Cold Water

Part 02 - Meet With Rival

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When Zhan entered the office, he noticed that it was crowded than usual. Some were laughing at the jokes someone played, some were just watching their friends laugh.

But that was not what made Zhan stop at the door without joining them. It's the three unfamiliar faces between them.

One of them was sitting near his senior Cheng-ge while laughing, while the other two were discussing something seriously with his boss Zoey Meng, the only woman in the office.

"Cheng-ge, am I really late?"

After a few minutes, Zhan finally decided to approach his senior Wang Zhuo Cheng. The said man startled by the sudden voice behind him and turned his head to see Zhan staring at him. 

"Since when are you standing there? Why isn't there any sound at all?" Zhuo Cheng laughed awkwardly.

Zhan frowned. After all his effort to reach the office in time, it are went vain as his senior didn't even notice him. Seeing Zhan upset, his junior Paul Yu, the younger brother of Zoey Meng, approached Zhan embracing his shoulders.

"Zhan Xiong, don't be angry. We are aware of your presence, only because it's rare to see Cheng-ge joking, we are afraid he will lose the mood to laugh again" Paul Yu said in a comforting tone.
(Xiong means brother, in a polite tone.
Ge means the same but leans towards informal tone. )

"Ah, right. Of course. I have heard that these days your division is so busy that Cheng-ge has lost his mood to smile, even I have heard that he is so sensitive lately that his gaze can make a lion run away in fear."

It's one of the 3 strangers from earlier who seemed younger than him but so bold to make the statement directed to Zhuo Cheng.

Hearing that, Zhuo Cheng's happy face immediately became sour as his laughter changed into a frown.

"Of course Cheng-ge is very upset. How not!!This is the first time he has been made dizzy with one case which many professional detective groups cannot solve it. And now this case is all handed over to our team without exception" Said Ji Li, one of Zhan's classmate.

"Huh... The case is indeed difficult, moreover the victims are of high-class. No, the whale class is the appropriate term. This case is really complicated. Almost like the 'Jake The Ripper' case which no one could solve it until now" Zhuo Cheng said while massaging his head .

"We can definitely handle this problem, Cheng ah. Nothing is impossible when we all work together persistently"

Another one from the 3 unfamiliar faces spoke up, Zhan was sure he had seen him somewhere before.

"Hai Kuan ge?" Zhan almost shouted in a surprised tone. How not!! He is one of the all-rounder detective with many awards and that made Hai Kuan so famous in the field.

"Hi, you are Xiao Zhan, right? It's nice to meet a talented detective like you" Hai Kuan smiled politely. Zhan who heard the compliment from one of the top detectives, who is also his idol, almost melted down.

"Hello, senior Zhan. I am very happy to meet you, I am one of your fans, I heard that you have solved many cases with senior Zuo Cheng" 

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Zheng Fan Xing, a junior first year, please guide me senior Zhan, I hope to be like you" He continued with a radiant face.

Zhan who heard the young man, was truly at a loss of words. He was so happy and at the same time afraid that he would be complacent and not develop after someone praise him.