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CHAPTER 2
PART 4
After Gu Lei left, Tan Yong also didn't continue drinking. He had to go to work the next day, so he couldn't stay up too late or get too drunk.
After leaving the neighborhood, he hailed a taxi and arrived at his own residential area in ten minutes.
Tan Yong quietly entered the house, afraid of waking up his already sleeping wife. The hallway light was on, deliberately left on by his wife.
Tan Yong was 47 years old this year, and his wife Dou Hui was two years younger. She used to work in a garment factory, but last year the factory was not doing well and had to lay off a group of people, including Dou Hui. It was extremely difficult to find a job in her forties, so Dou Hui started an online store, selling ethnic-style clothing and handicrafts she made herself. The income was meager but better than nothing. The main source of the family's livelihood relied on Tan Yong's salary.
Fortunately, their daughter was sensible. Seventeen-year-old Tan Yali was in her senior year at the best high school in Lishi City, consistently ranking first in her class. Moreover, she never took extra classes and relied solely on her natural talent and hard work. She was recognized as the "true academic genius" in the whole school. In terms of studying, she never caused her parents any worries.
After Tan Yong finished washing up in the bathroom, he gently pushed open the bedroom door and found that the bedside lamp was on. Dou Hui was lying in bed, looking at her phone. He complained, "It's almost midnight, why aren't you asleep? I told you not to wait for me to come back."
"I can't sleep if you're not here," Dou Hui said.
"What's there to lose sleep over?"
"You always go to that murder house to drink. How can I feel at ease?"
"What murder house? Don't speak so harshly. It was a few years ago."
"A few years? It's only been two years. And did I say it wrong? Isn't that house a murder house?"
Tan Yong took off his outer clothes and pants, lifted the covers, and got into bed. "I'm a police officer, what are you worried about? Besides, there are more than a dozen people at every gathering."
"You're a police officer, and you often go to people's houses to mooch off their meals. Is that appropriate?"
"What is mooching off their meals? Every time I bring my own food and drinks. Today, I even bought a crispy duck to bring over."
"You eat so well. Have you ever thought about me? I just had some reheated rice and preserved vegetables for dinner."
"Hey, you, have you ever considered that our group of friends has invited you countless times? Have you ever honored us with your presence? I wish you would come with me, but you always say that their place is a murder house and refuse to go."
"That's exactly it. Eating in a place where something like that happened, doesn't it feel awkward?"
"I don't feel awkward. I actually feel quite harmonious. So, it's your own problem, don't blame me."
"To be honest, I'm not blaming you, Lao Tan. I know you like to have a few drinks, but I'm allergic to alcohol, so I can't accompany you. It's normal for a man to go out and have a drink with friends. But why do you have to go to that murder house every time?"
Tan Yong looked at his wife. "Don't you really know the reason?"
"I know."
"Then why did you say it?"
"But it's been two years since that case, and you should let it go. Although you were in charge of that case at the time, it couldn't be solved, and it's not your fault. The chief and captain in your department have stopped caring about this matter, so why are you so persistent and obsessed with solving the case?"
"Because it's my duty. I'm a criminal detective, and it's my responsibility to bring the killer to justice. The chief and others didn't care about it because they had many other things to deal with. But it was assigned to me to handle the case initially, and I won't be at peace until I catch the killer."
"So, by frequently attending their gatherings in that house, you think you can solve the case? If there were any clues, they would have been discovered long ago. Why would it wait until now?"
Tan Yong fell silent. After a long pause, he murmured, "Yes, I know. If I could solve the case, it would have been solved long ago, not waiting until today. But I just can't accept it. Whenever I have nothing to do, I think of going to that neighborhood, always hoping to find something. When Li Xueli first moved into that house and found out it was a murder house, she was terrified. Seeing me, a police officer, frequently coming to their neighborhood, she tried various ways to keep me there and then invited neighbors and friends to have meals at her place."
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/"I felt sorry for her and thought that boosting her courage would be a good thing. Gradually, it became a habit, and now I'm basically always invited to their gatherings. What should I do? If I don't go, does it mean the police no longer care about this case? You know, the killer is still at large. If you were living in such a neighborhood, could you feel at ease?"
"Lao Tan, I know you're a kind-hearted person. You think that even if you haven't caught the killer, by frequently going to that place, it serves as a warning and brings some peace of mind to the people in the neighborhood. That's why even after work or on weekends, you wear your police uniform. But this case was already difficult, and it has been two years. Continuing the investigation, isn't it a waste of time and energy?"
"I've told you, this is a burden in my heart. If I don't resolve it, I will always think about it."
"Why are you so stubborn!" Dou Hui said angrily.
Tan Yong looked at Dou Hui, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Actually, there's something I haven't told you."
