Chapter 145 The Little Heartless One
In the late autumn of 1993, the leaves were falling and the people were in all sorts of different states.
Television, radio, newspapers, and magazines all enjoyed a "prosperous" autumn.
Two months later, when I passed by that newsstand, the old man's radio had been replaced with a storytelling program, but Ouyang Qing's cover photo would still occasionally appear in the entertainment newspaper.
When a huge wave crashes in, one must either advance or retreat.
Ouyang Qingzao was surrounded by reporters at Sixth Sister Restaurant. Her calm and composed demeanor in the face of the camera, along with her impeccable posture, made her the best news photo of the year.
The cases of Shao Li, Ouyang Hao, and Gai Duoduo were publicly tried. During the crackdown period, they all received severe punishments.
Ouyang Aihua's family was reunited, but Gai Duoduo was imprisoned, and she would spend the rest of her life in regret and remorse.
Media reviews soared, and Ouyang Qing capitalized on this success by taking on the role in the major international co-production "The Epang Palace," once again becoming a highly sought-after actress.
She wasn't defeated; instead, she went even higher and further.
Office of the Fourth Team, Municipal Criminal Investigation Brigade.
After reading the entertainment report featuring a positive interview with Ouyang Qing, Shen Zhenzhu saw Chen Junsheng returning from Director Liu's office. She then pulled out Chen Jiale's business card from her card holder and said, "This is the contact information for Professor Chen Jiale, a famous criminal psychology professor in Hong Kong. I've already contacted him. If you're interested in criminal psychology when you get back, you can audit his classes."
"Time flies, Chen is leaving soon." Wu Zhongguo came over with a teacup. Although things didn't go well at first, Chen Junsheng was later disciplined by various parties in the fourth team and grew up strong. If he doesn't go back soon, he'll start to speak with a Northeastern accent.
"Uncle, I'm really going to miss us. Who would have thought that half a year would pass in the blink of an eye?" Chen Junsheng's broken Mandarin turned into Northeastern dialect, which often made Shen Zhenzhu laugh.
He took Chen Jiale's business card and said gratefully, "Sister Pearl, I will cherish the opportunity you gave me. I'll let you know when I get back."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "It's fine whether you tell him or not, I've already communicated with him. You can ask him directly if you have any questions. Different regional histories and cultural environments create different personality traits, which are all worth studying."
Lu Ye came in from outside, carrying a pair of new sneakers, and handed them to Chen Junsheng, saying, "These are our domestic Double Star sneakers. If you don't mind, consider them a farewell gift."
Zhao Qiqi pulled a box of pears from under her desk and placed it heavily on Chen Junsheng's desk: "Pears are hard to find outside the province. They taste especially good. Take them back for your family to try. My grandma especially loves them."
"Oh, what a coincidence!" Wu Zhongguo took out a bag of mooncakes with green rose petals and five kinds of nuts, as well as large peach shortbreads, and said, "Take these back for your parents to try. They'll appreciate how good these things are when they get older."
"Thank you everyone." Chen Junsheng's eyes were moist. He reached out and shook hands with Lu Ye, who patted him hard on the shoulder.
He shook hands with Zhao Qiqi again, and Zhao Qiqi patted him on the shoulder in return.
The same applies to Wu Zhongguo.
When they got to Shen Zhenzhu, she shook hands with him, patted his shoulder, and tried to pull her hand away... but couldn't.
Chen Junsheng shook their clasped hands vigorously, reluctantly parting: "I had something I wanted to tell you, but now I know I'm far from good enough. If I have the chance, I'll grow up quickly, and then I'll come find you—"
"Let's have a go! Don't worry, I promise I won't hold back!" Chen Zhenzhu patted Chen Junsheng's shoulder heavily, and said in a friendly tone, "I'll definitely make you submit, I'll show you what real power is!"
Chen Junsheng's enthusiasm was wasted on the dogs. He closed his eyes briefly and could hear the snickers of those around him.
