Light blue blood vessels can be faintly seen. Perhaps because of embarrassment, her little face had turned red, all the way down to her earlobes and neck... He had never seen a person's skin so delicate and fragile, as if it would break if touched.
Because he had been squatting without moving, Xu Xu noticed it and turned his head back: "Why are you looking at me?"
Ji Bai glanced at her and said calmly: "What do you think?" He stood up and left.
Xu Xu thought about it - he should be examining it. So I stood up, followed him and went back to the office.
As soon as he entered the room, Ji Bai felt that the atmosphere was a little strange. Zhao Han winked at him and several detectives had flickering eyes. He turned his head and saw Yao Meng sitting at his seat, staring at the screen and typing, his eyes red.
Ji Bai ignored it and went back to his room. After a while, Xu Xu's soft voice came: "Yao Meng, are you free? Let's..."
***
Ye Zixiao was sent home by a police car. During the day, the Ye family mansion was sunny and quiet. He had just been lying in the room for a while when the door was pushed open.
It’s my father Ye Lanyuan. He looked at his dusty little son, smiled, and sat down on the bed: "Why don't you go to the company in broad daylight? Why are you hiding here?"
Ye Zixiao sat up: "Dad... Zixi is dead."
Ye Lanyuan's expression froze on his face instantly.
Ye Zixiao took a deep breath and said, "She was murdered. It might be the accomplice of the knife-wielding criminal last time..." When he said this, his voice choked up again.
Ye Lanyuan is sixty-five years old this year, but his face looks like he is in his early fifties. But at this moment, perhaps because he was trying too hard to control his expression, every wrinkle on the old man's face seemed to be trembling.
He didn't talk to Ye Zixiao, nor did he ask anything. He stood up and walked out of the room slowly, step by step. From Ye Zixiao's perspective, he could only see his trembling back, which looked slower and older than ever before.
Soon, the police called Ye's house, and it was Ye Lanyuan who answered the call. He didn't go downstairs to eat that night.
When Ye Zixiao walked into the restaurant, everyone else was already there.
Despite taking a shower and changing his clothes, he still looked very pale. Third sister Ye Qiao glanced at him and asked, "Where's Zixi? Didn't she come with you?"
Ye Zixiao did not answer immediately, but walked to his seat and sat down. Everyone was used to his temper and didn't pay much attention to it. Just as they started to eat, they suddenly heard him say, "Zi Xi is dead."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone stopped eating and turned to look at him.
The restaurant was eerily quiet. Only Ye Zixiao picked up the chopsticks and started eating.
The first one to speak was the eldest brother Ye Ziqiang: "Fourth brother, are you kidding?"
Ye Zixiao threw his chopsticks down with a bang: "I'm kidding? Are you happy now? You've been suspecting that Zixi came back to steal our family property. Bullshit! Now that she's dead, you can rest assured!"
Ye Ziqiang's face flushed instantly: "You, you..."
"Zixiao!" It was Ye Qiao who stopped him, "What are you talking about? What happened to Zixi?"
Ye Zixiao glanced at her coldly: "Third sister, how many obstacles have you put in Zixi's business in the past few years? Don't you think the same as eldest brother? Now that she is dead, do you feel guilty?"
Ye Qiao's expression changed slightly, but she said nothing.
The room became quiet again, and the atmosphere was even more tense than before.
Ye Zixiao took a deep breath, calmed down, and spoke again: "Zixi was murdered last night."
He didn't want to mention the text message, let alone Ye Zixi's death. He only said, "I was called in by the police for questioning. The murderer should be related to the last knife crime. The police are investigating."
Everyone's faces changed again and again, and no one said a word.
After a long while, my third brother-in-law Zhang Shiyong asked in a deep voice: "Have you caught the murderer?" His voice became colder: "What do the police do for a living?"
Zixiao has always respected this brother-in-law. He shook his head and replied, "Not yet. Not the one from last time. That guy has been caught. This time it should be his accomplice. Beast!"
No one spoke anymore, and the meal was dull and heavy. After a while, the second sister Ye Jin, who had been silent all the time, put down her chopsticks and said, "I'm full." Her husband Wu Xie looked at the food that was basically untouched and put his arm around her shoulders and said, "You eat too little." Ye Jin shook her head, stood up and walked to Ye Zixiao, putting her hand on his shoulder. Her eyes were already red.
