Chapter 70: So We Are Kindred Spirits

Hu Xiong spoke with a serious expression, “Changqing, it seems you have quite a misunderstanding about me.”

“No, I believe I know you rather well,” Li Changqing replied, unwilling to get further entangled with the affairs at Linjiang Wharf. There was nothing to gain from it.

Hu Xiong took out a cigarette, lighting it as was his habit. “After Huang Chao disappeared, that demon Shen Qingdai rushed over to take control. It means there are secrets at the wharf that aren’t known to outsiders. We need to get to the bottom of it.”

Li Changqing agreed with his reasoning. “Sure, you guys investigate. What does it have to do with me?”

A trace of embarrassment appeared on Hu Xiong’s face. He explained, “Bai Chuan and I aren’t in a position to take action ourselves…”

Li Changqing had intended to refuse outright, but at that moment he remembered the Corpse Fiend tribulation hanging over him.

Damn it.

In the end, he would still be unable to avoid the Thirty-Six Bureau.

“Mr. Hu, I don’t mind helping you,” Li Changqing considered, then said, “First, you need to guarantee my safety, at the very least.”

“Second, I’m quite interested in the strange, evil entities of this world. Since I’m already involved, later I want you to find me some records about such entities for me to review.”

He didn’t specify that he wanted information about zombies. When the time came, he could request a dozen files on various evil entities, with the zombie information mixed among them.

The second condition was simple; the Thirty-Six Bureau already had plenty of records about evil entities stored in their archives. Old hands like Hu Xiong would only look at them if a case required it; otherwise, he had no interest.

Although those books were internal documents, Li Changqing was a reserve member and it wouldn’t violate any rules.

As for the first condition, the kid clearly didn’t trust him, even though he’d already promised to protect him in secret.

Hu Xiong agreed readily. “Of course, you won’t be going alone on this mission. Li Minghao, whom you met last time, will partner with you.”

“He’s a full member of the Thirty-Six Bureau. He’s young, but capable. The two of you should have no trouble keeping yourselves safe.”

A full member of the Thirty-Six Bureau?

That would indeed provide a measure of security.

“We’ll begin the investigation officially tomorrow,” Hu Xiong said, curious. “How do you plan to start?”

Li Changqing thought for a moment, then took out a commission contract. “First, I’ll have Li Minghao accompany me to Linjiang Wharf to collect a debt!”

He had taken Shen Qingdai to the abandoned factory under a twenty-thousand Langs contract. She had only paid a four-thousand deposit, leaving sixteen thousand still owed.

Li Changqing had planned to give up on the money, not wanting to get involved with the wharf. But now, since involvement was unavoidable, he might as well collect the money first.

After seeing Hu Xiong off, Tang Xiaoyu looked at the thirteen thousand Langs on the table, happily dividing the money into two piles. “Li Changqing, I didn’t expect Hu Xiong would actually pay us. I thought he’d keep dodging the debt.”

The two of them—a zombie and a female ghost—would hardly dare to go knocking on his door to demand payment if he tried to evade.

Li Changqing tapped Tang Xiaoyu’s forehead. “Put the money away quickly. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be out investigating the Linjiang Wharf case. The office will be yours to manage for a few days.”

Tang Xiaoyu nodded obediently and agreed.

…

The next day at noon, Li Changqing stood outside the detective agency, holding the commission contract, occasionally checking the time on his phone.

This was the agreed time. Why hadn’t Li Minghao arrived yet?

Finally, a luxurious sedan pulled up in front of Li Changqing.

Li Minghao was behind the wheel. He waved Li Changqing over. “You’re Li Changqing, right? We met before. Get in.”

Li Changqing opened the door, took the passenger seat, and they headed toward Linjiang Wharf.

“Sorry about last time,” Li Minghao said. “It was a special situation, so we didn’t talk much.”

He looked curiously at Li Changqing, remembering the man who kept ghosts. Last night, when Hu Xiong had contacted him, he’d asked about Li Changqing.

Hu Xiong had given him a brief introduction to Li Changqing’s background.

Li Changqing didn’t know him well and kept quiet, but Li Minghao was outgoing and enthusiastic.

“Hu Xiong said he investigated you. Your family used to run a steamed bun shop.”

“After your parents died, you ignored your relatives’ objections and insisted on becoming a detective, right?”

Li Changqing smiled awkwardly. “I was just young and foolish.”

“No,” Li Minghao shook his head seriously as he drove. “Everyone has something they pursue. Me too.”

“Actually, we’re quite alike. My family doesn’t want me working in the Thirty-Six Bureau. They rack their brains every day trying to get me to take over the family business, introduce me to heiresses, always thinking about maintaining the family, making money, never considering how I feel…”

“You understand what I mean, right? We’re both on the same path.”

He almost wanted to ask if there was an extra heiress his uncle and aunt could introduce to him. He didn’t want to keep working so hard…

Li Changqing looked into Li Minghao’s eyes, speechless. This was the standard protagonist template: young, wealthy, wandering for his dreams…

Unlike himself, always scheming how to make more money.

“Cough, cough, not really,” Li Changqing admitted. “Actually, you could seriously consider your uncle and aunt’s suggestions…”

“If you had to give up your dreams to inherit a steamed bun shop, would you be willing?”

Inheriting a steamed bun shop and inheriting a corporation—how could those possibly be the same?

“I’d still rather fight for my dreams a bit longer.”

“So we’re alike.”

“Not really…”

The two chatted along the way. Though not exactly familiar, they were no longer as distant as before.

Driving, they soon entered Linjiang Wharf.

The wharf was bustling; their car slowly parked in front of the office building.

After parking, Li Minghao quietly asked, “Are we just going to walk right up to that demon?”

“Mm,” Li Changqing nodded.

After getting out, a security guard questioned them, then led them to the office door.

The guard knocked, and Uncle Yun’s voice called from inside, “Please come in.”

They pushed open the door. Uncle Yun sat at his desk, busy with wharf affairs.

Shen Qingdai lounged on the sofa, reading a fashion magazine.

She had no interest in managing the wharf, but soon, that damned Fourth Brother would arrive.

“Li Changqing.” Shen Qingdai frowned slightly, glancing at the unfamiliar Li Minghao beside him.

“What do you want?”

Li Changqing smiled brightly, producing the commission contract. “Boss Shen, you signed this last time. The balance hasn’t been paid. I know you’re busy and forgetful, so I’ve come to remind you.”