"This is the internship certificate we issued to you, along with the materials we submitted to the cross-strait offices." Gu Yanzheng praised you generously, saying, "You've made great progress in the last two cases. Don't give up on improving over there. I hope there will be opportunities for cooperation."
"Thank you, Captain Gu. I have benefited greatly from the past six months. I will never forget the help you and everyone else have given me."
The four teams escorted Chen Junsheng downstairs. Zhao Qiqi took the car keys and got into the driver's seat, while Lu Ye carried Chen Junsheng's suitcase and the gifts everyone had given him and put them in the trunk.
Chen Junsheng sat in the car, reluctant to say goodbye. Shen Zhenzhu waved to him and said, "Come visit sometime."
After the car drove away, Wu Zhongguo muttered to himself, "He wasn't very popular at first, but he didn't cause any trouble later on. He just did his job diligently running errands and handling cases, which is not bad."
Gu Yanzheng glanced at Shen Zhenzhu's gaze as she looked at the car and said, "The new recruits for Team Three have arrived, and our team's new partners will arrive the day after tomorrow."
Shen Zhenzhu immediately pressed Gu Yanzheng, asking, "Where are you from? Are you male or female? Are you easy to get along with? How are your shooting skills? Are you good at fighting or running away?"
Gu Yanzheng kept it a secret: "It's a secret. But I heard he has a bit of a temper, so you'll have to get along with him."
These words made Chen Zhenzhu a little discouraged; having a temper meant the other person was difficult to get along with.
"Where did you transfer from? Are you a local or from out of town?" Chen Zhenzhu asked as they walked.
"You'll find out when the time comes." Gu Yanzheng didn't reveal anything, and called to Wu Zhongguo and Lu Ye, "There might be some changes at the end of the year. Recently, a document came out to crack down on the crime. Now you have time to study the spirit of the document."
“Okay, let’s go learn now,” Lu Ye said.
I spent the morning studying, missed lunch, and helped Team Leader Park with a task, which didn't finish until after 3 p.m.
Shen Zhenzhu and Gu Yanzheng didn't rush back to the team. Instead, they squeezed into a snack shop and ate a bowl of Lanzhou noodles. Shen Zhenzhu was craving some steaming hot guokui (a type of flatbread) from a roadside stall, so she ran over and bought a few to share.
The ginkgo trees lining both sides of the street are a golden yellow, with fallen leaves fluttering down, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene, as if an autumn scroll has been unfolded.
"Ouch." Chen Zhenzhu lifted her foot to look at the ginkgo fruit she had stepped on, pinched her nose and said, "I just washed my shoes."
The ginkgo nuts smelled awful, and the white sneakers smelled of laundry detergent. The agarwood, smelling both sweet and pungent, made its way back.
Even so, I still picked up the pretty ginkgo leaves on the ground, intending to use them as bookmarks in my notebook.
Piles of fallen leaves accumulated along the roadside, where playful stray cats darted in and out, scattering the leaves again. The sanitation worker, holding a large bamboo broom, didn't chase the playful cats away; instead, she watched them play with a smile.
The gentleness of life always reveals itself unexpectedly.
"Sister Qing has established a charitable foundation, providing legal aid to women and children who have been subjected to violence and financial support for women and children suffering from serious illnesses. The news praised her by name." Zhao Qiqi was biting into an ice pop; it was already cold outside, but he was still wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a blouse.
"Really! Sister Qing is truly my idol." Chen Zhenzhu, holding a ginkgo leaf, came to the newsstand, peeked over, and immediately took out money to buy this copy of "Contemporary Stars".
On the way back, everyone was discussing the foundations established by wealthy people. Occasionally, Gu Yanzheng would chuckle softly, letting them talk nonsense.
"However, there have been more donations from prominent figures recently," Wu Zhongguo said. "I heard that the football field at Xiaochuan School is being rebuilt, and it was donated by alumni."
“My godmother mentioned the last time we met that many business owners in her circle are into doing charity. She has been helping children in orphanages and is considering building a private orphanage, but it seems the paperwork can't be completed,” Shen Zhenzhu said. “Over the years, she has no plans to have children, but she still misses Shanshan.”
