Chapter 8: Praise

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Autumn Jiang chattered incessantly by Shi Yuexiu’s side, her tone exceedingly affectionate—entirely unlike someone she had only known for just over a month.

In fact, they were not strangers at all.

To be precise, in their previous lives, they had also been sisters-in-law.

Unfortunately, her elder sister-in-law had died in childbirth, overwhelmed with grief after her elder brother was killed in battle when Autumn Jiang was only five. When she woke up in this life and saw her, she had thought she had arrived in the underworld, which was why she saw her long-deceased sister-in-law.

Only when her memories fully integrated did she realize she had come several centuries into the future, to an era where her sister-in-law was still alive and had safely given birth to her nephews and nieces.

Equally surprising was that her elder brother was still alive.

Though he had been in an accident three years ago and still could not stand, having family alive meant everything would get better.

When they reached home, Autumn Jiang immediately spotted her elder brother in a wheelchair and called out cheerfully, “Big brother, we’re back—”

The man before her was around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, tall and broad, with slightly tanned skin. Even seated in a wheelchair, he exuded a resolute, masculine aura.

At that moment, he was weaving bamboo, placing lifelike bamboo rabbits and piglets in a basket on the ground, attracting curious glances from the children playing in the courtyard.

Hearing her voice, Autumn Heng’an finally lifted his head. The hardness in his eyes softened instantly upon seeing them, and he murmured, “You’re back.”

“Yes, we’re back.” Shi Yuexiu stepped forward, looking at him with concern. “Why are you doing this again? Are your hands hurt?”

“It’s nothing—I’m not that useless yet.” Autumn Heng’an rubbed her cold hand. “Are you tired?”

“No.” Shi Yuexiu’s face was flushed with an unmistakable smile and shyness. “Jiang Jiang is still here.”

“Hehe, if I’m not here, just pretend I don’t exist.” Autumn Jiang grinned just as her two little nephews and nieces came holding hands. She called out to them, “Miao Miao, En En, come wash your hands with your little auntie.”

The two children, about five or six years old, obediently responded.

“Yes, little auntie.”

They placed their small hands in hers and happily followed her away. Their movements were not just similar to hers earlier—they were identical.

Watching the trio of aunt and nephews disappear, the couple exchanged a knowing smile.

“The meal is ready. Let’s eat.” Autumn Heng’an said.

Shi Yuexiu was already pushing the wheelchair. “Okay.”

Their home was at the center of the three-section courtyard, with the two adjacent rooms also occupied by them. For convenience, doors had been opened in the dividing walls to allow easy passage among the three rooms.

When the couple entered, the two children had finished washing their hands and were helping Autumn Jiang distribute chopsticks and bowls. Seeing the couple arrive, they eagerly fetched chairs, showing their thoughtfulness and maturity.

“Daddy, mommy, come eat.”

“Alright, let’s eat.”

As the family of five gathered for the meal, Autumn Jiang proudly recounted in vivid detail how she had cleverly uncovered the true identity of the culprit that day.

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The four listened intently, while the two little ones exclaimed with wide-eyed amazement, their eyes sparkling as they looked up at their little aunt.

“Little auntie is amazing.”

“Little auntie is amazing.”

The twins spoke in unison, clapping with remarkable synchronicity.

Shi Yuexiu listened to the animated account and couldn’t help but worry, “Was it that dangerous? Did you get hurt?”

“I’m fine, sister-in-law, don’t worry.”

Shi Yuexiu relaxed somewhat but still felt heartache at seeing such a young and frail girl choose such a perilous profession as a criminal investigator.

Had it not been for the accident that forced her to attend the tuition-waived police academy, she might never have gone down this path. Just the thought made her feel guilty.

If even she felt this way, it was all the more so for Autumn Heng’an.

If only his leg hadn’t been injured back then…

“Cough, cough.” Sensing the topic veering toward three years ago, Autumn Jiang cleared her throat to bring everyone’s attention back and patted her hands before announcing a significant decision.

“Dear big brother, sister-in-law, nephews and nieces, the city bureau is selecting officers to form a new criminal investigation team tomorrow. I’ve decided to apply.”

Autumn Heng’an frowned, prompting her to hasten her explanation.

“I’m applying because I truly love the police profession. I want to be a really great cop, to bring those villains to justice—that’s my dream. It’s not for any other reason, so please don’t overthink it.”

Seeing their continued concern, Autumn Jiang’s heart softened. She spoke obediently but with unwavering determination.

“Brother, sister-in-law, the little girl you’ve cared for has grown up. You have to trust every decision she makes. Besides, she’s part of this family and wants to work hard for it too.”

