My Policewoman Lover [Complete] - 3

Chapter Eighteen: A Girl's Thoughts

The midday coffee shop was empty. The two sat side-by-side, facing each other. The owner lazily dozed behind the counter. Only soothing music and rich aromas filled the air.

The coffee shop's simple romance filled Liu Jing with happiness. He took Fang Xi's hand again: "Fang Xi, this is the third time I've held your hand. There's a saying, 'Holding hands, growing old together.' That's what I thought from the first moment I saw you. So, you were right when you said I was thinking too far ahead. I've been thinking about a lifetime from the very beginning!"

Fang Xi rolled her eyes and pulled her hand back: "Fine then, since you're so confident, I'll take my time and observe you for a while longer, to see if your patience is enough to accompany me... that 'growing old together'!"

"It's okay, I can wait. Anyway, you'll be mine sooner or later." Liu Jing's tone was ordinary, his gaze gentle, yet he spoke very flippantly.

Fang Xi blushed slightly and lowered her head to sip her coffee. Liu Jing was shameless in his words and actions, but the purity in his eyes was something she couldn't deny, at least not in her heart.

"What's wrong?" Liu Jing asked, surprised.

Fang Xi thought for a moment, put down her cup, and said, "Liu Jing, can you listen to me for a moment?"

"Okay, go ahead." Liu Jing was taken aback; the little tiger's formal tone made him uncomfortable.

Fang Xi looked into his eyes and said, "You said yesterday that you wouldn't hide your feelings. I won't lie to you, I really like you, otherwise I wouldn't have acted like that just now. I promise you, I will definitely consider it carefully and no longer avoid my feelings. But we've only known each other for a day, and you're so impatient, always pressuring me, it's hard for me to calm down. You're coming to install the switch tomorrow, it'll take four days, and you'll definitely keep bothering me during those four days. I've thought it through, I'm going on a business trip tomorrow, I'll avoid those four days, and I can think about it properly by myself, is that okay?"

Liu Jing's eyes couldn't hide his disappointment, but even more so, he was moved and relieved. The little tiger could say all this and clearly stated that he wouldn't refuse anymore, so he had no reason to refuse either. He nodded earnestly, "I'm sorry, Fangxi, I admit I went too far. It's mainly because I care about you too much. I've always wanted a fulfilling love, until I met you yesterday. Take your time thinking about it. I've waited so many years, there's no reason I can't wait a few more days. As long as your decision doesn't disappoint me, I can wait a lifetime!"

"You…" Fangxi blushed, giving him a gentle push, "That sounds nice, but you're still pressuring me!"

Fangxi lowered her head, a look of both anger and joy on her face, her pretty cheeks like swaying peach blossoms, utterly charming and lovely. Liu Jing's heart skipped a beat. He took out his phone and snapped a picture. Before Fangxi could react, Liu Jing put his left arm around her shoulder and reached out with his right hand to take another picture.

The little tiger blushed and struggled to break free: "Liu Jing, you're going too far! Who gave you the guts!"

Liu Jing looked at the newly taken photo and kissed the phone: "You've been gone for four days, and I haven't seen you at all. Can't I even take a picture to look at?"

"Then take your time looking at it. But I'm warning you, while I'm gone, you have to behave yourself. You're not allowed to call me, send me a text message, or harass me in any way. After I come back, even if I don't contact you, you still can't contact me. Otherwise, hmph! You'll be disappointed by my final decision!" Fang Xi was furious and walked towards the door.

Liu Jing was stunned for a moment and said, "Hey, where are you going?"

"Going back to work, of course!"

"You haven't eaten yet. What are you going to work for?"

Fang Xi was taken aback and suddenly laughed: "You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

"Of course I haven't eaten. Didn't you ask me to come here for lunch?" Liu Jing looked surprised and innocent.

Fang Xi chuckled, "Liu Jing, you're so cute. Our unit has lunch at 11:30, I came after I finished eating."

Liu Jing was deflated, looking at her with a sour face. Fang Xi tilted her head and smiled, stepping forward to take his hand, "Okay, don't be angry, forget I wasn't clear. Let's go, I'll go get something to eat with you now."

Since entering this room, the little tiger's mood had been constantly changing, leaving Liu Jing dizzy. Now, for the first time, she had taken his hand, so what could he say? He obediently got up and followed her out.

At a small shop near the Municipal Youth League Committee, Liu Jing ordered a bowl of noodles. The sunlight outside the window was lazy, and the willow branches were reluctant to sway because of the wind.

With parting imminent, Liu Jing was listless, eating slowly, like when moving a flowerpot, wanting to linger a little longer. Fang Xi didn't urge him, looking at him gently, her pretty face carrying a blush of blissful joy.

Looking at the little tiger's charming and adorable appearance, and thinking about everything that had happened in the past two days, Liu Jing suddenly felt a lot of emotions. Having not written poetry in a long time, he was suddenly filled with enthusiasm. He waved to the shopkeeper to borrow paper and pen, placing them aside as he chewed noodles, frowning in thought.

Fang Xi watched for a while, then couldn't help but ask, "Why aren't you eating faster? What are you thinking about, taking such a long time?" "

Don't interrupt!" Liu Jing waved his hand dismissively. Fang

Xi pouted playfully, pouting, and ignored him.

Time passed, the noodles grew cold, and Liu Jing had almost finished drafting his poem. He put down his chopsticks, picked up his pen, and began writing on the paper.

Fang Xi was greatly surprised, tilting her back and staring intently.

"Don't peek!" Liu Jing covered her mouth with his hand, glancing at her sideways.

"Tch! Fine, I won't look. It's definitely for me anyway." Fang Xi sat back down, raising her chin, seemingly disdainful.

Liu Jing finished writing, folded the paper in half, and held it under his palm: "Fang Xi, let me ask you a question. Since you admit you like me, why are you still considering it? What are you considering? Is it just because we haven't known each other long enough and you can't adjust to each

other's mindset?" Fang Xi stared straight at him and said, "Being short is definitely a problem, but it's only one aspect. The main thing is that you're such a bad person, I need to consider whether I should be with you!"

The little tiger spoke bluntly, but it didn't sound like a lie. Liu Jing frowned: "You mean, because I've been pushing you too hard, you're worried about my personality, afraid we won't be able to make it work in the future? Or are you afraid you can't stand me?"

Fang Xi was stunned, it seemed she had been hit where it hurt: "Isn't that right? From yesterday until now, it's been you talking the whole time? A relationship requires two people, who can stand that? Besides, I know myself, I'm not a very obedient girl. Rather than not getting along at all, it's better... better not to start at all."

Liu Jing sighed: "We've already started, can you deny that? Besides, wasn't what I did because..."

"Alright, alright, you're not allowed to say anything now! If you open your mouth now, you'll just be pressuring me. Let me think about it myself." Fangxi interrupted him, glancing at him before staring at the paper on the table.

"Fine, I'll say it again. There are no couples or lovers without conflicts in this world. The important thing is how to resolve them. As long as two people are tolerant of each other, there's no problem that can't be solved. I'm sure you won't find anyone more tolerant of you than me."

Liu Jing finished speaking and slowly pushed the paper towards her: "This is for you. Think about it carefully while I'm not around."

Fangxi glanced at him, unfolded the paper, and on it was a seven-character poem: "How do the green-robed woman and the red-powdered woman feel? Silent understanding always leads to hardship. Head bowed, crimson leaves fall; A tender glance back, veiled by blue clouds. Still thinking of our shared joy in wine, do you remember the waves of the sea? Today's marriage was preordained in a past life; The sorrow of parting should be more abundant in the days to come."

This poem recounted the events between the two from yesterday to the present. Liu Jing looked at her eagerly, waiting for her reaction. If she said anything negative, he would immediately slam the bowl of noodles down on his head.

The little tiger finished reading, her pretty face flushed and tense, clearly nervous or excited. "You make it sound so nice, but who knows what you'll be like once you've got me?"

Ugh, that sounds like a reply to that previous question. How could she talk like that? Liu Jing, annoyed, picked up her bowl and slurped down the rest of her noodles.

As they left, Liu Jing finally couldn't hold back: "Hey, how was my writing? Can you understand it?"

"What's there not to understand? Aren't you still pressuring me?" Fang Xi glared at him fiercely.

Damn it! What a waste of my feelings. "Fine, I won't pressure you anymore, but give it back to me?" Liu Jing reached into her back pocket.

"You wish!" Fang Xi covered her backside and quickly dodged. "You think you can take back what's in my hands?"

"Then take me with you, I promise I'll never come back!"

"Just you wait!" Fang Xi giggled and ran across the street. "I'm leaving. Remember, don't bother me these next few days, and don't mess around with other women, or you'll regret it!"

"Don't worry, I'll be good! ...Hey, watch out for cars!"

Once Little Tiger was out of sight, Liu Jing shook his head with a smile. He just didn't understand. She was already interfering with everything, what was there to consider? Girls' minds were indeed hard to fathom.

Chapter Nineteen: The Governor's Daughter

The next day, Little Tiger left. The so-called business trip was just five days of being a head counselor for elementary school students in a backward area—a very boring job, one he had chosen himself. The project funded by the Municipal Youth League Committee officially began, and Liu Jing enthusiastically chose to follow along, even though he didn't understand the technology and couldn't offer any help.

Bored, Liu Jing used a worn-out bank card to pry open Xiao Laohu's office door.

Sitting in Xiao Laohu's office, holding Xiao Laohu's teacup, he searched through everything he could, like a Japanese soldier invading a village. He found Xiao Laohu's file on the computer, gaining further information after her name and occupation. Xiao Laohu was the same age as him, but a few months younger. Both her parents were editors, making her a scholarly family, although her father had passed away eight years ago, leaving only her mother. Xiao Laohu had actually graduated from the Chinese Literature Department of W University! Hey, looking at her writing and those two strokes of her pen, it was a bit… well, anyway, she had a certain presence, after all, she was a tiger!

As Liu Jing rummaged around inside, people from next door kept coming over to peek. He openly introduced himself and warmly shook hands with them, and more and more people came over under various pretexts to chat. Within a day, most of the people on the floor knew Zheng's "boyfriend." One wonders what Little Tiger will think when he returns.

The next day, Liu Jing finally couldn't resist and called Little Tiger, only to be scolded and warned not to contact her again. He readily agreed. However, he carefully installed a malicious program on Little Tiger's computer, meticulously setting the activation time. "Hmph, you won't let me contact you first, I'll make you contact me first."

Qin Yuxia also called him, asking when he would take Duoduo to the park, but he declined, saying it was under construction.

