SFTD -Chapter 158 Ghosts Beneath the Bridge (Part 13)

Under Wang Xuchao’s gaze, Zhang Xiaotian shook his head.

“I’ve never seen him. I only went to that clinic twice, and both times I just saw local people.”

Wang Xuchao waved his hand. A police officer beside him uncuffed Zhang Xiaotian and immediately escorted him toward the detention center. Only then did Zhang Xiaotian fully react and start shouting at Wang Xuchao.

“Hey, hey! What are you doing? Didn’t we agree that if I cooperated with you, I’d get some leniency?”

Wang Xuchao glanced at him coldly.

“This is leniency.”

“You’re lucky this time you ran into me. If it were someone else, you might not even be alive right now.”

“As for me? I’m a cop without principles. Go ahead, sue me!”

“Isn’t that what you’re best at anyway?”

“I’m just unreasonable. I’m messing with you—so what?”

“Who told you to be so ‘helpful’ and bring in 7.127 grams? If it had been under 7 grams, I’d actually be upset. After all, if I can’t deal with you, I’d have to let you go. You’re basically my perfect partner. Thanks a lot!”

“Don’t accept it? Wait until you get out and come find me. Remember my name—Wang Xuchao, disciple of Zeng Zhiqiang!”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaotian was completely speechless. He didn’t argue another word until he was taken out by the police.

The three of them then entered the interrogation room. Xu Biao patted Wang Xuchao on the shoulder.

“From today on, you’re my brother! That was seriously badass.”

Officer Cui, having finished the interrogation, took his leave. Zhou Hai, however, became very interested in the medicine bottle. He picked it up, poured out a capsule, and examined it carefully from different angles.

He turned and raised the bottle toward Wang Xuchao.

“I’m taking this back to the lab for testing.”

Wang Xuchao asked Xu Biao to escort Officer Cui out, then quickly walked back to Zhou Hai’s side.

“You think so too, right? At first glance I didn’t react, but the more I look at it, the more it resembles the half capsule we took out from Zeng’s heart.”

“Yeah, it does look similar. But we still need analysis. I’m heading out.”

Wang Xuchao stopped him.

“Don’t bother running around. It’s already past six. I’ll have someone send it directly to the forensic lab. Just call and notify them. They have night shift staff anyway.”

“Also, I’ll send people to Yong’an to find that doctor surnamed Zhang and see if we can trace whether Zeng Da ever went there.”

Zhou Hai thought about it and accepted Wang Xuchao’s suggestion. After all, he had spent the entire day running around Yong’an and even performed an autopsy—his eyes were already aching with fatigue. He didn’t push himself further.

“Alright. Then Xu Biao and I will head back. We’ll wait for tomorrow’s test results.”

Xu Biao naturally took Zhou Hai’s car keys and drove him home, then left with the car afterward.

After taking some medication in the car, Zhou Hai felt slightly dizzy. He unlocked the door, and a wave of the smell of leeks rushed into his nose.

He sniffed carefully—dumplings.

He realized it had been ten years. Since his parents passed away, he had never smelled this scent again.

Instantly, all his sleepiness vanished.

He put down his coat and bag and walked toward the kitchen.

There, he saw two figures busy moving around—one big, one small.

The little girl was holding a bowl, hopping in place from the heat, exhaling repeatedly, but still refusing to spit out the half dumpling in her mouth.

“Mmm… Xixi is delicious!”

Lu Xi smiled and said, “Xixi is not for eating!”

“Haha, I know! Dumplings are delicious, but Xixi is even better!”

Lu Xi smiled even more warmly, her eyes full of affection. She gently wiped the white flour off the little girl’s cheek.

“Alright, we can bring the dumplings to the table. Let’s wait for Brother Hai to come back so we can eat together.”

The little girl finally swallowed the remaining half dumpling and leaned toward Lu Xi with curiosity.

“You like Zhou Zhou, right?”

Zhou Hai suddenly felt caught in an awkward position—but he really wanted to hear Lu Xi’s answer. He stopped walking and held his breath, straining to listen.

Unexpectedly, Lu Xi did not avoid the question. Having lived alone abroad for several years, she was very direct with her emotions. She pursed her lips and lifted her chin slightly.

“Yes. I like Zhou Hai. He’s different from other men—not frivolous, he values his friends, and he’s very responsible. He doesn’t talk much, but that cool personality makes me like him even more.”

“Xixi, will you support me?”

The little girl tilted her head, thought seriously, and nodded.

“I support you! But you have to work hard!”

“I heard from Xuxu that there’s a colleague of his who’s a super beauty—big chest, very pretty, and she also likes Zhou Zhou. But don’t worry, I’ll help you!”

Lu Xi froze.

“Xu Biao told you that?”

“Mm.”

“Do you even know what ‘big chest and pretty’ means?”

The little girl stretched her hands and made an exaggerated S-shape in front of her body, even puffing out her chest. Then she looked at Lu Xi’s chest and poked it.

“Yours is a little small!”

Even Lu Xi, who was quite open-minded, felt embarrassed. She quickly grabbed the little girl under the arms, and the two started playfully wrestling.

Just then, when they turned around, they saw Zhou Hai standing at the kitchen door.

The laughter stopped abruptly.

Lu Xi’s face instantly turned red. She quickly brushed her hair back.

“When did you get back?”

Looking at her shy expression, Zhou Hai felt his mind go blank. He swallowed and pointed at the dumplings.

“Just now. I followed the smell of dumplings in. Did you two make these?”

The little girl raised her chin proudly.

“Yep! We made them all afternoon!”

Lu Xi, relieved that he hadn’t seemed to hear their conversation, quickly carried the dumplings toward the dining room.

“You two go wash your hands and eat.”

Faced with food, the little girl instantly became obedient and went to set the table.

Zhou Hai picked up his coat and bag and went back to his room to change clothes. Only then did Lu Xi let out a long breath and hurriedly splashed cold water on her face, trying to cool the heat in her cheeks.

The dumplings and dipping sauces were soon set on the table. Zhou Hai and the little girl were already seated, but Zhou Hai seemed lost in thought.

Lu Xi waved a hand in front of him.

“What are you thinking about? Eat.”

Zhou Hai nodded.

“Thank you. It’s been a long time since I had homemade dumplings. They smell amazing.”

The little girl pouted.

“You haven’t even eaten them yet and you’re already saying they’re good?”

Lu Xi quickly placed a plate of dumplings in front of her.

“Hurry and eat. They won’t taste as good when they’re cold.”

Zhou Hai picked up his chopsticks, took a dumpling, and ate it without dipping anything. The filling—leek, shrimp, and egg—was simple and rustic, but incredibly satisfying.

As he chewed slowly, the flavors blended and bloomed in his mouth, warming him from the inside.

Lu Xi placed a small dish of sauce in front of him.

“Why are you eating it plain? It tastes better with sauce.”

Zhou Hai smiled and shook his head.

“It’s been ten years. I haven’t had home-style dumplings since then. I just want to taste the original flavor first.”

Lu Xi looked at him but didn’t ask further.

The little girl, unusually, didn’t tease him either. She pressed her lips together, her eyes slightly moist.

“Brother Zhou and I are the same—we don’t have parents. But we have Old John, right, Brother Zhou?”

Zhou Hai nodded and gently patted her head.

“Yes. And you still have me.”

He paused slightly.

“By the way… it’s Little New Year today. Lu Xi, you didn’t go home?”