Chapter Fifteen: She Arrived

“Who would have thought the Qu family raised such an ungrateful wretch?”

Just returned to the Third Brigade, Yu Dazhang was recounting the kidnapping case to the others:

“Back then, his mother was gravely ill. It was Qu Wannian who paid for her treatment, helping her through the toughest days.”

“When his mother later passed away, Qu Wannian also covered the funeral expenses.”

“He worked as a driver for the Qu family for over ten years, always earning the highest salary in the industry.”

“Now tell me, not only was he ungrateful, but he actually repaid kindness with betrayal!”

The people of the Third Brigade listened in stunned silence until Lü Zhongxin interrupted Yu Dazhang.

“Enough about his relationship with the Qu family. What exactly was his motive for kidnapping Qu Wannian’s daughter?”

“Jealousy,” Yu Dazhang snorted.

“He watched the Qu family live in luxury every day—wearing fine clothes, driving fancy cars, living in mansions. His mindset had long since changed.”

“Is that all?” Lü Zhongxin found it a bit far-fetched.

“Many wealthy people exist, and many envy others’ good lives, but very few actually resort to kidnapping.”

“Alright then, Master, you’re the expert,” Yu Dazhang chuckled.

“Actually, he owed a lot from gambling debts and was constantly harassed by creditors. He couldn’t take it anymore and decided to take a desperate risk, trying to solve the problem in the simplest, most direct way.”

Lü Zhongxin nodded.

That made more sense.

All that talk about luxury was just added drama by the guy.

“Where did he find his accomplices?” Lü Zhongxin asked.

Yu Dazhang grinned.

“Creditors.”

“Wait, he brought creditors along to kidnap someone?” Several people from the Third Brigade exclaimed in unison.

It wasn’t that they lacked experience, but this was just absurd.

They had seen plenty of kidnappings, but never one where the kidnappers brought their creditors with them.

“Didn’t I say? He was pushed to his limits by the creditors. Conveniently, the biggest three creditors were from his hometown, so…”

Before Yu Dazhang could finish, a colleague chimed in.

“Bringing creditors who are also fellow townsfolk to do a kidnapping!”

Yu Dazhang nodded.

“You have to admit, he’s quite the schemer. He managed to trick those townsmen into coming along.”

Everyone present shook their heads in dismay, some even cursing loudly.

“He’s despicable—owing money and dragging his own townsmen into crime.”

It was truly baffling.

Those townsmen not only lost their money, but they never made it back home.

They lost both people and wealth.

“That’s why gambling is something you must never touch. Once involved, it’s hard to escape.”

After sighing, Yu Dazhang looked at everyone with firm resolve.

“I, Yu Dazhang, vow to never associate with gambling or drugs!”

Everyone nodded in agreement, even Lü Zhongxin showed approval.

But soon, someone sensed something off in Yu Dazhang’s words—an awkwardness they couldn’t quite place.

One colleague seemed to recall something and grinned as he leaned close to Yu Dazhang.

“I heard the victim you saved was a girl, a beautiful returnee from overseas, and you even…”

Yu Dazhang dreaded this topic. These days, he was constantly nervous, fearing Qu Tuotu would come to the division to complain.

With the Qu family’s connections, it wouldn’t be hard to get him, a trainee officer, into trouble.

Hearing this, his head started buzzing, and he quickly cut off the conversation.

“I have to say, she is indeed beautiful, but my heart belongs only to the Party and the people.”

???

Everyone present was stunned by his words.

Had he stumbled onto the wrong stage?

What a sly one.

He even put on a show of being virtuous.

---

Another day passed, and just as Yu Dazhang thought the matter had smoothly transitioned, an unexpected visitor arrived.

Qu Tuotu came alone, holding a rolled-up banner, and went straight upstairs to the Criminal Investigation Team.

The First Brigade members, seeing the banner, respectfully made way, their curiosity piqued.

Many recognized Qu Tuotu, since she was the primary victim at both crime scenes.

Wei Qian stepped forward, exchanged polite words, and reached out to take the banner.

But Qu Tuotu had no intention of handing it over to him.

“I’m here to find that chubby officer. This banner is for him.”

“Oh, alright, I’ll get him for you,” Wei Qian said, finally realizing Yu Dazhang was the real hero behind the case.

The young woman had been saved twice thanks to him.

“Isn’t he from your team?” Qu Tuotu asked.

Wei Qian quickly explained.

“He’s from here, but not our brigade. He’s with the Third Brigade, which is next to ours.”

“Then no need to trouble you. I’ll find him myself.”

After Qu Tuotu left, the First Brigade gathered at the door, looking towards the Third Brigade with lively chatter.

“That girl’s quite beautiful!”

“You wouldn’t know unless you were at the scene. She’s not just pretty—she shot and injured those two kidnappers herself.”

“She can use a gun? Where did she learn that?”

“She studied abroad.”

“Oh, that explains it.”

Yu Dazhang heard the noise outside and hesitated about whether to step out.

Then a graceful figure entered from the doorway.

Standing by the door, Qu Tuotu didn’t enter but gently knocked twice.

The people of the Third Brigade looked toward the door, all showing expressions of surprise.

Qu Tuotu smiled at them.

“I’m here to see the chubby officer.”

Everyone turned to look at Yu Dazhang.

Following their gaze, Qu Tuotu spotted the large, bewildered man sitting there.

Their eyes met, Yu Dazhang’s mouth slightly open, his eyes full of shock.

She had come, after all.

---

Qu Tuotu smiled and approached Yu Dazhang.

He gave a bitter smile, wishing he could escape through the window.

When she came close, there was no slap, no questions, no scolding.

Only a pair of clear, watery eyes fixed on him, making him uneasy.

“Long time no see,” she said softly, her tone like a girl next door.

But to Yu Dazhang, it sounded like a death sentence, nearly stopping his heart.

Qu Tuotu extended the banner toward him.

“Thank you for saving me twice.”

Seeing the banner, Yu Dazhang knew he had to stand.

He had planned to stay seated, ready to flee at the slightest provocation.

But now, sitting to receive the banner would be disrespectful.

He stood, intending to say, “It was my duty,” but the words stuck in his throat.

He worried she might think he was mocking the forced kiss from that day.

Could there be a hidden dagger inside the banner? Yu Dazhang stared at it, hesitant to reach out.

He feared she might reveal a hidden blade.

After two seconds passed with no sign of hostility, he finally accepted the banner.

“I’ll help you open it,” Qu Tuotu said, reaching for the ribbon.

“No, I’ll do it myself,” Yu Dazhang quickly stepped back.

What if it said something shameless?

Carefully, he untied the ribbon and shook the banner flat.

Fortunately, it bore only three golden characters: “Well done.”

Looking at the words, Yu Dazhang felt a strange sense of familiarity.

He remembered how, as a child, his mother praised him the same way for scoring a perfect exam.

“Thank you.”

Besides expressing gratitude, he had nothing else to say.

He just hoped Qu Tuotu would leave soon.

He had a feeling this visit was not just about the banner.

She was someone who dared to shoot people.

Since she came, it must be about the forced kiss from that day.

“May I have your name?”

“Yu Dazhang.”

“Good name.”

After saying this, Qu Tuotu turned and headed to the door.

Just as Yu Dazhang breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she was leaving, she turned back.

“Officer Yu, could you escort me?”