3.1 Gege

"Neither." Lan Cheng said. "I am just stating facts."

"Then I will take it as you worrying for me." Shu XinYi said as he continued to set the table.

Lan Xiao owed a good sum of money to Bai Jiao. This became the reason he was sent to jail after Lan Cheng gave some fake evidences to ignite the fire even more.

The next day Shu XinYi went to the art gallery. The place was owned by his mother but still Lan Xiao had booked it on rent. As of now all his art pieces on display yesterday, were confesticated. Except for that missing sculpture, which was still missing. Today he came to the site because the detective will be coming today to officially start the investigation for this murder.

Shu XinYi got out of his car and walked towards the officer he met yesterday. Lan Xiao was 18 this year so he did have a license.

"Ah, Mr.Lan you are finally here. The postmortem report is here, you can view it. The camera footage was ready for viewing so the detective is inside viewing it. You can go meet him."

Shu XinYi first viewed the report then walked towards the panel room and entered. A man was standing with his back to him, probably the detective, viewing yesterday's footage. There was also a technician present, helping the detective. Shu XinYi didn't make effort to introduce himself but instead just watched the footage himself.

The art gallery had 7 cameras in total. One at the front entrance. 2 in the main hallway and 4 in the display area. If the killer escaped from the back door he would still be noticed as he escapes to the hallway. Shu XinYi noticed something weird in the recording and said "Stop." The detective seemed to have noticed a s well so they said stop at the same time.

"Article 13 is stolen right here. In this frame people are crowding around the body so we can't see the sculpture but in the next frame the sculpture is gone." Shu XinYi says.

"But where did it go? How can a person escape with that big of a statue without being noticed by the camera?" The detective said in a contemplating voice.

"Two possibilities. One, they actually dismantled the sculpture to hide and escape with it. This would mean that there are multiple people involved. Two, the sculpture was or is still inside the vicinity in a blind spot. Maybe it is gone now since a whole day has passed." Shu XinYi said.

"Check the recordings of today. Even if they escaped today they should still be recorded." The detective said.

The technician showed them today's recordings. "There is an hour of recording missing from this. Where is it?" The detective asked in a cold tone.

Shu XinYi could see the technician actually shiver "Ah - today there was a connection issue for almost an hour S-so."

"How pathetic of you. Can't you even maintain this small thing?" The detective said.

"Mr.detective no need to be rude to this man. If it was planned by the murderer then he could've not done much to prevent it." Shu XinYi said.

The detective turned to look at him and his cold pheonix eyes peirced Shu XinYi. Shu XinYi's heart beat started to race a little.

"Who are you?" The detective asked.

"I am Lan Xiao. The host of yesterday. It was the first exhibition of my life and whoever is the murderer, kind of ruined it so I want to make sure he is caught." Shu XinYi extended his hand for a handshake.

The detective didn't even give him a second look as he turned and left, leaving both Shu XinYi and his hand hanging. Shu XinYi too followed behind him. The detective entered the main hall and tried to visualize how the murder would have taken place.

"Should I suggest something Mr.Detective?" Shu XinYi said poking his head out to the squating detective.

"No." The detective said.

"Ok ok I'll say it. The question is how did the poison get inside the victims body? There are no external marks on the body according to the postmortem report so he either consumed or inhaled the poison." Shu XinYi said.

"Not inhaled." The detective said as he walked towards the place where the sculpture was kept.

"Yes not inhaled. because he wouldn't be the only one effected if that was the case. Then he ate it but in the footage we can't see him eating anything nor was anything found on his person. The gallery also didn't serve anything until that time. So then how was he poisoned? Unless someone bowed the poison pill down his throat." Shu XinYi said while laughing a little.

The detective turned his face to look at Shu XinYi, who had a playful look on his face. The detective though was serious and his gaze gave Shu XinYi the chills.

"Ok, ok no need to glare at me. I get that you are a detective but can't you tolerate a little joke?" Shu XinYi said.

"No it's not that. I think what you said makes sense." the detective said.

"Huh? What?" Shu XinYi asked in a daze.

"It is possible that someone bowed the poison in their mouth, that way if the pill is small then it won't be noticed by the camera, and if done effectively even Mr.Bai wouldn't know." The detective said looking at the Qilin wood carving.

Shu XinYi walked towards him and touched the Qilin as if petting him. The Qilin was not represented as a majestic beast but a lone animal who had lost himself in a dangerous environment. When you looked at the sculpture, you want to pet and comfort them. "You think so?" Shu XinYi said.

