Man Of Law (Chapter One)
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Chapter One
Through his hard, professional work, Lu Han earned the title of "The Nation's First Detective" And now he is about to tarnish his reputation with his own hands.. But why?
In a spacious studio illuminated by majestic bright lights, a beautiful presenter with a strong presence and striking appearance sat on a red leather sofa. Opposite her was a glass table, its height parallel to her knee, which rested above the other and would have touched it if not for the black leather thigh-high boots that almost covered the edge of the expensive robe provided by one of the most prestigious and popular brands across the globe.
It wasn't the successful and unique thirty-something media personality, nor the highly acclaimed show in its fifth consecutive season, that attracted the global fashion company and made them strike a short-term agreement with them—for the first time since its inception. Rather, it was the auspicious guest who attracted them, along with a barrage of less important companies. This was despite all the conditions greedily slipped in by those in charge of the station, their backers, and financiers.
The five-day agreement stipulated providing the entire crew, whether working in front of the cameras or behind the scenes, with the company's latest products, with additions from several contributing small companies. The final and most flashy touches were reserved for the last day, when the promised guest would appear. And that was today, exactly.
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Those currently present in the studio, and in the satellite station building as a whole, had eagerly awaited this day. They worked for it with immense effort and perfection, knowing that tonight would become a common positive point distinguishing their professional resumes. It might even elevate some of them to the top with a terrifying speed that not even the most ambitious and fame-hungry among them could have imagined.
At this moment, which corresponded to the eighth minute of the episode, the camera flashes were finally focused on the promised guest after a long wait. Prior to this moment, the young presenter had the honor of seeing him, unlike the majority of the workers, and naturally, all the viewers. Note that the program is broadcast on four satellites and twenty radio stations distributed across the planet, and certainly on numerous sites in the heart of the massive web.
For the past seven minutes, the broadcast was limited to a visual report summarizing several stages of Detective Lu Han's life.
The report included a live reenactment of one of the climax scenes from the detective novel 'A Musician's Crime'. Many actors and technicians who admired the famous detective collaborated in producing this work, aiming to present it to him with pure love~
"We welcome you, dear audience, to a new episode of your program 'Heart of Beijing'. Put off your chores for one hour, as I guarantee you enjoyment. Whether you are fans of our handsome detective or haven't had the chance to know him yet, it won't change the fact that this man's company is enjoyable, exciting, and as refreshing as a country breeze."
"Dear viewers. Dear listeners. Please welcome with me the Chinese Nation's First Detective, Lu Han."
The momentary applause began to rise. The detective's response was to stand from his seat and bow to the audience, smiling with a hint of pink tinting his cheeks. He tried to hide it by focusing his gaze on one of the attendees for a while, which prompted the director of photography to direct his cameramen towards her. The lady received the camera flashes with a cheerful but automatically rigid face; she was used to it.
Since their early childhood, the shy little boy saved himself by diverting the lenses of attention away from him and onto his friend 'Mo Na'.
As years passed, Mo Na found herself in many spontaneous spotlights. At first, it was limited to teachers and some of his parents' friends, but after Lu Han plunged into real battles, she was forced to play the role of an absorbing stone for sudden attention. Then, people would soon tire of her artificial smile and turn their gazes and actions back to the one who would have successfully, as usual, controlled the situation; hiding his shy personality behind numerous accumulated masks of arrogance, an arrogance that suited him.
"It is a great honor for us; that your choice landed on us out of everyone to help you communicate with those whose world you spent long years of your precious time protecting from crime and its consequences," the presenter said, directing her words to her guest, who was a few inches away, enough for her voice to reach him annoyingly through the amplifier.
However, he fought the feeling of annoyance, returning her smile with a gentler one, carrying a great deal of gratitude.
"Actually, this huge number you referred to doesn't exist to be suitable choices alongside you. You don't have many competitors. I doubt they exceed three," Lu Han said in a tone closer to a compliment.
Mo Na was the only one who knew he meant every word he said.
As for the media personality, she settled for responding to the compliment like any other compliment with a friendly smile and a few polite phrases, nimbly shifting the course of the conversation, a trait that has always characterized successful media figures.
