Officer Sun laughed heartily over the phone. "After all these years, it's finally my turn to be the director. But truth be told, without your grandfather's help back then, I wouldn't be where I am today. I owe your family a big favor—if you ever need anything, just say the word."
"You're too kind, Uncle Sun. I'll visit you when I get the chance," I replied.
"Good, good. Oh, and my daughter's been asking about you. Says you haven't visited in a while. Next time, let me know in advance. I'll pick you up from school."
After a few more words, I handed the phone back to Captain Lin. He exchanged a few polite remarks with Sun and then hung up.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted. Lin, Huang Xiaotao, and Forensic Qin were all staring at me differently. Qin stammered, "Y-You… You know Director Sun?"
I almost laughed. Just moments ago, he was calling me "kid" every other sentence. Now look at him.
"Yeah," I said calmly. "We've known each other since before he became the director."
Captain Lin cleared his throat. "Alright, old Qin, you can head out now."
"Wait!" I called out. "You bullied me earlier. Wouldn't it be rude if I didn't return the favor? Forensic Qin, what about our little bet?"
Qin was sweating. "Well, uhm… Young man, I'm over fifty now, close to retirement. It hasn't been easy being a forensic expert for so long. Could you maybe let it slide?"
"Then why did you make the bet in the first place? Because you thought you could back out with age as an excuse? Let me ask you—if I hadn't solved the case, would you have let me go? Or would you have thrown me behind bars?"
"N-No, of course not! Mercy is a virtue. I'm not the kind of guy who holds grudges," he said with a forced smile. Shameless.
Captain Lin frowned. "Qin, a bet is a bet. Backing out now reflects poorly on all of us."
"But Captain Lin…" Qin muttered miserably. "Maybe I'm not the most capable, but I've worked hard all these years…"
"You call that hard work?" I snapped. "You almost let a murderer walk free. What if someone else dies five or ten years from now because of your negligence? Can you live with that?"
His face flushed purple, sweat dripping down his temples.
I wasn't finished. "Do whatever you want. Just don't come bothering me again. I'm just a civilian. Why should helping the police nearly get me arrested? If people hear about this, who'd dare cooperate with law enforcement? Think about how many innocent lives could be affected."
Qin finally turned to Captain Lin and said in defeat, "I'll submit my transfer request."
I let out a short laugh. "Captain Lin, I'll be going now."
"Take care."
As I walked out, Huang Xiaotao smacked me on the back so hard I nearly collapsed. "That was so intense! You looked amazing, Song Yang! Did you see Qin's face? It turned purple! You sly fox, you knew Director Sun all along and didn't say a word! I was worried sick for nothing!"
"You never asked," I replied, rubbing my shoulder.
"Seriously? You needed me to ask that?"
I laughed. "Well, I guess I did a good thing today."
"A great thing! Let me treat you to dinner!"
"No need. You're always the one treating me. Save your paycheck."
"Fine, next time, we'll invite Wang Dali too."
We walked out of the station. She offered to drive me back, but I said the bus would be faster.
Suddenly, she turned serious. "Tell me the truth. You solve murders and know Director Sun? Who are you, really?"
"I'm just a student," I said with a helpless smile.
She didn't believe me. I gave in a little. "Director Sun and my grandfather go way back…"
"Your grandfather?" She narrowed her eyes. "Who is he?"
"Just an ordinary man."
"Liar."
"What would I lie to you for? Anyway, I'm heading out."
"Wait!" she said, reaching out her hand. I paused, then shook it.
"Thank you for your help on this case. I hope we'll get to work together again," she said solemnly.
"I hope so too," I smiled.
To me, this case was a major step forward.
What I didn't expect was… our next collaboration was just around the corner.