“So, what have you been up to these days?” Sergeant Fu asked, while stirring his matcha latte in the cup, “I’ve heard all kinds of rumors, it seemed that things are quite busy at the 17th Precinct. No doubt you’re skipping on a bunch of things coming to meet with me?”

“It’s okay, because this is also technically an investigative visit, so we’re not missing anything.” Brian Sai scratched his head. “We’re actually here - ”

“Nonsense! Nonsense!” Mick immediately cut Brian Sai off: “It’s always fun to come visit you and check on you, Uncle Fu! You know I’m still quite hung up on your cop stories from when I was a little. And I’m sure as I progress with my career there’s some more wisdom and experience I could gain from you!”

“Of course, anytime, Little Mick.” Sergeant Fu laughed out loud, though, at least to Brian Sai there was very little actual joy in this laugh.

“So - how - uh, how's aunty? And how are the kids?” Mick asked while taking a sip of the matcha latte: “Ooh! Wow, this is some good tea. Very bitter - and - this strange fragrant and sweet aftertaste - is that rose honey?”

“You still know your stuff! I’m impressed.” Sergeant Fu opened his eyes a bit wider and smiled: “I always knew you’ve got good taste. You know, I still maintain that if you get tired of the life on the force, you can open a shop. Even if, you know, not here, you can find some place else. Or maybe expand the territory and export the good stuff to the South-Eastern District, huh? If you can survive there you can even get some investment from those big fat golden handbags.”

“Eh, well, I’d love to, but I love action more.” Mick shrugged and gently nudged Brian Sai: “You know, following people like Detective Cai and Detective Sai here kinda ruined my taste for action movies. All I watch are rom-coms now.”

Sergeant Fu laughed out loud again, this time with slightly more genuinity.

“Oh, and speaking of which, I came here actually to seek advice on something and to pick your brains on the puzzle of a case we are looking into.” Mick finished half his cup of matcha latte: “So, can you help us? Uncle Fu?”

“Um, sure, what do you need?” Sergeant Fu finished his drink, then asked.

“Can we have one more round of matcha latte please?” Brian Sai waved at a waitress on the side.

“Thank you! You shouldn’t have.” Sergeant Fu appeared pleased, but showed no signs of refusal: “So, Mick, what do you need?”

“Well, it’s more of an old tale. We’re looking into a strange case, that seemed to have certain connections to some very old records. You’re one of the most experienced and knowledgeable detectives I know, so I think I’ll have to ask you instead of bumping my head around randomly.”

“Of course. Shoot.”

“And I’ll try to explain if you want more details. But I’ve gotta tell you, our Captain forbids us from telling anyone else. So - maybe I can’t share too much with you.”

“No problem. Just go ahead.”

“What can you tell me about the death of Yixiang Zhuge, or Big Sister Zhu, the infamous trafficker?” Mick weighed her words carefully and asked.

Sergeant Fu paused, then narrowed his eyes at Mick and Brian Sai.

After a long while, this matcha loving sergeant put down his freshly brewed new cup, his facial expression no longer cheery as before, and his tone no longer light: “How did this even come up? What kind of case are you looking into?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t divulge too much.” Mick shook his head: “I’m sure you’d understand.”

Sergeant Fu did not answer. Instead, he looked down at his cup, did not respond at all. Mick looked at Brian Sai with an inquiring look on his face. As someone who did not know that the 17th Precinct is actually taking their investigations into paranormal angles, Mick was actually quite confused about the reason as to why they were not allowed to share much information about ongoing investigations with other officers or anyone outside of the precinct, even for asking help from other agencies.

“But here’s a little thing we CAN share.” Brian Sai spoke up all of a sudden: “Since you brought up Detective Cai earlier. We’re actually helping him on the case. I am not sure if you’ve heard, but previously we had arrested a suspected kidnapper. After following some trails, we suspect that they might be using some remaining pipelines and connections left by her. So - we would like to know if such a thing is possible. Because - because - ” he stammered, for he did not really have a good excuse for now and Sergeant Fu was clearly showing some signs of disbelief.

“And we’re facing some pressure from the community collective. Because - ” Mick scratched his jaw and interjected: “Because - the area of the crime might spill over the South-Eastern District. And they’ve been kinda hounding us to hand over the case if we cannot find out anything…” While speaking, Mick “accidentally” dropped his small envelope with the talisman given to him by Marcus on the table while pulling up his phone: “Oh shoot. Sorry! Sorry - I didn’t mean to ruin it for you - ”

“Ruin it for me? What do you mean?” Sergeant Fu’s eyes opened slightly at the talisman, yet he still maintained his calm.

“Nothing - just - ” Mick smiled, then pushed the envelope over: “I was trying to give this to you as your anniversary present for aunty. I know you don’t really believe this, but I know aunty does - ”

“Hrm, you know this wouldn’t work? And it may count as bribery?” Sergeant Fu’s voice did not sound as stern and steadfast as he appeared.

“But - this thing can’t really sell, can it?” Mick shrugged: “I got it from a friend, also a detective, he told me it was good quality stuff gifted to him as well. He has a few spares, so he gave me one, thinking I might like it.”

“Okay - okay.” Sergeant Fu hesitated t for a few more seconds before taking the envelope and putting it into his back pants pocket: “Okay - okay - I think - I think the captain wouldn’t mind if I told you this, but - okay, let me ask you this: how do you think she died?”

“Lynched by a group of angry South-Eastern mob, I heard.” Mick weighed his words.

Sergeant Fu nodded with a mysterious smile. “But that’s not all, is it? For one, how could someone who had evaded both the city and the community collective for more than a decade, be caught so casually by a bunch of know-nothing ignorant mob?”