Le Ning looked at the message and pursed her lips.
Who cares whether you can afford it? And even if you can, what does that have to do with me?
But—
She glanced at the photo, opened it, and zoomed in.
—Police salaries are this high now?
Le Ning stared at the string of numbers and counted them. Hmm, still okay — not as much as what’s in her own card.
Even so, even if Zhou Ran had money, she still couldn’t take this advantage.
Le Ning transferred the money back again. Zhou Ran returned it again.
After going back and forth a few times, Le Ning lost the battle.
She directly called Zhou Ran: “Zhou Ran, what exactly do you mean by this?”
Zhou Ran listened to her voice and could roughly guess Le Ning’s current mood.
He paused, then said concisely: “Literal meaning. The bureau is compensating you for it.”
Le Ning: “Do you think I’m stupid, or are you the stupid one?”
Zhou Ran didn’t reply.
Le Ning didn’t want to waste words with him. She said bluntly: “If you don’t take it, I’ll go to the police station tomorrow and hand the money to you in person.”
“Hm.”
Le Ning: “???”
She froze for a few seconds, turned to look at the phone in her hand, almost thinking her ears were playing tricks on her.
What did Zhou Ran just say?!
Zhou Ran said calmly: “Perfect timing. I actually have something to talk to you about.”
Le Ning: “…”
After hanging up, Le Ning sat there stunned for several minutes, still not quite processing what Zhou Ran meant by that.
What do you mean “perfect timing”?
Was this guy seriously waiting for her to show up and return the money in person?!
Le Ning looked down at the ended call. The 30,000 had been returned to her account again.
She took a deep breath and glanced at the black coat not far away.
It was a Max Mara coat. Le Ning had bought it quite a while ago and wore it often in daily life. Though expensive, she loved it.
She really hadn’t expected Zhou Ran to go buy a brand-new one to replace it.
This behavior completely didn’t match Zhou Ran’s usual character.
In her memory, he was indeed generous, but today’s gesture was overly generous — almost excessively so.
She picked up the coat and checked it. Zhou Ran must have been worried she’d try to return it… because he’d already cut off the tags.
Le Ning: …
The next morning, Le Ning slept in until she naturally woke up.
She checked her phone — quite a few messages had come in, including one from Zhou Ran.
He was asking when she would come over.
Le Ning glanced at the time: [What time do you get off work?]
Zhou Ran: [Six.]
But their work hours weren’t fixed. It depended heavily on whether there were cases or not, and they often had to go out.
Le Ning: [Then I’ll come at six.]
After sending the message, Le Ning stared at her phone for a few seconds, lost in thought.
After thinking it over, she went to the bathroom to wash up, then went downstairs and ordered takeout for… brunch.
By afternoon, Le Ning put on very girlish makeup and headed out.
She arrived at the Criminal Investigation Brigade a little earlier than planned.
Le Ning turned to look at the surroundings. The brigade wasn’t located in the very center of the city.
But it wasn’t far for her to get there, and there were lots of small shops lining both sides of the road.
A row of large trees she didn’t recognize grew on either side. With autumn here, the leaves were gradually turning yellow and falling, creating an indescribably messy yet beautiful scene.
Le Ning parked the car and sent Zhou Ran a message.
Le Ning: [I’m here.]
When Zhou Ran came out, he immediately spotted the person with her back to him.
Slim, tall.
That was the impression Le Ning’s back gave. She was wearing a knitted little sweater today. No short skirt, but tight jeans that still made her legs look endlessly long and straight.
As he got closer, a breeze passed by, and Zhou Ran caught the scent of her perfume.
Different from the floral one last time — this time it was a fruity fragrance, sweet and fresh.
Zhou Ran’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he cleared his throat.
Le Ning turned around. The moment their eyes met, Zhou Ran subconsciously raised an eyebrow.
Le Ning noticed the change in his expression and felt briefly confused, but she didn’t ask.
“You waited long.” Zhou Ran spoke first: “Got a bit busy just now.”
“No problem.”
Le Ning looked at him, picked up a bag, and handed it over: “This is for you.”
Zhou Ran looked at her in confusion.
Le Ning gave a small smile and said calmly: “The money.”
She added: “Since you won’t accept WeChat transfer, I’ll just give it to you in cash.”
Her attitude made it very clear: she wanted nothing more to do with him after this.
Zhou Ran choked, stunned for a good while.
“Le Ning.”
He helplessly pinched the bridge of his nose: “Is it really that hard to accept?”
“No.”
