Chapter 111 The most precious thing is being by her side.
The moonlight was beautiful in the night.
With smiles in their eyes, Sheng Peirong and Aunt Ping watched the two figures gradually approaching in the distance, deeply moved by the youthful excitement, which was even more touching than the moonlight.
The little boy was still flailing his short legs, repeating the motion tirelessly. Only when they saw Qingzai return did the older sister and Aunt Ping unhesitatingly let go of his hand.
"Aren't you going to play anymore?" Fangfang stood there blankly.
This is a relationship that blossomed under the witness of elders; a simple confession made everything different.
Seeing the smile that Qingzai couldn't hide, Shengfang peeked out with her little head.
It seems he missed something important.
The child drifted off to sleep with this question in mind.
The next morning, the clever child figured out the answer himself.
Cheng Xinglang reappeared at Kadoorie Hill, wanting to take them to school and work.
Children don't understand the feelings between adults, but he understands Qingzai best. Seeing her so happy, Fangfang's little steps became more cheerful.
In front of Zhu Qing, Fangfang is a well-behaved, round baby.
But when he got close to Cheng Xinglang, his attitude changed drastically. He squinted and looked him up and down: "What are you laughing at!"
"You cunning sir!"
Cheng Xinglang pressed down on his lips and turned to the other person's niece to complain: "He said I'm a cunning adult."
"Aren't you one?" Zhu Qing's lips curled up.
All of this can be traced back even further, and he himself admitted it.
Dr. Cheng deliberately brought the expedited DNA report to the police station cafeteria, loitering around in front of her, waiting for someone to take the bait.
"Isn't that right? Isn't that right?" With someone backing her up, Sheng Fang grew increasingly confident, puffing out her chest as she pressed on, "Isn't that right!"
...
The kids look forward to the weekend the most, and even more so to going out with Zhu Qing on the weekend.
The seafood feast promised by Ong Siu-lun was repeatedly postponed, and it was only after the entire B team of officers protested that it finally took place.
As evening falls on the Saigon beach, the setting sun slowly sinks, the sea breeze carrying fine sand, and the blooming flowers open their little mouths, letting out an "ah" sound.
“I didn’t eat any sand.” He said smugly to Zhu Qing, who quickly came over, “Silly Qing.”
A group of people gradually arrived at the outdoor dining table.
Anyway, there were people on duty at the police station. Several dozen ice-cold beers were served, and before they were even opened, several colleagues were already excitedly shouting, "We won't leave until we're drunk!"
Since the child couldn't drink alcohol, he pressed his cheek against the cold beer can, shivering from the cold, and then gently rubbed his cheek with his chubby little hands to warm it up.
Uncle Li was finally discharged from the hospital, and he was inevitably teased a lot.
"Uncle Li, has your gunshot wound healed?"
"Finally, I don't have to wear bandages anymore? Last time I was wrapped up like a mummy, and I was too embarrassed to say it in front of Madam Yu."
"I guess there's just a piece of tape under the bandage."
Uncle Li was in a great mood and laughed, "When good things happen, people are in high spirits. I won't lower myself to your level."
Weng Zhaolin was also beaming, grinning from ear to ear, as he handed beer cans to his subordinates.
Uncle Li waved his hand again: "I can't drink."
Uncle Li has long since abstained from alcohol, and he will not break his vow now, as he promised Yu Jingying.
A little drink is fine, but a promise made in person must be kept. The two of them reached this point in divorce without any fundamental issues, yet they missed out on over a decade of companionship. Now that they've regained what they lost, he cherishes it more than anyone else.
With a "snap," Zhu Qing also opened the can.
She took a sip and immediately frowned.
"How was it? How was it?"
"It tastes...awful."
Everyone laughed and raised their glasses: "Cheers!"
Shengfang was always the first to respond, raising his orange juice and toasting with every colleague present. Zhu Qing gently flicked his little nose, then frowned and took a sip.
