The black coat Lu Zheng was wearing was exactly the one Wen Qingli had bought at the mall.
Its sharp, well-tailored cut made him look even taller and more upright. With handsome features, firm lines, and an overall air of mature sternness and unyielding masculinity, he commanded attention wherever he went.
He strode toward Wen Qingli with long, confident steps, his presence so imposing that it instantly quieted all the noise and bustle around them.
“That’s Lu Zheng! Wow! Being a criminal detective must be incredibly stressful, yet he still has such a full head of hair and a physique that makes everyone jealous!”
“He must be nearly six foot three. Those long legs are simply incredible.”
“I heard he still doesn’t have a girlfriend. All the single ladies should make their move now!”
Wen Qingli could barely bring herself to look directly at him. As he drew closer, her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
Hadn’t she told him that Bai Chuxue had wanted to buy this same coat as a gift for him? Why was he wearing it now?
Upon seeing Lu Zheng, Bai Chuxue instinctively stepped forward to greet him, but she stopped abruptly when she noticed the coat he had on. She glanced at Wen Qingli, and seeing that Wen Qingli was not looking at Lu Zheng, she told herself she must be imagining things.
Wen Qingli and Lu Zheng probably had no real connection. Back in school, they had rarely spoken to each other. Besides, she believed Lu Zheng would never be drawn to someone gentle and soft-spoken. A tough, manly type like him deserved someone bold and radiant like herself—a striking red rose. Surely, him wearing that coat was just a coincidence.
“Ah Zheng, you’re here!” Bai Chuxue greeted him with a bright smile.
Lu Zheng only gave a cold, brief hum, then walked straight past her to nod and speak with the other classmates.
When he reached Wen Qingli, his voice dropped an octave, growing deeper and richer with a warm, magnetic tone. “Teacher Wen.”
A faint blush rose unconsciously across Wen Qingli’s ears—thankfully, her long hair was loose today, covering them completely.
“Captain Lu, it’s good to see you,” she replied politely, showing no sign of her inner turmoil.
After exchanging greetings, Wen Qingli turned to chat with a few other girls from their class.
As the class monitor pulled Lu Zheng aside to talk, his gaze drifted sideways to follow Wen Qingli. She had clearly taken great care with her appearance today—her makeup soft and elegant, giving her a look that was both pure and alluring. Below the hem of her dress, her calves were slender and straight, and her waist so tiny it seemed like it could be encircled with one hand. When she had walked past him just now, a light, sweet fragrance had drifted toward him.
Lu Zheng felt an odd tightness in his throat. Why did she look so beautiful today?
“Let’s have a group photo for Class Six right here at the gate!” the monitor called out loudly.
Everyone gathered quickly, with the girls standing in the front row and the boys behind them.
Wen Qingli had always been quiet and unassuming, never one to seek attention. She quietly made her way to the far end of the front row and stood still.
Suddenly, someone tapped her lightly on the shoulder from behind. She turned around instinctively, only to find Fu Wenzhou standing there.
A mischievous smile played on his lips. “I’m joining in for this photo too—just here to enjoy the fun.”
Before Wen Qingli could respond, she caught sight of a tall figure approaching from the corner of her eye.
Lu Zheng stood there, imposing and stern, his gaze sharp and cold as it fell on Fu Wenzhou. “You’re not from Class Six.”
Fu Wenzhou looked Lu Zheng over. The man was as cold and unyielding as ever, yet somehow even more handsome and masculine than he had been in school. “It’s not a graduation photo, so what harm is there in one extra person?”
He remained firmly planted behind Wen Qingli, refusing to move aside.
Lu Zheng’s expression darkened, and the air around him grew noticeably colder. “Go stand with your own class.”
His jaw tightened, and he radiated authority without even trying—this was the full presence of a criminal investigation captain. Even the most hardened criminals found it difficult to withstand his intimidating aura, let alone someone like Fu Wenzhou.
“Fine, fine, I’m going—no need to make such a big deal out of it,” Fu Wenzhou muttered.
Before walking away, he flashed a roguish grin at Wen Qingli. “Little Qingli, let’s take a picture together later, just the two of us.”
He whistled casually as he left, leaving Wen Qingli flustered. She glanced sideways at Lu Zheng, who had relaxed his stance slightly and moved to stand directly behind her.
At that moment, Bai Chuxue stepped forward. “Wen Qingli, would you mind switching places with me? I’ll let you stand in the center.”
Originally, Bai Chuxue had been in the middle position.
Wen Qingli pressed her lips together and replied calmly, “Thank you, but I’m perfectly fine right here.”
Her tone made it clear she had no intention of swapping spots.
Bai Chuxue shot her a quick, annoyed look before turning her attention back to Lu Zheng, her voice turning sugary and sweet as she spoke in a cajoling tone. “Ah Zheng, how about you swap places with Luo Wenhan? I’d really like you to stand right behind me.”
