Chapter 51 A Grandfather-Grandson Game
In Zhao Qiqi's memory, every dinner party would eventually turn into a drinking contest among the men.
He thought the same thing before he came here today.
Now, in front of him was sweet and sour pork tenderloin, the golden and crispy tenderloin coated in an amber-colored sweet and sour sauce, the sweet and sour flavors balancing out the spiciness.
Braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens is a dish where layers of distinct pork belly complement each other perfectly with savory preserved mustard greens, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.
Braised Yellow Croaker: The yellow croaker is pan-fried until the skin is crispy and tender, then drizzled with Sixth Sister's secret braised sauce and mixed with diced bamboo shoots. The sauce soaks into the fish meat without masking its freshness.
Cantonese-style stir-fried crab: Plump, meaty crab pieces are deep-fried until golden brown, then coated with cornstarch and garlic crisps. The aroma is irresistible, and the sweet taste of the crab meat blends perfectly with the garlic flavor, creating a crispy and delicious dish...
Zhao Qiqi glanced back at the huge neon sign "Sixth Sister Restaurant" and couldn't help but wonder, "Is this really made here?"
Chen Zhenzhu, taking care of the newcomers, grabbed a steamed dish of garlic vermicelli and placed it in front of Zhao Qiqi. She then quickly put one on her own plate, saying, "We don't eat by the head. Whoever gets it first gets it. Be quick-witted."
Zhao Qiqi looked down at the glistening vermicelli and the steamed scallops, which were oozing delicious juices. They were sweet and savory, and in her mind, they were high-end seafood ingredients.
He never expected that his boss would remind him to "be more clever" when it came to grabbing food at the dinner table. He scratched his head, smiled sheepishly, and then his boss stuffed a piece of Sichuan peppercorn beef into his hand.
As a newcomer, she was reluctant to start eating, and Chen Zhenzhu understood this perfectly.
Back in the day, she was very well-behaved when eating with Gu Yanzheng and the others. She learned her lesson after being cheated a few times, going hungry a few times, and scraping the bottom of the plate a few times.
The bustling street-side restaurants exude a vibrant, local flavor under the moonlight. Customers coming and going all praise the hidden culinary gems tucked away in the alleyways.
In a society undergoing economic transformation, the three traditional dishes on the dining table are gradually fading out, and the variety of dishes is becoming more abundant. Some people with fuller pockets are not hesitant to eat out.
Delicious food can soothe the weariness of days of travel, and a fragrant soup can warm a weary soul. It's not great heroes who heal the world, but the warmth of someone cooking for you in the kitchen.
A lavish feast left everyone stuffed and satiated.
Wu Zhongguo escorted Lu Ye, Zhou Chuanxi, and Zhao Qiqi home one by one, while half of the customers in the store remained.
Seeing that Gu Yanzheng was about to leave, Shen Zhenzhu specifically instructed, "Don't eat out these next few days. I'll have Wu Fuwang deliver meals to your office every day."
Gu Yanzheng had long been accustomed to Sixth Sister's delicious food and did not notice Chen Zhenzhu's deep feelings. After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned around to say, "I haven't thanked you for the jacket you gave me yet."
Shen Zhenzhu looked astonished, as if she had been caught doing something wrong. Gu Yanzheng took two steps closer and whispered, "I won't tell anyone. Nobody knows you bribed your boss."
Unfortunately, Shen Zhenzhu was no longer the same Shen Zhenzhu. She stretched out her hand and said, "Just in case, give it back to me."
Gu Yanzheng smiled happily: "No."
Watching him walk towards the motorcycle, Shen Yuyuan ran over with milk tea to serve the customer. She walked up to Shen Zhenzhu and said, "Big sister, you and Captain Gu have a good relationship. You even shared the nourishing soup that Sixth Sister made with him."
Shen Zhenzhu chirped defiantly behind her back, "Whatever, we'll just have to feed the dogs to the dogs anyway."
"That's such a waste! Give it to me. My sixth sister has been giving me brain tonics lately, and I'm tired of them." Shen Yuyuan heard a customer calling from the counter and quickly ran over.
Chen Zhenzhu put her hands in her pockets, rubbing the new police rank she had just received and chuckling to herself.
Gu Yanzheng took off his helmet and started his motorcycle. A beautiful and charming woman approached. She was wearing a pencil skirt, a popular style from the TV series "Public Relations Lady." Gu Yanzheng remembered her as one of the diners, sitting at a table diagonally opposite him with another man.
A woman who was originally unrelated to him, walking alone on the street and standing next to a motorcycle, suddenly asked, "Handsome, was that your girlfriend just now?"
