Chapter 112 Tom Yum Kung Bone Broth Hot Pot
[Ding! Assisted in apprehending a criminal suspect (Sin Value 15), reward: +300 Merit Points. Current Merit Points: 6640.]
A system notification sounded in my mind.
The merit points have been successfully credited to your account.
An Ran stood aside and witnessed firsthand what Su Xiaonuan meant by "always running into crime scenes" and "the police arriving quickly."
The man's dramatic change in behavior, and his final, seemingly irrational, self-deprecating revelation of his shortcomings—if she hadn't witnessed it with her own eyes, she would have thought she was watching some absurd TV drama.
However, as a lawyer, she quickly came to terms with it.
Throughout her career, she has encountered many bizarre litigants and unbelievable cases. Sometimes, when confronted in court, the opposing party may become enraged and blurt out more evidence that is detrimental to them.
From this perspective, the unpleasant things Su Xiaonuan encountered while setting up her stall, though dangerous, also show that she, like herself, is passionate about her choices and strives to do her best, even though their respective fields of work are full of unexpected challenges and hardships.
Thinking of this, a gentle smile appeared on An Ran's usually cool and aloof face.
After packing up and heading home, Anran sat in the passenger seat, watching the street scenes flash by outside the window, and suddenly chuckled softly.
Su Xiaonuan was focused on driving when she heard laughter. Curious, she turned her head and asked, "What's wrong? What are you laughing at?"
An Ran turned her head, her face gentle and her eyes clear: "It's nothing. I just feel like... I'm craving hot pot tonight."
She paused, then added, "Autumn is here, and the weather is getting cooler. Eating something warm will warm your heart, your stomach, and your body."
Su Xiaonuan couldn't help but chuckle and immediately agreed, "Sure! We have plenty of ingredients at home, let's make it when we get back! What kind of broth do you want? Spicy? Tomato? Or mushroom?"
"Hmm... what should I do if I want to eat them all?" An Ran rarely showed a bit of girlish naivety.
"Then let's make a hot pot with two broths!" Su Xiaonuan said boldly, waving her hand.
The two returned home, changed into comfortable loungewear, and immediately began preparing dinner.
Su Xiaonuan was in charge of preparing the soup base and the ingredients that needed to be processed.
She decided to make a modified version of Tom Yum soup base that wouldn't be too spicy, but would retain the unique aroma of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves, as well as the richness of coconut milk and the sweetness of fresh shrimp. It would be sour, spicy, and appetizing, while also providing warmth.
The other clear broth hot pot base uses a well-prepared bone broth with a few red dates and goji berries added, making it light and delicious.
An Ran was responsible for washing and plating the vegetables.
Tender green spinach and lettuce, snow-white enoki mushrooms and tofu, bright red beef and lamb rolls, pink shrimp paste and fish balls, and Anran's favorite wide rice noodles and potato slices... a whole table full of various dishes, a dazzling array.
The broth in the pot began to boil vigorously, and the white steam carrying an enticing aroma filled the entire living room.
The two sat around the dining table, smiled at each other through the rising steam, and began to eat.
"Wow! This Tom Yum soup base is so delicious!" An Ran scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it, and drank it. Her eyes lit up instantly. The soup was sour, spicy, fresh, and fragrant, with rich layers that whetted her appetite.
"This beef is so tender! Nuannuan, the dipping sauce you made is amazing!"
"Try this shrimp paste, I made it myself, isn't it bouncy and chewy?"
The two ate until their noses were sweating and their cheeks were flushed, chatting as they ate, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
All the worries and fatigue seemed to vanish with the steam from the bubbling hot pot.
After finishing her meal, Su Xiaonuan used the probiotic powder and fresh fruit she bought from the system store to make two refreshing drinks to aid digestion.
The two of them, cups in hand, nestled on the soft sofa in the living room, casually watching the evening news on TV and chatting idly.
Just then, Anran's phone rang, breaking the silence.
She picked up her phone and glanced at it; the caller ID clearly displayed the three characters "Qin Haochu".
Su Xiaonuan understood, silently picked up her cup, took a sip of her drink, and didn't say anything.
An Ran stared at the name, her lips pressed tightly together, the blush that had risen on her face from the hotpot fading slightly, her eyes filled with struggle and turmoil.
The phone rang persistently, as if it wouldn't stop until it was answered.
Finally, An Ran seemed to have made up her mind. She swiped her finger lightly across the screen and chose to hang up.
The living room fell silent instantly, save for the clear, articulate voice of the news anchor on the television. An inexplicable tension and oppression hung in the air.
Su Xiaonuan looked at An Ran's profile, with her eyes lowered and her hand tightly gripping her phone, and sighed inwardly.
She knew Anran needed time and space to sort out her thoughts, so she didn't try to persuade her, but simply stayed by her side.
However, less than two minutes later, Su Xiaonuan's own phone rang.
She picked it up and saw that the caller ID showed "Zhao Liyue".
Su Xiaonuan was a little surprised. Why would Sister Li Yue call so late?
She glanced at An Ran, who nodded to her, indicating that she should take the call.
Su Xiaonuan pressed the answer button and put the phone to her ear: "Hello? Sister Yue?"
A slightly tired but still calm voice came from the other end of the phone: "Xiao Nuan, did I disturb your rest?"
"No, I just finished eating. Sister Yue, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Yes, it's about Fu Lilian's kidnapping case." Zhao Liyue paused, as if organizing her thoughts, "The case... has taken some unexpected turns."
Su Xiaonuan immediately sat up straight, her expression becoming focused: "Progress?"
"Yes. One of the hideouts we had previously identified for the suspects was raided this afternoon."
Zhao Liyue's tone was tinged with disbelief and gravity, "When we arrived after receiving the anonymous tip, the only suspect inside was already a corpse. The scene... was handled very cleanly, the methods were very professional, but also... ruthless."
Su Xiaonuan's heart skipped a beat.
Did someone beat them to it? Bust the hideout? Execute them on the spot?
For some reason, the words "half-moon" flashed through her mind, along with Han Ming's peach blossom eyes filled with hatred and emptiness.
Is it them? Are they "purifying" criminals in their own way?
She suppressed her surprise and listened carefully.
Zhao Liyue continued, "We're still investigating who did it. We have very few leads right now, and the other side has strong counter-surveillance capabilities." She sighed, "However, that's not the worst part."
Su Xiaonuan immediately pressed, "Is it Fu Lilian? How... is she?"
She held onto a sliver of hope: now that the kidnappers had been dealt with, what about the hostages...?
However, Zhao Liyue's answer made her heart sink: "Fu Lilian... is missing. We searched the entire scene but couldn't find her. Based on some subtle clues at the scene, she probably managed to escape before or shortly after the suspect was killed."
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