There's something I don't know if I should say

This case had previously made headlines and was later adapted into a minor plotline in a crime investigation TV series. The adaptation was barely recognizable, borrowing only the name—after all, TV dramas prioritize artistic flair.

This case.

Later came to be known as: The First Tragedy of the New Year!

The reason it earned the title "first" was largely due to its timing around the Spring Festival, causing an enormous social impact.

Moreover,

This case was destined to deviate from the truth, remaining unresolved for three years, baffling all experts with its complexity. Hence, its "status" was exceptionally high.

The real culprit… no one could have guessed.

Even Detective Conan would’ve been stumped.

Because the case was riddled with coincidences—none of them orchestrated.

This also made it a classic.

Any investigator who could crack this case would have bragging rights for life.

If the real perpetrator hadn’t been caught three years later for another crime and confessed, this case might have remained unsolved forever.

Keep in mind, investigative techniques back then relied heavily on manpower.

Surveillance systems in many areas were incomplete.

Zhonghai was slightly better off, but even there, coverage wasn’t universal—especially in the old districts, where electrical wiring was a tangled mess.

This case took place in the old district.

A family of seven—two elderly, a middle-aged couple, and three children…

A massacre.

The word "tragic" didn’t even begin to cover it.

All seven died, the house was set ablaze, and the bodies were burned beyond recognition. Every piece of evidence was destroyed, and the incident traumatized many neighbors.

The entire building became a "haunted house."

Property values plummeted by half.

……

Cao Cheng rubbed his chin.

The gesture was becoming more and more like that of a protagonist blessed by fate.

Except…

Having to come up with ways to show off on his own was downright annoying.

Nothing flowed naturally.

Not a single antagonist showed up to get humiliated.

For example…

Cao Cheng scanned the room. Everyone was eating, digging in like they’d never seen food before.

Seriously? Have you never eaten in your lives?

Right in front of them was a stunning beauty—no denying it, Second Sister Ren Fanxing might be as cold as the neighbor’s late granny in her coffin, but she was undeniably gorgeous.

Ice-cold… get it?

Yet these guys were just stuffing their faces?

Not a single young investigator stepped up to get jealous of Cao Cheng?

By normal logic, there should’ve been at least one.

Someone secretly crushing on Second Sister Ren Fanxing, getting jealous of Cao Cheng, Cao Cheng retaliating, and then betting on solving this case—wouldn’t that have been a smooth way to get involved?

Never mind that Cao Cheng was here under the guise of being her "little brother." Jealousy doesn’t follow logic, especially for antagonists. They’d pick a fight for no reason—that’s what makes it satisfying!

So forget whether the plot makes sense—just answer: have you seen this trope or not?

Sigh.

But nothing.

How was he supposed to show off?

Force it?

Where’s the fun in that?

Forced bravado probably wouldn’t even earn much emotional payoff.

Tch… annoying!

……

……

Soon.

The food was gone.

The young investigators were surprisingly polite, taking the initiative to wash the dishes outside before neatly packing them up.

Leaving Cao Cheng with no excuse to throw a fit.

Who told you to wash the dishes? Can’t keep your hands to yourselves?

But they smiled…

So sincerely.

So politely.

So warmly.

Seriously?

Not a single one of you has a crush on this ice queen?

Are you blind?

In the end, Ren Fanxing personally handed Cao Cheng the packed lunchbox and escorted him out of the office.

To outsiders, it looked like a close sibling bond.

In reality…

Once outside, she shoved the bag at him and said coldly:

"Don’t come to my workplace again."

Oh, this woman.

Treating me like a delivery boy and then leaving a bad review, huh?

Why didn’t you stop eating earlier if you’re gonna act like this?

Playing tough?

Cao Cheng lifted his chin arrogantly. "Let’s make a bet!"

At this moment.

Cao Cheng felt like the protagonist of destiny—after all, protagonists loved making bets, especially with women.

"???"

Ren Fanxing frowned, baffled. "A bet?"

"Yeah, about the case you’re handling now."

"You’re insane!"

