Chapter 65 Small Joys
"What good news?" After all that commotion, Chen Zhenzhu had lost weight and no longer had the mental capacity to think about how she had almost missed their important life event.
Shen Yuyuan nudged the shy Li Lili and said, "Tell your older sister first; she's most worried about you."
As they were talking, Gu Yanzheng came out of the doctor's office. He wasn't surprised to see Shen Liuhe and the others; he was the one who had notified them.
An old person can't stay away from home. Shen Liuhe had called the office twice, and everyone knew it couldn't be kept secret any longer. Fortunately, Shen Zhenzhu recovered well. Seeing them talking, she leaned against the door.
Shen Zhenzhu looked at Li Lili curiously. Li Lili took out the "Liancheng Normal University Admission Notice" from her bag and handed it to Shen Zhenzhu: "Big sister, I got into my sister's school. I'm going to be an alumna of my sister's school!"
Shen Zhenzhu took the admission notice and looked at it carefully. She then hugged Li Lili and said, "That's great! Your sister will be very happy."
Li Lili's eyes reddened as she wiped away Chen Zhenzhu's tears and smiled gently: "Are you happy?"
With tears welling up in her eyes, Chen Zhenzhu sincerely confessed, "I'm so happy I don't know what to do!"
Shen Yuyuan suddenly shoved her own admission notice into her hands, saying anxiously, "Come and see mine quickly."
His smug and expectant expression made him look like a child who wanted his older sister's praise.
When Chen Zhenzhu opened it, she was even happier and choked up instantly: "You...you really got into Liancheng Xieji Medical University!"
Xieji Medical University (Liancheng Branch) has similar admission scores to the main campus, and its focus is on pediatrics, cardiology, and psychiatry. Coincidentally, the major Shen Yuyuan wanted to study was in Liancheng, so she wouldn't need to leave home to go to university in Beijing.
With teary eyes, Shen Zhenzhu looked at Gu Yanzheng and said, "Brother Zheng, pinch me to see if it's true!"
Gu Yanzheng flicked the back of her hand with his fingertip, and before he could even use his full strength, she cried out in her delicate voice, "Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
Gu Yanzheng thought to himself, "If she's afraid of this little bit of pain, how come she was thinking about sacrificing herself heroically back then, and even made proper arrangements for her family?"
Shen Liuhe knew that Shen Zhenzhu was like a spoiled brat when she was fine, but when something really happened, she would keep quiet and bear it all by herself. She insisted that this personality was exactly the same as hers when she was young. No wonder she was her eldest daughter!
"The bureau gave me a week off this time," Shen Zhenzhu told Shen Liuhe and the others proudly. "It's paid leave."
Shen Liuhe had no idea that Shen Zhenzhu had come back from the brink of death. She patted her eldest daughter's head with satisfaction and said, "I am truly content to have you all in my life."
While Shen Zhenzhu was still immersed in maternal love, Shen Liuhe suddenly changed the subject: "Our crayfish have become very popular recently. After you are discharged from the hospital tomorrow, you can go crayfish-cooking. There's a table in the backyard, so we can only squeeze into a corner to cook them."
Shen Yuyuan pulled Li Lili's hand and showed it to Shen Zhenzhu: "We both have cuts and scrapes. The people we hired ran away after working hard for two days, and they don't even want their wages."
Shen Zhenzhu couldn't help but twitch her lips: "...Okay, fine."
Gu Yanzheng couldn't help but shrug his shoulders with amusement. Avoiding direct contact with Chen Zhenzhu's resentful gaze, he strode over the doorframe and hid outside, laughing.
Shen Liuhe couldn't leave the shop for too long, and Shen Zhenzhu was also afraid that she would find out that she had almost become deaf, so she persuaded her to go back with Li Lili first.
Shen Yuyuan said she would stay here with Shen Zhenzhu and refused to leave no matter what.
The private wards are in good condition; they are the best wards for cadres in Liancheng. The conditions are comparable to those in the provincial capital, and the air conditioning is very comfortable.
