Chapter 161 The Case of Captain Chen Arrives
Fireworks and firecrackers have been going off non-stop on the streets during the Spring Festival.
The older generation believes that the entire first month of the lunar calendar is the New Year. They don't need to deal with work information on their phones all the time. The streets are filled with laughter and the crackling of firecrackers. The pure festive atmosphere is much stronger than in Chen Zhenzhu's previous life.
On the eighth day of the month, Chen Zhenzhu visited Niu Niu. Niu Niu had gained some weight at the work-study school and gave Chen Zhenzhu a bottle of folded little stars she had made herself.
All ninety-nine little stars bear the same message, wishing Shen Zhenzhu "swift resolution of the case and safe return home."
Shen Zhenzhu knew there was a blessing written inside, but she couldn't bear to open it, so she placed it on her bedside table, and every night she would fall asleep with the star-shaped bottle in her eyes. The next day, she would wake up refreshed and ready to go to her driving practice.
Next month, Shen Zhenzhu will be taking her driver's license test. She practices for an hour every morning, and if she gets off work on time, she goes back to practice for another two hours. In the evening, she goes home to memorize "Key Points of Police Work of the Criminal Investigation Detachment".
After finishing my driving practice today, I walked into the office with a bowl of cold noodles and stinky tofu in my mouth. There was a lot of banging and drilling on the ceiling, like the electric drill was drilling into my skull.
"It's been half a month and the renovations are still not finished." Chen Zhenzhu took off her backpack, fed Xiaobai and Zhao Qiqi a cold noodle roll with stinky tofu each, and muttered, "Just how big does the logistics department need to be?"
Lu Ye held a dumbbell in one hand, revealing the muscle definition on his arm: "It must be quite large. They said that the city bureau leaders saw that the criminal investigation team was short-handed, so they specially set up a logistics section 2 to handle logistics work. They also added a few computers and network cables. It seems that the workload and manpower are both considerable."
Shen Zhenzhu took out a thick stack of books from her bag, including "Criminal Psychology", "The Herd Mentality Effect", "Forensic Examination Records", "International Criminal Investigation Scene Thinking", and "The 1993 Major Case Records", and patted them, saying, "Our team's book corner has also been set up. There's only one rule: you can't read while eating."
Gu Yanzheng's desk and chair were not moved out at his insistence. They were placed in the corner next to the sofa to store stationery and books. Next to them stood several secondhand bookshelves that Chen Zhenzhu had somehow acquired, which were crammed with four sets of books brought from home.
The simple book corner has become a new favorite of Team Four.
In addition, Chen Zhenzhu also purchased a small stove and a folding bed at her own expense. The small stove has been lit, and the folding bed is placed horizontally behind the sofa for the fourth team to rest in.
People didn't quite understand why Shen Zhenzhu would buy a small stove at her own expense.
However, the nature of the items purchased at one's own expense is different from those purchased from the public. Wu Zhongguo, being cunning, wrote the words "Fourth Team" in large characters on them, so that Shen Zhenzhu would no longer be afraid of being stolen.
Monday wasn't busy at work; the office was filled with the lingering laziness of the New Year.
When Shen Zhenzhu received Cheng Xiao's call, it took her a moment to realize that Cheng Xiao was a criminal psychology expert they had invited last year.
“We compiled your notes before the New Year, which included criminal psychology analyses of the parties involved in various cases. Professor Hu and I have both reviewed them. Section Chief Shen’s analysis is detailed and insightful, and it is very valuable for teaching. Provincial leaders have already seen them. Apart from a few cases that cannot be made public, some of the cases using pseudonyms can be used as case studies in psychology textbooks.”
Cheng Xiao said on the phone, "We were about to go through the printing process, but the radio station case before the New Year has piqued the interest of both Professor Hu and me. We'd like to discuss the psychological state of the parties involved with you."
