With the help of white liquor, Old Shen and Old Lu gradually opened up in their conversation.

"Come on, Director Shen, I toast to you!" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Haha, President Lu, cheers!"

Fifty-year-old Moutai, even for these two, is not something they can drink whenever they want.

For Old Shen, this kind of liquor, which costs hundreds of thousands per bottle, is definitely beyond his spending power. However, it’s not that he can’t drink it if he wants to, but the risks involved are uncertain.

In all these years, Old Shen has climbed from an ordinary grassroots police officer to become the Deputy Director of the Haizhou City Public Security Bureau, not only through capability but, more importantly, through carefulness and caution, walking on thin ice.

He knows exactly who he can associate with, who he cannot, who he can dine with, and who he cannot dine with over the years.

Actually, deep in Old Shen’s heart, he hopes his daughter would find someone from a family with a similar background to theirs.

No need for wealth and high status or an illustrious family history, just someone with parents within the system, and the boyfriend with a legitimate job would be good enough.

As for Lu Chuan’s family...

Lu Chuan himself is fine, working in the Criminal Investigation Team and achieving meritorious accomplishments consecutively within just two years, being an absolute core member in the Major Crime Unit at the provincial hall.

As for the municipal bureau, needless to say, within a few years, Lu Chuan could definitely see his career skyrocketing.

However, Old Shen is not particularly fond of Lu Chuan’s family’s commercial background, and if it were a typical business family background, Old Shen might not even agree to the marriage.

But, Qiangsheng Group is different.

In Haizhou City, Qiangsheng Group is arguably the largest conglomerate locally, involved in all aspects of Haizhou City’s economic life.

It’s certainly a gigantic entity that, by stomping its foot, could make the entire economy of Haizhou City and even the whole province tremble and sway.

However, over the years, nothing has happened with Qiangsheng Group, the main group figures have not engaged in any illegal activities or misconduct.

For general violations, involving internal corruption or embezzlement, Qiangsheng Group handles it internally and then directly transfers it to the police.

Moreover, in these years, Qiangsheng Group is arguably the top donor company to the City Public Security Bureau, without exception.

As to why they can accept donations from Qiangsheng Group, haha.

Although Qiangsheng Group is a family-owned private enterprise, its background at its inception was quite unusual.

With Old Shen’s current position, he knows a little, but not very clearly.

He only knows that Qiangsheng Group is deeply rooted and enjoys the trust of superiors.

Old Lu and Old Shen knew each other before and had interactions, both at not low levels, naturally having many common topics.

The mothers of Lu Chuan and Shen Yan are both generous persons, chatting about topics among middle-aged women in such occasions.

For example, how the two children were raised.

A two-hour gathering, one could say it was a victorious meeting.

A bottle of white liquor was finished, but neither Old Lu nor Old Shen got drunk; with their alcohol tolerance, another bottle would be no problem.

However, at the first official meeting of the in-laws, both did not drink much, anyway, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

"Lu Chuan, you take your uncle and aunt home, you don’t need to worry about us over here."

Comrade Lu had a driver, and since Lu Chuan hadn’t drunk, he went on to take Shen Yan’s family home.

On this rare weekend with no cases at the Criminal Investigation Team, there shouldn’t be any overtime work this week, so in the afternoon, Lu Chuan and Shen Yan went to see a movie.

"Lu Chuan... there shouldn’t be anything today, right?"

Walking in the mall, Shen Yan held Lu Chuan’s arm; although surrounded by people, for some reason, there was an impending sense of something happening.

"Don’t overthink, what could possibly happen, the few last times were just coincidences."

Lu Chuan shook his head; the few previous times they went out and discovered cases weren’t because they were out that the crimes occurred, but the cases had already happened and just were discovered by them.

The reason others didn’t discover them was that they aren’t police; if they were criminal investigators, they would likely discover them too.

Shen Yan nodded; the rationale made sense, but it didn’t fully settle her thoughts.

"Lu Chuan, how about we skip the movie today and go to the Great Buddha Temple... over there and check it out."

The Great Buddha Temple?

Lu Chuan heard that the Great Buddha Temple was built very grandly, but never had the chance to visit, a trip should be fine as well.

However, it was already afternoon, and there usually isn’t temple visiting and incense offering in the afternoon.

"We can’t offer incense and prayers in the afternoon, let’s go tomorrow morning. I’ll pick you up then, and we’ll go together. Moreover, tomorrow is the 15th of September, with more incense going around, so let’s watch the movie today."

Having decided to visit the Great Buddha Temple the next day, Shen Yan’s mood inexplicably relaxed.

"I want popcorn, a big bucket!"

...

However, plans could never keep up with changes. After watching the movie and having dinner, before they could return home, they received a call from the team.

"Lu, there’s a case, come to the team!"

The call was from Liu Guodong, his voice somewhat anxious.

Lu Chuan glanced at the time; a call at this timing indicated a major case.

However, after hanging up the call, Shen Yan still did not receive a call.

This was a bit unexpected.

If it were a homicide, usually Crime Scene Investigation and the Forensic Doctor appear on the scene simultaneously.

Being called back by his mentor, it didn’t make sense that Wang Changjiang wouldn’t call Shen Yan.

"I wasn’t called?"

Lu Chuan nodded: "I’ll take you back first, it might not be a homicide, need to check with the team first."

"No need, I’ll take a cab back myself. Supervisor Liu called you to go straight to the team, so there must be something."

Lu Chuan thought for a moment and did not insist.

It wasn’t far from Shen Yan’s home, and it was convenient to catch a cab at the mall entrance.

"Forget it, you drive back. The car is in the underground parking, by the time I get it, time is wasted. I’ll take a cab to the Criminal Investigation Team, it’s quicker."

"Okay."

Lu Chuan hurried off, empty cabs were queuing at the mall entrance, and he got in the first one waiting.

"To the City Criminal Investigation Team!"

"Got it!"

Twenty minutes later.

Crime Scene Investigation Office.

When Lu Chuan arrived, Liu Guodong, Yang Sen, and Old Bai were already in the meeting office.

"Change clothes, get ready to go."

Yang Sen and Old Bai had already organized the equipment, and Liu Guodong was changing his coat.

"What’s the matter, Master?"

"I was just with Shen Yan, and the Forensic Department didn’t call her."

"It’s not a homicide?"

Liu Guodong shook his head: "Still not sure, let’s first check the scene."

Though utterly confused, Lu Chuan swiftly changed his clothes.

Once the Crime Scene Team packed up, Zhang Hui and others from Action Group Two gathered downstairs, ready to set off.