Contacting the Detective

5:30 a. m., Yu Province Bus Station.

Lin Yu, looking pale and sickly, handed a stack of 25 bills to the unlicensed taxi driver and spoke weakly.

"Let's check it out. There's a bank nearby; we can go there to verify it."

As Lin Yu spoke, the unlicensed taxi driver nodded.

"Alright, bro!"

He didn't refuse and readily went to the ATM, depositing all 25 red bills.

There is absolutely no problem.

The driver, relieved to have his money in hand, waved excitedly.

"Thank you, young man. Whatever you're doing in Yu Province, I wish you all the best!"

He waved goodbye to Lin Yu very sincerely, then sped away.

Lin Yu watched the driver's taillights disappear, then waved with mixed feelings.

He had initially thought the driver was exaggerating when he said he'd worked as a test driver for a rally team, but now it seemed he was being somewhat conservative.

That speed is indeed fast; Lin Yu would believe it if you said he had actually driven a race car.

It was just a bit too bumpy.

This Nissan sedan was practically smoking on the highway.

Lin Yu had originally planned to take a nap on the way, but the shaking kept him from falling asleep for even a second.

He yawned.

"But that's fine too, at least we'll have much more time."

Lin Yu sighed, then ate breakfast near the train station.

After eating a large bowl of authentic Hulatang with Youmotou, Lin Yu wiped his mouth and then strolled around the station area.

Just as there are many unlicensed taxi drivers near Jiang City Bus Station, there are also quite a few unlicensed taxi drivers near Zhengcheng Bus Station in Yu Province.

However, these unlicensed taxi drivers have a few more local characteristics compared to those in Jiang City —the types of unlicensed taxis here are not limited to sedans.

Motorcycle taxis and three-wheeled vehicles are also quite common.

After Lin Yu finished breakfast, he walked to the roadside and was greeted by an early-rising unlicensed taxi driver.

"Young man, where are you going?"

This time, Lin Yu decided to take advantage of another characteristic of unlicensed taxi drivers.

"I'm looking for someone. There's this incredibly skilled private Detective in Zhengcheng, he's always catching cheaters, and he's exceptionally handsome too... Where is he?"

Lin Yu switched to a Yu Province accent and asked kindly.

Lin Yu's question left the unlicensed taxi drivers somewhat bewildered.

"Detective?"

"I don't know!"

Furthermore, Lin Yu's accent was also from Yu Province, making them realize that Lin Yu was a local, and many drivers withdrew their attention.

Lin Yu didn't give up and continued to wander around, inquiring about Sherlock.

Finding someone like this, like searching for a needle in a haystack, is indeed not easy, but...

Just as Lin Yu had predicted, while Sherlock wasn't a big star, he was certainly no nobody either!

Soon, a kind-hearted, tattooed man carrying a briefcase got off a bus and, having overheard Lin Yu's conversation with the drivers, stepped forward.

"Hey, fellow countryman, is that 'Detective' you're talking about the one who always wears all sorts of hats and looks like a foreigner?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu turned around and spoke with delight.

Yes, you know him.

The older brother chuckled and said, "I've dealt with him before. He's got some skills. Not only is he good at catching cheaters, but many debt collection companies also like to hire him to find deadbeats who are hiding somewhere—and this guy charges very fair fees too."

Lin Yu was quite surprised. "You're his client? Have you contacted him?"

"No, I'm the deadbeat who was being pursued."

The tattooed man spoke very honestly.

Lin Yu was speechless for a moment.

The older brother laughed heartily, "But it's alright, he even helped me find the mole in my company afterwards... Now I've made a comeback."

"What, you need that kid for something—you're so young and unmarried, you don't seem like the type to be someone's creditor... What do you need him for?"

Lin Yu hesitated for a moment, then adopted a sincere expression. "To be honest, I wanted to ask him to find someone for me."

"Although we don't owe any money, there is indeed some past grievance."

As he spoke, his elder brother began to speak seriously.

"Really? Then he's definitely the right person to ask for help with this kind of thing—but the last time I asked him for help was two years ago, I don't know if he's moved locations now."

"He doesn't have a fixed place of work, but you can look around the old town and the urban-rural fringe areas east of Zhengcheng, especially on the utility poles near the elementary schools; you might find his small advertisements there."

"That's him, the one with all this nonsense like 'World's Greatest Detective' written on it."

"Also, if you can't get through by phone, you can try looking for him at those cheap-looking internet cafes and snack shops."

"He might be hiding in some corner."

After finishing his speech, the tattooed man waved goodbye to Lin Yu.

"That's about all I know... See you later, brother!"

As he spoke, Lin Yu nodded.

"Thank you, Zhonglei, goodbye."

Then, Lin Yu turned around and, following the tattooed man's instructions, took a taxi to the old town of Zhengcheng.

Lin Yu stopped the car in front of Zhengcheng No. 3 Primary School, stepped onto the somewhat old Street, and walked on the broken and shaky paving stones. He began to wander around, looking at the old small advertisements on the walls and telephone poles.

The business mainly involves locksmithing, miracle cures, and document processing, with occasional religious propaganda.

However, I didn't see any advertisements with the words "private Detective" in them.

Just as Lin Yu was wondering if Sherlock had moved away, he suddenly noticed an A4-sized printed sheet of paper pasted on the bus stop sign next to him.

"The most awesome Detective in Yu Province, the King of Zhengcheng, the Puzzle Emperor, worthy of your trust!"

"Welcome to call 0371-XXXXX!"

Looking at the line of text that conveyed a somewhat neurotic and morbidly arrogant attitude, Lin Yu sighed.

He thought for a moment, and finally picked up another phone and dialed—but this one was a second-hand phone he had bought.

The call connected quickly, but the voice on the other end surprised Lin Yu slightly the moment it was answered.

"Outside! Yufu Supermarket!"

The voice was strong and resonant; I recalled it sounding like the voice of a middle-aged woman.

Lin Yu spoke somewhat hesitantly, "Um, hello, I'm looking for a private Detective..."

"Oh! Oh! Looking for Xiao Luo—are you in a hurry?"

"That's what the middle-aged woman across from me asked."

"It's alright, it was a bit rushed."

Lin Yu carefully chose his words and said, "It's a big order."

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, the middle-aged woman instantly became enthusiastic.

"A big order?"

"Okay, wait a minute, I'll call you back in a bit."

There was a "click" sound on the other end of the phone, and then it was abruptly hung up.

Then, about ten minutes passed, leaving Lin Yu completely bewildered.

Then his phone rang again—the older woman who had called earlier was calling back.

"Excuse me, young man, you're looking for Xiao Luo, right?"

"I'll give him the phone right now— Fu Luo, answer the phone!"

Lin Yu vaguely heard a sleepy voice say, "Huh? Who's that so early in the morning?"

"Client!"

"Are you crazy? Let him... Ouch!"

"A major client!"

"A big client too... wow!"

"I know, Mom, I'll take it!"