Chapter Thirteen: Investment and Trade

The old policeman glanced at Ruan Tang and smiled, “Well then, tell us how you plan to help us.”

He looked at Ruan Tang, who didn’t seem particularly wealthy, and had already dismissed her forthcoming words as a joke.

Unexpectedly, Ruan Tang calmly pulled out a card, her expression composed: “There’s a thousand yuan on this card. Consider it a donation toward your bureau’s meal expenses in exchange for your help. How about that?”

The old policeman and the junior officer were stunned, both staring at Ruan Tang and the card in her hand with wide eyes filled with shock.

“Y-you’re serious?” the old policeman couldn’t help but ask, disbelief written all over his face.

Usually, such a gesture would be seen as bribery and absolutely unacceptable, but she had added that it was a free donation for their meals, leaving them speechless on whether to refuse.

The two officers exchanged a troubled glance.

Suddenly, they slung their arms around each other’s shoulders and murmured quietly in a corner before turning back. The old policeman, wearing a solemn expression, firmly declined: “We can’t accept this money.”

Putting aside the question of whether the money was genuine, the amount alone intimidated them.

Their police bureau only received fifteen yuan a month, roughly 180 yuan a year—a pittance compared to this thousand yuan.

Now, the sudden appearance of a victim, Ruan Tang, offering to donate money to their canteen under the guise of generosity, made them suspect there was more beneath the surface.

Yet, they couldn’t quite put their finger on it.

The old policeman saw Ruan Tang frown hesitantly.

Refused but undeterred, Ruan Tang maintained a polite smile.

She thoughtfully proposed, “Why not ask your bureau chief? Consider it an investment partnership with him.”

Her words stunned the two men. The old policeman’s eyes lit up.

Of course, he should have thought of that sooner.

He then asked Ruan Tang to wait while he went to make a call in the inner office.

The junior officer swallowed nervously, never having witnessed such a scene, his eyes shining with admiration as he looked at Ruan Tang.

Shortly after the old policeman went inside, he hurried out and said, “Comrade Ruan, our bureau chief wants to speak with you on the phone.”

Ruan Tang had already guessed the bureau chief would want to talk to her.

Without hesitation, she followed him into the inner office.

The junior officer quickly followed, his face full of curiosity and admiration.

Receiving the call, Ruan Tang took the initiative. “Hello? Is this the bureau chief?”

On the other end came the deep, weathered voice of a middle-aged man, dignified and authoritative.

“I heard from Officer Tao that you want to invest in our bureau’s canteen?”

Without hesitation, Ruan Tang answered, “Yes. May I ask your thoughts on this?”

The bureau chief paused thoughtfully before introducing himself. “My surname is Chu. I’m curious why Comrade Ruan wishes to invest.”

Chief Chu had seen many such cases, usually motivated by either fame or profit.

He never accepted any bribery disguised as transactions. If Ruan Tang’s intentions were as he suspected, he would certainly refuse.

Ruan Tang pondered for a moment, then revealed what she had been considering since entering this world.

“I want to hire a female bodyguard. Due to my work and the fact that her father is often away, I wish to have a female bodyguard personally protect my daughter. Does the bureau have anyone suitable to recommend?”

Hearing this, Chief Chu was momentarily taken aback; he hadn’t expected such a significant request.

He had also learned some of Ruan Tang’s background from Officer Tao and felt a deep empathy for her situation.

Given this, the arrangement clearly held many benefits. Out of goodwill, Chief Chu readily agreed: “Very well. Comrade Ruan, please wait a few days. Someone will come to you.”

Ruan Tang relaxed, her face genuinely smiling as she thanked Chief Chu. “Thank you, you truly are a leader who serves the people.”

Chief Chu modestly coughed and handed the phone to Officer Tao.

Ruan Tang passed the phone to Tao, the older policeman.

Officer Tao accepted with a broad smile. “Chief, does this mean the matter is agreed upon?”

Chief Chu’s answer was naturally affirmative. After a brief friendly exchange, Tao hung up and turned, sincerely remarking, “A mother’s love is truly magnificent.”

Ruan Tang smiled, feeling a weight lift from her heart.

She then handed the bank card to Tao, whispered the password, and a notification chimed in her ear.

[Task completed. Corresponding reward has been deposited into the system wallet.]

[Current balance: 1,290 yuan.]

Her expenses had been high these past few days—various costs, including a fifty-yuan compensation to Wang Binghuan.

But thankfully, this task had replenished her funds and earned her a bodyguard. Now she just had to wait for the case to conclude and for the bodyguard to arrive.

By noon, Officer Tao had transferred all the money from the card into the canteen’s account. To celebrate, everyone got extra food at lunch, and Tao wore a beaming smile, cheerful to all, especially toward Ruan Tang.

“Comrade Ruan, thanks to you, the meals in our bureau’s canteen have improved tremendously!”

Ruan Tang smiled gently. “Not at all. It’s all thanks to your bureau chief for approving my request.”

After some friendly banter, Ruan Tang glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was slipping away; she needed to check on Huo Qingqing.

Turning to Officer Tao, she said so. Tao patted his chest confidently and grinned, “I’ll drive you there!”

Ruan Tang gladly accepted. “Thank you very much, Officer Tao.”

Waving off her thanks, Tao went to fetch the bureau car.

Back at the hospital, Ruan Tang thanked Officer Tao again.

He smiled warmly. “I’ll be back later. The captain should be returning soon with the person. See you then.”

Ruan Tang nodded. “Alright, drive safely.”

Tao agreed, and Ruan Tang headed inside.

She brought two meals from the canteen upstairs, where she found a bored Huo Qingqing quietly painting.

Ruan Tang held her breath, eyes fixed without blinking on the girl bathed in sunlight, calmly creating her art, her heart pounding.

She seemed like an angel basking in the light.

After a long moment, Huo Qingqing noticed Ruan Tang, quickly putting down her brush and covering her drawing.

“Aunt Ruan—”

The girl spoke shyly.

Ruan Tang snapped back to reality and smiled warmly. “You must be hungry. I brought some food.”

Huo Qingqing rubbed her belly and obediently made room for Ruan Tang to sit beside her.

Ruan Tang unpacked the food and, recalling the earlier scene, hesitated briefly before scooping up a spoonful and gently offering it to Huo Qingqing, softly asking, “Qingqing, do you like painting?”