Chapter 85

"Whatever you want, Grandma will give it to you."

A person's wealth isn't just about gold, silver, jewels, property deeds, or social connections; it's also about their breadth of vision and influence.

Don't let Grandma's usual pampered, dignified, and opulent demeanor fool you. When she truly needs to open her eyes, she'll show you the overwhelming power of the Dragon King's family.

In that moment, Li Zhuiyuan felt all his recent calculations seemed petty.

Only in front of such a person did the young man feel like he was still just a child.

"Thank you, Grandma."

Liu Yumei slowly walked up to Li Zhuiyuan, looking at the young man before her.

"Grandma is old, and her eyesight isn't what it used to be. You truly managed to keep things from me, child."

This was her way of admitting she had been wrong.

It meant that everything from the past—the pleasant and unpleasant, their mutual caution and tests—could all be turned over, a new page started.

"Grandma, you're merely 'cleverly confused'."

"Confused is confused. There's no need to add a prefix and make it seem like I'm trying to save face."

"Even Great-Grandfather was 'cleverly confused' sometimes. That just shows you're a blessed person, Grandma."

Liu Yumei couldn't help but smile.

Since they had turned the page, it meant letting go of her inner conflict. The boy looked more and more pleasing to her eyes, and in three days, he would become "their own child."

She could feel Li Sanjiang's joy.

No wonder that old geezer had been grinning all year; he'd been so happy.

"Do you need..."

The words were barely out of her mouth before Liu Yumei stopped herself.

How could she be like that old geezer, constantly asking the child if he needed money?

While money was what she had most of, it was also, for that very reason, the least sincere gift she could offer.

Even if she gave a stack of pocket money, it wouldn't compare to the single crumpled, dog-eared bill that old geezer Li Sanjiang pulled from his pocket.

It would be one thing if the child truly lacked money, but ever since he first arrived at Li Sanjiang's home and stood on the terrace, a single glance had told her that he had little regard for money.

It wasn't that he had become an immortal who didn't need earthly food; rather, there are simply people in this world who are born without having to worry about making a living.

This was different from ordinary rich children, who were just like fat pigs guarding larger granaries, calculating how much they couldn't possibly finish in a lifetime.

For this kid, he only needed to take one step back; at worst, the state would support him.

Liu Yumei reached out, gently touching Li Zhuiyuan's collar, and said,

"It's time to make you some summer clothes, and autumn wear needs to be prepared in advance. Don't worry, you're different from A-Li; you'll be appearing in public, so Grandma will definitely make you fashionable styles."

Li Zhuiyuan quietly added, "Styles like A-Li's are actually fine too."

"Hehehehe."

Liu Yumei laughed again, this time bending over with mirth.

Aunt Liu, standing nearby, couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly. "Who was it who used to mock Old Master Li for being wrapped around this boy's finger? I think you're pretty much the same now."

"Grandma, I'll be going now."

"Mmm, go on." Liu Yumei waved her hand.

As Li Zhuiyuan walked away, Liu Yumei suddenly called out to him again, asking, "Think again, did you forget something?"

The young man opened the canvas in his hand, revealing the "Liu Clan Qi-Gazing Art" wrapped inside, and held it up, waving it at Liu Yumei.

"No, I didn't forget. I have it with me."

Liu Yumei was a little surprised, but her heart filled with even more joy.

This meant that even if the child hadn't waited for her today, and even without her previous words, he would still have taken the book, actively acknowledging this initiation process.

"You rascal! Grandma thought you wouldn't act unless you saw a clear benefit."

"How could I?"

When A-Li hugged him and gently patted his head, silently reiterating the words he had once said to her, the outcome was already decided.

"Go back and study it carefully. If there's anything you don't understand..." Liu Yumei paused, remembering the boy's astonishing talent for reading. But it was, after all, a family heirloom, and a surge of confidence rose in her heart. "...just come ask me, and I'll explain it to you."

"Okay, Grandma."

Li Zhuiyuan thought that, to avoid spoiling the atmosphere, he should probably keep quiet about having already read the secret manuals of both the Qin and Liu families.