The detective looked at young man petting his sculpture. Something about this moment was captured in his heart. Was it peaceful? The detective closely looked at the Qilin and asked "What is your inspiration behind this Qilin?"

Shu XinYi had spent only a day being Lin Xiao but he somewhat understood his art style and inspiration "When you think about a Qilin, you believe it to be a majestic beast yet, the beast doesn't believe in himself so here he is unfounded and lost. Is it a facade he created for himself or for the world to find him and comfort him? It's finding hopelessness in hope. Finding a fault in perfection."

The detective looked at the young man who was admiring his own work. "Then what is the inspiration behind this art?" The detective said, pointing at the body outlined marked on the floor.

Shu XinYi looked at where he was pointing, then replied "If I was the artist, then surely I would know."

The detective looked at him and for the first time his cold frowning face relaxed "I think that the poison was bowed into the victims mouth. I have 3 questions. First, What is the motive of this murder. Second, where is the missing artifact. Third how do I believe that you are not the murderer?"

Shu XinYi smiled a gentle smile saying "Don't you already believe so Mr.Detective, otherwise you wouldn't have discussed any information with me or maybe I am being tested?" Shu XinYi said tilting his head, he continued "Whatever the case, Mr.Detective, I will surely not disappoint you."

The detective actually smiled a little as he said while extending his hand "Xiang Li."

Shu XinYi gave him a firm hand shake saying "Lan Xiao."

Xiang Li was the detectives given name, his courtesy name was Xiang Yu. It was odd that when he introduced himself, he told his given name to Lan Xiao but he found that it was more appropriate that the boy calls him Xiang Li.

"Lan Xiao, you shouldn't continue to disturb me in my investigation, If something is of the matter then I will contact you myself." Xiang Li said.

Shu XinYi didn't know why he suddenly felt awkward as he said "Ah Sure sure, sorry that I bothered you today."

Xiang Li was taken aback, why did the boy sound like he had wronged him. "No that was not the case. You actually helped me in some ways. It's just that, the more you hang around me the more difficult it becomes to identify you as not guilty."

Shu XinYi understood his meaning, It was a detectives work to investigate a murder, if he meddled too much on the front lines then he will catch everyone's eyes. "I understand,

But honestly I was no help at all, so you don't need to be polite." Shu XinYi said honestly.

"Finding fault in perfection, Finding hopelessness in hope. I think I understand a little." Xiang Li said.

Shu XinYi didn't. "huh?"

Xiang Li saw the boy looking all dazed and he got a sudden urge to pat his head. "It's something I can't explain. Lan Xiao, I would like to see some pictures of the sculpture you created. I heard that it is of Song XingChen."

"Ah yes, he is an actor my mother has sponsored herself. So well one thing led to another and I made it. Here look."

Shu XinYi showed Xiang Li the pictures he had in his phone.

Xiang Li observed for a while then said with a little annoyance "You must have observed his body well, for you to make such a detailed sculpture no?" Every curve on the body was cut and shaped well. Even through a phone screen Xiang Li couldn't find a fault. It looked like Song XingChen had become a being of the ancient times wearing a kings robe.

"Well, naturally. Is something wrong?" Shu XinYi asked.

"No nothing, just the question that why steal this particular article. Obviously they won't sell it, so then were they a really crazy fan of Song XingChen? but how is it all related to the murder? Is it a coincidence that the statue was stolen on the same day or was it planned this way all along?" Xiang Li muttered to himself in an unnatural manner.

"Ah Xiang Li.. you kind of shouldn't say all that in front of me. Um.. If I am the real murderer then I would surely Improvise to counter your theories." Shu XinYi said truthfully.

Xiang Li then looked at Lan Xiao with a bit of an embarrassed face, he was about to say something when a Lady and 20 something guy came in.

"Mrs.Bai, young master Bai. We meet again." Xiang Li said with his usual cold tone.

This was Bai Meng and his mother. Although Bai Jiao had married Bai Meng's mother, his mother had conceived Bai Meng with an other man. Obviously, since it was their family member that was involved in the murder, they would want to find the killer. Simultaneously, they too could be suspected of being the killer.

"Mr.Xiang, have you investigated the matter I told you of? It definitely is the Xue clan, that held a grudge against him. Xue Fan, that old geezer was trying to negotiate a deal secretly with the board members of our corporation. My husband found out and tried to stop the process so they killed him." Mrs.Bai said in a calm tone as if what she said was the absolute truth.

