Binjiang Police Affairs
Chapter 168 - 136: Beating is Affection, Scolding is Love

Chapter 168: Chapter 136: Beating is Affection, Scolding is Love

Han Shuqun and his wife came to Bailong Port mainly because they were worried about their eldest daughter working alone in such a faraway place. They wanted to see for themselves and took the opportunity to help repair the radar on vessel 001.

They had arrived in the morning by a vehicle from the Port Supervision Bureau, and now that vehicle had taken Sister Zhu back to the city. It would not be until tomorrow morning that Director Jin would be sent over to replace Han Xiangning’s shift.

Because of this, they had long planned to take a long-distance bus back home.

Coincidentally, the Bailong Port Police Station’s shift change during the Spring Festival period was not in the morning but in the afternoon.

Zhang Junyan was due back in Binjiang at five-thirty. Since the Bailong Port Police Station had a vehicle, the family of three didn’t have to cram onto a long-distance bus.

While they were watching TV and chatting in the Dunship Second Floor Command and Control Room, waiting for Zhang Junyan to finish work, Scholar Yu and Ma Jintao rushed back in a frantic state.

Time was of the essence, Scholar Yu didn’t have time to exchange pleasantries with the Han family. After shaking hands and greeting Han Shuqun, he immediately turned to ask, "Salted Fish, where is Director Xu!"

"Director Xu is off today. Instructor Li said he’s gone to visit his elders for New Year greetings."

"Can he be reached?"

"He always carries his gun and communicator with him. We can’t call him from here, but I can phone the bureau and ask for their help in trying to reach out, to see if they can get a call through."

"Okay, hurry up and call your bureau!"

Realizing that the police might have an urgent operation, Han Shuqun and his wife quickly took their second daughter and left the command and control room.

Han Xiangmeng muttered, "Why didn’t you take Ningning with you? Ningning is also inside."

"Her Port Supervision works jointly with the police office, and anything related to the river concerns Port Supervision. Director Yu and San’er might need to discuss work with her."

"Port Supervision is something to be proud of, huh."

"Each revolution has a different division of labor. If we went to the hospital, I would have to listen to you and your mom just the same."

...

While the Han family was idly chatting in the Port Supervision duty room on the first floor, the on-duty police officers of Linghai Police Bureau, responding to Han Yu’s request, first tried to contact Xu Sanye using the bureau’s radio, then engaged more than a dozen police stations to help call out.

While waiting for news, Han Yu curiously asked, "Director Yu, did you find those who blocked the waterway, robbed the fleet, and injured the sailors?"

This year didn’t start off well, but it brought in a big catch.

Scholar Yu took out a cigarette, lit it, and drew several puffs. With a grin, he said, "We found them. Zikun and I split into two groups, one responsible for the opposite side of the river, the other for this side. We asked for assistance from brother officers from the Water Police Station across the river, and engaged six police stations along this side of the river.

We got six cement ships to help with the search, along with the sailors who were beaten, and conducted a dragnet-style search on the river. From the 25th of the twelfth lunar month until today, after eight days of searching, we finally found them in the Jiangyin Waters. Zikun is keeping watch there, while Xiao Ma and I rushed back as soon as we got the news."

No wonder Director Xu had him in charge of this case.

After all, he is the Branch Captain of the City Bureau’s Water Police Department and also the Director of the Water Police Division. He can mobilize grassroots police stations to help with the search and can even request assistance from colleagues across the river.

Anyone else assigned to this case might have worn out their shoes and still not be able to find the whereabouts of those water bandits.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Han Yu followed up by asking, "How many of them are there?"

"Eight fishing boats, more than forty people, all from Hui Province. They robbed the fleet of daily necessities before the new year, and now they’re together illegally fishing for eel larvae."

"Eight boats, over forty people, they’re not easy to catch on the river."

"That’s why we need to gather forces."

"Director Yu, before Instructor Li left, he instructed me to report to Director Zhang if anything happened."

"Alright, go ahead and report. What we need most now is manpower; it’s best to ask the Criminal Investigation Fourth Squad how many people they can spare."

Han Yu didn’t dare delay for a moment, quickly getting in touch with the Bailong Port Police Station.

Once Zhang Junyan understood the situation, he decided not to change shifts.

Looking up, Han Yu said, "Sister Xiang Ning, Director Zhang isn’t going home. He’s arranged for driver Master Yang to take your dad, your mom, and your sister home. The car will be here shortly; go downstairs and tell your parents."

Han Xiangning came to her senses: "Alright, I’ll go down and tell them now."

Han Yu watched his senior sister leave and immediately called the Fourth Squad.

The squad leader, the instructor, and two colleagues were either out handling cases or taking turns going home to spend the New Year with their families. Only the clerk Niu Bin and two members of the Cooperative Defense Team were on duty.

Niu Bin dared not leave his post and spoke through his communicator, "Junior Master Uncle, I can’t leave here; should I have Old Fang and Old Yan report to your location?"

"Who is Junior Master Uncle?"

"You are."

Han Yu looked up, confused, at Han Xiangning who had just come back after sending off her family. "You’re older than me; how did I become your Junior Master Uncle?"

"I am older by two years, but you are of higher status. Captain Xu is your senior brother, and I am his disciple. If I don’t call you Junior Master Uncle, what should I call you?"

This hierarchy is quite interesting; Little Salted Fish has become someone’s uncle, and Xu Sanye has somehow become their master...

Watching Little Salted Fish’s sudden realization, Scholar Yu couldn’t help but laugh.

Han Xiangning, even more so, covered her mouth tightly, afraid to burst into laughter.

"Niu Brother, if that’s so, shouldn’t you call Sister Zhang ’Master’s wife’?"

"Hmm, I should call her ’Master’s wife,’ but she doesn’t let me."

