Chapter 7: A New Case Emerges

After working overtime for two consecutive weeks, Cen Lian finally had a few days to rest once the case was handed over the next day.

For the first time in two weeks, he left work on time. When he arrived home, he was stared at by two pairs of confused eyes for a full fifteen minutes.

Cen Lian’s father, Cen Jianjun, settled onto the sofa holding a tea cup.

“Aren’t you working overtime today?”

“No overtime. We just wrapped up a big case. Chief Chen said we should take a good rest.” Cen Lian tossed his bag into his room and leaned in to see what was for dinner.

His mother, Lian Ya, brought out some reheated leftovers. “I thought you’d be working late again today. Your father and I have already eaten. I almost put these dishes back in the fridge.”

Cen Lian took the leftovers as usual and explained, “We recently handled a complicated big case, but I might not be working at the Xinhe precinct anymore.”

Cen Jianjun set his tea cup down on the table.

“What do you mean?” he frowned slightly.

While eating, Cen Lian answered vaguely, “Wu Qiushan said I’m being seconded—probably to the district criminal police unit.”

Wu Qiushan’s father and Cen Jianjun were old comrades, having served and retired together. Their children were even born the same year.

So Cen Lian and Wu Qiushan had played together since they were toddlers, attending the same police academy until graduation.

Cen Jianjun fully trusted Wu Qiushan’s inside information.

“You’re just a community officer—why would the criminal police need you?” Cen Jianjun scoffed, clearly dissatisfied with Cen Lian’s previous lackadaisical attitude.

“Maybe the district is just short on people,” Cen Lian chuckled without offering much explanation.

Cen Jianjun watched him for a moment but couldn’t make sense of it.

“Will they provide you with accommodation if you get seconded to the district?” Lian Ya was more concerned about this.

Cen Lian hadn’t thought about that.

“It’s fine—it’s not far,” he waved dismissively. “We’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

Who knew how long this secondment to the district would last, as Wu Qiushan said.

Lian Ya watched him finish his meal and head to the kitchen to wash dishes, exchanging a puzzled glance with Cen Jianjun before they both went to their room.

Seeing his parents retreat to their room for a private discussion, Cen Lian shook his head and returned to his own room.

He lay on his bed staring at the star map on the ceiling, lost in thought.

He initially avoided becoming a criminal investigator by hiding out at the precinct—but who would have thought even fate itself wouldn’t let him slack off any longer.

What a ridiculous life!

...

The next day at work, Cen Lian entered the office area to find Tang Hua wearing a grim expression, looking utterly defeated.

“What’s going on?” Cen Lian immediately approached.

“See for yourself.” Tang Hua handed him a document and slumped back in his chair, unwilling to say more.

Cen Lian took it and saw it was a secondment notice requiring them to report to the district criminal police unit with Gao Tong’s case.

What was meant to happen had arrived.

“Just see it through,” Cen Lian patted Tang Hua on the shoulder. “At least we’ll understand the full story of this case.”

Tang Hua sighed deeply, feeling that his happy, lazy days as a ‘salted fish’ were about to end, replaced by chaotic days and nights in the criminal police unit.

No matter what, the secondment letter had arrived, and the two of them had to start the process of reporting.

Chief Chen Xinrong watched them with a secretive smile, offering only a few words of encouragement, his face clearly saying, “We’ll see each other again soon.”

Cen Lian felt this case probably gave Chief Chen the confidence to push things upward.

But it had little to do with them, who had just barely been promoted.

The Taishan District Bureau wasn’t far from Xinhe Precinct. On the way to report, Tang Hua finally seemed to revive from his lethargy.

“I’ve figured it out,” Tang Hua fiddled with the case files in his arms. “Since the lazy route is blocked, we might as well work on more cases and at least send a few through!”

“Let’s get this one sent first,” Cen Lian smiled faintly. “I heard Gao Tong has already been apprehended.”

“Too bad I didn’t catch him myself,” Tang Hua expressed regret.

When they arrived at the district bureau, they saw a familiar figure waiting outside.

“Wu Qiushan?” Tang Hua recognized him too. “Wasn’t he seconded to the city bureau?”

“Maybe Yue Ge is here specifically to welcome us,” Cen Lian said, though he didn’t really believe the excuse he had just made up.

Wu Qiushan saw Cen Lian and Tang Hua arrive, his expression showing slight surprise but his body remained still.

“See? He’s definitely not here to pick us up.” Tang Hua organized his files. “It’s just a homicide case. He can see those at the city bureau anytime.”

“I’m certainly not here to pick you up,” Wu Qiushan’s keen ears caught their conversation from afar. “There’s a complicated homicide case in the district, and the city bureau sent me to help. I’m waiting here for the fingerprint expert to arrive.”

“Yue Ge, can we get involved in this case?” Tang Hua’s eagerness showed.

Wu Qiushan glanced at him.

“Don’t call me Yue Ge.”

“Well, ‘Qiushan’ sounds like ‘Yue’ combined. Besides, I picked that up from Cen Lian.” Tang Hua peeked into the office building, curious about the current situation inside.

Nothing much could be seen from the bureau lobby.

Checking his phone, Wu Qiushan said, “I’ll take you inside first. The expert is stuck in traffic and won’t arrive soon.”

Cen Lian and Tang Hua followed Wu Qiushan to the third-floor building of the criminal police unit.

“The first floor houses the forensic and technical departments, the second floor is the criminal police office, and the third floor holds the archives and evidence room.” Wu Qiushan gave a brief introduction before handing them over to Yuan Chenxi, the unit’s administrative officer.

“Yue Ge, why have you come back today?” Yuan Chenxi knew about the secondment paperwork arriving but didn’t expect Wu Qiushan to come along.

“I’m here for case 1022,” Wu Qiushan glanced at the time. “The fingerprint expert is nearly here. I’ll go pick them up. You guys continue.”

Yuan Chenxi looked young, her desk piled high with files, clearly broadcasting her heavy workload.

“Cen Lian and Tang Hua, right? Hey, you’re my senior!” While processing their paperwork, Yuan Chenxi looked up at Cen Lian in surprise. “How did someone from your school end up at a precinct?”

“Closer to home,” Cen Lian gave an awkward smile.

Yuan Chenxi’s fingers flew as she entered their information and began handing over Gao Tong’s case.

“Can we participate in that 1022 case too?” Tang Hua was already struggling to contain his excitement.

“Of course! We’re really short-staffed right now!” Yuan Chenxi emphasized. “Once this handover is done, I’ll take you to see the case.”

The journey was just beginning.