This gentle and introverted second sister doesn't talk much, but apart from Ye Zixi, Zixiao has the best relationship with her. He held her hand and said, "Second sister..."
***
While the Ye family was immersed in a gloomy atmosphere, the news of Ye Zixi's death gradually spread. The entire police force has suspended their vacations and is investigating the case day and night. Xu Xu directly sent a text message to Xu Jun, saying that he was busy recently and would not contact him unless it was important. Xu Jun was probably used to it, so he replied "OK" and didn't bother her.
After a day and night of investigation, the criminal police team held a meeting at noon that day.
The first to report was Lao Wu, who brought another criminal policeman and Yao Meng to investigate Ye Zixi's daily relationships.
"We interviewed the deceased's relatives, friends, and colleagues in Lin City. The deceased had a good relationship with people and had never had any major conflicts with anyone. In addition, everyone said that she was single. No one had heard that she had a boyfriend recently."
This result is somewhat disappointing to everyone.
At this time, Yao Meng added: "We have applied for authorization and are investigating the deceased's personal information, including email records, communication records, consumption records, etc. If the mysterious lover really exists, it is impossible that there is no trace at all."
Ji Bai nodded, and Xu Xu quickly took notes of the meeting.
Because Ye Zixi is a celebrity in the business world, Da Hu takes Zhao Han to investigate the economic field.
Da Hu reported solemnly: "The deceased was in charge of the group's overseas investment. The performance was good. There were also some investment failures, but overall there was no abnormality..."
Ji Bai interrupted him: "What kind of investment failed?"
Da Hu replied: "There are losses in the real estate sector and in export trade. Last year, the biggest investment failed, with a loss of about US$100 million. The partner was a Chinese European who was wanted for absconding with the money... But these are just a drop in the bucket for the Longxi Group."
Xu Xu nodded after hearing this - it sounded like there was nothing unusual for the time being.
At this time, Zhao Han stood up and said, "I found the earliest information about Longxi Group." He distributed photocopies to everyone. Xu Xu read quickly and soon found the clues.
The earliest legal representative of Longxi Group was not the current group chairman Ye Lanyuan, but Ye Lanzhi. She was about to ask, but Ji Bai had already spoken: "Ye Lanzhi is Ye Zixi's father?"
Zhao Han nodded and explained, "When Ye Zixi was three years old, his father passed away and his uncle Ye Lanyuan became the legal representative. At that time, the company was not yet a joint-stock company. After it went public, Ye Zixi, who had grown up, owned 3% of the shares."
Everyone was quite moved after hearing this - could Ye Zixi's death be related to the family's economic interest dispute?
Ji Bai hesitated for a moment and looked at Old Wu: "During the time of the incident, does anyone from the Ye family have an alibi?"
Old Wu flipped through the notes in his hand and answered, "The time of death inferred by the forensic doctor was between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. that day. This time period is a bit long, and most people said they were sleeping at home. A more accurate alibi requires further investigation."
Da Hu said: "The text message was sent at 22:17. According to the forensic report, the deceased could not have survived for more than an hour after suffering a severe chest injury. Can we infer that the time of death was between 22:00 and 23:30? Focus on checking the alibi for this time period?"
Zhao Han immediately retorted: "Could the text message be sent by the murderer to confuse the time?"
“Not likely.”
"It's possible."
Two voices sounded at the same time, they were Xu Xu and Ji Bai.
Everyone was stunned. You have to know that Ji Bai is an authority in the police force, and everyone has witnessed Xu Xu's performance since joining the force, and there is a trend of the younger generation pushing the older generation forward. Unexpectedly, the master and disciple had different opinions in public today.
Ji Bai looked at Xu Xu with interest, but Xu Xu didn't even look at him, with a serious and thoughtful expression on his face.
At this time, Yao Meng raised her hand: "I also think it is unlikely. The text message should have been sent by the deceased." Then she gave Xu Xu beside her an encouraging look. Xu Xu noticed her expression and nodded in response.
