October 30, 3020. Inside the Grocery Store 514, Jiang Chengyan bluntly said, “Huaan, you can tell me. Although the case has made progress, we haven’t had a breakthrough yet. Maybe the information you have can contribute to the case.”
“I do hope this knowledge is worth knowing and could assist the case.” Ling Huaan pondered for a while. “In one of our conversations, Jiang Changping mentioned that he suspected his son might not be his own.”
“What? Jiang Chanping suspects that Jiang Xiaohan isn’t his son?” Jiang Chengyan was left speechless for a moment and continued, “When did he mention this to you? Does he have any basis?”
“Not long ago. I didn’t pry much where he based this conclusion, it’s a private matter after all. I just heard him say so.”
“Jiang Chengyan thoughtfully nodded. “Understandable.”
Ling Huaan smiled and said, “I’m sorry if I disappointed you with this groundless information.”
Jiang Chengyan quickly shook his head. “Not at all. It’s good that you can hand us some clues. It might be the key to solve this case.”
“Well, as long as it helps. The egg’s already cooked, let’s eat the noodles. It won’t taste good once it gets soggy.”
“Okay.” Jiang Chengyan peeled the eggs and placed them in the cup. He walked to the table near the glass window and nodded to Lu Hao’s direction with a smile. He quietly consumed the noodles.
Lu Hao curiously glanced at Jiang Chengyan and said, “Hello, I’m Lu Hao. My brother told me that you’re the captain of the criminal investigation team. Is that right?”
“Hello. I do work in the criminal investigation team.” Jiang Chengyan paused and asked with a smile, “Is Huaan your brother?”
“Yes, ah. My brother said you helped him a lot. Thank you very much.”
Jiang Chengyan glanced at Ling Huaan and chuckled. “No, I just did what I had to do. No need to thank me.”
“My brother is very strong. He would keep silent whenever he encounters difficulties, and would never ask others to help him….”
Ling Huaan interrupted Lu Hao’s words. “Lu Hao, are you done eating? When you’re finished, go back quickly.”
“I don’t want to. It’s still early, ge. Please let me stay a little longer.” Lu Hao then stealthily stuck his tongue out.
“It’s already late so no. I don’t trust you to go back on your own.”
“I won’t be alone ah, there’s also Senior Sun Ming. When he gets off work, we’ll go back to school together. It’s safer than me going back now ba.”
Sun MIng quickly echoed, “I agree, boss. It will be safer for us to go together.”
Ling Huaan hesitated and thought about it. “It’s not a bad thing to go back late, but talk less. Understood?”
Lu Hao hastily replied, “Got it, ge. I promise I won’t speak nonsense.”
After a pause, Lu Hao continued. “My brother is injured. It must be because Yan Yu ge is busy. It hasn’t even been two days.”
When Jiang Chengyan heard this, he thought of Ling Huaan’s gentleness when facing Yan Yu last night. He felt that his heart was sour and bubbling. He stirred the noodles up and down, but didn’t take a bite. He took a deep breath and poked, “How about your brother? He must be very nice to Yan Yu, too?”
“Of course! Although my brother is usually cold and quiet, he’s a softie. If others treat him well, he will treat others well. Yan Yu is my brother’s most trusted person.” Lu Hao was totally unaware of Jiang Chengyan’s emotional changes.
Jiang Chengyan put down the noodles he only took a few bites of and stood up. “Huaan, I finished eating. I’ll head back to the team first.”
Jiang Chengyan left in a hurry, leaving the three people in the shop dumbfounded for a while. Ling Huaan looked at Lu Hao’s direction and walked out of the counter. Lu Hao quickly called Ling Huaan and said, “Be careful, ge. There’s a stool here.”
Ling Huaan bluntly asked. “What did you just say to him?”
Lu Hao blinked innocently and said, “I didn’t say anything ah, just thanked him for helping ge. What’s wrong?”
