Chapter 82: Donghe Police Station

After breakfast, Liu Xing rode his old bicycle with Guazi on the back, heading toward the Donghe Police Station.

He didn’t notice that Xiaobudian had been running after them, calling his name, and finally bursting into tears. Clearly, the little one wanted to go with Liu Xing for the big meal. If Zhou Qiuxiang hadn’t distracted her with a few White Rabbit candies, things might have gotten out of control.

Only then did Liu Dongju realize just how much her daughter depended on Liu Xing. Still, she didn’t interfere—it was understandable. Any child would be fond of such a younger brother.

Along the country road, Liu Dazhu cycled past Liu Xing. Seeing that Liu Xing didn’t notice him, he didn’t call out, but stopped at the sun-dried grain yard. “Second brother, you here?”

“Oh, third brother, you’ve come!” Liu Dazhao hurried out at the call. Zhou Qiuxiang followed, holding Xiaobudian by the hand.

“I’m heading into the city’s Eighth Hospital to visit our eldest brother-in-law. Are you coming?” Liu Dazhu asked, a bit embarrassed. Liu Dazhao had already said he wasn’t going; asking again seemed unnecessary, especially with Zhou Qiuxiang present. It would be pointless to press the matter.

“I’m not going, you go ahead,” Liu Dazhao replied without hesitation.

“So among the eight siblings, I’m the only one going?” Liu Dazhu finally revealed his real reason. “The youngest says he has no money, and if he goes, I have to cover his expenses to visit our brother-in-law. Isn’t that ridiculous? So I didn’t say anything more to him.”

“What about our fifth brother?” Liu Dazhao offered him a cigarette.

“His wife kicked me out,” Liu Dazhu replied with a sheepish grin, taking the cigarette.

“Well, their family’s been struggling lately too,” Liu Dazhao sighed. “The ten yuan I gave you last time should be enough for your visit to Liu Changsheng, right?”

“The thing is, I wanted to use that money to buy more things, as if it’s a gift from all of us brothers,” Liu Dazhu said, lighting the cigarette. “But you know, good cigarettes cost five or six yuan a pack these days. Ten yuan isn’t enough.”

“Then give me back that ten yuan! Why should my family’s money make the youngest look good?” Zhou Qiuxiang finally spoke, her voice heavy with resentment.

“Could you go inside for now?” Liu Dazhao pleaded, clearly intimidated.

“Fine, I’ll go. But if you dare visit Liu Changsheng or give any more money to your third brother, then we’re done for good.” With that, Zhou Qiuxiang left, taking Xiaobudian with her.

Watching her storm off, Liu Dazhu let out a long sigh. He had so much to say, yet none of it would come out. In his heart, Zhou Qiuxiang was not a bad sister-in-law—quite the opposite, in fact. If Liu Changsheng and Liu Wanqiu hadn’t been so ruthless in the past, things wouldn’t have come to this.

“Go ahead and visit Liu Changsheng, third brother! Use the ten yuan to buy whatever you want, just don’t say it’s from me. I don’t want to get involved in our eldest sister’s affairs anymore. You know why—I’d rather not say more.” Liu Dazhao took a deep drag, patted Liu Dazhu on the shoulder, and turned away.

Liu Dazhu watched him go, then, with no other choice, got on his bike and left. Truth be told, he didn’t really want to visit Liu Changsheng either. The rift among the eight siblings was largely because of Liu Changsheng. Now, with everyone ignoring him, he had truly become isolated. This was a kind of punishment—one that seemed subtle, but, at a critical moment, revealed its true force.

He could only hope that this visit might change Liu Changsheng’s attitude toward them. Otherwise…

He’d never do this thankless job again, no matter what.

—

By the time Liu Xing arrived at the Donghe Police Station on his bicycle, it was already past ten in the morning. Noticing the crowd coming and going, he parked his bike carefully and carried Guazi inside.

“Stop. What are you doing here?” A burly officer with a cigarette stopped Liu Xing.

“I’m here to see Director Wu. He invited me for a meal today,” Liu Xing replied with a smile.

“And you are…?” The officer looked Liu Xing up and down, suspicion in his eyes. After all, his superior, Director Wu—no, now Vice Director Wu—wouldn’t invite strangers like this young pair.

“My name is Liu Xing,” Liu Xing answered.

