Chapter 53: Another Encounter with Brother Lei

Chen Yu stepped out of the Investigation Squad's doors, the night wind carrying a hint of chill as it swept across his face. The streetlights stretched his shadow long, casting it onto the mottled pavement. His steps were heavy; the events of the day had dragged his mood to rock bottom.

Li Qing followed behind, gazing at the man's slightly forlorn figure, a strange emotion stirring in her heart. In just three days, this man had risen like a dazzling star, appearing out of nowhere and shaking the entire city of Jiangcheng.

First, he had staged a dramatic "resurrection" in a locked room, shocking everyone. Then, under extremely harsh conditions, he escaped from a chamber that was deemed impossible to flee. Next, before a captivated audience, he boldly overturned the official conclusion of Luo Xiangdong's supposed accidental death with a stunning argument, silencing the doubters.

Today, he had cracked the mysterious killer's bizarre method of poisoning Fat Cat in under an hour, astounding everyone. This man made Li Qing feel unexpectedly reliable, giving her a sense of security.

Without realizing it, she had begun to habitually hold onto his arm, finding the gesture comfortable and natural. She had seen countless handsome men before; though Chen Yu was striking in appearance and physique, mere looks could not possibly evoke such a peculiar feeling in her.

This "Resurrection Man" truly possessed a kind of magic.

Thinking of this, a sweet smile curled on Li Qing’s lips. She quickened her pace to walk beside Chen Yu, slipping her arm through his with practiced ease, nestling close and savoring that unique masculine aura he exuded.

The taxi sped through the night. Chen Yu frowned, replaying the day's events in his mind over and over. Clues kept breaking, and the truth always seemed just out of reach.

He failed to notice that, even though there was no need to pretend for anyone here, Li Qing still clung tightly to his arm, her attachment entirely genuine.

Twenty minutes later, they returned to the hotel room.

Chen Yu swiped open the door lock, and Li Qing strode inside. She was about to change her clothes when she noticed Chen Yu turning to leave again.

"Where are you going?" Li Qing asked curiously, a trace of reluctance in her eyes.

"I'm in a bad mood. Going to sit at the bar downstairs," Chen Yu replied, his voice weary.

"I'll go with you!" Li Qing blurted out, her tone urgent.

"Heh!"

Chen Yu suddenly turned, flashing that familiar roguish grin.

"I'm heading to the bar to pick up girls—it's probably not the best idea for you to tag along, don't you think?"

With those words, he left the room decisively, gently closing the door behind him.

Li Qing stood there, staring at the shut door, a tumult of emotions in her heart. In that instant, she seemed to understand why she felt so differently toward this man.

It was because of that smile.

That cocky, lopsided grin.

Not the frivolous smirk of a street punk, but the confident smile she had often seen on the faces of outstanding male classmates back at the police academy.

It was the smile of a soldier—a military rascal.

This smile didn’t signal cynicism or world-weariness. It stood for responsibility.

It meant composure in the face of disaster, the calm of a mountain unmoved by an avalanche.

This was the kind of man who, no matter what happened or what difficulties arose, would always bear it with a smile—then stun the world with his thunderous resolve.

She believed he was exactly that kind of man.

Inside the bar, neon lights flashed and the music was deafening. Chen Yu sat alone in a corner, a glass of the strongest whiskey before him.

His calm was not resignation, but a moment of deep contemplation.

The day's events had been overwhelming, and now he needed to quietly piece everything together.

The "Resurrection Man" reputation had already spread far and wide these past few days.

Even while sitting here drinking, three or four scantily clad, alluring beauties had approached him. He politely declined them all.

Outwardly, he seemed calm, an enigmatic and brooding idol. In reality, he was thoroughly frustrated.

Damn it, this was sheer waste! So many beautiful women coming to him, yet he could only look and not touch! All because of that White Moonlight! Why did she have to insist on sharing a room with him? The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became.

As Chen Yu was internally venting, a hand gently tapped his shoulder from behind.

"Sorry, the aunt's visiting, not interested!" Chen Yu didn’t even bother to turn around, not wanting to see another beauty that would only make him feel worse.

"Oh?"

A deep male voice, laced with mischief, answered.

"Is it my Qing Qing making you weak in the waist, brother?"

A burly figure settled firmly beside him.

"Brother Lei?" Chen Yu started, turning to see the bald, muscular man known as Brother Lei.

"What’s wrong, not feeling happy today?" Brother Lei grinned, flashing a set of white teeth.

"Our Resurrection Squad is behind you all the way! Look at how cool you were this afternoon—when everyone mocked you for speaking nonsense, the mysterious figure appeared, slapping their faces in front of millions of viewers! Resurrection Man, you were incredible!"

"Damn, Brother Lei, you sound as if you were the mysterious figure yourself!" Chen Yu looked at him meaningfully, his tone half probing.

Brother Lei’s eyes flickered, then he burst out laughing.

"Maybe the mysterious figure is one of our squad members! When you were in trouble, someone jumped in to back you up!"

"Hmm, you know, that's actually quite a creative idea," Chen Yu replied with a wry smile, shaking his head.

Brother Lei laughed, but then stopped abruptly, his tone turning serious.

"Tomorrow, you’re starting the investigation into Zhang Fu’s daughter’s case, right?"

"Wow, Brother Lei, your news travels fast!" Chen Yu raised his eyebrows, a little surprised.

"No secret here—your Brother Lei has plenty of sources in Jiangcheng." Leaning closer, Brother Lei lowered his voice. "Anything you need to know, I can help."

Chen Yu looked at him in surprise, suddenly alert.

"Brother Lei, why are you so interested in this case? Since you’re being upfront, could you clear up my confusion?"

Brother Lei frowned, not expecting Chen Yu to ask so directly. After a moment’s thought, he replied quietly:

"I can tell you. It's nothing to hide. But first, let me ask—based on your instincts, do you think Zhang Fu's daughter's death is connected to the disembowelment case from fifteen years ago?"

Chen Yu’s surprise deepened.

"Damn, Brother Lei, you even know that I’m aware of the fifteen-year-old case?"

As he asked, he cursed inwardly: That White Moonlight, always spilling everything to Brother Lei!

Brother Lei’s lips curled in a mysterious smile.

"I told you, I have my sources. Now answer my question."

"Alright!"

Chen Yu raised his glass and drained it.

"I don’t have any concrete clues yet, but if I go with my gut—I think...there must be a connection!"

"Oh?"

Brother Lei's face suddenly paled. His brows furrowed tighter, and he kept stroking his chin, as if pondering something crucial.

"Brother Lei, I’ve answered your question—now it’s your turn to answer mine!"

Chen Yu watched him, feeling a bit amused. Brother Lei looked as if he was afraid of something.

Brother Lei froze again, then his expression grew unusually complicated. He looked deeply at Chen Yu, and spoke slowly:

"The reason I care about this case is because..."

"This case may very well cost me my life!"

The words exploded like a bomb in Chen Yu’s heart.

Brother Lei, the underground emperor of Jiangcheng, was actually fearful of a case from fifteen years ago?

What secret was hidden behind it all?