Chapter 407: Chapter 407: Six-fingered Man

Mi Qin appears to be in her early thirties.

She has long hair and wears a plain skirt.

With an apron on, she hasn’t put on any makeup.

Her facial features don’t immediately strike someone as stunning, but when she smiles at everyone, she gives a very peaceful and comfortable feeling.

"Hello, Sister-in-law," everyone greeted Mi Qin.

She greeted them with a full smile, welcoming them into her home, and then deftly poured tea for each of them.

"You all sit down first, there’s still food cooking in the pot."

Ye Xiu immediately stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, let me help you."

"No need, it’s just a small table of dishes, not troublesome at all!"

Mi Qin politely declined Ye Xiu’s offer, and Zhang Xian said, "Even though I don’t want her to work so hard, every time I try to help, I just get in her way, the more I help, the more trouble it causes."

Others might be concerned about Zhang Xian’s status, but Chen Xiao wouldn’t be, and he mockingly said:

"You don’t seem like the type to do housework."

"But my dad does, he helps me wipe my butt!" Zhang Xian’s youngest child quickly chimed in, leaving Zhang Xian speechless as he hurriedly pulled Chen Xiao aside.

Lighting a cigarette on his own, Zhang Xian grinned and said:

"Thanks to you again, without you, we wouldn’t know what’s going on with Xiaopan!"

"There’s no need for polite words among friends, besides, I should thank you too, without your help, Xiaoxi’s work wouldn’t have gone so smoothly!"

Zhang Xian snorted, "That’s because she’s capable. Honestly, if it weren’t for you being a bit too eccentric, Xiaoxi would already be a remarkable detective."

"Hey, Director Zhang... I’m a guest today, saying I’m eccentric isn’t appropriate, is it?" Chen Xiao said with a dark expression.

Zhang Xian chuckled, took a puff on his cigarette, and asked:

"I generally use that term to acknowledge your strength, now tell me what you think about the Jingguang Tomb case? Are you really not planning to help Xiaoxi?"

"You’ve already mentioned, my presence has to an extent impacted Xiaoxi’s reputation in Dongzhou City. So, it’s better for me to stay quietly at home rather than appearing during her work."

"You’re mistaken there, you’re not a police officer, the higher-ups only look at results. The cases you assist Xiaoxi in solving ultimately count as her achievements, how peers perceive it doesn’t matter to Xiaoxi."

After that, Zhang Xian added: "Don’t be fooled by how your wife seems like a gentle little kitty in front of you, she’s actually very capable of handling things. Ever since she took on the vice-captain role, nobody under her has any objections!"

"Are you familiar with the title ’Dongzhou Police King’?"

Suddenly hearing this title, Chen Xiao was a bit surprised, but quickly understood.

"If I remember correctly, you’re the first and currently the only one in Dongzhou City Bureau to receive this honor, right?"

Zhang Xian nodded, "Tsk, why do you like to compliment people so much? I’m not boasting here, but if Xiaoxi really makes a mark in the special task force, that title is likely hers."

"Once she achieves that, even Xiaoyan might not be able to compete with her. Especially with your achievements in investment attraction, the higher-ups are bound to consider!"

Chen Xiao couldn’t help but frown.

He naturally hopes Lin Xi’s career thrives.

Yet, Liang Yan is also a friend, and she contributed a lot when Lin Xi joined Hongshan Branch’s criminal investigation team and became vice-captain.

If Lin Xi’s success means stepping over Liang Yan, that’s something Chen Xiao doesn’t want to see.

Zhang Xian seemed to understand his thoughts and patted his shoulder reassuringly:

"Don’t stress, everything is manageable, as long as Xiaoxi is exceptional! By then, Liang Yan will also have new opportunities."

Chen Xiao wasn’t aware of any major personnel changes at Dongzhou City Bureau in the latter half of the year, nor early next year.

But Zhang Xian usually doesn’t speak without basis.

"As long as it doesn’t affect Sister Liang," Chen Xiao said with a smile.

Zhang Xian finished his cigarette, glanced at the people behind him, and said:

"So, about the Jingguang Tomb case, what’s your take? I heard you provided Xiaoxi with quite a bit of information?"

"I did provide some, just information gleaned from reports, then some guesses made after analyzing."

"In the past, I treated your guesses as mere guesses, but now I inexplicably trust you. Also, I have a feeling you’re hiding something!"

Just as Zhang Xian was speaking, Chen Xiao’s phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID labeled "Pan Huiping," Zhang Xian was surprised and said, "What’s Xiaopan calling you for?"

"I asked her to help with a small matter, I’ll take the call first."

Chen Xiao walked aside to answer the phone, and Pan Huiping said, "I found the information you wanted. There’s a businessman named Li Ting in Hai City who operates in the same industry, his scale is even bigger than Huang Zhaozhong, and the competition between them is very fierce."

"Which ’Li’?"

"The ’Li’ from Li Clan, and ’Ting’ from courtyard, I’ll send the detailed info to your email later."

Chen Xiao couldn’t help but ponder, "With the surname Li, is there anyone else besides him?"

"From the current investigation, there’s no one else involved in the competition with Huang Zhaozhong."

"Understood, thank you, Captain Pan!"

"You’re welcome, feel free to reach out anytime."

Pan Huiping finished speaking and ended the call.

Chen Xiao, holding his phone, stood thinking.

Chen Xiao speculated that Huang Zhaozhong’s opponent might be among those six criminals with respective surnames.

But unexpectedly, the opponent’s surname turned out to be Li!

As he contemplated, Mi Qin swiftly prepared all the dishes, calling out:

"The food is ready, come eat!"

Chen Xiao immediately refocused, smiling, and walked to the table.

Mi Qin was truly impressive; a table with fifteen or sixteen dishes, each beautifully plated and fragrant!

This elicited praises from everyone at the table, even Ye Xiu said she wanted to learn from her.

But just as Chen Xiao admired the dishes, someone grabbed his hand.

Chen Xiao looked down to see Zhang Xian’s son and couldn’t help but smile and ask, "Xiaohu, what’s up?"

"Uncle Chen, do you really have Three Heads and Six Arms?"

Chen Xiao was momentarily stumped by the question.

Three Heads and Six Arms?

Of course... he didn’t have them!

If he did, wouldn’t he be our good friend Xiao Nezha?

Thinking this, Chen Xiao felt slightly speechless and glanced at Zhang Xian, then smiled at Zhang Xiaohu and said:

"Three Heads and Six Arms is a metaphor; humans only have one head, two arms, and five fingers on each hand..."

As Chen Xiao spoke, Zhang Xiaohu interrupted shaking his head:

"No, people can have six fingers, I’ve seen them! I call him Six-fingered Uncle, and he said his child also has six fingers! Though he says six fingers are troublesome, I think it’s cool!"

Listening to Zhang Xiaohu, Chen Xiao remembered he overlooked people with extra fingers.

It’s known as polydactyly.

Can be genetic.

Can also result from prenatal environment, etc.

Zhang Xiaohu most likely met someone with inherited extra fingers.

Only Chen Xiao didn’t expect Zhang Xiaohu to suddenly lean in and whisper, "Let me tell you, Uncle Chen, people with six fingers are really awesome. That Six-fingered Uncle can easily plunge his whole hand into the ground!"

Finishing, Zhang Xiaohu brought his right hand index and middle fingers together and made a downward motion!