Chapter 190 [VIP] The End of the Night (20)

Chapter 190 [VIP] The End of the Night (20)

Liang Ran's conviction marked the conclusion of the Red Dress serial murder case. As for Liang Ran's identity as the White Mask behind the Seattle Club, the city bureau, in collaboration with the provincial department, will thoroughly investigate. Shen Xiangming, who was originally handling the follow-up investigation of the Seattle Club, will no longer be involved due to potential bias.

Meng Siqi believes that Shen Xiangming investigating other cases might be for the best. Perhaps he will guide Shen Lele in this world to a better life.

In the afternoon, Meng Siqi and Lu He visited Zhao Yuting at the hospital. Lu He brought a basket of fruit. This time, Meng Siqi also met Zhao Leiting's parents, who were very enthusiastic and insisted on inviting her over for a meal to show their gratitude.

Meng Siqi smiled modestly in response, though she was most uncomfortable with these interactions with elders.

Zhao Leiting was by the bed, peeling an apple for Zhao Yuting, who was on the bed. Zhao Leiting's mother said that her daughter was fine and just needed to stay in the hospital for one more day for observation.

Zhao Leiting fed the apple to his sister, who was smiling, then walked over and hugged Meng Siqi tightly, choking up as he said, "Siqi, you are the greatest savior in my life. Whatever you ask me to do, I would do anything for you."

While Lu He maintained a calm smile, Zhao Leiting's parents were beaming with joy, and Zhao Yuting's face was radiant with a flower-like smile.

Meng Siqi patted Zhao Leiting's back, thinking, "You're being silly. I already told you I'd protect Yu Ting and ensure she lives happily."

"Come on, why are you acting like a kid?" Meng Siqi was being hugged tighter and tighter.

Zhao Leiting suddenly said, "Lu He, you don't mind this, do you?"

"..." Lu He responded, "I don't mind, you two, continue."

"Okay, Zhao Leiting, you're squeezing me too tight," Meng Siqi patted his back again.

"Oh, oh," Zhao Leiting laughed and let go, "Sorry, I got too excited."

"Sister Siqi, I want a hug too," Zhao Yuting said as soon as Zhao Leiting let go.

Meng Siqi smiled and stepped forward, giving Zhao Yuting a big hug, saying happily, "My dear Yu Ting, I've missed you so much."

"I thought I was going to die," Zhao Yuting choked up slightly.

"Yu Ting, don't talk like that," Yu Ting's mother wiped the corner of her eye as she stood nearby.

Meng Siqi hugged Zhao Yuting tightly, comforting her, "Yu Ting, I'll protect you for the rest of your life, okay?"

"Okay, Sister Siqi, I want you to protect me forever."

After leaving the hospital, Meng Siqi's eyes were still a little teary. She shouldn't have thought about what might happen thirty years later, but she couldn't help herself.

Lu He seemed to sense her sadness and said, "Siqi, you hugged both of them; are you going to ignore me?"

Meng Siqi feigned a cold look, but when she saw Lu He actually extending his arms, she took a few steps forward, turned back, and said, "Lu He, aren't you ashamed?"

Seeing that Lu He didn't make any further moves, she relaxed her guard.

The two walked towards the parking lot together when suddenly a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her up. Lu He's triumphant voice sounded in her ear, "What do I need face for?"

"Put me down, put me down!" Meng Siqi said, embarrassed, "Lu He, there are so many people here."

Lu He said, "Officer Meng, you need proof for your claims."

Earlier, it was the hospital lobby, and there were indeed many people along the way, but now it was an open road at the parking lot entrance, and there were hardly any people around.

Meng Siqi felt her whole body heating up. She struggled a bit but was held tighter by Lu He. She deliberately said, "Lu He, look, is someone stealing something from that car over there?"

Lu He's eyes followed her gaze, and he gently set her down before dashing forward. The man who had been reaching into the car window suddenly took off running.

"Stop! Police!" Lu He chased after him.

Meng Siqi: "..." Did she actually get it right by chance?

To her eyes, Lu He was like a bolt of lightning, pinning the thief to the ground in an instant.

