National Forensic Doctor

Noon.

Jiang Yuan and the others had lunch at a donkey meat restaurant near the Zhengguang Bureau, choosing it for its affordable and interesting menu as a break from the usual cafeteria fare.

Beijing’s local dishes were hardly commendable, essentially just tourist traps. But the restaurants from other regions were competing fiercely, earnestly seeking recognition.

The Hejian Donkey Meat Huoshao Shop they chose was serious about its craft, using real donkey meat, real donkey intestines, and freshly baked flatbread, along with just-cooked millet soup—a combination of high-quality protein and explosive calories that was delicious and guilt-inducing, perfectly replicating Western fast food but with a transcendent twist.

"Captain Jiang, try this donkey tripe," said Wei Cheng, who had come along, while Liu Cheng was still busy in the office. "It’s one of the owner’s specialties, dry pot donkey tripe, first braised, then fried, and finally stir-fried with chili peppers, without the slightest off-flavor."

Jiang Yuan obligingly took a piece of the donkey tripe, chewed it carefully, and indeed, it was both aromatic and tender.

Liu Jinghui next to him also tried a piece and kept nodding his head, "It’s really good. As the old saying goes, I’d rather lose my wife than give up donkey tripe. There’s some truth to that."

Mu Zhiyang pondered for a moment before catching on and laughing, "Director Liu, if your sister-in-law heard you say that, you’d be in trouble."

Li Haochen was taken aback and then smiled, "Director Liu, you wouldn’t want your sister-in-law to hear you say that..."

All the young people present started laughing.