Chapter 47: A Date! Heavy Snow!

The setting sun sank behind the distant mountains. The brilliant afterglow was gradually swallowed by the approaching night. An electric scooter, almost blending into the darkness, sped along the road. Fortunately, the headlight illuminated the path ahead. Shen Ting’s mood was somewhat heavy as he rode.

Without even looking at the case files, the sheer terror of the "Leather Maker" case could be easily imagined. Moreover, according to Captain Zheng, this case carried a very high security classification. Ordinary police officers were simply not qualified to view the files, and Shen Ting, a first-class consultant, was no exception. If it weren't for the fact that he was the one who discovered the human-skin shoes, he wouldn't even have been qualified to read the identification report.

However, he was not completely without a chance to get involved in the case. If the investigation was reopened because of the human-skin shoes, police forces would certainly be drawn from various districts. Having successfully solved two major cases in succession, Shen Ting was a strong candidate for selection.

"I don't even need to wait until I'm drafted."

Shen Ting directly used the data-sharing system to access all the case files concerning the Leather Maker. A brief glance left him looking hesitant.

"This information is a bit too sparse!"

Most of the case files consisted of victim identification confirmed through human-skin artifacts, along with some surveillance footage and interrogation records. There were virtually no direct clues leading to the Leather Maker.

"This is a very cautious criminal!"

To be honest, even with the detective group chat and the system at his disposal, Shen Ting felt entirely uncertain about a case like this. A serial killer of this caliber could no longer be called a human; they were monsters. Monsters lurking in the dark corners of human society! Or rather, monsters twisted and spawned from the darkest sides of humanity and the most vicious aspects of society!

These monsters were not only vicious enough, but also cautious enough and sharp enough. Throughout human history, many serial killers had never been successfully captured, such as Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac Killer.

Lost in thought, Shen Ting arrived at the kindergarten.

Shen Manman was still in high spirits, skipping out hand in hand with Gao Ya.

"Hmph, stinky big brother, you're the last one to pick me up again today! My friends left a long time ago!"

"Ahem, aren't I busy with work?!"

Shen Ting pulled her onto the front footboard, as she disliked sitting in the back seat. He then looked over at Teacher Gao.

Today she was wearing jeans and a pink down jacket. Previously, she never wore makeup, but recently she had started applying light makeup, making her look even prettier.

Shen Ting gave a dry cough, took off the crystal bracelet, and squeezed out a nervous smile.

"Little Teacher Gao, thank you for the crystal bracelet. It really brought me good luck! The case was successfully solved, and the official announcement should be out in a couple of days."

Gao Ya was very natural and graceful as she extended her right wrist. A purple bracelet, likely made of amethyst, adorned her fair wrist, making her look even more stunning.

Gao Ya flashed a beautiful smile with shallow dimples, shaking her head as she said, "If it brought you good luck, then you can just keep that one! Hmph, I already have a new one. That old one is no longer my favorite!"

Hearing her trendy slang, Shen Ting smiled knowingly.

"Then thank you, Little Teacher Gao. By the way, the weekend is coming up in a couple of days. Do you have time? We agreed before that if the case was really solved, I would treat you to a meal."

"Alright! Let's make it the day after tomorrow at noon. I still have to be busy at the kindergarten tomorrow!"

"Great, twelve noon then. I'll book a restaurant in advance!"

"No problem!"

...

For the entirety of Saturday, Shen Ting was immersed in the anticipation of his very first date. He spent the day constantly changing clothes in front of the mirror. He didn't even have the heart to pay attention when the one-million-yuan reward for solving the case was credited to his account, nor when the Chaoyang Public Security Bureau released the investigation report on the Luohe kidnapping case, which caused a huge uproar online.

That weekend, it snowed all through the night!

The entire city of Dajing was blanketed in silver, with snow accumulating over forty centimeters deep!

Fearing that delays on the road might ruin things, Shen Ting arrived at the designated restaurant by eleven o'clock. The hour of waiting felt even longer than the first half of his life.

Amidst nervous anticipation, the appointed time of twelve o'clock arrived!

Shen Ting frowned slightly. "Little Teacher Gao doesn't seem like the kind of person who would be late!"

He took out his phone, wanting to send a WeChat message to ask where she was, but felt it might seem impolite to rush her on their very first date.

"Maybe girls take longer to put on makeup? Or maybe the snow on the road makes it hard to walk?"

Shen Ting guessed, putting his phone away to continue waiting.

"Sir, would you like to order now?"

"Sir, do you need a drink?"

"Sir, would you like to take a look at the menu first?"

The restaurant waiter came over to ask every twenty minutes or so.

Soon, the time reached one o'clock in the afternoon!

The longer he waited, the more anxious Shen Ting became!

"No, Little Teacher Gao wouldn't be late for such a long time without a reason."

He took out his phone and directly dialed her number.

"Beep... beep... beep..."

"The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable..."

Shen Ting frowned even deeper and sent a WeChat message to Gao Ya.

Shen Ting: "Little Teacher Gao, where are you? Why aren't you here yet? Did something happen?"

Unexpectedly, Little Teacher Gao's reply came very promptly.

Gao Ya: "Shen Ting, I'm sorry, I like you, but I... Heh!"