Chapter 38 "Traitor" Zhao Liming

The grill was firing up, and all sorts of meat skewers and vegetables sizzled happily under the high temperature. An even richer, more complex aroma filled the air, almost turning the area in front of the police station into a veritable feast for the senses. The queue grew longer and longer, attracting even more curious onlookers.

Qin Haoran wanted fifty skewers, which was quite a lot, so he would have to wait a while.

He decided not to rush back to the bureau. He greeted his familiar colleagues, then moved a small stool from the bureau's gatehouse and a small handheld fan, and sat down in a shed not far from Su Xiaonuan's stall.

As he watched Su Xiaonuan bustling around the oven like an elf, enjoying the irresistible aroma while fanning himself with a small fan, he couldn't help but swallow hard. He then took out his phone and opened Lu Zheng's WeChat chat window.

[Qin Haoran: Lao Lu, Lao Lu! How's the case in the west of the city going?]

Lu Zheng replied after a while:

[Lu Zheng: The investigation is still ongoing, it's a bit tricky. What's wrong?]

[Qin Haoran: (Sent a profile photo of Su Xiaonuan busy grilling skewers, with a crowd of people queuing in the background)]

[Qin Haoran: Hehe, look! The little cook you brought is doing a blast! I just placed a huge order of fifty skewers for her! The aroma is amazing! It'll make your mouth water!]

[Lu Zheng: ...Is she alright?]

[Qin Haoran: I'm doing great! Smiling like a flower! Just so busy I'm constantly on the go. You really are something, running around so fast, I don't even get to enjoy the food... *smug*]

[Lu Zheng: ...Just do your job.]

[Qin Haoran: Yes, sir! Don't worry, Captain Lu, I'll keep an eye on things for you! I guarantee not a single hair will be missing! (Evil grin.gif)]

Qin Haoran was showing off to Lu Zheng with his head down when the intensely fragrant aroma of roasted meat wafted into his nostrils, making his stomach rumble with cravings.

Just when he felt the wait was going on for what felt like an eternity, Su Xiaonuan's clear voice rang out like heavenly music: "Officer Qin! Your fifty skewers are ready!"

Su Xiaonuan walked over carrying a huge stainless steel tray, piled high with sizzling, steaming skewers.

Each bamboo skewer is skewered with fragrant, crispy treats coated in cumin, chili powder, and sesame seeds, glistening with oil and looking incredibly tempting.

Qin Haoran's eyes widened instantly. He eagerly took the tray, and the heavy weight and fragrant aroma filled him with happiness.

Almost instinctively, he immediately took out his phone, found the best lighting angle, and snapped a close-up photo of the mountain of flesh, quickly sending it to Lu Zheng, who was far away in the west of the city.

[Qin Haoran: (Image)]

Qin Haoran: Brother! Let me taste it for you first! [wink][wink][wink]

Su Xiaonuan, who was engrossed in her work, caught a glimpse of his action and paused slightly, a little puzzled: Why was Officer Qin taking pictures and sending them to others? Did he think they looked good? However, this thought only flashed through her mind. There was a large group of customers behind her eagerly waiting to be fed, so she didn't have time to think about it and immediately turned back to her bustling "barbecue business".

Qin Haoran didn't care about anything else. He took a deep breath of that sinful aroma, picked up the first skewer of pork belly that had been grilled and cooled down a little, and took a big bite without hesitation!

With a soft "crack," the sound of teeth biting into the crispy, charred fat, the scalding oil and savory meat juices bursting in the mouth!

Next comes the tenderness of the lean meat and the complete release of the marinade—the rich aroma of cumin, the fiery passion of chili powder, the slight numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns, the nutty and roasted fragrance of sesame seeds and crushed peanuts, and the perfect finishing touch of sweet and salty flavor from the secret sauce…

All the flavors are distinct yet perfectly blended, like a passionate symphony performed on the tip of your tongue!

"Ugh!!! Holy crap!!" Qin Haoran gasped, burning his mouth, but he couldn't bear to open it. He chewed frantically while breathing out hot air, his eyes shining with disbelief as he exclaimed incoherently, "It's...it's so fucking delicious! It's amazing! It's really amazing!"

He felt that all the barbecue he had eaten in the past twenty years had been just making do!

This flavor is domineering, rich, spicy and addictive, yet it strangely retains the freshness and original taste of the ingredients, with incredibly precise cooking time!

He was so engrossed in his meal, his mouth greasy, that he was completely unaware that the two "leaders" had already found him by following the smell.

Xu Zhixian and Zhao Liming didn't see Qin Haoran in the cafeteria, but they were drawn out by the increasingly strong and irresistible aroma of roasted meat coming from outside the window.

As soon as I reached the door, I saw Qin Haoran sitting on a small stool without any regard for his image, devouring the few remaining skewers of grilled meat in front of him, his face beaming with an almost obsessive happiness.

Not far away, Su Xiaonuan was standing in front of her food truck, her movements so fast they were almost blurry. She was busy collecting money, grilling skewers, adding seasonings, and packing food. She was running around like crazy, with beads of sweat glistening on her forehead, but her big eyes shone brightly, full of energy and enthusiasm, and a satisfied smile always graced her lips.

The rich, enchanting aroma hit them even more directly, relentlessly attacking their olfactory defenses.

Even Xu Zhixian, who always values ​​health and avoids roadside stalls, couldn't help but swallow hard, his gaze uncontrollably drifting towards the sizzling, tempting skewers on the grill.

Qin Haoran had just finished a string of chicken feet, hissing from the spiciness, when he looked up and caught a glimpse of the two seniors standing not far away.

His eyes lit up, as if he had found a kindred spirit to share his joy. He immediately stood up, grabbed the last two skewers of grilled meat, and went over with a beaming smile.

"Brother Xu! Brother Zhao! You're finally out! Come and try this! Su Xiaonuan's skewers are amazing! I swear, this is absolutely the best barbecue I've ever had in my life! No doubt about it!" He enthusiastically recommended it, handing the skewers in his hand to them.

Xu Zhixian looked at the oily, bright red skewers. His reason told him that they weren't very healthy, but the domineering aroma filling his nostrils and Qin Haoran's exaggerated but sincere praise made him feel like a kitten's claws were scratching at his heart.

He hesitated to take it immediately, but his gaze involuntarily drifted back to the stall.

Huh? Wait... where's Zhao Liming?

Xu Zhixian turned his head and found that Zhao Liming, who had been standing next to him just moments before, had quietly walked to Su Xiaonuan's stall and had already quickly selected several skewers of beef and squid tentacles, and was scanning the code to pay!

Xu Zhixian: "..." What happened to maintaining a leader's image together?

After Zhao Liming paid the bill, he turned around and met Xu Zhixian's complex and unspeakable gaze, which carried a hint of accusation of "traitor".