Meng Siqi jogged over. The thief was already handcuffed, and Lu He explained, "Siqi, you’ve got a sharp eye. This is a fugitive! Desperate and stealing."

Meng Siqi licked her lips and said proudly, "Lu He, this is my credit, right? Remember to put in a good word for me."

"Of course, this is your credit." He pressed down on the fugitive again. "Behave. Today you met the sharp-eyed Officer Meng. You’re out of luck for eight lifetimes."

Meng Siqi smiled. She found Lu He's words more and more amusing.

After bringing the fugitive back to the bureau, Lu He walked up to her with a lack of enthusiasm. "What if today wasn’t satisfying enough?"

"Lu He," Meng Siqi said with disdain, "this is the police station. Don’t act recklessly. There are rules."

"Okay, I know. Let’s go back together after work."

"Sorry, Captain Lu, I have to work overtime today. Catch you later." Meng Siqi smiled and walked towards the second team's office.

Two days later, Meng Siqi took a day off. Meng Hui called her home for a meal—it had been a long time since they’d had a reunion. Meng Tingzhe had already been convicted, and Meng Hui had gone to the police station to understand the situation but didn’t discuss it with her.

She felt they might ask about the bureau’s handling of Meng Tingzhe. In fact, with sufficient evidence, he’d likely be transferred to the prosecutor’s office soon, and a public prosecution would follow, pending the court’s final judgment.

Returning home, the atmosphere was not as heavy as she imagined. In fact, no one mentioned anything about Meng Tingzhe. Aunt Chang made her favorite dishes.

Meng Siqi said, "Aunt Chang, I love your cooking the most." She remembered how much she missed Aunt Chang's meals.

Aunt Chang smiled and said, "Siqi, eat more. You’re busy with work, and it’s rare for you to come home for a meal."

"Yes, today I’ll eat until I’m stuffed."

"Daughter, it’s good to eat until you’re as round as a panda," Meng Hui joked. "You’ve been working hard recently. After eating, go to the mall with Dad. I’ve made an appointment with a lawyer to prepare a will."

"Dad, why are you thinking about this at such a young age?" She wondered if Meng Tingzhe had done something to affect her parents’ health.

"Daughter," Ye Xiuhui said, "our intention is to give you all the shares of the mall. When Mom and Dad grow old, we’ll live in this old house."

Unexpectedly, Ye Xiuhui personally proposed this idea. She hurriedly said, "Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad. I don’t really care about these things. I only care about your health."

Meng Hui smiled and picked up braised pork ribs for her. "Aunt Chang personally made these braised pork ribs. Eat more, daughter."

Ye Xiuhui said, "Husband, this is called taking credit for someone else’s work. Daughter, Mom personally made braised fish, specially for you. Come, Mom will pick a piece for you. Wishing you abundance every year!"

Meng Siqi took a bite of the fish. This tasted just like Mom’s cooking. Ye Xiuhui picked up her glass. "Come, let’s have a toast together."

The four raised their glasses, clinked them together, and laughed, "Wishing you abundance every year!"

The next day at noon, in the second team's office, Zhao Leiting walked up to her desk with a mysterious smile and whispered, "Siqi, I’ve got something to tell you."

"What is it, so secretive?"

"Do you know Liang Yunfeng? He was actually assigned from the Provincial Office to gain experience at the grassroots level."

Meng Siqi pretended to be slightly surprised. She remembered that Liang Yunfeng was a top student from the Provincial Police University. He was from the Provincial Office and had just graduated last year, joining the city bureau in the same cohort as her.

But in her memory, she had a recollection from thirty years in the future. At that time, Liang Yunfeng had become the head of the Provincial Office, but this period of experience at the city bureau had become a valuable asset in his life.

"And you know what," Zhao Leiting said mysteriously, "it's said that his father is a leader in the provincial political and legal authorities. Who would have guessed? This guy is destined for great things in the future. He went to a good school, has great skills, and has been getting hands-on experience with Lu He at the grassroots level. When he returns to the Provincial Office, he'll be on the fast track. I need to build some connections with him."

Meng Siqi smiled and said, "Zhao Leiting, you're not bad either." She knew that thirty years later, Zhao Leiting would become the director of the city bureau.