Gu Yanzheng was already numb to these advances, and could only defend Shen Zhenzhu by saying, "She's not my girlfriend."
The woman clearly didn't believe it, and walked closer, saying, "So intimate and you're not my girlfriend?"
Gu Yanzheng looked back at her; she was dressed smartly and fashionably, but she was too nosy.
Seeing Gu Yanzheng looking her over, the woman tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, bent down to reveal her ample cleavage beneath her white shirt, and said in a knowing tone, "Are you going to take me for a drive?"
Gu Yanzheng said coldly, "Has anyone ever told you that you're inexplicable?"
"Isn't a woman like me acceptable?" The woman's graceful figure and delicate fragrance made it hard for the men passing by to look away. Seeing that Gu Yanzheng refused, she took out her phone book, tore off a page, and handed it to him: "You can contact me if you want to go on a date."
"No need." Gu Yanzheng's motorcycle sped away, leaving the woman standing by the roadside.
***
Upon learning that she would have two more days off as a perk of her work as part of a rural technology outreach program, Chen Zhenzhu slept soundly until noon on the second day.
At noon, I went to the shop to eat and drink and help out, and in the afternoon I went to the TV station to be interviewed.
Shen Zhenzhu's police rank on her shoulder is not for nothing; she has become the city bureau's legal education loudspeaker, sitting upright and answering questions from the host and the audience in a serious and methodical manner.
Finally, in front of the camera, she appeared brave and imposing, her police uniform exuding authority. Her sharp gaze fixed on the camera, she warned the criminals: "The public security organs will severely crack down on all kinds of crimes and will never tolerate them. The net of justice is vast and its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it. Recognize the situation, stop committing crimes, and surrender yourself as soon as possible to strive for lenient treatment."
She has solid professional skills, and the atmosphere on set is serious and solemn. When Shen Zhenzhu saw Director Liang of the Publicity Department nodding frequently behind the camera, she knew that she had performed well.
As she stepped off the stage, amidst the applause of the audience, Shen Zhenzhu realized that this was a live broadcast!
At the same time, every word she said reached every corner of Liancheng. The director kindly told her, "Section Chief Shen, what you just said was brilliant. The ratings were very high, ranking first in its time slot. Please don't blame us for not informing you; we were also considering whether a colleague who was appearing on television for the first time would be nervous."
"I understand." Shen Zhenzhu thought to herself, you guys didn't tell me it was a live broadcast and still dared to let me chat on it, your courage is number one.
The leaders of the Municipal Disabled Persons' Federation and Section Chief Liang of the Publicity Department applauded her and specially called her over to express their gratitude.
After leaving the TV station, the station sent a car to take her and Section Chief Liang back.
As soon as they got out of the car, the locals who had just finished watching the show cheered, "Our star is back!"
The customers were initially bewildered, then pleasantly surprised, when they saw the police officers they had seen on TV walking to the store entrance.
Chen Zhenzhu, dressed in a crisp police uniform, stood at the kitchen doorway and said, "Mom—I'm craving something!"
Everyone immediately responded with kind smiles.
The maternal love continues today. Chen Zhenzhu received a bowl of whelk meat peeled by her sixth sister and sat in front of the counter, delicately poking at it with a toothpick.
The phone by the counter kept ringing, and Shen Liuhe answered several calls in a row, her bright smile never fading: "It's her. She went on a business trip to another city to solve that case. It was all on TV."
"I'm not injured and I don't have a boyfriend, but I'm still young, so there's no rush."
"Yes, he got promoted to deputy section chief. He's only been in the criminal investigation team for a year and he's already been promoted."
"Our business is so-so, it's alright, hahaha."
Sixth Sister not only talks about wanting everyone to live happily, but she's also radiating happiness through her actions. Even the customers who come to eat are all smiles, as if they've eaten a meal brimming with positive energy, making them immune to all poisons afterward.
Even in the evening, Chen Zhenzhu was still happily shaking her milk tea, vigorously adding ice cubes to the cup with a spatula.
Her phone rang again, but this time it wasn't for her sixth sister to talk about her appearance on TV; it was for Section Chief Liang.
"It's still about the TV station. Today's episode of 'Legal Scene' had good ratings, with both the live broadcast and the rebroadcast achieving high viewership. The program director asked the leadership if we could make it into a series."
"A series of programs?" Shen Zhenzhu didn't understand what it meant.
Section Chief Liang said, "We will directly address hot social cases and topics, and record ten corresponding legal programs. We will ask you to analyze the cases from the perspective of the public security bureau. In short, it is to educate the public about the law and deter criminals."
Shen Zhenzhu hesitated and said, "Ten terms is too many, I don't have that much time..."
