Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The crayfish restaurant was very lively and packed with people.
The group of them sat together in their tables, removing the shells of the crayfish with appropriate tools, chitchatting—it was one of the favorite leisure activities of Jin City citizens.
The young detectives were brimming with energy as they wrestled with the flavorful crayfish. They were really good at it.
Plates and plates of crayfish were served onto the table as the empty plates were removed. But, there were no signs of them stopping.
Under the lively environment, everyone was enjoying themselves. Cheng Zheng on the other hand—he did not drink, he ate very little and basically, he didn’t even talk.
Bai Muchuan took a glance at him. “Why? Captain Cheng’s not feeling well?”
Cheng Zheng replied indifferently, “No.”
Bai Muchuan took a look at the few crayfish shells before Cheng Zheng. “And here I thought Captain Cheng might feel upset about us eating so much food.”
Cheng Zheng furrowed his eyebrows. “I’m a little allergic to crayfish—don’t worry about me, everyone, just go ahead and eat.”
Bai Muchuan had a sly smile on his face. “Why do you still eat it when you’re allergic to crayfish? It must be hard on you to have a meal with us. I always know Captain Cheng’s an honest man.”
Cheng Zheng’s face was black as charcoal. Seeing there were people looking at him, the corners of his mouth curved upward reluctantly to form a smile.
Frankly, hardly anyone in office ever saw Cheng Zheng smile. That night, it was rare to have him join them for dinner. Besides noticing that he hardly ever talk, they realized that he behaved the same way even when he was not at work. Gradually, they were used to him, no matter what expression he had, they would continue to dig in. Occasionally, they would crack some harmless jokes on him—the atmosphere was pleasant.
As Xiang Wan looked on, she suddenly felt a little sympathetic toward Cheng Zheng.
It was certain that Cheng Zheng was not in a good mood, but she felt that the reason was not that he was made to pay the bill.
The only thing and person that could spoil his mood must be Bai Muchuan.
As far as she knew, Cheng Zheng was someone who hated to take part in such activities. Yet he had appeared to join them unhappily—her conclusion was that he was forced to do so.
Xiang Wan was a little curious. How did Bai Muchuan manage to achieve this?
Hence, after everyone had their fill and were on their way to “The Palace”, Xiang Wan quickly asked Bai Muchuan about it.
“Why is Cheng Zheng willing to come for such a gathering?”
Bai Muchuan had both hands in his pockets idly. When he heard that, he let out a titter. “So do you want him to come or don’t want him to come?”
Xiang Wan: “…”
Glancing at him, she gritted her teeth and gave him a dirty look.
“Bai Muchuan, if you say that, then take it as I’ve never asked this.”
Hah! Bai Muchuan looked at his side—no one was around them, so he put an arm around her shoulder.
“Come, I’ll tell you secretly!”
Xiang Wan’s ears pricked up at his reply and let him speak in her ear.
“It’s actually really simple.” Bai Muchuan’s warm breath tickled gently on her ears. “I made a bet with him. For the sake of the bet… he has to come.”
“A bet? What kind of bet?” Xiang Wan’s curiosity was piqued further.
“Bet if he could last till today’s gathering is over.”
“…” Seriously?
But why did Cheng Zheng agree to bet with him?
Bai Muchuan showed a bad*ss smile. “I told him that if he could do that, I’ll write and submit the application tomorrow.”
“…”
If that was the case, Cheng Zheng had sacrificed because he wanted to bring in that forensic instrument from abroad.
“The truth is—” Bai Muchuan revealed a smile. “I’ve already submitted the papers yesterday.”
“You’re so mean!” Xiang Wan stared at him and looked at him with a little worry. “Do you think he will beat you up when he knew about the truth?”
“He won’t.” Bai Muchuan seemed happy with a proud look as he held her closer. “He can’t win me in brawling anyway. Don’t worry, he can’t do anything to your man.”
“…”
This form of address made Xiang Wan’s heart skipped a beat. In an instant, her cheeks started to feel warm.
It seemed that the two of them only knew each other for only a few months, but why did she feel that they were very close to each other?
