Chapter 42
It changed

“Yes, yes, it made it to the newspaper. We must toast to that,” Chai Yu laughed heartily and raised his glass.

Xie Qing said, “We’re far from achieving great things, but we must have dreams. Cheers to dreams.” She raised her glass and drank it all in one go.

Tan Yi said, “Alright, to dreams.”

The three men drank together.

To make conversation easier, Xie Qing dismissed the waiter and personally opened a bottle of beer, refilling the four glasses.

Chai Yu said, “Speaking of dreams, what are your dreams?”

Xie Chen dipped a piece of beef in the hotpot, gave it to his sister, and then took another piece for himself, “My dream is to make money. What about you, Brother Chai? Isn’t it to become a leader?”

Chai Yu said, “Of course, a soldier who doesn’t want to be a general is not a good soldier.”

Xie Chen nodded, “Everyone’s goals are clear.”

Chai Yu glanced at Tan Yi, “Yes, everyone’s goals are clear.”

Tan Yi didn’t respond, focusing on cooking an oyster and splitting it with Xie Qing, putting the rest in his own bowl.

Chai Yu clicked his tongue, “In all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen you serve food to a girl.”

Tan Yi said, “I owe Xiao Xie a favor.”

This statement could be interpreted in different ways. Simply, it meant he was grateful; more complexly, it meant he was clarifying their relationship to avoid misunderstandings.

Xie Qing thought it was more complex, “Captain Tan, you’re overthinking it. It’s just work, something I should do, no favors owed.” She smiled at Chai Yu, “Brother Chai, Captain Tan is always popular with girls. Don’t worry. Even if he serves me food a thousand times, I won’t fall for him.”

Tan Yi’s chopsticks froze in mid-air.

Chai Yu was stunned at first, then burst out laughing, “Yes, well said, Brother Chai supports you!”

Xie Chen put a piece of lamb in Xie Qing’s bowl, “Your brother will serve you, eat more, sister.”

“Thank you, big brother.” Xie Qing ate the lamb, raised her glass, and clinked it with Tan Yi’s, “Captain Tan is great, much better than those peacocks who show off and flirt everywhere.”

Although she compared him to a peacock, it was meant as a compliment. Even so, Tan Yi felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint what.

Seeing Xie Qing take a sip, he wanted to drink a glass with her but remembered her saying not to drink and drive, so he refrained.

Chai Yu clinked glasses with Xie Chen, “Our forensic doctor, Xiao Xie, is impressive. This is the first time I’ve seen Tan Yi lose to a girl.”

Xie Chen smiled, “My sister is straightforward, Captain Tan. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Tan Yi smiled, “I won’t. I like Xiao Xie’s personality.”

Xie Chen said, “That’s good, that’s good.”

Xie Qing ate a tender and delicious oyster cooked perfectly by Tan Yi. She gave two to Xie Chen, “Big brother, eat quickly. The oysters are good.”

Xie Chen agreed and ate both oysters.

Chai Yu said, “I miss my sister, too.”

Tan Yi cooked another spoonful and gave half to him, “If you miss her, go back, but don’t bring her here.”

Chai Yu pouted, “Then forget it. My sister isn’t as sensible as Qing Qing. She’d cause chaos. By the way, have you contacted your younger brother recently?”

Tan Yi said, “No, he’s busy with his senior year studies, no time for me.”

The book didn’t mention Tan Yi’s younger brother much, so Xie Qing wasn’t interested and focused on eating seafood.

The four of them weren’t there to socialize, so they chatted and drank casually, spending most of the time eating. As they were about to finish, an unexpected guest arrived at the door, “Hey, Secretary Chai, long time no see!”

Guan Yangzhi entered, “My friend owns this place. The food’s pretty good, right?”

Chai Yu stood up and shook hands with Guan Yangzhi, “The food’s good. Are you just arriving or leaving? Want to join us?”

“We’re heading to Golden Cabinet for another round. Secretary Chai, Captain Tan, want to come?” Guan Yangzhi looked at Xie Chen, “Xie Chen and Qing Qing will join, right? Yun Yun is with us.”

Xie Qing immediately said, “I have work tonight, so I won’t go. Big brother, you go see Yun Yun.”

Xie Chen didn’t want to go, but since Xie Yun was there, he had to.

Chai Yu said, “Have fun, Mr. Guan. Tan and I won’t join. You know how my job is. It’s hard to get some peace at home.”

Guan Yangzhi didn’t insist, “Alright, I’ve already settled your bill. Next time, it’s on me, and we’ll have a good drink.”

Chai Yu was surprised and exchanged a glance with Tan Yi.

Xie Chen quickly said, “Thank you, Mr. Guan. I was supposed to treat today. For karaoke later, let me handle it.”

Guan Yangzhi laughed, “Sure, it doesn’t matter who treats.”

Xie Chen said, “Alright, Qing Qing, drive safely. Secretary Chai and Captain Tan, you too.”

…

Xie Chen left with Guan Yangzhi.

The room fell silent.

Xie Qing was shocked, not understanding what had happened. Both the second and third male leads had lost interest in Xie Yun simultaneously.

This wasn’t logical!

No, it wasn’t right. She had influenced them—spare tires, after all, would eventually realize the truth if they weren’t foolish. But could her words have such an impact?

She looked at the two men suspiciously, but they didn’t seem heartbroken. Alright, this was good. As long as Tan Yi didn’t focus solely on being a spare tire, her life at the city bureau would be smoother.