Section Chief Liang said, "Director Liu approved the 200 yuan hard work fee from the TV station for this episode, which will be paid to you along with your next month's salary as a legal education bonus."
"I would be more than happy to educate the public about the law and deter criminals! Section Chief Liang, please promise the TV station leaders that I will prepare well and cooperate fully."
Please, I'm begging you.
Chen Zhenzhu was obsessed with money; even after hanging up the phone, she was still calculating how to spend the two thousand yuan that hadn't arrived yet.
On her last day off, Chen Zhenzhu was still shaking milk tea in the shop, looking somewhat resigned to her fate.
Outside the counter, Xiao Li finished his part-time job in the kitchen and stood on the street handing out milk tea menus with Wu Fuwang.
A group of energetic young women nearby were also promoting the idea: "Eating duck neck while drinking milk tea is a popular way to eat this from Hong Kong. Stephen Chow and Stephen Chow also eat it this way."
Then they saw a cool sports car parked on the side of the road, with its trunk raised high and filled with flowers.
Bailov's courtship was ostentatious and idiotic; he walked toward the shop entrance with flowers in his arms, getting closer and closer.
Shen Zhenzhu summoned Wu Fuwang and Xiao Li, whose eyes seemed to shoot laser beams directly at Bai Luofu.
Bai Luofu was unaware that Sixth Sister's Restaurant was no longer what it used to be; it now had left and right protectors as well as many loyal followers.
Bailov, who had dressed up carefully with flowers in hand, was pushed back to the car without even going through the door.
Wu Fuwang pretended to call the traffic police to tow the car with a landline phone that didn't have a telephone line. Bai Luofu, who had already been tricked once, actually believed that the "wireless phone" could be connected and begged Wu Fuwang to give him another chance.
Before he had even left, Shen Zhenzhu saw her older brother, Hu Minglei, arrive at the scene in a taxi.
Fortunately, business was average in the morning, with only men and women queuing up for milk tea curiously watching the drama unfold.
Seeing that Bai Luofu had forgotten about finding Chen Zhenzhu and was desperately pleading with him, Hu Minglei said, "Mr. Bai, please give our family another order. My dad was so anxious he almost had a stroke, but he still managed to run around trying to get business. Please, just give me one chance, and I promise I'll get her for you—"
"Fuck your mother!" Bai Luofu slapped all the thorny roses at Hu Minglei's face, making him wince. "I'm willing to beg her, I'm a masochist, you know? If you fucking say another word to me, I'll bankrupt your family tomorrow!"
The weather has turned cold for quite some time, and the king has fallen.
Hu Minglei was older than Bai Luofu and always felt inferior to him. Perhaps the Bai family had never patronized the Pioneer Group's business again, and knowing he wouldn't receive any more favors, Hu Minglei, in desperation, picked up a rose from the ground and threw it at Bai Luofu: "I've been your Bai family's slave, and you just kick me aside like that?! You're not even human!"
"Wow, what a forbidden love!" The young lady who took the milk tea stared at them intently, as if she had discovered a new continent.
Her sister, watching the two well-dressed rich kids arguing and fighting in the street, couldn't wait to shout, "Why are you slapping them? Tear their clothes, don't you know that?!"
However, the onlookers didn't understand that among them was a pearl who was sipping milk tea while watching the spectacle.
The scene was too hot, so Shen Zhenzhu closed her eyes, slowly squatted down, and disappeared behind the counter like a shrinking pearl.
Sister, it seems like the same thing only got removed from the list of mental illnesses after the millennium. Your hobby is very forward-thinking, but they really are mentally ill!
A group of energetic young men, with shouts and yells, chased the two lunatics out of the Tie Si Xin Er Village area.
Shen Zhenzhu slowly peeked out, standing up as if she wasn't the one who had shrunk her head.
Wu Fuwang and his accomplices pretended not to know anything, coaxed the onlookers back into the store to make purchases, and then handed out all the flyers they had.
"I need to take the afternoon off to handle some paperwork for my dad at the Disabled Persons' Federation," Wu Fuwang said somewhat embarrassedly. "The Municipal Disabled Persons' Federation has a new policy for disabled people over 50 years old with local household registration. They can receive a subsidy of 60 yuan per month from the Federation upon presentation of their disability certificate."
He rubbed his nose and said, "Before, we didn't have a penny. Now it's better. At least he doesn't have to play the erhu every day to earn money for medical expenses. The cost of medicine is only 40 yuan a month. We actually earn 20 yuan from the government."
“It’s not about making money off the government; it’s about giving as much as possible to families in need, considering the average cost of medical care.” Chen Zhenzhu handed two bags of Hong Kong-style milk tea to Wu Fuwang: “Besides, you’re working hard now, so you’ll pay more taxes and contribute in the future. Here, let your uncle try this new flavor; it doesn’t have much sugar.”