“What else?” Ling Huaan is familiar with Jiang Chengyan’s temperament. He won’t leave in such a hurry just like that.
Lu Hao thought about it and said, “He also asked who Yan Yu ge was and your relationship with him? Then I told him that Yan Yu ge is your best friend, and that you guys have a good relationship.”
Ling Huaan raised his eyebrows and said, “Is that all?”
“That’s all ah. What’s happening?” Lu Hao’s face was confused when he asked.
The corners of Ling Huaan’s lips rose up. “It’s fine. Have you finished?”
“Finished. Ge, did I say something wrong just now? It doesn’t look like he’s in a good mood.” Lu Hao later asked.
“You just found out?” Ling Huaan rubbed Lu Hao’s head and said dispiritedly, “You seem smart on weekdays, why are you so stupid today? You say everything. Do you know him very well?”
“Don’t rub it, ge. My hair’s already in a mess.” Lu Hao said grievously.
“Then remember it for a long time. Don’t be silly all day and be unprepared for anyone. Do you understand?”
“He’s not only a cop, he also helped you so I didn’t put up my guard. Ge, I’m an adult. Don’t always treat me like a child. ”
“You will always be a child to me. All right, get your stuff out of here.”
“Oh.” Lu Hao got up to gather up his things and took them to the back for cleaning.
When the small bell rang and the door of the shop was pushed open, Yao Min came in and said hello with a smile. “Brother Ling, I’ll buy something to drink.”
Ling Huaan nodded and smiled. “Take what you want.”
The sound of footsteps reminded him that Yao Min walked to the shelf. She took seven or eight bottles of water and went to the counter.
While scanning the code, Sun Ming sighed emotionally. “Officer Yao, you’ve worked hard. You work overtime everyday.”
“What can we do? Who let us choose this hard job at the beginning?”
“I only watched it on TV dramas when they talked about how hard police work is. At that time, I didn’t believe it. Now that I have close contact, I finally understand the phrase ‘dramas are inspired from real life’.”
Yao Min jokingly said, “Shouldn’t you be working hard in the police? How did you suddenly talk about drama?”
“45 yuan altogether.” After a pause, Sun Ming added, “I just wanted to convey that Officer Yao has worked hard.”
“Plus the noodles the captain ate before, how much is the total?” Yao Min took out her mobile phone and scanned the code.
Sun Ming glanced at Ling Huaan from the glass window. Ling Huaan lightly said, “Five pieces of noodles and two pieces of eggs. If you want to count them, count them all.”
Sun Ming was stunned, obviously aware of Ling Huaan’s displeasure. He said, “45 plus 7, that’s 52 yuan.”
Yao Min paid, picked up the things and said, “Brother Ling, I’ll go first.”
“Okay.”
Yao Min pushed the door and went out. The sound of the bell was particularly resonant in the quiet shop.
“Ge, I’ve washed all the utensils. Where can I put them?” Lu Hao broke the silence.
Instead of answering, Ling Huaan asked, “What time is it now?”
Lu Hao glanced at the clock on the wall and replied, “Exactly 9 o’clock.”
“Sun Ming, you’re off work early today. Go back to school together.”
“Boss, there’s still an hour left. Don’t wait any longer.”
“No, go back. It’s too late. Don’t worry about me.”
“Ge, It was difficult to come here. Please let me stay a little longer.”
“Be obedient, otherwise I won’t let you come in the future.”
Luhao wilted and said, “All right.”
Sun Ming put his apron down and wore his overcoat. “Boss, we’ll be leaving first. See you tomorrow.”
“Ge, I’m leaving.”
Ling Huaan nodded and said, “Be careful on the way.”
“Don’t worry, boss. I promise to send Lu Hao back to the dormitory safely.”
Ring ring ring. The bell rang and the door swung open. Cold wind blew inside as the two left, and the store returned to silence once again. Looking at the wandering souls floating outside the window, Ling Huaan suddenly felt lonely. He had long been accustomed to this kind of loneliness, but today he felt extremely disgusted.
