SFTD -Chapter 306 New Image of Fahai

After leaving the criminal police team, Zhou Hai stood in the courtyard, looking up at the sky.

The scorching sun baked his body, as if it could drive away some of the coldness in his heart. After a moment, Xiao Liang and Zhang Wenqi ran out. Seeing Zhou Hai standing there with his eyes closed and face lifted toward the sky, they both stood beside him and looked up as well.

“Brother Hai (Chief Hai), what are you looking at?”

Zhou Hai shook his head and turned to look at them. The two of them seemed fine—clearly unable to hide their excitement. He waved them off.

“You two go back to the center. The rest of this case will be handled by you. Finish the report and all related evidence as soon as possible and send it to Xu Jun. I’m leaving first.”

Zhang Wenqi wanted to call out to Zhou Hai, but Xiao Liang stopped him. Watching Zhou Hai quickly drive away, Zhang Wenqi looked puzzled.

“Why didn’t you let me stop Chief Hai? Wouldn’t it be good to get together tonight? The case is finally over—we could go sing and drink to celebrate!”

Xiao Liang shook his head. “Brother Hai doesn’t drink. Besides, he doesn’t have time right now. There’s still the inspection team’s work, and Sister Xixi’s case…”

Zhang Wenqi was even more confused and pressed him for details. Xiao Liang, seeing that he would keep asking, simply told him everything. After hearing it, Zhang Wenqi fell silent for a long time.

Xiao Liang nudged him with his arm.

“What’s wrong?”

Zhang Wenqi shook his head. “I suddenly understand a lot of things. I used to think capable people were all arrogant and distant. Now I realize I was too narrow-minded. He’s someone truly worthy of respect—he buries all his pain inside. That’s what a real man is.”

Xiao Liang punched his shoulder lightly. Thinking back to the smallest details of what had happened to Xixi, he grabbed Zhang Wenqi’s arm and tightened his lips.

“Maybe we can’t participate in the Miga poisoning serial murder case, but we still need to improve ourselves quickly. For every case we handle, we compare it with that one. I believe we’ll eventually find clues. A person so arrogant like that won’t stay silent forever.”

Zhang Wenqi nodded as well, then tapped the driver’s seat.

“Driver, let’s not waste time. Back to the center.”

Zhou Hai didn’t stop. He drove quickly back to the Lu family home. On the way, he checked in with Xu Biao—things in Jinzhou were nearing completion. If all went smoothly, they could return tomorrow, and the inspection work would finally come to an end.

After all, Yong’an, Laixi, and Huangdao had no pending cases requiring inspection reports. Zhou Hai told Huang Zhongsheng and Xu Biao to return and rest once they were done.

According to Zhou Hai’s next plan, he intended to launch training for forensic trace inspection and medical examiner knowledge in the criminal police system. Director Liu had only verbally agreed so far, and the detailed plan had yet to be finalized. It seemed he would need to finish it this week.

After finishing his last call, Zhou Hai parked in the Lu family courtyard. The dog “Pork Knuckle,” who had been basking in the sun at the door, had already spotted him and wagged its tail as it ran over.

Seeing this, Zhou Hai raised his foot and nudged it aside.

It was obviously begging for food again. It was already noon, and just looking at its round belly, he knew it had eaten plenty. Still wanting more—pure greed.

Zhou Hai’s light kick made the chubby dog lose balance and roll slightly to the side. Although displeased, Pork Knuckle didn’t dare to bark at him—it clearly remembered how terrifying Zhou Hai could be.

Zhou Hai was slightly surprised that it didn’t make a sound.

He pushed open the door, and the aroma of food immediately filled the air, awakening his senses. Zhou Hai rubbed his stomach—he really was hungry.

The air-conditioning inside was very comfortable, which made his appetite even stronger. He quickly walked toward the dining room.

“Just eating lunch? Is there enough food? I’m hungry!”

Sister Liu quickly took his bag and patted his back.

“Hurry and wash your hands. Your Aunt Lu said you’d be back around noon, so I cooked extra dishes. I even said I made too much.”

After washing his hands, Zhou Hai returned to the table. The little girl had already gone for her second bowl of rice. Aunt Lu quickly served him dishes, but Uncle Lu was nowhere to be seen.

“Hmm? Where’s Uncle Lu?”

Aunt Lu gestured toward the door.

“He went to Vice Principal Zhang’s house. He heard you work in the police system and wanted to ask about Zhang Huihui’s family situation.”

She continued angrily:

“They’re still trying to get back the bride price now that she’s dead. If they were so capable, why didn’t they ask for it back when she was alive? Even if the child in her belly wasn’t Zhang Ziliang’s, this kind of behavior is heartbreaking. People say the dead deserve respect!”

Zhou Hai nodded. When Uncle Lu called him earlier, he already felt it was inappropriate. For a deceased girl, no matter how bad the family relations were, reopening old wounds was unnecessary.

“Don’t be angry. Let’s just ignore it. Eat first, then I’ll take you shopping. I’m free today—the case is already closed.”

Aunt Lu’s eyes lit up immediately.

“Oh my god, Haizi, you’re so good! Your Uncle Lu never goes shopping with me—he says I walk too slowly.”

Zhou Hai knew exactly how powerful shopping could be for women, so since he agreed, he would follow through.

“Deal, but we can’t stay out too late. I still need to go back to the bureau tomorrow and complain to the leaders.”

The little girl pouted.

“Now Zhou Zhou even knows how to complain and cry for help. Impressive. But do you still remember what you promised me?”

Zhou Hai froze.

“Give me a hint… what was it about?”

“On Saturday, before we went to the hotel wedding banquet—you promised something about your hair!”

“Oh… getting a haircut?”

After lunch, the three of them drove to Taidong Pedestrian Street. Aunt Lu asked the little girl to accompany Zhou Hai for a haircut while she went shopping nearby, and they would meet later.

The little girl kept flipping through hairstyle pictures while Zhou Hai, already shampooed, sat in the chair and urged her.

“Still not done? I’ve been waiting over ten minutes. If you take any longer, my hair will dry!”

The little girl tapped her notebook.

“I have to choose carefully! It needs to be easy to maintain and suit your face and temperament. Do you know how hard that is?”

Zhou Hai nodded. After all, whether he would need to wear a head cover for the next few months depended entirely on her.

At that moment, she suddenly stopped on one picture and waved at the hairstylist.

“Little brother, do this hairstyle. Cut it exactly like this.”

The stylist frowned.

“For someone used to long hair, this length will be hard to adapt to.”

“Just do as I say!”

Zhou Hai felt increasingly uneasy. He leaned forward to see the style, but the girl already came over and straightened his head.

“Sit still. If it ends up uneven, don’t blame the stylist.”

Zhou Hai sighed and sat upright, closing his eyes like he was resigned to fate. The girl picked up his glasses from the counter, waved them at the stylist, and slipped out the door.

The stylist began working.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Hai seemed to doze off slightly. Suddenly, he felt heat on his head and opened his eyes.

In the mirror, he saw his blurry reflection.

Who… was this person in the mirror?