On account of Gao Xiaofei’s pitiful state, Ping An, who had been busy at the office all afternoon and under Fei Keqing’s earnest instructions, drove her sports car to the airport to pick someone up, a rare occasion.
Gao Xiaofei’s father, a bona fide diplomat, seemed to be a counselor at our embassy in a certain country. The job of a diplomat, constantly abroad, meant he rarely came home. According to Gao Xiaofei, his father unexpectedly had him at the age of twenty, prompting a hasty marriage to Gao Xiaofei’s mother, who was five years his senior. Thus, Gao Xiaofei’s father was only in his early fifties.
At the departure hall of Shanhe International Airport Terminal 1, Ping An, fanning himself, anxiously awaited the arrival of the "diplomat." Although he had known Gao Xiaofei for nearly ten years, he had never met his "diplomat" father.
"You must be Ping An?" A man in a suit and tie, who looked to be only in his mid-forties, suddenly appeared before Ping An.
"Oh! Oh! Are you Xiaofei's father?" Ping An looked at the sharp, handsome middle-aged man before him, finding it hard to believe his eyes.
"Haha, I finally get to meet you. For years, Xiaofei has been telling me how formidable you are, his journalist and detective friend. Thank you for picking me up today!" Indeed, the man before him was Gao Xiaofei’s father—Gao Fei.
As the junior, facing a "diplomat," Ping An was much more subdued. He humbly and cautiously helped load the luggage into the car, then quickly opened the door and invited him in.
"No need to be so polite!" Gao Fei, now in the car, was very pleased with his son's friend.
"Uncle, if you're tired, you can take a short nap. It will take a while to get back!" Ping An said.
"It's alright. Is Xiaofei very busy lately? I heard he's encountered another major case?" Gao Fei said. "The big case you solved last year was incredible; even Interpol uses your case as a teaching example!"
"We dare not claim such merit!" Ping An replied modestly.
"By the way, Uncle, I'll get straight to the point. I heard Xiaofei's fiancée is your colleague?" Gao Fei suddenly asked.
"Yes, she's a very capable young woman!" Ping An said.
"I know, I know. Her family background is also good. I've seen her photo, and she's truly beautiful! My simpleminded son has truly struck gold!" Gao Fei said. "My main reason for returning this time is to finalize their marriage plans, ideally by having a meal with the other parents!"
"Oh, about that, Fei Keqing's parents have the same idea. They probably haven't had a chance to tell you yet, but they're planning to host you and Auntie for dinner tomorrow night!" Ping An said.
"That's too kind of us. We should have invited you first! Oh my!" Gao Fei seemed very pleased, but he voiced his words thus.
As Ping An drove Gao Fei home, Gao Xiaofei's "innocence" finally began to see "light"!
"I've slowed the video down eight times and used lines to mark Gao Xiaofei's hand and Hu Yi's clothing—you see, Gao Xiaofei's hand touched Hu Yi's clothing for less than a second before separating. Hu Yi's body only reacted 4.8 seconds after Gao Xiaofei let go, and he officially moved and jumped down 7.9 seconds after letting go!"
In a small conference room at the Municipal Public Security Bureau, the Executive Deputy Director Xiang Wanfeng, Inspector Huang Sha, Director of Political Affairs Zhao Jia, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Han Luohe, Prosecutor Liu Zhiji, representatives of Hu Yi's family, and Hu Yi's family lawyer were gathered. They watched Fei Keqing present her findings on the video.
"The evidence is ample! From the moment Gao Xiaofei let go until Hu Yi jumped, nearly eight seconds passed. From a physics perspective, it's impossible for Hu Yi to have been pushed to his death." As someone who had seen major cases, Fei Keqing's language was concise, and her thinking agile. After her explanation, even the lawyer hired by Hu Yi's family quietly nodded.
"If Hu Yi's family does not believe this, they can further appeal to the provincial department. I believe scientific evidence will clear Gao Xiaofei's name!" Fei Keqing said.
"Eight seconds is enough for a normal person to run several meters!" Xiang Wanfeng surveyed the room and then said to Hu Yi's lawyer, "This is the situation. If you insist on pressing charges! Whether criminal or civil, we will cooperate!"
"Leaders from the Prosecutor's Office, you have also grasped the situation. You can take the evidence with you. If you need anything, we will cooperate fully!" Xiang Wanfeng said. "In short, we are impartial, but we are not afraid of trouble!"
In the face of evidence, all accusations are rendered pale!
