Chapter 30: June Yellow Crabs

Lin Feng said he was going to make his senior sister treat him to a big meal, no discounts at all.

Back at the Jiangnan Branch Bureau, he brazenly, and without any subtlety, expressed his desire to freeload off his senior sister, saying, “Senior sister, I helped you with such a big favor, you’ll agree, right?”

Qin Qing couldn’t stand it and tried to leave, but Lin Feng wouldn’t let her. He said, “You’re the big hero, you absolutely must be thanked. It would be so awkward if I ate alone after you left.”

Awkward? He certainly didn’t look it.

Behind Chen Deyu’s back, he whispered, “If you leave, it’ll just be me, and senior sister definitely won’t treat me to anything expensive. She might even send me to eat in the cafeteria again.”

Then he laughed heartily, taking full responsibility for Chen Deyu: “Don’t be shy, my senior sister is rich, she gets who knows how much bonus money every year.”

Chen Deyu just quietly watched his performance.

Lin Feng’s hearty laughter quickly turned into an awkward chuckle.

He rubbed his nose and tentatively called out, “Senior sister?”

Chen Deyu: “Did I ever tell you that backup was arriving soon?”

“Uh…”

“Did you really have to rush in those two minutes? The situation inside was completely unclear, and you dared to charge in with Xiao Fang!”

“I must declare, this is a misunderstanding.” Lin Feng raised his hand, trying to explain: “Xiao Fang and I were actually just scouting, checking out the situation. We only acted after we went around and found that those few people were basically no match for us.”

Chen Deyu raised an eyebrow: “No match for you?”

She reached out and pointed at the red and blue marks on Lin Feng’s face.

“Gently, gently. Senior sister, don’t you know your hands have always been heavy?”

He was glared at.

“Hehehe, but it’s true, sometimes having too many people is a burden, making movement inconvenient. If the kidnappers were startled, taking hostages would be more troublesome.”

Chen Deyu sneered: “Alright, then you can tell that to your director yourself.”

!

A roar came from the already open desk phone receiver: “Lin Feng, when are you going to get rid of your reckless bad habit? You’re embarrassing me in front of other branch bureaus…”

Lin Feng looked like he had a toothache.

“No, Director, why are you eavesdropping… Alright, alright, I won’t say it, I won’t say it. You’re the director, you’re always right. My brilliant and mighty Director, you can’t listen to hearsay. That wasn’t recklessness, I had my own judgment.”

“Judgment my foot, that’s just your personal heroism at play, being greedy for credit and rushing in. And you’re afraid of trouble, seeking convenience. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard feedback that you don’t wear protective gear during operations…”

Lin Feng held the receiver away, and after the director finished speaking, he grumbled softly and unconvinced: “But my case clearance rate is high, how many provincial and municipal commendations have I brought to our bureau? Director, I’m not saying this to be rude, but you’re a Public Security Bureau director, you look at case clearance rates and performance. You’re not a police academy principal, specializing in catching violations and disciplinary issues. Sometimes you have to understand, I’m a general on the outside.”

“You, you, you…”

Qin Qing listened as their director was so angered by this unruly person that he couldn’t speak.

Director: “I’m the director, or you’re the director, are you teaching me how to do my job?”

Lin Feng: “Look at what you’re saying, of course you’re the director, how would I dare to overstep you? My old director, you’re so old and still have such a temper, be careful of cerebral thrombosis. You should think positively. Look, you sent me here for support, and I made a contribution, this brings honor to our bureau. Doesn’t that make you quite happy to think about?”

The director hung up the phone directly.

Lin Feng looked at Chen Deyu, giving her a “mission accomplished” look.

Chen Deyu tossed him a tube of ointment, annoyed: “Apply it yourself. Watch your words, don’t be so disrespectful to your director all the time.”

Lin Feng unscrewed the ointment and sniffed it, recoiling from the strong smell.

“Oh. He’s used to it. He just likes to worry.”

Unbearable to watch, truly unbearable to watch.

In comparison, Qin Qing felt that Lin Feng’s attitude towards her was still quite good.

That evening, Qin Qing still got to eat June Yellow crabs. The treat wasn’t from Chen Deyu, but from Liang Jinguo, who treated the entire police team.

Chen Deyu declined on behalf of her subordinates, saying there were regulations.

Liang Jinguo nodded in understanding, then turned around and sent takeout. You Ai personally brought people to deliver it, and large and small boxes piled up like small mountains on the tables in the police station’s cafeteria.

