BSI Chapter 175 This Bowl of Noodles: A Matter of Utmost Urgency
Chapter 175 This Bowl of Noodles: A Matter of Utmost Urgency
The kitchen was filled with the aroma of lard mixed with chopped scallions.
There is no smoke of war, no bloodshed, only the purest flavor of human life.
Wearing an ill-fitting apron, Qi Tongwei skillfully sprinkled finely chopped scallions into the bottom of a bowl. The bowl already contained lard, soy sauce, and a pinch of salt. He poured in the boiling noodle soup, and with a sizzle, the aroma exploded.
His movements were very steady.
These hands had snapped a mercenary's neck two hours ago, and held a gun to Zhao Lichun's head an hour ago. Now, these hands were holding long chopsticks, gently stirring two clumps of noodles in a pot.
Whether it's killing someone or cooking noodles, you need to control the heat.
If the fire is too hot, the dough will turn to mush; if the hand is too soft, the person will die.
"Da, da, da."
The sound of bare feet on the floor was soft, but rhythmic.
Qi Tongwei didn't turn around; the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned.
"How much longer?"
Ye Cunxin's voice came from behind, carrying the languor of someone who had just taken a shower and a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness.
Qi Tongwei turned off the heat and scooped out the noodles, all in one smooth motion.
"Three minutes."
He turned around, holding two large bowls.
The moment Qi Tongwei's gaze fell on Ye Cunxin, his eyes paused for two seconds.
Ye Cunxin wasn't wearing the combat uniform stained with oil and blood. Instead, she was wearing Qi Tongwei's spare white shirt. The men's shirt looked particularly large on her, with the cuffs rolled up several times to reveal her fair and jade-like wrists.
The collar was loosely open.
Two buttons were undone.
With each rise and fall of her breath, the deep, white cleavage became faintly visible, and droplets of water on her collarbone slid down her skin's texture, disappearing into that alluring shadow. The fabric was stretched into a full and proud curve, exuding a breathtaking tension.
The hem of the shirt barely covered the top of the thighs.
Both legs were completely exposed to the air.
Those were two incredibly beautiful legs, long and straight, with smooth and taut muscle lines. Years of military training had given her skin a healthy wheat-colored sheen, and the faint bruises from kneeling and shooting earlier still clung to her knees. Far from detracting from their beauty, they added a wild, untamed, and broken quality.
She was barefoot.
The ten toes are round and cute, and when they step on the dark solid wood floor, they look like ten scattered pearls.
"Have you seen enough?"
Ye Cunxin reached out and brushed her still-dripping long hair aside, a hint of provocation in her peach blossom eyes. Her red lips parted slightly: "If you haven't had enough, put the noodles down first, and shall we continue?"
Qi Tongwei placed the noodles on the dining table.
"Let's eat noodles first."
"Only when you're full will you have the energy to do other things."
Ye Cunxin strode over to the dining table. Instead of sitting down, she jumped directly onto the marble countertop. Her shirt hem rode up slightly with the movement, almost revealing a glimpse of her cleavage.
She didn't care at all.
He reached out and took the chopsticks, picked up a strand of noodles, and without worrying about getting burned, slurped it directly into his mouth.
"Ugh—"
Ye Cunxin's eyes lit up.
She mumbled, "Qi Tongwei, your cooking is amazing. It's even better than the chefs at the Beijing Hotel."
"Children from poor families mature early."
Qi Tongwei pulled out a chair and sat down, eating politely but at an extremely fast pace. "Back in my hometown of Yantai, this was considered New Year's."
Ye Cunxin swallowed a poached egg.
The runny yolk overflowed from the corner of her mouth, and she stuck out her tongue and gently licked it.
This action is extremely seductive.
"The Zhao family has fallen."
Ye Cunxin suddenly stopped eating and looked at Qi Tongwei. "I didn't go into details in the car earlier. Although Zhao Lichun has been placed under investigation, he has been operating for twenty years and his influence is very deep. I'm afraid many people in Beijing won't be able to sleep tonight."
"It's their problem if they can't sleep."
Qi Tongwei took a sip of noodle soup, his expression calm. "I'm only responsible for arresting people. As for how to sentence them and how to shuffle the cards, that's up to the higher-ups."
"You're quite open-minded."
Ye Cunxin put down her chopsticks, a serious expression appearing on her delicate face.
She jumped off the kitchen counter.
The shirt swayed, releasing a fragrant breeze.
She walked to the sofa in the living room and pulled out a black satellite phone from the pile of tattered combat uniforms.
