You Mingxu was organizing documents on her new desk when Xu Mengshan carried over a stack of case files and placed them on his own desk, saying, "If this were ancient times, would Gu Tiancheng and his crew be considered righteous outlaws like the Liangshan heroes?"
You Mingxu replied, "Liangshan heroes? Didn’t they also manipulate and groom Xiang Rong and Chen Zhaoci? They don’t just punish evil—they create it too. They’re twisted!"
Xu Mengshan thought for a moment and agreed, then turned to Jing Ping, who was tidying up while holding a cigarette. "What do you think, Jing Ge?"
Jing Ping exhaled a plume of smoke and said, "I only believe in the rule of law."
Even Xu Mengshan had to admit that Jing Ping was incredibly cool. With his refined features, he seemed gentle at first glance, but the longer you knew him, the more you noticed a unique intensity in his every move.
Soon, it was time to clock out, and the office was nearly tidied up. Xu Mengshan, who had plans to play basketball that day, asked Jing Ping, "Jing Ge, want to join us for a game?"
Jing Ping, who had been the MVP in the Yunnan police force every year, glanced at Xu Mengshan before his eyes drifted past him to You Mingxu, who had just opened a drawer and started organizing. Jing Ping smiled faintly and said, "I’m not very good, and I’m not really interested. I’ll skip the excitement."
With that, Xu Mengshan left.
You Mingxu picked up a cloth and began wiping dust from the drawer when she heard the person seated behind her ask, "Why didn’t Yin Feng come today?"
You Mingxu replied, "I don’t know."
"Xiao You," Jing Ping called.
You Mingxu paused and turned to look.
Jing Ping, cigarette in hand, gazed at her and smiled. "I haven’t had the chance to ask—how did Yin Feng figure out that someone close to him was connected to the Punisher Organization? Do you know?"
You Mingxu met his eyes—clear, yet unfathomable. Even though he was the one asking questions, it felt as if he had already sensed something. That was just like him: outwardly gentle, but profoundly deep inside.
You Mingxu turned back and continued wiping.
Whether or not to disclose the inexplicable matters surrounding Yin Feng wasn’t a difficult decision for You Mingxu.
Yin Feng was on familiar terms with the police chief and department heads, and his involvement in the case had been approved by higher-ups. If there was anything he needed to disclose, procedurally, it was up to him to report to the superiors. There was no need for You Mingxu to reveal his privacy or past to others.
Moreover, a memory suddenly surfaced in her mind: that snowy day when Yin Feng discovered someone in Guizhou was impersonating him and asked for her help investigating some leads. At the time, he had coldly stated, "I don’t want too many people knowing about my affairs. Since you’re already involved, you’re naturally my best collaborator."
For some reason, recalling his arrogant, aloof demeanor now—which had once felt chilling—struck her as somewhat amusing.
In response to Jing Ping’s question, she kept her answer concise: "Yin Feng has indeed helped the police solve several cases and promoted a positive image of the force—those were the chief’s exact words. I imagine criminals must resent him. As a criminologist, he understands them well. You’ve seen all the books he’s written at his place. They probably want to destroy him in some way. His past cognitive impairment was likely linked to their persecution. It’s only reasonable for him to suspect a mole close to him."
Jing Ping didn’t press further. You Mingxu heard him stand up, straighten a few items in the room, and she smiled faintly to herself.Finally, everything was tidied up. You Mingxu took off the hair tie from her head and re-tied her slightly messy hair. Jing Ping stared at her.
After securing her hair, You Mingxu looked up and signaled with her eyes: Why are you staring at me?
Jing Ping asked, "How do I get to that hotpot place you and Xu Mengshan mentioned last time?"
You Mingxu said, "I'll send you the location."
"Okay."
After sending it, the two walked out together. You Mingxu locked the door and added, "There are group-buy coupons online that are more cost-effective."
Jing Ping: "How do I get them?"
"Give me your phone."
Taking his phone, she realized it didn't have apps like Dianping or Meituan. Was this guy living in the primitive age?
No, probably living in the primeval forests of the Yunnan border.
She returned his phone and pulled out her own: "I'll get the coupon for you."
"Thanks, I'll transfer you the money."
As they walked, she asked, "How many people are eating?"
Jing Ping said, "Are you coming? It's just for two."
You Mingxu checked and saw the smallest group-buy option on Dianping was a two-person meal. She glanced at him again. Since returning, he was still wearing the same jacket with small tears, unchanged, with a small bandage on the back of his neck. Outside, the sky had darkened, and it was bitterly cold. The man looked calm.
A decorated officer from Yunnan, an undercover drug enforcement agent. Today at the arrest scene, only he had noticed the bomb and warned everyone. Now off work, he was going to eat hotpot alone.
You Mingxu purchased a two-person meal and said, "Let's go, Sister You will treat you to a good meal."
Jing Ping looked up at her with a slight smile: "No sense of seniority."
The hotpot restaurant wasn't far, so they walked. With today's major breakthrough in the case, You Mingxu was in a good mood. Remembering Jing Ping was essentially a guest here, she spent the journey introducing him to local customs and culture of Xiangcheng. Jing Ping was quick-witted and knowledgeable about various regional traditions, and they ended up chatting quite congenially, arriving at the restaurant before they knew it.
They sat in the main hall where smoking wasn't prohibited, steam rising everywhere. Jing Ping asked, "Mind if I smoke?"
You Mingxu lifted her eyelids: "Do I look like I mind?"
Jing Ping smiled, lit a cigarette, and slid the cigarette pack and lighter toward her. For some reason, You Mingxu didn't feel like smoking. It suddenly occurred to her that she seemed to have been smoking less lately.
A face flashed through her mind—someone who had snatched the cigarette from her hand, leaned in to kiss her cheek, and said, "If I see you smoking again, I'll kiss you, no matter where we are."
She was distracted for a moment.
You Mingxu shook her head, indicating she wouldn't smoke. Jing Ping took a drag and said, "It's better for girls to smoke less."
"Then why offer it to me?"
"Just being polite. I don't have many left, I'm reluctant to part with them."
You Mingxu glanced at the cigarette pack—a Yunnan brand she'd never seen before, clearly brought by Jing Ping from there, with less than half a pack remaining. She picked it up and stuffed it into her pocket.
Jing Ping: "Hey? Hey?"
You Mingxu said, "I'm treating you to hotpot today. Do you have the nerve to freeload?"
Jing Ping chuckled, took a puff, and said, "Why wouldn't I? There's no need to stand on ceremony between comrades."
Hearing the word "comrades" from him warmed You Mingxu's heart. She glanced sideways at him and said, "Exactly, then I'll keep the cigarettes. You're so polite, Lao Jing."
Under the lights, amidst the smoke and steam, the woman's phoenix eyes lifted slightly, half-smiling, radiant and captivating.Jing Ping took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze drifting past her face to the quiet night outside the window.
The hotpot and dishes were brought out one after another.
You Mingxu preferred beef over lamb, and favored potatoes and sweet potato leaves over vermicelli and white radish. The set meal was cost-effective with a rich variety, and as she ate, she began to appreciate the perks of dining with Jing Ping.
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