When Su Yue was dismissed from school that afternoon, she met with Chen Ziming to understand the situation.
The two groups were from rival gangs of hooligans who happened to frequent the same nightclub that evening. After drinking, they got into a fight over a hostess.
According to the surveillance footage, Chi Yiran had gone out with friends and, upon discovering the fight, they all hid under a table in fear.
On the surface, there seemed to be no suspicious circumstances.
"We were being too suspicious," Su Yue replied after a few seconds of silence.
However, a bad feeling suddenly surged within her.
If it was all a coincidence, then Chi Yiran's father had saved Chen Ziming's life, and Chi Yiran herself had taken a knife for him…
He owed the Chi family, father and daughter, too much.
What's more, Chi Yiran harbored feelings for him. In such a situation, even if Chen Ziming wanted to maintain distance, he would inevitably be unable to do so as resolutely as before.
She wasn't petty, but the thought of various potential scenarios made her inevitably anxious.
"Thinking about things again?" Chen Ziming knew what she was thinking with just a glance.
"No, you go ahead. I'll wait in the car," Su Yue immediately shook her head, forcing a smile.
The man frowned slightly but didn't expose her. Instead, he unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and kissed her forehead lightly.
"Wait obediently, don't wander off," he said softly, then got out of the car.
Inside the hospital room.
When Chen Ziming arrived, Chi Yiran's mother was feeding her porridge.
Seeing him enter, Chi Yiran stopped eating and revealed a delighted expression, "Officer Chen, you're here."
Chi Yiran's mother also greeted him with a warm smile.
"Mm, how are you feeling?" He approached the hospital bed, avoided Chi Yiran's gaze, and asked softly.
"The wound hurts a bit, but otherwise, I'm fine," Chi Yiran replied with a smile.
Hearing her mention the wound hurt, Chen Ziming paused for a second, then secretly sighed and softened his tone.
"Rest well. I've already requested leave for you from the company. If you need anything... have Auntie contact me."
Chi Yiran's mother quickly agreed before her daughter could.
"Thank you, Officer Chen," Chi Yiran smiled sincerely and openly, seemingly having no intention of exploiting the situation.
This left him with the words he had prepared to create distance stuck in his throat.
In the end, he could only respond with a hum and left after bidding farewell to Chi Yiran's mother without further conversation.
However, as he bid farewell, he emphasized, "My girlfriend is waiting downstairs, so I won't disturb you further."
Chi Yiran's mother quickly stood up to see him off, and Chi Yiran showed a surprised expression, replying:
"Okay, Officer Chen, please give my regards to Yueyue."
But after her mother saw him out, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Everything was going according to plan.
...
By the time Su Yue received her IELTS scores, it was early June. Next, she would submit the results along with other application materials to the school, which would then forward them to the British institution for review.
Her busy life could finally take a temporary break, and her mood was greatly improved. It happened to be Friday, so she went to the Yulou Street police station in the afternoon.
She arrived at four o'clock, but someone had arrived even earlier.
However, that person wasn't waiting in the lobby but by the police station entrance, in a relatively concealed spot.
"Yueyue, long time no see." Chi Yiran called out to her, her face graced with a gentle smile.
Su Yue's heart skipped a beat. Due to the incident where she took a knife for Chen Ziming last time, she couldn't just turn and walk away.
"Mm, have you recovered well?" She walked over, forcing a polite smile, and asked.
She had been busy with her overseas studies recently. Even when she was with Chen Ziming on weekends, she couldn't help but be distracted by exam and application preparations.
Furthermore, he had mentioned that after half a month in the hospital, Chi Yiran had fully recovered and was discharged.
Therefore, Su Yue had barely thought of Chi Yiran again.
"Mm, I recovered long ago. I came specifically to thank Officer Chen." Chi Yiran raised her hand, and only then did Su Yue notice she was carrying a gift bag.
A subtle discomfort began to stir within her.
During Chi Yiran's hospitalization, Chen Ziming had visited several times and indeed taken care of her in some ways. He would inform Su Yue of these matters beforehand.
Su Yue had found it amusing at the time, but now, with Chi Yiran standing before her, she realized Chen Ziming's foresight.
If she hadn't known in advance...
Or rather, if her knowledge wasn't so clear...
She probably would have had the urge to shy away again.