Chapter 235 Intimate Experience
Three days later.
A pile of unread newspapers lay on the desk. A gust of wind blew in from the window, and a page was turned. Inside, an "Association for Nutrition and Health of the Elderly" had published new health standards for seniors. A social commentator stated that many elderly people suffer from dementia, osteoporosis, cataracts, and other problems due to unbalanced nutrition. The commentator suggested that they should follow the association's standards and take supplements to improve their health.
Shen Zhenzhu crumpled the newspaper into a ball and threw it into the trash can.
Flipping to the social news section, it was reported that after working around the clock for several days, the wealthy bosses on the list had all been arrested, shocking society.
"He looks respectable, always playing positive characters on TV, but he's actually a beast in human form." Xiao Bai put down his confession, bent down, filled a tub with water, and drank it down.
"So Dean She's suicide attempt was coerced by Fang Zhi and his family." Wu Zhongguo said, holding his pen. "Fang Zhi kept demanding compensation, but secretly he had his wife transfer assets, trying to mislead us."
Shen Zhenzhu was reviewing Xie Yuyin's statement. After Wenzi and Dunzi came over, Xie Yuyin decided to testify against Happy Gao's illegal research activities.
"Xie Yuyin also said that she wanted to accumulate good karma for Miaomiao and hoped to be released as soon as possible to take care of Miaomiao." Xiaobai sneered and said, "With a mother like that, it's hard to even live a good life."
"She blames her failures on her deceased husband and refuses to show any more maternal love to her own son. She places her hopes for the future on her autistic daughter." Shen Zhenzhu didn't want to comment on Xie Yuyin anymore. Her life was mired in a quagmire, and she seemed to have never seen clearly what was in front of her.
“Jiang Han was clearly the person she could rely on the most.” Xiao Bai thought of Jiang Han and said, “The security team said he accidentally fell into the liquid raw material for Happy Gao and drowned. The testimonies of several people were consistent, which was the same as the autopsy results of the forensic doctor Lu. So that tooth was from Happy Gao and was found by the little girl. Alas, there is a reason for everything.”
Wu Zhongguo said, "Don't say it."
Zhao Qiqi also said, "You really shouldn't say that!"
Shen Zhenzhu nodded in agreement. The weak clues provided by Jiang Han's missing teeth allowed her to delve deeper into the investigation, eventually uncovering the horrifying crimes hidden beneath the Happy High production line. Had it been any later, many more teenagers would have been persecuted.
Shen Zhenzhu rubbed her forehead, stood up, and felt her stomach growl with hunger.
"I'm going to the shumai shop, Xiaobai, are you coming?"
"You're not finished yet. Go get some fresh air. You've been working overtime for so long."
“Then I’ll go by myself.” Chen Zhenzhu stretched and said, “Let me know when the embassy has any results.”
Choi Ye-sook was a diplomatic personnel, and due to her special circumstances, Shen Zhenzhu was unable to interrogate her. Instead, she was handed over to the leadership for processing in accordance with international diplomatic policy.
Walking towards the shaomai shop at the main gate, I passed the Tiesi Police Station.
Having just finished handling a dispute, Officer Ma said with a smile, "Solved another big case? Take care of yourself."
Shen Zhenzhu pointed ahead and said, "I came out specifically to get some fresh air."
The newly arrived agents at the station looked at Chen Zhenzhu, who was dressed in a crisp olive green uniform, through the window with envious eyes.
Sister Wang fiddled with the carnations and said with a smile, "Back then, Captain Chen sat next to me, and we're still good friends now. Keep up the good work, going down to the police station isn't the end of your career. Look up to Sister Pearl."
"We will definitely work hard; she is our idol."
"Yes, I even listened to Sister Pearl's lectures at the police academy."
Shen Zhenzhu waved to the window, and Sister Wang held up a carnation and smiled.
After ordering a bowl of shumai, Chen Zhenzhu rested her chin on her hand and watched the commercials on TV.
The youth training institutions suspected of administering hormones to children have been completely shut down, and all relevant personnel, including the heads of the institutions, teachers, those who prepared the nutritional solutions, and those who transported the nutritional agents, have been arrested.
The fake International Youth Nutrition Association was also investigated and dealt with.
Fang Zhi, Wang Mingye with silver-rimmed glasses, Professor Xiong and his assistant, and others involved in the "time reversal protein" confessed to the facts and identified each other during the days of interrogation.
