Chapter 212 True Feelings
In the twelfth lunar month, the weather is freezing cold.
The windows were fogged up, and the trees were covered in silvery fog.
In the centrally heated apartment complex, the room was warm and cozy. Chen Zhenzhu stretched her arm out from under the covers, answered the phone, and then sat up abruptly.
"Why did I press the alarm clock?!"
The culprit was Shen Yuyuan, who had been talking with her until she fell asleep. She yawned, turned over, and continued sleeping.
Shen Zhenzhu ran to the bathroom with her hair disheveled to brush her teeth and wash her face, at an incredibly fast pace.
However, it still caused a delay, making us half an hour late for our appointment with Gu Yanzheng.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the residential area, Gu Yanzheng was leaning against the Cherokee, chatting animatedly with an uncle who was hawking knife sharpening services early in the morning.
Seeing that Shen Zhenzhu's breath was steaming, she raised her hand to greet her and pointed to the breakfast stall, saying, "Auntie, you're from Shen City. I had a bowl of hand-pulled noodles, you should try some too."
The auntie making breakfast smiled, her eyes crinkling with laughter. She quickly prepared breakfast for Chen Zhenzhu, and didn't forget to say a few words for Gu Yanzheng: "Your boyfriend arrived when I opened the door. He's been waiting for you. He's so patient. Eat more; it won't make a difference if you eat a little longer."
"Thank you, Auntie. Could you give me a disposable bowl? I'll eat it on the bus." Shen Zhenzhu leaves early and returns late, and even sleeps in her office. She was unaware that a new breakfast shop had opened at the entrance of her residential complex.
Besides the busy auntie, there was also a little girl of seven or eight years old in the shop. When there were customers, she helped wipe the tables and clear the dishes; when there were no customers, she focused on doing her winter vacation homework. The mother and daughter kept the shop in a neat and tidy manner, somewhat resembling the original Shen Liuhe.
"The approval has come through?" Gu Yanzheng reminded her casually. He glanced at the strand of hair that had fallen behind Chen Zhenzhu's neck, looking adorably messy.
“Jiangang Residential Area.” Chen Zhenzhu opened her cloth bag, rummaged through it, and said, “It’s two stops away from Ocean Park, and it has a community hospital and an exercise corner.”
Auntie brought over some hand-pulled noodles. Just as Chen Zhenzhu was about to take them, Gu Yanzheng pulled out a few sheets of paper, placed them at the bottom of the bowl, and handed them to Chen Zhenzhu, casually saying, "Jiangang Community is nice, a paradise for the elderly. It has complete facilities, including supermarkets, hospitals, and volunteers to help the elderly with their lives."
Shen Zhenzhu walked to the passenger seat, and Gu Yanzheng opened the car door. Shen Zhenzhu turned her head and sat down, a strand of hair playfully peeking out again.
Gu Yanzheng walked around the car, a smile on his face.
"Is Brother Zheng in a good mood today?" Chen Zhenzhu asked curiously as she slurped her noodles.
"It's pretty good." Gu Yanzheng started the Cherokee to warm up the car. The steering wheel was icy cold, but his heart was warm.
I drove there first to pick up the keys and then checked the water and electricity in the resettlement house. The two-bedroom, one-living-room house was simple and elegant, with plenty of sunlight and good heating.
The elderly people exercising downstairs gathered together. When they saw someone come out of the building's entrance, they chattered among themselves, saying, "Hey comrades, is it possible that hero Dongbao is going to become our neighbor?"
"Hello, sir and madam." Gu Yanzheng politely asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
The old man wearing an old-fashioned felt hat said, "There are so many questions, such as what he likes to eat? What he likes to play? Does he have any taboos? Sigh, we know he likes kittens, so these days we've been bringing over some tamed stray kittens that we hope will become his friends."
The elderly woman next to him, who had a scholarly air about her, said, "I heard that Comrade Huan Dongbao was hospitalized. I am a professor of traditional Chinese medicine, and I can come to his house every day to take his pulse."
"Thank you so much, sir and madam." Sensing their kindness, Shen Zhenzhu answered a few questions for Dongbao, laying a good foundation for their neighborly relationship.
