Po Sir's Police Affairs: The Hunter

Jiang Bo asked Liu Ya out for the third time, not to a coffee shop, nor to the old pontoon bridge. He asked her to go to the market. He said, "My mom's making dumplings, pork and cabbage filling. Can you come help out?" Liu Ya paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, then laughed and said okay. Her laughter was beautiful, crisp and clear, like the sound of ice cracking in winter.

Early Saturday morning, Jiang Bo went to pick her up. She had changed her clothes: a white sweatshirt, dark blue jeans, and sneakers. Her hair was still tied in a ponytail, and she wasn't wearing makeup, just her natural face. Her skin was very fair, with a few faint freckles near her nose, which he could barely see unless he looked closely. She stood downstairs, carrying a blue, faded cloth bag. He honked his horn, and she looked up, saw his car, and walked over with a smile.

"Going to buy groceries? Why doesn't your mother go by herself? Is it hard on her legs?"

Jiang Bo waited for her to get in the car and started the engine. "Her legs are still okay. It's just that she can't carry it all by herself. Before, when Tangyuan was around, she could help her carry the basket. Now that Tangyuan is gone, it's inconvenient for her to be alone. She doesn't want to trouble me and always says she can manage. I said I would go with her, but she said no, you do your thing. She wouldn't let me go."

Liu Ya fastened her seatbelt. "Your mom lives alone? You're so busy all the time, how does she manage? Eating alone, watching TV alone, talking to herself alone. Doesn't she get bored?"

Jiang Bo drove, looking at the road ahead. "She's used to it. She's been alone for twenty-two years, enduring all kinds of hardships. Now she has a house to live in, food to eat, and people to talk to; she feels that's already very good. She doesn't want me to worry. She says, 'Just live your life well, don't worry about me.'"

Liu Ya was silent for a moment. "Your mother is a good person. Your father is a good person. You are a good person too. Your whole family are good people."

Jiang Bo didn't reply. He gripped the steering wheel and turned into a small alley. On both sides of the alley were vegetable stalls, butchers, fishmongers, their calls rising and falling. He parked the car outside and went in with Liu Ya. Xiuying was already inside, standing in front of a meat stall, picking out pork. She wore an old cotton-padded jacket, her hair tied back with a rubber band, revealing graying roots. Her hands and apron were covered in flour. When she saw Liu Ya, she paused for a moment, then smiled.

"You're here? Good to see you. Keep an eye on Jiang Bo and don't let him wander off. Every time he comes to buy groceries, he wanders off and I can never find him. He was like this when he was a kid; he would run around as soon as he entered the market, either looking at the fish or the chickens, and I couldn't stop him."

Liu Ya smiled. "Auntie, I'll keep an eye on him for you. He can't run away. I'll be watching him specifically today."

Xiuying picked out a piece of pork belly and handed it to the vendor. "This one's good, three layers of fat and lean meat, perfect for dumplings, not greasy at all. Go weigh it." She turned to Liu Ya. "Do you eat meat too? Or are you vegetarian? Jiang Bo's dad used to be a meat lover, he'd get anxious if there wasn't any meat in a meal. Jiang Bo is like his dad, he can't live without meat either. If you're vegetarian, I'll buy something else. Chives and eggs are fine too."

Liu Ya shook her head. "Auntie, I eat meat. I love pork and cabbage. My mom used to make them often, but her hands got bad and she can't anymore. I haven't had them for years."

Xiuying's eyes reddened. "Then eat more today. I packed a lot, enough for several meals. If you can't finish it, take it home and put it in the refrigerator. Just heat it up when you want to eat it. Don't be shy, make yourself at home."

After buying the meat, they also bought cabbage, scallions, ginger, and garlic. Xiuying bought a bag of flour, saying they didn't have enough at home. Liu Ya helped her carry the cloth bag; Xiuying carried the flour, while Jiang Bo carried the meat and vegetables. The three of them came out of the market, the sun shining warmly on them. Xiuying walked ahead, very slowly, step by step. Liu Ya followed behind, occasionally helping her. Jiang Bo walked at the back, watching them, his heart filled with indescribable feelings.

