Fog City Detective

Chapter 30: No Ghosts

Liang Xi said, "Therefore, there is only one answer."

Poppy asked, "Is the answer still that Lily has a mental illness?"

Liang Xi replied, "No, only one person can invade Lily's house." Liang Xi wasn't sure if Lily had a mental illness, but after gathering information from Poppy, he ruled out Lily having a mental illness and made a final deduction.

Poppy said, "Who? God?"

Liang Xi answered, "The person who installed the surveillance. If someone is proficient in electronic devices, it would be easy for them to manipulate their product."

Poppy exclaimed, "The person who installed the surveillance is Lily's friend. How is that possible?"

Liang Xi explained, "This is a case of someone familiar committing a crime. Only someone familiar would know Lily's daily routine and habits. If I'm not mistaken, he likes Lily, obsessively so. Due to looks, income, or other reasons, he feels inferior and can't confess his feelings to Lily. Love makes him desire Lily intensely, yet he can't bear to harm her. So, he sneaks into Lily's home, watching the sleeping goddess, observing her every move through surveillance in daily life."

Poppy asked, "Evidence? Wait, even if he can control the surveillance, how can he be sure Lily won't wake up? He invades frequently, and if Lily wakes up once, she'll know who invaded her house."

Liang Xi said, "The evidence is on the third floor. In a box, there's a nasal spray saline cleanser, and I've smelled it. Although I couldn't confirm if the nasal spray is the same smell, shortly afterward, I felt obvious drowsiness. The saline cleanser is a non-pharmacological means of cleaning the nasal cavity for some rhinitis patients, done before sleeping. If Lily uses the saline cleanser before sleep, she won't wake up throughout the night."

Liang Xi continued, "During weekends, Lily has programs and often stays up until dawn. In such a situation, the suspect wouldn't risk invading Lily's house."

Liang Xi added, "But I'm not certain about the motive; it may not be solely for love. As an investment fund manager, monitoring Lily and searching her phone for financial information is also a way to make money."

Poppy looked at Liang Xi for a moment, then quickly went upstairs and returned with the nasal spray saline cleanser. "Is it this?"

Liang Xi nodded, "Yes."

Poppy looked at Liang Xi, picked up the saline spray, sprayed it into her left nostril, deeply sucked in through the right nostril, taking in all the saline. After a few seconds, she expelled the saline. Poppy said, "If I fall asleep, then you're right."

Liang Xi asked, "Don't you believe it?"

Poppy replied, "I don't believe it."

Liang Xi was puzzled, "Why? I'm not curious about why you don't believe it. I'm curious about why you don't believe it but can't come up with a counterargument."

Poppy said, "I won't lose to a so-called detective." The saline had a bit of an effect, and Poppy leaned against the wall for support.

Liang Xi asked, "Why do you hate detectives?"

Poppy explained, "I'm a medium, and you're a detective. We're natural enemies."

Liang Xi couldn't understand, "You scam people, and I get things done. Why are we enemies?"

"It sounds like that, sounds reasonable." Poppy slowly slumped down, futilely trying to force her eyes open, and reluctantly closed them.

...

"Hey!"

"Hey!"

Poppy slowly opened her eyes, seeing sunlight, and observed Liang Xi and Liang Xi raising their hands.

"Hey." Liang Xi didn't see a hint of squinting eyes and slapped her again.

No one had ever dared to slap her! Poppy wanted to jump up and fight Liang Xi, but her body had no strength at all. Just as Liang Xi was about to deliver the fourth slap, Poppy forced her eyes wide open. Then Poppy saw Liang Xi's hand coming down, removing a hair from her clothes, and innocently said, "Are you awake?"

Poppy swallowed her pride and asked, "What about Ariel?"

Liang Xi replied, "The police took her away."

Poppy asked, "Why are you still here?"

"Don't you know Lily? She posted a reward online: a hefty reward. Look, did you do her a favor by going to Rose Detective Agency? Or I can give you an account. She thinks any amount is a hefty reward." Liang Xi took out a piece of paper, "This is my account."

Poppy struggled to sit up, and Liang Xi helped her lean against the wall. Poppy said, "You call her yourself."

Liang Xi said, "I've already explained the case to the detective. I'm just worried that the detective might forget to remind Lily about the hefty reward. I watched over you all night. Can you help me as a witness? Give Lily a call?"

Poppy asked, "Why does my face feel so hot?"

Liang Xi answered, "Sunburn. Hey, I saved you."

Poppy couldn't deny that fact, "Fine, I'll pass on the message to her. Give me back my pager."

Liang Xi laughed, "I accidentally picked it up yesterday."

Poppy took the phone and handed the air conditioner remote to Liang Xi, "Here, take it back."

Liang Xi chuckled, "Heh heh."

Poppy pressed the pager, "Come pick me up."

"So someone is picking you up. I thought you were coming by bus," Liang Xi said. "Shall I help you down the stairs?"

Facing Liang Xi's attitude, Poppy politely responded, "Thank you."

Liang Xi said, "You're welcome. Remember to call Lily."

"I will."

...

Slowly descending the stairs, Poppy had regained some bodily functions. She stopped Liang Xi from heading towards the front door and said, "Go to the backyard."

"The backyard?" Liang Xi asked.

Assisting Poppy to the backyard, Liang Xi looked up, and a helicopter whirred in. It wasn't an ordinary police helicopter, but a sleek and stylish one.

Liang Xi exclaimed, "Is this picking you up?"

Poppy nodded, "Yes." Impressed?

Liang Xi asked, "You're very wealthy."

Poppy replied casually, "Average."

Liang Xi asked, "Can the favor of saving your life be repaid with money?"

Poppy stared at Liang Xi, hearing such a request for the first time, making it hard for him to believe. Initially, he thought Liang Xi was a bit capable but hadn't expected him to be a bit capable jerk.

Liang Xi accompanied a smile, "A hundred or two hundred is fine, haha. The account is with you, haha."

Poppy directly took out three British pounds, not bothering to look at Liang Xi. Unexpectedly, Liang Xi took the one hundred and fifty pounds without hesitation, "After you help me call Lily, we'll be even."

Poppy wasn't pleased, "Hey, with so much money, you should make friends with me properly. What's this?"

Liang Xi pocketed the money, "People like you, if you owe someone a life-saving favor, might end up causing trouble if not paid back."

Poppy was furious, "Am I that kind of person?"

Liang Xi shrugged, "Up to now, not even a thank you. Should I trust you? Anyway, we're even, right?"

Poppy nodded, "I understand. You look down on me because yesterday, not only did I lose, but I also accepted your help."

Liang Xi thought for a moment, "In the UK, there are many second-generation rich, royal descendants, and aristocratic heirs. You indeed belong to the rather lousy category."

Poppy huffed, "If you hadn't taken my pager, one call from me could have taken him down."

Liang Xi imitated Poppy, "Help, help..."

"Damn it." Poppy was enraged, pushing Liang Xi away, and walked angrily towards the just-landed helicopter. Two men in suits ran over to escort Poppy onto the helicopter. Poppy put on the headset and shouted to Liang Xi, "I will make you know how capable I am."

Liang Xi yelled, "Remember to call Lily."

"You just wait for me," Poppy shouted, slamming the cabin door shut.