Liu Jing had never felt guilty towards anyone, but Yuxia was an exception, especially since she had personally promised Duoduo. He felt more helpless than guilty. On the day of parting, Fang Xi's temper and reaction were far beyond his expectations. He regretted it deeply, and was even more afraid—afraid of hurting Little Tiger, and afraid of losing her. He had no choice in his one-night stand with Yuxia then, and he had no choice now.

On the evening of the third day, after he had eaten, he was watching the news on the sofa when his phone rang. He grabbed it abruptly—damn, it wasn't Little Tiger, it was Guo Guo, his college classmate from the same department but a different class.

Guo Guo's real name was Guo Yang, which had nothing to do with entomology. Liu Jing didn't know why he called her Guo Guo, and the girl didn't object, so he just kept calling her that. Guo Guo was no ordinary girl; she was a junior reporter for the provincial talent newspaper, and more importantly, the daughter of Guo Ting, the executive vice governor, though her appearance didn't tell the difference. In Liu Jing's memory, her round face, dimples, short hair, and small glasses had never changed. What was even more awful was that she wore all sorts of overalls year-round, looking like an ugly duckling.

Liu Jing had criticized her many times for this. He genuinely didn't understand—what was wrong with a pretty young girl dressing up? She was a reporter, after all, yet she dressed like a middle school student every day!

"Guo Guo, long time no see! What brings you here today?" Liu Jing, half-reclined on the sofa, lazily answered the phone. The little girl's anxious voice came through: "Liu Jing, something terrible has happened! Qiu Yang is in trouble again! Let's go see him!"

"What! In trouble again?" Liu Jing quickly sat up from the sofa. "What happened to him this time?"

"I heard he's injured, and his car was vandalized. Xiao Xin called to tell me." Guo Guo was kind, her voice filled with anxiety and concern.

Liu Jing's heart skipped a beat. He held the phone close to his ear and said, "How could this happen! Who did it?"

"I don't know either. Xiao Xin didn't say on the phone."

"Okay, I understand. I'll be right there." Liu Jing sighed and prepared to hang up.

"Hey, Liu Jing!" Guo Guo called after him urgently, "I'm almost at your house. Come downstairs now, I'll take you there on my bike."

"Okay, I'm coming down right now."

After hanging up, Liu Jing's head started throbbing again. He dreaded hearing Lu Qiu Yang's name the most.

Like Guo Guo, Lu Qiuyang was one of only two of his classmates in the city. This wasn't surprising; few people in S City were willing to apply to that engineering university far away in the northwest, let alone the mechanical engineering department. If Guo Guo was merely immature in his appearance, then Lu Qiuyang was downright mentally ill.

This guy was of mixed Han and Tibetan descent, with a straightforward personality, and being a poet, he harbored a deep concern for the people's welfare. He found fault with everything and was incredibly childish. One winter break, Liu Jing ran into him, and the two discussed poetry at length. From then on, Liu Jing was considered a close friend by Lu Qiuyang. After the semester started, he relentlessly dragged Liu Jing into starting a poetry club, publishing a poetry journal, and organizing events, nearly driving Liu Jing crazy with frustration. However, Liu Jing also became a minor celebrity as a result, and was even persuaded by the department secretary to join the Party. After graduation, this guy spent all his savings to start a poetry website and tried to recruit Liu Qiuyang, but he firmly refused.

As expected, the website lost everything, but Lu Qiuyang gained a girlfriend—a well-behaved young woman who doted on him, treating him like a goddess, and even paid for his taxi to make a living. Liu Jing had been searching for a good girl but to no avail. Lu Qiuyang's futile efforts had unexpectedly yielded this unexpected blessing, much to his dismay.

The weather outside was terrible; the sky was a gloomy, indifferent color, and a chilly wind blew, feeling as unpleasant as autumn. Liu Jing cursed all the way out of the building, looked up at the sky, and couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. The little tiger was gone, taking the good weather with it.

Two minutes later, Guo Guo's electric scooter appeared. From a distance, she waved and shouted, "Hey, Liu Jing!"

He approached, and Guo Guo jumped off, calling out again, "Hey, Liu Jing."

"I saw you a long time ago, why are you shouting?"

Guo Guo looked excited, as if filled with some kind of hope, completely ignoring what he said, just staring intently at him. Liu Jing looked her over, then waved his hand in front of her: "Hey, Guo Guo, haven't you ever seen a handsome guy before? Are you stunned?"

"Oh." Guo Guo grinned, seemingly disappointed, but still stubbornly facing him.

"What are you looking at? Let's go!" Liu Jing pulled her along.

"Fine, let's go." The girl rolled her eyes, feeling incredibly wronged, and climbed onto the scooter.

Liu Jing sat in the back, putting his arms around her waist: "Don't mind, it's a normal hug, okay?"

"Ugh." Guo Guo muttered softly, starting the scooter.

The electric scooter hummed, nimbly weaving out of the residential area and onto the road. The evening wind was strong, its coolness whipping around them. Liu Jing tugged at his collar and wrapped his arms around Guo Guo's waist again.

"Have you been busy with work lately?" Guo Guo asked.

"Still the same."

Guo Guo hesitated for a moment, then asked, "When are you going to treat me to dinner?"

"Why are you always rushing me? I'll treat you sooner or later." Liu Jing felt a little guilty. When he was looking for a job, it was Guo Guo who told him that Dongxing Electronics didn't have a probationary period. He promised to treat her to a meal, but he kept forgetting.

"It's been almost a year, and you keep saying that?" Guo Guo turned her head, pouting.

Liu Jing said impatiently, "Guo Guo, you're a reporter, and the governor's daughter, what's wrong with a meal from me?"

"That's different, didn't you already agree?"

"Oh, I'll definitely treat you, stop dawdling, it's always this little thing when we meet."

"Hmph." Guo Guo snorted, tilting her head in a wronged tone. Then, glancing at the sky ahead, she seemed to realize something and turned back, "Liu Jing, the weather's been bad these past few days, is your wound hurting?"

"Who has a wound? Don't curse me, okay?"

"I meant your scar?" Guo Guo said angrily.

"Can't you avoid mentioning this? You know I do good deeds anonymously, right?"

"He's just concerned about you!"

Liu Jing smiled. "It's fine if you're concerned, but the moment you bring this up, I assume you're going to offer yourself to me. You're the governor's daughter, I'll feel pressured. Remember, don't mention it again!"

"Liu Jing, you..." Guo Guo blushed, embarrassed. "Pah! Who would want to marry you! What's so great about you? I wish... I wish you'd be split in two by a grinding wheel right here!"

"What grinding wheel? I'd only be split in two if there wasn't a grinding wheel?"

"I'm not talking to you anymore." Guo Guo pouted, ignoring him.

"Alright, alright, tell me about yourself, how have you been lately?" Liu Jing casually patted her.

"Hey, what are you doing!" Guo Guo was extremely embarrassed, her face turning bright red.

Only then did Liu Jing realize that he was holding Guo Guo and had accidentally patted the little girl's chest.

"Sorry, hehe." Liu Jing apologized, then leaned forward and asked, "Guo Guo, I didn't realize you were so young. Tell me, what size bra?"

"You...you pervert!" Guo Guo was incredibly embarrassed and huffed, "Liu Jing, I'm really not talking to you this time!"

"Haha! Just kidding, we're like family!" Liu Jing put his arm around her waist and tried to peek over her shoulder. "Guo Guo, you're not really angry, are you?"

Their faces were almost touching. Guo Guo's pretty face was flushed, revealing her dimples: "You naughty boy!"

Laughing and joking, the car sped along in the evening breeze, arriving at Lu Qiuyang's building.

Guo Guo parked the car, and Liu Jing stood aside to wait.

Liu Jing looked at her, then suddenly paused and said, "Guo Guo, why aren't you wearing your glasses today?"

Guo Guo was locking her car when she heard this and abruptly looked up, her face more aggrieved than if she were crying. "Didn't you tell me to switch to contact lenses? You...you, you didn't just realize that now,

did you?" Liu Jing then realized that the girl had been staring at him intently ever since she saw him, and he was both amused and exasperated. "What I meant was that it's more convenient for you to wear contact lenses for interviews and work, and it looks better on you. It's not that I'm used to it. We've known each other for so long, I think you look better with glasses on!"

"You..." Guo Guo's expression kept changing, and finally she said sternly, "Liu Jing, I'm angry! I'm really angry this time!"

"Alright, stop it. We only see each other every two or three months, what's all the fuss about? If we weren't old classmates, anyone else would think we're dating." Liu Jing threw down these words and turned to walk towards the stairwell.

"You...you're driving me crazy!" Guo Guo was furious. She pried out her contact lenses and threw them down, then pulled out a pair of small black glasses and angrily put them on her nose.

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you really angry?" Liu Jing quickly turned back.

Guo Guo snorted loudly, keeping her back straight and ignoring him. Liu Jing picked up the contact lenses, blew on them, and then took out a handkerchief to wrap them up and handed them to her: "Okay, okay, I admit I was wrong, put them away now?"

"I don't want them!" Guo Guo pouted, turned around, and still kept her back turned. Liu Jing ignored her and stuffed the glasses into her pocket: "You know, you can't just throw things around when you're angry! They're quite expensive!"

"Who told you to say that?" Guo Guo's expression quickly softened.

"Wasn't that a joke?" Liu Jing pulled her along, "Let's go, let's see how our great poet is doing?"

"You jerk, you make me angry as soon as we meet." Guo Guo pouted and followed her with his head down.

The two entered the building, leaving only the empty evening breeze.

Lu Qiuyang's apartment was in an old building without even motion-activated lights; the stairwell was narrow and dark. Liu Jing took her hand and carefully led her upstairs. Guo Guo followed silently behind, the warmth from his palm flowing into her heart.

They walked in silence, Guo Guo occasionally looking up at Liu Jing, then looking down fearfully, seemingly dazed. After only a few floors, she tripped and fell forward with a cry of "Ouch!" Liu Jing pulled her up sharply.

Guo Guo patted her chest, looking at him timidly, her large eyes sparkling behind her glasses.

Liu Jing glanced at her and said with a displeased expression, "Miss Guo, I'm not trying to be mean, but can't you concentrate on what you're doing? You're over twenty years old, and you're still so absent-minded!"

Guo Guo felt wronged and said pitifully, "Why do you keep saying that to me! It only caused you to get hurt!"

"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about how you do things!" Liu Jing grabbed her hand and continued leading the way, "You ride that beat-up electric scooter all day long, going this way and that, always so careless, you're bound to get into an accident sooner or later!"

"That's not it." Guo Guo glanced at him and pouted, "It's all because you keep saying that to me, now I feel insecure about everything I do."

"You're the same even if I don't say it."

Guo Guo shut her mouth tightly and didn't say anything.

The two continued walking. Guo Guo glared at them from behind, cursing inwardly, "You damn Liu Jing, you stinky Liu Jing, you wicked Liu Jing, I curse you to fall! Fall, fall!"

