Chapter 20: Strolling Through the Department Store

Upstairs, there were ready-made clothes in the latest styles.

But in Tu Shan’s eyes, they were hopelessly tacky. It couldn't be helped; having foresight meant her taste was on a completely different level.

She didn't complain, though. After all, given the rags she was currently wearing, she had no right to be picky.

She picked out a military-green artificial cotton T-shirt, a short-sleeved shirt made of gray yarn-dyed fabric, a black long-sleeved khaki jacket, and two pairs of black trousers made of Huadani fabric.

After handing over the fabric coupons, it cost her twenty-three yuan and seventy cents. It wasn't bad—about a month’s wages for an average worker—but she spent it without even blinking.

With the outer layers bought, she went to grab two small undershirts; going commando wouldn't do.

Although her small frame didn't have much to show, she couldn't skimp on the essentials. Once she nourished her body back to health, she’d have everything she needed.

She bundled up her old clothes. She couldn't throw them away; in this day and age, if you dared to throw away clothes, people would tear you apart for it.

She changed into the military-green T-shirt and trousers, left her bangs as they were, and pulled the rest of her hair up into a high ponytail.

She also put on the thick-soled soft cloth shoes she’d bought for three yuan and two coupons.

Instantly, she looked refreshed. That sleazy, gloomy aura was gone, and even her "curtain" bangs were easy to overlook. She looked like a delicate young girl, with a hint of heroic spirit.

Finally, no one was looking at her with strange eyes anymore.

Leaving the clothing section, she went to the adjacent shoe area and bought a pair of labor-protection rubber boots for rainy days.

The little leather shoes she used to like were nice, too, and she was tempted, but she gave up on them—she wouldn't have many chances to wear them.

Next door was a counter for small goods and fabric accessories: insoles, soles, shoe uppers, silk scarves, headscarves, and shawls. The selection was small, but the variety was vast.

Tu Shan spotted a crossbody bag. It wasn't the common military-green one with a red star, but a plain, pitch-black bag without any decorations—perfect for carrying her money and coupons.

Now that she was well-off, she couldn't keep all that cash in her pockets, and she didn't trust leaving it at her rental.

Two yuan and fifty cents, plus half a foot of fabric coupons—she took it without hesitation.

The bag had compartments, making it practical for organizing her things, and it had a zipper, so she didn't have to worry about anything falling out.

With her little bag slung over her shoulder, Tu Shan felt wonderful, skipping along to look at the watches.

The watch counter was in the luxury section. There were over a dozen styles, mostly domestic, which required coupons and were relatively cheap.

The imported ones didn't require coupons, but they were much more expensive.

Tu Shan’s eyes were immediately drawn to a pair of imported couple’s watches. The minimalist, grand dial with black and gold hands looked slightly opulent, and the silver strap was clean and sharp. It really hit the spot—she loved it. One for her, one for Ling Yang; the perfect couple.

Tu Shan had already forgiven Ling Yang for choking her. There had been a misunderstanding between them, and as long as it was cleared up, they could live a happy, harmonious life. How nice that would be.

The girl conveniently ignored the fact that Ling Yang had mentioned divorce. Divorce was impossible; in any case, it would require her signature, and Ling Yang couldn't decide that on his own.

"How much for this?"

"How much for this?"

Tu Shan turned to look at the person who had spoken at the same time as her.

It was a girl in her early twenties, fair-skinned and round-faced—she looked like she lived a very comfortable life.

Compared to Tu Shan, who was skinny to the bone, short, and sallow-skinned, she clearly came from the slums.

A flash of disdain crossed the girl’s eyes. She ignored Tu Shan and looked at the clerk.

The clerk, while not showing disdain, also ignored Tu Shan. It was clear she had decided Tu Shan couldn't afford it.

"Comrade, this imported watch set is a pair; we don't sell them individually. The total price is seven hundred and eighty yuan, no coupons required."

The girl’s sweet smile froze on her face: "So expensive?"

