Chapter 19: Master, This Case Isn't for You

This little girl is one tough cookie!

That is Squad Three's unanimous assessment of Qu Tuotuo.

Well, except for Yu Dazhang.

He is the only one who has seen Qu Tuotuo raise a gun and fight the kidnappers.

Compared to that, taking down a female suspect barely counts as a small scene.

This round of police-civilian cooperation was very harmonious and very successful — at least, that is what Yu Dazhang believed.

After exchanging a few polite words with the Squad Three people, Qu Tuotuo went back to the car with Su Mi.

"What on earth were you thinking?" Su Mi rested one hand on the steering wheel and turned sideways to stare at Qu Tuotuo:

"Don't you dare tell me you've taken a fancy to him."

In her eyes, Qu Tuotuo and Yu Dazhang were people from two completely different worlds.

One was a heavenly favored daughter from a noble family; the other was a chubby little cop.

No matter how you looked at it, the two of them should never have had the slightest overlap.

Even if some miraculous chance encounter did occur, Qu Tuotuo should have been the one being pursued.

But judging from what had just happened, it seemed Qu Tuotuo was the one eagerly throwing herself at him.

"Don't you think he's adorable?" Qu Tuotuo asked with a smile.

"Adorable?" Su Mi suspected her bestie's brain had broken. She pulled a tooth-aching expression and couldn't help but warn:

"With that pig-like look of his, where exactly do you see 'adorable'? You're Qu Tuotuo, for crying out loud — the rich young masters eyeing you couldn't be counted on two hands, and any one of them would be better than him."

Before Qu Tuotuo went abroad, Su Mi had watched with her own eyes how many young masters pursued this bestie of hers.

To say she wasn't jealous would be a lie — what girl doesn't wish to be the moon surrounded by adoring stars?

Yet Qu Tuotuo happened to be that exception, as if no man could ever catch her eye.

Su Mi had even wondered if she was faking it — faced with so many outstanding guys, had she really not taken a single one of them?

The result… Qu Tuotuo went abroad, leaving without a shred of reluctance.

That left not only Su Mi dumbfounded, but the young masters who had been madly pursuing Qu Tuotuo were also stunned.

They had never seen any woman so clean-cut and decisive.

They had assumed Qu Tuotuo was just stringing them along — who would have thought she truly hadn't regarded them as anything at all.

"Say something!"

Seeing that Qu Tuotuo hadn't responded, Su Mi grew anxious and raised her voice a little.

In the past it had been jealousy; now she was genuinely worried for Qu Tuotuo.

"To be honest, even though I've never dated, sometimes when I see a good-looking guy I do take a second look."

Qu Tuotuo said unhurriedly:

"I used to think I belonged to the looks-association too, but recently I've realized that when you meet the right person, looks and all that — they really aren't that important."

"Then you still can't go for someone that fat!" Su Mi was so angry her hair nearly stood on end.

"Fat is fat, so what." Qu Tuotuo seemed to think of something, a smile breaking across her face, her tone growing a little lighter:

"That sleazy side hiding under that dopey exterior — I think it's adorable too."

Su Mi looked at her with a thoroughly speechless expression:

"Tuotuo, the way you're talking is just plain twisted."

The next day, Criminal Investigation Squad Three.

The atmosphere in the room was relaxed and pleasant.

Because of yesterday's successful arrest operation, this theft gang had finally been completely eradicated.

All the main suspects along the entire criminal chain had been caught, and the recovery of stolen goods had gone smoothly as well.

The heavy burden that had been pressing down on Squad Three for this stretch of time was finally lifted — they could look forward to a stretch of easy days.

"Old Lu, you're treating tonight!" Captain Zhang Dong egged everyone on.

The others immediately chimed in:

"That's right, we absolutely have to drink tonight to celebrate."

"Old Lu, you really do have to treat us — this case was your lead, so the credit naturally goes to you."

"Yeah, Old Lu, just take it as us brothers celebrating for you."

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic, and with Captain Zhang Dong leading the charge, Lu Zhongxin naturally couldn't dampen the mood, so he agreed with a smile:

"Fine, tonight I'm hosting — eat your fill, everyone."

The team members cheered one after another, and for a moment the atmosphere was fired up.

That evening's dinner didn't wrap up until the small hours of the morning, and Lu Zhongxin got drunk.

Yu Dazhang, as his apprentice, took it upon himself to shoulder the important task of escorting his master home.

After getting out of the taxi, he supported Lu Zhongxin all the way upstairs, and once they reached the door, he fished out the key from his master's person and opened it.

He knew that after his divorce, Lu Zhongxin had been living alone.

Being a criminal investigator had this one drawback — once a case came up, you worked day and night, often not setting foot at home for days.

Unless the couple's bond was exceptionally strong, a marriage was really hard to keep going.

How many women could endure constantly spending nights alone?

That was also one of the reasons Lu Zhongxin had chosen not to remarry after his divorce.

After settling his master on the sofa, Yu Dazhang turned and went to the kitchen to boil a kettle of water.

He had wanted to use an electric kettle, but a quick scan of the living room told him his master's home definitely didn't have that appliance.

"Dazhang, don't fuss — come over here and talk to me." Lu Zhongxin mumbled.

"Here he comes, here he comes."

Yu Dazhang returned from the kitchen to the living room and sat on the sofa diagonally opposite Lu Zhongxin.

