90: A reward of 10 million yuan, and the shadow of Li Qingyan's childhood

“Is there something wrong with this woman’s brain?”

Jiang Qianyu had arranged to meet at a bar for dinner, which Gao Ze had not expected at all.

However, the bar in front of him was not like those dazzling, light-filled nightclubs; it was located in a CBD building, with a quiet atmosphere.

Even at midday, many handsome men and beautiful women entered, mostly dressed in suits or exquisite OL attire, ordering a cocktail and quietly sitting, chatting, without any noise or clamor.

“Are you Mr. Gao Ze?”

Upon entering the bar, a woman in a black, form-fitting skirt and bright makeup, with a curvaceous figure, walked up to Gao Ze and gestured with her hand:

“This way, please. Miss Jiang has been waiting for Mr. Gao for quite some time.”

Gao Ze followed the woman, who seemed to be a manager, through the first curtain wall of the bar.

What appeared before them were private booth-like seating areas, offering excellent privacy, from which one could see men and women whispering in the main bar area.

Looking out the large transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the bustling street below and the constant flow of people, greatly satisfying the sense of overlooking and voyeurism in the hearts of those in the booths.

“Mr. Gao, Miss Jiang is in the middle booth!”

The manager extended her hand, pointing forward, and as she brushed past Gao Ze, she subtly slipped a business card into his hand, revealing a bright smile:

“Mr. Gao, you are welcome to visit us often when you have time. Our bar primarily caters to high-end clients. I am Lili, the client manager here!”

It was her first time seeing Jiang Qianyu, the bar’s investor, being so serious, inviting someone to an inner private room, and even bringing in the head chef from Xinrongji in Donghai City to cook. None of the wealthy young masters before had received such treatment, which showed that this Mr. Gao was extraordinary.

Jiang Qianyu saw the actions of Lili, the bar’s client manager, and did not stop her, teasingly saying:

“Officer Gao’s charm is truly immense; he just arrived and has already captivated my bar manager.”

“Our Li Zong is a top student who graduated from a prestigious university like Donghai University, with an annual salary of two million. Her standards are extremely high, and none of my rich second-generation friends have ever caught her eye. This is the first time I’ve seen her actively hand out a business card!”

“President Jiang, if you keep talking, I’ll die of embarrassment.”

Despite saying she would die of embarrassment, there was not a hint of shyness on Lili’s bright face; her phoenix-like eyes shone, constantly looking at Gao Ze, full of a mature woman’s charm.

Gao Ze said nothing, looking at the two of them calmly but with intensity. Jiang Qianyu immediately didn’t know what to say and could only ask Lili to be a co-host at the dinner.

“Officer Gao, what do you think of my place?”

Gao Ze said, “It doesn’t feel like a place for drinking, nor does it feel like a place for eating!”

“Officer Gao’s assessment is quite accurate. This place is not a bar for leisure drinking, nor is it a restaurant specifically for dining. It’s a social circle I’ve created!”

Regarding Gao Ze’s evaluation, Jiang Qianyu’s face still showed a hint of pride as she said:

“The lower class has their way of life and entertainment, and the upper-middle class has theirs. The two circles are difficult to merge.

Just like most people in the lower class are busy, and if they want to have fun, they have to squeeze out time after work.

Rich people are different; they have not only money but also time. Even on a workday like today, many people will make time to have a glass of whiskey.”

Gao Ze said, “No wonder I felt out of place here. It seems I am one of the lower-class people you mentioned!”

“Officer Gao, in my eyes, you are not lower class. Both your abilities and Qing Yan make you stand out among thousands of people!”

Jiang Qianyu’s beautiful eyes fixed on Gao Ze as she said, “If Officer Gao is interested in coming here often, I can give you a VIP gold card that will allow you to meet people who can be very helpful to you.”

“Not interested. Let’s talk about serious matters!”

Gao Ze was too lazy to correct Jiang Qianyu’s blatant class views and said, “I, a country bumpkin who likes to drink and eat skewers at street stalls, can’t chat with people like you from high circles who drink.”

