Recently, several missing persons cases have occurred in Ping'an Town. Fang Deming and his men have been running around, searching for clues from house to house. Before they knew it, it was lunchtime, so he invited his men to Dou Dou Tavern for spicy hot pot.

"DouDou, to tell you the truth, I feel restless if I can't eat mala tang for a day." Fang Deming picked up a tofu puff and put it in his mouth, his mouth swaying from side to side because it was so hot.

Yuan Doudou brought over a bowl of red bean and glutinous rice ball soup and said with a smile, "If you like it, come every day. It's on me."

Thinking back to the past, Fang Deming helped him like an older brother, so it was only right that he treat him to a meal now.

"You're making me make a mistake, that won't do. Sigh, I've been incredibly busy lately." When people are tired, they especially crave something enjoyable to satisfy their appetite and reduce mental stress.

Yuan Doudou guessed that they were busy with missing persons cases. Compared to murder cases, these types of cases are much more difficult to solve. The missing person may not be in the local area, or may have been murdered somewhere and never returned. The complexity of the case is unimaginable.

"I know you're under a lot of pressure, but you're doing this for us ordinary people. Having some food and drinks is to help us solve cases better. There's no need for so many formalities."

The constables all looked at Yuan Doudou; such an understanding woman was truly rare in life.

A warm feeling also flowed through Fang Deming's heart, and his resolute gaze gradually softened. From admiring her at the beginning to treating her like a younger sister now, he never dared to have any improper thoughts.

He is 28 years old now, and his family keeps urging him to go on blind dates. However, he is obsessed with this idea and can't give up. He feels that if he goes on blind dates, he will lose the opportunity forever, even though he knows that he has no chance at all.

He treats Yuan Doudou like a younger sister, so even if the older brother gets married, he can still visit his younger sister often, right?

Thinking this way made him feel better.

"Alright, everyone's full, let's get back to work." Fang Deming took out a silver ingot from his pocket, placed it on the table, and summoned his men, who swarmed out.

When Yuan Doudou came out of the kitchen with some snacks to go with the drinks, she saw that the table was empty, with only a silver ingot on it.

She shook her head in anger; this man was just a stubborn mule.

An Rong had just returned from buying wine when he saw his wife's displeasure and quickly went over to ask with concern, "What happened?"

He saw that there were leftovers on the three tables and assumed that someone had eaten and run away, which had angered his wife. He was about to get up and chase after them.

Yuan Doudou grabbed him and showed him the silver in her hand, "It was given to me by Constable Fang."

An Rong understood.

“Officer Fang is a gentleman, so don’t make things too difficult for him.” As a fellow man, An Rong understood Fang Deming better.

Yuan Doudou glanced at him and said reproachfully, "I just wanted to do my part."

"I know my wife means well, but sometimes good intentions can backfire. If someone uses this to complain about him, it will only drag him down, won't it?"

An Rong was very careful, afraid of upsetting Yuan Doudou again.

Yuan Doudou's smile gradually broadened, and she didn't take their worries to heart.

"Okay, I won't do it again."

When dealing with government officials, you really have to be careful with your words and not lose your composure.

However, she never cared before. Whether with Zhao Anling or Lu Chaoyang, she always did things her own way and never thought that she would have any bad consequences for saying the wrong thing.

In short, without experiencing the harsh realities of society, one is still too naive.

A few days later, the streets and alleys of Ping'an Town were filled with talk of Fang Deming's relationship with DouDou Tavern.

Some say Fang Deming went there because of the tavern's proprietress, Yuan Doudou.

Some people say they were lovers but were forced to separate.

Some even say that Yuan Doudou was Zhao Anling's mistress, and Fang Deming was only sent to comfort and take care of her.

Rumors and gossip snowball, growing bigger and bigger, and becoming increasingly outrageous.

The tavern's business was not negatively affected by the rumors; on the contrary, people came in droves to drink and eat, and the tavern was packed with people.

"DouDou, you should go inside and rest. I'll keep watch here." An Rong felt sorry for the rumors that had been circulating these past few days. She knew her wife very well. Although she pretended to be nonchalant, she must be feeling worse than anyone else inside.

Yuan Doudou shook her head and said indifferently, "The innocent are innocent. I haven't done anything and I'm not afraid of what others say. They can say whatever they want. I'll just do my own thing."

Seeing her unusual calmness, An Rong felt even more distressed. Fortunately, the people who came to eat were just eating quietly and no one was leading a commotion. Otherwise, he was really afraid that he would not be able to resist kicking them out and closing the business for a few days until things calmed down before reopening.

"Dou Dou, I know you're upset, but you don't have to act like this in front of me." Seeing her pretend to be strong and unyielding, An Rong's eyes reddened.

They are husband and wife, so when faced with difficulties, he should stand in front of his wife instead of letting her bear the burden alone.

Yuan Doudou was helpless. She really didn't care at all. An Rong was overthinking it. She had come from the modern world and had experienced countless beatings from society. She didn't care about these rumors at all. Compared to cyberbullying, it was nothing.

"Sister Dou Dou, I agree with Brother An Rong's decision. You should go inside and rest for a few days. It's not too late to come out when things calm down outside." Lu Xi carried a tray and walked up to Yuan Dou Dou, saying with concern.

Although he was young, he understood everything that adults could understand. The rumors circulating in the streets and alleys were very unpleasant, and every time he heard them, he wanted to go up and punch them, but he could only hold back and not cause trouble for Brother Anrong and the others.

Yuan Doudou stopped smiling. She felt her family's love. They treated her like a flower in a greenhouse, unable to withstand the slightest wind or rain. If she didn't appreciate it, it would only add to their psychological burden.

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

She took off her apron, handed it to An Rong, and turned to walk towards the backyard. Tangtang followed behind, calling out, "Mommy, hug me!"

Yuan Doudou turned around and picked up the chubby Tangtang, jokingly saying, "Tangtang has gotten heavier again, Mommy can hardly carry her anymore."

Tangtang clung tightly to Yuan Doudou's neck, afraid that if her mother let go, she would fall to the ground and get a bloody mess on her bottom.

"Haha, don't be afraid, Mommy's just teasing you."

Tangtang smiled, revealing two rows of pearly white baby teeth. Her pink cheeks were flushed, making her look even more like a rosy dumpling.

"Hmph, brother loves to tease Tangtang, and mother loves to tease her too. Tangtang is angry." The little one looked adorable with her puffed-up face.

Yuan Doudou's face lit up with a smile. With a daughter like this, who would bother with those trivial matters outside?

"Okay, Mommy won't tease Tangtang anymore, and Tangtang won't be angry, okay?" Yuan Doudou smiled sweetly and spoke softly.