Chapter 78 Shanghai Fame 6 Nannan doesn't want to support him in his old age either, she won't...
Qiu Xiaoman is eating.
Liu Yongqiang and his group took her to the Huanghe Road Food Street, where they ate local Shanghainese dishes such as braised shredded vegetables, eight-treasure duck, and stir-fried eel.
There are few female officers in the criminal investigation team, and today all the people who are free to come are men, so Liu Yongqiang specifically told the boss to order a large portion.
While we were eating, someone in the criminal investigation team received a call on their mobile phone.
Despite the changing times and booming economy, very few people can still afford a mobile phone.
Of the dozen or so people who came, only one team member had this advantage—his mother was a real estate agent and had money.
This team member is named Ke Pengfei. He is not tall, has small eyes and big ears, and his smile looks like that of Maitreya Buddha.
He picked up his mobile phone, said "Hello," then glanced at Qiu Xiaoman and replied, "That's right, Mom. There's a female comrade from Beidu. Captain Liu asked us to have dinner with her. On Huanghe Road, on the second floor of Deshenglou Restaurant. Yes, room number six. Okay, have Boss Cao call me, I'll tell that woman."
After hanging up the phone, Ke Pengfei looked at Liu Yongqiang and said, "Captain, do you remember Cao Tiecheng, the one who reported the case a few days ago?"
"Huh?" Liu Yongqiang looked up. It's no wonder Xiao Ke didn't know; this guy had just been transferred from a branch office. So he said, "His ex-wife and I were childhood friends. What's wrong?"
Ke Pengfei said, "He said he wanted to see Xiao Qiu, but he couldn't get through to her by phone, so he asked around and got my number, asking me to tell her."
Liu Yongqiang quickly put down his chopsticks and asked, "Xiao Qiu, shall we see him?"
Qiu Xiaoman was a little surprised. She had no connection with this ex-father-in-law at all, so why would she want to see him?
Could it be that Xiao Yan Yan and the others invited him? He then asked, "Do you know why he wanted to see me?"
Ke Pengfei said, "I don't know. He'll call me in ten minutes. You can answer it yourself."
Qiu Xiaoman did not refuse. When the mobile phone rang again, she simply picked it up and said "hello".
Cao Tiecheng was driving towards Huanghe Road when he asked with a smile, "Xiaoman, this is Yan Yan's father. I have something I'd like to ask you for advice on. Do you have time?"
Qiu Xiaoman asked curiously, "Can't we say it over the phone?"
Cao Tiecheng laughed and said, "It's like this, a few days ago, several bodies were unearthed at my construction site. I reported it to the police, but there has been no progress so far. Yan Yan said that you are a master at solving cases and would like you to help analyze them."
Qiu Xiaoman said politely, "Uncle Cao, I'm not a local criminal police officer and have no right to interfere in cases here, unless I happen to stumble upon one myself, there's nothing I can do about it. How about I let Captain Liu answer the phone?"
Cao Tiecheng had no choice but to change his strategy, saying, "No need, they've come several times already, and I've said everything I needed to say. Xiaoman, you know, of my three children, only Yan Yan is a girl. She's always envied others who have older sisters, and now that she finally has one, she naturally wants to discuss things with you. She wants me to hire a Taoist priest to exorcise the evil spirits. You can help her make a decision; I can't persuade her otherwise."
Qiu Xiaoman realized that this wasn't about asking her to make a decision; it was clearly about wanting to meet her, and they had deliberately come up with a lame excuse.
Well, he is Yan Yan's father after all, and my little sister didn't offend him.
She agreed and instructed, "We've agreed that you should report the details of the case to Captain Liu and the others. I'll only be responsible for comforting Xiao Yan Yan."
"Okay, okay! I'll definitely do it. I'll be there in five minutes. Are you ready?"
"good."
Qiu Xiaoman hung up the phone and looked at Liu Yongqiang: "Captain Liu, don't worry, I will abide by the rules. I will not meddle in things that are not under my jurisdiction, nor will I ask unsolicited questions. You guys eat, I'll go first, see you tomorrow."
As she spoke, she left a fifty-yuan note on the table, unsure if it was enough for her share.
