The task of booking the restaurant fell to You Mingxu—that’s what happens when you’re close as siblings. You Mingxu readily agreed and asked, “Meng Shan, Old Jing, what would you like to eat?”

Xu Mengshan said: “Whatever’s most expensive.”

You Mingxu ignored him and looked at Jing Ping. He was already looking at her, his long eyes in his fair face even more serene than before.

Their eyes met briefly, and something flickered in his gaze before he answered: “Anything is fine.”

You Mingxu looked away and smiled: “Alright.”

She booked a Hunan restaurant, ordered some barbecue and hot pot dishes, and raided Ding Xiongwei’s office for a case of baijiu. The group of police officers feasted and boasted in the private room, creating a lively atmosphere.

Since Jing Ping and Xu Mengshan had just been discharged, when Xu Mengshan tried to drink baijiu, You Mingxu confiscated his glass and served them both beer instead.

For a detective, there are often more buried emotions than in ordinary people. So when they drink and get tipsy, you see some laughing boisterously, full of spirit; others with tears in their eyes, barely speaking; and some becoming righteously verbose—even if they’re usually as quiet as a clam.

You Mingxu wasn’t much of a drinker, occasionally joining in to make others drink, sometimes being persuaded to take a cup or two herself. She typically left the somewhat wild-drinking men to their own devices.

Today, though, she had gradually consumed about half a jin of alcohol and was feeling it in her head, so she asked the server for tea and sipped it slowly.

Amid the noisy private room, as she drank her tea, her head still spinning slightly, she turned to see Xu Mengshan holding a beer, his eyes red.

You Mingxu put a hand on his shoulder and asked: “What’s wrong?”

Xu Mengshan pressed his lips together and answered: “Missing Jiajia.”

Those words brought a sting to You Mingxu’s eyes, and she fell silent.

Xu Mengshan said softly: “Actually, I rarely think of her now. Today I just suddenly remembered—if she were here, she’d be like a firecracker, making everything more lively.”

You Mingxu sighed: “Yes, she would.” She picked up a nearby bottle, poured them both a drink, and they clinked glasses before downing them.

Seeing that the meal was winding down, You Mingxu went to the counter to settle the bill. After paying, instead of returning to the room, she sat on a sofa in the hallway to get some air and rest.

Soon, someone else came out of the private room.

Jing Ping’s face was slightly flushed from drinking, but his steps were steady and his eyes clear as he walked over and sat beside her.

You Mingxu remembered he’d received the most toasts—even with beer, he must have had several bottles. His alcohol tolerance was quite good.

He leaned back in his chair, pressing his hand to his head, saying nothing.

You Mingxu asked: “How much did you drink?”

Jing Ping answered: “Four bottles.”

You Mingxu frowned: “You and Meng Shan are having it easy!”

Jing Ping smiled and said: “It’s nothing, don’t worry. How much did you drink?”

You Mingxu answered: “Less than half a jin.”

Jing Ping clicked his tongue.

After a moment of silence, Jing Ping said: “Mingxu, I’m planning to return to Yunnan.”

You Mingxu paused, turning to look at him: “You’re… going back?”

Jing Ping smiled and nodded: “I wasn’t originally in criminal investigation, I just came to assist with narcotics enforcement. Now that the case is solved, I should return to the front lines. They’re waiting for me there.”

You Mingxu didn’t know what to say. Ask him to stay. There was nothing to keep him for—they truly belonged to different police divisions. For Jing Ping, he was probably more accustomed to the distant borders, intercepting drug traffickers; just as she and Xu Mengshan were better suited to protecting the city’s many inhabitants, keeping crime at bay.

They were eagles soaring over the city, while he was a wolf in the jungle.

You Mingxu only asked: “When are you leaving?”

“This Sunday.”

Less than a week away.

You Mingxu thought for a moment, then said with genuine warmth: “Then I wish you a safe journey, bigger cases to solve, and smooth sailing ahead.”

Jing Ping leaned back on the sofa, the hallway’s soft light falling on his face. He propped his chin with one hand, his expression gentle like an older brother next door: “Mm, hopefully. And I wish our Sister Yu more achievements, safety, and all your wishes fulfilled.”

They both fell silent for a moment before simultaneously breaking into smiles.

You Mingxu said: “If you come back to Xiang City, you must come to see us.”

Jing Ping said: “Of course. And if you come to Yunnan, you must let me know. I’ll take you sightseeing and dining. Yunnan’s climate is wonderful—you might not want to leave once you’re there.”

You Mingxu said: “We’ll have to visit then.”

Jing Ping looked at her intently and said: “But before I leave, I have one unfulfilled wish.”

You Mingxu laughed: “What’s that?”

“That match we’ve been talking about for months—we still haven’t had it.”

You Mingxu might have been intimidated by him before, but now she boldly looked him up and down and said: “Are you sure? You just got out of the hospital—can you fight?”

Jing Ping said: “Enough to handle you.”

You Mingxu snorted coldly.

Jing Ping continued: “How about this—if you’re worried, I’ll rest for a few more days, and we’ll meet at the bureau’s fighting ring this Saturday night. No one will be there, so even if the precinct’s number one Sister Yu loses, she won’t lose face. I’ll leave the next day. How about it?”

You Mingxu was indeed tempted and figured they could keep it light without hurting him, so she agreed.

Later, when Xu Mengshan learned about their planned fight, he thought to himself: that’s my Brother Jing—unlucky in love, but still wanting to prove himself in combat. Then he thought, if Jing Ping could beat You Mingxu, he’d be the only man in years to do so, making him special in her heart. Wait… was that Jing Ping’s plan all along? This old narcotics cop was still quite cunning.

Originally, Xu Mengshan had planned to watch the fight that night, but after comparing Yin Feng and Jing Ping in his mind, and considering his brotherhood with Jing Ping, he decided to keep quiet.