"Hehe, your praise makes me a bit shy," Zhao Leiting said, his voice rising a bit. "Anyway, Liang Yunfeng's one-year grassroots training is up, and he might be transferred back to the provincial office."

"Looking forward to his great achievements."

Zhao Leiting continued with enthusiasm, "Commissioner Liu has also been considerate. Since Liang Yunfeng is going back, he quickly filled Team One with new recruits. And today, the new colleague arrived. I just heard Luo Xiaoguo say that their new colleague came from some police station. This guy is really something. You know what? He actually staked out next to a rural outhouse for seven days and nights, alone, in the stench, and caught the suspect. Pretty impressive, huh?"

As Meng Siqi listened, a sense of unease crept over her, and her expression gradually darkened. She remembered that around this time, Meng Xinghai should have arrived at the city bureau. Zhao Leiting asked, "Siqi, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Meng Siqi smiled and asked, "Is it Meng Xinghai?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

Perhaps because she had recently seen Meng Xinghai, Meng Siqi's emotions were more subdued. Instead, she felt a strange calm. At least for her, this time she would definitely be able to work alongside Meng Xinghai as colleagues for life.

But as she left the office, Meng Siqi's eyes still welled up a bit. She adjusted her emotions, straightened her clothes, and walked to the door of Team One's office. Inside, she could hear Meng Xinghai and Luo Xiaoguo chatting and laughing about that epic seven-day stakeout.

Meng Siqi stood for a while, then walked in. Inside, the man was wearing a neat short-sleeved police uniform, looking like a much younger version of the older Meng Xinghai, with thick black hair and sharp eyes.

Only he and Luo Xiaoguo were there in the office. "Meng," Luo Xiaoguo spotted her immediately, "come over. You two share the same last name. Let me introduce you to Meng Xinghai, an outstanding officer promoted from Xincheng County Police Station to our second team."

Meng Xinghai turned around, looked at her, and smiled warmly. Luo Xiaoguo introduced her, "Comrade Meng Xinghai, this is Meng Siqi, one of the top officers in our city bureau."

Meng Xinghai's eyes lit up. He quickly walked up to her, saluted, and said with a smile, "Officer Meng, I've heard all about your impressive reputation at the station. You've cracked many tough cases with such finesse. It's truly an honor to meet you today."

As if time had turned back, Meng Siqi held back her emotions and slowly raised her hand, patting his arm—a habit she had picked up from patting the older Meng. She smiled and said, "Old Meng, you're here."

After exchanging some familiar pleasantries, Meng Xinghai still told her, "Officer Meng, I want to be upfront with you, though you might find it hard to believe..."

"Hmm?" Meng Siqi suddenly anticipated what he might say.

Meng Xinghai said, "Although I'm not married yet, for the past few years, I've had this feeling that I might give my life on the job. So, I've already named my future daughter. I originally thought of 'Si Gui' (longing for the return), but I didn't realize it would be so close to your name. So, I decided to name her Si Gui."

In reality, your daughter is named Meng Siqi, Meng Siqi thought to herself. She desperately wanted to tell him to name his daughter Meng Siqi, with the nickname Qiqi. But this time, Meng Siqi hesitated. Five cycles had been too much. Now was the best outcome. She didn't want little Meng Siqi to enter a new cycle again. Let everything end here.

Meng Siqi smiled and said, "Old Meng, it's up to you."

"Alright, I'll definitely think it over carefully."

Luo Xiaoguo smiled and said, "Old Meng, actually, the name isn't that important. There are many people with the same name nowadays."

Meng Xinghai chuckled warmly, "Yes, Deputy Luo is right."

Meng Siqi: "..."

Not long after, Lu He walked in. Luo Xiaoguo reminded, "Old Meng, it's Captain Lu."

Meng Xinghai ran up to Lu He, saluted formally, and said with vigor, "Officer Meng Xinghai from Xincheng County Police Station, Jinyang City, reporting to Captain Lu!"

"Comrade Meng Xinghai, hello! Welcome to Team One. From now on, let's work together, united, to fulfill our glorious mission!"

"Yes, Meng Xinghai accepts the order!"

At that moment, Meng Siqi smiled. She didn't know how many times Meng Xinghai would tell his daughter that sentence.

