Chapter 33: Sun Lang Pays Back the Money

The owner of the second-hand mobile phone shop was brought back and taken directly to the interrogation room. Han Ling was in charge of the questioning.

"You don't know?" Faced with the owner’s denial, Han Ling produced the confession of the theft suspect. "This phone is in 99% new condition. The victim bought it less than a month ago. The market price is around eighteen thousand, but you purchased it for twelve thousand—six thousand less than the market value."

Six thousand yuan.

The salary of Assistant Officer Zhang Silei was only fifteen hundred; it was not a small sum. In such a situation, either the seller was a fool, or the origin of the phone was questionable.

The owner acted aggrieved: "I really didn't know. Besides... twelve thousand is a lot. It really is."

Han Ling countered: "But you only wanted to offer eight thousand at first, and only settled on twelve thousand after haggling. Why offer so little?"

The owner spoke in a low voice: "It's business, it's all about negotiation. I naturally start with a lower offer."

Regardless, he could never admit to handling stolen goods; that was a crime.

Han Ling didn't want to waste his breath: "Fine, find yourself a good lawyer."

Getting the other party to confess voluntarily was impossible unless coercive measures were used. The interrogation was merely a necessary procedure; he had never expected a breakthrough. Around the year 2000, mobile phones were gradually becoming common. This man had been in the second-hand phone business for six years; it was impossible that he didn't understand market prices. Purchasing a high-end phone for a price significantly lower than the market value, without being able to reasonably prove its origin, made it difficult to argue "lack of knowledge."

Whether the prosecution would succeed depended on the suspect's fate. As the investigative body, the police station only needed to secure the evidence; the prosecutor's office could press charges even without a confession.

With the phone recovered, the case entered its final stage. The next day, Han Ling contacted Xu Qinghe and asked her to come to the station to collect her lost property.

The call was made in the morning, and she arrived in the afternoon. Xu Qinghe seemed to favor a minimalist, casual style. Although she had changed her clothes, if one didn't look closely, it was almost the same: canvas shoes, jeans, and a white top. Her hairstyle, however, had changed into a messy bun, looking fresh and playful.

She did not come empty-handed; she was carrying a silk banner. It read: *Swift Investigation Recovers Lost Property; Serving the People Warms the Heart.*

A silk banner represented the public's recognition and affirmation of police work. Any officer would feel honored and a deep sense of achievement upon receiving one, but Han Ling had already decided that Xu Qinghe’s motives were impure, so his smile was rather forced. When he returned home after the police drills previously, his sixth sense had told him he was being followed; if that were true, he suspected Xu Qinghe.

Many colleagues gathered around to get a look. Most of the male officers were more interested in Xu Qinghe's appearance.

"Hey, Han Ling," a colleague leaned into Han Ling's ear and whispered, "The ones Sister Zhang introduced are far worse than her. Do you think there's a chance..."

Han Ling: "Chance my foot!"

The colleague: "..."

"Come on, let's take a photo!" a superior suggested.

Han Ling reluctantly stood beside Xu Qinghe. The latter was very familiar, hooking her arm through his and flashing a peace sign at the camera.

The shutter clicked, and Han Ling offered a stiff, insincere smile.

"Officer Han, could I get your phone number?" Xu Qinghe initiated the request, her sweet smile capable of melting anything.

Seeing the dynamic, the colleagues tactfully walked away, leaving space for the two of them.

"Sure, I'd really like to get to know you, too."

Han Ling emphasized the words "get to know," not caring whether she understood his meaning.

Xu Qinghe saved his number and waved goodbye: "See you, Officer Han. If you have time in the future, we could have a meal together."

Han Ling grunted an acknowledgment.

Watching Xu Qinghe approach the exit of the receiving hall, Zhu Yue, who had arrived late, kicked Han Ling: "Go see her off! Do you have a brain or not?"

Xu Qinghe heard this and looked back, her eyes filled with anticipation. Han Ling shrugged and walked over to leave with her.

At this moment, the colleagues gathered around again, watching their departing figures.

"Team Leader Zhu, Han Ling is quite the lucky guy. I think there's something going on," one of the duty officers said, clearly envious.

Another added: "That woman definitely has her eye on Han Ling."

Zhu Yue glared: "What does it have to do with you? Go, go, get back to work."

At the gate of the police station, Han Ling watched Xu Qinghe get into her BMW. Seeing her roll down the window, he asked: "Have we met before?"

Xu Qinghe smiled: "We have, Officer Han. At the internet café, have you forgotten?"

Han Ling: "And before that?"

"Before that?" Xu Qinghe looked puzzled. She thought for a moment and shook her head: "I certainly don't think so, right? Officer Han is so handsome; if I had met you, I wouldn't have forgotten."

Having said that, she winked at Han Ling.

"Bye-bye!"

The BMW drove away. Han Ling stood where he was, watching the taillights for a long time. Others might think he was reluctant to see her go, but in reality, he was frantically critiquing the situation internally.

*It doesn't feel like seduction; she could have used much more direct methods.*

*What is it, then? Does she really want to date me?*

*Fine, one day I’ll just strip you naked and see how you react.*

Han Ling disliked this sense of the unknown. If she revealed malicious intent, he certainly wouldn't be polite.

"Officer Han!"

Just as he turned to head back into the station, someone called out to him from not far away.

Han Ling turned to look. Four people were riding electric scooters as they approached, with Sun Lang in the lead. Sun Lang's dyed yellow hair was still there, practically his trademark.

Han Ling turned around.

Sun Lang stopped at the curb, took an envelope from under the seat, and walked over with a smile: "Officer Han, I've come to return the money. Two thousand one hundred and thirty-two, not a cent more or less. I know you wouldn't take interest, so I didn't include any. I'll always remember this favor. And about my sister that night—thanks."

Han Ling glanced at the envelope and then at the three young men behind Sun Lang. They looked very familiar—weren't these the little thugs who had been bullying Sun Qing that night?

"What's the situation?" Han Ling took the envelope; it felt like about two thousand yuan.

The three men gave Han Ling awkward smiles. They had only learned a few days ago that the person who had stepped in to help was a police officer. It was fortunate they hadn't fought back, and he hadn't even identified himself at the time. Harassing a girl late at night was, after all, an arrestable offense.

Sun Lang smiled: "Friends. They're hanging out with me now."

Becoming friends with the thugs who bullied his sister? Han Ling naturally didn't believe it. Before this, the two sides had likely had a "friendly exchange." The bruises on their faces were clearly not fully healed yet.

"I'm off, Officer Han. Let's grab a drink when you're free," Sun Lang didn't plan to stay long. "From now on, I'm going to work hard."

Han Ling stopped him and reminded: "Sun Lang, if you want to get into the gray market, be careful. It’s easy to run into trouble."

Sun Lang stopped and looked back: "I definitely won't do anything conscience-less, and I certainly won't bully the weak. But in this day and age, if you want to get rich, the road to success isn't going to be flat. Maybe in the future, I'll be reporting to the police station often; I hope you'll look after me then, Officer Han."

Han Ling: "Just don't report to the precinct; otherwise, if your sister wants to apply for the public service sector in the future, she might get flagged."

Background checks for the police, procuratorate, and courts were extremely strict.

"That won't happen," Sun Lang smiled. "Besides, I won't let her take the civil service exams. What is the point of taking those exams? A stable job? Can't I just ensure her a stable life myself?"

Han Ling fell silent.

That statement alone showed that Sun Lang had truly turned over a new leaf, at least where his family was concerned. It was worth it for his sister, who was so sensible.