Chapter 19: Master, This Case Isn

This girl is incredibly cool!

This is the unified evaluation of Qu Tuotuo by the Third Squad.

Okay, not including Yu Dazhang.

Only he has seen Qu Tuotuo draw her gun against kidnappers.

Compared to that, taking down a female suspect is just a minor affair.

This time, police-civilian cooperation was harmonious and successful—at least, Yu Dazhang thought so.

After exchanging a few polite words with the members of the Third Squad, Qu Tuotuo returned to the car with Su Mi.

“What are you really thinking?” Su Mi asked, one hand on the steering wheel, turning to stare at Qu Tuotuo:

“Don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on him.”

In her eyes, Qu Tuotuo and Yu Dazhang belonged to two entirely different worlds.

One was a noble-born daughter of privilege; the other, a fat little cop oozing grease.

There was no way these two should have any connection.

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

But judging from just now, it seemed Qu Tuotuo was the one chasing after him.

“Don’t you think he’s cute?” Qu Tuotuo asked with a smile.

“Cute?” Su Mi suspected her best friend had lost her mind; she winced like she had a toothache and couldn’t help reminding her:

“That pig of a man—where do you see cuteness? You’re Qu Tuotuo! Dozens of wealthy playboys are drooling over you; pick any one of them and they’re better than him.”

Before Qu Tuotuo went abroad, Su Mi had watched firsthand how many aristocratic boys pursued her best friend.

To say she wasn’t jealous was a lie—what girl doesn’t want to be adored like a star?

Yet Qu Tuotuo was the exception, as if no man could ever catch her eye.

Su Mi even wondered if she was pretending—could she really not like a single one of these outstanding guys?

Then… Qu Tuotuo went abroad, leaving without a trace of hesitation.

Not only did Su Mi stare in shock, but all the obsessed aristocratic suitors were stunned too.

They’d never seen a woman be so decisive.

They thought Qu Tuotuo was just stringing them along—turns out she truly didn’t see them as human beings.

“Say something!”

Seeing Qu Tuotuo ignore her, Su Mi grew anxious and raised her voice.

Once it was jealousy; now she was genuinely worried for Qu Tuotuo.

“To be honest, though I’ve never been in love, I sometimes glance a little longer at good-looking guys.”

Qu Tuotuo said slowly:

“I thought I was just into appearances too, but lately I’ve realized—when you meet the right person, looks don’t matter much.”

“But you can’t pick someone that fat!” Su Mi’s hair seemed ready to stand on end.

“Fat is fat,” Qu Tuotuo said, as if recalling something, her face lighting up, her tone growing lighter:

“That sleazy side beneath his clumsy exterior—I find it cute too.”

Su Mi stared at her in utter disbelief:

“Tuotuo, you’re sounding perverted now.”

The next day, Criminal Investigation Third Squad.

The atmosphere inside was relaxed and cheerful.

Thanks to yesterday’s successful arrest, the theft gang had finally been eradicated.

All key suspects along the criminal chain were apprehended, and stolen goods were recovered smoothly.

The heavy burden that had weighed on the Third Squad for so long was finally lifted—they could enjoy some peaceful days.

“Lü Zhongxin, you’re treating us tonight!” Captain Zhang Dong goaded.

Everyone immediately chimed in:

“Right, we must drink to celebrate tonight.”

“Lü Zhongxin, you really owe us—this case was your lead, so the credit goes to you.”

“Yeah, Lü Zhongxin, consider it our celebration for you.”

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic—and with Captain Zhang Dong leading the charge—Lü Zhongxin naturally didn’t want to dampen the mood, so he smiled and agreed:

“Fine, I’m treating everyone tonight—eat and drink your fill.”

The squad members cheered loudly, and the atmosphere surged with excitement.

The dinner lasted until midnight, and Lü Zhongxin got drunk.

Yu Dazhang, as his disciple, took it upon himself to escort his Master home.

After getting out of the taxi, he supported Lü Zhongxin up the stairs, then used the key he found on his Master to unlock the door.

He knew Lü Zhongxin had lived alone since his divorce.

One downside of being a detective: when a case hits, you work day and night, often going days without coming home.

Unless the marriage is exceptionally strong, it’s nearly impossible to sustain.

How many women can endure constant loneliness?

This was one reason Lü Zhongxin chose not to remarry after his divorce.

He laid Lü Zhongxin on the sofa, then turned to the kitchen to boil water.

He’d planned to use the electric kettle, but a glance around the living room told him his Master’s home had no such appliance.

“Da Zhang, don’t bother—come sit and talk with me,” Lü Zhongxin mumbled.

“Coming, coming.”

Yu Dazhang returned from the kitchen and sat on the sofa opposite Lü Zhongxin.

“Da Zhang, I’ll be transferred to the First Squad by the day after tomorrow—I want to take you with me. Will you come?”