"The day I reported to the city bureau, I met Lu He. He was the captain of the criminal investigation team, a remarkable person. I was honored to be his subordinate... That day, I also met your Aunt Meng..."

Actually, there was another sentence after his words, "Your Aunt Meng is exceptionally beautiful. At that time, I thought, if my daughter could be half as beautiful as her in the future, that would be great..."

"How about a team dinner tonight, Siqi? You should join us," Lu He suggested.

"It's been a while since our last dinner," Luo Xiaoguo laughed.

"Alright. I feel like having a drink tonight," Meng Siqi said with a bright smile.

"No problem, your Brother Luo will drink with you as much as you like."

*

A few days later at noon, Meng Siqi brought some money to the post office to send to her adoptive parents. This time, she included a letter, telling them she would visit them soon.

As she exited the post office, she unexpectedly saw Lu He. There were dozens of steps at the entrance of the post office, and Lu He stood at the bottom, looking up at her slightly.

She didn't know how Lu He had come here, and just as she was about to step down, Lu He walked up, step by step, his steps steady and firm, each step as if breaking through the confines of time and despair, each step as if shattering thirty years of solitude and loneliness.

She wanted to tell Lu He that they had journeyed through thirty years together, through thirty years of darkness and isolation, and now they had finally seen the dawn.

Because at the end of the night, there's only one answer: dawn!

Lu He took precisely thirty steps to reach her side.

Just like the first time they met, his features were sharp, his profile elegant and resolute, but his eyes were filled with tenderness, "Siqi, I knew you were coming out, but I was still a little worried. I remember the time you got lost right here."

Meng Siqi was touched, her eyes slowly filling with tears, "Thank you, Lu He. Thank you."

"Siqi, I should thank you, thank you for coming into my life. I remember now, this is not the first time you've come into my world," Lu He's eyes were red, "Will you be my wife? I want to take care of you for a lifetime."

Meng Siqi also remembered many things, Lu He had never changed, tears glistening in her eyes, "Is it too simple for me to agree so easily?"

"No rush, we've come this far; what's a day or a night?" Lu He slowly extended his arms, pulling her into his broad and firm embrace, "I just can't wait any longer."

Meng Siqi smiled, seeing Lu He slowly lower his head, his breath warm and heavy, brushing over her cheeks, seeking her lips.

Wait, she wanted to say, there are quite a few people here; can't we find another place, Lu He?

Lu He gently touched again, not like a light taste, when he looked up, his eyes were moist, as if recalling many past events.

A few months later, in the spring of 1995, Jinyang City was blanketed in white snow, resembling a snow-covered city.

*

A police car was moving through the snow.

Meng Siqi, sitting in the passenger seat, said to Zhao Leiting who was driving, "Zhao Leiting, have Sis Rong and the others set off?"

"Yes, when we went out on the call, the forensic examiner and the trace inspection team had already gone. Do you think anything can be found in this icy snow?"

"As long as the criminals have passed, they will definitely leave traces," Meng Siqi affirmed.

She then turned to the two rookie police officers in the back seat and said, "Mentorship is a tradition of our second team. Sun Jun, you will follow Officer Zhao in the future, and Min Lu, you will follow me."

"Okay, Captain Meng," they responded in unison.

Zhao Leiting laughed and reminded, "Min Lu, why are you still calling her Captain Meng?"

The young girl Min Lu shyly smiled, "Master."

"Good," Meng Siqi nodded with a smile.

Zhao Leiting exclaimed to Meng Siqi, "Siqi, Brother Feng and Chuan have both headed to the provincial headquarters. Today is your first time leading the operation. We’ve got to be swift, precise, and decisive. We need to let Director Han see the proud legacy of our second team. No, wait, the apprentice has outshone the master!"

"As per Director Zhao's orders."

"..." Zhao Leiting shot her a glance, smiling as he gazed into the distance.

Meng Siqi gazed out the car window and smiled serenely. The snowy landscape was breathtaking, life was so full of promise, and her career in the police force was so fulfilling!

The police car's wheels plowed ahead, carving a firm path through the snow. The police car shrank into the distance, and sunlight gradually bathed the pristine, snow-blanketed world!