CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: TAKING MY DAUGHTER OUT TO PLAY

"Brother Meng, isn’t your brother-in-law’s manager named Du Bing?"

"Yes, his name is Du Bing. What’s up?" Liu Meng asked curiously.

Qi Yun cleared his throat and started making up a story: "That guy’s up to his neck in debt with loan sharks and has already fled. I heard he mentioned to someone that he has a distant relative in Kashi Tashiku County.

I remember that area is quite close to the border. He might cross the border from there. I suggest you have your brother-in-law inform the police, but don’t let them know the info came from me, got it?"

Liu Meng was slightly taken aback but quickly responded, "Got it, you never called me."

Though he didn’t know where Qi Yun got his information, everyone has their secrets, and he didn’t ask further. Besides, he trusted Qi Yun.

After hanging up, Qi Yun quietly walked into the bedroom. He looked at the little girl sleeping soundly and gently closed the door, retreating silently.

Then he put on a jacket, dug into his toolbox for a wire and a flashlight, and went out.

Twenty minutes later, Qi Yun appeared on Xuanwu Street riding his electric bike.

"500 meters from east to west, this should be it."

Qi Yun parked the bike, surveyed the area, and seeing no one around, turned on the flashlight and started inspecting the drainage ditch carefully.

Jiang Province is a place that barely rains twice a year, so the drainage ditch was rather dry with little to no odor, just a thin layer of accumulated snow.

His gaze wandered around, not missing any corner.

Finally, after searching for more than ten minutes, a golden object appeared in the flashlight’s halo.

Qi Yun’s expression lit up, and he leaned forward eagerly.

He saw a gold ring stained with a bit of mud, lying quietly in the drainage ditch.

Immediately, he took out a pre-prepared wire from his pocket, bent one end into a hook, reached into the drainage ditch, and gently hooked the ring.

Only when the ring was finally in his palm did a smile appear on his face.

Now wasn’t the time for inspection, so Qi Yun put the ring into the inner pocket of his jacket and then rode the bike back.

Upon returning home, Qi Yun checked that the little girl was still sleeping soundly before going to the kitchen to wash the ring with water.

The ring’s design was rather outdated, and the band was big, likely a man’s ring. At 26 grams and with today’s recycling gold price of 675 yuan, it could sell for over 17,000 yuan.

After a flurry of activity, it was already 2 a.m. Qi Yun tidied up and fell asleep with a smile.

The next morning, Qi Yun got up early to make breakfast for his daughter, planning to take her out after eating.

Just as they stepped out, the door opposite opened.

Zhao Qing appeared, wearing a white down jacket and a faint smile, seemingly in a good mood.

Her gaze fell on Qi Yun and the little girl, and she was the first to greet him, "Morning, Brother Qi."

Qi Yun nodded with a smile, "Morning, Little Qing."

Zhao Qing stepped forward and touched Nuannuan’s cheek, "Are you taking Nuannuan out to play?"

"Yes, nothing much today, so I’m taking her out for a stroll."

The little girl chimed in, "Sister Qing, come and play with us!"

Zhao Qing responded apologetically, "Sorry, Nuannuan, Sister Qing has something to do today and can’t play with you. Next time when I’m free, I’ll take you to the amusement park, okay?"

Nuannuan’s expression dimmed a bit but she nodded understandingly, "Okay, Sister Qing, you have to keep your promise."

Zhao Qing gently pinched her little nose and smiled, "Of course, Nuannuan is so good, you’re my favorite."

"Little Qing, we’ll be off then, take care of your work."

After parting ways, Zhao Qing drove towards the orphanage in the suburbs, while Qi Yun took the little girl to a nearby shopping mall.

It was already the day after New Year’s, and many stores were open.

As he passed by a gold shop, Qi Yun casually sold the gold ring, earning 17,550 yuan.

The current gold price was too high. It might drop sharply any day, otherwise, he would have wanted to hold onto some gold.

The fourth floor of the mall was a play area. Qi Yun usually took his daughter there to play every month, but unfortunately, it was not open today.

So he took her to the children’s clothing section on the second floor and picked out three outfits for her.

It must be said, kids’ clothes are really expensive now, even pricier than adults’. But when it comes to spending on kids, most parents don’t hesitate.

"Oh my, this little one is so adorable!"

"What a beautiful child!"

"This outfit looks even cuter on her!"

"..."

Even though he knew these were just sales tactics, Qi Yun appreciated the compliments and happily paid for the clothes.

After buying the clothes, they had a hearty meal at Pizza Hut downstairs, and then the father and daughter strolled back home leisurely.

"Did you have fun today, Nuannuan?"

The little girl looked up with her rosy cheeks and nodded vigorously, "Yes! Daddy bought me new clothes and delicious food. I loved today."

Seeing his daughter’s cheerful demeanor, Qi Yun felt a swell of happiness and couldn’t help but touch Nuannuan’s head.

There were no interruptions today, so the father and daughter lay together on the sofa, eating snacks and watching cartoons.

Before long, they both fell asleep. When Qi Yun woke up again, it was already late at night.

The little girl was sleeping soundly, drooling onto Qi Yun’s chest, soaking his shirt.

With a loving smile, Qi Yun gently carried his daughter to bed, then went to the kitchen to make a bowl of noodles for his growling stomach.

[Time remaining until next intel refresh: 21 minutes]

After finishing the noodles and tidying up, it was precisely midnight.

[Today’s Intel 1 (Red): Lao Xu’s newly bought BMW 7 Series has two covert locations still containing GPS devices. The repossession team has set out and plans to tow the car away in the early morning.]

[Today’s Intel 2 (Red): The resident of Room 401 in Vanke Mansion, Zhang Liang, is a fitness instructor. His boss is planning to flee and intends to sell 30 Everlast treadmills at a low price.]

Seeing the intel about Lao Xu surprised Qi Yun a bit.

After the last drinking gathering, he had decided to draw a clear line with that guy and never interact again.

His principle was that if people treat him kindly, he will reciprocate even more, repay kindness, and take revenge when needed.

Therefore, he not only repaid the two thousand yuan he owed, but also added four hundred yuan as interest, clearing their debts; they had nothing more between them, and he didn’t plan to kindly remind him.

As for the other piece of intel, it was interesting. The three soap dudes living in 401 turned out to be fitness instructors—it explains their muscular physiques.