Grandma values her reputation. If she knew he had finished reading their family's unique art right in front of her, and couldn't vent her anger at him, she would just be stifled and might continue to "ruin" those high-grade imperial kilns in frustration.

For now, he would pretend this was his first time reading it and that he was gaining deeper insights.

Then,

he would explain it to Grandma.

After the young man left, Aunt Liu stepped forward to support Liu Yumei. "It's clear you're truly happy today," she said.

"I still need to feel it again."

"What, you're still not at ease?"

"What kind of talk is that? Even if I know it's a good piece and not a fake, can't I still hold it and admire it?"

"I get it. You've found a treasure and want to savor it slowly."

"Is that not allowed?"

"Alright, alright, you can do whatever you want. But I must warn you, people say a mother-in-law grows fonder of her son-in-law the more she looks at him. You're still a generation removed here. Don't go getting truly infatuated and give away the family fortune, only to howl later:

'Oh, how could I have been so blinded!'"

"A-Ting, I think your hide has gotten itchy these past few days."

"What? If you're happy, can't we 'lower' people be happy too? In the old days, taking someone into the family was a huge joyous occasion; you'd even have to give me a red envelope!"

"Here, here, take it! Anything in this house, just take whatever you want. Who's stopping you?"

"I don't want anything else. I just want you to drink your medicinal soup on time, starting tonight."

"That stuff is terribly bitter..."

"You're old now; you need to live a long life, to a hundred. A-Li is still young, and Xiao Yuan is still young. If any storms arise on the river in the future, we'll still be counting on you to shelter us from the wind and rain."

"I'll drink it then."

The two entered the house and saw A-Li coming down from upstairs.

"A-Li, Xiao Yuan has agreed to join the family, and your grandma even let him take the 'Liu Clan Qi-Gazing Art'. Aren't you happy?"

The intention was to tease A-Li, to make the girl happy and perhaps show her dimples.

But when A-Li heard this, instead of looking pleased, her eyes darkened.

"What's wrong?" Liu Yumei felt a little wronged. "Since when has our family's Qi-Gazing Art become so... insignificant?"

A-Li pushed open a door and walked into the room of ancestral tablets, then carried a stack of tablets upstairs.

Liu Yumei could only instruct Aunt Liu, "Have another batch of ancestral tablets made. Don't bring them into the house just yet; keep them outside. We'll need them in three days, so make sure there aren't any missing."

"Don't worry, I know."

"Was A-Li angry just now?"

"She certainly seemed angry."

"Before, A-Li wouldn't make a sound all day, and I worried sick. Now the child expresses emotions, and I'm even more confused. It's truly strange."

"Indeed, wonder who she takes after."

"Slap your mouth!"

Walking on the late-night street, Li Zhuiyuan was still replaying the scene with A-Li in the room in his mind, gently touching his face as he walked.

When he used to see A-Li, it felt as if the patchy, peeling skin on his face was being held in place by several staples.

After seeing A-Li today, it was as if new skin had grown, making him feel both disoriented and a little itchy.

Instead of returning directly to school, he headed towards the food street outside the north gate. From a distance, he could see three sparkling characters on the newly erected light stand: "Old Sichuan."

For businesses within the school's ecosystem, every freshman season was a time for promotion.

University students are often lazy, and attracting and catering to them well usually meant securing a stable customer base for the next four years.

Although only freshmen requiring military training had registered so far, there were only a few empty tables left at the outdoor seating area of Old Sichuan, suggesting they'd likely need to expand soon.

As Li Zhuiyuan walked over, the police officers were getting ready to leave.

After seeing off his new colleagues, Tan Yunlong lit a cigarette and spotted Li Zhuiyuan.

"Uncle Tan, I'm sorry, I'm late."

"No, I was early. They all have families, so they need to eat and go home early. Xiao Yuan, I'll order you another grilled fish, Boss..."

"No need, Uncle Tan, I've had some snacks, I'm not hungry."

