Chapter 26 Onboarding: The New Detective's Departure! ...
"Big sister, why aren't you up yet! Come watch TV, you're on TV!" Shen Yuyuan, who was on summer vacation, had been watching TV every day. This morning, when she saw the scene of arresting Li Yun, the suspect in the drug mass murder case, she immediately recognized her older sister as the one handcuffed!
Last night, when I got home from get off work, I saw my older sister laughing in her sleep late into the night!
She rushed upstairs, leaped onto Chen Zhenzhu's bed, and grabbed her arm to pull the disheveled Chen Zhenzhu up.
Before they could come downstairs, gasps of astonishment came from Shen Liuhe, Yuan Jiangxue, and the others. Shen Yuyuan hurriedly ran downstairs again and saw the eldest pair of flower baskets, almost as tall as her, being carried to the shop entrance.
Someone lit firecrackers, and they kept popping and crackling, making it even more lively than when Sixth Sister's steamed bun shop opened.
Uncle Pang and other regular customers, forgetting about breakfast, put down their bowls and exclaimed in admiration around the flower baskets: "These two flower baskets don't look cheap at all; they look like they're from a big department store. The flowers are fresh too; the person who sent them put a lot of thought into it."
The flower baskets were sent by the families of the victims of the poisoning mass killing, accompanied by Lu Ye, who also had two reporters with him.
After Chen Zhenzhu came down, her excited sixth sister pulled her aside, grabbed her crooked ponytail and said, "They're probably going to take pictures of you and put them on the news, come here and let me comb your hair!"
As he spoke, he began to rub the large wooden comb into her hair.
Chen Zhenzhu's scalp was almost ripped off by her sixth sister. With her eyes drooping, she cried out, "It hurts! Mom, be gentle!"
Yuan Jiangxue ran back to the store, grabbed a tube of lipstick, dabbed some on her fingertip regardless of Chen Zhenzhu's struggles, pinched her chin, and applied it: "It'll give you a better complexion, you brat, don't move!"
"Aunt Yuan, hurry up, I want to put on lipstick too!" Shen Yuyuan said from the side.
"Why are you wearing lipstick? Go over there and stir your porridge a few times." Shen Liuhe grabbed the braid and wrapped it with rubber bands, causing Chen Zhenzhu's head to be shaken back and forth, still yelping in pain. The high ponytail was perfectly tied, shiny and smooth.
More and more people gathered at the entrance, and Shen Zhenzhu could hear reporters interviewing Uncle Pang. Uncle Pang had a loud voice, praising her to the skies, his silver tongue was simply terrifying.
Uncle Lu would occasionally chime in with his own comments, just like a seasoned shill in the market.
"Why are you suddenly interviewing me?" Shen Zhenzhu was completely flustered. In her panic, she snapped her neck back and straightened it.
The reporter on television provided an explanation, and the mother and her two daughters all craned their necks to look.
According to city bureau leaders, in this battle against crime, newly appointed criminal investigator Shen Zhenzhu discovered the key to solving the case and, during the arrest and escort of the suspect, broke down the suspect's psychological defenses, greatly accelerating the speed of solving the case...
The victims' families were still waiting at the door when Shen Zhenzhu, with her high ponytail, burning scalp, and rosy cherry lips, walked to the door to make her appearance.
"Comrade Xiao Shen! Thank you so much!"
"Thank you so much for your hard work. The leaders said that the case wouldn't have been solved so quickly without your help."
"Thank you for your hard work, young comrade. Waaah—I'm kneeling down for Yezi."
"No, no, no, Uncle, please get up!" Shen Zhenzhu stepped forward and helped the victim's family members up. The dozen or so family members were crying together, but thankfully it wasn't as tragic as before.
As expected, Zhou Qishan's parents and Li Yunyun's sister, Li Lili, were among the parent representatives present.
"Wow, another banner!" Yuan Jiangxue held Shen Liuhe's hand and watched as Shen Zhenzhu accepted the banner. Amidst gratitude and cheers, she shook hands with the parents.
Reporters nearby captured this touching scene, which will likely get Shen Zhenzhu featured in the Liancheng newspaper again.
Zhou Qiushi supported Liu Leqin, and the couple seemed to have aged several years in just one day.
