Chapter 15: She Arrived

"Who would have thought the Qu family raised an ungrateful wolf."

Yu Dazhang, who had just returned to the Third Squad, was now telling everyone about the kidnapping case:

"Back then his mother was seriously ill. It was Qu Wannian who paid for her treatment, and that's what got the old woman through her hardest days."

"Later, when his mother passed away, it was also Qu Wannian who paid to handle the funeral arrangements."

"He worked as a driver for the Qu family for over ten years, and his salary was always the highest in the industry."

"Tell me—even if he didn't know to be grateful, he shouldn't bite the hand that feeds him!"

The Third Squad listened, dumbfounded. In the end, it was Lu Zhongxin who cut Yu Dazhang off:

"Stop only talking about his relationship with the Qu family. First tell us—why exactly did he kidnap Qu Wannian's daughter?"

"Felt life was unfair." Yu Dazhang snorted:

"Every day watching the Qu family live in luxury, ride in fancy cars, live in mansions—his mindset had already changed long ago."

"Just because of that?" Lu Zhongxin felt it was a bit of a stretch.

Plenty of rich people exist, and plenty of people get jealous seeing others live well, but very few actually go kidnap someone.

"Alright, Master, you really are sharp." Yu Dazhang gave a sheepish grin:

"Actually it was because he'd lost a lot of money gambling, and being hounded by debt collectors every day became unbearable. So he took a desperate risk, planning to solve the problem in the simplest, most direct way."

Lu Zhongxin nodded.

Now that made sense.

All that talk about luxury, fancy cars, and mansions—this kid sure knew how to milk the drama.

"Where did he find those accomplices of his?" Lu Zhongxin continued asking.

Yu Dazhang pulled a face:

"Debt collectors."

"He brought his debt collectors along to do the kidnapping?" Several people from the Third Squad said in unison.

It wasn't that they hadn't seen the world—it was just that this was a bit ridiculous.

They'd seen plenty of kidnapping cases, but bringing debt collectors along to do the kidnapping? That was a first.

"Didn't I already say it? He was being hounded by debt collectors and couldn't take it anymore. And it just so happened that his biggest creditors were his old hometown folks, so…"

Before Yu Dazhang could finish, a colleague cut in:

"He brought his debt-cum-hometown buddies along to do the kidnapping!"

Yu Dazhang nodded:

"Gotta say, the guy was pretty good at drawing pie-in-the-sky pictures. All those old hometown folks got sweet-talked into coming."

Everyone present shook their heads and sighed after hearing this; some even cursed out loud:

"He's truly rotten—owes money and won't pay it back, and dragged his hometown folks onto the path of crime too."

This whole thing really was something.

Those old hometown folks he'd sweet-talked into coming not only wouldn't get their debts back, they wouldn't be coming back either.

A real case of losing both the people and the money.

"So let me tell you—never, ever touch gambling. Once you're in, it's hard to get out."

After his lament, Yu Dazhang looked at everyone with firm eyes:

"I, Yu Dazhang, am sworn enemies with gambling and drugs!"

Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing it, and even Lu Zhongxin showed an approving expression.

But right after that, someone noticed something off—felt like there was something awkward about Yu Dazhang's words, but couldn't quite put a finger on what.

One colleague seemed to remember something, and sidled up to Yu Dazhang with a grin:

"I heard the victim you rescued was a girl, and a beautiful returnee from overseas at that. You even…"

Yu Dazhang feared this most of all. He'd been on pins and needles these past few days, terrified that Qu Tuotuo would come to the detachment to file a complaint.

With the Qu family's connections, making life difficult for a probationary police officer like him probably wouldn't be any trouble at all.

Seeing someone bring it up, his head started buzzing and he hurriedly cut in:

"Gotta say, she really is pretty, but in my heart there's only room for the Party and the people."

????

Everyone present was completely floored by that line.

Wrong set, buddy.

You sneaky old fox.

You really stole the whole show.

Another day passed. Just as Yu Dazhang thought the matter had been smoothly wrapped up, disaster suddenly struck!

Qu Tuotuo had arrived.

She came alone, holding a rolled-up banner of appreciation in her hand, and went straight upstairs to find the Criminal Investigation Unit.

When the First Squad saw someone delivering a banner of appreciation, they stepped aside on their own—the urge to watch the show grew even stronger.