Sitting in Liu Yumei's study for so long, he had certainly eaten plenty of tea and pastries.

"Are you really not hungry? Don't be polite with me, son."

"How could I be polite with you, Uncle Tan?"

"Alright, then shall we take a walk?"

"Okay."

Tan Yunlong took out his wallet, ready to pay, but Li Zhuiyuan stepped ahead to the proprietress, pointed to their previous table. The proprietress acknowledged him with an understanding gesture.

"Uncle Tan, let's go."

Only when they reached the other side of the street did Tan Yunlong smile and say,

"It seems you really eat here often; you can even charge to an account."

"This restaurant is owned by a friend of ours."

"Oh, no wonder."

Initially, everyone paid when they ate here, but later Xue Liangliang made arrangements. Their expenses here are now directly charged to an account and deducted from his monthly dividends.

After all, they were friends who had been through life and death together, so no one stood on ceremony.

"Where are Brother Binbin and the others?"

"Business is good tonight, so he's staying to help out at the restaurant. I didn't let him come out."

"So you two, father and son, met today but couldn't even have a meal together?"

"Tonight I'll sleep in your dorm, sharing a bed with Binbin. Sorry for the trouble, Xiao Yuan."

"No problem, our dorm is spacious."

As they walked, the two entered the school grounds.

"Today, when I went to check Ran Qiuping's office, I ran into Yu Shu. I suspect my special transfer this time is related to him."

"That's probably him then."

It's not surprising that Yu Shu is involved in this case.

Because no matter how thoroughly that big fire burned, it couldn't erase the fact that it was the "dojo" of the Mao family father and son. Based on that, it's perfectly normal for Yu Shu to come take a look.

"But what does that have to do with me? I'm not familiar with him."

"Uncle Tan, it might be because you performed too well in those incidents in Shigang."

"Performed well? I just showed him around a few places and submitted some special reports. I felt like I was just going through the motions."

"That's already very good, because that's exactly what they want. They don't really care about the ordinary cases themselves."

"When you put it that way, I think I understand a bit."

"Either way, this is a good thing, isn't it?"

"Still thanks to you." Tan Yunlong exhaled a long puff of smoke. He and his son both owed the other party a favor.

"You've helped me a lot, Uncle Tan. Given my relationship with Brother Binbin, there's no need for us to be so formal."

"Yu Shu wanted to see Binbin's dorm, and Binbin took him to a dorm with red sausages."

"Mmm."

"Xiao Yuan, is it that your matter cannot be discovered by people like Yu Shu?"

"Uncle Tan, I don't want to get involved with them, but it's not that they *cannot* discover me. Please do your work according to your conscience, without worrying about me. Of course, if it doesn't violate your principles, a little consideration would be best."

"Heh heh."

As they walked, without explicitly stating their destination, they moved in sync, heading in one direction, arriving in front of an old-fashioned teaching building.

Tan Yunlong raised his wrist and checked the time.

"Uncle Tan, how much time is left until the time of the incident?"

"Less than an hour."

"Do you think the culprit will come back to take a look?"

"Not sure, just trying our luck."

"Then I'll go up and wait with you."

"Okay."

Tan Yunlong really liked this feeling; the other person knew what he was thinking, no unnecessary words, just direct and straightforward.

The only drawback was that after interacting with the young man in front of him, facing his own son afterward would lead to a serious sense of discrepancy, making his son seem increasingly unappealing.

The two entered the teaching building. As they went up the stairs, they both instinctively lightened their steps, trying to make as little noise as possible.

Freshmen had just enrolled, and teaching had not yet fully commenced. At this hour, the old teaching building was mostly dark, very quiet.

They passed a tiered classroom on the third floor, with the room number CJ302 on its plaque.

According to the case file, this was where Wu Xinhui and three others rehearsed their program that night.

At the end of this floor was the restroom, which was the crime scene.

The two concealed themselves in the darkness of the corner, saying nothing, just standing there quietly.

The school was in an uproar due to the disappearance of five people. Today, Tan Yunlong had deliberately conducted another high-profile round of campus visits with his colleagues, like stirring the water in a fishpond.

