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墨書 Inktalez
The blade was just half an inch away from Shen Tong's throat when a police baton suddenly thrust in, precisely blocking the tip of the knife from reaching her.
With a sharp clang, Butler Feng's knife lost its force and fell to the ground. Just in time, Lin Mingchang swung the baton, striking Butler Feng's arm. The latter winced in pain, unable to react before Lin Mingchang closed in, executing a reverse throw that sent Butler Feng crashing against a stone table in the courtyard, nearly leaving him breathless.
Immediately after, two police officers rushed forward and pinned him firmly to the ground.
Shen Tong leaned against a tree trunk, struggling to steady herself as her legs trembled slightly. She looked at Lin Mingchang and managed to squeeze out two words: "Thank you."
Hearing her simple words, Lin Mingchang shook his head with a light chuckle. "That painting from yesterday was laced with deadly poison. If you hadn't stopped me, I might have already succumbed to it. You saved my life; consider this even between us."
His casual tone eased Shen Tong's tension. She had never liked owing anyone favors, and now that they were even, it suited her just fine. Thinking this, she couldn't help but nod, a slight smile lifting the corners of her mouth.
Lin Mingchang paused for a moment, surprised that this seemingly cold girl could smile, and such a faint smile at that—yet it somehow dazzled him.
Shen Tong didn't notice Lin Mingchang's momentary distraction; her mind was on the "deadly poison" he had just mentioned as she turned her gaze toward Butler Feng's room.
Seeing her expression change, Lin Mingchang followed her line of sight. Shen Tong lightly beckoned him with her finger, signaling him to follow as they walked back into Butler Feng's room.
As soon as they entered, Shen Tong felt another sharp pain in her right eye—she saw dark red malevolent energy swirling slowly beneath Butler Feng's bed. "Officer Lin, there's something wrong under the bed."
Having developed basic trust in Shen Tong's judgment, Lin Mingchang immediately crouched down and began to feel around under the bed board. Suddenly, he noticed an unusual indentation.
"There’s a hidden compartment."
With force, Lin Mingchang lifted the bed board, revealing several dark ceramic jars right before their eyes—all filled with pre-mixed paint that undoubtedly contained Mandragora Pollen and Cyanide.
As Lin Mingchang and Shen Tong emerged from the room holding the jars, the setting sun cast a crimson hue over the courtyard.
"Uncle Feng, what’s going on?" The Yu rushed over with a child in her arms upon hearing the commotion and gasped at the scene before her.
Butler Feng was still being held down by two officers but had stopped struggling; he stared blankly at those around him.
Lin Mingchang shook the jars in his hand. "So? Feng Molin, care to explain?"
"Our family has been renowned for painting; we possess a special technique for making paint using Mandragora Pollen. The landscapes painted with it appear like celestial realms; characters come to life..." Butler Feng's gaze became vacant as he sank into memories. "Thirty years ago, my brother was the most famous painter in Spring City. But Wu Fengtian, head of the Wu Family, coveted our paint formula and tried to buy it for mass production at a high price for profit. My brother refused steadfastly. Wu Fengtian then bribed officials to frame my brother and threatened to ruin our family... My brother took his own life to avoid implicating us. I was still young; Wu Fengtian thought I didn’t know the formula and spared my life, taking me into the Wu Family as a servant..."
At this point, Butler Feng's voice turned sharp. "I never intended to kill for revenge! I just wanted to live quietly! But ten years ago, my son—my only son—tragically drowned in this lotus pond! He was only twelve... All my hopes were shattered; I became like a walking corpse for ten years. Until six months ago! Six months ago! I discovered my son didn’t die by accident! It was Wu Hongzhi who pushed him into the water! Just over a trivial argument—he took my son's life!"
"So you plan to kill Wu Hongzhi?" Lin Mingchang stared at the man, now teetering on the brink of madness.
"Exactly!" Butler Feng suddenly burst into laughter. "Doesn't Wu Fengtian want the formula for my family's paint? I'll use that formula to ensure his son's demise! I added a deadly poison to our ancestral recipe and painted a portrait of Wu Fengtian with toxic paint. I told Wu Hongzhi it was a dream from the master, instructing him to hide the painting in a secret room and worship it every three days. Each time, I would apply a fresh layer of paint a day in advance, letting the poison seep out gradually..."
"You..." The Yu trembled all over. "How could you...?"
"Was Wu Hongwen's sudden return from Shanghai also your doing?" Lin Mingchang pressed on.
"Wu Hongwen is just a brainless wastrel. With just a few words, I incited him to return and compete with his elder brother for the family fortune, all to frame him..." A glint of malice flashed in Butler Feng's eyes. "If it weren't for your meddling, I would have killed that child! I will ensure the Wu Family has no descendants! No descendants!"
"Enough!" Lin Mingchang interrupted sharply. "Take him away!"
As Butler Feng was led away by two officers, silence fell over the courtyard.
The Yu held the child, leaning against a pillar in a daze.
Lin Mingchang sighed and turned to Shen Tong. "Miss Shen, we were able to solve this case so quickly thanks to your help."
Shen Tong was momentarily taken aback, about to respond when Lin Mingchang hurriedly added, "I need to leave now; I have to go back to the police station to handle the follow-up on this case. Um... I'll visit you at your residence tomorrow. You should head back and get some rest."
Without waiting for Shen Tong's reply, Lin Mingchang quickly walked toward the courtyard gate. His back appeared somewhat flustered as he hurried away, as if any delay would result in Shen Tong rejecting him outright.
Watching Lin Mingchang's hasty retreat, Shen Tong couldn't help but find it amusing yet puzzling.
However, what Shen Tong never expected was that Lin Mingchang actually showed up the next morning.
What surprised her even more was that Lin Mingchang looked entirely different from just two days ago. He wasn't wearing his crisp police uniform but instead donned a light gray suit paired with a white shirt, with two buttons of his collar undone, giving off a casual and relaxed vibe.
This outfit made Lin Mingchang look much younger, resembling a clean-cut and bright young man. He stood at the entrance of the courtyard holding two paper bags, his eyes sparkling and a hint of shy smile playing on his lips.
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