"Alas. The pain of losing a son is unbearable." Wu Zhongguo sighed, "Our family almost suffered the same fate, and I still feel lingering fear every time I think about it."
The group chatted as they returned to the Criminal Investigation Team. Shen Zhenzhu, who had just eaten ramen with a piece of flatbread, sat at her desk rubbing her stomach, feeling a bit indigestion.
“It’s on the third team’s head,” Shen Zhenzhu thought to herself, and then said it aloud.
Gu Yanzheng listened with amusement.
It's truly rare to arrive at the end of the workday safely and without incident.
As evening fell, the eerie winds of Liancheng arrived as expected, and Shen Zhenzhu stood downstairs, her eyes squinting shut.
"Want me a ride?" Gu Yanzheng drove his Cherokee to her side.
“Okay.” Without saying a word, Shen Zhenzhu walked around to the passenger side and got into the car.
"Go home or go to Sixth Sister's?"
"Let's go to the store."
The Cherokee travels through the bustling traffic of Liancheng, where private cars are becoming increasingly common, but bicycles remain the mainstream mode of commuting.
On the bike lane, everyone was waiting for the green light.
"How's your driving lesson going?" Gu Yanzheng said, "When you get promoted, you can apply for a car to make it easier to go on missions."
"I can turn now."
"That's amazing?"
"Um!"
Gu Yanzheng forced a laugh: "I look forward to you giving me a ride."
"No big deal." Shen Zhenzhu was quite smug, imagining how impressive it would be to drive her car at breakneck speed and chase down criminals two months from now.
As we approached Sister Liu's shop, there was a bit of traffic congestion at the intersection.
The two of them suddenly fell silent.
Gu Yanzheng hesitated to express his feelings, hoping that he would wait until he returned from "cleaning up" and things in Liancheng would clear up a bit more before saying anything.
To put it bluntly, what if he's gone in the last two years? Or what if we find out he and Shen Zhenzhu were a couple, and Shen Zhenzhu was targeted and retaliated against by a criminal organization?
Shen's parents will soon move to the provincial government's residential compound, where there are 24-hour patrols and their own security guards during the day, so there shouldn't be any major problems.
But he dared not gamble on the pearl.
“Zheng-ge, you’ve seemed preoccupied lately,” Chen Zhenzhu suddenly spoke, her eyes fixed straight ahead without turning her head. “Are you hiding something from me?”
Gu Yanzheng turned his head to look, but Chen Zhenzhu was still staring straight ahead at the zebra crossing.
Gu Yanzheng gripped the steering wheel tightly. He didn't want to lie to Shen Zhenzhu, but he couldn't tell her the truth.
While she was hesitating, Chen Zhenzhu turned her head and whispered, "You're always skipping work... are you dating someone?"
Gu Yanzheng's Adam's apple bobbed, and he made it clear: "It's just wishful thinking."
"But we can't let that interfere with our work."
Gu Yanzheng accepted Section Chief Shen's criticism and nodded: "I will correct it."
"oh."
Chen Zhenzhu turned her head again, and the green light next to the guard post came on. The traffic police waved for the Cherokee to drive on.
Gu Yanzheng stepped on the gas, and then heard Chen Zhenzhu ask, "What will my future sister-in-law be like?"
Gu Yanzheng said, "They are very likable, yet you can't help but worry about them."
"You sound like you really like it."
“Yes, I really like her. And then…” Gu Yanzheng didn’t finish his sentence.
After a half-minute silence, Chen Zhenzhu couldn't help but ask, "And then?"
Gu Yanzheng made up his mind and said, "Then, I'm being transferred."
"Transferred?" Shen Zhenzhu turned her head in astonishment: "Did you make a mistake?"
Gu Yanzheng was amused by the little fool's antics: "No!"
Shen Zhenzhu touched her nose and smiled to herself: "That means I'm going to get a promotion."
"It doesn't count."
Seeing that they had arrived at Tiesi Commercial Street, Chen Zhenzhu got off the bus.