Back home, Xiuying started kneading dough. She poured flour into a bowl, added water, stirred with chopsticks, and then kneaded it by hand. She kneaded vigorously, leaning forward, her shoulders heaving. Liu Ya washed and chopped cabbage beside her. She chopped it finely and evenly, her knife skills excellent. Jiang Bo chopped meat, the sound of his chopping echoing in the kitchen. The three of them were busy with their own tasks, and no one spoke. The kitchen was warm, with soup simmering on the stove, bubbling and steaming, white vapor rising gently under the lamplight.

"Xiao Jiang, chop gently. It's too loud, the downstairs neighbors will complain. Your dad used to do that too, chopping meat like he was demolishing a house. I told him off, and he stopped. He looked at me and smiled," Xiuying said while kneading the dough.

Jiang Bo softened his grip, and the knife moved slower. "Mom, what else did Dad say? Does he have any other embarrassing stories to tell? Tell me a few more, I'd love to hear them."

Xiuying thought for a moment. "There are many. Your dad has a lot of embarrassing stories. When he first learned to cook, he cooked rice into porridge, burned the vegetables, and burned a hole in the pot. He was too embarrassed to say anything, so he secretly threw the pot away and bought a new one. I asked him where the pot was, and he said he didn't know, maybe it was stolen. Who would steal a pot? Why would they steal a pot? He's just stubborn and won't admit he's stupid."

Liu Ya smiled. "Auntie, can Jiang Bo cook? He lives alone, can't cook, does he eat in the cafeteria or order takeout every day?"

Xiuying glanced at Jiang Bo. "He can cook noodles, instant noodles. He can also fry eggs, until they're charred black on both sides. He's all alone, as long as he doesn't starve. He's not picky, as long as he's full. He said when there's a case, he doesn't even have time to eat noodles. How could he have the mind to cook?"

Liu Ya looked at Jiang Bo. "Don't eat instant noodles anymore. It's bad, not nutritious. Come to my house this weekend, I'll cook for you. I'm a decent cook, at least I won't burn the pot."

Jiang Bo lowered his head and remained silent. He continued chopping the meat, one slice at a time. The sound was muffled, like thuds.

The dumplings were wrapped and three pots were cooked. Xiuying brought them to the table, filling it to the brim. The three of them sat down around the table, the steaming food filling the air with a wonderful aroma. Xiuying picked up a few for Liu Ya, a few for Jiang Bo, and then picked one for herself, putting it in her mouth and chewing slowly.

"It's delicious. You guys are really good at cooking. It tastes better than what I could make by myself." Xiuying smiled.

Jiang Bo swallowed a dumpling. "Mom, the ones you make are delicious even if you only make them yourself. I've been eating them for so many years and I'm never tired of them."

Xiuying looked at him. "You have to eat it even if you're tired of it. Your mother only knows how to make dumplings. She doesn't know how to do anything else."

Liu Ya put down her chopsticks. "Auntie, please don't say that. You know so much. You traveled so far and searched for so many years, and you brought Jiang Bo back. You're more amazing than anyone else. And your dumplings are the best I've ever made. I've never eaten such delicious dumplings before."

Xiuying's tears streamed down her face. She didn't wipe them away, letting them flow freely. "You're a good girl. Jiang Bo is lucky to have found you. Spend more time with him. He's all alone, lonely. Tangyuan is gone, and he has no one to talk to. Talk to him, and he won't feel so bored. He's not good with words, but he knows what's going on. He cares about you."

Liu Ya blushed. She lowered her head, picked up a dumpling, and put it in her mouth. "Auntie, I will. I will stay with him. If he's busy, I'll wait for him. If he's tired, I'll take care of him. When he gets old, I'll support him. I won't leave him alone."

