Free Web NovelChapter 223: Chapter 220 A Familiar Face [2 in 1 Chapter]_3
Liu Yongxin came over and kicked Xu Dayuan’s foot. Xu Dayuan cooperated by tucking in his legs, allowing Liu Yongxin to sit on the inner part of the sofa. However, Xu Dayuan became unhappy upon seeing Liu Yongxin’s seating posture, as he was practically reclining on the sofa.
"I say, Xu Da, stop picking on my apprentice. When will there be one among your apprentices who can treat everyone to a meal at such a high-class place?"
Xu Dayuan pursed his lips, choked up and couldn’t catch his breath for a while but finally he sighed and patted Liu Yongxin on the shoulder.
"Here we go again, Mr. Liu, I’ve noticed that since you retired, you’ve become somewhat competitive. I know you have a good apprentice, and he’s also my great partner and the mascot of our detachment..."
Liu Yongxin raised his hand and burst out laughing.
"Don’t even start, does being a mascot pay? Besides, when the city was selecting outstanding individuals this year, why didn’t I see my apprentice being nominated?"
Xu Dayuan rubbed his nose.
"Well, he already has an individual second-class merit and also earned a collective third-class merit. Aren’t those honors enough?"
"Don’t give me that. You know better than anyone why those happened. The Red-cloaked Serial Murders case was registered with the Ministry of Public Security, and it was a case solved before even reaching the municipal bureau. In the end, it is the honor of the Qidong Sub-bureau. Is that where the case of the nineteen dumped bodies ends?"
Zhou Ning quickly stepped in to stop Liu Yongxin, knowing his master was getting angry.
However, this case was only solved just before the Spring Festival, and they were assisting in the investigation, considered as members of the special case team. As for the 2011 annual advanced selection, that was calculated before the New Year.
As for how the 2012 selection will take place, it’s not something they should be worrying about. Moreover, the cases took precedence over everything else, and Zhou Ning didn’t care much about other matters, though of course, he didn’t mind receiving bonus money at all.
"Master, the 2012 selection hasn’t even started yet, and besides, it’s all just empty fame. Xu Da enjoys working with our second team. That’s our honor, right? This year the software is selling well, which is the direction we should be working hard towards. After all, after Spring Festival, there won’t be a shortage of visitors to the lab, and we need to speed up the design of phase four to keep up with our pace." freewebnøvel.com
Liu Yongxin was immediately healed by his apprentice’s words and smiled contently.
After all, the amount of money received in his account before the festival had greatly shocked him. If he had known that working with his apprentice could yield such large profits, he would have retired earlier.
"My apprentice is right, Doctor Lu and the others are going to start their research on phase four soon. I think, as phase one gradually becomes popular, we’ll make another tidy profit."
Doctor Lu had already come over, wrapping an arm around Liu Yongxin’s shoulder.
This was Zhou Ning’s master and his own ’mascot.’ Without him, nothing—not the software, not anything they now had—would have materialized. It was all achieved with Liu Yongxin supervising from behind.
"Forensic Doctor Liu, we are striving to improve the detection rate in Hua Country’s criminal investigation industry, aspiring to higher things! Come on, come on, let’s take our seats, everyone’s arrived."
Liu Yongxin laughed, patting Doctor Lu’s hand.
"Well said, you speak with such elegance, cultured man."
Everyone laughed, and just then, the door of the private room opened. Mr. Zhao and Zhu Xingxing hurried in and, upon entering, they gave their New Year’s greetings to everyone. After all, a social powerhouse like Mr. Zhao was very adept at controlling any social situation.
"The traffic was really bad on the way here; I didn’t expect us to be the last to arrive. Let me wish everyone a happy New Year, may you all be healthy, vigorous as tigers and dragons, and may the software sales be booming!"
Everyone couldn’t help laughing as such a jester joined them, seemingly raising the temperature of the room. Zhu Xingxing squeezed in to sit next to Zhou Xiaoyu and Xia Momo, while Mr. Zhao directly took a seat opposite Zhou Ning.
They were all familiar faces, the cases were closed, development was going smoothly, and as they clinked glasses and drank, they all had quite a lot.
The bountiful meal brought joy to everyone, especially He Shancun and Liu Yongxin, who were the most toasted. After all, He Shancun was an unofficial member of the lab, having offered the most help without yet receiving any real benefits.
Hearing that He Shancun’s celebration with Zhou Xiaoyu was nearing, Dr. Lu, overjoyed, threw down a bank card and promised annual dividends, bestowing upon He Shancun the title of Special Consultant to the lab.
As the banquet concluded, Zhou Ning glanced at Xu Dayuan. After all, Liu Yongxin was returning to Qidong, and Xu Dayuan would also be going back for the New Year. Naturally, Liu Yongxin’s travel arrangements fell to Xu Dayuan.
On He Shancun’s end, Zhou Xiaoyu had already pulled him away. As a couple, Zhou Ning was naturally happy to see them take care of each other. After arranging for a meal, Mr. Zhao gestured dismissively.
"Don’t fuss about the unnecessary, Mr. Xia, you send them off. For the remaining few, I’ll take them home. You guys should head out quickly."
Zhou Ning didn’t say much either. He helped Xia Momo carry the gifts prepared by his second aunt and got into the car. Since Xia Momo hadn’t drunk any alcohol, she took the driver’s seat, and the two of them headed straight back to Qindao University’s apartment complex. Once there, Zhou Ning carried the gifts and followed Xia Momo.
"Let me walk you home."
Xia Momo did not refuse, and they walked side by side towards the building behind Zhou Ning’s home. Zhou Ning only realized how heavy the things in his hands were after carrying them for a couple of hundred meters.
Zhou Ning put down the bags, and Xia Momo came closer.
"Give me a bag; it’s too heavy, isn’t it?"
"It’s fine; I can’t let you carry it by yourself. My aunt almost brought her whole kitchen along; I didn’t expect it to be this heavy." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Xia Momo laughed, and her dimples reappeared, making Zhou Ning gaze at her, a bit lost in thought.
Just then, the apartment door opened, and a couple came down to send off their guests. Upon seeing Xia Momo, they paused for a moment, and then their gaze fell on Zhou Ning giving him a scrutinizing up-and-down look.
"Momo? This is..."
Xia Momo seemed a bit surprised too.
"Mom and Dad, this is Forensic Doctor Zhou. He’s brought over some homemade New Year goods prepared by his aunt for us."
The couple nodded, and Mrs. Xia quickly came forward to take the bags with a smile.
"Happy New Year to you, uncle and aunt!"
"Come in and sit down!"
Mr. Xia also smiled and nodded, then turned to bid farewell to the departing guests.
Two men came out quickly, one after the other. The man in front had a large belly and a booming voice; he exchanged a quick greeting with Mr. Xia and left. The man in black behind him didn’t speak, raising his hand to put on sunglasses.
However, in the instant that the man raised his hand,
Zhou Ning saw his face—a scar that ran from the right eyebrow down to the eyelid, starkly appearing before his eyes, matching the face of the man with the scarred eye from his dreams.
Zhou Ning froze, and his mind went blank for a moment.