Jiang Chengyan absentmindedly scanned the documents in his hand, his eyes would divert at the door from time to time. Suddenly, someone knocked. Yao Min pushed the door and came in with a bottle of water in her hand.
Without waiting for Yao Min to speak, Jiang Chengyan opened his mouth. “Well, have you given the money?”
“Here. Five pieces of noodles and two pieces of eggs.” Yao Min answered truthfully and casually put the water on the table.
Jiang Chengyan uneasily asked, “Then… What else did he say?”
“He? Who?” Yao Min knew but deliberately asked.
Jiang Chengyan menacingly expressed, “Yao Min!”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Yao Min quickly acknowledged and said, “Brother Ling said, ‘If you want to count, then count them all’. That’s all.”
He felt a pull in his heart and asked, “What does he mean by that?”
“It’s just to settle payments with you. What else does it mean?” Yao Min thought she was blind and acted she couldn’t see Jiang Chengyan’s ugly face.
“Settling payments? Is he trying to get rid of me?” Jiang Chengyan’s heart swelled in pain and discomfort.
Yao Min said helplessly, “Captain, you have to deal with Brother Ling on your own.”
Jiang Chengyan was left speechless, his chest felt even worse, relishing a bitter tang. After a long silence, he said, “Got it, I’ll see. You go out first.”
Yao Min was unresponsive for a long time and angrily expressed, “That’s it?!”
“What?” Jiang Chengyan suppressed the surging emotions at the bottom of his heart, and looked at Yao Min.
Looking at Jiang Chengyan’s blank face, Yao Min simply hated iron for not being steel, and reminded him. “Captain, Brother Ling is really good-looking. There must be many people who like him. If you continue acting awkward, I’m afraid brother Ling will end up with someone else.”
Jiang Chengyan’s panic-stricken expression faced Yao Min. “What do you mean?”
October 30, 3020. Inside the Grocery Store 514, Jiang Chengyan bluntly said, “Huaan, you can tell me. Although the case has made progress, we haven’t had a breakthrough yet. Maybe the information you have can contribute to the case.”
“I do hope this knowledge is worth knowing and could assist the case.” Ling Huaan pondered for a while. “In one of our conversations, Jiang Changping mentioned that he suspected his son might not be his own.”
“What? Jiang Chanping suspects that Jiang Xiaohan isn’t his son?” Jiang Chengyan was left speechless for a moment and continued, “When did he mention this to you? Does he have any basis?”
“Not long ago. I didn’t pry much where he based this conclusion, it’s a private matter after all. I just heard him say so.”
“Jiang Chengyan thoughtfully nodded. “Understandable.”
Ling Huaan smiled and said, “I’m sorry if I disappointed you with this groundless information.”
Jiang Chengyan quickly shook his head. “Not at all. It’s good that you can hand us some clues. It might be the key to solve this case.”
“Well, as long as it helps. The egg’s already cooked, let’s eat the noodles. It won’t taste good once it gets soggy.”
“Okay.” Jiang Chengyan peeled the eggs and placed them in the cup. He walked to the table near the glass window and nodded to Lu Hao’s direction with a smile. He quietly consumed the noodles.
Lu Hao curiously glanced at Jiang Chengyan and said, “Hello, I’m Lu Hao. My brother told me that you’re the captain of the criminal investigation team. Is that right?”
“Hello. I do work in the criminal investigation team.” Jiang Chengyan paused and asked with a smile, “Is Huaan your brother?”
“Yes, ah. My brother said you helped him a lot. Thank you very much.”
Jiang Chengyan glanced at Ling Huaan and chuckled. “No, I just did what I had to do. No need to thank me.”
“My brother is very strong. He would keep silent whenever he encounters difficulties, and would never ask others to help him….”
