Miss Forensics – Chapter 15

Volume One: First Scroll

Fragile

Today was the first time I tasted the flavor of “fragility” in Lin Yan.

After leaving Li Shiping’s house, Song Yuhang hailed a taxi, gave the destination, and closed her eyes to rest.

“Miss, we’ve arrived at Landi Bar.”

“Good, thank you,” she handed over the money, pushed open the door, and stepped out. Looking up at the massive neon sign, she could hear the deafening music even from the street.

Several young people with dyed hair in various colors stood smoking at the entrance. Upon seeing her, they approached to solicit customers: “Miss, would you like a drink? Today’s special is 20% off all beverages.”

Song Yuhang pulled out her badge: “Police. I’m looking for someone called Zhou Mo.”

The group immediately lost interest – those in this business feared police visits the most, considering them bad luck.

A young man with green-dyed hair listlessly pushed open the door: “Zhou Mo, someone’s looking for you.”

The young man was wiping glasses behind the bar. He suddenly looked up, met Song Yuhang’s eyes, then quickly lowered his head back to his work.

Song Yuhang knew he was the one she was looking for. She walked over and tapped the counter: “Police. We need to ask you some questions.”

Due to still being in school, Zhou Mo hadn’t adopted any strange hairstyles. He wore the bar’s uniform and appeared clean and fresh-faced.

Seeing her badge, he didn’t even furrow his brow: “Is this about Teacher Ding?”

Before Song Yuhang could speak, he continued: “I know nothing about it. I think you might be asking the wrong person. That night, after Teacher Ding walked me back to the dormitory, I stayed in my room resting. My roommates and the dorm supervisor can vouch for me.”

This kid even knew about establishing an alibi.

Song Yuhang remained expressionless: “There’s currently no evidence suggesting you killed her. Why so defensive? I’m here today just to understand your usual relationship with her, or perhaps who she was particularly close to…”

Just as she finished speaking, a customer shouted: “Where’s my drink?! Why isn’t it here yet!”

Zhou Mo carried out a tray: “Excuse me, I need to work.”

Song Yuhang blocked his path, gesturing for him to wait a moment: “Don’t you want to know who killed her?”

The young man’s steps faltered slightly, and after a moment, he smiled mockingly: “Officer Song, I’m not yet eighteen. As far as I know, questioning a minor alone isn’t exactly legal, is it?”

Quite clever.

Song Yuhang froze, and he had already disappeared into the crowd with his tray.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, here’s your Long Island Iced Tea, please enjoy.”

As he turned around, a colleague happened to pass by. Zhou Mo handed over the tray, removed his apron, and said in a low voice: “There’s police looking for me. Watch the front for me, I’m heading to the back.”

It was the green-haired one. He nodded, and they switched positions. Zhou Mo vanished into the bustling crowd.

The bar switched to a more intense dance track, the multicolored lights made it hard to see clearly, and with people coming and going, packed like sardines, Song Yuhang followed but soon lost her target.

Her lips curled into an interesting smile, until someone lightly tapped her shoulder.

She instinctively prepared for a shoulder throw, grabbing the person’s hand, but felt a soft, boneless touch as a sweet perfume wafted into her nostrils.

Lin Yan pressed against her ear, saying something unclear, her warm breath brushing past the nape of Song Yuhang’s neck, creating a slight tickle.

Song Yuhang released her grip, stepping back to steady herself: “What did you say?”

Lin Yan held a mojito in her hand, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she glanced at her: “I said, so even the great Officer Song has her off days.”

Song Yuhang pressed her lips together, having heard this clearly: “What are you doing here?”

“Investigating, what else? Like I said, today’s young people don’t fall for your tactics anymore. Watch how Gunainai [姑奶奶 | gū nǎi nai | term used by women to refer to themselves in a superior manner] does it.”

Lin Yan shoved the glass into her hands, flirtatiously brushed her hair, and pulled down her one-shoulder dress slightly, accentuating her curves.

Before she could even ring for service, a waiter immediately came over.

Green Hair: “Miss, what would you like to drink?”

“…”

Song Yuhang turned her face away expressionlessly.

“Your most expensive wine, and also, get your good-looking young men to come keep me company,” she acted drunk, stumbling on her feet, staggering as she hooked Green Hair’s neck, letting him help her to the booth.

“Two bottles of Louis XIII,” Green Hair instructed the young staff behind him, then brazenly looked her over, almost dazzled by her head-to-toe luxury brands.

Lin Yan arched up from the booth, wrapping her arms around his neck again, not being subtle at all. With unfocused eyes and slurred speech: “I heard… heard you have a handsome guy called Zhou Mo… Sister’s got plenty of money… get him to drink with me… this is all yours.”

As she spoke, she messily pulled out a stack of RMB from her LV bag and stuffed it into his chest.

Green Hair almost drooled, but after thinking, showed a moment’s hesitation: “Sister… he’s not here today, how about… letting someone else drink with you? They’re just as attentive and well-behaved.”

