Chapter 12: He’s My Assistant
With a crow perched on each shoulder and a tabby cat in his arms, Lin Jiangye walked straight into the private restaurant like that.
Fortunately, Shang Fuyan had informed the owner in advance. Otherwise, he would’ve been stopped at the door.
Plenty of customers brought pets to dine—but the owner had never seen anyone bring crows before.
Especially not crows with two-carat diamonds tied to their claws.
And not just any diamonds—natural G-color, VS2 clarity.
The owner fell silent at close range.
Then he noticed the emerald necklace around the tabby’s neck.
He became even more silent.
After leading them to their table, he walked away in a daze.
Shang Fuyan had also seen the diamonds and the emerald necklace. After studying them carefully, he gave his verdict:
“Very beautiful.”
Not just the gems. The crows and the tabby were sleek and glossy, obviously well cared for.
He understood the owner’s reaction.
Both crows and the tabby recognized Shang Fuyan’s scent. When he reached out to pet them, none avoided him.
“Alright, what do you want?” Lin Jiangye shot him a displeased look.
Shang Fuyan handed him chopsticks and gestured for him to eat first.
“No rush. Eat first.”
Lin Jiangye snorted—but that attitude vanished after the first bite.
The tofu was crisp outside, tender inside, soaked with savory meat juices. A subtle spicy fragrance filled his mouth. His eyes narrowed in bliss.
Shang Fuyan was thoughtful. Knowing the animals were coming, he had the owner prepare unseasoned meat for them.
Upon hearing it was for pets, the owner minced chicken breast, hearts, livers, and a bit of beef together, then slow-cooked it at low temperature until it became mousse-like in texture.
When Lin Jiangye arrived, both human and animal meals were ready.
Zang’ao stood on the chair, staring at the fragrant meat, licking his lips.
[Human, can I eat?]
Opal and Diamond also waited for his signal.
But their human was too busy eating, mouth stuffed, unable to speak. He waved a hand carelessly.
That was enough.
The cat and crows immediately buried their heads in the food.
Though the meat their human usually made was delicious, this felt somehow richer.
The little cat didn’t understand—he just ate with enthusiasm.
Watching the identical eating manners of man, cat, and crows, Shang Fuyan chuckled softly and joined in.
Only after they were full did he slide a stack of documents over.
“Take a look. You’ll know why I asked you here.”
The materials weren’t confidential. The police hadn’t released them yet, but soon enough the public would piece it together.
Lin Jiangye skimmed through quickly. His expression shifted from relaxed to serious.
“A trafficking organization headquartered in Yue City? Bold. Hiding in plain sight.”
Such brazenness meant someone inside the city was shielding them.
Fearless fools.
He let out a cold laugh and immediately understood Shang Fuyan’s intention.
With wanted notices issued, the city’s crows could help search.
“There are personal items left at one of the dens—clothes, bedding. Can crows track by scent?”
The smell might have faded, but even a lead was worth it.
“Scent, huh…” Zang’ao could help too.
A cat’s sense of smell wasn’t inferior to a dog’s—just different. Cats excelled in precision, distinguishing layered scents. Dogs excelled in range.
“Let Zang’ao identify the specific scent first. Then we can follow that trail.”
After explaining his plan, Shang Fuyan smiled.
“You really are willing to help.”
Lin Jiangye’s hand twitched. He nearly punched him.
Shang Fuyan wisely moved on.
“This meal doesn’t count as compensation. If you help locate them, besides the reward money, what else do you want?”
“Wasn’t the raven already agreed upon?” Lin Jiangye shot back.
Shang Fuyan’s smile deepened as he poured him tea.
“Besides that?”
Lin Jiangye sipped thoughtfully. After circling through possibilities, he realized he lacked nothing.
“Let’s talk about it later.”
“And what will you pay the crows? I’ll reimburse you.”
This time, Lin Jiangye shook his head.
“No need.”
He wasn’t sparing Shang Fuyan money out of kindness.
The restaurant had cleared all other guests—only Shang Fuyan’s car was in the lot. Even without knowing car prices, the logo screamed expensive.
Combined with the man’s bearing, he clearly wasn’t from an ordinary background.
But this case involved child trafficking.
And that was one crime Lin Jiangye would never tolerate.
“Take me to the den now.”
They drove twenty kilometers.
On the way, Lin Jiangye showed the wanted faces to Opal and Diamond.
“Memorize them. I’ll print copies. Spread them to other crow families. Any info earns a feast. Confirmed location earns a sparkly—maybe something else too.”
Through the rearview mirror, Shang Fuyan watched man and crows converse seamlessly. It always felt surreal.
Then Lin Jiangye briefed Zang’ao.
The tabby showed no reluctance. On the contrary, he looked eager.
“If there are other small animals nearby, we might learn something.”
Yue City had excellent ecology—wetlands, zoos, botanical gardens. Even the outskirts teemed with wildlife.
Half an hour later, they arrived.
The moment Lin Jiangye saw the place, his temperature seemed to drop.
His expression frosted over.
He was angry.
Shang Fuyan suddenly understood why.
The den was a renovated orphanage.
And Lin Jiangye had grown up in one.
An orphanage was meant to shelter abandoned children.
Turning it into a trafficking base was beyond provocation.
Lin Jiangye quickly steadied himself and strode inside.
Officers on site instinctively moved to block him—but stopped when they saw Shang Fuyan wave them off.
“He’s my assistant. Let him through.”
With that, Lin Jiangye entered freely.
Though the den had been empty for days, he immediately caught a faint fishy stench.
Like blood mixed with waste.
Yet on closer sniffing, it didn’t seem to originate from inside the orphanage.
Strange.
Zang’ao lifted his head too—he smelled it.
The officers watched curiously. Who brought birds and a cat to a crime scene?
“Go. Check for anomalies.” Lin Jiangye set Zang’ao down and had Shang Fuyan follow him. He headed outside to search for other animals.
Opal and Diamond flew toward the nearby woods.
Seeing the woods, Lin Jiangye’s expression twisted slightly—he remembered the drug dealers who had also fled into trees before.
Entering the forest, he soon heard faint chirping.
[These humans have been here a long time. Are they looking for that thing? But that thing isn’t inside!]
His heart pounded.
That thing?
The strange stench grew stronger here—mingled with other odd smells.
At that moment, Opal flew back, cawing loudly.
Simultaneously, rustling sounded behind him—Zang’ao had followed the scent here.
Both spoke at once.
[Human! We smell death!]
