At midnight, Luo Fei finally returned home after escorting Director Zhou Weimin back.
Wu Yan was still awake, sitting in front of the television while stringing bracelets by hand.
Luo Fei knew she was waiting for him.
Normally, she would already be asleep by ten o'clock.
Seeing him enter, Wu Yan frowned.
“Why do you smell so strongly of alcohol? How much did you drink?” she asked reproachfully.
Luo Fei smiled.
“Not much. I just had a few drinks with my master and Director Zhou. Look, I'm not even drunk. How much could I possibly have had?”
Only then did Wu Yan's expression soften.
“You reek of alcohol. Should I make some pickled vegetable soup to help sober you up?”
Luo Fei shook his head.
“Mom, I really didn't drink that much. Don't worry. You should get some sleep. I'll wash up and head to bed soon. I still have work tomorrow.”
Only after hearing that did Wu Yan finally go to bed.
As soon as she left, Luo Fei turned toward the bed.
“Luo Hao, what time is it? Why aren't you asleep yet? Didn't I tell you that you're not allowed to play on your phone after eleven?”
His voice was stern.
The boy thought he had been sneaky.
Unfortunately, Luo Fei had already spotted him playing under the blanket before entering the room. The moment he heard the door open, Luo Hao had hurriedly put away the phone and pretended to be asleep.
“From now on, you're going to bed at eleven sharp. If I catch you playing on your phone after eleven again, you'll regret it.”
Luo Fei knew Luo Hao could hear every word.
He couldn't afford to be lenient.
High school was one of the most important stages of a person's life.
In his previous life, he had let himself go during those years, becoming addicted to video games. As a result, he performed poorly on the college entrance examination and ended up attending an ordinary second-tier university.
After graduation, finding a job proved difficult.
Eventually, he discovered that he had a bit of talent for writing mystery novels and simply became a full-time author instead.
After washing up, Luo Fei prepared to go to sleep.
Suddenly, the familiar voice of the system echoed in his mind.
『The Orchid Garden Residential Complex Murder Case has been solved. Based on the host's contribution to this case, the host has received a reward of 1,000 Gold Coins.』
Luo Fei froze.
The next second, excitement flooded his face.
He had assumed that even if the case were solved, the system would reward him with only a few hundred coins at most.
After all, the Criminal Investigation Division had handled nearly all of the investigation and arrest.
He had merely provided assistance.
To his surprise, the system was incredibly generous and directly awarded him 1,000 Gold Coins.
For Luo Fei, this was an unexpected windfall.
At this rate, it wouldn't take long before he accumulated enough coins to purchase another gene for fusion.
Thinking of that, he immediately entered the Gene Mall through his consciousness and began browsing future fusion options.
The next morning, Luo Fei arrived at the police station precisely at 7:30 a.m.
Despite drinking heavily the night before, he felt completely unaffected.
His energy and mental state remained excellent.
Zhang Haiyang and Liu Haiquan, however, were in miserable condition.
When Luo Fei entered the office, Zhang Haiyang had just arrived. He hadn't even eaten breakfast and was already slumped over his desk, half asleep.
As for Liu Haiquan, he didn't stagger into the office until nearly 8:30.
The morning was relatively quiet.
Luo Fei spent the time studying and expanding his knowledge base.
At nine o'clock, Director Zhou Weimin summoned Luo Fei and Zhang Haiyang to his office.
The first thing that came to Luo Fei's mind was the Orchid Garden case.
After all, the system had informed him last night that the case had been solved.
Naturally, he assumed Director Zhou wanted to discuss that matter.
However, he was wrong.
The director had called them in for an entirely different reason.
“Luo Fei,” Zhou Weimin said with a smile, “did your master ever tell you that our station has its own rewards for officers who receive commendations and merit awards?”
Luo Fei looked at Zhang Haiyang in confusion.
This was the first time he had heard anything about it.
Zhang Haiyang met his gaze and replied seriously,
“A surprise. If I'd told you beforehand, it wouldn't have been a surprise anymore.”
‘Yeah right. I bet he just forgot,’ Luo Fei thought.
Still, the surprise itself was very real.
He hadn't expected the station to provide additional cash rewards.
The only question was how much.
Fortunately, Zhou Weimin answered immediately.
“Normally, the rewards issued by the station match those issued by the Ministry of Public Security. If they give 3,000 yuan, we give 3,000 yuan.”
He continued,
“For example, your master's Third-Class Merit award came with a 3,000-yuan reward from the ministry, so the station will also give him 3,000 yuan.”
“You received a Personal Commendation and 2,000 yuan from the ministry. Normally, we'd give you another 2,000.”
“However, considering your outstanding contribution to the Gu Youguo murder case, as well as the fact that you've already helped solve a homicide shortly after joining the force, we've decided to award you an additional 1,000 yuan as encouragement.”
He smiled.
“So your reward will also be 3,000 yuan.”
With that, Zhou Weimin opened his desk drawer and pulled out two red envelopes.
One for Luo Fei.
One for Zhang Haiyang.
After handing them over, he launched into an enthusiastic speech about working hard, achieving greater success, and bringing more glory to the station.
Luo Fei nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick.
“Yes, Director.”
“I understand, Director.”
“I'll continue working hard.”
His attitude couldn't have been more sincere.
After all, he'd just received a red envelope from his superior.
Basic courtesy was the least he could offer.
His earnest response left Zhou Weimin extremely satisfied.
Then the director glanced at Zhang Haiyang.
The veteran officer was casually picking at his ear with an expression of complete boredom.
The contrast couldn't have been greater.
One was respectful and attentive.
The other looked thoroughly uninterested.
The sight instantly annoyed Zhou Weimin.
The moment they left the office, Zhang Haiyang pulled Luo Fei toward the stairwell.
“Luo Fei, weren't you asking about rental properties yesterday?”
Luo Fei immediately perked up.
“Did you find something?”
Zhang Haiyang nodded.
“I asked around. My wife's classmate mentioned a good apartment in Hongtianba. It's about 120 square meters, with four bedrooms, one living room, one bathroom, and one kitchen.”
“The rent is 1,200 yuan a month.”
“If you're interested, I'll send you the contact information. You can arrange a viewing.”
Luo Fei's eyes lit up.
“That's great! Please send it to me. I'd like to go see it this afternoon.”
He had been eager to move out of the cement factory dormitories for a long time.
The sooner he secured a new place, the better.
Zhang Haiyang sent him the contact information.
Luo Fei immediately reached out to the landlord and arranged a viewing for six o'clock that evening.
Afterward, he called his mother.
— “Mom, I've found a place to look at in Hongtianba. I'll pick you up after work. Be ready around five.”
The afternoon passed quietly.
The only notable incident involved a young woman reporting that an elderly man had groped her on a bus.
Zhang Da took his apprentice, Wu Wei, to handle the complaint.
Luo Fei initially planned to spend the afternoon studying.
However, by around four o'clock, thoughts of the apartment viewing kept creeping into his mind.
He found it impossible to focus.
Finally, the moment the workday ended, Luo Fei quickly packed his belongings and hurried home.
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