Le Ning spoke reasonably and logically: “My clothes didn’t need a brand-new replacement. And it was too expensive. If it had been something worth几十 or a few hundred, I would’ve accepted it without a second thought.”
She tilted her head up to look at Zhou Ran, her eyes clear and bright: “But for this — I’ll keep the clothes, you take the money back.”
She had her principles.
Suddenly, Le Ning added: “Otherwise, should I just sell the clothes and donate the money?”
Zhou Ran: “…”
He lowered his head and looked at the young, beautiful girl in front of him.
For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.
Compared to many years ago, Le Ning had changed in more ways than one.
But when it came to stubbornness on certain matters, she was still exactly the same.
Looking at her now, Zhou Ran let out a soft laugh.
“Okay.”
“I’ll take it.”
Hearing that, Le Ning smiled: “Thank you.”
The two stood quietly for a moment before Le Ning took the initiative to change the subject: “By the way, you said you had something to talk to me about. What is it?”
Zhou Ran looked at her: “Training ground.”
Le Ning paused for a second before realizing what he meant.
Her eyes lit up. She looked at Zhou Ran in surprise: “You found a place?”
Zhou Ran watched the change in her expression, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly: “Mm. You can bring Le Luo to try it out first.”
He paused, then looked at Le Ning: “But the trial will be the same as regular training. If he can handle it, we can consider letting him join.”
Le Ning understood.
She smiled brightly at Zhou Ran and nodded: “I know.”
In truth, no one would stop Le Luo from making this choice. The whole family would support whatever he was genuinely interested in. They were just worried he might get excited for a moment, sign up for the police academy, and then regret it after a few days.
Letting him experience real military/police training life in advance was actually a good idea.
“Where is it?”
Le Ning took out her phone: “Should I just bring Le Luo there on Saturday?”
Zhou Ran looked at her, cleared his throat: “No need.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll be going there on Saturday anyway. It’s on the way.”
Le Ning’s mind turned for a couple of seconds before she finally understood what Zhou Ran meant.
This guy… was going to personally take them there.
“Won’t that be too much trouble?”
Zhou Ran gave her a cool, indifferent glance: “No.”
“…Oh.”
Le Ning didn’t refuse.
How could she put it — having someone guide them was naturally better. And since Zhou Ran said it was on the way, how could she tell him not to go out of his way?
The two stood at the main gate in silence for a moment. Le Ning was just about to bring up the money for the clothes again when a stranger’s voice came from the side.
“Captain Zhou.”
Both of them instinctively turned to look. Not far away stood a woman in police uniform, looking in their direction.
Zhou Ran gave a slight nod, his voice cold: “What is it?”
The woman’s gaze lingered on Le Ning for a moment before she said: “Captain Xu is calling for you.”
Zhou Ran nodded: “I’ll be right there.”
Le Ning glanced at Zhou Ran, who was looking at her, and said very understandingly: “Then I’ll head out first.”
Zhou Ran didn’t respond. After a few seconds, he looked at Le Ning: “Want to come in and sit for a bit?”
Le Ning: “…”
In the end, Le Ning didn’t go in.
Zhou Ran didn’t insist.
After watching Zhou Ran hurry inside, Le Ning turned to get into her car.
Her phone buzzed — it was a message from Qiu Wei, whose contact they had just exchanged yesterday.
Qiu Wei: [Le Ning, are you at the Criminal Investigation Brigade?]
Le Ning froze, then instinctively looked around.
Sure enough, Qiu Wei appeared not far away.
The two locked eyes. Le Ning was extremely surprised: “What are you doing here?”
Qiu Wei gave a faint smile: “I had some business nearby. Just now I saw a back view that looked a bit like you.”
Le Ning let out an “Oh” and gave a light smile: “Really.”
Seeing her reaction, Qiu Wei took the initiative: “Did you come here for something?”
Le Ning nodded but had no intention of mentioning Zhou Ran. She changed the subject: “Just some personal stuff.”
After a quiet moment, Qiu Wei suddenly asked: “Have you eaten?”
Le Ning paused and looked at the man in front of her: “Not yet, but I already have plans with someone.”
Qiu Wei was smart — he understood immediately.
“Oh, then let’s catch up another time if there’s a chance.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Even after driving away for a while, Le Ning still couldn’t figure out why she had run into Qiu Wei there of all places.
After thinking about it, she sent a message to the group chat: [Does anyone still remember a guy named Qiu Wei?]
Ruan Qiuqiu: [??? The Qiu Wei from high school?]
