Chapter 287: Mister Li’s Promise
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Li Du had never partic.i.p.ated in hunting before, and was actually looking forward to such an activity.
He had wanted to invite Sophie along but she had rejected him. "Sorry Li, I don’t wish to raise any guns at animals. Um, but I respect your hobby, I just don’t want to do it."
Mr. Li said, "I understand—actually, I don’t want to kill small animals either. It makes me seem cruel."
At the other end of the phone, Sophie laughed, "Don’t misunderstand, I’m not some animal rights advocate. I eat meat too, but because at work I encounter too many instances of fresh blood and wounds, I don’t wish to see these in my personal life."
She was worried Li Du would overthink matters, and added, "It’s good that you guys partic.i.p.ate in hunting, this is to protect the ecosystem in the country’s parks—my father has partic.i.p.ated before."
Li Du smiled; the lady doctor was really an understanding lady.
In the evening, Rose had just gotten off work. He invited Rose: "How about going hunting over the weekend?"
The lady cop stretched—her uniform immediately took on an exaggerated curve in the chest area, and converted into a flat plain at her lower abdomen.
After the stretch, she said, "Hunting? I rarely get to rest over the weekends, and I go hunting? Am I nuts? Weekends are for resting!"
Li Du answered, "Yes, but hunting’s a form of leisure activity."
Rose replied with disdain, "But I’m hunting every single day, and the prey is that rotten, evil trash. I’m sick of it, little child."
Mr. Li flared up. "Why are you calling me a child?"
Rose said, "Because only little children will play with toy guns and be happy with a hunted rabbit or a wild duck. If you’re an adult, I’ll give you a gun for you to hunt for criminals."
Li Du broke out in cold sweat—This b*tch! Infuriating!
He had no retort to this; Rose’s job was indeed similar to that of a hunter, just that the difficulty and danger levels of her job were much higher.
Noticing that he seemed sullen, Rose deflated and burst out laughing. She went over to pat his shoulder. "Oh, little friend is not happy?"
"Don’t call me little friend again!" Mr. Li was really furious.
Rose patted his face. "Alright, I’m wrong, little friend. Actually, I would like to watch you hunt—we would have a gamey feast to eat then, right?"
"Eat, eat, eat—let’s see if you’ll get to marry if you turn into a plump la.s.s," Mr. Li giggled.
Rose opened the fridge and took out a can of beer, then laughed hysterically, "Marry? No, I won’t be getting married in this lifetime—I won’t live for long anyway."
She raised her head and guzzled down half a can of beer at one go.
Li Du became stern. "Rose, do you have a f*cking problem?"
"Hmm, did you only realize that now?" The lady cop may have given him a nonchalant smile, but it was actually more bittersweet.
Li Du went over to squeeze her shoulder. "I know you’ve encountered some horrifying things, and you have lost hope before. Look out the window—although it’s night time, there’s still light!"
The lady cop looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "What, making me chicken soup for the soul?"
"With such a negative att.i.tude," Li Du said, "you won’t be able to avenge your parents and brother."
The lady cop chucked her beer can. "Shut up! Li Du, shut up! Who do you think you are? You know what? Why not treat yourself as dead—"
"The dead will never beat the living," Li Du said harshly. "You think you’re dead, you think you’re about to die—no matter which scenario, it means you’re running away! It means you’ve got no confidence in the things that you do!"
The lady cop shouted, "F*ck! You dunno sh*t—"
"Shut up and listen to me!" Li Du pressed her onto the sofa. "I don’t care what you were before, but get your fighting spirit ready in the future. You gotta believe me, you’ll surely be able to settle this case, and make those b*stards pay for their crime.
"Also, you have to understand that you’re not living just for this case, but also because your family is no longer in this world—you are the only trace of their existence.
"Do you know what I mean? If you die too, then it would mean that there would be n.o.body in this world who would remember your parents and brother—n.o.body to remember your family of four!"
The lady cop was astounded, and just kept staring at him.
Li Du touched her face. "I’ve said this before: I’ll help you. Trust me, I’ll help you find those b*stards and kill them off. I’m amazing!"
After a while, Rose nodded, "Yes, you’re amazing."
Li Du said, "Listen to me, change your att.i.tude toward life, and we’ll settle this case."
Rose repeated, "Alright. Change my att.i.tude toward life and settle the case."
She thought about it and then added, "But I’m still not going hunting over the weekend—I’m tired!"
Li Du wanted to thrash her. "Don’t go then. Do you think I said all this to you to get you to go hunting? Also, not just your att.i.tude toward life, but also your att.i.tude toward work!
"This time hunting, I will get a lot of prey. Invite your colleagues to come to the cabin, and build a rapport with them. You think this case can be settled just by the power of us both?"
Rose asked doubtfully, "Is there such a need?"
Li Du said, "Of course—you have to remember that one catches more flies with honey than vinegar!"
Rose gave it some thought and said, "I understand. ‘Life does not always equip you with special abilities, but it is important to know how to use tools to achieve your objectives.’"
Li Du was shocked. "You’ve been living in America since you were young, but you can still remember that ancient prose?"
Rose smiled gloomily. "My father was a Chinese teacher. From childhood, he asked that I learn Chinese, recite poems from the Tang and Song dynasties, as well as read ancient prose."
Li Du said, "What you’ve just said are words of wisdom. Remember them, and you will never face failure in your work."
After the conversation, he went to make dinner.
As he walked toward the door to the kitchen, Rose stood up and said, "Li, thank you."
Li Du did not turn around but only waved. "It’s what I had to do."
Rose said, "No, there was nothing that you had to do. I’m very grateful to you, how can I thank you?"
Li Du felt a flutter in his heart—this line, which often appeared in dramas, was always very provocative.
Rose continued, "I know: I won’t take your rent, and will also return you the deposit."
Mr. Li replied, "Good! Loyal indeed!"
The next day, Hans rode a motorcycle over to look for him. "Come, let’s get you a good gun. We can’t hunt without good weapons."
Li Du said, "Not just weapons, a car too. We gotta buy a good car."
Han nodded. "Right, but I’m broke."
Li Du was furious. "D*mmit, you’re broke again? Where’s your money?"
Hans said feebly, "All given to the welfare center and some for my sister, who’s good with money."
"Okay," Li Du said, "then I’ll pay for the car, but the car belongs to me!"
"Of course!"