"I have a solution!" Lin Ke cut through everyone's clamor.
Then he began mediating their dispute.
"Since you all want to hang that diagram, why not take turns?"
Everyone: 6
"We can do it like this..."
Lin Ke began explaining.
Only after two hours of explanations and a flurry of work did Lin Ke return to his own courtyard.
Thinking back on the chaos, Lin Ke couldn't help finding it a little funny.
As it turned out, Chen Pingping wanted to write a book based on his tree diagram, then cash in on the publicity surrounding the official robes.
Meanwhile, Wang Lin, Shopkeeper Tong, and Wang Lin were fighting for it because, once people came flocking over on the strength of his reputation, the tree diagram Lin Ke had used to solve the case would undoubtedly be the biggest attraction.
So Lin Ke simply had them all take turns displaying it, switching every ten days.
No one else had any objections.
Just like that, it was settled!
He had originally planned to bombard them with twenty-first-century products and business models if mediation failed.
Who knew he wouldn't end up using a single one?
That was just as well. Otherwise, with them not understanding this or that, he would have had to teach them hand over hand.
A waste of time and energy.
After all, his attention was currently focused on his contest with Qi Ye and the future Confucian Scholar Examination.
With that thought, Lin Ke rolled up his sleeves and began practicing his dance...
Two days had passed since the incident involving Little Golden Crow Prince.
Ever since Little Golden Crow Prince's case had ended, Lin Ke's exploits had become a "trending topic" throughout the Imperial Capital's streets and alleys.
There hadn't been that many people during the first two days, but tonight was different.
"I'm so bored, Lin Ke!" Bai Zhantang sat in a chair, bored out of his mind. "It was better when there were more people the last couple of days."
"You didn't think so the last couple of days." Lin Ke was somewhat speechless.
On the day the case ended, every idler from the surrounding blocks had come over.
Those with money came inside for a cup of tea, while those without stood outside watching.
When they heard there was no wine, only milk, and dishes but no meat, none of them ordered much else.
But serving tea alone had worked them to the bone.
The place had been crowded during those first two days, but once the neighbors' initial excitement faded, they dispersed.
Lin Ke expected that, once the rest of the Imperial Capital caught on over the next couple of days, the place would probably become busy again.
When that happened, he would run home and hide, too. Otherwise, the curious citizens of the Imperial Capital might tear him to pieces and take the scraps home to play with.
"The last couple of days were so much fun! Sister Cuihua next door kept asking me questions, too. Hey, Lin Ke, do you think Sister Cuihua likes me?" Bai Zhantang fiddled with his table rag, his face full of excitement.
"What did she ask you?" Lin Ke was very curious about what Sister Cuihua, who looked like Sister Pomegranate, would ask Bai Zhantang.
"Her?" Bai Zhantang thought for a moment, then tipped his chin toward Lin Ke. "She asked where you live, your birth date and hour, your family circumstances, your registered birthplace, things like that... Hey, Lin Ke, do you think she likes me, asking me all those questions?"
More like you're the one who likes her... Lin Ke had no idea how to explain it to this silly kid.
But as they chatted, Lin Ke's sharp eyes spotted groups of people charging toward them from not far away.
Their faces practically screamed, "Nothing better to do," "Come take a look," and "Bursting with curiosity."
Checking in!
The check-in enthusiasts had arrived!
Lin Ke's hair suddenly stood on end.
In his previous life, the internet had existed, which meant that anything attracting even a little online attention would draw terrifying crowds.
Bali, Potala Palace, Sanya...
And that had been a busy modern world filled with 996 work schedules, make-up workdays, and all kinds of entertainment.
What about now?
This place lacked entertainment, conversation topics, and anything fresh...
A widow taking a tumble at the next street corner could probably keep the neighbors gossiping for half a year.
Never mind an expert detective like Lin Ke.
A crime scene?
It was clearly a check-in hotspot!
Lin Ke could already imagine countless young masters and ladies coming here to check in, then using their visits as conversation fodder at banquet after banquet, poetry gathering after poetry gathering, literary salon after literary salon.
Run!
I have to run!
Lin Ke had no desire to deal with young masters and ladies who had nothing better to do.
"Uh, Slashing Hall, I really need to pee, so I'm heading to the kitchen—ptui... Anyway, I've got something to do. I'll be right back. You keep at it!"
Lin Ke hurriedly called out to the adorably clueless Bai Zhantang, then vanished like a wisp of smoke.
"What color bellyband do you think Sister Cuihua's wearing today... Huh? Where are you going?" Bai Zhantang was still lost in idle speculation and hadn't quite registered Lin Ke's words.
"Honestly, always rushing about. Young people these days." Bai Zhantang shook his head helplessly, imitating the shopkeeper, then prepared to resume his daydreaming.
Just then, however, a gentle voice sounded beside him. "Brother, might I ask where Young Master Lin, the godlike detective, is?"
"I-I-I... Y-you-you..." Bai Zhantang stared at the young master before him, unable to get a word out.
All because "you" were too beautiful!
The young master before Bai Zhantang was elegant and graceful, but he simply thought this young master was outrageously beautiful, with the sort of smile that seemed to make flowers bloom.
"What do you mean, 'you, you'? Have you never seen anyone as pretty as my young miss... my young master?" Beside that young master stood a clever, adorable maid.
"Pretty, very pretty." Bai Zhantang swallowed before finally answering their earlier question. "Um, young master, Lin Ke just went to the privy. It's out back."
At the word "privy," a flicker of distaste passed through the young master's eyes. Then, glancing twice at the check-in crowd about to arrive outside, the young master hurriedly said, "All right, brother. Please find me a private table."
Bai Zhantang immediately led the two upstairs.
As soon as the breathtakingly beautiful young master sat down, an enormous, eighteen-centimeter-long...
Book scroll came out from within the young master's robes.
Then the young master picked up an eighteen-centimeter writing brush, sucked hard on its tip, and began writing forcefully across the scroll:
Besties, does anyone get it? Today has me literally speechless, like, Xiaolin isn't here, and I heard he's super-duper hot, does anyone get it? I absolutely have to touch his abs today...
The scroll flashed, and lines of replies immediately appeared beneath it:
Cool Cool Little Fairy: This fairy is exhausted. I came running over a couple of days ago hoping to catch a glimpse, but Young Master Xiaolin spent two whole hours squatting in the privy. I just couldn't wait any longer.
Compassionate Salvation: Little princess, loads of big brothers in our courtyard have abs! Why don't you come see us?
Joyous Union Sect Boss: The adults are talking. Anyone under sixteen, please don't butt in.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Bai Zhantang had just settled onto a stool and was about to cross his legs and ponder whether Sister Cuihua liked him more or that young master liked him more...
When he spotted the radiant young masters and ladies outside the door.
He looked toward the back courtyard, then back at the people before him, their eyes gleaming. His jaw nearly hit the floor.
"Fuck!! Lin Ke, you screwed me over!!!"
Before you continue