Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 670 Finding People

In the early 1990s, during a period of inflation, fixed deposits were considered a safe haven for money, with interest rates rising with inflation. This was because the government subsidized deposits based on the inflation rate. The prevailing slogan at the time was, "Deposit 2,000 yuan for 24 years and it will become 220,000 yuan," and this was even stated on the deposit slip. Many people deposited their money this way, but none of them received their returns later, supposedly due to new regulations limiting the maximum deposit period to eight years.

The facts tell us that we shouldn't have too many illusions about places that can issue "regulations" and "new regulations." Turning 220,000 into 8,400 isn't a big deal. (Sigh, can Lao Ning really tell you that he has a deposit slip like that at home?)

Xiao Wei said, "Do you think I'd bother to comfort you over something so trivial? Just wait and see in a few years."

Xiao Liu leaned against the car window and said, "Buy a house in a good location, not too big, rent it out first or leave it for a few years."

Xiao Liu said, "When prices get too high, how many people will be able to afford the big ones? Are you going to live there yourself?"

Brother Long paused for a moment, slapped his forehead, and nodded to indicate that he understood. Xiao Wei turned his head and laughed. This was something they had said when they were chatting idly, and Xiao Liu had used it to show off.

As soon as the bathhouse doors opened, Shi Xiaoyan, Yan Xiaoqi, and Mi Liya came out carrying their things. Brother Long said, "This girl has had a tough time. I've offended several people and gotten into two fights because of her. But now, her good days are finally here. Please take good care of her from now on."

Xiao Wei said, "It doesn't exist. If we can help someone out, we will. If we happen to run into someone like that..."

The three girls greeted Brother Long, with Milia bowing deeply. Brother Long said, "Don't make things complicated. I haven't been able to help you much. That's enough for now. Go and do your job well. I'll come see you when I have time. Get in the car and let's go."

The three girls got into the car, waved goodbye to Brother Long, and Xiao Wei nodded to Brother Long before getting into the car and heading back to the hotel.

After settling the three people in, Xiaowei and Xiaoliu came out. Xiaowei asked, "Where are we going?"

Xiao Liu chuckled and said, "Once we take the case, we'll get to work on it. Let's find people. Come on, let's take the photos and go sweep the streets." Both of them were just looking for an excuse to slack off in order to avoid inspections, as long as they didn't go back to the station.

Driving to Wuma Road,

Wuma Road stretches three kilometers from Nanhu Park in the east, where Xiaowei lives, to the railway crossing in the west.

The two parked their car on the side of the road, looked around, and discussed, "How do we find it?"

Xiao Liu said, "I don't think there's much hope for your side. Let's go to the Shengli side."

Xiao Wei asked, "Why?"

Xiao Liu said, "Your neighborhood is full of schools and various organizations. Tell me, aren't you afraid of people seeing you bringing prostitutes home? Everyone here knows each other. We all work in the same organization, don't you have any shame? Over there, it's all old-timers, all sorts of shady things happening around there. There are plenty of people in the same compound who don't even know each other."

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense. Okay, let's try going that way." The two of them drove to Shengli's side, parked the car, and got out with Shi Jing's photo in their hands.

"How do we find it?" Xiaowei asked Xiaoliu.

Xiao Liu looked around and said, "Let's just look. How else can we look? Come on, over here."

He pulled Xiaowei to the window of a small shop, handed the photo over, and asked, "Brother, I'm from the police station. Have you seen this person in the last few days?"

He took the photo, looked at it, and shook his head: "Never seen it before."

Finding someone in the city is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Unlike in small towns or suburban counties, where someone can remember a stylish and beautiful woman for half a year, here, if they remember you for an hour, you're considered good-looking. There are just too many.

This area is full of neat, square-shaped buildings; each circle represents a residential area. From the air, this area looks like a vast expanse of the Chinese character "日" (sun).

Xiao Wei and Xiao Liu searched for a convenience store in this old building complex, as they had the best chance of contacting Shi Jing. What if she bought a bottle of water or something to eat?

Each residential area is independent, forming a complete circle. There is a gate on the east and west sides with a large iron gate installed. The iron gate is rusted and some of the hinges are broken. It is leaning to one side and looks like it has been there open since it was installed, and it has never been moved for decades.

At that time, property management and security guards were not yet common, the concept of independent gated communities had not yet taken shape, and ordinary people did not have the sense of security that we would later develop, because at that time it was very safe and no one was worried about it.

Xiao Wei and Xiao Liu mainly frequented the gates of the residential area. Almost every gate on the east and west sides of the community had one or two small shops selling groceries, general merchandise, sundries, stationery, or snacks.

Leaving a small shop, Xiao Wei looked around, stretched his ankles, and said, "We've only walked halfway, haven't we? There are so many people here, my feet are so sore. You can believe it, my socks and insoles are soaked through. Luckily it's summer. Let me tell you, winter is the worst. When I'm sweaty and cold, my shoes are so cold, my feet feel like ice blocks."

Xiao Liu glanced at Xiao Wei's feet and said, "I'm not that bad. I'm used to walking. Since I became a policeman, I've walked several kilometers every day. It's only in the last two years that conditions have improved and we have cars. Before that, we all rode bicycles or walked. I'm practically a slated cadre, so how often do the lower-ranking officers have the opportunity to use cars? They still ride bicycles."

Xiao Wei said, "How about I buy a few motorcycles for the institute?"

Xiao Liu shook his head and said, "No need. If you become a policeman, you have to be able to endure hardship. Besides, how many days can you ride a motorcycle? Here, from the end of September to the beginning of May, it's practically winter. Riding a motorcycle is not as good as riding a bicycle. At least you can get some exercise and stay warm."

Xiao Wei said, "I can't afford a car, so let's get a few motorcycles instead. At least that will improve efficiency. We can ride them in winter too, just wear gloves, knee pads, and a helmet. Isn't that better than walking?"

The two walked to the entrance of a small shop.

This little shop is different from most others; it has a large open door, and you go inside to buy things, somewhat like a small supermarket in later times.

Xiao Wei bought two bottles of water, and Xiao Liu took a bag of spiced peanuts. After taking the money, the shopkeeper asked, "I have ice cream here, it's refreshing, want a couple?"

A Koma freezer stood against the wall in the store, filled with ice cream, popsicles, beer, and soda. This was a standard feature of small shops in that era, and Koma freezers were definitely the best in China back in 91.

Xiao Wei pulled up a small stool and sat down to rest for a while. Xiao Liu showed the boss a photo: "Boss, have you seen this person recently?"

The boss took the photo, looked at it carefully through his reading glasses for a while, then shook his head: "Never seen this before. What does he do?"

Xiao Liu put away the photo and said, "We're from the police station. If you see this person, give us a call." At that time, the convenience store had a public phone, and the police station's phone number was usually posted on the wall next to the public phone.

(End of this chapter)