The Plow

A newspaper costs an average of three cents, which is not expensive for ordinary people.

Those who are illiterate can also go to the teahouse to listen to newspapers being read, and a pot of tea can kill most of the afternoon, killing two birds with one stone.

Huangpu Xinbao is a tabloid newspaper with a small audience. It needs small profits but quick turnover to sell for two cents. In addition to the explosive news that is reported first, it can meet each other, and it will definitely be sold out today.

With the fermentation of this newspaper, it won't be long before the news of Du Yuning's death will spread to every corner of Shanghai.

As for Ling Shu's identity as a suspect, it is also difficult to suppress it. Everyone is a judge, and newspapers and magazines are full of opinions. All public opinion will point their finger at him, which will put a lot of pressure on those who solve the case.

Under the pressure and with the so-called evidence, it will be even more difficult for Ling Shu to get rid of the crime.

Throughout the dynasties, killing for life is an unchanging law.

"Boss Yue, your ability is limited. You can't even suppress a piece of news. I have to wonder if it's true that you brag about your achievements over the years to my sister!"

Ling Shu said coolly, took out five cents from his pocket and put it on the newspaper, folded the newspaper casually, and stuffed it into the arms of the beggar on the side of the road.

"There is no impenetrable wall in the world." Yue Dingtang said calmly, "From the moment the case came into contact with you, you should have expected this result a long time ago. Although Yuan's servants are restricted in and out, they need to eat and drink every day , you have to contact the outside world, and there are so many police officers who handle errands, it’s not uncommon for anyone to leak a piece or two of information to the tabloids to earn some pocket money.”

Ling Shu sighed, sitting at home, disaster coming from the sky is the best portrayal of him now.

If the murderer is not found for a day, this case will be like an invisible rope around his neck, which may be tightened anytime and anywhere, and he will be killed.

The person who helped Du Yuning to write the list of belongings may have an ambiguous relationship with Du Yuning, and he may even persuade her to elope and finally kill her.

If Ling Shu hadn't seen the list of property with his own eyes, he would even have wondered if such a person really existed.

Ling Shu felt that his idea of ​​following Du Yuning's trajectory to find clues was not wrong, but it was like being led by the nose. The opponent hiding in the dark knew what he would do next, and he could easily follow Du Yuning's path to find clues. His whereabouts are known, and by the way, pre-emptive strikes.

So, what about another way of thinking?

If, even the personal servants of the Yuan family have never seen this person——

So, how does Du Yuning meet each other while avoiding Yuan's family?

A god made a ghost, Ling Shu had a flash of inspiration!

“Crescent Cafe?!”

"Where did Du Yuning ask you out several times before?"

Yue Dingtang and him spoke almost at the same time.

The words of the two are different, but the thinking is the same in the final analysis.

They wanted to go together.

Yue Dingtang: "Are they all Crescent Cafes?"

Ling Shu: "That's right, she asked me out three times, and they were all there."

Yue Dingtang: "Then have you ever seen anyone in the cafe who she communicates with more closely?"

Ling Shu thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I don't remember it, she seems to know the owner of Crescent Cafe, and the second time we met there, she introduced me to the owner who was helping wash the cups. "

Yue Dingtang: "How much do you know about that boss, does he have a wife?"

Ling Shu: "Do you suspect that Du Yuning may have an affair with him? Impossible."

Yue Dingtang's driver had been waiting at the street corner, and when he saw them coming, he hurried out to open the door.

Ling Shu didn't speak until the two of them were seated and the car started.

"You'll know when you see the boss. He's a bit old and his tongue isn't very flexible. It's unlikely that Du Yuning has anything to do with this person."

Yue Dingtang thought for a moment, "Then go to the Crescent Cafe."

From here to the Crescent Cafe, it's only a 15-minute drive without traffic jams.

Yue Dingtang and the others got off the car at the corner of the street, and after walking a few steps, they saw the signboard of the cafe hanging outside from a distance.

Crescent Cafe looks like it has seen better days.

The exterior walls that have just been painted, a few half-new windows, plants that are trying to maintain greenness in the cold winter, and waiters in western clothes, all the details show the owner's care for this cafe.

It’s just that a cafe opened in China will inevitably carry Chinese traces, just like the records that are broadcast from cafes now, it is not foreign music that is played, but "Jasmine", which is familiar to local people.

The two of Ling Yue were not in a hurry to enter the cafe. They strolled around the shops near the cafe, chatted with the owner of the shopkeeper, bought something, and asked about the situation of the Crescent Cafe casually.

This cafe has been around for some years, and it has been operating here for a few years, but it has changed two owners. The former one was surnamed Han. It is said that the business went bankrupt and he packed up his things and returned to his hometown in the countryside. Now this one is surnamed Li, and it is the owner Han. My friend heard that he was in a hurry to spend money, so he took down the cafe and reopened it for renovation.

The business of the cafe is not bad, and the owner is also very nice. He has helped several of the guys in his shop. Even if the neighbors have any inconvenience, Boss Li can help them as soon as he can.

"Boss Li has a good heart, but it's a pity that it's hard to be a good person in this world, and it takes a wicked person to get ahead!"