Alcohol seemed to have a magical power, making everyone's laughter even more unrestrained.
"By the way—" Weng Zhaolin cleared his throat, "I have something I'd like to ask everyone."
Upon hearing the solemn word "ask for advice," everyone immediately sat up straight.
"My wife is pregnant," he asked. "What precautions should an older mother take?"
The table fell silent, and the group of young people stared at each other in disbelief.
They've never been parents, only children; how could they possibly offer constructive advice on such a professional issue?
After a moment of silence, the topic remained the same, with Haozai breaking the silence: "Congratulations to Mr. Weng on becoming a father!"
Everyone followed immediately.
"Officer Weng is getting promoted!"
Congratulations!
Fangfang stretched out her little hand, shook John's hand, and imitated the adults, saying, "Congratulations!"
“You’ve asked the wrong person.” Weng Zhaolin turned his gaze to his two no-longer-young subordinates.
Mo Zhenbang raised his hands: "I don't understand."
He and his wife, Lü Qiyun, had considered having children before, until they adopted Nannan.
Back then, their daughter was very young, and they raised her little by little, experiencing the joys and sorrows of parenthood. There were times of headaches, but more often, there was heartwarming warmth. His wife often says that sometimes she even forgets their daughter isn't their biological child. For them, blood ties are no longer important; their daughter is not a responsibility or burden. What binds the family of three together is the power of love.
"I can only teach you how to take care of a child at most," Mo Sir laughed. "As for how to take care of a new mother, you've asked the wrong person."
Weng Zhaolin then looked at Uncle Li.
"That happened more than twenty years ago, how could I remember?" Uncle Li shook his head. "Go ask the doctor!"
"In short, just be considerate!" Zeng Yongshan said.
The other officers then offered their suggestions one after another.
Things like being attentive and gentle, preparing her favorite foods and drinks, and trying to spend as much time with her as possible...
“I also want to spend more time with her,” Weng Zhaolin said with emotion, “as long as the police station doesn’t—”
"Stop!" Sheng Fang reacted incredibly quickly, urgently saying, "John, you're such a jinx!"
Everyone present looked at Sheng Fang with admiration. Among so many people, he was the only one who dared to speak to Inspector Weng like that.
How did he manage to do that? Everyone remembers that last summer, when the young master of the Sheng family first came to the Yau Ma Tei Police Station, Inspector Yung had a stern face and said that the office wasn't a daycare. But now, in less than a year, he can not only freely enter and leave the Senior Inspector's office, but he even dares to speak to Inspector Yung like that.
His colleagues remained silent, and Weng Zhaolin naturally couldn't guess what they were thinking at that moment.
If you really think about it, even his idea of having a child was influenced by this lovely little confidante.
"Officer, when is your due date?"
"I'll definitely give a big red envelope after the baby is born!"
Shengfang also raised her little hand: "I want to give red envelopes too!"
"Then I'll be the uncle!"
Shengfang had long since figured out the proper titles and terms of address for each generation, so of course she had to call her friend's child "uncle".
The thought that more children meant more toys filled him with anticipation; his short legs wobbled along, light and carefree.
Amidst laughter, and taking advantage of Mr. Weng's good mood, everyone ordered a few more dishes.
"Another order of razor clams, please! Pick the biggest ones for us!"
"Add a salt and pepper mantis shrimp."
"I also want to eat lobster noodles in broth..."
Mr. Weng curled the corner of his mouth.
How many meals did he go hungry, saving up his stomach to eat him out of house and home?
"Qingzai, Qingzai, cheers!"
The flavor of freshly squeezed juice bursts on the tongue, sweet and sour, and you keep drinking one glass after another until you're full.
As the child holding the orange juice gently touched it with Zhu Qing's glass, she raised her glass again.
"Is it hard to drink?" Fangfang asked.
"It's so refreshingly cool." Zhu Qing smiled and pursed her lips. "It doesn't seem so bad anymore."
...
The sea breeze made me feel dizzy.
