Chapter 2555: Dear Detective Mr. 07

The night is deep and all is quiet.

Jin Chen stood outside A'er Ruike's door, holding a small jar of ointment.

He gently pushed the door open, making no sound, and quietly looked at A'er Ruike.

Inside the room, A'er Ruike stood with his back to the door at the washstand, slightly bending over as he rinsed his mouth.

He wore a well-made but somewhat aged pajama, loosely draped over his broad shoulders; the fabric tightened with his rinsing motion, making the slender waistline below even more pronounced.

A'er Ruike spat out the water, straightened up, and lifted a hand to wipe his mouth with a towel.

This motion slightly tugged his top, letting a corner of the hem slip from his trousers, faintly revealing the tight, smooth skin of his lower back and the shallow groove at the end of his spine.

A'er Ruike's physique was perfect—neither too much nor too little—Jin Chen thought, his gaze wandering; he caught the scent of soap, the steam from A'er Ruike's hot-water-warmed skin, and a hint of Western-style mint.

His shoulders and back were broad, his chest muscles pushing the pajama front into a full, soft curve; even relaxed, it conveyed a substantial heft that inexplicably made one want to bury one's face in it.

It made Jin Chen want to step forward, using his fingertips to measure the astonishing gap between waist and full chest, to feel how warm and supple the thick thigh muscles would be beneath his palm.

The sound of water masked the noise of the door opening.

A'er Ruike was completely unaware that someone had entered.

His mind kept recalling the man in the black mask, each memory making him furious.

Next time he saw that bastard, he thought, he would kill the man and then desecrate his corpse.

Sensing the movement behind him, A'er Ruike turned alertly, his fingers already reaching for the dagger hidden at his waist.

Upon seeing that the visitor was Jin Chen, he relaxed his guard a little.

Jin Chen wore a warm-toned linen pajama, holding a small oil lamp; its soft light illuminated his handsome face.

He stood there, his eyes gentle and concerned; under the lamp light, his blue eyes held a ripple-like sorrow.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you asleep yet, Xi Li'er?" A'er Ruike asked impatiently.

Jin Chen lowered his gaze to his lips, his voice soft.

"I brought you medicine, A'er Ruike,"

"Sorry."

The skin is badly torn; next time I'll be gentler.

A'er Ruike frowned, a bit confused, "What are you apologizing for?"

Jin Chen lifted his eyes, his blue eyes brimming with complex emotion.

"I didn't know you also had a lover; I shouldn't have kissed you… sorry."

A'er Ruike: "……"

How should he explain to Xi Li'er?

Damn it, where did he get a lover from?

Should he say he was kissed by some bastard in the tavern?

That certainly couldn't be said.

A'er Ruike looked at Jin Chen's eyes, somehow recalling that kiss on the street corner, and his whole body felt off.

He unconsciously pressed his lips together, furrowed his brow, and said with difficulty, "There's no lover. Put the medicine down, Xi Li'er; you should go to sleep."

But Jin Chen instead stepped forward half a step, gently touching A'er Ruike's lip corner with his fingertip, lowering his gaze, his tone tender.

"Then, if it's not a lover, perhaps you don't like it, A'er Ruike, is that right?"

"You kissed so fiercely you broke the skin."

A'er Ruike alertly pressed down on his shoulder.

"Xi Li'er, if you want a beating,"

But Jin Chen, going with the flow, lightly embraced A'er Ruike's waist, his palm slowly rubbing, warm sensation, fingertips wandering.

A'er Ruike's gaze shifted slightly, and he heard Jin Chen's near‑pleading whisper, concealing an indescribably hidden desire.

"No, don't reject me, A'er Ruike; you have no idea how sorrowful I am."

"……" A'er Ruike was somewhat stunned.

"I was waiting for you back at the office; I never expected… to see you like this."

Jin Chen spoke softly, his nose lightly touching A'er Ruike's cheek, giving the impression of profound sorrow yet gentleness.

Damn it.

A'er Ruike's Adam's apple rolled, yet unexpectedly he did not push him away.

Jin Chen's warm, moist lips lightly brushed his, followed by the cool ointment spread with his fingertip.

A'er Ruike tightened his jaw, feeling the gentle touch.

Jin Chen murmured ambiguously in his ear, the hand resting on his shoulder sliding down to caress the full curve.

"A'er Ruike, good night."

He then shoved the medicine jar into A'er Ruike's hand, his cheeks flushed as he turned and left.

A'er Ruike: "……"

Fuck, Xi Li'er this pure‑innocent kid, what kind of kiss is this?

Spouting flirtatious lines, yet thinking he's got some skill.

A'er Ruike wiped his lips, casually tossed the ointment onto the bedside, his mind in turmoil.

He couldn't fathom how so many bastards and ruffians had appeared lately!

As he went downstairs, Ling Gun Gun was very curious, asking Jin Chen: 【Host, why are you approaching the Main God under another identity?】

【For convenience.】

Jin Chen said mysteriously.

He returned to his room, in good spirits, preparing to sleep.

After all, there's still work to be done tomorrow.

——

The next morning, Bruce and Alrek both needed to go to the courthouse to report on the investigation's progress.

After all, with such a big case, practically the whole city of Buk Port was awaiting the outcome, and they were under great pressure.

Jin Chen arrived at Zhuang Yuan first and conducted the investigation alone.

After yesterday's acquaintance, Butler Edgar was somewhat courteous to Detective Cyril, cooperatively answering some questions.

About two hours later, Jin Chen waited for Alrek to arrive.

Alrek and Sheriff Bruce got off the same carriage, and both of their expressions were not good.

Jin Chen went forward first, his eyes only on Alrek, and asked him with some concern what was wrong.

"Your complexion isn't very good, Alrek."

Alrek glanced at the angrily departing Bruce, shook his head, and said, "I'm fine, Cyril."

But it must be said, Jin Chen's concern still made Alrek feel somewhat comforted.

Or perhaps it was because of the kisses over the past two nights; in any case, Alrek's attitude toward Jin Chen had improved considerably, no longer mocking him as before.

Jin Chen thought this was a great improvement, so he smiled at Alrek more gently.

Alrek, however, walked inside somewhat uneasily.

When they entered the main hall, Bruce had already begun questioning the people inside again.

Jin Chen looked around and saw many key figures present.

The protagonist, Joshua and his servant Silas, Vincent's fiancée Vivian Eleanor, and the maid Molly who claimed to have seen Vincent playing the harp.

Of course, there was also the ever-dutiful butler Edgar.

Jin Chen sat down with Alrek.

Alrek still cared about the study's furnishings: "Miss Eleanor, I heard you requested changes to Vincent's study, right? You're very concerned about Vincent."

Eleanor was a very gentle lady, but she still hadn't gotten over the fact that her fiancé had died.

"Yes," Eleanor said softly, "Vincent hasn't been feeling well lately. He's my fiancé; I... I care about him, and I told him perhaps he shouldn't sit directly facing the window, so he wouldn't catch a chill."

She lowered her head slightly, her voice full of deep affection and sorrow.