Fei Keqing, after seeing everyone off, followed Xiang Wanfeng to "visit" Gao Xiaofei, who should have been locked in the disciplinary room.
In the large conference room, Gao Xiaofei’s snores filled the air. Having not been home for two days and a night, his face was covered in a greasy sheen. A sniff revealed a strong "certain odor" emanating from him, making Fei Keqing quite uncomfortable.
"Get up!" Xiang Wanfeng chuckled slightly, then shouted sternly.
"Reporting!" Gao Xiaofei was startled by the shout and sprang to attention.
"You don't even sleep properly! I really don't know how Miss Fei came to like you!" Xiang Wanfeng taunted.
"Alas, it's fate! I ran around for him all day, and he's sleeping here like nothing happened!" Fei Keqing said helplessly.
"I was just bored!" Gao Xiaofei blushed and said softly.
"Scram! Your case is resolved, and they didn't even need to deploy our technical experts. Your girlfriend handled it all! You truly have the luck of eight lifetimes!" Xiang Wanfeng said.
"Really! Haha, I knew my wife was omnipotent!" Gao Xiaofei was ecstatic. He was about to "ask for a hug" in front of others!
"Scram!" Fei Keqing said, covering her nose. "Go home and take a bath immediately. Remember to change into new clothes tomorrow, and don't forget the banquet tonight!"
"Then I'll stay at your place tonight! I forgot to pay the electricity bill for the new house..." Gao Xiaofei said lecherously.
"Scram! Scram! I'm staying at my parents' place tonight! We're meeting the parents tomorrow, so there's no reason to stay together the night before!" Fei Keqing said dismissively.
The case was temporarily concluded! The important matters of life were paramount!
As Gao Xiaofei and Fei Keqing departed, Xiang Wanfeng looked at his disheveled subordinate and, with a twinge of sympathy, gave him a few more instructions.
"If you really don't want to stay at your parents' place tonight, go to Ping An's. His place is big anyway, and isn't he childhood sweethearts with Fei Keqing…oh, grew up together? You can inquire more about her parents' situation!" Xiang Wanfeng offered a rare good suggestion.
Being a leader, Gao Xiaofei found Xiang Wanfeng's words particularly pertinent. After sending Fei Keqing off, he headed directly to Ping An's house without a word.
"Scram! Scram! Scram!"
At ten o'clock at night, Ping An, dressed in pajamas, looked at Gao Xiaofei outside the door, who resembled a vagrant, and spat out these three words without hesitation!
However, Gao Xiaofei, who had just emerged from an ordeal where he might have spent half his life in prison, didn't take it to heart at all. With a plump face, he entered the house and plopped onto the sofa, reaching for the remote to switch the "idol drama" playing on one channel to a football match on CCTV-5, completely ignoring Su Tang, who was sitting beside him with an indignant glare.
"I washed the dishes today, and after ten o'clock, the TV is mine!" Su Tang pouted, clearly dissatisfied.
"Be good! Make your god-uncle a bowl of shredded chicken noodles to calm his nerves!" Gao Xiaofei patted Su Tang's head soothingly.
"Master!" Su Tang closed his eyes and shouted at Ping An, who was tiptoeing back to his bedroom!
"Uh, your god-uncle has been quite weak these past few days. Please take the trouble to cook him some noodles, then go to bed early. I'll take you out for a big meal tomorrow!" Ping An said, trying to smooth things over as he entered the bedroom.
Su Tang had always been helpless against his god-uncle, who relied on his thick skin to endure scolding and blows. With a mischievous thought, he gave Gao Xiaofei a disdainful look, then went into the kitchen to cook noodles.
A small bowl of shredded chicken noodles, barely enough for two mouthfuls, could hardly satisfy Gao Xiaofei's ravenous appetite! He looked up and saw his god-daughter twisting and turning her way upstairs to the bedroom.
Alas, she was a fifteen-year-old young lady; it wouldn't be appropriate to disturb her at night! Gao Xiaofei got up, moved a small stool, and sat outside Ping An's bedroom door.
"I'm still hungry! Ordering takeout! I saw you still have half a case of dark beer!" Gao Xiaofei said casually towards the door.
"Scram!" came the voice from inside the room.
"Half a pound of fried silkworm pupae, is that enough?"
"Scram!"
"Four duck heads, extra spicy!"
"Scram!"
"Tofu dregs balls, with chili bean paste, right?"
"Bang!" The door opened. Ping An, with saliva dripping, said unclearly, "Nonsense, who puts chili bean paste in tofu dregs balls? Are you from Laohechuan? It should be shrimp paste! Shrimp paste! Made from river shrimp!"
