Chapter 2: A Thousand Li

After listening to Du Long's words, Yang Chengfa couldn't help but envy Du Long's luck. He patted Du Long's shoulder with a smile and said, "Many major cases are solved by guesswork, aren't they? No matter what, you've brought glory to our police station. I'll talk to Director Liao and recommend you for a commendation!"

Huang Jiehao smiled slightly, knowing that Yang Chengfa was trying to take credit. In fact, Huang Jiehao didn't intend to compete with them. The criminal investigation team handled such cases every now and then, and they didn't need this bit of credit. However, this young man named Du Long was worth paying attention to. He might be a good seed for criminal investigation. To solve the case so quickly and catch all the suspects, it took more than just luck; it required real skill.

Ambulances and forensic experts arrived at the scene. Feeling proud, Yang Chengfa proudly dispersed the onlookers. After the forensic experts and the criminal investigation team left, Yang Chengfa patted Du Long's shoulder and said with a smile, "Let's go have some night snacks. I'll treat you!"

Du Long smiled and said, "That's not right, we're still on duty."

Yang Chengfa laughed and said, "Rules are rules, but people are flexible. If there's another case, the duty room will call us. Come on, don't you want to give me face?"

With the leader speaking like that, Du Long didn't refuse any further. The three of them went to a nearby barbecue stall. Yang Chengfa and the stall owner were very familiar, and they ordered dozens of skewers and a dozen bottles of beer.

Feng Weiwu still didn't know how Du Long had solved the case. Yang Chengfa exaggerated the details and told Feng Weiwu about it. After listening, Feng Weiwu felt both envious and jealous. He pouted and said, "Du Long, you really have good luck. If I hadn't been ordered to guard the seventh floor, I might have solved this case myself."

Yang Chengfa was a bit annoyed by Feng Weiwu's sour words, but Du Long smiled and raised his glass, saying, "Yes, I just had good luck. Anyone else could have done better. Brother Feng is so smart and has much more experience than me. If Brother Feng had been there, the case would have been solved for sure. Director Yang, Brother Feng, thanks to your usual care, I had the chance to shine tonight. The credit belongs to the station, to Director Yang, to Brother Feng, and to everyone. Here, I'll toast to you!"

Yang Chengfa raised his glass and laughed, "Xiao Du, you're wrong. You solved the case, so you deserve the most credit. We're just basking in your glory. Cheers!"

Feng Weiwu finally felt a bit better and raised his glass. The three beer bottles clinked together.

Du Long tilted his head back and finished a whole bottle of beer in one go. Yang Chengfa, an old drinker, had to take two sips to finish his. Feng Weiwu was even worse; he had to take four breaths to finish his bottle.

Yang Chengfa laughed and said, "I didn't expect that, Du Long. You look so refined, but you can handle two big guys and drink so well. When I was young, I could finish a bottle in one go too, but not anymore."

Du Long sighed and said, "People change, especially after certain experiences... After the last incident, I signed up for kickboxing. My coach is a heavy drinker, so I learned both drinking and fighting for the same fee."

Yang Chengfa burst out laughing. The three of them ate and drank, chatting. When they were almost done, Feng Weiwu suddenly let out a series of loud farts. Yang Chengfa frowned and said, "Xiao Feng, what's wrong with you? Did you eat something bad?"

Feng Weiwu's face turned bright red. He opened his mouth to explain but couldn't get the words out. A sharp pain in his stomach made him break out in a cold sweat, and his red face quickly lost its color.

"Brother Feng, you have a stomachache?" Du Long suggested, "There's a public toilet next to the market. It looks serious, you should go and take care of it."

"I..." Feng Weiwu was so weak from pain that he couldn't stand up. He let out a few more loud farts, and people around them started to avoid him. Even the barbecue stall owner came over, rubbing his hands nervously, and said to Yang Chengfa, "Director Yang, what's wrong with Officer Feng?"

Yang Chengfa, displeased, said, "How should I know? Maybe he ate something bad. Old Wang, was the meat not cooked properly tonight?"

Old Wang quickly defended himself, "No way! I've been selling barbecue for years, and no one has ever had a problem. Officer Feng must have eaten something unclean elsewhere. Director Yang, take him to the hospital. This meal is on me."

Yang Chengfa had eaten the same food as Feng Weiwu and knew it wasn't Old Wang's fault. He said, "Alright, let's go."

Yang Chengfa and Du Long helped Feng Weiwu into the police car. Feng Weiwu let out two more loud farts, and Yang Chengfa frowned, "Xiao Feng, you're not going to have an accident in the car, are you?"

Feng Weiwu didn't answer. Suddenly, he jumped out of the car and ran towards the market like a madman. Yang Chengfa and Du Long were stunned. They heard Feng Weiwu's farts all the way, and they looked at each other and burst out laughing.

After laughing for a while, Du Long suggested, "Director Yang, I'll go check on him. Call me if anything happens."

Yang Chengfa nodded and said, "Go ahead. If it gets too bad, take him to the hospital."

Du Long hadn't walked far when he heard a series of sounds from behind a row of trees. He held back his laughter and stood upwind, saying seriously, "Brother Feng, you didn't go to the toilet, did you? We're police officers; it's not good if someone sees us relieving ourselves in public."

Feng Weiwu felt like dying. He had never been so embarrassed in his life. He gritted his teeth and didn't say a word, but his body kept making sounds. After a while, he timidly asked, "Du Long, are you still there?"

"Yes, I'm here," Du Long said.

Feng Weiwu said, "Du Long, do you have any paper?"

Du Long laughed and said, "Brother Feng, I was afraid you might not have any, so I came to check. Here, I got some toilet paper from the barbecue stall. There are only two sheets, so use them wisely."

Du Long walked towards the trees. Even standing upwind, he could smell the stench. He held his breath and handed the paper over. As soon as Feng Weiwu took it, Du Long quickly moved away.

After a while, Feng Weiwu came out, looking pale and weak. Du Long asked, "Brother Feng, did you have an accident? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Feng Weiwu wanted to bury himself in a hole. He said, embarrassed and angry, "I'm fine, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore. I'm just weak. Du Long, help me back to the station. I have some medicine there."

Du Long wasn't in the mood to help him. Who knew if he was clean? He was about to suggest that Feng Weiwu rest for a while when his phone rang. It was Yang Chengfa. Yang Chengfa said that 110 had called them about two kids fighting at a nearby internet cafe. After hearing about the situation, Yang Chengfa told Du Long to stay and take care of Feng Weiwu. He, as the deputy director, would handle the two kids himself.