Gu Yanzheng was peeling an apple on the sofa outside. The apple was peeled so badly that it was a mess. He felt a little embarrassed to hand it to Chen Zhenzhu in front of Shen Yuyuan, so he hesitated and said, "Why don't you ask your sister to peel one for you?"
Chen Zhenzhu was unaware that a man's pride could be used in this way. She took the apple, took a big bite, and asked while chewing, "Did you get your stitches removed?"
Gu Yanzheng had faint scratches on his cheeks, making his cold and handsome face even more captivating. Shen Zhenzhu would steal several glances with her large eyes each time, admiring the "battle-damaged handsome man".
"The stitches have been removed." Gu Yanzheng's protective suit, meant to shield Chen Zhenzhu's back, was completely destroyed by the powerful blast, leaving seven or eight wounds. One of the wounds, about a finger's length, was quite deep, likely caused by a rock thrown up by the reservoir. After taking Chen Zhenzhu to the hospital, Gu Yanzheng got seven stitches himself.
Shen Yuyuan asked from behind, "Were you in a car accident or not?"
Shen Zhenzhu told Shen Liuhe and the others that she had been in a minor car accident and had scrapes on her body, so she used public funds to get a medical check-up.
This was just to fool Shen Liuhe and Li Lili. Shen Yuyuan was shrewd and a little know-it-all in Tie Si Street. Some things could be kept from the adults but not from her.
Shen Zhenzhu focused on the less important details, only mentioning that she caught robbers on the bus and was hospitalized with tinnitus during the gunfight. She hadn't even mentioned that she suddenly became deaf when Shen Liuhe rushed in through the door!
"I knew you wouldn't just lie in the hospital with a minor scratch," Shen Liuhe said, hands on her hips. "You really are brave enough to fight on even with a minor injury."
Shen Zhenzhu was dumbfounded. "My goodness! Why don't you learn to be good instead of trying to be a sting operation?"
Shen Liuhe felt both heartache and anger. She reached out to hit her, but then pinched her soft cheek instead: "Can't you think about us more?"
Gu Yanzheng, not wanting to miss out on trouble, revealed Shen Zhenzhu's "last words," which brought tears to the eyes of the women.
Shen Liuhe secretly told herself that she should go back and work hard to pay off the 10,000 yuan loan as soon as possible, so that her eldest daughter would no longer have a psychological burden.
"Come to my house for dinner tomorrow when she's discharged from the hospital to celebrate your two daughters getting into university. I'll cook a whole fish feast for you." Shen Liuhe channeled her grief into food, knowing that delicious food was the best way to soothe her eldest daughter's heart: "You all come, no one can be left out!"
Shen Zhenzhu asked, "Hey, is that fish edible?"
Shen Liuhe, puzzled, said, "I checked them, and all the fish are fine. A few are missing scales, but they don't look like sick fish; they probably lost them during transport. However, they have a slightly burnt smell, but changing the water will fix it."
Shen Zhenzhu pursed her lips and nodded. It would be strange if there was no burnt smell.
Shen Yuyuan gracefully withdrew from the scene and said to Gu Yanzheng at the door, "Captain Gu, thank you for not telling my sister and the others that they were outside."
Gu Yanzheng had already spotted Shen Liuhe and Li Lili while peeling an apple on the sofa. Anticipating that Shen Zhenzhu couldn't hide it, he decided to let her tell him herself, saving his family from endless speculation.
Shen Zhenzhu was still chewing on her apple when she heard this, and immediately stopped eating. She raised her little hand to attack Gu Yanzheng, sending Marshal Huang flying in an arc.
"You've gotten bolder." Gu Yanzheng took the half-eaten Huang Yuanshuai and got up to hand it back to Chen Zhenzhu when Lu Ye and Zhao Qiqi's voices came from outside.
Lu Ye came up carrying half a watermelon and said upon seeing this, "Boss, why did you give the leftover apple to Sister Pearl? That's a bit impolite."
He spoke in the same tone as Shen Zhenzhu, which gave Zhao Qiqi goosebumps all over his arm.
Gu Yanzheng: "..." It's hard to say whether the half apple in his hand was thrown by Chen Zhenzhu.
I simply sat back down on the sofa, and inexplicably took a bite of the apple, only to find it sour and astringent.
