Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups-Chapter 454 - 276

The sunshine passes through the anti-theft window glass, forming specks of light on the worn wooden floor.

The light yellow wall paint all around seems to be coated with a warm-toned filter.

In the living room, the TV screen flickers, broadcasting a news program.

The host sits formally, his clear and resonant voice echoing throughout the house:

"Latest news from our station, the city’s police successfully cracked the ’Bloodsucker Serial Murder Case’ after 47 days of continuous efforts."

"According to the police department’s report, the suspect Wang (alias) disguised himself as a vampire, deliberately creating panic, and is suspected of committing crimes in multiple locations over three months, resulting in 6 victims killed."

"During the investigation of the case, the city’s criminal investigation team formed a special group, locking in on the suspect’s hideout in an old apartment building on the outskirts of the city through crime trace analysis and cross-regional police cooperation."

"At 4 a.m. yesterday, the police launched a ’Thunder Capture’ operation, successfully apprehending him, finding crime tools and some victims’ belongings at the scene, and the case is currently undergoing further review..."

Zhou Yongnian sits by the dining table, steam rising from the vegetable and lean meat congee in his porcelain bowl.

While sipping the congee, he lifts his head occasionally, glancing at the news footage.

In the kitchen, the gas stove swallows and spits blue flames, the pressure cooker valve bubbles, releasing a rich aroma.

Suddenly, there comes clattering sounds.

Zhou Yongnian furrows his brows, opens his mouth to say something, then closes it.

He picks up a slice of pickled radish with his chopsticks, places it in his mouth, and slowly chews.

"Dad, the policeman on TV holding a gun is so impressive!"

Seated beside him, Pengpeng leans over the table edge, watching the scene of SWAT breaking down a door on TV without blinking, drool almost dripping into the congee.

"I want to be a policeman in the future too, arrest the bad guys, catch vampires..."

Although he is already fifteen years old, his round cheeks still carry childlike innocence, his chubby hand stirring the plastic spoon in the bowl as if dealing with some villain.

Zhou Yongnian, hearing this, relaxes his mouth and wipes the drool off his son’s chin, straightening his skewed bib.

"Being a policeman requires enduring hardship and not being picky with food."

He says, pointing at the few vegetable leaves picked out in Pengpeng’s bowl.

"Endure hardship, I want to endure hardship, I want to be a policeman and catch bad guys!"

Pengpeng hears this and excitedly raises his spoon to shout.

But accidentally spills some congee, knocking over the seasoning bottle, white pepper powder sprinkles on the tablecloth like a thin layer of snow.

Zhou Yongnian doesn’t scold him, but instead shows a caring look, getting up to clean up the table for his seemingly still childish son.

"Oh, our Pengpeng wants to be a big policeman in the future?"

At this moment, He Huiqin comes out of the kitchen carrying a clay pot, smudges of oil still on her apron.

She places the clay pot on the table; as she lifts the lid, steam bursts forth with a rich aroma of herbs blended with meat fragrance.

"Then you must learn well from your dad."

She says proudly while ladling soup into Zhou Yongnian’s bowl, the stainless steel spoon clinking against the bowl rim:

"Did you see the case on the TV news? It was your dad who led the investigation."

Pengpeng immediately turns his head, eyes curving into crescent moons:

"Dad is amazing!"

Feeling slightly uneasy under his son’s full of admiration gaze, Zhou Yongnian sits back in his chair, picks up a piece of pickled radish and puts it into his mouth, somewhat modestly saying:

"It has nothing to do with me, I was just responsible for tracking leads, catching the criminal on-site was done by people from headquarters."

He Huiqin, hearing this, seems displeased:

"How can it be unrelated to you? You led the team through three consecutive all-nighters, with eyes turning red like a rabbit’s, to find the suspect’s whereabouts. Without you, how could they solve the case so easily."

"Besides, you are soon to be the captain of the criminal investigation team at the district police station, also a leader figure, those SWAT officers are like your juniors, when meeting you, they have to greet you as Captain Zhou, none can compare with you!"

"Cough—"

Zhou Yongnian seems to be choked by the millet congee, face turning red, waving his hand hastily.

Seeing this, He Huiqin quickly puts down the soup spoon, patting his back while grumbling:

"What’s the rush? No one is grabbing it from you."

After he catches his breath, He Huiqin pushes the bowl filled with soup forward again, exaggeratingly saying:

"Honey, try this black-bone chicken soup, I simmered it for three whole hours and even specifically consulted with an old pharmacist at the herbal medicine store, adding extra Gastrodia and Codonopsis."

"You’ve been looking pale from overwork these days, if you don’t eat something to replenish, people might think I’m mistreating you if you faint at the police station."

Her tone is extremely gentle, quite unlike her usual sharp and stern demeanor.

Zhou Yongnian can’t help but stare dumbfounded.

Feeling that his wife standing before him seems more gentle and beautiful, it’s as if they returned to their dating days.

However, at this moment, a shout breaks the atmosphere.

"Mom, I want to eat too!"

Pengpeng stretches his neck, staring at the steaming black-bone chicken soup, licking his lips.

"Little troublemaker, don’t join in the fun, be careful of the nosebleed from over-nourishment."

He Huiqin quickly waves her son’s hand away.

Pengpeng pouts his lips enough to hang an oil bottle, eyes rapidly filling with tears.

Upon hearing the crying, Grandma Zhou comes out from the inner room, comforting:

"Oh dear, don’t cry, grandma will buy you candy later."

Seeing this, Zhou Yongnian speaks up:

"Give him half a bowl."

He Huiqin rolls her eyes helplessly:

"You, always spoiling him, how will the child grow up like this?"