However, her expression remained cool as she smiled and said, “You’re too kind.”

Watching from the side, Xu Mengshan felt slightly sour. You Mingxu got a “heard much about you” from him! Though considering how Sister You was already a remarkable figure with more achievements than others, it made sense. He was content being the man behind this successful woman.

With these introductions, a new team was formed.

Jing Ping then said, “I’m new here, and although I’m a few years older than you both, I’m not as familiar with many aspects of criminal investigation. For our team matters, let’s keep things as they are—You Mingxu leads, and I’ll work alongside Mengshan.”

You Mingxu and Xu Mengshan exchanged glances.

With someone of his rank and experience joining them, the leadership of their three-person team—previously You Mingxu’s responsibility—had been left undefined by that old fox Ding Xiongwei for them to sort out themselves. Yet Jing Ping had immediately addressed this, willing to take an equal secondary position, proving himself to be both perceptive and magnanimous.

Xu Mengshan smiled.

You Mingxu said sincerely, “Alright, we’ll discuss everything together. If you prove better at something than me, we’ll both follow your lead.”

Jing Ping smiled again and said, “Though I won’t call you Sister You like they do. You’re younger than me.”

You Mingxu: “How old are you?”

Jing Ping: “31.”

You Mingxu looked surprised: “What a coincidence, I’m 31 too.”

Jing Ping paused briefly, while Xu Mengshan pretended not to hear. You Mingxu asked earnestly, “Which month?”

Then she saw Jing Ping’s clear, gentle eyes fixed on her face as he answered, “January, you?”

You Mingxu’s expression couldn’t have been more sincere: “No way, which day?”

Jing Ping said: “The first.”

You Mingxu couldn’t keep up the pretense anymore and turned away laughing. Jing Ping laughed too. Watching them naturally draw closer as they talked during their first meeting, Xu Mengshan was struck by how well-matched they seemed.

Xu Mengshan’s thoughts immediately turned to Yin Feng, but he felt a surge of spite—the man had already given up being Mingxu’s boyfriend, so why think about him?

—

At noon, Ding Xiongwei treated the entire unit to lunch to welcome Jing Ping. The investigators ate ravenously, as usual.

However, Jing Ping ate quite gracefully, not joining in the wolf-like frenzy. Most of the time, he took small bites while chatting, his expression gentle.

Xu Mengshan nudged You Mingxu with his elbow and asked, “Are all Yunnan people this refined?”

You Mingxu thought about the other Yunnan police officers she’d met, most of whom were dark-faced, rough, and taciturn, and shook her head: “No, they’re not.”

Xu Mengshan said, “Don’t you think Jing Ping has quite a presence? He doesn’t seem fierce at all, but that makes you feel like he’s been through a lot.”

You Mingxu spotted the biggest piece of meat and swiftly picked it up with her chopsticks, saying coolly, “Don’t know. I’ve never been able to sense other people’s presence.”

Xu Mengshan: “…You’re ruthless.”

After lunch, everyone patted their full bellies and headed back to the station. Near Ding Xiongwei’s office door, he said, “Jing Ping, You Mingxu, come here for a moment.”

You Mingxu walked in first and sat down. Seeing a pack of gum on Ding Xiongwei’s desk, she took one and glanced at Jing Ping: “Want one?”

Jing Ping: “Yes, please.”

He held out his palm, and You Mingxu dropped two pieces into it. Though his palm was fair, there was a distinct scar across it. You Mingxu asked, “How did you get that?”

Jing Ping answered, “Knife wound.”

You Mingxu said, “You’re making me want to join narcotics.”

Jing Ping smiled, saying somewhat meaningfully, “You’ll have your chance.” He looked toward Ding Xiongwei.

Ding Xiongwei watched as these two chatted before he could speak. In the entire police station, most of the young officers were usually overwhelmed by You Mingxu’s presence. Even Xu Mengshan, who was domineering outside, got pushed around by You Mingxu within the team. This was the first time Ding Xiongwei had seen You Mingxu click so well with a new colleague, and without dominating their presence at all.

Interesting, Ding Xiongwei thought.

Then, for some reason, he thought of Yin Feng.

Hmph, that ungrateful wolf hasn’t been around lately to cause trouble.

Ding Xiongwei cleared his throat and said, “I called you here because there’s a new assignment to discuss. Jing Ping, why don’t you explain?”

Jing Ping agreed and said, “My previous narcotics unit specialized in cutting off drug trafficking routes from the border through Yunnan to Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangxi. Last month, we received intelligence about a major drug trafficking organization in Xiangcheng that moves drugs northward. We suspect this organization is connected to a local company.”

You Mingxu’s heart jumped.

Jing Ping continued, “Someone we’ve been monitoring came to Xiangcheng from Yunnan a few days ago. He’s responsible for liaising with this group and was supposed to negotiate a major deal recently. But two days ago, we suddenly lost contact with him. We can’t find him in his usual spots. He’s disappeared. This person is crucial—we must find him. He likely has evidence of the group’s drug trafficking activities.”

Ding Xiongwei asked, “Have you figured out which group it is?”

You Mingxu answered, “Kaiyang.”

Ding Xiongwei glanced at Jing Ping and smiled, “Good that you understand.” You Mingxu realized he was pleased she’d made him look good in front of this new senior officer.

Ding Xiongwei said, “The higher-ups want to both find this missing key person and trace the drug trafficking organization. But there’s no evidence yet. Coincidentally, Mingxu, I know the case you’re investigating is also related to the Kaiyang Group. Luo Yu has already become one of their key figures.

Our Yunnan colleagues can’t operate openly here and need our cover to avoid alerting suspects. So, after discussion, we decided to transfer Jing Ping to your team. Officially, you’re investigating missing person cases, but actually, you’re targeting both drug trafficking and secret criminal organizations!”

You Mingxu suddenly understood: “I see, that explains why he’s with us.” She glanced at Jing Ping.

With her phoenix eyes, that sideways glance naturally carried a hint of feminine reproach, though she’d only meant to mutter to herself. Jing Ping’s expression remained unchanged when she looked at him this way.

Ding Xiongwei said irritably, “Obviously—you think narcotics would send a decorated officer just to be your assistant?”

You Mingxu smiled, while Jing Ping said with a laugh, “In a criminal investigation, I’m not as experienced as her, so I should follow her lead.”

You Mingxu had always responded better to gentleness than force—give her an inch and she’d give you a mile—so she smiled. Ding Xiongwei hadn’t expected these two to become so quickly aligned, but at least he didn’t need to worry about them working together. He waved his hand and said, “Handle it as you see fit. Keep the drug investigation secret for now, just between you two. We’ll add more personnel once there’s progress.”

—

Walking out of Ding Xiongwei’s office, You Mingxu was lost in thought about the increasingly complex web of cases when that fair, dry hand marked with a thin scar suddenly appeared before her again.

She looked up to see Jing Ping’s clear, handsome features.

“You Mingxu, looking forward to working together.”

“Likewise.”