Chapter Thirty-One: Boarding the Wrong Car

Chapter Thirty-One: Getting on the Wrong Car

“Miss, you’re truly incredible! How did you know I was the one who found the backpack? When I left home, my wife even told me, ‘If we find something and don’t hand it over promptly but keep it to ourselves, what if the child who lost it comes looking? They might start suspecting us!’ But I told her, ‘No way, the police know what they’re doing!’ See? You called it exactly right! You really have a brilliant mind!”

After recounting the whole story, Grandpa Shen relaxed, his nerves easing, though a touch of excitement lingered in his eyes. As he looked at Qin Ruonan, his gaze carried a hint of flattery. His words grew more ingratiating, as if he was racking his brain to find all the compliments he could muster; he even ended up calling her a “mastermind,” which left both Qin Ruonan and An Changpu amused and perplexed.

“My little grandson is six this year, just a bit younger than the lost child. My wife and I have been watching TV these past few days, thinking about how frantic the parents of that child must be! Probably about ready to lose their minds! If our grandson were missing, we wouldn’t even have the face to look at my son and daughter-in-law!” Grandpa Shen said, then suddenly became superstitious, spitting three times towards the ground: “Pah! Pah! Pah! My grandson won’t get lost!”

“Grandpa Shen, when exactly did you find the backpack? Was it already there, or was it just thrown there recently?” Qin Ruonan’s question hit the mark about the backpack’s origin, instantly untying the knot in Grandpa Shen’s mind. Relaxed now, it was easier to get him talking, and An Changpu, no longer holding back, began asking straightforward questions.

The backpack had been found surprisingly near Qunsheng Village in the eastern part of the city. This suggested that Fang Wan was likely in that area or had been taken there. When Grandpa Shen found the backpack, he might have even come across the person who discarded it.

After reflecting for a moment, Grandpa Shen was vague about the exact time. “I forgot the exact time. I fix shoes in my little shed and don’t have fixed working hours. I usually pack up when dusk falls and then go around scavenging. The day I found the backpack was around that time—still not fully dark. Nearby, a small factory was being demolished, and there was a large trash bin beside it. I was digging through it, and the light helped me spot the backpack; otherwise, I might not have seen it. Besides me, there was another scavenger. He actually pulled the backpack out from under a pile of broken cardboard boxes first. He thought it was useless and gave it to me.”

An Changpu nodded, mentally calculating based on the month, season, and recent weather. Grandpa Shen must have found the backpack around five in the evening. Since it was discovered under some broken cardboard boxes, it might have been there for some time. Trying to find clues about the person who abandoned it seemed unlikely.

Afterward, An Changpu and Qin Ruonan took Grandpa Shen’s statement, carefully recording every detail of how and when he found the backpack. Throughout the process, Grandpa Shen looked up to Qin Ruonan, convinced she had cleverly cleared him of unnecessary suspicion and saved him a lot of trouble. To some extent, he regarded her as his “savior.”

Once everything was settled, Grandpa Shen felt a weight lifted off his shoulders as he left the major crimes unit. As always, he showered Qin Ruonan with thanks, which made her feel a bit embarrassed.

“No need to feel embarrassed. The old man’s praise isn’t an exaggeration,” An Changpu said sincerely once Grandpa Shen left. “You connected some subtle details and deduced the backpack’s origin. Not only was your thinking meticulous, but you also eased Grandpa Shen’s mind at just the right moment, which made everything go smoothly afterward. The credit is all yours.”

He gave Qin Ruonan a thumbs-up. “When we first teamed up, I thought you were a bit rash, bold but reckless, not considering consequences. Looking back, I was too hasty to judge. You’re not so easy to sum up after all!”

Qin Ruonan smiled softly, hesitating whether to show humility or accept his praise openly. Before she could respond, the office door creaked open. Tao Yinyin peeked out, saw only An Changpu and Qin Ruonan inside, and hurried over. She had already changed clothes and neatly folded An Changpu’s sweatshirt to hand back to him, smiling warmly. “I should head home soon. Here’s your shirt back! If my parents saw me wearing your clothes, things between us would get complicated!”

