Chapter 59: The Magpie Brings Good News

More than a week had passed since the Recycling Station was robbed, and time had reached the end of August. Although the autumn heat still raged, the mornings and evenings had become cooler, and a hint of autumn could already be felt.

Tomorrow was the day Ye Tian would register at school. Ye Dongping and Feng Kuang did not go out today, planning to sort through the old books collected from schools over the past few days and then send them together to the state-owned collection station.

“Feng Zi, we can manage by collecting scrap just in the West City area, but you need to be careful. Watch out for that Dai fellow causing trouble…”

Ye Dongping placed bundles of tied books onto the handcart, then turned back to speak to Feng Kuang.

As for the police investigating the theft of the calligraphy and painting from the Recycling Station, more than a week had also passed. Honestly, Ye Dongping no longer held much hope. Everyone knew Dai Xiaohua was behind it, but without evidence, even the police could do nothing about him.

Moreover, with Dai Rongcheng in the picture—though not blatantly shielding him, it was almost the same—compared to this deeply entrenched big shot in the small county town, they had no ability to appeal or fight back at all.

Although Feng Kuang’s uncle was an overseas Chinese from the United States, what did that matter? He was just an overseas Chinese, not the President of the United States. In this official-rank-centric society, he couldn’t wield any influence either.

Though Ye Dongping didn’t know why Dai Xiaohua and his crew hadn’t come to cause trouble these past few days, the earlier incidents left him with a constant sense of insecurity. He almost reminded Feng Kuang to be careful every day before going out.

Compared to Ye Dongping’s worried expression, Feng Kuang was quite relaxed. He smiled and said, “Uncle Ye, just relax. Dai Xiaohua and his gang are like grasshoppers in late autumn—they won’t be hopping around for much longer.”

Although they hadn’t left the West City area these days, Feng Kuang had kept in touch with Old Wang, a trash collector in West City.

According to Old Wang, Dai Xiaohua hadn’t come looking for him these days, and the trash collectors were considering whether to sell the scrap they collected to Feng Zi’s Recycling Station again.

Feng Kuang was young and couldn’t keep secrets. He had once hinted to Ye Dongping that something would happen to Dai Rongcheng within three to five days. Of course, Feng Kuang kept his lips sealed about Ye Tian sneaking into that compound.

“Feng Zi, it’s not that simple.”

Ye Dongping shook his head. Though he believed his son had a talent for Divination and Fortune-telling and trusted that the Old Taoist, who had lived over a hundred years, possessed abilities unknown to ordinary people, Ye Dongping had, after all, received a modern higher education. He remained skeptical about such mysterious matters. To think that Dai Rongcheng, who held such high power in this small county town, could be toppled within a few days—Ye Dongping simply couldn’t believe it.

In contrast, the less-educated Feng Kuang had full confidence in Ye Tian. After hearing the news from Old Wang, Feng Kuang even secretly bought a string of 500-firecracker “Big Earth Red” firecrackers, planning to celebrate once the Dai uncle and nephew met their downfall.

“Ye Tian, don’t run around today. I’ll be back soon with your Brother Feng Zi…”

After packing the handcart, Ye Dongping called his son over to give him instructions. As he was about to leave the courtyard gate, he stopped and said, “If anything happens at home, run toward the school…”

Ye Dongping feared that the Dai family might come to cause trouble. He knew his son had practiced martial arts since childhood and might not be able to fight adults, but he was agile and could outrun even grown-ups.

“Dad, it’s fine. This morning, a magpie landed on the big tree by the courtyard gate.”

Ye Tian’s cheeky grin made Ye Dongping sternly scold him, “So what if a magpie landed? They say you’re about to start school; you need to drop this superstitious habit…”

“The magpie called, Dad. You must know the saying: magpies bring good news, crows bring bad omens. I bet there are crows cawing at that Dai family’s place…”

Ye Tian paid no mind to his father’s words. Although his interference made Dai Rongcheng’s fate hard to Deduce/Calculate, Ye Tian had still figured out some things. Dai Rongcheng’s misfortune was bound to happen within these two days, and it would be a double blow.

“Alright, watch the house properly. I don’t mind you talking like this at home, but if you spout nonsense at school, I’ll break your mouth…”

Ye Dongping glared at his son irritably, then called Feng Kuang to pull the two handcarts out of the Recycling Station, one after the other.

“Feng Zi, let’s go. Why are you standing there?” Before even leaving the courtyard gate, Ye Dongping noticed Feng Kuang’s handcart blocking the entrance.

Hearing Ye Dongping, Feng Kuang turned around, his face showing a hint of excitement. He shouted, “Uncle… Uncle Ye, Officer Xu is here, and… and Officer Liu too!”

“Director Xu? Deputy Director Liu?”

Ye Dongping was stunned for a moment. These two hadn’t shown their faces since they came to take statements that day. Why were they at the Recycling Station today?

“Director Xu, Director Liu, what brings you two here?”

Although he harbored some resentment toward the police station staff, Ye Dongping took a few steps back. After Feng Kuang pulled his handcart back into the courtyard, Ye Dongping went forward to greet them. Even then, he hadn’t realized their visit meant a turn in the case.

“Ahem, you two… are you heading out?”

Xu Fujie cleared his throat awkwardly. When Ye Dongping went to the police station to look for him a few days ago, he had made excuses to avoid him, so now he felt a bit embarrassed.

“Yes, since the Recycling Station was robbed, we don’t dare keep too many things here. We’re sending them to the state-owned collection station—no one would dare rob that place.”

Ye Dongping’s words were laced with sarcasm, making Director Xu look even more awkward. But he had no choice but to come; this case was supervised by the Municipal Bureau and needed to be handled quickly with evidence collection.

Deputy Director Liu was older and more experienced in such situations. Acting as if he hadn’t heard Ye Dongping’s sarcasm, he said, “Comrade Ye Dongping, we are here today because we need your assistance in investigating two cases…”

“What matters? Has the case been solved?” Even if Ye Dongping was slow to react, he now caught on, his face showing excitement.

Xu Fujie nodded and said, “Yes, the case of Comrade Feng Kuang being assaulted and the theft case at your Recycling Station have both been solved. We’re here to ask Comrade Feng Kuang to identify the suspects and to check if the calligraphy and painting are the ones you lost.”

“This… this… is it true?”

The sudden news left Ye Dongping stunned. He couldn’t help but glance at his son. What kind of mouth did this kid have? He had just talked about the magpie bringing good news, and now the good news had actually arrived.

“Yes, it’s true. Comrade Feng Kuang, Comrade Ye Dongping, please come with us to the police station.”

Honestly, Director Xu was also puzzled about this case. Logically, it should have been under the county bureau’s control, so why had the Municipal Bureau formed a special task force?