Chapter 187 What's wrong with this world?
The commercial street in Xin'er Village was as bustling as ever.
After finishing their hotpot, Chen Zhenzhu strolled back with Gu Yanzheng. From afar, they could hear Yuan Jiangxue arguing with Uncle Lu.
"Oh, you busy man, you're finally back from your business trip." Yuan Jiangxue shoved Uncle Lu aside, then, dressed in a beautiful cheongsam, twirled in front of Chen Zhenzhu to show her off: "How was it?"
Shen Zhenzhu clapped her hands: "So, so, so beautiful! My Aunt Yuan is the most beautiful woman in the world!"
Yuan Jiangxue then turned her gaze to Gu Yanzheng, who said sincerely and respectfully, "This cheongsam's pattern really suits you. It has a classic beauty of Eastern women, an elegant and classy temperament, and unique buttons that perfectly match your taste."
Yuan Jiangxue clicked her tongue twice, tapped Chen Zhenzhu's nose, and joked, "Look, you can tell whether someone is cultured or not just by comparing them. Hey, what happened to Xiao Gu's arm?"
Shen Zhenzhu teased, "It's nothing, just a scrape. What's the occasion that you're dressed up so beautifully today?"
Yuan Jiangxue smoothed her elegant updo and said, "Sister Qing said that an acquaintance wants to shoot a calendar for next year called 'The Elegant Beauty of Middle-Aged Women,' and she recommended that I go."
Uncle Lu came over cheerfully, quickly snapped two photos with his camera, and put it down before getting a beating, saying, "Sister Qing has good taste; next year's calendars won't have to worry about selling."
Yuan Jiangxue retorted, "What do you mean next year's calendars won't sell? They're about to print them and release them in October."
Uncle Lu quickly said, "That's true, you have to bring calendars when you visit relatives and friends."
Yuan Jiangxue generously told Chen Zhenzhu, "I'll send a box over tomorrow, and you'll get one too. And you, Xiao Gu, take a few rolls back with you, so you don't need to buy any for the New Year. They even gave me a thousand yuan for the shoot this time, it's such a good deal! As usual, I'll take care of your and Yuyuan's new clothes for the New Year, and Lili's too, and Niu Niu's as well."
Mentioning Niu Niu, Chen Zhenzhu glanced into their shop and asked, "Where's Sister Yuan?"
Yuan Jiangxue said, "I'm giving hair perms. I have two appointments today and two more tomorrow. We won't take any more than that, we can't handle it all. Luckily, I can help her. I can tell you all about everything from hairstyles to clothing, posture, and demeanor. If we get too busy tomorrow, we'll have to hire a helper. Anyway, I'm going to get back to work now."
Yuan Jiangxue rushed back to the shop, chatting and laughing with customers. Uncle Lu looked at Chen Zhenzhu and Gu Yanzheng and asked, "Have you eaten?"
"Looks like you haven't caught any big fish lately," Chen Zhenzhu said. "If you have nothing to say, go back and develop your film."
Uncle Lu flicked her forehead: "Wait until I catch a big knife fish, then I'll have Sixth Sister stew it. Anyone can eat it, but you won't get any. I'll make you drool."
"You're the one who wouldn't want to part with it," Chen Zhenzhu said with a grin.
"There are more and more people on the street." Gu Yanzheng walked to the shop entrance and glanced into the glass window: "Sixth Sister is quite busy too."
Shen Liuhe was being praised by a food magazine contributor for her delicious dishes. She was too embarrassed to praise herself, but instead, her neighbors and regular customers surrounded her, chiming in with their own opinions to help promote the restaurant's taste.
When Shen Liuhe was surrounded by people, Shen Zhenzhu noticed that some people are naturally attractive without needing to put on an act. This gentle power can only be felt by those with love in their hearts.
"Big Sister!!" Shen Yuyuan, with her sharp eyes, noticed that Chen Zhenzhu had returned and rushed out to look her up and down: "Can you do any work?"
Sensing her sister's surging emotions, Chen Zhenzhu stammered, "I...I guess so."
Li Lili rushed out from behind again: "Let's go make milk tea, summer vacation is too busy!"
