Interrupted by the two neighbors, Auntie Mi was speechless for a moment and then exclaimed:
“Don’t mess up other people’s marital prospects! Our Wenqiang is also very good, he’s graduating from university and about to work at an economic firm, with a bright future and high salary. Wenqiang’s character is well known to our neighbors; he tutors kids, helps move gas cylinders for the elderly upstairs, and even helped an old lady cross the street yesterday, everyone can’t stop praising him.”
Yi Jiayi nearly burst out laughing listening to Auntie Mi.
Helping an old lady cross the street—what an outdated way to praise someone.
In her past life, she focused only on studying, never dated, and now at only 20 years old in this life, she didn’t expect to be thrust into this situation so abruptly. Completely unprepared.
She sneakily sized up the young man across from her. He wasn’t as handsome as Sergeant Fang, as lively as Liu Jiaming, as sturdy as Sergeant Fang, as tall as Sergeant Fang, and probably not as gentle, meticulous, or strong as Sergeant Fang. Even his silent demeanor didn’t seem as sincere and reliable as Brother Sanfu.
His only advantage was a gentle and refined appearance, and he was relatively younger. She hadn’t even started to think about dating—how could she know what type she really liked?
Aunt Mi was too impatient.
While being absent-minded and listening to the aunt’s chatter, Yi Jiayi happily finished the meal.
After nagging for a while and seeing that Yi Jiayi was in a hurry to get to work, Aunt Mi finally left with her son.
Seeing the mother and daughter leave, the young policewoman breathed a sigh of relief and turned to complain:
“Big brother, I’m only 20, isn’t it too early for matchmaking? If I feel lonely later, I’ll find someone on my own.”
“Aunt Mi saw you on the newspapers and TV and praised you for being virtuous and promising. She wants to introduce her excellent son to you. Having a daughter is a blessing many seek, and you’re so outstanding, what can I do? Just take a look, maybe the young man will catch your eye.” Yi Jiadong saw her helpless expression and chuckled as if he found it very amusing.
“By the way, big brother, was that pickled radish we just ate freshly made by you? It’s really tasty. So refreshing and appetizing! I want to have it tomorrow morning too!” Yi Jiayi peeked around, thinking if there was a lot of pickled radish, she should also bring some for Brother Yue and the others often.
It really was refreshing and greatly increased one’s appetite.
“That thing,” Yi Jiadong, hearing this, immediately put down the pot he was scrubbing and turned back seriously:
“It was a mainland guy. He told me someone on the street told him that the policewoman who helped clarify his situation in the newspaper is our Yi Ji’s daughter. He was waiting at the door as soon as I opened this morning, stuffing a big bag of pastries into my hands, along with a small jar of this pickled radish.
“He had a variety of pastries; there were flower rolls, ones with red sugar filling in a triangular shape, and another type of cake, which he told me to fry and eat, called ‘Zi Ba’ or something like that.”
“It’s Sun Xin.” Yi Jiayi immediately concluded, “Does he speak very softly, stutters in Cantonese, skin as white as wall paint, and hardly dares to look at people?”
“Right, right, is his name Sun Xin? Haha, why do you describe people like that?” Yi Jiadong couldn’t help but laugh, his description was spot on, no wonder she was a detective, she could really make things sound realistic.
“So, this is Sichuan pickled radish, only a small dish?” Yi Jiayi said regretfully.
“It’s pretty good already. I tried to give him money, and he got so scared he turned around and ran, as if I was going to rob him.” Yi Jiadong said, shaking his head.
After chatting a bit more, Yi Jiayi was about to leave but was again stopped by her brother.
“Just now that Officer You called to place an order. I told him about the fresh top pigeons weighing about 1 pound each, available only now, and asked if he wanted them. He immediately ordered two. You wait for me for 10 minutes; the pigeons are marinated in brine, then air-dried with maltose and vinegar. I just need to fry them briefly, and they’ll be golden. There’s also a dish of broth vegetables and marinated chicken feet. Oh, and that pickled radish, take some for him too.” Yi Jiadong busied himself while rambling on.
“Not happening, I’m keeping the pickled radish for Jiaru and Jiajun to try tonight. Even if there’s more, I’ll bring it to Brother Yue and the others. Officer You will have to really show some good performance, and I’ll observe a bit more before deciding.” Yi Jiayi mercilessly refused.
In the back kitchen, Jiadong couldn’t help but laugh as if his sister had just told a hilarious joke. After a good laugh, he started humming a tune.
He used to sing in the shower, which must have been his most carefree moment.
At some point, he began singing while cooking, sweeping, spreading his sense of freedom beyond the bathroom. In the living room, the kitchen, and even at the shop, he was free.
Stepping out to buy groceries, he hummed along, feeling free even in the marketplace.
Mixed with the fishy smell, he wasn’t bothered and hummed cheerfully, as if strolling through a park.
Perhaps, it was his heart that had found freedom, the heavy burden lifted from his shoulders.
He always bragged to acquaintances that his sister was on TV, then walked away, humming even more enthusiastically.
