Chapter 27: An Unexpected Bargain

Lin Bing’s delicate face flushed instantly, a rush of warmth blooming across her cheeks. Her heart pounded wildly, threatening to leap out of her throat. Yet, she gritted her teeth and stepped into Chen Yu’s room.

Feigning calm, she cast her gaze around the room, then settled herself on the edge of the bed. Her hands rested primly on her knees, like a schoolgirl awaiting a teacher’s reprimand.

Chen Yu wore a mischievous smile as he turned and closed the door behind him. The click of the lock echoed sharply in the quiet room, making Lin Bing’s body tense involuntarily.

He seemed oblivious to her nervousness, strolling over to the minibar and leisurely retrieving a bottle of mineral water. Twisting it open, he said, “Have some water, Bing.”

He walked toward her, each step drawing his handsome, smiling face closer beneath the hotel’s dusky light, which made him all the more alluring. He did not hand her the water immediately. Instead, he stood before her, looking down from above.

His gaze burned, as if stripping away her clothes and peering into her soul. The overwhelming masculine presence threw her breathing out of rhythm. Yet the stubbornness honed by years in the workplace compelled her to lift her head and meet his eyes.

The air in the room instantly thickened, charged with ambiguity. Lin Bing exhaled deeply, suppressing the restless flutter in her chest, and broke the silence first.

“What were you and Captain Yan discussing all afternoon, holed up in the car?”

She tried to make her voice sound casual, as if chatting idly.

“Oh? That…” Chen Yu deliberately stretched his words, offering her the bottle of water. His fingertips brushed her hand, sending a tingling shiver through her.

He didn’t answer, but instead leaned in close, his breath warm against her sensitive ear.

“We were talking… about how beautiful you look in that outfit today.”

Lin Bing’s ears turned scarlet. Instinctively, she leaned away, only for Chen Yu to gently press her shoulder, pinning her in place.

“Chen Yu! Stop fooling around! Let’s talk business!” Her voice trembled, sounding more like a plea than a warning.

“Business?” Chen Yu chuckled softly, straightening up, though the distance between them remained dangerously close.

“What I said is business. Discussing the case is so dull. Why not… discuss life instead?”

His gaze was predatory, sliding from her flushed cheeks down to the subtle rise and fall of her chest, his desire undisguised.

Lin Bing’s heart threatened to explode.

Her vaunted ability to command a room was crumbling inch by inch before this man. Chen Yu’s face grew larger in her vision, his scent—a mix of sweat and masculinity—threatened to engulf her entirely. Her defenses were collapsing.

Just as their lips were about to touch, clarity flashed in Lin Bing’s eyes. Years spent navigating the battlegrounds of ambition gave her an instinctive edge. In an instant, she made the perfect move to break the deadlock and regain control.

She swiftly turned her head and pressed her soft lips to Chen Yu’s cheek—a fleeting touch, gone as quickly as it came.

Then, like an eel, she slipped from under his arm and darted to the door several meters away.

Turning, her face glowing with triumph and embarrassment, she shot a quick wink at the stunned Chen Yu.

“Rest early, little brother. I’ll visit you tomorrow!”

With that, she fled, pulling the door open and vanishing into the corridor.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Leaning against the cold wall outside, Lin Bing gasped for air, her chest heaving. She pressed a hand to her burning cheek, the other clutched over her pounding heart.

“Damn! Damn! Damn!” she cursed herself silently.

“Lin Bing, you’re useless! Sent to extract information, and not only did you fail, you nearly lost control because of him!”

The memory of that impulsive kiss made her blush even deeper. It was a mortifying disgrace.

She stomped her foot in frustration and strode away in her heels, eager to leave the place that had thrown her emotions into turmoil.

Inside the room, Chen Yu touched his cheek, still tingling from her lips, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“A seasoned old pro, deep as they come.”

He didn’t chase after her. Instead, his view of Lin Bing rose even higher. That move, seemingly impulsive, was in fact a masterful tactical retreat—diffusing the tension and turning the tables on him.

Interesting.

Chen Yu shed his devil-may-care expression. He walked to the window, gazing at the bustling city below, his mind racing.

Luo Xiangdong’s case, Zhang Luoluo’s case, the one from fifteen years ago involving Liu Gang’s wife, and the mysterious “Wind”...

Too many clues, too chaotic.

He needed a quiet place to untangle his thoughts.

...

Third floor, the hotel bar.

Deafening music, dazzling lights, young men and women dancing wildly on the floor. Chen Yu found the most secluded booth, ordered a whiskey, and sought a moment of peace amid the noise.

After several rounds, as the drink began to fog his mind, an unexpected guest slipped into the seat beside him.

Chen Yu frowned, turning to see Fol, the self-important detective contestant.

“What do you want?” Chen Yu swirled his glass, his tone flat.

Fol ignored his coldness and got straight to the point.

“Chen Yu, let’s make a deal.”

“Tomorrow is the final case review. I want you to stay silent. Let me reveal the ‘truth’ of Luo Xiangdong’s case. The victory will be mine, and all the prize money can go to you.”

Chen Yu finally looked up and smiled.

He set down his glass, leaned in close to Fol’s ear, his voice full of mockery.

“The director promised me—if I solve the case, the prize is two million.”

Fol’s expression changed instantly. He clenched his teeth, as if making a difficult decision.

“Not just this time! From now on, every show I enter, every case I win—the prize money... all goes to you!”

The offer surprised even Chen Yu.

He was willing to trade all future winnings for a single moment of fame.

This man’s obsession with reputation bordered on madness.

But—

The deal had an irresistible allure for Chen Yu.

Of course, he needed the money.

But more importantly, he could operate from the shadows—using Fol as a shield, spending his money, free from scrutiny, to investigate the real, deeper secrets.

Such as Zhang Luoluo’s case.

Such as the killer called “Wind.”

And the enigmatic “Mr. Gold.”

At that thought, a brilliant smile blossomed on Chen Yu’s face.

He raised his glass gently.

“Deal.”