Animal Detective-Chapter 57: Second-Stage Million

Inside the mediation room of the Yunlin Police Station.

"You’re the one selling fake medicine," Chi Yidong yelled, slamming his hand on the table. He pointed at Zhang Zhengde opposite him and said, "Officer, did you hear that? He’s slandering me! I want to press charges!"

Across from him, Zhang Zhengde shot to his feet.

"Isn’t what I said the truth? You think nobody knows about your little tricks? Let me tell you, I have zero respect for people like you. How dare you call yourself a doctor? All for a bit of money... you have no morals! You’re despicable! Shameless!"

"Me, despicable and shameless? You bastard Zhang, stop fucking acting so high and mighty! Let’s be real, you’re just jealous that I’m making money and you’re not. That’s because you’re incompetent. Serves you right!"

Zhang Zhengde’s face flushed with anger. He slammed the table, about to retort.

"Stop!"

Shen Xin shouted, his voice overpowering theirs. He also slammed the table and barked, "Where do you think you are? This is a police station, not a stage for your shouting match! Both of you, sit down!"

Only then did the two of them sit down.

Chi Yidong didn’t dare slam the table again. He changed his tune, saying, "Officer Shen, I’ve changed my mind. I won’t accept mediation. I want to charge him with property damage. I want him arrested."

Not to be outdone, Zhang Zhengde retorted, "Go ahead and arrest me! Who are you trying to scare? It’s just detention. But you won’t get away either! Officer, I want to report him for selling fake medicine and practicing medicine illegally."

"You’re the one fucking practicing illegally! I have a medical license, and my products have a health food registration number! Ha! I’m not fucking breaking the law! How’s that for pissing you off!"

From Chi Yidong’s tone, it was clear he was one step away from spitting in Zhang Zhengde’s face.

A vein throbbed on Zhang Zhengde’s forehead in fury, and he unconsciously clutched his chest.

Just as Shen Xin was about to speak, he turned and saw Song Liang peeking into the room from the doorway. He changed what he was going to say. "You two, you don’t want to sort this out amicably, is that it? Fine, then I’ll just follow procedure. Whatever happens, happens."

Zhang Zhengde’s expression shifted, a flicker of unease on his face.

Chi Yidong, on the other hand, looked smug.

"And you," Shen Xin said, his gaze landing on Chi Yidong. "You know exactly what you put in those pills. Think carefully before you speak again."

’Clearly, this wasn’t the first or second time he’d done something like this. He was operating in a gray area, and he knew how to avoid inspection. Besides, if the people don’t report it, the officials don’t investigate. His customers got good results and didn’t cause any trouble. But if a real investigation were to happen, did he really think he’d get off scot-free?’

Chi Yidong’s face fell, the smug expression vanishing.

"I’ll give you two a little more time. Both of you, think it over. We’ll talk again when you’ve figured things out."

Shen Xin gave the table a final rap with his knuckles and turned to leave.

"Song Suo, what’s up?"

As he approached Song Liang, Shen Xin immediately dropped his stern demeanor and asked with a smile.

Song Liang gestured with his eyes toward the two men in the room and asked in a low voice what was going on.

"One’s a self-proclaimed crusader who smashed the other guy’s shop door in the middle of the night. The other one sells... male enhancement pills. I’ll just give the Drug Administration a heads-up later."

Song Liang grunted in acknowledgment and didn’t press further.

He pulled Shen Xin aside and said with a broad smile, "Xiaoshen, I remember when you first got here. You didn’t know anything and kept making mistakes. But in the blink of an eye, a whole year has gone by. You’ve even earned a commendation and become an outstanding police officer."

Shen Xin guessed what Song Liang was getting at and quickly said, "Song Suo, I still make mistakes even now. But I have you and my Master keeping an eye on me. If it weren’t for your excellent teaching, how could I have earned any commendation?"

"Oh, cut it out."

Song Liang chuckled, the crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes deepening with his smile.

He clapped Shen Xin on the shoulder, looking him up and down. "It’s great. You’ve matured."

Just now, for instance, you handled that dispute so cleanly and efficiently. Not like when you first arrived, when you were too scared to even speak up.