Seeing that Shen Zhenzhu's family was poor, and that she could become a hero in solving cases under such circumstances, Zhou Qiushi said gratefully, "Comrade Shen, in order to express my gratitude for clearing my daughter's name, how about I give you two shops? They were built by our own family, and they don't cost much. It's the thought that counts."
Two shops?!
Everyone was stunned by these words.
Rich people are different; they just give away shops!
Shen Zhenzhu was very surprised and touched, but she still waved her hand and said, "Solving cases is the duty of the public security work. A banner and flowers are enough. Please don't give them to the shops. This is a matter of principle. I can't accept them."
"Then you can use it, no rent required." Liu Leqin said, tears welling in her eyes, as she held Chen Zhenzhu's hand. "You look two years younger than my daughter. It hasn't been easy for you. If you don't mind, please visit us often. I... I only have one daughter—"
"Auntie, I appreciate your kind offer." Chen Zhenzhu's eyes also reddened as she hugged Liu Leqin and said, "Auntie, if you don't mind, please come and sit here more often when you have time. I have a younger sister here who can keep you company."
Zhou Qiushi specifically invited reporters over today, hoping the media could use this report to clear his daughter's name. Seeing Shen Zhenzhu's polite and respectful attitude, and her refusal to accept their thanks, he stood to the side, at a loss, constantly thinking about how to express his gratitude.
"Oh, by the way, here's some braised duck made by her mother. Since everyone's here, take some home." Yuan Jiangxue, carrying two boxes of braised duck, took the opportunity to promote it: "It's rich, fragrant, and refreshingly sweet. I've eaten at so many big hotels, and this is the best duck I've ever had! No wonder it has a secret recipe. I heard the portions are generous. It's truly remarkable that she raised such an excellent mother like Shen Gong'an. The ingredients are top-notch, and the cooking is superb!"
It turns out this really is the shop owned by the mother of a public security officer. The reporters snapped photos excitedly. Gathering more material will make it easier to write reports later. Everything needs to be original to stand out from other reports.
Some quick-thinking reporters even considered interviewing Shen Liuhe to ask how she was raised, which also resonates with other parents who hope their daughters will succeed.
Yuan Jiangxue wasn't someone who racked her brains to become famous; for her old friend's sake, she shamelessly inserted a small advertisement.
Liu Leqin squinted at Shen Zhenzhu, who was about the same age as her own daughter, and said to Shen Zhenzhu, "Good girl, I will come again. Others want to talk to you, so go ahead."
“Yes, you can come to me anytime if you need anything,” Chen Zhenzhu said.
Other parents wanted to thank Shen Zhenzhu, but Shen Zhenzhu didn't understand how Gu Yanzheng could tell that she had broken down Li Yun's psychological defenses in the car. In short, a series of surprises and thanks caught her off guard.
She was both happy and shy. She appeared poised and confident in front of the camera, but couldn't hide her adorable dimples and blushing cheeks.
After the noisy crowd left, Chen Zhenzhu saw them off one by one, and the shop temporarily returned to its usual tranquility. In a corner, she found Li Lili wiping away tears.
"Lili, come here." Chen Zhenzhu pulled her to sit down and poured her a cup of hot soy milk: "Have you had breakfast?"
Li Lili took out a neatly folded letter from her bag and handed it to Shen Zhenzhu, saying, "Sister Police Officer, this is a thank-you letter I wrote to you. If it weren't for you, my sister would have been beaten as an accomplice, and she would have died so unjustly."
Shen Zhenzhu picked up the thick letter and began to read it. Every word was filled with Li Lili's bitter tears and gratitude. Shen Zhenzhu sighed, put the letter away, and hugged her, shaking her gently: "Even though Sister Yunyun is gone, you can still think of me as your sister. Although it's very likely I won't be as wonderful a sister as Sister Yunyun—"
“No, you’re such a wonderful older sister!” Li Lili held back her tears and took out a doll from her old schoolbag. She said shyly, “I don’t have money to buy a gift, so this little rabbit in a police uniform is something I made myself. It’s for my most respected Officer Shen.”
Shen Zhenzhu fell in love with the doll at first sight. The pink and white long-eared rabbit, dressed in an olive green police uniform and holding a machine gun, looked truly majestic!
Shen Yuyuan saw it too and said with surprise, "Sister, isn't that you?"
Li Lili's dolls were meticulously stitched and stuffed with fresh cotton. The sun-baked rabbit police officer glared fiercely ahead, its lifelike appearance making Chen Zhenzhu hug it as if she were seeing herself.
