Forensic Forensic - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

The autumn air was crisp, the sky clear and cloudless, the sky as blue as an upside-down glass bowl.

Luo Jianan’s inner world wasn’t so clear. The closer he got to home, the more tense his expression grew. When he arrived at the complex, he even lingered in the car for a long time, smoking two cigarettes. Qi Ming could guess where his anxiety was coming from, but since it was someone else’s family matter, he didn’t intend to comment.

“This neighborhood is nice. There’s plenty of green space, and the buildings aren’t too tall.” Qi Ming muttered casually as he followed Luo Jianan forward. He thought it might be helpful to distract him before entering.

“The year my grandfather passed away, my parents sold the house they were allocated by our company and bought a bigger one here so that my grandmother could live with us.” Luo Jianan’s voice sounded normal. “Last year, my grandmother passed away, so I moved into the house my grandfather left behind. Otherwise, I’d be glaring at my dad every day and would end up fighting with him sooner or later.”

“There’s no such thing as an overnight grudge between father and son. Even if my uncle is strict, it’s for your own good.”

“When I was in middle school, he once broke my arm. What’s that considered child abuse in America? Isn’t it?”

Qi Ming was silent for a few seconds, then asked, “What did you do?”

“I took my dad’s baton and went to school to beat someone up.”

“…”

Luo Jianan stopped a few meters from the building entrance, turned back, lit another cigarette, and said, “There’s this idiot in our school. His dad has some influence in both the black and white worlds. His grandson walks like a crab. “You’re so arrogant you even hit the teacher.”

“Oh, I thought you hit the teacher.”

“I’m not that bad. Respecting teachers is a family tradition.” Luo Jianan flicked the ash onto the grass. “That guy had his eye on my deskmate, the class beauty. He blocked her on her way home from school, saying he wanted to be her friend. She was so scared she didn’t dare come to school the next day. Then she asked me to pick her up. At the time, our families lived close, so it was just one extra block, so I agreed. Just three days later, that idiot got some people to block me in the bathroom and dump everything in my bag into the urinal. Damn it! I was so pissed off I got in a fight with those guys.”

Qi Ming saw the smug look on Luo Jianan’s face and nodded. “You won.”

“Of course!” Luo Jianan raised his chin. “Later, I heard that idiot called some gangsters outside and threatened to deal with me. I went home at noon and put my dad’s baton in my schoolbag. Then, after school that afternoon, they blocked our way. That idiot molested my deskmate right in front of me, and a few of the guys next to him threatened to kill me. I didn’t even say a word and fought them! It was a good thing I had a baton; those guys were all carrying knives… The fight ended up at the police station. I still can’t forget the look on my dad’s face when the chief handed the baton back to him.” Qi Ming lowered his head and smiled, saying, “That’s considered an armed fight. You should be in juvenile detention.”

“Otherwise, my father broke my arm. He wants me to become a judge in the future. If I have a criminal record, I’ll be doomed if I don’t pass the political review.” Luo Jianan shrugged helplessly. “My grandfather was a police officer his entire life and never used his connections to help anyone in the family. But for me, this is the first time he’s bowed to anyone. When my father beat me, he said, ‘If nothing else, I’ve brought shame to the Luo family.'”

Qi Ming thought for a moment, then shook his head. “I don’t think my uncle was sincere. He was just afraid that his baton would embolden you to confront someone with a knife, and that you’d end up with your body when you got to the police station.”

Hearing this, Luo Jianan looked up at the sky, recalling every detail of that moment. After a moment, he stubbed out his cigarette, looked at Qi Ming, and said, “Your PhD in psychology wasn’t earned in vain. Now that I think about it, it really makes sense. If I hadn’t had a baton in my hand, I would have grabbed my deskmate and run to the nearest police station.”

“That was the right thing to do. Your behavior back then was incredibly irresponsible to both you and that girl,” Qi Ming said, raising his chin toward the building door. “Let’s go. Don’t keep Auntie waiting anxiously.”

————————

Luo Jianan had just inserted his key into the keyhole when the door was yanked open from the inside, and a pair of arms, as white as lotus roots, immediately dangled around his neck.