Guo Guo wasn't God, so Liu Jing didn't fall. They quickly reached the seventh floor.

Liu Jing caught his breath, tilted his head, and smiled, "You believe it or not, I bet Qiu Yang is at home feeling utterly miserable right now?" Guo Guo retorted, "What's wrong with Qiu Yang? You keep talking about him. Of all the classmates in S City, you're the one who talks the worst!"

"So many classmates? It's just the three of us. I talk badly because I'm the only normal person." Liu Jing glanced at her and rang the doorbell.

"I'm not talking to you anymore." Guo Guo got angry again.

The door opened, revealing Xiao Xin's slender figure and worried eyes: "Guo Yang, Liu Jing, you're here?"

Chapter Twenty: The Car Smashing Incident

. The two nodded and entered together. Guo Guo asked, "Xiao Xin, where's Qiu Yang? How is he?"

"He's in his room," Xiao Xin replied, her eyes filled with heartache.

Liu Jing led the way to the room, but before they reached the door, Lu Qiu Yang's indignant voice rang out: "Robbers! Complete robbers! Utter robbery!"

Liu Jing turned to look at Guo Guo, giving him a "See? I told you so!" look. Guo Guo glared at him and shoved him, and the two entered the room.

Lu Qiu Yang's large frame sat on the bed, his arm bandaged and his head wrapped in gauze. His dark face was filled with righteous indignation, and even his thick glasses couldn't hide the raging fire in his eyes.

"You're here," Lu Qiu Yang said, his emotions softening slightly upon seeing the two. Guo Guo was stunned, then gasped and rushed to the bedside: "Qiu Yang, how did you get hurt like this? Who hit you?"

"I'm fine, Guo Yang, sit down. Xiao Xin, make two cups of tea."

Xiao Xin was about to move when Liu Jing stopped her. Guo Guo looked him up and down, then asked, "Qiuyang, who did this?"

Lu Qiuyang didn't answer, turning his gaze to Liu Jing: "Liu Jing, tell me, how did our society become like this?"

Liu Jing frowned deeply, clutching his forehead, his body leaning to one side. His head was starting to throb again.

Lu Qiuyang ignored his expression, waving his surviving left arm and shouting, "In broad daylight, they steal and rob! I argued with them, and they not only smashed my car but also beat me up like this! Those police officers are in cahoots with them! They are law enforcers, how are they any different from those robbers? What kind of safety do we have living in such a society?"

Liu Jing couldn't help but raise his head: "Qiuyang, I don't know what happened to you, but... but these kinds of phenomena don't exist in any era. You should look at the good things, calm your mind, and live your own life well—that's the right way!"

"Qiuyang, what exactly happened?" Guo Guo asked again. Xiao Xin held her lover's hand and weakly advised, "Qiuyang, don't be angry yet. Let's heal your injuries first."

Lu Qiuyang pulled his hand away and continued to attack Liu Jing: "What good aspects did you suggest? I also want to find a clean place to live and create, but everywhere I look, it's all filth and ruin!"

"What do you care about it? Just live your own life!" Liu Jing was having a terrible headache.

Lu Qiuyang shook his head regretfully: "Liu Jing, you've changed, changed so much, you don't even recognize me anymore. You've forgotten all the days we spent together, the ambitions we made."

"I haven't forgotten. That was you. I've always been like this." Liu Jing pressed his head and turned away.

Lu Qiuyang glanced at him and suddenly recited: "'Since ancient times, how many heroes have been given their lives to horses and bows. There should be no one who could save the world with his writings, yet he is called a madman!' This is what you wrote when our poetry club was founded. I still remember it."

Liu Jing rubbed his head and turned away to the other side.

Lu Qiuyang continued reciting: "'With lofty ambitions soaring to the clouds, let us drink together; even if he looks back in the morning, he will not have failed our vow of brotherhood. Do not laugh at me, with my red teeth and iron clappers, singing loudly of the Yangtze River.' This is also what you wrote, I remember it all, but you yourself have forgotten it all." "

I just wrote it casually, and you even made me write it, it has nothing to do with reality!"

Lu Qiuyang looked at him deeply, not only with regret but also with sorrow: "Liu Jing, you are my best friend, my buddy, I never thought you would not only forget it all, but also deny our past."

"Alright, Qiuyang, you should take good care of your injury, leave the rest to us. Xiao Xin, come out with us for a bit." Liu Jing couldn't take it anymore, gave Guo Guo a look, and walked out on his own.

"Hey, Liu Jing!" Guo Guo couldn't bear it and stopped him at the door. Liu Jing said irritably, "He knows nothing and just talks nonsense. What's the use of you staying here? Ask Xiao Xin what happened first."

Guo Guo nodded helplessly, and the two returned to the lobby.

Xiao Xin came out, and the two found out what had happened. Lu Qiuyang was waiting for customers near the Yulong Bath Center. The security guard asked him to pay 300 yuan a month, but he refused to pay, wouldn't leave, and even argued with the guards. As a result, his car was smashed. He then called the police station to report the incident, but he was outnumbered and beaten up, and the police didn't care.

Guo Guo was extremely shocked, her face full of disbelief: "How could this happen? A taxi waiting for customers on the street, what does that have to do with the bath center? They don't own the road, what right do they have?"

"Everyone has their own territory, this is normal now." Liu Jing explained helplessly.

"Doesn't that make them a gangster?"

"They are a gangster."

Guo Guo was speechless, the reporter's righteousness making her pant with anger.

Xiao Xin looked at the two of them and stepped forward, saying, "Actually, it's Qiu Yang's fault too. Other people have already paid for their cars, but it's all in the past now. Qiu Yang's injuries aren't serious; he just needs to recover for a while. It's just... his car is in terrible condition. I used the money I got from home to buy a new car and pay for his treatment, so I don't have much left. Guo Yang, Liu Jing, you're Qiu Yang's good friends. Could you lend us some money to fix the car? Once Qiu Yang has recovered, I'll talk to him and make sure he gets the money back..."

"Xiao Xin, stop talking about that!" Liu Jing said, feeling both heartbroken and indignant. "Where's the car? Give it to me."

"At the Fengrun Repair Shop on the street corner."

"I know." Liu Jing had over two thousand yuan on him and took it all out, placing it on the table. "Xiao Xin, I'll take care of the car. Use this money first to help him recover. Call us if anything happens."

Xiao Xin wanted to refuse, but he stopped her. Guo Yang also left over a thousand yuan on his person, and the two of them said goodbye and left.

The two walked downstairs hand in hand, neither saying a word. Liu Jing was both impressed by Xiao Xin's virtue and steadfastness, and furious at Lu Qiuyang's stubbornness and lack of ambition; Guo Guo was extremely indignant, her face taut with anger, looking ready to stand up for him.

"That idiot Qiuyang, what era are we living in? Why can't he see the light?" Liu Jing cursed as soon as they stepped out of the building.

Guo Guo was silent for a moment, then looked at him and said, "Liu Jing, I don't think Qiuyang did anything wrong. At least I admire him. Our society really needs people to speak out."

"Speak out?" Liu Jing glanced at her strangely. "Can you do it?"

"Of course I can't." Guo Guo lowered her head.

"You can't do it and you still talk about it?" Liu Jing sighed inwardly, then said irritably, "Guo Guo, remember this: there's no such thing as good or evil in this world, only what works and what doesn't. Qiu Yang's so-called justice is actually pessimism. An optimistic person only cares about the good things in the world."

Guo Guo didn't say anything, seemingly not agreeing with his theory. Liu Jing didn't waste any more words and urged, "Stop arguing! Hurry up and go check Qiu Yang's car."

Guo Guo raised his head, his eyes unwavering in the night wind: "Liu Jing, there's no rush to check the car. Let's go to that bathhouse. I want to get justice for Qiu Yang."

Chapter Twenty-One: A False Dragon and a False Phoenix

The wind was cold, but it couldn't hide Guo Guo's eyes.

Liu Jing stared blankly at her, a gust of night wind making him shiver before he came to his senses: "What did you say! Go to a bathhouse? What kind of place is that? Let me tell you, Guo Guo, Qiu Yang alone is already a headache enough, don't go doing anything reckless!"

Guo Guo's innocent face was incredibly firm: "I'm not reckless, I can't do what Qiu Yang did, but I'm a reporter, I can expose them, I can expose them. Besides, don't you want to get justice for Qiu Yang?"

"Getting justice is easy!" Liu Jing waved his hand dismissively, "Just ask your parents, or anyone else, and that bathhouse will be wiped out completely, why would you need to risk your life?"

"I don't want to go through them, I'm a reporter, I want to do something with my own abilities!" Guo Guo was unusually stubborn.

"What kind of reporter are you? Just a small official newspaper, using a tiger's skin as a banner!" Liu Jing pushed her. "Hurry up and go, stop being so confused, go check on the car."

"Hey!" Guo Guo turned around, her expression both eager and pleading. "Liu Jing, Qiu Yang is a good friend, I really want to do something for him, will you come with me?"

"It's no use even if you go, this won't work!"

"How do you know if you don't go?" Guo Guo was both aggrieved and dissatisfied, grabbing his sleeve. "Liu Jing, you always criticize me, I really feel like I've lost confidence in myself. Now there's a chance, and I can help Qiu Yang, will you let me go?"

Liu Jing hesitated, then refused again. "No! Don't be silly, I won't go with you, and you're not allowed to go either!" Guo Guo glared at him and stormed off. "If you don't come with me, I... I'll go by myself."

"Are you crazy?"

Guo Guo ignored him, looking down at the car lock, the wind making her short hair sway wildly.

