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Miao Le Ge Mi became an internet-famous shop, drawing in large crowds of customers every day. However, Song Lang still refused to hire any help.
His original intention for opening the shop was simply to have something fun to do—keeping himself occupied while being surrounded by cute and sweet things until old age.
After work, Jiang Beibei came over to lend a hand at Miao Le Ge Mi . A little later, she heard cheers erupting from the entrance. Song Lang chuckled. “It’s either Second Brother or Third Brother.”
Sure enough, Tang Xizhou’s voice rang out: “All you girls are here to buy milk tea, huh?”
Now that they could hear clearly, many people were calling him “Second Brother.”
“Ah! I see Second Brother!”
“Second Brother, can we record a live stream? I’m recording it!”
“I want to see Second Brother dance the Mongolian dance again!”
Tang Xizhou basked in the attention. Though he’d never been disliked, this level of adoration was a first.
He washed his hands at the prep station and started helping Song Lang make milk tea.
Song Lang announced, “Only a hundred orders left! If you didn’t get a number, I’ll draw a star on your hand, and tomorrow I’ll give you a free signature drink!”
Several girls who were beyond the hundredth spot happily held out their hands and asked, “Can Second Brother draw one for me too?”
The girls surrounded Tang Xizhou, each extending their hands for him to draw stars on the backs of their hands. Afterward, they didn’t leave but instead took selfies and recorded videos.
Amidst the commotion, Yan Qingming arrived.
From afar, he shot a disapproving glance at Tang Xizhou, who winked back playfully.
Yan Qingming’s episode had aired just last week, and the girls were smitten with this soft-spoken, seemingly gentle military doctor. On top of that, the program revealed that Yan Qingming ranked among the top three in all physical fitness tests during school and was a soldier skilled at precision shooting on the battlefield. The stark contrast made him irresistibly attractive to the crowd.
“Ah! It’s Big Brother! Big Brother, are you single?” One girl asked, holding up her phone.
“Nope!” Another girl immediately interjected. “I’m his girlfriend!”
Her friend teased her, laughing. “No way—it’s obviously me!”
Yan Qingming, who hadn’t experienced Tang Xizhou’s fan-chasing frenzy or Qin Yuan’s encounter with fans asking inappropriate questions, was taken aback by these playful comments.
After a few seconds, he answered seriously, “I’m not looking for a girlfriend.”
“Aww.” His earnest response only excited the girls further, and they pressed on. “Then… are you looking for a boyfriend?”
Yan Qingming froze for a long moment, unsure if they already knew. Then Jiang Beibei chimed in, “Leave Big Brother alone, won’t you feel guilty teasing him like this? He’s so honest…”
The customers burst into laughter.
One girl declared, “I’m going to come to Miao Le Ge Mi every day to stake out!”
Song Lang was thrilled. “Great! Perfect! The more lively, the better!”
Far from being annoyed, he was delighted.
Huang Yuandao’s mother had once visited the “studio” of her future son-in-law and returned home worried, telling Huang Yuandao that Song Lang was always surrounded by young girls and might be a flirt.
Huang Yuandao dismissed her concerns. “Don’t worry—he’s very pure. He genuinely enjoys the lively atmosphere and likes seeing pretty boys and girls around. Look at his shop—you’ll even see cosplayers there, and he’s seen cross-dressers before. He’s just like Big Miao, someone who thrives on social energy. Rest assured, he has principles.”
Finally, after sending off the last customer, Song Lang locked the door and prepared a new dish he’d been experimenting with for his siblings.
Yan Qingming asked, “Where are Yuan Er and Yao Er?”
“Chu Yao is on night duty,” Jiang Beibei replied.
Tang Xizhou added, “Yuan Er is working overtime.”
Song Lang laughed. “Third Brother’s luck really sucks.”
The recent episodes of The People Around Us had gained immense online popularity, attracting fans who would visit Miao Le Ge Mi hoping to catch a glimpse of them. Most were adorable and simply wanted to meet them. But Qin Yuan, unfortunately, encountered a terrifying fan the day after his episode aired—someone who showed up at his office demanding to check into a hotel room with him.
This was unacceptable! Although Qin Yuan had dated many women, he adhered to basic principles. Such borderline criminal behavior was unbearable, so he immediately called the police and had Second Brother come to escort the fan away. Aside from criticism and education, there wasn’t much the brothers could do. As a result, Qin Yuan fled to another city for a business trip and told Huang Yuandao, “If you ever make me record another episode, I’ll change my surname!”
Truthfully, Jiang Beibei was grateful for The People Around Us . Chu Yao mentioned that elementary and middle schools had reached out to the funeral home, organizing visits for students to experience the work.
Jiang Beibei relayed this feedback to Huang Yuandao, who proudly declared, “Quick, call me Chief Editor Gold! I knew it! By the way, a few days ago, some older viewers called the station asking where your parents’ graves were located because they wanted to lay flowers.”
Jiang Beibei said, “There’s no need—they didn’t tell anyone, right?”
“Rest assured, we told the viewers that their kind intentions were appreciated, but they should visit the nearest martyrs’ cemetery to honor those who devoted their lives to the country. It’s all the same. Pretty good response, right?”
“Awesome! When Qingming went to sweep graves, he noticed more groups than usual participating—what a great thing!”
“The May Day Golden Week schedule is set,” Huang Yuandao said. “Seven consecutive days of broadcasts. Since it’s a holiday, do you want to record a special episode?”
“What are we recording?”
“Holiday Fun Week.” Huang Yuandao explained. “Everyone at the station will participate—a big celebration with singing and such.”
“Studio Two?” Jiang Beibei asked.
“Yep.”
“I’ve already coordinated with your brothers. The deputy director wants you all to make an appearance.”