Fangfang's chubby little hands were covered in oil as she deftly peeled open the hard shells of the salt and pepper mantis shrimp. Before, Fangfang could peel whole roasted chestnuts to feed Qingzai, and now she was also the best at peeling shrimp. She peeled out the beautiful shrimp meat, held it high, and offered it to Qingzai's mouth. Her sincere and worried little expression was like that of a little elder who was worried about whether the child would have enough to eat.
"How wonderful..." Zeng Yongshan said, resting her chin on her hand. "I also want a well-behaved little uncle like that."
Haozai joked, "I remember Madam used to want to find a Prince Charming, but I haven't heard about that in a long time."
"Why did all the exemplary men I admired end up as suspects? Almost none of them were exceptions," Zeng Yongshan sighed. "This job has completely shattered my illusions."
“Report Yongshan’s work injury to the authorities,” Liang Qikai replied seriously.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zeng Yongshan laughed heartily and raised a beer can. The ice-cold beer was smooth and refreshing, just as good as the freshly squeezed sugarcane juice she and Zhu Qing had at Yangji Claypot Rice a couple of days ago.
As night deepened, Shengfang didn't want to go home.
He made a new playmate at the beach. The two little ones chased each other, their clear laughter echoing throughout the pier. When they ran back, Fangfang's face was flushed from playing.
"You made a friend?" Little Sun asked, his tongue practically tied in knots from drinking. "What's his name?"
In front of Xiao Sun was a pile of empty soda cans, stacked high, like a Lego castle that children love.
His attention was drawn to the pile, and he moved the cans in front of his other colleagues over and continued to stack them on top of each other.
"I don't know," Sheng Fang said calmly. "They were just one-time friends; we'd play together and then go our separate ways!"
His tone suggested he had seen through the ways of the world. Life is short; everyone comes and goes quickly, so just enjoy it to the fullest.
Despite saying that, Fangfang's eyes were bright and sparkling. She held the empty soda can that was about to fall in her hands. Her playful little face made her look like a serious adult, even if she wanted to.
Of course, he also has true friends who are not just passing through.
Zeng Yongshan suddenly remembered something: "Didn't you miss your classmate's birthday party last time?"
Back then, children had no choice but to stay at home, and even going to school was a problem, let alone attending Coconut Baby's birthday party.
"Shh—" Sheng Fang raised her chubby finger to her lips.
Zeng Yongshan understood and drawled out, "Shh..."
Night was falling.
Shengfang had no idea how long she had been at the beach. She didn't ask about the time or urge anyone, and just kept having a great time.
"She's so well-behaved. I definitely wouldn't have been able to stay still when I was little."
“In the past, when my mom played cards, I would roll on the floor and make a scene, begging to go home.”
"Once I get home, I get bored and have to go out again."
"Going out with adults is really boring!"
Zhu Qing ruffled her soft, flowing hair: "He's not keeping an adult company."
Qingzai understands her uncle best.
He was having a gathering with his colleagues. How could he possibly think the same way they did when they were kids?
Time ticked by, and Haozai collapsed onto the table, clutching his head with both hands: "I can't take it anymore."
"Two more drinks, you're already feeling the effects after only a little?"
"Who said we wouldn't leave until we were drunk?"
"Fill up Haozai's bowl!"
The noise, carrying the scent of cooking, lingered for a long time.
The spring breeze was warm, and Zhu Qing cradled her radiant little face in her hands.
"One hundred points of cuteness," Zhu Qing said, holding up two fingers. "Two hundred points!"
"You're drunk." Fangfang spread out her small hands.
"I'm not drunk." Zhu Qing rubbed Fangfang's little glutinous rice ball. "Our Fangfang is just 300% cute."
When the party ended, Weng Zhaolin, who could no longer walk in a straight line, got up to pay the bill and generously pulled out several bills to give as tips. As he pulled out a few bills, his subordinates hurriedly stuffed a few back into his hands, trying to stop him.
"Officer Weng! No way!"
