asked, “Not eating?”

“Nah, I’m pretty full.” It was no different from eating off hundreds of people’s saliva.

“Sir, try our local vegetarian hotpot and receive the Five Directions God’s blessing.” The guide from earlier called out to them with a smile. “In our mountain town, evil spirits are common. Without the Five Directions God’s blessing, it’s easy to lose your mind.”

Xiao Fen sneered and said to the hovering drone camera, “Eliminating superstition is everyone’s responsibility. Here, the only thing that’ll confuse you is the thick fog—not anything else.”

The guide said, “I’m right here, and you’re talking to thin air? See, without eating the Five Directions God’s blessing, you’re already talking nonsense.”

“No point arguing with your type.” Xiao Fen huffed and walked out of the Refectory Hall.

Fang Si Ting let out a chuckle from his nose.

“Sir, you try some.” The guide handed over a set of bowl and chopsticks.

Fang Si Ting then noticed Xiao Fen had ditched him, leaving his hand empty on the spot.

The guide tried to persuade him further, but Fang Si Ting flashed his Vice Squad Officer badge, eyes cold and sharp. “Keep spreading feudal superstition and scaring people, and I’ll take you to the Pursuit Team for tea.”

Xiao Fen slipped outside and noticed his date hadn’t followed.

“Little Fen, what are you doing here?”

As he looked around, Ou Yu’s gentle voice sounded from a nearby corner behind him, eyes showing some surprise. “Are you worried I can’t handle the mission alone?”

Sure enough, no mistake—it was his good bro.

Seeing Fang Si Ting about to emerge, he pulled him back around the corner into the hall. “You making your move here?”

“Too many people—easy to pick a target.” Ou Yu said, his smile fading a bit.

His eyes shifted, and he pulled out a syringe filled with medicine, capped with a needle guard. He fiddled with it in his hand.

“I’ve never stabbed anyone—don’t really know how. Teach me…”

“Just be careful.” Xiao Fen patted his arm, not catching what he said. “Don’t get caught. Inspector Fang is here.”

“Then can you help me tonight?” Ou Yu listlessly put away the syringe. “I don’t know how to handle it. You’re more meticulous, more professional.”

“Who’s closer than us? Of course I’ll help.” Xiao Fen flashed a smile worth five million—no, a smile of friendship deeper than the sea.

By the time Fang Si Ting came out of the temple, there was no sign of them.

“Little con artist.”

So much for trading important intel!

Not a single honest word from his mouth.

————

Ten o’clock at night.

The sky was clear and cloudless. Tonight’s crescent moon shone especially bright, hanging in the deep blue expanse, haloed in snowy white moonlight.

Even southern autumn brought cool winds at night.

Two Vice Squad Officers swept the street with flashlights, white beams bouncing from the uneven bluestone pavement to the brick-tile houses on either side. Seeing nothing unusual, they walked on together.

At the alley mouth they’d just checked, Ou Yu poked his head out.

“Gone?”

“Yeah.”

Less than half a minute later, the two emerged one after the other, dragging a red-white-blue woven sack. They crossed the main street into the opposite alley.

“Are you sure it’s this well?” Apart from the nearby villages, Xiao Fen had already surveyed every spot in the entire town. The deeper they went, the stranger this place felt.

“No mistake,” Ou Yu confirmed. “I checked it out during the day. This well is pretty remote—hardly anyone passes by normally. We just need to make it look like this guy accidentally fell in.”

It was Ou Yu’s first time killing someone. He had no experience, and his eyes darted around guiltily.

Soon, the two reached the edge of the well.

The well was fairly large, with a diameter about the length of an adult’s outstretched arms. It protruded from the ground, encircled by a low ring of gray pebbles less than knee-high. The rim of the well mouth was crusted with dry, scorched yellow moss.

Xiao Fen glanced around. It looked familiar.

“How did you find this abandoned well?” There were six or seven ancient wells in the town, but he had to pick this one.

“What?” Ou Yu was drenched in sweat as he tied the fishing line around the corpse.

They couldn’t actually toss a living person into the well. Instead, they bound the fishing line around the corpse’s limbs and waist, slowly lowered it in, and secured the other end at the wellside. The Program Crew had even prepared a fishing net to cradle the body at the water’s surface, creating the illusion of a drowning accident.

“Yeah, I scouted it on-site. Killing, arson, rape, plunder—they’re all tough to pull off without leaving clues. Faking an accidental well fall is the least suspicious. Plus, we can play off the local legend. But dumping a whole body into a well people drink from—what if it pollutes the water?”

“You’re surprisingly thoughtful.” Xiao Fen gave a wry smile.

Ou Yu smiled gently. “You don’t actually believe that Substitute Life Well legend, do you? There’s got to be a scientific explanation—like the well connecting to some underground channel. The internal space is fixed. Drop in a hundred-jin body, it compresses the space, squeezes out the old corpse, and the new one sinks down.”

“What kind of principle is that?”

“I don’t know. Just a theory.” Ou Yu said. “Doesn’t it make sense, though?”

“What about the fresh corpse, then?” No sooner had Xiao Fen spoken than a splash of water sounded in his ear.

It was like the sound of a fish tail slapping the water as it swam back and forth.