"Does this mean we're including this case as well?" Shen Zhenzhu thought for a moment and said, "The provincial department has agreed... Does that mean they're going to handle every little detail?"
Cheng laughed and said, "The case needs to be adapted, mainly so that people can learn from it rather than it becomes a topic of conversation."
Shen Zhenzhu agreed, and she tried asking, "What about the matter between Wang Yafei and Wang Xihua?"
Cheng laughed and said, "Professor Hu inquired with Wang Yafei through provincial leaders, and Wang Yafei agreed to make everything public. Even so, we won't adopt it all. After all, if we're going to use this kind of relationship as a gimmick to sell, we might as well write a soap opera."
“Professor Cheng is so witty, but I agree,” Shen Zhenzhu said. “Then I’ll organize the case today, and the Municipal Bureau will send you a registered letter after approval.”
“Alright, everything is ready except for this case.” Cheng said with a smile, “This time it’s a joint publication by the Provincial Public Security Department, the Public Security University, and the Public Security Publishing House. The process was a little slow before. Now the necessary procedures have been completed, and I estimate it will be on the market by May Day at the latest. Students from the Provincial Public Security University and police academies can also study it next academic year. Section Chief Shen, you have made great contributions to advancing criminal psychology.”
It's February now, which means it will take three months for the officially published textbook on criminal psychology to be released.
"I didn't solve the case alone, and I didn't print the book by myself. It's all thanks to everyone." Shen Zhenzhu said happily, "Then I'm starting to look forward to it."
Cheng Xiao laughed on the other end of the phone and said, "We can definitely look forward to it."
After I finished the call, there was still banging and knocking upstairs.
When Chen Zhenzhu came out of the office and walked to the stairwell, she found that an iron gate had been installed!
This is outrageous!
Tian Yongfeng was grumbling at the door, "I lost a stove and it didn't cause this, why is the logistics department acting like this?"
"Of course not." Shen Zhenzhu had initially thought she could build the Fifth Criminal Investigation Team, and had even found an office, but it turned out the logistics department had taken it over. And an entire floor at that!
"If I had known, I would have moved Team Four up there," Shen Zhenzhu said indignantly.
Tian Yongfeng chuckled: "Expanding territory, huh?"
Chen Zhenzhu couldn't help but laugh: "Let's forget about expanding our territory. I just paid out of my own pocket to buy the children a stove and a folding bed."
Tian Yongfeng gave Chen Zhenzhu a resentful look.
If you're just having a good chat, why try to sow discord between him?
Xiao Min glanced at the stingy Tian Yongfeng from the side. He had someone solve a case, but he wouldn't even buy a stove for them. He should have worked harder to get into the fourth team in the first place, where he would have enjoyed a life of luxury and even had a stove paid for by the team leader himself.
......
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the criminal investigation team's canteen gave each person two catties of glutinous rice balls. Shen Zhenzhu carried the glutinous rice balls back to the shop, and everyone who saw them got one. After eating the round and plump glutinous rice balls, the year would be complete.
Located at the border of Liancheng and Baolu City, Baolu Workers' College.
"Once the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is over, we've made it through another year. It's a miracle I'm still healthy." Qiao Jinqiu, sitting in her wheelchair at the dining table, said in good spirits, "Most people my age are afraid of winter. If you don't fall asleep, you won't wake up."
Qiao Jinqiu sat opposite her son Qiao Kaiyue and daughter-in-law Liu Yuji, while a nanny was busy cooking glutinous rice balls in the kitchen.
Qiao Jinqiu has a full head of white hair and is emaciated from long-term illness. As a master of calligraphy and painting, his eyes are unusually clear and bright for his age. With careful care, although he cannot walk from the waist down, he can still eat, wash, paint, and do some things within his ability.
Qiao Kaiyue glanced at his watch and said unhappily, "Why didn't my sister call? It's the Lantern Festival, after all."
Qiao Jinqiu said self-deprecatingly, "A married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl. She has her husband's family, and I have my son. There's no need to force her to reunite with me."
