Those two had already left. Before Luo He could say anything, he heard Qin Xia ask, “You know them?”

“Yes, she’s the neighbor’s little sister.”

He initially thought she was just making casual conversation, but her next words made his heart sink.

“That type of girl would suit you better,” Qin Xia said.

She spoke very seriously, and Luo He understood this wasn’t her being sarcastic or making polite excuses.

Qin Xia was three years older than him, and he knew she preferred more mature men. Today’s date had been hard to arrange, but it was cut short by just one sentence—”something at the station”—and he had to send her back before the date had properly begun.

Pretending to be calm, he said, “So?”

Qin Xia frowned slightly, “Nothing. Thank you for today.”

“No need to thank me. What about our date?”

Qin Xia pondered for a moment and said, “I have official business to handle now and can’t entertain guests. Can we reschedule for another day?”

Luo He nodded, “Sure.”

He watched as she discussed work with the deputy team leader while they entered the interrogation room together. The corridor became empty, making all the time he spent with her today seem like a dream.

But there was no need to worry that she would break her promise. He knew that when Qin Xia committed, she would fulfill it.

Tomorrow was the weekend, so he didn’t have to worry about getting drunk affecting his ability to treat those little brats. Luo He was driving, contemplating which bar to go drown his sorrows, when he suddenly saw familiar figures by the roadside—weren’t those Sang Ru and her little boyfriend sitting close together?

Ugh, they’re even kissing. Damn, how were high school students better at dating than him?

Luo He stopped beside them, rolled down the window, and said, “One hundred yuan. Want a ride?”

Sang Ru opened her eyes, suddenly smiled, and said to Zhou Tingzhao, “Your brother is here.”

Zhou Tingzhao remained silent, then heard the person beside him stand up and say, “Free ride. You in?”

“If you don’t have money, your boyfriend does.”

Zhou Tingzhao, teased by both of them in turn, couldn’t make any retort and felt stifled in his chest. Sang Ru, however, was in a good mood and pulled Zhou Tingzhao into the back seat with her.

Luo He angrily said, “You’re treating me like a chauffeur?”

“What else?” Sang Ru said. “The front passenger seat is saved for the sister-in-law.”

Only then did Luo He back down, avoiding the topic of Qin Xia and asking, “So how did you end up at the police station?”

Sang Ru turned her head toward Zhou Tingzhao, “You tell him.”

Zhou Tingzhao explained the whole story, and the car was immediately filled with Luo He’s laughter: “Hahaha, so they thought you were soliciting prostitution!”

“We already said it was a misunderstanding!” Sang Ru patted the back of his seat. “Just drive properly!”

Amid his laughter, Luo He suddenly paused, realizing something: “Wait, so you guys ruined my date?”

The two innocently responded, “Huh?”

“She got a call and rushed back. We didn’t even get to watch the movie.” Luo He gave a cold laugh. “So she came back to deal with your situation, hehe.”

“Do men think work is important?” Sang Ru asked. “What do you think, Zhou Tingzhao?”

Zhou Tingzhao suddenly felt like there was a knife at his neck: “…No.”

This answer seemed to satisfy Sang Ru. She took his hand and played with his fingers idly. “You hear that, Luo He?”

Zhou Tingzhao let her play with his hand, secretly thinking that he needed to be forgiven quickly.

Luo He continued his cold laughter: “You young lovebirds are definitely on the same side.”

He promptly stopped the car at the roadside and said, “Get out!”

Sang Ru:?

“Fine, I’ll get out myself.” After saying this, he opened the door and got out of the car.

Zhou Tingzhao said, “Should I go bring him back?”

Sang Ru looked up at him: “Why would we need to?”

“Though we know how to drive,” Zhou Tingzhao paused here, then said, “but age-wise, we’re not legally allowed on the road yet.”

Sang Ru looked at him, suddenly laughed, and lifted her chin to point out the window. Zhou Tingzhao followed her gaze and saw Luo He entering a convenience store by the roadside.

“He’s just buying something. How could he possibly abandon his precious car?”

Zhou Tingzhao made an “oh” sound, then closed his mouth and didn’t say another word.

Ever since he had told her the truth, it felt like he could say nothing right, and he found himself anxious, not knowing how to please her.

Just then, he heard Sang Ru say, “You seem quite comfortable with your current identity.”

“Hmm?”

“Following the rules for minors.”

Zhou Tingzhao couldn’t tell if she was referring to their previous conversation or something else, but it certainly sounded suggestive.

Seeing that he wasn’t speaking, Sang Ru remembered how, when they were in that kind of relationship, he truly only focused on sex without discussing love. So she spoke again: “Of course, adults’ rules too.”

Zhou Tingzhao didn’t know her intention and said, “Rules exist to be followed, but they are also…”

“Made to be broken,” Sang Ru said.

Zhou Tingzhao looked at her bright eyes, and in that moment, their thoughts were in sync.

The car door opened with a sound. Luo He opened the door, saw them, and gave a “yo” sound: “Why haven’t you left when even the driver is gone?”

Sang Ru: “What did you buy?”

Luo He fastened his seatbelt: “Not suitable for minors.”

“Condoms?”

Luo He started coughing: “Alcohol!”

“Oh,” Sang Ru said. “Boring.”

Luo He suddenly spoke seriously: “You’re both still young. Dating early is fine, but don’t do things you shouldn’t do, understand?”

Zhou Tingzhao: “Mm.”

Sang Ru smiled: “Now you’re acting like a big brother.”

Luo He started the car, letting out two “hehe” sounds.

“You’re not still a virgin, are you?” Sang Ru asked sincerely.

Luo He immediately raised his eyebrows: “Shut up!”

Zhou Tingzhao, driven by some impulse, suddenly covered Sang Ru’s mouth and said softly, “Stop talking.”

His palm suddenly felt wet as Sang Ru lightly licked it, then looked up at him with eyes that appeared particularly honest, nodding obediently.

Zhou Tingzhao felt a stir in his heart and released his hand, only for Sang Ru to move closer to him and ask, “Are you one too?”

Zhou Tingzhao: …