In both their lives, she had been well protected by family. Though her parents passed away early in this life, her elder brother and sister-in-law had raised her like their own child. With such a loving family, how could she bear to let them shoulder the burden alone?

“Also, once I’m at the city bureau, I’ll have more chances to go on assignments. Maybe then I can find a place that can treat big brother’s leg. That way, I can fulfill my dream and find good doctors—what could be better? So rest assured, I’ve thought this through carefully and made this decision seriously. Please don’t worry unnecessarily.”

Her reasons were sincere, though another motivation was that the city bureau’s salary was obviously higher—a prospect she had long coveted. Unfortunately, as a rookie fresh from the police academy stationed at the branch, she hadn’t dared to hope for more. Now, with such a rare opportunity, she would not let it slip away.

To reassure them further, she added, “The person who just took me home is going to be our future team leader. He’s from Hong Kong and won’t stay here long. Once he leaves, the leader position will be vacant. Maybe I could become the city’s first female criminal investigation team leader. Then you’d be the big brother and sister-in-law of Anxi’s first female team leader—how cool is that?”

“Wow, auntie is amazing.”

“Yay! En En and I will be nephews and nieces of Anxi’s first female criminal team leader!”

Though the two didn’t fully grasp the details, they were delighted by their little aunt’s boastful words and thought she was extraordinary.

Listening to her explanation, Autumn Heng’an and Shi Yuexiu felt a complex mix of emotions. Their eyes shimmered with unshed tears—pride and worry intertwined—while they were also amused and exasperated by her.

“She’s not even gone yet, and you’re already eyeing her position.”

Autumn Jiang felt no embarrassment, replying earnestly, “The pupil surpasses the master. Team Leader Ji will definitely be happy to know I have such noble goals.”

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She spoke with such conviction as if she could read Ji Mingcheng’s mind. Yet, at that moment, Ji Mingcheng was blissfully unaware. He was busy mooching a meal at Lu Jiannian’s grandfather’s house, planning to return home satisfied once he had eaten. Little did he know someone was already plotting an upset.

The next day, at dawn, the small courtyard was alive with the sounds of footsteps and lively chatter, filled with the warmth of everyday life.

After the heart-to-heart conversation yesterday, Autumn Heng’an had finally stopped dwelling on his guilt. To encourage her, he had started cooking early in the temporary kitchen outside.

In the western room, Autumn Jiang was roused on time by the biological clock she had developed over the past month. She gently shook her still-sleeping little niece. “En En, wake up.”

Autumn Si’en rubbed her sleepy eyes and wobbled as she put on her underwear.

Autumn Jiang quickly freshened herself and helped the little niece put on her outer clothes. When they stepped outside, breakfast was already laid out.

Not only had her favorite noodles been prepared, but two eggs and a sausage were added—exactly the same as for her nephews and nieces. It made her laugh and cry at once, but the feeling of being cared for by family was truly wonderful, especially since big brother was such a good cook. She finished her noodles in no time.

“Big brother, sister-in-law, I’m off to work!” she called out energetically as she dashed out of the courtyard.

Autumn Heng’an quickly called her back, “Jiang Jiang, your lunchbox—”

“Oh, right.” She returned, grabbed her lunchbox, stuffed it into her bag, and hurried out again.

She ran five or six hundred meters to the bus stop. The bus arrived shortly, and she leapt on.

The bus wasn’t crowded, so she casually took a seat near the back and leisurely enjoyed the passing scenery through the window. The crisp morning air brushed her cheeks, cool yet refreshing.

The police station in Anlu District wasn’t nearby. She rode the bus for an hour, transferring twice before finally arriving at a stop just three hundred meters from the station. Luckily, it wasn’t far, and she strolled the rest of the way.

Most colleagues hadn’t arrived yet, except a few early birds chatting. Their eyes lit up when they saw her.

“Jiang Jiang, you did great! You really made our chief proud. When we got off work yesterday, the chief was overjoyed to receive that call from the city bureau.”

At that moment, the team’s collective pride was strong. Especially knowing the culprit was cunning enough to fool even the city bureau’s team leader Guo at first, yet their branch sensed something was off immediately. Even without being on-site, their pride exploded, and they showered her with praise.

It was the first time Autumn Jiang realized how many compliments there were—words like “keen sense,” “strong insight,” “quick reaction,” and “great initiative.”

Such praise made her blush and wonder if they really meant her, but the recognition felt wonderful.

Full of enthusiasm, she even felt she could catch ten criminals in one go. Yet, she never expected the opportunity to come so soon.

Suddenly, the police station’s door was forcefully pushed open. Chen Da stormed in with a scowl, scanning the room before calling out names.

“Everyone, come with me immediately—right now!”

What kind of case could be so urgent?

Autumn Jiang had a bad feeling.