Two psychology professionals jointly opposed the captain's opinion, which aroused everyone's interest. Ji Bai satisfied everyone's curiosity and called on someone, "Xu Xu, you go first."
Xu Xu replied: "The text message revealed the relationship between the murderer and the deceased. Since one of the murderers is a highly intelligent and meticulous criminal, and he deliberately arranged the scene to look like a knife-wielding criminal, there shouldn't be such an obvious loophole."
Yao Meng also said: "I have the same opinion. Even if the murderer wanted to send a text message, he could have sent something more ambiguous to confuse the time."
After listening to what the two said, many people nodded in agreement. Then they all looked at Ji Bai.
Ji Bai smiled, his long black eyebrows slightly raised, his eyes fell on Xu Xu, and he said: "You are talking about an idealized situation. We don't know exactly how the murder happened. We can't rule out some accidental factors that caused the murderer to send such a text message. What's more, there is a high possibility that there is a second murderer at the scene."
Everyone nodded frequently, and Ji Bai changed the subject: "But I agree. We should focus on checking the alibis of the Ye family between 22:00 and 23:30. Look at the communication records of Ye Zixi's mobile phone number."
Xu Xu flipped through the documents in his hand. The text message at 22:17 was recorded, and the base station code was also displayed. There was nothing unusual.
Ji Bai continued, "This base station code belongs to the Lin Anshan area. It confirms that this text message was indeed sent from the location of the villa. According to records, the mobile phone signal disappeared around 23:00, and we did not find the phone at the scene."
Xu Xu suddenly felt enlightened - this meant that at least one murderer was in the villa during this period of time, otherwise the phone would not have disappeared.
But... Ji Bai could tell which area the base station code belonged to at a glance. Did he memorize the distribution of the entire Lin City's communication network?
It seems she's not trying hard enough.
The key direction of the later investigation has been determined: one is to continue looking for the mysterious lover; the other is to focus on checking the alibi of the Ye family. Ji Bai was about to adjourn the meeting when his cell phone rang. After a few brief words, he hung up the phone and looked at everyone: "It was Ye Zixiao. He said he remembered someone."
***
Ye Zixiao is not stupid. His mood gradually recovered in the past two days, and he came to his senses: Why does Ye Zixi live alone in a villa deep in the mountains? And when Ji Bai questioned him, he also asked about Ye Zixi's relationship between men and women?
Could it be that Ye Zixi really has a lover?
But then he remembered one thing. That was about two years ago. He broke up with a girlfriend for the very reason Xu Xu mentioned. The other party was also a favored girl and couldn't stand his machismo. I was quite depressed at that time, so I went to drink with Ye Zixi.
Half drunk and half awake, I vaguely remember Ye Zixi leaning on the railing in a long dress, looking at the starry sky with a self-deprecating smile in her eyes.
She said at the time, Zixiao, you haven't met that person yet, so the discomfort you are feeling now is not really discomfort. The real pain is that you wish you could die.
…
Ye Zixiao quickly rushed to the police station, and Ji Bai and Xu Xu talked to him together. When he repeated Ye Zixi's words, he looked at Xu Xu as if possessed by a ghost. Xu Xu had been staring at him intently, but suddenly his eyes met. He seemed to understand something and lowered his head expressionlessly.
However, Ji Bai's deep and powerful voice rang in their ears: "Mr. Ye, are there any other clues? This is like looking for a needle in a haystack."
Ye Zixiao said that he didn't know who this person was, but he speculated that it should be the man Ye Zixi met when he was a graduate student in Beijing. Later she returned to Lin City and has never had a boyfriend since then.
After Ye Zixiao left, Ji Bai returned to the office and called Zhao Han in: "I'm going to Beijing. Book me a flight for today. I'll be back tomorrow." He had made up his mind to use some connections so that if this person really existed, he would not miss him.
Xiao Zhao nodded: "Who will the assistant take with him?" In the past, whenever Ji Bai went on a business trip, he would always be led by a young male criminal policeman in the team.
Ji Bai glanced at the people outside. Xu Xu was sitting facing the office door with his head down, his mouse moving very fast as he read through the information of the Ye Corporation at a glance, like a small motor wound up.
