Chapter 62: Returning Home

Han Bin walked out of the bureau chief’s office with a calm expression, but what he truly felt inside remained a mystery to others.

Back in his own office, Li Hui, Tian Li, and Zhao Ming immediately gathered around him.

“Bin, what did Captain Zheng want you for?”
“Nothing special,” Han Bin shrugged.
“Come on, Bin, that’s not fair.”
“Don’t try to fool us. We’re all police officers here.”
The three wouldn’t give up, determined to get to the bottom of it.

“Captain Zheng took me to see Director Dai.”
“Director Dai!”
“What did Director Dai say?” Li Hui’s face showed envy. He had been at the sub-bureau for a while but had never been to Dai Minghan’s office.

“This is really something Captain Zheng should share,” Han Bin said, a bit uneasy.

“Bin, it’s bound to come out eventually, just tell us ahead of time.”
“Yes, just say it.”
“Hurry up, you’re killing us!” The three urged him on.

“Since you’re so sincerely asking, I’ll graciously answer: To prevent the world from being destroyed, to protect peace, to embody love and truth—”

“Stop, can you speak normally?” Li Hui made a ‘pause’ gesture.
“That opening sounds so familiar,” Zhao Ming rubbed his chin.
“It’s Team Rocket,” Tian Li recalled.
“Correct. You win a recommendation for Police Star,” Han Bin said.

“We’re not interested in your rewards, just get to the—” Halfway through, Li Hui stopped, surprised. “Did you say ‘Police Star’? Our team got the advanced unit award?”

“Shh—”
Han Bin made a silence gesture. “Keep it down. Nothing’s official yet. If your big mouth spreads it, it could all fall through.”

“Han Bin, is it the whole Criminal Investigation Team Three or just our squad?” Tian Li pressed.
“The whole Team Three.”

“Tsk tsk, Captain Zheng is really in the spotlight this time,” Li Hui smacked his lips.

“We all benefit. Don’t act like you don’t,” Tian Li said.

“Sister Tian, what benefits? I haven’t paid much attention,” Zhao Ming said. He was new to the team and they’d never received a collective award before.

“Police Star is selected once a month. Each time, one outstanding individual and one outstanding collective are chosen, and they become role models for the entire bureau.” Tian Li paused, then continued, “Besides the honor, members of the advanced collective each get a six-hundred yuan bonus, and the outstanding individual gets a three-thousand yuan bonus.”

“Wow, not bad,” Zhao Ming said.

“You’re a rich kid, so you don’t care about little money, but for us living on our modest salaries, that’s a windfall. If I could also win the individual award, three thousand five hundred yuan in hand—just imagine…” Li Hui looked hopeful.

“So, who’s the outstanding individual?” Zhao Ming asked.

Han Bin spread his hands. “Director Dai didn’t say.”

“Damn!”
Li Hui suddenly realized, his expression full of envy and jealousy as he stared at Han Bin. “No need to ask—it must be you. Why else would Director Dai call you in and not us?”

Tian Li and Zhao Ming also understood and nodded knowingly.

Seeing all three looking at him, Han Bin waved his arm and declared boldly, “Once our bonuses come in, let’s go for some big kidneys!”

...

For two days straight, there were no new cases.

The weekend arrived.

This time, Zhao Ming was on duty Saturday, Li Hui on Sunday. Han Bin and Tian Li had both days off.

On Saturday, Han Bin got up early, not sleeping in.

He drove Comrade Old Han’s black Passat straight toward the suburban comprehensive market.

Han Bin was at the wheel, Han Weidong sat in the passenger seat, and Wang Huifang was in the back.

“Old Han, why aren’t you driving?” Wang Huifang complained.

“I finally found a free chauffeur. Why waste it?” Han Weidong snorted.

“Our son’s been busy for days. He finally gets a day off. What’s so hard about you driving?”
“Comrade Wang Huifang, I don’t like what you’re saying. I’ve worked all week too, and I’m an old hand. Why shouldn’t I enjoy a proper weekend?” Han Weidong retorted.

“What’s so hard about your station work? You drink tea, watch the news, chat a bit, and the day’s gone. Sometimes you have a drink after work. You live better than me, who doesn’t even work,” Wang Huifang snorted.

“Comrade Wang Huifang, that’s pure imagination. The grassroots station is closest to the people. We maintain public order and ensure everyone’s safety. Our responsibilities are heavy,” Han Weidong said seriously.

“That’s the hardworking officers, not you. You just talk,” Wang Huifang said.

“Comrade Wang Huifang, I started as a grassroots officer too. When I was young, I ran myself ragged. Can’t work half a lifetime and not make progress,”

“All right, I can’t win this. Anyway—” Wang Huifang was about to retort.

Han Bin, a bit annoyed, cut them off, “Enough. We’re almost at the market. Think about what you want to buy.”

Han Bin’s hometown was Beiying Village, half an hour’s drive from Qindao City. The three planned to buy food and visit Han Bin’s grandfather, Han Tingqian.

“Your grandpa loves dumplings with mussel and mackerel filling. Be sure to buy plenty,” Han Weidong reminded.

“I won’t forget.”

The three parked outside the market.

The comprehensive market was vast, divided into five sections: vegetable, fruit, meat, seafood, flower and bird markets.

Wang Huifang went to shop for vegetables, while Han Weidong and Han Bin headed for the seafood and meat sections.

Father and son first bought five pounds each of beef, lamb, and ribs, six lamb kidneys, and a bag of chicken wings.

Then they went to the seafood section and bought mussels, mackerel, lobster, oysters, mantis shrimp, and more.

Wang Huifang bought various vegetables.

After loading up the car, they went to the fruit market for peaches, apples, bananas, dragon fruit, and so on.

The trunk was packed to the brim.

The three then drove another ten minutes to Beiying Village. Han Bin’s family home was right on the main road, very spacious.

Originally, Han Weidong’s family had two homestead plots. To connect them, they traded for roadside land, ending up with one and a half plots, twelve meters long, eighteen meters wide, with a three-story house and a large courtyard.

Han Bin parked at the gate. The moment he entered, he called out, “Grandpa, I’m home!”

The old man was in good health but a bit hard of hearing. Han Bin had to call several times before he heard.

“Bin, you’re back!” Han Tingqian hurried out, grinning from ear to ear.

“It’s my day off, Grandpa. I brought you some food—all your favorites,” Han Bin said with a smile.

“Good, good, come in,” the old man said, grasping Han Bin’s hand.

“Dad, sit and rest awhile. Let this kid finish unloading before chatting,” Han Weidong said.

“What’s the rush? No hurry, let’s rest first,” the old man said, refusing to let go of his grandson’s hand.

“Fine—at this rate, I’ll finish unloading myself,” Han Weidong said with a wry smile. The old man cherished his grandson as if he were his own lifeblood.