Chapter 124 Scared

"Hey, is the house renovation finished? Can I come for a visit?"

"Yeah, it’s done, I’m heading over now!"

Lu Zheng hung up the phone. The large apartment he bought was finally renovated and ready for move-in.

Five minutes later, Lu Zheng arrived at the place.

The large apartment with five bedrooms and two living rooms had a theme leaning towards simplicity and comfort, with white and sky blue as the primary colors, showcasing attention to detail.

"Take a look, what do you think?"

Since the house was in the same community where Lu Zheng lived, he frequently visited, and the appliances were gradually being installed, so he was aware of the overall condition. This time, the renovation was completely finished and cleaned up, ready for a visit.

Of course, to live in it, it’s better to let it air for about half a year.

"Okay, not bad, quite good."

Lu Zheng wasn’t picky, because it was indeed well done, and he was very satisfied.

Lu Zheng did a thorough inspection, then paid the final installment. After changing the door lock to the official key, the renovation team left.

All set!

I have a house now!

Five bedrooms and two living rooms!

Awesome!

Lu Zheng sprawled on the sofa in the living room, rolled over, and then started using his phone to purchase things for the house.

Bedding, kitchenware, toiletries...

While crazily shopping, his mom called.

"Hey, mom, what? When am I coming back for New Year?" Lu Zheng is puzzled, suddenly realizing that the New Year is approaching.

"Indeed? From the way you speak, does it mean you don’t plan to come back for New Year and you counted the last month’s New Year return?"

"No, no, I’ll return!" Lu Zheng hurriedly agreed.

"That’s better."

After chatting with his mom for a while, Lu Zheng hung up the phone and noticed it was almost noon.

So he called Lin Wan, learned she was still in the office at the city bureau, and arranged to have lunch together.

Exit, head to the street.

Lu Zheng then realized that the festive atmosphere for New Year has already started to intensify.

He’s been busy lately back and forth and actually failed to notice the approaching big day.

Careless.

Waiting for Lin Wan at the city bureau entrance, the two held hands and found a place to eat stir-fried dishes.

"Captain Li still doesn’t let you out on field duty?" Lu Zheng asked with a smile.

"I go out occasionally, but most of the time I’m in the office," Lin Wan said, placing a piece of food onto Lu Zheng’s plate.

After chatting for a bit, Lu Zheng casually asked, "How do you plan to spend the New Year?"

"Going home, what else can I do?" Lin Wan answered casually, then immediately realized, with her heart skipping a beat, she looked at Lu Zheng and asked, "What are you getting at?"

Lu Zheng blinked, "Nothing, just wanted to see if you’d be interested in coming home with me for the New Year?"

"Home with you for New Year?" Lin Wan’s eyes widened, feeling a moment of panic.

No way... so sudden... meeting the parents?

This is a bit... too fast... not the time yet?

Moreover, her work is so busy, what if his parents don’t approve? Although Lu Zheng doesn’t care, nevertheless...

Refuse... Agree...

Lin Wan stared steadily at Lu Zheng without blinking, while Lu Zheng looked innocently at Lin Wan.

After a moment, Lin Wan pursed her lips, her mouth curving into a smile, "Not this year, maybe next year."

"Oh, alright." Lu Zheng nodded and very naturally continued with the meal.

After taking a bite of the meal, Lin Wan couldn’t help but chuckle, clenched her teeth, glancing at Lu Zheng, "Scared, huh?"

Hmph, almost got fooled by him! Hah! Jerk!

Lu Zheng opened his eyes wide, "Scared of what?"

Lin Wan reached out, gently tapped Lu Zheng’s chest, "Tough talk!"

Lu Zheng grasped Lin Wan’s hand, "The toughest thing about me isn’t my mouth."

"Pervert!"

Lin Wan withdrew her hand quickly, but her lips were smiling, showing no sign of embarrassment.

Lu Zheng grinned, whispered, "I’ll come to see you tonight."

Lin Wan pouted, but still nodded.

Lu Zheng gulped, "Is your uniform at home?"

Lin Wan abruptly raised her head, "Are you nuts?"

Lu Zheng waved his hands frantically, "Just asking casually, no other intentions, don’t overthink it."

"Overthink your head!"

"Which head?"

Lin Wan reached out and touched her forehead, Lu Zheng’s aura of urban expertise shattered instantly, like someone who’s been single for too long...

The two tacitly moved past the New Year topic, discussing future plans.

"If I go on field duty after the New Year, I might get busy, but I’ve only mastered up to the third technique of Eighteen Mountain-Carrying Techniques."

"Why rush, take your time to practice, and your pace will pick up. Besides, with my teaching, there’s no need to hurry."

Lu Zheng shook his head, "Moreover, even with just the first three techniques, your power and speed are already improved, right?"

Lin Wan looked excited, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, yes, during the team’s recent training, I took down Captain Li, otherwise he wouldn’t allow me on field duty."

Lu Zheng silently paid tribute to Li Jinglin for a second, then immediately congratulated Lin Wan, "Impressive!"

"It’s perfunctory..." Lin Wan retorted with a smile.

...

While eating, Lin Wan’s phone rang.

Lu Zheng shook his head, thinking police work is indeed busy.

"Hello... yeah, I’m at... okay, I’ll head back now!"

Lu Zheng couldn’t help asking, "So much work even in the office?"

"You think sitting in the office is just sipping tea, reading newspapers, and playing with a phone?"

"Isn’t it?"

Lin Wan was speechless, glared at Lu Zheng, and then got up to put on her clothes, "I need to leave."

"I’m done eating too, let’s go together."

Lu Zheng got up to follow, now accustomed to not asking Lin Wan about work matters, he just escorted her to the city bureau entrance, watched her go inside, and headed back home himself.

But shortly after reaching home, Lin Wan called.

"Hey, what’s up?" Lu Zheng asked.

"I need to ask you something, answer honestly." Lin Wan’s voice was low, probably spoken discreetly.

"What is it?"

"You mentioned before that you could find the owner of an item using just one clue?"

"Need to find someone?"

"A child!"

Lu Zheng blinked, "Straight to the City Bureau’s criminal squad? You folks handle things pretty broadly?"

Usually, child disappearance cases get held at the police station level, right?

"Surveillance footage shows the child being taken away, so the city bureau directly opened a criminal case. I’ve already arrived at the scene."

"Do you need my help?" Lu Zheng was somewhat puzzled. Lin Wan asking for help right after the case broke wasn’t typical of her.

"Familiar face culprit." Lin Wan’s tone was urgent, "The suspect is a neighbor of the child’s parents, but the two families have had previous disputes."

Time is life, Lu Zheng instantly understood, "Bring an item the child recently wore but hasn’t washed or a toy, anything frequently touched by the child."

"Got it!"

"Where are you? I’ll come over."

"Jin’an North Road."

"Alright, not far, I’ll be there in ten minutes if I catch a cab."