Chapter 28: Some Things Can't Be Stopped Midway

Seeing the familiar number displayed on her phone screen, Qu Tuotuo’s heart suddenly quickened, leaving her momentarily flustered.

She took a deep breath and tapped the answer icon on the screen.

“Hello?”

“What is it? Spit it out—I’m eating.”

Hearing Yu Dazhang’s impatient tone, Qu Tuotuo immediately relaxed and replied irritably:

“Can’t I call you if there’s nothing important?”

“Uh… I didn’t mean it that way.” Yu Dazhang promptly backed down.

Sensing he was somewhat afraid of her, Qu Tuotuo straightened up.

“Where are you eating?”

“At home.”

“How much have you eaten?”

What’s this? It’s like a kindergarten teacher asking a kid… Yu Dazhang forced himself to answer patiently:

“About half full.”

His meaning was clear: Stop wasting time—interrupting someone’s meal is immoral.

But Qu Tuotuo didn’t think of it that way at all.

Hearing Yu Dazhang had only eaten half, she cheerfully said:

“Then don’t finish eating—save half your stomach to eat with me.”

“No way.” Yu Dazhang refused outright:

“Eating is the same as that kind of thing—you can’t stop halfway.”

Qu Tuotuo: ????

What did he just say?

What kind of thing and what kind of thing?

Just as she was about to ask for clarification, Yu Dazhang cut in:

“I’ve been swamped these past few days. When I get some free time, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

“Really?” Qu Tuotuo sensed he was brushing her off.

“It’s just one meal—I wouldn’t dodge it.” Yu Dazhang’s voice grew fainter:

“Don’t worry—I’ll treat you to something good.”

By the end, Qu Tuotuo could barely hear him, but she could guess what he was saying.

That bastard is definitely shoveling food into his mouth… She bit back her anger and said:

“Then it’s settled.”

“Mmmmm~ Yeah, that’s it, bye.”

After hanging up, Yu Dazhang went back to devouring his meal.

Li Xuehe watched her son with sparkling eyes:

“Who was the girl on the phone just now?”

She hadn’t caught the conversation, but she recognized the girl’s voice.

The thought that her son might be dating made her heart race.

Yu Dazhang hesitated—he found it hard to explain, but his mother asked, so he had to give an answer:

“A friend who isn’t really a friend.”

“What?” Li Xuehe snatched the meat dish from in front of him:

“Talk to me properly.”

Yu Dazhang reached for the dish with his chopsticks, saw his mother’s firm expression, and sighed:

“A victim from an old case. After we rescued her, she kept thanking me. We’re not close—just acquaintances.”

Though vague, he wasn’t lying.

In summary, that was exactly how it was.

“That doesn’t add up,” Li Xuehe wasn’t fooled. She fixed her gaze on him:

“I heard you say you’re going to treat her to a meal—and even said you’d treat her to something good.”

She called you, and now you’re planning to eat together? That’s not casual acquaintanceship.

She did hope her son would meet someone—his age was right.

As long as the girl was normal and could settle down, that was enough. What did her son need with watches, anyway, with his weight?

“Mom…”

Yu Dazhang put down his chopsticks and looked at Li Xuehe with serious eyes:

“Didn’t you hear that was just politeness? Listen, her family isn’t even in the same league as ours.” In his past life, Yu Dazhang was over thirty—he’d long passed the age of raging hormones.

He deeply understood the truth behind the saying: “All fairy tales are lies.”

Plus, as a detective, he was more rational and calm than most.

But hearing “good family background,” Li Xuehe grew even more interested.

“Tell me specifics—is her family in small business?”

Mom, you still think “good background” means ten-thousand-yuan households… Yu Dazhang sighed and decided to explain vividly:

“Her house is so big…” He stretched his arms wide:

“You know what a villa is? At least five stories, luxury cars, a personal driver—well, forget the driver, the point is, they’re just rich. Very rich.”

Watching her son’s exaggerated gestures and hearing his dramatic tone, Li Xuehe already had a mental image.

“So what if they’re rich?” Li Xuehe sat up straight, her face defiant:

“Our family isn’t money-grubbing. You kids can interact normally—if you’re compatible, date; if not, drop it.”

Hmm~ She’s got some resilience… Yu Dazhang decided to crush her hopes once and for all.

Please… collect… 6…9…books…now…!

There was no choice—if he didn’t make this clear today, his mother would pester him endlessly.

“Let me put it this way: If I treat her to a meal, it’ll cost your retirement savings.”

Li Xuehe: !!!!!!!!

“What kind of meal costs that much?”

Seeing his mother’s shocked expression, Yu Dazhang knew he’d succeeded.

His mother had given up—she asked that question out of pure curiosity now.

“You’ve lived in Songhai for years—do you find it strange that a single meal there costs tens of thousands?”

“Well… I guess not.” Li Xuehe deflated.

She knew her family couldn’t afford it—but that didn’t mean others couldn’t.

She’d heard that wealthy families spent at least six figures a month just on meals.

That didn’t even count business entertaining—add it all up, and Li Xuehe couldn’t imagine the total without fearing a heart attack.

So, social parity really did matter.

Do you think it’d be comfortable to marry into a rich family?

Ha—when you actually live with them, they look at you like they’re staring at Zhu Yuanzhang before his rebellion.

Without a strong heart, you can’t endure that gaze.

The next day, in the Criminal Investigation Brigade meeting room.

Yu Dazhang handed out breakfast to each member of the task force.

“Master, here—your favorite beef buns.”

Lu Zhongxin stretched, rolling his neck.

Then he placed the blanket covering him onto the chair back and reached out to take the breakfast Yu Dazhang offered.

“I eat buns every morning for convenience—I don’t actually like them.”

He’s got a grudge against me… Yu Dazhang sensed his master’s dissatisfaction.

He must be angry that Yu Dazhang went home early yesterday.

Clearly, everyone on the task force except him had slept overnight in the meeting room.

“How far did you get last night?”

Yu Dazhang pretended not to hear the tone, speaking as he grabbed Lu Zhongxin’s hand.

Lu Zhongxin froze—something felt off.

He looked down: Yu Dazhang’s hand had already withdrawn, leaving a pack of cigarettes in his palm.

“Still grinding.” Lu Zhongxin placed the cigarettes on the table and bit into the bun.

After eating one, he continued:

“We should have results in another day.”

“Efficient.” Yu Dazhang complimented.

He wasn’t flattering—he meant it sincerely.

He’d expected this standoff to last at least two more days.

The progress had accelerated solely because Lu Zhongxin and the others had stayed up nonstop.

After waiting a while longer, Yu Dazhang saw everyone had finished eating and stood up.

"I'll go over today's mission."

(End of chapter)