What's wrong with this girl today? Why is she being so stubborn? Liu Jing was puzzled. Guo Guo unlocked her bike, glanced at him from afar, then mounted her electric scooter and stood there motionless, as if to say, "If you don't come, I'm leaving, or you absolutely have to come. " Liu

Jing sighed and walked over helplessly. Guo Guo lowered her head, trying hard to put on a stern face, but two shallow dimples were clearly visible on her cheeks. "Are you really going?" Liu Jing asked, his face grim. "Yes." Guo Guo nodded earnestly and firmly, her glasses slipping slightly. "Alright then." Liu Jing helped her adjust her glasses and hopped on the scooter. Guo Guo chuckled and said excitedly, "But you're not allowed to mention my parents. I want to solve this myself." Liu Jing said sullenly, "Fine, I won't mention them. Anyway, I'm just going with you to learn a lesson." "What do you mean! It's like I'm 100% incapable of succeeding!" Guo Guo rolled her eyes and prepared to start the scooter. "One hundred percent, one thousand percent!" "Get lost! Hold on tight." Guo Guo raised her chin, and the electric scooter roared off. It was completely dark, the weather was bad, there were very few people strolling, and the streetlights were dim and desolate. Liu Jing held her waist, leaned forward, staring at her stubborn yet innocent face, without saying a word. Guo Guo tilted her head, asking curiously, "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" "Do I really always talk about you?" Liu Jing asked seriously. "I don't know!" Guo Guo answered angrily. "Okay then, I'll be more careful next time." Liu Jing sat up straight. Guo Guo pouted, seemingly still unwilling. As a brothel, the Yulong Bath Center was elegantly decorated, fully equipped, and had plenty of rooms. The girls were also relatively of high quality, making it somewhat famous in S City. At least, Guo Guo, a junior reporter from the local newspaper, found it easily. Guo Guo locked his car on the side of the road. Across the street was the brightly lit entrance of a bathhouse, next to which stood a row of gleaming luxury cars, and a line of taxis waiting eagerly in front. Guo Guo was both happy and excited, brimming with confidence. He tossed his head and said, "Come with me. Today I'll show you what it's like to be a reporter!" Liu Jing instinctively wanted to criticize him, but he held back. The great reporter Guo, carrying his small bag, took the lead and walked towards the taxis. "Gentlemen, need a ride?" Two taxi drivers were leaning against their cars, smoking and chatting. The older one asked. Guo Guo bowed shyly, then said earnestly, "No, brother, I want to ask about something. My boyfriend also drives a taxi, and he didn't earn any money the other day. He said he had to pay to wait for fares here, and I suspect he spent it himself, so I wanted to ask." "If you don't pay, will he make you wait? What era are we living in? There's no such thing as a free lunch," the older man said, half-laughing, half-crying. The younger man looked Liu Jing up and down, then pointed, "Little sister, is this your boyfriend?" "Ah, yes, yes, yes!" Guo Guo paused for a moment, then immediately became excited, "That's right, I... I came specifically to confront him." Liu Jing gave an awkward, bitter smile, and the two taxi drivers looked at him with pity. The younger man said, "Hey little sister, aren't you being too strict? It's just three hundred yuan, be careful you don't let your boyfriend run away!" "He wouldn't dare!" Guo Guo glared fiercely. Liu Jing suppressed a laugh, shrugged at her two "colleagues," and made a helpless gesture. The older man nodded at him: "You'd better just pay up obediently. If you don't, we'll smash your car and all! There was one this morning, and the police station didn't even care!" "Really?" Guo Guo feigned fear, glancing sideways. Liu Jing chuckled, playing along: "Wife, look, both of you have said so, now you should believe me, right?" "Hehe, hehe!" Guo Guo almost burst out laughing, grabbing his arm, "Okay then, darling... honey, hehe, this time... this time I'll forgive you. Hehe, both of you, we're going home, thank you!" "Alright, alright, go on, don't be too strict next time!" The two taxi drivers looked at the young couple, feeling gratified and warm. Most people in the world are simple and kind, especially in the taxi industry where there's a strong, spontaneous sense of unity and understanding. The two men, having finished their charade, left. Guo Guo, arm in arm with her "boyfriend," had a radiant face, her uncontainable joy shining through her glasses. Her smile was irrepressible, and the hotel lights illuminated her charming dimples. A little further away, Guo Guo stopped. Liu Jing asked, "The act's over. What's next?" "Don't rush," Guo Guo said, letting go of his arm. She secretly took out her phone and saved the taxi driver's license plate number. Then, she pulled a small recorder from her handbag, flipped it, and mysteriously pressed a button: "Darling, heh, this time... this time I'll forgive you. Hehe!" The recording of their conversation came through. "Wow! You've got quite a full set of gear!" Liu Jing was genuinely surprised, then teased, "Guo Guo, if you really were my wife, I'd have to be careful!" "Go away! Who wants... to be your wife?" Guo Guo blushed, a mix of reproach and delight, and held up the tape recorder. "With this, I can confidently go to their manager. If they dare disobey me, I'll make sure they're in the newspapers and in court!" "I hope so, Detective Guo!" Liu Jing said dismissively. "Just you wait and see!" Guo Guo adjusted her glasses, tilted her head back, and walked towards the bathhouse. People were constantly coming and going at the entrance. Three security guards lazily smoked cigarettes, while two entered with an air of nonchalance. Guo Guo went straight to the front desk, with Liu Jing following behind. Miss Guo's seemingly high school student attire was exceptionally eye-catching. He secretly shook his head; this appearance would definitely be mistaken for escort services. The two didn't look like lovers, nor did they seem like casual sex workers; it could only be interpreted as escort services. The two receptionists exchanged surprised glances. One tentatively asked, "What would you like to see?" Guo Guo, head held high, cold and arrogant, shrugged off her press pass: "This is my credentials. I need to see your manager." The press pass was effective; the two receptionists widened their eyes, then looked at each other again, quite astonished. The one who had spoken earlier obediently picked up the phone: "Please wait a moment." Guo Guo glanced at Liu Jing, her innocent face beaming with smugness. Liu Jing chuckled inwardly, but was also quite surprised. In his memory, Guo Guo was always an ugly duckling, shy and naive, always a bit clumsy. This time, though somewhat foolish, she displayed a different kind of poise. A high-ranking official's child is a high-ranking official's child after all; certain qualities had already been cultivated. The receptionist finished her call, and shortly after, a man in his early thirties, somewhat roguish, well-dressed, and sporting a mustache resembling Lu Xiaofeng, hurried down the stairs. Guo Guo coughed lightly, adjusted his glasses, and straightened his posture. Lu Xiaofeng, with a smile plastered on his face, stretched out his hand from afar, quickly passing in front of Guo Guo, and rushed enthusiastically to Liu Jing: "Welcome, welcome, welcome to our bathhouse! May I ask your name? Which newspaper are you from?" Chapter Twenty-Two: The Bathhouse Guo Guo's grand display was ultimately pointless. The young reporter was furious, adjusting his glasses and glaring at the two men, his eyes not bulging out. The two receptionists covered their mouths, secretly laughing to themselves. Liu Jing suppressed a laugh, politely shook hands with Lu Xiaofeng, and then pointed to the side: "Manager, you've got the wrong person. The real reporter is over there." "Oh my! I thought it was someone's kid!" The man with the mustache was immediately taken aback, then chuckled, "Just kidding, just kidding! They say a true master doesn't show off, and a master who shows off isn't a true master. Miss reporter, you're young and promising, truly a hidden talent! I'm so sorry, my surname is Cui, and I'm just an ordinary person. Please forgive my rudeness. Please be magnanimous and don't take offense."

Guo Guo nearly fainted from anger, glaring resentfully at Liu Jing. Liu Jing was utterly wronged; what did her dressing like that have to do with her? And she didn't even want to hear it.

"Miss Reporter?" The man surnamed Cui was still extending his hand solicitously.

Guo Guo, her face stiff, reluctantly shook his hand: "Excuse me, are you the manager?"

"I'm the deputy manager. The general manager is unavailable, but you can speak to me if you need anything," the man surnamed Cui said, bowing slightly with a beaming smile.

Guo Guo frowned and said coldly, "Fine, I'll let you know first. I heard you're charging taxis at the entrance. Who gave you that authority? My friend was beaten up by your security guards today, and his car was smashed. How do you explain that?"

"Cui Xiaofeng" frowned, her beard twitching, and she put on a surprised and dissatisfied expression: "You've got it wrong! We're a legitimate business, operating legally. How could we do such a thing! Which newspaper are you from? Who's the director?" "

You don't need to know which newspaper I'm from. It's a fact that my friend was beaten. You're illegally charging them. Two drivers at the entrance just confirmed this to me. Your excuses are useless." The young woman raised her chin, speaking without any politeness.

"Is that so? That's completely fabricated!" The man surnamed Cui squinted and said disdainfully, "Which driver said that? Call him in, I want to confront him!"

"No need to call him. He won't admit it to your face." Guo Guo took out a recorder and turned it on triumphantly.

The man with the mustache's expression changed drastically. The two receptionists beside him exchanged bewildered glances, and passing bathers also looked on in surprise. Only Liu Jing could only manage a bitter smile and sigh repeatedly. If Guo Guo wanted to resolve this matter on his own, with the recording now running, not only was his only chance lost, but the two of them might also be in danger.

"Snap!" Guo Guo turned off the recorder, pursing his lips. "Now what do you have to say?" Manager Cui chuckled. "What does this prove? I could say you're framing them! Or that they're just making things up."

"That's easy." Guo Guo quickly put away the recording. "Since you say so, I'll have this story in the newspaper tomorrow, and then have my friend sue us in court. Of course, you can sue us too. Whether it's framing or making things up, let the judge decide!"

With that, Guo Guo waved to Liu Jing and prepared to leave.

"Hey, wait, please wait!" Manager Cui hurriedly stopped the two of them. Guo Guo adjusted his glasses, his eyes flashing. "What do you want? I'm warning you, don't mess with me!"

"How could I! Please calm down." Cui Shi Xiaofeng smiled, his mustache swaying slightly. "There might be some misunderstanding here. It's best if we both calm down and resolve this peacefully. That way, it'll be better for both of us. We can compensate your friend for his losses, and um, we'll also apologize. Oh, and we'll definitely deal with the employee who assaulted him seriously. How does that sound?"

"Fine, and you must also stop the illegal fee collection immediately and return the money to the person." Guo Guo commanded, becoming increasingly arrogant.

"Sure, sure." Manager Cui's mustache drooped, and he put on a helpless expression. "But I'm just the deputy manager, I can't make the decision. I'll call the general manager right now and have him come over immediately. Would you like to have a cup of tea and wait a moment?"

"Okay, then." The young woman became increasingly arrogant, pretending to ponder, "But I'm very busy, he'd better hurry."

"No problem, please come in!"

Guo Guo was about to leave when Liu Jing stopped her, saying calmly, "No need, we'll wait outside."

"Outside?" Manager Cui gave him a cold look. "It's quite cold outside, isn't it? Why bother? How about this?" This guy quickly ran to the corridor, casually pushed open a massage room door, "Please come in and sit down, I'll let you know as soon as the general manager arrives?"

Liu Jing didn't speak, just stared at him. Guo Guo, still basking in the afterglow of a great victory, frowned upon seeing Liu Jing's expression and asked, "What's wrong? What's wrong? What's there to be afraid of? Come in and sit down."

Liu Jing whispered, "I'm not afraid, but I doubt we'll ever come out."

Guo Guo immediately became alert, turning sharply to look at the man with the mustache. The man wore a calm yet ingratiating expression. Guo Guo's eyes darted around , and he said, his voice trembling with fear, "We...we're not going in, we're going to wait outside!"

"Cui Xiaofeng's" brows furrowed, his eyes and mustache flashing simultaneously. Liu Jing chuckled and pushed Guo Guo, saying, "Come on, come on, let's go inside and wait. It's quite cold outside, who's going to go outside?"