After waving goodbye to Gu Yanzheng, I felt a pang of sadness, thinking: I'm leaving too, and you're leaving too. What will happen to Team Four in the future?
So surprised that Gu Yanzheng was to be transferred, Shen Zhenzhu hadn't even had a chance to ask him what position he would be going to.
I was so listless at dinner that my sixth sister and Shen Yuyuan, who was home from school on the weekend, came over to comfort me.
"Really?" Shen Yuyuan and Shen Zhenzhu went home together. The two friends snuggled up on the bed. Shen Yuyuan touched Shen Zhenzhu's forehead and said, "It really is a problem."
The television in Shen Zhenzhu's room was playing a music program. The uplifting songs cheered up Section Chief Shen Zheng. She suddenly sat up, almost startling Shen Yuyuan so much that she dropped her apple: "What's wrong?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "They haven't been transferred yet, so we should just train them intensively during this time!"
Shen Yuyuan: "...It has to be something that people are willing to do."
She advised Chen Zhenzhu, "Why don't you take a nap first?"
Chen Zhenzhu rested her head on a pillow decorated with carp playing among lotus flowers, tossing and turning for a long time before gradually falling asleep to the sound of music.
Seeing that she was asleep, Shen Yuyuan finally felt relieved.
Shen Zhenzhu is so busy with work that she rarely gets to rest early, and the number of days she goes to bed at nine o'clock throughout the year is very few.
Shen Yuyuan tiptoed to turn off the TV and go back to her room when Shen Zhenzhu suddenly sat up in bed, startling Shen Yuyuan so much that she plopped down on the floor: "Big sister... what's wrong with you now?"
Shen Zhenzhu clutched her chest and said, "I feel a little uncomfortable here."
These words startled Shen Yuyuan, who rushed to the bedside and asked, "What's wrong? Should we go to the hospital?"
Heart attack patients are becoming younger; her older sister can't afford to suffer from this.
"I don't know why I feel uncomfortable, I just feel a bit blocked up."
"Is it because you're being transferred and you're reluctant to leave the people in Team Four?"
"Maybe. And we found out today that Brother Zheng is leaving too." Shen Zhenzhu was helped to lie down by Shen Yuyuan, and muttered, "What will happen to them? Team Four is the flagship of the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Major Crimes Unit."
Shen Yuyuan turned on the small desk lamp next to her desk, sat down on the edge of the bed and said, "Weren't they doing just fine before you came along? Besides, they're all in the same building, so they'd definitely know to contact you and Captain Gu if anything happened."
"That's true too." Shen Zhenzhu slowly closed her eyes.
Shen Yuyuan lifted her buttocks to turn off the light and leave, when a dark shadow suddenly rose up behind her again.
"What is it now?" Shen Yuyuan asked, both amused and exasperated.
Shen Zhenzhu clutched her chest and said, "I still feel choked up."
Shen Yuyuan patted her a few times, then slapped her forehead and said, "Did you eat too much tonight?"
Chen Zhenzhu thought for a moment and said, "I felt a little uncomfortable during the day; that flatbread was too hard!"
Shen Yuyuan said, "That's right. We don't have any digestive tablets at home, but there's a bag of hawthorns on the balcony. Shall I wash some and we can eat them while watching TV?"
Shen Zhenzhu hurriedly said, "Pour some white sugar on top. Oh, and take some of the egg rolls from the tin box too."
Shen Yuyuan turned the room lights back on, switched the TV to the movie channel, and said, "The movies tonight are really good, don't change the channel, wait for me to bring some good food over."
With a beaming smile, Chen Zhenzhu pulled out a small blanket, spread it on the quilt, patted it, and said, "Thank you, little sister. Oh, and bring some pine nuts too."
"Okay." Shen Yuyuan smiled and shook her head, no longer feeling uneasy while eating.
......
The office of the fourth team is located on the fifth floor of the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Criminal Investigation Brigade.
"I wonder if they've picked them up yet." Lu Ye stood at the office door, looking out frequently.
He was also looking forward to it, having heard that a new colleague was coming today.
