You Mingxu picked up the game quickly.

Before long, she hit a ball that traced a beautiful arc through the air. She narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she watched its trajectory. Luo Yu stood behind her, arms crossed.

Applause suddenly came from ahead.

It was Xing Yanjun, walking over with another person.

When You Mingxu saw who the other person was, her eyes widened slightly before she quickly looked down at her feet. At that moment, she wanted to swing her club at his head—why was he here? And why was he walking with Xing Yanjun?

Her thoughts racing, she glanced at Luo Yu beside her. He had noticed the newcomer as well, his expression darkening though he held his reaction in check.

Xing Yanjun was the one applauding. Next to him was the man who had left You Mingxu’s home just that morning in disheveled clothes. Though she had plans here today, he hadn’t contacted them or mentioned he would come. Yet there he was, dressed in golf attire, casually holding a club, walking alongside Xing Yanjun—both of them the very picture of refined, educated young gentlemen.

Yin Feng didn’t even glance at You Mingxu. Instead, he smiled and said something quietly to Xing Yanjun, patting his shoulder. Xing Yanjun grabbed his arm and shook his hand before Yin Feng turned to leave. Xiao Yan followed a few steps behind like an attendant, also ignoring You Mingxu.

Xing Yanjun then approached You Mingxu and Luo Yu, first saying to her, “You learn very quickly, as expected of a police officer!”

You Mingxu smiled. “You’re too kind.” Her peripheral vision caught the retreating figure still playing golf in the distance.

Luo Yu’s expression had returned to normal as he put an arm around You Mingxu’s shoulders. “I’m a good teacher.”

Xing Yanjun laughed and continued, “I just met a very interesting person. He was three years ahead of me in university. Although he went to Peking University while I was at Tsinghua, we discovered we were both part of the same inter-university literary society—practically makes us academic brothers. He said he’s an author now, though he wouldn’t tell me his pen name. Did you see him? Such a distinguished person!”

Luo Yu’s mouth twitched, but he remained silent. He had no intention of telling the young master about his complicated history with Yin Feng. He just gave You Mingxu a meaningful look, and she immediately noticed the cold glint in his eyes.

You Mingxu wondered if the young master truly was as straightforward and kind-hearted as he seemed, living in an untainted world. Then again, with Yin Feng’s capabilities, engineering this “chance” encounter at the golf course to win Xing Yanjun’s favor would have been child’s play.

Seeing neither of them respond, Xing Yanjun didn’t mind. He sat down for some water before returning to play golf with Yin Feng.

You Mingxu continued playing casually with Luo Yu, but her gaze kept drifting in that direction. It was a strange feeling. She had come here alone, unable to spot where Jing Ping’s people were hidden. Though she wasn’t afraid, her entire body had been tense, and even while play-acting with Luo Yu, she hadn’t dared relax for a moment.

But now that he was here, even though he wouldn’t look at her, showing only his back, her heart suddenly felt at ease. It was like that night when he had suddenly appeared in the car trunk, softly telling her: “Don’t be afraid.”

She wasn’t scared, but he always appeared like this. Unlike the police’s predictable methods, his approaches were always unconventional, bold, inspired…

“When you date… do you usually bring your ex-boyfriend along?” Luo Yu said beside her, his tone acid. “Is it buy one get one free? You Mingxu, do you take me seriously at all?”

Without looking up, You Mingxu replied, “I didn’t know he would be here today, it’s just a coincidence. Yes, I broke up with him, but you and I aren’t dating either. Get real.”

Luo Yu was quiet for a moment before saying coldly, “Stay away from him.”

You Mingxu turned and walked back to sit at the table. She noticed that Xing Jifu had left at some point, leaving only Huang Long and Guo Feirong to play golf. Luo Yu followed her over and said, “The boss is getting on in years, he probably went home first. Are you tired? Shall we go eat?”

You Mingxu nodded slightly.

As they gathered their things and walked toward the exit, they passed by Xing Yanjun and Yin Feng. Xing Yanjun waved at them, and Luo Yu nodded with a smile, completely ignoring Yin Feng. You Mingxu’s eyes met Yin Feng’s from afar, and she suddenly noticed his gaze was gentler than ever before. He flashed her a quick smile before turning back to his game.

You Mingxu remembered how silently he had left this morning, and felt strange inside.

Luo Yu drove, taking You Mingxu to dinner.

The high-end restaurant overlooked the river—quiet, and elegant, with few patrons. As Luo Yu ordered in a low voice, You Mingxu stared outside listlessly, knowing her people were still following discreetly.

She wasn’t sure what intelligence she could gain by accepting Luo Yu’s conditions and spending time with him. Even now, she strongly suspected he might just be toying with her.

If the Luo Yu from six months ago had made such an absurd request, she would have refused. But that night, he had shot A-Hua in front of her, saving her life; then he had appeared mysteriously at the scene of Guo Xing’s disappearance and murder. You Mingxu’s instincts told her that Luo Yu had ulterior motives. He wouldn’t just bring her before Xing Jifu merely to play games with her.

This man might even be connected to the Punisher organization. Everything about him was mysterious.

After ordering, Luo Yu asked, “Still the same as before—steak medium well?”

You Mingxu hated when he used that tone of voice. She answered, “Whatever.”

They were in a private room. He lit a cigarette and smiled, “Don’t be so angry. What did you think of my golf game today?”

Though You Mingxu didn’t know much about golf, she could tell he was quite skilled. Still, she answered, “Don’t know.”

Luo Yu asked, “Between me and Yin Feng, who played better?”

You Mingxu said, “Probably both terrible.”

Luo Yu laughed and stopped trying to irritate himself. He changed the subject: “Been busy with work lately?”

You Mingxu: “Not really. You?”

Luo Yu raised an eyebrow and said, “I’m fine too. When you’re willing to keep me company, I’ll put any work aside.”

You Mingxu smiled. “I’m truly flattered.”

“You should be,” Luo Yu said, his voice suddenly dropping very low. “The boss is having people investigate A-Hua’s disappearance.”

You Mingxu glanced at him but said nothing, slowly sipping her water.

He leaned back in his chair and said, “I took such a big risk for you—how can other men compare? You Mingxu, I remember clearly that when we first got together, we clicked. You liked me too. I haven’t given up on those old dreams. If you’re willing to give me a chance, if you could accept me, I’d give up everything I’m involved with now for you. I’d just be a simple… lawyer. No more of this dangerous lifestyle, no more involvement in any of it. And I could help you get what you want, within reason. I hope you’ll… give it serious thought.”