Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)

In actuality, it was not that easy for the police to invite someone like Han Shan for questioning. A famous businessman like him would’ve had his schedule filled until the end of the next year, and even if the Chief Commissioner went out of his way to invite Han Shan in person, they still needed to wait a few more days for him to make some space amidst his empty schedule.

However, it was unknown which Gods and demons were at work, Han Shan actually dropped everything and came to the police station with his staff that very same evening!

In order to get the arrest warrant for Cui Yan, Li Zhi already went to Director Zhang’s office to make a direct report. He also told the director in passing that he had invited Han Shan and his staff back to the station. That’s why as soon as Han Shan stepped through the door, he was directly welcomed by Director Zhang. After all, this time Han Shan’s status was no longer a potential suspect, but a very important witness.

"Welcome, Boss Han! I’m so sorry for the trouble we have caused you." Director Zhang was all smiles as he made a gesture for Han Shan to follow him. "Thank you so much for taking the time off your busy schedule for us. How are you today?"

As Han Shan made small pleasantries with the director, his gaze kept darting around to scan the surroundings. His hands gripped the cane tightly and if not for the cover of the leather gloves, Director Zhang would have seen how he had clenched his knuckles white. His walking posture was also stiff and jerky. But fortunately, his years of experience in the business world had taught him to keep a calm and composed façade at all times even if his inner world was on the verge of crumbling.

Of course, Director Zhang noticed Han Shan’s minute gesture. With a polite and formal tone, he inquired, "Is there something wrong, Boss Han?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"No... it’s nothing," Han Shan scratched his nose, sheepish. How was he supposed to tell Director Zhang that he was afraid this was all the devil’s scheme and he would have to face his deepest nightmare once he entered the police station? That’s why he couldn’t help but keep a lookout in case he needed to make an escape for his dear life. Much to his relief, it seemed like both the devil and his omega were not present...

Han Shan swiftly recovered his wits and offered a perfect business smile to Director Zhang. "Aiyah, Director Zhang, don’t be so polite. We’re all old acquaintances here. If there’s something I can help, don’t hesitate to tell me and I will see what I can do for you."

Director Zhang was so happy by Han Shan’s grand promise that his steps became bouncy and light. He could not stop grinning all the while until he invited Han Shan to his office for tea.

On the other hand, the situation with the VIP staff was not this amicable and harmonious. The officers’ mood had not been good since they realized that they had been played by a fucking imposter. That’s why their faces were somber and grumpy when they questioned the apprehensive and nervous staff one by one.

Starting from the bartender who allegedly had the best relationship with Qin Zhen out of all the staff...

"How close is your relationship with Qin Zhen? Do you happen to know the situation with his family?"

"Ah, yes..." the bartender answered in staggering halts, nervous. "Our relationship is... normal? How to say it? It’s just like the average relationship between co-workers. We tend to gossip during our break because our customers are so... unique. But that’s all. Qin Zhen, he... he is not the kind of person who likes to talk. He’s kinda quiet and timid. About his family... I seem to hear him talk about his father once? He’s in the nursing home right? Um... is there something wrong, officer? Qin Zhen suddenly resigned from work a month ago. Has he... gotten into some sort of trouble?"

The officer’s pen that was taking notes paused when he heard this, "He resigned? When?"

"Not long after the accident with Boss Li ah," the bartender answered with a hint of confusion on his face. "Everyone assumed that he’s afraid of Boss Li’s revenge, that’s why he resigned in a hurry. I don’t really get it, but... Boss Li should have gotten into jail right now, right?"

’That’s because the imposter was fucking impatient to throw this identity away,’ the officer sneered inwardly, but on the outside, his face remained stern and stoic. "Hmm, then do you notice anything strange about him?"

"Strange?" the bartender stared at him, not understanding what he meant by that.

"Strange as in, doing something he doesn’t usually do, or a change in food preference, or..." the corner of the officer’s lips tilted into a smile that was not quite a smile. "... have you ever felt like he suddenly became a different person altogether?"

Though confused, the bartender still shook his head honestly. "No, there’s nothing of the sort..."

"Don’t be so quick to answer," the officer rapped his knuckles on the table in irritation. "Think carefully again. Even if it is a trifling matter, you have to recount everything. Has Qin Zhen behaved differently than usual, to be more precise, around three or four months ago?"

The bartender knitted his brows and contemplated seriously. It was unknown whether the pressure emanating from the officer in front of him was too intense or he was simply too nervous, sweat started to bead out of his forehead. "Err... wait a minute please, let me think again..." After saying that, the bartender sank into thick silence, and the officer tried his best to be patient by playing with his pen. It took around five minutes for the man to speak again. "It seems like... there’s something..."

The officer straightened up eagerly. "Speak!"

The bartender hesitated for a second before saying, "Officer, you should know that people in our line of work have to take care of their own appearance, right? Especially with the VIPs. Some VIP customers are very willful, if they see that the staff serving them is not clean or beautiful or graceful enough, then they would file a complaint and our wages will be deducted..."

"Uh-huh, and then?"

"And then one day, when Qin Zhen was placing an order to the bar, I noticed that his hands looked very... rough. The kind of rough where you’re accustomed to doing hard labor. Aside from our wages, Boss Han also often gives us free facial products, hand cream and so on... so I was surprised to see Qin Zhen’s hands like that. I didn’t think too much and only gave him a warning in passing to use more hand cream..." the bartender trailed off, unsure. "Does that count...?"

"Yes, of course! Of course that counts! When did it happen?!"

The man wrinkled his brows. "I don’t really recall the exact time, but it should be around... Christmas? That’s right, I remembered that there was a huge Christmas tree beside the bar lounge at that time. So it should be around Christmas." He nodded in confirmation.

"Christmas..." The officer sank into deep contemplation. It was also around the time when the fake ’Qin Zhen’ stated that he had saved the deceased Miss Zhao from Li Mingzhao’s clutches. They already saw the surveillance footage in Phoenix Ablaze and knew that this rescue mission indeed happened. So at that time, the original Qin Zhen had already been replaced!

And Oh God... that was already five months ago – longer than the estimated time of Qin Zhen’s time of death! The officer was shocked when the realization dawned on him. He tried to school his expression and continued to ask, "What else?"

Unfortunately, the bartender could not think of anything more. But his previous statement alone already proved more than one thing; first, Qin Zhen’s disappearance might not coincide with his time of death, perhaps there was a time when he was locked up before the culprit killed him and stuffed him into the refrigerator. Second, they had a new insight on how terrifying the imposter was. If not for the bartender who accidentally caught sight of their rough hands, then their performance could be considered flawless!

"Alright, that’s all. Thank you so much for your cooperation."

Just as the bartender was going to heave out a sigh of relief, he heard the officer say, "One last thing, stand up for me please."

Confused, he could only comply and watch as the officer approached him step by step while sizing him up from head to toe. Nobody would be comfortable when scrutinized closely like this, and he was no exception. He fidgeted on his feet, so nervous that the back of his shirt was already damp with sweat. "I–Is there something wrong, officer?"

"No, nothing at all." Even though the officer said that, he still stretched out a hand and felt the skin around the bartender’s neck, the line of his jaws and the back of his nape, not leaving a single spot untouched. The bartender really wanted to cry as he stood there. Could this be considered sexual harassment?!

The officer harrumphed in satisfaction after not finding any suspicious marks which could indicate skin mask, face tape or something similar. He lost interest in the bartender and waved offhandedly, "Okay, you’re the real one. You may go."

The bartender: ??? If I’m not the real one, then what am I?