Chapter 158 After the Turmoil
night.
After the riots subsided, Tie Si Xin Er Street.
"Fish-flavored eggplant, mackerel dumplings... Okay, I'll be right back." Old Zhang, who was changing shifts, borrowed a phone at the counter to let his family know he was safe. The person on the other end ordered two dishes, waiting for Old Zhang to take them home so they could eat together.
"It's already past ten o'clock. We've been up late today. We've used up all the ingredients. Sixth Sister said she'd give us a good deal today." Xiao Li was busy in the kitchen, poaching meatballs and slicing pork belly.
The dishes brought out from the kitchen were visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious, and the portions were more generous than before, placing them heavily on the table, making one want to devour them.
The hustle and bustle outside was like a restless tide, receding as quickly as it came.
The restaurant still maintains a strangely warm and tranquil atmosphere.
She had already turned on all the lights, illuminating the path for the people stranded on the street who hadn't yet returned home. The restaurant, seen from afar, shone brightly, like a lighthouse in the darkness.
As a relative of a police officer, Shen Liuhe told Xiao Li and the waiters, "We won't go out and get involved, but we won't cower either. We'll turn on the lights so that people who are still scared can go home in peace and know that people who follow the rules are still eating well in this world."
"Okay! Alright."
Grandpa Zhang woke up in the corner and took a sip of his drink. The people at the next table were discussing how many people had been arrested outside, and how even helicopters had been deployed.
Grandpa Zhang sighed, holding his wine glass, and said, "Those people don't understand. I've lived this long and I understand now. The law isn't a rope that binds people; it's a moat that protects the city. They'll jump into the moat and perish. We're sitting here and not causing trouble; that's how we protect this moat."
Shen Liuhe confiscated his wine cup, served him some sobering tea, and teased him with a smile, "Is it really not because you're drunk?"
When offered tea, Grandpa Zhang took it, held it in his palm, and slowly said, "Of course not. Things are chaotic outside, but we can't follow suit. That's what makes a good citizen of the country."
"You're so sensible." Shen Liuhe wiped the table and said to Zhang Xiaopang, "Alright, we still have to go to class tomorrow, so hurry up and finish your essay."
Zhang Xiaopang, as if nails had grown into his butt, shifted back and forth, reluctantly pulling out his crumpled homework: "Okay, Auntie."
"Dinner is served late today, and there aren't many ingredients in the kitchen. I'll first make some oyster and radish soup and serve everyone a bowl to warm their stomachs. I'll just make whatever the kitchen has on hand."
"Alright."
"Thank you, Sixth Sister, no problem."
...
"Boss, Sister Pearl, over here." Zhao Qiqi, who loved coming over for meals, poked her head out from the corner and called out to the door.
The shop "took in" quite a few people, but didn't reserve a table for the fourth group. The group came to the backyard without needing to be invited, grabbed a table, and set up a table against the wall to order food and get soft drinks—all in one smooth motion.
When Shen Zhenzhu entered the restaurant, the old neighbors, who knew all about her case, kept giving her thumbs up, their praise overflowing.
Thinking that the person who died tragically on Old Street was someone Shen Zhenzhu often had to face, everyone gained a deeper understanding and affection for her.
It's not easy for this young girl. Wearing a peaked cap is so tough, difficult, and dangerous. But for the sake of the people, she has to stand up for herself.
Inside the restaurant, people who had come from outside were talking about the "SAS troops" that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, exaggerating their abilities.
Shen Zhenzhu glanced at Gu Yanzheng, who was standing calmly beside her, and said, "You're really something."
Lu Ye had already finished digesting the braised beef. He got up and went to the kitchen door, calling out, "Mom, is the braised pork ready yet? I'm hungry."
"Almost done." Shen Liuhe picked up a large plate of braised pork sandwiches and handed it to him: "Try it, I saved it especially for you."
After being moved, Lu Ye said, "Mom, why are you so good to me? You always give me meat to eat."
Shen Liuhe patted his strong back and said affectionately, "With your big build, no one cares how much work you do at work."
Lu Ye, a grown man, almost burst into tears. "Waaah, finally someone has realized that I've been a beast all these years!"
"Pfft, hahaha." Shen Zhenzhu couldn't help but burst out laughing. Before Lu Ye's fierce gaze could sweep over, Gu Yanzheng used his body to block the laughing Section Chief Shen.
Although the case was solved, the whole process was both heart-wrenching and heartbreaking. Gu Yanzheng only felt relieved when he saw a smile on Shen Zhenzhu's face.
"Come on, let's have some soda instead of alcohol. Sister Pearl's promise to Director Liu wasn't for nothing; she solved the case in two days. We have to drink this."
