#37: Comrade Xiao Jiang, Please Let Us Meet Sister-in-Law (800 Pearls)

As the end of the year approaches, those who are short on money will try everything to get it.

Jiang Yan and his colleagues staked out a billiards hall for three days, catching two drug dealers’ henchmen exchanging money and goods. It was raining heavily that day, and the arrest startled others in the hall. The henchmen, who had hidden drugs on them, were clearly experienced. As they fled, they threw the drugs away, which washed into the sewer, making evidence collection extremely difficult.

After being brought back to the police station, they were interrogated for a long time. They feigned ignorance, going in circles, stubbornly refusing to confess anything.

“Don’t underestimate these small-time dealers. They know exactly how many officers we have in our team, and they’re well-versed in these tactics. They’re tight-lipped, knowing we can’t do anything to them without evidence.”

“If we can’t get anything out of them soon, we’ll have to release them.”

“We finally caught them, but didn’t get the evidence. It’s truly infuriating!”

“It was all my fault at the time. I was too careless, didn’t guard against that kid pulling a stunt like that.”

“Captain Jiang!” someone called out. “Captain Zhou wants to see you in his office.”

Jiang Yan stood up, patted his colleague’s shoulder. “You guys go rest for a bit, grab some food. I’ll interrogate them.”

Those two henchmen weren’t new to the station; without some clever tactics, they wouldn’t open their mouths.

“Jiang Yan, come, sit,” Zhou Feng had just returned from outside. “I received intelligence that a batch of goods, about two tons, will be shipped from East Wharf in seven days.”

“That much!”

“Yes, it’s a blatant slap in our faces. Two tons, imagine how many lives that could destroy.”

“We’ve always had our people at various wharves inspecting incoming and outgoing goods. Two tons couldn’t possibly be shipped in one batch, and splitting it into several batches is too risky,” Jiang Yan was skeptical. “Master, is the information reliable?”

Zhou Feng smiled. “Are you suspecting an inside man in the police department? Or are you suspecting your master?”

He who talks much, errs much. Jiang Yan understood this principle.

Police officers were stationed at every wharf 24 hours a day, yet drug traffickers still risked shipping from the wharves, clearly having made preparations. Moreover, more than one previous case had traced large quantities of drug sources to Haishi. If Zhou Feng’s information was reliable, then the people behind them must be in high positions, beyond Zhou Feng’s reach.

“Then let’s try it. The fox has been hiding for so long, its tail should be showing now,” Zhou Feng understood. “Release those two henchmen you caught, and wait patiently for seven days.”

“Understood.”

The men were released, and the lead was broken.

Countless cases piled up with no clues. The higher-ups temporarily disallowed private investigations. Several young colleagues were very frustrated and disheartened, agreeing to go drinking together that night.

They were brothers who had faced life and death together. Jiang Yan naturally wouldn’t refuse, even though he didn’t usually drink.

“Comrade Xiao Jiang, it’s time you let us meet sister-in-law, isn’t it?” Tang Zhi, Jiang Yan’s closest friend, didn’t let him leave, hooking his arm around his neck and winking. “We’ll drink at Erhu’s place, no trouble there. Brothers will just treat it as a wedding feast.”

Lin Xingzi had never met Jiang Yan’s friends. He deliberately kept her away from trouble.

He didn’t save her number in his phone, didn’t keep her photo in his wallet, didn’t have a wedding or banquet when they got married, and tried to return home as little as possible during those six months—all to protect her.

“She’s busy...”

“That’s why we’re drinking tonight, don’t worry. Who would dare offend Director Lin’s daughter! We know how to talk, brothers. It’s settled then, we’ll go buy drinks first, you two follow.”

...

After more than a month of stalemate, Zhan Yan finally relented and arranged to sign the contract with Lin Xingzi. He still insisted that he wouldn’t recognize anyone else; he would only sign with Lin Xingzi.

Although Lin Xingzi cursed him, she still needed to earn money.

On the way to sign the contract, her car was stopped by Ji Qiuchi.

Ji Qiuchi was driving her own car. Lin Xingzi’s driver was newly hired. Both parties were responsible for the accident. After calling the police, they waited for the police to handle it.

Luxury cars and beautiful women are never low-key anywhere.

To the onlookers, they were probably discussing compensation.

“Don’t get involved with Zhan’s company. Keep as far away as possible.”

Whenever she encountered Ji Qiuchi, she pretended not to know Lin Xingzi. Tonight’s accident was caused by Ji Qiuchi hitting her car, but she didn’t seem to be provoking. This statement made Lin Xingzi begin to scrutinize her. “What do you mean?”

Ji Qiuchi looked at the crumpled front of the car and whispered, “Xingzi, I won’t hurt you.”

Lin Xingzi, who had seen countless handsome men and beautiful women, had to admit that Ji Qiuchi was a beauty. That’s why when she saw Ji Qiuchi’s father at Jiang’s mother’s house that day, she wondered what kind of beauty Ji Qiuchi’s mother must have been to give Ji Qiuchi that face.

Her makeup was heavy, but she looked thin.

Much thinner than the last time they met.

Zhan Yan heard about Lin Xingzi’s car accident from somewhere and arrived at the same time as the traffic police. Jiang Yan arrived a step later than him.

Zhan Yan lit a cigarette, sitting on the car hood, watching Jiang Yan walk towards them from across the road. “It’s lively today.”

“It’s my fault,” Ji Qiuchi turned around and gave Lin Xingzi a look when Zhan Yan wasn’t paying attention. She then reverted to her alluring, charming self, looking heavily drunk.

Her eyes were hazy. Zhan Yan thought she had just taken drugs and was excited, which was why she recklessly provoked Lin Xingzi. Fearing trouble, he secretly cursed the woman for being foolish, but maintained a calm demeanor on the surface.

“Xing’er, give me some face. It won’t look good if this escalates. I’ll fix your car, and if it can’t be fixed, I’ll replace it. You can pick any car from my garage. If you don’t like any of them, you can choose any car you fancy, and I’ll pay for it. The food is already served at the restaurant. I rushed here to pick you up. Let them prepare it again. It’s all your favorite dishes. We’ll sign the contract after you eat.”