No wonder they attacked the leader; they didn't want to eat it anymore but couldn't find a reason to throw it away.
Feeling sorry that Sister Pearl didn't have any apples to eat, Zhao Qiqi ran around cutting a watermelon and secretly handed the best seedless piece of flesh from the middle to Chen Pearl, hiding from Gu Yanzheng.
His stingy and miserly manner was exactly like that of his respected Section Chief Shen.
Chen Zhenzhu sat on the hospital bed, eating a watermelon that was as sweet as honey. She watched Gu Yanzheng nibble on the leftover apple, not afraid of the sourness, and chuckled to herself.
"Hello, is Comrade Shen Zhenzhu hospitalized here?" A young man's voice came from the doorway.
Lu Ye walked over with the watermelon in his hand, looked at the thin, bespectacled young man, and asked, "What's the matter?"
The thin young man, holding a large bouquet of expensive and rare flowers, glanced into the ward, but his view was blocked by Lu Ye.
“I am a fan of Chen Zhenzhu Public Security Bureau. My name is Fu Panxia. I came here with my family to see a doctor and saw Chen Zhenzhu Public Security Bureau. I came here specifically to express my condolences. I hope that Chen Zhenzhu Public Security Bureau will recover soon and be well.”
Upon hearing his surname was "Fu," Gu Yanzheng unusually glanced at him, but didn't recognize him.
"Thank you, I'm fine." Shen Zhenzhu's voice came from inside. She walked to the door in a bright and energetic manner, wearing a hospital gown, and greeted Fu Panxia with a smile.
Fu Panxia was fair-skinned and delicate, with a bright smile and the refined air of a scholar, while also possessing a slightly unrestrained literary air. Holding a pair of beautiful and delicate flowers, she smiled at Chen Zhenzhu, making Chen Zhenzhu smile back.
Zhao Qiqi, carrying a basin of watermelon rinds, walked between the two of them expressionlessly, breaking the atmosphere between them.
Fu Panxia coughed shyly and held the flowers up to Chen Zhenzhu: "Idol, please accept these flowers that were specially prepared for you."
Chen Zhenzhu took the bouquet and saw several beautiful flowers she didn't recognize. She smiled and said, "What beautiful flowers! Thank you for your kindness. These are the most beautiful flowers I've ever received."
Gu Yanzheng watched quietly from behind, not understanding why such a beautiful flower could make the junior cadre say "beautiful" several times in a row.
He noticed several kinds of high-end flowers that were only seen at banquets, confirming that this was from the Fu family of Liancheng, a family with a scholarly tradition.
He wasn't exactly wealthy, but his taste was exceptional, his family had a rich cultural heritage, and he was quite well-known in Liancheng. People like the Bai family were willing to associate with the Fu family, while nouveau riche like Hu Xianfeng probably wouldn't find any connections.
However, Hu Xianfeng can no longer be considered a nouveau riche. Having lost orders, he and his son are constantly running into obstacles, like flies.
Fu Panxia saw that Shen Zhenzhu was unharmed and noticed the vibrant life beneath her childlike smile, and the unique, messy beauty of her flowing hair.
He was relieved and, after a brief chat, said goodbye: "I heard that Officer Shen's mother has a restaurant near Tie Si, with many unique dishes. I will go and try them when I have time. I hope Officer Shen won't find it too much trouble."
With her dimples showing, Chen Zhenzhu said in a clear voice, "I won't get tired of it. Just mention my name and I'll give you a discount."
"Can I call you Sister Pearl? Although I'm three or four years older than you, I really want to call you that." Fu Panxia said shyly, "I heard them calling me that in the hallway, I hope you don't mind."
Sensing Ai Fupanxia's thoughtfulness, Chen Zhenzhu suddenly remembered how she looked when she met her idol Gu Yanzheng, and comforted her, saying, "Then just call me that, I'll call you Xia Xia."
After Fu Panxia left, Shen Zhenzhu heard Lu Ye gossiping, "'Sister Zhenzhu,' don't mind me—"
Shen Zhenzhu raised the small hammer, and Lu Ye immediately became obedient.
