Police officer Chen Shu

Chapter 269 Top Restaurants in the Provincial Capital
The atmosphere inside the Volkswagen Golf in the provincial government parking lot was somewhat somber.

Chen Shu smiled and encouraged him, "Teacher Zeng, shall we go to our usual spot tonight? Their sweet and sour fish is absolutely amazing. I need to pack some to take home for my parents to try."

Zeng Hong leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed, and said weakly, "Nonsense. Let's go back to Dongzhou, I'm a little tired."

"Jingle Bell!"

Zeng Hong took out his phone, glanced at it, and sat up straight, looking suspicious. "What's wrong with Fatty Xia? Why is he calling at this hour?"

Chen Shu gripped the steering wheel and skillfully reversed the car: "Go ahead and pick us up. Maybe they feel bad that we went through all that trouble to come to the provincial capital, so they want to treat us to a buffet at the provincial government canteen."

Zeng Hong answered the phone.

"Oh? The meeting tonight has been canceled?"

"Okay, okay, definitely. Could you add another seat tonight?"

"Okay, okay, no problem. Yes, his name is Chen Shu. He's here, don't worry."

"Yes, yes, he should toast you a few more times!"

"Director Xia, see you tonight."

Zeng Hong put down the phone, still shocked by Director Xia's sudden change.

He shook his head and said blankly, "Xiao Shu, Director Xia is coming over for dinner tonight. Your second-class merit is secured."

Chen Shu turned the steering wheel and laughed, "Alright!"

5 PM, Gushan Road, Gewaige Restaurant
For the evening banquet, Zeng Hong chose a famous restaurant by East Lake that is said to have a history of over a hundred years. The head chef is a senior local with a master chef certificate.

If it weren't for the introduction of an influential old comrade-in-arms in the area, this private room would have had absolutely no connection with Zeng Hong, this outsider.

The private room was quite large, rectangular in shape with two rooms, an inner and an outer one. Inside, there was a large round table that could seat eight people, while outside, there was a simple and elegant tea table for guests to use while waiting for their meal.

There is also a small artificial water feature with "gurgling" water at the entrance. To enter from outside the room, you have to step on the stepping stones laid on the pool, which has a rather antique charm.

Before all the guests arrived, Zeng Hong and Chen Shuxian began setting up the private room. First, they placed a brown envelope and a pack of cigarettes in front of each guest's seat. Then, they took out their own red wine and Moutai. The red wine was simple; they just opened two bottles and poured them into the decanter provided by the hotel. As for the Moutai, they simply placed a few bottles on a round plate.

Chen Shu rested his elbows on the back of the chair, reached for the envelope in front of him, opened it and exclaimed, "Holy crap, two thousand!"
I counted them; there were three on the table, which totaled six thousand.

Chen Shu joked, "Instructor Zeng, is this the travel allowance? Do you comrades have this for your get-togethers?"

In big cities, due to the vast size and long distances, it is extremely inconvenient for guests to travel to and from the city, and it is common to spend one or two hours on the road. Unlike in second- or third-tier cities, where you can take a taxi and arrive at your restaurant in no time.

When a host asks someone for a favor, the fact that the person comes is considered a favor, hence the custom of paying for travel expenses in big cities. Later, it evolved into something akin to a small, appetizing gift. It's a token of goodwill and doesn't amount to the actual business transaction.

While uncorking the wine bottle, Zeng Hong laughed and said, "We don't do this in Dongzhou, but now that we're here, we have to follow their rules. Besides, Fatty Xia said he brought a guest with him, which shows how much he values ​​us, so we should give him face."

"But they're all from the same system, so I doubt they'll accept it. Leaving it here is a sign of respect for them. By the way, at the dinner table later, you can't urge them to drink, and you can't talk about the second-class merit award. The fact that they're willing to come to this dinner means you can definitely get this done."

Chen Shu understood this kind of networking. Everyone at the dinner table knew the unspoken rules and didn't say a word more. Generally, it was after the drinking session, at the hotel entrance, or before getting into the car, that two people with connections would whisper a few words of truth in each other's ears, and that would be the end of it.