Jiang Bo almost burst into tears. He picked up his bowl, took a sip of dumpling soup, and tried to hide his emotions.

After dinner, Liu Ya helped Xiuying clear the table and wash the dishes. Xiuying sat on the sofa, holding the notebook. She turned to a page, looking at the names and the apologies. Tears streamed down her face again.

"These names, these women, they are all dead. Their families waited so many years. They got their wish. They can rest in peace now."

Liu Ya walked over and sat down beside her. "Auntie, they're at peace now. They're no longer cold. They have someone with them over there. The master remembers them, Jiang Bo remembers them. I remember them too. They won't disappear."

Xiuying closed the notebook and hugged it. "You remember. You remember for us. Those names, those apologies, someone has to remember them. If no one remembers, they're really gone. I'm old, I can't remember anymore. You remember for me. You remember for all of us."

Liu Ya nodded. "Auntie, I remember. I remember for you. I remember for my husband. I remember for everyone."

Jiang Bo stood by the window, looking outside. Those names, those apologies, were all in his heart. Those who stood at the door watching were also in his heart. They were gone, but he remained. He had to go on. But he wasn't alone anymore. He had Liu Ya. She would be with him.

In the evening, Jiang Bo drove Liu Ya home. The car drove slowly, the setting sun casting its golden rays on the river. Liu Ya sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window at the river. She stared for a long time before speaking.

"Jiang Bo, will you marry me in the future?" Her voice was very soft, as if it were drifting from a very far place.

Jiang Bo gripped the steering wheel, his fingers clenching tightly. "Yes. I will marry you. Will you marry me? I don't have a big house, just a small apartment. I don't have much savings; it's all spent on solving cases. I don't have much time; I often work overtime. I'm not very romantic, and I don't know how to sweet-talk people. All I know is solving cases. Will you marry me?"

Liu Ya looked at him. Her eyes were red, but she didn't cry. "I'm willing. I don't want a big house, I don't want savings, I don't want time, I don't want romance. I just want you. You alone are enough."

Jiang Bo's tears streamed down his face. He pulled the car over to the side of the road and took her hand. "Thank you. Thank you for waiting for me, for being with me, for marrying me. I won't let you regret it."

Liu Ya smiled. "I know. You won't let me regret it."

Jiang Bo started the engine and continued driving. He drove across the Yangtze River Bridge, the river water shimmering beneath. Those names, those apologies, were all in his heart. Those people standing at the door watching were also in his heart. They were gone, but he remained. He still had Liu Ya. He still had a future.

That evening, Jiang Bo called Xiuying and told her that he was getting married. Xiuying remained silent for a long time on the other end of the phone. Then she cried, crying so hard she couldn't speak.

"Mom, why are you crying? Haven't you always wanted me to get married? Now that I'm getting married, you should be happy."

Xiuying sobbed. "I'm happy. I'm crying because I'm happy. If your dad knew, he would be happy too. He's waited for you for so many years, and you're finally getting married. He's watching you from heaven. He must be smiling. His eyes crinkle like crescent moons when he smiles."

Jiang Bo's tears streamed down his face. "Mom, please help me prepare. The bride price, the wedding house, the banquet—please take care of everything. I'm busy, I don't have time. Please handle it for me."

Xiuying nodded. "Okay. I'll help you with that. You go about your business. Those cases aren't closed yet. Those names aren't all memorized. Once you're done, come back and get married."

Jiang Bo hung up the phone and stood by the window. Outside, the night view of Jiangcheng stretched out, the car lights on the distant Yangtze River Bridge forming a river of light. Those names, those apologies, were all in his heart. Those people standing at the door watching were also in his heart. They were gone, but he remained. He was getting married. He was going to have children. He would tell those names to his children, he would tell them those apologies. He wanted them to continue remembering, to continue saying. The story would continue, it couldn't be broken.