Upon hearing that they were going to have a big meal at Sixth Sister's shop tomorrow, Lu Ye went out of his way to massage her shoulders. Zhao Qiqi followed suit and wanted to massage Pearl's shoulders as well, but then she heard Captain Gu say, "Go get some hot water."
Zhao Qiqi said regretfully, "Okay."
Shen Zhenzhu looked at the beautiful and bright bouquet on the bedside table, admiring it immensely, and didn't notice Gu Yanzheng's deep gaze.
"We still have some formalities to complete." Gu Yanzheng took out a notebook and, after Lu Ye finished his massage, carried a stool in each hand to the bedside of Chen Zhenzhu and placed them there.
Gu Yanzheng sat with Lu Ye and said to Shen Zhenzhu, "I hope you can describe the situation in the car in more detail. We need to confirm their organizational relationship and submit it to the procuratorate so they can determine the master-servant relationship within the gang."
Shen Zhenzhu knew the procedure had to be followed, so she leaned straight against the headboard, her hands, dressed in a hospital gown, placed neatly on her lap: "Then I'll tell you everything in detail."
She traveled alone on the bus for more than two days, and quite a few things happened along the way. The abandoned body was also found, and after listening to Shen Zhenzhu's confession, a detailed record was made.
Regarding "Uncle Dashan," Gu Yanzheng raised a question: "You said you didn't know Qiu Baoshan, so when did you find him suspicious? Please explain in detail."
Shen Zhenzhu said softly, "When I first got on the bus, the number one robber, Li Hu, arranged for me to sit in the last row. I subconsciously glanced at them and noticed that the mother and daughter in the back row weren't related to 'Uncle Dashan,' yet they trusted him a lot, which I found strange. When he wasn't paying attention, I took the opportunity to carefully observe his physical characteristics. There was no overlap with the wanted poster issued by the bureau, but his wrists—"
Shen Zhenzhu pointed to her wrist with her fingertip and said, "I noticed that he had the typical 'shackle scars' that only serious criminals have on his wrists. This confirmed that his identity was suspicious. Although I didn't know what his purpose was at the time, I was on guard against him from then on."
He said he was the driver of that bus, and later they asked me to move the body from the luggage compartment. I accidentally saw a deceased person wearing a driver's uniform inside, confirming that he was lying and that they were in cahoots.
Shen Zhenzhu evaded Gu Yanzheng's questions with her half-truths. She had witnessed Qiu Baoshan's brutal killing through the Heavenly Eye, which further confirmed that he was in cahoots with the three robbers. But she couldn't say that.
Gu Yanzheng then inquired about the relationships between the robbers, and Shen Zhenzhu listed them in order: "Besides Qiu Baoshan, the order is Li Hu, Zhao Guoqiang, and Lu Kuishan. Lu Kuishan doesn't seem to be on their side..."
......
Having asked most of the questions, Gu Yanzheng closed the notebook and said, "At the time, the smugglers detonated a detonator, intending to take all twenty catties of gold from Lu Kuishan and blow off his limbs. He survived and is awaiting legal judgment, and the smugglers have also been arrested."
"That's good." Shen Zhenzhu didn't want Lu Kuishan to die easily. He had to be made to stand in court and be punished, so that all the desperate criminals still outside the law could see that sometimes you can't die even if you want to.
Lu Ye hesitated, wanting to reveal the secret, but Gu Yanzheng's fists were like iron hammers, and he couldn't withstand them. After much hesitation, Zhao Qiqi spoke first: "The boss prepared eighty catties of pure gold, originally intended to meet you at the last location to ensure your safety."
"Eighty catties of gold?" Shen Zhenzhu only knew that the gold offered by Hedong was fake, but she didn't know that Gu Yanzheng wanted to exchange eighty catties of pure gold for her!
"It's nothing since it wasn't needed in the end. Okay, you should get some rest. I'll come over tomorrow at noon to complete the discharge procedures and drive you home to take sick leave."
Gu Yanzheng walked casually to the beautiful bouquet and suddenly said, "By the way, I heard that some flowers are not suitable to be placed by the bedside, as the pollen and fragrance affect the air and sleep. Why don't I put them on the coffee table for you? There's also a vase, so you can enjoy them when you wake up tomorrow."
