This celebration certainly did not belong only to the Yi family, but also to Major Case Team B.
That day, everyone who passed by the newspaper stands saw various charming photos of Little Yi from different angles.
The young female police officer was photogenic. In her uniform, she stood tall and straight, like a budding daffodil, elegant and beautiful.
She brought great honor to the Police Chief, greatly enhancing the attractiveness of the police force.
Fang Zhenyue paid no mind to the prominent headlines like [Officer Yi adamantly claims that Mainlander is innocent][Officer Yi asserts Mainlander’s innocence, yet the police detain and interrogate him—what is the truth? Was Officer Yi’s statement inappropriate? Or is there more to the story?] He only bought a few copies of the best photos of Yi Jiayi, brought them back to the office, and while crossing his legs, he read the newspaper alongside the beautiful pictures of the young policewoman.
When he read praises about Yi Jiayi’s sense of justice, he nodded in approval and read attentively.
When the newspaper criticized Yi Jiayi as being emotionally biased and unjust, he shook his head and tossed it aside.
Yi Jiayi entered the office just as he was reading the newspaper and frowning.
She had never said “the police must clear Mainlander,” stating instead that she personally believed Mainlander was innocent, but she never spoke on behalf of the police.
Moreover, she hadn’t said anything like “the murderer is dirtier than sewer maggots”—such disgusting words.
As soon as she entered, she faced Sergeant Fang, who had just finished breakfast and was inelegantly sucking on his fingers.
Fang Zhenyue looked up, and the moment he met Yi Jiayi’s eyes, he awkwardly moved his fingers away, wiped them with a tissue, and composed himself. He straightened his posture and fixed his expression to regain some semblance of a team leader’s demeanor.
“Sir Fang, do you blame me for speaking recklessly at the press conference and causing you trouble?” Yi Jiayi knew she had spoken freely at the press conference, and both Madam and Sir Guo had talked to him about it.
Earlier in the garage, she met Sir Guo, who said that Fang Zhenyue had taken full responsibility, claiming that everything Yi Jiayi had said was at his instigation, and if any issues arose, he would bow and apologize at the press conference.
Fang Zhenyue hadn’t mentioned any of this to her. If not for Sir Guo’s words, Fang Zhenyue might never have told her.
No wonder Uncle Jiu said they could mess around outside because they had Sir Fang to back them up.
How wonderful, although she had previously devoted all her effort to preparing for graduate exams and had unexpectedly traveled to Hong Kong in the 1990s. But entering the workplace directly and having a boss like Fang Zhenyue was truly lucky.
“Why blame you? If it were me, I would have spoken even more freely. Guo Yongyao should be grateful that it was you at the press conference and not me.” Fang Zhenyue stood up, patted the newspaper on the table, and instead encouraged her with a smile:
“Well done.”
Yi Jiayi thought, if he were a father, he would probably be the type who, instead of breaking up a fight, would cheer on his son from the sidelines, instructing him when to throw a right hook or sweep the leg.
The two had only exchanged a few words when suddenly voices were heard from outside:
“Our Little Eleven is truly stunning! Look at those eyes, that cute little nose and mouth.”
It was Liu Jiaming’s voice.
“You have no taste. Can’t you come up with a more original compliment?” Gary’s voice retorted.
“Then let’s see you try.”
“Red lips and white teeth, a figure both graceful and elegant!”
“Hahaha, not bad, hahaha,” Liu Jiaming laughed heartily as he stepped into the office door. Upon seeing Yi Jiayi, he waved cheerfully, “Guess who? Our Major Crime unit’s big star!”
He walked over to Yi Jiayi and performed an exaggerated, grandiose introduction.
Yi Jiayi blushed, embarrassed; her poised and calm demeanor from the press conference the day before was gone, replaced by a fidgety, unsure expression, making her seem more like a naive girl fresh out of school.
Seeing her like this only made Liu Jiaming want to tease her more.
But just then, Lin Wangjiu entered the office, holding a newspaper and smiling, “Hey, I heard the news station is broadcasting the press conference at 10 AM. Are we even going out today, or should we all head to the public relations department to watch Little Eleven on TV?”
“We have cases to solve, Uncle Jiu, keep dreaming,” Liu Jiaming replied, though his eyes kept darting towards Fang Zhenyue, hoping Fang would unexpectedly agree to join the crowd.
“Let’s watch the replay at home tonight,” Fang Zhenyue grunted, putting on a stern, cool face, took a big gulp of water, and barked at Liu Jiaming, “Sister Yin’s team hasn’t filled Eleven’s position yet, we’re short-staffed. Go pick up the reports from the forensic science and medical examiner’s departments. And hurry them along, everyone’s young and strong, they can work some overtime.”
“Yes, sir.” Liu Jiaming was about to sit down but jumped up at the command and swiftly left.
The idea of going together to watch the news—such good fortune could never occur in the real world. Too busy to even sit down; this is the true life of a detective.
No sooner had Liu Jiaming left than a head suddenly poked through the office door.
Team A’s Sergeant, You Zhaohua glanced around the office, then politely extended his right hand to Fang Zhenyue: “Morning, Sir Fang.”
Ever since the King’s Park Murder Case, whenever You Zhaohua saw Fang Zhenyue, he would make a point to shake hands.
It was nothing more than gratitude.
The King’s Park case was not only solved, but Fang Zhenyue had also allowed them to participate in the capture and interrogation of the suspect, and ultimately, they had worked together to bring the criminal to justice. To You Zhaohua, Fang Zhenyue was like Santa Claus in his life.
Now, looking at Fang Zhenyue’s imperious face, he found it much more agreeable.
“Morning~ How’s it going? Any new developments in the Lok Kwan Street Park corpse-dumping case?” Fang Zhenyue made casual conversation.
