Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Red Packet_1
Although the case was solved, everyone felt heavy-hearted.
Even Mr. Zhao lost his usual jovial demeanor as Liu Yongxin patted Zhou Ning on the shoulder.
"Get your mindset right, finish work quickly, we’ve provided all the materials needed for this case, and today’s the Lantern Festival."
Just as he spoke, Xu Dayuan also walked in.
"Time to wrap up, what’s everyone waiting for? Don’t you want to go home and reunite with your families today? Or should I start assigning more tasks?"
With that, everyone hurried away. As Zhou Ning walked over to Xu Dayuan, Xu raised his hand and said,
"You two have a day off tomorrow, it’s exhausting working non-stop, but remember, don’t turn off your phones."
"Alright, Xu Da, we’ll take off now."
After saying that, they all left. Standing outside the small two-story building of the detective team, Zhou Ning exhaled deeply while gazing at the sky.
Only those who have seen what losing freedom feels like can truly appreciate how blissful it is to breathe freely and daydream under the open sky.
With his hands in his pockets, Zhou Ning quickly walked to the roadside, bought some fruit and a case of beer.
Only then did he hail a taxi straight to Yuhua Residential Community. The skyrocketing housing prices had driven property developers into action. Even in winter, the open land on the south side of the community had been cordoned off, with many large machines at work.
He had heard from his second uncle that it seemed like they were going to build the second phase of the Yuhua Residential Community with the same developer. Since they acquired the land cheaply, they naturally wanted to make a significant profit amid rising prices.
Zhou Ning got out of the taxi and entered the community. Instead of going home, he headed straight for Building No. 7 on the south side. His second uncle had bought a unit in that building, and this apartment was much larger than his—four bedrooms and two living rooms. His grandfather also lived there, but without any friendly neighbors around, the old man felt a bit lonely.
These days, although Zhou Ning was still relentlessly trained by the system at night, during brief moments of half-sleep, he could always recall fragments of memory—a woman’s hand holding his, standing atop a tall building, looking down together. Although he couldn’t lift his head, instinctively it felt like his mother’s hand.
Just staring at the vast expanse below, that hand stroked Zhou Ning’s head and said to him, "Xiao Ning, look quickly, that’s your dad."
As Zhou Ning looked down, he was already entering the system’s training grounds. But upon waking up, he always felt this wasn’t a dream—it was something he genuinely experienced.
You see, after his parents died when he was ten, he had no memory of anything before that age. Why was that? Was it because he was also injured and lost his memory, or was it because his parents didn’t die by accident?
Grandfather and second uncle almost never spoke about it; they didn’t even mention his parents’ professions. As time passed, he stopped asking—not because he forgot but because he kept this secret buried in his heart. Yet these memory fragments still caused him some unease.
He took a deep breath, putting away these thoughts.
Raising his hand, he knocked on the door three times. The door was opened by his cousin, who, upon seeing Zhou Ning, happily shouted back inside.
"My brother is back!"
Hearing this, his second uncle and grandfather both got up and came over, causing Zhou Ning to feel a bit embarrassed.
"Grandpa, second uncle, I came over to mooch a meal!"
The old man smiled without saying a word, while his second uncle came directly over, grinning.
"Nonsense, what do you mean mooching, it’s the fifteenth and we naturally have to have a family reunion meal together. Quickly, come wash your hands. Your second aunt is almost done cooking. I looked at the time and thought it was still early, so I didn’t call you. How’s your case going?"
Zhou Ning nodded, but the old man wasn’t having it.
"Such a chatterbox, can’t you see Xiao Ning is carrying so many things in his hands? You let him carry them while talking?"
His second uncle, grinning, gestured for Xiaoyu to come over, and Xiaoyu stepped forward to help Zhou Ning with his things. After washing his hands, Zhou Ning went to the kitchen to greet the busy second aunt and cousin Zhou Xiaojun, then quickly moved to his grandfather’s side, joined by second uncle Zhou Xianghua, who handed him a cup of hot water.
