Free Web NovelChapter 468: Chapter 440 He Plagiarizes_1
At the year-end, which should have been the busiest time, there weren’t many cases, whether because of the clean-up of accumulated cases or the recent crackdown.
Many people found it disorienting; Mrs. Cui spent an entire afternoon cracking sunflower seeds. It wasn’t just their forensic department that was quiet—even department one dealt with only simple traffic accidents, and those fatal crashes that resulted in total vehicular destruction and loss of life were rare.
Zhou Ning compressed the completed manuscript into a file and sent it to an editor who replied with an email almost immediately. It consisted of just one sentence, "Proofread the draft as soon as possible and await the good news!"
This was an introduction from Doctor Lu, the editor-in-chief of Qindao Publishing House. After sending it, Zhou Ning exchanged a few words with him on WeChat.
The person’s surname was Guan, named Guan Jian, a quite interesting name—it was unclear whether it was a pen name or his real one. In any case, during previous discussions, he had shown great interest in Zhou Ning’s manuscript.
But Guan Jian talked about a lot of technical aspects that Zhou Ning didn’t understand. After all, as a science student, he didn’t know what an outline was, let alone the main thread of a story. And the main gist of this book was based on his own experiences.
A young forensic doctor, fresh out of the academic realm, encounters various prominent cases. Through meticulous evidence and small details, he finds critical clues to assist the criminal police in solving crimes, continuously improving himself in the process—and, of course, finding love.
In Guan Jian’s words, readers are fond of the odd and curious. Detective novels like this are seldom narrated from the forensic doctor’s perspective, and he felt that readers would find it very intriguing.
Ending the conversation, Zhou Ning glanced at the time. It was almost ten o’clock, so he quickly got dressed and went downstairs.
Driving to the villa, as soon as he walked in, he was greeted by Zhou Xiaoyu with hands on her hips, her demeanor and tone astonishingly similar to the second aunt’s, scolding the moment she set eyes on Zhou Ning:
"Look at the time, it’s already so late, and only now you show up. Don’t you know what today is? You’re not taking it to heart at all. Hurry up and call Momo, Shancun is ready to drive us over. Ask if we need to pick up your future father-in-law and mother-in-law."
Zhou Ning paused, and Zhou Xiaoyu covered her mouth, laughing.
The second aunt came running from behind, raised her hand high above Zhou Xiaoyu’s head, and gently brought it down.
"You incorrigible girl, hurry up and get dressed. But you really do need to make a call, Xiao Ning. We must arrive before the in-laws do. And remember to bring your grandfather’s chess pieces and board. Shancun! Are the alcohol and gifts all loaded into the car?"
The second uncle responded, smiling as he patted the second aunt’s arm.
"What are you so nervous about? Relax a bit. Shancun has checked everything three times. The Xia Family isn’t a flood or a savage beast; you don’t have to be so tense. Just take it easy, after all, Xiao Ning and Momo have a great relationship, and they are both from scholarly families. They won’t have excessive demands."
Zhou Ning smiled, too.
"Second aunt, don’t worry. I’m fully prepared. I assure you I’ll charm my in-laws so thoroughly that they’ll be more than happy to give their daughter away to me, overwhelmed with emotion. How about that for a promise?"
The second aunt slapped Zhou Ning on the back and rolled her eyes at him.
"You think you’re as capable as your second aunt? Your grandfather, second uncle, and I have discussed it, and we hope to give you this small villa as your wedding house. We’ll move into your third-floor apartment. It shows more sincerity on our part."
Zhou Ning waved his hand dismissively.
"Let’s not think about that now, get in the car. I’ve already said the villa is for you to live in, so stay there with peace of mind. If you think my place isn’t big enough, I can always buy another. It’s not like I’m without money." ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Zhou Xiaojun gave a thumbs up, full of admiration.
"Bro, I sense a whiff of ’big money energy’ in that statement. Pretty imposing!"
The second uncle and second aunt kicked him in unison, and Zhou Xiaojun had nowhere to escape. He looked at his parents with a disappointed expression, but seeing their faces filled with disdain, he could only mutter softly.
"I’m just speaking the truth; I’m admiring my brother’s capabilities, so why kick me?"
"Why kick you? Just keep your mouth shut or you’re not coming today. You’re almost done with your master’s, and you’re still so immature."
The old man walked up from behind, and Zhou Xiaojun, as if finding a pillar of strength, quickly clung to his grandfather’s arm.
"Grandpa, they are ganging up on me."
The old man responded with a beaming smile.
"Today, you just keep quiet. Just manage your mouth; it’s after eleven, let’s head out."
Zhou Ning called Xia Momo. Hearing that they had a chauffeur to take them, Zhou Ning didn’t offer to pick them up. The second aunt was somewhat worried, but she let it go, and everyone got into the car and headed to the hotel they had reserved.
From the dining table to the items laid out on the plates, the second aunt inspected everything there was to check; of course, the alcohol brought from home was set out one by one. The second uncle made a joke from the side:
"For Xiao Ning’s formal engagement, it seems you’re the most nervous. The Xia Family are good people, I don’t understand why you’re so worried. Could you relax a bit?"
The second aunt shook her head, glanced toward Zhou Ning, who had exited the room with He Shancun, and said in a lowered voice:
"It’s different. We may be his uncle and aunt, but we are not his parents, so we want to offer the best for the child. He has been sensible since he was young, but I know that such sensibility comes with hiding one’s true thoughts. Remember how we always had to send him living expenses during schooling without him ever asking.
Therefore, I want to give him more care and attention. He went to see a psychologist in secret—did you think I didn’t know? Once he’s really settled down, maybe this kind of care won’t be necessary anymore. I just feel sorry for the kid."