Liu Yongqiang quickly stuffed the money into her hand: "Young comrade, you're too kind. You should call me uncle, how can I accept your money? Here, this is on you."
Qiu Xiaoman didn't want to take advantage of anyone, so she simply took the money and went out. When she got to the door, she looked up at the telephone pole by the roadside and whistled at the sparrows on it.
A sparrow flew over and asked curiously, "Human, are you looking for me?"
"Please deliver this money to the man sitting at the second-floor window for me." Qiu Xiaoman reached into her pocket; the old ladies had given her some food that afternoon, and she took out oranges, melon seeds, and other snacks as her errand fee.
The sparrow happily flew into the second-floor window with fifty yuan in its beak, leaving the police officers who were eating dumbfounded.
A gray sparrow landed on the table in front of Liu Yongqiang, put down fifty yuan, flapped its wings, and flew away.
Everyone: Who am I? Where am I? What am I seeing?
Liu Yongqiang picked up the still-warm fifty-yuan note, both amused and exasperated: "This Xiao Qiu is truly resourceful."
"What does this mean, Captain?" Ke Pengfei leaned over and curiously peered through the window, just in time to see a sparrow fly to Qiu Xiaoman's palm, land, and carry away an orange. A moment later, it flew back again and again, carrying sunflower seeds.
Well, this Xiao Qiu is indeed extraordinary! Ke Pengfei quickly patted Liu Yongqiang on the shoulder. Liu Yongqiang got up, leaned out the window, and sure enough, it was her.
Curious, the others also gathered around. When Qiu Xiaoman heard laughter behind her and turned around, she saw a group of young men grinning at her.
Ke Pengfei, ever the friendly type, asked, "Xiao Qiu, how did you manage to get sparrows to run errands for you? Teach me!"
Qiu Xiaoman laughed and said, "That won't do. If you teach your apprentice, you'll starve yourself."
Ke Pengfei knew she was joking, so he laughed and said, "Who would bear to let you starve to death? Captain Liu said he's your uncle. If you really starve to death, he'd beat me to death!"
"Hahaha." The police officers laughed heartily, filling the private room with a joyful atmosphere.
Qiu Xiaoman was quite happy to meet them. Just then, a car stopped in front of her, so she waved and said, "Let's talk about it tomorrow. My pick-up is here. I'm leaving now."
After saying that, she looked at the Santana in front of her. The window was rolled down, and the man inside was looking at her with a smile.
Their eyes met, and Cao Tiecheng asked, "Xiaoman, how did you know it was me?"
“There’s nothing I can do, Xinxin is just like you.” Qiu Xiaoman opened the back door and sat down. She wanted to lay down some rules, “Uncle Cao, let me make this clear in advance: if you’re here to be a peacemaker for the Chen family, I’ll turn on you immediately.”
"How could that be?" Cao Tiecheng quickly put on a smile. "It's true, Yan Yan is afraid I'll encounter ghosts at the construction site, so she insists I hire a Taoist priest. But it's a new era, where would ghosts come from? Please help me persuade her."
Qiu Xiaoman refused: "Uncle Cao, it's best to have reverence for ghosts and gods. You can just give a little something to put Yan Yan at ease."
"No wonder you two are sisters, you're so alike." Cao Tiecheng didn't mention Chen Baihui at all, turned the car around, and drove towards the alley.
Qiu Xiaoman had been here once before and knew the way. She wasn't angry; she was just curious and wanted to see what tricks the Chen family was up to.
When she arrived at the destination, she didn't see Chan Pak-wai. Frustrated by the scolding, she went back to the hotel.
Waiting at Lin Yafen's house were only the old women and three little kids.
Qiu Xiaoman was quite relieved; she didn't want to see Chen Baihui, there was no need for it.
As expected, Cao Tiecheng kept his word. After leading her into the house, he only talked about inviting a Taoist priest to perform a ritual at the construction site, without mentioning Chen Baihui at all.
As for the elderly women, they were all willing to cooperate, but they simply chatted with her and asked about her well-being without mentioning anything about recognizing her ancestors.
Someone must have given prior instructions.