Wu Zhongguo had already eaten quite a few salted peanuts; anyone who didn't know better would think he was actually drinking alcohol.
Xiao Bai handed the cup to Shen Zhenzhu and grabbed a handful of salted peanuts, intending to put them on Shen Zhenzhu's plate.
Shen Zhenzhu hurriedly said, "You eat it yourself, I'll eat something else." She couldn't understand why Director Liu and Director Tu both liked to feed her peanuts. Hehe, the skill of silencing people is passed down from generation to generation.
Lu Ye placed the braised pork sandwich in the center of the table and said seriously, "This was saved for me by my mother. Let's eat it together after we put down our wine glasses."
He remained silent until he spoke, and then everyone swarmed forward, shouting, "Isn't your mother my mother? Give her here!"
Put all the soda aside.
"Hey, where did all your noble sentiments go?" Lu Ye hurriedly put some meat into his bowl.
Shen Zhenzhu was still holding her soda and hadn't reacted yet. When she looked down, someone put a piece of braised pork on her left and right.
Xiao Bai looked helplessly at Gu Yanzheng over there.
Gu Yanzheng looked at Xiaobai helplessly.
They've started to find fault with each other again.
"You've all started eating?" Zhang Jie came in from outside, shook the snow off her police uniform coat, and casually brought over the salt and pepper pork ribs and dried bamboo shoot chicken that the waiter was about to serve, which was warmly welcomed by everyone.
She walked over and sat down opposite Chen Zhenzhu, watching Chen Zhenzhu stare at her intently.
"Xizi will be here soon." Zhang Jie couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh my, this long vacation feels so much better. It feels like I've been reborn, it's really great."
"Hehehe, you feel good now, huh?" Chen Zhenzhu chewed on the braised pork, as if she were chewing on Zhang Jie, wanting to make her feel even better.
Shen Zhenzhu thought her predecessor was about to disappear into the crowd. She hadn't been to the archives for days, afraid that seeing the little stove would remind her of him.
"I see some people on the street are too scared to go back, but they're having a good time eating and drinking in the restaurants." Zhang Jie saw that the braised pork was all gone and was thinking of picking up some salted peanuts when a slice of braised pork appeared in her bowl.
Despite her sarcastic and eccentric manner, Chen Zhenzhu still felt sorry for Zhang Jie. She had lost even more weight when she saw Zhang Jie this time, but thankfully her spirits were much better than when she was in the archives; she seemed to have been injected with adrenaline, her eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
Thinking of the SAS team's impressive entrance and powerful armed suppression, Section Chief Shen felt jealous and his heart was filled with resentment.
"The salted fish cakes are ready." The waiter carried a large bowl and distributed them to each person on the table.
The dish has a strong, savory aroma as soon as it's served.
Every autumn, Shen Liuhe would marinate the finest knife fish, letting them dry and harden in the northwest wind. Today, the fish weren't served, but the diners here were in for a treat. The knife fish were pan-fried in light oil until golden brown on both sides, the skin crispy, the flesh rich and savory – a classic farmhouse dish that would satisfy any craving.
The knife fish must be served with authentic, golden, and soft cornbread.
Chen Zhenzhu took a bite of the crispy, caramelized knife fish, then a big bite of the cornbread. The natural sweetness and aroma, combined with a vibrant green pepper, were the wisdom and resilience passed down from Liancheng's ancestors in combating the harsh winter. Finally, she sipped the oyster and radish soup, feeling completely refreshed as she ate, sweat beading on her forehead.
Xiao Bai doesn't like white radishes, but seeing the plump oysters bubbling in the casserole, he swallowed hard.
Finely shredded white radish and oysters are simmered together, while the milky white broth constantly bubbles up the bright red goji berries and tender green scallions on the surface.
She scooped up a spoonful of soup, the oyster melting instantly in her mouth, the essence of the broth concentrated in that tiny spoonful. The shredded radish had long since turned translucent, soaking up the delicious broth, filling her mouth with a sweet taste that soothed the dryness of the salted fish cake, warming her from her throat all the way to her stomach.
Two simple dishes instantly dispelled the tense atmosphere in the restaurant. A first-time customer, a man, drank bowl after bowl, sighed contentedly, and said, "Even if the sky falls, you still need a hot meal. Let them make their fuss, I won't get involved. Staying here and not causing trouble for the government is the best choice."
At this moment, everyone understood that staying here all day was not just about hiding, but a silent commitment.
In this space filled with delicious food, everyone went from being tense to relaxed. Now they are eating and drinking, and the sounds of spoons and chopsticks touching bowls and plates, laughter and conversation are all making a silent declaration.
