The policeman sat there and flipped through a book. From time to time, he would take out his phone to check the time.
To be honest..,
His presence in the shop was very stressful for Zhou Ze and Bai Yingying.
They felt like there was a thorn in their backs.
This was a good policeman. He was full of righteousness. In addition to the police uniform he was wearing, he could almost make all evil retreat.
However, Zhou Ze could not retreat. After all, this was his own shop.
Fortunately, Zhou Ze and Bai Yingying were not low-level wandering ghosts or mountain spirits. Although they felt a little uncomfortable, they did not suffer any substantial injuries.
On the contrary, Zhou Ze had a kind of heartfelt respect for this person.
It was true that there was no knowing what was in a person's heart..,
But as a ghost, he was more sensitive to this kind of feeling.
Therefore, Zhou Ze did not give him that batch of books to tease him at the beginning. Instead, Zhou Ze had a preconceived feeling that this kind of policeman who could raise a righteous aura should also like to read some serious and valuable books.
However, later on, Zhou Ze realized that the police were also human
Humans had their own interests and hobbies. For example, the policeman in front of him sat there and was immersed in reading a novel.
"Uncle, have some tea."
Bai Yingying timidly brought the teacup over.
"Oh, thank you." The policeman took the teacup and looked at Bai Yingying. He asked, "Aren't you going to school?"
"It's a holiday today."
Bai Yingying did not dare to say that she did not go to school and was idling around, in case there would be more trouble in the future.
Bai Yingying was a little afraid of the person in front of her. In fact, she was even more afraid than Zhou Ze.
Zhou Ze was a contemporary person, so he could enter this mode of thinking. The person in front of him made him instinctively feel afraid, but from another perspective, it also meant that the person in front of him was more worthy of respect.
Bai Yingying only felt her heart beating a little fast. After handing over the tea, she immediately ran to the second floor and did not want to come down again.
"Boss, how much is it?" The policeman looked at Zhou Ze.
"You can pay as you see fit," Zhou Ze said.
"That won't do. Forget it. I'll settle it when I leave. They'll probably pick me up in half an hour." The policeman sat down again and touched his pocket. He was stunned.
As an old smoker, Zhou Ze understood and handed over a cigarette.
"Thanks."
The policeman thanked Zhou Ze for lighting the fire for him, and the two of them smoked together.
Cigarettes were indeed a bridge for men to socialize. From a stranger to a smoker, it was also convenient for him to brag.
"Your business here isn't very good, is it?" the policeman asked.
"I'm just making do," Zhou Ze replied.
"Oh, I remember who you are."
The policeman patted his head and said, "When there was a fire last time, you bravely rushed into the scene of the fire to save people, right?"
Zhou ze nodded.
"Look at my memory. Oh right, why didn't you accept the pennant that the bureau wanted to give you?"
"It's my job. I don't want to be in the limelight," Zhou Ze replied.
The policeman nodded and said helplessly, "Indeed. In the end, no one expected the arsonist to be one of the heroes who rushed into the fire to save people."
"F * ck, taxis have really disappeared. It's not easy to get a taxi at this hour. I can't even get one. Old Zhou, it looks like we really have to move. We can't even get a taxi in this godforsaken place.
I'm missing a wire here. I have to go back and buy a new one. Otherwise, the main computer won't be able to be installed. "
Xu Qinglang complained as he walked in and saw the policeman sitting in the bookstore.
"Yo, Chief Zhao!"
Xu Qinglang obviously knew this policeman. He immediately smiled and said cordially, "I'm sorry.
"Chief Zhao, you seem to be in good health.
Hiss, I remember I saw some news about you a while ago. I can't remember what was written, but it seems that you have made a meritorious deed and received a medal. Yes, it should be like this. Congratulations! "
"You little thing, you're getting more and more good-looking."
The policeman stood up with a smile and patted Xu Qinglang's shoulder, looking very intimate. "Are you still sneaking around now?"
