“Captain, you’ve been pulling all-nighters for days. Let me keep an eye on the Huaying Hospital case for you.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll monitor it.”
“If you don’t rest soon, I’m afraid we’ll lose our captain!”
“Exactly, exactly. You’ve worked hard, Captain.”
At the entrance of the municipal bureau, Ji Lu and Lin Yu surrounded Huo Yao.
Their overlapping chatter was unbearably noisy.
Huo Yao’s ears ached from listening. After quickly giving final instructions, he finally got in his car.
The moment he left, Lin Yu completely relaxed. “Hey, do you think the Captain started investigating Huaying Hospital because of Xi Bao?”
Ji Lu rolled his eyes at her. “You’re really good at acting familiar, calling her Xi Bao already. And stop being so obsessed with shipping people.”
“Then explain it to me.”
“Previously, someone filed a report at the police station claiming Huaying Hospital had incompetent doctors harming patients, but that investigation never got anywhere. Later, some marketing accounts broke the story online… This case might have wide-reaching implications, so it was transferred to us. The Captain takes every case equally seriously!”
Lin Yu: “Oh, then stop excluding me all the time. You have to tell me these things for me to know.”
Ji Lu: “?”
Who was the one with ADHD who could never sit still to read documents?
He massaged his forehead and walked away. “Please, just exclude me instead. I want some peace and quiet.”
“Don’t be like that! I’ll treat you to spicy duck tongues. Just mentor me a bit!”
“Read the documents.”
“But I want to go out and arrest people!”
“There aren’t that many criminals to arrest. Can’t you just conserve your energy properly?”
“Why conserve energy? Young people are full of reckless strength. Is it that you’re not up to it anymore, Brother Lu?”
“…”
In the distant Land Rover, Huo Yao glanced at his silent phone several times.
She had told him she was tired from standing too long today and wanted to rest early. She should be asleep by now.
As if reading his mind, his phone rang.
However, when he answered, all he heard was deafening music and chaotic noise.
“Lin Shi Xi, who are you calling!”
A male voice abruptly cut in before the call disconnected.
Huo Yao frowned deeply. He could recognize that as Chi Xuan’s voice.
Without overthinking, he called back.
This time, there was no answer at all.
Huo Yao somewhat clumsily opened an app and navigated to the #LinShiXi tag.
Sure enough, he found a video from half an hour ago.
Chi Xuan had gone to A University and forcibly taken Shi Xi away.
Shi Xi was at some party.
Chi Xuan said it was to celebrate her successful thesis defense, but among the hundred or so people present, she only knew him.
The night sky was clear though starless, the city skyline adorned with dazzling lights.
On the penthouse floor of the skyscraper, the infinity pool reflected the soft surrounding lights. A banner stretched between pink and white balloons.
“Successful Defense” “Bright Future Ahead.”
Rose decorations lined both sides, emitting a rich fragrance.
Shi Xi sat beside a large bouquet of roses, with exquisite pastries and drinks on the table before her.
Chi Xuan had carried her directly into the car to get here. Before arriving, she spent half an hour at a styling salon changing into a black strapless gown.
Had she not resisted strongly, they would have done her hair and makeup too.
She drank half a glass of water and instinctively reached for her cane, only to remember she hadn’t brought it at all.
She was still wearing slippers on her feet.
Her expression darkened even more.
Not far away, Chi Xuan was silently drinking, his fair and handsome cheek bearing a clear slap mark, his entire aura suppressed.
Those nearby didn’t dare provoke him, quietly keeping their distance.
They knew Chi Xuan had thrown this party solely because he wanted to see Lin Shi Xi, though his methods were clearly misguided—earning him that slap.
Several of Chi Xuan’s close friends were also watching the girl in the black dress.
Lin Shi Xi was the center of attention at tonight’s party.
Just like in the photos circulating online, the scar on her face seemed almost faded.
The remaining pink hue resembled twilight clouds brushed across porcelain skin.
Her slender neck appeared delicate and elegant.
The black dress draped over her, making her jade-like complexion glow, while the sheer skirt floated lightly around her, giving her the aura of a black swan at rest.
Yet she didn’t seem happy, sitting alone in the corner, her figure solitary.
“Damn, why do I suddenly want to hug her?”
“You’re bold—watch out or Chi Xuan will end you.”
“Heh, just kidding.”