Instead of resorting to violence to solve problems, it's better to eat properly, live with dignity, and respect yourself—this is the true way to safeguard the law and order.
Grandpa Zhang poured another cup of wine and said to Little Fatty Zhang in a relaxed voice, "What are rules? When the rules are broken, we don't break the rules either. That's what it means to have rules."
Being honest and upright in our conduct and doing things properly is the spiritual lifeline bestowed upon us by this land that nurtured us.
Zhang Xiaopang could no longer eat chicken legs, but instead received sea urchin and egg custard. The child had already forgotten the fear of the day, with golden sea urchin stuck to the corner of his mouth, and stared with his big, dark eyes, trying to understand his grandfather's "tongue twister".
"Add more meat and vegetables to that table. Those police officers have worked so hard today." An old woman broke off a piece of local cornbread and pointed to Chen Zhenzhu's table, saying, "If it weren't for them, where would I get cornbread to eat?"
"I'd like to toast you police officers." The stranger picked up a beer bottle. She had fled from the chaotic street, thinking that this place, like the shops outside, wouldn't accept strangers. Unexpectedly, not only were they sheltered, but they were also given food.
Her gaze swept over every face eating there, and she raised her beer bottle, saying, "I'd also like to toast everyone here!"
Cheers!
"Smashing and vandalizing is their choice, sitting here is our bottom line. Cheers to us for being here."
Zhou Chuanxi came in from outside: "Good heavens, they've all started drinking." He brushed the snow off his shoulders and stamped his feet. When he saw Shen Zhenzhu waving at him, he quickly walked over and said in a feignedly polite manner, "Hello, Section Chief Shen."
Shen Zhenzhu wanted to cut him down.
Zhou Chuanxi then said, "Sister Pearl."
Chen Zhenzhu put away her small hammer and pushed the bowl of oysters and shredded radish: "I saved this for you, it's still warm. Why are you so late?"
Zhou Chuanxi glanced at Gu Yanzheng and said to Shen Zhenzhu in a very low voice, "The one who jumped had a backup plan. We found something on the tape, and I sent it over with him."
The specific person to whom it will be given to is the one sitting to Shen Zhenzhu's left.
"Tsk tsk, I admire you." She, Chen Zhenzhu, could never learn this skill of stirring up trouble.
She shifted her gaze to Gu Yanzheng, who was focused on drinking his soup, and asked, "Why aren't you busy? The witnesses and evidence have all been taken."
Gu Yanzheng put down his bowl and said calmly, "I am needed everywhere, so what do I need subordinates for?"
“That’s true.” Shen Zhenzhu squinted, her lips drooping, and began to speak sarcastically again: “You don’t need to do anything, you can just disappear everywhere.”
Gu Yanzheng swallowed the soup expressionlessly. How come he didn't choke to death?
Just as Zhang Jie was about to laugh, she felt a resentful gaze sweep over her again, so she quickly lowered her head and started eating her pancake.
Confused, Zhao Qiqi leaned close to Xiaobai's ear and whispered, "Something feels off. Did I miss something?"
You've missed out on everything.
Xiao Bai stuffed a cornbread into his hand: "Eat it."
"Braised pork knuckle, braised pork ribs with potatoes and green beans, and sauerkraut and blood sausage, here you go!" The waiter kept bringing dishes to each table. Zhang Jie said in astonishment, "Is this what Sixth Sister meant by not having enough ingredients?"
Shen Zhenzhu scoffed at her, "Hehe, which chef complains about having too much food? Eat up."
"Okay." Zhang Jie obediently shut her mouth, eating and laughing at the same time.
Oh no, Section Chief Shen's illness isn't going to get better anytime soon.
After dinner, Chen Zhenzhu, Zhang Jie, and Xiaobai went to the backyard to whisper among themselves.
Zhao Qiqi wanted to join, but Lu Ye grabbed her arm and said, "They're going to inherit it, don't cause trouble."
Wu Zhongguo waited to fry cumin-flavored toothpick meat to make a late-night snack for Xiao Chuan. Leaning against the counter, he said weakly, "That's called inheritance. I beg you, if you're not cultured, at least read more books."
In the backyard, in the snow, the three of them were out in the stars and moonlight.
Under Zhang Jie's witness, Shen Zhenzhu solemnly presented the small silver knife to Xiaobai: "This was a gift from Sister Zhang when I first joined the criminal investigation team. It accompanied me for more than three years, and it went through thick and thin with me. I originally wanted to give you the notebook along with it at the train station last time, but I was afraid the train attendant would confiscate it. Now I'm giving it to you, hoping it will be a firm belief, a powerful tool to protect you, and accompany you on your future path."
