Chapter 983: Epilogue

Chen Shi opened his eyes and said, “Good morning, wife.”

Lin Dongxue smiled back, “Good morning, husband.”

Sunlight streamed through the window, heralding another ordinary day. It had been over a year since the “Human Observer Incident” was resolved. Yet, in the bustling city of Long’an, crimes big and small unfolded daily—neighbors killed over a heated argument, entire families murdered over a dog, stalkers obsessing over blind dates for twenty years. These bizarre cases were part of their daily life. Working side by side, Chen and Lin’s bond grew even closer.

Getting up to dress and wash, Lin Dongxue volunteered to make breakfast today. Chen Shi nibbled on an apple while watching her at the kitchen door. She was quite skilled, except when it came to flipping sunny-side-up eggs—struggling alone with that task.

Chen Shi came over, embraced her from behind, and grasped the frying pan’s handle, “Flipping it is an art. If not done right, the yolk will break. You have to do it like this…”

With a gentle shake, the egg soared and flipped perfectly in the air.

Lin Dongxue laughed, “I’ll never learn that move!”

“Watch, learn, practice makes perfect.”

“Yeah, right. You do it then!” Lin Dongxue turned and kissed Chen Shi, “I’ll just eat what’s ready.”

“Hey, giving up so soon!” Chen Shi tried to call back Lin Dongxue as she left the kitchen, smiling helplessly before quickly finishing the remaining tasks.

After eating, Chen Shi picked out a suit from the wardrobe. While Lin Dongxue helped him with his tie, she complimented, “You look sharp in this.”

“How about we skip today?” suggested Chen Shi.

“Skip it?”

Chen Shi lifted Lin Dongxue up, “I was too tired last night and fell asleep as soon as I got home. I was hoping… we could make up for it today. The case is closed, it’s a good time to relax.”

“Crazy, our daughter’s graduation ceremony and you’re thinking of skiving? Are you even a father?”

“It’s just a graduation.”

“Graduations happen only once, you know. The school even called you specifically as an honored alumnus to attend. There’s a limit to being whimsical!”

“Ah, such a hassle… How about we arrive an hour late?”

“Get lost!” Lin Dongxue playfully punched him, “Pervert, put me down.”

Reluctantly, Chen Shi set her down and kissed her cheek again.

On the drive to the police academy, Lin Dongxue gazed out at the scenery and listened to the music in the car. Chen Shi remarked, “Time flies, our daughter is graduating and becoming an adult… though she still looks so young.”

“The magazines say, the more a father dotes on his daughter, the slower her development.”

“Do I spoil her?”

“Spoiled to the heavens, look at the pocket money you give her. It’s enough to buy a tank.”

“Ah, she had a tough childhood. It’s only right to spoil her a bit.”

“Yueyue asked me a few days ago if we’re not planning on having more kids. ‘All my good genes going to waste?’ I told her even if we tried, we couldn’t have another wonderful child like you. Why bother when we have one already?”

“We don’t need results; we enjoy the process.”

“Dressed all smart but still so lecherous.”

“What’s wrong with being a bit lecherous towards my own wife?” Chen Shi smiled, turning to her.

“Watch the road, you fool!”

Today, the police academy was bustling. The graduation ceremony had many honored alumni attending, and Chen Shi, reluctantly dragged by Lin Dongxue to greet former classmates, was not keen on mingling. Known as Song Lang during his school days, everyone kept asking about his experiences, which nearly drove him mad.

Collective spirit, honor, discipline—Chen Shi lacked these traits. Back then, he often doubted whether he could ever be a policeman. Now, he knew the answer: being a police officer, matching wits with criminals, was the most thrilling job for him.

And now, these worries were falling on Tao Yueyue. Chen Shi wouldn’t give her the answers; it was useless to say anything. She had a long road ahead to find herself.

By ten in the morning, the new recruits assembled on the parade ground in their crisp uniforms, all sitting up straight.

“I really miss those days,” Lin Dongxue said.

“Nothing to miss. I only like the present,” Chen Shi responded with a smile.

Tao Yueyue was not among them as she was to give a speech representing the graduates. Her peers seemed less than thrilled. While waiting, some girls whispered, “Big deal, justbecause her dad is the team leader and she’s a bit better at school,” and “With her prickly attitude, she’ll have a tough time getting assigned anywhere good.”

Chen Shi cleared his throat and said loudly, “Wife, why hasn’t our daughter appeared yet?”

The gossiping girls turned around in surprise, saw Chen Shi, and quickly shut their mouths.

Finally, Tao Yueyue stepped onto the stage and approached the microphone. She saluted the crowd, instantly relaxing as she spotted Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue among the faces. A smile spread across her face.

Chen Shi nodded encouragingly at her, feeling a wave of emotion. After everything they had been through, this moment felt like a culmination.

Tao Yueyue looked out over the crowd, her gaze calm, and began, “Fellow students, teachers, good morning…”

(The End of “Chasing the Criminal Mind”)