“Alright, I’ll let them know.”
During dinner, Yan Qingming asked Tang Xizhou about work matters.
Tang Xizhou had been stationed at his unit for a while, barely returning home. The other day, he received news that they had collaborated with neighboring cities’ public security bureaus to capture a drug trafficker who had been on the run. Yesterday, he returned home to catch up on sleep, and today he finally felt human again.
“One more hasn’t been caught—Wanted No. 809, nicknamed ‘One Ear.’ We don’t have much information on him yet, but he’s a slippery old fox. According to his accomplices, he’s active along the border, an old-timer who doesn’t deal drugs directly but acts as a broker. Very tricky.” Tang Xizhou continued, “We invited Captain Yao to interrogate him. His accomplices hinted that One Ear is still in our city. After his hideout was raided last time, the drug lord feared he’d spill vital information if arrested, so he put a hit out on him. He’s probably lying low now. We’re searching key locations—it’s only a matter of time…”
Tang Xizhou concluded, “Just a matter of time. This time, he’s cornered.”
After dinner, Jiang Beibei scrolled through her social media feed and saw a post from Mrs. Chu.
“My godson just blew up the internet with a dancing video. Check out the full version.”
Jiang Beibei squealed, “Second Brother! Quick, look! Yao Mom just posted the full video of you dancing the Mongolian dance from years ago!”
In Tang Xizhou’s episode of The People Around Us , they included a clip of him dancing during a competition between various armed police units. Back then, Tang Xizhou was a young man full of vigor, his movements graceful and powerful. Dancing the Mongolian dance, he resembled a majestic white eagle taking flight, elegant and unrestrained.
Squinting from afar as he finished watching, Tang Xizhou said, “Alright, let’s play Hong Yan . I’ll give it another try.”
He set down his bowl, stretched his neck and wrists, and got into position.
Jiang Beibei perked up and immediately aimed her camera at him.
As the melody began, the feeling returned. Though he’d forgotten most of the moves, his performance was still impressive.
Jiang Beibei clapped enthusiastically, and Yan Qingming joked, “Not bad, Laoli. When you retire, you can lead dances in the square.”
“No way—I can’t deny getting old.” Tang Xizhou rotated his waist. “Back in the day, my aerial kicks were super cool. Now, even jumping feels heavy.”
“Second Brother, your flexibility is amazing!” Jiang Beibei exclaimed. “Let’s go dancing sometime!”
“In the square?”
“There’s a dance floor.” Jiang Beibei explained. “Last time, Yao Ge and I went, but we couldn’t compete since we were dancing the waltz. If I bring you, we’ll hit the stage and blow everyone away!”
“I’ll practice.” Tang Xizhou grinned. “I’ll perform for you at your wedding.”
“Really?! Second Brother, you’re the best! Love you the most!”
Tang Xizhou patted his stomach and sighed dramatically. “These words never get old.”
________________________________________
Chu Yao was on night duty. After finishing his tasks, he removed his gloves and headed to the break room to rest. Passing through the lobby, he noticed someone lying at the entrance.
Chu Yao hurried over and checked the person’s pulse—they were already dead.
Out of habit from his previous profession, Chu Yao quickly undid the person’s clothes and conducted a thorough examination.
The body bore extensive bruises, a broken nose, split lips, and a fractured right leg. Judging by the state of death, the person had been beaten to death, likely due to internal bleeding.
Seeing the body placed squarely in front of the funeral home’s main gate, Chu Yao deduced that someone must have brought him here.
It was rare for the funeral home to encounter such cases.
Typically, if passersby found someone injured on the roadside, they’d either take them to the hospital or call the police—not deliver them directly to the funeral home.
Chu Yao called the security guard in the break room and reported the incident to the police.
The funeral home staff carried the body inside. As Chu Yao stared at it, he suddenly paused, put on gloves, and touched the person’s face.
“What’s wrong?”
Chu Yao spoke gravely. “...He’s had plastic surgery.”
“Huh?” His colleague was puzzled.
The deceased was short, slightly hunched, and unremarkable in appearance. Even though his face was battered beyond recognition, his features weren’t particularly striking. Plastic surgery? What did he look like before?
Chu Yao had a suspicion and called his father and Tang Xizhou.
Tang Xizhou and Jiang Beibei were battling it out on the dance floor when the call came in. After finishing their round, they rushed to the funeral home.
The police had already arrived. After Mr. Chu completed the examination, he concluded, “Minor plastic surgery. Let’s compare DNA. There’s a high possibility this is a wanted fugitive.”
The police reviewed the surveillance footage outside the funeral home and saw a van with obscured plates stopping in front of the building around 11 PM. Two men wearing hats got out, dumped the body at the entrance, and left.
Tang Xizhou instructed, “Check the west section of the national highway. They’re unlikely to have taken the highway.”
“I’ll send the sample for comparison,” Mr. Chu said, then patted Jiang Beibei. “Come with me.”
Jiang Beibei looked confused. “Huh? That’s not on the way.”
“To the new house,” Mr. Chu explained. “Can you sleep with Mom tonight?”
Chu Yao nudged her. “Go ahead. I’ll pick you up at noon tomorrow.”
As Jiang Beibei followed Mr. Chu to the door, she suddenly grabbed his arm and asked, “Could this be that fugitive?”
Back when she and Chu Yao were younger, they hadn’t seen the fugitive themselves. She only remembered the blurry ID photo from the wanted poster, taken when the suspect was in his teens.
But veteran detectives like the Chus surely remembered him. They had even devised plans to corner the fugitive, and Mr. Chu had narrowly missed capturing him once.
After a moment of hesitation, Mr. Chu nodded calmly. “It’s likely him.”
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