I Sent You to Take the College Entrance Exam, and You Ended Up Solving a Murder Case?! - Chapter 37

“Captain Chen is back!”

“Look, a First-Class Merit Medal! So cool!”

“Hello, Captain Chen!”

The heartfelt greetings and congratulations warmed his heart.

When he pushed open the door to the Detective Department’s office, it was already bustling with noise.

“Our hero is back!”

Lu Mingrui, the head of the investigation section, was the first to greet them.

Without saying a word, he pulled the unopened pack of cigarettes from Chen Mo’s shirt pocket and held it high.

“Don’t just stand there! Chen Ke is personally offering cigarettes; anyone who doesn’t accept them is being disrespectful!”

“Haha, thank you, Chen Ke!”

“Chen Ke is so magnanimous!”

The captains of the other squadrons also gathered around, patting Chen Mo on the shoulder with smiles on their faces.

“Chen Mo, you’ve really given our investigation section chief a lot of face this time!”

“Yes, a collective second-class merit! Thanks to your fifth team, our other companies have also benefited!”

“You absolutely have to treat us to dinner tonight!”

The entire office was filled with joy, as the Fifth Squadron had performed a remarkable feat.

The entire investigation department received a collective second-class merit award.

This honor belongs to everyone, and everyone should share in the glory.

Wu Che, Yan Guangxiu, and the others surrounded Chen Mo like bodyguards.

Looking at the gleaming gold medal on his chest, he was even happier than if he had received an award himself.

After making a fuss for quite a while, the squad leaders, who were also handling cases, reluctantly left with their men.

The office was finally a bit quieter.

Lu Mingrui winked at Chen Mo.

“Chen Mo, come to my office for a moment.”

The two went into the small office next door, and Lu Mingrui closed the door.

His smile faded slightly as he handed Chen Mo a cigarette and lit one for himself.

His voice deepened slightly amidst the swirling smoke.

There’s something I need to tell you.

“Old Fan’s farewell ceremony is scheduled for this weekend.”

Lao Fan.

Fan Yuan.

The former captain of the Fifth Squadron, Chen Mo’s mentor, was a martyr who sacrificed his life in the arrest operation.

The joyful atmosphere that had just lingered in the office vanished instantly, leaving a somewhat heavy feeling.

“There’s a case at a critical juncture with the First Squadron, and they can’t leave. I’ll go on their behalf.”

Lu Mingrui sighed, “Your Fifth Team… doesn’t have any cases on hand right now, right?”

“No.” Chen Mo shook his head.

“Then everyone should go and send Lao Fan off on his final journey.” Lu Mingrui patted him on the shoulder. “He was a good policeman.”

Chen Mo nodded silently, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

After leaving the section chief’s office, Chen Mo went directly to the deputy captain, Wu Che.

“Old Wu, what are the team’s rules for Captain Fan’s farewell ceremony?”

Wu Che had obviously heard the news as well, and his expression was somewhat somber.

“As is customary, the entire squadron sends a flower basket and a white envelope.”

“The team members would chip in privately to make a portion; it used to be 600 yuan per person.”

“Okay.” Chen Mo nodded. “This time I’ll personally contribute seven hundred, and the rest will be handled according to the old rules.”

He paused, then asked, “How are your wife and the child doing lately?”

“My sister-in-law works for the district government; it’s a stable job.”

“My son, Xiaotian, is studying at the provincial police academy and is doing very well.”

“The school and the municipal bureau have been very supportive, and I haven’t had any difficulties in my daily life,” Wu Che replied.

“That’s good.” Chen Mo pondered for a moment.

“Old Wu, you have a lot of contact with your wife’s family, so keep an eye on them in the future. If there’s anything you need help with, the team can’t be lenient.”

“Don’t worry, Captain, I understand.”

With this matter settled, Chen Mo felt a weight lifted from his shoulders.

He looked around at the team members in the office, who were both excited and somewhat tired, and clapped his hands.

“Brothers, stop for a second!”

All eyes turned to them.

“We’ve done a great job, we must celebrate!”

Chen Mo said loudly, “Remember the 1.5 million yuan reward from the bureau for Fan Xiaotian’s case?”

“I remember! Of course I remember!” Lu Mingrui shouted excitedly.

“Of that money, 30,000 was given to the Third Brigade for food expenses, and the rest…”

“A bonus of 100,000 yuan was given to each of the brothers who participated in the operation.”

Chen Mo continued, “There should still be some money in the team’s account. Xiao Miao, how much is left?”

Jiang Xiaomiao, the only female member of Team Five, sat quietly in the corner.

As the team’s “financial manager,” he immediately took out his notebook.

“Reporting, Captain! After deducting all expenses, the team’s treasury still has 112,350 yuan left!”

This money was unanimously agreed upon by all team members to be kept as team activity funds.

Or it can be used to subsidize the families of team members who are in need.

“Enough!” Chen Mo waved his hand.

“It’s my treat today! Let’s use the team’s funds to find a nice place and have a good meal!”

“Celebrating the outstanding achievements of our entire fifth team!”

“Hooray! Long live the captain!”

“Great! I want to eat seafood!”

“Xiao Miao, there’s no budget limit tonight!”

The office erupted in thunderous cheers once again, instantly dispelling the oppressive atmosphere.

Jiang Xiaomiao closed the notebook, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and gave a crisp reply.

“receive!”

Fan Yuan’s farewell ceremony was held at the Martyrs’ Cemetery on the outskirts of the city.

As a martyr who died in the line of duty, Lao Fan’s funeral was held at a very high level, with leaders from the municipal bureau and the provincial department in attendance.

The dark mass of people stood solemnly, wearing white flowers on their chests, their expressions serene.

Chen Mo stood at the front of the line, with all the members of the Fifth Squadron behind him.

They stood as straight as pine trees, dressed in crisp police uniforms, but their slightly reddened eyes betrayed the sadness in their hearts.

The memorial service ended, and the crowd slowly dispersed.

Chen Mo led Wu Che to Fan Yuan’s family.

Fan Yuan’s wife, a strong woman who works in the district government.

At this moment, her eyes were red and swollen, and she looked extremely haggard.

Standing next to her was a tall, thin young man, her son.

He bears a resemblance to Lao Fan in his features, but looks more youthful.

“Sister-in-law, please accept my condolences.” Chen Mo’s voice was a little hoarse.

“Chen Mo…you’ve arrived.”

Sister-in-law Fan forced out a smile that looked worse than crying.

“Old Fan said that you are the person he trusts the most.”

One sentence made Chen Mo’s heart ache.

“He… is a good policeman.”

“I know.”

Sister-in-law Fan nodded, and tears streamed down her face once again.

“You all need to be careful too. Please, please don’t let anything else happen.”

Chen Mo nodded emphatically.

“If you encounter any problems at school or in your life, feel free to call me anytime.”

Chen Mo turned to Fan Yuan’s son.

“Don’t be polite with your mother, and don’t be polite with us either. Fifth Team will always be your home.”

Fan Yuan’s son, his eyes red, nodded forcefully, his lips moving but unable to utter a single word.

He bowed deeply to Chen Mo and the rest of the fifth team.

As we left the cemetery, a light rain began to fall, like a silent weeping.

***

Three months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Wenfei’s experimental project has entered a critical stage, and she has already returned to Beijing.

The two could only maintain their longing across thousands of miles through nightly phone calls and video chats.