During the interrogation, the woman with silver-rimmed glasses testified that the customers who received the "time-reversing protein" injections included not only Cui Yishu and others who had registered, but also more than ten others. Among them were two minor celebrities and a small business owner who experienced tangible results and acted as "intermediaries" to attract clients, serving as living advertisements.
Silver-rimmed glasses confirmed that they had subtly told customers that the "highly nutritious products" were extracted from the bodies of teenagers with superior physical abilities, thus proving the guilt of those who tried to deny it.
Don't customers who experience the effects and repeatedly purchase "Reverse Time Protein," or those who knowingly inject it despite knowing its origin, feel uneasy about it?
While waiting for the shumai to arrive, Chen Zhenzhu analyzed the psychology of the buyers.
As successful people in society, their standards are no longer external achievements, but an endless pursuit of a healthy state of life and youthful vitality. In addition to wealth, they also have a desire to possess the peak of their physical health.
The benchmark for success implies physical abilities beyond one's years, wrinkle-free skin, and thick hair. Crimes fueled by desire ruthlessly and covertly plunder the lives of teenagers like those in Jianghan.
Adults use their own established standards of youth to distort and steal the very essence of teenagers' lives.
In the darkness where evil lurks, Jianghan's vitality and youth become scarce resources that can be traded.
The readily available wealth fueled the desires of Fang Zhi and his associates, giving their customers a glimmer of "hope." Had it not been forcibly stopped, this train of evil would have carried the innocent souls of countless tormented and murdered teenagers.
"Here it is. Pork shumai."
The owner brought over a steaming hot steamer and handed Chen Zhenzhu disposable chopsticks and a plate.
"Thanks."
His child, a chubby little girl, was still picking at her hair at the table, trying hard to correct her mistakes on her math test.
Watching the chubby girl struggling to study, the boss smiled, a wrinkle appearing at the corner of his eye. Wrinkles are not a sin, and aging is not a failure.
Natural aging, declining energy, and the onset of illness are part of life's journey, not personal failures or a lack of self-control.
Viewing aging as a devaluation of social worth, this innate fear has made Fang Zhi and others their best customers.
Shen Zhenzhu took a bite of shumai and heard the chubby girl doing math problems cheer and write down the answer.
Teenagers are bound by an invisible set of standards that make them grow up in a "standard" way, while adults are bound by another set of standards that make them fear becoming failures.
The "Happy High" that parents are flocking to buy is essentially the same as the "time-reversing protein" that the wealthy are buying.
The most terrifying violence is not knives and guns, but standardization.
Parents anxiously raise their children based on standards such as height and academic performance, while successful people hold themselves to the standard of eternal youth. They are both victims and unwittingly become defenders of these standards, inflicting their power on the weaker among them.
Ironically, the standards themselves are simultaneously negating the losers and draining them dry.
After finishing her pork shumai, Shen Zhenzhu paid for it and then walked to the street to enjoy the breeze.
She looked at the people coming and going on the street and on the bus; they were all ordinary people. They carried the banner of pursuing a better life, shrouded in standards. How many of them, in their hurried pace, remembered that life itself is diverse?
The shops along the roadside were playing factory advertisements, announcing increased profits, lower prices, and reduced wages. The shop assistants stood at the door, shouting, "Huge clearance sale! Huge clearance sale!"
When growth, efficiency, and optimization become the guiding principles, adults and children alike become products that need constant upgrading and standardization.
In the roadside shops, other nutritional supplements were also on the shelves. Even after the Happy High incident, parents will not stop demanding things of their children, and successful people will continue to pursue even higher standards of success.
Although the case has been solved, the root cause of the standard crime cannot be ended.
This is a symptom of our times, a consequence of rushing forward while ignoring the scenery around us.
Shen Zhenzhu thought that perhaps only when we all question the invisible yardsticks hanging over our own heads and those of others will the anxiety created by this massive system of standards truly end, and only then will we have the leisure to appreciate the beautiful scenery along life's journey. And how to not live under the standards set by others is perhaps a life lesson for each of us.
Back in her office, Chen Zhenzhu noticed that the bouquet on her desk had been replaced. The bright red roses had been replaced with colorful daisies, lively and adorable.
There was a photograph pressed under the vase.
On the gravelly peak of the wilderness, a nameless blade of grass grows alone. Its leaves are slightly crooked, and it stretches its branches and leaves with all its might, stubbornly nourishing itself through the gaps suppressed by the raging wind.