Wu Fuwang wouldn't refuse Shen Zhenzhu's kindness. He took the milk tea and gave Shen Zhenzhu a deep look: "I heard from the staff of the Disabled Persons' Federation that it was because of the 'illegal surrogacy case' that the government was determined to improve the basic living conditions of disabled people and increase their welfare benefits."
Chen Zhenzhu leaned on the counter, her face beaming with a radiant smile: "'Everything is for the people.'"
"Yes." Wu Fuwang took a few steps, turned around and said, "I believe it now, things will get better and better."
Shen Zhenzhu sighed softly as she watched his retreating figure, remembering that the two lunatics had come and gone, and that there was still an old lunatic who hadn't come to cause trouble.
"Who knows, maybe he'll want to remarry your mother next time he comes over." Yuan Jiangxue came over quietly, and her words suddenly confirmed what Chen Zhenzhu was thinking.
Shen Zhenzhu gripped the small hammer tightly, her knuckles making a clanging sound, a silent declaration from her.
***
The heat surged onto foreheads and turned into sweat. In Liancheng, one of the most livable cities in the country, the temperature reached 34 degrees Celsius, and cicadas chirped their heart-wrenching cries throughout the streets and alleys.
Shen Zhenzhu stood at the entrance of the examination hall, wearing qipaos with the words "Good luck at the start of the exam" on them, waiting for Shen Yuyuan and Li Lili to take their last exam.
She carefully gathered up her loose sideburns, fastened the buttons meticulously, clutched her sisters' spare pencil cases in her left hand, and idly fanned herself with a round fan in her right.
Her white pearl earrings swayed with her movements. Whenever a student who had just finished taking the exam passed by, she would stand on tiptoe and peek. The hem of her cheongsam rippled like water, and occasionally a glimpse of her fair ankle would appear at the slit. Her sexy yet innocent demeanor made many young men fall in love at first sight.
The exam venue for Tie Si Middle School was at the No. 2 Middle School in the city. After Shen Yuyuan and Li Lili finished their exams, Shen Zhenzhu didn't ask them how they did. Instead, she gave each of them a red envelope: "Summer vacation fun fund. Spend it however you want!"
Shen Yuyuan was overjoyed. Hugging Shen Zhenzhu, she spoke first without Shen Yuyuan asking, "Lili and I are going to climb Huangshan Mountain. We were wondering whether we should take out our New Year's money. Thank you, big sister."
Shen Liuhe, holding Li Lili's hand, patted her chest with great pride and said, "You can go with your classmates. If you don't have enough money, your godmother will cover it."
A family of four standing at the entrance of the examination hall attracted a lot of attention. First, people noticed the two pretty young female examinees, then their gaze fell on the young and curvaceous woman in her cheongsam, and then on her face. Suddenly, someone recognized her: "That's Shen Gong'an from 'Legal Scene'!"
The public has a natural curiosity and respect for public figures appearing on television, and they watch them from a distance without disturbing them.
Before leaving, they encountered a TV station interviewing the test takers. Shen Yuyuan and Li Lili stood hand in hand in front of the camera, answering the reporter's questions with radiant smiles.
"Now our whole family has been on camera!" Shen Zhenzhu said happily, "An all-star family, an all-star lineup."
Shen Liuhe didn't ask about the results in front of them, but whispered to Shen Zhenzhu, "I heard from the test takers that it was harder than the mock exam. Several of them were crying when they came out."
Shen Zhenzhu leaned close to her and said, "It's difficult to differentiate scores. Don't worry, Yuyuan's grades have always been good, and Lili is also working very hard. Since they have already tried their best to study, let's leave the rest to God."
“That’s true. They looked pretty good when they came out. They should have no problem getting into university.” Shen Liuhe was convinced by her eldest daughter’s few words. She straightened her cheongsam collar and said arrogantly, “I’m someone who didn’t even finish elementary school. I’ve raised three university students with just a spatula. I’m going to be proud of them and show everyone!”
"We must be proud." Shen Zhenzhu, linking arms with Shen Liuhe, showered her with praise: "You are the fertile ground of hope for Tie Si New Second Village!"
***
After the college entrance examination, Shen Yuyuan, who was free to enjoy herself, went to another tourist destination, Yongdeng Peak, with her classmates. Every summer vacation is also the peak tourist season in Liancheng.
Haixing Square is bustling with tourists, and the government-organized "Liancheng Beer Festival" enjoys a nationwide reputation. Beer tycoons from home and abroad gather here, and the pedestrian street is filled with a dazzling array of beer barrels.