There was a certain probability that it would provoke "that fish" to revisit the crime scene and relish the memory.

Of course, this was assuming "that fish" was still on campus.

So, as Tan Yunlong said, he was just here to try his luck tonight, and incidentally, help digest his meal, without holding out much hope.

In fact, the investigation had started long ago, and the police had conducted several rounds of questioning with relevant personnel. But school had only officially resumed recently, and today was also the day most faculty and staff returned to work.

Even if it was just a long shot, he hoped the probability would be as high as possible.

They waited quietly as time ticked by.

Finally, Tan Yunlong said, "Let's go."

"Mmm."

The two walked down the stairs.

After they left, a dark figure appeared at the entrance of CJ302. Their teeth looked very white in the moonlight.

Thump, thump, thump.

Just then, Tan Yunlong, who had already left, ran back.

The figure turned and ran, with Tan Yunlong hot on their heels.

But the figure ran upwards, not downwards, continuing all the way to the rooftop.

Before Tan Yunlong could say anything, the figure, with their back to him, plunged headfirst downwards.

Li Zhuiyuan, who hadn't followed to pursue the suspect and remained on the third floor, happened to see the figure fall past the railing in front of him.

The figure's body seemed very awkward during its descent.

This meant that the person had even disguised their physique when they came out tonight.

Thud!

A muffled thud echoed from the ground.

Li Zhuiyuan didn't lean over the railing with both hands to look down. Instead, he took a few steps back, moving away from it.

Suddenly, a pair of hands gripped the railing and pulled up, and a face emerged from beyond the railing.

Now he appeared very thin. What had just fallen was likely his clothing and disguise.

If the young man had been a little more curious, the person clinging there would have grabbed him by the neck.

Li Zhuiyuan's eyes met the other person's. Their face was covered in bandages, only revealing a pair of eyes, but those eyes were enough.

Just by remembering the feeling of that gaze, Li Zhuiyuan believed he could identify him even amidst a crowd.

He hadn't thought of relying on his own strength to stop the person. If it were an ordinary suspect, he might have used his "young man" disguise to show them what solid fundamental skills looked like.

But the person could fall from the rooftop and simultaneously grab the outer railing silently to support their body. This kind of maneuver, Li Zhuiyuan had only seen Run Sheng do before.

This was a very formidable martial artist. Before he turned sixteen, before his bones had fully developed and his physical strength was fully supported, Li Zhuiyuan would never engage such a person.

The other person was clearly also somewhat surprised, as they seemed confident that they hadn't made any noise, yet the young man had indeed retreated beforehand.

"Xiao Yuan!"

Tan Yunlong ran back to this floor.

Li Zhuiyuan pointed his hand in front of him, indicating the person's location to Officer Tan.

And added a reminder: "Draw your gun."

Because he was certain that for such a formidable martial artist, only the gun on Tan Yunlong's waist would inspire apprehension.

No doubt, no hesitation, just a fluid movement to draw the gun.

The person's hands released, and they dropped.

Li Zhuiyuan's ears twitched slightly: "He landed on the second floor."

Tan Yunlong immediately ran down the stairs to the second floor.

Just then, Li Zhuiyuan heard a sound again. Imagining the person's movements, he realized they had jumped up and grabbed the edge of the third floor. They wanted to come up again!

The person was actually bold enough to play cat and mouse with an old police officer who had drawn his gun.

Or perhaps, they wanted to come up one more time, to taunt him?

Li Zhuiyuan's right hand went into his pocket, pressed out a red mark, then traced it down his left arm.

He pointed his finger at the area where the person would emerge, his gaze sharpening.

The person's head emerged, and immediately felt a bloody red haze in their vision, their head buzzing.

In alarm, the person let go. This time, they fell completely to the ground, reaching the floor.

"Police, stop!"

Tan Yunlong's voice came from the second floor.

Shouting "Don't run!" upon seeing a suspect is a movie trope. In reality, that shout only happens when one feels they can't catch the suspect.