Xiao Bai knew that Chen Zhenzhu treasured this little silver knife, and she never expected that she would actually get it today.
Holding the small silver knife, Xiaobai carefully wiped the scabbard with her hand, gently drew it out, and saw the sharp blade gleaming silver.
Whenever she had time, Chen Zhenzhu would sharpen and maintain the knife. Xiaobai told her, "Sister Zhenzhu, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of this knife. As long as the knife is there, I will be there; if the knife dies, I will be there too—"
Shen Zhenzhu quickly covered her mouth: "No, please don't!"
Zhang Jie was so angry she laughed: "If I lose my knife, I'll go buy you another one!"
"Come on, come on, it's so cold outside." To stop the overly excited Xiaobai from saying silly things, Chen Zhenzhu pulled her back to the counter. There were already lunchboxes on it, containing sauerkraut dumplings and roasted chicken legs.
When Shen Liuhe saw them come in, she complained, "You didn't even come to eat. You said you could eat with us. Take these back and eat them in the morning. Aren't you afraid they'll spoil? I heard you have heating where you are. Put them on the radiator to warm them up before you eat them."
"Hey!" Xiaobai said with a grin, carrying two boxes of sauerkraut dumplings. "When I go home for Chinese New Year, my dad will definitely say I've gotten fat."
"So what if I'm fat? As long as I'm healthy, it doesn't matter whether I'm fat or thin." Shen Liuhe patted her belly and said, "See, I don't care at all."
Xiao Bai laughed loudly, which made everyone who had turned their dinner into a midnight snack laugh along with him.
The lights of Sixth Sister's Restaurant still shone brightly in the night, illuminating the road for people returning home late and lighting up everyone's hearts.
Wu Zhongguo, carrying cumin-flavored toothpick meat that Xiao Chuan loved, said goodbye to everyone, offering to take him home in a Cherokee. Perhaps one of the team leaders still needs to consult with those who have experience in some areas.
Xiao Bai, without any hesitation, got into the car: "Thanks for the ride, Captain Gu."
Lu Ye and Zhao Qiqi walked out arm in arm, planning to walk ten miles at night to see if the lake in Labor Park had frozen over.
Shen Zhenzhu took Zhang Jie's arm and escorted her to the intersection to wait for a taxi: "I have no other requests, just one: please take good care of yourself."
Zhang Jie's career has taken her from the Major Crimes Unit to the Archives and then to the SAS, where she has faced not only criminals but also criminal groups and even terrorists, greatly increasing the level of danger she faces.
Shen Zhenzhu started worrying again.
"Don't worry, everything is settled." Zhang Jie waved over a night taxi, hugged the bulging Chen Zhenzhu, and seeing her frown, smiled and said, "A ship is safer when it's docked in the port, but that defeats the purpose of a ship."
"I understand. ...Call me when you arrive." Shen Zhenzhu watched the taxi leave. Deep down, Zhang Jie and she were the same kind of people.
Back at the store, Chen Zhenzhu yawned and leaned against the counter, planning to get up early for a morning run the next day to improve her health and prevent catching a cold from affecting her meager attendance bonus.
Director Liu praised me repeatedly for solving this case, so the reward is definitely in the bag. Hehe.
"Closed for the day!" Xiao Li came out of the kitchen, stretching his shoulders. The thrilling day was finally over.
"Come on, the guests have all gone home, let's go home too." Shen Liuhe patted the sleeping Chen Zhenzhu and wrapped a scarf around her: "Be careful when you walk, the road will be repaired tomorrow. Hey, rub your face."
The usually powerful and influential Section Chief Shen revealed a hint of pity in his sleep, exposing the softer side of his heart.
Still half asleep, Chen Zhenzhu woke up obediently, rubbed her face, put on a thick coat, and followed her mother step by step.
Wherever her mother is, that's her home.
Early in the morning, Chen Zhenzhu walked with difficulty through the snow towards the station.
Last night the wind and snow got heavier and heavier, and when I woke up this morning, the landscape was covered in white, burying all the dust and filth of the world and leaving behind a pure and beautiful scene.
Everyone on the street continued their daily lives, and the disrupted rhythm returned to normal.
Chen Zhenzhu arrived at the office right on time, but missed her morning run and even sneezed.
Xiao Bai didn't need to commute, so he sat there eating sauerkraut dumplings with a refreshed expression. He even took two boiled eggs from the cafeteria for Chen Zhenzhu: "Here, put them in your pocket to warm your hands, and you can eat them if you get hungry."
