Chapter 341: You Don’t Look Well!
Just after seeing Jiang Longcheng off, Li Yi spotted Long Zhanjun returning on a tricycle.
Long Zhanjun was riding in front, while Liu San’er pushed from behind.
In the middle of winter, riding against the wind, it was indeed quite a struggle.
As soon as the two reached the shop entrance, Li Yi immediately went out to help unload the cargo.
Seeing them both panting heavily and exhaling white vapor, with frost clinging to their eyebrows, he could tell they’d been through quite a ordeal.
“Dalong, find some time to get a motor engine…”
Realizing that Long Zhanjun was unfamiliar with the area and would likely have a hard time buying a motor, Li Yi added, “Never mind, I’ll find someone to get it. Let’s convert this tricycle into a motorized one—otherwise, it’s just too exhausting!”
“It’s actually not that bad. I’m in good shape; there’s no need to waste money on that!” Long Zhanjun said as he unloaded the cargo.
“That’s not a waste of money at all. Alright, it’s settled then!” Li Yi said.
“Alright!”
After unloading the goods, Li Yi told Long Zhanjun and the others to stay at the store.
He tidied up a bit and then headed toward his rental apartment.
By the time Li Yi returned to the rental apartment, Dongzi, Zhang Xinyao, and the others were already up and getting ready to head to the shop.
Seeing Li Yi, they all greeted him.
Li Yi immediately called them over and said, “I might be heading back to the village in a bit. Is there anything you want me to take back home for you?”
No sooner had he spoken than his third older sister, Li Na, asked in surprise, “Why are you going back so soon? Did something happen?”
“Nothing’s wrong, I just feel like going back!” Li Yi replied.
“What about me?”
She still hadn’t told Long Zhanjun about that matter, and she was a bit worried that her younger brother might ask her to come back with him—in which case, her trip to the capital would have been for nothing.
Li Yi knew exactly what his third sister was worried about. He immediately smiled and said, “If you want to stay in Beijing a few more days, go ahead. But you have to come home for the New Year to celebrate with Mom and Dad!”
“Alright, I’ll definitely be home for the New Year!” Li Na said.
Li Yi nodded, then turned to An Hong and asked, “Sis-in-law, I’m planning to leave this afternoon. What about you?”
“I… I think I’ll head back too!”
“Sis-in-law, if you feel like you haven’t had enough time to explore, stay a few more days. Barring any surprises, I’ll be back in a few days!” Li Yi said.
“How long will you be gone?” An Hong asked.
“Three or five days, I guess!”
“Then I’ll stay a few more days. It’s not often I get to come here!” An Hong said.
“Alright!”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Shitou reached into his pocket and handed Li Yi a cylindrical object wrapped in plastic.
“Brother Yi, this is my salary from last month. Please take it back to my dad for me!”
“How much?” Li Yi asked as he opened it.
“100!”
Li Yi opened it and counted the bills—sure enough, there were ten 100-yuan notes.
He immediately pulled one note out and handed it back to Shitou, saying, “When you’re out on your own, you should always keep some money on hand for emergencies!”
“No need. My dad gave me thirty yuan when I left, and I haven’t spent a single penny yet!” Shitou said.
“Alright then!”
With that, Li Yi put the 10 yuan back.
At that moment, Dongzi, Qiangzi, and Gangzi also handed their money to Li Yi, asking him to take it back for them.
Afterward, Li Yi went back inside, gathered all the inner garments he’d bought for Tang Xue in the city the day before, and then returned to the shop with Dongzi and the others.
Once at the shop, he immediately called Jiang Longcheng and asked him to book a train ticket back to Ning City for him.
…….
Ning City Train Station!
As soon as Li Yi stepped out of the station, he heard someone calling his name.
Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw Wang Anguo, dressed in a military overcoat, standing outside the fence to the right of the exit, waving at him.
Li Yi immediately picked up his luggage and walked over to him.
It was An Hong’s idea to have Wang Anguo pick him up. Upon learning that Li Yi would arrive in Ning City at midnight and that there were no buses back to the county, An Hong had called Wang Anguo and asked him to pick up Li Yi that night.
As soon as Li Yi emerged, Wang Anguo took a package from his hands and said in surprise, “Are you just going home or moving? Why do you have so much stuff?”
“Hehe, these are all New Year’s clothes I bought for my wife, my parents, and my sister, so there’s a bit more than usual!” Li Yi said with a smile.
“I really envy your wife!”
“What’s there to envy? My wife also bought gifts for you and the kid. She originally wanted me to bring them back, but when she saw I was carrying so much, she decided not to send them after all!” Li Yi said with a laugh.
“Oh, she really bought me something?” Wang Anguo asked happily.
“Of course she did!”
“What did she get?”
“It’ll spoil the surprise if I tell you now. Just wait for your sister-in-law to bring it back to you!” Li Yi said with a smile.
“Sounds good!”
The two chatted as they walked and soon reached the jeep!
After loading the items into the car, Wang Anguo started the engine and drove away from the train station.
“Captain Wang, let’s head to the City Hotel!” Li Yi said.
“What for? We’re in the city—I’m not going to put you up in a hotel. Just go along with my plan!” Wang Anguo said as he drove.
“Alright!”
Before long, the car pulled into a large compound.
Li Yi took a closer look and realized it was the Municipal Bureau.
“Captain Wang, you’re not planning on making me crash on the floor in your dorm room tonight, are you?” Li Yi said with a laugh.
“No need to squeeze. My room is a single, and I’ve got a case to work on tonight. Just lock the door and get some rest. I’ll have someone take you back to the county tomorrow!” Wang Anguo said.
“No need. I’ll just take the bus back tomorrow!” Li Yi replied.
Although the two got along well, Li Yi didn’t want to trouble Wang Anguo by having him send someone specifically to take him back.
“Giving you a ride is just a detour—we actually have a case that requires us to gather evidence in our county!” Wang Anguo explained.
“That works then!”
Li Yi then asked again, “Judging by how you look, have you been really busy lately?”
“I am a bit busy, actually. It’s nearing the end of the year, and theft cases are on the rise—the pressure at the station is intense!” Wang Anguo said with a sigh.
“That’s true. With the year-end approaching, some people are desperate to make money for the holidays, and if they can’t get it, they might turn to criminal activities!”
“You’re absolutely right. In just a short while, we’ve already cracked seven theft cases and two robbery cases—thankfully, none of them were too serious!” Wang Anguo said.
Suddenly, Li Yi thought of something and looked at him, saying, “Wait a minute, you don’t look well. You need to be careful these days!”
Wang Anguo’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked immediately, “Brother Li Yi, have you picked up on something again?”
“Your complexion doesn’t look good—it’s a sign of professional setbacks. You guys should be more vigilant in your daily work; a major case might be about to break!” Li Yi said.
“What kind of major case?”
“Didn’t you just mention it yourself? There’s been a recent surge in thefts and robberies. I suggest you have your people step up patrols—especially around those isolated herders in the outskirts. They live in isolated homes; even if they’re robbed, you might not even know about it!” Li Yi said.
Wang Anguo nodded thoughtfully, then said, “Hmm, I understand!”
With that, he pulled over as well.
Then, the two got out of the car, carrying their belongings, and headed toward Wang Anguo’s dormitory.