Feeling relieved, Xie Qing’s attention returned to the remaining seafood.

There wasn’t much left, and it was not worth taking home, but it was too good to waste.

Xie Qing sat down, picked up a shrimp, and slowly peeled it.

Chai Yu closed the door and returned to his seat, sipping tea, “Speaking of Golden Cabinet, I can’t help but think of Shen Yi. I heard you formed a task force. Any progress?”

Tan Yi didn’t answer immediately. He took out a pack of cigarettes and gestured to Xie Qing.

Xie Qing said, “I don’t mind.” She was against smoking, but given the environment, it was better to restrain herself than to impose on others.

Tan Yi tossed a cigarette to Chai Yu, and they both lit up.

Tan Yi said, “The task force is formed, but we have no leads. The five missing people are still unaccounted for.”

Chai Yu flicked his ash, “So, you’re just waiting for them to commit another crime?”

Tan Yi said, “Not necessarily.”

Chai Yu was intrigued, “So, what’s the plan?”

Tan Yi said, “I can’t disclose that for now. But since we’re close, you should be cautious.”

Chai Yu sighed, “Knowing you is my bad luck. If I die because of you, you won’t live well either.”

How did the Shen Yi case relate to personal grudges?

Xie Qing quickly recalled the plot. She remembered Tan Yi had a backstory. He and his eldest brother were kidnapped together; his eldest brother was killed, and he survived, but the case remained unsolved, leaving him with a lifelong burden.

So, were the two cases connected?

In the book, Tan Yi solved the Shen Yi case. After she transmigrated, it became unsolved.

What was different? Did her presence change the case’s direction, or was it always meant to be a phased resolution?

No, Tan Yi was always busy with his brother’s case, which is why he wasn’t focused on Xie Yun. Moreover, at the end of the book, when he was leaving Anhai, he told Xie Yun that his elder brother’s case was finally solved, fulfilling his long-held wish with no regrets.

Xie Qing felt relieved—as long as her presence didn’t cause the culprit to escape, it was fine. Additionally, the connection between the two cases could be established through the murder method or the evidence and witnesses. What did Tan Yi use to link the cases?

Morphine or the “Saqing doll”?

It should be the “Saqing doll,” as the crime methods from over a decade ago wouldn’t be so advanced.

If she hadn’t transmigrated, Huang Zhenyi wouldn’t have found Mao Jiayi so quickly, and Mao Jiayi might not have died at home, so she wouldn’t have found the “Saqing doll.”

Therefore, the book’s conclusion likely involved Tan Yi catching Mao Jiayi, who, under threat, confessed to being the main culprit, temporarily closing the case, which made sense.

Different paths leading to the same destination… Or perhaps she even sped up the process of linking the cases.

After finishing the seafood, the three of them went downstairs together.

At the entrance, they saw Xie Yun getting into Xie Chen’s car. The latter also noticed them and enthusiastically waved.

Tan Yi and Chai Yu stood in place, politely nodding.

Xie Qing waved back, thinking, “Sorry for disrupting your romantic prospects and taking your business. A small retaliation, you won’t mind, right?”

Tan Yi asked, “Xiao Xie, can you drive yourself?”

Chai Yu scoffed, “The little girl barely drank. You should worry about me instead.”

Xie Qing said, “I agree. Brother Chai is a government official. If he gets into an accident after drinking, it would be a big deal.”

Although there was no concept of drunk driving at that time, civil servants and police officers involved in accidents due to drinking would face significant public pressure.

“Haha, the little girl cares about me,” Chai Yu said, satisfied. “Don’t worry, your Brother Chai is smart. I knew I’d be drinking, so I took a taxi. Too bad I couldn’t fully enjoy it. Little girl, you owe me a drink.”

Both Xie Qing and Xie Chen drove, so neither drank much, which made Tan Yi hesitant to drink more. Chai Yu wasn’t a heavy drinker, so he didn’t push it and focused on eating.

Xie Qing quickly understood this and laughed, “Alright, as long as Brother Chai and Captain Tan are willing, I’m always available.”

Tan Yi rolled his eyes, “Young lady, don’t say ‘always available’ to men. Drive safely.”

“Thank you, Captain Tan.” Knowing she had been too casual, Xie Qing waved and turned to her car. She was tall and slender, not particularly graceful, but confident and elegant.

Chai Yu watched her back, somewhat entranced, “In my opinion, Qing Qing is much better than Xie Yun.”

“Stop looking and get in the car,” Tan Yi pushed him. “One is selfish, the other selfless. Don’t compare them.”

“That sounds grand, but it’s true when you think about it,” Chai Yu said, getting into the passenger seat. “She lent her brother money to buy land. I overheard their plan to build a resort and later develop seaside houses. I think Anhai is a good place for that.”

Tan Yi started the car and slowly drove out of the parking space, “What do you mean?”

Chai Yu said, “Xie Chen is sensible and has a good eye. If they lack funds, I think we can have our families help.”

Tan Yi nodded, “No problem. I can’t do it, so keep an eye on it.”

Author’s notes:

I want to discuss a question—In my opinion, a book is just a book. No matter how vivid the story, the characters can’t come to life. So, before Xie Qing transmigrated, the original owner was just a tool in the author’s story, as were Tan Yi and Chai Yu.

Xie Qing changed the plot, causing a butterfly effect, and Tan Yi and others partially awakened, altering the storyline. Therefore, Tan Yi never loved Xie Yun, and there was no previous life or Xie Qing stealing a man.

Thank you for understanding.