***
Arriving at the airport in the afternoon, Ji Bai sat in the waiting area for a while, and then he saw Xu Xu carrying a travel bag in one hand and a heavy laptop bag on his other thin arm. He was also on the phone and talking: "You don't have to arrange a friend to pick me up. I'm here... Xu Jun, I'm busy, bye."
After hanging up the phone, she trotted to Ji Bai. At this time, the announcement sounded that we could board the plane. Ji Bai took the two bags from her and said, "Let's go."
Xu Xu's hands became empty, while Ji Bai carried three bags for two people in one hand, looking very relaxed. He stood in the crowd, tall and handsome.
He is very strict in the office and graceful when he is outside - this master is pretty good.
☆、Lone Hero
This time when he returned to Beijing, Ji Bai did not plan to alarm any irrelevant people or inform his family. After getting off the plane, they took a taxi and went directly to a guesthouse in Nancheng that was affiliated with the Ministry of Public Security.
The capital city is noisy and crowded in the evening, and the gorgeous sunset makes the tall buildings shine golden. The guesthouse is a very inconspicuous five-story white building. The corridors are covered with old red carpets, and the walls are covered with yellow 1990s-style skirting boards. The reception attitude of the front desk staff of the state-owned enterprise was lukewarm.
But Ji Bai didn't care too much, and Xu Xu didn't care at all. We checked into two rooms, took our luggage upstairs, and went into our respective rooms.
Ji Bai took a shower, changed into loose T-shirt and trousers, and just turned on the computer when someone knocked on the door.
It’s Xu Xu. Standing at the door holding a notebook, her pale face looked calm: "Do you have work tonight?"
She had just finished taking a shower and changed into a T-shirt and casual pants. Her wet short hair stuck to her fair forehead, and her eyes looked particularly wet, black and clear.
Like the eyes of a small animal.
Ji Bai's eyes moved away from her face indifferently, and he turned around and let her into the house.
It's a three-star guesthouse with very small rooms. There were only two mahogany chairs, one of which held Ji Bai's luggage, and the other on which Ji Bai was sitting. Work was the most important thing, so Xu Xu didn't care about the details. He just sat down on the edge of the bed and turned on the computer to discuss with him.
In fact, the two of them are in Beijing now, and they are out of reach of Lin City. We can only review the case again to see if we can find other clues. After chatting for a while, there was no new progress, so we just stopped. Xu Xu didn't even think about going back to his room. He continued to look at Ye Zixi's financial information on his computer. Ji Bai leaned back in his chair, looking out the window at the night that had just fallen, and drank his tea quietly.
The room was silent and the orange light exuded an old warmth. Ji Bai turned his eyes slightly and saw Xu Xu sitting on the white bed sheets. The slightly loose T-shirt made her look smaller and softer, and there was a faint scent of shower gel... The whole room seemed to have a soft and clean atmosphere.
Just then, the ringing of a cell phone broke the silence in the room. Xu Xu raised her dark eyes and looked over. Ji Bai exchanged glances with her, picked up the phone, and turned to look out the window.
It’s Shu Hang. Ji Bai called him before he came over. Like Ye Zixi, he also graduated from H University and has a wide range of friends. With his help, we are more efficient.
Shu Hang was a smart man. He just said that he would accompany Ji Bai to H University tomorrow and didn't ask any other questions. Then he smiled and asked Ji San to go out for a drink.
Ji Bai refused, of course: "No time, you guys play."
Shu Hang was unwilling to do that: "Come out, a night of love is worth a thousand gold. If you work one day less, the people will forgive you."
Ji Bai: “Get lost.” Then he hung up the phone.
Xu Xu didn't want to answer the phone call, but she was a little surprised to hear him tell her to "get lost" in a frivolous tone. When he looked up again, he saw Ji Bai's tall body leaning in the chair, his deep and handsome face with a lazy smile, completely different from his usual stern and cold appearance.
Oh, so this is the state of Team Ji’s private life.
Xu Xu lowered his head and continued working.
Who would have thought that after a few minutes, a series of chaotic engine sounds and car horns could be heard from downstairs, and several car lights illuminated the night. The small courtyard of the guesthouse suddenly became lively. Some people even shouted "Third Brother" and "Third Brother" at the top of their lungs. Someone at the guesthouse probably informed them, but no one came out to stop them.
