Chapter 2772

The restaurant where Xiangjun treated guests wasn't large; it was a designated dining spot for the Xicheng Branch. Because this restaurant was jointly opened by four families of martyrs, during a mission, four officers from the Xicheng Branch sacrificed their lives.

They all had elderly parents and young children; the family's main support suddenly collapsed. Although the condolence money and other compensations meant temporary living wouldn't be a problem, it was absolutely not a long-term solution.

Thus, the bureau held a meeting and decided to help the four martyr families find a livelihood—what they could possibly do, which worried the branch leadership greatly. Finally, the director of the Police Welfare Division said the branch had several storefronts that could be used to open a shop.

Then the branch leadership held another meeting to discuss how to utilize these storefronts and what kind of shop would be suitable. Initially, they thought of opening a small convenience store—easy and hassle-free—but stocking up required a lot of money, and a small convenience store couldn't possibly support four families.

After researching back and forth, they spent several days on this small matter and finally decided to open a restaurant. Because the shop was branch property, the investment wasn't large; buying some tables, chairs, stools, and pots and pans would suffice.

Most importantly, the branch's annual reception expenses were substantial; eating anywhere cost the same, so it was better to give this money to the martyrs' families to earn. Additionally, when branch officers dined out or entertained guests, improving their home meals, they all came here, so this restaurant could absolutely support four families.

Then, the four police wives were sent to the branch canteen to learn cooking from the master chef. Eight years later, the Police Wife's Restaurant opened, from handling procedures to renovation and buying furniture—all arranged by the branch.

Five vehicles stopped in front of the Police Wife's Restaurant. Xiangjun and Wenbin got out of the minivan, and Xiangjun then explained the restaurant's background.

"The waitstaff at the Police Wife's Restaurant are also our branch's family members, with strong confidentiality awareness. So, dining here and chatting on the side poses no risk of leakage."

Wenbin nodded: "In the future, when we come to Jingcheng on business, if it's convenient, we'll also come here to eat."

A group entered the restaurant, and a woman in her forties came out to greet them. Seeing Xiangjun, she smiled and said: "Director Xiang, is today a bureau reception or your private treat?"

"Bureau reception!" Xiangjun introduced: "This is Captain Xing of the Jiangzhou Criminal Police Detachment; they're here on business."

The woman extended her hand and said: "Captain Xing, hello!"

Wenbin shook hands with the woman: "Hello!"

"Comrades, please come inside!" The woman made an inviting gesture: "Private Room One."

Private Room One was the largest, but even with both sides combined, fifteen people were still a bit cramped. However, these people didn't care about such things. Moreover, since they had a mission at night and couldn't drink alcohol, the crowding wasn't an issue—after all, squeezing people doesn't squeeze mouths.

Because the table had been reserved in advance, as soon as they arrived, dishes began to be served. They ate quickly, and within half an hour, they had nearly finished.

"Captain Xing!" Xiangjun wiped his mouth with a napkin: "We'll go at eight o'clock to avoid drawing attention; just you, me, and one female comrade need to go, while the others wait at the agreed location."

"I think the same." Wenbin nodded, then raised his hand to check his watch: "Time is still early; should we just wait here?"

Xiangjun smiled: "Let's chat here for a while, have a cup of tea, and the time will pass."

"Alright!" Wenbin had no objection; the hotel had already been checked out, and after the mission, they'd return directly to Jiangzhou. Now, leaving the restaurant left them nowhere to go, so it's better to stay here.

As they chatted leisurely in the restaurant, Old Cricket brought several old brothers, each riding a tricycle toward Anqiu Hutong. Each tricycle was fully loaded—some with tightly nailed wooden crates, others with antique-style old furniture.

This group didn't attract much attention, after all, people pedaling tricycles doing hard labor pulling loads were commonplace, long since ordinary. Especially those pieces of furniture, so old-fashioned that even if given away for free, no one would want them. Even if someone did, they'd likely be chopped up for firewood.

Anqiu Hutong, Old Comrade Zhou sat at the gate, holding Su Su in his arms; this little girl held an ice cream, constantly sticking out her little tongue to lick it.

Old Four sat on the threshold, engrossed in a fairy tale book, occasionally letting out a silly hehe laugh.

When Old Cricket appeared at the hutong entrance, Old Comrade Zhou saw him, and his eyes lit up instantly. Because Old Cricket's arrival surely meant he was bringing treasures.

Old Comrade Zhou put Su Su on the ground, then slowly stood up. After over a year of rehabilitation training, he could now discard his crutches and walk slowly.

Of course, this meant just walking slowly around the courtyard; going far to stroll still required a wheelchair. But even so, this could be called a miracle. Initially, they said if he could walk on his own at his eldest son's wedding, they'd thank heaven and earth; now, it seemed his wish was fulfilled.

"Old brother, you've come." Old Comrade Zhou walked a few steps forward to greet.

Old Cricket stepped on the brake, then pushed the vehicle to one side, smiling: "Old younger brother Zhou, has Zhou Dong returned?"

"Not yet returned." Old Comrade Zhou turned to look at Old Four: "Old Four, go call someone to move the tea table and chairs out, and boil a pot of tea."

Old Comrade Zhou also understood: Old Cricket and his companions couldn't let the tricycles leave their sight, so he had people move the tea table and chairs out.

"Alright!" Old Four responded crisply, grabbed Su Su's little hand, and entered the courtyard: "Come on, let's go play with Old Aunt."

Soon, the chairs and tea table were moved out and placed under the tree beside the gate; the tea was also brewed. Old Comrade Zhou picked up the teapot and poured tea into several cups.

"Several old brothers, come, let's chat while drinking tea."

Old Cricket first introduced both sides, then didn't treat himself as an outsider, greeting everyone to sit down: "Old younger brother Zhou is also a straightforward person, not particular about many things, so we old brothers don't need to be so polite either."

Old Comrade Zhou sat down: "These past few days, Andong has been very busy, sometimes not even coming back at night; have you made an appointment with him?"

"We made the appointment last night." Old Cricket nodded: "He hasn't returned yet; I guess he's busy."

Old Comrade Zhou smiled: "Since he knows you're coming today, he'll definitely return."

"Old younger brother Zhou!" Old Cricket glanced at Old Comrade Zhou's leg: "Just now I saw you stand up without crutches—congratulations!"

Old Comrade Zhou beamed with joy, happily saying: "Now I've thrown away the crutches and can walk back and forth at the gate. When Andong holds his wedding, I can walk there myself."

Old Cricket asked: "When is Zhou Dong holding the wedding?"

"October first!" Old Comrade Zhou said helplessly: "Less than a month left, and the invitations haven't even been sent out. This couple isn't in a hurry, but they've made me anxious enough."

"Zhou Dong surely has it figured out." Old Cricket laughed heartily: "Is the wedding in Jingcheng or Jiangzhou?"

"In Jiangzhou." Old Comrade Zhou said: "Our relatives and friends are all in the hometown; going to Jingcheng is inconvenient."

"That's right!" Old Cricket nodded, then asked: "How about the friends here in Jingcheng?"

Old Comrade Zhou said: "Andong said to find a few large buses, and arrange hotels in Jiangzhou."