"That's right, that's right." Cui Xiaofeng reverted to Manager Cui, her expression softening again.

Guo Guo looked left and right, dizzy and disoriented, as Liu Jing pushed him into the massage room.

"Could you please pour two cups of tea?" Liu Jing smiled back before entering.

"No problem, no problem!" Manager Cui's attitude was unusually amiable.

The door closed, but Liu Jing didn't care and leaned back on the massage bed. Hmm, although it was a bit disgusting, the sheets should be clean.

It was a very small massage room, mainly decorated in pink and white. In the center were two small, narrow beds, and opposite the beds was a large mirror so that customers could admire their own lewd postures. On the wall behind the beds was a large obscene picture, which could be compared with the customers' lewd postures. There were two stainless steel sliding rods on the ceiling, which were probably the armrests for back massage. On the small table next to them were various massage tools and some lotion. The most conspicuous thing was a box of granulated condoms placed on the bedside table, which was a gift from the bath center.

Guo Guo looked around, her face flushed, and nudged him. "Liu Jing, why did you come in? It's a mess here. They... they might have bad intentions!"

"Not maybe, they definitely have bad intentions."

"Then why did you..."

"What else could I do but come in?" Liu Jing sat up, his face stern. "Who told you to give them the tape recorder? If we don't come in, as soon as we step outside, we'll be beaten bloody like Qiu Yang, and then your tape recorder will be stolen."

"Then... what now?" Guo Guo stared blankly, seemingly a little scared.

"Now, of course, we'll wait here." Liu Jing pulled the little girl to sit down beside him.

"Wait for what?" Guo Guo asked nervously.

Liu Jing put his arm around her shoulder, feigning intimacy, and whispered in her ear, "Guo Guo, don't panic, listen to me calmly. They lured us in here, probably to find those scoundrel cops who're in cahoots with them to arrest us on charges of prostitution..."

"What!" Guo Guo exclaimed in shock.

"Shut up!" Liu Jing forcefully pressed her down. "Listen, your plan has failed, but that's fine. We'll use this opportunity to get justice for Qiu Yang. When the police arrive, we'll obediently go with them, and then find a way to notify your parents or your brother. That way, this shop will definitely close down, those scoundrel cops will get their comeuppance, and hey, I guess I can save on my car repair costs."

"You... why didn't you say so sooner?" Guo Guo's expression was extremely complicated, whether from disappointment or sadness was hard to tell.

“Now it’s my fault again! I don’t know who insisted on shouting? Who wouldn’t let me speak? Who said I had the worst voice? Who said I undermined your confidence?” Liu Jing rattled off a string of names, then shoved her away impatiently and lay back down on the bed.

“You…you…you…” Guo Guo was utterly aggrieved, almost in tears. “Liu Jing, what are you doing? I won’t say it next time, okay? You can say whatever you want, alright?” Liu Jing ignored her. Guo Guo was both angry and annoyed, pouting at him for a long time without managing to squeeze out a tear. Finally, she was so angry that she was about to make a phone call.

“Don’t make a phone call!” Liu Jing quickly got up and hugged her. “There might be surveillance cameras here. If you make a call, the security guards at the door will rush in and beat us up.”

“Then…what should we do?” Guo Guo panicked.

"Don't rush, lie down for a while." Liu Jing chuckled as he laid her down, whispering in her ear, "Guo Guo, you played my wife really well today! This room is so intimate, with that big mirror, it's like watching a movie. Let's get intimate, so when the police come, we can make it look like we're in a movie."

Guo Guo was incredibly embarrassed, her face flushed red: "Liu Jing, you're so annoying, at a time like this... you're still joking?"

Chapter Twenty-Three:

The Massage Room Bed was too narrow, so both of them lay on their sides. Liu Jing chuckled, sometimes praising her dimples, sometimes commenting on her short hair, constantly talking nonsense; Guo Guo was hesitant, half-heartedly resisting, sometimes pretending to be angry and wanting to get up, sometimes blushing with a mixture of shyness and joy.

Liu Jing wasn't worried at all. If the sky fell, the Executive Vice Governor would hold it up, what did he have to fear? He was mainly worried about Guo Guo's shyness, afraid she would be scared, and wanted to make her relax. But he forgot that Guo Guo was the daughter of the Executive Vice Governor, someone who had grown up surrounded by high-ranking officials. How could she possibly be afraid? Besides, shyness is not the same as cowardice; the two are never the same thing.

Guo Guo's feelings were complicated, but mostly she was secretly pleased. Having known Liu Jing for years, she had never said a word in his conversation. This time, she had stubbornly come to seek justice, intending to show off, but had done something foolish. Yet, she was happy to have this opportunity.

The two were preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings.

A dozen minutes later, as Liu Jing had predicted, four policemen burst in. The leader was a fat man, followed by Manager Lu Xiaofeng. The two sat up. Guo Guo calmly smoothed her hair, still somewhat nervous. Liu Jing took her hand and gave her a reassuring look.

"It's them," Cui Xiaofeng whispered to the fat policeman, her eyes darting around.

Liu Jing said lazily, "Manager Cui, it's taken you so long to make just two cups of tea, and with such a big scene, how could we possibly accept this?" The man surnamed Cui exchanged a glance with the fat policeman, who said, "We received a tip from the public that someone here is involved in prostitution. Hand over your identification."

Liu Jing glanced at Guo Guo, as if to say, "See? I wasn't wrong, was I?" Guo Guo grinned sheepishly. The two men each took out their identification; Liu Jing handed over his ID card, and Guo Guo's was a press card.

The fat policeman sized them up, looked down at them, and then put them in his pocket. Manager Cui leaned over and said something again, but the fat policeman waved his hand: "You two hand over your phones and briefcases; we need to check them."

Guo Guo glared, about to say something, but Liu Jing quickly pulled her back.

A pockmarked policeman took their belongings, lewdly grabbed the box of condoms from the bedside table, and stuffed it into Guo Guo's briefcase. Liu Jing secretly shook his head. Luckily, Guo Guo had a powerful background; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to explain himself no matter how hard he tried.

Guo Guo wouldn't have it, and he stood up abruptly, saying, "What are you doing? Why did you put it in my bag?"

"Nothing. You're a prostitute, so you must carry these things with you. This is definitely yours, do you even need to ask?" The guy's language was flippant, but his attitude was acceptable.

"You...you're talking nonsense!" Guo Guo was both embarrassed and angry. "You're framing me!"

"What's all the fuss about? We'll find out if it's yours or not. We're the police; we won't wrong an innocent person." Guo Guo wanted to say something more, but the fat policeman impatiently interrupted him, waving his hand. "Take them away!"

Guo Guo pushed up his glasses, his anger almost burning the lenses.

"Alright, alright, listen to me, go with them." Liu Jing gave him a shove.

The two were taken away. As they passed Manager Cui, Guo Guo glared at him fiercely. The guy was leaning forward, his mustache swaying smugly. Liu Jing looked at him, his eyes filled with regret.

The fat policeman walked last. Liu Jing glanced back and saw him handing a tape recorder to the man surnamed Cui. The two patted each other on the shoulder and then left.

The night was deep. The two were taken to the police station, a two-story building, in separate cars.

On the way, Liu Jing learned from their conversation that the fat policeman's surname was Hu, and he was the station chief, named Hu Yimu. Damn it, he might as well be called Hu Yidao (Hu the One-Cut), is that something anyone can learn? The pockmarked policeman was the deputy chief, and his name was something like Tannis? Damn! What a strange name, like a foreigner. A traitor, he'll definitely come to a bad end! Liu Jing cursed under his breath the whole way. Encountering such scoundrels, he felt nothing but relief.

The corrupt policemen were quite efficient; they started interrogating him as soon as they entered. Fatty Hu and Pockmarked Tannis were smoking, while another was drinking water. The presiding officer was a thin-faced man who spread their identification documents on the table and pulled out a small notebook. Liu Jing glanced at it: "Notification of Prostitution." A chill ran down Liu Jing's spine

; he finally realized something was wrong. The corrupt cops were colluding with the bathhouse, and they would definitely share the bribes from the taxi drivers. The two of them had openly investigated, and Guo Guo's identity as a reporter had been exposed. If things came to light, these cops would at least skin them alive; they certainly wouldn't release them easily. That wasn't a big deal; Guo Guo had always been honest, and if her family discovered she was missing, they would definitely mobilize resources to search for her. But if that happened, the two of them might be detained for a day and a half. It wouldn't matter to him, but Guo Guo was the daughter of a high-ranking official, and a girl at that. Being detained in a place like this was really... Sigh, what happened to the reputation of police stations these days?

"Which unit are you from?" the thin-faced officer asked, because Liu Jing had handed over his ID card.

Liu Jing forced a smile: "Brothers, why bother? Five thousand or ten thousand, just name your price, and we'll accept the fine, okay?"

"Accept what fine? You accept the fine?" Hu Yimu interrupted irritably. "Is our job as police to issue fines? For prostitutes and clients like you who disrupt social order, do you think you'll behave unless you're detained for ten days or half a month?"

"Who's the prostitute?" Guo Guo, seething with anger, immediately jumped back. "You, as police officers, collude with the underworld, frame others—you're the real social scum, you'll all be in jail sooner or later!"

"Shut your stinking mouth!" Pockmarked Tannis jumped up, immediately cursing, "What are you pretending for, you prostitute?"

"You…you're the one…" Guo Guo roared, his face flushed, and grabbed an ashtray, smashing it over.

"Hey, Guo Guo!" Liu Jing, who was about to negotiate with the corrupt police, tried to stop him, but it was too late.

"Damn it! You little brat!" Tannis dodged, leaped forward, and swung his large, fan-like hand at Guo Guo.

"Hey, stop!" Liu Jing quickly pulled him away.

"Smack!" Guo Guo dodged the blow, but his glasses were knocked to the ground, one lens shattering.

Liu Jing stood in front of Guo Guo, angrily asking, "Why are you hitting me?"

"What can I do about it?" Tannis, still furious at missing, slapped Liu Jing again.

Liu Jing blocked with his right hand, grabbed Tannis's wrist with his left, twisted it, and kicked him in the armpit with his right leg, then followed up with a kick to the chest.

This was a move from military combat boxing. Liu Jing's father had served in the military and lost his right leg in the Sino-Vietnamese War. Perhaps out of some resentment, he had diligently taught Liu Jing this move when he was young. Liu Jing had fought several times in elementary and middle school and had never lost, but he hadn't used it for almost ten years. This time, it was just a coincidence.

Tannis was kicked and stumbled, still in shock. Guo Guo wasn't idle either, throwing another alloy water glass at him. When it came to throwing things, the shy vice-governor's daughter was no less fierce than a little tiger.