Ji Bai couldn't help but laugh when he saw this situation. Xu Xu thought that the matter had nothing to do with him, and he didn't even know that the "Third Brother" was the person in front of him, so he just ignored the noise.
After a while, someone knocked on the door.
When Shu Hang came in, he saw Xu Xu and was surprised without showing any expression. Although I know that Ji Bai has a female apprentice, the two of them are wearing the same casual clothes, and the girl stayed in Ji Bai's room at night...
Ji Bai introduced the two people with a smile, but Shu Hang was still itching to try it, thinking, "I have to see this carefully."
At this time Xu Xu said: "Captain Ji, I'm going back to my room first." Before Ji Bai nodded, Shu Hang stopped her: "Officer Xu, how can that be! Everyone who comes is a guest, Beijing welcomes you..."
Originally, it was completely impossible for Xu Xu to "go out for a walk" with a bunch of strangers. But Shu Hang was also a smart man, and he came up with a very convincing reason: "If you don't go, what if Third Brother gets drunk by those guys? How can we investigate the case tomorrow? They are not like me, who support Third Brother's work so much. If you go, first, they are wary of girls; second, if he drinks a little, you can bring Third Brother back, so it won't affect tomorrow's work."
Hearing this, Xu Xu looked at Ji Bai with an inquiring look. Ji Bai didn't want to go at first, but seeing how noisy they were, he thought he had no choice but to go, so he decided to just show up and come back.
There was a case to be investigated tomorrow, so there was no way he could drink alcohol, and no one dared to force him to drink. Shu Hang was just talking nonsense. But if he went to a place full of bright lights and wine, and left the little guy alone in a deserted and simple guesthouse, it would feel like abusing a small animal... Ji Bai's lips curled up into a smile, and he looked at her lightly: "Go out for a walk and change your mind."
***
There were four or five cars parked in the yard. In the night, some of the young faces looked gentle, while others looked casual. Seeing Ji Bai coming downstairs, everyone cheered. Ji Bai looked at these people, some of whom he knew and some of whom he didn't. He smiled and greeted a few people, then got into Shu Hang's car with Xu Xu.
The group drove towards Shichahai and soon arrived at a bar on the riverside. The lights here are dim and the decoration is ancient. It is far away from the music on the other side of the river, which makes it seem quiet and comfortable. Shu Hang led the two of them straight inside. In the window seat shaded by a pearl curtain, several men smiled when they saw Ji Bai, but were secretly surprised when they saw Xu Xu.
One person hesitated: "Sister-in-law?"
The other person asked cautiously: "Illegitimate daughter?"
…
A few of them were playing cards, and when Ji Bai arrived, someone gave up his seat. Ji Bai was not polite. He took the cards, lit a cigarette, and turned to ask Xu Xu: "Do you know how to play?"
Xu Xu: “No.”
Ji Bai glanced at Shu Hang. Shu Hang was obedient and called the waiter to bring Xu Xu a bunch of fruits, snacks, and a few magazines. Xu Xu sat obediently on the sofa and started watching.
Ji Bai and Shu Hang are relatively older and more prestigious in the circle. There were young people sitting on the sofas outside. Ji Bai saw that there were teenagers inside, so he asked another childhood friend: "Where did you find these kids?"
The childhood friend nicknamed Monkey, who was lean and handsome, smiled and replied, "My mom insisted that I take them out to play. When they heard that you were back today, they insisted on meeting the legendary figure."
Sure enough, after a while, some people came to toast with wine glasses. There were young men with proud eyes and pretty girls with jingling bells. Ji Bai smiled and picked up the tea: "You can't drink today." A girl refused, but Monkey stopped her with a smile: "Go away, you are interfering with official business, are you responsible?"
The girl blinked, said "oh", and left.
Xu Xu listened on the side and felt relieved - it seemed that the situation was not as serious as Shu Hang said.
After a while, someone came up to Xu Xu and asked with a smile: "Let's play dice, do you want to join us?"
Xu Xu smiled politely: "Thank you, I won't participate."
