Some people are off work and resting, while others are still working.

Inside the supervisory bureau.

Han Zhiruo pressed her temples, her head aching. The case, which she had been working on for several days, had run its course, as if it had been erased, leaving no trace.

Everything was going well, and we were all ready to close the net, but then this happened.

Han Zhiruo was very distressed. As she lay on the table, gravity made her shoulders ache even more.

She couldn't understand it.

The captured criminals have confessed truthfully, and people have been sent to investigate them secretly. Most of what they said is true, but if we investigate further, it's like a dark curtain, completely obscure.

The attack on Fang Wu, chairman of the Fang Group, was related to the same criminal she had apprehended. To investigate more thoroughly, Han Zhiruo had been barely eating or sleeping these past few days.

That's it?

If this weren't the supervisory bureau, she would have already vented her fiery temper.

She didn't intend to smash things or do anything unladylike; she just wanted to hit someone.

Beat up the mastermind behind this incident.

Or... Luo Chen!

The image of Luo Chen suddenly popped into Han Zhiruo's mind, and she sat up straight in shock, her cheeks flushing red and burning hot.

Thinking about how that guy inexplicably said such shameful things, Han Zhiruo was in a state of utter confusion.

Her eyes became watery.

In all her life, no boy would dare to say such a thing to her. Just one look from him would scare them so much that they might get seriously hurt, or even have to book a hospital bed for her.

That's why Luo Chen seems fearless.

Surprisingly...surprisingly...

Dare to say...

I like you……

Is this... real...?

Woohoo~

If this were in a two-dimensional comic, her head would definitely be steaming with white mist, like boiling water vapor.

It was boiling loudly.

Han Zhiruo panicked. Usually sharp-minded, she was now in a state of confusion, unsure of what to think or how to handle the situation.

Should we even call him and give Luo Chen a good scolding?

Be direct, just go to his door and punch him twice in the face, otherwise she'll keep overthinking.

What if this causes me to miss work?

But... what if I scare him away...?

Thinking back, everyone was afraid of her and wouldn't play with her. Other children played together, like hide-and-seek and 'Red Light, Green Light'.

She wanted to play too, but a boy bullied her. So what if she beat him up? Was it necessary to avoid her like the plague?

Back then, she longed to have friends and play together, but in the end, she ended up all alone.

Just when I thought my childhood was over, a short little boy appeared.

Like a closed door suddenly opened, letting in a beam of light, the little boy's innocent smile, and his outstretched hand pulled her out of the darkness and back to the ground where there was light.

Thinking of this, Han Zhiruo smiled slightly, a smile that was both sweet and happy.

Despite her temper, her irritability, and even her physical violence, the little boy never left her side. Despite his bruised and swollen face, his innocent, colorless eyes remained pure.

Even that smile remained unchanged...

Just like that day, it gave her light.

However, since I grew up, I have had less and less contact with him, or even almost no contact at all. If I hadn't run into him in the alley, we might have met again much later.

He hasn't changed; he's still the same as before, only now he's become even more cunning. He's fallen for another girl.

He was very earnest and affectionate, but he didn't get what he wanted.

It makes me sad, angry, and feel like it's not worth it.

I thought we would never cross paths again, and I even considered not meeting at all, so that I wouldn't have any more emotional involvement.

But the encounter in the alley, the scene of him disregarding everything to block bullets.

It brings back memories of the past.

Looking at him motionless with his eyes closed, I felt a sense of panic, as if I could hardly breathe.

Surprisingly, he was alright, and what's more, he was a real jerk.

I don't find it strange that I can hear his inner thoughts.

Because... he is who he is, always has been, and has never changed...

Han Zhiruo picked up the phone with trembling hands, feeling the same tension she had when waiting for a newborn to arrive outside the operating room.

She didn't understand why she had such thoughts; she was just hesitant about whether to make the call.

Asking again...

Are you serious?

The clock ticked away, minute by minute. After hesitating for a long time, Han Zhiruo gritted her teeth and dialed the number.

Looking at the connection screen, she felt both nervous and inexplicably relieved.

However, once the connection was established, it reacted like a startled rabbit, unable to speak.

Luo Chen: Hello?

Han Zhiruo: It's me...

Luo Chen: Oh, why are you calling me? Is something wrong?

Han Zhiruo: ...

Luo Chen: Why aren't you saying anything?

Han Zhiruo: I... want to...

Luo Chen: Hey, Xiao Li, be gentle, yes, yes, right there, mmm~ feels good~

Han Zhiruo: ...

Luo Chen: What do you want to do? What do you want to say? Ah, Xiao Mei, don't press there, I'll start acting strange...

Han Zhiruo: Go to hell, you bastard!

Luo Chen: ...

Beep beep beep...

Han Zhiruo was so angry she wanted to smash the phone. What was this guy doing?! Calling her Xiaoli and Xiaomei, and making such strange noises.

This caused her to lose all the courage she had finally mustered.

hateful!

Han Zhiruo gritted her teeth in anger, but inwardly she sighed with disappointment.

...

The Han family.

After Han Zhiqing took a bath, her father, Han Yan, talked to her.

Han Yan did not ask Han Zhiqing where she went today or why she did not go to the company to handle matters.

Now that his daughter has grown up, she has her own privacy and friends, so Han Yan won't interfere too much.

Han Zhiqing didn't seem inclined to say anything either.

The reason she agreed to attend the social event today is because of Cai Jingya.

Han Zhiqing was very happy to see Cai Jingya return after six years, but she was also filled with emotion.

She and Cai Jingya were good friends. Although Cai Jingya's family background was not as good as the Han family's, Han Zhiqing didn't care about that at all. She had a calm personality, while Cai Jingya had a fiery personality.

Many things that she finds boring become interesting when they come out of Cai Jingya's mouth.

In addition, Tsai Ching-ya understands her very well and can comprehend many of her thoughts. Sometimes, even the slightest expression can make Tsai Ching-ya understand her emotions and meaning.

This was something that had once bothered and intrigued her, but as she spent more time with her, she stopped thinking about it.

Because she already considers Cai Jingya one of her good friends.

She was happy to see Cai Jingya return, but she still noticed some changes in Cai Jingya.

She doesn't like to talk much or have too much presence, but that doesn't mean she won't notice certain things.

Six years had passed since she last saw Cai Jingya, and she had changed. She didn't know why she had changed, and she didn't ask about it.

Because she considers Cai Jingya a good friend, she respects her. If Cai Jingya wants to talk, she will listen; if not, she will still care silently.

She wouldn't pry too much, nor would she offer words of comfort. It wasn't that she was heartless; it was just that some things didn't require such comfort.

Cai Jingya asked her to attend a social event, and she agreed without asking any questions. Cai Jingya wasn't surprised and smiled, as if she already knew this would happen and hadn't even thought of an explanation or excuse.