28: Embarrassing life situation

“I also have to thank Captain Zhou for taking care of me!”

After hearing the disclosure, Gao Ze felt a ripple of joy in his heart.

A personal second-class merit, a change in police rank, and a promotion in level—it was truly an excellent outcome.

He had originally thought that he might only receive a personal commendation, but the Pudong Bureau Chief and the Municipal Bureau were far more generous than he had imagined.

“What care of mine? Merits and promotions still have to be earned by yourself!”

Zhou Weiguo flicked the ash from his cigarette, smiling lightly as he remarked, “You’ve finally made it. You no longer have to work so hard to take care of your younger siblings like before. Now that they’re adults, Xiao Gao, you can go all out and pursue your own career.”

“Moreover, you solved another dismemberment murder case today. High-level leaders from the Municipal Bureau might even notice you. When it comes to your commendation ceremony, there’s a good chance a major leader will be present!”

“Don’t disappoint them!”

Gao Ze’s mind jolted as he picked up on Zhou Weiguo’s subtle hint.

This was about the commendation ceremony the bureau was organizing for him three days later, on the weekend. As he solved more cases, it would exceed expectations.

“Thank you for the hint, Captain Zhou. I understand. I won’t disappoint you or the bureau!”

Gao Ze secretly decided that he must solve Zheng Yiren’s rape case within these next few days.

Zheng Yiren came from a prominent family with vast assets. Cases involving such individuals have significant impact, and solving it would create a substantial ripple effect!

It would be enough to establish his reputation within the Donghai City police force!

“I trust you, kid. You’ve been a father and mother, raising two younger siblings all these years. Your temperament is steady; you won’t make mistakes!”

Zhou Weiguo felt increasingly gratified, chuckling:

“Xiao Gao, I’m optimistic about your future. You might even get promoted faster than me someday.”

“How could that be? Captain Zhou, please don’t joke with me.”

Gao Ze didn’t pursue that topic, sighing inwardly as he thought of Zhou Weiguo and his wife’s cold war, then changed the subject:

“Captain Zhou, have you felt a lack of energy recently?”

“Lack of energy? No, I’m full of vigor and doing great!”

Zhou Weiguo stared at Gao Ze with wide eyes, wondering if this guy had noticed something.

“That’s good then. I was originally going to give you a folk remedy to boost your energy, Captain Zhou.”

“What folk remedy? Tell me about it?”

“It’s a prescription from an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor in my hometown village. There was a man in the village who couldn’t have children. After taking this prescription, he became incredibly strong, capable of plowing ten miles of land, and the next year, he even had a chubby baby boy. His wife also had a rosy complexion every day!”

Zhou Weiguo’s eyes instantly lit up, and his legs straightened.

“Xiao Gao, give me that folk remedy!”

If it were anyone else, he definitely wouldn’t believe it, but Gao Ze rarely joked.

“Captain Zhou, aren’t you full of energy?” Gao Ze said, suppressing a laugh.

“You little rascal, are you asking for a beating? You scoundrel, you’ll know when you have a wife later. Now hurry up!”

“Alright, alright, this folk remedy is very simple.”

“Solomon’s Seal, mulberries, Euryale ferox seeds, goji berries, eucommia male flowers, ginseng slices… Steep them in tea every day, and I guarantee you’ll be incredibly vigorous!”

“I’ll believe you this time. If it doesn’t work, you’ll do five hundred push-ups for me every day when you come back to the team!”

Looking at Gao Ze’s half-smiling face, Zhou Weiguo waved his hand dismissively, shooing him away:

“What are you still standing here for? Aren’t you going to find your girlfriend?”

“My girlfriend?”

Zhou Weiguo said, “Isn’t it that female student from the Music Academy who followed the team leader back? You’ve got good taste, kid.”

“That girl isn’t just pure and beautiful; she also has a noble aura. You can tell she’s from a wealthy family.”

“Work hard, kid, and find yourself a rich woman. It’ll save you a lot of hardship!”

Gao Ze knew Zhou Weiguo had misunderstood, mistaking Li Qingshu, who had accompanied him to the police station, for his girlfriend.

Originally, after catching Sun Haizhu, he had told Li Qingshu to stay at the Music Academy, but she insisted on following him. It seemed she had acknowledged his intelligence-gathering abilities.

“No need to find a rich woman; I’ve already found one, enough to save me effort!”

Gao Ze smiled as he walked out of the Traffic Police Center, and on a long bench under a poplar tree at the entrance, he saw Li Qingshu sitting there.

She sat with her legs together, hands resting on her thighs, her posture elegant, her demeanor noble and serene. Beneath her long eyelashes were intelligent and deep eyes, like a white rabbit’s red eyes, revealing a hint of profoundness amidst their cuteness.

Presumably, girls from wealthy families also had their own troubles.

“Miss Li, I’ve kept you waiting.”

Gao Ze walked to the bench, and Li Qingshu immediately stood up upon hearing his voice, politely and gently saying:

“I haven’t waited long. This is my first time at the Public Security Bureau; it feels novel and very safe.”

“That’s good. If you encounter anything in the future, you can also come here to report it. The Public Security Bureau is your and other citizens’ backing.”

Gao Ze smiled and said, “Alright, I won’t say any more unnecessary words. Let’s discuss the specific investment!”

Li Qingshu looked at the Pudong Public Security Bureau and hesitated, “Mr. Gao, why don’t we walk around the area and chat as we go? I’m quite curious about the various institutions here, and you can tell me about them.”

“No problem.”

Gao Ze felt that Li Qingshu must have something weighing heavily on her mind, perhaps even turning into stress.

“This building is our Pudong Traffic Police Brigade, that building is the Criminal Police Brigade, over there is the Public Order Department, there is the Cyber Police, the Propaganda Department…”

Gao Ze walked along the sidewalk of the Pudong Public Security Bureau, introducing the various departments and structures of the bureau, trying to make the atmosphere relaxed and lively.

Li Qingshu listened quietly. When Gao Ze finished, she took a deep breath and said:

“Thank you for the knowledge, Mr. Gao. My mind feels much calmer.”

“Let me briefly introduce my family to you. My father is very wealthy in Donghai City, with vast assets. He has two sons and two daughters in total, and I am the youngest… Also, one of his daughters is illegitimate.”

Gao Ze glanced at Li Qingshu in surprise, already having a guess.

“With Mr. Gao’s keen perception, you should be able to guess that I am that illegitimate daughter.”

Li Qingshu paused, then said, “However, even though I’m an illegitimate daughter, my father has been good to both my mother and me. Besides the formal title, he has given us luxurious homes, cars, status, and everything else!”

“Additionally, my father has given me and my other siblings the same opportunity.”

“This opportunity is that after his children come of age, he will provide a substantial sum of money for them to fully manage and invest, to test our vision and capabilities.”

“My father gave me fifty million in funds, to be fully managed and allocated by me. I can spend it as I wish or invest it.”

“Now, Mr. Gao, do you understand my situation and the problem I need to solve?”

Her cool voice carried a unique tenacity, like a small blade of grass, yet when Gao Ze gazed into Li Qingshu’s eyes, he found faint wisps of mist swirling and gathering within them.

This was likely the first time Li Qingshu had revealed her awkward background and circumstances to an outsider.