Xu Lin, though confused, reached out and gently pulled Qin Yunhe into a hug to comfort her emotions.
"I'm okay, I'll be more careful next time."
"Next time?!"
"No, there won't be a next time." Xu Lin smiled awkwardly, took a deep breath, deciding not to hide anymore—it was only a matter of time before everything came out.
Glancing sideways at Su Qingwan, who seemed lost in a daze by now.
"Wanwan, are you hurt?"
Qin Yunhe released Xu Lin and turned to her best friend, reaching out to check on her, but Su Qingwan forcefully pushed her hand away!
"Wanwan?"
Qin Yunhe was stunned as she saw her friend's eyes change from dull to slightly angry.
"What's your relationship with him?"
"We... have no relationship." Qin Yunhe glanced at Xu Lin and then at her friend, taking hold of her hand.
"Please don't lie to me, okay?"
"I'm not. We're not in a romantic relationship, just friends. If there's any connection at all, it's that I like him."
Qin Yunhe looked earnestly at Su Qingwan, who sighed deeply in response.
"You like Xu Lin?"
"Yeah."
"When did this start?"
"During that mission we were on together, Xu Lin protected me."
Qin Yunhe looked at her friend seriously. She hadn't been acting impulsively just now; rather, she felt she shouldn't keep this from her friend any longer. If Su Qingwan found out later, it would only hurt her more.
As Su Qingwan listened, her anger slowly dissipated. After all, Xu Lin wasn't her boyfriend, and she had no right to stop her friend from pursuing a single guy, especially in such dangerous circumstances.
But as Qin Yunhe approached her, Su Qingwan caught a familiar scent of shampoo and remembered something.
Qin Yunhe must have a boyfriend; she had seen men's slippers and pajamas at her place, along with short hair—clear evidence.
Yet she claimed to like Xu Lin. Who exactly was her not-completely-denied boyfriend!?
"You're both liars!"
Su Qingwan's mind exploded. She growled lowly, stood up abruptly, and ran towards the stairs!
"Wanwan!"
Qin Yunhe stared blankly as Su Qingwan's figure disappeared from view, only the fading sound of footsteps remaining.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No... maybe she realized something on her own. By the way, why did you suddenly clarify things?"
Xu Lin looked at Qin Yunhe, slowly getting up, and she hurriedly supported him.
"Um, Sister Qin?"
The two young police officers were also awkward, unsure of what to do next.
"Take these two back first. I'll take Mr. Xu to treat his wound, then join you."
"Okay."
They helped Xu Lin up and headed towards the exit. Xu Lin pointed to the knife in the distance.
"Remember to pick that up."
"We're professionals; they're experienced."
"Yeah, make sure you pick it up. If I'm injured, I'll need some compensation!"
Xu Lin had a system, but he was still just an ordinary person. Getting stabbed and seeking some extra money was pretty normal.
"Let's discuss it later when they've been taken to the hospital first; you were quite heavy-handed."
"It was self-defense."
"You're quite skilled, how did you make a mistake this time and get injured?"
"I thought it was just one person, but they ambushed me from the shadows with a knife."
"Then let me take you to my friend's place first to clean up a bit."
"Your friend's place? Do you know a doctor there?"
"Well, we're not exactly friends. About six months ago, when I accidentally got injured while catching a thief, I went to the hospital for treatment and met them. We got acquainted afterwards."
"Is it a man or a woman?"
Seeing the mischievous look in Xu Lin's eyes, Qin Yunhe burst out laughing and leaned her head against Xu Lin's neck.
"What are you thinking? Jealous of a woman?"
"She's a doctor, why would I be jealous~"
"Haha~ If you're not jealous, then you're not jealous. Shall we go?"
"Wait, shouldn't we go upstairs and check on Teacher Su? I'm worried about her..."
Xu Lin remembered that Teacher Su seemed fragile inside, like a little girl, and felt a bit uneasy.
"Don't go up and cause trouble, I understand her better than you. Even though she's as sensitive as a child, she's not foolish or irrational."
"After we clean up your wound and take you home, I'll come over and chat with her."
"Okay."
The two young police officers put them in the car and took them to the hospital first, while Xu Lin got into Qin Yunhe's car.
"Sorry, I ruined your date with Wanwan."
"We didn't have a date, just confronting her parents. I feel like I'm falling apart."
"That's how it is when you meet your father-in-law and mother-in-law, when will you meet my dad?"
"..."
"Alright, let's wait a while. After Wanwan's done dealing with things, just be a good boyfriend to her for this short time."
"Are you so willing to let go of your boyfriend?"
"You're not my boyfriend either. Just now I didn't lie, but right now, Wanwan needs you more than I do."
"You're really good to your best friend."
"Of course, if we were a couple, maybe you wouldn't have to worry about anything right now."
"..."
"Oh, by the way, this impromptu sports event also showed me what it means to be popular. Isn't that right, hubby?"
"Say it one more time."
"Get lost!"
"Qin Yunhe, I should also tell you the truth."
"Hmm?" Qin Yunhe immediately stopped smiling, seeming to realize something, and shook her head.
"No need to say it. You've already promised me that after you graduate, you'll marry me, I won't care about anything else."
"Thank you."
Upon hearing her say this, Xu Lin felt happy but also strangely uncomfortable. Why are you all so understanding?
As they approached the doctor's office, Xu Lin remembered a term: coincidence.
Could this doctor be the same Zhu Zhaoxue he met at noon?
Could it really be so coincidental? If this is possible, he had to suspect that the system might be more terrifying than he imagined!
A few minutes later, they stopped at the entrance of a cake shop. Xu Lin felt a sense of familiarity.
"A cake shop?"
"The husband of this doctor lady runs a cake shop. She should be off work by now, and mainly, I want to eat Snow Beauty cake."
"I never thought you liked eating sweet things this much."
"I'm not interested in other sweets, but for some reason, I really like Snow Beauty."
"Next time, I'll make it for you myself."
"You said that last time too. Remember, don't forget."
The two entered the cake shop. Xu Lin looked at the interior decoration and realized why it felt familiar.
"What's wrong?"
"I bought you some snow beauty last time from right here."
"Well, what a coincidence."
"Welcome."
The two entered the room, where warm air and fragrances rushed into their nostrils, evoking the word 'sweet' in their minds.
"Xiao Qin, your aunt is resting upstairs."
"My friend accidentally got scratched and wanted to buy something, so we came over."
"Then quickly go upstairs and take care of it."
"Mm."
Xu Lin followed Qin Yunhe upstairs, where a middle-aged woman wearing an apron emerged.
Though older, she had a good temperament, wearing glasses that gave her an educated look.
"Xiao Qin, what's the matter? Coming to see me at this hour? Is everything alright?"
"My friend helped catch a thief and got cut."
"Come in quickly, let's take care of it! My daughter happens to be home, let her help."
"Mom, who is it?"
A lazy voice accompanied the opening of the door, and a girl in oversized pajamas peeked out, adjusting her glasses as she looked at them.
"Oh? It's you!"