Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After the banquet, I went to find the groom.

Zhao Zhiming was in the middle of warmly seeing off relatives and friends. He looked like the type who could handle people from every direction.

I walked over and patted Zhao Zhiming on the shoulder.

When Zhao Zhiming saw it was me, he froze. “You, you’re from Aunt Han’s family… Lou Xiao… the detective, right?”

I nodded.

I glanced around. There were quite a lot of people nearby, so it felt a little awkward to say it there.

“Come with me for a second. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Zhao Zhiming seemed a little uneasy. After hesitating for a while, he said, “O-okay!”

We went into the lounge.

I was the first to hold out my hand to Zhao Zhiming. “Congratulations.”

Zhao Zhiming clasped my hand with both of his. “Th-thank you.”

?

Why were his palms so sweaty?

I patted him on the shoulder and smiled. “Don’t be nervous, man. I’m just going to ask you a few things. Won’t take long.”

Zhao Zhiming said anxiously, “I’m a law-abiding citizen. I’ve really never done anything illegal or criminal. Why are you looking for me?”

“Oh, I remember now. I beat up the guy who seduced my ex-girlfriend before. What, did he call the police?”

“He deserved that beating!”

“But I swear, I didn’t try to kill him. I just made him look bruised and swollen for a few days.”

“Did he call the police? Is he trying to extort me?”

“Wait, did I beat him to death?”

Zhao Zhiming suddenly spiraled into unease, and cold sweat even broke out on his forehead.

Me: …This dude must have had too much to drink. Why was he putting on such a whole performance?

“Relax. No one called the police. I’m here for a personal matter.”

“Do you know Qiao Xia?”

Zhao Zhiming nodded woodenly, then asked cautiously, “Did Qiao Xia commit a crime?”

Me: …

I said directly, “Can you introduce me to her?”

Zhao Zhiming’s eyes suddenly lit up, and his expression turned a little sleazy. “Ohhh, so you want to get to know Xiaxia.”

Me: …Bro, why are you so excited to gossip?

“Can you?”

Zhao Zhiming rubbed his hands together, looking troubled. “I mean, I can, but Xiaxia has a boyfriend. Sure, just getting to know each other isn’t a big deal, but suddenly introducing a man to her feels kind of inappropriate. I’ll have to discuss it with my wife first. After all, Xiaxia is her best friend. My wife is really fierce. You’ve seen her build. Two of me wouldn’t be a match for her…”

Me: …So dramatic.

“Since she has a boyfriend, forget it. I’m leaving.”

Zhao Zhiming grabbed me and chuckled. “Add me on WeChat, Officer Lou. If Xiaxia ever breaks up and becomes single, I’ll tell you right away.”

I frowned. …What the hell?

I refused.

Zhao Zhiming gave a dry cough and turned serious. “What I mean is, we’re relatives, aren’t we? The first time we’re strangers, the second time we’re friends. Besides, if I run into trouble in my daily life and don’t have time to call the police, it’d be faster to contact you first. And if I ever commit a crime, I can come to you to confess. Confession brings leniency, resistance brings severity, right?”

I took out my phone and opened my QR code.

Fair enough.

This guy was a little goofy, but he wasn’t a bad person.

Zhao Zhiming raised an eyebrow. “Huh? Your profile picture is Kobe. You like him too?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I even have a signed jersey of his.”

Zhao Zhiming’s face turned to stone, and tears of envy streamed down. “Can I… pay my respects to it?”

I laughed. “No problem.”

Zhao Zhiming said, “Then can we go now?”

Me: …

“Aren’t you getting married today?”

Zhao Zhiming said, “Oh. Seems like it.”

Me: …

I patted him on the back. “Contact me whenever you’re done being busy. Let’s play ball sometime.”

Zhao Zhiming said, “Yes, yes, yes!”

Not bad.

Although I didn’t get to know Qiao Xia, I did make a friend.

Pretty good.