"I'll regret it when I sober up tomorrow..."
Zhu Qing and Zeng Yongshan stood aside, unable to suppress their laughter.
"So, what's really going on between you and Dr. Cheng?" Zeng Yongshan nudged her with her elbow. "Don't play dumb."
Just as Zhu Qing was about to answer, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye, and the corners of her mouth curved up: "He's here to pick me up."
Zeng Yongshan froze, following her gaze.
Cheng Xinglang couldn't hide the smile in his eyes. He let the sea breeze mess up his hair, bent down to catch Fang Fang who was running towards him, and easily lifted the little round person up.
"I'm going now."
Under the moonlight, a gentle breeze carries the waves that lap against the pier at the seaside.
My colleagues stared wide-eyed.
"Wait, what's going on?!"
"I knew there were signs, but how exactly did it start?"
Xu Jiale shrugged: "I told you, I figured it out a long time ago."
"Tell me again, when did you figure it out?"
"Probably... when we were in the safe house." Xu Jiale said without batting an eye. "Ahem, could Dr. Cheng possibly hide such a little scheme from this professional detective?"
Fangfang had been playing all day and was so tired that her eyelids were heavy, but she still didn't want to end today's trip.
His little hands were always directing the route, sometimes going this way, sometimes going that way.
The moonlight stretched their shadows long, and Shengfang realized that, being held by Dr. Cheng, her shadow had already become exceptionally tall without needing to adjust the angle, making her look like a little giant.
Fangfang struggled to raise her arm, shouting in a gruff voice, "Awooo—"
Zhu Qing asked, "Did the little monkeys from the zoo escape?"
“It’s clearly the Lion King.” Cheng Xinglang patted the little doll Fangfang in his arms.
Fangfang immediately chimed in, "It's The Lion King!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the arrogant child leaned on Dr. Cheng's shoulder.
Alright, alright, he decided not to break them up anymore. From now on, the three of them can play together!
The stroll along the beach lasted for quite a while.
The little one's battery was completely depleted. With her head tilted to the side and her chubby cheeks pressed against Cheng Xinglang's shoulder, she finally stopped arguing with her fighting eyelids.
The surroundings quieted down, with only the gentle sea breeze remaining.
“You seem very happy today,” she said.
Just as Zhu Qing looked up, a kiss, gentler than the sea breeze, landed on her lips.
She stood there, stunned, not too drunk, but not completely sober either.
The intimate touch left a lingering warmth, and in her hazy state, she heard Cheng Xinglang's whisper.
"I have news about my brother."
The baby, Shengfang, was talking in her sleep in a sweet, childlike voice.
"A cunning adult..."
The sound of the tide remained the same, and Zhu Qing's hand was gently taken.
"Thank you for sharing your luck with me."
...
Back then, international medical organizations were still using paper records, making the search for the younger brother extremely difficult, spanning eighteen years and thousands of miles.
But the luck that Zhu Qingfen received ultimately led Cheng Xinglang to find his younger brother's whereabouts.
It was Cheng Xingyu's adoptive parents who took the initiative to send him the email.
At the age of six, Cheng Xingyu was sent to a foreign country. Through the arrangements of an international medical organization, a Chinese couple adopted him. They treated him as their own son, caring for and accompanying him with all their patience.
Gradually, the taciturn child began to speak intermittently about that dark past. Communication was not advanced back then, and information inevitably lagged behind due to the vast distance. The adoptive parents searched through all the local Chinese newspapers, finally finding a news article that matched the child's ordeal. The news reported that the case had been solved, and the real culprit had died in a car accident. From the child's fragmented narration, they didn't know Zong Zhuoxian's true identity, only considering her a kind person who had saved him.
It is not good for a six-year-old child to live in hatred and obsession.
All the adoptive parents could do was protect him. So, after careful consideration, they told young Cheng Xingyu that the police had solved the case and the murderer had been brought to justice, but unfortunately his parents and brother were no longer alive.
