Chapter 73

As the mountain bandit suddenly put on such a performance, with the clear sky and kneeling, and even managed to get a brocade banner as a prop, Liu Handong almost burst out laughing on the spot. However, he didn't laugh because the performance was too exaggerated, almost as if it was designed to fail. Who had brought the mountain bandit in as an extra? It was too irresponsible. He would definitely give a serious criticism later.

"Ma Guoqing" bent down and lifted the mountain bandit with his strong hands, saying, "Tu Hongbin, get up quickly."

The mountain bandit refused to stand up. He took out an envelope from his chest and said, "Officer Ma, if you don't accept it, I will kneel here and not get up."

Everyone looked at each other, wondering what was going on.

Bao Yumei coughed and stepped forward, saying, "Comrade, you can't do this. This is forcing our Old Ma to make a mistake. As a people's police officer, he cannot take even a needle or thread from the masses."

The mountain bandit said, "Aunt, let me explain. My wife, who is a bit dim-witted, threw away the ten thousand yuan I had prepared for buying goods as garbage! The money was in a shoebox, and she threw it away with a bunch of junk. By the time I found out, it was too late. That money was borrowed from all over the place, and I was so desperate I wanted to die. I remembered that Officer Ma from our community had left a convenience card, so I called to see if he could help. Do you know what happened?"

At this point, he slapped his thigh, adding suspense to the story, much like the wooden clapper used by storytellers in old times.

Everyone stared at him, waiting for him to continue. Hu Lianhe, however, shook his head slightly, showing an expression that said, "It's not worth mentioning," and "It's my duty."

Liu Handong couldn't help but be amazed. This guy was a real actor.

"Officer Ma ran to over ten garbage stations and checked dozens of garbage trucks. He managed to find my money from tons of garbage. Aunt, and this uncle, you tell me, is it too much for me to thank Officer Ma with a thousand yuan?"

The stepfather and mother smiled without saying a word, exchanging glances, showing that they were deeply moved by the character's virtues.

Bao Yumei said, "Young man, put away your money. Our Old Ma is like this. He treats the people's affairs as his own. He would solve them even without eating or sleeping. If he took money for doing things for the people, he would have been a millionaire long ago."

When she said this, there was no trace of deliberate performance, it was a genuine expression from the heart.

"Damn, the landlady is also an actor, probably mixed in a cultural group when she was young," Liu Handong thought to himself.

Hu Lianhe said, "Tu Hongbin, listen to your aunt, put away your money. I can't accept it. I won't say more empty words, but I must live up to this police uniform."

The mountain bandit looked ashamed, "Officer Ma, it's my low awareness. Since you won't accept the money, I will donate it to the Red Cross and the Hope Project."

Hu Lianhe patted his shoulder, "Young man, it's good that you have this heart. You don't necessarily have to donate money. Live a good life and don't be a burden to the country. That's the best thing you can do."

The mountain bandit nodded, "I understand, Officer Ma, you've given me a good lesson today."

Hu Lianhe helped him up.

"Officer Ma, you have guests, I won't keep you. Come to my shop another day, I'll treat you to beef." The mountain bandit bowed repeatedly, expressing his gratitude, and left.

Hu Lianhe looked at his watch, "Let's go, or someone will block the door later."

His witty words made everyone laugh.

The two families got into the car and headed straight for the city. There were no high-end restaurants on Iron Slag Street, and there were too many acquaintances, which could easily expose the act. Hu Lianhe chose a high-end restaurant, the "Xiyinmen" hotel, which had opened three months ago. The receptionist was 1.7 meters tall, beautiful, and wore a high-slit cheongsam, politely asking how many guests there were.

"Six, do you have a private room?" Hu Lianhe asked with restraint.

"Sorry, sir, the private rooms are full."

"That won't do, make one available for me," Hu Lianhe said, his face turning serious.

"Sorry, sir, they are really full."

"Call your manager," Hu Lianhe was about to lose his temper.

Liu Handong thought it was bad. Just now, Hu Lianhe was a friendly community police officer, but now he had become an unreasonable bully.

The stepfather spoke, "Brother Ma, let's just sit in the hall today."

The landlady was also giving him a look.

Hu Lianhe realized he was out of character and quickly backed down, "Alright, let's sit in the hall."

The five of them sat in a corner of the hall. Hu Lianhe took out his phone and called, "Daughter, when will you finish work? Oh, I see, come over quickly when you're done."

Liu Handong was nervous and didn't dare to speak. The four adults started chatting. Hu Lianhe spoke smoothly, and Bao Yumei was also graceful, chatting happily with Liu Handong's mother. Liu Handong was responsible for ordering the dishes. He knew he had to pay for this meal, so he felt the emptiness of his wallet. He decided to go all out and ordered the most expensive dishes to make the meeting of the two sets of parents more formal. The waiter asked him to review the order, and Hu Lianhe took the menu and crossed out a few dishes, saying, "The President advocates saving, let's keep it simple."

The parents naturally had no objections. Liu Handong gave Hu Lianhe a grateful look, and Hu Lianhe's face almost had "deeply principled" written on it.