Shen Yuyuan pulled Shen Zhenzhu and said, "No, let's go to the kitchen!"
Even the best of friends can crumble under the weight of backbreaking labor. Just as things were about to turn into a fight, Gu Yanzheng raised his repaired right hand and said, "I'll go to the kitchen."
So, Gu Yanzheng, who had been looking forward to enjoying a pleasant summer evening with Shen Zhenzhu after dinner, ended up spending two hours in a row peeling garlic in the kitchen while Shen Zhenzhu frantically shook her milk tea.
"Family members are a burden." Shen Zhenzhu stayed up until almost closing time, then poured some fresh orange juice into the kitchen and delivered it to her brother Zheng.
Gu Yanzheng has become incredibly skilled at peeling garlic with one hand for two hours. With a deft pinch and knead using his thumb and forefinger, the garlic skin comes off easily.
Shen Zhenzhu fed Gu Yanzheng a sip, which made Gu Yanzheng's teeth ache, but he immediately perked up: "No sugar?"
Chen Zhenzhu said softly, "People say that the older you get, the slower your metabolism. It's better to eat less sweets, because sweets can trigger inflammation and affect your health."
"Thank you so much." Gu Yanzheng didn't know how to express his feelings at that moment.
Chen Zhenzhu squatted down next to him, rubbing her sore arm, and inquired about Gu Yanzheng's personal life: "You're so old, why aren't you married yet? Do I not have a sister-in-law yet?"
"I'm currently single." Gu Yanzheng, unable to bear it any longer, threw down the garlic and said solemnly, "Let's have a proper conversation, can you please stop using 'old age' all the time?"
Oh, I'm being too sensitive.
Shen Zhenzhu nodded in understanding.
Gu Yanzheng also wanted to talk to her about this issue. He glanced at the others who were still tossing the wok in front of him, lowered his voice, and said, "I do want to resolve my personal problems. Who do you think can help me?"
Shen Zhenzhu said earnestly, "Does this kind of thing need help? You have to rely on your own efforts, understand? However, if the old kang is only heated on one end, there's no hope; only when both ends are heated can there be hope."
Gu Yanzheng looked at Chen Zhenzhu with deep affection and hinted, "It's a pity it's all one-sided."
Chen Zhenzhu offered a half-hearted consolation: "Even dogs can have puppies, so don't be too hasty in pursuing people."
Gu Yanzheng broke down, glancing sideways at Chen Zhenzhu: "If you're not good at chatting, then put it aside for now."
"Oh." Shen Zhenzhu usually thought she was quite eloquent, so why was she not being able to speak well now?
She stood up, intending to slip away. Sigh, she really wasn't good with sweet talk; she'd better put aside the idea of luring a man home for now. She needed to control her own life; whether or not she had a man wasn't that important.
Anyway, I had a good chat with the head of the department. I'll give her two pills, and her chest will feel better, right?
"Don't go, sit down." Gu Yanzheng couldn't figure out what kind of nonsense was going through Chen Zhenzhu's mind. This person was so good at taking things on and letting them go.
I just felt that ever since he came back from the cult, his eyes have been crooked.
Chen Zhenzhu sat by the wall, sipping orange juice with plenty of sugar, lost in thought.
Gu Yanzheng asked, "Did you talk to Sixth Sister?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "No, they just nodded when they saw me and told me to put in enough seasonings and not to be stingy. Last time someone complained that I was shortchanging them, but that was because they gave me too much! This is the standard procedure."
Gu Yanzheng couldn't help but laugh, shrugging his shoulders.
Shen Zhenzhu fell silent again; she was angry.
Gu Yanzheng suddenly said, "Xiao Li is getting married."
Shen Zhenzhu was taken aback: "Ah, with Hu Die?"
Gu Yanzheng said, "Who else could it be? They're also buying a new house, and they asked me about it before leaving get off work."
Chen Zhenzhu asked, "Anything else?"
Gu Yanzheng explained in detail: "Both families are willing to contribute their savings to help the young couple. Xiao Li has also saved up quite a bit of money over the years. They'll get their marriage certificate first, then buy a house, and try to send out wedding invitations by the end of the year."