Others did not force it and continued to play and have fun. But from time to time, someone always looked at her. The room was full of young men and women, but she was the only one sitting in the corner, wearing a simple white shirt and trousers, with a pale face and a focused look on her face. She herself doesn't care about it, but in the eyes of others, she feels out of place and lonely.
Shu Hang asked Ji Bai: "Is it okay?"
Ji Bai looked at Xu Xu, squinted his eyes and took a puff of cigarette: "It's okay." She likes quietness by nature, and forcing her to play will make her uncomfortable.
But Monkey stood up and said, "No way. How can we ignore the person brought by Third Brother? I'll go and talk to her." After saying that, he walked over with a swagger.
Everyone at the table laughed, and someone said, "Third brother, the monkey has destroyed countless flowers. If you don't stop it, this little disciple will suffer."
Ji Baimei didn't even raise his eyebrows: "It's not certain who will suffer the loss." He continued to play cards.
After one round, Ji Bai won a great victory. He looked up inadvertently and saw Monkey with his hands on the sofa behind Xu Xu, smiling and saying something. Xu Xu didn't show any expression, but he was obviously a little impatient, and shrank slightly to the side. As if she noticed his gaze, she suddenly raised her eyes and looked over at him. It was still those wet, black eyes, looking a little embarrassed and a little dependent.
In fact, Xu Xu did not mean to rely on him, but Ji Bai was the only person she knew present, and she could not casually offend his friends, so of course she was waiting for Ji Bai to come forward and make this inexplicable person disappear.
However, Ji Bai looked into her eyes and said calmly, "Xu Xu, come here."
Xu Xu immediately stood up and walked over, and the monkey smiled and followed. Everyone at the table felt a little guilty and just smiled.
Xu Xu walked up to him: "Captain Ji."
Before Ji Bai could say anything, Shu Hang looked at her with a smile: "We are not in the police station, why call me Captain Ji? Here we call me Third Brother Ji."
Xu Xu: "Oh. Third Brother Ji."
Ji Bai raised his dark eyes and looked at her.
Third brother Ji.
This intimate name has been used many times. It was the first time someone called me so blandly and stereotypically. But her low and soft voice and cold and distant tone were like a long, thin feather, gently scratching my heart, making me feel a little itchy and a little... strangely comfortable.
He nodded calmly and looked at Shu Hang opposite him: "Get up and let her go."
Shu Hang: “Ah?” He was pulled up by someone laughing.
Xu Xu was puzzled: "I don't know how to play poker."
Ji Bai smiled and said, "You can learn it. It can help you improve your thinking ability."
"oh."
They were fighting with double Q upgrades, Ji Bai and Xu Xu were in one group, and the other two were in another group. In the first game, Xu Xu learned while playing, so naturally she lost miserably, and Ji Bai's winning streak was also ended by her. Others were delighted because in this circle, the calculating Ji Bai has always been an invincible legend.
Ji Bai was not in a hurry and just told Xu Xu to remember the cards. The second game did improve, and they only lost slightly. By the third game, it became a small victory. Someone looked at Xu Xu depressedly: "Did you really just learn it today?"
Xu Xu replied: "Yeah. I just figured out how to count cards."
Ji Bai smiled calmly: "Don't leave them any chance to survive. Beat them all at once, and then we'll go back and rest."
Xu Xu: “Understood.”
Everyone was silent.
…
After that, he continued to win, winning seven or eight games in a row, and victory was not far away. But even though the opponent's card skills are not as good as yours, his luck may burst out sometimes and he may get a super good hand. When it came to the last few cards of this round, Xu Xu hesitated. Although you are not as good as others in cards, if you take risks, you may have a chance to turn defeat into victory. But can Ji Bai understand what she means?
Thinking of this, I looked up. Ji Bai had been drinking tea and looking at the cards, but suddenly he looked up at her. The two looked at each other for a moment, then lowered their eyes, knowing what was going on.
We still won this round.
In the next few games, when they encountered danger again, the two of them did the same thing, exchanging glances without saying a word, and they understood each other's strategy no matter how complicated it was. Ji Bai always looked lazy, and Xu Xu kept his head down most of the time, so no one noticed their little movements.