"Director Liu revealed that although this new comrade has only recently graduated from police academy, he has already participated in solving several major cases and seems quite capable," Wu Zhongguo said. "We are short-handed, so having someone who can get up to speed quickly would be a great help. If he is also hygienic, that would be even better."
The little red hygiene flag that hangs on the wall of the fourth team's office has never been taken down in the past two years. With fresh flowers and diligent cleaning by everyone, the office is filled with a pleasant fragrance.
Two days ago, Shen Zhenzhu heard Gu Yanzheng say that the other party might have a bit of a temper. She was afraid of not getting along with the other party, so she paced anxiously back and forth in the office with flowers in her arms.
This isn't an intern anymore; she's a full-fledged operator. Even if they only spend three or four months together, she hopes to create good memories.
"Zhao Qiqi's car is back." Gu Yanzheng said calmly from the window, "Shall we go down and greet him?"
"So grand?" Shen Zhenzhu saw Gu Yanzheng walking towards the door and thought that if her brother Zheng was being treated like this, then he must be someone not to be trifled with.
She felt a bit congested again.
He patted his chest and nervously went downstairs.
Zhao Qiqi got out of the driver's seat, walked mysteriously to the passenger side, and said to Shen Zhenzhu, "You're coming?"
"What?!" Shen Zhenzhu was furious. How could she, the dignified Section Chief Shen Zheng, open the car door for a new recruit?
Is he already bullying his boss as soon as he gets to work?
Watch how I deal with him.
Shen Zhenzhu suddenly opened the car door, and a warm and eager embrace almost knocked her over: "Sister Zhenzhu!!"
Shen Zhenzhu was dumbfounded, seeing Xiaobai was like a dream.
Xiao Bai handed over his schoolbag, stood at attention, and saluted: "Zhou Qingbai, a new criminal investigator, is officially reporting for duty!"
"Ahhhhh!!" Shen Zhenzhu hugged Xiaobai tightly, and the two of them bounced around, completely forgetting their earlier vow to teach the other party a lesson.
Also forgotten was Gu Yanzheng, who had helped apply for the transfer order and had engaged in several verbal battles with Liu Yiyang.
Xiao Bai hugged the bouquet of flowers Chen Zhenzhu had given her, her smile brighter than the flowers themselves. Her sister Zhenzhu was the same, not caring about anything else, and took Xiao Bai's arm, saying, "Come on, I'll take you to see the dormitory. Sixth Sister always talks about you, she'll be so happy to know you're here."
"Hey, I knew Sixth Sister would remember me." Xiao Bai said confidently.
"Come on, let me help you with your luggage." Wu Zhongguo was quite happy. Xiao Bai was great; a top student from the Public Security University, clean, observant, and worked well with them, so there was no need for any adjustment period.
Gu Yanzheng, carrying his schoolbag, gestured to Lu Ye and the others to pick up Xiaobai's suitcase, saying, "Let's go, seniors."
He followed behind the excited Chen Zhenzhu and Xiaobai, and smiled. This was good; bringing Xiaobai here was the right choice.
“I saw on the news that the case of the big star Ouyang Qing was solved by the fourth team.” Xiao Bai followed Shen Zhenzhu around the office building and across the playground, saying, “It’s a pity I missed it. My dad and I are both her fans. My dad has thought Ouyang Qing’s acting was realistic and good ever since the movie ‘Red River Town’.”
"Don't be disappointed. After you finish packing up, we can go to the restaurant for dinner after get off work. Sister Qing said she was coming over today, so you can meet up."
"Really?" Xiaobai said excitedly, "I can't wait! My dad will be so jealous, I have to get Sister Qing's autograph!"
Shen Zhenzhu couldn't help but pinch Xiaobai's round cheeks; she really loved it.
So what if I have a little temper? Girls should have a bit of a temper; otherwise, they'll be taken advantage of.