"Can you tell us what kind of case it was this time? I heard Chief Zhu from the port police station ran to the sub-bureau twice these past couple of days, and Mr. Sun scolded him. People in the government canteen are all discussing the matter, so what’s it all about?"
The old man coughed, giving his second son a light kick.
"What are you, a logistics manager, doing prying into this every day? Stop making mountains out of molehills."
"Alright, alright, Grandpa, you’re right. Come on, satisfy second uncle’s curiosity. What kind of case was it?"
Zhou Ning smiled, putting down his teacup.
"A murder case, right in the jurisdiction of the port police station. But the case is quite complicated with lots of entanglements; the wife was driven by the husband’s affair with another woman, who incited her..."
Zhou Ning succinctly explained the case, and upon hearing it, the old man’s brow furrowed, tapping his cane continually against the floor.
"Burned by money, if they were poor, they’d be too busy scratching a living to mess with such seductresses. Poor child though."
The second uncle continuously echoed these sentiments.
"Talking about it helps Xiao Ning let things go. In the future, after wrapping up a case, if you feel blocked up inside, come home and talk it over with me and your grandfather. Don’t bottle it up and make yourself sick, that wouldn’t be worth it."
At this point, the second aunt brought out a fish, calling out to Zhou Ning:
"Stop listening to your second uncle’s lectures, Xiao Ning. Quickly help your grandfather over to eat. On New Year’s Eve, your second uncle was on duty, so we didn’t have a proper family reunion dinner. Today, we’re all finally here together, so let’s get to the table."
Everyone took their seats. Zhou Ning sat with the old man on his left, his second uncle on the right, and each poured beer in front of them. The old man had high blood pressure, so they didn’t let him drink spirits. The old man raised his glass.
"Thank you for all the hard work, second sister-in-law. Over these years you’ve taken care of me, this old man, raised Zhou Ning, supported him through school, and helped him buy a house. I know this well in my heart, you are the hero of the Zhou Family. When the old house is demolished, I won’t give the money to the second son, it will all be yours. Here, take this first."
He said this while handing a passbook to my second aunt. My forthright second aunt got teary-eyed with this gesture from the old man, but she kept a straight face and pushed the passbook back in front of him.
"Old man, you can’t just throw in the towel. You’re still the head of the family in all matters. Besides, Zhou Ning is grown and so sensible; I’m really proud because I was the one who raised him. It’s no different from having my own, it’s just that these two rascals are disappointing."
She shot a sharp look at Zhou Xiaoyu and Zhou Xiaojun, putting them on the spot, and Zhou Ning didn’t dare to chime in.
"There are two hundred thousand here, you just keep it. Xiaoyu is the same age as Zhou Ning, just a few days younger, and she’s been with her boyfriend for over a year. I know you don’t have much spare money, and soon Xiaojun will graduate, which is no small expense."
Zhou Ning knew it was time for him to speak up.
"Second aunt, if Grandpa asks you to take it, just take it. From now on, you’ll be handling the finances. If Grandpa and I are out of money and need to come to you, wouldn’t that be more righteous?"
Second Aunt laughed and gave Zhou Ning a sideways glance.
"Alright, Dad, I’ll keep it safe for you for now. Even if Xiaoyu gets married, that’s not our responsibility. I’ve got her dowry all set. It’s Xiao Ning who’s making us worry. How are you getting along with Mr. Xia?
Last time he visited, even though he brought special gifts for me, anybody with clear eyes could tell what it was about. He’s a graduate of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and has nothing lacking in looks. You haven’t shown any interest yet, have you?"
Second Aunt finished and nudged my second uncle with her elbow, Zhou Xianghua quickly chimed in:
"Your second aunt is right, we misjudged Cheng Li before. But Mr. Xia is well-versed. Her father works at Qindao University, and her mother is with the Bureau of Education, it’s definitely a family of intellect!"
Zhou Ning felt a flush of heat on his face, indeed there was no escaping the mandatory New Year’s interrogation.
"We’re taking it slow, Mr. Xia is a great girl, pretty and gentle. I’ve asked her for help before, and she’s always been without complaint. As for how far we can go, I don’t want to decide too early.
