Chapter Forty-Six: The Mysterious Gift (Second Update, Seeking First Subscription)

The unfamiliarity that had lingered for years quickly vanished—after all, they were friends.

The three chatted happily. Upon learning that Li Yiting was the head of the Beiting Detective Agency, Yiru was surprised but, having a natural fondness for Chen Tianyu, she kept nothing from Li Yiting and recounted everything she knew in detail.

Li Yiting soon understood the situation. It seemed that Chen Tianyu, that crippled man, had deliberately concealed Xiao Su’s death and then assigned an outsider—himself—to follow Yiru’s trail, or rather Qian Ya’s. This was a shrewd and calculated move.

Judging by Chen Tianyu’s intentions, there were likely other leads here.

But where exactly were those clues?

Innocent Yiru appeared utterly pure, at most a little sorrowful, and clearly someone who couldn’t keep secrets; whereas Qian Ya was cunning and eccentric. Could she be holding something valuable? This was quite possible.

So Li Yiting focused more attention on Qian Ya—unbeknownst to him, this was exactly what Chen Tianyu had planned: to create opportunities and deepen their understanding of each other.

Poor Li Yiting was kept in the dark throughout.

Qian Ya, on the other hand, was delighted and indifferent. She had always liked Li Yiting, and now that such an opportunity had arisen, how could she not cling to it? Those few days after Li Yiting’s arrival became the happiest period of her life, and their mutual affection began to grow.

This was the special effect born of a chance encounter combined with a sheltered environment.

However, though they had only spent a few leisurely days together, Li Yiting’s mind was still occupied with the case’s progress, and he couldn’t help but occasionally discuss it secretly with Qian Ya.

Of course, Li Yiting exercised restraint; he knew Chen Tianyu did not want news of Xiao Su’s death to reach the two women.

At this point, Qian Ya grew noticeably impatient.

One day, as they strolled along the shore of Lashi Sea Wetlands, Li Yiting brought up the case again. Unable to bear it any longer, Qian Ya snapped, “You’re such a stubborn mule. Fine, fine, I give up!”

Li Yiting looked puzzled. “Huh? How does that mean you’ve lost?”

“Don’t ask so many questions,” Qian Ya seemed troubled.

Li Yiting was speechless. What was she trying to say?

Suddenly, Qian Ya crouched by the lake, staring blankly at the calm water for a long moment before biting her lip in frustration, steeling herself.

She sprang to her feet, face full of grievance. “Hmph. Since you’ve kept me company all these days, tonight I’ll give you an important gift!”

“Ah!?” Li Yiting’s head buzzed. He murmured, “To... tonight?”

He actually had feelings for Qian Ya, but this caught him off guard.

Were all Japanese girls this straightforward?

Seeing Li Yiting’s strange expression and inexplicable fear, Qian Ya suddenly realized her words were ambiguous! He must have misinterpreted her.

“What... what are you thinking?” Qian Ya’s cheeks flushed crimson. She was embarrassed, and the atmosphere turned extremely awkward.

She suddenly didn’t know what to say. Both stood uneasy; Qian Ya stomped her foot in frustration and dashed off, leaving Li Yiting frozen by the lake, utterly baffled.

Why did he feel a flicker of secret joy? Cold sweat broke out across his forehead.

His hand trembled slightly for the first time—though no one could see it.

Because it was his heart trembling.

---

Yiru had gone to bed early, pure as a child in both mind and love.

Qian Ya slipped quietly out of the room to the tea house’s sitting room, where Li Yiting waited patiently.

She took out a gift she had hidden for a long time, but it quickly dampened Li Yiting’s excitement and sparked a different kind of passion.

It was a letter, plain and ordinary.

The recipient was Yiru. Li Yiting glanced at it and roughly guessed who had written it.

Qian Ya busied herself preparing tea and quietly said, “This is the last letter Xiao Su sent to Yiru.”

Li Yiting was surprised. “You didn’t give it to her?”

Qian Ya nodded. “No. Although Yiru went to the post office almost every day waiting for it, this letter was delivered by another courier. Coincidentally, Xiao Su left my phone number.”

Li Yiting was skeptical—who nowadays doesn’t have a phone? But he didn’t dwell on it and instead observed carefully. The envelope was already opened; clearly, Qian Ya had read it.

“Looks like this letter was urgent—it was sent provincially.” Li Yiting immediately noticed the logo of a well-known courier company in the upper right corner of the exquisite envelope.

He didn’t ask why it wasn’t given to Yiru; Qian Ya had her reasons.

He carefully drew out the thin sheet of paper. The handwriting was messy and brief.

“Dear Yiru:

When you receive this letter, I may no longer be among the living.

Originally, I shouldn’t have told you such cruel news, but your kindness has always been deeply engraved in my heart. I don’t want you to grow old alone, and I cannot continue to be selfish.

I am no good man, but my love for you is genuine. Perhaps there are things I have never told you, but please forgive me—it was never my intention to hide them.

Your innocence worries me deeply. I fear that telling you too much would only burden you without any benefit.

Thank you for giving me warmth I had never known and the courage to meet death with generosity.

The mistakes I have made can only be atoned for by myself. I admit that in the past I did many shameful things. Only after meeting you did I suddenly realize that my life had been wasted.

My heart has been melted by your love, but I also know that unless I atone for my sins with actions, I have no right to accept the sacred and solemn gift that heaven has bestowed upon me.

Fortunately, I have met two good people. I have entrusted them with something important (I originally intended to entrust it to you, but in the end, I decided not to involve you). This has freed me from all worries, allowing me to boldly enter a place that claims to revere art but is truly an infernal den.

There truly dwell devils there—a group of vicious fiends. But I feel no fear now, nor will I retreat even a step. Perhaps this is my duty and mission.

It seems heaven has given me a glimmer of hope... even if it is faint...

Yiru, if I can return, I will marry you!”

The letter ended with several scattered dots, as if the writer hesitated repeatedly, stopping and starting. At a strange spot, the character “Jing” was written and crossed out twice.

No date, no signature—but there was no doubt that this was Xiao Su’s letter to Yiru.

“Uh, where exactly does this Xiao Su intend to go?” Li Yiting muttered to himself.

Qian Ya sipped her tea, crossed her legs, and smiled lightly. “Oh, you call yourself a master detective—why not just check the sender’s postal code?”