Chapter 105: Opening a Shop

"Sister, stop joking around. I'm trying to talk about serious business."

"I *am* talking about serious business," Wang Huifang said. "You've been divorced for several years now. It's time you started looking. In a few more years, you'll be an old man, and who would want you then?"

"Hey, watch your mouth. What do you mean, I'm already an old man?" Han Weidong tapped the table.

"Well, what else? Do you think you're still a young lad?" Wang Huifang retorted.

"I..."

Han Weidong, momentarily speechless, raised his glass. "Qingsheng, let's have a drink."

Wang Qingsheng took a sip of his liquor and said, "Sister, I'm talking about a major development in my career. Just listen to me first."

Han Weidong glanced at Wang Huifang. "When men are talking, women shouldn't interrupt so much."

Wang Huifang gave a soft snort. "Look at you, acting all high and mighty."

"Alright, both of you stop talking and listen to what Uncle has to say," Han Bin said, waving his hand. He wondered if they were going through menopause, as Han Weidong and Wang Huifang had been bickering constantly lately.

Wang Qingsheng cast an appreciative look at his nephew, cleared his throat, and said, "Sister, Brother-in-law, Binzi—I hereby solemnly announce that I am going to open my own antique shop."

"Qingsheng, don't you already have a shop on Antique Street?" Wang Huifang asked in confusion.

"Sister, stop focusing all your energy on my personal life and pay some attention to my work. My business spot on Antique Street is, at best, just a stall."

"A street stall, to be precise," Han Weidong added.

"How do you know that?" Wang Huifang asked.

"As his brother-in-law, I do care about Qingsheng's career. I've been there to see it."

Han Bin kept his head down and remained silent. He had been there too.

Although no honest work was beneath anyone, seeing his uncle's large, portly frame squeezed onto a folding stool at a street stall, struggling even to bend over, had made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Then go ahead and open one. You can't really do business without a proper shop," Wang Huifang murmured.

*Cough...*

Wang Qingsheng cleared his throat lightly and continued, "I've saved up some money over the past few years. A few days ago, a friend mentioned that a storefront on Antique Street is up for lease transfer, so I'm thinking of setting up a time to go take a look."

"How much would it cost to take over a shop like that?" Wang Huifang asked.

"I asked about the price, and I reckon I can bargain it down a bit. The money I saved should cover the transfer fee." Wang Qingsheng smiled. "From now on, you'll have to call me Boss Wang."

"Look at you boasting. Nothing is set in stone yet. Just make sure you don't get scammed again this time," Wang Huifang warned.

"Sister, stop bringing up the past all the time," Wang Qingsheng said helplessly.

"How about this: when the time comes, let your brother-in-law go with you to help you check things out," Wang Huifang suggested.

Han Weidong took a bite of food and hesitated. "It's not very convenient for me to go. You should go with him instead."

"What could I do? I don't know anything about it," Wang Huifang said.

"Why don't we have Binzi come with me?" Wang Qingsheng suggested.

Taking over a shop was no small matter; having a family member there would give him peace of mind.

"Sure."

Han Bin didn't mind. He treated it as a casual outing, and he might even get a free, delicious meal out of it.

"Then it's settled. Once I've made the arrangements, I'll give you a call."

"Uncle, it has to be on the weekend. I don't have time during the workweek," Han Bin said.

"I've known your father for so many years, do you think I wouldn't know that?" Wang Qingsheng said dismissively.

The family hadn't gathered in a long time. As they ate, chatted, and drank, Han Bin opened another bottle of liquor, and Wang Huifang joined in for a few cups.

By the end of the meal, the four of them had finished two bottles. Fearing there might be an emergency case during the night, Han Bin didn't drink much. It was mostly Han Weidong and Wang Qingsheng who drank, and both were quite tipsy by the end.

Since there was a spare room in the house, Wang Qingsheng didn't leave and stayed the night.

***

The next day.

Han Bin arrived at the sub-bureau early in the morning and began preparing the paperwork to close the case.

Following his confession, Luo Xinghua had provided new leads, offering to testify against Tang Yu and Xiang Hongbo for extortion.

Zeng Ping and the others interrogated Tang Yu and Xiang Hongbo again. Faced with witness testimonies, audio recordings, surveillance footage, and bank account records, Tang Yu and Xiang Hongbo finally confessed to the extortion.

The evidence, statements, and case files still had to be reorganized, and it took another half day of busy work before the case was officially closed.

Only then could the members of Team Two finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Zeng Ping stretched his arms. "The case is finally solved. It really wasn't easy."

As the leader of Team Two and the person directly responsible for the case, Zeng Ping had been under immense pressure. Before they found He Shirui's and Tang Yu's phones, they lacked sufficient evidence to secure a conviction, and he had even worried that the case would become a cold case.

Fortunately, through the hard work of the members of Team Two, the case was successfully solved.

The case of the female corpse had a significant public impact, making it a double-edged sword. If it went unsolved, they would surely face criticism from the leadership; but once solved, the rewards would be substantial.

Just last night, a leader from the sub-bureau had called to privately praise Team Two and Zeng Ping, telling him not to slack off, to keep up the good work, and to prepare for the organization to place heavier responsibilities on his shoulders.

Hearing those words, Zeng Ping had been so excited that he stayed awake for half the night. Because the female corpse case was highly sensitive, and considering the various implications, it would not be publicly publicized. However, as long as the leadership kept it in mind and recognized their contribution, Zeng Ping was satisfied.

The hard work had not been in vain.

"Everyone, come look! The results for this month's 'Police Star' are out!" Tian Li called out.

Zeng Ping, Li Hui, Zhao Ming, and the others gathered around. Han Bin, however, was in no rush. He poured himself a cup of tea before strolling over leisurely.

Tian Li's computer screen displayed the sub-bureau's intranet interface. The "Police Star" section featured the words "Outstanding Collective: Criminal Investigation Team Three," alongside large characters reading "Role Model" and "Serve the People." Below was a group photo of Criminal Investigation Team Three.

"The outstanding collective is our Team Three!" Zhao Ming said.

"Well, obviously. We just solved the female corpse case. Who else would they give it to?" Li Hui grinned, already calculating how he was going to spend the bonus of over six hundred yuan.

"Who is the outstanding individual?" Zeng Ping asked.

Tian Li moved the mouse, scrolling down the page to the "Police Star" Outstanding Individual selection.

In the winner's column, Han Bin's name stood out clearly.

Below it was a photo of Han Bin in his police uniform—tall, straight-backed, handsome, and full of style!

He was exactly the type that girls who loved uniforms would fall for.

"Tsk, tsk." Zeng Ping clicked his tongue and teased, "Whose boy is this? He has a touch of my style from back in the day!"

Li Hui cupped his cheeks with both hands, deliberately mimicking a woman's voice. "Oh my, this police oppa is so handsome, I like him so much!"

Tian Li rolled her eyes. "Pervert!"

"Pervert plus one," Zhao Ming chimed in.

Li Hui raised his right hand and flipped them both off.

*Cough.*

Han Bin cleared his throat. "Don't be envious, don't be jealous. Keep a level head. As long as you are down-to-earth, diligent, and hardworking, everyone will have a chance."

"Boo..."

As soon as Han Bin finished speaking, he was met with a chorus of boos.

Li Hui suddenly raised his right hand and shouted, "Grilled kidneys!"

Zhao Ming and Tian Li immediately chimed in, "Grilled kidneys!"

Li Hui shouted again, "We want to eat grilled kidneys!"

Han Bin: "..."

There was no escaping treating them to a meal this time.