Chapter 556: Chapter 556: Coming to the Door Again

In the end, Su Qing led Hua Zifeng into her courtyard.

The two sat down, one as host and the other as guest. After pouring Hua Zifeng a glass of sweetened water, Su Qing asked, "So, what brings Mr. Hua to see me today?"

"Actually, there is something I wanted to discuss with you privately," Hua Zifeng said with a smile. "That’s why I came alone, without my assistant. This is just between us, completely unofficial."

"I’m not sure I understand what you mean, Mr. Hua," Su Qing said coolly.

"Do you really not understand?" Hua Zifeng’s eyes narrowed as he watched Su Qing. When they had last met, he thought he might have been imagining things, perhaps because he was too focused on the case. But this time, he was one hundred percent certain. His initial feeling hadn’t been wrong. The aura of the student before him, Su Qing, was incredibly similar to that of Miss Susan.

’No, not just similar,’ he thought. ’It’s identical.’

’Under what circumstances could two completely unrelated people have the exact same aura?’

The answer was practically screaming at him. After all, nothing in this world was truly identical. Even things that were similar had their differences.

"I don’t," Su Qing replied, assuming a posture of rapt attention. "Mr. Hua, if you have something to say, please be direct."

Hua Zifeng gave a faint smile, as if he completely understood her denial. "A while ago, I took a trip to A Tai," he said. "On the cruise ship there, I met a certain lady. For various reasons, she piqued my curiosity. To be honest, in all my years as a detective, it was the first time I’ve ever been so intrigued by someone."

He paused, his eyes fixed on Su Qing, before continuing, "I originally thought that lady was an exception. But then I came to Beijing and met you. I suddenly realized she wasn’t an isolated case, because I find myself having the same curiosity about you. It’s confusing, so I was hoping you could help me find an answer."

Su Qing gave a light laugh. "Then I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong person, Mr. Hua. I’m just a student. What answers could I possibly have for you?"

"Aren’t you curious why both you and that other lady have piqued my interest so much?" Hua Zifeng asked.

Su Qing nodded. "I am, actually. I have no idea what it is about me that caught your attention, Mr. Hua. But, since that’s your own personal feeling, it wouldn’t be proper for me to press you on it. If you’re willing to tell me, however, I’m certainly willing to listen."

’She really was curious. How had this Hua Zifeng inexplicably latched onto her, and with such precision? She didn’t think she’d left any openings.’

Hua Zifeng smiled. "It’s not a secret. Many people call me the master detective of Xiangcheng, and it’s true I’ve solved a great many cases. Everyone thinks I have some amazing talent for it. But what most people don’t know is that my success is largely due to a special sense I have. I have an unusually keen perception of a person’s aura. To put it simply, I can clearly sense whether or not someone has taken a life."

He kept smiling, watching her closely to see how she would react to his statement.

To his disappointment, the young woman before him seemed almost *too* calm. There wasn’t the slightest trace of panic in her expression.

Su Qing simply nodded. "In that case, I suppose your senses must be mistaken sometimes, Mr. Hua. I’m a student. I spend my days at school. The only ’special incident’ I’ve ever been involved in was last year in the mountains of Guang Province. And it was that incident that led to Master Zhang and his disciple targeting me. For you to say you sense that I’ve taken a life... don’t you find that a little ridiculous?"

"My senses are never wrong," Hua Zifeng said, his gaze fixed on her.

"Does hunting animals count?" Su Qing asked.

"Hmm?" Hua Zifeng arched an eyebrow at her.

"I know some self-defense, and I often go deep into the mountains," Su Qing explained. "As you probably know, Mr. Hua, there are plenty of wild animals in there. My hunting skills are decent enough. I’ve even taken down a wild boar. Oh, and I’ve beaten up a bear before."

Hua Zifeng: ...

He stared at Su Qing in disbelief, finding her words hard to accept.

’A bear!’

’That was a *bear* she was talking about!’

’Even the most skilled mercenary he knew wouldn’t dare claim they could beat a bear single-handedly, yet Su Qing just casually said she’d beaten one up?’

"Are you serious?" Hua Zifeng still couldn’t quite believe it.

Su Qing nodded. "Not just a bear. I’ve beaten up a tiger, too."

Hua Zifeng: ... ’Who does she think she is, some legendary hero?’

After that exchange, Hua Zifeng actually started to doubt himself.

’Or maybe someone with exceptional hunting skills like Su Qing would naturally give off this kind of aura? Could he have been mistaken?’

’But still, he felt that Su Qing’s aura and Susan’s were just so, so similar.’

’So why was that?’

"So, you’ve really never been to A Tai?" Hua Zifeng asked, unwilling to give up.

Su Qing laughed. "How would I have gone? I don’t have a passport."

"You can get a fake passport made in Xiangcheng," Hua Zifeng pressed, his eyes still fixed on her.

Su Qing sighed. "Mr. Hua, forgive me for being blunt, but why have you fixated on me for no apparent reason? I’m just a student. What business would I have in A Tai?"

"Master Zhang is in A Tai."

"But I didn’t know he was in A Tai."

Hua Zifeng frowned slightly and pursed his lips. Everything the young woman was saying seemed perfectly reasonable, yet he was still suspicious.

But he had no evidence for any of his suspicions.

Su Qing sighed. "Mr. Hua, I really don’t understand why you’re hounding me with these strange questions. I don’t know what I’ve done to make you suspicious, but you’re a detective. You, of all people, should understand that everything requires evidence. If you suspect me of something, I hope you can present some proof instead of just trying to corner me with questions. I’m just a student who wants to live a quiet life."

"My apologies." Hua Zifeng did feel a pang of guilt. But even so, he would continue to question Su Qing. On that point, he was resolute.

In the end, however, Hua Zifeng got nothing out of her and had no choice but to get up and take his leave.

Once Hua Zifeng was gone, Su Qing’s expression turned serious. ’So that explained it,’ she thought. ’That’s why he kept staring at me on the cruise ship, why he was so suspicious. The man actually has some kind of unnaturally keen sense.’

Su Qing looked down at her own hands. ’They were indeed stained with the blood of many people,’ she reflected. ’But every single one of them had deserved it. She had never regretted eliminating them. Still, it looked like she would have to be even more careful from now on.’

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.