Chapter 316: Three hundred and fifteen, neighbor Chapter 316: Three hundred and fifteen, neighbor “He said it himself; he’s probably just trying to scare us,” Song Yan Ning wore an expression of ‘how would I know?’
Old Li thought about it and also felt that what Song Yan Ning said made some sense.
Just then, the phone on the desk rang and Old Li picked it up. “Really? That’s great! Yes, I understand.”
He hung up the phone, smiling at Song Yan Ning and Xiang, “That person has confessed, thank you both so much for this! Without you, we wouldn’t know when we would have found him.” They had been investigating this case for nearly half a month without any leads, as the criminal was very cunning with strong anti-surveillance capabilities, always committing crimes in places without cameras. They had not expected that he would be brought down by two girls.
“Can we go home now?” Song Yan Ning checked the time. She had told her grandparents she would be home by ten o’clock at the latest; it was almost nine now.
“Of course, I’ll drive you home,” Old Li said as he took car keys out of the drawer. He offered to drive Song Yan Ning and Xiang home for two reasons: first, it was unsafe for two young girls to be out so late, and second, he wanted to thank their family for raising such exemplary children.
Song Yan Ning shook her head, “No need, we can go back on our own.” If she let him drive them home, her grandparents would worry themselves sick.
“It’s late, and it’s not safe for two girls to be out,” Old Li insisted. They had helped him greatly, and he certainly couldn’t let them encounter danger. They had been investigating the case for over half a month and, without them, he wouldn’t know when they might have solved it.
“We managed to subdue a murderer; what else do we need to be afraid of?” Song Yan Ning said with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
Old Li was speechless. However, he had to admit that what Song Yan Ning said was correct. Were the kids these days really this bold?
“It will be faster if I drive you,” Old Li said. Although Song Yan Ning was right, it was still late at night, and if something were to happen, he would be responsible.
“We like walking at night. Uncle police officer, I hope you can keep this matter confidential for us; we don’t want our family to worry if they find out,” Song Yan Ning stood up, walking out with Xiang.
“Wait a second!” Old Li followed Song Yan Ning and Xiang.
Outside the door, Old Li pointed to a car not far away, “Wait for me a moment; I’ll be quick.” He was determined to see them home today; otherwise, he wouldn’t feel at ease.
Old Li started the car and came to the spot where Song Yan Ning and Xiang had been, only to find that they were no longer there. He sighed in resignation.
Figuring they couldn’t have gone far, Old Li drove out of the police station. However, he had gone almost three kilometers and still hadn’t seen a sign of Song Yan Ning and Xiang.
“Did I miss them?” Old Li shook his head, turning the car around reluctantly. He planned to go back to see if he would run into Song Yan Ning and the other.
Song Yan Ning and Xiang made it home, indeed finding their grandparents worriedly standing at the door.
“Grandpa! Grandma! I’m sorry, I’m home late,” Song Yan Ning walked up to them with an apologetic look. She knew they’d be worried.
“It’s okay, as long as you’re back safe. Did you have fun today?” Li Meixiang said with a smile, ruffling Song Yan Ning’s hair. Even though Xiao Ning had been out uncountably many times since she was young, they couldn’t help but worry. They knew Xiao Ning would be fine, but they couldn’t stop worrying, especially after that recent incident.
Song Yan Ning nodded with a smile, “I had a lot of fun.”
“That’s good, go wash up and get some rest early,” Li Meixiang took Song Yan Ning by the hand, heading into the house.
Song Yan Ning nodded, “Goodnight, Grandpa and Grandma!”
“Goodnight!” Li Meixiang and Yang Lisheng nodded with smiles. It had been a long time since they had stayed up so late and were quite tired.
Song Yan Ning returned to her room and began cultivating inside the Spiritual Pearl. Her cultivation had advanced rapidly recently; she was already at the Golden Core Middle Stage. At this rate, she should be able to break through to the Nascent Soul within half a year.
The night passed in a flash, and when Song Yan Ning emerged from the Spiritual Pearl, it was nearly noon.
“Xiao Ning, did you hear? They caught the serial killer. It’s really satisfying news!” Li Meixiang proclaimed with a smile upon seeing Song Yan Ning come out.
“That’s great!” Song Yan Ning smiled and sat down beside Li Meixiang to watch TV.
“I heard it was two brave citizens who helped catch him. I wonder who they were so brave? Such people should be recognized so that everyone can see them,” Li Meixiang was genuinely curious about how those two had the courage, knowing she would have been terrified in their place.
Song Yan Ning chuckled, “They can’t publicize that; what if they get retaliated against?”
“That’s true,” Li Meixiang nodded in agreement.
“It sounds like Grandpa is back; I’ll go have a look,” Song Yan Ning heard voices outside and stood up to go check.
At the door, she saw her grandfather chatting with a young man.
Seeing the young man, Song Yan Ning couldn’t help but frown. What is he doing here?
“Xiao Ning, this is our new neighbor who just moved in next door, Lu. This is my granddaughter, Song Yan Ning,” Yang Lisheng introduced Song Yan Ning to Lu Tingxuan with a smile.
He had bumped into Lu Tingxuan while gathering herbs earlier and became curious upon seeing him do the same. After chatting, he learned that Lu had just moved next door because his elders were doctors, and he had taken an interest in medicine too. Currently, he is a student at Yangcheng University’s School of Pharmacy.
Song Yan Ning stepped forward, giving Lu Tingxuan a warning look, and turned to Yang Lisheng, “Grandpa, what about Granny Zhang’s family next door?” Villagers held their homes in high regard, and even if they bought properties in the city, the elderly usually would not move there with the younger generation, as they believed leaving the ancestral home was unlucky.
“They still live there. Lu is renting a place. Sister Zhang’s son and daughter-in-law have moved to the city, and the house ended up empty,” Yang Lisheng explained with a smile. He thought having Lu as a neighbor was good as they could collect herbs together.
“Grandpa, go dry the herbs. I want to talk with him for a moment,” Song Yan Ning wanted to find out the purpose behind Lu Tingxuan’s move.
Yang Lisheng looked at Song Yan Ning in surprise.
Song Yan Ning smiled, “This brother must be in college already, and I’m about to start middle school. I have some questions I would like to ask him.”
Yang Lisheng nodded and said to Lu Tingxuan, “Lu, then I’ll leave it to you.”