Chapter 103 Foster Parents Visit 2 No need to keep saying thank you to Dad…

Shen Qinghuai was deeply hurt. His daughter's thank you wasn't because he had become a better person, or because he had done anything for her, but simply because she needed him to take care of her adoptive parents.

But what can he do? All his current misfortunes are the result of his own actions, and he has no one to blame but himself.

He asked, "Should I arrange a separate place for them, or should they stay in a courtyard house?"

Qiu Xiaoman replied, "Let's go to a courtyard house. My dad has a broken leg and it's inconvenient for him to go up and down stairs. A courtyard house would be perfect."

"Okay, whatever you say." Shen Qinghuai tried his best to go along with his daughter's wishes, but then asked, "Your dog needs someone to take care of it, right? The pregnant one seems to be about to give birth."

"No need for that trouble. My parents will take care of them when they arrive. It'll only be for the next couple of days. Just feed them some chicken legs after you get off work. Don't feed them raw ones; it's cold, and they'll get diarrhea if they eat them." Qiu Xiaoman deliberately didn't mention taking care of the dog, just to see if Shen Qinghuai would be interested. So far, it seemed she was quite satisfied with his changes.

After all, given his arrogant and indifferent nature, how could he possibly have noticed those dogs?

Shen Qinghuai has really made great progress.

I don't know what happened to make him turn over a new leaf.

Forget it, I'll stop thinking about it now. I'll just go through the files I have on hand again first, so I don't end up in a rush when I get to Shanxi.

This is similar to preparing for class; a competent trainer should naturally understand in advance what kind of combat environment their dog will be facing.

Correspondingly, all necessary supplies must be prepared in advance.

Seeing that she was studying so diligently even while riding in the car, Lu Zhiqiang couldn't help but praise her, "Xiao Qiu, you're so serious. I'm ashamed of myself for not being as diligent as you."

"Brother Qiang, you flatter me." Qiu Xiaoman smiled, picked up a pen, and circled the points she thought needed attention.

At the same time, he also searched the terrain near the Taihang Mountains in the system, because only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle.

Seeing how engrossed she was, Lu Zhiqiang decided not to disturb her any further and simply leaned back against her, closing his eyes to rest.

He and Qu Hao each brought two dogs, namely Mingming and Tanhua, and Xiaodezi and Chocolate.

Although Chocolate was trained by Qiu Xiaoman, other trainers could also take it on missions after passing the assessment.

The flower has an extremely keen ability to distinguish the scent of pollen, a trait that can be fully utilized in the mountains and forests.

As for Mingming and Xiaodezi, they are the most senior and capable dogs in the base. Bringing them along is to solve the case as quickly as possible. Moreover, the combination of an experienced dog leading a new dog can quickly allow the new dog to learn the essence of practical combat from the experience of the experienced dog, which is a very scientific combination.

In short, the choice of dog is determined by the needs of the case, not by the master-servant relationship between the dog and its handler.

Qiu Xiaoman thought this was a good approach; otherwise, it would be too rigid and not conducive to efficient case handling.

Soon, the car stopped downstairs at the Criminal Investigation Department building. Wu Shirong and the others were ready, and the two groups boarded a police bus together, so they didn't have to rush to catch the train and could coordinate with the railway department's schedule.

The support team consisted of eight people. The other four were Ye Chenglin, a sniper who had worked with Qiu Xiaoman once; Chen Jianjun, who had a hidden blood relationship with Qiu Xiaoman; Brother Hu, who had gone on a field mission with Qiu Xiaoman; and Liu Xuezheng, a police officer from Shanxi who looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a buzz cut and a hideous scar on his face that started from his left chin, slanted upwards, and went all the way to his right eyelid, almost running the length of his entire face.

At first glance, it's quite frightening.

According to Tiger, this is a special forces soldier who was discharged due to injury.

Because he was a native of Shanxi and came from a special forces unit, he was chosen as the deputy captain for this operation.

Tiger is the squad leader, and Qiu Xiaoman and Wu Shirong are both special technical advisors. However, Qiu Xiaoman also needs to lead police dogs on missions.

The bus was modified to have four folding beds side by side in the back, so that eight people can take turns resting on the bus.

Considering that there was only one female member in the team, Tiger wanted Qiu Xiaoman to sit in the passenger seat so that the other six men, apart from the driver, wouldn't feel so constrained.

