I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 124 An Encounter with Liang Yan
June 25th, Friday, the 14th day of the fifth lunar month.

Han Ling and Tong Feng were busy with the case until 7:30 p.m., and were preparing to leave work after it was over.

I'm lucky this weekend; no cases or work scheduled, so I can have a good rest.

"Come on, I'll treat you to dinner. How about hot pot?" Tong Feng said.

Han Ling: "Why eat hot pot on such a hot day? I promised a friend I'd have dinner with her, maybe next time."

Tong Feng was somewhat disappointed: "Who is it? Dr. Xu? I guessed it was her right away. I finally have a perfect weekend, can you spare some time for me?"

Hearing this, Han Ling felt a chill again: "Fengzi, can you stop acting like a homosexual all the time? Captain Lin has plenty of time, go find her, go eat hot pot with her."

Lin Muyang, the captain of the police dog squad, may seem busy, but most of his time is spent on routine management and training. He doesn't respond to many calls, about fifty times a year, and participates in the investigation of only a dozen or so cases.

The situations in which police dogs can be used are relatively few, and are phased and targeted.

"She doesn't have time."

Tong Feng regretted it as soon as he finished speaking, because he saw the murderous look in Han Ling's eyes.

"You only called me because she didn't have time. I thought I was the first choice." Han Ling packed her things and stood up. "I'm leaving."

After leaving the branch office building, Han Ling rode his bicycle through the Qingchang streets at night. He bought a red envelope at a shop and withdrew two hundred yuan from a nearby bank before heading to Sun Qing's house.

Sun Qing had already called him the day before yesterday to make a reservation for dinner tonight.

June 25th is Sun Qing's birthday.

They arrived at their destination at 8:20. Sun Qing and Sun Lang were there, but their mothers were not.

The dining table was already set with prepared food.

Some of the dishes had already gone cold, but Sun Qing was very happy to see Han Ling arrive and quickly went to the kitchen to reheat them.

"Where is your aunt?" Han Ling asked.

Sun Lang laughed and said, "I went to visit a relative. She knew Officer Han was coming and said she wouldn't stay at home because she was worried you'd be too reserved."

Han Ling didn't say anything and sat down.

Sun Lang opened a bottle of baijiu and asked Han Ling if he could have some, but the latter refused. He didn't drink baijiu and wouldn't offer to drink beer or wine at this moment.

We ate a quick meal and then left.

Sun Lang didn't insist and poured himself a drink.

Sun Qing was still heating up the dishes when the two of them started eating.

“Wang Mengjie was sentenced to five years. How long will it take him to get out?” Sun Lang asked.

Han Ling thought for a moment and replied, "Theoretically, he should serve at least two and a half years. Normally, if he can get a reduced sentence, it would be about three and a half years. Two and a half years would require a major meritorious service."

Regarding Wang Mengjie's case, Sun Lang did not try to intervene just because he knew Han Ling. He followed the procedures completely, so he didn't cause Han Ling any unnecessary trouble.

If Sun Lang really swallows his pride and begs, Han Ling's opinion of him will drop. There's no point in forcing someone to do something that's already been decided.

“Three and a half years…” Sun Lang murmured to himself, “Fortunately, he’s still young when he gets out, and he can start over. I will always keep a place for him.”

Han Ling: "You're quite the loyal friend."

Sun Lang laughed and said, "Since he's following me, of course I can't kick him out just because he's in jail. Stabbing someone to avenge his sister shows he's a real man."

Han Ling declined to comment.

The two are from different perspectives and cannot discuss this further. Sun Lang is more inclined to seek revenge and is an egoist.

There's nothing wrong with that; at least you won't suffer a loss.

After the dishes were heated up, Sun Qing washed her hands and sat down at the table, constantly serving food to Han Ling.

"Happy birthday." Han Ling took out a red envelope and handed it to Sun Qing. "Don't refuse. This is my heartfelt gift. How can you come empty-handed to someone's birthday? I've been a bit busy these past few days and haven't had time to go shopping."