Qiao Kaiyue felt sorry for his father's poor health, and that every Mid-Autumn Festival he missed was one less Mid-Autumn Festival. He sighed and said, "She must still resent you for being biased."
Qiao Jinqiu said, "Forget it, let's not mention her. I'm in good spirits lately and don't want to waste my energy on unimportant people."
The sounds of cooking came from the kitchen; the old two-bedroom apartment was spotless and tidy. The unpleasant smell that had lingered from Qiao Jinqiu's bedridden state had also disappeared with the arrival of the diligent housekeeper.
"Sister Yu, don't be busy. The glutinous rice balls are cooking. Come and have a hot meal." Although Liu Yuji felt the pinch of paying the monthly nanny fee, she was grateful to the nanny Yu Wanqing because she hadn't had to take care of her father-in-law herself for the past six months, let alone clean up his excrement.
Qiao Kaiyue, holding onto the dining table, turned around and called out, "Sister Yu, don't be busy, come and have a bite."
Yu Wanqing is just over fifty years old. She has an oval face and a slightly plump figure. She is busy in her employer's house all day long, and she looks younger than her peers.
She carried the cooked glutinous rice balls to the table, ladling them out one by one and placing them beside them, revealing a simple smile: "I'll go to the kitchen to eat. I saved eight glutinous rice balls for Dongliang; I'll fry them later."
Qiao Jinqiu waved her hand and said to her son and daughter-in-law with a wry smile, "You two should persuade her. She came here to help me out, not to be a slave in the old society. There is no distinction between first and second class. Don't eat in the kitchen all the time. If people find out, I will be criticized and denounced."
Liu Yuji obediently put down his chopsticks and got up to pull Yu Wanqing to sit at the table. He gave her a bowl of glutinous rice balls and said, "I'll fry some for Dongliang when he comes over later. You've worked hard during the New Year holiday, so sit down and have some."
They spent the Spring Festival together here, along with her eldest sister's family, all crammed together. Yu Wanqing took care of everything. This was the first time Qiao Jinqiu's home had been so warm and clean since her husband passed away ten years ago.
Yu Wanqing sat at the dining table, feeling embarrassed. Even though she was fifty years old, Qiao Jinqiu could still see a touch of gentle beauty in her eyes as she ate with her head down.
This is a purely artistic perspective.
Her slightly plump figure gave her a warm and approachable charm, carrying with it the simple vitality and sense of security of the countryside. She didn't talk much, but she kept her promises of meticulous care, allowing the bedridden Qiao Jinqiu to enjoy the happiness of family life at this moment.
In the eyes of veteran artist Qiao Jinqiu, she is like an apple tree transplanted from the countryside to the city, still retaining the strength and resilience to take root in the soil, and giving others sweet comfort. This has inspired Qiao Jinqiu, who is over seventy years old, to regain her vitality and shine brightly again.
"Grandpa, I'm here!" Qiao Dongliang is six years old this year. He looks exactly like his father when he was a child, but he is a lively person.
He went to a friend's house nearby to finish his winter break homework and finally returned around dinner time.
Yu Wanqing is a very good cook. In addition to preparing a table full of dishes, she also made glutinous rice balls by hand.
The glutinous rice balls she made were plump and round, stuffed with peanuts and black sesame seeds. Knowing that Qiao Dongliang liked fried glutinous rice balls, she immediately got up to make them when he returned.
"After all these years, you've finally done something that pleases me," Qiao Jinqiu said after Yu Wanqing left. "You don't need to come over in a few days; I'm going to paint some more pictures."
Qiao Kaiyue didn't want his father to work too hard, so he advised, "You should take a break before painting again. When the weather gets warmer, I'll invite you to stay at my house."
Liu Yuji also said, "You didn't want to stay at your older sister's house, saying you wanted to rely on your son. Now that you're feeling better, I'll clean up a room for you as soon as possible."