The clerk offered a polite, practiced smile. She heard this exclamation almost every day; she was used to it.

Tu Shan leaned over and asked the girl, her tone sincere: "Are you buying it?"

The girl felt provoked and flew into a rage: "None of your business, trash." She turned and walked away.

Tu Shan:...How rude.

She bared her teeth, took out the money, and placed it on the counter: "Please write up the receipt." The money she’d earned over the past few days had shrunk by more than half, but she was happy.

The clerk secretly scolded herself for misjudging the situation.

"Comrade, please wait a moment."

She wrote the receipt as quickly as possible and handed it to Tu Shan: "Comrade, please check this. Two watches for seven hundred and eighty, three-year warranty. If there are any issues, you can bring the receipt back to us.

Are these watches for you to wear? If so, you can try them on now. If the size isn't right, we can help adjust them."

"Yes, please help me adjust them, thank you."

They had to remove almost half the links before it fit.

The exquisite watch looked completely out of place on Tu Shan’s chicken-claw-like wrist, but Tu Shan thought she looked beautiful.

She tucked away the men’s watch and left with her things.

She checked the time; it was already 10:30. She wondered if He Jiahuan and the others had caught the people yet.

She turned her steps toward the Criminal Police Brigade.

"Whoa, it’s lively in here." It felt like walking into a wet market.

He Jiahuan and his team had just finished their arrests and were bringing people in, escorting them into the interrogation rooms one by one.

People were rushing back and forth, and every officer was so busy they couldn't catch their breath—even the old gatekeeper was being run ragged.

The small office was packed to the brim, and the smell of sweat hit her right in the face.

Shouts, curses, cries of injustice, and people throwing others under the bus to save themselves—it was a cacophony that made her head buzz.

Tu Shan stood on her tiptoes to look inside. It was just a sea of heads; she’d come at a bad time.

She turned to leave, but He Jiahuan, who was walking over while wincing and clutching his back, spotted her and hurriedly called out: "Comrade Tu, wait! You’re just in time, I have something to ask you."

Tu Shan walked over. He Jiahuan was drenched in sweat and covered in grime. Judging by his movements, the wound on his back had likely reopened; he looked quite disheveled.

"Captain He, are you alright?"

He Jiahuan waved a hand: "I'm fine. Since you're here, I need to take your statement. I didn't have time yesterday."

Fine, Tu Shan would cooperate.

Taking a statement required two people. He Jiahuan glanced at Xu Zhi, who was passing by: "Xu Zhi, put aside what you're doing and clear out an interrogation room."

"Got it." Xu Zhi moved through the crowd and shouted back. When he saw Tu Shan, he even waved.

In the interrogation room, the two men handled things professionally, recording the entire process of how Tu Shan had found the grave robbers.

Once the official business was done, they moved to personal matters.

"Comrade Tu, in view of your three instances of assistance—helping us catch two suspects and providing a crucial tip—your contribution is significant. I have already requested a commendation for you from above.

If you have any reasonable requests, feel free to say so, and we will do our best to meet them.

Furthermore, I have a personal suggestion for you to consider.

You have great skills, a sense of justice, a sense of responsibility, and keen instincts..."

The smile on Tu Shan’s face grew wider. There was no need to praise her *that* much.

"Therefore, I would like to invite you to become an auxiliary member of our Criminal Police Brigade. After passing the assessments, you could become a full-time employee and join the ranks as a People’s Police. Would you be will—"

"No, no, I can't, I'm not cut out for it." Tu Shan waved her hands and shook her head repeatedly.

He Jiahuan and Xu Zhi:...

"However, since the leadership recognizes and trusts me so much, even if there were a mountain of blades or a sea of fire ahead, I would be willing to cross every hardship to live up to your expectations.

Leader, when do I start? How about tomorrow? I’m free tomorrow. Anyway, I’m going back to celebrate!"

Tu Shan rushed out like a gust of wind, leaving behind only one sentence in the air: "Mom, I’ve made something of myself!"

He Jiahuan and Xu Zhi:???