"Wow," Chen Zhenzhu asked, "Anything else?"
Gu Yanzheng then recounted what he had overheard while peeling garlic: "Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu have been doing quite well lately. Xiao Wu's sweet and sour fish is better than Xiao Liu's, while Xiao Liu's braised pork knuckle is better than Xiao Wu's. The two are not convinced of each other's skill and plan to have a showdown sometime."
Chen Zhenzhu listened with delight: "Anything else?"
Gu Yanzheng said, "We also need to clean the kitchen tomorrow, making sure every corner is spotless. We can't lose our title as a model city sanitation worker."
"Anything else?"
Gu Yanzheng looked at her and said, "What else do you want to hear?"
"Anything is fine."
Shen Zhenzhu wanted to hear anything, except for what her brother Zheng had to say.
The two of them were so busy they were practically unrecognizable, it was a rare treat for them to have some free time to chat.
Gu Yanzheng chatted with her about this and that until closing time before leaving.
......
The following day was a busy Sunday.
Shen Zhenzhu obediently helped out at the shop.
Her mother was divorced, and she remained single for both her lives. Her younger sister never dated anyone growing up. Everyone around her—Yuan Jiangxue, Uncle Lu, Brother Leng, Li Lili, Wu Fuwang, and so on—was single.
Chen Zhenzhu was very worried and couldn't find anyone to consult about her love life.
She rested her chin on her hand, looking distressed in front of the counter, her gaze falling on Hu Die, who was working.
Hu Die is Xiao Li's blind date. She came to help out during the Spring Festival and then stayed here. She also plans to buy an apartment in Liancheng.
Her love life has been smooth sailing; she's an honest country girl. She washes and prepares vegetables meticulously, lives a down-to-earth life, and is an excellent dating expert.
Chen Zhenzhu quickly carried the vegetable basin and followed the other person around, helping with the work. She took the opportunity to ask, "How did you and Xiao Li get together? Did you hit it off immediately after being introduced? How did you express your feelings for him? What do you two usually do during your holidays?"
Hu Die blushed deeply after being teased, and Xiao Li complained to Shen Liuhe, "I finally managed to get a wife, don't let Sister Pearl scare her away!"
Shen Liuhe grabbed Chen Zhenzhu's ear and dragged her to the backyard to dry the shrimp: "Behave yourself, are you itching for a vacation? Why are you asking this?"
"Just asking." Chen Zhenzhu buried her head in the shrimp shells, her ears burning, but she pretended to be nonchalant. She had already lost face, but she couldn't afford to lose face.
Sigh, it's really hard to like someone.
Ever since that screw in her head started twitching, Chen Zhenzhu has been finding fault with everything.
The restaurant's TV was showing the movie channel's awards ceremony that evening.
The movie channel is broadcasting during prime time that Ouyang Qing has won a world-class Best Actress award. Shen Zhenzhu claps enthusiastically: "Sister Qing is awesome!"
Everyone in the shop who knew Sister Qing was happy for her. Yuan Jiangxue had just come in to eat when Uncle Lu followed her in. Naturally, he was teased a couple of times, but he still had a grin on his face.
Shen Zhenzhu frowned.
It's perfectly normal for Xiao Li and Hu Die to have feelings for each other, but why are Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu exchanging glances in the kitchen when they were supposed to have a martial arts competition at Mount Hua?
When Wu Fuwang heard that someone was pursuing Li Lili, his face fell for miles.
That's fine, it's not like she doesn't allow office romances, but what's with Uncle Lu always chasing after Aunt Yuan?
Why are there pink bubbles everywhere?
What's wrong with this world?
Comrade Xiao Shen is confused.
******
Monday, City Hall.
Shen Zhenzhu submitted a written report and application to return from leave, and then drove Mantou No. 2 slowly to the municipal bureau's corresponding psychological center for psychological testing.
The test results are normal; I can go to work tomorrow.
Shen Zhenzhu drove Mantou No. 2 to pick up Shen Yuyuan and Li Lili to visit the newly opened Feixiang Building Milk Tea Branch No. 2 and Motorcycle Hospital Milk Tea Branch No. 3.
