Chapter 851: Father, Are You Worthy?

With less than two weeks left before the high school entrance exams, Chen Shi took Tao Yuanyuan out for a break on the weekend. They went to a newly opened pizza shop and ordered fries, pizza, milkshakes, and ice cream. Chen Shi remarked, “Although junk food isn’t good for you in many ways, its biggest advantage is that it helps relieve stress and anxiety.”

Tao Yuanyuan replied, “It’s just the entrance exams. Do you think I’m nervous?”

“You have seemed a bit distracted lately.”

“Oh, stop asking about girly stuff…” Tao Yuanyuan dodged the topic, “Did you have a fight with Sister Lin? Why haven’t you visited her recently?”

“There are still some loose ends from that last case. I can’t help much, so I’m here to keep you company.”

Ever since Wu Wei’s unexpected death, Chen Shi hadn’t been back to the bureau much. However, he had heard rumors that this case was likely linked to Lige Guoxiao. It was said that Teams Three and Two were coordinating their investigation.

At that moment, the TV in the shop began broadcasting a local news segment. Images of suspects being arrested appeared on the screen. The news reported that local entrepreneur Lige Guoxiao was suspected in a large-scale drug planting case, as well as multiple cases of disappearance and murder. The police were conducting a comprehensive investigation into him and his company.

“Wow, Sister Lin seems to be on the news,” Tao Yuanyuan remarked.

“Really? We’ll watch it again when we get home,” Chen Shi thought to himself. Offering a reward for information meant the police were taking this seriously.

It seemed like Lige Guoxiao was in big trouble. This was like a bolt from the blue for Chen Shi. He wondered how Lin Qiuwu and Lin Dongxue had found the breakthrough. He pulled out his phone, glanced at Tao Yuanyuan, then put it away again. Tao Yuanyuan noticed his gesture and said, “If you need to make a call, just do it. You’re probably calling Sister Lin, right?”

“No, I’m with you today. I’m not doing anything else.”

That evening, back at home, Chen Shi finally called Lin Dongxue. After exchanging pleasantries and catching up, Lin Dongxue said she was still at the bureau. Chen Shi asked, “Need a ride, Miss Lin?”

“Sure, I have good news to share with you.”

“I’ll be right over.”

He drove to the police station, where Lin Dongxue was waiting at the entrance. She was rarely seen in her police uniform. Chen Shi remarked, “Just had a meeting?”

“Morning meeting. Today’s the day for the uniform,” Lin Dongxue replied.

“You look great in uniform.”

“Is it the uniform that looks good or the person wearing it?” Lin Dongxue got into the car and noticed a paper bag on the side. It contained leftover pizza from the pizza shop where Chen Shi had been earlier. Hungry, Lin Dongxue grabbed a slice and started eating.

Chen Shi pretended to consider and answered, “Definitely the uniform. I’d look just as dashing in one.”

“Haha, insincere!” Lin Dongxue quickly finished off a slice of pizza. “But Old Chen, if you really want to wear the uniform, it’s quite easy.”

“Alright, enough teasing. What’s the good news?”

“Lige Guoxiao is finished. We have evidence linking him to the drug case.”

“I saw the news. Congratulations. Must be the biggest case of the year, right? What evidence do you have?”

Lin Dongxue hesitated, unsure how to phrase it. “I’ll tell you once I’ve figured out how to say it.”

“Take your time.”

“Now I know how agonizing it is to keep a secret,” Lin Dongxue sighed.

“Are you full?” Chen Shi changed the subject.

“Are you treating me?”

“You were just commended. Shouldn’t you be treating me?”

Lin Dongxue pouted, “Okay, I’ll treat you, but what we eat is up to me.”

“Fine, I can go for grilled fish.”

Lin Dongxue’s phone rang—it was Lin Qiuwu. He said, “Come to the XX Hotel nearby, Room 302.”

“What’s up?”

“Come over, and who are you with? Chen Shi?”

“Is he coming too?”

“Okay, have him come along. He can be a witness.”

Lin Dongxue was confused about why they needed a witness, but she asked Chen Shi to drive them there.

When they arrived at Room 302 of the hotel, Lin Dongxue opened the door and immediately froze at the sight of Lige Guoxiao sitting there. Just released on bail from the police station, he was dressed plainly without his customary dragon-headed cane, looking like a kindly old father.

There were only him and Lin Qiuwu in the room, with a table set out with tea, untouched by Lin Qiuwu.

“Dongxue,” Lige Guoxiao smiled.

“Are we that familiar?” Lin Dongxue retorted coldly.

“Can you please ask him to leave for a moment?” Lige Guoxiao gestured at Chen Shi.

“No, Chen Shi, stay right here,” Lin Qiuwu told Lige Guoxiao, “I know you won’t be satisfied if I don’t accept this private meeting. But a gentleman does not take advantage of a private setting. There must be a witness to our conversation!”

Lige Guoxiao looked displeased, reminding him of the situation in the interrogation room, where he was interrogated by his own flesh and blood, but they treated him like an enemy.

Is it because he became a policeman and was ungrateful for six? 还是因为憎恨自己遗弃他们的事情, 想不通。