Chapter 158 Re-establishing the stall

Chapter 158 Re-establishing the stall

Su Yingxue stood on the lawn outside the villa, watching the drug dealers being escorted into police cars in the distance. Their handcuffs gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Some had their heads down, while others glared defiantly at the onlookers, as if trying to etch hatred into the world.

Lin Zhiyuan walked over and handed her a hot coffee: "Just bought it, drink it while it's hot."

"Thank you, Captain." She took the paper cup, slightly taken aback.

Xiao Sui chimed in, "Team Leader Lin, the technical team is already analyzing the ledgers and has initially identified a few suspicious accounts. They should be able to uncover some 'big fish' tonight."

Lin Zhiyuan nodded: "Notify the Economic Crime Investigation Division to cooperate, follow the clues, and don't let anyone get away." He turned to Su Yingxue, "What are your plans next?"

Su Yingxue held the warm coffee, the rising steam blurring her vision. "I want to go back to the stall." She paused. "Those regular customers... are probably worried something's happened to me."

"Your stall?" Lin Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Yes, a 'barbecue stall'.” She smiled. “It’s just a small cart, but many regular customers love my grilled lamb skewers and squid.”

"Please be careful. Contact us if you have any problems."

——

Three days later, the barbecue cart was set up in its old spot again.

Wearing her familiar apron, Su Yingxue skillfully flipped the meat skewers on the grill. The crackling of the charcoal and the dripping sound of oil, mixed with the aroma of cumin and chili, quickly attracted the first group of customers.

"Sister Su! I heard you went to the villa area to deliver goods a few days ago and ran into some bad guys?" Old Li, a regular customer, came over, his face full of worry.

"Ah, it was just... a little accident." She smiled and sprinkled some sesame seeds. "It's been taken care of."

“That’s right!” a young male voice suddenly interjected. “Those bad guys have all been caught! My cousin is in the criminal investigation team, and he said it was all thanks to a few particularly brave people—”

Su Yingxue paused slightly with her spatula.

"—Especially one older woman, who used the chili powder from her barbecue skewers to take down the thugs!" the young man gestured, and a burst of laughter immediately erupted around him.

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Her ears burned, and she quickly handed over the grilled lamb skewers. "Here, eat them while they're hot."

As night deepened, customers streamed in and out of the stall. Just as the last skewer of squid was ready, a black SUV slowly pulled up to the side of the road. The door opened, and Lin Zhiyuan stepped out.

"Team Leader Lin?" Su Yingxue blinked in surprise.

"Just passing by." He glanced at the mostly empty food platter. "Business is good?"

Lin Zhiyuan looked at the bamboo skewer she handed him, his fingertips paused slightly, and finally he simply said softly, "Thank you, it's delicious."

Su Yingxue noticed his gaze lingering on her slightly trembling fingertips and couldn't help but smile: "Too much chili powder, choked on it?"

“No.” He shook his head, his gaze softening. “It’s just… you did very well.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lin Xiaoman suddenly emerged from behind the SUV, grinning as she patted Lin Zhiyuan on the shoulder: "Captain Lin! You're hogging all the food, aren't you!"

Su Yingxue looked up and saw that familiar face, her eyes lighting up: "Xiaoman! I haven't seen you for days, where have you been hiding?"

"Busy interrogating those guys!" Lin Xiaoman jumped in front of her, her eyes sparkling. "Hey, Sister Su, do you remember Lu Zhenting I said I wanted to investigate?"

“That…” Su Yingxue frowned slightly, vaguely remembering that this name seemed to have been in contact with drug dealers.

"Yes! That's him!" Lin Xiaoman gestured excitedly. "Thanks to the ledger clues you provided, we followed the trail and discovered that while he appeared to be a respectable businessman, he was actually having financial dealings with overseas drug lords!"

Su Yingxue was stunned: "It's that serious?"

“It’s more than serious!” Lin Xiaoman lowered her voice. “He used his legitimate business to launder money, distributed drugs through those ‘clients’ in the villa area, and even…” She paused, “He also implicated several officials.”

Lin Zhiyuan continued, "Now the chain of evidence is basically complete. Lu Zhenting will probably be spending the Lunar New Year in prison."

Su Yingxue's hand gripping the spatula tightened slightly, her knuckles turning white. She recalled the arrogant demeanor of Wang Zhiqiang and the drug dealers at the villa that day, never imagining there was an even larger criminal network behind them.

"So..." she asked softly, "what I encountered that day was just the tip of the iceberg?"

Lin Xiaoman nodded: "Yes, but we don't need to worry now. At least we've cracked this one."

——

As night deepened, the customers at the stall finally dispersed. Su Yingxue packed up the grill, while Lin Zhiyuan and Lin Xiaoman stood by, watching her skillfully prepare the ingredients.

"What are your plans for the future?" Lin Xiaoman asked.

Su Yingxue wiped her hands and looked up at the distant night sky. The city lights were still dazzling, but tonight, her eyes were more determined than ever.

“My grandma just called me,” she said softly. “She said…my dad’s old comrade-in-arms recently contacted her.”

Lin Zhiyuan and Lin Xiaoman were both taken aback.

“My dad… used to be a soldier.” Su Yingxue’s voice was calm, but her fingers unconsciously traced the edge of her apron. “After he passed away, my mom remarried and rarely mentioned the past. But my grandma said that her old comrade-in-arms has recently run into some trouble and hopes I can go back to help.”

Lin Xiaoman blinked: "What trouble?"

“I didn’t ask for specifics,” Su Yingxue shook her head, “but Grandma said it might… be related to some old 'settlements'.”

Lin Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment: "Do you need our help?"

Su Yingxue smiled: "No need, this time... I want to try it myself."

She raised her head, her gaze bright and resolute: "Whether it's a barbecue stand or anything else, as long as I've decided on something, I'll do it well."

Lin Xiaoman grinned: "Okay! Then treat us to barbecue skewers when you come back after you've settled your old scores!"

Lin Zhiyuan looked at her, his gaze softening slightly: "Be careful."

Su Yingxue nodded and turned to continue tidying up her stall. A night breeze blew, and the embers of the charcoal fire flickered in the darkness, like some silent vow—

No matter what lies ahead, she will face it.

System, what's the next task?

Su Yingxue looked at the system in the air.

"Next task: Make boxed lunches at the kindergarten."

"kindergarten?"

Su Yingxue thought of those lively and adorable children. Then she thought of certain troublemakers. Her head was spinning.

Su Yingxue stood outside the colorful wrought iron gate of Tongxin Kindergarten, looking up at the brand-new three-story building.

This used to be the apple of her father's old comrade-in-arms, Uncle Pan's eye—an ordinary, affordable kindergarten where children could attend at a discounted rate, and the teachers were mostly reliable individuals selected from the families of military personnel. But now, although the sign for "Tongxin Kindergarten" still hangs above the gate, the entire building appears unusually deserted.