Reborn in 97, I solved a cold case at the Municipal Bureau

Chapter 273 Good News

Wu Yongcheng's words surprised Zhou Yi.

This case is indeed distressing, but he quickly adjusted his mindset and said, "Captain Wu, at least we've given that kid an explanation. Let's just say he came into this world to survive a tribulation."

"Yes, you're absolutely right. And there's more good news?"

Zhou Yi then recounted the progress in Sanpo Village. When he mentioned the method he had told Director Wang, Wu Yongcheng affirmed, "Your method is excellent. Although the law is impartial and has its seriousness and fairness, there's also a saying that the law is not devoid of human sentiment; the law also considers humanity and warmth. Xiao Qi's case didn't touch on any matters of principle, so I agree with this approach!"

"That's really good news! You're not a jinx after all."

"Captain Wu, are you making fun of me?"

Wu Yongcheng laughed and said, "Perfect timing, I also have some good news to tell you."

"Huh?" Zhou Yi asked, very curious.

"Regarding Long Zhiqiang's case, the Provincial Department has decided to award our Hongcheng Criminal Investigation Detachment a collective first-class merit."

"Really? That's great news."

"Don't worry, there's more."

"besides?"

"Director Xie applied to the Provincial Department for a first-class merit award specifically for you and Chen Yan, in recognition of your significant contributions in this case."

Zhou Yi was startled. If it were about applying for a first-class merit for Chen Yan, he wouldn't find it strange at all.

Because Chen Yan killed Meng Xiaohai, saved Jiang Biao, killed Long Zhiqiang, and saved the last kidnapped child, the case was closed.

Such performance deserves this first-class merit award.

Especially the shot that killed Long Zhiqiang at the end—Zhou Yi wasn't confident he could have done it. If Chen Yan hadn't been there, he couldn't even imagine how the matter would have ended.

But receiving this first-class merit award was indeed beyond his expectations.

Because his role in this case is not as obvious as in the cases of Du Xiaolin and Zhang Hui.

Especially in the later stages, the case was entirely a collective achievement; it was Wu Yongcheng who dared to withstand the pressure and commanded effectively.

He was able to quickly determine that Long Zhiqiang was from Luohe by using his memories of Yu Zixin from his previous life, and he also uncovered the root of Long Zhiqiang's criminal motive.

But there were some things that only Zhou Yi knew, because he couldn't tell outsiders. Especially regarding the matter of finding Yu Changshun, he had concealed and downplayed it.

Therefore, he felt that he had kept a relatively low profile in this case.

Unexpectedly, they even applied for a first-class merit award for him.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Wu Yongcheng seemed to have seen through his thoughts and said, "Just for discovering that there was a bomb in the van and for using the van to analyze and pinpoint the group's hiding place, which provided the decisive direction for the arrest, you deserve this first-class merit. Moreover, Chen Yan told me the night before last that when you killed Long Zhiqiang, you were going to risk your life."

"Zhou Yi," Wu Yongcheng said earnestly, "you have already demonstrated the highest level of awareness as a police officer, and you deserve this honor!"

Zhou Yi's eyes welled up with tears: "Thank you, Captain Wu."

"But approval won't come so quickly; there's a selection and review process. So we'll keep it a secret for now, understand?" Wu Yongcheng said with a smile.

After ending the call with Wu Yongcheng, Zhou Yi sat down and found the note with Qin Beihai's phone number written on it.

He took a deep breath and then dialed the number above.

After three ringing tones, the call was finally connected.

"Hello, this is Qin Beihai." A booming voice rang out from the other end of the phone.

"Mr. Qin, this is Zhou Yi..."

……

After making a few phone calls, it was already dark outside, and another day had passed. However, compared to the past few days, I felt much more cheerful today.

The most depressing moment was the day Qin Beihai received the autopsy results. When he learned that another dismembered victim was an infant, the feeling of suffocation he felt was overwhelming.

Now, the clouds have finally parted and the sun is shining.

After listening to his description of the case, Qin Beihai did not offer much praise, but instead said: "You did a great job, you have lived up to the people's expectations, thank you for your hard work."

A simple affirmation, but coming from such a towering figure, is undoubtedly a tremendous recognition.

Before hanging up, Qin Beihai said, "If you ever come to the provincial capital, remember to come and find me."

Zhou Yi repeatedly agreed, but only after hanging up the phone did she realize that Qin Beihai wouldn't be so polite with her.

Therefore, his so-called "one day" is probably related to the advice he received when they first met.

Are you going to the provincial capital?

Of course, I will definitely go!

As Zhou Yi left the office, she decided to leave work early today.

For some reason, he suddenly wanted to see Lu Xiaoshuang and take her out to eat, to eat the Western food she had mentioned in the hospital room.

He decided to go to the school to find her.

Just outside the city bureau's main gate, Zhou Yi saw a small figure riding an old, worn-out bicycle, wobbling past him.

What a coincidence! Did your wish come true?
Zhou Yi was stunned for a moment, then quickly called out to the retreating figure, "Xiao Shuang."

"Huh?" Lu Xiaoshuang, who was riding her bicycle, turned around and saw that it was Zhou Yi. She smiled broadly and said, "Brother Zhou."

Then, she skillfully got off the bike, turned around, and ran over, pushing her bicycle. Her ponytail swayed from side to side, and the hair tie holding it up was the butterfly hair tie that Zhou Yi had bought earlier.