“…” You Zhaohua.
Hitting people but not the face, cursing people but not exposing their shortcomings—why bring up such a hurtful topic so early in the morning?
“Don’t talk about my crappy case. You guys are pretty bold, huh? Going to the press conference must have really put Sir Guo in a tough spot, right? Haha. How is it? I heard that guy from the mainland was caught and brought back? Do you have it under control? It would be embarrassing to get proven wrong again.”
You Zhaohua made a slapping motion towards his face, unable to resist being a bit mean:
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you apologize to the public on TV with Sir Guo. Are you giving me a chance to mock you?”
“Let’s solve your case first. It’s only been a few days, and yours has been going on for almost three months, right? If it doesn’t get solved soon, it’ll become another cold case. What, do you want everyone to start calling you ‘Cold Case Hua’?” Fang Zhenyue leaned against the door frame.
“Your mouth…” You Zhaohua frowned.
“Go on, go back to your Team A office.” Fang Zhenyue impatiently shooed him away.
“Alright, I hope you guys solve it soon. I hope that guy from the mainland really is innocent!” You Zhaohua teased the people in the office like Yi Jiayi, raising his eyebrows and making a fist salute.
“That guy from the mainland is innocent.” Yi Jiayi puffed up her cheeks, squinted her eyes, then straightened her back and said defiantly, “Thank you for your kind heart, Sergeant Fang.”
The girl with the forced smile has guts, no choice, the courage given by Sir Fang.
“Best wishes to Sergeant Fang, may you solve the case within a month and break your own record for the fastest case resolution.” Lin Wangjiu smiled innocently, but his words were rather venomous.
You Zhaohua waved to everyone in the room, unable to stay any longer, and walked away.
Fang Zhenyue glanced at You Zhaohua’s departing figure, then turned back and said:
“Gary, tell us about yesterday’s findings.”
“Oh.” Gary then reported on the status of lime factories across Hong Kong, the markets that use lime, and the pharmacies and drugs that include lime formulas.
Fang Zhenyue listened with a frown, pacing in front of the whiteboard.
Yi Jiayi caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye—Sir Fang attracting mosquitoes, his legs covered in dense clusters of red bites, almost no spot untouched.
Yet he paced as if unbothered, wholly absorbed in pondering the case.
He probably hadn’t slept well last night, dark circles under his eyes and a look of fatigue, whether from the case or from the annoying mosquito bites.
Yesterday, I visited Nam Cheong Park in Tai Kok Tsui, Tung Chau Street Park, and Sham Shui Po Park. Today, I’ll take Gary, who didn’t go out yesterday, to Mong Kok Stadium and the wastelands near Cheung Shek road for another day of searching. Wander around Sun Xin’s new neighborhood to chat with the neighbors and check for anything or anyone suspicious. Uncle Jiu and Eleven are at—
“Brother Yue, let me join the search for the body with you,” Yi Jiayi said as she found mosquito repellent from the cupboard and handed it to Fang Zhenyue.
The man glanced at the item in her hand, paused, and suddenly smiled.
His smile lasted for quite a while, evidently amused by some happy thought. He shook the mosquito repellent and then sat down, pulling over a chair.
With his legs crossed, he rolled up his trouser legs and started spraying and rubbing:
“The mosquito bites are making me feel almost anemic. Today’s the Hungry Ghost Festival, so everyone should finish up early tonight. Eleven, call Jiadong to prepare some pig liver porridge for me tonight to replenish my blood.”
“Okay, then I’ll have Big Brother prepare some red date glutinous rice cakes and brown sugar dumplings for Brother Yue too. Maybe add some pig stomach pepper soup?” Yi Jiayi picked up the phone, dialing while reciting the menu.
“Eleven, do you think Brother Yue is a woman who needs this every month? Should we add some ginger sugar water to chase away the cold too?” Gary laughed heartily.
Fang Zhenyue smacked Gary on the back of his head with a stern look, causing Gary to chuckle twice and then fall silent.
“Ah, I’m going to eat there tonight too, Little Eleven. Ask our Big Brother to prepare more meat,” Liu Jiaming, who had just returned with a lab report, said after hearing the menu, his mouth watering. As a bachelor, he might as well join in the fun with everyone else.
After hanging up, Fang Zhenyue pocketed the mosquito repellent and dropped the sentence, “Finish the King’s Park case report in the office, collect all the report forms, and submit them for Madam’s signature. Let’s close the previous case as soon as possible,” before stepping out of the office.
“Yes, sir!” Yi Jiayi stood at the door, bidding farewell to each colleague who was heading out to work in the high heat.
It took her an hour and a half to review and refer to previous reports to finalize the investigative process for the King’s Park case. After correcting some typos, she saved the file and went to print it.
Having collected the report, she went to the Forensic Science and Pathology Department to gather all documents. When she entered the autopsy room looking for Sir Xu, she saw Sergeant You.
“Isn’t that Fang’s Little Eleven?” You Zhaohua, wearing a mask, turned and nodded at Yi Jiayi.
“Collecting the files for the King’s Park case?” Sir Xu looked up and stretched his neck.
“Yes, Sir Xu. No worries, go ahead, I’ll wait outside.” Yi Jiayi didn’t look at the autopsy table and turned to leave.
“It’s okay. Sergeant You wanted to do a second autopsy on the female corpse from the Lok Kwan Street Park case, but it’s not urgent. I’ll get the report for you first.” Xu Junhao said, passing the autopsy table and removing his gloves as he walked out.
Yi Jiayi, hearing it was a case that Team A had been working on for nearly three months, couldn’t suppress her curiosity anymore and peeked at the autopsy table.
The sight shocked her so much that she was transported back to reality and stood frozen on the spot for quite a while.
Well, isn’t this a coincidence…