“Uncle, my name is Liu Qingmei,” Guazi added, tilting her head.

“Oh, so you’re Liu Xing!” The officer suddenly remembered Director Wu’s instructions from last night. He slapped his forehead and quickly led Liu Xing inside.

Down the hallway, near the west-facing window, Director Wu was on the phone. Seeing Liu Xing and Guazi arrive, he hurried over with a smile.

“What took you two so long? Didn’t I tell you to come for breakfast?”

“Did you?” Liu Xing scratched his head.

“Uncle, you never said that,” Guazi confirmed.

Director Wu chuckled awkwardly. “Maybe I remembered wrong. Come on, let’s go to the backyard and find your aunt. She’s busy in the kitchen with Xiao Ding and Xiao Niu.”

“Oh, right! This is Tian Jun. He’ll be in charge of Donghe Police Station from now on.” Director Wu brought the burly officer over to introduce him.

“Hello,” Liu Xing nodded politely.

“Nice to meet you,” Tian Jun said, a bit embarrassed as he shook Liu Xing’s hand. He felt awkward because he’d just treated Liu Xing as a stranger, and now realized how close he was to Vice Director Wu. After all, the vice director had specifically mentioned Liu Xing the night before.

Director Wu noticed but said nothing, leading Liu Xing toward the kitchen in the backyard.

The Donghe Police Station was a single-story blue-brick building covering about five hundred square meters, roofed with red tiles and looking quite grand. The backyard walls were high, topped with rusty barbed wire—probably to prevent prisoners from escaping. The kitchen was to the right, next to half a dozen old storerooms, their walls still papered with yellowed newspapers.

As soon as Director Wu entered the backyard, he called out, “Wife, Liu Xing and Guazi are here!”

“Coming!” Zhang Xiangjun, wearing an apron, stepped out of the innermost room, a gentle smile on her face. Two young women followed her.

Both girls were youthful and pretty. When they saw the sunflower seeds in Liu Xing’s hands, they smiled and took them from him. The taller girl grinned and said, “Guazi, call me sister. Tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll buy it for you.”

“Hello, sister,” Guazi said shyly.

“Hello!” the tall girl replied warmly.

Zhang Xiangjun gave her a sideways look. “Ding Lan, if you want Liu Xing to make you a pair of sandals, just say so. No need to curry favor with Guazi—she’s just a child, you grown-ups will spoil her.”

At this, Ding Lan blushed, and the round-faced girl couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing Liu Xing so composed in this unfamiliar setting, Zhang Xiangjun nodded to herself.

“Let me introduce you. This is Ding Lan, my colleague. Don’t be fooled by her youthful looks—she’s been working at the Bureau of Commerce for years.” She gestured to the tall girl.

“Hello, Sister Ding Lan.” Liu Xing gave her a friendly smile.

“Hello! You’re even more handsome than I imagined,” Ding Lan teased.

Zhang Xiangjun coughed lightly and pointed to the round-faced girl. “This is Niu Lianfang, an officer from the Municipal Bureau. She’s here to help me cook today.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Niu Lianfang said, offering her hand.

“Likewise,” Liu Xing replied politely, shaking her hand.

“Now, to business!” Zhang Xiangjun checked the time. “We have about two hours before lunch, and there’ll be quite a crowd. Liu Xing, you’ll have to help out—washing and prepping vegetables, whatever needs doing.”

Originally there were two cooks in the kitchen, but Zhang Xiangjun had volunteered to prepare today’s meal herself, sending the cooks home for a break—she wanted everyone at the station to eat well. She’d expected no more than twenty guests, but already nearly thirty had arrived before eleven. At this rate, three tables wouldn’t be enough.

To avoid letting the station, or her husband, lose face, she had no choice but to call on Liu Xing for help. After all, Liu Xing wasn’t an outsider, and unlike the other guests—most of whom were officials or people seeking favors from her husband—he could be counted on.

“Of course!” Liu Xing agreed without hesitation. After all, if Zhang Xiangjun didn’t consider him family, she wouldn’t have spoken so frankly.

Seeing that he was no longer needed, Director Wu smiled and left with Tian Jun.

He didn’t notice Tian Jun’s astonishment. The officer was shocked to learn that the couple had such a nephew as Liu Xing.

—