Lin Chengfeng raised an eyebrow and teased, “What’s wrong with you? You’re a suspect—and you still want a reward?”
Ye Xuan looked indignant and retorted, “Even though I’m a suspect, I didn’t actually commit a crime. Besides, I was the one who solved the case. Shouldn’t I get some kind of reward?”
“Oh, aren’t you something? Don’t worry. Normally, as a suspect, you’d only get a commendation, but I already applied on your behalf. Even though you’re not a police officer, you can be rewarded as a criminal investigation consultant.”
“Is there money?” Ye Xuan asked eagerly.
Lin Chengfeng smiled faintly and shook his head. “No.”
Hearing this, Ye Xuan slumped dejectedly onto the table.
“What’s wrong? Short on money?”
Ye Xuan replied slowly, “Obviously. My car’s gone, and even if I get it back, I don’t want it anymore. I want to buy a new one.”
“Officer Lin, a commendation is useless to me. How about swapping it for something else? I want cash!”
Lin Chengfeng rolled his eyes in exasperation and said, “The commendation is non-negotiable, but there will be a small bonus. It just might not be much.”
Ye Xuan’s eyes lit up with anticipation. “How much?”
“About a thousand yuan.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Xuan immediately grabbed Lin Chengfeng’s hand and shook it forcefully.
“Deal!”
Lin Chengfeng quickly pulled his hand back, looking disgusted. “Pathetic!”
Then Ye Xuan asked again, “Officer Lin, how about you apply for me to get a criminal investigation consultant position? Whenever there’s a case, you can call me. I promise to cooperate fully!”
Lin Chengfeng’s lips twitched slightly before he replied sternly, “You want to make extra money off the police department? Looking to get locked up?”
Ye Xuan grinned playfully. “Don’t be so serious. It’s a win-win situation. You solve cases and earn honors, and I just get a little consulting fee.”
Lin Chengfeng shook his head helplessly and turned away, ignoring Ye Xuan.
“That could work.” A familiar voice came from behind them.
Lin Chengfeng and Ye Xuan immediately turned around.
Seeing who it was, Lin Chengfeng stood up and said, “Elder Zhou!”
Ye Xuan also stood up involuntarily, looking somewhat flustered. “Elder… Elder Zhou!”
Elder Zhou smiled and sat down beside them, gesturing for them to sit.
“Sit, sit.”
Only then did the two slowly take their seats.
A hint of guilt flashed in Ye Xuan’s eyes as he forced a bitter smile. “Elder Zhou, I… I was just joking earlier. Please don’t take it to heart. The police are a sacred profession. How could someone like me, with impure intentions, tarnish it?”
Zhou Zhengrong gave a kind smile and waved his hand. “Xiao Ye, there’s no need to say that. We all serve the people. As long as you contribute to society, what does it matter if you have such thoughts?”
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting money, as long as you earn it honestly. You’re not stealing or robbing anyone, so why should I blame you?”
Lin Chengfeng was slightly taken aback and asked, “Elder Zhou, then you…”
Zhou Zhengrong nodded slowly. “Chuan City has been a bit unsettled lately. The other branches have more experience and a better track record. Xiao Lin, you’ve been in the military before and haven’t dealt with these things yet. Your qualifications are still too shallow. You could use some help, or with your personality, you’ll suffer big losses.”
Then Zhou Zhengrong turned his gaze to Ye Xuan and said with a smile, “Young Ye is very clever and meticulous when solving cases. Learning more from him will be good for you.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Xuan glanced discreetly at Lin Chengfeng and raised an eyebrow.
Seeing this, Lin Chengfeng rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Zhou Zhengrong looked at Ye Xuan and continued, “I will personally apply for the position of criminal investigation consultant for you. I hope you can sincerely contribute to Chuan City and its people. Also, I have a request, or perhaps I should say, a favor to ask.”
Ye Xuan quickly nodded, his eyes filled with anticipation. “Please go ahead, Elder Zhou.”
Zhou Zhengrong shook his head and said slowly, “This is somewhat of a personal matter, so it’s not convenient to disclose it to you for now. But don’t worry, when the time comes and I tell you about it, whether you help or not will be entirely up to you. I won’t pressure you.”
Hearing this, Lin Chengfeng gave Zhou Zhengrong a deep look, his eyes filled with complexity and even a hint of surprise.
Ye Xuan patted his chest and assured him, “Rest assured, Elder Zhou. As long as it doesn’t harm the people, I will give it my all!”
“Hahaha! Young Ye is truly impressive!” Zhou Zhengrong patted Ye Xuan’s shoulder with satisfaction.
After the three finished breakfast, they returned to the Public Security Bureau. Zhou Zhengrong went straight into the Technical Division, while Ye Xuan and Lin Chengfeng returned to the Criminal Investigation Team Captain’s office.
“Officer Lin, I’ll be counting on your guidance from now on!” Ye Xuan said to Lin Chengfeng with a playful grin.
Lin Chengfeng nodded and replied seriously, “Likewise. If you ever need anything, just come to us directly. We’ll do our best to cooperate.”
Ye Xuan waved his hand and said with a smile, “No need for that, no need. It’s me who should be cooperating with you.”
Then Ye Xuan asked, “Officer Lin, can I head back first? I’ll come again tomorrow.”
Lin Chengfeng asked curiously, “Why go back? Your car was stolen, so how are you going to deliver food?”
Ye Xuan replied, “Exactly because I can’t deliver that I need to go back. I have to go to the station to ask for leave and explain the situation.”
Lin Chengfeng nodded in understanding, then checked the time and asked, “How are you planning to get back?”
Ye Xuan said helplessly, “My car was stolen, so I’ll have to take a taxi back.”
Lin Chengfeng walked over to the desk, opened a drawer, and took out a set of keys.
“Let’s go, I’ll drive you.”
Ye Xuan took a closer look and exclaimed, “Wow, a Great Wall… Pao!”
Lin Chengfeng gave Ye Xuan a puzzled look, then grabbed his arm and urged, “Let’s go!”
Lin Chengfeng drove to the entrance of Ye Xuan’s residential complex.
Ye Xuan unbuckled his seatbelt and, without thinking, blurted out, “Officer Lin, would you like to come up for a drink of water?”
Lin Chengfeng nodded and replied, “Sure.”
Ye Xuan was instantly stunned.
Wait, aren’t you tired?
I was just being polite, and you’re actually coming up?
“Uh… alright, let’s go.”
Ye Xuan led Lin Chengfeng back to his apartment, then went to the fridge and took out two bottles of mineral water, tossing one to Lin Chengfeng.
Lin Chengfeng caught it steadily, looked around, and said, “This place is quite spacious. How much is the rent?”
Ye Xuan sat on the sofa and replied, “It’s alright. Two thousand two hundred, including property fees. Water and electricity are paid through Alipay separately. The electricity is a bit expensive though—one yuan per kilowatt-hour!”
Lin Chengfeng smiled and responded, “This is a commercial area, so that price is normal.”
Lin Chengfeng then said with a serious expression, “You don’t have to take what my uncle said today to heart.”
Ye Xuan was slightly taken aback before asking, “Which matter? The criminal investigation consultant?”
Lin Chengfeng shook his head and said slowly, “It’s about asking for your help. Actually, it’s related to my aunt.”
Ye Xuan asked curiously, “Can you tell me more?”