Director Liu couldn't stand that the head of the Major Crimes Unit was driving at the speed limit, so he told her to drive as fast as she could, so that she could be fast and efficient in the process of arresting criminals, instead of crawling like a tortoise.
Such treatment is reserved only for Captain Shen, making Captain Park envious and Captain Tian speechless.
While waiting at the traffic light, watching the crowds passing by, Chen Zhenzhu finally felt that the case was over.
Cult crimes, compared to ordinary criminal cases, are more like psychological slaughterhouses. Predatory cult leaders use systematic psychological manipulation as their tool. They destroy their victims' personalities and minds by creating fear, indoctrinating them with doctrines, emphasizing obedience, and eliminating their sense of self.
Driven by collective fanaticism, dehumanizing mechanisms lead organizations to cross moral boundaries, from money and imprisonment to mass suicide and extreme crimes. Criminal acts are sanctified as rituals of redemption, and the victims are not all ignorant, but rather trapped in a closed loop of logic.
"Ironically, the goddess claimed to be the creator, creating everything for her believers and demanding that they give up wealth and personal rights, while she herself clung tightly to the most worldly things like money and power." Shen Zhenzhu's case summary stated: "It was an elaborately constructed scam that served personal greed from beginning to end."
She turned the steering wheel, determined that when she met Shen Yuyuan and Li Lili, she would teach them the most basic common sense about society—
Any path that demands complete renunciation of the self for salvation usually leads to destruction.
......
Feixiang Building is an old commercial building in Liancheng, located near a wholesale market.
The entire building, from the first to the seventh floor, is a garment factory. The first three floors are for retail, and the last four are for wholesale. Small commodity stalls line the street in front of the building, selling everything from rubber shoes and socks to work gloves and needles and thread.
Parking is extremely difficult.
Shen Yuyuan stood at the front of the car, Li Lili stood at the back, and Shen Zhenzhu leaned out of the driver's seat and carefully parked the car.
"If you weren't willing to turn on the air conditioning, I wouldn't have ridden in your car." Shen Yuyuan wiped her sweat and summed it up in two words: "Exhausting!"
After parking the car, Chen Zhenzhu started showing off, twirling her car keychain around on her index finger: "Please have an ice cream, creamy one."
Li Lili pulled them away, preventing them from going to the convenience store: "Our store has air conditioning like the mall's. Why don't you try our new drinks, with ice?"
Under the blazing sun, Chen Zhenzhu glanced around and spotted "Sixth Sister Milk Tea Shop No. 2," its brand-new signboard clashing with the old Feixiang Building. Fortunately, Li Lili had carefully investigated and knew that the area had huge foot traffic, ensuring a thriving business after opening—in short, a bustling hub.
The store is not large, but the new employees are well-trained and everything is in good order under the guidance of the experienced employees.
The only row of seats inside, along the wall, was already full. Outside, customers lined up, eagerly waiting under the sun umbrellas.
Li Lili washed her hands, put on her employee jacket, and then went behind the bar to shake out the new flavor for Chen Zhenzhu to try.
"Wow, it smells so good, like oranges. And there's mango in it too?" Chen Zhenzhu savored the taste. "Delicious."
Seeing her satisfaction, Li Lili said happily, "This is my 'Mango Orange Ice Cream,' and it's selling quite well."
Shen Zhenzhu nodded and gave a thumbs up: "The future is promising."
Speaking of the future, after leaving the shop, Li Lili linked arms with Chen Zhenzhu and said, "Going to school fulfilled my sister's dream. After graduating from teachers' college, I want to continue working in the shop. My sister's dream has come true, and now I have my own dream too. I want to make the milk tea shop bigger and stronger."
Shen Zhenzhu supported her wholeheartedly: "Having dreams is a good thing. I would be more than happy if you could stay and continue working. I believe Sixth Sister will be very happy."
"I haven't said anything yet," Li Lili said somewhat embarrassedly, "My tuition and living expenses are all earned from the shop. You and Sixth Sister even helped me out. I should work hard elsewhere and try to repay your kindness, instead of sticking around here—"
Shen Zhenzhu stopped her from continuing to say such things: "Let's not talk about repaying kindness or not, those are old ideas. Sixth Sister must think the same way as me, as long as you are doing well, that's better than anything else."