“Brother Jianan!” The girl, as cheerful as a bird, gripped Luo Jianan’s neck tightly.

“Alright, alright, Miaomiao, let go! You’re strangling me to death.” Luo Jianan’s face flushed instantly—this girl’s arm strength had improved considerably. Why would a girl like her join the SWAT team? Wouldn’t it be better to just be a clerk at the police station?

“You brought your friends back.” Miaomiao released her hand, clasped her hands behind her back, and tilted her head to examine Qi Ming, who stood behind Luo Jianan, a hint of surprise in her eyes. “Wow, so handsome.”

“Stop being a bit of a nerd. Hand me the slippers.” Luo Jianan dropped the items he was carrying. “Where are my mom and dad?”

“Aunt Liu is in the kitchen, and Uncle Luo went out to buy candy. Didn’t you run into him just now?” Miaomiao retrieved two pairs of slippers from the shoe cabinet and handed them to Luo Jianan. As he bent down to change his shoes, she leaned over and whispered, “I brought my classmates. Auntie asked me to. Be careful later. Don’t talk about the case at the dinner table. If you scare people to tears like last time, I’ll beat you in the chest!”

“Oh, I know,” Luo Jianan replied vaguely, but he knew Miaomiao wasn’t kidding.

Miaomiao’s real name is Wang Yuemiao, the child of a martyr. Her father, a colleague of Luo Weidong, died in the line of duty. Their families were once neighbors, both living in the SWAT team’s family compound. Miaomiao’s mother worked at the hospital, often too busy to care for her daughter. Miaomiao often came to his house for dinner, and when her mother worked the night shift, she would sleep there. She and Luo Jianan were like siblings. She had been learning Taekwondo since elementary school, competed in national competitions in high school, and joined the SWAT team after graduating from college. Her chest-beating was no childish prank; it could actually perforate a lung. Luo Jianan never understood how such a tough girl managed to act so delicate and docile.

“Mom, I’m back.” He called into the kitchen, where he noticed a girl with long, straight black hair sitting on the sofa. She stood up immediately upon seeing him, her expression slightly nervous.

“This is my high school classmate, Yuan Weiwei, currently a graduate student at the China University of Political Science and Law. Weiwei, this is my brother, Luo Jianan.” Miaomiao introduced them, then signaled with her eyes for the handsome Qi Ming who had also appeared.

Luo Jianan was about to speak when his mother emerged from the kitchen. Seeing Qi Ming, she was slightly taken aback. “Jianan, why didn’t you tell me you were bringing friends home?”

“Hello, Auntie. My name is Qi Ming, and I’m Luo Jianan’s colleague.” Qi Ming handed over the small gift bag of perfume he was carrying, an apologetic smile on his face. “I heard from Luo Jianan that you’re a great cook. I just came back from abroad, and I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in years. I’m so sorry to bother you.”

What a pretentious person.

If this weren’t in front of Miaomiao’s classmates, Luo Jianan would have wanted to roll his eyes. He had never seen Qi Ming so submissive and polite. He usually looked down at people with his chin. Needless to say, his mother was completely won over by that smile.

“Don’t bother me. It’s more fun when there are more people around.” Liu Min smiled sweetly, her eyes curved, mirroring Luo Jianan’s, with fine lines of laughter forming at the corners. As a woman in her early fifties, she was often praised by her peers for her well-maintained appearance. In reality, she used nothing but a classic face cream.

As the saying goes, the face reflects the heart; those with a stable mind naturally age more slowly.

She politely accepted the gift from Qi Ming and said, “You’re welcome to come anytime you want, but if you bring anything else, I won’t let you in.”

“Okay, I’ll just bring food next time,” Qi Ming said, rolling up his sleeves. “Do you need any help, Auntie?”

“No, no, it’s almost done. You young people, sit down and chat. Dinner will be served soon.”

Before returning to the kitchen, Liu Minjiao glanced at Yuan Weiwei and then gave her son a meaningful look that made Luo Jianan’s back crawl.

