Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Commissioner Wu was both surprised and delighted upon hearing the analysis results. "You can even deduce their profession! This clue is incredibly helpful for us!"

"There's a difference when you see it often. I will write a detailed report on how I made the distinction. If you need it, you can make a copy for your records."

Although Tang Qingqing's conclusion was conveyed in just a few short sentences, the preparatory work required was quite complex, involving meticulous calculations and reasoning.

In the past, Tang Qingqing found it difficult to summarize her findings because they were more based on experience and hard to articulate clearly.

However, after attending school, her written expression skills improved significantly. Additionally, reading many professional books sent by Zhai Hongyi helped her better express her views using familiar language and theories.

Still, each time she wrote a summary, it took considerable time and effort, especially as she had to be thorough to ensure clarity. It was not as easy as conducting an identification directly.

Sometimes, an identification could be done in just ten minutes, but writing a report might take half a day.

"We desperately need this!" Commissioner Wu responded eagerly. "Call me when you're done, and I'll send someone to transcribe it!"

Tang Qingqing was pleased that her work was respected and valued.

"If you catch the criminal, please let me know. If you could also provide me with his information, it would help me summarize and learn better. Just call this number."

After every identification, when the criminal was caught, Tang Qingqing would observe the person to compare them with what she had "seen" in her mind, analyzing any differences to improve future identifications.

Commissioner Wu readily agreed and then asked, "Can we still ask you for identifications in the future?"

"As long as I can be of help."

"Will it interfere with your studies?"

Commissioner Wu knew that Tang Qingqing was still in high school and admired her studious nature.

"I'll manage my schedule. However, after school starts, identifications might take longer, potentially delaying your investigations."

Commissioner Wu was satisfied with this assurance. Ordinary cases wouldn't be brought to Tang Qingqing; only those without leads would require her expertise.

After hanging up, Tang Qingqing took out a dime and handed it to the store owner.

The store was located within the Machinery Plant, and the phone was installed for the convenience of the plant workers.

Installing a phone was not easy these days, requiring a long wait. Although Tang Jianguo was the plant manager, his family did not have one installed at home.

Firstly, phones were indeed hard to install; secondly, Tang Jianguo did not want special treatment.

If there was an emergency, he could always use the plant's duty phone or the phone in the residential area.

While Tang Qingqing was making her call, the store owner listened intently.

Seeing her finish the call, he couldn't help asking, "Can you really tell so much from footprints?"

The store was often the center of gossip, and the owner had heard about Tang Qingqing's abilities. Many people found it hard to believe.

What could one tell from a footprint? Everyone wore shoes, and many looked the same. How could they be distinguished?

But the police officers had called Tang Qingqing an expert, leaving no room for doubt.

Tang Jianguo, being the plant manager, wouldn't lie about his daughter's abilities just to save face.

Moreover, some relatives worked in the police department and confirmed the truth.

Tang Qingqing didn't answer but glanced at the owner. "Uncle, your right leg was once fractured, wasn't it?"

The owner was shocked. "How did you know? Did someone tell you?"

His leg had indeed been fractured long ago, but now, except for occasional pain during rainy weather, it functioned normally.

"I saw it. Any physical injury leaves a trace. Uncle, I'm off."

Tang Qingqing smiled and left, leaving the owner and bystanders astonished.

After receiving the clues provided by Tang Qingqing, the investigators continued their search and identified the culprit three days later!

The criminal was a dismissed firefighter who had been fired for theft and other disciplinary violations.

Unexpectedly, instead of learning from his mistakes, he became even more brazen in his thefts.

In another case, Tang Qingqing quickly provided her identification results.

The police used her findings as a lead and caught the criminal.

Every time Tang Qingqing needed to make or receive calls, the store, being the center of gossip, spread her words throughout the Machinery Plant.

As a result, most people in the plant believed Tang Qingqing truly had exceptional abilities. Some even remarked that she lived up to being the daughter of the plant manager, praising the family's intelligence.

The Tang family was envied for good reason. Both Tang Jianguo and his wife were accomplished, and their children were not only good-looking but also highly successful.

The eldest son, Tang Jiquan, was already a technical backbone of the plant. Even without his father's influence, his skills would ensure success.

He was the top student in school and a sought-after talent.

The second son, Tang Jidong, was now a graduate student!

The third child, though currently underperforming, had always been smart.