Wen Qingli’s slender fingers tightened slightly. She silently begged in her heart: don’t do it, please don’t agree. If he did, she would not speak a single word to him for the rest of the day.
Lu Zheng frowned deeply at Bai Chuxue. “Go back to your place and stand properly—don’t waste everyone’s time.”
His refusal was blunt and left no room for politeness.
Bai Chuxue’s smile froze instantly, her face flushing with embarrassment, irritation, and disappointment. Swallowing her frustration, she returned to her original spot in the middle.
Wen Qingli could barely contain her delight, and a small, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Since marrying her, Lu Zheng certainly knew how to respect his boundaries as a husband.
When it was time for the photo, the girls in the front row crouched slightly, while the boys in the back leaned forward to align with them. Lu Zheng glanced at Wen Qingli, then took a quiet step forward, subtly closing the distance between them.
The warmth of his breath brushed lightly against the delicate skin of her neck, and Wen Qingli stiffened completely.
Lu Zheng did not notice her reaction. His eyes traced the soft, graceful curve of her profile, growing a shade darker. She looked so fair, so gentle, and so well-behaved.
A light breeze swept past, lifting strands of her dark hair that brushed against his nose. A faint, sweet scent drifted over him—like soft feathers brushing against his skin, leaving a tingling sensation.
Lu Zheng’s Adam’s apple shifted, and for the first time during the photo, a rare smile appeared on his otherwise stern face.
The moment Lu Zheng leaned closer, Wen Qingli’s mind went completely blank. Her back straightened rigidly, and she froze in place, afraid to move even an inch. Her heart raced uncontrollably, leaving no room for her to think about posing for the camera.
When the shutter clicked, she stood there looking dazed and absent-minded. She felt a pang of embarrassment, certain she must look utterly foolish in the photo.
As the photo was taken, everyone stood up straight again. But having crouched for so long, Wen Qingli’s legs had gone numb, and she stumbled slightly off balance.
A large hand reached out just in time to grip her slender arm.
“Thank you,” she whispered, pulling her arm back as if she had been burned, too shy to meet his gaze.
Lu Zheng watched her deliberately distancing herself, feeling both amused and slightly helpless.
Soon, the group photo was shared in the class chat group. Wen Qingli quickly opened it and zoomed in on herself. Her expression appeared distant, her eyes blank, and her posture stiff and vacant.
By contrast, Lu Zheng, standing just behind her, leaned slightly forward, his features sharp and striking. The two of them were so close together. His dark eyes looked straight at the lens, and there was a faint, relaxed smile on his lips. It was clear he was in a good mood—and he looked incredibly handsome.
Next to him, she felt like nothing more than a dull, clueless fool. Wen Qingli sighed inwardly, feeling utterly mortified.
Lu Zheng also opened the photo and zoomed in on himself and Wen Qingli. The corner of his mouth lifted once more. She looked so adorable. He tapped the screen and saved the picture to his phone.
Everyone began wandering into the campus in small groups. Lu Zheng was extremely popular, surrounded by a crowd of former classmates eager to talk with him.
Wen Qingli walked further back with two other girls.
“I really don’t understand Bai Chuxue. Rumor has it she and Fu Wenzhou were together, so why does she keep hovering around Lu Zheng?”
Bai Chuxue moved ahead, bright and confident, laughing and chatting easily with the men around her. Yet Wen Qingli noticed that even while talking to others, Bai Chuxue’s gaze kept drifting back toward Lu Zheng.
She must truly have deep feelings for him, Wen Qingli thought. But then why had she gone abroad with Fu Wenzhou years ago?
“Qingli, do you know who else is coming today?” Mingtang suddenly ran over and linked her arm through Wen Qingli’s.
Seeing her friend’s bright, excited expression, Wen Qingli smiled. “Don’t tell me it’s your idol Qi Sheng?”
“That’s exactly it! Our school is amazing—they actually invited him! Later, you have to come with me to ask for an autograph and a photo, okay?”
Qi Sheng was a national superstar. Without any powerful family connections, he had worked his way up from nothing to become a celebrated actor, singer, and performer.
“Of course,” Wen Qingli nodded.
“It’s been ages since I’ve been back. I want to visit our old classroom—let’s go!”
Mingtang pulled Wen Qingli along, hurrying ahead.
Lu Zheng walked slowly, one hand resting casually in his pocket as he listened to the monitor speak. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Wen Qingli being pulled forward, her long hair flying behind her, her skin glowing like polished jade. Even from behind, she looked soft, graceful, and undeniably beautiful.
The stern line of Lu Zheng’s lips, which had been pressed tight, softened into the faintest hint of a smile.