Quite a few of them had seen Qu Tuotuo before—after all, she was the first victim at both crime scenes.

Wei Qian stepped forward, exchanged a few polite words, then reached out to take the banner.

Who would have thought Qu Tuotuo had no intention of giving it to him.

"I'm here to find that chubby officer. This banner is for him too."

"Oh, alright, alright, I'll go find him for you."

Only then did Wei Qian remember—Yu Dazhang was the real lead on this case.

The Miss had been rescued twice, both thanks to that kid.

"He's not one of yours?" Qu Tuotuo asked. Wei Qian hurried to explain:

"He is, but not from our brigade. He's in Brigade Three, right next to ours."

"Oh, then no need to trouble you. I'll go find him myself."

After Qu Tuotuo left, the people of Brigade One all crowded to the doorway, looking toward Brigade Three and buzzing with discussion:

"That girl is pretty good-looking!"

"You weren't at the scene, so you don't know — she's more than just pretty. Both of those injured kidnappers were shot by her."

"She can use a gun? Where did she learn that?"

"She's someone who studied abroad and came back."

"Oh, well, that explains it."

Yu Dazhang had also heard the commotion. Just as he was hesitating whether to go out and have a look, a slender figure walked in from outside the door.

Arriving beside the door, Qu Tuotuo didn't go straight in, but gently knocked twice.

Please... sub.... scribe.... 6... 9... b.... oo.... k....!

The people of Brigade Three looked toward the doorway, all showing surprised expressions.

Qu Tuotuo smiled at everyone:

"I'm looking for the fat officer."

Everyone turned their heads again to look at Yu Dazhang.

Following their gaze, Qu Tuotuo turned around and spotted at a glance the big fat man sitting there with a blank look on his face.

Their eyes met. Yu Dazhang's mouth hung slightly open, his eyes full of astonishment.

She had come after all.

Qu Tuotuo walked toward Yu Dazhang with a smile.

Yu Dazhang forced a bitter smile, wanting to jump out the window and run.

Coming up close, there was no imagined slap, nor any questioning or cursing.

Only a pair of clear, water-like eyes fixed intently on him, making him utterly uncomfortable.

"Long time no see." The gentle tone sounded exactly like the girl next door.

But in Yu Dazhang's ears it was like a death-chanting curse; his heart nearly stopped beating.

Qu Tuotuo held the banner forward:

"Thank you for appearing twice to save me."

Looking at the banner being offered, Yu Dazhang knew he had to stand up.

He had originally thought sitting would be good for defense — if the other side made a move, he could duck and scramble away.

That wouldn't do now. Who accepts a banner while sitting? That would be far too disrespectful.

Yu Dazhang stood up, intending to reply, "This is what I should do," but the words reached his lips and just wouldn't come out.

What if she took it as mockery of that day's forced kiss?

Could there be a dagger hidden inside the banner... Yu Dazhang stared at the banner, not daring to reach out for a long while.

He was afraid Qu Tuotuo would pull a "the map unfolds and the dagger appears" on him.

After waiting two seconds and seeing no sign of her drawing a blade, Yu Dazhang finally took the banner.

"Let me open it for you." Qu Tuotuo spoke as she reached to untie the cord on the banner.

No way — Yu Dazhang hurriedly stepped back:

"I'll do it myself."

Could it say "shameless bastard" on it?

Yu Dazhang carefully untied the cord, then gave a hard shake to spread the banner flat.

Fortunately, it was three characters.

Three big golden characters could be seen on the banner: "Well done."

Looking at the words on it, Yu Dazhang felt a strange sense of familiarity.

He remembered getting a perfect score on a test as a child, and his mom had praised him just like this.

"Thank you."

Apart from thanks, Yu Dazhang didn't know what else to say.

He now only hoped Qu Tuotuo would leave quickly.

He had had a premonition earlier — Qu Tuotuo's visit this time was definitely not as simple as just delivering a banner.

She was the type who dared to shoot people.

Since she'd come, it must be about that day's forced kiss.

"Can you tell me your name?"

"Yu Dazhang."

"Nice name."

After Qu Tuotuo finished speaking, she turned and walked to the doorway. Just as Yu Dazhang breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she was about to leave, Qu Tuotuo turned her head back:

"Officer Yu, can you walk me out?"

(End of chapter)