Mad Detective
[Author: Kuang Hai Wang Hu]
[TL: Spades]
[PR: Blitz]
[QC: Lumi]
Chapter 16 — Four Beauties Next Door
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Waking up in the morning, Zhao Yu's first move was to light a cigarette.
But smoking wasn't really about smoking.
Since getting the Adventure System, his urge for cigarettes had faded. He only smoked to trigger the system, likely influenced by the other Zhao Yu.
Today's hexagram was "Kan-Li Gua," Kan for water, Li for fire. The text read, "Water and fire blend, yin and yang unite, Jia-Yi-Mao-Yin, entwined yet elusive."
Zhao Yu memorized it carefully. This "Li" for fire was new. What would today bring?
The old Zhao Yu was a stubborn thinker. Though he knew an adventure awaited, his mind was still fixated on the Hand-Chopping Case.
He refused to give up and let Liu Changhu and his cronies see him fail.
No way this case is flawless!
After last night's grueling study, Zhao Yu decided the latest case was the key to cracking it. Last year's cases had been picked apart by detectives, and much evidence was too old to matter now.
So, he planned to ask Team Leader Qu Ping for more files at work, hoping she, as the case's lead, had fresh updates.
Having woken early, with hours before work, Zhao Yu felt restless. He grabbed a beer and headed to the balcony to sip it.
This was an old habit, drinking beer when puzzling over a problem.
The third-floor balcony was small, six or seven square meters. Sitting in a chair, Zhao Yu drank and mulled over the case. The morning sun rose, casting a golden glow on his face, warm and soothing.
Just then, movement came from the next balcony. The two balconies were adjacent, separated by a security grate.
A tall, long-haired woman appeared next door. She looked barely over 20, holding the latest iPhone, listening to WeChat messages.
What caught the eye was her outfit, a thin, skimpy white nightgown, her curves faintly visible. Zhao Yu could clearly see she wore no bra.
Jiang Dafeng hadn't exaggerated about the neighbor girls. In his few days here, Zhao Yu had seen them once, four tall, stunning beauties, model-like figures.
But Dafeng got their identity wrong. Zhao Yu knew at a glance they weren't college students.
They slept days and roamed nights, never home in the evening, no way they were students.
From his old job, Zhao Yu dealt with such women daily. Without a word, their demeanor and poise told him these four were nightlife escorts!
Though young, without heavy makeup or designer brands, they looked clean and pure, but Zhao Yu saw through them instantly.
So, seeing the alluring figure on the balcony, he stayed calm, no longer the impulsive guy who'd chased gold-diggers right after transmigrating.
The woman in the white nightgown noticed him. Still listening to messages, she nodded politely, unbothered by her revealing attire.
Zhao Yu raised his beer can courteously, then chugged a big gulp.
His action caught her interest. She lowered her phone, asking curiously, "Beer this early? Hmm, you're new? Did that fat guy really rent out the place?"
Zhao Yu nodded politely but didn't want to chat, so he downed the rest of the beer.
This piqued her curiosity more. She eyed him up and down, asking, "What do you do?"
"Detective, Major Crimes!" Zhao Yu answered crisply. For some reason, mentioning his new role sparked a thrill, even a touch of pride.
"Whoa, didn't peg you for a cop!" Her gaze shifted. Though Zhao Yu was scruffy, his rugged build and handsome face exuded a lethal masculine charm.
"You…" She paused, then introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Huahua. Big detective, if I get into trouble, can I come to you for help?"
Huahua?
Zhao Yu sighed inwardly, what a trendy name! Miss, your last name isn't Bai, is it? Got any pet cats or dogs?
Seeing her waiting for a reply, he said bluntly, "No way!"
This stunned Miss Huahua. Normally, men fell over themselves for her, agreeing to anything. But this guy wasn't buying.
"Why not?" she pressed.
"Because, I'm a Major Crimes detective!" Zhao Yu stood slowly, lips curling as he drawled, "I deal, with, dead, bodies!!"
"…"
Huahua froze, managing only an awkward smile after a long pause. When Zhao Yu went inside, she flicked her arm, muttering, "Weirdo!"
Truth be told, Zhao Yu cracked that cold joke to end the talk early, not because he didn't want to get closer, but because he feared losing control and getting in too deep.
He knew escorts like Huahua too well. Once they hooked you, trouble followed.
In his old life, he'd seen countless examples, men ensnared by such women, addicted, unable to break free. Some lost families, others everything.
Back when he ran protection rackets, his seniors warned him, rabbits don't eat the grass by their burrow, never fall for escorts, especially not the ones under you!
So, Zhao Yu heeded their advice, avoiding deep chats with Huahua. But he knew the system's morning text about "water and fire blending, yin and yang uniting" might've hinted at her. Had he flirted, he might've had her in his arms by now.
But if that happened, the one truly hooked wouldn't be Huahua, it'd be him!
Zhao Yu wasn't a monk, he had desires. If Huahua were a genuine college girl, he wouldn't have passed up the chance!
Plus, having met Yao Jia, his old love, stirred his heart. Recalling their past vows, he was set on rekindling things with her, making up for his mistakes. How could he have room for anyone else?
He'd decided, once the Hand-Chopping Case was solved, he'd go all in to pursue Yao Jia, chasing his real, tangible, happiness!!