Chapter 32: Relatives
Dai Wei turned to Min Nan and showed a pleasing smile. "You see, you're my brother, and Ye Ling is like a sister-in-law to me. She's practically my relative!"
Min Nan didn't want to pay much attention to Dai Wei's flattering smile, but his words stirred something in his heart, causing a slight upward curve of his lips.
Afterward, Min Nan set aside various thoughts in his mind and started contemplating what he should say when Ye Ling entered.
When Ye Ling walked in, she noticed Min Nan standing beside Dai Wei. She paused for a moment and then smiled. "Brother Min Nan is here too."
Dai Wei knew that Ye Ling still believed Min Nan was a police officer at the station, so he took the lead in continuing the conversation. "Yes, he was on a mission today and returned early. Ye Ling, are you here to inquire about Du Juan?"
Upon hearing Dai Wei mention Du Juan, Ye Ling noticed that Min Nan didn't display any signs of confusion, leading her to speculate that Dai Wei must have informed Min Nan about the situation.
Considering their close friendship and shared workplace, it was only natural for Dai Wei to share this information with Min Nan.
Ye Ling felt somewhat concerned that Min Nan might think she didn't trust him, which was why she didn't seek his help. With this thought in mind, she discreetly glanced at Min Nan, only to find her expression perfectly normal.
She heaved a sigh of relief and turned to look at Dai Wei. She replied, "Yes, that's the reason I'm here. Officer Dai, have you obtained any results from investigating Du Juan?"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Min Nan couldn't help but have a strange thought, "Ye Ling still referred to Dai Wei as Officer Dai, but she called Min Nan "Big Brother Min Nan." Clearly, in Ye Ling's heart, she felt closer to him.
With this realization, Min Nan's mood instantly brightened, and the previous feelings of frustration dissipated.
Dai Wei shook his head slowly. "Officer Li informed me that they followed Du Juan yesterday and confirmed that her behavior was indeed unusual. However, they didn't see anyone else."
Ye Ling nodded, as this investigation outcome was within her expectations. However, Ye Ling knew very well that it wasn't that Du Juan didn't want to find that person, but that she couldn't.
The person who instigated Du Juan to frame Ye Ling was also in the medicine shop yesterday. When that person saw that Ye Ling wasn't wearing the label of a thief, she must have had a bad feeling. She must be even more afraid that her identity would be discovered, so she naturally didn't dare to casually look for Du Juan.
Dai Wei continued, "Regarding the gold leaf, we also conducted an investigation. It doesn't belong to anyone here. People from our side rarely turn gold into gold leaf."
In other words, the ongoing investigation yielded no results.
Ye Ling wasn't disappointed. After thanking Dai Wei, she said, "If that's the case, then I'll head back first."
Dai Wei nodded and suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Ye Ling, I'm guessing the gold leaf isn't yours, is it?"
Before Ye Ling came in, he and Min Nan had also talked about this.
Both of them agreed that the gold leaf didn't belong to Ye Ling. She had only claimed it to avoid being framed.
Ye Ling smiled sheepishly. "It seems nothing can escape Officer Dai's attention. You won't report it to the local police station, will you?"
Dai Wei hurriedly reassured her, "Of course not."
Min Nan, who had been standing aside, noticed that since Ye Ling arrived, she had been mostly conversing with Dai Wei. This made him feel a bit uncomfortable. Now that Ye Ling was about to leave, Min Nan cast a cold gaze at Dai Wei.
Dai Wei felt a chill in his heart upon meeting Min Nan's gaze. He suddenly realized that he hadn't given Ye Ling and Min Nan a chance to communicate. His eyes darted around, and he said to Ye Ling, "Let Min Nan accompany you back."
Ye Ling hesitated for a moment and immediately waved her hand. "There's no need. Don't let me interfere with your work."
"It's alright. Min Nan happens to be going back to Willow Village to fetch something. Based on what we know so far, it seems that someone is trying to set you up. Having Min Nan accompany you back will ensure your safety. It's settled then," Dai Wei quickly responded, not giving Ye Ling a chance to react.
Ye Ling sneakily glanced at Min Nan, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Seeing that Min Nan had already stood up and was prepared to accompany her back, Ye Ling said with a hint of guilt, "Then I'll trouble you, Big Brother Min Nan."
She hoped that Min Nan wouldn't suddenly inquire about why she didn't seek his help first.
However, perhaps she was overthinking, or maybe Min Nan hadn't even considered such a question.
The two of them left the police station and turned from the main road onto a rugged path.
At this moment, the sun was shining brightly and the temperature was high. After walking for a while, Ye Ling was covered in a layer of sweat. Her cheeks were also dyed red, making her skin appear even fairer.