The corner of Wen Xu's lips curled up faintly and a smile formed in his initial cold gaze. Instead of withdrawing his hand, he started caressing Qi Youning's cheek repeatedly with his long and slender fingers.

A pink tint burned through Qi Youning's cheeks as her mind went into a whirlwind. Left with no choice, she tried to push Wen Xu's hand away but was grabbed by his hand again in the end.

Qi Youning mumbled, "He wasn't like that when he was young!"

The young Wen Xu was an energetic, apathetic, and restrained pretty boy!

When… When did he learn to behave with such indecency?

"Pardon?" Qi Youxuan was unable to hear Qi Youning's mumble through the phone clearly.

"N… Nothing," the red-faced Qi Youning stuttered in anxiety and embarrassment. Since she was unable to focus on the conversation and was worried that Qi Youxuan might notice that something was off, she immediately replied, "D… Deal!"

Qi Youning's cellphone was snatched away right after she hung up the phone call hastily.

She turned around in surprise but before she could mutter a protest, Wen Xu pressed his lips against hers.

"..." Qi Youning was dumbfounded.

Where was the minion that was promised to her when she was young?

Where did the obedient Wen Xu go?

Where did this indecent scoundrel come from?

Qi Youxuan had no clue that Wen Xu was treating his beloved sister with eroticism at that moment. Well, he would not even give a damn about it even if he was fully aware of Wen Xu's behavior. This was bound to happen sooner or later, right?

Qi Youxuan was unconcerned even if a new life popped in Qi Youning's womb because that was exactly what Wen Xu yearned for.

Thus, Qi Youxuan put his little sister out of his mind heartlessly and nonchalantly before returning to the office. Everyone was preparing to go home after work and Wei Muran was tidying up her belongings.

Jiang Yuecheng wanted to initiate a conversation with Wei Muran but was interrupted by Qi Youxuan. "Mumu!"

"Can we leave now?" The excited Qi Youxuan grinned and walked toward Wei Muran while squeezing Jiang Yuecheng away from her.

Wei Muran turned around and smiled at Qi Youxuan without noticing Jiang Yuecheng's attempt to speak. Then, Qi Youxuan linked his fingers into her hand.

Since the bare branches had no date after work anyway, they remained in the office to discuss dinner plans without any intention of running back home. Thus, jealousy gleamed in their eyes when they noticed Qi Youxuan and Wei Muran holding hands in the office.

This was a form of mental abuse!

Wei Muran could even hear the pride in Qi Youxuan's mock. "Suck it up, losers!"

"..." The crowd was dumbfounded.

"That's it, we can't let him enjoy himself so happily," Xing Jiadong hissed through gritted teeth and nudged Zhang Ming with a wry smile. "Aren't you close to him?"

Zhang Ming understood Xing Jiadong's hint immediately. To be honest, as a vanguard and a spy in the Criminal Investigation Division who assisted Qi Youxuan in finding his true love, he was very displeased at Qi Youxuan's deliberate public display of affection.

Qi Youxuan's ungrateful attitude had induced great dissatisfaction in Zhang Ming.

Thus, Zhang Ming nodded vigorously and stepped forward. "Hey, Youxuan, Muran, are you guys going for a date?"

Red seared through Wei Muran's cheeks when she heard that. Since she had a close friendship with Zhang Ming and was an open-minded person too, she was not particularly concerned about courtesy at the moment. Thus, she cleared her throat and avoided direct eye contact with Zhang Ming.

"I won't bring you guys along, so don't even think about it. We're going for dinner with another couple, Youning and Wen Xu, so come along if you don't mind getting your eyes blinded by the lovebirds," responded Qi Youxuan without giving them a chance to speak.

Qi Youxuan gave up trying to enjoy his sweet moment with Wei Muran for the rest of the day, since bringing two gooseberries or a bunch of gooseberries along made no difference at all.

Zhang Ming became a wimp immediately after hearing the name "Wen Xu".

He dared to create trouble for Qi Youxuan but did not have the nerve to disturb Wen Xu. "Haha, who wants to follow you when we're going for dinner later anyway? Petty-minded man."

"Ha ha," sneered Qi Youxuan.

After that, he left the office with Wei Muran.

Xing Jiadong glanced at Zhang Ming disdainfully and mocked, "Why'd you give up so quickly? At least you should be persistent for a while!"

"They're going to have dinner with Wen Ren's eldest son tonight, so go ahead if you have the guts. There's no way that I'm going with them." Zhang Ming rolled his eyes before walking away.

Xing Jiadong recognized Wen Ren even though he had no idea who Wen Xu was, so he swallowed his jokes and remained silent.

Bai Mo overheard this statement when she entered the office and turned around to look at both Qi Youxuan and Wei Muran doubtfully.

After that, Bai Mo averted her gaze instantly and walked into the office with an elegant smile. "What's all the fuss about?"

"Hey, Doctor Bai got off from work too? We're going for dinner later, do you want to tag along if you're free?" asked Xing Jiadong, who was always a few bricks short of a load.

Zhang Ming rolled his eyes in response. Why was Bai Mo everywhere they went?