"Brother Zhou, did you just get off work?"

"Yes." Zhou Yi pointed in the direction she came from; the tax bureau wasn't far away. "Are you here for your internship today?"

"Yeah, I don't have any classes this afternoon. I just got off work too, what a coincidence."

"Yes, I was just thinking of going to find you, but I didn't expect to run into you at the door."

Lu Xiaoshuang was surprised: "Looking for me? Is there something you need?" "Yes!"

Seeing Zhou Yi's serious expression, Lu Xiaoshuang couldn't help but feel a little nervous: "Wh...what's wrong?"

Zhou Yi said with a serious expression, "Let's eat!"

"Eating? You startled me. I thought it was something important."

"What, isn't eating a serious matter? Come on, let's have dinner together," Zhou Yi said, raising an eyebrow.

Lu Xiaoshuang chuckled: "Eating is definitely a serious matter, but I think Brother Zhou is being a bit unserious."

"What did I do that was inappropriate?"

"I was just kidding, I'm not as serious as usual. Is something good happening today?"

Zhou Yi rode Lu Xiaoshuang's bicycle, carrying her slowly forward.

"Xiao Shuang, you need to add some oil to your bike chain, it's a bit difficult to ride."

"Really? I just applied the oil a couple of days ago."

"Well... Oh, I see..."

"what's wrong?"

"Then it can only be that you've gained weight?"

"Oh? Really? That's wonderful!"

"what?"

"My grandma always says I'm too thin and that I need to eat more."

As dusk fell, the fiery clouds stretched towards the horizon.

As the evening breeze caressed his face, Zhou Yi felt a long-lost sense of comfort, while Lu Xiaoshuang in the back seat gently smoothed her wind-blown hair, feeling a unique sense of peace.

That feeling was both strange and familiar.

She felt strange because she hadn't felt this at ease in a long time.

The familiarity was as if she were recalling her childhood, on the Loess Plateau, where she lay as a small child in her father's arms, the moment when weariness overcame her.

She gently and slowly rested her head on that broad back.

At this moment, something wondrous begins to ferment under the setting sun.

……

Lu Xiaoshuang looked at the exquisitely decorated entrance of the Western restaurant in front of her and tugged at Zhou Yi's sleeve.

"Brother Zhou, how about we go to another one? This one looks really expensive," Lu Xiaoshuang said softly.

"No need, this is fine, it's on me."

"Even if you treat him, it's still expensive. I saw a noodle shop when I came over..."

Before Lu Xiaoshuang could finish speaking, Zhou Yi pushed her inside.

Before they even arrived, a waiter in a white shirt and black vest opened the glass door: "Welcome to Moon Bay Western Restaurant. Do you two have a reservation?"

Zhou Yi shook his head and said no, so the waiter arranged seats for them. Zhou Yi asked for a window seat.

When the waiter pulled out a seat for Lu Xiaoshuang, she clearly felt uncomfortable and quickly said that she would take it herself.

This Moon Bay Restaurant is one of the earlier and more established Western restaurants in Hongcheng. In 1997, it was indeed not cheap.

However, by the late 1990s, young people's minds had become much more open, and they were gradually moving towards internationalization. Many young people were willing to try Western food, a high-end option.

Although Zhou Yi didn't find it high-class at all, since there were Western restaurants everywhere in Hongcheng later, Lu Xiaoshuang had never eaten there.

because……

The thought of why Lu Xiaoshuang had never eaten Western food made Zhou Yi's heart tighten.

The waiter handed the two of them two elegant menus. To distract himself, Zhou Yi immediately took the menus and opened them.

I was immediately dumbfounded; the menu was entirely in English.

Zhou Yi's lips twitched slightly. This restaurant was being a bit too pretentious, wasn't it?
He wasn't completely unable to understand, but with his police academy diploma, his peak English proficiency was during the college entrance exam. Even with his extensive experience in his previous life, he didn't need English to solve cases.

A waiter nearby seemed to have noticed something amiss and approached in a friendly manner to ask, "Sir/Madam, would you like to have a Chinese menu changed?"

Zhou Yi decided not to change it! Even if I'm not fluent in English, can't I at least look at pictures?
Just as she was about to speak, Lu Xiaoshuang thanked the other party in fluent English, but said that she didn't need to change the menu and would trouble her to order later.

Yeah, there are top students here, what's there to be afraid of?

After the waiter politely walked away, Lu Xiaoshuang whispered to him, "It's really expensive."

"Don't worry, your Brother Zhou just did a good deed, there will be a bonus later." Zhou Yi leaned closer and whispered, "Let's just eat here this once, next time we'll go for noodles."

Lu Xiaoshuang smiled while hiding her face behind the menu. Perhaps it was the lighting in the Western restaurant, but Zhou Yi could see that her eyes were sparkling.

Lu Xiaoshuang knew perfectly well why Zhou Yi had brought her here; he was fulfilling her dream.

"Let's order."

Zhou Yi nodded and whispered, "But you have to tell me what all these dishes are..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone exclaimed in surprise, "Officer Zhou, is it really you?"

　I got quite a few monthly votes yesterday, thanks to all the big shots for your votes.

　　The little seven that everyone has been longing for has finally found the best home.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)