Chen Zhenzhu was touched and thought, "I'd even give you a bouquet of flowers." She nodded and said, "Okay! Seeing beautiful flowers first thing tomorrow morning will definitely make me happy."
That evening, after Shen Liuhe and Shen Yuyuan closed the shop, they planned to stay and watch over the guests until dawn. Shen Zhenzhu persuaded them to go home after having dinner.
The next day, a spirited little head popped out from under the covers, stretching out its arms comfortably.
It's been so long since I've used air conditioning!
Bathed in the beautiful morning sunlight, she walked to the coffee table to admire the beautiful flowers, only to find them drooping and wilted. When she picked up the vase and looked at them again, Chen Zhenzhu was dumbfounded.
Zheng-ge forgot to fill the vase with water!
Important people always have bad memories!
Shen Zhenzhu had just gotten up and was feeling sorry for the flowers when Shen Yuyuan knocked on the door.
She placed the breakfast on the coffee table, then grabbed the wilted bouquet and threw it in the trash: "What's the point of keeping it?"
Chen Zhenzhu: "......"
"I made these little fried dough sticks that you love, one by one, from scratch," Shen Yuyuan said, setting out breakfast and handing chopsticks to Chen Zhenzhu. "There are also three-delicacy dumplings and soy milk."
The small fried dough sticks that Sixth Sister makes are usually for children. They're only one-fifth or one-sixth the size of a normal fried dough stick, about the length of an index finger. They're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Kids love them, and adults actually love them too, but they're just too embarrassed to eat them.
Being able to eat mini fried dough sticks, Chen Zhenzhu understood that her sixth sister cared about her.
Sixth Sister doesn't expect her children to be very successful; she just wants them to grow up safely. But Chen Zhenzhu's work is dangerous, and although Sixth Sister doesn't voice her worries, she keeps them all to herself.
They said they'd have a whole fish feast when they got back in the afternoon, and by noon Lu Ye and the others had arrived. Gu Yanzheng went to handle the discharge procedures, and they hurried downstairs carrying gifts and tonics—a truly impressive group.
"So many gifts?" Shen Yuyuan's eyes widened as she saw the endless stream of hospital gifts being unearthed from under the bed and in the cabinets.
Lu Ye told her, "These were all gifts from provincial officials. Your eldest sister has really impressed our brother province this time!"
The rest of the task force were also waiting downstairs. When they saw Chen Zhenzhu come down, they were all very affectionate towards her and were proud of her.
“‘Steamed bun!’” Shen Zhenzhu suddenly saw the milky white little motorcycle and her eyes filled with tears!
Lu Ye, riding on top, pointed at Dou Dou and said, "Aren't you coming up?"
"Brother Ye, thank you!" Shen Zhenzhu resolutely gave up on Shen Yuyuan, letting her ride in the Cherokee, while she sat in the back of the car, pointing arrogantly and saying, "Brothers, forward, forward, forward!"
Seven or eight cars followed the small motorcycle onto the road. When the traffic management officers at the intersection saw a row of police vehicles following the small motorcycle, they thought they had misjudged the situation.
Or perhaps some leader took an unconventional approach and created such a spectacle?
Without a second thought, Chen Zhenzhu returned to the commercial street of Tiesi 2 Village in peace and quiet. When she saw the gongs and drums on the street, she laughed and said, "Who hired a lion dance troupe?"
"He Dong paid for this to celebrate your discharge from the hospital!" Lu Ye roared as he rode his motorcycle. "The boss thought they were too noisy, so he told them to just pay without doing any work. Look, there's even a banner that says, 'Congratulations on Comrade Chen Zhenzhu's discharge from the hospital! May Comrade Chen Zhenzhu's fame spread far and wide!'"
Shen Zhenzhu saw a red banner, several meters long and covered with balloons, being pulled from her shop to Brother Leng's place. The hired men, seeing the convoy arrive, immediately lit firecrackers.