This is a military-grade encrypted line.
It leads directly to the Ye Family Compound in Beijing.
"What are you going to do?" Qi Tongwei raised an eyebrow.
"To tattle."
Ye Cunxin waved her phone, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I almost died in Luzhou Port, shouldn't I have to complain to my old man at home? Besides, you gave that key to Sha Ruijin, that's a huge favor. I need to let the old man know who did this favor for me."
Qi Tongwei did not stop him.
He also wanted to know what the attitude of that titan of the Ye family was towards this matter.
The call was connected.
It rang only once before being answered.
"Girl?"
A deep, yet powerful voice came from the other end of the phone. Like a resounding bell, it carried an imposing, authoritative air.
The old man of the Ye family.
Ye Zhennan.
"Grandpa." Ye Cunxin's voice changed instantly. The decisive female special forces soldier from before was gone, replaced by a little girl who had been wronged.
"Why are you calling at this hour? Aren't you asleep yet?"
"Sleep for whoever it is!" Ye Cunxin pouted, plopped down on Qi Tongwei's lap, and turned on the speakerphone. "You almost didn't get to see your own granddaughter again!"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
Immediately afterwards, a murderous aura emanated from the receiver.
"Who?"
There is only one word.
But the temperature in the whole room seemed to drop several degrees.
"The Zhao family, Zhao Ruilong, and that old geezer Zhao Lichun," Ye Cunxin complained, playing with the buttons on Qi Tongwei's shirt. "They ambushed a ship full of mercenaries and heavy weapons at Luzhou Port. If Qi Tongwei hadn't risked his life to protect me, I would be fish food by now."
"Also, that old bastard Zhao Lichun tried to blow us up at the hospital just now. Grandpa, what do you suggest we do about this?"
"snort!"
A loud slam on the table came from the other end of the phone.
"This is outrageous!"
"They're all reaching so far, daring to even touch a child from the Ye family? It seems I've been out of the public eye in the capital for too long; some people have forgotten that this old man is still breathing!"
Grandpa Ye's voice was like thunder.
"Girl, are you hurt?"
"It's just a superficial injury, nothing serious." Ye Cunxin glanced at Qi Tongwei, a smile playing on her lips. "Thanks to your grandson-in-law, he's very skilled and managed to twist the head off that mercenary leader called 'Poisonous Bee'."
Grandson-in-law.
Upon hearing those three words, Qi Tongwei clearly felt the woman in his arms stiffen slightly, then look at him defiantly.
The person on the other end of the phone was also taken aback for a moment.
Then, Ye Zhennan's voice became somewhat subtle.
"Is that kid named Qi Tongwei next to you?"
Ye Cunxin held the phone to Qi Tongwei's mouth and gestured for him to speak.
Qi Tongwei took a deep breath.
He stood up straight, maintaining a soldier's posture even though they were on the phone.
"Greetings, sir! I am Qi Tongwei."
His voice was calm and composed, neither arrogant nor humble.
They showed no stage fright or obsequiousness despite the fact that the other party was a very important figure.
"Um."
Ye Zhennan responded with a sound of agreement, his expression revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Kid, I heard you caused quite a stir tonight? Dragged Zhao Lichun out of his hospital bed? And handed the keys to 12 billion yuan to Sha Ruijin?"
"Reporting to the commander, this is my duty."
Qi Tongwei answered decisively. "Zhao Lichun is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, and the evidence is conclusive. As for the money, it is the hard-earned money of the people of Handong and should rightfully belong to the public."
"What a duty!"
Ye Zhennan suddenly laughed. His laughter was hearty and cheerful.
"Interesting. Much better than those scheming brats in the capital. Since the girl is alright, the Ye family will remember this debt."
"but……"
Grandpa Ye then changed the subject.
"You've uprooted the Zhao family, leaving a hole in the sky over Handong, and there's a lot of mess to clean up. I know Sha Ruijin; he's a man who doesn't tolerate injustice, but he's new here and his position isn't stable yet. You've set a fire too high; be careful not to burn yourself."
"I know what I'm doing," Qi Tongwei said calmly. "As long as I'm upright, I have nothing to fear."
"Hahaha! Great!"
Ye Zhennan laughed loudly. "Alright, enough nonsense. Girl, give the phone to Qi Tongwei. I have a few private words to say to him. You should avoid him for a moment."
Ye Cunxin was stunned for a moment.
"Grandpa, is there anything I can't listen to?"
"Women should refrain from interfering in men's affairs. Go and finish your noodles before they get cold."