Drunken crabs, spicy crabs, crab meat hotpot, crab roe noodles, crab soup dumplings.

Lin Feng had a special love for drunken crabs, unceremoniously devouring several boxes by himself, and still had room for a bowl of noodles.

Qin Qing liked the spicy crabs.

The crabs were well-chosen, large with thin shells, and the meat was springy and sweet.

The crab shells, coated in a thin batter, were deep-fried until crispy. Some scattered crab roe and salted egg yolk were evenly coated on the crab meat, making it so fragrant that she wished she could chew and eat even the crispy crab shells.

It was just takeout, so the wok hei wasn’t as strong, which slightly affected the taste.

It was clear that Lin Feng also knew how to eat, specifically choosing drunken crabs which wouldn’t be affected by being packed.

Perhaps this chef was also a highly-rated chef; she’d have to meet them next time and try their food in the restaurant.

Not everyone was like her and Lin Feng, gnawing on crabs. Many found the shells troublesome and generally opted for noodles, buns, or hotpots, which could be eaten quickly. Chen Deyu was one of them.

By the end, only Qin Qing, Lin Feng, and a few other female officers were left in the cafeteria, eating unhurriedly.

She laughed at Lin Feng: “Aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Eating is a major life event, what’s there to be embarrassed about?”

A female officer said, “Team Lin comes to our cafeteria every now and then, we’re used to it.”

See, he’s even embarrassing himself at the police station in the neighboring district.

The main reason everyone could gather and eat like this was that Nana had been caught. All the suspects in this case had been apprehended, and the interrogation went quite smoothly; as soon as they entered the Interrogation Room, they confessed to the crimes without reservation.

Nana was found in one of the kidnappers’ rented rooms, the same kidnapper who initially abducted Liu Xingchen.

The two were lovers. The doctor examined Nana and confirmed she was pregnant. Nana then confessed that the child was the kidnapper’s.

The two originally hadn’t intended to become real kidnappers.

Nana, using the future of the child in her belly as leverage, instigated Hang Jie to fake a kidnapping. First, she wanted to get back at Liu Simin out of resentment for the rich, and second, she wanted to extort a sum of money from Hang Jie.

She confessed: “That guy Hang, he looks decent, but he’s actually super stingy. Every time he came to my place, he’d only give a few hundred or a thousand. If I asked for a gift, he’d drag his feet. I made less money from him than from my sisters working in the bar.

“He was slow to pay, but he loved to enjoy himself. He wanted me to serve him like an emperor, couldn’t say a harsh word, whatever he said went.

“I even had to work hard to coax him, saying I loved him very much, not wanting his money, and that dog of a man really wouldn’t give me money. So I suggested he find someone to kidnap his son. If he wouldn’t give me money, he’d still have to spend money to hire my man.

“I originally thought he’d just ask his wife for a few million, but who knew he’d open his mouth and demand a hundred million, only giving my man and his brother a hundred thousand each.

“We know how to calculate, since he’s so stingy, we might as well go for a big one and make him bleed a little. He’d have to give a few million, right? Divide it up, a million or so each, enough to go back to our hometown and build a house, and then we wouldn’t have to work outside anymore.”

While eating crabs, the policewomen discussed how much they wanted to show Nana’s confession to Hang Jie, but due to procedural rules, it was not allowed.

Lin Feng, being mischievous, offered a suggestion: “Showing the confession is definitely out of the question. But if you happen to be overheard while chatting, no one can fault you, right? Anyway, the interrogation for the case is over, and it’s time to transfer it to the procuratorate for review.”

Qin Qing didn’t know if the enthusiastic policewomen took his borderline advice, but as she was leaving, she heard Hang Jie furiously cursing from the car that was about to transfer him to the detention center.

Chen Deyu personally came out to see Qin Qing off as she left the Jiangnan Branch Bureau.

“Regardless, thank you for today. The hardest part of a kidnapping case is racing against the clock with the kidnappers and playing psychological warfare, which is like dealing with a bomb that could explode and lead to a tearing of the ticket at any moment. No one has ever attempted such a violent ‘bomb disposal’ as you did today, and succeeded so flawlessly.”

“Captain Chen, you’re welcome. It’s just police-civilian cooperation, nothing special.”

“I still have to say thank you. Citizens are not necessarily obligated to accompany officers into such danger and cooperate in solving cases.”

Chen Deyu, with her hands in her pockets, tilted her head upon hearing this: “Lin Feng just briefly told me about your situation. Regardless, what he did today was wrong. Writing a self-criticism and submitting a report are unavoidable. I apologize to you on his behalf.”