Qiu Xiaoman, however, was unwilling, as it would be inconvenient for her to take notes if she sat in the passenger seat.

So she sat down next to the folding bed. When she needed to write something, she could just squat down in front of the bed, which was relatively flat, so her handwriting wouldn't be ruined.

Upon seeing this, Wu Shirong, who was in the front row, quietly took out a folding stool for her.

Qiu Xiaoman didn't stand on ceremony, took it, sat down, and asked, "Do you bring this with you every time you go on a field mission?"

Wu Shirong nodded: "You can take a break if you're tired."

That's right. Qiu Xiaoman looked at his skinny, bony figure and couldn't help but laugh. He really was a typical weak scholar.

When I got tired of taking notes, I turned around and found a few men playing cards. After all, the journey wasn't short, and the bus ride was too boring, so they had to kill time.

Wu Shirong did not participate. Like an outsider, he sat by the window, holding a sketchbook and drawing and sketching, enjoying himself.

Tiger was driving, so he didn't have time to play cards. The rest of the passengers were Liu Xuezheng, who sat upright in the passenger seat, with his hands on his knees and his eyes looking straight ahead.

As expected of someone from the special forces, even after leaving the military, they can't shake these habits.

When the car arrived at the service area and stopped to refuel, Tiger looked back and joked, "You guys are really something, aren't you afraid of disturbing Xiao Wu and Xiao Qiu's studies?"

Qu Hao laughed and said, "We're already speaking very quietly. How about we go to the service area and see if they have any newspapers to buy and pass the time?"

"Let's go together." Tiger and Qu Hao were quite familiar with each other and often went on missions together, so they went down together.

Seeing this, everyone else put down their cards and joined in, leaving only Qiu Xiaoman and Wu Shirong still sitting in their seats, diligently studying.

Soon, Qu Hao returned and knocked on the car window: "Hey, dinner's ready. Aren't you hungry?"

Qiu Xiaoman wasn't really hungry, but not wanting to seem out of place, she decided to eat something anyway. As she passed Wu Shirong, she asked, "Aren't you coming?"

Wu Shirong shook his head with a serious expression and remained silent.

Qiu Xiaoman glanced at him; he was staring at the sketchpad in his hand, his expression serious, seemingly deep in thought. On the empty seat next to him was a stack of files containing eyewitness descriptions of the criminal's appearance.

It turns out she also likes to preview her lessons.

Qiu Xiaoman didn't wait for him any longer. After finishing her meal, she brought Wu Shirong a box of fried noodles, two tea eggs, and a cup of soy milk.

She didn't disturb him, placed the food on the empty seat next to him, and continued to study.

She recorded the terrain features, vegetation, and local customs around the Taihang Mountains, which not only facilitated this operation but also saved her a lot of trouble if she came back in the future.

This is called being prepared for any eventuality.

The car got back on the road, and at three o'clock in the afternoon, someone called her.

Qiu Xiaoman turned around and saw Wu Shirong carrying a lunchbox. She asked her if she had bought it.

Qiu Xiaoman smiled and said, "Just doing it."

"Here's the money." Wu Shirong often went out on field missions, so he knew the prices in the service area well. He hadn't miscalculated the price. He just gave the person two extra yuan as a token of his gratitude for bringing him food.

Qiu Xiaoman refused to accept it.

She clearly remembered that the last time she worked overtime in the criminal investigation building, Wu Shirong brought her a roast duck. Although it was to thank her for helping Mimi, the roast duck looked expensive.

So it wouldn't be a big deal if she brought Wu Shirong a meal.

That's how kindness and friendship are passed on.

But Wu Shirong refused and insisted on giving her money.

Finally, Qiu Xiaoman got angry and said with a stern face, "You can give me money, but I won't buy you roast duck anymore."

Wu Shirong stared at her blankly. This young woman had quite a temper; her face held an unyielding determination and domineering air.

He conceded and laughed, "Alright. Anyway, Mimi will need your help whenever she's feeling unwell in the future."

"You left Mimi home alone?" Qiu Xiaoman was happy to change the subject.

Wu Shirong shook his head: "I've put my pets up with Uncle Zhou. I only found out he could board pets when I had Mimi's surgery last time."

"That's good." Qiu Xiaoman stretched. "You eat quickly, it's getting cold. I'm going to take a nap."

These days, there are no expressways connecting the capital to Shanxi. The provincial roads are in very poor condition, and some sections are poorly maintained, so you'll encounter potholes along the way, making the journey quite bumpy.