"Brother Ye, is it okay?" Chen Zhenzhu asked the rabbit police officer.
"No problem accepting it." Lu Ye sat at the table behind him, munching on a vegetable bun. He was enjoying the good news delivered so early in the morning; his sixth sister was in a good mood, and there were plenty of vegetable buns to eat! He buried his head and ate four!
"Don't forget to pack your things and report for duty." After finishing his vegetable buns, Lu Ye looked at the banner hanging on the wall that read "Punishing evil and promoting good, solving cases like a god" and laughed, "You know what, it looks pretty good hanging on the wall."
The wall was already covered with clippings from Shen Yuyuan's newspapers, along with her own certificates of merit and a banner, making it a truly splendid display.
Shen Liuhe hadn't expected such a big commotion so early in the morning; they even wanted to deliver a shop. After Lu Ye left, she went to Shen Zhenzhu's side and said, "Child, you were right to refuse just now. We're solving cases for the people; we can't forget our mission. Taking bribes and demanding kickbacks is absolutely unacceptable."
"Don't worry, Sixth Sister. Captain Gu said he'll give me a case-solving bonus and overtime pay next month! I even remembered I was going to buy you and Yuyuan new clothes." Shen Zhenzhu comforted Li Lili while eating cold noodles, and she could still chat with Shen Liuhe for a bit.
The Liancheng poisoning mass murder case has been solved, attracting a flood of media reporters. Television broadcasts of simulated crime scenes, and numerous crime experts meticulously analyze Li Yun, his school, and his family...
After finishing her analysis, Chen Zhenzhu happily ate breakfast amidst the praise of her neighbors.
"What?! You've joined the criminal investigation team?!" Shen Liuhe's jaw nearly dropped. She had thought the reporters had misunderstood, but it turned out she had gotten the news late: "Why didn't you say so yesterday?"
"I felt so lightheaded yesterday, I thought I was dreaming," Shen Zhenzhu admitted shyly. "I'll talk about it after I wake up. Sixth Sister, please don't object."
“You are you, and I am me. Why should I oppose your dream?” Shen Liuhe’s emotions were even higher than Chen Zhenzhu’s. “Besides, Hu Xianfeng’s car was confiscated by the Criminal Investigation Team. The Criminal Investigation Team is very capable. You need to work hard under Captain Gu and learn as much as you can. You’re a newcomer, so you need to be humble. I know you’re smart and have ideals, but we can’t get fat overnight. Criminals are cunning, so you need to be careful. I don’t know much else, but don’t worry, Mom will definitely not hold you back.”
Shen Zhenzhu had a fleeting thought that her sixth sister might disagree, after all, it was dangerous. But upon hearing her sixth sister's instructions, she hugged Shen Liuhe with gratitude and said, "I will rest assured, and I will bring you honor."
Shen Liuhe nodded emphatically: "Go and buy Hu Minglei's Santana too!"
Shen Zhenzhu laughed heartily: "Good!"
Before leaving, Lu Ye said, "Sister Zhenzhu is the first person in our city to be promoted directly to the Criminal Investigation Team without taking an exam. It was personally approved by our Director Liu. It's a unique honor."
“Pearl, you are the hope of our street.” Yuan Jiangxue stood in front of the flower basket, admiring the beautiful flowers, and teased, “With you, I guarantee no one will dare to commit crimes in our Xin’er Village.”
Uncle Lu and the others chimed in, saying, "From now on, we'll have to rely on you for security here."
"Oh, please don't say that. I'm just a rookie detective. The security of Xin'er Village is still the responsibility of the comrades from the Tie Si Police Station." Shen Zhenzhu blushed with pride after being praised. She carried the rabbit back upstairs to put it away, washed her face, and then came downstairs.
I rode my beat-up old bicycle to take Li Lili to the bus station, and then happily headed to the criminal investigation team.
Although her former workplace is just a wall away, she has truly risen to a higher social status.
Did Hong Le get a stiff neck when she got back? She definitely won't be able to sleep, hahaha.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Municipal Criminal Investigation Team, Shen Zhenzhu no longer needed to park her beat-up bicycle in the police station's shed. She could simply nod calmly to the receptionist, push it to the parking lot downstairs of the Criminal Investigation Team, and park it in an empty space without any hesitation.