Qin Qing politely said: “At least, Captain Lin himself was at the forefront.”

Chen Deyu shook her head and sighed: “Lin Feng is a clever guy, and his case closure rate is high. But he acts on his own whims, doesn’t think ahead, and has a strange temper. No one who works with him doesn’t complain. Even I get headaches, and I’m even more embarrassed to ask others to bear with him… If we cooperate again, I hope you’ll prioritize your own safety.”

She then spoke about the current case: “The case closure report for this one will be difficult to write. I will do my best to apply for some substantial rewards for you. If you have any requests or troubles, you can also tell me. As long as it doesn’t violate laws and conscience, and doesn’t interfere with official procedures, I will personally do my utmost to help.”

Qin Qing glanced at her System Panel and found that what she said and thought were indeed consistent. She was sincerely expressing gratitude and apology to her.

Qin Qing felt that there was indeed one thing she wanted to ask Captain Chen for help with.

“If it’s convenient, could Captain Chen help me find a female coach? I want to learn some self-defense martial arts.”

With the System Panel, she would inevitably encounter dangerous situations. When the System Panel couldn’t actively provide protection, she could only rely on herself.

Moreover, this matter was urgent.

Not to mention complete self-preservation, being able to go back and forth against those criminals. At least it could buy her some time to escape.

“Yes.” Chen Deyu agreed without hesitation, seemingly relieved that Qin Qing’s request was within her capabilities.

She even went a step further and suggested: “It’s good that you’re aware and prioritize your own safety. Martial arts take too long to show results and are too singular. I’ll keep an eye out for a suitable coach for you and have her systematically plan some self-defense strategies.”

Qin Qing also smiled.

It seemed she hadn’t found the wrong person. Officer Chen’s professionalism in this area was beyond doubt. The person she found was much better than if she had gone to the market herself to find some unreliable ones!

It was settled then, and the two exchanged contact information.

After leaving the police station and walking only a few steps, a black car slowly approached along the curb.

Qin Qing stepped back to let it pass.

But then, a elegantly dressed white-collar lady emerged from the passenger seat. It was You Ai, the Chief Assistant, who should have left earlier.

“Miss Qin, are you finished here?” After receiving an affirmative answer, she stated her purpose, “I am here on Mr. Liang’s orders to wait and take Miss Qin home. I apologize, Mr. Liang has a temporary official engagement and cannot come personally.”

You Ai smiled perfectly, making people feel comfortable without being overly obsequious: “This time, Xingchen was able to overcome the danger, all thanks to Miss Qin’s care. Originally, Ms. Liu was also going to come, but Xingchen was quite frightened, and she can’t leave his side at the hospital for a moment.”

She opened the back car door for Qin Qing to get in.

On the left side of the back seat, there were several gift bags.

You Ai turned her head and gently explained to her: “These are apologies from the two bosses for not being able to come personally. Ms. Liu asked me to convey that once Xingchen stabilizes, she will bring Xingchen to formally thank you at another banquet.”

“Hmm.” Qin Qing asked with concern, “How is the child?”

Speaking of this, You Ai sighed lightly: “He only has some superficial injuries, but he was very frightened. We’ve already arranged for a psychologist to intervene, hoping he recovers soon. We haven’t dared to tell the child yet that his biological father planned this kidnapping. The child is so young; it’s too difficult for him to accept this.”

“That’s good.”

Qin Qing was quite tired today. After saying that, she didn’t speak anymore, leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes to rest.

You Ai dutifully saw her off, executing Liang Jinguo’s orders very thoroughly. She drove directly to the apartment building, right to the elevator entrance.

The two stood side by side, watching the elevator numbers slowly decrease.

You Ai suddenly asked, “Miss Qin, is there really such a thing as destiny in this world?” As she spoke, her voice echoed in the empty hallway, desolate and distant.

Qin Qing didn’t turn her head, maintaining her gaze at the elevator. She counter-asked, “Are you asking about the past or the future?”

“What about the past? What about the future?”

“The past is a fact that has already happened, not destiny. The future will change with people’s active actions, so it’s not destiny either.”

Qin Qing didn’t know why this elegant and capable chief assistant would ask such a question. She added, “At least in my theoretical system, that’s how it works.”

You Ai finally looked at her: “It’s truly amazing. Is this how the world looks in Miss Qin’s eyes? Since the past cannot be changed and is in the hands of active people, then why do ‘destiny masters’ exist in this world?”

