Chapter 82: Speeding

Thank you to A, and to Old Third in Vernacular for the reward, and thanks to all my brothers for the likes and recommendations!

As for what Cynthia was doing here, Qiu Fengyu couldn't be bothered to care; it was her freedom. Still, the girl came for a bowl of ramen every noon, just like that Japanese family. Now, the Japanese family mostly came to taste the difference between their own ramen and the one made by Masatoshi Mikura. One could imagine that the whole family must be sick of ramen by now. No matter how delicious something is, eat too much and you'll feel nauseous.

After finishing her ramen, Cynthia never spoke to Qiu Fengyu; she simply sat there. Davis didn't dare shoo her away; after cleaning up the noodle shop, he'd slink off home, not daring to provoke the tough little lady.

"I'm leaving. I've got to go out!" Qiu Fengyu called out as he shut the door, ushering people out.

"Where are you going?" Cynthia asked.

"I'm going for a drive." Qiu Fengyu flashed his car keys, walked over to the Mustang parked beside the noodle shop, got in, and revved the engine, driving away.

His hobbies were simple: fishing, racing cars. When he needed beef, he'd go find Britt to slaughter a cow for fun, or he'd mess with Davis and Tim. The car roared, and with a low rumble, sped off. Qiu Fengyu loved the deep, accelerating roar, the feeling of racing down the highway. He often sped. But around here, nobody cared; even if someone caught him, no one would record or stop him. This whole area fell under Sheriff Coffin's jurisdiction.

He was enjoying himself when suddenly a motorcycle zoomed past with a thunderous roar, its rider flashing a victory sign behind them. Leather jacket, leather pants, and helmet—instantly recognizable as Cynthia. She was racing him, showing off at the front with fancy maneuvers, weaving like a butterfly around Qiu Fengyu's car, darting left and right.

As she rode alongside, she lifted her visor, revealing her eyes, greeting Qiu Fengyu with a cheeky smile and a triumphant glint.

Qiu Fengyu ignored her, then pulled out his phone, connecting to Sheriff Coffin via Bluetooth.

"Hey, Sheriff Coffin, it's been a while since I called you," he said.

"If you have something, say it quickly..." Coffin didn't waste words.

"Alright, I'm calling to report: about five miles south of the station, there's a motorcyclist speeding. Since you're just leaving the station, you can intercept her."

"Five miles out?" Coffin paused, then looked around and called out, "Who's on duty over there?"

"Chief, it's Caleb. I think... he's probably dozing off!" The plump girl checked the duty log and said, "That guy's always daydreaming."

"Call him. Head to the spot five miles south on the highway; there's a speeding motorcyclist." Coffin gave the order and walked out, heading for his car.

"This guy, what's he up to? Just don't speed yourself," Coffin muttered.

Meanwhile, Cynthia was still showing off her speed and skills to Qiu Fengyu, not expecting a police car to appear ahead, sirens blaring as it blocked the road. An officer got out, thumbs hooked in his belt, signaling her to stop.

"Oh, damn!" Cynthia cursed, trying to turn around, but Qiu Fengyu suddenly swerved his car, blocking her escape.

He stuck his head out the window and shouted, laughing, "Hey, girl, you were speeding! You really should be a good citizen—I have a duty to help the police keep you in line!"

Cynthia gave Qiu Fengyu the finger.

Just then, another police car pulled up, and Cynthia was utterly trapped. She parked her motorcycle, raised her hands, and said to the approaching Sheriff Coffin, "Alright, alright, I admit I was speeding, but I want to report him too—he was speeding as well!"

"Was I speeding?" Qiu Fengyu got out, raised his hand, and smiled at Coffin, then at Officer Caleb in the other police car. "Hey, Officer Caleb, was I speeding?"

"Were you speeding?" Caleb laughed, "I didn't catch anything on the radar! Your speed must be slower than a turtle. If you were speeding, it was probably a turtle's speed—ha, this girl is hilarious!"

Thanks to Qiu Fengyu's protection of the police during the last attack, he was considered a good friend among the town's officers. And friends meant turning a blind eye.

"Oh, damn it, this isn't fair! You can't just arrest me!" Cynthia shouted, as Sheriff Coffin came over, ready to search her.

"Who else do you want us to arrest? Besides you, no one was speeding," Coffin said sternly, shooting a glare at Qiu Fengyu and motioning to Caleb, "Caleb, call a tow truck to take the motorcycle away. I'll take her myself. Goodbye, Qiu, don't do this again, alright?"

"Of course, next time I'll call even earlier!" Qiu Fengyu replied.

"No next time, Qiu!" Sheriff Coffin climbed into the driver’s seat, leaned out, and said, "No more racing!" With that, he signaled the officers to get Cynthia into the back seat, and drove off.

"You abandoned us, Chief?" Caleb joked with Qiu Fengyu, waiting for the tow truck to arrive and take the motorcycle.

"What are you talking about?" Qiu Fengyu looked at Caleb in surprise, "Are you crazy?"

"I hit the mark, didn't I? That girl is real fiery—I like her leather outfit. She's only been here a few days and you've already hooked up with her. But... you'd best be careful with Sheriff Coffin. She's got a temper!"

"If I tell Sheriff Coffin what you said, you're done for!" Qiu Fengyu slapped Caleb’s shoulder, laughing. "Don't talk about Sheriff Coffin behind her back, you'll regret it."

Caleb stared at Qiu Fengyu in surprise.

"Alright, alright, it was just a joke, okay?"

"Scared you, huh?" Qiu Fengyu got into his car and said, "Just a joke, haha... See you, Caleb, I'm in a great mood today!" With that, he sped off.

"So, what is your real reason for coming to Abilene?" Sheriff Coffin brought Cynthia to the station, sat her in the office, and took a seat at the desk.

"Does this have anything to do with traffic violations?" Cynthia shrugged. "I'll only say what I need to. I was speeding—I admit it."

"We can talk as friends," Sheriff Coffin softened her tone.

"That's better. Honestly, I'm not interested in you," Cynthia lounged in the chair.

"But you are interested in Qiu?" Coffin asked.

Suddenly, Cynthia became interested, looking at Coffin with a sly smile. "Do you like Qiu?"

"Are you crazy?"

"Haha, I got it right, Chief. I know what's on your mind." Cynthia shook her head, laughing. "You could tell him—it's nothing... Of course I'm interested in him. If you don't want him, let me take over..."

Sheriff Coffin smiled and shook her head, refusing to argue with the girl.

Qiu Fengyu returned to town. Tim came home from school, and the training began.

After Tim was worked to a sweat, he laughed and said, "Danny keeps asking when you'll teach him basketball. Says you slapped hands and promised him."

Qiu Fengyu remembered and nodded, "This weekend. When you get home, tell Danny to get the basketball ready. Right, go with Davis to buy a laptop and phone, use my card."

"Got it!" Tim left happily.

A few steps away, Davis walked over, glanced at Qiu Fengyu, and asked carefully, "Boss, you called the police and had that girl arrested?"

"Yeah, what's the problem? She was speeding. America is a country that respects the law..."

"Pfft—" Davis burst out laughing, blinking. "Boss, you're shameless. All the town's cops know you race and speed every day, but none of them want to arrest you—they don't dare."

"Get lost! If you don't have anything nice to say, leave!" Qiu Fengyu snapped.

"Wait, should I bail her out? She hasn't really done anything to you!"

"You actually like her?"

"No, no, I just think... you shouldn't fuss with a young girl!"

"Go on, and don't use my money—"