She glanced towards the police station, and Hong Le hurriedly looked away from the window, lowering his head to continue sweeping the floor.
"I knew it! I don't need to sweep the floor to show off."
A cough sounded behind her, and Shen Zhenzhu turned around abruptly. She didn't know when the Cherokee had driven in and was slowly gliding behind her.
"Good morning, Captain Gu!" Shen Zhenzhu stood at attention and saluted with an air of self-importance.
Gu Yanzheng pointed to the beat-up old car, then to the corner of the wall and said, "Park the beat-up car over there, I'll park here."
"Oh." Does the lack of a first-come, first-served rule at the gold mine constitute workplace bullying?
Although it was a corner, it was still a corner of the criminal investigation team. Shen Zhenzhu obediently pushed the cart over.
The old bicycle chain was worn out, and Gu Yanzheng noticed it was difficult to pedal last time. He wondered how this girl managed to pedal so fast every day with such great strength.
He just followed me all the way down the street; the little girl has quite the legs.
"Do we still need to go to the police station to pick up something?" Gu Yanzheng got out of the car and waited for Shen Zhenzhu to walk over before saying, "I'll go with you. We also need to thank Director Ma for the outstanding talent he trained."
An outstanding talent! Captain Gu considers her an outstanding talent!
What happened just now definitely wasn't workplace bullying; it was just to help her find her place. Why does the Cherokee keep stopping? Talented people will definitely have the opportunity to ride in a Cherokee again!
Chen Zhenzhu kept the beauty in her heart and reported the matter of the banner, flower basket, and reporter to Gu Yanzheng, who was only a few steps away.
Hearing her speak so readily and excitedly, Gu Yanzheng nodded repeatedly and said, "I understand. That counts as reporting it. Not ordering the shop was the right thing to do. You did the right thing."
After he finished speaking, he noticed that Chen Zhenzhu still held onto hope, her bright, sparkling eyes looking at him.
Gu Yanzheng paused for a moment: "Yes, a verbal commendation."
Shen Zhenzhu stood at attention and saluted, then shouted in a clear voice, "Thank you, Captain Gu! I will definitely continue to work hard!"
“Not bad.” Gu Yanzheng smiled.
Hong Le never expected that Captain Gu would personally accompany Shen Zhenzhu to the police station to retrieve her belongings. While taking out the trash, she secretly looked back, her envy evident in her eyes.
Ma Suo spoke politely to Gu Yanzheng, his eyes brimming with tears as he entrusted Gu to take good care of Xiao Miaozi.
Xiao Miaozi stuffed all the pens, notebooks, apples, dried mangoes, and melon seeds from the drawer into her cloth bag, and before leaving, she didn't forget to take the pink carnation that Sister Wang had given her.
Sister Wang and her colleagues said goodbye to Shen Zhenzhu: "Come home often in the future, and we will always welcome you with open arms."
"Yes, I will definitely come back often." Shen Zhenzhu nodded with a smile, and walked to the door with a feeling of reluctance.
"Give it to me." Seeing that she was struggling to carry it, Gu Yanzheng took the cloth bag before Shen Zhenzhu could refuse, and almost dropped it.
Do local police officers really need so many office supplies?
The two said goodbye to Director Ma again, and Director Ma reluctantly saw Xiao Miaozi into the gate of the criminal investigation team.
"Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome!" Lu Ye, Zhou Chuanxi, and the others were already waiting in the office, the largest office of all the criminal investigation teams. Lu Ye's voice was loud, echoing throughout the entire floor.
"Welcome our star detective." Wu Zhongguo, who had prepared a notebook as a gift, handed it to Shen Zhenzhu and said, "Officer Shen?"
Shen Zhenzhu waved her hand and said, "Just call me 'Old Shen'."
Gu Yanzheng was seven years older than her, but no one dared to call him Old Gu.
Wu Zhongguo is indeed quite old, so it wouldn't hurt to call him that.
But this little girl...
“Let’s go to Sixth Sister’s place for a celebratory dinner tonight and welcome Comrade Lao Shen to the Fourth Criminal Investigation Team. From now on, we’re all brothers and sisters who entrust our lives to each other, so let’s treat the Fourth Team as our own home,” Gu Yanzheng decided.
"Thank you, Captain Gu!" Shen Zhenzhu was delighted.
