Chapter 46 Brother, I'll go.
Su Xiaonuan immediately noticed his sly smile.
She tilted her head out from behind him, tilted her face up, and blinked her big, wet eyes, her face full of "innocence" and "naivety." Then, in the softest, most adorable tone, she precisely stabbed Qin Haoran in the heart:
"Officer Qin, you were just... standing right there watching? Oh my, Senior Zhao Liming is so reliable, he was so quick and handsome, he tackled him in no time!" she said, glancing admiringly at Zhao Liming, who had just closed the car door and returned.
Qin Haoran's shamelessness is clearly extraordinary.
Faced with this blatant "dual attack," he remained unfazed, even turning around casually and reaching out to ruffle Su Xiaonuan's hair, slightly messing up her neatly tied bun. He winked mischievously at her with his charming eyes and began spouting nonsense with a straight face:
"Little cook, you don't understand, do you? This is called strategic planning and overall control! My primary task is to protect your safety! Look, you're not missing a single hair, and you're still jumping around here complaining about me, which means I've done a fantastic job! As for the rough work, leave that to professionals like Old Zhao!"
Su Xiaonuan was stunned by his twisted logic. She then pouted, gave him a disapproving look that said, "I don't believe you," and, too lazy to argue with him anymore, turned around and started packing up her stall.
We've just sold out, so why not pack up now?
When Qin Haoran saw her packing up her stall, he also stopped his playful smile and took the initiative to help her move tables and chairs and take down the sunshade.
Zhao Liming also came over and silently offered his help. He had just interrogated the man briefly, his brows furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.
[Ding! Daily quest (Sell 80 servings of Cream of Mushroom Soup) has been completed! Reward of 450 Merit Points has been issued!]
[Ding! Successfully assisted in the capture of a high-level criminal (sin value 50), reward: 200 merit points!]
Current merit points: 3550.
The system notification sound made Su Xiaonuan feel a bit better, and she packed her things much more quickly.
The three of them worked together and quickly cleaned up the stall.
"Thank you both so much for today, officers. I'm sorry to have troubled you again." Su Xiaonuan smiled sweetly at the two officers and thanked them sincerely.
"It's nothing, it's what I should do." Zhao Liming nodded succinctly, glancing thoughtfully at the police car again.
Qin Haoran waved his hand casually: "Why are you being so polite with us! Let's go, little cook. Next time you set up a stall, let me know in advance, and I'll come and keep things quiet for you!" After saying that, he and Zhao Liming got into the police car and left first.
The police car did not drive directly back to the city police station.
At a relatively quiet street corner, Zhao Liming pulled his car over.
He turned to Qin Haoran in the passenger seat, his expression growing more serious: "I asked him a few simple questions earlier, and the guy wasn't very tight-lipped. He admitted to using stimulant drugs to control the dogs, with the aim of creating chaos, and even... possibly intending to harm someone from the start, with an unclear target. But he mentioned one thing, very vaguely, saying that 'the higher-ups' would be unhappy. I suspect he might be involved with an organization that uses or trains animals for criminal activities. But we have too few clues at the moment; we only know that this is a possibility."
As Qin Haoran listened, his usual nonchalant attitude gradually faded, and his eyes became sharp and calm. He gave a soft "hmm," his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the car window: "The nature of the organization is unclear. I understand. I've noted this down. I'll go back and discuss it with Brother Xu. We'll decide whether to merge the cases or file separate cases."
Just as the two were talking, Qin Haoran's phone suddenly rang.
He took it out and saw that the caller ID showed "Brother".
Qin Haoran was visibly taken aback when he saw the name. A complex mix of emotions flashed across his face, a mixture of helplessness and resistance. But he ultimately answered the phone, his tone distant and cold: "Hello? What is it?"
A gentle yet authoritative male voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding much more mature and composed than Qin Haoran: "Haoran, I'm back. Are you free for dinner tonight? We've already made a reservation at the Fan Hua Restaurant, room 0213."
Fan Hua Restaurant is a well-known top-tier restaurant in the city, with an elegant environment and high prices.
Qin Haoran frowned immediately, and without thinking, instinctively refused: "Tonight? I'm not free, I have other commitments at the station..."
"Haoran," the man on the other end of the phone—Qin Haochu—interrupted him, his voice still gentle, yet carrying a knowing calm, "I saw your car near Yinsha yesterday. You seem to be quite free lately?"
These words sounded like casual banter between brothers, but Qin Haoran instantly understood the subtext—I know where you are, don't use being busy with work as an excuse.
Qin Haoran's expression darkened, and his fingers tightened slightly as he gripped his phone.
He remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly engaged in a fierce internal struggle, before finally giving up and replying in a stiff tone, "...I understand. What time?"
"Seven o'clock. I'll be there on time." Qin Haochu seemed to have expected him to agree, and his tone was completely calm.
Having achieved his goal, Qin Haochu seemed to want to say something to ease the tension, but Qin Haoran didn't give him the chance.
A surge of inexplicable irritation welled up inside him. He spoke into the phone, expressing his dissatisfaction without any restraint, almost as if venting his frustration: "Brother, do you find this particularly amusing? It's always like this, you act first and ask questions later, then 'remind' me in various ways that I have to be there. I'm your brother, not your employee, much less a prisoner whose every move you need to monitor!"
Qin Haochu on the other end of the phone seemed to sigh, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness, and even a barely perceptible...doting?
He said softly, "Haoran, don't I know your personality? You've always been like this, stubborn as a mule. Unless someone forces you or draws a clear path for you, you will never take the initiative to go in that direction."
Qin Haoran fell silent.
The words on the other end of the phone were like a tiny needle, precisely piercing a truth deep within him that he had always been unwilling to acknowledge.
That's true.
He hated being told what to do, hated being restricted, and hated that seemingly glamorous but actually shackled home.
Therefore, he chose the most "free" and "down-to-earth" profession of police officer, staying as far away from that circle as possible.
He disguised himself with cynicism and nonchalance, as if this would free him from all constraints.
But my brother is right, he might really be a stubborn mule at heart.
Without external pressure, without someone like his older brother who seems domineering but actually understands him and occasionally "pushes" him, he might really have completely severed the already fragile connection with his family because of that awkwardness and resistance.
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