You're supposed to be a security officer, what case are you solving?

Chapter 373 The Sly Old Fools!

"Oh, old boss, Uncle Fan..."

Upon seeing Lu Shaohua and Old Fan from the canteen enter, He Jinbo and the others immediately surrounded them, their attitude incredibly enthusiastic.

A breeze begins with a ripple on the water, and a wave is formed from a gentle ripple.

Those who were transferred from the Chengbei Branch to the Municipal Bureau or to the Qincheng Public Security Bureau never forget their former leaders, not even a little bit!

Lu Shaohua is not tall and has an eccentric temper, but he is indeed a good leader.

One thing is that when Jiang Jianbing, Xu Guoliang, and others were investigating cases, they would encounter laid-off workers making a living by setting up stalls, and they couldn't bear to see them like that, so they would buy some useless things from them.

Things like shampoo, soap, toilet paper, and floral water. Zheng Kang even bought a box of sanitary napkins once, but regretted it afterward.

Who would use this thing? He doesn't even dare to take it out.

Of course, they used their own money, but Lu Shaohua always found various reasons to get the finance department to reimburse them. Zheng Kang, of course, was too embarrassed to get a box of sanitary napkins reimbursed.

Otherwise, these old guys would definitely be controlled by their mothers when they go home.

Don't be fooled by how good Zheng Kang and Jiang Jianbing are at arresting people; when they get home and see their wives, they're like mice before a cat.

You have to back down, you can't refuse. I rarely get to take care of the family, it's all up to my wife.

Like He Jinbo, who couldn't even remember what grade his son was in or what his birthday was, but knew everything about the cases he had solved and the families of the victims.

Not divorcing you is already an act of mercy.

I'm terrified of my wife crying. If she cries and complains, and my son rebels, then she's truly a demon for middle-aged men.

If you don't bring the money home, then there's really nothing more to say.

Although the Chengbei branch was the poorest and had the lowest case-solving rate among the three district bureaus at the time, Lu Shaohua really took good care of his subordinates.

Lao Fan and Fan Weiqiang are even more outstanding. Whenever the Chengbei Criminal Police Brigade encounters a case and solves it, they always make sure to get extra meals in the canteen.

With funds tight, he even paid out of his own pocket, meaning that most of his monthly salary went to subsidizing his food expenses.

Moreover, the transfers of He Jinbo as the branch captain, Zheng Kang as the battalion commander, and even Jiang Jianbing and Xu Guoliang to the municipal bureau branch were all facilitated by Lao Fan's connections.

Lu Shaohua laughed and said, "I said I wasn't coming, but you young people wanted to get together, and the Cat Team insisted on dragging me along."

Old Fan also said, "The Cat Team really put on a show, setting up five big tables. How much money must that have cost? We might as well just go to our cafeteria and I'll cook you two dishes."

“I would like to as well,” He Jinbo said. “But Uncle Fan always cooks for us. This time, we should treat you and Director Lu to a meal.”

Jiang Jianbing nodded: "That's right. Cat Captain is now a criminal police officer in the provincial capital. His monthly bonus is more than our salary. He is the most successful criminal police officer in our North City Branch. Cat Captain is treating this meal. Cat Captain is very generous!"

Xu Guoliang offered cigarettes to Lu Shaohua and Lao Fan: "Look, even Hua Zi has started smoking; he's getting better."

Hearing their discussion, the cat instinctively clutched its chest, its heart bleeding.

A single pack of cigarettes cost him more than half a month's salary; two packs of cigarettes totaled three months' income.

There was a bottle of Moutai at each table. He didn't know the price of Moutai, but he estimated it was worth half a month's salary, so that would be five bottles, which was three months' income.

With the addition of five tables of food, most of the income from the past six months has gone down the drain.

I've only been working in the provincial capital for a month!

What has blinded me?

What has clouded my judgment?
Cat forced a smile, pounding her chest: "It's my duty, it's my duty..."

“Brother, over here…” Jiang Yuxin raised her hand and called out to Maozi.

Cat's legs were trembling. He pressed his inner thighs, walked over unsteadily, and sat down next to Jiang Yuxin.

"Brother, what's wrong? Your face is all pale."

"I'm fine, brother."

“I heard from Uncle Yao and Sister Cai that you didn’t have lunch on the train. Eat more later. You’ve lost weight in the past month.”

"Eat more, you really need to eat more." Cat was going all out: "I want to drink alcohol, and what about cigarettes? Old Yao, get me a pack."

Sitting opposite Yao Weihua, he was taken aback: "No, don't you not smoke?"

"Mind your own business!" the cat muttered.

Cai Ting tossed him the opened pack of Zhonghua cigarettes and the lighter she was holding.

The cat took out a cigarette, lit it, took two puffs, and coughed twice.

Jiang Yuxin raised her hand and waved, looking puzzled.

Wen Ling sat next to Jiang Yuxin, with Yang Jinwen beside her.

He frowned and said, "Brother Cat, have you been set up?"

Cat shook his head: "What trap are you setting? It's rare for you to come back, everyone eat and drink well."

Maozi glanced at Feng Xiaocai sitting next to Cai Ting and nodded: "Xiaocai, it's rare for you to come to our An'nan. Enjoy your meal."

Feng Xiaocai smiled and winked at Cai Ting.

Cai Ting took a drag of her cigarette: "Who cares? Let's eat."

The copper hot pot is served, and the fresh mutton is served in a stainless steel basin. Use long chopsticks to pick up the slices of meat and put them into the boiling copper pot. After a quick dip, dip them in the hot chili oil while they are still steaming hot. It's delicious!
Unlike other places, people in the north like to eat mutton with sesame paste, peanut sauce, and chive blossoms, while people in Shaanxi province prefer chili oil.

