I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 35 Visit to the Welfare Home

Sun Lang is gone.

After returning to the police station, Han Ling did not respond to her colleagues' gossip. Instead, she went directly to the household registration office and asked a familiar colleague to help her retrieve Xu Qinghe's household registration information.

A 25-year-old resident of Qingchang City, working as a doctor at Qingchang People's Hospital.

orphan?

Overseas PhD studies?

Household registration information is generally not updated with overseas academic qualifications. The person must come to the police station in person with relevant proof to handle the change of household registration, which shows that Xu Qinghe completed all the procedures as soon as he returned to China.

After that, he joined the People's Hospital of Qingchang City.

At 25, Xu Qinghe must have skipped grades in school, making her exceptionally outstanding and among the top tier.

From undergraduate to doctoral studies, it took about ten years... I went to university at fifteen?
"How could he be an orphan?"

Han Ling's gaze deepened.

How can an orphan afford a luxury car worth millions? Did he earn it overseas?

With Xu Qinghe's looks, making money wouldn't be difficult; it all depends on her bottom line.

"There's no information about the parents or the welfare home?" Han Ling asked.

My colleague, while working on the computer, said, "No, all we know is that he's an orphan and has never been to a welfare home, or the welfare home isn't registered with him."

Han Ling: "What kind of situation is this usually? Give an example."

After thinking for a moment, the colleague replied, "For example, due to family reasons, they were separated from their guardians and became homeless children, but later they registered their own household registration."

Han Ling: "Okay, thanks."

……

That night.

Han Ling lay in her dormitory without sleeping, constantly searching her memories, hoping to find any inconsistencies or suspicious points in the new memories.

He was certain that Xu Qinghe had a problem, but the other party couldn't have appeared out of thin air for no reason.

Such a beautiful girl, with money in her hands, has no reason to be interested in a lowly policeman.

And then there's Xu Qinghe's identity. This woman seems to have sprung from a rock, a homeless child? Han Ling felt it wasn't that simple.

Currently, the only way to find omissions is by searching memories.

Han Ling might see something in something that seems ordinary.

At three o'clock in the morning, Han Ling, who was fully conscious, opened his eyes. At this moment, the image of the deputy director of the Gu'an District Welfare Home appeared in his mind.

This is the only person he can catch, and there might be problems with them; accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

The reason why the vice dean is considered to have a problem is because he treats Han Ling with special care, showing more concern for her than for the other children, and the difference is quite obvious.

Actually, this is quite normal. Individuals are different, and favoritism exists everywhere. Even in a biological family, it is impossible to treat everyone equally.

However, this was the only person Han Ling could think of. He could go there tomorrow since it was his day off. Even if he made a mistake, it wouldn't matter, since he was free anyway.

During her time at police academy, Han Ling would occasionally visit the orphanage, but she hasn't been there since graduation.

Having decided on tomorrow's itinerary, Han Ling closed her eyes and went to sleep.

The following morning, after washing up and having breakfast, Han Ling went to a photo studio to get Xu Qinghe's photo printed in an express style. She then bought some fruit and gifts before riding her bicycle to the Gu'an Welfare Home.

There are five welfare homes in Qingchang City.

Gu'an Welfare Home is quite special, with a history of over seventy years. It was originally called Jishitang, which was dedicated to taking in orphans and the elderly. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it underwent several name changes and renovations. Now it is the largest welfare home in Qingchang and is considered a public institution.

The welfare home is located in the suburbs of the city, covering an area of ​​twenty acres. It is surrounded by a low, off-white fence covered with morning glory vines.

The flowers have already faded this season, awaiting their bloom next year.

Han Ling pushed her bicycle into the central square. The ground was covered with non-slip tiles, and a bronze sculpture stood in the center, depicting two children running hand in hand, their smiles infectious to everyone who entered.

The sculpture was donated by an entrepreneur.

Winter is approaching, and as far as the eye can see, the vegetation is bare and everything is silent.

Looking into the distance, there are comprehensive service buildings and accommodation buildings, and the buildings are densely packed.

Han Ling walked among the playing children, giving them a friendly smile. Some staff members recognized him and came up to greet him.

"Han Ling? You've arrived." The middle-aged woman was a childcare worker and knew Han Ling well. Han Ling smiled and said, "Just passing by to see you all and thank you for your care over the years. Where's Director Xie?"

