Jing Ping looked at You Mingxu: “What about you?”

You Mingxu was quiet for a moment before saying, “It has been too smooth. Since my deal with Luo Yu, everything seems to be under our control.”

Everyone fell silent.

Jing Ping looked at Yin Feng.

His hand rested on the back of You Mingxu’s chair, fingers tapping lightly twice as he said, “Luo Yu is plotting something else.”

You Mingxu glanced at him; his eyes were deep and serious.

Jing Ping said, “I feel the same way—it’s too smooth. I’ve never gotten such a major lead this easily. But I can’t pinpoint exactly what feels wrong. Let the bureau proceed with its preparations for now—there’s still time. I have a vague suspicion, but nothing concrete. These next few days, I’ll take Mengshan to verify some things. Xiao Yu, keep probing Luo Yu on your end, and see if he shows any unusual behavior.”

“Alright.”

The four dispersed. You Mingxu planned to search Luo Yu’s place again, with Yin Feng following her downstairs.

They walked one behind the other, neither speaking.

At the bottom of the stairs, a beep sounded as an inconspicuous car unlocked nearby. Yin Feng walked over and opened the passenger door. You Mingxu didn’t even raise an eyebrow as she got in. He smiled slightly and went to the driver’s side.

Knowing she would return to that wolf’s den, he drove unhurriedly, one arm on the door, the other on the steering wheel.

You Mingxu thought for a moment, then said, “Isn’t this inappropriate? What if we run into Luo Yu and he sees you driving me to his place?”

Have you two no shame?

Yin Feng didn’t show any jealousy this time—there were more important matters at hand. He said calmly, “I’ll drop you off a street away.”

You Mingxu smiled slightly.

Yin Feng asked, “Are you hungry? Haven’t had dinner yet.”

You Mingxu: “Yes, hungry.”

He glanced at her and said, “How about I order takeout, one box each, and eat in the car? We’ll get two bottles of water too.”

You Mingxu didn’t immediately catch his meaning—when had Yin Feng ever deigned to eat takeout with her in private? But when she heard about the two bottles of water, she understood. She snorted and deliberately said, “Sure.”

He smiled and said, “Sit in my lap and feed me, then I might forgive you.”

You Mingxu never expected such words from him, especially delivered in such a cool tone, so matter-of-factly. Even she felt her face flush, answering, “In your dreams!”

He drove steadily, saying, “How do you know that day won’t come?”

You Mingxu didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

After a moment of silence, he asked, “Did we ever do that before?”

You Mingxu: “No.”

He smiled: “I don’t believe you.”

You Mingxu remained silent.

They had.

During their most passionate period, though brief, while she was recovering in the hotel, they were inseparable day and night. Sometimes while eating, he would hold her in his lap, feeding each other until everything descended into chaos, both of them completely intoxicated with each other.

But now, he had forgotten all those days, his mind clear and empty.

Yin Feng seemed to sense something in her silence. The car fell into an indescribable quiet. After a while, he reached over and gently stroked her hair, saying nothing.

They grabbed a quick meal at a roadside shop.

When they reached the street before Luo Yu’s, Yin Feng did indeed let her out. As she stepped out, she saw him resting his face against the steering wheel, his dark eyes watching her.

“Be careful in your probing,” Yin Feng said. “A case this big doesn’t depend on you alone, or even just us. Your safety comes first.”

You Mingxu: “Mm.”

He suddenly smiled, started the car, and drove away. You Mingxu thought about his expression just now, feeling a bittersweet ache in her heart. It was a feeling he had never given her when he was You Yingjun. Now he was paying it all back.

—

That night, You Mingxu heard movement in the living room very late.

Luo Yu seemed to sit down in the living room, not moving for a while.

You Mingxu picked up her teacup, pretending she wanted water, and walked to the living room. Without looking at him, she filled her cup and drank slowly.

“Come here,” Luo Yu said.

You Mingxu wasn’t afraid of anything he might do—ten Luo Yus wouldn’t be a match for her. Tonight Tu Ya and Xu Mengshan were on duty anyway; if he tried anything, they’d flatten him.

She walked to the sofa, stopping a meter away, and slowly drinking water while observing him.

Even from that distance, she could smell the alcohol on him—he seemed to have drunk quite a bit. He had only turned on the table lamp by the sofa. Despite his fine suit, he was slumped on the sofa, one hand supporting his forehead as he watched her.

That gaze was somewhat dangerous, but not impulsive. You Mingxu knew he wasn’t truly drunk.

“I’m going on a business trip in a few days,” Luo Yu said. “You’ll stay here and wait for my return.”

You Mingxu thought, give you an inch and you’ll take a mile—who do you think you are to me? She smiled, “Where to?”

He smiled slightly, not answering.

You Mingxu asked again, “What for? If you want me to wait, what’s in it for me? Aren’t you always trying to hook me with intelligence?”

Luo Yu was somewhat drunk after all, rubbing his forehead, his tone surprisingly gentle: “You’re such trouble, so many questions… Since you’re so eager to know, alright. This business trip—dare to come with me?”

You Mingxu’s heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze, which was like a deep, unfathomable sea.

“I’ll go,” she said.

She increasingly couldn’t tell what game Luo Yu was playing—whether it was genuine feelings or a poisonous trap.

He just smiled, stood up, and said, “We leave in three days, driving there with many others. Don’t try any tricks, or you won’t survive.” Then he showed an even more malicious smile: “You’ll have to share a room and bed with me—at least act like my woman in front of the brothers. Of course, I don’t mind if you become mine. Do everything I say, don’t act on your own. If you survive this trip, my life is yours if you want it.”

With that, he went to his room and closed the door.

You Mingxu stood stunned for a long while, unable to process what had just happened.

—

Early the next morning, Yin Feng was awakened by his phone.

He answered: “Mm?”

You Mingxu heard his hoarse voice: “Still sleeping?”

“Mm.” A voice is impossibly lazy and low.

This reminded You Mingxu of You Yingjun’s awkwardness every morning when she woke him. Her heart softened unexpectedly.

However, the man on the other end seemed to have fully awakened, sounds of him getting up coming through as his voice deepened: “What is it?”

You Mingxu said, “Have Chen Feng prepare an outfit for me, something for a party, elegant and beautiful. I’ll reimburse him later.”

Yin Feng immediately understood. Luo Yu had arranged to meet with Huang Long, Guo Feirong, and some core members today at a certain place. Xing Jifu might be there too. However, the location was one of Huang Long’s properties, making it impossible for the police to install surveillance.

“He asked you to go?” Yin Feng asked.

You Mingxu answered, “No. Yesterday Luo Yu only said he might take me along on a business trip in a few days.”

Yin Feng fell silent.