Because of the return by car, we took a completely different route than when we came, and the atmosphere between the two of us was not as comfortable and bright as before. Jeeps enter the Nanpu district from the Nanling River Bridge and then through the railway station tunnel, encountering only a handful of night taxis along the way. A lot of thoughts were struggling in my mind like an exhausted swimmer, and I was in danger of drowning at any moment, and I felt extremely tired.

I must admit that Li Lu's statement should have made me feel dangerous, but in reality, I did not feel any discomfort. He didn't show a hint of viciousness or warning, it felt like watching an exquisite new stage play, and this line about justice was destined to come out of Li Lu's mouth. In the final analysis, it is Li Lu's personality charm that comes into play. In just one day, I watched Li Lu switch between easy-going and serious, without feeling divided—presumably this man has two modes of life and work.

"Anyone's death is to my detriment, because I am connected to all mankind. This is a verse by the English poet John Donne, and if you believe it, you can apply it to me. ”

Li Lu didn't seem to expect me to say this, and hesitated for a moment. "Then whether her death will also be harmed by you, not from the point of view of all mankind, but only from the point of view of you. ”

"Let me tell you this, I do know a little bit about it, but not much more than you do. And I'm sure soon you'll know more. For example, if you want to know all about a plant, you can ask an artist to paint it, you can ask a photographer to photograph it, but in the end, the horticulturist will be able to tell you what you want. ”

"Well, you have a point," he nodded in agreement, but seemed a little absent-minded, "then it's inconvenient for you to tell me, are you a painter or a photographer?"

"I, I'm a passerby, I was careless in the garden, and I was stung by a bee. I pursed my lips, an offensive metaphor that drew a few chuckles. Then neither of us spoke again.

After driving into the city, the speed of the car slows down significantly, and it is no longer possible to rely on the reins as on the road. The buildings on both sides of the street are getting taller and taller, and after turning a corner, the city actually regains its sense of crowding, silently demonstrating the superiority of technological civilization in the dark night. I don't know what I feel about the night, its psychedelic attraction to me, its indifference repels me, but I have to be with it.

"Toss around all night, or go back after a meal. My police station is here, and there is a breakfast shop that the family team frequents next to it, and it should be open at a quarter past four. After a period of silence, Li Luo suddenly pointed to a building in front of him, and through the front windshield, he could see the police badge hung by the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

"Okay, it's time to eat," I agreed, touching my stomach. The sunrise is at 5:36 today, which is theoretically more than enough time for breakfast, and I don't want to go hungry for a day. "But let's hurry, I'm ...... Don't delay your work. ”

Li Lu drove the car into the parking lot behind the Public Security Bureau, and after the car stopped, I hurriedly pulled the door and got out of the car, and the moment my feet hit the ground, it was like stepping on cotton. He locked the door and led me out of a small door at the back of the parking lot and onto a one-way street.

It's an alley between residential complexes, and it's silent at this time, but I guess even during the day, not too many people will be here. On both sides of the road, French plane trees are planted with pleasant growth, and the wide leaves block the light of the street lamps, adding a layer of natural ecological filter. Most of the shops along the street are tobacco and alcohol retailers, fruit shops and clothing stores, but the doors are still closed, except for one small storefront with lights on, and the light splashes softly on the sidewalks.

Li Lu led me straight to the light.

The storefront is dozens of centimeters lower than the street, and the first thing that catches your eye when you go down the doorstep is a stack of bamboo basket drawers on the countertop, four or five stories high, surrounded by ethereal and fragrant steam. I sniffed hard, it was the smell of steamed buns.

Li Lu entered the narrow aisle next to the white desk with ease, and I followed closely behind, only to find that there was still a place for dine-in inside. If you have to say anything, this is not a decent restaurant: the floor is the most primitive concrete, without any paving, and the dining table is a few simple metal folding tables with long wooden benches to match them, which is somewhat nondescript. On the four walls hung many pennants, mostly with the words "Serve the people" and the like.

Hearing our movements, out of the back room came an old man in an apron, about sixty or younger, with gray hair and not very neat legs. When the old man saw Li Lu, his face showed a loving smile unique to an elderly person, and he looked very familiar. "Ah Lu, I came over for dinner so early today, and I brought my friends. ”

"There is a case today, just returned from the scene. Li Lu didn't introduce me, but just greeted the old man, sat down at the table near the door, and I sat down with him. "Uncle Hua, I want a bowl of wontons, add numb and spicy", and then he handed me the simple steak on the table, "Look at what you want to eat." ”

"Well, I'll eat wontons too, and I'll add another one—", I pointed to the cage drawer at the door, swallowing, "Meat buns." ”

"Uncle Hua, let's add another bowl of wontons and two beef buns. ”

The old man nodded, motioned for him to write it down, and then turned and walked back to the kitchen, where there was the sound of catching water. I looked around aimlessly and found that the table was not greasy, and every table was equipped with sauce and vinegar, which looked old but also clean and tidy.

"I didn't expect that there was a breakfast shop that opened so early, which was convenient for you police. "I'm starting to run out of words.

"Indeed, Uncle Hua opened very early, sometimes before four o'clock. However, it is also early, usually until eight o'clock, and most of the people who come to eat are from our bureau", Li Luo said as he took out two pairs of chopsticks from the chopstick cage, measured the length, and then handed me one of the pairs.

"Well, I can see that you are a frequent visitor and know the old man very well. ”

"I've been here a lot since I was assigned to the Municipal Public Security Bureau, and it's been the fifth year since I was assigned. At first, it was my master who brought me here, and now I bring Duanzheng and Wu Bin over - coming to Uncle Hua's place for breakfast is also a fine tradition of the criminal police team. ”

"What, is the boss related to your police force, or is it a relative?" I noticed some photos hanging next to the pennant on the wall, some group photos, some solo photos, most of them wearing police uniforms, looking formal.

Li Lu rubbed his temples, followed my gaze, stayed on a certain photo, and did not speak for a while. After a while, he came back to his senses, and his gaze wandered in the direction of the kitchen for a moment, and his tone was lowered.

"Uncle Hua's son, Du Chenxi, once worked in the bureau. In the Anti-Narcotics Division, he has a good relationship with my master, and he can be regarded as my senior. Oh, the single photo without a police uniform in the middle is," Li Lu tilted his head to signal to me, "Du Chenxi was very good at that time, and these pennants on the wall all prove his honor." ”

"And then?"