Especially when eating noodles at a noodle shop, the chili oil on the table is indispensable.

In the steamy restaurant, amidst laughter and jeers, only Maozi remained immersed in boundless grief. He Jinbo called out from another table, "Maozi, Yang Jinwen, come over and have a drink with your old leader."

The cat nodded, took its wine glass, and went over.

Within the system, the most hated thing is someone who forgets their mother after being fed. Where did you come from? Of course, you wouldn't dare forget your old leader.

We should never forget those who dug the well when we drink the water; we must understand this principle.

If you're an ingrate, who will dare to promote you in the future?

Otherwise, Chen Yanshi wouldn't dare call out "Xiao Jinzi" repeatedly, not at all afraid that Xiao Jinzi would get angry.

Seeing He Jinbo calling for people, Yang Jinwen naturally didn't dare to sit down. He took his wine glass and the cat and went to Lu Shaohua's table, where he politely offered a toast.

Lu Shaohua was very happy and drank several cups, but there was a slight worry in his eyes.

Yang Jinwen raised his wine glass with both hands and said with emotion, "Old leader, I toast you and wish you good health."

The cat looked at him with some confusion.

Old Fan explained from the side, "Director Lu is retiring."

No one was surprised; it seemed they already knew about it. Only the cat's eyes widened.

He Jinbo sighed, "Director Lu is only fifty-five this year."

“We have to step down and let the younger generation take over,” Lu Shaohua said with a smile.

“Young people? Who’s young?” Jiang Jianbing frowned. “I think Director Lu is still young.”

Xu Guoliang nodded: "Exactly."

Lu Shaohua waved his hand: "You young people are the ones, the future belongs to you. Let's not talk about this, let's eat and drink well tonight."

After downing a glass of wine, Maozi cried out, "Old leader, you can't retire! I can't bear to part with you!"

His actions completely baffled Lu Shaohua.

He Jinbo immediately said, "I've had too much to drink, I've had too much to drink..."

Cat had drunk several cups earlier and was slightly tipsy. He had a high alcohol tolerance, much better than Yang Jinwen. He used to steal his father's wine quite often.

Tonight, Cat feels she must get drunk, preferably so drunk she's unconscious and needs to be carried home.

Next, he drank several more glasses, partly to get his revenge, and partly to get drunk in a way that seemed perfectly natural and that no one could find fault with him.

But as soon as the cat lay down on the table, Jiang Jianbing and Xu Guoliang immediately pulled it up.

As the party was about to end, Maozi straightened his neck and his mind cleared up a bit. He thought to himself, "Forget it, I'll just consider it a lesson learned."

He stumbled to his feet, went to the restroom, and pulled a wad of cash from his underwear zipper—the money he intended to take home.

Reaching the counter, Maozi held a dozen or so warm hundred-yuan bills, her wrists trembling: "Check...check out."

The proprietress behind the counter was cracking sunflower seeds while watching TV intently, not even glancing at him.

"The bill has been settled."

"Married? Who got married?" Cat's mind cleared instantly.

"Look, those two."

The proprietress pointed, as if counting, to Jiang Jianbing, Xu Guoliang, He Jinbo, Jiang Bala, and Fu Yun.

"No, how could they be the ones who got married?"

"Don't come to eat if you don't have money. Five people couldn't even afford three tables of food. In the end, it was that handsome guy who paid for it."

The person who said this was the saleswoman leaning against the counter. Clearly, this young girl had a special relationship with the proprietress, otherwise she wouldn't have dared to say such a thing.

"And what about cigarettes and alcohol?" Cat asked.

The landlady ignored him, engrossed in watching "Princess Pearl" on TV.

While cracking sunflower seeds, the waiter said, "It was brought by that handsome guy. He said it was leftovers from someone's engagement. We're just trying to make a living from the food."

Maozi looked into the restaurant and saw He Jinbo, Jiang Jianbing, Xu Guoliang, and others holding Lu Shaohua's hands, their eyes red-rimmed, their expressions aggrieved, repeatedly calling out, "Director Lu, we will always be your soldiers, forever and ever..."

The waiter joked, "I thought you police officers made a lot of money, but you can't even afford a retirement banquet for your boss..."

Upon hearing this, Maozi got carried away and took out ten bills... After thinking for a moment, he only counted out three bills and slammed them on the counter with a smug look on his face.

"Who says we don't have money? Public servants have to be poor, right? Bring us the wine! Bring us your best wine! If it's not enough, ask me for more later!"

The waiter raised an eyebrow: "Enough, enough... I'll bring you the best Xifeng tea from Qincheng. Why bother with Moutai?"

Cat put the remaining money in his pocket and tugged at his collar.

He suddenly remembered that when he was on vacation, Captain Yang suggested going back to Annam. At the time, he thought that Wen Mo had given him the leave so that Captain Yang and Wen Ling could have a chat.

It's possible that at the time, Director Wen and Team Leader Yang knew that Lu Shaohua was retiring and asked them to come back specifically to hold a retirement banquet for Director Lu.

Cat sighed inwardly, then walked over to Jiang Jianbing with two bottles of Xifeng liquor brought by the waiter.

Jiang Jianbing put his hand on Maozi's shoulder, and then Xu Guoliang also put his arm on Maozi's shoulder.

Someone started it, and soon people in the restaurant began humming songs, their voices deep and resonant, their emotions running high.
"Through countless storms and seasons, braving wind, frost, snow, and rain, enduring hardships without wavering in our devotion, youthful ambition knows no sorrow, a golden shield forged with blood and sweat, displaying our prowess in times of crisis, displaying our prowess..."

(End of this chapter)