At the police station, everyone called her "Xiao Shen." They called her "Xiao Shen" when running errands, when photocopying documents, when mediating disputes... She was young and inexperienced, so anyone could order her around.
Now, when Captain Gu calls out "Old Shen," it's a different story; it feels like he can boss people around, hehe.
Shen Zhenzhu thought happily, "Let's call him 'Old Shen' for now. After all these years, even a daughter-in-law will eventually become a mother-in-law."
When Captain Gu, who had noticed the dimples, found out, Shen Zhenzhu was surprisingly pleased with the nickname.
Do talented people like to take unconventional approaches?
"Sister Pearl, sit here, there's a fan." Lu Ye patted the table next to him and said, "It's been really hot these past few days."
Chen Zhenzhu looked at the empty seat by the window, which she could see perfectly from the police station. She said, "I'd like to sit here," so that anyone who missed her could see her anytime.
Sister Wang is one, Ma is one, and of course, Lao Huang and Hong Le might also be included, hehe.
“Okay, this used to be Zhang Jie’s spot, it’s very clean now,” Gu Yanzheng said. “Do you have any team members who need help?”
Shen Zhenzhu didn't understand what kind of care she needed.
Wu Zhongguo said with a smile, "For example, Comrade Zhang Jie used to need to take care of the elderly and her family, so she couldn't often work overtime or stay up all night. Therefore, she did a lot of paperwork and document processing."
Chen Zhenzhu shook her head: "No, my mom and sister are very supportive. They came over today and specifically told me that they won't hold me back and that I should do my best!"
"The families are all very understanding. They had vegetable buns for breakfast; I wish they could have them for dinner too," Lu Ye said, winking at her. The team provides one full meal a day (see parentheses: Gu Tou reaches into his pocket, then...).
Sixth Sister is a very good cook, but they often work overtime and eat instant noodles every night. If Chen Zhenzhu could provide a catering service, Captain Gu would definitely agree.
This is a win-win situation for everyone!
Zhou Chuanxi said, "It would be better to get a fax machine. It's too inconvenient to keep going to the document room to receive materials."
Gu Yanzheng said, "Let's print the fax machine application later and wait a bit. Let's see what she wants first."
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Chen Zhenzhu pondered for a moment, looked at the pink carnations on the table, and mustered up her courage to ask, "Captain Gu, I want a glass vase."
"You want a glass vase?" Gu Yanzheng said with amusement.
"Hmm." Chen Zhenzhu picked up the pink carnation and shook it. "I like flowers."
"Okay." Gu Yanzheng made the final decision.
The young policewoman was oblivious to what she had missed and was still smugly pleased with herself. Lu Ye, Zhou Chuanxi, Wu Zhongguo, and others were furious at her lack of ambition.
You should at least ask for a gold one!
***
In September, Liancheng already requires a light jacket. Padded-shoulder suits with short sleeves, jackets with tank tops, and stirrup pants continue to be popular.
The cicadas, singing their hearts out, bring joy to the summer. Occasionally, children will climb trees to catch them, stuffing each one into a plastic bottle. They'll then fry them at home—delicious and nutritious!
Sixth Sister's Restaurant is never this quiet.
Customers started coming in steadily from breakfast onwards to buy Chen Hei Ya (a type of braised duck).
Two months ago, Tuo Yuanjiangxue shouted the eight words "mellow, fragrant, spicy, and refreshing, with a sweet aftertaste" in front of reporters, and also emphasized the "exclusive secret recipe," which made the people of Liancheng, who have eaten all kinds of seafood, curious about how good the mother of the public security officer was.
Fortunately, Sixth Sister's "exclusive secret recipe" stood the test of time, and after wave of customers came to try it, it spread by word of mouth.
In short, Shen Heiya has become a huge hit in Liancheng.
Sixth Sister was busy willingly, and Spinning Top Mom managed the shop very well.
After finishing work, Shen Zhenzhu naturally stood at the door to collect money and hand over Shen Heiya's food. Shen Yuyuan, on the other hand, stood in front of the counter, doing her homework while collecting meal payments.
Shen Liuhe was cooking three dishes at the same time in the small kitchen, the intense heat and the large ladle creating an enticing aroma.
Shen Liuhe brought out the dishes, and Chen Zhenzhu took them and served them to the customers. Turning to the regular customer, she said, "Aunt Xu, your dishes are still the same as usual, without ginger and scallions, right?"