“If that’s the case, then let’s not discuss it.”

Jiang Qianyu did not insist. With a slight smile, she took out a black gold card from her bag and pushed it in front of Gao Ze:

“Last night, Officer Gao saved my life from Feng Jianmin. I am very grateful to you. This is my token of appreciation; please accept it!”

“Take it back!” Gao Ze didn’t even look at it and said:

“Saving people is my duty, something every police officer would do. Besides, the police station will also commend me. If you really want to thank me, why not personally send a banner to Pudong Public Security Bureau.”

“So you like banners? That was an oversight on my part; I hadn’t thought of that!”

“But Officer Gao, aren’t you going to ask how much money is on this card?”

Jiang Qianyu did not take back the black gold card and said, “There’s ten million on the card. It’s purely my gratitude, unrelated to Qing Yan, and with no additional conditions!”

“Giving you this card is just my way of telling Officer Gao that my life is very valuable, and I am willing to repay Mr. Gao’s kindness!”

“I won’t accept the card. I said it’s my duty!”

Ten million to repay a life-saving kindness. Gao Ze was slightly surprised. Jiang Qianyu was truly a woman who was willing to spend. In the past, he might have felt a bit tempted, but now that he had investment income, he felt no temptation at all.

“I came to this dinner today because I wanted to know about Qing Yan’s situation. If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first; I have important matters to attend to this afternoon!”

He still had to investigate the bank robbed by a large criminal gang this afternoon, so Gao Ze didn’t have much time to play games with her.

Moreover, he had been at this bar for half a day, and he hadn’t even seen any food, just a few bottles of high-end liquor on the table.

“As I guessed, Officer Gao, you won’t accept it!”

Jiang Qianyu sighed softly, and to the astonished expression of client manager Lili, she put the black gold card back into her bag, saying slowly:

“Officer Gao, if you want to know about Qing Yan, I can tell you that you and Qing Yan are simply not suitable for each other. Your marriage will be difficult to maintain!”

“Why?”

Gao Ze wanted to hear the opinion of Li Qingyan’s best friend, hoping to uncover Li Qingyan’s secrets through her.

“Officer Gao, you are exceptionally capable, with keen criminal investigation instincts, and you have successively solved several major cases. You must have noticed that Qing Yan has significant personality issues!”

Gao Ze shook his head and smiled: “I know, isn’t it just bipolar disorder!”

“What’s wrong?”

“You know!” Jiang Qianyu’s eyes widened.

Gao Ze countered, “What’s wrong with knowing?”

Jiang Qianyu was instantly speechless. All the dissuasion she had intended to say was overturned, stuck in her throat, making it difficult to advance or retreat. She could only say vexedly, “Bipolar disorder is a very serious psychological illness!”

“It can lead to states of extreme indifference, mania, and arrogance, as well as periods of low mood, depression, and inferiority!”

“You don’t need to explain bipolar symptoms to me. As a police officer, I specialize in psychology and criminal psychology, and I understand psychology far more than you think.”

“It’s different!”

Jiang Qianyu shook her head heavily, saying:

“Qing Yan’s emotional disorder has caused her to hurt her parents, relatives, and friends. Many people have been hurt by her. It might have improved recently, but over a long period, her emotional problems will eventually surface!”

“Qing Yan might have hurt her parents and friends in the past, but she has never hurt me!”

Gao Ze said calmly, “And I have the ability to resolve Qing Yan’s emotional disorder!”

Jiang Qianyu questioned, “Qing Yan needs medication to alleviate the symptoms of her emotional disorder. How will you resolve it?”

“Because my expertise in psychology can reach the master level, I naturally have the ability to solve her problems!”

“You, a psychology master?”

Jiang Qianyu’s lips curled uncontrollably upon hearing this, and she said, “Then I’m the richest person in Donghai City!”

“Moreover, you simply cannot solve Qing Yan’s emotional disorder problem; it stems from her childhood trauma!”

Finally, the crucial point was reached.

Gao Ze’s gaze sharpened, and he asked curiously, “What kind of trauma did Qing Yan suffer in her childhood?”

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