Chapter 47
Before the New Year

The first and second teams conducted a thorough investigation of taxis, barbecue restaurants along the coast, villages, communities, and various gangs.

The number of barbecue restaurants was limited, and conclusions were reached that night—Shi Fang had not appeared in any of them.

Two days later, a taxi driver recognized Shi Fang, saying he had taken his taxi around 10 PM that night and got off near Linjiawazi on Binhai Road. Although there was a good road from Binhai Road to Linjiawazi, Shi Fang didn’t let the driver take him all the way and walked in himself.

Tan Yi led the first team to investigate Linjiawazi and quickly found a villager who had rented out a house. Unfortunately, the tenants had moved out the morning before last, and their whereabouts were unknown.

The villager said the tenants were a middle-aged couple in their early thirties. The man was burly, spoke standard Mandarin with a slight Guanzhong accent, and said they were there to inspect seawater aquaculture and would stay for a week. They moved out exactly after seven days. Before leaving, the man said he was going to treat some friends to a meal and asked the landlord to prepare barbecue equipment.

Neighbors confirmed that there was indeed a barbecue smell coming from the rental house around midnight.

The killer left calmly. This indicated that they were familiar with police procedures and could anticipate the progress of the investigation, showing a balance of advance and retreat. They intended to murder Tan Yi, and in order to do so, they killed another person. However, all Tan Yi got were two portraits of strangers. The task force compared these two individuals with five people who appeared in Mao Jiayi’s case and found neighbors of Mao Jiayi to identify them.

The conclusion: the man could not be recognized, but the woman had a mole on her chin, indicating that she was the same person.

This was a blatant provocation!

However, the task force was helpless and could only turn their anger into motivation, intensifying the investigation.

Strict controls were implemented at train stations, long-distance bus stations, and national highway intersections. After more than half a month, apart from catching a few petty thieves, nothing was found.

As December began, the weather grew colder, but the stock market became unusually hot, even catching the attention of the city bureau’s police officers.

Stocks were a novelty at that time. Although the police had heard about them, few dared to invest due to the nature of their work and the high stock prices, which required a gambling spirit to invest.

As the New Year approached, robberies and thefts increased while homicides decreased. Even the occasional case was mostly solved within three days.

Xie Qing’s work became more stable, and she spent her time working, going home, and monitoring stocks. Time flew by, and soon, it was the end of the year.

On the penultimate trading day before the stock market closed, Xie Qing took a day off and sold all her stocks at a high point. Her initial 400,000 yuan had grown to 1.22 million yuan, 20,000 yuan more than she had expected.

Cao Haisheng’s 3,000 yuan principal earned over 1,000 yuan, Li Ji’s 1,000 yuan principal earned over 400 yuan, and Li Ke’s 2,000 yuan principal earned over 800 yuan.

She withdrew the money from the bank and happily returned to the office, singing, “Sweetly, I smile sweetly, like flowers blooming in the spring breeze, blooming…”

Cao Haisheng was annoyed by her off-key singing and asked, “Xiao Xie, what are you so happy about?”

Forensic Doctor Chen was not there.

Xie Qing handed the marked envelope to Cao Haisheng, “Of course, it’s good news.”

Cao Haisheng understood immediately, said nothing, and put the envelope directly into the drawer. Just as he was about to close it, he noticed something unusual and took it out to check.

“Why is there so much?”

“I invested it and this is your return.”

Cao Haisheng quickly counted the money and separated the excess, “I can’t take this. You should keep it.”

Police officers are not allowed to participate in any company’s dividends.

Xie Qing understood his concern, glanced at the door, and lowered her voice, “Master, this is money my brother earned from stock trading. It’s legal and legitimate, no issues.” She added, fearing Cao Haisheng might misunderstand, “My brother said the market has peaked. It’s uncertain what will happen next, so I withdrew it early. You can use it to have a good New Year.”

Cao Haisheng understood. His little apprentice, whom he hadn’t taught much, was trying to help him out!

Over a thousand yuan, equivalent to three months of his salary.

Xie Qing continued, “Master, my dad said the current stock market is unstable, and trading stocks is like speculation…”

Cao Haisheng put the money in the drawer, and when he looked up, there were tears in his eyes, “I’m glad you understand. Just this once, don’t do it again.”

For so many years, he had supported his family on a meager salary, always worrying about holiday expenses. This extra income would make things much easier and allow him to have a good New Year.

Xie Qing didn’t like being sentimental, so she pretended to tidy up her desk, “Don’t worry, Master. I’m more afraid you’ll join the gambling crowd after making a small profit.”

Cao Haisheng laughed, and his excitement faded, “Same to you.”

In fact, even if Xie Qing hadn’t said anything, Cao Haisheng wouldn’t have had the chance to buy stocks. The market would crash at the beginning of the next year, trapping many investors and casting a shadow over the entire stock market. Some even lost their lives because of it.

…

In the evening, small snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

Xie Qing wrapped herself in a down jacket and went downstairs, meeting Li Ke and Li Ji on the second floor. They went to the cafeteria together.

With the New Year approaching, the cafeteria was serving all meat dishes: braised pork, chicken stew with mushrooms, shredded pork with green peppers, and braised cuttlefish.