"For a long time, whenever I heard news about your achievements, the same question occurred to me - are you trying to prove something? Do you have a message of some sort? - And since your second nickname is *The Mysterious*, these questions remained unanswered. Therefore, when I confirmed the approval of the episode, I had to seize the opportunity."
She followed her words with a laugh she shared with her guest.
As soon as his laughter subsided, Lu Han sat up straight and answered, the dreamy glint in his eyes hidden from no one: "I will tell you a story. Many years ago, a horrific crime occurred in a food factory, claiming the life of an innocent man—he was not alone, of course. This man was a single, lone father to a little girl. Upon his murder, this eight-year-old girl was left to face life without the care of her loving father to rely on. The girl grew up to bring justice for her father. Yes, this is my role model, 'Sila'."
When Lu Han noticed the signs of incomprehension occupying the faces of everyone his eyes fell upon, he continued: "Well, there's nothing remarkable about it. Sila is an Austrian detective. In my early childhood, I watched a documentary talking about her life at the time of her death. I liked her, and I decided to emulate her. That is all there is to it. There is no great message."
Disappointment was evident on the presenter's features. But she said: "Well. The Chinese Nation's First Detective carries no message."
Lu Han clapped in agreement with a quick, automatic nod.
And among the confused audience, Mo Na shook her head in despair. She really didn't know what was going on inside her foolish friend's head!
"When we were informed of your coming, everyone wanted to ask you a few questions. And by everyone, I mean it. _The media personality brought out an open circular bowl containing folded colored paper slips and placed it in front of Lu Han on the table_
The program's time does not allow answering all these questions, as you know. Therefore, we ask you to choose only ten slips to answer."
Lu Han nodded smiling. He pulled one. It was a white paper with blue lines folded several times. After he opened it, it turned out to be square-shaped, about the size of his palm. In the middle, a line was written in dark black. He read relatively aloud: "-What are the biggest risks you have been exposed to because of your work?-"
Lu Han closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, to answer: "Over the span of 11 years, many dangers have crossed my path. But the absolute worst of them are those that might reach my loved ones and threaten their safety."
Like a damaged tape, an extremely bad and ugly memory replayed itself several times in succession in his imagination.
And the bulk of the thoughts currently revolving in his mind was represented by what Mo Na had to face in her brain all alone in these moments..
"Only one question remains," the presenter spoke, her enthusiasm having dwindled to less than half—just like many others.
Lu Han picked up the glass bowl, shook it for a while, before returning it to its place on the large table. He tapped his nails three times on the glass, smiling.
He picked up a pale yellow paper slip and read what it contained with fake enthusiasm. If only one person had maintained their initial focus with the famous detective's movements, they would have known he was faking this enthusiasm, but everyone had lost this focus by the current moment.
"-You prepared and edited ten books within two years; that is, since your retirement. You previously mentioned that this series is useful for young detectives. Did you mean someone specific? Someone you wish to share your expertise in the field with?-"
As soon as he finished reading the question, Lu Han refolded the paper routinely and gently with a smile. He placed it to the left of the bowl near the empty water glass.
"Yes, there is a specific person I would like my words to reach, and I wish to offer him everything I have acquired during my career. And I think my messages are indeed reaching him." The answer was good for everyone; this appeared in their reactions.
Thus, the end of the interview resembled its beginning, and it seemed that the apathy and resentment that preceded this moment had temporarily vanished.
In a dramatic way, the media personality flipped the tablet she used during the episode, saying: "This was Rita with you from the 'Heart of Beijing' program. I hope you enjoyed, as I did, Lu Han's unique and exciting company."
'What a liar you are,' Lu Han muttered under his breath. He stood up intending to leave as fast as he could.
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In front of Mo Na's house, and next to the large wine-colored wooden door, the two friends stood. Mo Na took her keys out of her cotton jacket pocket, and as she opened the door, she said: "I know you want to remove the halo of perfection they have attached to you over the years. But your method is bad. Very bad."
"I don't want them to consider me an innocent angel today only to turn me into a sinful demon tomorrow."
The woman shook her head speechlessly upon receiving the unsatisfactory answer and entered the house, closing the door quietly behind her. Lu Han continued his way, walking on the path adjacent to the cherry trees towards his home, which was a few steps away from here.
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