"Yes. You have a good memory. I still can't remember the beef noodle shop I used to go to." Last time, Aunt Xu had a fight with the owner of the beef noodle shop. When she saw him scolding a waiter, she went up and said a few words to help him.
She still prefers to pick her granddaughter up from school and bring her here. The granddaughter draws at the table while she drinks tea. Neither the old woman nor the little girl is in a hurry.
However, as more and more people lined up outside to buy Shen Hei Ya (a type of braised duck) and to eat dinner, she worried that Shen Liuhe would complain about them taking up tables.
Seeing that Chen Zhenzhu was still as friendly and gentle as before, he felt relieved.
"I said, with your family so busy, you might as well hire a waiter." Lu Ye and Zhou Chuanxi came out after working overtime, thinking that there would be fewer people at Sixth Sister's house, but they still had to carry the table themselves and eat at the door.
Sixth Sister brought out another dish and said in a loud voice, "I'm not hiring waiters. My small business doesn't make much money. I still need to save money to buy a house for my two little ones. They can't end up like me, renting a place for the rest of their lives."
Shen Zhenzhu and Shen Yuyuan naturally hoped to have their own house, so that their family could live happily in a proper building instead of sleeping in a smoky attic.
The mother and her three children are all of one mind and want to buy a house as soon as possible.
Lu Ye took the black duck that Shen Zhenzhu handed him, smacked his lips, and then went to the restaurant to get bowls, chopsticks, and napkins from the self-service area, while Zhou Chuanxi moved two chairs over.
Wu Zhongguo has a family to support, so he avoids eating out whenever possible. Gu Yanzheng often comes over with them.
Seeing that there were only two chairs, Shen Zhenzhu knew that Captain Gu was either working overtime or practicing shooting.
"Have you seen the public security bulletin board?" Zhou Chuanxi, now quite familiar with Shen Zhenzhu, took the water bottle she handed him, poured himself some tea, and said, "Chief Ma has plastered the bulletin board with your photo. 'Outstanding criminal investigation talent cultivated at the grassroots level,' 'Repeatedly made outstanding contributions.' Best wishes for your 'further glory.'"
Shen Zhenzhu said, both amused and exasperated, "It's been several months, why are you still posting my picture?"
“You’re a celebrity in our Iron Fourth Division now,” Lu Ye said with a smile.
Shen Zhenzhu said, "It's just that Tie Si is still a nobody." Tie Si is really something that Ma has been hyping up.
Lu Ye said, "If you keep this up, it's only a matter of time before you become famous."
As Shen Zhenzhu chatted with them, she pretended to be a Shen Black Duck. The menu board on the wall, showing the remaining Shen Black Duck items, was written by Uncle Lu. One side listed duck necks, duck frames, duck tongues, and the like, while the other side said "Sold Out." Once one item was sold out, they would flip it over, making it easier for later customers to choose.
Every day, they go from one large basin of heavy black duck to three large basins, and once they're sold out, they're gone. They make sure to inform the customers waiting in line beforehand so they don't waste their time.
To paraphrase Chen Zhenzhu, what started as an accidental success turned into a form of scarcity marketing. There are many advantages, but also disadvantages; for example, more and more people are coming to buy Chen's Black Duck early in the morning.
Anyway, Sister Liu's restaurant sells super delicious breakfast, so going there early is a sure win.
"Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, stir-fried sea cucumber with soy sauce." Shen Yuyuan carried a plate in each hand to the table outside, attracting the attention of the customers in line.
"Wow, this place is full of hidden talents! I'm starving, I'm going to eat first." Lu Ye didn't care that all the dishes hadn't been served yet, and he and Zhou Chuanxi buried their heads in their food and ate heartily.
Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish requires exceptional knife skills; the fish fillets are sliced into the shape of squirrel spikes, deep-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, then sprinkled with tomato sauce—it's incredibly appetizing. The braised sea cucumber is made with fresh seafood caught in the early morning; it's bouncy, smooth, and has absolutely no fishy taste. It also has the flavorful taste of scallion sauce, making it a very nourishing dish.
He quickly finished a bowl of rice, got up to serve himself, and almost choked when he saw Chen Zhenzhu's chubby figure carrying a large rice bowl.
Recently, T-shirts with slogans have become all the rage. He hadn't looked closely at first and thought the three of them were all wearing the same style. Now, looking closer, he chuckled to himself, realizing they were all emblazoned with "Totole Chicken Essence." They'd apparently mistaken them for work uniforms.