At the first crack of the firecrackers, Chen Zhenzhu instinctively covered her head, trying to hide. After the second and third crackles, she slowly peeked out, shyly and awkwardly welcoming the laughter and applause. Good heavens, she almost had a shock.
A pair of large hands appeared from behind and covered her ears. Shen Zhenzhu turned around and saw that it was Gu Yanzheng.
Gu Yanzheng said, "The doctor said I should try to rest for a while."
"oh!"
Next to the main banner hung two other banners, prepared jointly by the residents of Tiesi New Second Village: "Celebrating Shen Yuyuan's Dream of Returning to Xieji Medical University" and "Congratulations to Li Lili on Returning to Liancheng Normal College!"
In the 1990s, the college entrance examination was like crossing a single-plank bridge, with countless people hoping to change their lives through it.
It's truly remarkable that the Shen family produced two college students at the same time; if you include Shen Zhenzhu, that makes three.
The student who excels academically will be admitted to Xieji Medical University, a university comparable to Tsinghua and Peking Universities. Their future is bright, and they will become respected doctors.
There are also graduates from teachers' colleges who become teachers, and they even get their tuition and fees waived. A family producing a police officer, a doctor, and a teacher—shouldn't they be celebrating wildly!
Overjoyed, Shen Liuhe announced early on that the venue would be booked out for the day and the business would be closed. She was going to host a welcome-back party for Shen Zhenzhu to celebrate her solving another major case. She was also going to hold a graduation banquet for Shen Yuyuan and Li Lili.
All the people with good relationships in the Tie Si district came, and Liu Jie's restaurant was packed. You could hear Liu Jie's hearty laughter from afar.
The kind and honest neighbors brought gifts: schoolbags and stationery, new dresses, walnut milk for Chen Zhenzhu, and even red envelopes for the three sisters.
When the community director arrived, he stood before them and said excitedly, "You three sisters are the pride and hope of our Tiesi! You are still young and we don't know how much you will achieve in the future, but we outsiders can see clearly that you are all good and promising young women. In particular, Shen Yuyuan and Li Lili have followed in their eldest sister's footsteps and are moving forward. You have set a very good example! Children, we are all proud of you!"
Li Lili felt a little embarrassed, thinking she had benefited from her older sisters' fame today. But when she saw that while the neighbors were congratulating her older sisters, they also remembered to give her kind and encouraging words, she couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat.
They truly considered her a member of the family.
The neighbors were all congratulating them when a car pulled up outside. Then, Chen Zhenzhu excitedly called out, "Godmother!"
Liu Leqin and Zhou Qiushi got out of the car. Liu Leqin handed a violin case to Shen Yuyuan and said, "Congratulations to my goddaughter on getting into your desired university. I remember you like music, so this violin is for you."
Shen Yuyuan happily opened the violin case and saw a beautiful violin. She thanked Liu Leqin profusely.
Liu Leqin said, "If you want to learn in the future, you can come to me. I will teach you for two days every week."
Then Liu Leqin took out an imported Walkman and two limited edition cassette tapes of classic English singers and handed them to Li Lili, saying, "These are for you. I remember you like this singer, and I hope this will suit your taste."
"Thank you so much, I really love it." Li Lili accepted the gift with both hands, her eyes full of gratitude.
Shen Zhenzhu said nonchalantly from the side, "And me?"
Liu Leqin tapped the tip of her nose and whispered, "Do you know you've done something big? Does your mother know?"
Shen Zhenzhu asked in surprise, "How did you know?"
Liu Leqin said, "Our family has contracted a cherry orchard over there. I've heard county leaders mention it before. He didn't tell me much, only that the policeman from another province was surnamed 'Chen,' and I immediately thought of you."
Shen Zhenzhu whispered, "Don't tell my mom about me detonating the grenade."
Not only Liu Leqin, but Zhou Qiushi next to her was also shocked: "What? You detonated a grenade?"
Chen Zhenzhu hurriedly said, "Shh, come on, let's go inside and talk. Yuyuan and Lili, you two take care of the guests."
Seeing her eldest sister sneaking away, Shen Yuyuan said to Li Lili, "She really was holding back from us! We'll interrogate her later."
"Interrogate!"