"Dazhang, at the latest the day after tomorrow I'm going to the First Detachment. I want to take you with me. Are you willing to go with me?"

"So suddenly?"

Yu Dazhang remembered that in his previous life, when Lu Zhongxin transferred to the First Detachment, he had already been with the Criminal Investigation Team for a year.

Why was the timing earlier in this life? Moreover, in his previous life, Lu Zhongxin went to the First Detachment alone; he didn't bring anyone.

But that's for the best.

If Master goes earlier in this life, perhaps that incident won't happen.

"This was decided long ago; we were just waiting for the theft case to end," Lu Zhongxin said, exhaling the smell of alcohol.

Yu Dazhang thought for a moment and asked:

"I'm definitely willing to follow you, but will the Captain agree?"

This was very important; Yu Dazhang didn't want to offend Captain Zhang Dong just to please his Master.

He had just arrived; it didn't matter where he worked, but the premise was not to offend anyone.

He still had to make a living in this area later; he couldn't let people laugh at him.

"Don't worry," Lu Zhongxin reached out and patted Yu Dazhang's thigh:

"Of course I've considered this more than you. I've already spoken to Captain Zhang; otherwise, why do you think he made a scene today insisting I treat everyone? Besides, the First Detachment specifically requested you, trading two new recruits for you."

So that was it... Now Yu Dazhang felt relieved.

Please... collect... 6... 9... Book... now...!

"Alright, then I'll listen to Master and go with you to the First Detachment."

The next afternoon, Yu Dazhang received the notice of his transfer to the First Detachment.

It looked like a transfer, but in reality, it was just walking out of this door and into the room next door.

The two detachments were right next to each other; they just handled different cases.

Yu Dazhang also knew the purpose of Lu Zhongxin's transfer to the First Detachment this time: his police rank and years of service were sufficient; now only the results were missing.

To get promoted to Captain, without results, who would respect you?

Where is it easiest to get results? Naturally, the First Detachment, which handles the eight major types of cases.

On the surface, it was a routine transfer, but in reality, it was a gilding assignment arranged by the leadership.

Of course, this was also something Lu Zhongxin achieved step by step through hard work.

If those who truly do the work don't get promoted, who will risk their lives to solve cases in the future?

The master and disciple were warmly welcomed as soon as they arrived at the First Detachment.

Especially Captain Wei Qian; the moment he saw Yu Dazhang enter, his two eyes were shining.

"Welcome, welcome," Wei Qian enthusiastically pulled the two of them inside:

"Old Lu, you're familiar with this place; make yourself at home. Dazhang, let me introduce you to our team members..."

In the following days, Yu Dazhang gradually adapted to the work at the First Detachment.

The team was very considerate of him, the new recruit; they basically didn't make him work overtime and gave him at least one day off every week.

This treatment was actually something Yu Dazhang fought for himself; his performance in the kidnapping case spoke for itself.

Wei Qian was truly afraid he couldn't handle the high-intensity work and would insist on transferring back to the Third Detachment.

On the fifth day since Yu Dazhang arrived at the First Detachment, a homicide occurred within the jurisdiction of the branch.

A homicide case definitely requires establishing a special task force; the newly transferred Lu Zhongxin was appointed as the deputy leader.

The leader is responsible for allocating resources, while the deputy leader is responsible for handling the case; this is an unwritten rule of the Criminal Investigation Team.

Why isn't the person with the strongest case-solving ability the leader?

Don't be silly; be realistic. If your rank isn't high enough, other departments won't even look at you properly.

Yu Dazhang naturally followed Lu Zhongxin into the special task force.

This homicide case was not complicated.

Zhang Yan, female, 19 years old, was found already dead. According to the autopsy report, the time of death was four days ago.

The cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation; there were no other external injuries.

The crime scene was a residential community.

According to the homeowner, he did not know the deceased; he had rented the house to a middle-aged man named 'Kong Lingjie'.

After the incident, the investigators asked the homeowner for Kong Lingjie's contact information and found that his phone was turned off.

At present, all clues point to this person, 'Kong Lingjie'.

After the case briefing meeting, Yu Dazhang called Lu Zhongxin aside alone.

"Master, listen to me; withdraw from the task force. Don't touch this case."

"How is that possible!" Lu Zhongxin immediately got anxious upon hearing this, but he still controlled his volume:

"I came to the First Detachment specifically to take on homicide cases. What's wrong with you? Are you afraid?"

"It's not that I'm afraid..." Yu Dazhang, anxious, scratched his head:

"This case is too dangerous."

Lu Zhongxin's eyebrows shot up; he almost didn't recognize the disciple standing before him.

You even dared to disarm someone with your bare hands; would you be afraid of danger?

Suppressing his anger, he decided to listen to what Yu Dazhang had to say first.

"Did you figure something out?"

"Well..." Yu Dazhang stammered in reply, "Not really."

Lu Zhongxin furrowed his brow. "Isn't that just the point? We criminal cops deal with danger every day, don't we?"

"But... but I'm afraid you'll die," Yu Dazhang stammered, his gaze drifting.

"Enough!" Lu Zhongxin snapped. "We haven't even started yet, and you're already cursing me to be beaten to death by a suspect. Say one more word of nonsense and I'll kick you."

With that, he pushed Yu Dazhang aside and strode straight outside.

Yu Dazhang stared at his retreating back, the corners of his eyes twitching several times.

Master, in your previous life you took your own life.

(End of chapter)