Li Zhuiyuan approached the railing and saw the figure, like a black monkey, quickly dash towards the dense flowerbed ahead.

Bang!

Tan Yunlong fired his gun.

It was decisive, and indeed appropriate. The atmosphere was already one of a risky suspect apprehension. Moreover, this person could jump and climb, treating the high-ceilinged teaching building like a slide. At this point, regardless of whether they were truly the suspect from seven years ago, getting shot once wasn't unjust.

But at the moment the bullet was fired, Li Zhuiyuan saw the person's body twist awkwardly, actively dodging the bullet without slowing down their run.

Then, the person leaped, their figure disappearing into the flowerbed.

However, that leap was a bit off-balance, indicating incomplete exertion of force.

Tan Yunlong had aimed for the person's leg. Although they avoided a direct hit, the bullet should have caused a graze wound to the leg.

Li Zhuiyuan slowly descended the stairs. As he went, he replayed the earlier scene in his mind, integrating the person's strength, speed, and agility. Finally, he simulated the possibility of the person not fleeing but actively attacking at their first encounter.

He also simulated the possibility of the person launching an attack on them preemptively while both sides were in shadow.

Li Zhuiyuan's steps halted.

Because his own mental simulation showed that in the latter two scenarios, the person had a greater chance of winning. Especially in the last scenario, the outcome for him and Tan Yunlong would be dire.

From this perspective, the likelihood of this person being the culprit from seven years ago was lowered.

It wasn't just that the person didn't take the initiative to attack from the start, but also that individuals with such impressive skills often practice "childhood martial arts" (kung fu trained from a young age).

Unless the person was a child seven years ago, like himself. Of course, a child at that age wouldn't be fully developed and couldn't commit such a heinous crime.

If the person was an adult then, like his planned age of sixteen...

There would have been no need for him to hide in the restroom and attack Qiu Minmin when she went to the toilet.

A criminal who chooses such a scenario is highly likely to be relying on the general physical advantage of a male over a female, exhibiting typical weak-minded criminal thinking.

The person just now, their skills were so formidable that there was absolutely no need to rely on the private, dark, and isolated environment of a restroom. They could have openly walked into the tiered classroom and used absolute force to make all four people inside submit.

However, nothing is absolute. Perhaps the person is both skilled and has some kind of psychopathy, and simply enjoys the sordid environment of a restroom.

Li Zhuiyuan walked out of the teaching building. Tan Yunlong was picking up the clothes the person had dropped.

"Xiao Yuan, what kind of clothes are these? They look a bit like a cloak, but not quite..."

Li Zhuiyuan reached out and felt it. There was a lining and padding inside.

"Uncle Tan, these are theatrical costumes."

"Theatrical costumes?"

"Mmm."

Li Zhuiyuan put his nose closer and sniffed, detecting a faint scent of incense. It wasn't the kind of fragrance from perfume, but rather a scent created by special fumigation.

Thanks to Liu Yumei, who used to perform this step for A-Li's new clothes every day, the young man's discerning ability in this area had been cultivated quite well.

Although he couldn't specify the type of incense, it was likely quite expensive.

Moreover, judging by the fabric of the clothes, this person's lifestyle should be very refined.

"Xiao Yuan, although I personally don't think this person is the culprit from seven years ago, I still need to inform the team now."

"Uncle Tan, you think so too?"

"I fired the gun," Tan Yunlong said seriously. "In that split second, his movements left a deep impression on me. I'll take you back to the dorm first, tell Binbin I won't be sleeping in your dorm tonight."

"Okay, Uncle Tan, you go ahead and do your work."

Li Zhuiyuan was escorted back to his dorm by Tan Yunlong.

Tan Wenbin returned even later. He showered first, then came back yawning and said, "After hotpot, the restaurant suddenly got crazy busy. So many people were buying things, like they were free."

"That's tough work."

"Not tough, making money actually feels pretty good. It's just, when I came back, I saw a few more police cars entering the school. Did something happen?"