Many tourists can freely choose their favorite beer after paying an entrance fee; dark beer, lager, fruit beer, and floral beer are all available.
For non-drinkers, there are also options: seaside amusement parks offer rides like carousels, airplane lifts, haunted houses, and Ferris wheels. If you don't want to spend money on entertainment, you can also watch Siberian gulls fight with humans on the beach.
Many tourists also carry buckets and shovels, as they inevitably collect sea snails and dig for oysters when they come to the seaside city.
The accent of people from Liancheng is nicknamed "oyster accent," which proves how abundant oysters are in Liancheng.
Some tourists dug up the shells, following the sunlight reflecting off them, and walked towards the sea. The closer to the shore, the more oysters were stuck to the rocks and bridge piers.
In order to get more fresh oysters to barbecue on the shore, college student Shao Mingyi carefully carried a bucket to the rocky area.
Not far away, a sign on a fence read "No Entry for Tourists." He was unaware that this was part of a land reclamation project in Liancheng in recent years, and he was focused on finding plump oysters.
The rocks were covered in seaweed, their edges sharp and sturdy; a slight slip would surely result in a bloody injury. Suddenly, he saw a flash of golden light in the distance, reflecting the beautiful sunset over the coastline.
When he arrived, his friend joked, "The sea will give gifts to lucky people." Without needing to discern the golden metallic luster, he already knew it was related to gold.
He suppressed his excitement and kept walking forward, ignoring the local old man behind him shouting, "The tide is coming in, come back quickly!"
Friends on the shore also noticed something was wrong and shouted from afar, "Shao Mingyi! Shao Mingyi, come back!"
Ignoring everything else, Shao Mingyi walked over and scooped up the gold ring from his dream. It was a pure gold ring; if only it weren't still on a broken finger...
"Ah—" Shao Mingyi shouted, but accidentally stepped on seaweed and fell on the rocks, his elbow bleeding.
The tide surged up to my ankles, and I was surrounded from behind.
Every year, tourists get trapped in the tide, and the tanned old men, their skin tanned to a dark brown, plunge into the water and head over in droves.
***
Fifth floor of the Liancheng City Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Team.
After finishing the last sip of pigeon soup, Lu Ye slumped into his chair, unable to pull himself out. His waist, which had been firm just two months ago, had become loose, and one could even pinch a ring of flesh around it.
He wasn't the only one in the fourth team's office. Under the loving care of his sixth sister, Shen Zhenzhu developed a circumference, which then spread to Gu Yanzheng, and then to everyone in the fourth team. They all gained a bit of weight.
"It was originally meant to supplement Sister Pearl's nutrition, but then it also became Yu Yuan's meal for the college entrance exam." Zhou Chuanxi came back exhausted after running, with the pigeon soup in front of him still warm. He felt wronged: "My sister even said that I must have been secretly drinking her pregnancy meal, how come I'm getting fatter than her."
Lu Ye empathized and looked at Zhao Qiqi, who had also gained weight, and said, "Let's keep an eye on each other. If either of us eats an extra bite, we'll stick our fingers into the socket and give each other a shock."
Shen Zhenzhu stretched her neck as if she hadn't grown a double chin, and said with a forced smile, "It depends on how much power you need. If you really can't handle it, I'll follow you around with a stun gun."
"Pfft, hahaha." Zhou Chuanxi almost choked on his pigeon soup. He pointed at Lu Ye, who was oblivious to his good fortune, and said, "The Public Security Games are about to begin. Instead of having Sister Pearl carry the stun gun, why don't you sign up for all the events: long-distance running, sprinting, high jump, and long jump?"
“Brother Xi is right.” Chen Zhenzhu addressed them by their own names, so no one was bothered.
Wu Zhongguo, unusually proactive, said, "Leave me a relay race, I need to practice too. My wife has been complaining about my weight lately."
Zhao Qiqi said憨憨地, "Even my grandma wouldn't believe I could be so fat as the head of the criminal investigation team. Thanks to Sister Pearl's appearance on TV, and that saying 'The net of justice is vast, and though its meshes are wide, nothing escapes it,' the crime rate in Liancheng has dropped considerably. Surprisingly, I'm quite relaxed here every day—"
Shen Zhenzhu quickly said, "Hey, hey, don't talk nonsense—"
Lu Ye and Zhou Chuanxi also tried to stop it, but bad things just happened. In Director Liu's office, Tian Yongfeng, the captain of the second team, put all the materials for the "Starfish Finger Severance Case" on his desk.
"Director Liu, it's only been a month. Could you give our second team some more time?"