Ruan Qiuqiu: [That little boy who chased after you?]
Le Ning Doesn’t Like Lemons: [???]
Ruan Qiuqiu: [It’s normal you don’t remember. Back then you were busy chasing Zhou Ran — Qiu Wei didn’t even exist in your eyes.]
Ruan Qiuqiu: [But why are you suddenly bringing him up? I thought he didn’t exist in your memory at all.]
Le Ning replied at a red light: […I really didn’t remember, but I ran into him at my dad’s birthday party yesterday.]
Ruan Qiuqiu: [Wow, Qiu Wei is that impressive now? Your dad’s birthday banquet only invites big shots, right?]
Chuchu Is Just Chuchu: [Qiu Wei is a pretty famous university professor now. You guys didn’t know?]
Both: [……]
Of course they didn’t know.
It wasn’t until she got home and looked at her high school graduation photos that Le Ning gradually got a vague impression of him.
But it didn’t leave much of an impact.
She read Ruan Qiuqiu’s last message — “Qiu Wei wouldn’t still have feelings for you after all these years, right?”
Whether he had feelings for her or not, she didn’t know. But she was certain she had zero interest in Qiu Wei.
In the blink of an eye, Saturday arrived.
At six in the morning, Le Ning got up.
With her eyes half-closed, she brushed her teeth, washed her face, grabbed her makeup bag, and went downstairs.
Zhou Ran had already arrived.
Le Luo was super excited about the training experience. Like a little chick, he had woken Le Ning up at five o’clock.
The two hurried downstairs without even eating breakfast.
When getting in the car, Le Ning paused for a second and looked at the man inside: “I’ll sit in the back.”
Le Luo: “Sis, you sit in the front.”
“Why?”
Le Luo: “I want to sleep in the back.”
Le Ning: “…”
She wanted to sleep in the back too.
Zhou Ran looked at the siblings, raised an eyebrow at Le Ning: “Sit in the front.”
Le Ning: “…Oh.”
She opened the door expressionlessly, got in, and once seated, ignored Zhou Ran completely and started doing her makeup on her own.
She was naturally beautiful — even bare-faced she looked good. But of course… makeup made her even prettier.
Zhou Ran glanced at what she was doing. When Le Ning finished applying her Decorté soft white sunscreen, Zhou Ran spoke up: “You can’t wear makeup there.”
Le Ning’s hand paused. She turned to him in shock.
“What did you say?”
Zhou Ran said calmly: “No makeup allowed.”
Le Ning: “…”
She blinked, looking at Zhou Ran in disbelief: “There’s a rule like that?”
“Mm.”
“What about sunscreen?”
Zhou Ran didn’t really understand these things. He glanced sideways at her face — fair, tender, glowing, so pale and pretty it made people want to take a bite.
His eyes darkened slightly, but he didn’t show much change: “That’s fine.”
“That’s good then.”
After Le Ning finished applying sunscreen to her neck and hands, she muttered under her breath: “Why is there even a rule like that?”
Zhou Ran didn’t respond.
Le Luo, playing on his phone in the back seat, overheard and chimed in: “Sis, you look even prettier without makeup.”
Le Ning shot him a look.
Le Luo pointed at Zhou Ran: “If you don’t believe me, ask Brother Zhou.”
Le Ning: “…”
Why would she ask Zhou Ran?
Le Luo, being his innocent and clueless self, didn’t notice the shift in mood at all. He said straightforwardly: “Brother Zhou, tell her — isn’t my sister super good-looking?”
Zhou Ran paused. His deep eyes landed on Le Ning.
His gaze was full of appraisal.
Le Ning suddenly felt uncomfortable under his stare.
She glared at Zhou Ran: “What are you looking at? Never seen a beautiful woman before?”
Suddenly, Zhou Ran let out a soft laugh: “Mm.”
Le Ning: “…?”
“Right?” Le Luo seemed to have found an ally: “I think so too. My sister is really pretty, and tons of people chase her. Both in university and high school. Last night I even heard Sister Ruan Qiu say there’s a high school classmate chasing her now — he’s had a crush on her for years.”
Just as Le Luo was getting excited about spilling the tea, the car suddenly came to a sharp stop.
Author’s note:
Captain Zhou: ???
Le Ning: Shut up, you little idiot!
Le Luo: My sister really has so many suitors!
Captain Zhou: Off to the middle of nowhere — you go train 🙂
Le Luo: Then what about you and my sister?
Captain Zhou: Guess.