As she left the Jiangang residential area, Shen Zhenzhu glanced around and exclaimed, "The revolutionary workers are truly of high quality."
Gu Yanzheng said, "The community has a good environment, no wonder many retired cadres are willing to live here. Sometimes it's even impossible to buy a place here."
Holding the resettlement housing documents, Chen Zhenzhu felt a little uncertain: "I don't know if Grandma Tong will accept such a nice house."
Gu Yanzheng said, "We'll talk about it when we get there. If it really doesn't work out, we'll just tell her we're 'borrowing a place to stay.' It's better than living in a tenement."
"Hmm." Shen Zhenzhu leaned back in her seat, carefully choosing her words.
Gu Yanzheng drove to Zayuan Alley and found a van at the intersection. It was crammed with some moving items, but the van wasn't even full.
Upon seeing the familiar items, Chen Zhenzhu quickly got out of the car and asked the driver, "Where are you taking these things?"
The driver, who was tying up the goods, looked up and said, "You'll have to ask my boss; they're all inside."
Shen Zhenzhu quickened her pace and walked into courtyard number six, where she met Meng Wanjun and a middle-aged man.
Meng Wanjun greeted Shen Zhenzhu from afar, saying happily, "Sister Zhenzhu, what brings you here?"
Chen Zhenzhu finally breathed a sigh of relief: "What are you doing?"
Meng Wanjun introduced the people around her to Shen Zhenzhu: "This is my dad, and my mom is tidying up in the yard."
Meng greeted the legendary "Sister Pearl" politely, extending her hand and saying, "Captain Chen, I understand everything. I am truly grateful. We were planning to pick you up for a meal after settling our benefactor in, but we didn't expect to meet you here."
"Ms. Meng, you're too kind. It's just my duty, no need for special thanks." Shen Zhenzhu introduced Gu Yanzheng, saying, "This is Director Gu, he came with me."
Meng shook hands with Gu Yanzheng again, glanced at him a few times, and said, "Director Gu looks somewhat familiar. Have we met before?"
Gu Yanzheng also politely said, "A few years ago, my parents and I were invited to attend Mr. Meng's wedding at his winery in Kaili."
Mr. Meng suddenly realized and exclaimed, "I didn't recognize him at first glance. He really is Mr. Gu's son. He is a dragon among men. His temperament alone is extraordinary."
"Not at all, Mr. Meng hasn't changed much over the years, he's even more radiant than before."
The two began exchanging compliments, while Chen Zhenzhu and Meng Wanjun quietly left. As they walked towards Courtyard No. 6, they saw many people peeking in from the entrance.
Ignoring the envious glances from others, Meng Wanjun warmly reported to Chen Zhenzhu, "I have convinced Grandma Tong to live in my empty house."
Shen Zhenzhu was taken aback: "How can that be? I've already got the keys to the resettlement house and was just about to take them to see it."
As they passed by the courtyard, Old Zhang's face darkened. He whispered to his wife, "How many houses did they get? I should have befriended that idiot."
Old Zhang's wife pointed to the people peeking across the street and said with a sneer, "It's not your turn."
Shen Zhenzhu's sharp eyes suddenly flashed across his face, startling Old Zhang, who quickly pulled his wife inside.
The previous experience seemed like a dream, leaving no scars on Meng Wanjun's face. She smiled and said, "Then you're a step too late. We've already started moving."
Shen Zhenzhu turned her gaze back and laughed in exasperation: "Why didn't you tell me about dinner yesterday?"
"We're on guard against one at a time." Meng Wanjun said with a smile, "Captain Chen didn't tell me either."
Shen Zhenzhu shook off her hand. Heaven knows how many times she had run around to secure such a good resettlement house. Was Grandma Tong, whom she had finally gotten her hands on, just going to slip away like that? This wouldn't do.
She hurried to courtyard number six and saw Dongbao playing with Zhu Min's two sisters. He was holding a little girl in each arm, spinning her around in circles, shouting, "Dongbao, let's go for a massage!"
The two little girls were held around the waist, their feet dangling in the air as they giggled. As they spun around, all three of them became dizzy, swaying as they stood on the ground, still laughing and giggling.