The two sisters smiled at each other. Xiao Li's friends arrived by the roadside, along with Wu Fuwang and his father. The two sisters hurried over to greet them.
After finishing up here, Ma Suo and Sister Wang arrived, and then Zhang Jie also received an invitation and came over with her daughter and gifts to celebrate.
After Shen Zhenzhu briefly explained the whole story to Liu Leqin, Liu Leqin hugged her tenderly, kissed her cheek, and handed her the watch she had made for her from her bag: "It's very durable and waterproof. I specifically didn't get one with a diamond ring, and I changed the gold strap to stainless steel. Don't use it too much, just use it normally. If it breaks, your godmother will replace it for you."
“Stainless steel is good, it suits me perfectly.” Chen Zhenzhu didn’t stand on ceremony with her godmother. She felt the watch wasn’t too expensive, and most importantly, it suited her work. She was very happy.
"Sister Pearl, the banquet is about to start!" Lu Ye, wearing a military green vest, was patted on the abs by the enthusiastic grandmother. He quickly bent over, covering his stomach and chest muscles, and said, "Come on, I can't take it anymore."
Chen Zhenzhu finally arrived at one of the four tables in the criminal investigation team, shaking her wrist and pointing to her new watch, saying, "It's custom-made! A gift from my godmother! Although it doesn't have diamonds or a gold chain, it's durable and can withstand water damage!"
Gu Yanzheng glanced at the watch and saw the brand; it was a low-key foreign handcrafted family brand. He smiled but didn't say anything.
"Steamed fish head with chopped chili, fish ball and vermicelli casserole, sweet and sour fish chunks, braised tofu with fish offal and roe, stir-fried fish slices with vinegar, boiled fish, fish with pickled cabbage, and fish bone and radish soup!!"
Chen Zhenzhu didn't need to lift a finger; the bowls were already stacked high.
Gu Yanzheng sat to her left, while Lu Ye squeezed to her right. One ate with impassive stillness, while the other devoured her food in a flash.
"Fish intestines, fish liver, fish roe, and tender tofu are all stewed together in one pot. Adding some green garlic makes the broth even more flavorful—it's an absolute must-have with drinks!" Wu Zhongguo took a small bowl and served it to Chen Zhenzhu first, then sat down to savor it himself, remarking, "I thought you guys couldn't eat fish—"
"Don't talk, don't think, just eat!" Lu Ye stated his attitude succinctly. The chopped chili fish head was split open, covered with chopped chili, sprinkled with alkali, and steamed until it was a glossy red. He easily picked out the tender meat from the gills with his chopsticks; the meat was so tender it trembled slightly, and the taste was fresh, spicy, and satisfying!
"Sixth Sister is really something—" Zhao Qiqi gave a thumbs up. He drank two bowls of the snow-white fish bone and radish soup. The radish absorbed all the sweetness and flavor, and he was sweating profusely from drinking it. "This soup is so comforting, it can relieve all worries!"
At the next table sat other members of the criminal investigation team. Some of them weren't even part of the special task force, but they had shamelessly come over today to try the whole fish feast prepared by the legendary chef, Sister Liu.
The sweet and sour fish pieces are made by cutting large chunks from the belly of the fish, frying them, and then rolling them in sweet and sour sauce. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Zhang Jie's youngest daughter ate them with her mouth covered in sauce.
Tian Yongfeng took a bite of the fish ball, which was made by mincing fish tail meat, rolling it into balls, and cooking it with vermicelli and cabbage. The soup was clear and the balls were tender. In the end, even the bottom of the clay pot was scraped clean.
......
Delicious dishes infused with a mother's tender love bring smiles to the faces of those who come to eat. Amidst the bustling city, children who have achieved their goals feel an even greater yearning for the future.
Miracles can happen to everyone who loves life. A thriving life is constantly injected with fresh variables, becoming more colorful, and everyone is filled with anticipation and hope for the future.
That's great.
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Author's Note: The next case is titled "The Disqualified Puzzle: The TA Murder".
See you tomorrow! There's a red envelope coming up! [Let me see]
***
The recipe's food section is based on online sources and has been modified.
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