What the hell was wrong with Xing Jiadong's brain to invite Bai Mo for whatever event they had? Why did he even want Bai Mo to join a group of men for dinner?

Moreover, how could they speak freely in the presence of Bai Mo who had such a reserved attitude?

Even though Zhang Ming was born in a well-reputed family, he earned himself a reputation as a tough guy by working in the police department all these years. It was inevitable for him to blurt out vulgarity or make dirty jokes whenever he joined Xing Jiadong and the rest in a chat.

However, Bai Mo acted as if she was a white lotus [1] who could not afford to have her ears stained by words of profanity, so there was no way they could enjoy themselves in her presence.

Since Bai Mo was a colleague in the police department, Zhang Ming could not possibly express his disapproval despite his aversion toward her, but at least he could try his very best to avoid occasions which involved her.

After-work entertainment was meant for relaxation instead of torturing oneself, so why would Zhang Ming think of Bai Mo first when he did not owe her anything?

Zhang Ming was unconcerned about any potential criticism for not participating in outdoor entertainment since his family background was kept a secret to the police department except Wei Muran and a few limited personnel.

The fact that Bai Mo wore an elegant smile induced disgust in Zhang Ming, but at least his current maturity prevented him from gagging and embarrass Bai Mo like what he usually did when he was young.

Judging by Bai Mo's expression, Zhang Ming assumed that she was going to agree with Xing Jiadong's suggestion.

Sure enough, Bai Mo answered, "I'm free, so count me in if you don't mind."

The idiot, Xing Jiadong even replied, "Of course we won't mind, it's our pleasure to bring a beauty along for dinner too!"

"Haha," Zhang Ming could not resist the urge to snicker but regretted as soon as he was done sneering. He was so hot-tempered at times!

It was unwise and inappropriate to express his dissatisfaction openly, so he added, "I received a call from home just now asking me to return home tonight, so I'm not going for dinner later."

Not only was Xing Jiadong lacking in intelligent quotient, his emotional quotient was evidently lacking too as he asked in shock, "Since when does your family call you? Why didn't I hear it? Your voice was the loudest too when you urged everyone to eat hotpot just now."

Zhang Ming clenched his teeth and glared at Xing Jiadong.

"Why are you glaring at me?" asked the innocent Xing Jiadong.

"..." Zhang Ming was at a loss for words.

The smile on Bai Mo's face froze instantly. Carefully and softly, she asked, "Corporal Zhang doesn't favor my participation?"

"No, I really have other matters to attend to," Zhang Ming denied quickly. They would meet with each other rather frequently so there was no way he would admit his loathing for her.

Then, Zhang Ming glared at Xing Jiadong. "Do you have a crush on me? Do you know every move or plan that I have in mind? Did you pay your full attention to me just now?"

Xing Jiadong finally understood the situation and answered, "Not really."

"I received a phone call from home when you weren't paying attention to me just now," replied Zhang Ming annoyingly, but deep down he reprimanded this imbecile for his stupidity.

Bai Mo was aware that Zhang Ming was merely giving an excuse but she preferred not to make the situation a whole lot worse by demanding the truth since it would not benefit her in any way. Thus, she put on her usual elegant smile in the end.

"Sergeant Jiang, let's go," Bai Mo stared at Jiang Yuecheng with a smile.

As expected, Jiang Yuecheng received an ambiguous gaze from Xing Jiadong.

No wonder Xing Jiadong wanted to invite Bai Mo every single time. He acted as a matchmaker and tried to initiate a romantic relationship between Jiang Yuecheng and Bai Mo. Zhang Ming started to pity Jiang Yuecheng for having such an idiotic teammate—Xing Jiadong.

Xing Jiadong only noticed that Bai Mo had a crush on Jiang Yuecheng, but he failed to realize that Jiang Yuecheng had actually developed a fondness for Wei Muran.

It was fortunate that Xing Jiadong lacked brainpower. If he was smart enough to make a match between Jiang Yuecheng and Wei Muran, he would surely feel Qi Youxuan's wrath.

Jiang Yuecheng smiled faintly. "Elderly guests of a friend will visit my house tonight, so excuse me for not joining the dinner later. Enjoy."

Bai Mo's smile froze immediately when Jiang Yuecheng announced his absence from the dinner later. She had nothing to chat with the idiotic Xing Jiadong and was not interested in both Zhao Yiyang and Yang Shaozhan either.

However, Bai Mo agreed to join them and it would seem like she participated for a purpose if she reneged upon her words. Left with no choice, she swallowed her reluctance and watched grudgingly as Jiang Yuecheng and Zhang Ming left the department.

…

…

The way Qi Youxuan held Wei Muran's hand appeared especially frivolous.

Even though Bai Mo was considered the prettiest and most popular girl in the police department, some with discerning eyes actually had a crush on Wei Muran. However, they could not possibly visit the Criminal Investigation Division daily and court Wei Muran openly. Thus, they had no choice but to just develop a 'closer friendship' whenever the opportunity arose.

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Notes:

[1] The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud. Each flower color also has its own symbolism. For Buddhist practitioners, a white lotus symbolizes purity.