322: Chapter 322 Li Bing tests Ye Qingcheng, Qin Yi has a barbecue dinner at a backstreet restaurant.

Ye Qingcheng's fingers slid across her phone screen, capturing the contents of that note.

Just as she was about to see what kind of tricks Li Bing was planning, Han Hao's call suddenly came through.

Ye Qingcheng answered immediately. Before she could speak, she heard Han Hao's voice: "Captain Ye, Li Bing is heading toward your office!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingcheng immediately looked up toward the door. At the same time, there was a knock on the office door.

Ye Qingcheng hung up the phone, exited the surveillance footage on her screen, smoothed her hair, and said calmly, "Come in."

The door pushed open. Li Bing walked in holding a lunch box with a smile on his face. As he entered, he grinned at Ye Qingcheng and said, "Are you busy, Captain Ye?"

Only then did Ye Qingcheng move her gaze from the monitor. She glanced at the lunch box in Li Bing's hand and replied coldly, "Did you just get back from the cafeteria, Director Li?"

"Yes. I figured Captain Ye probably hadn't had lunch yet after returning from the case, so I packed a portion for you." As he spoke, Li Bing had already reached Ye Qingcheng's desk. Taking advantage of the moment he set down the lunch box, his gaze quickly flicked toward the monitor in front of her.

"Oh? You packed it for me?" Hearing this, Ye Qingcheng looked at Li Bing with feigned surprise.

"Haha, I didn't know what you liked, so I just grabbed some random things. Take a look, Captain Ye, see if it suits your taste."

As the saying goes, one doesn't strike a smiling face. Since she was acting, Ye Qingcheng naturally had to behave normally.

So, Ye Qingcheng opened the lid, looked at the food, and pushed it back toward Li Bing, declining politely. "Thank you for the kind gesture, Director Li. However, I've been trying to lose weight lately. It's better if I don't eat these heavy meat dishes."

"If you don't like it, then I'll have someone bring up some vegetarian dishes for you right away."

Ye Qingcheng stood up from behind her desk and raised a hand. "Director Li, no need to go through the trouble. I see the time is about right. If you've finished your lunch, let's head to the interrogation room."

Li Bing nodded with a forced smile. "Very well. The sooner we investigate clearly, the sooner we can restore Deputy Director Huang's innocence."

"Based on your words, Director Li, it seems you've found quite a few clues from Huang Hansheng's home?" Ye Qingcheng countered with a question.

"Indeed. Comrade Huang Hansheng is an old veteran of our Modu Branch; his party spirit and character are quite good. I believe Comrade Huang Hansheng is innocent. Of course, whether he has any issues will ultimately depend on the evidence found."

"It's good that you understand, Director Li. Then, without further ado, let's go to the interrogation room now." As Ye Qingcheng spoke, she gestured toward the door in an inviting manner.

The two exchanged pleasantries and then left the office one after the other, heading toward the interrogation room downstairs.

...

Meanwhile, outside the backstreet BBQ joint at Modu University, Qin Yi and Shen Jianan arrived ahead of the others.

Perhaps because of the summer break, there weren't many customers in the shop. Uncle Jin and Zhao Ying were busy in the back kitchen.

As soon as Qin Yi and his companion entered, they heard Uncle Jin and Zhao Ying chatting.

Qin Yi walked to the kitchen entrance in a few steps, lifted the curtain, and greeted the two who were skewering meat with a smile. "Uncle Jin, are you busy?"

Hearing this, the two skewering meat immediately looked up toward the door. Seeing that Qin Yi had arrived, Uncle Jin and Zhao Ying happily stood up from their small stools.

"Senior, you're here," Zhao Ying replied with a sweet smile.

Uncle Jin also said with a laugh, "Hey, you kid have really made something of yourself. I just heard from Xiao Ying that the recruitment fair was quite large?"

"Haha, it was alright. It's all thanks to the help from the school leadership," Qin Yi laughed modestly. At the same time, he didn't forget to introduce Shen Jianan, who was beside him. "Uncle Jin, let me introduce you. This is Officer Shen. This is Uncle Jin, the owner of this BBQ joint. And this is Zhao Ying, my junior."

"Oh, you kid were blocking her so thoroughly that I only just saw there was such a beautiful policewoman here." Uncle Jin teased Qin Yi before greeting Shen Jianan with a smile. "Officer Shen, welcome, welcome."

