Mad Detective
[Author: Kuang Hai Wang Hu]
[TL: Spades]
[PR: Blitz]
[QC: Lumi]
Chapter 14 — An Outdated Melody
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The camel-chasing-thief spectacle Zhao Yu caused was no small affair.
In the end, the thief was caught, and Zhao Yu, Li Beini, the victim Yao Jia, the camel handler, and even the majestic camel were all hauled to the local police precinct.
While giving statements, the precinct's complaint line was flooded with calls from alley stall owners whose goods were damaged. They demanded compensation, driving the precinct officers up the wall.
Li Beini worried the damages would fall on Zhao Yu, tirelessly negotiating with the officers.
But Zhao Yu had no mind for anything else. From the moment they entered the precinct, his eyes were glued to Yao Jia, doing nothing else. Wherever she went, his gaze followed, like a lovesick fool lost in a trance.
When an officer came to question him, Zhao Yu ignored him, slapping his badge on the table and refusing to answer, frustrating the officer, who thought this Major Crimes detective was just flexing.
Ah!
Staring at his long-lost love, Zhao Yu's heart surged, blood racing.
Dear heavens!
Was this fate's mercy, granting him another chance? Yao Jia was as beautiful as ever, her fair skin and perfect features unchanged from years ago.
In that moment, how he longed to rush over, pull her into his arms, and pour out his heart!
He wanted to say, darling, I've missed you to death! Did you know I've spent a lifetime pining for you? Are you okay? How's life? Do you still think of me…
But a shred of reason held him back. He knew he'd transmigrated, and this Yao Jia, though identical to his lost love, might not be the same person.
This Yao Jia wasn't a transmigrator. She might not know me at all!
Sigh!
The farthest distance in the world is standing right before you, yet you don't know me!
Zhao Yu watched her give her statement, learning her name hadn't changed, still Yao Jia. But, like his own, her life was vastly different. She was a nurse at the city's central hospital, a head nurse no less!
The old Yao Jia fainted at the sight of blood, no way she'd work in a hospital!
His staring drew everyone's attention, and Yao Jia grew visibly uneasy, cheeks flushing. After her statement, she approached with the bag Zhao Yu had recovered, shyly thanking him, "Thank you so much! I never would've guessed you're a police officer! If it weren't for you, like that…" She glanced at the camel outside, "I'd have lost a lot today!"
Ah, hallelujah…
Her familiar voice sent Zhao Yu reeling, swaying like he was drunk, looking more unhinged by the second.
Yao Jia, clearly flustered, thanked him again and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Zhao Yu snapped awake, stopping her, clinging to hope as he asked, "Yao Jia, Jiajia! Think hard, you really don't know me?"
"Oh? Do we… know each other?" Yao Jia, surprised, looked him up and down but shook her head firmly.
Sigh!
Zhao Yu sighed inwardly, but unwilling to give up, he called to Li Beini, "Junior, quick, call my phone!"
"What?"
Li Beini was baffled, and Yao Jia looked equally puzzled, unsure what he meant.
"Just call when I tell you, hurry!" Zhao Yu, unabashed, pulled out his cheap phone and held it up to Yao Jia.
Urged on, Li Beini dialed his number.
Soon, Zhao Yu's phone rang with a unique ringtone, an ancient song from the 1980s, the theme from the martial arts drama *Lu Xiaofeng*, called "Leave Me My Sweet Dream":
"Tigers of the mortal world, phoenixes in the fires of life, laughing off the strong!
"Ah, hero, join me in chasing sweet dreams!
"Ah, hero, leave me my sweet dream…"
As the outdated melody filled the precinct, the room fell silent. People stared at Zhao Yu like he was a lunatic.
"So, so?" Zhao Yu asked Yao Jia eagerly, "Ring any bells?"
"This…" Yao Jia's eyes widened, exclaiming, "What is this crazy nonsense!?"
Oh man!
Zhao Yu staggered, nearly falling. That old song, though dated, was his Yao Jia's favorite. He'd chosen it as his ringtone out of longing.
But this Yao Jia's blank reaction proved she wasn't his old love. Her tastes, personality, everything, were likely different.
"Uh…" Realizing this, Zhao Yu straightened up, his expression sobering, finally resembling a normal person. Politely, he said, "Miss Yao Jia, if you don't mind, can we exchange contact info?"
"Oh…" Yao Jia looked awkward, clearly reluctant.
Sensing her hesitation, Zhao Yu added, "If I ever need a hospital visit, it'd be nice to know someone, right?"
"Right, right, exactly!" Relieved, Yao Jia pulled out her phone, "How about WeChat? Here's my QR code, scan it!"
"Great!"
Zhao Yu opened his phone but, after unlocking it, remembered he had no data and couldn't use WeChat. Quick on his feet, he snapped a photo of her QR code with his camera to add her later.
"Officer Zhao, thank you so much!" Yao Jia shook his hand warmly. "If you need anything at Central Hospital, look me up! But, you know our place, I'd rather not see you there for a hospital stay, heh…"
After another thank you, Yao Jia left the precinct.
Zhao Yu watched her go, feeling the fleeting warmth of her hand, his heart swaying with bittersweet longing.
In that moment, he made up his mind, whether this Yao Jia was his old love or not, whether she was married or had a boyfriend, he didn't care. No matter what it took, he'd make her his!!
His obsession was obvious to passersby, let alone Li Beini, who had a crush on him. She stood with arms crossed, nostrils flaring with jealousy…