He cast his gaze into the distance, resembling the aloof and untamed man from their first encounter: "In life, everyone has a few confidants. But the more similar people are, the less suited they are to be together. The charm of love lies in its uncertainties and collisions. Ultimately, men and women are drawn to each other by a primal impulse."
You Mingxu was initially puzzled but quickly grasped his meaning. She uttered just two words: "Nonsense."
His arm draped over the back of her chair as he said, "Stop provoking him."
You Mingxu retorted coldly, "What rubbish are you talking? When have I ever provoked him?"
Yin Feng unexpectedly flicked the back of her head—it stung a bit. He smiled and said, "Don't smile at him, and don't keep testing my patience. Do you really think I'd tolerate you having confidants around? One Xu Mengshan is already the limit!"
You Mingxu shot him an annoyed glance. She deeply resented being controlled, especially when their relationship wasn't even officially established yet. Was he already trying to dictate how she interacted with colleagues?
You Mingxu said, "Have you misunderstood something? Have you remembered what I wanted you to say?"
This implied: We're not even in that kind of relationship yet, so what right do you have to interfere?
Yin Feng fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "You Mingxu, I love you."
You Mingxu froze, her entire body going still.
Then she heard him continue unhurriedly: "...Will you marry me?"
You Mingxu suddenly snapped back to reality: "Shut up, that's not it."
His brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at her before trying again: "I want to give everything to you?"
He was actually getting close.
You Mingxu: "No! Yin Feng, guesses don't count."
He stared at her for a long moment before finally smiling: "Oh."
Somehow, the tense atmosphere between them dissipated unnoticed. You Mingxu lowered her head to organize things on the table, ignoring him. After watching her for a while, he grabbed her hand, kneading it persistently, and said, "I'm serious—keep your distance from him."
You Mingxu pulled her hand back and let out a soft "hmph," saying, "I won't hesitate to maintain necessary contact for work purposes."
Yin Feng smiled faintly, knowing this statement had effectively established a boundary. He patted her head and said lightly, "Good."
——
After the four-person team reported their latest findings to Ding Xiongwei, he quickly sought instructions from higher authorities. The superiors immediately convened a meeting and decided: You Mingxu would continue following Luo Yu to Guizhou. The police decided to fight fire with fire—creating the illusion of deploying forces to northwestern Guizhou while secretly positioning their elite force near Dushan County in southeastern Guizhou.
Since Luo Yu and Brother Cao's conversation had only mentioned a general transaction area without specific details, they would need to wait for the right moment to act.
Additionally, Ding Xiongwei informed You Mingxu that this operation aimed to capture both sides' leaders and their criminal evidence. Catching Xing Jifu would be ideal, but the targets were likely to be cautious and wouldn't appear easily. Therefore, You Mingxu's ability to adapt would be crucial. Unless absolutely necessary, police backup wouldn't reveal themselves to avoid compromising the entire operation. This meant even Xu Mengshan and Jing Ping might not be able to support her immediately. Yet her role in this mission was indispensable: she could serve as an insider to keep the police updated on the criminals' movements, while also testing Luo Yu's true intentions.Irreplaceable and imperative.
You Mingxu nodded to Ding Xiongwei, indicating she would take on the responsibility.
As for Yin Feng and his subordinates, they were not within the police deployment plan. But You Mingxu knew they would definitely follow.
On the eve of departure, not only You Mingxu but also Jing Ping, Xu Mengshan, and many colleagues were filled with tension and excitement about this operation. Their opponents were not ordinary criminals but two groups of the most vicious, cruel, and intelligent villains. The elite police officers felt the thrill of meeting worthy adversaries and a fierce determination to defend justice at all costs.
That day, Yin Feng didn’t come to the police station. You Mingxu was busy preparing for the departure and had no time to bother with him. She couldn’t bring a handgun—entering the lion’s den alone against overwhelming numbers made carrying one pointless. The hairpin Jing Ping had given her was securely tucked into her long hair. Additionally, the latest police surveillance, tracking, and signal transmission devices were installed on her person and among her belongings. With Luo Yu as her shield, even if a search revealed them, it would be Luo Yu who found them. At worst, he would vent his anger, but her life wouldn’t be in danger.
As work was about to end, You Mingxu picked up the luggage bag prepared by her colleagues and was heading to Luo Yu’s place when she spotted Tuya smiling in the car downstairs.
You Mingxu had expected Yin Feng to come pick her up today.
Arriving at Yin Feng’s home, she entered the living room and saw Chen Feng and the others having dinner. With sharp eyes, she noticed several luggage bags on the sofa and suitcases on the floor, clearly packed with larger items. She remained unfazed.
Chen Feng smiled and said, “Miss You is here. Teacher Yin is waiting for you in the upstairs dining room.” After a pause, he added with a grin, “He’s cooked again.”
The others looked at her and laughed. You Mingxu, usually unflappable, felt her cheeks warm under the teasing gazes of these seasoned eccentrics. Maintaining a calm expression, she went upstairs.
Upstairs, she saw Yin Feng wearing an ostentatious apron—black checkered with gold trim, seemingly a branded one—carrying a bowl of soup from the kitchen. He glanced at her and said, “Wash your hands and eat.”
You Mingxu complied, washed her hands, took off her jacket and draped it over a chair, then sat down, resting her chin on her hand as she watched him stir-frying another dish in the small second-floor kitchen. Even engaged in such a domestic task, his expression remained cool and detached, yet his movements were exceptionally skilled. Watching him, she couldn’t help but smile.
Yin Feng took off the apron, tossed it into the kitchen, and brought out the dishes. You Mingxu immediately wiped the smile off her face, assuming a neutral expression.
They ate quietly for a while before he asked, “All set?”
“Mm.”
He asked again, “What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Luo Yu said 5 a.m.,” You Mingxu replied, glancing at him. “You don’t really have to go. We already have plenty of people.”
He snorted lightly.
Knowing it was futile to persuade him, she let it be and asked, “Then who are you taking with you?”
“Everyone.”
No wonder they were having a gathering tonight—they were mobilizing their entire force.
“This isn’t some small skirmish but a real battle. Tell your people to be careful and not charge ahead of the police again,” she said.
“I know what I’m doing.”
If he said he had it under control, he did. You Mingxu saw no need to elaborate.
“How’s the taste?” he suddenly asked.
You Mingxu thought to herself, Does this guy have blind confidence in his cooking? It was actually pretty good, but not exceptional—nowhere near Wei Lan’s skills.She replied earnestly, "That's right."
"Compared to you?"
"Much better than me."
Yin Feng smiled. His dining posture was rather refined—his fair, slender fingers gently holding the chopsticks, picking up a small bite and placing it in his mouth.
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