Shen Zhenzhu was stunned for a moment, until Zhao Qiqi came over with a wink and nudged her arm: "The boss said he invited you to his house for dinner on Sunday. He's going to cook for you."
Shen Zhenzhu turned around: "Whose house are we going to?"
Zhao Qiqi said, "Your home."
Everyone knows that Director Gu dreams of becoming Sixth Sister's live-in son-in-law.
In the afternoon, after receiving a case, Shen Zhenzhu led more than 20 police officers to Huainan Village and Huaibei Village.
"The two villages are sworn enemies, and they both love to fight. To go south, you have to pass through Huainan Village, and to go north, you have to pass through Huaibei Village. They block each other's way and fight. If they win, they go back and brag; if they lose, they call for reinforcements to fight again the next day." The head of the county police station was extremely worried about the two villages.
"This incident happened during the Spring Festival. The people from Huainan Village cursed the people from Huaibei Village first. The people from Huaibei Village then stripped the man from Huainan Village naked and left him frostbitten until his body turned blue in minus twenty degrees Celsius before letting him go home naked. The man who was frostbitten developed a high fever the next day and died during the Qingming Festival. His family brought people from Huainan Village to beat him up. No amount of mediation worked. There were more than two hundred people, including women. They had sickles, kitchen knives, rolling pins, hoes, and shovels."
Upon arriving at the scene, Shen Zhenzhu realized that the director had been conservative in his assessment.
People from Huaibei Village are firing guns at Huainan Village.
Huainan Village charged forward with its three-pronged attack.
They both treated each other like Japanese people and made fun of each other.
Shen Zhenzhu spent an hour stopping them from fighting and confiscating weapons such as bird guns. She spent five hours trying to understand the love and hatred between them, passed down from their great-grandfather generation.
Just before returning, Shen Zhenzhu learned that the director was only three years older than her. But seeing him was like seeing Uncle Lu.
I have so many worries.
At seven o'clock, I returned to the Criminal Investigation Division.
Shen Zhenzhu clutched her hair, staring blankly ahead, her ears still ringing. Even an upright official finds it hard to settle village disputes; her youthful energy was being completely drained.
"Great, you're still here." Guo Daye knocked on the door, frowning as he asked, "Is it that windy outside?"
Shen Zhenzhu casually smoothed her hair, put on her police cap, and said, "A bit seductive."
Guo Daye strode in and kindly pressed Shen Zhenzhu's shoulder to make her sit down: "The new ambassador of Country H wants to see you. Do you have time?"
Shen Zhenzhu was baffled: "Why are you seeing me? No, how come there's a new ambassador?"
Director Liu also strolled over before leaving get off work, accompanied by Sister Wang and her husband.
Sister Wang's husband was transferred from the district to work in the city. He came specifically to ask Shen Zhenzhu to go to the embassy because of the matter of the H country embassy.
Having met him before at the wedding banquet, Chen Zhenzhu greeted him, "Brother-in-law."
"Finished with work? I thought you were too busy." Sister Wang's husband, wearing an executive jacket, said politely, "It's like this, the beauty expenses used by Cui Yishu in the case were found to involve bribery of former diplomats, and they were quickly recalled to their country. In order to express their criticism of the former diplomats, the new diplomat and his wife would like to invite you to dinner, and at the same time convey their friendly attitude to the Liancheng government."
Guo Daye hoped that Shen Zhenzhu would go, but seeing her working so hard, he developed a deep, fatherly love for her.
He said, "If you don't finish your case, the embassy will postpone it. Anyway, everyone has pickled vegetables, but your mom makes them even better."
Wang Jie's husband said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Of course, from an official standpoint, I hope Captain Shen can go. But personally, I don't want Pearl to be so busy."
As Shen Zhenzhu hesitated, thinking that Gu Yanzheng would be cooking for her at home tonight, she heard footsteps at the door.
Gu Yanzheng strode over, nodded to Sister Wang and her husband, and said to Guo Daye, "Political Commissar Guo, did you forget to give me the screwdriver you asked me to get last time?"
Guo Daye looked at him with a complicated expression: "Don't say anything yet."
If you don't want to talk, then don't. Gu Yanzheng stood aside and watched Chen Zhenzhu laugh.
Shen Zhenzhu looked at him and said to Sister Wang's husband, "Brother Zhao, they invited me as a family. Can I bring someone with me?"
"Hey." Guo Daye took a step back, made a "please" gesture, straightened his clothes, and said, "You guys do what you want, I'm off work."
