At six in the evening, Luo Fei came home from work.
His mom, Wu Yan, had already cooked dinner, just waiting for Luo Fei to come home to start eating.
They ate in Luo Fei and his younger brother Luo Hao's room. Because the room was too small, once the table was set, there was only space for three small stools, so Luo Hao sat on the bed to eat.
Luckily, Luo Fei's family didn't have many relatives, and besides his second aunt and uncle, few people visited, otherwise, there wouldn't even be space to eat in the house.
After thinking, Luo Fei looked at Wu Yan and asked, "Mom, I'm working now and can bring home a salary every month. Shouldn't we look for a new place?"
Beside him, both Luo Hao and Luo Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up instantly. This house was too rundown, too old, too cramped. They had countless daydreams of moving to a bigger and cleaner place, preferably with their own rooms.
For Luo Hao, having his own room was an obsession even stronger than Luo Xiaoxiao's. Luo Hao was really scared of his brother, so sleeping next to Luo Fei made him cautious even when turning over, which was uncomfortable for him.
Wu Yan, hearing this, showed a look of relief as her eyes moistened. Raising three children alone all these years had been extremely hard.
Especially after Luo Fei went to college, besides the tuition, she had to send living expenses every month. She remembered during the hardest times, she had to borrow money everywhere for Luo Fei's tuition and couldn't get any. Eventually, she even considered selling her blood.
She couldn't remember how many sleepless nights she had. If it weren't for her three children, Wu Yan felt she might not have been able to endure. Luckily, everything had passed. Although Luo Fei had a rebellious phase, he'd become reasonable and responsible now.
After hesitating, Wu Yan said, "You've just started working, and we still owe your second aunt and uncle a lot of money. Maybe we should wait a bit before moving."
Luo Fei was determined to move, so he persuaded, "Mom, Luo Hao is about to start high school soon. The coursework is intense, and he'll need his own room to study quietly. Besides, I'm working now. We can repay second aunt and uncle a little every month. It won't take long to pay them back."
Luo Hao was thrilled at the idea of having his own room and eagerly hoped Wu Yan would agree to move.
Wu Yan looked at Luo Fei, then at the expectant faces of Luo Hao and Luo Xiaoxiao, and finally nodded.
"Yay," Luo Xiaoxiao shouted happily the next moment. Luo Hao, the kid, could really hold it together. Despite his excitement, he remained calm while eating, which made Luo Fei want to laugh.
After making the decision, Wu Yan smiled and set a condition that they could move, but the rent shouldn't exceed 1000 yuan. Luo Fei agreed; with Ningjiang's housing prices, 1000 yuan could rent a decent place.
"Okay, I'll ask my colleagues these days, and Mom, you should ask second aunt if she knows of any rentals," Luo Fei reminded.
"I'll ask your second aunt tomorrow."
After dinner, Wu Yan cleaned the room while Luo Hao and Luo Xiaoxiao did their homework. Luo Fei picked up "Law of Evidence" to continue reading.
"Brother, you're working now but still reading?" Luo Xiaoxiao couldn't help but ask curiously upon seeing Luo Fei read, having always thought working meant no more studying.
Luo Fei smiled and said, "You have to study, no matter when. Knowledge is the most important thing. There's a saying, 'Never stop learning till you die,' meaning learning is endless and necessary at every stage of life for progress."
Seeing this scene, Wu Yan, who was cleaning, was full of happiness on her face.
Next morning, Luo Fei arrived at the office as usual at 7:30.
What surprised him was that Wu Wei, Zhao Le, and Jiang Xiaoxiao were already there.
"Morning, you're early today," Luo Fei said casually as he walked to his spot.
Wu Wei looked at Luo Fei with a face more wretched than death, then said with resentment, "It's all because of you."
Luo Fei was bewildered. What does it have to do with me?
Jiang Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes and said angrily, "Don't you know you've become the role model of our Songxin Town police station? Director Zhou told us newbies to learn from you because you're excellent and nice despite not graduating from the police academy. You're diligent, work seriously, and arrive at the office before 7:30 every day. So, is this not your doing?"
After listening to Jiang Xiaoxiao, Luo Fei understood and felt a bit pleased inside since being recognized by leadership is good. But of course, he couldn't show it on his face, or it would attract envy.
"Don't sulk too much. I'll treat you to milk tea this noon," Luo Fei said with a smile, knowing they were joking.
"That's more like it."
"I better see milk tea at noon, or I'll be mad," Wu Wei and Jiang Xiaoxiao finally relented.
Meanwhile, Zhao Le kept reading at his desk. Since Luo Fei became known in the station after solving Gu Youguo's case, his attitude had been cold.
Naturally, Luo Fei wouldn't force himself on someone cold. You can act how you like; he wouldn't tolerate such behavior.
At eight, Director Zhou Weimin walked in with a big smile.
"Everyone, please pause your work briefly. I have an announcement. There will be a commendation ceremony at ten this morning in the police department's conference room. Our Songxin Town police station has two exemplary colleagues recognized by the city. One is Comrade Haiyang, awarded the third-class merit, and the other is the new colleague Luo Fei, awarded a personal commendation. Let's give a warm round of applause to our two outstanding colleagues."
After Zhou Weimin finished speaking, there was a round of applause.
Zhou Weimin looked at Luo Fei and Zhang Haiyang after the applause, "Haiyang and Luo Fei, get ready and tidy up; we'll leave at nine. Others without pressing tasks can also attend the conference room to watch the commendation ceremony and learn how these exemplary colleagues work."
After saying that, Zhou Weimin left the office, and the room became lively.
"Haiyang, you two mentors-students are something. The master gets third-class merit, and the student gets a commendation. What's the plan for tonight?" Liu Haiquan stood up first and asked.
"Right, right, we can forgive Luo Fei, who hasn't received a salary yet, but Zhang Haiyang, with your third-class merit, shouldn't you treat us to a meal?" Sister Zheng Jie from the household registration department said with a smile. She was Jiang Xiaoxiao's mentor, and Jiang had been learning from her during this period.