"How would I dare? My home has been demolished and I've been given more than 20 houses. Now, I'm a legal citizen who pays taxes," Xu Qinglang replied.
"You …" Chief Zhao pointed at Xu Qinglang. "You've finally come to an end."
"Chief Zhao, your son is about to get married, right? Why don't I give you a house for your son's wedding?"
"Brat, if you dare to say such nonsense in front of me again, do you believe that I won't take you to the police station again?" Chief Zhao scolded sternly.
"Heh, I'm just a noodle shop here. It's not like I'm bribing you. If it weren't for you back then, I probably wouldn't have been able to hold on until my old house and those lands were demolished. It's only right for me to give you a house."
"Just live a good life."
"You know each other?" Zhou Ze asked.
Chief Zhao nodded and said, "I know him, I know him more than that. This kid has been stealing things and stealing people's wallets since he was less than ten years old. I've caught him many times.
When I first caught him, I even told my subordinates that I had caught a little girl thief. Who knew that he was actually a leader! "
"If you don't know anything in the past, then don't mention it." Xu Qinglang didn't want Zhou Ze to hear about his past.
"If you mention it, then you have to mention it. You've done a lot of stupid things in the past. You can't forget those mistakes. You have to remember them and remind yourself not to make them again in the future. Good days don't come easily."
"Chief Zhao, I understand." Xu Qinglang nodded.
"By the way, I sent you to Master Sun as an apprentice. How is Master Sun now?" Chief Zhao asked.
"Not bad, but his shop has been passed on to his son, and I've come out to work on my own."
It turned out that this was the reason why Xu Qinglang opened a noodle shop. Back then, something happened to his family, and he almost became a gangster in society. He was caught and educated by Chief Zhao, who was still the head of the police station at the time. In the end, Chief Zhao arranged for him to become an apprentice in a noodle shop. Only then did he walk on the right path.
Otherwise, Xu Qinglang might have to add another room, which was a prison cell.
"Chief Zhao, why are you here?"
After saying that, Xu Qinglang reminded him softly, "Let me tell you, don't come to this place too often. The feng shui isn't good."
In other words, there were more dead people than living people who came to Zhou Ze's bookstore to read books.
Zhou Ze raised his eyebrows,
What did he mean?
"Brat, your bad habit of pretending to be mysterious still hasn't changed. I was born under the red flag and grew up under the red flag. I don't believe in these crooked words.
"Besides, if you don't do anything wrong, you won't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door.
"Even if there are ghosts in this world, ghosts are afraid of me. I won't be afraid of ghosts!"
Zhou Ze touched the tip of his nose. You're right.
"Chief Zhao, I'll personally cook a few dishes. We haven't met for many years. Shall we cook for two hours tonight?"
"I can't. Someone will come to pick me up later. I'm going on a business trip to another province. I was afraid that I'd be bored on the way, so I bought two novels to read on the way."
"You're already the chief, but you're still so busy." Xu Qinglang felt a little regretful.
"It's good to be busy. I'm a police officer. If the police slack off, the people won't be able to rest peacefully."
Chief Zhao scratched his head and put his police hat back on. Then, he took out his phone to look at the time and said,
"It's about time. They should be coming to pick me up. I'll be leaving first."
"Take care."
Zhou Ze thought to himself, I've finally sent this shining god away.
Chief Zhao walked to the door and thought of something. He reached into his pocket, looking like he was about to take out his wallet.
"Look at my memory. I took the book and drank the tea. I almost forgot to pay for it."
"Look at how distant you are. I'll give it to you." Xu Qinglang immediately went forward and said, "The boss grew up eating my food. He's one of us."
"…" Zhou Ze.
"That won't do. Why do I need you to pay for the book I bought?" Chief Zhao disagreed.
"Alright, I'll personally visit in a few days and ask you to return the money for the book. I'll also have a meal. How about that?" Xu Qinglang begged, "You have to give me a reason to turn around, right?"