“I’m not going. Don’t let the fact that this is an old house fool you; it’s warm in winter and cool in summer, and it’s incredibly comfortable to live in. Unlike my eldest sister, who married far away, you live nearby and can come whenever you want.” Qiao Jinqiu slowly ate a glutinous rice ball, nodded with satisfaction, and said, “Besides, Wanqing is here to take care of me, so you can rest assured.”
"Grandpa, I'll share a fried glutinous rice ball with you. She fried them so well." Qiao Dongliang held the bowl and personally fed Qiao Jinqiu the fried glutinous rice ball.
Although she felt a little embarrassed by the food, Qiao Jinqiu felt incredibly comfortable: "Having children and grandchildren is a blessing."
The family spent a happy Lantern Festival together. When Qiao Kaiyue and his wife and children went downstairs, they met their downstairs neighbor, Aunt Wang, who was taking a walk outside.
She walked mysteriously to a secluded spot and called out to Qiao Kaiyue, "Come here for a moment, don't let the child come over."
Liu Yuji said with disgust, "Why is it her again? She loves to gossip. Everyone says there are a lot of rural people in this area, but your dad insists on living here."
Qiao Kaiyue said in a low voice, "You go with your son to the convenience store to buy preserved plums, I'll say a few words to her."
Liu Yuji said reluctantly, "Alright, finish your conversation as soon as possible, it's too cold outside."
"Sister-in-law Wang, why don't you come to my house to talk on such a cold day?" Qiao Kaiyue said, carrying the calligraphy and painting he had taken from his father's house. His words were tinged with the cold air.
"Oh dear, I'm just giving you a friendly heads-up. You'd better be careful with the nanny working for your dad. Lately, your dad's health has been getting better and better, and everyone has seen how well the nanny takes care of him, but—"
Aunt Wang glanced at the brightly lit third floor and said, "The news said that the more perfect a nanny is, the more likely she is to have problems. Besides, you found her yourself without going through an agency. I'm afraid she'll find out about your family's finances and swindle all the old lady's money."
Seeing that she was talking nonsense, Qiao Kaiyue patiently explained to her, "I didn't just find someone randomly. They were introduced by an acquaintance of mine, and everyone said they took good care of him. Besides, are you a little angry because you weren't used to take care of my dad before, and that's why you're saying this on purpose? Aunt Wang, if you talk nonsense now, you'll get sued."
"Tsk, why are you so stubborn? I was just trying to warn you to be careful of her. She might be your nanny now, but she could be your stepmother tomorrow."
Qiao Kaiyue smiled dismissively, and when he saw his wife and son approaching, he politely said goodbye to them.
***
After the Lantern Festival, Shen Zhenzhu passed the assessment and, in March, after political review and public announcement, officially became the captain of the Fourth Criminal Investigation Team of Liancheng City.
The city bureau leadership team had all met with her and given her instructions at each level. Shen Zhenzhu was alright, but she had the newly appointed deputy captain, Lu, quite exhausted.
The meeting room.
Before leaving, Director Tu made practical and direct demands of Shen Zhenzhu: "The organization has decided that you will take over the Major Crimes Unit. I have three requirements: First, as the leader, solve a few impressive cases and establish yourself. Second, the Criminal Investigation Team has several veterans; we need to utilize them but also manage them effectively. Third, the rules cannot be broken, and procedures must be followed in handling cases. The Major Crimes Unit needs fresh blood and a new leader. You are capable, but too young. You need to handle interpersonal relationships well. I support you, but if any problems arise, I will come to you first."
"Thank you for your trust, Director Tu. I will resolutely obey the organization's arrangements. I understand that the primary task is to solve the case, and I will get into the fight as soon as possible. Please rest assured, leader." Shen Zhenzhu stood up straight and spoke with a strong voice: "I will lead and learn more, and I will definitely unite my comrades, so that we can think in the same direction and work together."