"Right, right, I forgot!" Gao Xiaofei apologized quickly. He glanced at the takeout menu and said with lingering desire, "How about some Mala Tang? Do you want cilantro in yours?"
"Yes!"
"No!"
Why was there an extra answer?
Ping An and Gao Xiaofei looked up and saw Su Tang, with saliva still dripping, squatting on the stairs looking down.
Fine, let's all eat! Gao Xiaofei, rarely the one to treat, saw no reason not to.
"Ping An, I have a premonition!" Gao Xiaofei said after swallowing a tofu dregs ball. "Yesterday, when we went to Hu Yi's place, someone had already tipped him off!"
"What makes you say that?" Ping An said slowly, chewing on a silkworm pupa.
"When we went to Hu Yi's place yesterday, we knocked first. They shouldn't have known who we were, but he suddenly started screaming hysterically!" Gao Xiaofei stopped his chopsticks. "It was because of his scream that I kicked the door in. The moment I entered, I saw Hu Yi standing on a balcony chair, and our eyes met—how should I put it! It felt like he was prepared!"
"Mm, continue!" Ping An said.
"Hu Yi's nervousness then, looking back, was probably faked! Because I've seen cornered murderers and people contemplating suicide; in their state of nervousness, they can't even speak coherently. But he not only knew I was a policeman but also called out my exact position!" Gao Xiaofei said. "I was in plain clothes, how did he know I was a policeman? How did he know I was from the High Detachment?"
"There is indeed a problem!" Ping An slurped some noodles, gasping from the spice.
"The feeling of our eyes meeting then, how should I put it! It was electric!" Gao Xiaofei smacked his lips.
"Ahem!" Ping An glanced at Su Tang, who was diligently chewing silkworm pupae, and noticed the child seemed not to be paying attention to their conversation. He quickly gave Gao Xiaofei a look.
"Oh, oh! I forgot, I forgot!" Gao Xiaofei chuckled awkwardly. "If he wanted to jump, he wanted to jump. He put on a big show for a long time, and his preparatory movements alone took two tries. I was anxious then, and on impulse, I rushed forward to try and pull him down, but I stepped on a plastic bottle and fell to the ground. By the time I got up, that scoundrel had already jumped!"
"How much time passed from when you entered the door to when you were about to stop him?" Ping An asked.
"Including persuasion and talking, at least five or six minutes!" Gao Xiaofei said.
"This is the video Fei Keqing sent me today; take a closer look!" Ping An took out his phone and handed it to Gao Xiaofei.
"I've watched it several times, what's wrong?" Gao Xiaofei said.
"That's because you didn't zoom in. Look at Hu Yi's left ear!" Ping An said.
"Oh my, there's an earphone!" Gao Xiaofei frowned and examined the video closely. "That's strange, I was the first one downstairs to secure the scene, and I didn't notice his earphone at the time!"
"I only noticed it this afternoon after watching this edited video!" Ping An said. "I later reviewed your report and found that you didn't mention the earphone. I thought to myself, you're an experienced policeman; you shouldn't make such a basic mistake!"
"But!" Gao Xiaofei slapped his thigh and asked, "Where's the earphone?"
"This afternoon, while I was at work, I had Heiqiu check the surveillance footage of that complex. The area where Hu Yi fell was a dead-end alley deep within the building. Heiqiu watched the surveillance and called me, saying that the moment Hu Yi jumped, a young man wearing a baseball cap, a black T-shirt, and skateboarding shoes passed by the body. Not only did he not avoid it, but he reached out and wiped Hu Yi's face. He definitely took the earphone!" Ping An clicked on a screenshot.
"It really is! But wouldn't a normal person be scared? Why would they take the earphone? Isn't it easier to just search the body for a wallet?" Gao Xiaofei asked, confused.
"Yes! That's what I'm thinking too. Unless he knew Hu Yi was going to jump and had a reason to take the earphone!" Ping An said.
"It's a pity there's no clear face!" Gao Xiaofei said, looking at the photo again.
"Are there many people who can skateboard with professional skills?" Ping An said. "There's a club logo on that skateboard, isn't there? Let's investigate slowly; it's better than no leads!"
That night, they chatted from cases to marriage, and from marriage to children. By the time they went to sleep, it was almost dawn.
Having spent a rare, unrestrained evening with an old friend and sending endless blessings, they enjoyed the comfort of the air-conditioned room with a pleasant slight intoxication, completely forgetting their appointment with Zhan Dou.
