CHAPTER 184: 180 SEA MONTHLY TICKET 900 EXTRA UPDATES

Mid-February, the matter involving Yu Wei had mostly been dealt with. The short man who had stabbed Yu Wei was found – he was a self-important tough in Si Jiu City. According to the interrogation, he had been paid 200 yuan by someone else for the deed. Strangely, it was tracked that the phone call was made from the hospital office, which was unexpected by everyone. Despite investigations, the caller could not be identified; the operator recalled that it was a young man.

Mr. Li tapped into his connections only to find the person who had paid the money, identified as a woman, but her identity remained unknown. Later, taking Qin Miao’s photo for identification, it was confirmed that it wasn’t her. Mr. Li’s methods were trusted by everyone; if he said it wasn’t her, then it wasn’t her.

However, the situation had reached a deadlock. To offer an apology, the Yu Family paid a visit, bringing gifts. Now living in the courtyard house, Qin Xi and Qin Zhen were directly approached by them.

Yu Xiaolan also came, her eyes darting around as if searching for something.

Upon seeing this, Qin Zhen snorted: "What are you looking at? My dad doesn’t live here anymore, disappointed?"

Exposed so bluntly by Qin Zhen, Yu Xiaolan blushed with embarrassment, her fingernails digging deep into her flesh as she forced herself to remain silent.

Qin Zhen tilted his head up high, saying oddly: "Not even close to Aunt Bai!"

What? Aunt Bai? Which Aunt Bai? Yu Xiaolan looked puzzled, but Qin Zhen quietly continued sipping tea and nibbling on snacks.

Beside them, Li Xianglu could barely contain her laughter, marveling at how clever Qin Zhen was at this moment, even knowing how to confuse Yu Xiaolan.

Yu Wei’s father, Yu Hangtian, age forty, worked in the public security department. He was also involved in the investigation of Yu Wei’s case, which had many suspicions. Someone had paid the assailant to injure his son and frame Qin Zhen.

Now, it was unclear whether Yu Wei or Qin Zhen was the real target.

Those he greatly feared included the head of the Li Family.

After the first day of interrogation, the short man hadn’t spoken a word. Various methods were tried, but he maintained a resolute silence. Then, a few people arrived with a document and took the criminal away.

Initially thinking another department was conducting the interrogation, when the man was returned looking utterly terrified and with a document of the interrogation findings, they realized these people were different from them. Later, after secretly inquiring with their chief, he mentioned three words: ’National Security Bureau’.

Everyone was stunned, and Yu Hangtian felt that the Li Family was profoundly unfathomable. Whether or not they could establish good relations, it was essential first not to offend them.

Hence, today’s visit ensued. Mr. Li was a kind person, pleased with Qin Zhen’s interaction with his son, which also delighted Yu Hangtian.

After exchanging pleasantries for an hour and drinking a pot of tea, everyone bid farewell, but Yu Xiaolan had been noticeably upset ever since hearing about Aunt Bai and remained sullen as she was leaving.

After everyone had left, Li Xianglu chuckled and patted Qin Zhen: "You’re so clever, knowing how to craft a pretext to disconcert Yu Xiaolan."

Qin Zhen rolled his eyes in response: "I didn’t make it up, there is an Aunt Bai who frequently visits my grandfather’s house to see my father. I wanted to tell Yu Xiaolan, and then let them fight it out among themselves!"

Li Xianglu widened her eyes: "You finally started using your brain?"

Qin Zhen boastfully replied, "Of course, I’ve always been smart, just too lazy to use it usually."

Li Xianglu pursed her lips. She didn’t seem to be complimenting him just now, but oh well, let it be a misunderstanding then.

School wouldn’t start until March 8th, and there were still over ten days left. Qin Xi wanted to take Li Xianglu to Beidaihe to see the winter sea, and Qin Zhen, like a bright 3000-watt bulb, vigilantly decided to simply bring Mr. Li along. They found a car, which Qin Xi drove straight there, planning to stay for four or five days before driving back.

No sooner said than done, they bought some food the next day, and the day after that, they set off.

Grandpa and Li Xianglu sat in the back, while Qin Zhen and Qin Xi were in the front. Qin Zhen’s constant chattering made the journey quite entertaining.

Beidaihe seaside is located in Beihai Province, about three to four hours’ drive from the capital and Tianjin. It’s situated in a mid-latitude zone with a monsoon continental climate, featuring mild summers and not-so-cold winters. The hottest days of the year don’t exceed 30 degrees, making it an excellent place for rest and recuperation.

Mr. Li also arranged for them a military sanatorium suite to stay in temporarily, so they didn’t need to go to any outside guesthouses.

They left at 8 AM and arrived by 1 PM, mainly delayed by Qin Zhen insisting on stopping to see the sea along the way.

The sanatorium owned a private beach. At that time, it was still unpolluted; the entire coastline was clean. The water was blue, the sky was blue, and where water met sky, they merged into a line. The sea seemed endlessly pushed forward by giant, tireless hands, creating waves one after another. Li Xianglu stood joyfully on the beach, feeling utterly content.

Qin Xi walked up and took Li Xianglu’s hand, and together they sometimes ran up a bit with the water, sometimes chasing the waves.

That rascal Qin Zhen, using a bottle, scooped up seawater and while Qin Xi was not paying attention, chased Li Xianglu with it. Li Xianglu screamed in fright, asking Qin Xi to protect her.

Qin Xi was simply helpless; both were like kids, with a brother who wouldn’t grow up, and a wife who was the same. Watching his little wife hide behind him and make faces at his brother, he suddenly felt that spending his life this simply wasn’t so bad. But a man without his own career and power to protect his family meant he still needed to work hard.

The lunch was prepared by the sanatorium. When they returned, Grandpa was already sitting at the dining table, sipping soup. Seeing them come in, he called out, "Come on, eat up before you play. The sea isn’t going anywhere!"

But Qin Zhen ran over saying, "Grandpa, the sea does run, I saw it just now, it left marks."

Mr. Li laughed loudly, "Yes, it runs, that’s the tide going out. The sea has life too, at night it sneakily rises, and in the day it sneakily recedes. Our Qin Zhen has great observational skills!"

Hearing this, Qin Zhen was just about to boast proudly, but then he saw his brother and Chou Xiang each holding a bowl of soup and drinking heartily. Annoyed, he quickly sat down, knowing if he didn’t drink now, there would be none left!

While the four were eating, an old man with white hair stood behind a cafeteria pillar looking their way, murmuring, "They really do look alike!"

ps: Pushing out a short one before 12 o’clock. Had a nap, feels a bit better. I feel I can’t hold on much longer, been lacking sleep recently. Will keep writing later.