"The blow has caused the children unbearable pain, but we believe that a short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one," the adoptive parents wrote in the email. "This is a white lie, but it has separated you brothers, and we are very sorry."
In fact, this kind couple has absolutely no reason to feel sorry.
Cheng Xinglang knew very well that it was this lie that kept his younger brother away from danger, allowing him to grow up safely in pure love and care. Otherwise, he would have embarked on a journey to find his family at all costs, and would most likely have met with misfortune.
Cheng Xinglang was grateful for the couple's efforts and felt incredibly fortunate that they had given his younger brother a chance to start a new life.
The email included a photo of his younger brother, who was wearing a white coat and providing free medical care to local residents in a remote area.
Today, he is a Doctors Without Borders.
The adoptive parents told Cheng Xinglang that they received the information from the head of a medical organization before sending the email. Their younger brother often works in areas with scarce medical resources, making it difficult even for them to contact him, but they would do everything they could to get news of their older brother to him.
Fate is truly wondrous.
For eighteen years, Cheng Xinglang never gave up his search, while his younger brother, carrying an invisible burden of longing, lived well in his own way.
In different corners of the world, the two brothers seemed to follow a silent pact, both choosing to become doctors.
They continue the mission that their parents did not finish.
...
Zhu Qing never breaks her promise to Shengfang.
Sometimes she thinks that perhaps this is healing the part of her childhood that was never cherished, and making up for the visible regrets.
As agreed, the uncle and nephew moved back to their apartment next to the Yau Ma Tei Police Station for a short stay.
There were only the two of them.
Before moving, Aunt Ping made several trips back and forth, decorating this original home in a warm and comfortable manner.
The basement of the Kadoorie Hill villa had been renovated into a secret little world for the uncle and nephew, but since there were no cases recently, the whiteboard was still empty. Now, the familiar old whiteboard in the Yau Ma Tei apartment has been reused, filled with the uncle and nephew's daily schedule.
Two schedules are listed on the whiteboard, one on the left and one on the right.
Shengfang only wrote down playtime, while Zhuqing wrote down her study schedule.
"When did you get corrupted by your older sister?" Sheng Fang protested.
Zhu Qing gently tapped his little head with a marker.
Fangfang covered her head and ran away, but after running around in circles, she sat back down.
This familiar home, in every corner, holds their shared, most beautiful memories.
Those joyful moments seem like they happened just yesterday.
Zhu Qing lay on the floor, and Fang Fang immediately followed and snuggled up to her.
They stared at the ceiling, even the curve of their lips was exactly the same.
"Silly baby." Zhu Qing poked his dimples.
Fangfang suggested that they sleep on the floor in the living room tonight.
Without a word, Zhu Qing and he brought over the blankets. It was a night when Aunt Ping wasn't around, and no one was nagging about how cold it was. They were like mischievous children, engrossed in a fun game.
On the spacious floor of the living room, the uncle and nephew rolled around, the TV always on, an unknown program serving as the background noise amidst their playful antics, their joyful laughter drowning out any dialogue.
Sheng Fang thought he must be the happiest child in the world.
“It’s like throwing a party,” Zhu Qing said.
Fangfang earnestly corrected, "This isn't a party."
Before going to sleep, Shengfang mumbled something and smacked her lips.
When Zhu Qing leaned closer, she heard a soft "shh".
"Why are you sleeping?" She lay on the soft blanket and patted the chubby child. "Get up and play."
...
The day after moving back to the Yau Ma Tei Police Station, the CID colleagues couldn't wait to stretch and yawn as soon as it was time to leave work.
"No surprises, it's five o'clock again. Time to call it a day!"
"Shall we go to Bing Kee in Sham Shui Po for fish congee?"
"Another time, I made some sweet soup at home..."
"I'm going to the movies with Ah Ling tonight, so I'm leaving now."
They finished work on time, and in just a few seconds, their figures disappeared without a trace.