"Hey, what brings you all here?" Zhou Chuanxi looked at the several familiar faces sitting at the table that had just been emptied next to him, and said with displeasure, "You only come after the case has been solved?"
"How dare you talk like that? Don't we deserve to eat?" Park Heung-sung brought his men over for dinner. They didn't care about Captain Gu's face. They didn't have the special meals at Sixth Sister's Restaurant at noon, so if they wanted to eat there, they had to come all the way here in person.
Kanghe sat near the door, watching the busy figures with mixed feelings.
Who would have thought that my old classmate would actually become a criminal police officer?
All three teams tried to snatch the player but failed.
He was basically at the bottom of the class at the police academy, yet he was personally selected by Director Liu to join the team. That's quite a prestigious position even within the city police department.
Everyone knows that the Fourth Criminal Investigation Team is the star team of the Major Crimes Unit. Captain Gu Yanzheng is very good when he's in a good mood, but he can be really bad when he's not. It's really hard to win his favor.
He graduated last year and still wanted to join Team Four. Team Four is known for its high crime-solving efficiency and formidable strength from top to bottom. Joining Team Four would be very beneficial for promotion and bonuses.
But even after using his connections, he was still rejected by Team Leader Gu. After several twists and turns, he stayed with Team Three.
Park Heung-sung ordered two dishes and handed out the menu. Chen Youwei, his old confidant, added a squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.
Lu Ye muttered under his breath, "A clever student."
Zhou Chuanxi said, "Don't bother with cases that can't be solved. It's been almost a year and the missing persons case is still unsolved, while we've solved four or five."
Park Heung-sung's face was grim. He remembered that at the beginning of the year, the fourth team had an unsolved case, and he had said the same thing. Now he had been hit with a double stab.
To outsiders, both teams appear to be serious crime squads, but they are actually secretly competing. Gu Yanzheng's abilities are undeniable, and Park Heung-sung believes he is no less capable; the two are openly locked in fierce competition.
Gu Yanzheng's name isn't really "fighting"; it should be "teasing."
"Captain Park is interesting. He can turn pale for a whole day with just a few words, hahaha." These were Gu Yanzheng's exact words a long time ago.
The peak time for dinner is around 6 or 7 pm, but by 8 pm, the black duck is sold out and people no longer need to queue.
Shen Zhenzhu strolled over wearing Totole, tossed a plate of chicken stew with mushrooms in front of her, and started eating.
Lu Ye, who had already finished eating, couldn't help but pick up his chopsticks again: "Sister Pearl?"
"Eat, there's more in the pot." Chen Zhenzhu waved her hand: "Brother Xi, you should eat more too. Only with a strong mouth like Brother Ye can you become strong."
No one in the fourth team ever addressed Zhou Chuanxi with such respect; they always called him "Xi Zi." They even tried calling him "Little Xi Zi" at one point, but he protested repeatedly.
Upon hearing this, Lu Ye straightened his chest and showed it to Zhou Chuanxi.
"Okay, then I'll have another half bowl." Zhou Chuanxi couldn't help but agree when he saw the fragrant "employee meal".
"Want some stir-fried shrimp, Xiao Ye? I still have some left! They're really fresh!" Shen Liuhe called out from the kitchen doorway.
Lu Ye gave Park Heung-sung and the others a provocative look, then got up and served the dishes without saying a word.
"He's showing off because he got a bite of leftovers." Chen Youwei had just finished speaking when he saw a plate of crispy fried yellow croakers from Tai Tai Le, each one golden and shiny, probably even the bones were crispy and fragrant. They were placed on Lu Ye and Zhou Chuanxi's dining table.
Shen Yuyuan also sat down and said, "Brother Xi, have some small yellow croaker, it's super fresh."
That's so enviable!
Whose leftovers smell so good!
But Park Heung-sung and the others quickly stopped being jealous.
Shen Liuhe called for someone to bring their dishes over. Once they were placed on the table, the dishes looked, smelled, and tasted delicious. All the troubles and waiting were worth it!
It's worth it to shamelessly spend money in the territory of Team Four!
"Gu Yanzheng really knows how to eat. It would have been better if he had come earlier." Park Heung-sung finished his meal and patted his belly with great satisfaction.