Grandma Tong went to collect sweet potatoes and soybeans in the early morning, but was stopped by Meng Wanjun's family. At that moment, Meng Wanjun's mother, Mrs. Meng, was still talking to her.
Seeing Chen Zhenzhu approaching aggressively, Mrs. Meng stood up and greeted her, "Captain Chen, hello."
Agarwood pearls are not good.
He nodded fiercely, pushed his rival Meng Wanjun aside, and took Grandma Tong's hand, earnestly persuading her: "The resettlement housing provided by the government is excellent. We've already inquired about the neighbors there; they're all kind-hearted, educated, well-mannered, and clean."
Grandma Tong hesitated before saying, "Wanjun lent us an apartment..."
Shen Zhenzhu added, "That's nothing. The neighbors in Jiangang Community even said that if you continue to pick up trash, they'll collect all the bottles, cans, and cardboard boxes and put them in front of your house."
Meng Wanjun was shocked: "No sugar-coated bullets, huh?" She pulled Grandma Tong aside and tried to persuade her: "Originally, we were going to give Dongbao an apartment, which would definitely be easier to get than a resettlement house. But what did you say again, sir?"
Grandma Tong said with a smile, "We're an old woman and a simpleton, we don't have much ability to protect the property. After I'm gone, I'm afraid I might have bad intentions and treat Dongbao badly. I've thought it through, all I need is a place to stay, I don't need the house. After Dongbao is gone, the house will be returned to you."
“But…” Shen Zhenzhu fell silent.
Grandma Tong held Chen Zhenzhu's hand and said kindly, "Girl, I understand that you're doing this for our own good and that you've worried about us. But a house is a big deal, and I have to make plans for him."
"I understand." Shen Zhenzhu felt a pang of sadness. Gu Yanzheng rushed over, patted Shen Zhenzhu on the shoulder, and said, "Grandma Tong's arrangements make sense."
Imagine a fool guarding a property; he would indeed be easily exploited and framed by someone with malicious intent.
Chen Zhenzhu sighed, took out the resettlement housing documents, and said, "How about I apply to the higher-ups to change it to a right of residence?"
Meng Wanjun said without hesitation, "Of course we should return it to the government. There's a shortage of resettlement housing. Since we have an empty house, it's just a house anyway, so we might as well let Dongbao and Grandma live there. The government's resettlement housing should be returned to the government and given to other people in need."
That makes a lot of sense, and Shen Zhenzhu wanted to pinch her.
Grandma Tong nodded repeatedly and said, "Wanjun's words resonated with me; that's exactly what I think too."
Struggling between reason and emotion, Chen Zhenzhu reluctantly admitted that this was the best solution.
Mrs. Meng chimed in, "Captain Chen, please rest assured. My neighborhood is owned by President Gu. It's safe, has 24-hour security, and the residents are all of high quality."
Chen Zhenzhu muttered, "Oh, that's pretty good."
Meng Wanjun smiled triumphantly and said, "Sister Pearl, you should also sign the contract as a witness. It's to prevent problems from arising in the future. A written agreement is always more legally binding than a verbal one."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Okay, if you take back the property, I will settle them in."
“Sister Pearl won’t have that chance.” Meng Wanjun took out the contract, signed it, and handed it to Chen Pearl.
Gu Yanzheng reached out from behind and snatched the contract, examined it carefully, and then handed it to Chen Zhenzhu: "Sign it."
Meng Wanjun then turned her gaze to Gu Yanzheng, her ambiguous smile making Gu Yanzheng somewhat uncomfortable, as if she could see right through his secrets. These women, without even speaking, seemed to understand each other perfectly through winks and gestures.
"Captain Shen, I've already sent someone to the Municipal Public Security Bureau to deliver a banner, expressing my gratitude for Captain Shen's proactive efforts in solving the case. Someone should contact you soon."
After they finished their work, Meng said modestly, "These are the fine children Liancheng raised. I've looked into the domestic policies, and I can't offer them any material thanks, so this is all I can do."
"Ms. Meng, you're too kind. Solving the case wasn't my achievement alone," Shen Zhenzhu said modestly. "The law needs people to uphold it, and I was just doing my job. Even if it wasn't me, other police officers would have solved the case and helped."
