HH Chapter 81

After the open class ended, Pei Qinghuai tidied up his things and looked at the group standing below the stage. He walked down and asked, “Is there a case?”

Fang Yuan quickly answered, “No, we just came to attend the class and broaden our horizons.”

Pei Qinghuai looked at them, then seemed to glance at his phone, and said, “There’s an open class on criminal investigation in the afternoon. I think that one would be more suitable for you.”

Seeing their faces show a trace of embarrassment, Pei Qinghuai shrugged and asked, “So, what’s up?”

Cheng Ye met Pei Qinghuai’s gaze, “The Guo Jiayi case is over, and there’s nothing else going on right now, so we thought we’d get together.”

“Is that all?” Pei Qinghuai asked skeptically.

“Yeah,” Cheng Ye replied.

Pei Qinghuai looked inquisitive, “You made it sound so mysterious. I thought there was a case.”

“Come on, there’s no case,” Fang Yuan chimed in. “It’s just that Captain Cheng… uh, ouch…” Before he could finish, Jiang Fei kicked him lightly, smiling at Pei Qinghuai, “Teacher Pei, do you have any plans? If not, how about meeting up at noon?”

“No plans,” Pei Qinghuai glanced at Cheng Ye, “Let’s go.”

Just as they stepped out of the lecture hall, a voice called out, “Qinghuai, wait a moment.”

They all froze, and Cheng Ye, as if pricked by a thorn, was about to run when the voice called again, “Cheng Ye!”

Cheng Ye stopped, stiffly turning back with Pei Qinghuai. The others stayed behind, ready to enjoy the show.

“Is there something else, teacher?” Pei Qinghuai asked.

An elderly man adjusted his glasses and smiled at Pei Qinghuai, “No, just haven’t seen you in a while and wanted to catch up.” Then he shifted his gaze to Cheng Ye, “Isn’t that right, Officer Cheng?”

Hearing this title, Cheng Ye felt his lifespan shorten and quickly responded, “No, no, it’s just been too busy.”

The man tapped Cheng Ye lightly with a book and repeated, “Just too busy~”

Pei Qinghuai smiled faintly. Before they could chat further, Cheng Ye interrupted with a light cough, “I need to discuss something with Pei, so we have to go.”

Pei Qinghuai raised an eyebrow at being called “Pei,” but then saw his teacher smile, “Seems like you two get along well.” Turning to Cheng Ye, he advised, “Control your temper and learn from him.”

Cheng Ye grinned, “Got it, got it. Don’t worry.”

With that, he pulled Pei Qinghuai along, the group surrounding Pei Qinghuai like a gang, making him laugh helplessly as they got into the car.

Initially, they chatted sporadically during the meal, but eventually, everyone fell silent. Fang Yuan, unable to stand the quiet, tried to start a conversation but ended up speaking incoherently. Pei Qinghuai, sensing the awkwardness, played along with a confused look.

Until a server wheeled in a cart with a birthday cake, the familiar birthday song only heightened the awkwardness. Fang Yuan leaned towards Jiang Fei, whispering, “I admit, this is the most awkward day of my life.”

Jiang Fei smiled, “You said it, it’s unbelievably awkward…”

Fang Yuan clapped his hands and muttered, “Maybe we’ve been too serious? My toes are cramping.”

Jiang Fei repeated, “You said it…”

Cheng Ye poured himself some juice, feeling the need to set an example as the team leader. He loosened his stiff face muscles, stood up, and raised his glass towards Pei Qinghuai, “Happy birthday.”

Pei Qinghuai raised his glass, “Thanks.”

Taking the cue, Fang Yuan and Jiang Fei followed with their own birthday wishes, as did Chen Xiaonuan and Zhang Yibao. Eventually, they started chatting more freely and even opened a box of beer. Fang Yuan, who usually held his liquor well, was knocked out after three drinks.

He clung to Pei Qinghuai, rambling on, while Cheng Ye tried unsuccessfully to stop him, only to hear a stream of their team’s “glorious deeds.”

Relaxing for a few days, Zhang Yibao, who had nothing to do, had gained a few pounds. He leaned back in his chair, yawning out of boredom, “Captain, when do you think we’ll get another case?”

“Isn’t it better without a case?” Chen Xiaonuan, with her legs crossed, flipped through her book, “Think of it as a holiday.”

Zhang Yibao sighed dramatically, and Fang Yuan slid his chair between Zhang Yibao and Chen Xiaonuan, looking gossipy, “I heard the first team is swamped with a missing persons case.”

“How do you know that?” Zhang Yibao asked, wide-eyed. He knew that getting information from the first team, who guarded their cases like dogs with bones, wasn’t easy.

Fang Yuan lifted his chin, “Who do you think I am!”

Chen Xiaonuan smirked, “Are you planning to steal their case?”

“I was just saying,” Fang Yuan recalled his past reprimands and shivered, “Just talking.”

The three of them lounged in their chairs, staring at the ceiling out of boredom, until Cheng Ye returned. Fang Yuan perked up at the sight of the file in Cheng Ye’s hand, “Captain, is it a new case?”

Cheng Ye nodded, “The first team made progress on a case they were following, so they handed us their missing persons case.”

Zhang Yibao’s eyes lit up, “Captain, let me see the file.”

Chen Xiaonuan nudged Fang Yuan, “Looks like you don’t have to steal it now.”

As Zhang Yibao scanned the file, he remarked, “All girls, and they don’t seem to be connected.”

Fang Yuan slid his chair over and glanced at the file, “There’s a common factor.”

“What?” Zhang Yibao asked.

“They’re all pretty,” Fang Yuan said.

Zhang Yibao rolled his eyes, “Thanks for the incredibly useless clue.”

Fang Yuan patted Zhang Yibao’s shoulder, “You’re welcome.”

Cheng Ye put the file down and stepped out to dial a number. After a long wait, the call was answered by a groggy voice, “What’s up?”

Pei Qinghuai lay surrounded by files, his body sore from lying down too long. He sat up in his chair, stretching his stiff back.

“You need to come back early, we have a new case,” said Cheng Ye.