Chapter 29 Chapter 29 (Update 1) Teacher Lu, I won a prize...
run!
Run!
The distant river rippled darkly in the pale gray morning light, like a crumpled piece of silver paper. A cold, damp wind blew across the vast riverbank and the shady woods, stinging the man's nostrils.
With a "plop" sound, blood dripped down the chin and seeped into the gray, wet and cold grass.
The man wiped his forehead, stopped his heavy steps, stared at a string of blood spots on the grass, and gasped for breath.
He took off his shoes and rubbed them on the ground twice in panic, trying to cover his tracks, but it was too late - the chaotic and clear sound of footsteps mixed with the barking of dogs came from afar, and the flashlight was bright, revealing a face that was pale and bright red.
“This way!!”
Someone yelled.
Then, the sounds of footsteps, dogs barking, and wheels rolling over the grass all approached him.
Run!
Run quickly!
The man no longer cared about anything else and used all his strength to run towards the center of the river.
But he was injured after all, and sticky blood came out from nowhere and flowed down his back. His strength was getting weaker and weaker, and his steps were getting more and more staggering... Finally, with a bang, he fell down under the tree roots.
The man struggled for a moment, and just as he raised his upper body, a man walked up to him and smashed the stone in his hand down on his head!
one time.
Two times.
Three times.
The man shouted a few times intermittently, but was soon completely swallowed up by the darkness before dawn and the whimpering of the river.
*
“…Is it delicious?”
In a booth in the corner of Lianjie Snack Shop, Ji Yinhe held his chin and smiled like an Amway salesperson.
Lu Zheng, whose lips were red from the spiciness, put down his chopsticks, picked up the guava juice beside him and took a sip.
"...delicious." His head and throat nodded obediently. "Peppercorn chicken. I'll remember this. Next time someone from the provincial department comes to Jiangtan, I'll recommend it."
The spicy stimulation of onions and peppers gradually calmed down under the soothing of the sweet and sour refreshing juice. The aftertaste melted deep into the root of the tongue, but a strange thirst rose from the bottom of the stomach.
Lu Zheng exhaled slowly and shifted his gaze from the girl who was eating heartily across from him.
It had been so long that he couldn't remember how long it had been since he had eaten such an appetizing meal.
In the days and nights of the past, whether in Jingzhou, Public Security University or in foreign countries, which meal was not filled with boring food from the cafeteria in between busy work?
"Eat! How can you put down your chopsticks? Madam Lian will be sad." Ji Yinhe took a plate of scallion scrambled eggs from the waitress and pushed it in front of him immediately, introducing it loudly, "It's a specialty of the Northwest. You can't eat it in Jiangtan. It's so delicious!"
Lu Zheng couldn't refuse the kindness and took a bite. After chewing for a few seconds, his eyebrows couldn't help but rise.
“It smells really good.”
Comrade Xiao Ji's eyes sparkled, "I knew you would like it!"
Lu Zheng said calmly, "It just so happens that the Serious Crime Squad has not had many cases recently. If you are free, I will treat you to a meal—"
"What do you want to eat?" Lian Qiao, wearing an apron, appeared at the dining table like a ghost.
Ji Yinhe's eyes widened, "Mom! Don't scare Teacher Lu!"
"..." Lu Zheng laughed dumbly, "How could it be."
Lian Qiao dragged a chair over and sat down with a smile.
Some time ago, Ji Yinhe was studying "Criminal Psychology" diligently, whether he had something to do or not. He was obsessed with it and never put the book down before going to bed or after meals. When asked about it, it turned out that it was an advanced reference material borrowed from experts from the provincial department.
Lian Qiao originally thought that Mr. Lu was a bald old man with a beer belly, just like in the American TV series Criminal Minds. But after catching a glimpse of him at the Municipal Bureau last time, she realized that Lu Zheng was actually such a handsome young man.
In addition, he was rational and calm, and always took the initiative to speak for Ji Yinhe, so she had a particularly good impression of Teacher Xiao Lu. At this moment, the gossipy spirit in her heart could not help but burn.
"How old are you, handsome boy?"
Ji Yinhe screamed in shock, "Mom! What are you talking about! Mr. Lu studied for a master's degree abroad and even interned at the FBI. He's already a third-level police inspector. He just looks young. How can you call him a handsome boy?"
"..." Lu Zheng took a deep breath and turned to look at Lian Qiao, "Auntie, I'm not old. I'm twenty-six years old this year."
"Ah?" Ji Yinhe covered her mouth awkwardly, and muffledly said after a while, "You're actually younger than Captain Tang? You're such a young genius, aren't you?"
Lu Zheng smiled lightly.
Lian Qiao couldn't help laughing, "Oh, that's great. She's only four years older than our Yinhe! They're the same age, no wonder they get along so well!"