The adopted daughter excelled in the Art Troupe, often leading dances during performances.

Even the daughter raised in the countryside was now so outstanding, making others envious.

"I think it's all in their genes, not their upbringing. Look at their biological daughter, raised in the countryside, yet she's more talented and beautiful than the adopted one."

"That's not necessarily true. The adopted daughter in the Art Troupe is more marriageable than the biological one. If some leader takes a liking to her and marries her off to his son or grandson, her future will be completely different."

"That's true. No matter how capable a woman is, it doesn't matter; what matters is the man she marries."

"I disagree with that. Women can hold up half the sky! Why should a woman's excellence depend on who she marries?"

"Being good at your job isn't as important as marrying well! What's the point of being capable if you end up like someone who can't get married until they're in their thirties? Even if she becomes an official, she might still cry herself to sleep at night. At least we have someone to keep us warm and cared for, which is far better."

"Tsk, what outdated thinking! Have the guts to say that to her face!"

"Look at you all, talking nonsense. Neither of them is married yet. Who knows what the future holds. Right now, the biological one seems more capable."

"That's true. When she was young, the adopted one seemed much smarter than other kids her age, but now she's no different from anyone else."

"She was spoiled. She dresses up all fancy, and her mind has gone astray..."

Ever since the Machinery Plant learned about the real and fake daughters, discussions about the two girls never ceased.

Initially, everyone thought Tang Qingqing would be jealous upon seeing Tang Zhenzhen's beauty and accomplishments when she returned.

It must be heart-wrenching to see something that was once yours taken away by someone else.

Everyone believed that the least promising member of the Tang family would be the biological daughter raised outside. Although Tang Jixue, the third son, wasn't reliable, he had a good father and was smart, so his future looked bright.

Tang Qingqing, however, had already been shaped by life in the countryside, and even having a good father wouldn't help.

But at least she was a girl, and finding a good husband would solve everything.

Unexpectedly, she didn't fall short of Tang Zhenzhen. Without any help from her parents, she carved out her own path.

These rumors quickly reached Tang Zhenzhen's ears. She had many close friends in the Machinery Plant, making her more informed than Tang Qingqing.

"I think she's deliberately showing off. Why else would she go to the store to make these calls and pay for them herself?"

"Exactly. These are serious matters. She could easily use your father's office phone."

Hearing this, Tang Zhenzhen couldn't hide her displeasure but tried to suppress it.

"My sister is indeed very capable. Don't talk nonsense."

"We're not talking nonsense. Everyone in the factory says she's better than you. It's no wonder she's the biological daughter. Someone must be spreading these rumors intentionally."

"That's right. Even my grandmother likes to mention how great she is."

Tang Zhenzhen almost poked a hole in the cloth she was holding, earning a glare from the salesperson, which only worsened her mood.

She tried to remain gracious but couldn't help asking, "Do people really say that?"

"Why would we lie to you? If we weren't sisters, we wouldn't tell you the truth."

"Exactly. We don't want you to look foolish, being criticized without knowing it."

Tang Zhenzhen pursed her lips and said nothing.

The two friends continued, "In any case, watch out. I don't think she's a kind person."

"That's right. She grew up in the countryside, and her life must have been hard. Seeing how glamorous you are, I doubt she doesn't have any thoughts about it."

Tang Zhenzhen felt pleased inside but didn't show it. "You're overthinking it. My sister isn't like that."

The shorter of the two friends said, "She calls herself your sister, but she hasn't acknowledged you. You mentioned she gets along well with Third Brother. Be careful."

"Be careful about what?"

"She might try to take away the love and affection your parents and brothers give you. Before, only you could sit on the backseat of your brothers' bikes, but now..."

"That's right. Now everyone says the fake is just that—the fake. Without comparison, she seemed fine, but now that the real one is here, the difference is clear."

Tang Zhenzhen's face darkened. She had come out to shop to relieve her frustration from dance practice, hoping to hear some comforting words from her friends. Instead, she heard this.

With nothing left to do, she listened to these things, feeling even more restless and depressed.

But she couldn't show her emotions, or everyone would blame her for being petty, especially after taking someone else's life.

She tried to suppress her anger and asked them to stop discussing the topic, but the thoughts lingered in her mind.

"Can you stop talking about this!" Tang Zhenzhen snapped.

Her friends were also upset.