"I am not denying your stance Mrs.Bai, but I will need some physical evidence of this deal you speak of. As of now I have arranged a meeting with the Xue clan head so nothing will go unattended." Xiang Li said.

"My lawyer is on the way, let's go somewhere private to discuss these matters." Mrs.Bai said looking at Lan Xiao.

Shu XinYi just bowed his head and left the vicinity. Xue Fan ... Shu XinYi thought carefully about the matter. If it was really Xue Fan, then why would he commit such arson in the middle of the day with so many people? While he can just do it in a street corner without making trouble for himself.

Shu XinYi didn't go home right away. First he stopped at a store, Lan Xiao was regular at, to buy art supplies. Then he went to but a violin. It took him 45 minutes just to buy all this, he wanted to make sure that the violin fit him.

When he reached home he went to the room he was staying in, to change. It was still day right now so Shu XinYi went to practice sculpting again. This time he only tried to make clay moulds. Shu XinYi could feel that he was getting better at understanding this kind of art. Once his hands touch the wet clay, they would move on their own to give shape to a new life.

From using hands to tools, for cutting and shaping the mould, Shu XinYi worked for 5 hours straight. Shu XinYi finally completed making a pheonix, with it's wings spread like it was taking a leap to ascend. It was a two palm sized bird and as of now it was not painted, but Shu XinYi left that for tomorrow.

As Shu XinYi was cleaning the mess he had made, Someone entered in his studio.

"Mom is calling you down for dinner, dear brother come down and eat or do you want her to spoon feed you like before?" It was obviously Lan Cheng.

"Sure Cheng ge, I will be down in 5 minutes. Can you help me clean up the studio a little so I can go upstairs to wash up?" Shu XinYi said removing his apron and gloves.

Lan Cheng raised his eyebrows at Lan Xiao's words. Is his insecure brother actually allowing him into his studio and even meddle with his things? This is new. Lan Xiao is very possessive about his things. From any piece of art he makes to even people close to him.

Cheng wasn't answering since he was still in contemplation so Shu XinYi prompted him again. This time Cheng gave a positive answer and made way for Xiao to leave. After Xiao left him alone in the studio, Cheng made a tour around it. He didn't understand why was it that even though they were twins, his brother was always better than him. Cheng never let this get to his head but somewhere in his heart he had made a place for these grudges.

It was not hate Cheng had for Xiao, rather it was anticipation. Anticipation for Xiao, to fail. Just once. Just once he wanted salvation but he didn't have it in his heart to harm his brother. Lost in thought he accidentally knocked over the pheonix, Xiao had just finished making. It was still soft so the shape disfigured ruining the left wing and half the face.

Cheng cursed in his heart. Why is it that he always messes up? Suddenly an overwhelming amount of emotions entered Cheng's heart like a tide. Cheng wanted to bang his head somewhere to clear the thoughts in his head.

"Woah, woah, woah, woah..." Shu XinYi had cleaned himself up and was on the way to the table when he remembered that he should check if the study is closed or not and came to a scene where Cheng was making a really angry face and was about to bang his head into a wall. This man has some issues to fix, he thought.

Shu XinYi was holding onto Cheng's both hands tightly and didn't say anything until Cheng came back to his senses.

Cheng immediately pushed Xiao away after he gained some sense "I-It was not my fault, I was trying to clean and it just fell. I don't know, I am sorry."

Shu XinYi thought that Cheng was seeing things but when he finally saw the disfigured Pheonix on the ground, he understood. "Calm down Cheng'ge, it's no problem. You don't have to worry, It is just a clay bird isn't it?" Shu XinYi said in calming voice.

"I- I know. It's just-" Cheng stuttered.

"Cheng'ge, please calm down. It is neither your fault nor is it something worth blaming yourself for. Here drink this." Shu XinYi said offering a glass of water. Cheng took it and drank sip by sip. Shu XinYi waited for 2 minutes then said "Have you calmed down Geg- ... Cheng ge?" Shu XinYi said. They were not close brothers like they were before the accident. So it would be inappropriate to call him Gege.

Cheng also heard this little correction Xiao did. He had always been called Gege by Xiao before, but after the accident he hated being the older brother. Just because he was the older brother, mom and dad blamed him and gave him less attention. Cheng also missed being the elder brother. He liked looking after Xiao, but after that incident he became scared of doing so.