It's just a pity that this man has a bad temper and an extreme dislike for women. Crossing him is bound to bring misfortune.
The manager nervously swallowed and made a gesture of invitation. "Master Shi, please follow me."
Shi Wei lifted his eyelids slightly, his subtly shifting gaze carrying a trace of coldness. He responded indifferently with a hum, stepped forward with his long legs, and followed behind the manager.
Lanting Square is a tea house with two floors and nine private rooms. The first floor serves guests, while the second floor is exclusively open to the aristocracy of the Imperial City.
Passing by the Fish Appreciation Platform and maneuvering around two carved mahogany screens, they arrived at the location of Meiyue Pavilion.
The manager gently pushed the door open, lowered his head slightly, and said, "Master Shi, Mr. Xu is inside."
Upon hearing this, Xu Linchuan slowly turned his head. He lazily propped one hand on the back of the lounge chair, his light brown hair tousled as if he had just woken up.
The soft yellow light cast on his face slightly softened his otherwise sharp features.
The Shi Family and the Xu Family have been close for generations. Shi Wei and Xu Linchuan are of similar age, grew up in the same courtyard, and naturally have an unbreakable bond.
Xu Linchuan took a cigarette from the pack on the table and tossed it to him. "I thought you weren't coming."
Shi Wei raised his right hand slightly, deftly catching the cigarette in the palm of his hand without error.
He bit down on the cigarette, walked over to the seat opposite Xu Linchuan, and sat down, crossing his legs. From his suit jacket, he took out a black lighter.
His slender, well-defined fingers brushed lightly over the curved surface. With a 'click,' the sound of the lighter igniting echoed. He lowered his gaze, and his thick, crow-black eyelashes trembled faintly.
Shi Wei inhaled a puff of smoke and then exhaled. "No assignments today?"
His voice was deep and magnetic, with a mix of three parts sensuality and seven parts aloofness.
The rising clouds of smoke obscured his expression, making him appear indistinct and mysterious.
The Xu Family had been merchants for generations, but when it came to Xu Linchuan, he refused to pursue business and insisted on becoming a detective.
Back then, this had caused quite a stir. The Xu Family did everything in their power to stop him, even alerting the Shi Family.
It was ultimately Shi Wei who had a long conversation with Old Sir Xu before Xu Linchuan finally got his wish.
"No, I've been working on a theft case these past few days."
Xu Linchuan hunched slightly as he picked up the teapot, pouring a cup of tea for Shi Wei.
His movements were smooth and practiced, as if he'd done it countless times before.
Shi Wei flicked his cigarette ash and leaned back slightly, letting the back of his head rest against the chair. "A theft case actually requires you?"
"This isn't an ordinary theft case. You're familiar with the Prince of Divine Thief, right?"
"Nope."
"You don't know?!"
Xu Linchuan looked at him with great surprise, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Shi Wei raised an eyebrow. "Pretty famous?"
"The Thousand Mountains and Hundred Tales painting that the Xiao Family had displayed in the Ouda Exhibition Hall—that was stolen by him."
Xu Linchuan pulled out his phone, opened the photo album, and walked over to Shi Wei, swiping through the images to show him.
"This, the Shen Family's Han Palace Spring Tour Painting, the Luo Family's baby playing with Doucai porcelain, and also..."
Xu Linchuan was full of excitement, speaking animatedly with flailing arms, afraid he might accidentally leave out even the slightest detail.
By the time he finished his spiel, Shi Wei's cigarette was nearly smoked down to the end.
Sitting up straight, Shi Wei extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray. His slightly upturned almond-shaped eyes lifted as he looked at Xu Linchuan with a faint smirk. "Why do I get the sense that you idolize him?"
"Not that far, but I do think it's a waste for someone like that to be a thief."
Xu Linchuan chuckled awkwardly and pressed the screen of his phone to turn it off.
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and added, "But if I ever get the chance, I'd really like to meet him."