Mrs. Leung waved her hand dismissively. “We can talk about those details later. While we still have time, let me take you there first, so no one snatches my spot.”

Temple Street wasn’t far from the public housing unit, just a few blocks away.

Even during the day, the street was bustling with people. On both sides were small shops selling clothes, sunglasses, magazines, and other items. Blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners mingled seamlessly with the locals, skillfully haggling over prices.

Lin Yuan’s eyes were wide with curiosity as he observed the lively surroundings.

Gu Xicao felt the same. She had often heard about Temple Street’s vibrancy but had never had the chance to visit.

As they walked, Mrs. Leung explained, “This place is always lively, and business here makes good money. Near Tin Hau Temple, there’s a row of fortune tellers. My stall isn’t over there, but with your skills, you won’t have any trouble making a living. Ah, here we are.”

Mrs. Leung stopped in front of a small stall, just about three adult steps wide. “This is it.”

The neighboring stall also belonged to a fortune teller. He wore sunglasses and had a banner advertising his services: character interpretation, face reading, and feng shui. Seeing Mrs. Leung bringing Gu Xicao over, he paused mid-bite of his cheong fun (rice noodle roll) and asked, “Mrs. Leung, why are you bringing two kids over today? Not opening your stall?”

“What stall? My grandson’s in the hospital. I won’t have time to do business for a while.”

Pointing to the fortune teller, Mrs. Leung said to Gu Xicao, “Xiao Gu, this is Xiao Wang. You can call him Uncle Wang. You’re both in the same trade. Xiao Wang, this is my grand-niece from the mainland. She’s also a fortune teller, so take care of her, okay?”

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Uncle Wang choked on his cheong fun. He pushed his sunglasses down, staring at Gu Xicao with wide eyes before looking back at Mrs. Leung. “Are you joking, Mrs. Leung? This little girl doesn’t even look old enough to be in high school, and she’s telling fortunes? She should be in school!”

“Who’s joking with you? She’s better at it than you are. Yesterday, she even predicted which hospital my grandson would end up in. Anyway, I don’t have time to argue with you.”

Mrs. Leung couldn’t be bothered with Uncle Wang and turned to Gu Xicao. “The stall is yours now. Do whatever you want with it. I won’t interfere for the next three months. If anything happens, you can find Xiao Lin—he often patrols around here.”

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Leung!”

Gu Xicao quickly expressed her gratitude.

Since Mrs. Leung was in a rush to deliver breakfast to her grandson, she left soon after.

Gu Xicao took a look around. The street was bustling with people—it was indeed a great spot for business.

“Sister, what should we do now?” Lin Yuan tugged on her sleeve.

Gu Xicao patted his hand confidently. “No time like the present. Let’s buy what we need and open for business today!”

At the Mong Kok Police Station

Lin Jianyi had just returned from breakfast when his colleague Sun Zhaoqian ran over excitedly. “Lin, I heard you caught a suspect all on your own last night?”

“How’d you hear about that so quickly?” Lin Jianyi pulled out his chair and sat down, smiling. “It was just some reckless driver, nothing special.”

“That’s right, what’s there to brag about when a blind cat meets a dead mouse.”

Sir Zhou entered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

The smile on Lin Jianyi’s face disappeared.

Just then, Sergeant Chen knocked on the door and glanced around the room before focusing on Lin Jianyi. “PC1789?”

“Yes, sir. Any instructions?” Lin Jianyi immediately stood at attention and saluted.

Sergeant Chen waved dismissively. “No specific orders. Just wanted to say, good job last night. Citizens have been complaining about our inefficiency lately, but now look—we solved a hit-and-run overnight. Good work. What’s your name again?”

“Lin Jianyi, sir. Jian as in ‘construct,’ and Yi as in ‘loyalty.’”

Sergeant Chen nodded approvingly. “Keep it up.”

“Yes, sir!” Lin Jianyi replied enthusiastically.

The other officers in the room exchanged complex glances. Zhou, however, left with a scowl.

While Sun Zhaoqian was still basking in excitement, Lin Jianyi nudged him. “What are you staring at? Let’s go. Time to patrol.”

Morning, 8 or 9 a.m.

The streets buzzed with honking horns, bicycle bells, and the chatter of vendors.

Lin Jianyi bought a soda and handed it to Sun Zhaoqian.

“A single soda for your treat after getting praised by the sergeant? So stingy!” Sun Zhaoqian teased.

“Don’t want it? Give it back then.”

“Of course I want it!” Sun Zhaoqian sipped the fizzy soda, sighed contentedly, and adjusted his belt. “By the way, Lin, people are saying you caught the suspect because of a fortune teller’s tip. Is that true?”

“Who believes that nonsense…” Lin Jianyi trailed off, his gaze catching sight of a familiar figure across the street. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

It was Gu Xicao, setting up a fortune-telling stall.

“Sister, are just a table and a banner enough for our setup?” Lin Yuan glanced at the neighboring stalls, which were decked out with ink brushes, books, and intricate feng shui diagrams. Compared to their bare setup, he felt they were losing out.

“Of course not,” Gu Xicao replied calmly.

“I knew it!” Lin Yuan sighed in relief.

“We’re also missing two chairs. Otherwise, where will our customers sit?”

Lin Yuan nearly tripped over his own feet.

Customers? I’m more worried people will just treat us as a joke on our first day!

---

I would like to make a correction: Inspector is indeed higher than a Sergeant. I initially used “Inspector” because I thought it sounded cool, but in the original text, the term used is “Sir,” not “Inspector.” Therefore, I will now refer to the police officer as “Sir” or “Officer” to keep the tone appropriate.

As for Chen, he is of a higher rank and superior to Lin Jianyi or Zhou.