Director Liu had already explained to Tian Yongfeng, and now he added a few more words: "It's not that I'm not giving you a chance, but this case involves tourists, and someone even took photos and spread them privately, which has a particularly bad influence and greatly interferes with Liancheng's tourism industry. The location where the case was discovered is not far from the beer festival site, which the government puts a lot of effort into and can only hold once a year. Originally, it was meant to promote Liancheng, but now the case has been publicized. Do you think the pressure is immense?"
Tian Yongfeng said, "I know the provincial department has put pressure on us to solve the case as soon as possible, but we can't just hand over the case we're handling to Team Four based on that alone. They're a criminal investigation team, and so are we. Wouldn't that be a slap in my face?"
Director Liu sat there unmoved, his gaze fixed on Tian Yongfeng like a towering mountain.
Tian Yongfeng stood there, gritting his teeth, determined not to hand over the case today.
"Alright, let's share the case information. Your team, Team Two, will work on this case together with Team Four." Director Liu lowered his eyes and stroked his teacup. "If you solve the case first, I guarantee that you will take the lead in solving cases in the future. But if Team Four solves the case before you, you must not complain about how cases are allocated or mediated in the future!"
Gu Yanzheng returned from reporting at the municipal bureau headquarters, and Shen Zhenzhu and the others swarmed around him: "So? They've agreed to implement the citywide fingerprint system?"
Wu Zhongguo brought over some hot tea and handed it to Gu Yanzheng: "Have some hot tea to cool off in the heat. Don't all crowd around here, it's getting stuffy."
Shen Zhenzhu waved her hand to shoo people away: "Go away, you can talk to Brother Zheng when you get back to your seat."
Gu Yanzheng took a sip of tea and smiled, "The tea is good."
Shen Zhenzhu asked impatiently, "Is there a good outcome for this matter?"
"I suppose so." Gu Yanzheng took a breath, a smile in his eyes: "Currently, each district mainly uses ink collection. First, we need to unify the collection standards before uploading to the network. In addition, the budget for information technology construction is limited, and the speed of large-scale processing of fingerprint data is slow. I propose that we start by connecting the fingerprints of each district, and gradually develop from manual verification to electronic image processing."
Shen Zhenzhu had discussed this issue with Gu Yanzheng and knew that advancing the fingerprint system both online and offline was challenging. Hardware limitations included computer hard drive storage, resolution, and database constraints; in short, the equipment and technology were outdated and required time to improve.
Gu Yanzheng understood this point and did not rush for quick success, but instead slowed down and chose to take a roundabout approach.
First, get the proposal approved, then the funding will be allocated to establish a pilot program. As long as we can see results, it will definitely have a future.
Director Liu took the case file and went into the fourth team's office with Tian Yongfeng. He said to Tian Yongfeng, "You should issue the challenge yourself."
You don't know until you compare, and the difference is astonishing.
The fourth team's office is clean and tidy, with flowers and fruit, and the beautiful and capable vice-captain, Chen Zhenzhu.
Since there are no cases at the moment, the blackboard is covered with the technical handwriting of the agents exchanging ideas, and the various crime books on the bookshelf next to the sofa have been turned to shreds.
Thinking of the messy and chaotic scene in his office from solving cases, and the team members who were only busy solving cases and had nothing to do when there was nothing to do, Tian Yongfeng decided to go back and clean it up properly.
"What brings Team Leader Tian here?" Gu Yanzheng was in a good mood and didn't mince words.
Director Liu gave him a look, signaling him to shut up.
"There's a case at Haixing Square that requires your joint efforts to solve." Director Liu placed the case file in front of Gu Yanzheng, who then buried his head in it and asked, "How big of a case is it that requires a joint effort?"
Tian Yongfeng was unconvinced, but he was still a little intimidated by Gu Yanzheng and reluctantly said, "A tourist found a severed finger while beachcombing."
Gu Yanzheng nodded: "And then?"
Tian Yongfeng noticed that everyone from the four teams had gathered around, including the recently outstanding vice-captain Shen Zhenzhu, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity.
He didn't want to say it, but he had to: "That's all."
Chen Zhenzhu opened her small mouth, and looked at each other with her colleagues, not understanding what "gone" meant.
Finally, Chen Zhenzhu asked, "Your finger is missing? It's a mystery now, right?"
Gu Yanzheng quickly flipped through the file, his smile less than pleased: "It's 'no other clues'—that's it."
Shen Zhenzhu pursed her lips and obediently returned to her seat, sighing deeply. To think they could solve a case with a mere finger; the Major Crimes Unit was in such a sorry state, and she, who used to go out and brag to earn extra money every now and then...