Shen Yuyuan chimed in, "If you leave, Wu Fuwang will be the only one managing the shop, and he won't be able to handle it all. You two are a perfect team; it wouldn't be good to break you up. I don't think he wants you to leave either."
Li Lili thought for a moment and said, "If he leaves, I won't be used to partnering with someone else."
“Yes, I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving it to someone else.” After saying this, Shen Zhenzhu asked Shen Yuyuan as she walked towards the elevator, “Since we’re on the topic, what are your plans after graduation? Are you going to go to the hospital?”
Shen Yuyuan said, "I studied medicine, specifically pediatrics, but I want to study further and pursue a master's degree."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Even if you study until you're thirty, your sixth sister and I will support you."
Shen Yuyuan laughed: "I'm very smart. I don't need you to support me. I have scholarships and I even earn tutoring fees."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "What if I get a doctorate?"
Shen Yuyuan laughed heartily: "This is a good dream, I'll have it first."
As they were talking, someone standing on the second floor, where women's underwear was sold, greeted Shen Zhenzhu. Shen Zhenzhu looked at the person from afar, who was dressed in leopard print.
"What are you doing here?" the young man in leopard print asked preemptively.
Shen Zhenzhu pointed to the milk tea shop downstairs: "My family owns it, come and have a look."
The young man in leopard print pointed around and said, "My family owns this place. I came to take a look too. What a coincidence! I haven't told you my name yet. My name is Yan Yufei."
Seeing that he had become serious, Shen Zhenzhu suppressed a laugh and said, "My name is Shen Zhenzhu. I'm still asking you about work. What have you been busy with lately?"
These words were like a dagger to the heart. Yan Yufei said with a bitter expression, "Ever since our hideout was raided, my dad found out I spent so much money on my hobbies... no, I mean, on shady dealings, so he forbids me from associating with outsiders and made me manage this shopping mall. I work here on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and go to classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—"
Chen Zhenzhu interrupted him: "What class are you taking this time?"
Yan Yufei scratched his head and said, "It's a class on ideological correction. The district's psychologist and legal advisor jointly lead the class, with weekly assessments and regular home visits. You wouldn't believe how strict Teacher Bi is; the pressure is so great that I've even developed pimples on my chin. But you know what? Being busy like this every day actually makes me feel quite fulfilled and it's very meaningful."
Relieved, Chen Zhenzhu couldn't help but chuckle and said, "President Yan has a heavy burden to bear. When we go to the shop for milk tea later, I'll give you a discount."
Yan Yufei said, "That's great! I have to have a sip every day, otherwise the day will be tasteless. You guys keep shopping, and if you mention my name at any store, I'll give you a discount too."
"Okay, thank you, Mr. Yan."
"Just call me Xiaofei." Yan Yufei's smile grew increasingly bitter as he watched the people from his office approach. "I'll be going now."
"Bye-Bye."
Chen Zhenzhu bought three identical T-shirts, a dress, and five pairs of white socks at the Flying Building, put them in her car, and drove to the Motorcycle Hospital No. 3 store.
Store No. 3 opened on the same day as Store No. 2, and they are about the same size, but business is a little worse. Fortunately, they are street-front shops on a commercial street, with schools and bus stops in front of them, so they don't have to worry about customers.
Since we were already there, we took a stroll around.
Chen Zhenzhu bought three more pleated skirts in different colors but the same style. The three of them couldn't wait to put them on, and when they walked on the street, they looked like triplets from behind.
After a leisurely day, Tuesday arrived, and Chen Zhenzhu finally returned to work.
"Based on clues provided by the suspects who used the □□, we discovered that the factory consumed a huge amount of electricity and operated at night. Plainclothes investigators investigated from the outside and found that the workshop windows were covered with dark blackout film, there was regular noise coming from the printer inside, and there were plastic scraps in the garbage bags."