Throughout the entire time, the elderly woman with mobility issues had red eyes, which she would wipe with a handkerchief from time to time, her eyes filled with heartache and pity.
Qiu Xiaoman was somewhat touched. Before leaving, she gave her a hug and said, "Grandma, we'll have a chance to meet again in the future. My job requires me to travel all over the country. Next time I come, I'll visit you."
"Really!" Second Aunt cried tears of joy. Well, if she doesn't acknowledge Baihui, we won't force her. It's good that she's willing to interact with other grandmothers.
They really are descendants of the Lin family, so filial. They quickly called to their sisters to give the child red envelopes as a greeting gift. Qiu Xiaoman accepted them, but then turned around and had Sparrow return them.
It was past nine o'clock when Qiu Xiaoman left. Cao Tiecheng wanted to see her off, so he took his three children with him.
With five fewer people in the room, it suddenly felt much quieter.
Several elderly women huddled together, looking at the money on the table, and tried to persuade Lin Yafen.
"Fifth brother, you should have a good talk with Baihui! What a wonderful girl she is, she speaks and acts with such composure. She wouldn't even take money from us, she's so proud."
"Yes, sister-in-law, how sensible is our daughter! She even knows to go inside and call out to her grandfather. She's so polite! It's all Baihui's fault! She doesn't even acknowledge such a good daughter. What a tragedy!"
"I don't think that's necessary." The great-aunt, who had been specially invited over, interrupted everyone. "This girl is a woman of principle. Forcing her to acknowledge them will only backfire! It's better to leave it at that. With Xiao Yan and the others acting as a bridge, it's impossible for her to cut off ties with this place. From now on, don't mention Baihui's matter again. If she can do it, she should be able to take responsibility! And don't expect her to support you in your old age. She doesn't deserve it!"
The elderly women looked at each other, then all turned to Lin Yafen. The old woman sighed silently, "Alright, we'll listen to our eldest sister."
*
Qiu Xiaoman found a hotel to stay in, while Yan Yan and the others went back with Cao Tiecheng to spend some quality time with their father.
Qiu Xiaoman opened the canvas bag, plugged in the mobile phone, and turned it on.
The phone rang as soon as I turned on my computer.
Jiang Mingyuan was extremely anxious and asked, "Xiao Qiu, I heard you encountered a bombing in Shanghai and won't be coming back for a while? Will you be staying for a long time?"
Qiu Xiaoman was both amused and exasperated: "Brother Jiang, why are you in such a hurry? I'm the one who reported the case, so I need to stay and help with the processing. It won't take more than a few days."
Jiang Mingyuan breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. Have you submitted the application to Captain Meng?"
Qiu Xiaoman reassured her, "The official letter has already been sent over. There won't be any missing procedures, so don't worry."
"I can't rest easy!" Jiang Mingyuan sighed deeply. Who knows what sweet talk Old Wei will come up with to keep Xiao Qiu?
After thinking it over, he still said, "You have to come back. I'm trying to find evidence that Liang Yuting harmed you. If you don't come back, won't all my efforts have been in vain?"
Why would he have wasted his time if she didn't go back? Catching bad guys is a policeman's duty!
Qiu Xiaoman didn't press for details; she was sleepy, so she casually agreed.
After the call ended, Liu Kun called back to ask when she was going back. She said she didn't know, and he didn't press her. He just said "oh," said goodnight, and hung up.
Qiu Xiaoman washed up and went to sleep, feeling that both men were a bit neurotic.
The next day, she went to the police station to help out. As soon as she arrived, she saw a reporter praising Captain Liu, saying that he wanted to do an exclusive interview with her and asked Captain Liu to approve the paperwork.
Team Leader Liu said helplessly, "She's not from our team, how can I approve it? Here's what we'll do, let me ask the leaders in Beidu. Please have a seat."
He quickly waved to Qiu Xiaoman: "Xiao Qiu, you've come at the right time. The police dog base said that Chaochao and Naonao are fighting. Go and help them see what's going on."
Qiu Xiaoman felt obligated to go, and since the bouncy dog had also been taken to the base as a witness, she had to go see them, so she got into the police car.
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