Tannis reacted quickly, tilting his pockmarked face to the side, dodging it again. But Hu Yimu, behind him, was unlucky. Seeing the fight break out, he was dumbfounded when, without warning, he was hit squarely on the head with a "thud."

"Fuck you, you dare assault a police officer? You've gone too far!" Enraged, Hu Yimu twisted his large body, grabbed a baton, and charged forward. Tannis also grabbed one from the wall; the two station chiefs were about to beat someone up together.

Seeing the situation was bad, Liu Jing quickly retreated to the corner, leaning Guo Guo against him, and grabbed a chair to block their path.

"Hey, you two, don't be impulsive, she is..." Liu Jing tried to explain Guo Guo's family background to end the fight, but the two guys, having already suffered a loss, didn't give him a chance. Before he could even catch his breath, they swung their batons and started smashing things around.

Liu Jing didn't have time to speak, quickly wielding a wooden chair to block left and right.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! You little brat, I'll beat you to death!" The two scoundrel chiefs were enraged, cursing incessantly, their batons raining down on Liu Jing like a storm.

"I block! I block! I block! I block again! Damn it! I couldn't block it, and I got poked in the eye socket!" Liu Jing fought back fiercely, wielding the wooden chair like a whirlwind, occasionally kicking it as well.

Hu Tan and the other man continued to curse, Liu Jing shouted repeatedly, Guo Guo covered her head with her hands, screaming incessantly, and the sounds of batons clashing against the wooden chair filled the air. A fierce battle between police and civilians was unfolding in the police station.

The policeman drinking water and the thin-faced policeman stared in disbelief, completely dumbfounded! They had never seen such audacious "client and prostitute" who dared to fight with the police in the police station! Both men thought simultaneously, "These two must have connections. We can't interfere; we'd better just watch."

The wooden chair, though large, was not as flexible as a police baton and had considerable weight. Liu Jing swung it with all his might, but soon his arm went numb, and his movements slowed. Plus, he'd been hit in the eye, affecting his vision. The two men's attacks grew increasingly fierce; soon, his arms, thighs, and ribs had been struck multiple times.

Liu Jing complained, but the two policemen weren't having an easy time either. Having framed him and attacked him with weapons, they were psychologically at a disadvantage. Moreover, Liu Jing was incredibly fierce; despite having the home-field advantage, he hadn't gained any advantage. Both men were heavy drinkers and gamblers, and after such a fierce fight, they were exhausted, especially Hu Yimu, who was covered in sweat, his fat face pale, and he was almost out of breath. The other two policemen decided to stand by and watch. Hu the Fat Man, taking a few moments of rest, gave them several meaningful glances, as if to say, "What are you two watching for? Aren't you going to help?

" In the blink of an eye, half a cup of tea's time had passed. Liu Jing, unable to hold them off any longer, swung the wooden chair twice, forcing the two policemen back, and shouted with all his might, "Stop!" Then, taking advantage of their momentary hesitation, he quickly said, "She's Vice Governor Guo's daughter, Executive Vice Governor Guo Ting. If you hit her again, you're finished!"

Like a thunderbolt, the four policemen were completely dumbfounded. Hu Yimu's sweat froze.

The four policemen exchanged bewildered glances, all terrified. The two bystanders secretly breathed a sigh of relief! Liu Jing looked left and right, still holding the wooden chair, remaining highly vigilant.

Hu Yimu slowly turned his head to look at his deputy, as if to say, "Is there a Vice Governor in the province named Guo Ting?" Tannis shook his pockmarked face, as if to say, "How would I know him?"

Fatty Hu frowned, his fat face pouting, his shifty eyes darting around. After a long pause, he tentatively asked, "Just because someone's surnamed Guo doesn't mean they're the daughter of Governor Guo! I could say I'm President Hu's son! What proof do you have?" This guy was not only stubborn, but his wording was also professional.

Damn! He was imitating Hu Yidao, and now he was dragging President Hu into it! Liu Jing was both amused and exasperated. "That's easy! You just saw her ID. The *Provincial Talent Daily* is the official newspaper of the Personnel Department. There must be someone on duty there right now. Just give them a call and you'll know."

The two police chiefs exchanged glances again, both seeing the surprise and fear in each other's eyes. Seeing this, Liu Jing figured it was time to call a truce. He slowly lowered his chair: "Gentlemen, why did you arrest us, and why won't you release her? We'll keep it to ourselves. If you trust me, I have an idea."

The two police officers, Hu and Tan, didn't speak, both coldly staring at him.

Liu Jing took a breath and said, "We don't care about your relationship with that Cui guy, or whether the bathhouse is illegally charging fees. But my friend's car was smashed and he was injured. We can't just let it go like this! The bathhouse should pay compensation and apologize. That's not too much to ask, is it? My friend's family is struggling financially. As long as they pay enough, we can settle this matter peacefully. What do you think?"

Before the two station chiefs could speak, Guo Guo poked her head out from behind: "No way! You've been beaten like this, how can we just let it go?"

"Don't talk!" Liu Jing quickly pushed her back. Silly girl, leaving is the real priority now.

Hu Yimu nodded to his deputy and walked out on his own. Tannis gave instructions to the other two policemen and then followed. The two went out to discuss the matter. Liu Jing shook his head, went forward to pick up Guo Guo's glasses, thankfully without getting stepped on.

The two men went outside, each lighting a cigarette. Fatty Hu asked anxiously, "Old Tan, what do we do? Should we investigate that woman again? See if she's from the governor's family? I don't think it's fake!"

"We can't investigate! Just pretend we don't know. Investigating will put us in a passive position. Even if we insist it's prostitution, we can just call it a misunderstanding." Tannis was clearly the strategist type, though his pockmarked face didn't look like it at all.

"So we just let her go?"

"We can't let her go either. What would that look like now? How would we explain it?"

Hu Yimu was extremely troubled and asked again, "Old Tan, do you think that kid will keep his word? If he really is, we can make Old Cui compensate him more, even if it's just a new car!"

"Don't listen to his nonsense. He's just trying to get out and is trying to fool us!" Tannis looked worried, but remained calm.

"Then… what do you suggest?" Fatty Hu was completely at a loss.

Tannis squinted his thieving eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "Hey, Lao Mu, go find Lao Cui right now and try to explain things clearly to those drivers. Tell them not to talk nonsense. As long as there's no evidence, we're not in big trouble. We arrested them while on official business, that's fine. We brought them back for investigation, that's not wrong either. The key is Lao Cui. Get everything sorted out tonight, give that kid a good amount of money tomorrow morning, and then release them."

Fatty Hu sighed, "Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll go find Lao Cui right now. Make arrangements for them, and then I'll be there right away." "

I know."

"Damn it!" Hu Yimu left dejectedly.

When Pockmarked returned, Liu Jing was sitting in that battle-hardened chair. Guo Guo had somehow gotten a towel and was tenderly wiping his eyes. The other two policemen sat at the far end, looking cautious, secretly glad they hadn't participated in the battle.

Tannis leaned closer, examining her closely for a while before asking with concern, "Brother, are

you alright?" "Don't pretend!" Guo Guo snapped, her anger blazing through her shattered glasses. Tannis said awkwardly, "It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! Reporter Guo, you saw it yourself, just now… ah, your boyfriend, that's what you call a man, you should be happy!" He even gave Liu Jing a thumbs-up as he spoke.

"Pah!" The crack in her glasses was still fresh, right in front of her eyes. How could she forget? Framing her, viciously insulting her, physically assaulting her—it was all this pockmarked-faced Tannis who started it all. Miss Guo hated him to the core.

Tannis, shameless as ever, continued to ingratiate himself: "Brother, you're pretty good, haven't you trained? I can tell you have!" Liu Jing was both amused and exasperated, not bothering to argue, and directly asked, "Deputy Director Tannis, when can we go?"

"Tomorrow, tomorrow!" Tannis said in a fawning tone, "Don't you want Old Cui to compensate your friend? The director went to get the money for you two, don't worry, it'll be more than enough."

Liu Jing glanced at Guo Guo but didn't say anything. It was obvious the two were desperate, having devised a plan to carry out overnight. But they didn't seem to realize that with so many problems already, detaining the governor's daughter overnight would leave no room for maneuver. What idiots! Did those in power need a reason to deal with someone?

Afterwards, Tannis "considerately" led the two to the toilet, then to the detention room, a small, dark room with only a bed. He didn't want to, but he had no choice; he couldn't let them escape, and there was nowhere to lock them up.

Liu Jing peeked in and asked with displeasure, "What do you mean?" Tannis's pockmarked face was full of apology: "Brother, I'm sorry, this is the only room with a bed. You two will have to make do for the night, and I'll come to release you tomorrow morning."

Liu Jing looked to his side, and Guo Guo quickly lowered his head. He sighed; it was too late now, so he had no choice but to accept it.

Tannis, with a pained expression, silently handed over a broken basin. Liu Jing glanced down at it, giving him a questioning look. Tannis grinned, his pockmarked face extremely unsightly: "You two...unexpectedly needed to pee all night?"

"Damn it!" Liu Jing pointed at Guo Guo, whose face had instantly turned red to his neck, and after a long pause, said, "Brother, aren't you kidding me?"

Tannis, with a mournful face, said, "Brother, I have no choice. Logically, you two should be kept in separate cells, but can you really trust me? These are special times, and you two aren't outsiders, so just make do!"

Liu Jing was completely speechless. He grabbed the broken basin, dragged Guo Guo inside, and slammed the door shut.

Tannis seemed to remember something and hurriedly pressed his lips against the crack in the door, "Hey, brothers, are you two hungry? Should I buy you something?"

"Buy my foot!" Liu Jing's angry roar came from inside, "You two, you two, you two! Get the hell out of here, and don't let me hear your accent again!"

Chapter Twenty-Four Bai Xiaoqing

The night wind was cold, the starlight was dim, the branches swayed helplessly in the wind, and dark clouds occasionally shrouded the sky, the city silent in the darkness. The weather was terrible, and Bai Xiaoqing was worried about her daughter, glancing at the large clock in the corner of the room from time to time. It was past nine o'clock, what was wrong with Yangyang today? Why wasn't she home so late, and her phone was off when she called?

Bai Xiaoqing loved her daughter as much as her own life, but she was also very helpless. The family of four—the husband and wife and the older brother Guo Jun—were all cheerful and outgoing, but their youngest and most pampered daughter was introverted, never telling anyone her secrets, not even her mother. She had once seen her daughter talking to herself in front of the mirror. Children always inherit something from their parents' personalities, but apart from her husband's stubbornness, none of the couple's many excellent qualities had been passed down.