————————

There was nothing to fault with Yuan Weiwei. She was tall and well-proportioned. While not particularly beautiful, she possessed a graceful demeanor and was well-spoken. She wore a light layer of makeup, which suited Luo Jianan’s taste perfectly. He was terrified of those bl00d-red lips that looked like they’d eaten a dead rat. Furthermore, she was a top student at the University of Political Science and Law, had already passed the judicial examination, and was currently interning at the most prestigious local law firm before graduation.

Luo Jianan knew with a quick guess that this was Liu Minjiao’s ideal daughter-in-law. But he had no feelings for Yuan Weiwei at all, and his mother’s plan to have a grandson within two years was doomed to fail.

“Are you living with Teacher Qi now?” Miaomiao, her mouth full of orange, nearly spitted in Luo Jianan’s face when she heard him say she was living at Qi Ming’s house. She swallowed and said to Qi Ming, “Teacher Qi, I really sympathize with you. My brother even throws his underwear and socks into the washing machine. Remember to disinfect it after he’s done.”

Qi Ming’s expression suddenly darkened. He turned to Luo Jianan and questioned, “Did you wash your socks in the washing machine last night?”

“No! I washed them by hand!” Luo Jianan quickly clarified, shoving an orange into Miaomiao’s hand to silence her. Fortunately, he wasn’t attracted to Yuan Weiwei. If he had been attracted to her, Miaomiao’s words would have been enough to put him off.

Then he suddenly remembered the reason he had brought Qi Ming home for dinner. He quickly peeled an orange and handed it to him, “Don’t you like fruit? Try this. It’s seasonal and fresh.”

Qi Ming looked at him quizzically, hesitated, and took the orange. Miaomiao glanced down at the whole orange in her hand, then at the one Luo Jianan was peeling for Qi Ming. She asked sarcastically, “Brother Jianan, there are two grown people here, and you’re only peeling one?”

“Teacher Qi is a guest.” Realizing he couldn’t seem too rude, Luo Jianan peeled another and handed it to Yuan Weiwei. “Miss Yuan, have an orange.”

“Thank you.” Yuan Weiwei took the orange and broke off a segment, carefully tearing the white veins from it.

Seeing her meticulous expression, Qi Ming said, “Orange peel is rich in vitamin P, which helps absorb vitamin C. Miss Yuan, you should eat that too.”

“Oh? I see. I’m not…not sure.” Yuan Weiwei smiled sheepishly. “Teacher Qi, you know a lot. What’s your major?”

“Medical.”

“Oh, no wonder.” Yuan Weiwei nodded and put the orange to her mouth.

“Now it’s a forensic doctor.”

Yuan Weiwei’s hand, clutching the orange, froze in mid-air. She seemed stunned by Qi Ming’s profession. She hesitated, then lowered her hand and said to Qi Ming with a dry laugh, “Forensic doctor… Forensic doctor is pretty good.”

Miaomiao glared at Luo Jianan. The message was clear—you dare to say you specialize in homicides now? I’m going to punch you in the chest!

————————

The food was served, but Luo Weidong still hadn’t returned. Liu Minjiao was complaining about the old man going to the sugarcane field to buy candy when the phone rang. After answering the phone, she sat down at the table and said to the four young people, “Don’t wait, let’s eat first. Old Luo caught a thief in the supermarket and is now at the police station to handle the matter.”

“Oh, Uncle Luo is such a jerk! He can’t tolerate any injustice.” Miaomiao pouted. “When he scolded me at the team, he acted like he didn’t even know me. Aunt Liu, I want to complain. Uncle Luo scolded me and made me cry once.”

“It’s hard to be so thick-skinned as to make someone cry.” Luo Jianan had just finished speaking when Miaomiao kicked him under the table.

“Don’t feel wronged. Wait until your Uncle Luo comes back and I’ll scold him for you.” Liu Minjiao felt sorry for Miaomiao, who had lost her father at such a young age and had always treated her like her own daughter. “Hurry up and eat! Old Luo won’t be back anytime soon.”

Luo Jianan lifted her hand and scooped up a stir-fried prawn onto Qiming’s plate. “Try it! My mom makes this! No chef in any restaurant in the city can compare.”

Qi Ming glanced at him sideways and whispered, “You should serve Auntie first…”

Luo Jianan quickly picked up a piece for his own mother, muttering, “Mom, eat it! You’ve worked so hard today.”