Xie Qing loved seafood, so she took more cuttlefish and only three pieces of braised pork.

When they returned, most of the tables were full.

Xie Qing quickly found a spot at the far end and was about to sit down when Tan Yi came over with his tray and sat down beside her.

Xie Qing said, “Long time no see, Captain Tan.”

Tan Yi took a sip of hot water, “Long time no see.” He had been away for about seven or eight days and just returned today. Both of them weren’t the type for small talk, so they focused on eating after greeting each other.

After a few bites, Li Ke and Li Ji arrived, greeted Tan Yi, and sat across from them.

Li Ji asked, “Captain Tan, are you going home for the New Year?”

Tan Yi hesitated for a moment, “I’m on duty, not going back.”

Li Ke said, “Not going home for the New Year, that’s no fun.”

After being rejected once, she only saw Tan Yi as a team leader and could joke around with him like a buddy during gatherings. She was truly an open-minded girl.

Tan Yi smiled but said nothing.

Li Ji said, “Only kids look forward to the New Year. Adults find it troublesome. At my house, there are so many relatives, gatherings every day, and constant mahjong games. It’s never quiet. I think spending the New Year alone isn’t so bad, it’s peaceful.”

Li Ke probably thought of her own family and stuck out her tongue, saying no more.

Li Ji asked Xie Qing, “Xiao Xie, when are you on duty?”

Xie Qing replied, “New Year’s Eve.”

“What?” Li Ji was shocked, “Why New Year’s Eve?”

Li Ke teased, “Poor thing.”

Xie Qing had requested to work on New Year’s Eve to avoid dealing with Chen Yuehua and Xie Yun, so she swapped shifts with Cao Haisheng.

Tan Yi looked at Xie Qing, “I’ll be on duty, too. Let’s buy some snacks and watch the Spring Festival Gala together.”

Li Ji was a bit envious, “Right, with Captain Tan on duty, spending the New Year together is more fun than being at home.”

Li Ke pouted in disapproval.

Xie Qing said, “That’s a good idea. I’ll buy some sunflower seeds and peanuts later.”

Li Ke and Li Ji immediately volunteered, “I’ll go too.”

Li Ke said, “I know a place that makes great roasted snacks. They stay open until seven or eight during the New Year. I’ll buy some to take home.”

“Alright, let’s go together.” Following the principle of including everyone, Xie Qing asked Tan Yi, “Captain Tan, would you like to join us for a stroll?”

Tan Yi paused with his chopsticks, “Sure.”

The three of them were surprised and exchanged glances.

Tan Yi raised an eyebrow, “Can’t I?”

Li Ji quickly explained, “No, no, you can. We just didn’t expect it.”

After dinner, the four of them got into Xie Qing’s car and headed to the Fengshan District Farmers’ Market.

The market wasn’t far, just a seven or eight-minute drive. Most shops were closed, but a few were still busy. There were two roasted snack shops, two fruit shops, and three frozen seafood shops, all doing brisk business.

Tan Yi slung his bag over his shoulder, “What fruits do you like? I’ll go buy them.”

Li Ke said, “Oranges.”

Li Ji didn’t hesitate, “I want bananas.”

Xie Qing thought for a moment, “I’ll have tangerines.”

Tan Yi went to the fruit stand. The three of them headed to the dry goods stand and bought a bit of everything.

After paying, they walked back with their bags and saw Tan Yi standing behind the car with his hands in his pockets and four large cardboard boxes at his feet.

Li Ji was surprised, “Captain Tan, why did you buy so much?”

Tan Yi said, “It just looks like a lot. Once we share it, it won’t be much.”

Xie Qing agreed. At the police station, no one would be shy about taking what was offered. This amount of fruit wasn’t much.

On the way back, they had a lively chat in the car.

Li Ke peeled a hazelnut and asked Li Ji, “How peaceful is Anhai during the New Year?”

Li Ji cautiously replied, “I only arrived a year before you, but last year was calm and peaceful.”

In the police station, such topics were usually sensitive, as they feared jinxing things, so they spoke cautiously.

Xie Qing teased, “What’s the matter, tough girl not up for a challenge?”

Li Ke popped a hazelnut into her mouth, “Of course, who doesn’t want a happy New Year?”

Li Ji clasped his hands together, “Amitabha.”

Li Ke immediately followed, “Blessings.”

Tan Yi was amused by these two jokers and was about to speak when his phone rang. The number was from the second team’s duty phone.

Li Ji, seeing this, became tense.

Li Ke covered her mouth and watched Tan Yi’s every move through the rearview mirror.

Tan Yi said: “What’s the matter?”

“Oh…”

“Alright, we’re not far from there. We’ll head over right away.”

Something had indeed happened!

Xie Qing asked, “Captain Tan, where are we going?”

Tan Yi replied, “The detention center. A prisoner just attempted suicide. He claims to be wronged, and the higher-ups believe the facts are unclear and the evidence insufficient, so they’ve asked our city bureau to reopen the investigation.”

Xie Qing asked, “Is he dead?”

Tan Yi said, “No, he was saved.”

Xie Qing sighed in relief, “That’s good.”