If Ping An had known that Zhan Dou had spent the night researching manuscripts for their "three-day promise" the next day, he would not have taken it so lightly...
At ten in the morning, Gao Xiaofei, still groggy from sleep, received an urgent call from Fei Keqing.
"Why haven't you been answering your phone all morning? My dad's classmate is also your dad's classmate, and somehow they spoke last night. They've changed the banquet tonight to noon!" Fei Keqing said anxiously on the phone, while choosing clothes.
"What! Okay, okay, I'll get up right away!" Gao Xiaofei leaped up from the sofa and rushed into Ping An's bedroom!
"Bastard! Go to the big bathroom outside if you want to shower!" Ping An, woken by the sound of showering, roared in despair.
The task for this Saturday was simple: to help Gao Xiaofei fool, oh, no, to genuinely present his most handsome self to his future mother-in-law.
Less than an hour before the 12:30 PM banquet, Su Tang, yawning, carried Gao Xiaofei's discarded old clothes and stood leaning against a pillar in a men's boutique, lost in thought. Ping An, holding a gray T-shirt, dozed outside the fitting room.
"Done! I feel like I've never looked this handsome in my life!" Gao Xiaofei said, full of confidence, as he walked out of the fitting room with the mirror door wide open, dressed in a light blue outfit.
"My god-daughter has good taste. She knew god-uncle was plump and picked this color specifically to make me look slightly thinner!" Gao Xiaofei said energetically, admiring himself in the mirror.
"God-uncle, I did say that while this color is slimming, it also makes you look older!" Su Tang said slowly, shaking his head.
"Alright! This is it!" Gao Xiaofei nodded with satisfaction, took out his bank card, paid, and headed towards the restaurant with Ping An and Su Tang.
The chosen venue was a Chinese hotel meticulously selected by Fei Keqing's father. The hotel was named "Hao He Lou," perhaps inspired by the auspicious meaning of "harmonious union." However, this hotel was also one of the top high-end restaurants in Hechuan City, specializing in four signature dishes, with only three tables served daily and requiring reservations a week in advance. Fei Keqing's father, unable to secure a reservation, managed to convince the chef to make an exception due to his relationship with the hotel owner as his former teacher.
"Qianlong Cabbage, Braised Head and Face, Yellow Wine Crab Meat, Ruyi Glutinous Rice Wine! These are imperial delicacies from the past and the hotel's signature dishes. Taking the third character from each dish, 'Bai Tou Xie Lao' (May you grow old together), forms a blessing!" Although the banquet was scheduled for 12:30 PM, both sets of elders arrived an hour early.
Even though Gao Xiaofei and Fei Keqing, the protagonists, were not yet present, seeing the future in-laws attach such importance to the banquet pleased both sides immensely.
As both sets of elders had arrived, Fei Keqing's father, despite the protagonists' absence, decisively requested the hotel to serve the dishes half an hour earlier. The four elders decided to eat, chat, and wait.
"I've known about this hotel for a long time and its four famous dishes, but it's impossible for ordinary people to get a reservation! Professor Fei's students are everywhere; he has great prestige, capability, and influence! Hahaha, it's all thanks to you!" Gao Xiaofei's father, being a man of the world, knew how to ease the atmosphere. His words left Fei Keqing's father somewhat flustered. Upon meeting the other father, he felt an immediate sense of kindred spirits.
"Diplomat Gao has traveled far and wide and is highly knowledgeable. I hear you've traveled throughout Europe for the past twenty years? You must have tasted all the delicacies the world has to offer! I only have this small favor to offer; consider Mr. Gao tasting something new!" Fei Keqing's father was also a master of politeness. His words made Gao Xiaofei's father flush with embarrassment, akin to being drunk without having had a drop to drink! This was precisely the scene.
Outside the hotel, Fei Keqing, who had already learned that both sets of elders had entered the banquet hall, was anxiously waiting for Gao Xiaofei. Honestly, if this meal went well, she planned to get her marriage license with Gao Xiaofei on Monday.
After much waiting, Gao Xiaofei, Ping An, and Su Tang finally arrived at the hotel.
"Wasn't it supposed to start at 12:30? Why the rush?" Gao Xiaofei panted.
Fei Keqing looked at Gao Xiaofei and was very pleased with his attire today.
"Listen carefully and perform well! If the two families enjoy themselves, we'll get our license on Monday!" Fei Keqing said happily.