"Ji Yinhe is enthusiastic and capable. Everyone in the bureau wants to be friends with her." Lu Zheng changed the subject appropriately. "Is there anything you guys want to eat? How about I send some roast duck over when I get back to Jingzhou?"
Ji Yinhe pursed his lips and shook his head, "Roast duck tastes better when it's fresh out of the pan."
Lu Zheng smiled and said, "That's right."
"Oh yeah, isn't there a new KFC in town?" Ms. Lian suggested. "Yinhe's dad and I were watching a Zhengda variety show last night, and there was a fried chicken commercial at the beginning. I didn't expect America to have such idyllic scenery...why don't you two go try it?"
"Okay." Lu Zheng agreed with a smile.
“…” Ji Yinhe widened his eyes.
KFC is currently the most popular foreign fast food restaurant in the country. The newly opened one in Jiangtan is the second store in Handong Province. It is located at the entrance of Sipailou Pedestrian Street in the city center. The queue in front of the door can stretch to the corner of the street every day, and the prices are comparable to luxury goods!
Xiao Wu, a fashionable guy from the team, took his girlfriend to try KFC the day before yesterday. The next day, he boasted about it in the office - he said that the fried chicken nuggets at KFC were the best food he had ever eaten in his life. If it weren't so expensive, a three-piece chicken meal cost a full 25 yuan, he would be willing to eat it for the rest of his life!
Ji Yinhe firmly believed that her omnipotent mother could make better fried chicken, and she didn't want Lu Zheng to spend money.
She didn't expect that Ms. Lian would take the initiative to urge her to join in the fun, with anticipation written all over her face, so she had no choice but to agree.
But Lian Qiao actually has her own little plan in mind - as a post-00s who grew up under the red flag of the motherland, she wants to seize the opportunity brought by KFC and McDonald's, and create a local hamburger and fried chicken skin brand belonging to Jiangtan before Ta Mouting, Hua Moushi and De Moushi are born!
However, the last time she ate Kaifeng cuisine was before she traveled through time, and she had long forgotten the taste. As the most famous food store owner in the city, she was embarrassed to go to KFC and eat a lot in public, so she simply encouraged the two children to try it.
It would be best if you could bring back two more pieces so that she and Lao Ji can reminisce about the joy of fried chicken together, and help her crack the seasoning secret of the finger-licking original chicken as soon as possible!
*
On Saturday, KFC was bustling with people, the music was blasting with joy, and a huge Kiki doll stood under the red and white decorated door, warmly greeting every customer who came in.
The ordering counter was as noisy as a vegetable market before the Chinese New Year. There were also several children celebrating their birthdays in the children's area. They wore little paper hats on their heads and danced behind the staff.
As Ji Yinhe stepped into the shop, she was greeted by the rich aroma of fried chicken. Gazing inside, she saw Lu Zheng sitting at a table by the window, unfazed by the noise, calmly reading a book.
She hurried over, "Excuse me, Mr. Lu. Deputy Captain Che asked me to help organize the evidence box... When did you get here? Were you waiting long?"
"Not long." Lu Zheng closed the book and looked at her gently. "What do you want to eat?"
Ji Yinhe quickly took off her coat, tied up her slightly long ear-length hair, flipped over the menu in front of her, and frowned slightly.
With her appetite, she could finish two burgers, but this KFC is too expensive. Two pieces of chicken set meal cost a sky-high price of 19 yuan, which is enough for two big meals at Lianjie Snack Bar!
"Hmm... just a piece of chicken and a salad." Ji Yinhe carefully pushed the order back.
Lu Zheng's eyes paused on her face with restraint and courtesy, then he stood up and nodded, "Okay, I'll go order."
Ji Yinhe held her chin, looking at the street outside boredly, when she suddenly heard someone shouting her name, "Why are you here too?!"
He turned around in confusion - Tan Yaxin was wearing a fashionable dress and standing in the aisle with a small leather bag. Behind her was Tang Ci, who was holding a tray with an embarrassed look on his face.
"Ms. Tan, Captain Tang, what a coincidence." Ji Yinhe smiled politely.
Tan Yaxin played with the curly hair on her chest. "You changed your hairstyle, it suits you very well. I almost didn't recognize you just now, and it was A Ci who reminded you... Did you come here alone?"
Ji Yinhe touched the ponytail tied casually at the back of her head and explained: "No, I'm with Mr. Lu, and he's taking orders at the bar."
She stared at Tan Yaxin with open eyes, not noticing that Tang Ci's face darkened a shade behind her. "Two is good! You guys take up four seats, so Ah Ci and I can share the table." Tan Yaxin happily sat down on the small round stool next to her. "Let's eat together!"
Ji Yinhe: “…”
She looked at the bar awkwardly. Lu Zheng was talking to the waiter and hadn't noticed anything yet. Tang Ci obviously didn't want to sit here, but he couldn't resist his fiancée's firm attitude, so he had to put down the plate reluctantly.