“No, there’s another gold ring on it, definitely cut off from the deceased’s hand.” Tian Yongfeng opened the file and pointed to the photos taken by the forensic doctor, saying, “Look.”
"What were the cutting tools? What subtle clues were there in the skin tissue?" Gu Yanzheng said disappointedly, "You're just going to show us photos? After a month of investigation, what about the time of the crime, the location of the discovery, whether it was the primary crime scene, the number of perpetrators, the tools, the method, and the purpose? I'm no longer asking for the motive."
Tian Yongfeng got annoyed by his barrage of words: "You can be their leader, but don't be mine. Let me tell you, Team Two has solved plenty of murder cases. It's not that Team Four can solve major cases. And the Criminal Investigation Team isn't just Team Four."
Gu Yanzheng didn't argue with him; arguing was useless. He took out a few valid documents from the case file and handed them to Zhao Qiqi: "Go, make copies and come back for a case meeting."
Director Liu guessed that Gu Yanzheng could not cooperate with Team Two. Gu Yanzheng was like a wolf king, able to lead his wolf cubs to solve cases, but it was impossible for him to get along with other teams to solve cases. One side had to obey the other side, and Gu Yanzheng was obviously not the one who obeyed.
Although Tian Yongfeng was unconvinced, he was an upright man. He returned to his office, retrieved several eyewitness statements, and threw them onto Gu Yanzheng's desk: "Then let's have a competition to see who solves the case first."
What's even more infuriating is that Gu Yanzheng shook his finger and pushed the materials aside: "Where's Lao Shen?"
Chen Zhenzhu popped her head out, holding the photo: "Here!"
Gu Yanzheng pointed at Chen Zhenzhu, then at Tian Yongfeng, and said, "I don't have time lately, so I'll have my deputy help your second team solve the case. There's no need for too much thanks; we're all comrades in arms. Just have him mop our office floor for a month, that'll be enough."
Shen Zhenzhu stared at Tian Yongfeng with her big, bright eyes, seemingly oblivious to how infuriating her brother Zheng was. She said crisply, "Team Leader Tian, don't worry, I will do my best to solve the case."
"Gu Yanzheng, you're insulting me." Tian Yongfeng said, his face flushed, after holding back for a long time.
Shen Zhenzhu was displeased and pouted, saying, "Please don't look down on people."
Tian Yongfeng finally glanced at her: "A good man doesn't fight with a woman. Even if I solve the case first, I don't need you to mop the floor for me. Just have Gu Yanzheng call me 'Grandpa' three times."
Yoho.
Park, Chen Youwei, and others, who were pretending to be passing by in the corridor, pricked up their ears and overheard the "grandfather-grandson battle." Kang He glanced at Tian Yongfeng with pity, knowing that this scene seemed familiar.
Fortunately, although Captain Park wasn't as good at solving cases as Gu Yanzheng, he kept his mouth shut and didn't say anything out of spite. Otherwise, Captain Gu would have had to spend a lot of money to see them during the New Year. This shows how important it is to follow the right leader.
Shen Zhenzhu immediately stared at Gu Yanzheng, waiting for the leader to speak.
Well, it wasn't her who called it.
Gu Yanzheng, as if he could read her mind, smiled and said, "Alright, let's compete."
After Tian Yongfeng left in a huff, Director Liu, the culprit who had watched the whole commotion from the sidelines, slowly said, "Even if you win, don't bully others and damage the harmony of the criminal investigation team."
The opportunity to get Zheng Ge to call him Grandpa was a rare one, but Chen Zhenzhu only thought about it in her mind. How could she let Zheng Ge actually call him Grandpa?
But Gu Yanzheng didn't allow her to think, saying, "You must remind her to do it."
Shen Zhenzhu immediately said, "Brother Zheng, please don't overthink it, and trust me."
Little did Director Liu know how cunning Shen Zhenzhu was. He was still praising her for becoming the face of the police force, solving cases at home and bringing honor to the police force when she went out. He patted Shen Zhenzhu on the shoulder and said, "Not bad, a promising young woman!"
After Director Liu left, Gu Yanzheng looked at Shen Zhenzhu with a sinister smile. Shen Zhenzhu thought he was being ridiculous; oh dear, Sixth Sister, you've raised a thankless wretch!
Gu Yanzheng asked whether to hand over the case to Shen Zhenzhu for full authority, or to review the process at the case meeting for others to see, so as to facilitate their cooperation with Shen Zhenzhu.
"The difficulty in the severed finger case lies in transitioning from 'finding the person through the object' to 'convicting the case based on the person.' I've summarized the case-handling process; Zhao Qiqi, take notes."