“Perhaps… to avoid regrets. Destiny masters know things that have already happened in this world, but the interested parties don’t know. Destiny masters selectively reveal these things, greatly reducing those regrets like ‘if only I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have done that’…”

“Ding.”

The elevator arrived.

You Ai stepped back, giving Qin Qing room to exit.

She nodded slightly: “Chatting with Miss Qin today has been very insightful. Thank you again, and I look forward to our next meeting.”

Qin Qing always felt that You Ai’s last words had a deeper meaning. She wanted to check You Ai’s System Panel, but the elevator door had already closed. She didn’t use her notebook; You Ai would contact her proactively if she had a request.

Back home, Qin Qing first contacted Yang Sang.

Even with the transplanted compass, without Qin Qing, the cat-finding business was still on hold.

Today’s situation was unexpected and sudden.

People were definitely more important than cats, so some orders were inevitably delayed.

“How was today?”

Yang Sang was very depressed: “Don’t even mention it. I originally had three orders scheduled for today, but with you suddenly gone, I communicated with them, either to find other teams or I promised to go earlier tomorrow. As a result, only one of them agreed to tomorrow’s arrangement. The second one thought I was trying to raise the price and blocked me.”

“The third one was even more outrageous. They just started cursing, calling me a black-hearted merchant, saying it was just a small favor, and I didn’t lend a hand. They didn’t care about their child’s life or death. They said that since I had agreed to this order, I had to go even if knives were falling from the sky, and nothing was more important than a life. They even threatened to expose me online. I felt so wronged, it was as if I were a murderer.”

Qin Qing: “Did you collect money for the schedule?”

“How could I? I just scheduled a time. Usually, I only collect money after the cat is found. We have many clients who come to us, and there were many who wanted to pay extra to jump the queue, but I didn’t allow it. When I communicate with all clients, I make it very clear: pay when the cat is found, and if it’s not found, it’s just a favor.”

Qin Qing: “In that case, I don’t think there’s a problem. Anyway, we haven’t officially opened yet, so let’s just treat it as a trial run to see if we can discover anything unusual.”

“That’s what I thought too. That family pestered and threatened me all afternoon, saying I either had to go find the cat immediately or compensate them. Teacher Qin, do you know how much they demanded?”

“You’re acting like a storyteller now, even learned how to keep people in suspense,” Qin Qing complained.

Yang Sang exaggeratedly exclaimed in the tone of someone sharing juicy gossip: “12,000! I don’t know how they had the nerve to ask for that much. They even calculated it for me, saying their cat was a show-quality cat bought at a pet expo. They had raised it for several months, spending several thousand, and they’d give me a discount, so 4,000 for the cat itself, making it 12,000 in total.

“It was as if I wanted to buy their cat. I asked them, ‘Their cat is lost, what does that have to do with me? Why should I, someone helping to find a cat, be responsible for this?’ That family was very reasonable, saying that because I lacked ‘contract spirit’ and rejected the order, their cat couldn’t be found, so I had to compensate. If I didn’t, they would sue us and go through legal procedures. They’ve basically latched onto us, huh? Am I, Yang Sang, someone who’s easily scared?!”

There are devil clients in every industry.

Qin Qing directly instructed Yang Sang: “Ignore that family. Let them go through legal procedures if they want to. They’re not doing anything productive; their cat is lost, and instead of using that energy to figure out how to find it, they have the nerve to argue with the person trying to find it.”

But she was a bit curious: “You used to run your own business, so you could have taken the order yourself.”

“Sigh, it’s not that I don’t want to take orders. Before, I ran orders under my own name, and my high rating was also because I would screen clients. For many orders, I could basically judge the situation by just listening to it and know whether the cat could be found. But this time, the clients Zheng Yi brought over are basically difficult cases that other teams have already intervened in and couldn’t handle. How dare I randomly take orders and ruin our team’s reputation?” Yang Sang sighed as he spoke.

His considerations were reasonable, and there was nothing that could be done about it.

Qin Qing comforted him: “Don’t force it; we’ll do what we can. Those who cancel orders simply aren’t meant to be with us. And there’s no need to shoulder all the responsibility ourselves.”

Yang Sang exhaled: “If I had known you’d say that, I should have called you earlier. You have no idea how uncomfortable I’ve felt all afternoon. I was just worried that your Taoist sect’s motto was to right wrongs and help those in need.”

Although…

But she really wasn’t from a Taoist sect.