Section Chief Shen, who was on friendly terms with his family, walked up to the dormitory building and led Xiao Bai to the third floor: "Look, everything is newly painted white. The first and second floors are damp, the fourth and fifth floors are high, and the third floor is just right. No one lives upstairs, and there are separate toilets. There are shower rooms and hot water rooms on the first floor. Although a canteen is going to be built, you can eat with me, and I guarantee you won't go hungry."
"This is similar to my school dormitory, it's pretty good." Xiao Bai looked around the open room. The furniture inside was newly placed and looked a bit worn, but it was all wiped very clean. Obviously, Team Four had put in a lot of effort to welcome the new colleagues.
"You must have been startled to see me coming," Xiao Bai said with a smile. "I already told Brother Zheng about it."
"Wow, you kept this from me for so long." Shen Zhenzhu turned around and glanced at Gu Yanzheng, who smiled with pursed lips.
Everyone helped Xiaobai tidy up her dorm room. In the afternoon, we completed the formal procedures and helped her sign in. Before leaving get off work, Xiaobai had already started using her own desk.
Behind Shen Zhenzhu was a bright window.
"My mom said today's main dishes are radish and mutton soup and stir-fried potatoes, green peppers, and eggplant." Chen Zhenzhu finished get off work on time and called out to everyone, "Let's go eat. If you don't nourish yourself in autumn, you'll freeze like a mouse in winter."
"Heh, the radish and mutton soup is delicious." Wu Zhongguo knew that his sixth sister's cooking never disappointed. He then tidied the table and picked up his olive green coat: "I'm done."
Gu Yanzheng was even faster; he was already standing at the door with his car keys.
Team Leader Park, who was passing by, was working overtime today, followed by the exhausted members of Team Three. Seeing how comfortable Team Four was, they were filled with envy. Especially the newcomers of Team Three, who looked tired and worn out, wished they could be Xiaobai in their shoes.
Once in the car, Chen Zhenzhu and Xiaobai sat in the back, chatting endlessly.
When they arrived at Sixth Sister's restaurant, Zhao Qiqi, who was sitting in the back row, felt a buzzing in her head.
"What a rare guest! What brings you here?" Chen Zhenzhu greeted Wu Fuwang with a smile, "How are you?"
Wu Fuwang was managing a store called Yihaodian, and after the flagship store of SanSan opened, he was so busy that he couldn't keep up.
He said with a ruddy complexion, "Business is booming. Two more shopping malls want us to open branches there, and I'm here to discuss it with them."
Li Lili and Wu Fuwang managed the business very well, and Shen Zhenzhu was completely at ease entrusting the milk tea business to them. Upon hearing this, she said, "You've worked hard, don't overwork yourselves. Take a break when you have time."
Wu Fuwang said energetically, "I'm not tired at all. Seeing the turnover soaring makes me so excited. You guys go ahead and eat. I'm going to pick up Lili to go to Yihaodian. There are two new employees who need to be interviewed."
"Hey, don't rush off." Shen Liuhe came out of the kitchen carrying a thermos and said, "Take this and we'll eat together. There's soup in it, so don't spill it."
"Thank you, Sixth Sister." Wu Fuwang carefully placed the thermos in the box on the back of the motorcycle, put on his helmet, said goodbye to Chen Zhenzhu and the others, and rode off at full speed.
"It's like he's become a completely different person," Wu Zhongguo exclaimed.
Everyone was gathered around the table waiting to drink mutton soup when another friend arrived from outside.
Ouyang Qing's appearance always brought cheers. She greeted the diners with a smile and then sat down opposite Chen Zhenzhu.
She took off her sunglasses, revealing a more confident and sharp look in her eyes, making her aura even stronger than before, radiating star power and showing no signs of backing down.
"Beef noodles?" The waiter, already used to her arrival, came over and asked.
"I won't have beef noodles," Ouyang Qing said with a smile. "Let's have mutton soup instead at this time of year."
-----------------------
Author's note: This case is now complete.
Next case: [Killing On-Demand Radio]
***
See you tomorrow, there are 100 red envelopes! [Let me see]
Those whose nutrient solutions are expiring at the end of the month, come on, everyone! [Sprinkling flowers]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com