Sun Qing seemed to have never intended to refuse, and happily accepted it: "Thank you, Brother Han!"

On the other side, Sun Lang glanced at his sister, then at Han Ling, and silently drank his wine, lost in thought.

"Don't be shy." Han Ling picked up his chopsticks again. "My girlfriend is on duty today, otherwise I would have brought her along."

These words made Sun Lang pause in his drinking, and Sun Qing was also taken aback for a moment before laughing, "My brother said you have a girlfriend, so it turns out you really do."

Han Ling nodded: "Yes, a doctor from the People's Hospital. Your brother has met him, right, Sun Lang?"

Sun Lang chimed in, "Yes, yes, I've seen her. She's exceptionally beautiful and very wealthy."

Han Ling: "The last two sentences are unnecessary."

“Only a girl like this is worthy of Brother Han.” Sun Qing said calmly, continuing to serve food to Han Ling. “How does it taste? I made all of this myself.”

Han Ling praised, "It's delicious."

After dinner, cake was served. Han Ling accompanied Sun Qing to blow out the candles and make a wish. After taking a couple of symbolic bites, he said goodbye and left.

Sun Qing has re-enrolled in school with ambitious goals for the future, and Sun Lang has also turned over a new leaf and started his own career. Everything is moving in a positive direction.

Han Ling didn't want to get too involved with the Sun siblings; a nodding acquaintance was enough, and everyone should have their own lives.

After Han Ling left, Sun Qing quietly tidied up the table by herself. Sun Lang, who was sitting in the living room, smoked a cigarette and couldn't help but say while watching his sister's busy figure, "I didn't lie to you, did I? Officer Han really does have a girlfriend."

Sun Qing turned around and asked curiously, "What does it matter to me whether Brother Han has a girlfriend or not?"

Sun Lang: "I'm your brother, do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You're about to turn 18, and when it comes to matters of the heart..."

“Brother,” Sun Qing interrupted, “You’re overthinking it. Brother Han is our benefactor. To me, he’s just like you; he’s my brother.”

Sun Lang muttered under his breath, a little jealous: "I'm your own brother, how can we be the same?"

Sun Qing smiled: "My current task is to study. Don't worry, I won't waste my youth. You don't earn money easily." Sun Lang was very satisfied: "That's right."

Sun Qing continued clearing the dishes. When she turned her back, the smile on her face disappeared, replaced by sadness, and she sighed softly.

There were very few streetlights in Huaixiang Hutong on Zhumin Street. Han Ling rode his bicycle through the dim light and soon arrived at the main road.

As he stepped onto the main road, he glanced back, rode another 200 meters, parked his bike haphazardly on the side of the road, and then turned back.

Just now, he noticed someone moving around nearby.

The suspicious behavior at this late hour doesn't seem like that of a resident of Huaixiang Hutong. Just in case, he decided to go and check it out.

Under the moonlight, Han Ling's footsteps were light. He turned and twisted his way to the side and came into the deep alley. At the end of his line of sight, a man leaned against the wall and observed. From this place, he could see the area around the Sun family's house.

Han Ling slowly approached.

When they were half a step apart, he raised his hand and patted the other man on the shoulder: "Buddy..."

The two words had barely left his lips when the man instinctively swung his right elbow, which instantly reached Han Ling's face.

Han Ling's gaze narrowed slightly. While dodging, he blocked the other man's joint with his left hand and slammed him against the wall with lightning speed and force. The man's eyes immediately showed a look of astonishment.

"Han Ling?" The two looked at each other, and the man immediately recognized Han Ling and said his name, "Didn't you just leave?"

Han Ling was taken aback, feeling that the man in front of him looked very familiar. When he accurately recalled the memory, he quickly let go of his hand: "Captain Liang."

