12 Chapter 12 Tip_1

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The case was closed.

Sun Wenxuan's words could not be verified, after all, she couldn't produce the relevant evidence.

Zhou Ning heard from Xu Dayuan that three days after the incident, Sun Wenxuan's father was fired by Lihua Group. Sun Wenxuan's fate was easy to guess, as she was, after all, responsible for the fatal stabbing.

Su Manli's body was claimed and cremated by Mr. Su.

Zhou Ning asked Xu Dayuan what would happen to Yang Yufei and Wang Fuhao, and at first, Xu Dayuan evaded the question saying that it was a matter for the courts and when did it become our turn to decide.

Only after relentless pestering from Zhou Ning did Xu Dayuan say that Yang Yufei insisted that he hit an animal, not a person, and even if he hadn't seen the person, the fact remained that he caused a hit-and-run. The crime of traffic accident couldn't be avoided, and as for the sentence, it should refer to at least three to seven years.

As far as Wang Fuhao was concerned, if calculated to a higher degree, that would be the crime of aiding in the destruction and forgery of evidence. The sentencing for this crime was quite broad, depending on the severity of the circumstances, punishable by up to three years in prison or detention.

...

October 27, 2010

Doctor Liu still didn't come, and Zhou Ning returned to his life of idling away with books.

The only difference was that in the morning when he went to work, the detectives in the team all took the initiative to greet Zhou Ning.

For the first few days, Zhou Ning wasn't used to it, but he knew it was an indirect recognition of him.

Of course, at night he was still tormented by cases, especially when a wrong answer meant punishment, which felt like an electric shock. From being punished 100% of the time on the first day to 60% now, he was very content.

Sipping tea, Zhou Ning finished the last page of the book in his hand. He looked up with a sense of unfinished desire and glanced at the clock on the wall. The time was pointing to 5:10, which meant another day was about to slip by.

Zhou Ning stood up, stretched, and Xu Dayuan pushed the door and walked in as the door made a sound.

The sudden opening of the door interrupted Zhou Ning's stretching, and he tweaked his neck. He rubbed his neck and looked towards Xu Dayuan with a smile.

"What's making Xu Da so happy? Is there a case?"

Zhou Ning instinctively thought of official matters, but Xu Dayuan didn't seem like it.

"Good news."

"What good news?"

Xu Dayuan, with a mysterious face, sat down in a chair, crossed his legs, and, holding a cigarette, gestured with his chin towards Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning laughed, walked over, and lit the cigarette for him; then Xu Dayuan finally said softly:

"The 9.17 case has been commended by the municipal bureau, and there's a personal reward for you. However, it'll take time, if it arrives by the end of the year that would be good. After all, we are going to be withdrawing the county for reformation at the end of this month, lots to adjust. You will need to treat us then."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ning understood it was a bonus award, and he was surprised.

"Just me alone?"

"Everyone's got one, but yours is special, a bit more."

"Thank you, leader."

Xu Dayuan waved his hand, seeming to indicate that wasn't the main point. In a hurry, Zhou Ning poured a cup of tea for Xu Dayuan and then sat opposite him.

"Xu Da, just say what you have to say. I'm feeling a bit nervous with the way you started this conversation, it's making me anxious."

Xu Dayuan laughed aloud, took his time and sipped his tea.

"I've mentioned before that I have a friend at Qindao University in the city, a chemistry department doctoral candidate named Lu. Today, when I was in the city, I discussed your idea with him, and he was very interested.

He wants you to write a paper, preferably including experimental steps and relevant evidence, which you can send to him. If the experiment involves any equipment, he'll prepare it, and even operating it is not an issue. There's just one condition: add his name as a co-author. How about it?"

Zhou Ning nodded; he wouldn't be able to do it by himself, and if he could publish a paper, particularly in collaboration with such a professor, the paper's value would certainly increase. After all, there's also the issue of getting it published—that costs money!

"Of course, no problem. I don't have the equipment or the resources, just an idea. It's necessary to include his name."

Xu Dayuan nodded, took out a business card, and handed it to Zhou Ning.

"Alright, you guys contact each other directly, I'm tired of being the middleman, especially when I don't understand what you or he is talking about. With my limited knowledge, let's finish talking business and move on to the main issue!"

Zhou Ning was startled, as it seemed there was a barrage of issues about to be dumped on him, but looking at Xu Dayuan's expression, he felt there might be something he was overlooking.

Xu Dayuan, noticing Zhou Ning's expression, chuckled to himself.

"What are you afraid of, it's good news! Your uncle Zhou Xianghua came to me before. I know a bit about your family's situation, and he really is worried about you. He asked me to set you up with someone, saying you've studied for so many years without receiving even a note, and that you're a bit clueless in this regard."

Zhou Ning hurriedly responded when he heard this.

"Xu Da, my uncle is worrying for nothing. He always fears that he's not doing enough for my dad, but he's taken care of me too well. Finding a partner isn't something that just happens because you want it to. I'm healthy, just let things happen naturally."

Xu Dayuan waved his hand dismissively.

"You're not young at twenty-six. I had a child at your age. Stop making excuses. Your uncle is just worried you won't go, so he had me talk to you. This is a political mission, you must go."

As he spoke, he sent Zhou Ning a text message with an address and a phone number. He then found a photo in his pocket and pushed it in front of Zhou Ning.

A girl in a business suit appeared in the photo, very pretty and seemingly gentle.

"Her name is Cheng Li, a primary school teacher, 23 years old, just the right age for you. Her mother is a colleague of your aunt's. She's looking for a permanent position at the police station. I think you two are a good match. It's no problem to meet her; hurry up and get ready to go."