"What you said is similar to what Xiao Gu said back then, but I trust you." A fleeting smile appeared on Director Tu's serious and dignified face. Generally speaking, leaders like subordinates who are steady and pragmatic, but solving cases and organizing talent are similar. One must be open-minded, bold in thinking and bold in using talent, so as not to be swept away by the tide.
Sometimes, it's necessary to place ambitious and enterprising individuals in key positions. Only those with courage and the ability to take responsibility can lead a team to go further.
Shen Zhenzhu didn't know whether her relationship with her brother Zheng was a good thing or a bad thing back then, but after hearing the leaders remind her three or five times a day to follow procedures when handling cases, she realized that her brother Zheng must have caused the leadership a lot of worry during the years he was the team leader.
Then, Director Tu spoke a few more words to Lu Ye. This was Lu Ye's first time meeting Director Tu face to face, and he felt nervous but also felt a great sense of responsibility on his shoulders.
The two men who used to follow Gu Yanzheng around have now become key figures in the criminal investigation team. Watching them leave the municipal bureau building, Director Tu felt that Gu Yanzheng hadn't just been annoying people in the criminal investigation team all these years.
After receiving a lecture from her superiors at the Municipal Bureau, Shen Zhenzhu and Lu Ye went to Mingxing Driving School at noon to practice driving a bit, preparing for their upcoming driving test.
When she returned to her office in the afternoon, Shen Zhenzhu noticed a palm-sized bamboo basket on her desk containing a handful of pen refills.
The bamboo baskets are exquisitely woven and have a rustic charm; they're quite interesting.
She found it intriguing, picked it up to examine it, and asked Xiaobai, "Did you buy this?"
Xiao Bai said with a forced smile, "Captain Gu came by earlier and said he often comes over but had nowhere to put his things, so he put them on your desk."
Seeing Gu Yanzheng put so many pen refills in the basket, and thinking that the work at SAS was probably even more complicated than that of the fourth team, Chen Zhenzhu silently mourned for her brother Zheng for three seconds.
As soon as he sat down, Wu Zhongguo, holding a registration form, said, "We need to register for the Municipal Public Security Games."
Shen Zhenzhu likes to participate in group activities. She looked at the registration form and saw that it included standard competitions such as long-distance running, sprinting, high jump, and discus throwing, as well as unique obstacle courses and shooting competitions.
She hesitated for a moment and then chose the obstacle course, intending to take the opportunity to improve her physical fitness.
Xiao Bai walked beside her, glanced at her, and ticked the 3,000-meter mark: "Then I'll stick to long-distance running. I still have a month to catch her."
Shen Zhenzhu saw that Zhao Qiqi chose high jump and long jump, Lu Ye chose discus and relay, and Wu Zhongguo chose shooting.
The enthusiastic participation of everyone made the newly appointed official, Shen Zhenzhu, very pleased.
A new year brings new beginnings. As long as everyone gets moving, we can't afford to be worse off than last year.
"Pearl." Sister Wang's voice came from outside the door.
When Chen Zhenzhu stood up and saw Sister Wang coming over, she smiled and invited her in, saying, "I saw Lao Huang retire before the New Year, but I didn't see you. I was wondering why."
"I've been busy with other things." Sister Wang took out an invitation from her pocket and handed it to her, saying, "My daughter is getting married on May 2nd, and I specially brought you this invitation. I know you're a very busy person, so I sent it two months in advance. Please don't refuse me this time."
"How could I refuse you? I'll definitely be there," Chen Zhenzhu added, "if there are no cases."
Back when Sister Wang was at the police station, she took good care of Shen Zhenzhu. No matter how high Shen Zhenzhu climbed, she would never forget their past feelings.
Sister Wang was already satisfied with what Chen Zhenzhu said, and then said, "Actually, I didn't come here just for this matter. I wanted to ask you for a favor."
Chen Zhenzhu patted her chest and said, "Tell me, I will definitely help if I can."
