“Sergeant Ren, where is Sergeant Chen and his team?”

Inspector Liu and Superintendent Michael stepped out of the office and noticed that some officers had returned from patrol, but Sergeant Chen’s group was nowhere to be seen.

Ren scoffed. “Inspector, you didn’t hear? Sergeant Chen took his men out to catch the suspect.”

“Caught the suspect?” Michael’s face lit up with surprise. “Does this mean they’ve located the killer?”

Ren smirked. “Who knows? They claimed to have found him through fortune-telling. Whether they caught the killer or embarrassed themselves remains to be seen-ha!”

His subordinates joined in, mocking Sergeant Chen and his team.

Michael frowned. “What nonsense is this? Fortune-telling? Does he think this is child’s play?”

Inspector Liu glanced at Ren. He knew well that Ren and Chen didn’t get along. Each managed separate teams, but Chen, being a recent transfer, had quickly gained recognition with his successful cases, which naturally irked Ren.

“Sir, I think there may be some misunderstanding. I know Sergeant Chen well; he’s not one to act recklessly.”

Ren scowled and shot Inspector Liu an irritated glance. Just as he was about to retort, he saw Chen walking in with Gu Xicao by his side.

“Inspector, see for yourself. That girl next to Sergeant Chen? She’s the so-called fortune-teller!” Ren pointed at Gu Xicao and sneered. “Stop defending him. While everyone else is working hard, they went gallivanting around with a fortune-teller. If the media gets wind of this, Hong Kong police will be a laughingstock!”

Following Ren’s gesture, both Liu and Michael turned to see Gu Xicao. They froze momentarily as they took in the sight.

Michael’s brow furrowed slightly.

Sensitive to people’s gazes, Gu Xicao immediately noticed someone watching her. She raised her head and saw a foreigner in uniform, with a windmill emblem on his epaulettes, signaling a high rank.

She coughed lightly and asked Chen, “Sergeant, is that foreigner staring at us your boss?”

Chen glanced over and hurriedly stepped forward to salute. “Sir, Madam!”

“Sergeant Chen, you’ve been out all afternoon. What were you doing?”

Michael asked, hands clasped behind his back and a frown on his face.

“Catching a suspect, sir!” Chen replied firmly, his face glowing with confidence.

“Catching a suspect? Where’s the suspect?” Ren leaned casually against a desk, arms crossed, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He nodded mockingly toward Gu Xicao. “Don’t tell me you’re counting this girl as the suspect? She might be involved in pornography scandal, but she’s no good for a homicide investigation.”

Gu Xicao’s face darkened.

Chen’s gaze turned sharp as a blade.

“Ren Yongguo, watch your mouth! She’s a master, not someone you can insult.”

“A master? My ass! If this little girl catches the killer, I’ll hand over my hat for her to use as a footrest!” Ren spat on the floor disdainfully.

The moment he finished speaking, a commotion erupted at the police station entrance.

Moments later, Lin Jianyi and Sun Zhaoqian entered, dragging a suspect with a paper bag over his head. Other officers followed, while a female officer assisted a visibly shaken Jiang Simin.

“Jianyi, Zhaoqian, bring the suspect over here!” Chen’s lips curled into a mischievous smile as he gestured for them to approach.

The two officers pushed the man forward and saluted Liu and Michael.

Liu raised his hand to acknowledge them, his gaze falling on the suspect with a mix of doubt and curiosity. “Is this the perpetrator?”

“Yes, Madam!” Sun Zhaoqian removed the paper bag with a sharp motion, revealing Kong Shunxiao’s face. “When we arrived this afternoon, he was about to harm the female victim. We apprehended him on the spot. At the crime scene, we found additional dismembered remains, which have been sent to forensics. We also uncovered several videotapes, which may be linked to previous cases.”

Kong Shunxiao glared venomously at everyone in the room.

His gaze locked onto Gu Xicao. “It was you! You tricked me, you b****! I’ll kill you!”

Gu Xicao’s expression didn’t falter. She raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The resounding crack left Kong Shunxiao stunned, and everyone else froze in place.

“Oops, my hand slipped. Any objections?” Gu Xicao smiled sweetly as she pulled a tissue from her pocket to wipe her hand.

“N-no objections.”

Inspector Liu blinked, then looked at Gu Xicao with newfound respect. “Did you help the police identify the suspect’s location?”

“Just doing my civic duty, Madam. I don’t deserve any credit,” Gu Xicao replied with a smile. “Officers Lin and Sun worked tirelessly. Without them, the suspect wouldn’t have been caught, nor the victim rescued in time.”

A hint of admiration flickered in Liu’s eyes. “Regardless, on behalf of the Hong Kong police, I thank you.”

“You’re too kind. But…” Gu Xicao turned her gaze to Ren. “What was that Sergeant Ren said earlier? Something about giving me his hat as a footrest? My ears must be playing tricks on me.”

Ren’s face turned an alarming shade of green, then white, his fists clenching tightly in anger and humiliation.

“Catching the suspect has nothing to do with you. Don’t pat yourself on the back too much. Just because people call you a fortune-teller, you really think you’re some kind of master, you little girl?”

“Watch your mouth!” Lin Jianyi’s temper flared, veins popping on his forehead as he glared at Ren.