As a result, Qiu Xiaoman couldn't sleep soundly.

In a daze, I heard someone joking.

"Xiao Wu, who are you drawing?"

"Wow, you drew a cat! You're really something. Even when you're out on fieldwork, you're still thinking about your cat. Anyone who didn't know better would think it's your wife."

"Don't talk nonsense. Xiao Wu's cat is a male cat. When he brought it over last time, I saw a pair of testicles. They were huge, and they waddled when he walked."

"It's a pity, they're gone now, so they wouldn't be considered male cats anymore."

"That wouldn't make you a wife either."

"Haha, what nonsense are you talking about? Xiao Wu must be lonely living alone. Getting a cat to keep him company and he'll grow attached to it over time. What's wrong with that?"

"Woof woof, some humans have such wicked thoughts. Can't we just have a pure master-servant relationship?"

"What the third-ranking scholar said is right, but third-ranking scholar, in your opinion, between humans and cats, who is the master and who is the servant?"

"Cats are the owners, right? That's how it is with all the ones I've seen. Humans try so hard to please them, but they just ignore them. When they're happy, they lie down and let humans rub their bellies, but when they're unhappy, they kick their legs and run away. They're so naughty. Dogs are much better."

"Woof woof, that's prejudice. I've also seen cats that are really clingy and affectionate. They lie down right next to humans' feet as soon as they see them, and even roll over on their backs."

"Foolish glutinous rice ball, that's called 'extortion,' you're just trying to find a free meal ticket."

"Okay, I want free meal tickets too."

"Hey, keep your voices down, you're disturbing my owner!" In the end, it was Grey who stepped in and stopped the dogs from interrupting, leaving the humans to gossip.

The car swayed and bumped along, and after nightfall, it stopped at another service area. Because the case was urgent, the group did not stay to rest after dinner, but continued to head towards the Taihang Mountains.

This time, Qu Hao was driving. Tiger and a few others had already lain down. The grown men weren't sleepy yet, so they chatted idly, telling some sensational ghost stories. Unfortunately, Lu Zhiqiang, the storyteller, didn't know how to get people emotional, and soon everyone was getting drowsy.

Fortunately, Qiu Xiaoman slept for a few hours during the day, so she doesn't have to squeeze in with the men anymore.

She took out her notebook with renewed energy and continued studying.

According to the information she found, the road conditions would be even worse after entering the Taihang Mountains, and there would be coal trucks blocking the way, making the ride even more bumpy than it was now. She decided to finish all her homework now.

After studying the terrain, climate, vegetation, and local customs, Qiu Xiaoman had nothing to do, so she asked the system to find her some textbooks for criminal investigation courses in universities so she could study on her own.

I was busy when the phone rang.

Shen Qinghuai spoke seriously, as if giving a work report: "Xiaoman, I had the company's sales staff hold up signs at the train station all day, but I didn't see your parents coming. They'll probably arrive tomorrow or the day after. But don't worry, I'll have someone keep watch on the platform."

Qiu Xiaoman closed her notebook: "Okay, thank you, you've worked hard."

"Also, I'd like to buy them a few sets of clothes, but I don't know their sizes. Could you tell me?"

“My mom is about the same size as me, just a little thinner, so you should buy size 165 or M. You know my dad too, he’s about the same size as you, just a little shorter and thinner, so size 175 or XL will be fine.”

"Where are the shoes?"

"My mom is thirty-seven, and my dad is forty-three."

Are your younger siblings coming over?

"It wasn't mentioned in the telegram."

"Then I'll make some preparations."

"No need. Let's talk about it when you get here. Thank you."

"You don't need to keep thanking your dad. They've raised you for so many years, this is what your dad should do."

Qiu Xiaoman did not answer, remaining silent.

Helpless, Shen Qinghuai changed the subject: "Mango's belly has grown bigger again. I had your brother take her to see Lao Zhou for a check-up. Lao Zhou said she's very healthy and there's nothing to worry about."

"Thank you, Mr. Shen. I feel relieved to have you here."

This time, Shen Qinghuai fell silent, and finally could only sigh quietly: "Then you should get some rest. Tell me if anything happens."

After hanging up the phone, Qiu Xiaoman glanced wistfully out the window, her eyes filled with confusion and exhaustion.

Unaware that someone was staring intently at her from behind.