“Bai Muchuan, do you think that we are moving too fast in our relationship? I think I’ve read somewhere that a fast-paced, whirlwind romance could be headed for disaster…”
“Whirlwind?” Bai Muchuan acted as if he had heard a joke. He pinched her nose as he gazed at her leisurely. “How can it be whirlwind when I haven’t even managed to sleep on your bed?”
“You…” Xiang Wan stared at him with a somber expression. “I’m serious!”
“I’m also serious.” Backlit by the light behind him, Xiang Wan could not see his face clearly. However, she could feel the sincerity in his tone. “Silly girl, don’t believe in arbitrary time frames in a relationship. There are some people who knew each other for the longest of time but never got together. There are also those who fell in love at first sight and got married…”
“Yes! Captain Bai is right!” Tang Yuanchu suddenly came up from behind with a wide grin on his face. “For example, when I see a beautiful woman with long legs and tiny waist, my heart starts to pound like crazy, and I feel like I’m in love! Hahaha…”
“Go away!” Bai Muchuan demonstrated a flying kick.
Tang Yuanchu avoided the kick like a gust of wind. “I’m here to tell you that the designated driver has arrived.” He said innocently, wanting to prove that he was not eavesdropping.
Nearly all of them had drunk alcohol. Hence, it would be better to engage designated drivers to send them to their destination to avoid breaking the law.
“Do you both think that I loved to eat ‘dog food’?” Tang Yuanchu heaved a sigh and sounded troubled. “For someone like me without a girlfriend, seeing how the two of you are behaving so lovey-dovey together, do you know how bitter I feel? Furthermore, I still need to resist the urge of not telling anyone about you two…”
The next moment, however, he suddenly showed a happy grin.
“Captain Bai, look, I’m so loyal. Do you think you can treat me more crayfish in future?”
Bai Muchuan ignored him.
He directly pulled Xiang Wan away and hopped onto the car. The designated driver was already waiting.
“…” Tang Yuanchu sat at the front passenger seat obediently.
…
When they arrived at “The Palace”, Bai Muchuan and Xiang Wan went up directly to the ninth floor.
Tang Yuanchu had to stay behind to wait for the designated driver to park the car and take the keys from him before he took the elevator up.
When the elevator went up from the basement to the ground floor, the elevator door opened where a woman with long legs and tiny waist entered the lift…
Tang Yuanchu was astonished at the sight of the woman. “Miss Xie?”
The woman was indeed Xie Wanwan.
Unlike other celebrities, she loved to go out by herself. She would wear very conservatively to cover herself up. She also wore a mask and a cap, showing only a pair of eyes.
Due to that reason, Xie Wanwan was slightly bewildered that Tang Yuanchu could actually recognize her.
There was no one else inside the lift. The two of them made eye contact and she pressed on the edge of her mask.
“You’ve got the wrong person.”
Tang Yuanchu replied in a smiling tone, “How can it be? I’ll recognize you even if you turn into ashes.”
“…”
The moment she heard this, Xie Wanwan pulled down her mask and glared at him coldly.
“You’re the one turning into ashes!”
“Uh!” Tang Yuanchu gave it a thought and apologized bashfully. “I mean, I have a deep impression of you. Miss Xie, have you forgotten that day when you kissed me on the cheek?”
Xie Wanwan’s face immediately turned grim, her eyes dark and gloomy. “Detective Tang Yuanchu, can I sue you for harassment?”
“Wow, you remembered my name?” Tang Yuanchu exclaimed in surprise. He seemed to be beaming in joy.
Well, Tang Yuanchu was someone who was pretty alert and had a mind of his own.
In that sentence, was Xie Wanwan remembering his name the most important thing? She was clearly telling him not to harass her, was it not?
Xie Wanwan looked up with her nose in the air. She did not want to talk to him anymore. She pulled up her mask and faced the door of the elevator.
“!” Tang Yuanchu sighed with emotion at the temper of this famous celebrity. He shrugged his shoulders and closed his eyes as he stood behind her, leaning against the elevator.
Ding!
The lift stopped.
Tang Yuanchu kindly gave a reminder. “We’ve reached.”
Xie Wanwan did not look back but went out and asked the attendant on the ninth floor.
“Please show me the way to the private room that Mr. Bai reserved.”
…