“Hey,” Gu Xicao held Lin Jianyi back, her gaze settling on Ren as she sized him up with a smile. “Why don’t we see if I’m a real fortune-teller, Sergeant Ren?”

“Fine, let’s test it!” Ren crossed his arms, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, his expression full of disdain.

Sun Zhaoqian, hearing this, couldn’t help but give Ren a sympathetic glance.

This man clearly had no idea what Gu Xicao was capable of.

“Sergeant Ren, you’re a hard-luck case. You’re venomous with your words, cursed your parents to an early grave, and have brought bad luck to your wife and anyone you work with—superiors and subordinates alike. Truly, you’re the jinx of the workplace,” Gu Xicao said with a cheerful smile, not sparing him an ounce of mercy.

“And that’s not even the worst part. Your personality is garbage, your mouth is filthy, and your character is utterly despicable. You brown-nose your superiors to their faces and badmouth them behind their backs. Take Superintendent Michael, for example. You praise him as competent to his face, but behind his back, you call him a bald white pig.”

Michael’s expression immediately darkened.

Everyone instinctively glanced at Michael’s head. Sure enough, it was quite bald.

“As for Inspector Liu, you’re even worse. You can’t stand the fact that a woman holds a higher rank than you, so you spread rumors about her, calling her an old spinster and accusing her of sleeping her way to the top. Most of the slander about Inspector Liu in this station originates from you. Honestly, with a character like yours, it’s a miracle you’re still alive.”

Inspector Liu, who had initially chuckled at Michael’s misfortune, now pulled a tight frown as her face turned as dark as a pot’s bottom. She stared at Ren Yongguo, her voice icy. “So it was you undermining me all this time.”

The cigarette in Ren’s mouth fell to the floor.

He frantically waved his hands. “No, it wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!”

“Believe what you want,” Gu Xicao said, glancing at the clock. “It’s getting late. I’ll be on my way now. Lin Jianyi, Sun Zhaoqian, goodbye!”

Lin Jianyi and Sun Zhaoqian reflexively waved her off.

Gu Xicao let out a satisfied breath as she left. She felt refreshed. Ren Yongguo probably wouldn’t last long at Mong Kok Police Station now—Inspector Liu alone would be enough to make his life miserable.

The news of the police catching the serial killer responsible for the dismemberment case sent shockwaves through all of Hong Kong.

The next morning, just as Gu Xicao stepped out of her house, Mrs. Lin and some neighbors rushed over with curiosity brimming on their faces.

“Xiao Gu, is it true? The morning news said that killer was caught with your help!”

“News travels fast,” Gu Xicao remarked, surprised as she locked her door.

“Of course! Everyone’s relieved to hear the killer’s been caught,” Mrs. Lin said. “If he wasn’t, no one would dare go outside.”

“Well, you can relax now. The killer’s been apprehended. However…” Gu Xicao frowned, recalling the equipment and videotapes she had seen yesterday.

“What’s the matter? Don’t keep us in suspense,” Mrs. Lin urged anxiously.

Gu Xicao shook her head and smiled. “Nothing much. I don’t have any details to share. You’d better ask Lin Jianyi instead. I have to get to work.”

Ignoring their calls, she quickly walked away, leaving Mrs. Lin stomping her foot in frustration before turning back to her television for updates.

“You’re so brave! Did you get hurt yesterday?” Wang Laoshi asked as he looked her up and down, relieved to find no visible injuries.

“Hurt? Not at all. I’m not stupid,” Gu Xicao said with a laugh. “How’s the shop renovation going?”

“Almost done, just missing the signboard,” Wang replied. “You should decide on the name quickly so we can have it made.”

The shop’s name?

Gu Xicao rubbed her forehead. What would be a good name for a fortune-telling business? She hadn’t given it much thought.

“This is the place.”

A voice drew Gu Xicao’s attention. She looked up and let out a small exclamation.

It was the girl from yesterday.

Jiang Simin had come with her parents. The night before, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang had learned their daughter had been kidnapped, rushing to the police station in terror. Upon hearing she had narrowly escaped death, they were nearly frightened to death themselves.

“Master Gu, was it you who saved our daughter?” Mr. Jiang’s bloodshot eyes were filled with gratitude. His face was haggard. “We owe you so much!”

“Yes, Simin, quickly thank the master!” Mrs. Jiang urged, pulling at her daughter.

Jiang Simin looked at Gu Xicao, her delicate face full of gratitude, and bowed deeply. “Thank you so much!”

“There’s no need to thank me; you’re being too polite.” Gu Xicao waved her hands quickly. “And please don’t bow. You’re making me feel awkward.”

“No, this is necessary. Without you, our daughter…” Mrs. Jiang’s voice cracked as she wiped tears from her eyes, overwhelmed by relief and lingering fear.

Out of nowhere, Wang Mingqiang appeared, camera in hand. “Master Gu, no need to be modest. This is such a big deal—it deserves recognition. Let me take a picture of you all together!”

“Huh?”

Before Gu Xicao could react, Wang snapped a photo with a loud click.

The next day, the headline read: “Brilliant and Brave Female Master Storms the Lair, Rescues Young Maiden.”

The Jiang family’s faces were pixelated for privacy, leaving only Gu Xicao’s startled expression prominently displayed on the front page.

Gu Xicao: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

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**Chief inspector Maigao has been changed to Superintendent Michael **