Chen Shu nodded, folded the envelope back, and put it away: "Teacher Zeng, if they accept this money, I'll settle the bill with you later."

As he spoke, he stood up and looked around at the classically and elegantly decorated environment, knowing in his heart that this meal was not cheap. He didn't say anything, but he already felt indebted to Zeng Hong for his kindness.

"That is required."

Zeng Hong opened the bottle, leaned his head over the bottle opening, took a deep breath, and looked smug.

He was extremely satisfied to have earned his apprentice a second-class merit before retiring from his post. "Knock knock knock."

As the knock sounded, the chubby Director Xia, with a smile on his face, led a young woman in.

"Julie!"

Chen Shu, who was leaning back in his chair joking with Zeng Hong, was so surprised when he looked up and saw that the person who entered the room was Zhu Li, a forensic doctor from Zhengming Criminal Investigation University. He almost dropped the cigarette he was holding in his mouth.

Director Xia pushed open the door to the private room, and Julie, her skirt trailing behind her, walked in first.

Her jet-black hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with exquisite jewelry. Her eyes were round and almond-shaped, like Huang Siqian's, though not as large. However, her inherent air of a scion of a prestigious family was impossible to conceal at this moment.

Chen Shu, a seasoned veteran of the underworld, suddenly understood why Director Xia's attitude had changed so abruptly that afternoon after seeing Zhu Li's behavior.

"Hehe, Chen Shu, you came all the way to the provincial capital to treat us and didn't even invite me? Luckily, Uncle Xia knew we knew each other and invited me over. Right, Uncle Xia?" Julie said, drawing out her words.

As soon as Julie said this, she clearly knew the purpose of Chen Shu's visit to the provincial capital, so she implied in her words that "Chen Shu is treating us to a meal".

Director Xia followed Zhu Li into the private room.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and chimed in, "Old Zeng, that's not right of you. How could you let Xiao Shu spend so much money? We're in the provincial capital now, I should be the one to organize the gathering and show some hospitality."

After exchanging a few polite words, the group settled down at the tea table outside the private room.

Zeng Hong, who was quite skilled at making tea, naturally took the seat of honor, while Chen Shu sat to Zeng Hong's right as the second-in-command.

Just like when they bumped into each other at the provincial government building that afternoon, Zhu Li nodded to Zeng Hong as a greeting, then pulled her chair back and sat down next to Chen Shu.

After hesitating for a while, Director Xia watched as Zhu Li chatted with Chen Shu, and then guiltily pulled the chair to Zeng Hong's left and sat down.

The tea served at this restaurant, even when used to entertain guests waiting before their meal, was far more mellow and fragrant than the fine tea that Zeng Hong had treasured.

The provincial capital is truly an extraordinary place.

Chen Shu lowered his head and sipped his tea with relish, his mind completely absorbed in the tea, acting like a typical straight-laced police officer, which infuriated Zhu Li, who had deliberately sat next to him.

Julie rested her chin on her hand and fiddled with her teacup in the other. Suddenly, she chuckled and said, "Chen Shu, I heard you solved another murder case during your recuperation trip to Sixya. You really have Conan-like qualities, hehe. Tell me about this case."

As someone with a background as the daughter of an official, Zhu Li's job was as a frontline forensic doctor, which shows that she also has a strong interest in investigation and case-solving.

Oh!
Another murder case solved?

That brat! Why didn't he tell me? This was such great promotional material!
Zeng Hong was startled. His steady hand, which was pouring tea, trembled involuntarily, and some of the tea that was flowing smoothly suddenly spilled onto the table.

Director Xia was equally surprised by the word "again" in Zhu Li's words, which meant that this young police officer named Chen Shu had solved two major murder cases in a row. This information was not mentioned in his previous second-class merit application materials, so it must have been highly confidential or private matters.

It turned out that their relationship was indeed not simple. Director Xia glanced at the smiling Zhu Li, breathed a sigh of relief, and secretly rejoiced that the second-class merit had not yet been approved for the director's cousin.

Nephew or cousin? Let's put that aside for now.

I'll have to find this young man tonight and have a few drinks to make up for it.

If he could get in touch with Julie, his future would be limitless!

Director Xia thought to himself.

(End of this chapter)