Ling Huaan interrupted Lu Hao’s words. “Lu Hao, are you done eating? When you’re finished, go back quickly.”
“I don’t want to. It’s still early, ge. Please let me stay a little longer.” Lu Hao then stealthily stuck his tongue out.
“It’s already late so no. I don’t trust you to go back on your own.”
“I won’t be alone ah, there’s also Senior Sun Ming. When he gets off work, we’ll go back to school together. It’s safer than me going back now ba.”
Sun MIng quickly echoed, “I agree, boss. It will be safer for us to go together.”
Ling Huaan hesitated and thought about it. “It’s not a bad thing to go back late, but talk less. Understood?”
Lu Hao hastily replied, “Got it, ge. I promise I won’t speak nonsense.”
After a pause, Lu Hao continued. “My brother is injured. It must be because Yan Yu ge is busy. It hasn’t even been two days.”
When Jiang Chengyan heard this, he thought of Ling Huaan’s gentleness when facing Yan Yu last night. He felt that his heart was sour and bubbling. He stirred the noodles up and down, but didn’t take a bite. He took a deep breath and poked, “How about your brother? He must be very nice to Yan Yu, too?”
“Of course! Although my brother is usually cold and quiet, he’s a softie. If others treat him well, he will treat others well. Yan Yu is my brother’s most trusted person.” Lu Hao was totally unaware of Jiang Chengyan’s emotional changes.
Jiang Chengyan put down the noodles he only took a few bites of and stood up. “Huaan, I finished eating. I’ll head back to the team first.”
Jiang Chengyan left in a hurry, leaving the three people in the shop dumbfounded for a while. Ling Huaan looked at Lu Hao’s direction and walked out of the counter. Lu Hao quickly called Ling Huaan and said, “Be careful, ge. There’s a stool here.”
Ling Huaan bluntly asked. “What did you just say to him?”
Lu Hao blinked innocently and said, “I didn’t say anything ah, just thanked him for helping ge. What’s wrong?”
“What else?” Ling Huaan is familiar with Jiang Chengyan’s temperament. He won’t leave in such a hurry just like that.
Lu Hao thought about it and said, “He also asked who Yan Yu ge was and your relationship with him? Then I told him that Yan Yu ge is your best friend, and that you guys have a good relationship.”
Ling Huaan raised his eyebrows and said, “Is that all?”
“That’s all ah. What’s happening?” Lu Hao’s face was confused when he asked.
The corners of Ling Huaan’s lips rose up. “It’s fine. Have you finished?”
“Finished. Ge, did I say something wrong just now? It doesn’t look like he’s in a good mood.” Lu Hao later asked.
“You just found out?” Ling Huaan rubbed Lu Hao’s head and said dispiritedly, “You seem smart on weekdays, why are you so stupid today? You say everything. Do you know him very well?”
“Don’t rub it, ge. My hair’s already in a mess.” Lu Hao said grievously.
“Then remember it for a long time. Don’t be silly all day and be unprepared for anyone. Do you understand?”
“He’s not only a cop, he also helped you so I didn’t put up my guard. Ge, I’m an adult. Don’t always treat me like a child. ”
“You will always be a child to me. All right, get your stuff out of here.”
“Oh.” Lu Hao got up to gather up his things and took them to the back for cleaning.
When the small bell rang and the door of the shop was pushed open, Yao Min came in and said hello with a smile. “Brother Ling, I’ll buy something to drink.”
Ling Huaan nodded and smiled. “Take what you want.”
The sound of footsteps reminded him that Yao Min walked to the shelf. She took seven or eight bottles of water and went to the counter.
While scanning the code, Sun Ming sighed emotionally. “Officer Yao, you’ve worked hard. You work overtime everyday.”
“What can we do? Who let us choose this hard job at the beginning?”
“I only watched it on TV dramas when they talked about how hard police work is. At that time, I didn’t believe it. Now that I have close contact, I finally understand the phrase ‘dramas are inspired from real life’.”