"We're standing up for you. Why are you angry at us?"

"It's not like we're forcing you to listen. You wanted to know what others think. It's not us saying you're inferior to Tang Qingqing."

"We often hear that we can't compare to you, and you've always been proud of it. Did we ever get angry at you then?"

Tang Zhenzhen stormed off without finishing her shopping. When she got home, she saw Tang Jixue leaving.

Thinking of what her friends had told her, she called out to him.

"Third Brother, can you buy me some pastries from Longqing Building? I really want them right now."

Tang Jixue rolled his eyes. "Can't you be a bit considerate? The queue for Longqing Building's pastries is so long. If I join it, I won't get anything done today."

Tang Zhenzhen became even more upset. "Third Brother, can't you fulfill this small request of mine?"

"But I'm really busy today. I came back just to grab something; someone is waiting for me outside."

Tang Zhenzhen didn't believe his words at all; it was clearly an excuse to brush her off, and her eyes welled up as she pouted.

"Third Brother, why have you changed so much?"

Tang Jixue felt wronged. "How did we get to this? I really am busy now. Haven't you seen me rushing out early every day and coming back late?"

"You used to be different. You would agree to anything I said without any excuses!"

"That's because I had more free time back then."

"You... You've changed! You're not the Third Brother I knew anymore!"

With that, Tang Zhenzhen ran upstairs in tears.

Tang Jixue was left bewildered. "What is this even about?"

Though frustrated, Tang Jixue still asked someone to queue up and buy pastries, which he then sent back.

But Tang Zhenzhen didn't calm down. She didn't touch the pastries either.

In the past, she wouldn't have needed to throw a tantrum; just one word from her, and her brothers would have gone out of their way to buy her things no matter how busy they were.

Now, however, she had to make a scene to gain attention and have her feelings acknowledged.

Unlike Tang Zhenzhen, Tang Qingqing had no such troubles. She was always busy and had no time for idle gossip.

Even when she heard negative speculations about herself, she might feel slightly uncomfortable for a moment or think those people must be crazy, but she quickly returned to her usual calm.

Back in the countryside, her attitude towards Tang Jianjun and Zhao Dahua had been the subject of much talk behind her back. People said she was unfilial and too 'independent.'

She often went around with Zhai Hongyi and Wang Heizi, sometimes being away for days. While everyone knew she was solving cases, such close interactions were inappropriate.

Especially after Tang Qingqing grew up and became a graceful young woman, the gossip only increased.

If she cared about these rumors, she wouldn't have had a carefree life. It would only bind her and bring no benefit.

However, this didn't mean she didn't hold grudges. If a family spoke ill of her, she made it clear that if they or their relatives got into trouble, she wouldn't help them, nor would she accept any pleas for assistance.

At first, people didn't take her seriously, thinking that only a few would encounter problems. But when a family's winter firewood was burned by arsonists, and Tang Qingqing refused to intervene, it became clear that she meant what she said.

Since she wasn't a police officer and investigating wasn't her duty, the firewood was lost, and the family was easily targeted by thieves.

Thieves were always around, looking for easy targets. But since Tang Qingqing emerged, thieves who stole were quickly caught, deterring others from acting.

When they realized Tang Qingqing didn't investigate every incident, they started targeting those families she had warned against helping. This made everyone wary of speaking ill of her.

Some tried to complain to the team leader, but it was futile. They brought it upon themselves.

Physical violence was out of the question; most victims of her solved cases were grateful and protective of her.

After solving two major cases, both divisions sent her banners expressing gratitude, sparking discussions at the Machinery Plant.

Especially the serial burglary case impressed many.

Although the area where the incidents occurred was far from the Machinery Plant, the case frightened many and spread here. Many families installed iron bars after hearing about it.

The case, which had previously made no progress, was solved thanks to Tang Qingqing's clues.

Those who had doubted her abilities and accused her of putting on a show fell silent.

Tang Qingqing's reputation began to spread throughout Yang City. Police stations from various districts sent her photos and plaster models for identification, and officers frequently visited the Machinery Plant to seek her help.

Whenever someone in a police uniform entered the residential compound, everyone assumed they were there to see Tang Qingqing.

Some couldn't help but make sarcastic remarks.

"It's like the police station has no one else. What's she showing off for?"

Just as Tang Qingqing was about to start school, the Machinery Plant experienced a theft!