Chapter 12: with translation of chapter title

12 Being able to laugh and live till the end is really not easy.

As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Xiu'er and Chen Rang, who were watching the surveillance nearby, also scrambled over, staring at the documents in Xu Jiangshan's hands.

"Is that the knife-dealer who leaves prophecies and only collects payment after the prophecy comes true?" Chen Rang asked.

Xu Jiangshan nodded.

"I'm going!" Lin Xiu'er stopped chewing her gum, found a piece of paper, spat it out, wrapped it up, and threw it in the trash: "Is that the sole heir of the Tushan family who can't live past twenty-two?"

Xu Jiangshan: "Xiu'er!"

Lin Xiu'er immediately clamped her mouth shut and made a zipping gesture.

Xu Jiangshan withdrew his gaze and placed it on the name of the person taking the record.

May I ask, which one is Comrade Zhang Xuefeng?

Zhang Xuefeng had been paying attention to the three of them; hearing the person addressed as Xu Lao call him, he immediately stood up, saluted, and replied, "Xu Lao, I'm Zhang Xuefeng."

Xu Jiangshan gave him a quick once-over.

I don't know why, but just being looked at so "kindly" by Xu Jiangshan a few times made him break out in a cold sweat, as if he were being dissected.

Xu Jiangshan sat down, lowered his voice, "Don't be nervous, could you tell us in detail what happened when the knife-dealer approached you?" He pressed his hand down, "Just sit and speak."

Zhang Xuefeng was first taken aback, but quickly reacted.

They knew what kind of person the knife-dealer was!

Ten minutes later, Xu Jiangshan and the two others understood the full story, said a sentence, took the case with them, and left.

Ren Hongtao sent the people off and turned back; everyone in the meeting room looked at him eagerly.

Everyone was waiting for him to give an explanation.

Ren Hongtao coughed lightly, then spoke in a warning tone:

"From now on, none of you are to follow this case any further. Also, Xu Lao will later take a few people to the high-speed rail station to coordinate with the railway police; once they finish, the G3197 train will resume normal service early tomorrow morning. Alright, it's late—everyone hurry back to rest. Thank you for your hard work."

Having said that, Ren Hongtao turned and left the meeting room.

Leaving them in a dazed stupor.

Zhang Xuefeng frowned, suddenly recalling what Zhang Yue had just said.

"Master, do you know something?" he asked softly to Zhang Yue, who was tidying up.

Zhang Yue's hand paused, "What could I know? I only know you don't need to go back to Yun Shi with me."

"Why?" Zhang Xuefeng felt his ears were acting up today; he could barely understand what they were saying.

Seeing his dejected look, Zhang Yue couldn't bear to look and explained, "Orders have come down from above: you are to report to the Nan Cheng Criminal Investigation Detachment next Monday. From now on, when we meet again, you'll be addressed as Deputy Captain Zhang."

Zhang Xuefeng was stunned by this sudden news.

Zhang Yue thought this disciple was a real simpleton; if it weren't for his steadily improving investigative skills over the years, he could handle things on his own, and Zhang Yue wouldn't be able to let go.

Frankly speaking, he has taken on several disciples, but only this one is meticulous and thorough, never overlooking even the smallest detail.

Just like this time, most people wouldn't take the knife-dealer's words to heart, but he treated them seriously so as not to miss any possibility, even though he probably didn't believe them at all.

That's professionalism.

He was born to eat this bowl of rice.

To have achieved what he has today, as his master I feel proud!

However, Zhang Yue never said these things aloud, keeping them to himself for fear the lad would get too full of himself.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Tushan Jiu woke from the two-meter-wide white bed.

She stretched, sat up, and sighed, "That sleep was truly fragrant; a good bed really is different!"

Last night, after returning to the Xie household, it was already past one.

Tushan Jiu has her own biological clock; no matter how late she sleeps, she wakes up on time for morning practice.

The day's plan lies in the morning; especially when the sun first rises, it aligns with the rising yang energy and is beneficial for cultivating vital energy.

She slipped on her slippers, walked across the white plush carpet, and headed straight to the bathroom to wash up.

Xu Airu was afraid Tushan Jiu would be uncomfortable, so she prepared everything for her in every aspect—even providing several kinds of toothbrushes, manual and electric, and skincare products, each brand in a full unopened set, all laid out there.

Tushan Jiu had noticed this yesterday, and her heart warmed involuntarily.

When she was ten, her parents died in an accident.

She had been raised by her grandfather all along.

Oh, her grandmother also died in an accident.

There's no helping it; the knife-dealer clan is constantly leaking heavenly secrets, which invites all sorts of "accidents."

Being able to laugh and live to the end is truly not easy.

But her grandfather counts as one of those who managed it.

Her grandfather, being a man, naturally lacks the delicacy of a woman and could never fully replace a mother's role.

As for her mother, when she took the exam she mistakenly filled out the registration form and ended up in the busiest Meng Po squad in the underworld, working so hard her feet never touch the ground, leaving her no time to visit her in her dreams.

Even her first period, her grandfather went to the back mountain to find a female ghost to teach her how to use sanitary pads.

Therefore, she feels grateful in her heart for Xu Airu's care.

After washing up, she changed clothes and went downstairs to the garden.

The old Xie residence is of a classical Chinese garden style, with pavilions, terraces, towers, artificial hills and flowing water; the position of every tree is particular, making it an excellent feng shui layout.

Such a residence, combined with Xie Shiyu's aura as a great fortune-bearer, is practically the best place to gather qi.

Tushan Jiu found a comfortable spot in the garden, sat cross-legged facing east, and meditated.

The sun shone on her, as if pouring a layer of holy light upon her; together with her white robes, it made her whole being exude an ethereal, fairy-like aura.

If someone passed by at that moment, they would likely tread lightly, afraid to disturb the fairy's cultivation.

Xie Shiyu, who had come out for a run, saw exactly this scene.

His steps unconsciously slowed, then he stopped.

He wiped the thin sweat from his forehead, walked over to the pavilion and sat down, gazing at Tushan Jiu meditating on the grass.

Yesterday's events had given him a new understanding of her ability.

Putting aside their brief childhood encounter, he feels that the present her also intrigues him greatly.

He is certain that, once she arrives, life in the Xie Family will certainly be very interesting.

Suddenly, Tushan Jiu, who had been keeping her eyes closed, flung them open with a sudden 'hē', meeting Xie Shiyu's gaze, "Oh no, I think I forgot to give the third younger brother the yin-dispelling talisman yesterday!"