009 Life Skills (Asking for Recommendations!)

"Han Bin, did you find anything over there?" Zeng Ping asked.

"Li Feifan, whose underwear is on the balcony?" Han Bin inquired.

"It's mine," Li Feifan replied.

"You wear women's underwear?" Han Bin chuckled.

"It's my girlfriend's," Li Feifan answered, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant.

"In this room, aside from a single piece of women's underwear, I can't find any other female items. Who are you trying to fool?" Han Bin said.

Tian Li took a photo and sent it to the victim for identification. Moments later, she received a reply.

"Captain Zeng, this underwear matches the style the victim was wearing that day," Tian Li reported.

"What does that prove? There are plenty of identical styles," Li Feifan retorted.

Li Hui walked over, wearing gloves, took it down, and sniffed it. "It's unwashed. Hung up just as it was."

"You have that kind of fetish?" Han Bin teased, his words carrying a double meaning.

"Take him in," Zeng Ping ordered with a wave of his hand. As long as they found the victim's biological evidence on the underwear, the chain of evidence would be complete.

...

Qindao City Sub-Bureau, Interrogation Room.

Li Feifan sat in the interrogation chair, looking around nervously.

Han Bin and Zeng Ping conducted the interrogation, with a camera recording nearby.

"Name, age, place of origin..."

"Li Feifan, twenty-four, Qindao City..."

"Li Feifan, where were you on the night of June eighteenth?"

"I went for a walk in the Central Park after dinner," Li Feifan replied.

"Have you ever met the victim?"

"No."

"Have you ever been to the crime scene?"

"No."

"Then why was your white genetic material found at the scene?" Han Bin pressed.

"Impossible. That white genetic material isn't mine," Li Feifan insisted.

"How can you be so sure?" Zeng Ping asked.

"Because I didn't do it," Li Feifan replied.

"And how do you explain the underwear?" Han Bin continued.

"I picked it up."

"Didn't you say you hadn't been to the crime scene?" Han Bin challenged.

"I found it near the park entrance; maybe the suspect dropped it there," Li Feifan answered.

...

"Li Feifan, you're overconfident. We did indeed find your biological evidence at the crime scene, proving you were there," Han Bin declared.

"You don't need to bluff. I never went to the crime scene; there's no way my white genetic material was there," Li Feifan said.

"Biological evidence isn't limited to just white genetic material," Han Bin explained.

"What do you mean?"

"We found your pubic hair at the crime scene," Han Bin stated.

"I..." Li Feifan's face turned deathly pale in an instant.

"Our chain of evidence is solid. There's no use in denying it," Han Bin stood up, holding several photos, and placed them in front of Li Feifan.

"At five in the morning on June eighteenth, you went to Yindu Foot Spa, picked up some unlucky person's white genetic material. Around eight in the evening, you went to Central Park. There's video footage of you at the entrance. After committing the crime, you planted the picked-up white genetic material on the victim, trying to frame someone else. Unfortunately, it was too dark, and you didn't notice your own hair had fallen at the scene."

Li Feifan stared at the photos, clenching his fists tightly.

"Li Feifan, confess and you'll be treated leniently. Resist and you'll face severe punishment. Only by being honest can you hope for mercy," Zeng Ping advised.

The interrogation continued for another two hours before Li Feifan finally buckled under the pressure and admitted to all his crimes, detailing where he'd hidden the tools and the fact that he'd picked up the white genetic material at the foot spa to frame Chen Jun.

Upon hearing the case was solved and the suspect apprehended, the victim, Zheng Wen, made a special trip to the police station to thank Han Bin and his team.

...

Criminal Investigation Team Three, Group Two Office.

"Han Bin, you're something else. Another tough case cracked," Zeng Ping said, patting Han Bin on the shoulder.

"It's everyone's effort," Han Bin replied.

"Don't be modest. As a reward, you get a day off tomorrow. Go home and rest well," Zeng Ping declared.

"Really?" Han Bin asked.

"When have I ever gone back on my word?" Zeng Ping said, putting on a stern face.

The other team members looked on with envy.

Detectives are busy—when there's a case, they're busy solving it. Even when the case ends, they're still not idle.

There's paperwork for the bureau, signatures, stamps from the brigade, stamps from the bureau, all kinds of stamps, constant reminders from the forensic lab and legal department...

Monthly reports to print and fill out, files returned or requested by the prosecutor's office, warrants for detention or release, certificates for changing custody...

Going to court to collect verdicts...

With Han Bin resting, these tasks would fall to the others. There was no helping it; his skill in solving cases was undeniable.

...

That evening, Han Bin returned home, turned on the TV, and cast a movie onto the screen. On the table sat a plate of peanuts, a plate of pig's ear, a plate of cucumber, and two bottles of beer.

Han Bin thoroughly enjoyed this leisurely moment.

He didn't have to work the next day, so tonight he could drink a little and sleep soundly.

"Ding dong. Congratulations, Officer 577533, on successfully solving the case." The police badge notification sounded in Han Bin's mind.

"Skill proficiency +2, merit points +7."

"You've received the victim's gratitude and are awarded an extra gift pack."

"What kind of gift pack?"

Life Skill: Culinary Arts

Category: Shandong Cuisine

Level: Intermediate

A buzzing filled Han Bin's mind as a wealth of knowledge and experience in cooking flooded in.

"My goodness, I've become a chef," Han Bin exclaimed in surprise.

Chef levels are divided into five: junior, intermediate, senior, technician, and senior technician. Graduates from culinary school generally reach intermediate and possess the corresponding certificate.

With intermediate chef skills, Han Bin was quite pleased. From now on, he could cook for his family when time allowed, and even impress guests.

...

The next morning, Han Bin went out early to shop for groceries, planning to cook a grand lunch for his parents.

Han Bin had always been busy with work and rarely had time to spend with his parents. Now, with a day off and newly acquired culinary skills, he could properly show his filial respect.

Shandong cuisine is one of the eight great culinary traditions of China, boasting the longest history, richest techniques, and most refined skills.

Classic dishes abound—Moo Shu Pork, Sweet and Sour Carp, Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallion, Vinegar-Sautéed Cabbage. This noon, Han Bin chose these four dishes.

Carrying the groceries, Han Bin went straight to his parents' home.

His mother, Wang Huifang, looked surprised. "Son, why did you bring so many ingredients?"

"I'm off today, so I thought I'd cook something nice for you," Han Bin replied.

It was the weekend, and Han Weidong was also home, curious. "When did you learn to cook?"

"When I was in school, renting outside, I cooked for myself often," Han Bin answered.

"You were probably cooking for that little girlfriend you had back then," Han Weidong joked.

"Dad, why bring that up?" Han Bin complained.

"Exactly. Our son is so handsome—he's bound to find someone even better," Wang Huifang said, giving her husband a pointed look.

"I'm going to start cooking," Han Bin announced.

"Son, do you want Mom to help?"

"No need," Han Bin said as he headed straight for the kitchen.

"Well, today we'll just sit back and enjoy," Wang Huifang said, her mood bright.

Han Weidong remained a bit skeptical about his son's culinary skills and gave his wife a meaningful glance. "Are you really not going to peek in?"