The cold dishes were already on the table. The drinks were Wuliangchun and two bottles of fruit juice, and two packs of Su cigarettes. They were waiting for Ma Ling to arrive to start the meal.

After half an hour, Ma Ling appeared at the door, looking embarrassed.

Liu Handong's heart was pounding, thinking that if the landlady and Hu Lianhe had performed so well, Ma Ling mustn't mess up.

Ma Ling walked over and naturally called out, "Dad, Mom," and greeted Liu Handong's family, "Uncle, Aunt, hello."

"Sit down, sit next to Mom," Bao Yumei smiled, radiating a motherly glow. She must have treated Ma Ling as Hu Ying, which is why she was so into the role.

Ma Ling was a bit nervous, which was suitable for the occasion. Liu Handong was also very nervous, not saying much, just pouring drinks and lighting cigarettes for the stepfather and "father-in-law."

With everyone seated, the meal began. Hu Lianhe raised his glass to propose a toast, saying some formal words. They all drank three glasses, then started eating. Bao Yumei enthusiastically invited her in-laws to try the dishes, "Eat, try this, and this provincial capital specialty."

At a nearby table, a young couple with shifty eyes was eating, occasionally bursting into laughter. Liu Handong glanced over and saw that they were the director and producer of the film, Hu Lei and Hu Ying, with their phones secretly filming under the table.

After a few rounds of drinks, Hu Lianhe spoke, "Brother He, there's something I don't know if I should say."

He Jian said, "Brother Ma, go ahead."

Hu Lianhe looked at Liu Handong and then at Ma Ling, and said solemnly, "My daughter is only twenty-three this year, and Da Dong is only twenty-seven, which is the golden period for a career. Da Dong will join the police force next year. I have an expectation for him to be a police officer who upholds justice. The children's relationship can be set, but the wedding doesn't need to be rushed. When Da Dong receives an award, then we can consider the wedding."

Liu Handong's mother opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something. She was eager to have a grandchild, but the in-laws' words made sense. Liu Handong and Ma Ling were not very old, and Liu Handong had no job or house, lacking an economic foundation. It was already good that they agreed to establish a relationship. To demand a wedding this year and a child next year was just wishful thinking.

He Jian, Liu Handong's stepfather and nominal head of the family, pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Ma, you make a good point. I agree."

Hu Lianhe slapped the table, "Great, let's have a drink."

The two of them raised their glasses and drank.

Hu Lianhe's face was red, and the alcohol was taking effect. "In-laws, let's play a drinking game."

He Jian reached out, and the two of them started playing, enjoying themselves. A bottle of Wuliangchun was quickly finished. Liu Handong went back to the car to get another bottle, which was also finished in no time. He went to get a third bottle. When he returned, trouble started. The guests at the neighboring table complained about their noise, and an argument broke out. Hu Lianhe picked up a bottle and threatened to break someone's head.

"Damn, do you know who I am? I'll show you my ID and scare you to death!" Hu Lianhe was intimidating, taking advantage of the alcohol. Although He Jian had also drunk a lot, he was still sober and held onto his in-laws, preventing him from hitting anyone.

Ma Ling put a hand to her forehead, pretending not to know Hu Lianhe.

Liu Handong stepped in to mediate, apologizing and saying polite words. He finally managed to get the neighboring guests to sit down, but Hu Lianhe jumped up again, "I'm from the police station!"

"Damn, too into character," Liu Handong was stunned.

Bao Yumei slapped him, "Go home and lie down when you're drunk. You're making me look bad!"

Everyone joined in to drag the still cursing Hu Lianhe away. Liu Handong went to the front desk to pay the bill, which was 800 yuan, not including the cigarettes and alcohol. It pained him, but the performance of the Hu couple was excellent, and they had bought Liu Handong at least two years.

After paying, Liu Handong drove everyone back. He was thinking about where to stay when Hu Lei sent a message, saying he had already booked a room at a Home Inn and paid the deposit. They just needed to check in.

So, he first took them to the Home Inn. Hu Lianhe waved from the car, "In-laws, I'll take you around the city next year, to Maple Forest Road, Yun Mountain, and Yuejiang Tower. These are all famous places in the provincial capital."

"Thank you, thank you. You should also go back and rest early," He Jian shook hands with Hu Lianhe again and saw them off.

The Qixing Fugang drove through the brightly lit streets. Ma Ling, sitting in the passenger seat, looked out the window silently. Hu Lianhe, in the back seat, was snoring loudly.

First, he took the Hu couple back to Iron Slag Street, then took Ma Ling back to Huanghua Neighborhood. When they parted, Ma Ling didn't say much, only showing a faint worry in her eyes.

Liu Handong drove back to No. 108, entered the yard, and found the first-floor living room brightly lit. The Hu family was all there, and Hu Lianhe had sobered up. He was boasting, "Do you know what I do? I've acted in model plays, like Hong Changqing in 'The Red Detachment of Women,' Yang Zirong in 'The Taking of Tiger Mountain,' and..."

"And Hu Chuanquei in 'Shajia Bang,'" Bao Yumei teased.

The page turned, and the ad began.

The page turned, and the ad ended.