Forensic Forensic - Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Although he couldn’t see any fault in himself, Luo Jianan decided to humble himself. He still had to rely on Qi Ming to help him get rid of his blind date on Saturday, not to mention living under someone else’s roof. How awkward would it be to live with someone else while still angry? He went out to buy two glasses of freshly squeezed mango juice—hadn’t Qi Ming ordered mango smoothie at the tea restaurant downstairs? Old Han was sick, so a vitamin supplement would definitely help—and took them downstairs to the medical examiner’s office, placing a glass on each of the two senior medical examiners’ tables.
Qi Ming saw Luo Jianan’s “you’ll definitely like this” expression and knew he wasn’t here to apologize, just to give them a way out. Well, they could shake hands and make peace, saving the awkwardness. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, Qi Ming thought. He’d never thrown his chopsticks down over a single comment.
Old Han picked up the juice, thanked Luo Jianan, and left the room without saying why. Qi Ming and Luo Jianan were alone in the room, and the atmosphere was slightly awkward. Qi Ming took a sip of his juice, set his glass down, and continued typing on his computer. Luo Jianan sat down at the desk across from him, casually picking up a book and pretending to read, his eyes cautiously drifting over the pages, observing Qi Ming’s expression. Qi Ming seemed completely absorbed, his eyes never leaving the screen for even a second.
“Oh, right, I just remembered something,” Luo Jianan said, trying to make conversation. “The first time I went to pick you up was at the temple, but didn’t you say you were an atheist?”
“You don’t have to believe in Buddha to respect him.” Qi Ming still didn’t look at him. “I respect other people’s beliefs.”
“Well, the words of such learned people are so generous.” Luo Jianan felt a pang of disgust even as he said it. This was just flattery. If Miao Hong heard it, she would probably hit him with a folding chair.
Qi Ming finally shifted his gaze to Luo Jianan’s face. “Don’t think a glass of mango juice and a flattering compliment can make me feel flattered.”
“Of course one glass isn’t enough. If you like it, have the milk tea shop across the street deliver it to you every day. I’ll pay them at the end of the month.” Luo Jianan patted his chest. “We’re high-ranking VIPs. Don’t worry about the money. Drink as much as you want.”
Poor but generous. Qi Ming shook his head, took off his glasses, and wiped them as he said, “If you’re being too attentive without any reason, you’re either a traitor or a thief. Tell me, what do you want from me?”
“Teacher Qi is wise.” Luo Jianan forced a smile. “Well… my mom asked me to go home for lunch on Saturday. Can you… come with me? I don’t mean anything else, but if there are outsiders around, my dad will be more restrained when he scolds me.”
Qi Ming’s hand paused slightly. He had witnessed Luo Weidong scolding Luo Jianan at the scene of the police call. That was outside; if it had happened behind closed doors at the dinner table at home, who knew what kind of temper he would have given him. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, “Isn’t it inappropriate for me, an outsider, to go to your family gathering?”
“What’s the big deal? Just say you just got back from abroad and want to try some hometown food.” Luo Jianan breathed a sigh of relief, seeing this was a good opportunity. “I’m not bragging, but my mom’s cooking is at the level of a head chef in a five-star hotel. My grandfather was the head chef at the Overseas Chinese Hotel, and my mom inherited his skills. Back then, when my dad visited my grandfather, my mom always treated him to a meal.”
Qi Ming nodded and asked, “Did your parents meet through a blind date?”
“Yes, they fell in love at first sight. We’ve been together for so many years, and I’ve never seen them argue,” Luo Jianan said with emotion. “Of course, it’s true that my dad rarely came home before. Before he retired from the army, he was in Xinjiang and came back once a year. After he retired, he joined the special police force and came back once a month. He was completely absent from family matters, but my mom never complained about him.”
“What does your aunt do?”
“Not married.” “I used to be in charge of foreign guest reception at the hotel where my grandfather worked. Then I married my father, and after I was born, I quit my job to stay home and take care of the elderly and children. I’ve been a housewife for over twenty years,” Luo Jianan said with a heavy sigh. “Sometimes I feel like I’ve held my mother back. She speaks fluent English and French. If she’d continued working at the hotel, she’d probably be a general manager by now.”
“She sacrificed her career for a stable family. Even as a housewife, you’re truly a strong woman.” Qi Ming looked at him softly. “Okay, I’ll go with you on Saturday. What would Aunt like? I’ll bring a small gift.”
Luo Jianan stretched out her arm, grasped Qi Ming’s left hand, and shook it vigorously. “My benefactor, my lifesaver! Don’t bring anything. My mother is hospitable. Just bring something sweet. If you can manage to hold onto the wall and leave, she’ll be happy for a month.”
Unable to pull his hand away from Luo Jianan’s grasp, Qi Ming’s gaze, which had just softened, sharpened again. At that moment, Luo Jianan’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He quickly let go and answered, “Boss, what’s going on?”
“I just saw the DNA report from Feng Wenyue’s autopsy that Old Han brought. Someone else’s DNA was detected between her fingers, and the results matched that of a criminal named Tang Jianzhong.” Chen Fei frowned, holding the printed report. “I remember you said Tang Jianzhong has been dead for over a month. Any news on his twin brother?”
“No, I’ll check now.” After hanging up the phone, Luo Jianan asked Qi Ming, “Are you done? I still have to go to the hospital. Are you coming?”
“I’ll go with you. I’ll get the report done when I get home tonight.”
Qi Ming stood up, took off his white coat, and grabbed his suit jacket from the coat rack. While waiting for the elevator with Luo Jianan, Qi Ming suddenly asked, “By the way, what are your beliefs?”
Luo Jianan turned and smiled at him.
“My belief is that good prevails over evil.”