Earlier, everyone's attention had been focused on the case, so no one had clearly heard what was being said outside.
Faintly, they only caught the sound of hurried footsteps and phrases like "someone died" or "go check it out."
Hearing this, everyone's scalp instantly prickled.
Captain Sun also furrowed his brows. "Let's go take a look."
When the group rushed outside, they saw a crowd of dozens running toward the residential compound's entrance.
At that moment, their anxious hearts finally sank—this was it.
Judging by the commotion, another murder must have occurred!
Just then, Jiang Si spotted Weimin in the crowd.
"Weimin."
Hearing his name, Weimin immediately skidded to a stop.
When he saw it was the pretty auntie calling him, he eagerly scampered back.
But before he could speak, Captain Sun looked at him with a grave expression.
"Young comrade, where was the deceased found?"
Weimin blinked, feeling there was something off about the question.
But his body reacted faster than his mind. "By the sea," he replied.
Captain Sun nodded in understanding and asked, "Was the deceased male or female?"
Huh?
Weimin frowned, finally realizing why it felt wrong.
"It wasn't a person who died."
Not a person?
Then what?
Captain Sun felt utterly confused.
Weimin clarified, "It was a fish."
"You mean a fish died by the sea?"
"Yeah."
Jiang Si was puzzled—why were these people so excited over a dead fish?
They were practically sprinting, baskets in hand.
Then Weimin added, "But it wasn’t just any fish!"
He gestured widely. "It was as big as a boat."
Jiang Si asked, "You mean a whale?"
"Yeah!" Weimin nodded. "You can render its fat to make soap or use it for oil lamps."
Every summer, typhoons hit the island, causing week-long power outages.
A chunk of fatty whale blubber could last a long time!
Weimin beamed. "Auntie, are you coming? That fish is huge—if we go now, we can still get a big share."
Jiang Si neither agreed nor refused, only asking,
"Did your mom say you could go?"
"..."
Weimin instantly deflated.
Captain Sun, on the other hand, sighed in relief.
The others with him reacted the same way.
Thank goodness—they had been terrified for a moment.
If another murder case happened during the New Year, they might as well give up.
Once it was confirmed there was no murder, Captain Sun didn’t linger. After exchanging a few more words, he prepared to leave.
Before going, he pulled out a pair of enamel mugs and fifty yuan from his briefcase, handing them to Jiang Si.
In those days, the police system would reward those who provided case-solving leads.
Jiang Si wasn’t just a witness—she had also given crucial clues that sped up the investigation.
Without her, the case would have dragged on for another month or two.
After receiving the reward, Jiang Si glanced at the dejected Weimin.
"Want an ice pop? My treat."
Perhaps because of her pregnancy, she felt unbearably warm these days and craved something cold.
Luckily, ice pops in this era had no additives, so having one occasionally was fine.
Of course, the key was not letting Third Grandpa or Uncle Zhong see her.
At the mention of ice pops, Weimin nodded eagerly. "Yes! Thank you, Auntie!"
They went to the supply cooperative.
Jiang Si paid for two red bean ice pops.
Soon, the clerk opened a white wooden box and handed over two popsicles, their surfaces misted with frost.
Jiang Si peeled off the wax paper. "Here, hold it tight."
Weimin took a small lick, his eyes crinkling like crescent moons. "So sweet."
"Let’s go home."
Munching on their ice pops, they chatted and laughed on their way back.
But when luck runs out, even drinking cold water can choke you.
Just as Jiang Si neared home, she spotted Third Grandpa and Uncle Zhong—facing away, thankfully.
In a flash, she crunched down the rest of her ice pop.
She ate so fast that even Weimin was stunned.
He thought only kids had to sneak around eating ice pops.
Turns out, adults had to do it too.
As if sensing something, Third Grandpa and Uncle Zhong suddenly turned around.
Weimin glanced between them and Jiang Si, who was now too frozen to speak.
"Auntie—"
Jiang Si managed, "Hmm?"
Weimin blinked, signaling her to look ahead.
The scene reminded her of being caught daydreaming in class by a vigilant desk mate.
At this point, there was no hiding it.
Since there was no use panicking now, Jiang Si calmly finished her ice pop before smiling sweetly.
"Third Grandpa—"
Seeing her sneaking around for a treat, Third Grandpa was both exasperated and amused.
With Weimin present, he held back his scolding.
Only after Weimin finished his ice pop and left did Third Grandpa tap her forehead in frustration.
"Everything I said to you the other day went in one ear and out the other."
He didn’t want to say, "This isn’t good for the baby," or scare her with warnings.
Instead, he sighed. "You’re early in your pregnancy, and your stomach is sensitive. You should avoid too much cold food."
Just then, the courtyard gate creaked softly.
Jiang Si looked up to see a familiar figure standing at the entrance.
Huo Tingzhou must not have rested much during his time away.
Exhaustion clung to him, yet his eyes burned with an intense brightness.
Before Jiang Si could speak, he dropped his duffel bag.
As he approached, his Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice urgent and uncertain.
"I just… overheard Third Grandpa say you’re pregnant."
Perhaps newly expectant mothers are more emotional—Jiang Si felt her nose sting at his words.
After a long pause, she murmured, "Most likely."
Then she pointed at the calendar on the wall, whispering so only he could hear.
"My period is two weeks late."
Her cycle had always been precise, and Huo Tingzhou knew it.
Two weeks late meant there was no doubt.
Barely containing his joy, he fired off questions.
"Have you seen a doctor? What did they say? How’s your appetite lately? Any discomfort?"
Not this again!
Jiang Si cut him off. "Not yet. Sister Hu said it’s too early for an accurate check."
"My appetite’s been fine—can’t you see my face has rounded out?"
It had, slightly, but it only enhanced her striking beauty.
Where she was once radiant and bold, now there was an added softness, a glow.
Jiang Si had planned to visit the hospital the next morning, but Huo Tingzhou couldn’t wait.
"The hospital’s quiet now. Let’s go right away," he insisted.
"Can we go now?" Jiang Si remembered that hospital tests like this usually required fasting.
"It's fine," Huo Tingzhou said with certainty.
About which prenatal tests to take, when the fetal heartbeat could be detected, and the best time for an ultrasound—he had already discussed all these details with Doctor Jiang half a month ago.
He had even taken notes on all the precautions to follow during pregnancy.
"Then let's go now."
Third Granduncle and Uncle Zhong had been concerned about this matter. "The sooner you get checked, the sooner you’ll feel at ease."
Jiang Si was swayed by their words and finally nodded.
Doctor Jiang hadn’t left work yet at this hour. When she saw the two of them arrive together, she immediately wore a knowing expression.
No wonder Regiment Commander Huo had suddenly come to her some time ago, asking a whole list of questions.
So the young couple was expecting.
"Let’s start with a urine test."
Doctor Jiang handed the requisition form to Huo Tingzhou. The results would take a little over an hour.
With some time to spare, she went over a few things with the couple.
Truthfully, she had already explained all this to Huo Tingzhou before, but he insisted on reviewing it again.
With no other choice, Doctor Jiang patiently repeated everything from the beginning.
