The shutter clicked, capturing Kai Lin in his graduation gown and cap. He leaned in to examine the photo on the phone, then said to the blonde girl who took the picture, "Every time I see a photo of myself, I'm afraid I might fall in love. How can someone look this good even in their graduation picture?" The boy who once stole wallets in a café over a decade ago had now completed university and graduated.
The blonde girl sighed, "Your narcissism has reached a whole new level."
Kai responded with a smile.
She glanced at him and whispered, "Hey… my family's not home tonight."
Still looking at the photo, Kai asked casually, "What, planning to throw a party for everyone?"
She kicked him lightly. Just as she was about to reply, Kai's phone rang. He signaled her to wait and answered, "Mary… Okay, I'll be right there to deal with him."
After hanging up, he turned to the blonde, "Lucy, I've gotta go. Let's keep in touch—happy graduation."
"Kai!" Lucy called out, but he was already too far to hear. She muttered helplessly, "I was going to say I could drive you."
In a flash, Kai returned to her side, plucked a wildflower with his left hand, and handed it to her. "You're the most beautiful, no doubt about it."
...
Kai got out of the car, closed the door, tapped on the driver's window to say goodbye, and headed into a house by the road. An old woman pruning withered branches in the front garden put
down her tools and came over to hug him. "Kai, it's so good to see you!"
Kai gently pulled back and reminded her, "Mary, we just had dinner last weekend. You're going to make John jealous."
Mary laughed and gave him a light slap on the shoulder—she was a cheerful soul.
Kai glanced into the living room where old John was sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea and a newspaper, killing time. Mary followed his gaze and sighed. Kai said, "The older men get, the more they act like children. Leave it to me. Oh, and can you get me a clean claw hammer?"
He walked into the living room. "Hey, John."
John didn't look up. "Hmm."
Kai poured a glass of water, tore off a sticky note, folded it diagonally, then opened several pill bottles on the counter. He poured out a few capsules and tablets onto the paper. Holding the note in his left hand and the water in his right, he extended it toward John. "Time for your meds."
John kept his eyes on the newspaper. "This stuff makes me drowsy. I can't think straight."
Kai set the pills and water down and sat across from him. "John, we need to have a talk about taking your medication."
John put down the paper and took off his glasses. "What kind of talk?"
Kai said, "You think the pills are bad?"
John: "Yes."
Kai: "Why?"
John: "They make it hard to think."
Kai: "You're 68. Your mind isn't as sharp anymore. The medication helps you think clearly."
John: "No, my mind is fine. I'm perfectly clear right now."
Kai said, "To prove you're still thinking clearly, I'll give you a simple math question. If you answer correctly, your mind is fine. If not, you take the pills."
John became interested. "Bring it on."
Mary brought tea and snacks, placed them on the coffee table in front of Kai, and leaned against a desk to watch.
Kai said, "To match your rusty brain, I'll go slow. Here's the question: There's a watermelon knife and three identical watermelons in front of me, Mike, Bob, and Louis. How do you split them
equally with one cut?"
John asked cautiously, "Four people sharing three watermelons?"
Kai nodded. "Right."
John: "The knife can't curve. It has to follow physics."
Kai nodded. "Right."
John thought for a moment. "I'd need two cuts." One cut could make six pieces, two cuts twelve—enough to share.
Kai shook his head. "No, only one cut is allowed."
John said, "Impossible. What's the answer?"
Kai said, "Kill one person with the knife."
John looked exasperated and pointed to the door. "Get out."
Kai frowned. "See, you're getting irritable—you need the pills, John. Fine, one last question."
John: "What is it?"
Kai said, "I read this test in a science magazine. The mind controls emotions and nerves. You say your brain is fine? Let's test it. Copy me: open your mouth wide and breathe through it. Keep
your tongue still. Spread your arms shoulder-width apart. Here's the key: raise both thumbs straight up. Hold it! If you can keep this for 30 seconds without moving, I'll agree you don't need the pills."
John eyed him suspiciously. "You can't touch me."
Kai nodded. "Of course."
John looked back at Mary. "Mary can't touch me either."
Kai nodded. "Of course."
John: "Okay."
Kai: "No more tricks."
John said firmly, "I swear on the reputation of the Rose Detective Agency."
Kai took out his phone to time. "Say when you're ready."
John assumed the position. "Start."
Kai started the timer, then calmly opened a capsule and poured out the powder. Taking the claw hammer from Mary, he crushed the medication, folded the sticky note, and moved it toward John's mouth.
John wanted to resist, but doing so would mean breaking the pose. Kai wasn't touching him—just preparing the medicine.
But if he didn't resist, the powder would go right into his mouth. Move, and he lost. Don't move, and he still lost.
As John hesitated, Kai flicked the folded edge of the note, sending the powder straight into John's mouth. With his tongue held still, John's mouth flooded with saliva. The powder instantly mixed and dissolved, sending a bitter taste spreading from the back of his tongue. He tried to spit it out, but Kai was quicker—one hand covered his mouth, the other held up the water. Defeated, John took the glass and gulped down two mouthfuls, washing away the bitter aftertaste.
The powder might make him cough, but it wouldn't choke him.