Chapter 33: Going to Her Home to Make Dumplings for Her

Lu Chengfeng’s expression darkened as he looked at Li Junjie, who shot him a provocative glance.

He understood now: Li Junjie was doing this on purpose, trying to poach his companion.

Shu Yan didn't believe for a second that Li Jiaojiao would have asked Li Junjie to handle such a thing, but she still wanted to show him some respect. After all, the Li family had been very kind to her over the years.

She smiled at Li Junjie. "Big Brother, I’ll just head back in my team leader’s car. He’s going my way. You’ve had quite a lot to drink, so please be careful and get home to rest early."

Li Junjie would not be deterred. "Yanyan, if I don't see you home, Jiaojiao will surely scold me. It’s so late; neither of us would be at ease letting you go back alone."

Lu Chengfeng could take no more. "Dr. Li, that remark is an insult to a police officer. If I, a criminal investigation team leader, cannot ensure Yanyan's safety, what could a man who has been drinking possibly guarantee?"

"Can you guarantee that the designated driver you call won't have ill intentions toward Yanyan?"

Li Junjie was silenced, his eyes brimming with frustration.

Shu Yan sighed impatiently. "Big Brother, Team Leader Lu is right. It’s safer for me to go with him. Besides, Big Brother, I’m a police officer myself."

With that, Shu Yan got into the car, leaving Li Junjie no room for further entanglement.

"Take care, Mr. Li," Lu Chengfeng said, closing the door. He walked around to the driver's side, started the engine, and pulled away.

Throughout the ride, Shu Yan kept her lips pressed tightly together, her brow furrowed. Lu Chengfeng didn't dare to speak.

It wasn't until they arrived at the gate of Shu Yan's apartment complex that she spoke. "Thank you for the ride. Get home safely," she said while unbuckling her seatbelt.

Lu Chengfeng wanted to walk her up, but he was tethered by the sight of Shi Wei, who was passed out cold in the back seat. He had no choice but to urge her, "Send me a message when you get inside."

Shu Yan understood his concern. "The security in our complex is very good; outsiders can't just walk in. I'll be going now."

Lu Chengfeng nodded slightly, watching as she stepped out of the car and walked into the complex. He remained in the car, clutching his phone, waiting for her message until she sent a photo from inside her home, confirming her arrival. Only then did he put his mind at ease and drive home.

The next day was Saturday. Enjoying a rare, leisurely weekend, Shu Yan slept until nine in the morning before dragging herself out of bed. After washing up, she sorted the laundry she had accumulated over the past few days and tossed it into the machine, then set about tidying up her home.

About half an hour into her chores, the doorbell suddenly rang. Shu Yan put down her work to check, only to find Lu Chengfeng standing at the door. She quickly opened it, noticing that his hands were full of groceries.

He held up the bags. "I came to make some dumplings to keep in your freezer so you can have them whenever you like. I hope I didn't interrupt your rest?"

Shu Yan’s lip twitched. She turned and walked into the house, tossed a pair of slippers at his feet, and, feigning annoyance, ignored him to finish her cleaning.

Lu Chengfeng entered the house happily, changed his shoes, and took the groceries to the kitchen to begin prep. For some reason, he loved being in Shu Yan’s home. Shi Wei’s place was twice as large and far more luxurious, yet Lu Chengfeng never felt at home there. Shu Yan’s apartment, though small, was warm and comfortable.

*I wish I could live here with her.*

The thought flashed through his mind, and once it had taken root, it grew with wild abandon.

After finishing her chores, hanging up the laundry, and starting a second load, Shu Yan finally joined him in the kitchen. Lu Chengfeng was wearing her pink apron, standing at the counter chopping meat. A man of his stature wearing a pink apron was such a sight that she couldn't help but chuckle.

She walked over and looked at the cutting board. "There’s a meat grinder in the cabinet. Couldn't you have asked me if you couldn't find it?"

Lu Chengfeng turned to look at her. "I saw it, but meat chopped by hand is more flavorful. I’ve prepared two types of filling: scallion and beef, and pork with chives. What other flavors would you like?"

Shu Yan thought for a moment, then went to the fridge and pulled out a bag of pickled cabbage. "Could we make some with pickled cabbage and beef, or pickled cabbage and pork?"

"Sure," Lu Chengfeng replied. "Take the cabbage out and soak it in water; I’ll chop it in a moment."

Seeing that the scallions and chives on the counter hadn't been washed, Shu Yan rolled up her sleeves and got to work. Working in tandem, they had the fillings ready in about ten minutes.

Shu Yan had never made dumplings before. Her mother, Zhou Yu, was a housewife; before her father, Shu De, went missing, her mother had handled all the cooking and housework. Her mother’s only requirement for her daughter was to focus on her studies. Seeing Lu Chengfeng wrap a dumpling in nearly every second, Shu Yan was stunned. She wondered if his family background hadn't been well-off; he must have been cooking for his family since he was a child to be so skilled.

Noticing her eager expression, Lu Chengfeng slowed his pace to teach her.

Shu Yan tried to wrap one—it was hideous. They had used the exact same method, so why did hers look so ugly?

Seeing her face wrinkle in dismay, Lu Chengfeng consoled her, "It’s better than my first try. I couldn't even get mine to seal."

Shu Yan glanced at him, pressed her lips together, and picked up another wrapper to try again. After five or six attempts, she seemed to find her rhythm, and they began to look much better.

They spent half an hour finishing all the dumplings. In truth, Shu Yan had only made about twenty, while Lu Chengfeng had done the rest. He placed them in the containers he had brought and instructed her:

"Whenever you want to eat, just take out what you need. Don't let them thaw; drop them directly into boiling water. That way, the dumplings won't lose their shape. Don't worry about eating them all—when they're gone, I'll come back and make more."

Shu Yan felt a bit embarrassed. "These are enough to last me a month or two."

Recalling how little she ate, Lu Chengfeng secretly resolved to find ways to get her to eat more. After putting the dumplings into the freezer, he boiled a pot of water to cook some for lunch. While waiting for the water to boil, he whipped up a side of smashed cucumber and cold tofu with scallions—refreshing dishes that suited her palate perfectly.

Watching the dumplings in the pot, Shu Yan suddenly said, "It would be nice if I could send some to my mother. She loves dumplings too."

"Then we'll boil a few more," Lu Chengfeng said. "After lunch, we can take them to her together. Do you have an insulated food container at home?"

Shu Yan blinked, then shook her head repeatedly. "No, that's alright. The care home where my mother stays is in the south; it’s a long way off."

Lu Chengfeng remembered that while investigating the Xia Linlin case, he had passed a care home while heading south. He figured Shu Yan usually took the bus, which would take at least an hour. If he drove, however, it would take forty minutes at most.

"I’m driving Shi Wei’s new energy car; it’s fuel-efficient. If you want to go, we can make the trip. We can treat it as a weekend outing and pay your mother a visit while we're at it."

Shu Yan was tempted, but she hesitated. "But... my mother’s condition fluctuates. I’m afraid it might startle you."

Lu Chengfeng turned to look at her. "Director Shu, do you think I’m a coward?"

Looking at the man standing so close to her, Shu Yan felt her cheeks grow warm. She hurried to say, "If you really want to go, then let’s go. I’ll look for the insulated container. You keep an eye on the stove—don't let them overcook."