"I trust the police officers in China, but people are different. Otherwise, how come you're Captain Chen?" Meng flattered him subtly, his mood even higher after catching up with Gu Yanzheng.
“Even if you’re not here, the person who receives it will pass it on to the city bureau leaders, and that’s how the banner will be used,” Meng said shrewdly. “Team Leader Chen, don’t blame me for acting first and reporting later.”
Shen Zhenzhu smiled and said, "Not at all, I should thank President Meng."
About ten minutes later, Director Tu, who was in the city bureau office, personally called Shen Zhenzhu: "Don't rush to take the banner. I'll bring it to the provincial department next week when I go to a meeting. Let them see that our case-solving efficiency doesn't need anyone else's criticism."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Zhenzhu was dumbfounded: "Another big one?"
Gu Yanzheng chuckled: "When it comes to protecting their own, everyone in Liancheng is incredibly fierce."
After helping Dongbao and Grandma Tong move, Meng Wanjun's family accompanied them to their new house. Chen Zhenzhu and Gu Yanzheng went back to the restaurant first, as they had arranged to have dinner together that evening.
Dongbao grinned and shouted, "Dongbao is going to celebrate the New Year again! Dongbao loves Auntie!"
Before getting on the bus, he slipped a small wooden cat carving, about the size of his palm, into Chen Zhenzhu's hand: "Dongbao, give this to Auntie."
"Thank you, Dongbao, what an adorable kitten." The wood carving was simple, and the kitten stretching lazily was remarkably lifelike. Chen Zhenzhu held it in her hands, unable to put it down.
Dongbao said proudly, "Dongbao is still learning. Dongbao is super awesome."
Chen Zhenzhu clapped enthusiastically for Dongbao, showing her great support.
Meng Wanjun was jealous and looked at the kitten, saying, "What about me?"
Chen Zhenzhu quickly picked up the kitten.
Dongbao patted his chest and said, "Dongbao knows what he's doing, Mom is waiting."
Meng Wanjun was delighted: "Okay."
Sitting in the car, Gu Yanzheng said to Shen Zhenzhu, "President Meng said he's been paying close attention to the province's investment promotion policies and plans to set up an industrial park in Luyang City. Guess what happened next?"
Chen Zhenzhu scratched her head, still a little embarrassed by the grand gesture of presenting the banner, and asked absentmindedly, "What's wrong?"
Gu Yanzheng continued, "Because you didn't accept material thanks, he simply negotiated with the Liancheng government to allocate land and gathered several wealthy overseas Chinese businessmen to set up an industrial park in the suburbs. Whenever someone asks, he will publicize your glorious deeds. Let everyone know that you influenced the entire decision. Maybe before long, the people from the Liancheng government's investment promotion office will come to thank you."
"...Stop." Chen Zhenzhu was utterly shocked and sat up straight, saying, "Do all you rich people do things this big?!"
Gu Yanzheng smiled and said, "I don't know about others, but it seems that President Meng and my dad get along quite well."
Stimulated, Chen Zhenzhu blinked repeatedly, repeating, "An industrial park! It's an entire industrial park, bringing so many jobs and introducing so many new technologies. Unbelievable...it's too unbelievable."
Gu Yanzheng said, "If you want two, I'll discuss it with President Gu later. Anyway, I'm not moving from here anymore, and I can't take any more gold or silver with me."
Chen Zhenzhu turned her head and stared at Gu Yanzheng: "Aren't you moving?"
Gu Yanzheng gave a faint "hmm," as if it were a trivial matter.
The car quieted down again, the noise outside the window both distant and near. Chen Zhenzhu seemed to see dust particles in the sunlight drifting before her eyes, tickling her heart.
"Why don't you ask why?" Gu Yanzheng asked suddenly when they were almost at their destination after waiting for a few minutes.
Shen Zhenzhu pursed her lips and said, "97, you made great contributions, so you should continue to develop here."
Gu Yanzheng gave Chen Zhenzhu a forced smile: "Did you do that on purpose?"
Shen Zhenzhu pretended not to understand: "Huh?"
"You little brat." Gu Yanzheng gave her a deep look, then smiled and let it go.