"Honestly, I’m really going to miss having you around," Song Liang sighed.

’Clearly, he already knew about the sub-bureau transferring me to the Criminal Investigation Division.’

"Song Suo, you know I’ve always wanted to be a detective. When Director Lv asked, I got excited and just blurted it out. I wasn’t really thinking, and I had no idea he’d actually agree."

Song Liang pretended to glare at him, then laughed. "Don’t play humble after you’ve gotten what you wanted. What, you think I’d stand in your way?"

"Of course not. Water flows down, and people strive for higher ground. You’ve got ambition, kid. That’s a good thing. Why would I stop you?"

Shen Xin quickly shook his head, indicating that wasn’t what he meant at all.

Song Liang then added a word of caution. "But Xiaoshen, leaving is one thing, but I have to remind you: being a detective isn’t like working at a local station. The pressure is much greater. Most importantly, you’re on the front lines, and you’ll face real risks. You need to weigh that in your heart and always stay vigilant, you hear?"

’He didn’t want to end up attending a memorial service for one of his own men.’

Shen Xin nodded quickly, saying he understood. He added that even after he left, he would always be a part of the Yunlin Police Station.

"Alright. If you really mean it, get everyone you’re close with together for a meal. You organize it, my treat. We’ll call it your farewell dinner," Song Liang said with a grin, adding, "And don’t be afraid to go for something nice."

’Shen Xin had earned a Third-Class Merit, which in turn had won the station a collective commendation. It was only right that they give him a proper send-off.’

"Thank you, Song Suo," Shen Xin said quickly.

Song Liang nodded. "But you still have to finish your last watch strong."

’The transfer procedures would take a few days anyway.’ 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

It was past seven in the evening by the time Zhang Zhengde’s case was settled. In the end, he chose to apologize and pay for the damages.

As for Chi Yidong, Shen Xin still planned on giving the Drug Administration a call.

How they chose to handle it would be up to them.

He hurried to the canteen for dinner.

It was past mealtime, but because of Baiwan, Master Li had been looking out for Shen Xin recently. He had even saved him a meal—a piece of braised pork chop as big as his palm.

Shen Xin carried his bowl outside to find Baiwan.

"Here!"

Shen Xin pulled a piece of beef jerky from his pocket and tossed it with a smile.

Baiwan stretched out his neck, caught it precisely, and gobbled it down. Then he ran to his doghouse, grabbed a frisbee, and dropped it at Shen Xin’s feet.

He wanted Shen Xin to play with him.

Shen Xin was the one who had bought him the frisbee.

Work had been so busy lately that Shen Xin was hardly ever home. As a result, he hadn’t spent much time with Da Mei, and her icon was still at stage two, three bars of favorability.

On the other hand, since he was always at the station, he’d often play with Baiwan in his free time, buying him treats, toys, and so on. As a result, his favorability had been shooting up.

It was now at stage one, nine bars, and was about to break through.

"Baiwan, let’s see a cool trick!"

Shen Xin pointed to the camphor tree at the canteen entrance and threw the frisbee into the air.

Baiwan charged toward the tree, leaped up, kicked off the trunk, and twisted in mid-air. He soared high into the air and precisely snatched the falling frisbee from the sky.

Then he landed lightly on his feet.

"Awesome!"

Shen Xin gave him a thumbs-up and, as if by magic, produced another piece of jerky and stuck it in his mouth.

The dog wagged his tail furiously, and the icon above his head suddenly filled its last bar.

It’s full!

Then, it turned yellow.

’I’m so happy! Stage two! And so quickly, too. It had only been about ten days, and I hadn’t even put much effort into it—just bought him some extra treats and played with him when I had a spare moment. It wasn’t like with Da Mei, where I had to get revenge for her and bring her husband home just to barely break through to stage two. I guess it probably has to do with the fundamental nature of cats and dogs. Cats are naturally aloof. They’re like a tsundere girlfriend; you have to find all sorts of ways to coax and please them. Dogs, on the other hand, are more affectionate and loyal. They don’t demand as much as cats. As long as their owner spends a little time playing with them, that’s enough. So naturally, their favorability rises faster.’