“So sudden?”

Yu Dazhang remembered that in his past life, Lü Zhongxin was transferred to the First Squad only after Yu Dazhang had already been in Criminal Investigation for a year.

Why was the timeline accelerated this time? And in his past life, Lü Zhongxin went alone—no one accompanied him.

But that’s fine.

If his Master moves sooner this time, maybe that incident won’t happen.

“It was already decided—we were just waiting for the theft case to wrap up,” Lü Zhongxin said, reeking of alcohol.

Yu Dazhang thought for a moment and asked:

“I’m definitely willing to follow you—but will Captain Zhang agree?”

This mattered—he didn’t want to please his Master and anger Captain Zhang Dong.

He’d just arrived; where he worked didn’t matter much—but he couldn’t afford to make enemies.

He’d still have to survive in this area—he couldn’t let people laugh at him.

“Don’t worry,” Lü Zhongxin slapped Yu Dazhang’s thigh.

“I’ve thought about this more than you have—I already spoke to Captain Zhang. Otherwise, why do you think he pushed me to treat everyone tonight? And the First Squad specifically requested you—they’re willing to trade two new recruits for you.”

So that’s how it was… Yu Dazhang finally relaxed.

Please... collect... 6...9...books...!

“Alright, I’ll follow my Master’s orders—I’ll go with you to the First Squad.”

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

It looked like a transfer, but really, it was just walking out one door and into the next room.

The two squads were side by side—only their case responsibilities differed.

Yu Dazhang knew why Lü Zhongxin was moving to the First Squad: his rank and years of service were sufficient; he just needed results.

To be promoted to squad leader, you need results—or no one will accept you.

Where are results easiest to get? Naturally, the First Squad, which handles Category Eight cases.

On the surface, it was a routine transfer; in reality, it was leadership arranging a golden opportunity.

Of course, this was also the result of Lü Zhongxin’s steady, hard work.

If those who truly work never get promoted, who will ever risk their life on cases again?

The master and disciple were warmly welcomed upon arriving at the First Squad.

Especially Captain Wei Qian—when he saw Yu Dazhang walk in, his eyes lit up.

“Welcome, welcome!” Wei Qian enthusiastically ushered them inside:

“Lü, you know this place well—make yourself at home. Da Zhang, let me introduce you to our team…”

Over the next few days, Yu Dazhang gradually adapted to the First Squad’s work.

The team treated him well as a newcomer—hardly ever made him work overtime, and gave him at least one day off per week.

This privilege was actually earned by Yu Dazhang himself—his performance in the kidnapping case spoke for itself.

Wei Qian genuinely feared he couldn’t handle the high-intensity workload and would demand a transfer back to the Third Squad.

On the fifth day after Yu Dazhang joined the First Squad, a homicide occurred within the branch’s jurisdiction.

A homicide required a special task force; newly transferred Lü Zhongxin was appointed deputy group leader.

The group leader handles resource allocation; the deputy handles the investigation—this was the unwritten rule of the detective squad.

Why wasn’t the most skilled investigator made group leader?

Stop fooling around, be realistic—your rank is too low, no other department even looks at you.

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

This murder case isn’t complicated.

Zhang Yan, female, 19 years old, was found dead; the autopsy report indicated she died four days ago.

Cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation, with no other external injuries.

The crime scene was a residential community.

According to the landlord, he didn’t know the victim; he had rented the house to a middle-aged man named Kong Lingjie.

After the crime, investigators asked the landlord for Kong Lingjie’s contact information and found his phone turned off.

So far, all clues point to Kong Lingjie.

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

“Master, listen to me—quit the task force, don’t touch this case.”

“Impossible!” Lu Zhongxin immediately grew agitated, but kept his voice low:

“I joined the First Squad specifically to handle murders—what’s wrong with you? Are you scared?”

“It’s not that I’m scared…” Yu Dazhang scratched his head in distress:

“It’s that this case is too dangerous.”

Lu Zhongxin’s eyebrows shot up—he barely recognized the man before him.

You’ve dared to disarm a gunman with your bare hands—now you’re afraid of danger?

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

“Have you noticed something?”

“Well…” Yu Dazhang stammered, “I haven’t noticed anything.”

Lu Zhongxin frowned: “Then that’s settled—we’re detectives, we deal with danger every day.”

“But… but I’m afraid you’ll die,” Yu Dazhang muttered, his eyes darting away.

“Enough!” Lu Zhongxin snapped. “We haven’t even started, and you’re already wishing me dead by the suspect’s hand. Say another word and I’ll kick you out.”

With that, he shoved past Yu Dazhang and walked straight out.

Yu Dazhang watched his back, his eyelid twitching several times.

Master, in your past life, you killed yourself.

(End of Chapter)