Upon arriving at Tiesi Commercial Street, Chen Zhenzhu jumped out of the passenger seat of the Cherokee and noticed a crowd of onlookers gathered in front of Sixth Sister's Restaurant. Upon closer inspection, she realized they were all familiar faces and customers.
As I got closer, I could hear Zhang Xiaopang's wailing coming from inside.
"What's wrong?" Shen Zhenzhu couldn't help but ask.
Brother Leng squatted on the outermost edge, clutching a piece of wood in his hand, and sighed, "What is love in this world—"
Yuan Jiangxue chuckled as she ate sunflower seeds: "Little Fatty's heartbroken."
"Huh, this is a big event." Shen Zhenzhu laughed, grabbed a handful of melon seeds from Yuan Jiangxue's cotton vest pocket, and squeezed in next to people to peek into the restaurant.
The adults, layered upon each other, stared at the chubby little boy, who was still tanned from the summer sun and hadn't recovered, and cried uncontrollably.
"It's better to suffer sooner rather than later," said Grandpa Zhang, annoyed by Xiaopang Zhang's loud crying. He hid in the corner and opened the newspaper to read.
It wasn't even lunchtime yet, but the restaurant was already bustling with activity because of Zhang Xiaopang.
Shen Liuhe placed a braised chicken leg in front of Zhang Xiaopang's table, but Zhang Xiaopang actually refused it!
Sixth Sister won't eat her braised chicken legs anymore?
Everyone was shocked; the problem was far more serious than they had imagined!
Shen Liuhe shouted at the crowd of onlookers, "Who's going to talk this out?"
Someone in the crowd shoved Chen Zhenzhu, who stumbled towards Zhang Xiaopang, nearly kneeling before him. She awkwardly sat down, leaning on the table, and angrily shouted, "Who pushed me?!"
Yuan Jiangxue also cursed: "Who's so blind? Don't they know she's a blockhead? Hey, why did you push me!"
Yuan Jiangxue plopped down on Shen Zhenzhu's lap, almost breaking her leg.
Chen Zhenzhu pushed Yuan Jiangxue up, rubbing her thigh and saying, "It really hurts, Auntie, do you have a pointed bottom?"
Yuan Jiangxue pinched her cheek: "I think you're a little sharp-tongued. Look at your sharp-tongued son."
Uncle Lu shook his head outside the door, having no hope whatsoever for the two who were trying to persuade him. He wondered who had the acumen to push these two blockheads out.
He slowly moved into the house, uninvited, and sat down next to Yuan Jiangxue. He coughed and said, "Fatty, if you have something to say, talk to everyone. What's the point of just howling? Have a drink of soda to soothe your nerves first."
Zhang Xiaopang took the soda and gulped down a few mouthfuls, then burped and howled to the sky, "She doesn't like me, boohoo, why does she eat my braised duck neck if she doesn't like me? The storms of love are unbearable, I'm so cold, I'm so cold!"
Shen Zhenzhu quickly said, "What's wrong with me eating your braised duck neck as a friend and classmate? Don't be the kind of man who thinks someone likes you just because they smile at you."
Zhang Xiaopang choked back tears, his shoulders trembling, and his red eyes glanced at Chen Zhenzhu as he said, "I braved wind and rain to deliver a braised duck neck to her every day by bike. Yesterday was the ninety-ninth day. Today should be our one hundredth day anniversary, but my love has closed its doors."
"A hundred?" Shen Zhenzhu was speechless for a moment before saying, "That girl has quite a good appetite. Why don't you send some for a few more days? Isn't it said that to win her heart, you must first win her stomach?"
Gu Yanzheng moved closer to Chen Zhenzhu and almost burst out laughing when he heard this: "Your bias is too obvious."
Chen Zhenzhu pretended not to hear and said, "Fatty, did you do something that made people dislike you?"
Zhang Xiaopang wiped away his tears, then took a hearty gulp of soda and said, "No, not at all."
Uncle Lu thought for a moment and said, "Boys and girls define feelings differently. What you consider a hundred braised duck necks is a huge deal, but to her it might just be a small garnish. I'm not saying she's bad, but you need to understand the line between friendship and love. Men and women are different."