There was a knock at the door, and she hurriedly got up to greet them. Her husband's tall figure stood in the doorway; it wasn't her daughter. Her heart, which had just settled, jumped again.

"You're back?" Bai Xiaoqing stepped forward and took her husband's coat.

"Yes, you're quite early today, aren't you?" Vice Governor Guo gently asked his wife for her well-being.

"Nine o'clock is still early." Bai Xiaoqing rolled her eyes and turned to hang up the coat.

Vice Governor Guo smiled and entered the living room, leaning back on the sofa, rubbing his broad forehead with one hand. As the Executive Vice Governor, Guo Ting was undoubtedly the busiest person in the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, working more than ten hours a day.

Bai Xiaoqing hung up the coat, made a cup of tea for her husband, and sat down beside him. Guo Ting took a sip of tea, his complexion softening slightly. "Xiaoqing, May Day is almost here. Old Lin called me today, inviting us to go to Beidaihe together."

Old Lin was Lin Longyu, the director of the Provincial Tax Bureau, Guo Ting's old comrade-in-arms, friend, and brother. Bai Xiaoqing couldn't help but smile wryly. "Beidaihe again? We've been there so many times. Can't you find another place?"

"You don't like it?" Guo Ting looked at his wife, paused for a moment, and said, "It's okay, I'll tell him. How about Nandaihe?"

"Alright, alright, Beidaihe it is!" Bai Xiaoqing said, both amused and exasperated.

"By the way, where's Yangyang?"

"He's not back yet." Although it was a bit unusual, it wasn't too late, and her husband had been busy all day, so Bai Xiaoqing didn't say much.

"Oh." Vice Governor Guo didn't seem to care, lighting a cigarette. "Old Lin said he wants Xiao Dong to go too, and he wants us to bring Yangyang along, so they can get to know each other better. Young people are like that; as parents, we should see them off."

Vice Governor Guo was brimming with confidence, but Bai Xiaoqing frowned slightly: "They grew up together, how much more contact do you need?"

"Why do you say that? Haven't you always liked Xiao Dong?" Guo Ting looked at his wife with some confusion and surprise.

Lin Weidong was the only son of his old comrade-in-arms, the deputy director of the Party Office of Dongdian Group. He had watched him grow up, and although the six-year age gap seemed a bit large now, he had always been very loving towards his daughter. He felt the two young people were a perfect match.

Bai Xiaoqing sighed softly: "Xiao Dong is capable and mature, and he's devoted to Yangyang. Of course, I have nothing to say, but it's not enough for me to like him; Yangyang has to like him too!"

"What does she know? She's just a child!" Vice Governor Guo raised his hand dismissively.

"You don't understand!" Bai Xiaoqing glared at her husband, annoyed. "Times have changed. Yangyang is twenty-two, an adult. Why can't she marry someone she likes? Let me tell you, Lao Guo, don't even think about using your old tricks on Yangyang. If Yangyang doesn't like it, and you dare force her, I'll never forgive you!"

"Hehe!" Vice Governor Guo chuckled heavily, gently scolding, "Look at you, how old are you, still saying such things? Childish! The kids will laugh at you if they find out."

"Don't give me that." Bai Xiaoqing rolled her eyes, a blush creeping across her cool face. "Yangyang is my daughter. You can use your bullying tactics on me, but if you wrong my daughter, don't expect me to talk to you again."

"Haha, Xiaoqing, how can you... talk nonsense again! We've been together for over twenty years, what's wrong with you? Would I wrong you?" Guo Ting laughed, rubbing his wife's shoulder.

“I’m so young, why am I being so unyielding with an old man like you?” Bai Xiaoqing tilted her head, looking quite aggrieved.

“Hahaha! This happened so many years ago, you…you’re still bringing it up?” Vice Governor Guo burst into laughter, reaching out to pull his beloved wife to his side. Bai Xiaoqing struggled symbolically for a moment, then leaned against her husband, her pouting expression strikingly similar to Guo Ting’s.

Guo Ting’s first wife had died early, leaving behind a son. Bai Xiaoqing later gave birth to Guo Ting. At the time, Guo Ting was nearly forty and a political commissar of a regiment in the People’s Liberation Army, while Bai Xiaoqing was in her prime, a military doctor. Guo Ting used both direct and indirect methods, launching a powerful offensive and finally winning her over. Although the union of this older man and younger woman proved to be harmonious and fulfilling, Bai Xiaoqing was quite reluctant at the time.

Bai Xiaoqing smoothed her hair and said seriously, "Old Guo, I'm telling you something serious. Don't meddle in Yangyang's affairs. She's always been introverted and has a strong sense of self. Let her decide for herself." "

Okay, I'll listen to you. It's your daughter, you decide." Old Guo, as always, showed his honesty and affection. His wife was young, beautiful, elegant, considerate, and gentle. Although she was over forty, she looked like she was in her thirties. He had nothing to say.

Mentioning their daughter, Bai Xiaoqing couldn't help but check the time.

Guo Ting took a few sips of tea and asked, "Xiaoqing, from what you're saying, Yangyang has someone she likes?" Bai Xiaoqing hesitated for a moment, then replied thoughtfully, "It's that classmate, the one we went to see at school last year."

"Oh, that one." Vice Governor Guo said decisively, "That young man is good, brave enough. I have no objections." Guo Ting, with his military background, always placed bravery as the primary criterion for evaluating a person.

“Yangyang probably hasn’t started dating him yet, that’s just my feeling.”

“Then take it slow, they’re young, no rush.”

The couple chatted for a few minutes, and it was already past ten o’clock. Bai Xiaoqing couldn’t sit still any longer and went to make another call, but it still didn’t go through. So she turned around and said, “Old Guo, Yangyang isn’t home this late, and her phone is off. Could something have happened to her?”

“How could that be?” Vice Governor Guo glanced at the clock, also feeling uneasy. “Could she have gone to her brother’s? Call Xiaojun and ask.”

He made the call, but there was still no news. Bai Xiaoqing panicked and looked helplessly at her husband. Guo Ting comforted her, “Xiaoqing, don’t worry, it’s only ten o’clock. It’s normal for young people to go out too late. If she doesn’t come back in a while, have Xiao Wu and the others look for her.”

Bai Xiaoqing didn’t say anything, her unease and anxiety didn’t lessen at all. Her daughter was very dutiful and had never stayed out this late before. If something happened, she would definitely call home. But this time, not only did she not call, but her phone was also off. How could she not worry?

Guo Ting kept trying to comfort them, and the couple waited anxiously until after 11 a.m. Bai Xiaoqing was extremely worried and couldn't wait any longer. Vice Governor Guo was also nervous and immediately called his son Guo Jun and his secretary Xiao Wu, among others.

After a brief discussion, they decided to split up and check Guo Guo's colleagues and classmates one by one. The Vice Governor and his wife made phone calls from home, while Guo Jun and the secretaries went out to investigate. When they found Liu Jing's phone number, but couldn't get through and couldn't find him either, Bai Xiaoqing was almost in despair. At 2:30 a.m., Guo Jun found Lu Qiuyang's home address through the taxi company and finally got news of the two.

Guo Jun and Secretary Wu rushed to the Yulong Bath Center and saw a tense scene at the entrance, with several police officers and security guards going in and out, talking to the taxi drivers. They immediately understood most of what was going on. The two didn't act rashly. After a brief discussion, Guo Jun made a phone call to go back and pick up Bai Xiaoqing; Secretary Wu didn't even make a call, but directly dragged Director Li of the Municipal Public Security Bureau out of bed. The group, in a large entourage, rushed to the police station.

It was already 3:30 in the morning.

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Night of Detention

After a battle with two corrupt police chiefs, the two were detained. As soon as they entered the detention cell, Liu Jing threw the broken basin aside. He would rather die of holding it in than urinate in it, and he thought Guo Guo was the same, even though he had brought it in.

The detention cell was completely dark, with only a sliver of light coming through the crack in the door. He didn't understand, even criminals, didn't they have the right to enjoy light? He took Guo Guo's hand and groped his way to the bed, the only piece of furniture in the detention cell. To his relief, there was not only a straw mat on the bed, but also a thin quilt on top of the straw mat!

A quilt could bring him relief? Liu Jing suddenly wanted to laugh, and even felt very lucky. He never imagined he'd end up in a police station, fight with the police, let alone be detained. But now, not only was he in, he'd fought, he'd been detained, and in a mixed-gender prison, with the other person being the daughter of the executive vice governor! This world is fucking insane!

Life is unpredictable; anything can happen.

In the quiet darkness, the two sat down. Guo Guo squeezed the hand that had been held and gently asked, "Liu Jing, does your eye still hurt?"

"It's okay, don't worry." It wasn't just painful; it was swollen so badly he couldn't open it.

"And your body?" Guo Guo

asked, her voice filled with concern. "It's okay too," Liu Jing said, his body burning, undoubtedly covered in bruises.

In the darkness, Guo Guo glanced at his silhouette: "It's all my fault, I made you suffer again."

"Oh, I said it's okay!"

Guo Guo lowered her head, feeling a mix of emotions, speechless for a long time. Liu Jing nudged her: "Hey, am I... always so rude to you?"

"What do you think?" Guo Guo felt like crying.

"Really? Why didn't you say so sooner?" Liu Jing actually showed surprise.

"I've said it so many times! It's been like this ever since I first met you." A bittersweet feeling welled up inside Guo Guo, her eyes glistening through the broken lens in the darkness.

"Really? We weren't that close at first, were we?" Liu Jing found this question puzzling.

"No way." Guo Guo protested, "Every time school started or ended, you'd say I traveled by train."

"What are you talking about? I remember you only traveled by plane!" Liu Jing's confusion turned into suspicion.

"Who said that? I only traveled by plane in my freshman year, and afterwards... I always traveled by train with you." Guo Guo was a little embarrassed and turned away slightly.

Liu Jing thought for a moment, the pain in his left eye making him realize something: "It seems it really is. Every time I transferred trains in S City, you bought the tickets, right?"

"You still dare to say that!" Guo Guo glared at him. "You only ever paid for my ticket once."

Liu Jing laughed: "I'm sure I did, but you absolutely refused, otherwise why wouldn't I?" Guo Guo smiled faintly, reminiscing about the few times they had spent together.

A brief silence fell in the room, soft breathing rising and falling in the darkness.

The two sat awkwardly side by side. Liu Jing tilted his head and glanced at his glasses, the shattered lenses reflecting in the darkness. "Guo Guo, why don't you take your glasses off? You can't see anything with them on."

"I think they're more comfortable to wear," Guo Guo said stubbornly.

Liu Jing didn't press the matter further and asked, "Are you sleepy? If you are, take a nap. I'll keep watch over you." Guo Guo shook her head and gently grabbed his arm. "Liu Jing, I don't want to sleep. Will you chat with me?"