Today, Shengfang went to her astronomy class, and Aunt Ping was responsible for picking her up and dropping her off. Zhu Qing stayed an extra fifteen minutes, and after finishing organizing the old case files, she looked up and saw Cheng Xinglang standing at the office door, with Ah Ben, dressed in sportswear, beside him.
Ah Ben, with his squash bag slung over his shoulder, said, "Hurry up, I booked a game for 7 o'clock. There's no extra time for latecomers."
Cheng Xinglang insisted on taking Zhu Qing home first.
"Do you really need to pick me up and drop me off since it's so close?" she couldn't help but laugh.
Ah Ben winked mischievously.
Exactly! Back then, when he asked Cheng Xinglang to take Madam home, Madam just casually said, "It's so close, why bother taking her home?"
As they walked to their doorstep, Cheng Xinglang suddenly said, "There's something in your eyes. Let me see."
Zhu Qing looked up.
The moment the key turned the lock, he gently covered her eyes with his palm and placed his other hand on her shoulder.
Just as she turned around in confusion, the door opened.
"Three, two, one..."
The darkness faded, and the living room was filled with warm yellow colored lights.
With a "snap," the ribbon tube snapped, and the ribbons fluttered down, landing on the colorful balloons scattered in every corner.
Familiar faces came into view.
They had clearly discussed their evening plans before leaving get off work, yet they all appeared in front of her now.
Sheng Peirong smiled gently: "Coco is home."
Aunt Ping poked her head out of the kitchen, still wearing her apron.
The little boy, who should have been in astronomy class, skipped and hopped over to grab her hand.
Zhu Qing stood there, bewildered.
"Happy birthday," Cheng Xinglang whispered in her ear.
Fangfang pulled her to the dining table: "Surprise!"
This is Zhu Qing's first birthday cake.
The candlelight flickered in her clear eyes, she could hear her mother reminiscing about celebrating her first birthday, she held a handmade birthday card in her hand, and in front of her was a gift carefully prepared by Cheng Xinglang, as well as the beaming smiles of her colleagues.
Ben tossed the squash bag behind him and winked, "I did a pretty good job, didn't I?"
Everything was so beautiful it was almost unbelievable.
Shengfang stretched out her short arms and put the birthday hat on her.
There was also a spare birthday hat next to the cake.
Zhu Qing gently placed it on the little head of the blooming flower.
Fangfang tilted her cute little face—
Qingzai really loves me the most!
"Let's sing 'Happy Birthday' first!" someone suggested.
Shengfang clapped her little hands, and her tender singing voice echoed in my ears.
May every year bring this day, and may every year have this morning...
"Qingzai, this is a real party!" Fangfang said proudly.
Shengfang fulfilled her promise to sing a birthday song for Qingzai.
As the uncle, he finally gave his niece a proper birthday celebration!
Zhu Qing's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her eyes felt a little warm.
Sheng Peirong gently held her daughter's hand.
Coco never said it, but she knew everything. Her child had faced everything alone and endured so much along the way.
"Coco, make a wish."
As the candlelight flickered, Zhu Qing gently closed her eyes and clasped her hands together.
She had no ambitions before, and did many things step by step without ever imagining that such a day would come.
It wasn't until the case in the hillside that Fangfang was brought to her.
Gradually, many important people appeared in Zhu Qing's life.
Mom, colleagues, friends, Aunt Ping, and Cheng Xinglang.
At this moment, Zhu Qing still didn't know what wish to make.
Because the most precious things are already by her side.
Shengfang looked up with her chubby, fair face and clear eyes: "Happy birthday, Qingzai! May you be happy every day!"
"Time to blow out the candles!"
The flames flickered and swayed.
Zhu Qing bent over, while the children stood on tiptoe to receive the flowers.
The uncle and nephew took a deep breath, puffed out their cheeks, and brought their faces very close together.
"call--"
The moment the candlelight went out, every sincere smile was frozen in time.
A warmer light is quietly spreading.
(End of text)
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