In the meeting room, Park Heung-sung pointed to the target building structure diagram and the photo of the main suspect on the blackboard, outlining the operation process and assigning tasks.
Shen Zhenzhu led four teams to provide armed assistance. As the assistance group, they were responsible for breaking down the west gate and controlling the suspects in the surrounding area.
"The assault team, support team, guard team, and arrest team have completed their deployment. Prepare your equipment within fifteen minutes and be ready to depart." Park Heung-sung gave the order, and the people in the conference room rushed out.
Once in the car, Chen Zhenzhu didn't forget to give a pre-battle pep talk: "Although the four teams are working together, we can't be careless. There are many people in the factory area, so there are three key points: First, safety first. Second, act quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly, giving the other side no time to react. Third, pay attention to securing evidence."
"Understood, Sister Pearl."
"rest assured."
Zhao Qiqi drives at breakneck speed.
The fake document workshop was located in an old industrial area on the outskirts of the city, adjacent to a residential area. On long nights, there were only a few dim streetlights on the streets.
Upon arrival at the designated location, several dark figures surrounded the target from all directions, like a net woven from hidden currents.
Shen Zhenzhu jumped over the courtyard wall and landed silently. Lu Ye and Zhao Qiqi, one on each side, carried hydraulic door-breaking hammers and aimed them at the door lock, looking at Shen Zhenzhu.
Chen Zhenzhu raised her wrist to check the time and whispered, "Three, two, one, move out!"
"Bang--!"
A dull, loud noise shattered the quiet night; the door frame cracked instantly, and the security door sprang open.
Wu Zhongguo and Xiaobai slipped inside, and roars came from multiple directions: "Police, don't move!" "Everyone down!"
The sound of hurried, powerful footsteps was like a tidal wave, and a powerful flashlight locked onto the panicked figures fleeing inside the factory.
Shen Zhenzhu picked up the walkie-talkie: "This is Lynx. 'Workshop' detected. Suspect being apprehended. Over."
Park Heung-sung's voice came from inside: "This is Magpie. No 'studio' found. We are apprehending the suspect. Over."
Before me was a converted factory dormitory, filled with printers and computers, the machines still humming as they produced ID cards.
Various official seals and stamps were scattered on the table, and rolls of plastic film were carelessly thrown on the floor. There was a strange smell of heated plastic in the air.
Thanks to Shen Zhenzhu's breakthrough, more than ten suspects in the West District were quickly apprehended, handcuffed, searched, and made to squat against the wall.
In the corner, there were piles of graduation certificates, driver's licenses, and property ownership certificates, and even template frames were displayed on the wall.
"Sister Pearl, a large amount of cash and counterfeit passports were found in the safe."
"Arrange for the evidence collection team to come in."
"yes."
The suspects were escorted into police cars from various gates of the factory. They wore black hoods and looked disoriented under the alternating red and blue lights of the police cars.
The scene was cordoned off, and evidence collection was underway. Printers, computers, laminators, and other items used as tools of the crime were registered, seized, and loaded onto vehicles.
As dawn broke, Chen Zhenzhu leaned against the police car and counted the number of people. The assistance team had arrested 13 suspects and found crucial evidence.
Park Heung-sung's breakthrough team, as the main force in the arrest, was unlucky and only managed to catch three suspects.
Park Heung-sung had a dark expression on his face as soon as he came out. Chen Zhenzhu raised an eyebrow at Park Heung-sung, who was not far away, and smiled arrogantly.
Xiao Bai led a woman over and said, "Sister Pearl, the car over there can't fit any more. Can we take our car?"
"Alright." Chen Zhenzhu raised her chin. "Go in."
"What the hell?" the woman struggled to say quickly, then looked at Chen Zhenzhu in fear and said, "I...I didn't do anything. They're looking for a cleaner, and I just got here today."
"That's what everyone who gets arrested says." Xiao Bai pressed the woman's head and got her into the car.
-----------------------
Author's Note: This case is complete. Next case: [The Vicious Cuckoo Who Stole Love]
There are 100 red envelopes.
***
I need to take a day off; there's a part of the new case that I need to review.
See you on time the day after tomorrow, please! [Please][Please][Please]
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