This person was Liang Yan, the captain of the First Brigade under the Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

To put it bluntly, the First Brigade is essentially an enlarged version of the Major Crimes Unit of the branch bureau, just one level lower.

The branch bureau's major crime squad is only responsible for solving major cases within its jurisdiction, while the city bureau's major crime brigade has the authority to intervene in Quan Qingchang's case.

"Sorry, sorry..." Han Ling's vigilance hadn't completely dissipated. "What are you doing here so late at night? I noticed someone acting suspiciously when I left, so I came back to check on things."

Upon hearing this, Liang Yan gave a wry smile.

The fact that the other party was able to obtain two third-class merits and one first-class merit within a year is not just luck; it reflects their genuine ability. Their vigilance and skill are beyond what ordinary police officers possess.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded, and another criminal police officer from the Municipal Bureau rushed over. When he saw that it was Han Ling, he froze.

Liang Yan waved his hand to indicate that he was investigating a case. He then said to Han Ling, "We are investigating a case. If there's nothing else, you can go back. It's a misunderstanding."

Investigate a case?

Han Ling craned his neck to look in the direction of the Sun family and asked, "Is it related to the Sun family?"

Liang Yan: "This...the case is in the confidential stage, and there are rules that prevent me from saying anything."

Han Ling remained silent for a moment, but couldn't contain his curiosity, and he was also worried about involving the Sun siblings, so he pressed on, "Are Sun Qing and Sun Lang okay?"

Liang Yan replied, "Don't worry, they're fine and have nothing to do with this case."

"Since you're here, I wanted to ask, what brings you to the Sun family's house?"

Han Ling briefly explained Sun Qing's birthday and asked, "If it has nothing to do with the Sun siblings, then it must be related to their father?"

Liang Yan: "I can't say. Don't ask. Be mindful of discipline. Hurry up and leave. This is an order."

"Fine……"

Han Ling had no choice but to leave, retracing her steps to find her bicycle and begin her journey home.

A gentle breeze caressed his face as he pondered what had just happened.

The fact that Liang Yan, the captain of the first brigade of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, is personally investigating this case means it must be no small matter. Judging from the conversation just now, it should be related to the father of the Sun siblings.

This person died by suicide.

Suicide is an unnatural death, and the local branch must have intervened in the investigation at the time. Regardless of the outcome, the case should eventually be handled by the municipal branch.

In other words, there are certain suspicious points surrounding the death of Sun Qing's father.

Either there was something wrong with the suicide, or there was nothing wrong with the suicide but it involved other things. In any case, Sun Qing's father was a key figure, which is why Liang Yan appeared in Huaixiang Hutong.

Is it staking out, or something else?

Han Ling recalled Sun Qing's father's will. He felt something was off about it at the time; the will was too profound, and some parts didn't quite fit reality.

For example, let Sun Qing leave Qingchang and go to the big city to see the world's prosperity.

Qingchang is already considered a new first-tier city. It's by the sea and very prosperous. Do you really feel that the city is still too small, or is the main point to leave?

For example, money is a good thing.

Telling his daughter in his suicide note that money is a good thing is too superficial and could easily lead her to develop a biased view of money. A father should not educate his daughter in this way.

For example, Sun Qing's father described the stray cat, Didi, in great detail.

If you've already committed suicide, why write all this nonsense in your suicide note? Were you bursting with creative inspiration?

At the time, he didn't think much of it, only that it was profound. Now, Liang Yan's appearance has made him think about it more carefully. Looking at the entire suicide note, something does seem a bit off.

Back home, Han Ling washed up and went to bed, still thinking about it, but eventually gave up.

There's no point in thinking about it if you know nothing.

The case was being handled by the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division. He was just an ordinary criminal police officer in the branch office. Without permission from his superiors, he could not obtain inside information, let alone get involved.

……

P.S.: Chapter Two was written at night, during a writer's block, revising the case outline.

(End of this chapter)