"Aren't you afraid I'll scold you?"

"I'm used to it."

"Okay then, sitting like this is tiring. Let's go to bed." Liu Jing stood up as he spoke.

Guo Guo secretly blushed, thinking of the intimate scene between the two in the massage room, and gently scolded, "You bad boy!" Liu Jing couldn't help but laugh. "What are you thinking? I meant we can sit together on the bed!"

"You're so annoying!" Guo Guo pushed him away.

Liu Jing laughed heartily, and the two took off their shoes, moved to the bed, and sat side by side against the headboard. Liu Jing crossed his legs, and Guo Guo hugged her knees, resting her chin on her knees. Although they had agreed to chat, once they sat down, they didn't know what to talk about.

Guo Guo thought for a moment, then broke the silence, "Liu Jing, do you still write poetry?"

"Occasionally, but not usually." If it weren't for the poem I wrote for Little Tiger a couple of days ago, it wouldn't even be considered occasional.

"Why not? You write really well, I quite like it."

"You've read my work?" Liu Jing asked, surprised.

"Of course I have! I read it when I was a freshman!"

"How could that be? We didn't even know each other back then!" Liu Jing was extremely surprised. Although they were in the same department and took classes together, they didn't know each other at first.

"Why not?" Guo Guo adjusted his glasses and smiled, "We enrolled on September 10th, met at the hometown association meeting on the 25th. Then, during the National Day poetry competition, you won second prize, and I read it then."

"Oh, I see." Liu Jing's chest swelled up again.

"Hmm, you wrote a poem called 'Qing Ping Le,' the shortest of all the entries. I can even recite it from memory!" Guo Guo said with a smug expression, reciting in a pleasant voice, "'How much idle sorrow, another evening rain. Willows green again in the spring breeze, who will continue this silent feeling? Pity the broken flute in the wind, and the dripping rain from the eaves. Helplessly, the sorrow has just passed, and then I see swallows carrying mud!' I recited it correctly, didn't I?"

"Hey, maybe." Liu Jing was so excited that he didn't even remember it himself.

Guo Guo hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Liu Jing, who did you write about? I mean feelings."

Liu Jing laughed, "I don't have any feelings! I just wrote whatever came to mind. Some writers talk like they know everything, that writing requires real feelings, this and that, but it's all an act. You don't need feelings to write, just daily accumulation and the ability to manipulate words."

"Liar!" Guo Guo pouted, quite dissatisfied.

"I'm telling the truth!" Liu Jing said innocently.

Guo Guo leaned close to her, his face tense, and said, "I've even seen what you wrote to Qi Yu. Can you honestly say you had no feelings for her?"

"You know her?" Liu Jing's mouth dropped open; her surprise was genuine.

"Yes," Guo Guo nodded earnestly.

"You're not in the same department, how do you know her?" Liu Jing turned to face him, asking directly.

"We...we're in the same dorm!" Guo Guo seemed nonchalant.

Liu Jing didn't speak, a pang of sadness in her heart. Qi Yu was his first girlfriend, the girl from Guangdong, whom he had only briefly known. To commemorate his unfortunate first love, he had written a poem for her, recounting their several dates. Mentioning it now brought a bittersweet feeling to her heart.

Guo Guo looked at him and said, "Qi Yu was so heartbroken, she cried for a long time."

"Really?" Liu Jing scrutinized her, his eyes filled with disbelief. Breaking up with him so suddenly, without any warning, and then crying for him—he'd find it hard to believe.

"Of course it's true!" Guo Guo nodded emphatically. "I felt bad just watching her."

Liu Jing thought for a moment, then gave up. He already had his little tiger; pursuing this question was pointless. Guo Guo looked at him and asked again, "Didn't you ask her why she broke up with you?"

"Since we broke up, why should I ask?" Liu Jing met her question frankly.

Guo Guo was very confused and said unwillingly, "Don't you want to know the reason?"

"We've already broken up, what's the point of knowing the reason?"

"Don't you like her?"

"I wouldn't say I like her, I just felt she was okay. Graduation is coming soon, I was thinking of just finding someone, but I didn't expect..." Liu Jing didn't finish his sentence, then unconsciously sighed, lamenting his precious first love.

Liu Jing didn't feel love or hate for his first love, but he couldn't say he was completely without resentment. Since they only started dating in their senior year of college, Qi Yu frequently expressed anxiety about the future. Just then, Liu Jing's father, a secretary in the industrial bureau, called, saying he'd found him a job and wanted him to return home after graduation. Liu Jing's hometown was a county-level city, and the so-called job was the city's only large enterprise—the county cement plant. Without hesitation, he immediately decided to go to Guangdong with his girlfriend after graduation. But Qi Yu broke up with him, so suddenly, yet so naturally. He hadn't even had a chance to tell her the good news.

Liu Jing ultimately didn't go home. He didn't care where he lived, but the job was disgusting, and his father was too stubborn, always looking down on him. He decided to find any industrial city, like Shanghai; he wanted to try his luck in Pudong. Guo Guo persuaded him to come to S City, the largest heavy industrial base in the country, and closer to home. His parents were old, his father only had one leg, and he was the only son, so he came, alone.

Guo Guo stared at him blankly for a long time before saying, "The poem you wrote for Qi Yu was called 'Together,' right? I remember it too."

"You remember this one too?" Liu Jing glanced at her sideways, his eyes full of surprise and disbelief.

"You don't believe me? I'll recite it for you?" Guo Guo pouted, her tone smug.

Liu Jing didn't speak, still skeptical. Guo Guo smiled sweetly and recited softly: "You also long for my love / flowing like clear water / I also long for your affection / as clear as flowing water."

"A gentle breeze, warm and caressing, / Reflects my joyful heart / The ripples on the weeping willows / Sway your tenderness

/ I cup a handful of gentle spring water / Reflecting your half-closed eyes / I seek a spot in the warm, slanting sunlight / To sing a song as if weeping

/ The drifting clouds in the high sky / Gently beckon to me / The starlight under the twilight / Blushes your tender face

/ The moonlight under the starlight / Gently whispers your soft words / The veil-like moon shadow / Reveals my expectation of true love

/ A small bridge and a family's home" "The lights / ignite the spring breeze in your heart / The neon lights of the lonely road / weave my dream of flying together like mandarin ducks"

"Lying on a patch of soft green grass / soothes your hundred-year-old sorrow / Leaning against a weathered old tree / to fulfill my thousand-year-old wait

" "The distant night sky is like water / letting me silently sigh / The snow-covered path / urges your speechless departure

" "I also miss your love / flowing like clear water / You also miss my love / flowing like clear water"

Guo Guo finished reciting and looked at him with bright eyes. Liu Jing was surprised, surprised by her fluency and ease. The poem was not short, and he himself could not remember many lines: "How do you remember it so well?"

"It's nothing, I read it with Qi Yu many times, so I memorized it." Guo Guo blinked and turned away, "You are so heartless, I really feel sorry for Qi Yu."

Liu Jing smiled indifferently and did not take it to heart. He suddenly thought of a strange question, a question he had never thought of before: If he were to be with Guo Guo, would he be willing? Yes, he definitely would. Without hesitation, he knew the answer.

He had never felt anything for Guo Guo, and didn't understand why he had thought of this question, let alone why he had this answer. The only thing he was certain of was that it had nothing to do with Vice Governor Guo.

Liu Jing only thought about it for a moment, then gave up. Just like trying to figure out why Qi Yu broke up with him, this question was equally meaningless, because he already had Little Tiger, and no one could replace him.

The two fell silent again, for a relatively long time. In the darkness, the air moved very slowly, as if a long time had passed.

Liu Jing nudged her: "Guo Guo, we've been talking for a long time, why don't you get some sleep?"

"Okay." Guo Guo nodded, hesitated for a moment, then grabbed his arm and leaned against his shoulder.

Guo Guo fell asleep, soundly asleep, a faint smile on her lips. Liu Jing gently took off her glasses with his other hand.

Liu Jing didn't sleep, nor did he want to sleep. He was thinking about Little Tiger. In this deep night, she must be asleep. He had never seen her sleeping before. How was she now? In that kind of place, the food must not have been very good. Had she lost weight from exhaustion? Had she gotten a tan?

Time slowly passed in the darkness, and she didn't know how much time had gone by. Guo Guo woke up; it was still pitch black around her, and she felt very uncomfortable, blinking her eyes hard. A hand steadily placed her glasses on the bridge of her nose; Liu Jing had put them on perfectly.

Guo Guo felt much better and adjusted her glasses, asking, "Were you asleep?"

"No," Liu Jing looked her over in the darkness. "You were resting your head on my shoulder, and I was afraid of waking you, so I didn't dare to sleep."

Guo Guo gave him a deep look; this night was so gentle.

Liu Jing leaned closer to her, smiling, and said, "Weren't you touched?"

"Ugh!" Guo Guo rubbed her neck and tilted her head, pouting, "It's so uncomfortable, my neck is so sore!"

Liu Jing chuckled, "Well done, Guo Guo, you've finally improved, you can even speak first!"

"Hehe!" Guo Guo blushed and hugged his arm tightly, "No, I was just kidding, I slept really well, really."

Liu Jing laughed, "Why are you telling me? Didn't you always want to speak first? Such a good opportunity, why didn't you take advantage of my misfortune and finish me off?"

"I'm not like you!" Guo Guo habitually pouted, looking up at him, "Liu Jing, I was just saying, don't take it to heart. Actually, I really like it when you talk to me, especially when you talk about me, I... I feel like you care about me."

"At least you have a conscience," Liu Jing said, sounding indignant. "You're always so clumsy and impulsive. Think about it, how many incidents have you gotten into, big and small! I've developed a conditioned reflex now; every time I see you, I feel like something bad is going to happen!"

"No, it's not like that!" Guo Guo said, both anxious and innocent. "It's only because I'm with you that things always go wrong. I find it strange myself!"

"It's not like I'm the one who's worried, is it? If that's the case, then you should see me less often."

"We haven't seen each other that many times anyway," Guo Guo said, pushing his arm away and looking down. "It's been nine months since graduation, and we've only seen each other four times, and that includes when we came back from school together."

"Four times isn't a small number. Usually, after graduation, we don't see each other much."

"Four times is a lot? I'm not talking to you anymore!" Guo Guo turned her head away, getting angry again. Liu

Jing grinned and leaned closer, about to say something, when hurried footsteps sounded outside. The two quickly sat up straight. The door opened, revealing Bai Xiaoqing's beautiful face, full of exhaustion, anxiety, and worry.

"Yangyang!" Bai Xiaoqing rushed over.

"Mom." Guo Guo glanced at the person beside her, her face flushed with joy and shyness.

Liu Jing breathed a sigh of relief; that damned night of detention was finally over.

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