In the last round, the opponent was completely defeated. Monkey threw the poker cards away and scratched his head anxiously: "Damn, this card game is so frustrating. I won't play it anymore! It's too bullying. I have been playing cards for decades, and this is the first time I lose and my self-esteem is shattered!" The other man also sighed.
Ji Bai smiled, looked at his watch, and stood up to leave.
Xu Xu also stood up. Seeing them like this, he felt a little guilty. He said, "You don't have to be depressed. First of all, my memory and calculation ability are indeed stronger because we have undergone professional training. Moreover, when we were playing cards just now, we exchanged eyes..."
Before he could finish his words, a dry hand that smelled slightly of cigarette smoke covered his mouth. Xu Xu frowned slightly, but Ji Bai had already pulled her behind him and said to everyone with a smile, "Let's go. We have important things to do tomorrow."
As soon as they left the bar, Ji Bai looked down at her with a half-smile: "Why are you so honest? If you don't let them lose miserably, will you let us go?"
Xu Xu: “I see.”
Ji Bai and Shu Hang looked at each other and smiled.
Shu Hang drove them back.
The car was running quietly in the cool night of Beijing. Xu Xu leaned on the back seat, feeling a little tired and didn't say a word. Ji Bai and Shu Hang, on the other hand, kept chatting.
Xu Xu discovered that Ji Bai was really different when he put aside his identity as the criminal police captain. He seems casual, sharp, and even a little cynical like a prodigal son.
This difference is not difficult to understand. He holds an important position in the criminal police team at a young age. His calm and stern attitude naturally convinces everyone and also scares criminals.
But Xu Xu noticed that although he seemed to be talking and laughing happily that night, there was a more obvious sense of coldness and alienation between his brows, as if he was close yet distant.
She also noticed that although those friends were warm and caring, no one ever asked about his work situation, and probably no one really understood or was interested in what he was doing.
They regarded him as a legend, but also a legend that was gradually fading away from their circle. Perhaps before long, the remaining arrogance, laziness and cynicism in him would disappear, leaving only the iron-blooded and cold-blooded criminal police captain she was familiar with.
Thinking of this, Xu Xu was filled with awe and was also a little moved. He then looked at his handsome face with a faint smile in the night, which revealed a kind of perseverance that warmed people's hearts.
"We're here." Shu Hang parked the car with a smile, and immediately a tall young man in uniform came over and opened the door for Xu Xu and Ji Bai.
Xu Xu was slightly startled. Ji Bai got out of the car, glanced at the brightly lit five-star hotel in front of him, and then looked at Shu Hang.
Shu Hang opened the trunk and took out their luggage: "This is your first time bringing your little apprentice to Beijing. Can we let her stay in a guesthouse? I have already checked out of there and booked the presidential suite. This place is closer to H University. I will pick you up at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning."
☆, suddenly enlightened
The bed in the master bedroom of the suite was very large, and even when Xu Xu stretched out, he only took up a small half of it. Looking sideways at the bustling and dazzling night scene outside the window, she felt inexplicably uneasy.
At first I thought it was because of the change of environment, but after lying down with my eyes closed for a while, I realized I was just very hungry. I look at my watch. I had my airplane meal at around five o'clock, and it's now eleven o'clock. She endured it for a while, but when she realized she couldn't bear it any longer, she simply got up and got out of bed.
——
Ji Bai watched the evening news for a while and was just about to go to sleep when he heard light footsteps in the corridor.
When I opened the door, I saw a small figure in a white bathrobe slowly walking from the corridor into the dining room. Ji Bai was a little surprised. He thought her pajamas would be something with teddy bear patterns, but he didn't expect them to be the style of a mature woman with a wide collar and a tight waist. But... Ji Bai smiled. The nightgown was obviously too long and too big. When she put it on, she looked like a child wearing adult clothes.
In fact, the reason why Xu Xu chose pajamas was very simple—a 24-year-old woman should of course wear women's clothes.
Ji Bai walked towards the restaurant and smelled the aroma of pizza from afar, which awakened his hunger. In front of the clean dining table, Xu Xu was seen holding his chin with one hand, eating slowly and leisurely. The satin nightgown followed her slender curves, falling from her neck to her jade-like ankles, revealing a certain gracefulness that she didn't usually have. One of her slippers fell on the ground, but she didn't care and continued to sway gently barefoot.