Zhou Ning glanced at his white shirt and quickly stood up.

"Tonight? This is too sudden. I mean..."

"Cut the chatter, hurry up and get going. No wonder your uncle said you definitely wouldn't go if he told you himself. What, are you thinking of rebelling?"

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Zhou Ning felt deflated when he saw Xu Dayuan's approving nod.

"You don't need to dress up; you look fine as you are. Let's go, we shouldn't be late!"

Xu Dayuan pushed the door open and left. Zhou Ning sighed, picked up his phone to check the location, reluctantly grabbed the photo, stuffed it into his bag, and headed out.

The meeting was set for six o'clock at the Kaihua Western Restaurant, one of the few tasteful places in the county. He had enough time, so he walked towards the venue.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the restaurant. Feeling his thin wallet, Zhou Ning sighed again.

A waiter came over, and Zhou Ning told him the reserved location. He was led to a booth by the window. The waiter brought over a glass of lemon water and said with a smile:

"Sir, would you like to order now?"

Zhou Ning glanced at the time: 17:50.

"I'm waiting for someone. We'll order once they're here."

The waiter was nice and nodded before going off to attend to other customers. Zhou Ning watched outside; he had a clear view of the entrance from here.

As time ticked by, at 18:40, the girl from the photo, Cheng Li, finally came in with short, quick steps. Zhou Ning's stomach growled. Forty minutes late and not even a phone call—where did this sense of superiority come from?

He put down his wrist, just as the girl was led by the waiter to his table.

At the same time, Zhou Ning assessed Cheng Li from head to foot. He dismissed her cold expression. Just looking at her outfit from head to toe, it was worth at least five figures, not to mention the bag. If it was genuine, it would be in the hundreds of thousands.

With such a girl, Zhou Ning couldn't hold on, he couldn't afford her, and he felt no connection.

Zhou Ning stood up, suppressed his dissatisfaction, and nodded at Cheng Li.

"Hello."

"Hello."

"Should the gentleman place an order?"

The waiter eased the awkwardness. Zhou Ning took the menu, passed it to Cheng Li, and the waiter gave him another one. As he saw the prices of each dish, Zhou Ning shivered inside.

Damn, such a miscalculation. Who knew it'd be this expensive?

He didn't rush to speak, took a sip of water, and slowly flipped through the menu, stealing glances at Cheng Li as she ordered. She just casually pointed, and the waiter quickly took note.

"A cream of mushroom soup, a 5A ribeye with truffle sauce, a lemon-seared salmon, a French caviar platter, classic Mexican tacos, and a Wellington beef steak. However, miss, you two won't be able to eat all this, will you?"

Zhou Ning was stunned, and as the waiter recited the order, he kept flipping through the menu, spotting the price of each dish, and his forehead began to sweat.

Is she trying to eat me out of house and home?

He looked at Cheng Li. It was just a blind date, and such ordering was truly excessive. If you don't want to come or you're not interested, just say it—don't harm each other, or rather, don't harm my wallet!

"The Wellington steak should be medium-well, that's all. Order whatever you like for yourself."

Cheng Li returned the menu to the waiter, and Zhou Ning waved his hand, feeling anger building up.

"I'm not eating."

Seeing that the situation was off, the waiter quickly left, while Zhou Ning stared at Cheng Li and spoke directly:

"I think it's better if we're straightforward, since we don't know each other. Today we're just here to meet and understand each other a bit."

Cheng Li seemed unfazed by Zhou Ning's tone, took a sip of lemon water, and nodded slightly with pursed lips.

"Hmm, I know you're a policeman named Zhou Ning, 26 years old. Although you're older than me, I suppose it's acceptable."

Zhou Ning shook his head.

"That's not accurate."

Cheng Li was taken aback and looked up at Zhou Ning, puzzled, waiting for him to explain.

"I'm a forensic doctor, the kind that deals with dead bodies every day. Do you still want to continue talking, or keep eating?"

Cheng Li's face turned pale in an instant, she raised her hand to cover her mouth, but as Zhou Ning stood up and slightly bowed:

"Okay, your expression has given me my answer. There's no need for us to continue talking. Enjoy your meal; I'll be leaving first."

Cheng Li covered her mouth, seemingly gagging, but as she saw Zhou Ning heading to the exit, she hurriedly stood up, stamping her foot and shouting:

"Hey, where's your manners, leaving without paying the bill?"

Zhou Ning had already reached the entrance, he pulled a fifty-dollar note from his wallet, begrudgingly handed it to the waiter, trying to appear as calm as possible on the outside.

"Sorry, I didn't order food. This is for the lemon water, or... consider it a tip."

With that, Zhou Ning didn't look back as he walked away, turned off his phone, and disappeared around the corner, humming a tune, ignoring Cheng Li's clamor at the door.

.....

PS:

[1]Standards for sentencing traffic offenses: According to Article 133 of the Criminal Law, three different grades of punishment are set for traffic offenses:

Those who commit a traffic offense shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or criminal detention. Those who flee after causing a traffic accident or have other particularly egregious circumstances shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than seven years. Those who cause death by fleeing shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than seven years (a minority may be sentenced to up to 15 years).

In this case, if one or more persons are severely injured in an accident, if the perpetrator bears full or primary responsibility and flees the scene to avoid legal prosecution, they shall be convicted and punished as a traffic offense:

[2]The crime of helping to destroy or forge evidence: According to Article 307, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Law, those who help a party destroy or forge evidence, if the circumstances are serious, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or criminal detention. Judicial workers who commit the crimes specified in the preceding two paragraphs shall be given a heavier punishment.