Free Web NovelChapter 649: Chapter 649: A Brand-New Tricycle
"Boss Song, it’s still about the case of Zhang Cuiying’s disappearance. The higher-ups are here to understand the situation."
Zhao Kui wasn’t particularly familiar with this farmhouse, but because of Zhang Cuiying’s case, he had investigated here once, so he knew the boss.
It must be said, this time the handling of the case by Tang County is indeed meticulous; they’ve looked into almost every clue.
Song Fei was very hospitable: "Has the case of Boss Zhang’s disappearance not been resolved yet?"
Zhao Kui shook his head: "Let’s talk inside the courtyard."
"Yes, yes, let’s go inside first. Honey! Serve tea!"
With that, Song Fei led the three of them into the courtyard.
Only after entering the courtyard did Lu Chuan and Zhang Hui notice.
There were low fences near the river’s edge, not far from the courtyard.
The swiftly flowing river was picturesque, like a painting, more beautiful than it looked from outside.
It had an ambiance akin to "a thousand autumns of snow outside the western window."
However, Lu Chuan had no heart to admire this scenery.
His gaze was drawn to a tricycle in the corner of the courtyard!
At the site in the North Mountain’s valley, where Zhang Cuiying’s charred remains were found, there were tracks possibly left by a tricycle.
And now a tricycle appeared here, naturally attracting Lu Chuan’s attention.
"Boss Song, is this tricycle newly bought?"
The tricycle in the corner was covered with a waterproof cloth, with only part of the wheels exposed, but the marks looked very new.
The exposed tires were black, without any dirt.
"Oh, it’s been two years since I bought it. In the countryside, using this tricycle to transport goods is more convenient."
Song Fei casually covered the waterproof cloth, smiling as he explained.
"Captain Zhao, both leaders, please come inside for a cup of tea."
At this moment, a middle-aged woman came out of the room.
This person should be Zhang Cuiying’s elementary school mate.
She was also warmly greeting them at this moment.
After Lu Chuan glanced at the tricycle, he followed the others into the room.
"Captain Zhao, is there still no news about Cuiying?"
The woman sighed, seemingly very sad about Zhang Cuiying’s disappearance. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Zhao Kui still didn’t tell the truth, only shaking his head: "The leaders have some questions for you, please cooperate."
"Sure, sure, we’ll definitely cooperate. Feel free to ask whatever you need."
Zhang Hui was still the main one asking questions, while Lu Chuan, standing by, said nothing this time.
"When was the last time you saw Zhang Cuiying?"
"Oh, perhaps about a month and a half ago?"
Song Fei spoke first: "Boss Zhang likes our local chickens, so after we collected them in the village, my wife called her."
"A month ago, we also got a batch of local chickens, and my wife called Boss Zhang again, but she didn’t come. Later, we couldn’t reach her anymore, then Captain Zhao came and said Boss Zhang was missing."
"I see the chickens in your yard are also free-range. Don’t guests eat those? Why do you still buy them from the village?"
Lu Chuan suddenly asked a question.
"That’s how we operate these farmhouses around here."
Song Fei pointed outside the window: "The free-range chickens in the yard are just for guests to see, but there are only a few. If all the guests ate them, we’d have none left."
"So the chickens we sell come in two types: the local chickens from the village and broiler chickens. Of course, the prices are different too."
"Where do you purchase the local chickens, Boss Song?"
"Over in Zhao Family Valley, that’s where I get all my local chickens."
Oh?
"Zhao Family Valley? The one in Qiwang Town?"
"Yes, that’s the place. Does the leader know it?"
Lu Chuan nodded: "I’ve heard of it. Zhao Family Valley in Qiwang Town is up by Haizhou City’s North Mountain, right?"
"How come Boss Song goes there to buy local chickens? Zhao Family Valley is thirty or fifty kilometers away from Tang County, isn’t it?"
"Ah, well, I lived in Zhao Family Valley before we got married. I was born there."
"After getting married, I moved out."
"The mountain roads in Zhao Family Valley are hard to traverse, and some mountain goods don’t sell well. The local chickens are cheaper there too."
"Moreover, the local chickens there are all free-range, grown eating insects; the meat is better, and city folks love it."
"How do you normally transport the purchased local chickens back, Boss Song?"
Song Fei pointed to the tricycle outside: "I use that."
"The roads to Zhao Family Valley aren’t easy to travel; regular large vehicles can’t enter, so I drive the tricycle back and forth."
Lu Chuan nodded without speaking further.
Zhang Hui glanced at Lu Chuan and continued asking questions about Zhang Cuiying.
After a while, Lu Chuan stood up and looked at Song Fei’s wife.
"Madam, may I take a look around the courtyard?"
The woman instinctively glanced at Song Fei, then said, "It’s just a rural courtyard; there’s not much to see."
"The lady isn’t much of a talker. How about I take you outside for a look?"
Lu Chuan didn’t mind and nodded, indicating no problem.
In the courtyard, the scenery was good and the air was refreshing.
"Living in a place like this, one might live a few years longer," Zhao Kui remarked wistfully. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Indeed, this place was beautiful.
There were free-range chickens, ducks, and geese in the courtyard, magpies chirping in the trees, and the river at the front kept flowing even in winter. The rising mist obscured the view, while sunlight scattered through it, casting a comfortable glow on people’s faces.
To Lu Chuan, developing this place properly would definitely make it an excellent tourist attraction.
Song Fei didn’t seem to mind.
"We don’t find it special at all; maybe it’s because we’ve been looking at it for too long. It’s the same scenery every day."
After that, Song Fei took the initiative to introduce the farmhouse’s layout to Lu Chuan.
"On the left is the kitchen, where we cook for guests when they arrive."
Lu Chuan opened the door to look at the layout inside: "Does Boss Song cook himself, or do you hire someone?"
"Our farmhouse is just small-scale. Occasionally a few people come to eat, not many. We have limited reception capacity, so we cook the meals ourselves."
"We primarily highlight local chicken, goose, and duck. As for vegetables, we serve seasonal ones, cooking whatever is in season."
"The house across is the dining area, where everyone eats."
Lu Chuan just glanced and didn’t mind much; he walked into the kitchen and began a meticulous observation.
"Boss Song, why are there so many bloodstains on this cutting board?"
"We slaughter chickens and geese daily. We’re not concerned with these things in the countryside, so we don’t clean it much..."
Song Fei spoke lightly, but Zhang Hui noticed Song Fei’s wife’s face seemed paler compared to before.
Lu Chuan observed everything very closely.
Every speck in the corners, he didn’t overlook a single one.
After quite some time, he stepped out.
He then headed straight for the tricycle parked in the corner.
"Boss Song, could you please uncover the waterproof cloth?"
