In recent days, the media has extensively reported on the “Xiao Nanmen Night Market Murder Case,” which has caused quite a stir.
Facing the immense pressure of public opinion, the Wenzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau was somewhat at a loss.
Although Su Ning was just an ordinary technical criminal investigator, responsible for intelligence organization and analysis, she was extremely busy. The Lucheng branch could not withstand the attention from the higher-ups; under immense pressure, the entire department was nearly emptied, and even she, a novice, was called to the front lines. After two days of overtime, she had processed a large amount of information but still had not found any trace of the suspect. It was as if he had suddenly evaporated, disappearing without a trace.
The head of the criminal investigation team, unable to bear seeing the beautiful Su Ning with tired eyes, specially gave her a half-day off.
Just after getting off work, Su Ning received a phone call invitation from her friend, Wang Lu.
Initially, Su Ning didn’t want to go, but coincidentally, it was Wang Lu’s birthday. Unable to refuse her friend's invitation, Su Ning quickly prepared a gift, changed her outfit, and went to the party.
The Biyun Pavilion is located on Binhe West Road, next to the Wenzhou History Museum, right between the Ouhai District and Lucheng District, facing the Ou River and backed by Heyuan, making it a prime location.
This Biyun Pavilion is tastefully decorated, not following the high-end and luxurious style of other establishments, but instead designed in a pastoral style. The wooden boards, bamboo structures, and rattan chairs all possess an antique charm and are full of character. Coupled with well-trimmed potted plants and flowers, it presents a scene full of greenery, allowing one to feel a refreshing and tranquil ambiance in the hot June weather.
After getting out of the car, Su Ning was led by the host into the main hall. Coincidentally, she ran into Wu Yuyi, who was loitering around. Unable to resist his eager insistence, and feeling too exhausted to engage in a battle of wits, they went upstairs together.
Upon entering the private room on the second floor, a faint floral scent wafted in the air. Several bamboo chairs were neatly arranged, and on the wooden long table, a pot of "Huanxiao" (a type of flowering plant) was blooming with pink buds. The fragrant aroma filling the room emanated from this pot. The floorboards and wooden walls were carved with intricate patterns, exquisitely done.
Inside, three or four women were already seated, all dressed flamboyantly, but Wang Lu was nowhere to be seen.
Su Ning felt somewhat unfamiliar with the women inside, but Wu Yuyi was quite familiar with them, smiling as he greeted them. Afterward, he glanced at Su Ning and, noticing she seemed satisfied with the surroundings, couldn’t help but boast, “This is the best private room on the second floor, named the ‘Huanxiao Room.’ According to the owner, just the decoration of this room cost over a million.”
“Wow, that’s so expensive,” several women exclaimed.
“Of course! Look at these items; each one is priceless. The wood on the floor is top-quality Chinese scholar tree, which is very rare. And the patterns above were carved by a master craftsman, all handmade. That pot of ‘Huanxiao’ on the table is a rare variant, worth over a hundred thousand in the market,” Wu Yuyi continued to introduce with enthusiasm.
“What a luxurious place! I wonder how much it would cost to have tea here,” someone asked with concern.
Wu Yuyi waved his hand nonchalantly, “Just a few thousand; I’m treating today.”
“Great! Brother Yuyi is so generous!”
“Today, we’re really getting to experience the high-society lifestyle, thanks to you, Yuyi!”
“Brother Yuyi, remember to take us to more good places next time!”
“……”
For a moment, flattery poured in like a tide. The few gold-diggers had their eyes shining, looking at Wu Yuyi as if they wished to devour him whole. Only Su Ning remained indifferent, her expression calm and unaffected.
Seeing that he couldn’t impress Su Ning, Wu Yuyi’s expression dimmed slightly. After a few bland exchanges, he ushered everyone to take their seats.
Once seated, two pots of tea were quickly served—one pot of rose tea and another of Da Hong Pao (a type of oolong tea). The rose tea was for the girls; true to its name, it was vibrant and passionate, yet when sipped, it was light and sweet, flowing like a gentle stream with a lingering aftertaste.
Su Ning took a couple of sips and then set down the exquisite tea set; the tea was indeed good, but she didn’t like it. She frowned slightly and said, “Why hasn’t Wang Lu arrived yet?”
Wu Yuyi secretly gave one of the women a knowing glance. The woman understood and chimed in, “I just called her; she’s on Fufront Road, but she’s stuck in traffic. That’s why Brother Yuyi asked us to come here for tea first.”
“Oh,” Su Ning replied, feeling a bit dazed. She attributed it to her fatigue and didn’t dwell on the matter. Sitting quietly, she listened to Wu Yuyi and the women engage in lively chatter, her thoughts gradually drifting elsewhere, wondering how the murderer could have escaped without leaving a trace.
Lost in thought, the voices around her faded until the room was completely silent.
“Su Ning, what’s wrong?” At that moment, a gentle shake startled her back to reality.
Fully awake, Su Ning realized Wu Yuyi’s shiny head was uncomfortably close to her, and she let out a scream, pushing him away. Caught off guard, Wu Yuyi stumbled back a few steps and accidentally bumped into a chair, falling with a loud crash.
Ignoring Wu Yuyi’s embarrassing predicament, Su Ning suddenly noticed that they were the only two people left in the entire room.
A wave of unease washed over her, and she quickly asked, “Where are Wang Lu and the others?”
Wu Yuyi picked himself up, brushed off his clothes, and although he appeared slightly annoyed, the thought of the ‘swan meat’ he was about to enjoy filled him with joy. A lewd grin crept onto his face, and his gaze became lascivious as he chuckled, “The birthday party needs some decorations; they went to another room first.”
Su Ning grabbed her handbag, turned to leave, saying, “If that’s the case, I’ll go over there too.”
Wu Yuyi hurriedly stepped forward, blocking her path with his arm, and coldly said, “Want to leave? Not a chance.”
Su Ning’s face turned pale, and she cried out, “What do you want?”
Wu Yuyi’s gaze roamed hungrily up and down her body. With her impressive figure, fair skin, and beautiful face, he thought that even a few nights with such a woman would be worth the risk, even if it cost him ten years of his life. His gaze finally fixated on her ample bosom, and he swallowed hard, his breathing becoming rapid, “Hehe, what do I want? You’ll find out soon enough.”
Su Ning wrapped her arms tightly around her chest, panic-stricken, and stepped back a couple of paces, feeling a bit dizzy.
Seeing her unsteady stance, Wu Yuyi dropped his last pretense, grinning lewdly, “Hehe, feeling dizzy? Let me tell you a secret: I added some special ingredients to the tea you just drank. Little beauty, you’re going to keep me company today, and don’t worry, I won’t mistreat you.” With that, Wu Yuyi eagerly lunged at her, as if he wanted to strip her bare in one go.