The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

Chapter 352: Chapter 217: Can’t Even Relax While Having Barbecue

At seven o’clock the next morning, Wan, Zhang Yean, and Jiang An got up early and headed to the largest farmers’ market in Jiangcheng—Chuanxi Market.

Standing at the market entrance, Zhang Yean glanced around and saw that the market was already crowded.

Besides numerous vendors selling their wares, there were also many customers shopping for vegetables and meat.

She couldn’t help but look around and exclaim, ”Wow, so many people come to buy groceries this early? According to my usual lifestyle, I don’t get out of bed until nine or ten on weekends.”

Wan turned his head to give her a look, shrugged, and said, ”You’re a rich lady, naturally unaware of the hustle and bustle of ordinary life. When I was home, sometimes I’d go grocery shopping at six o’clock.”

”Six o’clock?” Zhang Yean widened her eyes in disbelief, ”My gosh, isn’t that still dark outside?”

Wan’s lips curved slightly as he quipped, ”Princess, the sky is already bright by six. The red sun is up.”

”No way! I remember it’s bright around seven or eight, isn’t it?” Zhang Yuan still had doubts.

”That’s in winter. In this season, it’s already bright after six. If you don’t believe me, ask Jiang An here.”

As Wan said this, he turned his gaze towards Jiang An.

Jiang An’s eyes darted between Wan and Zhang Yean, then he nodded, ”True, Wan isn’t lying to you.”

Then, Wan feigned a thoughtful sigh, ”Well, honestly, as men being the backbone of society’s workforce, we truly understand life’s challenges, unlike you girls.”

”Senior, why are you getting all reflective? It’s just grocery shopping.” Zhang Yean teased with a smile.

”No, I just suddenly felt life isn’t easy.” Wan shrugged helplessly.

Zhang Yean laughed even more brightly, ”Should I add ’Cherish every moment’ then?”

Jiang An glanced at his watch, raised his hand to gather everyone’s attention, ”Alright, should we get down to business? It’s seven o’clock and we need to buy lots of ingredients today and clean them up when we’re back.”

”Exactly, let’s go, let’s get started!” Wan chimed in, waving the hundred-dollar bill Mr. Li had given him yesterday.

Zhang Yean giggled, ”Senior, is this money enough? You know, we’ve got some big eaters in the team, with huge appetites.”

”No problem, let’s buy more potatoes then. They’re filling, and in ample supply.” Wan replied confidently.

The three of them navigated through the bustling market, carefully selecting the ingredients. Before long, they’d bought beef, lamb, pork belly, lotus root slices, potatoes, quail eggs, and lots more.

Wan’s civilian car had an empty trunk when they arrived and was now packed to the brim when they left.

After leaving the market, the three drove to the police station’s cafeteria.

They borrowed the cafeteria’s knives and vegetable-washing tools to start preparing the ingredients.

Fortunately, the cafeteria’s ladies were particularly enthusiastic and helped them skewer the ingredients.

At ten in the morning, at a barbecue stand on Phoenix Mountain.

When Wan, Zhang Yean, and Jiang An drove over and opened the trunk, taking a heap of ingredients, Mr. Li and Mr. Fu greeted them with smiles.

”Oh dear, you three have worked hard. You’re the backbone for solving cases and for barbecuing too!”

Mr. Fu hurriedly took the ingredients from Jiang An and Zhang Yean, warmly saying, ”You’ve prepared such a feast, make sure you eat more later.”

”That’s a must!” Zhang Yean replied cheerfully, ”According to my usual lifestyle, I’d still be in bed at this time. I didn’t sleep in today for this barbecue.”

Mr. Li looked at the ingredients in his hand, satisfied, ”Exactly, everyone will have a treat this time. It’s a holiday today, so I prepared some beer to enjoy while eating.”

Soon, everyone carried the ingredients to the rented barbecue grill nearby. The charcoal was already lit, and members of the criminal investigation team who loved barbecuing eagerly took out skewered meats to place on the grill.

Soon, the sizzling sound started up.

In less than half an hour, rows of delicious grilled foods filled the table.

Mr. Li opened canned beers for everyone, raised his glass, and said loudly, ”Everyone has worked hard, eat and grill, don’t hold back!”

As he spoke, he saw Wan holding a skewer, and called out, ”Wan, come over here, the beer is ready for you, you’ve worked hard, drink more.”

Wan placed his skewer on the charcoal and quickly ran over.

Mr. Li looked around at everyone’s beers and his expression turned a bit serious, he said, ”Brothers and sisters, you’ve worked hard these past few months.”

”Since July this year, the cases in Jiangcheng have suddenly increased. As the head of the criminal investigation team, the pressure is enormous.”

”Just last night, I compared the case rate with the same period last year and found it’s exceeded by 50%. Our workload has significantly increased, and leisure time has been compressed infinitely.”

”Moreover, based on my years of experience in criminal investigations, if cases aren’t solved quickly, we’ll face disciplinary actions and inspections.”

”However, this year is different from past years, our team’s efficiency in solving cases is unbelievably high, all cases have been cracked. Mr. Ma is astonished, and other deputy chiefs at the city bureau are very satisfied with our work.”