Wu Zhongguo moved the fish tank to a spot not far from the heater and kept testing the temperature to prevent his precious fish from accidentally turning into boiled fish.
"Have you read the newspaper?" he said, pointing to Chen Zhenzhu's desk. "Go take a look."
Shen Zhenzhu glanced at Gu Yanzheng's empty desk, took off her scarf and gloves one by one, and tilted her head to see the headline of the Liancheng Daily.
"The Haoxian Villa was of poor quality and collapsed in a fire. Wang Jieyong was found in the basement and is still being rescued... His wife, Xu Lan, was found with extensive burns all over her body and died at 3 a.m. yesterday despite rescue efforts."
“His company is used to cutting corners; there’s not a single good person in it, from top to bottom. Even knowing it’s their own boss’s villa complex, they still cut corners.” Wu Zhongguo raised his chin and said, “Team Leader Tian was there at the time. He said they just threw in a few bottles of alcohol, and it immediately caught fire. Somehow, Xu Lan ran out of the basement and became a human torch.”
At this point, Wu Zhongguo grunted twice and said, "Team Leader Tian said that Wang Jieyong tricked them into going out at the time. Later, the villa collapsed, and it was like they had just escaped a disaster. Wang Jieyong was almost not found in the basement. When he was found, the surrounding area was full of fire, and his head and below were covered by cement slabs. He was unrecognizable. It is said that he was holding something in his hands at the time, but it was all burned by the fire."
There were still two sauerkraut dumplings left in the small white bowl. She absolutely couldn't eat them anymore. She fed one to Chen Zhenzhu first, then stuffed another into Wu Zhongguo's hand, saying, "Did Captain Tian say that Wang Jieyong and Xu Lan deserved it?"
“Hey, that wasn’t said,” Wu Zhongguo said. “We’re all dutiful public servants, right? We certainly wouldn’t say it out loud, at most we’d just think about it. Thinking about it isn’t a crime, is it?”
"Think about it, it's not a crime," Shen Zhenzhu said. "Even if Wang Jieyong is rescued, he'll suffer while he's alive."
Wu Zhongguo said, "He has burns over 90% of his body, and after that, he'll be facing a mountain of lawsuits. He's not going to recover. In my opinion, it's better to just end it quickly; this is just making him suffer."
“There are plenty of people who have suffered because of him, let him suffer slowly,” Shen Zhenzhu said calmly.
Once Lu Ye, Zhao Qiqi, and Zhou Chuanxi, who had also crashed the meeting, were all present, Chen Zhenzhu pushed the small blackboard and prepared to hold a case-closing summary meeting.
Zhao Qiqi kept checking her watch, and seeing that no one was bringing it up, she couldn't help but say, "Aren't we going to wait for the boss to close the case together?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "I won't wait anymore, and I won't have to wait anymore in the future."
Zhao Qiqi scratched his head: "Oh."
Xiao Bai saw this and felt that Gu Yanzheng's romantic path was in danger.
Whether to help or not is the question; let's have a meeting first.
She opened her notebook, which was filled with detailed analyses of the case. Some parts were circled in red, indicating areas where she and Shen Zhenzhu agreed. Other parts were marked with tiny X's, representing points of disagreement between them.
This year's goal is to work hard to turn the small "X" into more and more correct red circles.
Standing in front of the blackboard, Chen Zhenzhu said, "This 'radio station serial killing case' has had a huge social impact. From beginning to end, is there anything about the case that no one has yet figured out?"
Seeing everyone shaking their heads, Chen Zhenzhu felt relieved and got to the point: "This case involves complex criminal psychology, from the mistakes and influences of one's family of origin to one's own attitude towards crime. All of these need to be analyzed comprehensively and clearly so that we can correctly analyze the psychological state of similar criminals when we encounter similar cases in the future. For example, Qian Hui, Xu Lan, and Wang Jieyong, is anyone willing to analyze them?"
Xiao Bai cleared his throat, raised his hand and said, "Sister Pearl, I want to analyze Qian Hui."
Shen Zhenzhu said with relief, "Then you come up and speak. Don't be nervous, just say whatever comes to mind. If there are any disagreements, let's discuss them together."
"Yes." Xiaobai walked to the blackboard with her notebook, straightened her back, and said, "Then I'll begin."
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Author's note: See you tomorrow, there are 100 red envelopes waiting for you! [Let me see]
***
Can I have the Moonstones from the Mid-Autumn Festival mission airdrop?
You can find it in the top right corner of the app author's page (this should be for the latest version).
Alternatively, you can use it on the homepage of a webpage/article. [panda head][panda head]
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