Zhang Xiaopang said, "But she smiled at other male classmates, but not at me."
Uncle Lu said, "That's a bit... a bit... you know."
"What? Is it a crime not to smile?" Yuan Jiangxue rolled her eyes at Uncle Lu and said, "Of course men and women are different. If a man likes you, he'll be as affectionate as possible. If a man doesn't like you, he'll be as indifferent as possible. But pretense is a man's protective color. No matter how much they hate a woman, they'll still put on a fake smile. But we women are different. We can smile at flowers, smile at birds, smile at sunny weather. We don't necessarily have to give our smiles to men."
Uncle Lu glanced at Chen Zhenzhu, who was listening attentively, and at Gu Yanzheng beside her, and couldn't help but say, "There are men who laugh from the bottom of their hearts, so what you said isn't absolute."
Yuan Jiangxue said, "A man who laughs everywhere is a womanizer and a philanderer. Humph, a man's affection should be taken as three-tenths. A woman's deep affection is superfluous."
Uncle Lu got a little anxious and quickly said, "There are also men who are deeply devoted to their partners. They may not use sweet words, but even if they don't express it, they are willing to stay by your side in silence. They feel sad when they see you cry and happy when they see you laugh."
Gu Yanzheng nodded slightly, agreeing with Uncle Lu's argument.
Zhang Xiaopang raised his head and stopped howling. He felt that what the two love experts said made sense.
Shen Zhenzhu listened intently, her eyes gleaming.
Yuan Jiangxue bluntly said, "Don't those kinds of men have mouths? They're the most useless kind of men. Are they just waiting for women to say they like them? Oh, they must believe that in love, whoever speaks first loses."
Gu Yanzheng's expression changed, and he coughed, saying, "Aunt Yuan, you can't make comparisons like that. What era are we living in?!"
Yuan Jiangxue cracked open a sunflower seed, smacked her lips, and said, "That reminds me. Things aren't like they used to be. People can break up and get divorced. I've been through it all, haven't I? We don't need to live a life of chastity and live like widows anymore. This is a modern society that values freedom. If you're afraid of what others will say with one ear and afraid that the next one won't be as good as the last one with the other, you'll just waste your youth enduring it all and end up with nothing. It's better to have a happy relationship and not overthink it. When it comes to relationships, if you like someone, just date them for fun. If you don't like them, just break up and find someone else. It's not a big deal."
"This is a huge problem." Gu Yanzheng's eyelids twitched. He turned to look at Chen Zhenzhu and said solemnly, "You have to be careful when dating. If I were to date, it would be with marriage in mind. I would plan and prepare for that for the rest of my life."
Chen Zhenzhu blushed slightly, lowered her head and played with her nails: "Oh. Well, you're pretty good."
Gu Yanzheng's Adam's apple bobbed, and he held his breath, a strange sense of anticipation rising within him.
Uncle Lu also said, "I think this is a major event in one's life, and only sincerity can win sincerity."
Yuan Jiangxue sneered, "I've fed plenty of food to dogs, but I'm not going to argue with you today. Get out of here and don't go looking for a beating."
Uncle Lu readily stood up and said, "Then I'll go out and take pictures for the tourists."
Yuan Jiangxue finished speaking and then walked out. Zhang Xiaopang was still muttering, "Only sincerity can be exchanged for sincerity. No wonder my duck necks couldn't win you sincerity."
Gu Yanzheng nudged Chen Zhenzhu and looked at Yuan Jiangxue's dashing back, saying, "Has Aunt Yuan suffered some kind of emotional trauma?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "No, my last marriage was amicable, and we're still good friends. Maybe I've been watching too many dating shows lately, just feeling sentimental. Are you scared?"
Gu Yanzheng was taken aback, then lowered his voice and said, "I'm not afraid. I'm willing to reciprocate with sincerity... What about you?"
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Author's Note: Chen Zhenzhu tilted her head: Woof woof
This case is closed. Next case: [He's always been there]
I'm taking tomorrow off to rest and work on a new case. See you at the same time the day after tomorrow! [Please][Please][Please]
***
There are 100 red envelopes, see you the day after tomorrow! [Let me see]
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