Gu Yanzheng strode forward and said insincerely, "Of course, from an official standpoint, I hope Captain Shen can complete the mission smoothly. From a personal standpoint, I still have a date with her. Between the two, although I don't know which is more important to Captain Shen, I'm still looking forward to it."
Sister Wang's husband said with a smile, "Captain Gu, don't say that. As Captain Shen's comrade-in-arms, I am very happy to see you and her working side by side."
Shen Zhenzhu asked, "Would Country H be willing?"
"Who cares?" Wang Jie's husband said, then smiled and composed himself.
Sister Wang shook her head, walked over to Chen Zhenzhu, took off the hat that Chen Zhenzhu was hiding her messy hair from, and loosened the rubber band: "Your brother-in-law and I are going too. It's not like we're bombing someone's embassy, just eating a few plates of kimchi. Where's the comb? Go early and come back early. Don't listen to my roundabout talk."
Shen Zhenzhu knew she couldn't refuse. Grandpa Guo had given her a way out, but she also had to give face to Sister Wang and her brother-in-law.
Besides, even if none of that is true, she still has to go for the sake of the public good.
Sister Wang has a daughter who, when she ties her hair up, is just as ruthless as Shen Liuhe.
Shen Zhenzhu sat in the Cherokee, her eyes glazing over the whole way. In the back seat were groceries Gu Yanzheng had bought beforehand, filling the air with the smell of scallions. He was itching to make dumplings for Shen Zhenzhu.
Upon arriving at the H country embassy, the newly appointed H country diplomat and his wife were waiting with beaming smiles.
The table was covered with silver dishes, all different sizes.
Shen Zhenzhu smiled insincerely, seemingly chatting with the translator the entire meal. They talked about nothing more than the customs and traditions of Liancheng, which the new diplomat couple seemed quite interested in. Turning back to Gu Yanzheng, she saw him secretly gloating with a raised glass.
After spending two hours eating the state banquet, Shen Zhenzhu felt acid reflux. As she left the H country embassy, the diplomats and their wives were still chatting warmly with her.
The diplomat's wife, in her fifties with gray hair, was in high spirits. Dressed in traditional clothing, she held Chen Zhenzhu's hand and said, "Through this case, I've come to know you. In our country, women are usually confined to the home, serving their husbands and raising children. Compared to you, we still have a long way to go. Especially in the workplace, if H country had women as outstanding as you who could shine, I don't think there would be so many cases of corruption and bribery."
The diplomat chimed in, "A vile serpent trying to suck the marrow from children to maintain its youth is unacceptable anywhere. Thanks to Captain Shen for his proactive investigation, exposing the true nature of this ugly person."
The main character tonight is Shen Zhenzhu, while Gu Yanzheng stands quietly to the side, acting as a dutiful and virtuous wife.
Shen Zhenzhu bid farewell to the diplomat and his wife, and then to her sister and brother-in-law. She returned to her Cherokee and felt hungry again.
Gu Yanzheng, a competent and virtuous wife, readily accepted the offer and went to Chen Zhenzhu's house to take over the kitchen, behaving as if it were his own home: "Hey, you sit on the sofa and wait, I'll make some dumplings for us to have as a midnight snack."
Gu Yanzheng took off his coat, revealing a white shirt and apron. Beneath his crisp suit trousers were long, straight legs...
Before Chen Zhenzhu could finish admiring it, Gu Yanzheng walked over, turned around, and said, "Help me tie it up, it's come undone again."
Shen Zhenzhu looked at his narrow waist and tightened it. Gu Yanzheng gasped and turned around: "Killing the cook before the meal is against the rules."
Chen Zhenzhu pushed her strong back towards the kitchen: "Hurry up. My mother should be back soon."
Gu Yanzheng chuckled and said, "I didn't do anything else."
Chen Zhenzhu was stunned, scratched her head and said, "I'm going to brush my teeth."
She felt thirsty and attributed it to the scallion kimchi, radish kimchi, cabbage kimchi, and kimchi pancakes.
Gu Yanzheng chuckled at her evasive gaze, went into the kitchen, took off his apron, retied it, and started making dumplings.
By the time the dumplings were served, Chen Zhenzhu was already drooling.
The two of them were alone at home, eating dumplings they had made themselves, and they vaguely felt a sense of peace and contentment about their daily lives.
"How about it? Would you like some minced garlic?" Gu Yanzheng handed over the bowl.
Shen Zhenzhu declined: "No need, it's too late."
Gu Yanzheng raised his hand to check the time: "It's not too late, there's still some time."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Then I won't eat either, I'm a little thirsty."