Ye Cunxin muttered something unhappily, but still obediently handed the phone to Qi Tongwei, then jumped off his lap, picked up the bowl, and went to the balcony.
Her silhouette was alluring.
Those long legs were particularly eye-catching in the night.
Qi Tongwei picked up his phone, turned off speakerphone, and held it to his ear.
"Commander."
"Kid, now that the girl isn't here, let's speak frankly." Ye Zhennan's voice deepened, carrying the profound weight of someone who had long held a high position.
"You handed over this key well, but you also took a risk."
"That's 12 billion, not 120 yuan. This money is a hot potato; whoever takes it will face the backlash from the remaining forces behind the Zhao family. By giving it to Sha Ruijin, you've essentially drawn the fire to the provincial party committee while washing your hands of the whole thing."
"That's what smart people do."
"But, Qi Tongwei, remember this."
"Your move has not only exposed the festering sore in Handong, but also the face of certain people in the capital. Zhao Lichun has connections in higher places. You won't have an easy time in the coming days. There might even be an 'investigation team' coming to investigate your irregularities in handling the case."
Qi Tongwei's eyes turned cold.
"I'm not afraid of being investigated."
"I know you're not afraid. But it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings." Ye Zhennan paused. "The Ye family can protect you, but not in every way. You have to stand on your own two feet."
"One month."
I'll give you a month.
"Thoroughly clean up the Handong Public Security Bureau, and hide your so-called 'Winning Against Heaven' system... oh no, I mean all your methods. Don't let anyone find any evidence against you."
Qi Tongwei was startled.
The old man's words had a hidden meaning.
"Sir, I don't understand."
"You don't need to understand. Just know that from today onwards, you are someone the Ye family has chosen. Anyone who dares to use such underhanded methods to harm you is slapping me in the face."
"besides."
"Add an extra egg to that bowl of noodles for my granddaughter. She's loved it since she was little."
"Beep, beep, beep."
The phone hangs up.
Qi Tongwei held his phone, looking out at the pitch-black night.
The east was already showing a hint of dawn.
The darkness before dawn will eventually pass.
But he knew that the real storm had only just begun. Zhao Lichun's downfall was merely the prelude.
"Hello!"
Ye Cunxin returned carrying an empty bowl.
There was still a little soup on the corner of his mouth.
She leaned closer to Qi Tongwei and asked curiously, "What did the old man say to you? He was being so mysterious."
Qi Tongwei threw his phone on the sofa.
He reached out and gently wiped the soup stains from the corner of Ye Cunxin's mouth with his thumb.
My fingertips traced the soft, red lips, the touch warm.
"It's nothing."
Qi Tongwei stood up, his eyes regaining their usual sharpness, but a different kind of light appeared deep within them.
"The old man said to let me feed you well."
Ye Cunxin blushed.
Because of her movement, the collar of her oversized shirt slipped down again. Large expanses of her fair skin were exposed to the air, creating a striking visual contrast with the shy blush on her face.
She bit her lip, her eyes filled with tears.
"So... how does Director Qi plan to feed him?"
"Didn't you eat enough in the car?"
"That's an appetizer." Ye Cunxin threw down her bowl, wrapped her arms around Qi Tongwei's neck, and clung to him. Her legs naturally wrapped around his waist.
The posture was extremely ambiguous.
"The main course is just beginning."
Qi Tongwei supported her buttocks.
It feels soft and bouncy to the touch.
"Then let's work overtime."
He carried Ye Cunxin and strode towards the bedroom.
Just then.
The other cell phone on the table, the encrypted red one belonging to the director of the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province, suddenly started ringing frantically.
The phone rang urgently.
It sounded particularly jarring in the quiet morning.
It's like a death warrant.
Ye Cunxin stopped moving. She frowned and glanced at the phone.
"Do I really have to answer?"
Qi Tongwei sighed.
He placed Ye Cunxin on the bed and pulled the blanket over her to cover her alluring spring scenery.
"We must accept it."
"There's only one person making this call at this time."
Qi Tongwei picked up his phone.
Three words appeared on the screen: Sha Ruijin.
He pressed the answer button.
"Secretary Sha."
On the other end of the phone, Sha Ruijin's voice was unreadable, but he spoke very quickly, with the background noise of a noisy command center.
"Comrade Tongwei, come to the Provincial Party Committee immediately."
Something's happened.
"Zhao Lichun suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage on the special plane transporting him to Beijing, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing at Yantai Airport. The Yantai City Public Security Bureau is now surrounded by unidentified armed men; we are trying to rescue him!"