Page 353
by 陈年奶泡Once matters were settled, he called Boni along to head for Temple Street.
When they arrived, they found a crowd gathered around a dessert stall. A broad-shouldered man was holding back a bruised and swollen Liao Dapeng.
Boni, who had accompanied them, took over Liao Dapeng. He cuffed the suspect while keeping a hand on his shoulder, addressing Guo Xiao, "Brother Xiao, leave this to me."
Guo Xiao nodded. Scanning the dessert stall, his gaze fell on a signboard hanging above the glass cabinet. Suddenly, he stared intently at the girl selling desserts, puzzled.
This... wasn't that feng shui master he'd met at the small police station last time?
Back then, he'd even accused her of being a fraud.
Yuening handed the packed dessert to a customer with a smile, reminding gently, "It's cold, so remember to finish it soon. It'll lose its taste if you leave it too long."
The customer, carrying the dessert bag, glanced at Guo Xiao and replied, "Got it. You go ahead."
Closing the empty popsicle box, Yuening placed her fair hand on it and looked at Guo Xiao with her sparkling eyes. "Officer, is there anything you would like to know?"
Guo Xiao looked around before asking, "Excuse me, are you... Miss Chu, the one who reported the incident?"
"I am." Chu Yuening narrated the incident briefly.
Upon learning that Liao Dapeng had turned on the gas and came to Temple Street for an alibi,
Guo Xiao glanced at Liao Dapeng, who was now cuffed behind his back. He seemed slightly pleased with himself, "If not for the fortune teller's incredible skills, you would never have suspected me as the murderer."
Guo Xiao shook his head, "You have some awareness of forensic investigation, but not enough. Before carbon monoxide is released from unburnt gas, it needs to reach a certain concentration to pose a threat to the victim's life."
"The police department has professionals who can determine the time and conditions required for carbon monoxide to reach that concentration. Simply being outside during that process doesn't prove your innocence."
Liao Dapeng's face darkened.
Guo Xiao instructed Boni to take Liao away.
When the crowd at the dessert stall thinned, the middle-aged police officer in his forties started to feel uneasy. He looked around and asked, "Master… Master Chu?"
"Inspector Guo?" Chu Yuening was puzzled.
With a longing gaze at the red plastic bag under the food cart, Guo Xiao hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to ask, "Could you please draw a few safety charms? I'd like to give them to a few brothers in my team."
Considering the protective talismans that can withstand dagger injuries, they could truly be life-saving in crucial moments.
Chu Yuening smiled. "I was wondering what it was about. Wait a moment."
Bending down, she reached for the red plastic bag and carried it to the small wooden table. She opened it, pulling out a brush, yellow talismans, and pre-mixed cinnabar ink one by one.
In no time, she had completed four safety talismans.
Eagerly, Guo Xiao took the talismans, stashing them all into his pocket with excitement. He paid four thousand dollars, but before leaving, he recalled something he wanted to ask.
"Master Chu, do you know that the Serious Crime Unit of Kowloon West Police Station is seeking external help? If you don't mind..."
"Mind," a voice full of vigor interrupted Guo Xiao.
Chu Yuening turned around to see Zhang Jiande, holding a smoking pipe with his protruding belly. She smiled slightly. "Brother De."
Zhong Xiao also recognized Zhang Jiande and greeted him accordingly.
Zhang Jiande remarked with a tinge of sentimentality, "Xiao Guo, it's not that I'm making things difficult for you. Chief Inspector Liang is your superior, right?"
"Yes, he is our superior," Zhong Xiao replied, feeling puzzled. "But why would we need to bring Chief Inspector Liang along when seeking external assistance?"
"Oh," Zhang Jiande replied nonchalantly, taking a puff from his pipe. "Last time, he was quite arrogant. Ning Ning isn't someone who goes just anywhere. If you want her to join the Major Crimes Unit, let Chief Inspector Liang come and personally invite her."
Upon hearing this, Guo Xiao finally understood the situation.
He could only respond with a bitter smile.
It turned out that Inspector Leung had already offended someone before even inviting the master to the police station.
He was well aware of Inspector Leung's notorious temper. It seemed he would need to devise a careful plan to convince him.
With Guo Xiao's departure, the sugar water stall fell quiet once more.
Zhang Jiande left behind an ice cream cone, gripping the mouth of his opium pipe with a grin, he cheerily remarked, "Tian Tonghui's latest masterpiece, Ning Ning, do give it a taste test for the restaurant."
The ice cream was beautifully packaged, nestled in a paper box with tiny white scoops topped with cherries. Yuening picked it up delightedly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Thank you, Brother De."
Aware of her fondness for ice cream, Zhang Jiande waved his hand and pushed through the glass door into the tea restaurant, bringing her the latest dessert as soon as it was available due to the weather.
After finishing the ice cream, Chu Yuening prepared to pack up her stall.
The following day, Chu Ji's Feng Shui Shop was set to open, and with her recent increase in abilities, she planned to visit Kowloon Market later to stock up on new ingredients. She intended to introduce sweet soups with enchanted effects the next day, such as weight-loss and skin-beautifying varieties.
"Master." Tao Haizhou had, at some point, arrived with a young man in tow, both of them panting from the exertion of carrying numerous gifts.
Tao Haizhou beamed as he placed the presents on the cart. "Master, thanks to your help, my family has not only paid off our debts but also started earning again since we severed that godparent relationship. We've regained our villa, and those who wronged me have even gone bankrupt."
Chu Yuening smiled slightly. "Wealth attracts good fortune; you're on an upward trajectory. Congratulations, your luck seems excellent."
"Tao Haizhou attributed it all to Master Chu," he said, then nudged his son forward with a worried look on his face. "Now that I'm back on my feet, my only concern is my child."
"I previously acted rashly in acknowledging a godparent, which affected him. I'm filled with anxiety and would greatly appreciate it if Master could assist in this matter."
The young man appeared to be in his twenties, with a clear-cut face and youthful vitality in his eyes. As he stepped forward, he bowed respectfully, a demeanor more composed than his erstwhile unseriousness.
0 Comments