Luo Weiwei immediately handed over her phone, eyes full of earnest hope, wishing Alex would nod in agreement.
But he refused.
"Don't forget rule two from our three ground rules—I won't get personally involved in the investigation!"
"Relying on me too much isn't doing you any favors. You're already an excellent detective. Learn to spot things with your own eyes."
Alex spoke slowly, insisting Bai Yidao take another look.
Bai Yidao sounded deflated over the line. "I've turned that shack inside out—no traces from the killer. The place was scrubbed clean; all evidence wiped. Even Lily's bloody hair tuft—I found it in some bushes outside the dump. She must've yanked it out on purpose as a clue."
"But no bodily fluids from suspects nearby. They've got serious anti-forensics skills—even the pursuit footprints were messed up."
In other words, without Lily's foresight, no matter how sharp Bai Yidao was, he'd never have found the abandoned waste station.
"Everything leaves a mark. No one erases their trail completely," Alex insisted.
Bai Yidao sighed deeply. "What if there really isn't anything?"
Alex chuckled. "How about a bet? Like back when we first met."
Bai Yidao refused flat out. "Nah—stay away from gambling, starting with me."
"Hah—guess you know deep down there's something there."
Alex pulled out the dare.
Bai Yidao wanted to argue but couldn't deny the lack of leads. Then Alex went all in: "Tell you what—if you win, I come out of retirement. If you lose, you do me a small favor."
"Deal, deal!" Luo Weiwei jumped in before Bai Yidao could respond, nodding furiously. "Not just one favor—ten if it gets you back!"
"I mean, if your husband wins, then I return. But he's gonna lose," Alex said, brimming with confidence, certain the dump held clues.
Bai Yidao was more curious: what could the legendary Alex Song possibly need from a nobody like him?
"Here's the deal: a good friend of mine dreams of opening a coffee shop in Riverside, but he's short on franchise funds. If you lose, sponsor his startup—deal?"
Bai Yidao waved it off as no biggie. Luo Weiwei quickly reminded him: "Franchise fees aren't cheap these days."
Bai Yidao realized: "Fine print: if it's a budget spot like Brew Haven, sure. But if it's premium like Joy Brew, I gotta check my wallet!"
"Done!"
Alex snapped his fingers decisively.
Then he laid out instructions over the phone: "First—two suspects: one sloppy, one precise. The careful one might've left nothing. But the reckless one? He's got a twisted need to show off—leaves stuff hoping you won't find it… but kinda hoping you do."
"Second—cross-reference Lily's disappearance timeline with the dump. Look for matching trash."
"Third—the White Marsh Dump is miles from downtown. They knocked Lily out and transported her—had to use a vehicle. They stopped somewhere, then carried her on foot. Trace that path!"
Bai Yidao lit up like he'd been enlightened. "Right—this road's dead quiet. I'll get my guys to hit up traffic cops—see what vehicles headed that way during the window."
After hanging up, Alex remembered something. He told Lane: "Call Li Jin. The Lolita dress is handmade—check local high-end tailors for custom orders matching this."
Another angle.
Lane nodded, suggesting: "It's getting late. Let's grab food, rest up, then hit Emma's apartment."
With Alex finally on board, the least they could do was treat him right.
Alex shrugged it off—he was just as invested in the case. Solving it sooner meant one less woman at risk.
But first, back to the station. He wanted another look at the missing women's files.
They'd just arrived when Bai Yidao called again: "Citizen Song—you're a wizard! I found a trash bag."
Luo Weiwei rolled her eyes. "A dump has trash bags? Shocker."
"No—a fresh one. Probably the suspect's takeout while hauling Lily. It's printed with four words: Lee's Dumplings!"
Lee's Dumplings was a Riverside institution—famous old spot.
"I'm heading to the shop for that night's surveillance. Might snag a suspect."
And don't forget our bet: "A man's word is his bond. Your friend's coffee shop? It's on me—even if I gotta sell plasma!"
"Citizen Song—how about we hit up Lee's Dumplings too?"
Luo Weiwei's stomach growled at the idea. She'd heard about the place forever but never tried it.
Lane agreed: the team had earned a break after all this grind.
With everyone so eager, Alex finally relented: "It's near New Market—tons of authentic eats there. Lunch sorted."
They piled back into the car, racing off.
Alex felt like he was young again—full of fire, tireless.
Gazing out the window, his reflection in the glass seemed to show a younger face—college days.
"Alex… long time no see."
He murmured to his own image.
The station wasn't far from New Market; they arrived in no time.
But as they drove, Alex spotted something. He yelled: "Stop!"
Lane slammed the brakes instinctively. Alex bolted out like a gust of wind.
Right in front of him: a tailor shop called Eternal Spring (Custom Tailoring).
The window displayed Chinese qipaos alongside Western gowns. The sign listed services—including: Gothic | LOLITA High-End Custom, contact 6666-6363.
Without a second thought, Alex stepped inside.