Chapter 853: Auntie Dong

On May 27th, Team Two was extremely busy investigating cases related to Lie Guo Xie. However, Lin Dongxue, who was not part of the special task force, could leave work on time.

At 5:30 PM, Lin Dongxue grabbed her bag and said to her colleagues who were still engrossed in work, “I’m heading out. Remember to eat!”

“Wait, Dongxue,” Xu Xiaodong called after her. “Can you help me out? My mom found this old cabinet somewhere and she’s downstairs with it now. I told her not to move it alone and that I’d come back after work, but now I have to work overtime.”

“I’ll go with Chen.”

“Thank Chen for me. I’ll treat you both to dinner tomorrow.”

“It’s no big deal.”

Chen Shi was waiting for her outside. They had originally planned to have dinner after work but took on this small task instead. Chen Shi joked, “Helping to move things? Did you ask him for payment?”

“No need to be so petty. It’s just a favor. He said he’d treat us to dinner tomorrow.”

“Alright, we were going to have grilled fish tonight. We’ll let him treat us tomorrow then.” Chen Shi started the car.

Lin Dongxue had been to Xu Xiaodong’s house once before. Xu Xiaodong’s mother had mistaken her for his girlfriend, which led to some humorous misunderstandings. The old lady was extremely doting on her son, treating him like a child who would never grow up. Lin Dongxue envied the nurturing family bond.

On the way, Lin Dongxue said, “My brother is really going on a blind date!”

“Looks like you’re getting a sister-in-law soon.”

“I doubt it. A few days ago, he met someone who seemed perfect in every way, and she liked him too. They planned to meet again, but do you know what he said? He said, ‘I have a good impression of you, but I need to compare. Wait for my call!’ Imagine how a girl would feel hearing that she’s being compared!”

“Haha, people who don’t understand your brother can’t handle his overly rational personality.”

“In plain terms, he has no emotional intelligence.”

“Is he interested in her?”

“He told me that even though they match in many ways, he just can’t get excited about spending a lifetime with her.” Lin Dongxue took out her phone and showed a picture, “Here’s the photo he sent me. She’s a nurse and quite pretty. I didn’t think he had such high standards for looks!”

” The cabinet was solid wood and quite heavy. It took a lot of effort to get it into the elevator and then into the apartment, following the old lady’s directions. They were busy until nearly 7 PM.

“I’m sorry to trouble you. Why don’t you stay for dinner? I made pork rib soup with winter melon.”

“Auntie, no need. We’ll head back.”

“Xiaolin, you haven’t been here in ages. Stay for a meal, don’t you like my cooking?” The old lady held Lin Dongxue’s hand.

Under her warm insistence, they couldn’t refuse and stayed for dinner. While the old lady was busy in the kitchen, Chen Shi looked around Xu Xiaodong’s room, surprised by the posters, memorabilia, and comics. It was hard to believe the owner was a serious criminal police officer.

A stuffed cat was lazily lying on the cartoon-covered bed, sucking its paw. Lin Dongxue called out, “Huahua!” The cat meowed and ran over, letting her pet it and even rolling on the floor, exposing its belly for scratches.

“It still remembers me!” Lin Dongxue was delighted.

“My Xiaodong is just a big kid,” the old lady said as she brought out dishes. “Xiaolin, has he behaved well lately?”

“Yes, he’s been performing excellently.”

“Has he been in any danger? Last time he told me he climbed a drainpipe to catch a criminal with a knife. I couldn’t sleep all night after hearing that. What if something happens to him?”

“Auntie, that only happened once. Usually, our work is just routine questioning. It’s not dangerous.”

“I’m just afraid he’ll get hurt being too brave.” The old lady turned to Chen Shi, “You wouldn’t know, but his father passed away early, and it’s just been the two of us. He wanted to be a police officer, and I supported him, but I’m always worried about his safety. I can’t control him forever… By the way, does he have a girlfriend at work?”

The conversation revolved around Xu Xiaodong. The old lady even showed them his childhood photos. As they ate and chatted, time flew by. At 8:30 PM, Xu Xiaodong came home and heard his mother recounting his childhood stories. He shouted, “Mom, stop it, how am I supposed to face them later!”

“You’re back! Wash your hands and eat.” The old lady’s eyes crinkled with joy seeing her son.

“No need, I had takeout.” Xu Xiaodong sat down and picked up an apple.

The old lady snatched it away and peeled it for him, complaining, “Takeout again? Is it hygienic? It’s full of gutter oil and additives. It’s bad for your stomach. You’ll regret it when you’re older.”

“Mom, stop nagging, it’s so annoying.” Xu Xiaodong took a bite of the peeled apple.

Chen Shi watched him, amused. He was just a big boy, shrinking ten years younger the moment he walked through the door.