Liu Minjiao was deeply touched by her son’s thoughtful words. Untying her apron, she smiled at Qi Ming and said, “Qi Ming, you must be incredibly filial to your parents at home.”

Qi Ming lowered his eyes slightly, his eyelashes casting a shadow on his face. He sighed, “A son wants to support his parents, but they’re no longer around. I don’t have the chance to be filial to them.”

“Oh, that’s what happened. Auntie said the wrong thing.” Liu Minjiao quickly picked up a piece of fish for him. “Next time, just call me if you want something. I’ll make it and send it to your workplace.”

Before Qi Ming could thank her, Luo Jianan tapped the fish with her chopsticks. Sitting beside the bowl, he complained, “Mom, even your own son isn’t treated this way.”

“Have you forgotten the rules? Only beggars knock on the bowl.” Liu Min glared at her son with a stern look. “I’ve been your mother for all these years, and you’ve ever given me a bottle of perfume? Forget perfume, have you ever bought me even a bottle of scented oil?”

“I’ll buy a box and put it in the kitchen for you later.” Luo Jianan said with a smile, “Miss Yuan, eat. Don’t be polite. If you don’t finish your meal, my mother will be angry.”

“Don’t call me a wicked mother-in-law.”

Liu Min’s smile hinted at something. The more she looked at Yuan Weiwei, the more she liked her. This girl was so quiet and gentle. Miaomiao had said that she had been so busy studying for so many years that she hadn’t even had a boyfriend. She was a perfect match for her young, naive son, Luo Jianan. She even specifically told Miaomiao not to tell Yuan Weiwei right away that Luo Jianan was a criminal investigator, for fear of frightening the girl. It was no wonder she had to keep it a secret. When she had previously introduced Luo Jianan to someone, the matchmaker waved her off when they heard that her son worked with corpses every day. She figured they’d have to wait until they were truly attracted to each other. Otherwise, how could she possibly have grandchildren if no one came?

“Hey, Teacher Qi, have this, and this too. Ah, you absolutely have to try this!”

Luo Jianan shoveled food into Qi Ming’s bowl with his chopsticks, soon piling it up like a mountain. Qi Ming looked at the food in his bowl, his eyebrows raised. What was Luo Jianan trying to do? He was just ignoring his blind date and showing him this kind of attention?

Miaomiao, who was sitting next to him, kicked Luo Jianan under the table again. Yuan Weiwei had been left there for almost ten minutes, and why didn’t her clueless brother bother to greet her?

Luo Jianan rubbed his calf and muttered to Miaomiao, “You’re so mean! Does your boyfriend know?”

“Miaomiao has a boyfriend?” Liu Minjiao looked at her in surprise. “Why didn’t you bring him back for Auntie to see?”

Miaomiao blushed and said, “Don’t listen to my brother’s nonsense. I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Then what did you post on WeChat Moments the other day—oh my god!” Miaomiao pinched Luo Jianan’s thigh. That guy’s guaranteed to be bruised.

Liu Minjiao pretended not to know what they were doing under the table and said with a smile, “Our Miaomiao is a grown woman now. When she does get a boyfriend, she’ll have to show Auntie. I won’t tolerate anyone bullying you.”

“Come on, Mom. She’s good enough for not bullying others!” Luo Jianan grinned as she rubbed her thigh.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Miaomiao is a girl, so she’s easily taken advantage of,” Liu Minjiao said, scooping a spoonful of pine nut corn into Yuan Weiwei’s bowl. “Weiwei, eat your food. Miaomiao said she’s bringing friends over for dinner today, so your uncle got up at five in the morning to go to the market to buy groceries.”

“Thank you, Auntie.” Yuan Weiwei carefully picked up a kernel of corn and put it in her mouth. After swallowing it, she said, “You’re such a great cook.”

Liu Minjiao said happily, “If you like it, come often.”

Hearing this, Yuan Weiwei forced a sheepish smile. They were talking about a blind date, but had Luo Jianan even glanced at her? She could tell Luo Jianan had a special relationship with this Teacher Qi.

But these two…