Chapter 350: Chapter 350: The Emotion Behind a Bullet

As Chen Xiao, Pan Huiping, and Liu Dayou headed towards Leigong Mountain.

He kept pondering in his heart.

Am I overthinking it?

If Qiu Tingfang left something behind before her death, she should have had plenty of time.

Why hide it in a piece of candy?

Pan Huiping beside him was also deep in thought.

It was already very late now.

As an experienced detective, she understood the importance of time.

But she didn’t recommend going into Leigong Mountain in the middle of the night.

Even the supermarket earlier was opened by staff only after she made a call.

Although they didn’t dare say it outright, it was clear they had many complaints.

Furthermore, venturing into the deep mountains at night doesn’t necessarily lead to any discoveries.

There’s a high chance that this trip would just be a waste of time.

With this time, it might be more effective to calm down and think things through more.

Of course, this was just Pan Huiping’s personal opinion.

She deeply felt Chen Xiao’s efficiency and keen insight into case investigations.

She wondered if Chen Xiao might have different abilities at night.

But in the end, she thought too much.

When Xiaoji drove back, Chen Xiao directly opened the car door and smiled:

"Captain Pan, it’s getting late, why don’t we call it a night?"

Pan Huiping was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded: "I’ll drive my own car."

Chen Xiao glanced over, and Xiaoji immediately got out of the driver’s seat.

After Pan Huiping got in the car, she said:

"I originally thought you were going to explore Leigong Mountain at night."

"Even though Director Zhang praised my eyesight, I don’t think it’s necessary to go to Leigong Mountain at this hour."

"Yes, my people have also begun retrieving household registry information, working overtime to sift through it. Instead of venturing into the mountains at night, it’s better to wait quietly."

"Alright, this night has indeed been quite tumultuous. Not only did it trouble you, but it also troubled the young girl."

Pan Huiping smiled, and Chen Xiao didn’t say more.

Until on the way back, Zhang Xian called.

He seemed to have just gotten off work.

"Hey, good brother, how’s it going!"

The voice from the phone made Pan Huiping look over.

Chen Xiao immediately reminded, "Captain Pan, focus on driving safely."

Pan Huiping felt a bit embarrassed.

From the other end, Zhang Xian asked anxiously: "Is Xiao Pan also in the car?"

"Yeah, Captain Pan and I were just investigating outside, now we’re heading back to the team."

"Then tell me, do you think you have confidence with the case?"

"Confidence isn’t something to consider at this point. But the case is indeed a bit odd, let’s take our time investigating."

Chen Xiao seemed to be playing Tai Chi, speaking ambiguously.

After hearing this, Zhang Xian said, "Come on, don’t mess with me, I know you, tell me if you found anything."

Actually, Chen Xiao felt Zhang Xian was in the wrong.

As friends, sometimes someone’s personal gossip can’t help but come out.

But when there really seems to be a problem, Chen Xiao didn’t want to gossip and felt a bit unnatural. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Zhang Xian had a family.

And held a position!

Chen Xiao didn’t want to see him make mistakes.

Similarly, Pan Huiping shouldn’t make such a mistake.

But Zhang Xian now clearly cared excessively.

Until then, a female voice came from beside Zhang Xian: "Brother Xian, can Chen Xiao help Pingping?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao felt much more at ease.

Looking at Pan Huiping, she obviously heard the question as well.

Her eyes didn’t show much complexity; instead, she raised her voice to reply:

"Sister Qin, Chen Xiao is very capable, he will definitely help me. As soon as he came, he opened up many lines of thought for me!"

"That’s good, Chen Xiao... sister thanks you on the phone first, when you come back, sister will prepare a meal to thank you and Xiaoxi!"

Listening to their conversation.

Chen Xiao chuckled bitterly to himself, realizing he had overthought things.

Sometimes, one can’t be too one-sided.

Perhaps their relationship among the three wasn’t as shallow as he thought.

"Okay sister, rest assured, I will do my utmost to assist Captain Pan."

"Alright then, don’t blame Zhang Xian for bothering you, I prompted him to call."

"Understood, sister," Chen Xiao replied, and Zhang Xian said:

"Had to have my wife speak up before you’d say something, alright... I won’t argue with you, remember to take care out there, I’m hanging up."

Zhang Xian hung up the call quickly.

Holding the phone, Chen Xiao noticed Liu Dayou and Xiaoji seemed deep in thought, realizing they probably couldn’t comprehend the exact dynamics between Zhang Xian, Pan Huiping, and Mi Qin.

However, at this moment, Pan Huiping took the initiative to speak up.

The very first sentence left people dumbfounded.

"I like Brother Xian."

Chen Xiao didn’t know what to reply, but Pan Huiping candidly said: "But I can’t distinguish if I still like him now, maybe it’s more admiration. And you don’t need to speculate about my relationship with Brother Xian and Sister Qin."

"Brother Xian treats Sister Qin very well, and she treats him well too. Plus, they’ve been through far more together than with me, so they are the best match."

Chen Xiao nodded: "Then how do you think they regard you now?"

"They treat me as a younger sister, but I know Brother Xian always feels guilty towards me."

"Something happened back then, right?"

"Yes, I took a bullet for Brother Xian, and that shot almost broke them apart. Sister Qin is the gentle, sentimental type. As for me, I love and hate strongly. Back then, he wasn’t married, nor was she, so I was always open about my feelings in front of Brother Xian."

"But gradually I realized that Brother Xian only had Sister Qin in his heart. I saved him from a bullet, but it only made him feel guilty towards me, not love. I knew that even if guilt made him stay with me, we’d probably have conflicts thereafter."

"For a family, when there’s one detective, the other person bears more responsibility for the family. If both are detectives, it’s unimaginable. So, eventually, I got it and even personally became Sister Qin’s bridesmaid. Over the years, we’ve kept in touch like family."

Listening to Pan Huiping.

Chen Xiao finally relaxed completely.

He really didn’t want Zhang Xian to make any mistakes.

Now, Pan Huiping was clearly telling him that his previous suspicions were unfounded.

After sharing the story about herself, Zhang Xian, and Zhang Xian’s wife Mi Qin, Pan Huiping said:

"I’m a bit hungry, how about I treat you all to a late-night snack?"

Liu Dayou had been rubbing his belly and was the first to smile: "Captain Pan, this is too kind!"

Pan Huiping shook her head: "I earn a decent salary, the three of you shouldn’t eat me out of house and home."

Liu Dayou immediately looked at Chen Xiao.

"Then thank you, Captain Pan," Chen Xiao replied.

Pan Huiping then drove towards the night market street in Celestial Valley District.

The night market street was lined with various food stalls and barbecue shops.

As Pan Huiping drove, she scanned for a suitable place. But suddenly, she braked sharply, her eyes fixed intensely on a sign.

Following her gaze, Chen Xiao’s expression tightened as well at that moment.