Chapter 91: The Case Takes Another Step
What a mess this is!
Looking at Su Xiaonuan's frustrated and helpless expression, Zhao Liyue finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She patted Su Xiaonuan on the shoulder, her tone unusually teasing: "It seems that our Xiaonuan being too outstanding is also a problem."
Su Xiaonuan looked at Zhao Liyue with a sad expression and said, "Sister Yue, you're still laughing!"
She looked down at the golden, crispy, and cheesy pancakes she had just made, sighed, and decided to channel her grief into her appetite... no, into the motivation to make money, and continue to devote herself to the booming business of setting up a street stall.
At least, good food will never betray her!
On the way home after closing up shop, the car was filled with the faint aroma of food and a subtle, almost imperceptible, somber atmosphere.
While driving smoothly, Zhao Liyue briefly told Su Xiaonuan the message she had just received on her phone.
"The special task force has made progress on the 'Moonlight Ritual' case at Snow Lake Park." Zhao Liyue looked ahead and said calmly, "We've identified a small group of people and arrested them. We're currently interrogating them intensively to see if they are the real culprit or if they are connected to the real culprit."
Su Xiaonuan hugged Yantai, who was full and curled up on her lap, dozing off. She gently hummed in agreement, but she knew in her heart that this kind of long-standing case, especially with such a bizarre copycat crime, would probably not be easy to solve.
"In addition, regarding the Fu Lilian kidnapping case," Zhao Liyue continued, "the results of the identification of that button are in. It came from a valuable auction item at a high-end charity gala last year—a pine-green men's suit with a medieval style. The family that made the suit is very well-established, and the suit itself has both wearing and collecting value. This narrows the scope of the investigation to the upper-class circle who were able to attend that gala and were qualified to bid for or acquire that suit."
Su Xiaonuan listened silently, her worries growing stronger.
The upper class...that means more complex interpersonal relationships, stronger backgrounds, and potentially more robust protection.
Moreover, the crime occurred suddenly, and apart from the button and footprints, almost no other valuable traces were left at the scene, so it is understandable that the police investigation is progressing slowly.
She sighed softly and pressed her cheek against the warm, soft fur of the inkstone.
She knew she was just an ordinary person with some special abilities. Being able to uncover minor crimes or provide some key clues within her capabilities, through the system and her own efforts, was already her limit.
It is no easy task to truly shake those deeply entrenched forces.
After this period of experience and the trials of reality, she had to accept this somewhat cruel reality—justice cannot always be served without hindrance.
But she was not discouraged.
Her adoptive father Su Guangming's resolute face and his past teachings flashed through her mind: "Xiao Nuan, remember, when you wear this police uniform, or even if you are just an ordinary person with a conscience, you should not wear the glasses of fame, fortune, or status when upholding justice. If you encounter injustice, help if you can within your ability, and just have a clear conscience."
Yes, as long as you have a clear conscience, that's enough.
All Su Xiaonuan can do now is to guard her stall, make delicious food, earn merit points, improve herself, and then, within the limits of the system tasks and her own abilities, let the sunlight shine into those dark corners as much as possible.
When I got home, it was still early, and the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the living room in a warm orange hue.
Su Xiaonuan unpacked the cat scratching post and deluxe cat bed delivered by the system store and began to assemble them.
The inkstone seemed to know that this was her new toy and bed, and excitedly circled around her feet, occasionally rubbing against her with its fluffy head, or stretching out its little paws to pry at the scattered parts.
"Don't rush, don't rush, it'll be ready soon." Su Xiaonuan smiled and patted its head, her hands moving non-stop.
Zhao Liyue also put down her things and came over to help. Although she doesn't often do these kinds of crafts, she is very good at hands-on work. She can get started after reading the instructions once. The two worked together well and quickly assembled the cat scratching post and the soft cat bed that looked like a small castle.
Yantai immediately jumped into the cat's bed, rubbing against it here and there, purring contentedly. Then it sharpened its claws on the brand-new scratching post, looking smug and satisfied, which made Su Xiaonuan and Zhao Liyue exchange a smile.
Time slipped away quietly amidst the heartwarming interactions.
Su Xiaonuan made a simple dinner, but she still put her heart into it.
A spicy and fragrant Mapo Tofu dish that is sure to whet your appetite. The tofu is tender and smooth, the minced meat is crispy and fragrant, and the aroma of fermented bean paste and Sichuan peppercorns is irresistible.
A refreshing and delicious stir-fried egg with garlic sprouts, the golden egg pieces and the bright green garlic sprouts complement each other beautifully, with the aroma of eggs and garlic intertwined.
There was also a pot of milky white, fragrant kelp and pork rib soup. The pork ribs were tender, the kelp was smooth, and the soup was rich and flavorful, warming the heart and stomach.
She didn't forget her little hero at home either, and specially used the high-quality chicken breast, fish, and a small amount of liver provided by the system to make a nutritious and fragrant cat meal for Yantai.
The little guy ate without even lifting his head, his tail tip wagging happily.
The two people and their cat sat around the dining table, enjoying a simple yet heartwarming dinner in a harmonious atmosphere.
At night, Su Xiaonuan couldn't fall asleep.
Perhaps it was the upcoming events of tomorrow that made her uneasy.
She turned on her computer, played some light games for a while, and then browsed Weibo.
A trending news item caught her eye: "[Famous male star Chen fell to his death early this morning; the cause is under investigation]".
Looking at the face in the news that was once so radiant on the screen, now separated by death, Su Xiaonuan couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Life is unpredictable; you never know which will come first, tomorrow or an accident.
Sometimes they even travel together, like... she has a premonition of what might happen tomorrow.
The next day, Saturday, finally arrived.
In order to conserve her energy for the "rooftop rendezvous" at 11 p.m. and the joint police operation, Su Xiaonuan checked the system tasks and found that today's requirements were relatively lenient—she only needed to set up a stall near Chenxi Kindergarten to sell [Mercury Pudding].
Desserts are perfect for afternoon tea, so she decided to set up her stall at noon to finish her task early and then focus on preparing for the evening.
Mercury Pudding, the name itself sounds dreamy.
Su Xiaonuan bought the ingredients.
Silky smooth cream cheese, rich and creamy Grade A whipping cream, high-quality gelatin sheets, and natural butterfly pea flower and elderflower liqueurs used for coloring and adding unique flavor.
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