Chapter 240: Dining Antics

Peng Siyue returned to his office to turn off the lights and lock the door, only to find Lin Dongxue standing there. She exchanged surprised glances with Chen Shi. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I promised to treat Captain Peng to a meal. I owe him a lot for all the help he’s given me,” Chen Shi fabricated an excuse.

“What are we having?”

“Steak. Join us!”

“Steak?” Lin Dongxue hesitated, not being a fan of Western food.

“How about we go for some hotpot instead?” Chen Shi suggested, but then noticed Peng Siyue’s frosty expression.

“Steak it is! I haven’t had it in years,” Lin Dongxue quickly agreed, not wanting to strain their relationship.

Peng Siyue asked, “Is there something you need?”

“Captain Lin gave you a small amber bottle. Have you analyzed its contents yet?”

“I had my assistant handle it. The results aren’t in yet.”

“I have a lead. It was stolen from a middle school chemistry lab.”

“I’ll check it out myself!”

Peng Siyue went to the toxicology lab, picked up the small bottle, shook it, fanned the scent towards his nose, dabbed some on a test strip, ignited it, and observed the reaction with some reagents.

He quickly concluded, “Dimethyl sulfoxide, an organic sulfur compound with mild toxicity.”

“If injected, would it be lethal?” Chen Shi asked.

“Depends on the dosage.”

“A full syringe?”

“Yes, it would be fatal.”

Chen Shi asked Lin Dongxue, “What case is this?”

“I’ll explain later.”

At the steakhouse, Lin Dongxue found the prices more reasonable than she expected. While waiting for their food, she discussed the case with Chen Shi, who concluded, “The girl didn’t commit murder; her motive isn’t strong enough.”

“I think so too,” Lin Dongxue agreed.

“How can you be so sure?” Peng Siyue asked.

“Firstly, her relationship with her brother wasn’t bad. Secondly, her interests indicate she’s more mature than her peers and wouldn’t do something so foolish. Lastly, she writes and has friends to confide in, showing her mental state is relatively healthy.”

“But all the narratives are subjective. They don’t fully reveal her inner thoughts,” Peng Siyue countered.

“Let Dongxue continue investigating.”

The steaks arrived. Chen Shi told Peng Siyue, “Dig in, no need to be polite.”

Peng Siyue gave him a disdainful look. “They’re all set meals; no need for pretenses.”

“You can order something else.”

“Waiter.” Peng Siyue called over the waiter and asked about their wine selection and the most expensive option.

Upon hearing it was 2,000 yuan, Chen Shi quickly coughed, “Peng, you have to drive later. Maybe next time?”

Peng Siyue asked the waiter, “Can I buy the wine to take home?”

“Yes, or we can store it here for your next visit.”

Chen Shi looked pained at the impending expense, while Lin Dongxue secretly laughed.

“Thank you. I’ll have a watermelon juice instead,” Peng Siyue smiled at the waiter.

Chen Shi began to put on a show, “You think I can’t afford it? If you want the wine, just order it! It’s only 2,000 yuan!”

“I don’t want you cursing me in your head.”

“Don’t deny me this chance. I rarely get to treat you. Who else could manage that?”

“Really? In that case…” Peng Siyue turned to Lin Dongxue, “Dongxue, would you like some wine?”

“Sure! I’m not driving. I hear red wine is good for you.”

“No problem!” Chen Shi snapped his fingers and called to the waiter, “A bottle of XXXX!”

Peng Siyue snatched the menu, seeing that XXXX was priced at 200 yuan. “Your English is quite good.”

“Of course! Who can’t speak a few words of English?” Chen Shi was relieved. Although 200 yuan wasn’t cheap, it was far better than 2,000.

When the wine arrived, Chen Shi poured glasses for Lin Dongxue and himself, swirling his glass and sniffing. “This 200 yuan wine smells amazing.”

Just as he was about to drink, Peng Siyue covered his glass. “Don’t drink if you’re driving.”

“One glass won’t hurt. I’ll metabolize it before leaving.”

“Don’t drink while driving,” Peng Siyue said firmly.

“Alright, alright,” Chen Shi resignedly picked up his watermelon juice.

Lin Dongxue downed her glass and said, “This is delicious. Much better than the 50 yuan stuff.”

“Drinking like that, you’ll get drunk,” Chen Shi warned.

“Really?” Lin Dongxue poured another glass.

After Lin Dongxue had downed four glasses, Chen Shi noticed she wasn’t even flushed. “I didn’t know you could hold your liquor so well!”

“Your body must produce more alcohol dehydrogenase than average,” Peng Siyue noted.

“I’ve never been drunk,” Lin Dongxue poured another glass.

“You should do a side job as a drink substitute,” Chen Shi joked.

Lin Dongxue made a face, “Drinking depends on the company. It’s no fun with strangers.”

“More fun with me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. It’s more fun with Captain Peng.”

Peng Siyue raised a glass of watermelon juice, “Here’s to solving the case.”

Lin Dongxue raised her glass, “Here’s to you finding love.”

“Change that toast!”

Lin Dongxue stuck out her tongue, “Here’s to everything going smoothly for you.”

They clinked glasses and drank.

Finally, they started on their steaks. Peng Siyue skillfully used his knife and fork, cutting the steak into small pieces and dipping them in sauce. Lin Dongxue, less adept with the utensils, struggled to cut hers.

Peng Siyue took her utensils and demonstrated, “Like this, like this…”

“Just eat however you’re comfortable. You can use your hands if you want,” Chen Shi said, cutting his steak into large pieces and eating directly.

“You can’t talk sense with someone with no class,” Peng Siyue remarked coldly.

“Having class means knowing when to adapt. Some people hide their lack of class with vulgar humor, pretending to be above it all, but they’re just low.”

“Glad you’re not talking about me.”

Lin Dongxue noticed Chen Shi had changed his eating style. “Old Chen, why aren’t you eating like before?”

Chen Shi cut a small piece of steak and put it in his mouth, raising his eyebrows at Peng Siyue. “Just showing someone I know how to use a knife and fork.”

“Congratulations,” Peng Siyue said nonchalantly.

Lin Dongxue chuckled. These two really enjoyed bantering. Men are just big kids, she thought.

As she continued cutting her steak, she sighed, “After this meal, I’m sure to gain weight.”