Seeing Ji Bai, she was not surprised. She lowered her head to put on her slippers and asked, "Do you want them?"
——
Ji Bai sat down next to her and realized that even her midnight snack was very nourishing. A small piece of pizza, a small plate of fruit, and a glass of milk, it looks delicate and appetizing. I guess with her physique, she doesn't have to worry about gaining weight.
Xu Xu put a piece of pizza into the microwave, then stood in front of the kitchen counter and cut some fruit for Ji Bai. In fact, it is usually difficult for her to serve others with such patience, but tonight her respect for Ji Bai is even deeper, and she is quite motivated to make him a midnight snack. She had a simple personality, and out of respect she felt a bit close to him. As she was cutting, she thought that she should change her way of addressing him and call him Master in the future.
The kitchen counter was facing the dining table. Xu Xu lowered his head and focused on cutting food. Ji Bai rested one arm on the empty chair next to him, and played with a lighter with his other hand, also watching intently.
Maybe it was because they were a single man and a single woman late at night. Ji Bai looked at her soft and thin hair falling on her fair forehead and ears, and inexplicably felt a little itchy and a little irritated in his heart. This feeling was the same as when she called him "Third Brother" earlier. And there is this mature woman's pajamas, with the neckline slightly open, revealing a small piece of snow-white skin, just like the glass of milk in front of him.
Ji Bai's midnight snack was ready, but they both finished eating at the same time. Ji Bai picked up the plate and was about to clean it up when Xu Xu stood up: "Master, I'll do it."
Ji Bai glanced at her.
Xu Xu certainly understood what this look meant. After thinking for a while, he couldn't think of a more skillful way to phrase it, so he stated his intention directly: "Master, I will respect you more in the future and study with you more attentively."
Ji Bai looked at her slightly red cheeks: "...Okay."
He was tall and strong, sitting still. Xu Xu naturally bent down to clean up, and his body was swaying in front of Ji Bai from a very close distance. In fact, her pajamas were very loose and there was no clue at all. But it was the loose ups and downs that made Ji Bai suddenly remember the unusually soft and full feeling on the remaining fingertips many days ago.
I just laughed it off at the time, but now thinking back on it, the feel was really good.
Ji Bai is no longer a young boy. After returning to his room that night, he stood in front of the window, looking at the quiet and distant night scenery of the capital, thinking about Xu Xu.
I've been noticing her all the time lately, it seems to have become a habit. Whenever she appears, all eyes will be on her. Her short hair is pleasing to the eye, her thin arms and legs are pleasing to the eye, and her stubborn expression is also pleasing to the eye.
She didn't give him any intense feelings. In fact, perhaps due to his personality and profession, he had never had that kind of feeling towards a girl. But being with her made him feel a fresh and comfortable feeling.
She was also different from what he had expected in a partner. He originally thought that as he was nearly thirty years old, he might be attracted to a more mature and intellectual woman. And she was wearing very mature pajamas and looked like an ignorant child, which he thought was also good.
…
Ji Bai knew very well that he didn't want to play around and didn't want to try anything casually. He doesn't have that Martian time either. His girlfriend has to be trained as a wife.
After thinking about it for a long time, he concluded that he would further confirm and deepen his feelings for her after finishing the case at hand.
Then try your best to catch it.
As for the relationship between the two as colleagues, superiors and subordinates, and master and apprentice... aren't those favorable conditions?
***
The next day, before six o'clock, Xu Xu was half asleep when he heard someone knocking on the door. She thought it was an emergency and ran over without even putting on her shoes.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw Ji Bai wearing sportswear, his tall and slender body leaning against the door frame, looking down at her: "Change clothes and go for a run."
Xu Xu was puzzled: After Ye Zixi's incident, the two of them stopped doing morning exercises.
"Why?" she asked, "Aren't you busy with a case?"
Ji Baidan said: "It is the work that makes the best work. The more stressful the period, the more you need to stay healthy." After saying that, he turned around and walked towards the living room to wait for her.
“Oh.” Xu Xu understood—the prodigal son from yesterday had returned to normal.
The hotel garden in the early morning is lush and green with few people. Run away
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