Li Zhuiyuan briefly recounted the events of the night, adding finally:

"Your dad said he wouldn't be back to sleep with you tonight."

Tan Wenbin completely ignored the last sentence and exclaimed, "Holy cow, a martial arts master!"

Li Zhuiyuan ignored him, picking up the cup from his nightstand and taking a drink of water.

Tan Wenbin, full of enthusiasm, continued to ask, "Brother Xiao Yuan, weren't you scared then?"

"A little, but I was fine."

"That was really dangerous. Don't go for walks alone next time."

"Your dad was right there."

"What good is my dad?"

The dorm door was pushed open.

"Ah!"

Tan Wenbin leaped up in fright, a clear stress reaction.

It was Lu Yi who entered: "Binbin, you left your basin and towel by the sink. I brought them for you."

"Oh, okay, thanks."

After Lu Yi left, Tan Wenbin sat on his bunk and continued, "That kind of person is really amazing."

"Run Sheng could do it. As for Yin Meng... barely."

Tan Wenbin pointed to his face with an expectant look and asked, "What about me? I mean, in the future?"

"You keep trying."

Li Zhuiyuan lay down, ready for sleep. He had originally planned to read that sinister book tonight, but with so much happening, he would have to postpone it.

He truly wasn't that scared tonight. After all, he had seen countless "dead-falls" by now.

But in that moment, he felt a bit powerless. If only there had been a ghost or a "dead-fall" nearby, then he could have stopped that guy, or even decided how many pieces to leave behind according to his will.

No wonder so many people thought about keeping ghosts or "dead-falls." Even if not for harming others, they would be excellent for self-defense.

Li Zhuiyuan turned his head to look at the shoe box placed under the windowsill.

He couldn't possibly carry a pair of women's high heels with him everywhere, could he?

"Oh, right, Brother Xiao Yuan, remember to wake me up tomorrow. I have military training to attend."

"Okay."

After a night's sleep, his biological clock, which Aunt Liu had helped reset, was now exceptionally stable.

After waking up, he first woke Tan Wenbin. Rubbing his eyes, Tan Wenbin picked up his basin and went to wash up with Li Zhuiyuan.

Upon returning, Tan Wenbin started changing into his military training uniform. Li Zhuiyuan, meanwhile, put the "Liu Clan Qi-Gazing Art," which he had brought back last night without turning a single page, back into his bag, then slung it over his shoulder and left the dorm.

When he arrived, Aunt Liu served breakfast. Today's main dish was pork rib porridge, accompanied by various pickles, which was very enjoyable to eat.

Liu Yumei said, "Didn't sleep well again last night?"

Grandma had that ability; no matter how well you concealed it, she could tell your state of rest with a single glance.

Li Zhuiyuan put down his spoon: "I slept a bit short."

A smile appeared on Liu Yumei's face: "You can read the book slowly, don't be so anxious. It's yours now; no one will snatch it from you."

Clearly, Liu Yumei was very pleased with Li Zhuiyuan's seemingly obsessive attitude towards their "Liu Clan Qi-Gazing Art."

A-Li looked up and glanced at Liu Yumei.

Liu Yumei countered, "What's wrong? Feeling sorry for Xiao Yuan?"

A-Li lowered her head and continued eating her porridge. She wasn't feeling sorry for the boy.

Aunt Liu said with a smile, "I say, Old Lady, usually when others tease, you're the first to be displeased. Now, look at you, teasing yourself."

"How can that be the same?" Liu Yumei stood up. "Xiao Yuan, come find me in the study when you're done eating."

"Okay, Grandma."

After Li Zhuiyuan finished breakfast, he took the book and walked into the study.

Liu Yumei had already brewed tea and was sitting upright on the divan.

Li Zhuiyuan placed the "Liu Clan Qi-Gazing Art" on the coffee table, with the characters on the cover facing him upside down, but right-side up for Liu Yumei.

After placing the teacup in front of the young man, Liu Yumei casually turned the book around so the characters faced him directly.

Then, she withdrew her hand and asked with a smile,

"Come, if there's anything you don't understand, ask Grandma."