“Seriously though, hadn’t you heard of her before?”
“Vaguely. I heard Lin Shi Xi changed her surname—she used to be surnamed Lu, from that Lu Family arranged to marry into Chi Xuan’s family. But I never saw her before, only later heard about Lu Yan, who’s stunningly beautiful.”
“Wasn’t there no Lu Yan in the Lu Family before? I heard they only had one daughter.”
“Then there’s only one explanation: they were swapped as children, and after the truth came out, they switched back.”
“Whoa, people online speculated the same thing.”
“Enough talk—Chi Xuan’s going over to her now.”
…
After downing several bottles, Chi Xuan crouched before Shi Xi.
His disheveled bangs drooped listlessly in the wind, matching his overall demeanor, yet his tone still carried the entitled arrogance of a young master.
“How long are you going to stay mad? You’re the one who hit me—I haven’t even settled that with you, and you’re still giving me the cold shoulder?”
His temper flared as he spoke, his narrow eyes burning intensely as he glared at her.
Shi Xi frowned, insisting, “I want to go back. Give me my phone.”
Reasoning with him was impossible.
That’s why she’d slapped him after he forced her into his car.
Now he was drunk again, clearly not in his right mind.
He retorted defiantly, “It’s too late—your dorm’s locked, you can’t go back.”
“If I call the dorm supervisor, she’ll open the door for me.”
“What about the party?”
“You all keep enjoying it. I’m really tired.”
Shi Xi softened her voice.
Chi Xuan gazed into her moist eyes, and the anger from being slapped had long since vanished.
He lowered his head and pulled out her phone.
There was a missed call on the screen—saved under the name Huo Yao.
Seeing that name, he felt as if thrown into flames, his rage instantly reigniting.
He snorted coldly, lifting his gaze to her with a dark glint in his eyes.
Handing her the phone, he demanded, “Tell him to come here.”
Shi Xi had called Huo Yao earlier, but before she could say anything, Chi Xuan had snatched her phone away.
It was almost 11 p.m. now, and Shi Xi wasn’t sure if Huo Yao was busy with work or… if he would come for her.
Given his relentlessly responsible nature, he’d fully taken her matters as his own—he might actually show up.
Shi Xi took the phone but didn’t send a message. “Why do you want him here?”
“You don’t know? I want to see what exactly attracts you to him.”
Chi Xuan’s qualifications were undeniable—good looks, wealth, and family background. In what aspect wasn’t he better than Huo Yao?
Shi Xi’s gaze swept from his face down to his legs.
At first, Chi Xuan was quite confident, but under her scrutiny, he felt like a product on a shelf—a rather strange sensation.
“What kind of look is that?”
Still, he stood up and let her inspect him.
With his male model proportions, how could she possibly find any flaws?
Only then did Shi Xi say indifferently, “His biceps and triceps are bigger than yours, double-door frame, and he has two more abs than you.”
Chi Xuan: ?
Immediately, the peacock-like Chi Xuan’s earlobes turned bright red, while his face darkened, his eyes blazing with humiliated fury.
“Pfft…”
The eavesdropping crowd turned away, stifling their laughter.
Who could’ve imagined? The freshly preened peacock had been utterly deflated, left covered in dust—hilarious!
“Lin Shi Xi!”
“Lin Shi Xi.”
Chi Xuan’s gritted-teeth voice overlapped with another, deep and magnetic one.
Shi Xi abruptly turned her head and unexpectedly saw Huo Yao, who had already approached the two of them.
He strode toward her, his long legs encased in cargo pants appearing firm and powerful. The dark-colored undershirt clung to his body, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist.
The explosive masculine hormones he exuded were unmatched by anyone present.
The surrounding noise seemed to quiet down simultaneously as everyone’s attention shifted toward the trio.
Chi Xuan had a powerful aura, but it was one cultivated since childhood by wealth and privileged resources.
That man, however, seemed like a born king—just one glance from him could make people tremble for half a day, too afraid to meet his eyes.
Others might not know, but Shi Xi was well aware.
Huo Yao was usually quite restrained; now, he was unleashing his full presence intentionally to intimidate them.
“You didn’t answer your phone. I thought something happened to you, so I came by to check.”
As if ignoring everyone else, Huo Yao stopped directly in front of Shi Xi, slightly lowering his head to look at her.