Yao Min jokingly said, “Shouldn’t you be working hard in the police? How did you suddenly talk about drama?”
“45 yuan altogether.” After a pause, Sun Ming added, “I just wanted to convey that Officer Yao has worked hard.”
“Plus the noodles the captain ate before, how much is the total?” Yao Min took out her mobile phone and scanned the code.
Sun Ming glanced at Ling Huaan from the glass window. Ling Huaan lightly said, “Five pieces of noodles and two pieces of eggs. If you want to count them, count them all.”
Sun Ming was stunned, obviously aware of Ling Huaan’s displeasure. He said, “45 plus 7, that’s 52 yuan.”
Yao Min paid, picked up the things and said, “Brother Ling, I’ll go first.”
“Okay.”
Yao Min pushed the door and went out. The sound of the bell was particularly resonant in the quiet shop.
“Ge, I’ve washed all the utensils. Where can I put them?” Lu Hao broke the silence.
Instead of answering, Ling Huaan asked, “What time is it now?”
Lu Hao glanced at the clock on the wall and replied, “Exactly 9 o’clock.”
“Sun Ming, you’re off work early today. Go back to school together.”
“Boss, there’s still an hour left. Don’t wait any longer.”
“No, go back. It’s too late. Don’t worry about me.”
“Ge, It was difficult to come here. Please let me stay a little longer.”
“Be obedient, otherwise I won’t let you come in the future.”
Luhao wilted and said, “All right.”
Sun Ming put his apron down and wore his overcoat. “Boss, we’ll be leaving first. See you tomorrow.”
“Ge, I’m leaving.”
Ling Huaan nodded and said, “Be careful on the way.”
“Don’t worry, boss. I promise to send Lu Hao back to the dormitory safely.”
Ring ring ring. The bell rang and the door swung open. Cold wind blew inside as the two left, and the store returned to silence once again. Looking at the wandering souls floating outside the window, Ling Huaan suddenly felt lonely. He had long been accustomed to this kind of loneliness, but today he felt extremely disgusted.
Jiang Chengyan absentmindedly scanned the documents in his hand, his eyes would divert at the door from time to time. Suddenly, someone knocked. Yao Min pushed the door and came in with a bottle of water in her hand.
Without waiting for Yao Min to speak, Jiang Chengyan opened his mouth. “Well, have you given the money?”
“Here. Five pieces of noodles and two pieces of eggs.” Yao Min answered truthfully and casually put the water on the table.
Jiang Chengyan uneasily asked, “Then… What else did he say?”
“He? Who?” Yao Min knew but deliberately asked.
Jiang Chengyan menacingly expressed, “Yao Min!”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Yao Min quickly acknowledged and said, “Brother Ling said, ‘If you want to count, then count them all’. That’s all.”
He felt a pull in his heart and asked, “What does he mean by that?”
“It’s just to settle payments with you. What else does it mean?” Yao Min thought she was blind and acted she couldn’t see Jiang Chengyan’s ugly face.
“Settling payments? Is he trying to get rid of me?” Jiang Chengyan’s heart swelled in pain and discomfort.
Yao Min said helplessly, “Captain, you have to deal with Brother Ling on your own.”
Jiang Chengyan was left speechless, his chest felt even worse, relishing a bitter tang. After a long silence, he said, “Got it, I’ll see. You go out first.”
Yao Min was unresponsive for a long time and angrily expressed, “That’s it?!”
“What?” Jiang Chengyan suppressed the surging emotions at the bottom of his heart, and looked at Yao Min.
Looking at Jiang Chengyan’s blank face, Yao Min simply hated iron for not being steel, and reminded him. “Captain, Brother Ling is really good-looking. There must be many people who like him. If you continue acting awkward, I’m afraid brother Ling will end up with someone else.”
Jiang Chengyan’s panic-stricken expression faced Yao Min. “What do you mean?”