"What? Oh, I was planning to arrange an event to propose to you!" Gao Xiaofei said blissfully.
"No need. I know you well enough; we'll be family soon, so let's not put on a show. Just behave yourself!" Fei Keqing looked at the man she had finally chosen and felt quite satisfied. She then greeted Ping An and Su Tang and, taking Gao Xiaofei's arm, walked towards the private room.
"Master, is my god-mother now officially my god-father's person?" Su Tang said with a hint of envy.
"Indeed! Alas, this pot of porridge has finally been cooked!" Ping An said. "Let's go. We shouldn't really be here, but your god-father and god-mother insisted. Since we're here, you just need to say auspicious words and eat. Do you understand?"
"Mm-hmm!" Su Tang nodded with a smile.
Pushing open the door of the private room, Gao Xiaofei, holding Fei Keqing's hand, entered with a steady yet vibrant energy.
The two "fathers," having already had half a bottle of wine, smiled and gestured for them to sit.
"Oh my! Keqing looks truly beautiful today! Like a movie star!" Gao Xiaofei's mother stared at Fei Keqing like she was a ginseng root, her eyes not blinking. She took Fei Keqing's hand and suddenly took out a heavy gold bracelet from her handbag, placing it on Fei Keqing's wrist.
"This bracelet was given to me by Xiaofei's grandmother when your uncle and I got married. Now, it's yours! It's an antique over a hundred years old! Wear it well!" Gao Xiaofei's mother said dotingly.
A large gold bracelet upon their first meeting! Su Tang, who had just taken his seat, looked at his god-mother with almost envious eyes—that bracelet was as thick as a wristwatch! It had to be worth tens of thousands! What a gift!
Under the crystal chandelier, the gold bracelet on Fei Keqing's wrist sparkled, looking like a substantial and respectable gift. Fei Keqing's parents were overjoyed, their hearts as sweet as honey. The future in-laws were truly thoughtful!
"Xiaofei! Come over here too!" Fei Keqing's father, having met Gao Xiaofei many times, spoke with much familiarity.
Hearing his future father-in-law call him, Gao Xiaofei quickly moved to his father-in-law's side.
"You're a police officer; safety comes first when you're out!" Fei Keqing's father took out a gold plaque about the size of half a mobile phone from his handbag. "Wear this; it will ensure your safety!"
You give my daughter a gold bracelet, and I give your son a gold plaque.
Both sets of elders were very pleased with this arrangement, a tacit understanding.
Taking advantage of this "warmth," the two families began to chat, their conversation flowing. Although there was a hint of awkwardness, the atmosphere was good! If the meal could end like this, their children's marriage would essentially be settled!
However, fate intervened!
After the four signature "Bai Tou Xie Lao" dishes, plus a dish of meat, a vegetable dish, a seafood dish, a mountain delicacy, and a soup were served, the banquet was nearing its end.
Ping An and Su Tang, as accompanying guests, had done little but eat throughout the banquet. Gao Xiaofei and Fei Keqing, whether out of shyness or pressure, had hardly touched their chopsticks.
After the flavors of the meal and the rounds of drinks, even the fruit platter was placed on the table, and everyone discussed having some tea. Fei Keqing, who had intended to end the banquet, indulged Gao Xiaofei's wish and, in addition to fruit, ordered a pot of Jasmine tea.
"You keep the conversation going; I'll sneak out and pay the bill later!" Fei Keqing whispered to Gao Xiaofei.
"You just sit and enjoy your tea! I've already paid the bill! There's no reason for you to pay!" Gao Xiaofei said soothingly.
"Alright, you're becoming capable now! You didn't go out, so how did you pay?" Fei Keqing looked at Gao Xiaofei with some surprise.
"When I heard yesterday that your father had booked this restaurant, I knew they had probably already pre-ordered the dishes. Before I went to Ping An's house last night, I came here to scout it out and paid the meal fee!" Gao Xiaofei said sheepishly, looking at Fei Keqing. "I might be simple, but I'm not stupid. I'm a criminal investigation detachment captain, after all. I have some brains!"
In fact, in Fei Keqing's eyes, Gao Xiaofei had always seemed a bit dull. However, she overlooked that this man before her was a doctoral graduate, and his case-solving skills were recognized by Ping An. Could he be stupid? He became a department-level cadre before thirty; how could his emotional intelligence be low? A policeman! Although the profession was dangerous, being with him did bring a sense of security.
Thinking this, Fei Keqing found herself liking him more and more. Marrying him wouldn't be so bad after all!