The corners of Shen Jianan's mouth curled up slightly as she greeted Uncle Jin with a smile. "Hello, Uncle Jin. My name is Shen Jianan, and I'm Qin Yi's friend. You can just call me Jianan." After speaking, Shen Jianan's gaze turned to Zhao Ying. After a quick appraisal, she smiled and extended her hand, saying politely, "Hello, Student Zhao Ying."

Zhao Ying had already seen Shen Jianan yesterday, but Shen Jianan hadn't been wearing her uniform then, so Zhao Ying hadn't known she was actually a police officer. Her originally somewhat anxious mood now turned into secret relief. Yesterday, she had thought Shen Jianan also liked Qin Yi, but she hadn't expected her to be a police officer. Combined with the uniform today, she must have official business to discuss with Senior Qin Yi.

Thinking this, Zhao Ying breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. She stepped forward with a smile, shook hands with Shen Jianan, and introduced herself: "Hello, Sister Shen. My name is Zhao Ying. I'm a student in the Music Department at Modu University. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Hearing Zhao Ying introduce herself as a music student, Shen Jianan immediately recalled Qin Yi's ex-girlfriend, Su Mo. Hadn't she also graduated from the Music Department of Modu University? Looking at Zhao Ying again, she couldn't help but feel a strange sensation in her heart. However, it was only for a fleeting moment. Seeing how enthusiastic the other girl was, Shen Jianan responded warmly, "Hello, I'm glad to meet you too. You haven't graduated yet, have you?"

Zhao Ying nodded and replied, "Yes, one more year. I'll be a senior after the summer break."

"That's wonderful. Seeing you makes me miss my own college days," Shen Jianan remarked with emotion.

At this point, Uncle Jin's gaze bypassed the kitchen and looked toward the shop entrance. He asked curiously, "Hey, I say, Qin Yi, where are the others? Didn't you have Xiao Ying tell me there would be ten people for lunch? It's not just the three of you, is it?"

"How could that be? They were busy with the recruitment fair this morning." As Qin Yi spoke, he glanced at the time on his wristwatch and continued, "I reckon they should be arriving soon."

Just as he finished speaking, Wang Tengfei's familiar voice suddenly drifted in from outside the BBQ joint: "Uncle Jin, are the skewers ready yet? This Fatty is about to faint from hunger."

"Haha, speak of the devil and he shall appear!" Uncle Jin laughed, shaking his head.

At that moment, the door was pushed open. Wang Tengfei was the first to step inside. Following behind him were the third-eldest Xin Mingyuan, Xu Qian, Qin Xiaoyue, and Qin Yi's university counselor, Li Xitong.

"We're just waiting for you." Uncle Jin responded warmly to Wang Tengfei's question and then said to Zhao Ying beside him, "Xiao Ying, I'm going to grill the skewers. You take care of things for me."

"Eh, no need for formalities. We're all regulars; we can handle it ourselves," Wang Tengfei replied with a laugh.

"Hahaha, alright then. I won't worry about it. Grab whatever you want to drink yourself, and eat all the peanuts and edamame you like. The tables are already pushed together at your usual spot. I'm going to start grilling the skewers for you now." With that, Uncle Jin returned to the back kitchen to get to work.

Wang Tengfei looked at the group with a smile and said with a smirk, "Wow, have I fallen into the Land of Women today? With so many beauties accompanying us, this brother here has to drink a couple more bottles later." After saying that, Wang Tengfei went to fetch the beer on his own.

Qin Yi arranged for everyone to be seated. Seeing that her younger brother hadn't arrived yet, Xu Qian came to Qin Yi's side, naturally taking hold of his arm, and asked softly, "Young Master Qin, isn't Zilin at the library? Didn't you run into him?"

"Oh, I saw him. He knows to come here for the gathering at noon. You don't need to worry about him. With yoyo there, he'll be fine."

"Ah, that's good then. By the way, what are you drinking? I'll get it for you," Xu Qian asked with a smile.

"Eh, no need. I'm more familiar with this place than you are. You sit down first. You must be exhausted from this morning, right? Juice or beer?" Qin Yi pulled Xu Qian to a chair to sit down and then stood up to ask.

Xu Qian gave a sweet smile and replied, "Juice, I guess. There might be more people to interview this afternoon, so it wouldn't be good to smell of alcohol."

"Alright. Juice it is." After Qin Yi spoke, he prepared to go get it.