Now, his greatest joy was seeing his siblings succeed. Jiadong was ordinary and worldly, yet he bloomed profoundly in simplicity.
Jiayi thought, now she was the heavy burden lifted, the proud source of her brother’s freedom and joy.
Could she, like her brother, cultivate Jiaru and Jiajun into her pride and let herself experience such happiness?
The thought crossed her mind, and she envisioned things like ‘buy educational materials for Jiajun,’ ‘buy a piano for Jiaru and send her for lessons,’ ‘sign Jiajun up for ten classes over the weekend to aid his talents’… Oops, all in the mode of ‘tiger parenting.’
She scratched her head, deciding to let it be.
The rich aroma of life and food in Yi’s shop finally washed away all the gloom from last night.
Half an hour later, Jiayi raced to the police station with Officer You’s lunch. After delivering the delicious meal and collecting the cash and tips, she then picked up the afternoon tea for Team B and an Yi’s Iced Delight for herself before heading back to her office.
The agents, starving for their food, pounced like zombies, and in an instant, the milk tea in Jiayi’s hands was all gone.
Laughing, she set up the afternoon tea on the public desk, handed Sir Yue his Yi’s Iced Delight, and put a straw in her own Yi’s Iced Delight.
Liu Jiaming and the others, tasting the milk tea topped with cream, ice cream, and smoothie, let out satisfied sighs.
Finally, they had what they wanted. Life was complete.
Somehow, they had come to rely entirely on everything Jiayi provided—missing even a cold drink, a snack, or a fresh flower seemed unbearable.
“Eleven has arrived, let’s get to work. Liu Jiaming, go and collect documents from all departments, and gather everything from Team A as well.”
“Gary, classify and file all the documents and hand them over to Jiayi.”
“Sanfu, head to the front door to receive the public coming to identify bodies, make a record of who has and hasn’t come.”
“Uncle Jiu, go through all the details and information with Eleven, then have Eleven write the report. Once it’s ready, submit it quickly to the Department of Justice, and we’ll have another case closed!”
Fang Zhenyue carefully inserted his straw and took a big sip of the smoothie, issuing orders one by one.
“Ah? You’ve all been waiting to start until I got here?” Jiayi turned around after setting things up.
Although everyone in the group was like family, it wasn’t necessary to wait for her to start working… that wasn’t needed!
“We can’t do it without you!” Liu Jiaming laughed heartily and patted her on the shoulder, “You have the best writing skills, the report has to be done by you.”
Jiayi pouted.
But fortunately, having seen Sir Yue’s reports while she was a clerical officer, she was well versed in brevity—no superfluous words, saving a lot of work.
With the information provided by everyone, she finished it in less than an hour.
Liu Jiaming clapped loudly, praising Jiayi as a report-writing genius and repeatedly hinting that since Eleven was so capable, maybe she should write the reports from now on?
Fortunately, before Eleven could speak, Sir Fang had already mercilessly refused.
Liu Jiaming wanted to wail in disappointment when Team A’s Sergeant You suddenly visited.
The Lok Kwan Street Park corpse-dumping case, lasting over three months and merged into the Team B’s Ferry Street dismemberment case, was no longer theirs despite their significant contributions.
Nevertheless, You Zhaohua was still in a good mood.
Not because the pigeon at lunch was delicious, of course, but because the long-standing pressure had suddenly lifted, making him feel relaxed and light.
The resolution of the corpse-dumping case at Lok Kwan Street Park being no longer pending as a cold case was his greatest relief.
“Sir Fang, from now on, you’re my big brother. Are you free tonight? I’d like to treat our Team B to a meal at Bifengtang,” You Zhaohua said enthusiastically.
Bifengtang, eh? Shrimp and crab are a must, and we won’t be saving on bills either.
“The consolidation of cases was proposed by Eleven, why acknowledge me as your big brother?” Fang Zhenyue chuckled, seemingly accepting the dinner invitation.
Liu Jiaming and a few others snickered, rubbing their hands in anticipation of a hearty meal.
“So… does that mean Eleven is my sister-in-law?” You Zhaohua followed Fang Zhenyue’s lead, but with a twist in his statement that changed the tone.
Yi Jiayi, expecting praise, suddenly widened her eyes in shock.
Fang Zhenyue’s eyebrows furrowed involuntarily. Despite his fierce appearance, his ears reddened uncontrollably, betraying the softness and embarrassment beneath his tough exterior:
“Stop talking nonsense!”
His expression, indeed, seemed even more uncomfortable than Yi Jiayi’s.
Fortunately, he quickly changed the subject, urging everyone to wrap up work and head out for a big meal. He also informed Yi Jiayi that starting tomorrow, she could take a three-day leave to have some fun.
Yet, as he turned to leave the office, Yi Jiayi still caught a suspicious blush behind his ear.
But the momentarily distracted young policewoman soon forgot the critical clue she had observed, her full attention now captured by what Fang Zhenyue had just mentioned.
What?
A vacation!
Recalling yesterday, Yi Jiayi suddenly realized: after all this time working with the Major Crime Unit and receiving her salary, she had never taken a day off!!!