She turned and walked away.

"……"

Wait.

That’s not how the script goes.

Cao Cheng raised a hand, jabbing a finger at her retreating back. "Fine, fine. Not giving me a single chance, huh?"

"Hey, Second Sis!"

[Ding~ Negative emotions +3002]

Ren Fanxing stopped, turned, and radiated something called rage.

Cao Cheng clarified, "I meant Second Elder Sister. Don’t leave yet—there’s something I’m not sure if I should say…"

"Then don’t." Ren Fanxing spun around and marched back into the office, ignoring him completely.

Damn it!

Not following the script?

In the end, Cao Cheng left.

Forced theatrics really weren’t his style.

Whatever.

This case couldn’t be solved anyway.

No need to rush.

It wasn’t like the killer was some deranged serial murderer—this was a one-time massacre, no threat to the general public. No big deal.

……

A mature man.

Isn’t someone who never gets angry or upset—just someone who adjusts his mood faster.

So,

By the time he drove home, Cao Cheng was cheerful again.

At least he’d squeezed some emotional payoff out of Second Sister. Not a total loss.

"Son, you’ve worked hard. Come eat, have some soup first—warm your stomach." Mom’s love was the real deal.

Cao’s father chimed in, "Soup? Have some liquor to warm you up instead."

Mom shot him a glare. "What kind of father are you? Drink by yourself if you want."

Dad chuckled awkwardly.

The table buzzed with laughter—this was what family should feel like.

By eight, the Spring Festival Gala began.

Eating, watching.

Drinking, chatting!

After dinner, they played cards.

Pure domestic bliss… a perfect family reunion!

Cao Cheng was starting to enjoy this atmosphere.

In his dream life, he’d partied hard, married at thirty-four after a shotgun wedding, and spent his later years as an ordinary man for the sake of his son and grandson.

Once his son grew up and moved out, the house lost its warmth.

In reality, his childhood home had rarely been this lively.

Of course,

Cao Cheng wasn’t the type to wallow in nostalgia.

He cherished the moment because next year wouldn’t be this joyful.

The economy would slump.

Would they still laugh like this then?

Later, even fireworks would be banned, and the New Year’s spirit would fade.

This feeling—every year, it diminishes.

Treasure it, young man!

Thirty or forty years later, human connections would grow even colder.

When the one-child generation became parents and the older generation passed on, New Year’s would become just another day.

Watch the Gala, forget it by morning.

For now, though, the festive atmosphere lingered.

So this Spring Festival, Cao Cheng was unusually "well-behaved," refraining from trolling forums.

He’d give them a day off.

The stock market was closed anyway—nothing to rant about.

He just sent holiday greetings to friends and classmates in group chats.

Naturally, that included Lingling and the old lady.

And also…

Cao Cheng also sent a message to Aunt Wang: "Happy New Year, Aunt Wang!"

Five minutes later, Aunt Wang replied: "Tch~~! A dog catching mice—mind your own business!"

Then immediately followed up with another: "No, wait—a weasel wishing a hen a Happy New Year, pah!"

Cao Cheng laughed in exasperation. Damn it, just you wait, Aunt Wang.

I’m writing this down in my little black book.

When I get back to Sanjiang,

it’s war between us!

……

Over at Aunt Wang’s place,

she was busy scolding her kids.

When she got the text, she shoved her phone in front of her two children, muttering, "From this morning till now, I haven’t heard a single ‘Mom, you’re working hard’ or ‘Happy New Year’ from either of you. Look, even Cao Cheng wished me a Happy New Year. Are you two mute? Don’t make me hit you at your grandma’s house."

"Happy New Year, Mom! You’re working so hard, Mom! You’re the prettiest, Mom!" 2

The two instantly caved.

Aunt Wang had been terrifyingly fierce lately.

She tossed the phone to her son. "I don’t know how to type. You send Cao Cheng a Happy New Year message for me."

"Fine!"

Little Zhou started composing the text, seething inside. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have gotten yelled at out of nowhere: Tch~~! A dog catching mice.