"What is it?"
"The original owner, the old lady who collects scrap, asked me a favor when we discovered the body in the refrigerator. She asked me and my colleagues not to let others know which house the murder occurred in while investigating the case. I sympathized with her and agreed. But as a result, many people didn't know that the house was a murder house. In the end, that old lady managed to sell the house without anyone suspecting, and Li Xueli, being an outsider, was deceived."
Dou Hui started to understand. "So you think that Li Xueli buying that house has something to do with you. You feel guilty, so you often go to her house to boost her courage?"
Tan Yong nodded. "Although I helped the old lady who collects scrap, indirectly, I caused Li Xueli to buy that murder house. I definitely feel guilty about it. But until now, Li Xueli has no idea that it's connected to me."
Dou Hui had been married to Tan Yong for over twenty years and knew that her husband was such a compassionate person. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"Let's forget about this... Has Ya Li's midterm exam results come out? How did she do?"
"When have you ever had to worry about your daughter's grades? She's once again ranked first in her class."
Tan Yong's frown eased. "Our daughter is so well-behaved, truly putting my mind at ease."
"There are still things that worry us," Dou Hui said.
"What happened?"
"Today, the homeroom teacher called and said that Ya Li seems to be getting close to a boy named Sun Hui in her class, and there seems to be some romantic interest."
"Is that so? What kind of boy is he?"
"He's also a top student, ranked second in the class. He's tall and handsome. I've seen him several times, and it seems like his family is quite wealthy. He's dressed head to toe in designer brands."
"Hehe, it seems like our future son-in-law is tall, rich, and handsome."
"I'm telling you seriously! We're in the final year of high school now, the most crucial time. Can they start dating at this critical moment?"
"What do you mean by 'starting to date'? If Ya Li were still in middle school, then it would be considered early dating. In a few months, she'll be turning 18, an adult, a grown girl. And she's blossomed into such a beautiful young lady. It's normal for her to have someone she likes or who is pursuing her, don't you think? In my opinion, as long as it doesn't affect her studies, and they have a restrained and normal relationship, there shouldn't be a problem. So, what's the meaning behind the teacher's phone call? Is there any inappropriate behavior between them?"
"No, not really. Actually, the teacher's opinion is similar to yours. They both have good grades, and being together helps them discuss and improve their studies."
"Well, then isn't that fine? Is this what you consider a worrisome matter?"
Dou Hui shook her head. "No, the key issue is something else."
"What is it?"
"The teacher said that this year the school has two spots for recommending students to study abroad at prestigious universities. These spots are very valuable. After much consideration, the school has decided to recommend Ya Li and Sun Hui. The first reason is that they are both outstanding in character and learning, and the second reason is that they like each other, like a 'golden boy and jade girl.' So, the teacher suggested that parents and children discuss together whether they would be willing to study abroad."
"Have you asked Ya Li's opinion on this matter?"
"I asked her. I called her after she finished her evening study today."
"What did Ya Li say?"
"She said she really wants to study abroad, and Sun Hui does too."
"Which foreign university?"
"Harvard University."
"Harvard, a world-class university..."
Tan Yong's emotions were mixed.
"It would be good if she could go, but the cost for a year, I assume, wouldn't be cheap, right?"
"The teacher said that when you add up the tuition, living expenses, transportation fees, and such, it would amount to at least over 50,000 US dollars per year, which is over 300,000 RMB. Dou Hui sighed, "Now you know what I'm worried about, right? Even if it's a four-year undergraduate program, it would still cost over 1 million RMB, not to mention graduate studies and such. Where can our family come up with so much money?"
Tan Yong fell into silence, and after a while, he said, "Does she have to study abroad? Tsinghua University and Peking University are also excellent universities. Can't she study domestically?"
"You don't have to tell me this. I have no objections. But our daughter wants to study abroad… aside from the desire to pursue further education overseas, do I need to spell out the other reason?"
"Moreover, the teacher also mentioned that this opportunity is extremely rare, and the quota is highly valuable. Implied in her words is that it would be a pity to give it up. If our child can study at a top foreign university, her exposure, experience, and perspectives will be different."
"How much savings do we have now?" Tan Yong asked.
"Less than 100,000 yuan."
"That's a big difference..."
"That's why I'm worried. You see, our daughter has the potential and this opportunity. If she doesn't go, it would be an extreme pity. But if she wants to go, then the money..."
After thinking for a while, Tan Yong resolutely said, "Alright, let me have a talk with Ya Li another day. If she truly wants to go, even if I have to borrow money, I'll let her study abroad!"
Dou Hui nodded with conflicting emotions. Tan Yong lay down. "Turn off the lights and go to sleep!"
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