Seeing her about to stand, he reached out to support her.
Before he could touch her, Chi Xuan blocked him.
“Don’t say you just ‘came by.’ You found this place—you clearly looked it up on purpose.”
“Need to look it up?” Huo Yao glanced at him.
Chi Xuan stared back expressionlessly.
In those silent few seconds, the onlookers nearby felt a sense of suffocation—hoping they wouldn’t end up fighting.
“Huo Yao, let’s go.” Shi Xi steadied herself against the table, her body swaying slightly.
Both men simultaneously reached out to support her.
Just as Chi Xuan was about to speak, two young men flanked him, pulling him back while winking and gesturing toward a certain direction.
“You’ve had too much to drink, Young Master Chi.”
“Bro, your brother is here.”
Not far away stood Chi Yuan’s figure.
Even from that distance, they could feel the low pressure emanating from him.
Those who hung out with Chi Xuan were somewhat afraid of his elder brother, Chi Yuan.
The latter always wore a stern expression, held significant authority in the Chi family, and sometimes managed Chi Xuan as if he were a subordinate.
Chi Xuan was indeed drunk—his emotions had flared up several times, and the alcohol had numbed and stiffened his thinking.
“Don’t fucking manhandle me.”
After pushing away the two beside him, he noticed that Huo Yao had already picked Shi Xi up.
She was in his arms, not struggling, quiet and still.
Her attitude said it all.
Chi Xuan froze, his eyes suddenly darkening, a sense of powerlessness settling in his chest.
“Did you forget anything?” Huo Yao asked.
Shi Xi shook her head and reached out to grab his left index finger.
Huo Yao didn’t pause, continuing toward the exit.
The exit opened onto a small path carpeted with flowers, flanked by towering floral walls, their fragrance overwhelming.
A figure stood ahead, blocking the way.
Shi Xi glanced over.
Her gaze met his calm, dark eyes.
His face bore a five or six out of ten resemblance to Chi Xuan’s, yet his aura was entirely different.
Shi Xi recognized him instantly.
This was Chi Yuan.
The original owner and he weren’t exactly childhood sweethearts—they’d interacted frequently but never delved too deep.
Chi Yuan was reserved by nature; even in his playful years, he preferred studying, maintaining measured boundaries with everyone and liking to plan everything meticulously.
The System had previously mentioned that the changes brought by her, a little butterfly flapping its wings, would free supporting characters from the constraints of the original plot, awakening their consciousness.
She was curious: Were only supporting characters able to break free from these restraints?
The System sensed her doubt and said, “Generally speaking, the male and female leads can never escape the plot’s constraints, or this world would fall apart.”
Shi Xi quickly averted her gaze, as if she had merely glanced at a stranger.
Chi Yuan’s eyes swept over the figure in the man’s arms, then he stepped aside and walked past without the slightest pause.
The party atmosphere grew somewhat chilly.
Chi Xuan slumped against the sofa, tilting his head back slightly, trying to suppress the dizziness in his head.
“What are you doing here?”
Chi Yuan sat down beside him, picking up a wine bottle and a clean glass. “You caused such a scene—Mom and Dad found out and sent me to check on you.”
“Hah, you think I’m that easy to fool? They’d only tell you to lecture me, not come in person, right? That would waste too much of your precious time.”
He cracked his eyes open, the sarcasm in his tone thickening. “You did it on purpose, didn’t you? Came specifically to see her. That video got you nostalgic for the past?”
A shadow flickered in Chi Yuan’s eyes, and his hand paused slightly as he poured the wine. “Think whatever you want.”
He looked at Chi Xuan, who had closed his eyes again, and asked, “What about you? Letting her go just like that—doesn’t seem like you.”
Chi Xuan remained motionless, as if overcome by drunkenness.
After a long moment, he murmured hazily, “In front of her, I always feel like I can’t stand straight. I keep thinking, if just once in those seven years I had remembered her, maybe she wouldn’t have had such a hard time.”
Chi Yuan fell silent, his thoughts momentarily thrown into disarray.
Chi Xuan continued, “But I didn’t. For seven years, everything about her felt like it had been wiped from my mind. The moment I saw her, it all came rushing back. Brother, don’t you think human memory is strange?”
Hearing his seemingly drunken words, Chi Yuan’s pupils abruptly dilated, and the hand holding the glass trembled involuntarily.