Chapter 22: Catching Gamblers (Part 1)

When Zhu Daodong entered the Sanqing Temple, his face was full of worry, but after leaving the temple, he was radiant, as if a man who had been spiritually lost had suddenly found his pillar of support. The opportunity to be temporarily transferred was something he had never imagined. Whether it was fate or a lucky coincidence, in any case, his future path would be vastly different.

The streets of the town were still as narrow as ever, and the shops on both sides were still as dim, but at this moment, in Zhu Daodong's eyes, they were all so endearing. Since he had already decided to use this as a turning point to start anew, he, Zhu Daodong, was essentially starting a new life. The same scenery now looked completely different to him.

"Teacher Zhu, you look so happy. What's the matter?" Hou Yong saw Zhu Daodong from a distance, stopped his steps, and greeted him with a smile.

This time, his son Hou Tianming's average score actually reached seventy points, although he was still at the bottom, this was already a record-breaking achievement for him.

"Is that so? Maybe it's because I just warmed myself by the fire, and I feel hot," Zhu Daodong said, trying to hide his excitement. Although Zhang Zhichun had already hinted at the transfer, as long as it wasn't officially confirmed, he couldn't talk about it to others, except for the nameless Taoist.

"No wonder. This time, my son Tianming's grades improved significantly, and I have to thank you, Teacher Zhu. We didn't drink enough last time, so let's have another drink today. Let's go to Haozailai, not to my house." Hou Yong pulled Zhu Daodong towards Haozailai. As a police officer for many years, he could easily see Zhu Daodong's mood, but since Zhu Daodong didn't say anything, he didn't press further. He had been planning to drink for a long time, and now that the school was on holiday, if they didn't drink now, they might have to wait until next year.

"Hou Tianming's improvement is due to his own efforts. I just guided him a bit. There's no need to drink, right?" Zhu Daodong smiled.

"Without your guidance, his grades wouldn't have improved. It's already time for dinner, and the school is on holiday, so don't refuse," Hou Yong held Zhu Daodong's hand tightly. He had seen his son's transformation and was delighted. If it weren't for the many tasks at the station at the end of the year, he would have invited Zhu Daodong long ago. Now that he had met him on the street, he couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

This was the second time Zhu Daodong entered Haozailai's private room. The last time, he had brought the nameless Taoist, and the meal had cost him almost half a month's salary. The nameless Taoist's eating habits and appetite had left a deep impression on Liang Qiao, and Zhu Daodong would never forget it either.

This time, Liang Qiao still personally greeted them, wrote down the dishes, and led the waiters to serve the food. After the dishes were served, she came in with a glass of wine to toast. Last time, she had wanted to drink with the nameless Taoist, but his eating habits had scared her off. She had never seen anyone eat braised lion's head with their hands in all her years of running the restaurant.

Liang Qiao was very familiar with Hou Yong. Hou Yong introduced Zhu Daodong, saying he was a teacher at Shulin Ridge Middle School and his son's homeroom teacher. Liang Qiao smiled and said, "Teacher Zhu, I'll toast you a glass."

"Thank you." Zhu Daodong met Liang Qiao's gaze, the first time he had looked at her directly. Liang Qiao turned her head, and their eyes met. Zhu Daodong, like a student who had made a mistake, quickly averted his gaze, feeling inexplicably flustered.

"This boss lady is not ordinary. Can you handle it, Teacher Zhu?" Hou Yong joked after Liang Qiao left, reminding him. This woman, with her gaze and figure, was incredibly alluring. Teacher Zhu was in the prime of his life and shouldn't get entangled.

"Thank you, Chief Hou." Zhu Daodong understood the meaning behind Hou Yong's words and blushed.

"Teacher Zhu, calling me Chief Hou is not right. Last time, we called each other brothers. You're looking down on me. I'll have to make you drink three glasses as a penalty," Hou Yong laughed, using this to ease Zhu Daodong's embarrassment.

"If I have to drink as a penalty, you, Brother Hou, can't be exempt. You calling me Teacher Zhu is also being formal," Zhu Daodong had already pushed Liang Qiao's image out of his mind. This woman was truly extraordinary, more attractive than the pretty girls he had known in college.

"Alright, let's each drink three glasses." Hou Yong laughed heartily.

Both were skilled drinkers, and once they started, the conversation flowed. Hou Yong joked that Zhu Daodong's job was great, as he could take a legitimate break at the end of the term, unlike him, who was busier as the year-end approached.

"Brother Hou, you're busy with work, yet you're still drinking with me. Won't it affect your work?" Zhu Daodong asked, feeling a bit guilty.

"No problem. We're all busy at night, but we can sleep during the day. I've been sleeping at home in the morning and just woke up," Hou Yong chuckled. At the end of the year, the police station faced a lot of pressure. Every year, the station had various tasks, such as solving cases and collecting fines. If these weren't completed, there would be no year-end bonus, which the officers were all looking forward to.

"Night?" Zhu Daodong asked, puzzled.

"Recently, our main task is to catch gamblers. We fine them, which can bring in revenue, but it's freezing cold, and it's really not a job for humans," Hou Yong grumbled. Shulin Ridge had never had any major cases, just petty thefts. If a cow was stolen, it would be a big case.

Now, as the year-end approached, catching gamblers became the top priority. People who earned money in the countryside had returned, and with no entertainment, gambling became the best way to pass the time. The police station took this opportunity to crack down. Officially, it was to combat gambling and improve public security, but in reality, they were mainly interested in the gambling funds and fines.

Although the funds and fines had to be handed over to the county bureau, a large portion would be returned. For a station like Shulin Ridge, about ninety percent would be returned. This ninety percent guaranteed the year-end bonus.

"Catching gamblers? Don't you have informants? Isn't it like catching fish in a barrel, one catch and you're sure to get them?" Zhu Daodong laughed.

"People nowadays are slippery like eels. They change places after each game, and the informants are often inaccurate. We have no choice but to stake out their usual spots, which is a tough job," Hou Yong said. As the deputy chief, he was doing this to improve the station's benefits. Even the chief and the internal staff were out in the cold every night.

"Brother Hou, I might not be able to help with other things, but with catching gamblers, I might be able to help you a bit." Zhu Daodong suddenly smiled. Before he practiced the Turtle Breath technique, he would hear all sorts of sounds on his way back from the Sanqing Temple to the school at night. He couldn't help but hear them, and he remembered hearing people playing cards.

Hou Yong immediately sobered up when he heard Zhu Daodong's words: "Really?"