Street Hustler and His Policewoman Wife-Chapter 100: I Want to Paint a Picture!

Chen Xiao seemed to be asking Lou Xiaodong.

But he didn’t wait for Lou Xiaodong’s response.

The case was under his investigation, Lou Xiaodong could express his thoughts, but Chen Xiao also had his own ideas.

At this moment, someone called out for lunch.

Chen Xiao then said to Lou Xiaodong, "Brother, it’s already noon, let’s eat first."

Lou Xiaodong nodded without saying more.

Chen Xiao and Luo Dali sat together, and there were already several dishes on the table, mostly vegetarian.

This wasn’t because Yu Gui’s family was too poor, leading to a lack of meat dishes on the table.

Rather, it was due to the customs of Nanqiao.

Yu Gui had just passed away, and on the first day, the meal served to those helping out in the village was called "tofu meal," primarily consisting of vegetarian dishes.

Although Yu Gui’s family was financially tight, Yu Gui had instructed before his death, and his parents would fulfill his wish.

Besides, Yu Gui’s uncles weren’t the type of relatives who were mean and harsh.

When Yu Gui passed away, Chen Xiao noticed they were truly sad and distressed.

However, as Chen Xiao picked up his bowl, Lou Yang proactively came over.

He called out "Brother Chen."

Chen Xiao smiled and quickly introduced him to Luo Dali.

"Dali, this brother here is Lou Yang, Brother Lou’s son, who will be joining us in the home appliance distribution business."

Since it was Chen Xiao himself introducing him, Luo Dali and Xiaoji Knife Man greeted him.

But Luo Dali glanced at him and said with a smile, "Brother, aren’t you the priest invited by the host?"

Lou Yang was a bit embarrassed, took a deep breath, and said: "I am indeed in the Daoist priest business, but this is my last job. Mainly because my dad and the host are friends, so they’re more at ease having an acquaintance handle it."

"I see, I heard you did pretty well inside just now!"

Luo Dali’s compliment was sincere, but Chen Xiao knew that such compliments might not sit well with Lou Yang.

So after giving Luo Dali a signal, he explained.

Lou Yang shook his head with a smile: "It’s fine, work is work, nothing to hide. Besides, I’m the priest now, and I need to send off Brother Yu Gui properly."

Chen Xiao nodded: "How long does the host plan to hold the ceremony?"

"Just two days, since Yu Gui was so young and suffered so long, it’s best to put him to rest. The burial will be early tomorrow morning."

As Lou Yang answered, Chen Xiao understood the general process.

Today’s lunch was the tofu meal, and tonight there’d be a real ritual.

Plus, there’s tomorrow’s funeral, meaning Lou Yang would perform two major rituals.

With that in mind, Chen Xiao thought of another question: "Is it cremation or burial here?"

"In the city, it’s cremation, but in the surrounding towns and villages, it’s mostly burial. I’ve been in this business for a few years, and unless someone in the family works in an office, it’s usually burial in the countryside."

"I see, let’s eat."

Chen Xiao didn’t say anything else.

After the meal, Luo Dali and Lou Yang, finding a common ground, sat under a big tree, chatting while smoking.

Nobody knew what they discussed, but Chen Xiao noticed Luo Dali frequently giving Lou Yang a thumbs-up.

It seemed like he really admired Lou Yang.

Sure enough, when Lou Yang went to conduct another small ritual, Luo Dali sidled up to Chen Xiao.

"Brother, I tell you, Brother Lou Yang is truly remarkable!"

Chen Xiao looked at him and asked: "How so?"

"He told me about his family. Didn’t his dad go to jail? Then his mom just left him, without leaving a dime!"

"Later, when he was starving, he went to a funeral to steal food and got caught in the act."

Chen Xiao chuckled: "That doesn’t really matter, in such situations, people usually won’t make a big deal, whether it’s a funeral or a celebration."

"No, something happened at that time. The host’s gifts were stolen!"

Chen Xiao was surprised: "People suspected he took it?"

"Yes, and guess what? This guy is really something, he actually managed to trick the real thief into confessing right there on the spot!"

"He has this skill?"

Luo Dali nodded, giving a thumbs-up: "Yes, he said that during his dad’s years as a policeman, he was often taught these things. His dad hoped he’d take up the mantle in the future, but then that incident happened. Fortunately, that day he used the skills learned from his dad to handle the situation."

"But the most impressive part was that the priest handling the ceremony for the host said a few good words about him. After he exposed the thief, he dropped to his knees right away to become the priest’s disciple."

Chen Xiao was stunned for a moment but quickly understood.

"Maybe he had no choice, with no kin, he had to find some support. But wasn’t Old Lou’s former colleagues looking after him?"

"They did, some gave him money, some offered him a place to stay. But Lou Yang told me he hated his dad back then, said being called the murderer’s son was all his dad’s fault. So, he refused everyone’s help, wanting to survive on his own abilities!"

Even Chen Xiao, hearing this, suddenly thought of the somewhat juvenile Lou Yang in a new light.

Compared to the fool beside him, Lou Yang was clearly far more outstanding!

Luo Dali lit another cigarette, squinting as he said: "Honestly, Brother Chen, I think Lou Yang is a good guy, hardworking and smart. Most importantly, he only studied under the old priest for a few years, and he’s already gained recognition from the people in Nanqiao Town and the nearby villages."

"Now, many of the rituals, he’s taking them on all by himself!"

"Then you should work well together in the future. Oh, right... did you tell him you might have to return to Dongzhou soon?"

"Yes, he’s willing to go to Dongzhou with us, saying a good man should see the world!"

Chen Xiao didn’t ask further, as Luo Dali heard the sound of gongs and drums from the house and quickly got up.

"Brother, I’m going to take a look. To be honest, watching Brother Lou Yang conduct the rituals is really something!"

Chen Xiao waved his hand quickly.

Without Luo Dali’s chatter, Chen Xiao quieted down again.

But not long after, Chen Xiao noticed a familiar figure stepping out of a car not far away.

Guo Zhengchang actually came in person.

No matter what his motive was, his personal attendance perhaps showed some sort of attitude towards the late Yu Gui and Guo Ning.

Guo Zhengchang entered the door, nodded to Chen Xiao first, then immediately went to see Yu Gui’s parents.

Chen Xiao didn’t follow to see what he did, just waited silently.

Before long, Guo Zhengchang came out from the house, looking deeply moved as he spoke to Chen Xiao.

"Alas...we still couldn’t wait, after all."

Chen Xiao made a sound of acknowledgment. Guo Zhengchang didn’t dwell on the topic further and asked:

"Mr. Xiaochen, is there an approximate timeline now?"

Chen Xiao thought, his gaze unintentionally passing through the main hall’s threshold, looking towards the inside room.

Inside, Lou Yang’s priest team was hanging scrolls and such on the walls.

The scroll shook in Lou Yang’s hand, and Chen Xiao immediately saw it was an image of a deity, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

"It should be soon. Now, there’s just one last question left unresolved."

"Which question?"

"The connection between Guo Ning, Yu Gui, and the murderer!"

Guo Zhengchang thought, and he too frowned, distressed. Chen Xiao glanced at him, then smiled: "Old sir, you wouldn’t mind me sitting in your car for a bit, would you?"

"Of course not."

"Do you have paper and a pen in there?"

"Yes, are you going to write something?"

"No, I suddenly felt like sketching!"