9th Break: Duty

"Meng Xing?" Lin Ze was surprised to see Meng Xing coming out of the room. Subconsciously, his eyes darted inside the still open room. But, at the last second before he could see the inside of the room, he forced his gaze away, back to Meng Xing's veiled face.

Meng Xing smiled when he saw Lin Ze's action. "Second young master Lin… ah, it should be official Lin now?" He asked. "No need to strain your eyes. You are welcome to look inside the room if you want." He magnanimously said.

"I apologize." Lin Ze spoke and apologetically smiled.

"I know. 'occupational habit', right?" Meng Xing said and looked at him with understanding in his eyes.

Now, Lin Ze felt more embarrassed. In the end, he could only nod.

Meng Xing chuckled. "May I ask how did Mr. Wen's case go?" He asked as they went out of the Xu family's restaurant.

"As I have said back then at the entrance of Huichen, Mr. Wen's case has been hastily closed due to the lack of evidence." Lin Ze answered. His voice is filled with regret. "Madam Wen seemed to know something and left with her children after that, apologizing that she troubled me for nothing." He shook his head.

Meng Xing didn't speak and went to a stall selling tassels. "Official Lin refused to ask me before why I came to Huichen." He spoke.

Everyone knows that when there is a difficult case that the officials can't solve, go to Huichen.

Lin Ze looked at him. "Something is troubling you?" He asked in surprise.

"If there wasn't, why would I go there?" Meng Xing asked back with a smile.

Lin Ze didn't speak. Meng Xing looked like a worry-free guy, aside from looking suspicious… and looking good. So he was surprised that Meng Xing also has a problem which he can't solve. Well, everyone has a problem, and of different kinds. And, as Meng Xing asked, why would he go to Huichen if he doesn't have a problem which he can't solve?

(Qiu Shisi and Qiu Qi: because he is our boss!)

Lin Ze coughed. "Well, what problem do you have?" He asked. "If it is within my power, I will help." He said.

Meng Xing paused before he turned to look at him. Then, he smiled. "Then, I will take your offer, thanks." He said.

Lin Ze nodded.

Meng Xing turned back to look at the tassels and finally chose one. He paid before he turned back to Lin Ze. "I have a friend who left for somewhere." He started as they walked down the street, listening to the giggles of the children playing, to the loud voices of the merchants attracting their customers, and the low voices of the women who were gossiping.

Lin Ze didn't speak and just silently listened to Meng Xing.

"We really aren't that close, but then, suddenly, one week ago, they stopped contacting me." Meng Xing continued. "At first, I thought it was normal considering our relationship is not really that close… but - " he lowered his gaze. " - I suddenly felt uneasy." He spoke. "I began to recall if I did something wrong thinking that they were upset with me so they didn't contact me. But, I hadn't." He said. "So, I began to feel suspicious." He told Lin Ze.

"'suspicious'?" Lin Ze asked. If it was anyone, after listening to this kind of story from them, Lin Ze would just give them someone to talk to since this is just a relationship problem.

But, this is Meng Xing - the person who made Lin Ze felt vigilant, even until now despite they were already acquaintances.

"Mn." Meng Xing nodded. "I contacted our other friends and asked them, only to be surprised when I heard that they also didn't hear anything from them." He said and lowered his head.

Lin Ze's brows raised. "They are missing?" He asked.

"I suspect so." Meng Xing said. "Don't ask why I didn't approach the officials." He stopped and looked at Lin Ze. "This matter is just my own suspicion, so why should I bother the officials about it?" He asked. "Furthermore…" he muttered and lowered his gaze.

Silence fell upon them as Lin Ze's expression changed. He knows that Meng Xing is a smart person, so why would Meng Xing not suspect Mr. Wen's case?

Lin Ze frowned. "I will help you find your friend." He told Meng Xing.

Even if he is an officer, he is just a small officer - albeit his qualification as the top 1 in jianghu. Not to mention his elder brother who is a minister of the palace. So, if he would do his own small investigation, who would pay attention to him? Not to mention that this is actually what the officers would do. Thus, he is just doing his duty.

If Meng Xing would know Lin Ze's thoughts, he would definitely roll his eyes. Well, isn't Lin Ze too dedicated to acting his role?

"Come. I will tell you the details." Meng Xing said and pulled Lin Ze's arm, catching Lin Ze off-guard.

Meng Xing's hand… is too soft.

…

This time, at Huichen.

"Ppppptt!!!" Qiu Shisi sprayed his drink when he heard what the subordinate said. "WHAT?! The boss and Lin Ze?! They are flirting?!" He asked with his eyes wide in both shock and horror. "And it was the boss who pulled Lin Ze's hand?!" He added. His voice is so loud that it can even be heard outside.

And so, the entire Huichen found out their boss' affair.

"Ehem…" Qiu Shisi coughed when he noticed some eyes outside the door and some ears by the window watching and listening. It is over… the boss will kill me! He thought and wanted to cry. "How can the boss flirt with Lin Ze?!" He asked, regaining his momentum.

The subordinate who reported. "..." how can the boss not? Lin Ze is the top 1 in jianghu, and both men and women wanted to marry Lin Ze. The boss is very wise to be engaged with Lin Ze five years ago. Unfortunately, the boss wasn't able to keep Lin Ze.

He sighed. It is not that the boss is at fault. It was Lin Ze who is blind to not marry the boss, who is a great beauty and a great man. In the future, Lin Ze will definitely regret until his intestines turn green for not marrying the boss, and it was only a week away!

To say, this subordinate should have a side job as a fortune-teller.

Meanwhile, Qiu Shisi shouted. "This is a scheme! This is the boss' scheme against Lin Ze!" He said. "The boss must have come up a new plan to humiliate Lin Ze, to get back at him!" He added.

To say, Qiu Shisi should also go with the subordinate to set up a fortune-telling stall.