Gu Yanzheng walked to the blackboard and gave the fourth team a private lesson: "The first step is to conduct physical evidence identification, such as examining the severed finger injury and tracing the origin of the ring. The second step is to identify the individuals involved, using missing persons cases, missing persons databases, and information related to the ring. The third step is the most important, Lao Shen, do you know how to do it?"
Shen Zhenzhu stood up obediently, her voice clear and strong: "The third step is to reconstruct the case, including the murder weapon, motive, and route of body disposal."
Gu Yanzheng was satisfied, putting the past behind him, and smiled at Shen Zhenzhu, asking her to sit down: "The fourth step is the familiar, experience-based crime-solving approach—suspect screening. Because we are near the ocean, we also need to analyze maritime activities. The gold ring is the core clue, and we will combine forensic medicine and criminal investigation techniques to solve the case."
Zhao Qiqi's confused mind began to clear up. He knew that the Fourth Major Crimes Unit was so capable that it didn't need to break down a simple case step by step. They must be doing this for his sake, since he was a new member.
With Gu Yanzheng's step-by-step outline, everyone had a clear understanding of the process.
Gu Yanzheng handed the case over to Shen Zhenzhu, who then made arrangements for the personnel: "Later, Zhao Qiqi will come with me to the forensic department to examine the severed finger and confirm the method of severance to see if it was caused by a tool, an animal bite, or decay. We will also verify and analyze the fingerprints, age, gender, and occupation."
Zhao Qiqi stood up and saluted: "Yes, sir!"
Chen Zhenzhu smiled and said, "Just sit down. Also, Brother Ye and Brother Xi can trace the identity of the rings according to their brand. I saw that it says 'Jin Shengsheng' on it. You can ask for clues by showing the ring number and style. It would be best to find a transaction record for that style. If you can't find any clues, you can ask at the second-hand market or pawn shop."
Uncle Wu was in his office screening missing adult males from the past one to three months, focusing on those who habitually wore gold rings, worked in high-risk professions, or had debt disputes.
After Shen Zhenzhu quickly assigned tasks, the four teams began to work, each fulfilling their responsibilities. For a time, only Gu Yanzheng remained as the "elderly left behind," diligently writing the "Citywide Fingerprint System Implementation Plan," a document that was quite demanding.
Honestly, he'd rather be solving cases.
Despite his anger, Tian Yongfeng returned to the second team and discovered that some eyewitness testimonies had been forgotten. Adhering to the principle of fair and square competition, he went back to the fourth team's office.
Gu Yanzheng looked up alone and said, "A tornado, here we go again?"
Tian Yongfeng asked, "Where are they?"
Gu Yanzheng lowered his head and said, "Let's go out for a breather."
Everything's arranged so quickly?!
Tian Yongfeng silently returned to his office, looked at the smoke filling the room, pushed open the window and said, "Go, go, go out and find clues. What's the use of just looking at the materials!"
Shen Zhenzhu rushed to the forensic department on the basement floor with Zhao Qiqi, submitted the materials, and greeted Lu Xiaobao: "Long time no see."
Lu Xiaobao was also very happy to see Shen Zhenzhu. He glanced at the application and said, "Hey, this case has been assigned to your team?"
Zhao Qiqi said, "It's been handed over to Sister Pearl."
Lu Xiaobao then looked at him and, after hearing Shen Zhenzhu's introduction, learned that this was a new member of the fourth team. He extended his hand and said, "Welcome, welcome. I can learn a lot from solving cases with Comrade Xiao Shen."
Zhao Qiqi shook his hand and said, "It's Section Chief Shen."
Lu Xiaobao paused for a moment, then said, "Yes, congratulations to Section Chief Shen on becoming a deputy section chief. Shall we have some soda?"
Chen Zhenzhu rubbed her hands together and said, "Give me one."
Lu Xiaobao took out three bottles of Beibingyang soda from the refrigerator and gave one to each person. Chen Zhenzhu wanted to crack it open with her teeth, but Zhao Qiqi took the soda and easily pried it open with the tip of a ballpoint pen. After carefully wiping the bottle opening, he handed it to her and said, "Look."
Shen Zhenzhu saw Lu Xiaobao take out the tray containing the severed finger from the refrigerator again... Thank goodness he didn't bite it directly.
Zhao Qiqi stepped forward to examine the severed finger, and Chen Zhenzhu also stepped forward to examine it. In the blink of an eye, the Heavenly Eye brought back the memories before their eyes—
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Author's note: A new case is here! See you tomorrow, there's a red envelope coming up.
Please, I need some nutrient solution for Zhuzhu! [Let me see]
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"Public security organs will..." (from online legal propaganda slogans)
The descriptions of the dishes were based on online recipes and modified accordingly.
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