In the bitter cold wind, what kind of person could treat winter as spring?

Xu Jing, with his budding feelings of love.

So anyone who claims they’ve been hurt too deeply by previous relationships, developed misogyny, and will never accept new love again is just making excuses – they simply haven’t met someone better!

When you meet someone better, more suitable, you’ll deeply question yourself: why did you waste so much time on that worthless ex? The world is so beautiful, the air so fresh, why be so troubled?

For Xu Jing now, Officer Zhuo seemed to be that “better person.”

Why “seemed to be”?

Because he didn’t dare reveal his feelings to Officer Zhuo. She was so righteous, and her gaze was so clear – she probably didn’t have those kinds of feelings… probably not? Xu Jing hesitated and struggled, worried about gains and losses, fearing his actions might be too rash.

He wasn’t sure when these feelings began.

Perhaps it started that night when Xiang Li brought Zhang Wei to confront him, and Zhuo Weiping stood up to “uphold justice” for him, giving Xu Jing a very good impression.

If they hadn’t met at the Asia Department Store the next day, this good impression might not have developed further, but they did meet again.

Zhuo Weiping sympathized with him and reminded him to be careful about his safety, telling him about some malicious incidents caused by ex-partners’ harassment.

Xu Jing found conversations with Zhuo Weiping very comfortable. Officer Zhuo was straightforward, unlike when he was dating Xiang Li, where he had to constantly guess her thoughts. If he guessed wrong, Xiang Li would be unhappy, but this was truly difficult for him – even harder than studying computer science in America!

His fondness began developing then.

Zhuo Weiping caught the extortionist woman and took the baby with chickenpox to the hospital.

While the baby’s condition was slowly improving with treatment, Zhuo Weiping got infected.

With Zhuo Weiping’s physical constitution, the chickenpox virus shouldn’t have had a chance, but she probably got infected after staying up for two nights interrogating suspects at the police station, allowing the virus to take advantage of her weakened state.

Zhuo Weiping had never had chickenpox before, and it hit her quite hard as an adult. She couldn’t go to work or return home, fearing she might infect her family members, as her sister Zhuo Na hadn’t had chickenpox either.

While Zhuo Na could stay at school, and though Zhuo Weiping’s father had had chickenpox before, her mother hadn’t. So Zhuo Weiping had to temporarily stay at the hospital.

But Xu Jing had already had chickenpox, so he wasn’t afraid!

He diligently visited the hospital every day to bring Zhuo Weiping meals.

After several visits, he ran into Zhuo Na twice and even met Father Zhuo once… The Zhuo family could all see that this Xu fellow had feelings for Zhuo Weiping!

Father Zhuo, using his years of work experience, thoroughly questioned Xu Jing.

Xu Jing felt inexplicably nervous but cooperated fully with Father Zhuo’s inquiries. Thus, Father Zhuo learned about Xu Jing’s background and told his wife and younger daughter:

“He’s from Beijing, lost his family early, and is alone now. Used to be a teacher at Beijing Normal University, then self-funded his overseas studies. After returning, he started a business in Pengcheng with others, and now he’s in Shangdu working on Asia’s card payment system.”

While some might be concerned about Xu Jing’s hard fate regarding his family background, the Zhuo family, mostly working in law enforcement except for Zhuo Na, had no such superstitious thoughts.

Without this concern, Xu Jing seemed to have nothing but positive qualities.

He had been a teacher at Beijing Normal University and studied abroad – excellent educational background.

Though not particularly striking in appearance, he wasn’t ugly either. His scholarly demeanor clearly showed his cultured background. Father Zhuo hadn’t asked about his business ventures in Pengcheng, but being invited to Shangdu to develop Asia’s card payment system showed his capabilities.

There was just one question.

“He’s over thirty, why is he still single?”

Mother Zhuo was particularly concerned about this detail, not because Xu Jing was a few years older than Zhuo Weiping, but worried he might have some hidden problems.

Zhuo Na rolled her eyes, “Dad, Mom, can you not get ahead of yourselves? Have you asked my sister’s opinion? You’re treating any man as a potential son-in-law.”

If her sister didn’t like him, why should the Zhuo family care whether this Xu had any hidden issues?

Zhuo Weiping was in her late twenties and had never dated, showing no interest in arranged introductions. Now that a potential suitor had suddenly appeared, and Zhuo Weiping didn’t seem to mind, the Zhuo parents couldn’t help but get excited.

Reminded by her younger daughter, Mother Zhuo nodded, “We should ask Weiping’s opinion. The young man keeps bringing food to the hospital – have they made things official? Should we invite him for a meal at home?”

They could learn more during the meal.

Father Zhuo was confident: “No need to ask Weiping. If she hadn’t noticed Young Xu’s intentions, she wouldn’t deserve her years as a police officer!”

Being a police officer meant constantly dealing with people.

If they could detect the thoughts of cunning criminals, how could Zhuo Weiping not notice the intentions of an honest man like Xu Jing?

Seeing it and not stopping it meant tacit approval.

After much discussion, the three Zhuos decided not to interfere. If the couple didn’t make a move, they would step in later.

Actually, just a few days later, Zhuo Weiping’s chickenpox scabs were falling off, her infectiousness had decreased, and she was ready to be discharged.

When Xu Jing came with food again, Zhuo Weiping stopped him:

“Comrade Xu, you’ve brought me food for a week, and I’m about to be discharged. Don’t you have something to tell me?”

Ah—

What should he say?

Words caught in his throat – he had so much to say, but Officer Zhuo’s clear gaze seemed to pierce right through to his heart, seeing through all his thoughts, leaving nowhere to hide.

Xu Jing’s face turned bright red.

Zhuo Weiping mused aloud, “You have nothing to tell me? Then perhaps I misunderstood—”

Xu Jing hurriedly said: “No, no, no, you didn’t misunderstand, it’s exactly what you’re thinking!”

“What am I thinking? Comrade Xu, I’m a straightforward person. I don’t like people being ambiguous, it’s tiring for everyone to keep guessing.”

Indeed, he also found all the guessing exhausting.

It was just embarrassing to say it out loud.

With burning ears, Xu Jing cleared his throat, “I have strong feelings for you, but I don’t know how you feel. Could we try getting to know each other?”

I like you, but I don’t know if you like me.

Xu Jing’s confession was quite direct.

Zhuo Weiping was even more straightforward than he imagined:

“I agree with what you’re saying. I have similar feelings, so let’s try dating. I understand your situation, and you know about mine. You’ve met my sister Zhuo Na and my father at the hospital, just haven’t met my mother yet. My family isn’t complicated.”

Xu Jing’s family was even simpler – just himself. After a long pause, he said:

“I’m the only one left in my family. You’ve met my former friends, and my ex-girlfriend—”

Oh no, why did he bring that up?

Xu Jing felt he deserved to be single forever – he cursed his stupidity!