At this moment, Qin Xiaoyue, looking quite jealous, stood with her hands on her hips and glared at Qin Yi, saying dissatisfiedly, "Brother~ you're being way too biased, aren't you? You're so busy being all attentive and solicitous to Sister Qianqian, but you don't even ask your own sister?"

"Haha, look at what you're saying. Don't you have a guardian of your own?" As Qin Yi spoke, he gave a look to the dazed third-eldest beside him.

The third-eldest, Xin Mingyuan, immediately caught the hint. He hurriedly mimicked Qin Yi's manner and asked enthusiastically, "Xiao Yue, if your brother won't take care of you, I will. What do you want to drink? I'll get it for you."

Qin Xiaoyue was no emotional fool; she had also seen through Xin Mingyuan's intentions. However, Qin Xiaoyue's personality was naturally a bit difficult and she disliked being tied down. Therefore, regarding Xin Mingyuan's frequent displays of affection over the past two days, she still wanted to make things a bit hard for him.

"No need. I'm not tired; I can get it myself." Qin Xiaoyue tossed her head proudly and walked toward the counter.

Xin Mingyuan stood there awkwardly. Seeing this, Qin Yi leaned in and whispered to him, "What are you still standing there for? Follow her." After saying that, he gave him a push from behind.

Xin Mingyuan stumbled a bit, caught up in a few steps, and coughed awkwardly. "Um, Xiao Yue, let me help you carry it."

A moment later, Wang Tengfei walked back to the table carrying two packs of beer.

"Hey, I say, Fatty, you're bringing so much alcohol. How are you going to go to the recruitment fair this afternoon?" Qin Yi asked with a smile.

Wang Tengfei placed several bottles of beer on the table and answered Qin Yi's question while using a bottle opener to pop the caps.

"It's no big deal. I've looked over the list of people to interview this afternoon; it's not a problem. Besides, we're three grown men; what are a few bottles of beer?" As Wang Tengfei spoke, he handed the opened beers to Qin Yi and Xin Mingyuan.

Just then, Uncle Jin's voice came from the back kitchen: "The skewers are coming~"

Just as he finished speaking, Uncle Jin walked out from the back kitchen holding two large stainless steel trays piled high with grilled meat skewers.

Wang Tengfei was quick-witted enough to stand up and take the trays from Uncle Jin's hands, not forgetting to flatter him: "Wow, Uncle Jin's skill is definitely the best at Modu University~" As he spoke, Wang Tengfei grabbed four or five skewers and handed them to Li Xitong first. "Counselor, try Uncle Jin's cooking. I guarantee you'll want more after one bite~"

Li Xitong took them with a smile and looked at Uncle Jin, complimenting him, "I've long heard that the backstreet BBQ at our Modu University is very good. I just never had the chance to come and try it. I'm in for a treat today."

"Hahaha, don't listen to Fatty's exaggerations. My skill is just average. As long as you don't find it distasteful, it's fine," Uncle Jin said, waving his hand with a laugh.

Just then, the shop door was pushed open once again.

Seeing customers arrive, Uncle Jin was about to go greet them when he saw Qin Yi stand up and wave to the two at the door. "Zilin, yoyo, you're finally here. The skewers are served; we were just waiting for you."

Seeing everyone's gaze on him, Xu Zilin gave an awkward smile. yoyo, on the other hand, very naturally took Xu Zilin's hand and only let go after reaching the group. She then gave everyone a playful smile. "Sorry, everyone, we're late."

"It's fine, not late at all. You've arrived just in time," Qin Yi said with a smile.

At the same time, Zhao Ying pointed to the seat beside her and looked at yoyo. "yoyo, sit here."

Once yoyo sat down next to Zhao Ying, Xu Qian also pointed to the seat reserved beside her and looked at Xu Zilin. "Zilin, what are you still standing there for? Come and sit next to your sister."

Xu Zilin snapped out of it and hurriedly sat down beside his sister. However, as soon as he sat down and looked up, his gaze met yoyo's again. Like a child who had secretly done something wrong, he quickly looked away again.

Xu Zilin's abnormality naturally didn't escape Xu Qian's notice. Xu Qian quietly looked at yoyo and then at the silent, head-bowed Xu Zilin, secretly breaking into a cold sweat for her brother.

At this point, Qin Yi raised his glass and stood up to say to everyone, "Since everyone is here, I'll propose a toast first. This first glass is to wish for a successful conclusion to our recruitment fair. Cheers~"

With that, everyone also stood up with their glasses, clinked them together, and the gathering officially began.