Chapter 48: Detective

Chapter 48: The Criminal Police

The day before Qingming Festival.

After work in the evening, Shen Qingye went home to change her clothes and then went to dinner with her mother.

The Gao family lived nearby, and it was less than a twenty-minute drive.

Shen Qingye had been to their house many times before. In fact, when she was younger and her mother was busy, she was often left in the care of Uncle Gao and Aunt Bai. So, Shen Qingye knew the place well.

The Gao family lived in a house allocated by the bureau. Although the exterior of the neighborhood looked a bit old, the security inside was excellent, and the neighbors were all colleagues from the Public Security Bureau or other government agencies. Everyone knew each other well and felt comfortable.

The mother and daughter stood outside the door and knocked. Hearing the knock, someone inside quickly responded, "Coming!"

When the door opened, a woman in casual home attire, with a beautiful appearance and a gentle demeanor, stood by the door. Shen Qingye stepped forward and greeted her warmly, "Aunt Bai!" Upon hearing this, the woman's face instantly lit up with a smile, and she hurriedly invited them in, "Come on in!"

She quickly stepped aside, her gaze full of affection as she looked at Shen Qingye, "You must be tired from work, huh? Come in and rest! Oh, I just invited you over for a simple meal, why did you bring so much?"

She feigned displeasure as she looked at the bags the mother and daughter were carrying.

Shen Linyue smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's not food or drinks. I went on a business trip recently and passed through Hong Kong. I saw some clothes that I thought would suit you perfectly. I'm sure you'll love them!"

Bai Xiuyu's smile deepened upon hearing this, "I trust your taste. If you say so, I'll have to try them on later!"

"Come on in! Old Gao got back early today and specially went to the market to buy some beef brisket. He's in the kitchen now, cooking his signature dish for you!"

Shen Qingye immediately said, "Uncle Gao's tomato beef brisket is the best! Even my aunt at home can't get the flavor right. I haven't had it in a while, and I've been missing it."

Bai Xiuyu gave her a teasing look, "Why don't you visit more often? If you want to eat it, just tell your Uncle Gao, and he'll make it for you, won't he?"

Shen Qingye hugged her arm and whined, "I've been busy lately, and so has Uncle Gao."

Bai Xiuyu, swayed by her, sighed helplessly and poked her forehead, "Alright, alright, eat as much as you want today. I'll make sure you have your fill!"

From the kitchen next to the living room, Gao Zhengming also heard the commotion and poked his head out, "Sister-in-law and Xiao Feng are here? Have a seat, have some fruit. I'll just let the dish simmer for a bit longer, and it'll be ready soon!"

Shen Linyue responded with a nod and then sat down to chat with Bai Xiuyu.

While responding to the elders, Shen Qingye kept glancing toward the kitchen and couldn't help but say, "Aunt Bai, should I go to the kitchen and see if Uncle Gao needs any help?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Xiuyu paused, then exchanged a glance with Shen Linyue, and both of them couldn't help but laugh.

She waved her hand dismissively, "What help does he need? He's been working in the kitchen for years, he can handle it himself. We'll just wait and eat."

She pushed the oranges toward Shen Qingye, "Here, Xiao Feng, have an orange. These oranges are really sweet."

Shen Qingye took the orange and could only thank Aunt Bai, her eyes glancing toward the kitchen, her mouth pouting slightly.

Seeing this, the two women couldn't help but chuckle secretly.

Teasing children was really fun.

Fortunately, it didn't take long before Gao Zhengming came out of the kitchen. Seeing this, Shen Qingye quickly put the half-peeled orange on the table and happily approached him, "Uncle Gao!"

Gao Zhengming paused while taking off his apron, looking at her with some surprise and caution, "What? Why are you so enthusiastic?"

Shen Qingye pouted, "What do you mean, Uncle Gao? I just saw how hard you worked cooking!"

She pushed him from behind, her tone cheerful, "Come on, come on, sit down and rest!"

Gao Zhengming let her push him onto the sofa, his expression tinged with suspicion.

Shen Qingye peeled the orange on the table, carefully removed the pith, and handed it to him with an eager smile: "Uncle Gao, have some orange."

Gao Zhengming looked at the plump and juicy orange, his eyelids twitching slightly, and raised his hand to stop her: "Enough, enough, stop putting on this act—it’s unsettling."

Shen Qingye immediately protested: "What are you talking about, Uncle Gao?"

Gao Zhengming glanced at her: "Come on, ever since you were little, every time you’re this nice, it’s because you want something."

He stuffed a couple of orange segments into his mouth and sneered: "Unwarranted kindness is either deceit or theft."

The two women nearby exchanged glances, barely suppressing their laughter.

"What are you talking about!" Shen Qingye protested: "Can’t I just peel an orange for you out of the goodness of my heart?"

Gao Zhengming shook his head: "No, no, I can’t handle such a simple orange."

He looked at her and said: "For the sake of my old bones, don’t scare me—just spit it out."

"What old age? Uncle Gao’s in his prime, strong and tough!" Shen Qingye protested: "Huang Wenqiang was so ruthless, but under your command, he cracked in just two days!"

She gave a thumbs up: "You’re the man!"

Gao Zhengming snorted twice, even though he knew she was trying to please him, it was hard not to feel happy.

"You’re a smooth talker. If only you were this obedient all the time, I’d be thrilled."

Shen Qingye pouted: "How am I not obedient? I’ve been on my best behavior, haven’t I?"

At this, not only Gao Zhengming, but even her own mother almost couldn't help rolling her eyes.

She’s well-behaved? If she’s well-behaved, there aren’t many troublemakers left!

Gao Zhengming couldn’t take it anymore: "Enough already, just say what you want. Don’t make me squirm!"

Shen Qingye chuckled and handed him a cup of tea: "Uncle Gao, about Huang Wenqiang’s case—how’d you get him to talk? What went down? Can you fill me in?"

Gao Zhengming took a sip of tea and glanced at her: "Do I really need to tell you? Didn’t your team clue you in?"

"Come on, Uncle Gao." Shen Qingye immediately lowered her head, looking pitiful: "They only tell the Major Case Division. What am I? Just a lowly clerical officer—no rank, no status. Why would they tell me anything?"

Gao Zhengming almost choked on his tea, quickly putting the cup down on the table, his eyes looking at the girl with a mix of amusement and disbelief.

Well, well, no wonder she was buttering me up today—she was waiting for this!

Shen Linyue, standing to the side, sighed and turned her head away. Bai Xiuyu, however, smiled with interest, always amused by their little back-and-forth.

Gao Zhengming pondered for a while, then slowly nodded: "In that case... Song Lianfeng did the right thing. After all, the case is too important to share with just anyone."

"Exactly, so I’m in the dark and can only ask you, right?" Shen Qingye said pitifully: "So Uncle Gao, how long until what you said last time gets finalized?"

Gao Zhengming pretended to be puzzled: "What’d I say last time?"

Shen Qingye reminded him with a smile: "What you told the reporters last time—about transferring me to the criminal division."

Gao Zhengming looked surprised: "Did I say that?"