Since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it. Ji Yinhe lowered his eyes, attracted by the food on the plate, and swallowed his saliva.
"This is my spicy chicken burger combo. Ah Ci only wants two chicken wings." Tan Yaxin raised her chin arrogantly. "It's really expensive, twenty-three yuan in total. Fortunately, our Ah Ci solved a big case and got the reward!"
Tang Ci cleared his throat and said, "Our team solved the case together. Comrade Xiao Ji deserves great credit."
Tan Yaxin chuckled, "Aci, why are you being so modest? No matter how powerful others are, they still have to listen to your orders!"
"..." Tang Ci looked guilty, but Ji Yinhe didn't notice anything, his eyes fixed on the golden and crispy chicken wings.
Comrade Xiao Ji's mind was full of delicious food at the moment. She even regretted that she shouldn't have ordered so little just now. Even if she had to pay a little more, she should have tried a bite of everything!
Just as he was feeling frustrated, Lu Zheng came over with a tray piled high.
He was always cold and aloof in front of outsiders, so he was not surprised to see Tang Ci and Tan Yaxin. Instead, he nodded at them casually and sat down opposite Ji Yinhe.
Ji Yinhe's nose twitched, and his gaze followed Lu Zheng's movements, and his eyes suddenly widened.
"……so much?"
In addition to the shredded vegetable salad she ordered, there were eight pieces of fried chicken, four pieces of chicken wings, two cups of mashed potatoes, two large French fries and two creamed corn cobs. The two burgers were Colonel's Choice chicken tenders and spicy chicken drumsticks respectively. The richness of the meal attracted the attention of every table around.
The person who swallowed her saliva now became Tan Yaxin.
She looked down at her and Tang Ci's plates and snorted in dissatisfaction.
But Lu Zheng wasn't done yet. He calmly stood up and walked to the bar, swinging his long legs as he brought two drinks over. He asked Ji Yinhe in a gentlemanly manner, "Milo or orange juice, which one do you want?"
"Then...Milo!" Ji Yinhe had heard Ms. Lian mention this chocolate-flavored drink. After taking it, he couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "How much did you spend?"
"It's not much. A treat should be sincere." Lu Zheng said leisurely, "Don't worry, eat it. You can take away any leftovers."
"Okay..." Ji Yinhe blinked. Ms. Lian must be very happy, but this is too expensive!
Lu Zheng seemed to see the uneasiness in her heart, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly, "It's okay, I will patronize Lianjie Snack Shop in the future."
"Come anytime, it's my treat!" Ji Yinhe felt much more comfortable and immediately grabbed the hamburger in front of him.
Tang Ci watched them talking and laughing as they ate, and he felt very uncomfortable all over.
I stuffed the chicken wings into my mouth in a few bites, but I couldn't even taste them.
Tan Yaxin was also unhappy. She had originally thought that she could surpass Ji Yinhe, but she didn't expect to be at a disadvantage everywhere. Moreover, the other party seemed to not care about the comparison at all, making her look like a clown while performing a solo.
"I'm full. I can't eat anymore." Tan Yaxin wiped the corner of her mouth with a piece of toilet paper, grabbed the bag and looked at her fiancé angrily, "Let's go."
Tang Ci glanced at the hamburger meal she had left more than half of, and sighed softly, "Okay, let's go."
He stood up and was pulled away by Tan Yaxin before he even had time to say goodbye to his two colleagues.
After the figures disappeared outside the glass door of KFC, Comrade Xiao Ji belatedly asked Lu Zheng, "What happened to them? There are so many left, what a waste!"
Lu Zheng shrugged, "Maybe I didn't come here just to eat."
Ji Yinhe shook her head, expressing her incomprehension. She had already eaten a hamburger and two pairs of chicken wings, her cheeks were bulging, and her burps tasted of black pepper.
I was drinking iced Milo to soothe my throat when the pager on my waist suddenly rang.
She put down the cup and took a look. "It's Director Rao. I'll go to the public booth to return the call."
"good."
Lu Zheng sat there for a few minutes, and Comrade Xiao Ji came back jumping around.
"Teacher Lu, I won an award!" Her lips danced with joy, almost flying to the sky. "The Qigong Master case! The provincial department gave me the Case Handler Award. Director Rao told me to go collect the prize on Monday, and they'll hold a general meeting to publicly commend me!"
"Congratulations!" Lu Zheng smiled brightly. "I'll go buy a sundae to celebrate. Unfortunately, I have to go back to Jingzhou tomorrow, so I won't be able to see your glorious moment."
The joy just now was instantly diluted, and Ji Yinhe stared at Lu Zheng in a daze.
“…Huh? So soon?”
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