Only then did An Changpu realize how late it had gotten. Darkness had fully fallen outside.

“Wait a moment; I’ll drive you home,” he said, watching raindrops streak down the window.

Tao Yinyin didn’t hesitate. “Sure! If it weren’t for you today, I’d be in real trouble! An Changpu, you’re truly a knight in shining armor!”

They exchanged light banter, and Qin Ruonan sat quietly at her desk, watching Tao Yinyin’s charm unfold—a unique blend of openness and coquettishness, both qualities coexisting without contradiction. Such demeanor and character could only come from a girl cherished like a princess since childhood. Someone like herself could at best strive not to be a disagreeable troublemaker but would never naturally embody that endearing charm. Qin Ruonan felt a pang of sadness and drifted into quiet thought.

“That’s nothing. You make me sound like a hero!” An Changpu chuckled at Tao Yinyin’s praise. He glanced at Qin Ruonan and gestured for her to join them. “Ruonan, it’s still raining outside. Come on, I’ll take you home too!”

“No, thanks. I live nearby and can walk. You don’t need to worry about me.” Qin Ruonan refused quickly. If she didn’t know Tao Yinyin’s role, she might have been less discerning about catching a ride. But now she knew Tao Yinyin was An Changpu’s blind date, and she couldn’t put herself between them under any circumstances.

“See? Just when I praised your careful thinking, you went back to your bold, straightforward self! Come on, or I’ll have to drag you along! I don’t believe you can win in hand-to-hand combat against me,” An Changpu joked, insisting she come along.

Qin Ruonan considered refusing again but realized that if she kept making excuses, it might seem insincere or even flirtatious. Reluctantly, she nodded in agreement.

Tao Yinyin blinked, looking between An Changpu and Qin Ruonan silently.

With the matter settled, An Changpu quickly put away his clothes, donned his jacket, and led the two women downstairs.

Qin Ruonan was a bit distracted, silent all the way down, trailing behind An Changpu and Tao Yinyin. Tao Yinyin, however, was full of curiosity about the police station, peppering An Changpu with questions as they chatted quietly.

Outside, An Changpu unlocked the car, and Qin Ruonan opened the door and slid in. Just as she settled into the seat, she noticed Tao Yinyin standing outside, staring at her with surprise. Only then did Qin Ruonan realize she had instinctively sat in the front passenger seat.

Flushing slightly, she quickly opened the door and stepped out, apologizing to Tao Yinyin. “Sorry, I’m used to this from work.”

“Don’t say that! Your apology makes it seem like I’m upset,” Tao Yinyin said, feigning hurt before bursting into laughter and grabbing Qin Ruonan’s hand, shaking it. “See? No need to be so serious; I was just joking!”

Without hesitation, Tao Yinyin climbed into the front passenger seat.

Qin Ruonan sat quietly in the back. An Changpu paid no attention to their conversation and started the car, driving out of the police station.

Since Qin Ruonan’s rented apartment was near the station, it took less than ten minutes to reach.

“We’re here. Thank you both,” Qin Ruonan smiled and prepared to get out.

Tao Yinyin turned to her in surprise. “No wonder you said you didn’t need a ride—you live so close!”

A flush crept over Qin Ruonan’s cheeks, feeling rather awkward.

An Changpu, however, didn’t notice. He pointed to the windshield where the wipers swept away the rain and told Tao Yinyin, “Don’t mind Ruonan’s modesty. With this rain, unless she lives right at the station’s gate, even a hundred-meter sprint would soak her through. There’s no way she didn’t need a ride.”

“Exactly! A gentleman like you wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen right under your nose!” Tao Yinyin said with exaggerated admiration, giving An Changpu a thumbs-up.

Qin Ruonan didn’t linger to listen to their playful banter. She thanked them and stepped out, walking into the rainy night alone.