Kanghe also thought it was delicious, and he and Chen Youwei finished off the leftovers, completing the "Clean Plate Campaign".
Team Leader Park kept glancing at Chen Zhenzhu, trying to strike up a conversation, but was glared at by Lu Ye and Zhou Chuanxi.
It's pointless. Gu Yanzheng, the alpha wolf, isn't here, and there are two wolf cubs guarding him.
He patted his belly, thinking, "Things change, there will always be other opportunities." After comforting himself, he paid the bill and left.
Shen Zhenzhu had no idea that Captain Park's glance at her could make him think so much. After finishing their meal and seeing off Lu Ye and Zhou Chuanxi, who were stuffed to the point of bursting, she went to the backyard with Shen Yuyuan to wash the duck parts.
The backyard is connected to Yuan Jiangxue's shop. Since Yuan Jiangxue doesn't need it, she gives the backyard to them.
The 60-square-meter courtyard contains a pool and a separate bathroom, as well as vegetables that the store couldn't fit in due to business expansion, dried shrimp, shredded green radishes for breakfast pickles, dried bamboo shoots for making vegetable buns, dried shiitake mushrooms, and other items.
In addition, there are dried mackerel, small silver fish, yellow croaker, and braided fish.
Now there are a few more pots of duck products.
Because of the large quantity purchased, the market staff will help with some simple processing first, which is much more convenient than before.
From the backyard, you can hear the sounds of residents watching the Asian Games in their homes in the Xin'er Village community. The 11th Asian Games will be held in Beijing and will continue until early October.
Every day, the sounds of sports competitions fill every household, and groups of sports enthusiasts gather on the streets to exchange sports information.
The store's television was also put into use, and it played Beijing Sports Channel 5 from morning till night without changing the channel.
After finishing everything, I finally have some free time to study.
Chen Zhenzhu couldn't concentrate on her studies upstairs because the cheers downstairs were too loud; everyone was cheering for the national athletes. She took her notebook downstairs and, looking at the scattered customers in the store and Uncle Lu, Brother Leng, and others, went over to watch and learn.
Circle any parts you don't understand. For overly technical criminal knowledge, you have to ask Captain Gu. You can't afford to have any misunderstandings.
That evening, Shen Yuyuan went to the next district to pick up her joint exam papers. Shen Zhenzhu was worried about her walking alone on the street, so she went with her.
The last train arrived at Ganqian Street, five or six stops away, where there was an old train station. Shen Yuyuan received the joint entrance exam paper she had been longing for and said goodbye to her junior high school classmates.
"There's a barbecue restaurant up ahead," Chen Zhenzhu suggested, smelling the enticing aroma of cumin. "Shall we buy a few skewers and go back to watch the diving?"
"Okay, I want to eat corn tortillas and grilled mackerel." Shen Yuyuan said, counting on her fingers, "I heard that the grilled clams here are also delicious. Big sister, did you bring any money?"
Chen Zhenzhu patted her pocket, about to say "I brought money," when she suddenly realized her wallet was gone!
"How could it be gone!"
She pulled Shen Yu along as they searched, and found the wallet—a welcome gift from Yuan Jiangxue. It was genuine leather!
"Little sister, is this what you're looking for?" A brightly dressed woman shook a genuine leather wallet adorned with roses and asked with a smile, "Is this really your wallet?"
“It’s mine! Thank you,” Chen Zhenzhu said. “There are ten yuan and a monthly pass inside.”
The other person glanced at it and confirmed it was the same as what Shen Zhenzhu had said. She walked over and handed it to Shen Zhenzhu, when a woman in her thirties behind her called out, "Hurry up, we're waiting to play mahjong."
"Sister Ying, I'm here." The flamboyant woman smiled at Shen Zhenzhu: "Keep it safe, making money isn't easy."
Shen Zhenzhu smelled a strong odor of smoke and alcohol on her, along with cheap perfume. There were several nightclubs near the old train station, and Shen Zhenzhu knew she worked there as a hostess.
You really can't judge a book by its cover.
"Comrade, thank you." Shen Zhenzhu said to her earnestly.
"Be more careful next time." The woman seemed amused by her formal way of addressing him, waved her hand, and walked away with a cigarette dangling from her lips.
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Author's Note: Thank you for your support! There are red envelopes (cash gifts) in the next two chapters too!
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According to city reports, the internet was not well-developed at that time, and information exchange was poor.
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