This case today made me even more afraid of marriage. Those two childhood sweethearts knew each other for over twenty years, and they ended up like that. It really gives one fear of marriage. Second Aunt, I know you’re worried about me, but can we just let things take their natural course?"
The old man looked at Zhou Ning and waved his hand at the second aunt.
"Alright, Xiao Ning has his own thoughts. His job allows him to see the ugliest side of the world, so having such concerns isn’t a bad thing. At least he can carry on his life ahead more seriously, and it’s also being responsible to the girl. Come on, let’s dig in!"
Upon hearing the old man’s support, Zhou Ning was quite taken aback because he knew the old man had always been urging his second aunt to help Zhou Ning arrange his marriage. It surprised him today.
The old man picked up a piece of fish, and everyone then took their chopsticks and began eating. However, the topic soon switched to Zhou Xiaoyu.
Zhou Xiaoyu’s boyfriend is Cui Guanglin, just like her, a teacher at a primary school. Zhou Xiaoyu teaches English, while her boyfriend is a chemistry teacher as well as a class advisor, and he’s five years older than her, which is what bothers the second aunt most.
But no matter how dissatisfied, it’s useless. Xiaoyu is pleased, and their relationship is quite good. Cui Guanglin’s family has already started preparing for the wedding.
After a few rounds of drinks, Zhou Ning took out a bulging red envelope and handed it to Zhou Xiaoyu, who looked confused and turned to Zhou Ning, puzzled.
"Big brother, what are you doing?"
"I’m busy at work, and once there’s a case, I’m tied up for days, so I can’t help you much. I’ve been thinking of getting you some wedding gifts, but I’m afraid I might not pick things you like, so I’d better give you money to choose for yourself. Don’t worry, your brother has money."
The old man smiled with satisfaction, but the second uncle and second aunt became worried, asking Xiaoyu to return the money to Zhou Ning. Zhou Ning waved his hand and then set down his chopsticks, speaking earnestly:
"Previously, I didn’t have the luxury of time to tell you, but before New Year’s Day, I received a sizable author’s fee. This was for a paper co-authored with Doctor Lu from Qindao University, published in an international forensic journal, which was quite substantial.
Moreover, before the year ended, I officially signed a cooperation agreement with Qindao University to develop software for a facial reconstruction system, and I have 20% ownership in this project. Afterward, money won’t be a concern. You go ahead and take it, considering you’ve called me big brother for so many years."
Zhou Xiaojun came over with a goofy grin, reaching his hand toward Zhou Ning.
"Brother, where’s mine?"
The second aunt slapped Zhou Xiaojun on the head, her eyes shooting daggers, and her voice rising a few octaves in anger.
"What are you stirring up? Your brother’s money isn’t easy to earn, and he hasn’t even found his footing at his new job. Zhou Ning, we appreciate your thoughtfulness, but keep the money for yourself, save it, and don’t spend it recklessly."
The old man coughed, and everyone fell silent.
"Xiao Ning is grown and sensible, understanding how to care for his sister and you two. It’s something to be happy about. I know he’s meticulous, and as for this matter, he’s done well. There’s no need to squabble among family, just let Xiaoyu keep it.
The software project, as I’ve heard from Xiao Ning, you should cooperate steadily with Qindao University, don’t seek quick success, and don’t neglect your main job. We all support you."
Hearing the old man speak, nobody said anything further. Xiaoyu accepted the envelope, and Zhou Ning swallowed back the question he wanted to ask, knowing the timing wasn’t right and deciding to discuss it later.
"Thanks, big brother. Next time when you have some free time, I’ll introduce you to Cui Guanglin. You can give your approval."
Second uncle was a bit displeased, and Zhou Ning held back laughter. Her plea was clearly aimed at getting his help in playing intermediary.
"Sure, meeting him is no problem, but we have to follow a strict vetting process. I’ll help second uncle and second aunt check if this kid can stand the scrutiny!"
Xiaoyu blushed, stomping her foot in frustration.
"Brother, you’re too much!"
Second uncle and second aunt gave Zhou Ning a thumbs-up, wholeheartedly agreeing with his approach.
"Investigate, we must investigate thoroughly!"