"How does she want you to address her?"

"Also as Sister Zhang."

"She hasn’t even become a bride yet; calling her ’Master’s wife’ is a bit inappropriate."

Though the two families live close to each other, even eating in the same canteen, they are usually busy, with not much opportunity to chat.

Thinking of Little Salted Fish’s pretty cousin, Niu Bin couldn’t help saying, "Junior Master Uncle, I’d like to inquire about something."

Catching dozens of criminals and having to capture them on the river requires organization, and this cannot be rushed. Han Yu casually sat down and asked, "What’s up?"

Niu Bin asked softly, "Does your cousin have a boyfriend?"

Han Yu was taken aback, instinctively looking up at his senior sister.

Scholar Yu found this increasingly interesting, folding his arms and smiling without a word.

Over the walkie-talkie, Han Xiangning heard everything loud and clear, and she immediately jumped, frantically waving her hands.

Han Yu holding the walkie-talkie replied: "No, she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Brother Niu, why are you asking about this?"

"Just asking casually, Junior Master Uncle, did she go to work today?"

"Brother Niu, why do you need to know so clearly, could it be that you like Sister Xiang Ning, do you want to pursue her?"

"Salted Fish, you are my master uncle, we are all family here."

"What exactly do you want to say."

Since you like her, you should boldly pursue her, otherwise, if you miss the chance, there won’t be another one.

Niu Bin’s mind once again conjured up Han Xiangning’s graceful image, and gathering his courage he said: "Junior Master Uncle, I... I can tell you, but you have to keep it a secret for me."

She’s right there listening, how could this be a secret.

Han Yu found it amusing, and Niu Bin spoke with a mix of embarrassment, hesitance, and expectation: "I... I do quite like her, Junior Master Uncle, could you help me out, say a few good words about me in front of her."

He’s actually secretly in love with my senior!

Han Yu felt unexpectedly sour inside, and looked at Han Xiangning again.

It’s a pleasant thing to be liked by someone, but isn’t it embarrassing to talk about these things in front of Director Yu.

Han Xiangning both flushed with shyness and fumed with anger, clenching her fists tightly and grinding her teeth.

Han Yu wasn’t sure what her attitude was, hesitated for a moment and said: "Brother Niu, if you really like Sister Xiang Ning, you should find her and talk to her yourself, she’s not far away."

"I’m too shy."

"If you’re too shy to speak, you can write her a letter."

This is so embarrassing.

Han Xiangning anxiously pointed at him, thought again, picked up a pen and paper, quickly wrote down a line of text, and handed it to him.

Han Yu looked down and couldn’t help but burst into joy, saying in a hurry: "Brother Niu, Sister Xiang Ning doesn’t have a boyfriend right now, but she’s also not going to date anyone for the time being."

"Why is that?" Niu Bin asked, puzzled.

Han Yu struggled to keep from laughing as he explained: "Sister Xiang Ning is taking self-study exams, and her parents are quite strict. She promised her dad and mom not to date before getting her associate’s degree through self-study, and not until she is twenty years old either."

"So, I have to wait several years..."

"Nowadays, late marriage and late childbirth are encouraged, dating too early is useless anyway."

"Alright, I can wait."

"..."

It seems he really likes my senior, Han Yu wasn’t sure how to continue the conversation.

At that moment, the phone rang.

Han Yu quickly ended the call and picked up the phone.

"Director Xu, Director Yu is back. The scum who blocked the waterway, robbed the fleet, and beat up sailors before the New Year have been found. Director Yu is right next to me, I’ll let him tell you."

"Director Xu, I’m Yu Xiangqian..."

As Scholar Yu was eagerly reporting work to his subordinates, Han Xiangning dragged Han Yu out of the command and control room and into her own dormitory, slamming the door shut and grabbing his ear.

"You Dead Salted Fish, acting all silly in front of Director Yu, was that fun?"

"Ouch, Sister Xiang Ning, if you don’t let go, I’m going to scream for help!"

"You still know what pain feels like, don’t you, for talking nonsense?"

"When have I ever spouted nonsense? It was him who said he likes and secretly adores you, what has it got to do with me?"

On reflection, maybe she was indeed being unfair to her junior.

Han Xiangning released her hand, saying resentfully: "That Niu Bin really, working for just a few days, not focusing on his work, and actually starts thinking about love."

Han Yu massaged his ear, his face full of bitterness: "Sister Xiang Ning, could you please not always go for my ears, or else I’ll tell uncle and aunt."

"This is between us, no tattling. Besides, you’re a grown man now, aren’t you embarrassed to tattle?"

"But you can’t be violent, either."

"Alright, alright, I’ll rub it for you."

"I slap you and then rub it to make it better, do you agree?" Han Yu asked sulkily.

Han Xiangning stuck out her cheek and laughed: "Come on, I’ll let you hit me."

Han Yu muttered: "I don’t dare."

"I knew you wouldn’t dare. You cry just from an ear tug, what’s there to cry about? Spanking means love, scolding is affection, it’s because I see you as a brother and love you that I tug your ears, get it?"

"You’d better go love someone else. I’ve told you, my ears suffer from frostbite, it hurts me to death."

"Will you ever let it go, I promise not to tug this ear next time."

"What do you mean."

"The other ear doesn’t have frostbite, I’ll tug that one next time."

"..."

It’s all over, completely over.

Although this woman isn’t as petty as Zhang Lan, she’s even more unreasonable and now seems to be addicted to hitting.

Good men don’t fight with women, you can’t fight back when she hits you, how am I supposed to live like this?

Han Yu quietly consoled himself, just endure it for a while, when she leaves, everything will be fine.

It would be even better if the bureau could transfer Zhang Lan away, and if they all left, then no one would monopolize the light motorcycle anymore.