The deputy director of Gu'an Welfare Home is Xie Xinghuai.

The woman pointed to the main building: "He's in the office. Go ahead. By the way, I heard you passed the exam?"

It's not surprising that welfare homes would know about the provincial police recruitment announcement.

Han Ling nodded: "I passed the exam and am currently working at Wanglou Police Station. I just became a full-fledged employee."

"They've all been promoted!" The woman was quite happy, her face beaming with pride. "Our welfare home has produced a policeman; this is wonderful news!"

The two walked and talked. Han Ling parked the car in front of the office building, said goodbye to the woman, and went up the stairs.

The Vice Dean's Office.

After knocking on the door, Han Ling went inside.

Xie Xinghuai was the only one inside, sitting on the sofa playing on his phone.

"Han Ling? Oh, it's been a long time." Xie Xinghuai's eyes lit up when he saw Han Ling enter. He quickly got up to invite the other man to sit down and specially brewed a pot of tea.

Now his status is different; Han Ling has become a police officer and has gained a certain social standing.

"Thank you, Dean."

Han Ling watched the middle-aged man fiddling with his tea set. He was almost fifty years old, and his temples were already streaked with gray.

"Have some tea." Xie Xinghuai poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Han Ling. "You're busy with work at the police station, so you don't need to come see me usually."

Han Ling smiled: "It's my day off, and I don't have much to do anyway. You've always taken good care of me since I was little, and I've always remembered that."

Xie Xinghuai was very happy to see Han Ling: "This is my job. You were all poor kids. Now it's all good. You've all become police officers."

We used to protect you, now it's your turn to protect us, haha.

Han Ling picked up the teacup, took a sip—it was stale tea, and the taste was so-so—and then said, “I know the dean cares about me more.”

Xie Xinghuai said, "It's normal to be biased. You've been a likable child since you were little, and you're very sensible."

Han Ling blew on the hot tea: "Since you're so sensible, why haven't I been adopted yet?"

"Huh?" The topic changed a bit too quickly. Xie Xinghuai reacted for a moment and said, "Adoption is a two-way choice. Maybe it's just not meant to be. It's not a bad thing for you."

Han Ling remained noncommittal, looking at him and asking, "Dean, do you know Xu Qinghe?"

"Xu Qinghe?" Xie Xinghuai looked blankly at him, shaking his head. "I don't know her. Who is she? What's wrong?"

Han Ling put down her teacup: "It's nothing, just a friend. By the way, Director, when did you come to the orphanage?"

Xie Xinghuai recalled: "I remember it was... 1986, I think."

Han Ling: "I was also born in 1986, right?"

Xie Xinghuai: "Yes, you were less than a year old at the time. You were abandoned at the gate of the orphanage. It was so heartless. I don't know what these people who abandoned their children were thinking."

Han Ling: "So, I just arrived at the welfare home, and you arrived too."

Xie Xinghuai laughed: "So, it's fate, isn't it? We two are just destined to be together."

Han Ling leaned back on the sofa and said, "Child abandonment usually occurs due to illness or preference for sons over daughters. I am a man and very healthy, so it doesn't seem very reasonable now that I think about it."

Xie Xinghuai shook his head: "You've thought too much since you became a policeman, but it's too one-sided. Back then, the times were special, and healthy boys often appeared in welfare homes, such as those born in violation of the one-child policy, those who were poor, or those who were widowed. It wasn't uncommon."

Your parents haven't come looking for you yet; they've probably encountered some unforeseen circumstances.

Han Ling, look forward. Don't dwell on the past. Your life has just begun, and it's full of promise.

After listening to Xie Xinghuai's words, Han Ling remained silent for a moment, then took out a photo from his pocket: "Dean, do you recognize this photo?"

Xie Xinghuai leaned closer for a look and denied it: "I don't know her... Hey? She's quite pretty. Is she the one who brought you the banner? Are you single?"

Seeing that the conversation was about to turn to romance, Han Ling put away the photos and gave a brief response.

Half an hour later, Han Ling took her leave.

As he was leaving, he ran into the caregiver again, so he showed her the photo and asked if she had seen it before.

"What a beautiful girl, I've never seen her before. What's wrong? Who is she?" the middle-aged woman asked.

Han Ling smiled and said, "Just a friend. It's nothing. You go ahead with your work."

(End of this chapter)