Lin Yan’s mind whirled with calculations, but her face showed a seductive smile as she pulled him down: “Alright then, we don’t need anyone else. Just you. As long as you keep Sister happy, all this money is yours~”

Song Yuhang was just an aisle away, watching her drink and socialize with the young people. The booth was full of men and women, Lin Yan giggling, trembling like flower branches, pretending to be drunk as she buried her head in Green Hair’s chest.

Her voice was soft and gentle, her figure delicate and graceful, her eyes rippling with emotion as she seemed to lament: “Too bad that little brother isn’t here, Sister wanted to be his sugar mama. I just love these younger wolf pups [小狼狗 | xiǎo láng gǒu | slang for aggressive younger men].”

With her embraces and touches, Green Hair was completely smitten, forgetting everything else: “Sugar mama? That kid’s not short of money lately.”

Lin Yan lay on his lap, letting him feed her a sip of wine: “Oh? How so? If he’s not short of money, why would a student work in a place like this?”

Green Hair was quite drunk and spoke freely: “Don’t know what sugar daddy that kid’s found lately. Yesterday I saw him wearing an Omega watch.”

Although the Omega brand isn’t as luxurious as Rolex, it’s still considered accessible luxury for a student.

Lin Yan raised an eyebrow slightly: “Oh? Male or female? Daring to compete with Sister for someone without knowing who I am…”

Song Yuhang listened intently, raised the glass to her lips, then suddenly realized – wasn’t this what Lin Yan just drank from?

She frowned and quickly put it down.

Yet the clean, crisp alcohol lingered persistently on her lips and teeth.

The group drank wildly until the bar’s closing time in the deep night. Lin Yan had gotten the information she wanted. She glanced sideways to see that person still sitting properly upright, the drink before her untouched.

Young Miss Lin stood up unsteadily, throwing down a stack of money on the table: “Alright, we’ve drunk and played enough, let’s disperse.”

As she turned to leave, Green Hair quickly steadied her, exchanging glances with several others who followed behind them.

Song Yuhang zipped up her hoodie, pulled the hood over her head, paid her bill and headed out.

“Hey, Miss, Miss, careful now, the car’s this way.” Lin Yan’s steps were unsteady, her gaze unfocused, occasionally bending over pretending to feel unwell, her small face deathly pale.

Even Song Yuhang couldn’t tell if she was truly drunk or just acting, and could only follow them.

Seeing the approaching car wasn’t her own, Lin Yan gave a cold internal laugh.

Motherf*cker, trying to take advantage of a drunk woman.

Green Hair ordered someone to open the car door, preparing to help her in. Lin Yan appeared unsteady as she held his waist, but her right hand, like a maggot on bone [跗骨之蛆 | fú gǔ zhī qū | idiom: persistent pest], traced his spine to the third vertebra, a spot that if struck with force would result in death or paralysis.

Before she could act, she felt herself lifted as Green Hair was pulled away. Lin Yan felt somewhat regretful as her gathered strength dissipated, and her right hand naturally wrapped around the newcomer’s waist, resting her head on their shoulder.

“Darling, you’re here. I feel terrible. Take me home, won’t you~?” Her deliberately coquettish voice was enough to give one goosebumps.

Both of them shuddered simultaneously.

Song Yuhang looked down at her expressionlessly.

In that moment of eye contact, both harbored their own thoughts.

Lin Yan blinked her innocent eyes, hugged tighter, clutching at her clothes, and buried her head against her chest.

…

Song Yuhang suppressed the urge to throw her away, supporting her shoulders as they walked out.

Seeing their plans thwarted, the group’s expressions turned hostile. One, emboldened by alcohol, rushed forward to grab Lin Yan. Song Yuhang switched her from left to right arm, then delivered a back elbow strike to a vital point, sending the attacker stumbling back, gasping in pain.

“F*cking hell, get them!”

As several people rushed forward chaotically, Song Yuhang pushed Lin Yan behind her and said without turning: “Call the police.”

“Oh my, I didn’t bring my phone. Isn’t Captain Song one of Jiangcheng City’s top criminal investigators? What’s the need for calling the police?” The drunkenness vanished from her face as Lin Yan stood straight, wishing she had some sunflower seeds and a small stool to properly enjoy the show.

A thug threw a punch, but Song Yuhang dodged sideways. With her rich combat experience, she executed a clean leg sweep, instantly flooring him.

Catching movement in her peripheral vision, she tilted her head to avoid a sneak attack from behind, grabbed the attacker’s arm, and performed a back throw.

Someone charged with a baseball bat, but Song Yuhang showed no fear despite being outnumbered. Her fighting style was fierce yet precise, combining stability with agility. She delivered a knee strike that sent Green Hair flying, then grabbed his wrist before he could escape, yanking him back.

