Zheng Qing invited Linda Barnes to join the investigation of the 'Ravens,' not entirely on a whim. He had had this idea long ago, but never a very good opportunity.
Indeed, because of Xin Fat Man, the blonde witch had been sporadically helping, but those were 'friendship-based' helps and not to her full extent. As a former deputy editor of the campus newspaper, Zheng Qing had reason to believe that Linda had more extensive sources of information and broader means of gathering data, most of which he believed would not be open to 'friendship projects.'
So this time, with both parties finalizing a collaboration to meet respective needs, it constitutes a factual win-win situation for all involved.
In conclusion, Zheng Qing managed to get through Christmas Eve of 2009 in a safe manner amid bumps and bruises.
The next day, Friday, was Christmas Day.
