Chapter 15

C15 – Did You Have the Heart to Refuse Me?

Officer Liu Gaang, who recognized Zhang Xiaoloong, swung the door open and informed, “Officer Ye, you have a call waiting.”nove(l)bi(n.)com

Zhang Xiaoloong attempted to take the note, but the officer pulled it back and returned it to his pocket. He then pivoted and left without saying another word to Zhang Xiaoloong.

So her surname was “Ye,” Zhang Xiaoloong thought.

Previously, he often heard people refer to her as “Ye.” He thought it was linked to “leaf” like a tree’s leaf, but little did he know it was associated with “night.”

“Yemei,” did it signify the night’s demon? This name truly resonates with her!

Following Yemei’s exit, Liu Gaang cast a quick glance her way and then sneakily slipped in.

“Apologies, young brother. Reporter Yang has clarified the whole situation. We’re all aware this has nothing to do with you, and we must express our gratitude for saving our lives,” Liu Gaang began, then a trace of awkwardness crossed his face. “However, Night Officer wants to question you personally, so our hands are tied. Not just us, even our director can’t afford to offend her. We’re sorry on your behalf.”

“It’s alright. Actually, Officer Yemei didn’t give me a hard time,” Zhang Xiaoloong responded, observing their politeness and feeling slightly embarrassed. After all, the misunderstanding was complicated, and apart from himself, nobody could discern it so clearly.

“Here, let me unlock your handcuffs.” Liu Gaang chuckled, giving Zhang Xiaoloong’s shoulder a pat before producing the handcuff key.

Zhang Xiaoloong raised his hand to examine it and couldn’t help but feel more self-conscious.

He had indeed been handcuffed earlier, but Yemei’s sudden attack and test caught him off guard. Amid his panic, he hadn’t managed to break them. At this point, not a shred of the cuffs remained in the room.

“Oh, so Officer Ye had already taken care of it for you,” Liu Gaang mused, momentarily surprised before looking around again. It then struck him that two tables in the interrogation room had been shattered. His surprise transformed into astonishment. After a long pause, he muttered incredulously, “Man, you’re truly something. I heard a woman’s cry from within, thought I’d misheard, but you... Tsk tsk tsk, now I understand why Officer Ye instructed us to disable the surveillance cameras!”

Perplexed by his words, Zhang Xiaoloong began to deduce something upon witnessing the astonishment shift into a peculiar form of admiration.

The realization connecting the shattered tables and a woman’s scream made him involuntarily cough. “Um... Officer Liu, it’s not what you’re imagining.”

“Got it, got it.” Liu Gaang grinned and patted Zhang Xiaoloong’s arm. “Don’t overthink it. By the way, feel free to stop with the ‘Officer Liu’ stuff. If you don’t mind, you can call me Brother Liu. If you need any help around here, just find me. But with Officer Ye watching your back, getting anything done might prove a challenge.”

“Yes, yes, you’re right. Truly, the one with the most reason to extend gratitude is you.” A suspicion began to emerge in Zhang Xiaoloong’s mind. “Wait a minute. Wasn’t I apprehended because someone was targeting you?”

Yang Jingjing playfully stuck her tongue out. “Indeed, which is why I should be thanking you as well. But let’s not dawdle on that now. We should hurry out; time’s ticking away.”

Zhang Xiaoloong found himself puzzled. He hadn’t grasped what she meant by time running short, but if departure was an option, he was all for it. Thus, he allowed Yang Jingjing to whisk him out of the police station with a sense of urgency.

“Tsk tsk, first, we have the imposing iceberg, and now, an additional presence in the form of a female journalist. This young man’s life sure is...” Liu Gaang mused in solitude. “The career of a sweeper of disasters is no easy one!”

......

“Hey, where are you dragging me off to?” Zhang Xiaoloong looked at Yang Jingjing, who was pulling him into the taxi, and couldn’t help but feel a bit bewildered.

“I’m taking us back to Qinghe Village, of course. I still haven’t had the chance to interview you. Tell me, why did you drop out of school? Your health is obviously sturdier than an ox.” Yang Jingjing asked with an air of seriousness, even turning on her recording device.

“Cough cough... That metaphor of yours...” Zhang Xiaoloong found himself caught between laughter and exasperation.

Yang Jingjing chuckled, “I was just teasing you, but I really am here to interview you. Considering I’ve helped you out quite a bit, can you grant me an exclusive scoop?”

“Could it be for real?” Initially, Zhang Xiaoloong thought the other person was jesting, but it appeared they were genuinely interested in interviewing him.

The title of national college entrance examination champion could be deemed a news item, but its relevance depended on timing. Several months had already passed, and the buzz around the accomplishment had significantly dwindled. Even if mentioned now, it wouldn’t attract considerable attention.

Though Zhang Xiaoloong wasn’t exactly well-versed in these matters, he still possessed some common sense. Despite Qinghe Village’s modest circumstances, it wasn’t as if they were completely ignorant.

“How can you say you don’t know? I’ve told you my intentions already. Will you agree to my interview or not?” Yang Jingjing inquired.

Before Zhang Xiaoloong could respond, she suddenly lifted her innocent and adorable face, adopting a pitiable expression. “Seeing as I’ve come all this way, can you bear to turn me down?”

Her large, watery eyes blinked at him, as if the sound of their lashes touching could be heard with each blink. This sight left Zhang Xiaoloong with a peculiar feeling in his heart.

Creak...

The taxi suddenly stopped, and the two of them who were looking at each other fell forward in the meantime.