Gu Yanzheng asked sensitively, "Did I make it too salty?"
These words struck a chord with Shen Zhenzhu, who had previously mocked Park Heung-sung for his salty dumplings.
From now on, I can't laugh at others so easily. Amitabha! Gu Yanzheng taught her that there's always someone better.
Gu Yanzheng said again, "Why are you still thirsty? You've almost finished the soup in the pot where we were cooking dumplings."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "The original soup helps digest the original food."
Gu Yanzheng squinted: "My cooking isn't good?"
Shen Zhenzhu waved her hands frantically: "Delicious, especially delicious."
Gu Yanzheng said, "Can dumplings taste good without minced garlic?"
Chen Zhenzhu pushed the bowl hesitantly, then covered it again: "Never mind."
Gu Yanzheng looked at her and slowly smiled: "Do you have any other expectations for your love life later?"
Chen Zhenzhu blushed: "Is there a problem?"
“Perfectly normal,” Gu Yanzheng said shamelessly. “I’ve anticipated this many times.”
There's no need for formalities when adults are dating, especially at this stage.
As soon as Chen Zhenzhu finished speaking, Gu Yanzheng moved closer and closer, and they could feel each other's breath.
There was a knock on the door.
The old lady across the street called out, "Is anyone home?"
Chen Zhenzhu pushed Gu Yanzheng aside, ran over, opened the door, and said, "Grandma, what's wrong?"
Grandma said, "I borrowed a bag of salt from your mother the day before yesterday. I saw light coming from your window, so I quickly returned it. Oh, is your boyfriend home?"
Chen Zhenzhu quickly stopped Gu Yanzheng and took the salt, saying, "Thank you, Grandma. Actually, you don't need to pay it back."
Grandma smiled and said, "What's the big deal? You guys play."
Chen Zhenzhu: "......"
After closing the door, Gu Yanzheng took Chen Zhenzhu's hand and made her sit on his lap: "Did you see the photos?"
Shen Zhenzhu leaned against his chest: "I saw it."
"Take more photos later, so I can look at them when I miss you."
The longing I've felt lately is beyond words. Gu Yanzheng reached out and stroked her soft face, cupping it as if to kiss her.
Shen Zhenzhu slowly closed her eyes, feeling her heart about to jump out of her chest, experiencing an indescribable throbbing sensation.
Splash!
The sound of keys being fumbled outside the door made Chen Zhenzhu stand up in a panic.
Shen Yuyuan came in from outside and saw the two of them sitting upright at opposite ends of the sofa. She said in surprise, "You're here early today. You didn't work overtime."
"It's getting late, I'm leaving now." Gu Yanzheng sat up from the sofa and went to the shoe cabinet to put on his shoes.
Shen Zhenzhu thought to herself, "My Zheng-ge can't leave. I haven't even kissed him yet." She'd waited so long; she couldn't let her Zheng-ge, whom she'd finally won over, slip away.
So she followed him to the shoe cabinet, secretly observing Gu Yanzheng's expression to see if he was sulking.
Even if you're angry, you can't just ignore her.
Fortunately, Gu Yanzheng was dignified. He spoke with Shen Yuyuan and left home as usual.
Chen Zhenzhu followed closely behind, their shadows growing longer and longer in the dim light of the neighborhood.
"You've gone the wrong way. The car is parked over there," Chen Zhenzhu said from behind. When she turned around again, Gu Yanzheng was already gone.
Chen Zhenzhu took two steps forward, searching between the flowerbeds and buildings: "Brother Zheng?"
In an instant, she fell into a warm embrace, followed by a domineering kiss.
She was squeezed between the wall and the strong body, experiencing a storm of first kisses.
"Um..."
The longing was finally fulfilled, bringing the embrace one step closer.
Gu Yanzheng ran his thumb along her rosy lips, then couldn't resist giving them a light, fleeting kiss. The pleasure of being so close to her was something Chen Zhenzhu had never experienced before.
She reached out and placed her hand on Gu Yanzheng's chest; his heart was pounding just as fiercely as hers.
As people walk home at night past the dark walls, unaware of the tranquil exterior, two passionate hearts find solace.
From a domineering kiss to a careful savoring, and then to lingering again and again.
Intimacy and love overflowed, needing no further description.
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Author's Note: Old Gu: Why wouldn't I need it?!
***
See you tomorrow, there will be red envelopes!
Merry Christmas Eve! [fireworks]
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