Green Hair howled in pain and tried to headbutt her with brute force. Song Yuhang delivered an uppercut, making his nose bleed. She pushed him backward with strength matching any male detective, slamming him against the car with a loud bang that left him dizzy. Song Yuhang twisted his already weakened wrist, making him drop the baseball bat. She picked it up and threw it far away, then pulled out handcuffs and secured him firmly to the car door.

Watching the baseball bat roll to her feet, Lin Yan couldn’t smile anymore and planned to slip away.

The police car hadn’t arrived yet, and the thugs lying around were crying for their parents.

Song Yuhang turned to look at her, eyes deep: “Forensic Doctor Lin, quite a performance. Where are you going?”

Just as Lin Yan tried to speak, her stomach churned violently, and she couldn’t help but grab the utility pole to retch.

She had intentionally used these thugs to test Song Yuhang’s skills, while Song Yuhang deliberately made an example of them – why else be so fierce with mere street thugs?

She was clearly sending a message through her actions: don’t try anything foolish.

Song Yuhang was clever, still remembering the incident in the archives room.

Her suspicions had never disappeared.

Thinking of this, Lin Yan coughed harder, bending over the utility pole. She had drunk heavily, making her vomiting particularly severe. She could barely stand, her jade-white neck exposed under the streetlight, pale and fragile.

The police car arrived. She shifted her gaze from the figure under the streetlight to the colorfully-haired thugs. After loading them into the police car, Song Yuhang looked back, got a tissue from Fang Xin, and walked over.

“Here.”

Seeing the offered tissue, Lin Yan paused slightly, wiped the filth from her lips, and looked up with burning eyes: “No need, I’m not drunk.”

Song Yuhang, finding herself rebuffed, said nothing more and turned away.

After a while, she finally felt better and walked out of the alley holding the wall, but was surprised to see the police lights still flashing – Song Yuhang hadn’t left.

She leaned casually against the car door, hands in pockets, hood still up, wearing a simple gray t-shirt and black pants, giving off the gentle, calm air of the boy next door.

As if she were just an upperclassman waiting for a girl from the next class to finish school, not the same person who had fought so fiercely moments ago.

Lin Yan didn’t know why this thought suddenly popped into her head. She shuddered, disgusted with herself for the second time that night.

“Cold?” Seeing her still deathly pale and shivering, Song Yuhang looked at her exposed shoulders and collarbone, thoughtfully offering her jacket.

Lin Yan didn’t plan to take it: “Aren’t you angry?”

“With Forensic Doctor Lin’s many schemes, if I got angry at each one, I’d die of anger.”

These words made her grit her teeth again as she snatched the jacket and dove into the car.

“Just shut up!”

Song Yuhang smiled and followed her into the car: “Duan Cheng, let’s go.”

She finally settled down on the way back. Perhaps due to recent lack of rest, combined with the effects of alcohol, she soon fell asleep.

Still covered with Song Yuhang’s jacket, which carried no perfume or makeup scent, just a faint smell of sunshine.

Half-asleep, Lin Yan thought it smelled like blankets dried in the warm winter sun for an afternoon.

She drifted into deep sleep with this fragrance.

The alley was narrow and low, difficult to drive through, with uneven roads. After one bump, Lin Yan’s head tilted onto her shoulder.

She wanted to steady her but accidentally touched her breath, feeling the warmth brush against her fingers.

The car interior was dark. Her skin was startlingly white, eyes closed, breathing steady – she had fallen asleep.

That fragile nape lay exposed under her gaze. Song Yuhang came from a military and police family – her father was in Special Forces, her brother in Narcotics. From childhood, she learned military boxing instead of radio calisthenics, and by age seven or eight, she joined the provincial team specializing in freestyle combat.

Her father and brother wouldn’t allow weakness, and her own pride drove her to catch up with her brother. As she grew, her height far exceeded other women her age. With her large frame, she appeared lean but was actually all muscle built over years of training. Without clothes, she might even consider becoming a bodybuilding instructor at a gym.

She never knew what “fragile” meant until today, when she first tasted the flavor of this word through Lin Yan.

That pale nape would break in her hands with just a slight force.

No wonder – fragile things always inspire the urge to destroy.

This was a truth she’d learned from countless fights with vicious criminals.

Song Yuhang inexplicably felt her throat go dry.

“Captain Song, we’re here,” Duan Cheng killed the engine, parking at the bureau entrance.

Lin Yan sat up, looking tired, yawning as the uniform jacket slipped off. As she bent to pick it up, Song Yuhang had already jumped out of the car.

The jacket inevitably had some dirt and sharp alcohol smell. Lin Yan raised her eyebrows at her after getting out: “Hey, I’ll clean it before returning it!”

Song Yuhang nodded, saying nothing as she hurried into the bureau. Her steps were quick, while Lin Yan hadn’t fully recovered: “Hey – why are you running?”

Her question made the person ahead pause. Song Yuhang’s lips moved, not looking back: “Interrogation.”

Beneath her seemingly calm exterior, only she knew what evil thoughts had just emerged.

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LP: Re-translated on March 09, 2025

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