Jing Ping looked at You Mingxu. "What about you?"
You Mingxu remained silent for a moment before saying, "It really has been too smooth. Ever since Luo Yu made the deal with me, everything seems to have been under our control."
Everyone fell quiet.
Jing Ping turned his gaze to Yin Feng.
His hand rested on the back of You Mingxu's chair, fingers tapping lightly twice as he said, "Luo Yu is still scheming for something else."
You Mingxu glanced at him, noticing his deep, intense gaze.
Jing Ping said, "I feel the same way—it's been too smooth. I've never had such a smooth experience obtaining such significant leads in a deal. But I can't quite pinpoint what exactly feels off. Let the department proceed with their arrangements for now; there's still time. I have a vague suspicion, but it's not concrete yet. I'll take Mengshan with me over the next few days to verify some things. Xiao You, on your end, probe Luo Yu again and see if there's anything unusual."
"Alright."
The four of them dispersed. You Mingxu planned to go to Luo Yu's house to search for more clues, and Yin Feng followed her downstairs.
They walked one behind the other, neither speaking.
When they reached the ground floor, a soft "beep" sounded as an inconspicuous car nearby unlocked. Yin Feng walked over and opened the passenger door. Without even a flicker of expression, You Mingxu got in. He smiled slightly and went to the driver's side.
Knowing she would inevitably return to that den of wolves, he rested one arm on the car door and the other on the steering wheel, driving at a steady, unhurried pace.
You Mingxu thought for a moment and said, "Is this appropriate? What if we run into Luo Yu and he sees you driving me to his house?"
Do the two of you even care about face?
Yin Feng, no longer prone to irrational jealousy, prioritized the bigger picture and replied calmly, "I'll drop you off a block away."
You Mingxu chuckled.
Yin Feng asked, "Are you hungry? We haven't had dinner yet."
You Mingxu: "I'm hungry."
He glanced at her and said, "How about I order takeout? We can each have a box and eat in the car? I'll grab two bottles of water too."
At first, You Mingxu didn't grasp his meaning—since when would Yin Feng deign to order takeout with her in private? But when she heard him mention the water, it clicked. She scoffed and deliberately replied, "Sure."
He smiled faintly and said, "Sit on my lap to eat, and feed me. Only then will my anger subside."
You Mingxu never expected him to say something like that, especially in such a detached tone, spoken so matter-of-factly. Even she felt her cheeks flush and retorted, "In your dreams!"
He drove steadily and said, "How do you know that day will never come?"
You Mingxu didn't want to talk to him anymore.
They fell into silence for a while, but then he asked, "Did we ever do that before?"
You Mingxu: "No."
He laughed softly. "I don't believe you."
You Mingxu didn't respond.
In truth, they had.
During the most passionate phase of their relationship—though it was brief—while she was recovering from her injuries in a hotel, they were practically inseparable day and night. Sometimes during meals, he would hold her in his lap, feeding her while she fed him. It always ended in disarray, both of them utterly captivated.
But now, he had completely forgotten those days, his mind clear and devoid of any memory.
Yin Feng seemed to sense something from her silence. The car filled with an indescribable stillness. After a moment, he reached out and gently ruffled her hair, saying nothing.
They ended up grabbing a quick meal at a roadside stall.When they reached a street away from Luo Yu's home, Yin Feng indeed let her off. After getting out of the car, she saw the man's face resting on the steering wheel, his deep, dark eyes gazing at her.
"Probe appropriately," Yin Feng said. "Such a major case isn't solved by you alone, nor by just the two of us. Your safety comes first."
You Mingxu: "Mm."
He suddenly smiled, started the car, and drove off. You Mingxu thought about the look in his eyes just now, her heart aching and swelling. It was a feeling he had never given her when he was still You Yingjun. Now he was returning it all.
——
It was already very late when You Mingxu heard movement in the living room that day.
Luo Yu seemed to have sat down on the sofa and remained motionless for a while.
You Mingxu picked up a teacup, pretending she needed to pour water, walked into the living room without looking at him, filled her cup, and drank slowly.
"Come here," Luo Yu said.
You Mingxu wasn't afraid of what he might do—ten Luo Yus wouldn't be a match for her. Tonight, Tuya and Xu Mengshan were on duty anyway; if he dared make a move, she'd beat him flat.
She walked to the sofa, staying a meter away from him, slowly drinking water as she observed him.
Even from a distance, she could smell the alcohol on him—he seemed to have drunk quite a bit. He had only turned on the lamp beside the sofa. Dressed in an exquisite suit, he was slumped in the couch, propping his forehead with one hand, watching her.
His gaze held a hint of danger but lacked impulsiveness. So You Mingxu knew he wasn't truly drunk.
"I'll be on a business trip in a few days," Luo Yu said. "Stay here and wait for me to return."
You Mingxu thought, Give you an inch and you'll take a mile. Do you really think you're someone to me? She smiled and asked, "Where to?"
He smiled without answering.
You Mingxu pressed, "What for? If you want me to wait, shouldn't you offer some incentive? Haven't you always dangled information to keep me hooked?"
Luo Yu, somewhat drunk after all, rubbed his forehead, his tone unexpectedly gentle: "You're so troublesome, so talkative... Since you're so eager to know, fine. For this trip, dare you come with me?"
You Mingxu's heart skipped a beat. Meeting his gaze was like staring into an unfathomable sea, deep and immeasurable.
"Fine, I'll go," she said.
She grew increasingly uncertain about what Luo Yu was truly scheming. Was it genuine affection or a vicious, cunning plot?
He merely smiled, stood up, and said, "We leave in three days. We'll drive, and there will be many others. Don't try any tricks, or your life will be in danger." Suddenly, he flashed a more malicious grin: "Once we're there, you'll share a room and a bed with me. At least in front of the brothers, you'll act like my woman. Of course, I wouldn't mind if it were real. You'll obey me in everything, no reckless moves. If we make it back alive from this trip, I'll give you my life if you want it."
With that, he entered his room and closed the door.
You Mingxu stood stunned for a long time, unable to collect her thoughts.
——
Early the next morning, Yin Feng was still asleep when his phone rang.
He answered, "Yeah?"
You Mingxu heard his hoarse voice: "Still sleeping?"
"Mm." His voice was as lazy and low as it could get.
It reminded You Mingxu of You Yingjun, how he used to be grumpy every morning when she woke him. Her heart softened inexplicably.
However, the man on the other end seemed fully awake now. She could hear him getting up, his voice deepening: "What's the matter?"You Mingxu said, "Have Chen Feng prepare a set of clothes for me, for attending a party. Something elegant and pretty. I'll reimburse him later."
Yin Feng immediately understood what was going on. Luo Yu had arranged to meet with Huang Long, Guo Feirong, and some trusted subordinates today for a gathering at a certain location. Xing Jifu might also attend. However, the venue was one of Huang Long's properties, making it difficult for the police to install surveillance.
"He invited you?" Yin Feng asked.
You Mingxu replied, "No. Yesterday, Luo Yu only mentioned that he might take me along on a business trip in a few days."
Yin Feng remained silent.
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