"Alright, your auntie's cooking isn't bad. I might not be home when the time comes. Let your auntie cook for you. You can learn a little and tell her what I said.
"In the future, I'll try to open this noodle restaurant into a hotel.
"People have to have some goals. Don't lie on those houses and wait for death. That's boring."
"Hey, why would I go if you're not home?" Xu Qinglang smiled.
"Alright, I'm leaving. Goodbye!" Chief Zhao waved at Zhou Ze and Xu Qinglang, pushed open the door of the bookstore and left.
"Boss, there are so many cars outside," Bai Yingying, who was on the second floor, walked down the stairs and shouted at the people in the bookstore.
"What car?" Xu Qinglang asked. "Is it a wedding motorcade?"
"How can a wedding car be as grand as a sedan chair?" Zhou Ze teased Xu Qinglang.
"It's not a wedding car, it's a taxi. There are so many taxis. The entire road is filled with taxis," Bai Yingying said. She could see clearly from the window on the second floor.
"Taxi?"
Xu Qinglang was stunned for a moment and said, "Damn, I was wondering why it was so difficult to get a taxi today. I can't even see a taxi. Are they organizing a strike?"
Suddenly, Xu Qinglang was stunned.
He seemed to have thought of something and immediately took out his phone and started searching. Finally, he found it.
It was a piece of news from half a month ago.
The front page of the news was a big photo of Chief Zhao. The content below was about a car theft gang that had been running around many provinces in Tongcheng. They were discovered by a deputy chief of the police station who had just returned home from work. During the battle between the two sides, the deputy chief unfortunately died in the line of duty.
Three days later, the police caught the criminal gang in one fell swoop. Most of the car theft gang stole taxis, and they even killed two taxi drivers.
Chief Zhao had been sacrificed a long time ago.
"He's already dead … I remember reading this news and feeling sad for a long time. But when I saw him in front of me just now, I subconsciously felt that he was still alive. I didn't think about this news at all."
After saying that, Xu Qinglang looked at Zhou Ze angrily.
"He's a ghost. He's not a living person. Why didn't you remind me just now? I still have a lot to say to him!"
Zhou Ze was also stunned. "He's a ghost?"
"Didn't you notice?
Didn't you notice that you're a ghost? "
"I observed him when he came in. He's human."
"How could he be human!" Xu Qinglang almost roared.
He could have bid farewell to the other party previously, but he was too focused on chatting just now!
"Why would I lie to you? I observed him carefully. I really didn't realize that he was a ghost."
"I didn't realize either." Bai Yingying walked over at this moment.
At this moment, on the road in front of the bookstore,
Taxis lined up in two rows side by side slowly moving forward. The queue was very long, and the end could hardly be seen.
Xu Qinglang pushed open the bookstore door and walked out. Zhou Ze and Bai Yingying followed him out.
Nearly a thousand taxis spontaneously organized together, forming a convoy as they moved forward. The brothers and sisters of the taxi drivers changed their usual habit of overtaking at high speed,
This time..,
They drove very, very slowly.
At the back of the convoy..,
There was a hearse, and the hearse was playing mournful music,
At the same time, there was a large black and white photo hanging above the hearse. It was Chief Zhao's portrait.
"Is it a funeral today?"
Xu Qinglang said in disappointment, "So he said he was going on a business trip and someone was coming to pick him up. It was this funeral procession?
But how could I not tell that he was a ghost? You actually couldn't tell either. "
"Some people are alive, but they're already dead
Some people are dead, but they're still alive.
Perhaps, that's the reason, "Zhou Ze said.
"Sigh."
Xu Qinglang nodded when he heard this. Then, he waved at the long convoy. He was saying goodbye.
At the same time, he felt relieved. No wonder it was so difficult to get a taxi in Tongcheng today.
Zhou Ze watched as the car with the portrait slowly drove past.
He said in his heart,
"Have a safe journey."
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