Sister Wang said, “Your restaurant has a dish called Golden Broth Mushroom Tofu. My family and I went there for it during the Lunar New Year, and my daughter fell in love with it immediately. But the hotel where we’re holding our wedding banquet doesn’t have this dish. Could you let us make a reservation? Actually, it would be best to have the banquet at your restaurant, but the venue is a bit small. Her father has a lot of friends, and I have quite a few too.”
“I understand. Let alone just this one dish, I’ll arrange ten dishes for you in advance,” Chen Zhenzhu said with a smile.
After completing the task her daughter had instructed, Sister Wang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "There's nothing wrong with marrying off a daughter, except for the many trivial matters. Fortunately, it was all arranged by the son-in-law's side. My daughter only assigned me this one task, and if I hadn't handled it well, I would have lost face."
"Marriage is a joyous occasion, congratulations in advance, Sister Wang!" Chen Zhenzhu carefully placed the invitation in the drawer.
Sister Wang stood up and said, "Then I won't bother you any longer. I'll have someone pick it up a day in advance. I can tell you how many portions you need in a couple of days."
"No problem." Shen Zhenzhu accompanied Sister Wang out. In the blink of an eye, four years had passed. Sister Wang had some fine lines around her eyes, but she was still as gentle and kind to her as ever.
After dropping off Sister Wang and returning to his office, Wu Zhongguo was introducing the Golden Broth Mushroom Tofu to the three foodies: "You all love meat, but you don't know how much there is to this tofu dish. The golden broth is made by simmering chicken broth, dried shiitake mushrooms, tea tree mushrooms, and many other ingredients over low heat, and then adding pumpkin to give it a magnificent golden color. The tofu is homemade brine tofu from a local villager, with a bean aroma. It's cut into finger-width pieces, slowly pan-fried until crispy, then soaked in the golden broth and simmered for a while to allow the savory flavor of the broth to infuse into the tofu, and the aroma of the beans to blend with the broth. Finally, it's garnished with shredded chicken and ham, and sprinkled with chopped green onions. The taste is incredibly rich and flavorful."
"Sixth Sister's cooking skills are truly hidden." Xiao Bai, who has eaten more and knows a bit more than Zhao Qiqi and Lu Ye, said, "I've seen many dishes made with golden broth, such as Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and shark fin soup, which are all made with golden broth as a base."
"Wow, Sixth Sister is amazing! She actually used such a golden broth to stew tofu for us. No wonder people still crave it when they get married. We ordinary folks can't afford Buddha Jumps Over the Wall or shark fin soup, but making tofu stew in golden broth is quite impressive." Zhao Qiqi said, drooling, "I'll go order one and try it after get off work."
"After get off work? I'm afraid it's too late." Park Heung-sung arrived at the office door, holding a police report, and said, "Someone at Geumsan Funeral Home has reported that an elderly man died in an abnormal manner, and they suspect he was murdered. They hope you can go and take a look."
"Jinshan Funeral Home? Isn't that in Baolu City?" Chen Zhenzhu took the police report and said, "Why didn't you take it?"
Park Heung-sung said, "I have two other cases running at the same time, and Director Liu said this case is for you. Don't dare take it? If you don't dare, I—"
Shen Zhenzhu said bluntly, "Stop trying to provoke me. What's there to be afraid of in solving cases for ordinary people? Since you're busy, I'll take it. I won't make excuses, right?"
Park Heung-sung: "...You're good. You've completely inherited Gu Yanzheng's mantle."
-----------------------
Author's Note: Old Gu: That's why I left with peace of mind [sunglasses]
Xiaobai: Are you really reassured?
Old Gu: [Clown]
***
I need to take a day off tomorrow. I had surgery last year, and it's been over six months, so I need a follow-up checkup. My family member also has an eye exam, and they wouldn't let me put it off, so we're going together. [Please!]
See you the day after tomorrow! There are 100 red envelopes! [Let me see]
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