Ling Shu came from across the street, entered the tea shop, and heard Boss Tang say these words to Yue Dingtang.

"How to say?" Ling Shu asked casually.

"Who is this?" Boss Tang of the tea shop looked at Ling Shu.

Yue Dingtang: "His surname is Yang, he is my colleague, and he came out with me to do social research."

Boss Tang smiled: "It turns out that Professor Yang, please sit down quickly! Xiaodong, pour tea!"

Intellectuals are extremely respected these days, especially professors and literati like Yue Dingtang, who were at the level of Hanlin masters in the former Qing Dynasty. a feeling of.

Yue Dingtang chatted with the other party in the name of social investigation, and bought two taels of tea, so he naturally received an exceptionally warm reception.

"Speaking of which, it's not easy for Boss Li to sell this cafe. He thought he was doing a friend's favor, and he was anxious to help the public. Who would have thought that within a month after the sale of this cafe, someone would come to the door , Said that Boss Han married one daughter and two, and sold the cafe to him. At this time, Boss Han also took the money, and the person disappeared. The two sides filed a lawsuit. As a last resort, Boss Li had to reopen in order to reopen Give the other party a sum of money to take this place down."

The owner of the tea shop, Tang, was diagonally opposite the cafe. He didn't look up and he looked down. He talked about the origin of the cafe in a clear way, and he seemed to be familiar with the two generations of owners.

"So, Boss Li is indeed a very righteous person?" Yue Dingtang asked.

Boss Tang nodded: "That's right. Didn't it rain heavily in Shanghai this summer, and many places were flooded. My precious tea leaves are the least likely to be touched by water. Thanks to Boss Li for lending me some It was a big pot, and the tea leaves were put in and sealed again, so it really didn’t get wet at all. As a result, half of his own coffee beans suffered. If you ask the street, nine out of ten households mention him. All thumbs up!"

Ling Shu: "I don't think there are too many customers in the cafe. If he keeps helping others like this, won't he lose money?"

Boss Tang said with a smile: "I heard that he is an overseas Chinese who returned from overseas. His family still has property in Nanyang. He said he wants to come back to provide for the elderly. His son still stays in Nanyang to do business. He sends him living expenses every month, filial piety. Very good. In my opinion, even if the cafe is losing money, it’s okay. His son wrote many letters asking him to go back. Boss Li said that he now has hands and feet and can still work, so he doesn’t want to go abroad for the time being.”

Ling Shu: "Did he say these things himself?"

Boss Tang: "Yeah, I've seen photos sent back by his son. Boss Li's grandson is fat and smart, and he will call him Grandpa."

Yue Dingtang: "Hearing what you said, we feel that this investigation is in the right direction. We can write an article about the return of Nanyang businessmen."

Boss Tang looked forward to it: "I don't know if my small shop has the honor to appear in your article?"

Yue Dingtang smiled and said: "Of course there is. I have written down the Tangji tea shop."

After finishing speaking, he showed the book in his hand to the other party, and Boss Tang was even more cheerful.

Ling Shu stepped in at the right time: "By the way, Lao Yue, have you read today's newspaper? Speaking of which, it has something to do with our social survey this time."

Yue Dingtang: "I haven't watched it yet, what's the matter?"

Ling Shu: "Shanghai socialite Du Yuning died. The cause of death is unknown now. It is suspected to be a homicide. Doesn't our social investigation include public security? Let's go to the police station to ask later."

The owner of the tea shop nearby gasped, causing both Ling Yue and Ling Yue to look at him.

"You mean Du Yuning? Mrs. Yuan? She's dead?!"

Ling Shu: "It's Mrs. Yuan Du Yuning from the Yuan Mansion. Why, do you know him?"

The owner of the tea shop: "I know her, but I don't know her. The shop is not honored to make friends with a famous person like her. It's just that I saw her drink coffee at the cafe opposite... It's a pity, Mrs. Yuan is too temperamental." A beauty, how can you say that she is dead when she dies!"

Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang looked at each other.

"Did she come to drink coffee alone, didn't she ask anyone else?"

The boss hesitated for a moment: "Yes, but I can't remember clearly."

Ling Shu: "Is it male or female?"

"Man, man," the boss patted his thigh, "I remember! It's two people! She only asks out one at a time, but it seems that there are only two of them when they come and go. One of them, eh, don't mention it, is related to your body. The volume is a bit similar! The other one is shorter than you, about half a head tall, but often wears a dark red dress!"

Ling Shu: "Are you sure?"

Boss: "Of course, that gentleman went to the foreign store next door to buy cream once, and I happened to bump into him. He looks very handsome and gentle, and he even wears a pair of glasses. He looks just like the two of you, a cultured person." .”

Saying goodbye to the owner of the tea shop, when Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang entered the cafe, the sky had already turned deep blue, as if it would be splashed with ink at any moment and turn black.

The cold wind is mixed with the coldness and ruthlessness of winter, hovering over the neon lights of Shanghai, and passing through the alleys and alleys, tossing the beggars who are not naked outside, curling up and hugging their bodies, and finally blocked by the thick gate of the cafe. Outside.

Once inside, there is a sense of warmth and a faint fragrance.