Shen Xingling lifted her head, meeting Qin Xiao’s open, almost transparent gaze. There was no flicker, no hint of a liar’s nervousness, only a calm certainty, as though every word he had spoken was nothing more than a simple fact.
That confidence tipped her already wavering judgment a little further.
She was silent for a few seconds before closing her notebook and standing. “Wait here.”
With that, she turned and walked quickly out of the interrogation room, the sound of her heels echoing in the empty hallway.
About five minutes later, Shen Xingling returned, her expression slightly complicated.
Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. “Well, Officer?”
Shen Xingling stepped up to the table, bracing her hands on it as she looked down at him, her tone carrying a trace of resignation. “Ye Chen’s phone was smashed when you punched him. The screen is shattered, and the motherboard may be bent. The tech team is trying to recover the data, but there’s no telling if they can.”
She paused, then pulled out a chair and sat, a touch of fatigue in her movements. “However, the bar’s surveillance footage and several witness statements don’t differ much from your account. And Miss Gu has woken up—her testimony supports you.”
Taking the key from the table, Shen Xingling stood. Her movements were sharp and efficient, but her gaze lingered on Qin Xiao a moment longer than before, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. “You can go.”
With a soft click, the cold metal around his wrists came free. A dull ache and pins-and-needles sensation spread up his arm. Qin Xiao flexed his wrist, the joints cracking faintly. Finally free, though in a roundabout way. He exhaled in relief, a smile breaking across his face as he rose.
To show gratitude—or perhaps to ease the tension from the interrogation—Qin Xiao gave her a deep bow. “Thank you for your clear judgment, Officer!”
The bow was deep, and coupled with his quick rise, it disturbed the nosebleed he’d been barely keeping in check from the fight and the system’s side effects. This time, it didn’t drip—it sprayed. A few bright drops flew forward in a perfect arc.
The target was precise. The landing, flawless.
They landed squarely on the full curves of Shen Xingling’s chest, blooming red against the pristine white of her uniform shirt, like red plum blossoms on winter snow—impossible to ignore.
Time seemed to freeze.
The air turned solid, the only sound the faint hum of the light above.
Qin Xiao straightened suddenly, staring at his unintended masterpiece. His mind went blank. Reflexively, his hand rose, fingers nearly brushing the soft, blood-marked fabric—and the dangerous curves beneath.
Shit! His mind screamed. He jerked his hand back as if scalded, the motion awkward and stiff. Cold sweat broke across his back. This was bad.
Shen Xingling looked down at the stains. Her expression, which had been merely complicated a moment ago, flushed crimson in an instant. The red spread from her cheeks to her ears, down her neck, and beneath her collar to her collarbones.
Her breath quickened, making her chest rise and fall.
Anger, embarrassment, and an unfamiliar panic tumbled together.
Looking at Qin Xiao—flustered and caught—whatever goodwill she’d felt from his “heroic act” evaporated, replaced with pure, searing shame and indignation.
This bastard! He must have done it on purpose!
Her hand shot up, smacking his arm with more force than her earlier kick—still not enough to hurt, but sharp with emotion. “Qin Xiao! You pervert!”
Her voice trembled slightly, whether from fury or embarrassment she couldn’t tell. She instinctively covered the stain with her other hand, trying to hide the red spots—only to make the curve beneath her palm more pronounced, her entire posture even more flustered.
“No, Officer, I swear I didn’t mean it!” Qin Xiao waved both hands frantically. “It was an accident, just a physical reaction, I couldn’t control it—” He stopped, realizing every word made it sound worse. The nosebleed timing was too perfect, like it had been programmed.
“Shut up!” Shen Xingling’s watery eyes glared at him. “Get out!”
Right now, she just wanted him gone. Another second and she might lose the professional composure she clung to.
Seeing her trembling with anger and shame, Qin Xiao knew any explanation would only fuel the fire. He wisely closed his mouth, trying to convey innocence and apology with his eyes alone.
“Uh… Officer, I’ll go. You… take care of yourself.” The words felt hollow, but better than nothing.
Then he fled, almost tripping in his hurry to escape, afraid she’d cuff him again if he lingered.
The door shut behind him, cutting off the heat of her gaze.
Inside, Shen Xingling looked at the stains on her chest, stomping her foot in helpless frustration before hurrying to the bathroom. That Qin Xiao… infuriating! The source of this chapter is g.com.
In his head, Qin Xiao asked, “Yiyi, was that the so-called opposite-sex attraction physique?”
[Of course, Host!] Yun Yiyi’s voice was bright, almost smug. [System quality guarantee! Resources may be limited early on, but effects are always premium! This is the beginner manifestation of the Villain’s Charm Aura!]
Qin Xiao rolled his eyes inwardly. “Premium? The Dragon King protagonist gets a newbie pack with god-tier combat, heavenly medicine skills, x-ray vision, treasures from cliffs. I get [Handyman Inventor], [Cashback Spending], and [Galgame Options]. I have to fight the Dragon King tooth and nail for everything, even basic skills!”
Yun Yiyi’s voice shrank, pitiful. [I didn’t mean to… Heaven’s Will has stripped me bare, all the advanced modules go to the Children of Destiny. I can only give you what they leave behind…]
Qin Xiao stopped arguing, straightened his rumpled clothes, and stepped into the brightly lit police station lobby.
There, at the front desk, stood Gu Siqing. In her fitted business suit, she looked a little worn and uneasy, speaking anxiously to a staff member.
When she saw Qin Xiao emerge, her eyes lit up like stars breaking through the night. Worry and tension melted into sheer relief and joy.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she lifted her skirt slightly and ran to him. Before he could react, her soft, faintly fragrant body collided with his chest, her arms locking tightly around his waist.
“Ow—ow, ow!” Qin Xiao hissed as pain flared in his wounds, forcing a cry from him.
Gu Siqing realized her recklessness and loosened her grip slightly, though her hands still held his arms. She tilted her face up, her beautiful eyes full of worry and lingering fear, her voice trembling faintly. “Are you alright? Are your injuries bad? I’m sorry, it’s all because of me…” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Looking at her, Qin Xiao felt a twinge in his chest—not from pain. Forcing a reassuring smile, he said, “It’s nothing, just a scratch.”
Gu Siqing’s gaze swept over his bruises, lingering on the faint traces of dried nosebleed. Her expression hardened into a determined frown. “You’re hurt like this. How can it be nothing? I’ll take care of you for the next few days.”
Before he could respond, a sultry, teasing voice drifted over. “My, my, is our CEO Gu planning to reward her hero with herself?”
The voice grew playful. “But taking care of little Qin Qin is hard work—better leave it to me, dear. You’re just a kitten who’s learned to steal cream—best step aside for now.”
Gu Siqing’s brows drew together as she turned toward the voice.
Leaning lazily against a wall nearby was a stunning woman with curves as dangerous as her smile, eyes like liquid silk fixed on them with obvious amusement.
It was Su Wanying.