Erica had just stepped out when the police captain and the officer Ethan had sent to fetch water came in. Both men had unpleasant expressions, like they'd just caught their wives cheating, their faces etched with indignation.
"Bam!" The captain slammed his peaked cap onto the table. "What did you say to Erica just now?"
"I didn't say anything," Ethan replied, feigning innocence.
"Didn't say anything? Then why did she run out with a flushed face? You rascal, come clean! I can tell you're not being honest."
"Sir, I truly didn't say anything... oh, wait, I did criticize her a bit," Ethan said, his eyes darting around.
"Criticize? Why would you criticize her? What right do you have?"
"I just offered some criticism from a man's perspective. She's such a beautiful young woman, it's a shame she spends all day in a police uniform, fighting and killing. It's too dangerous. Don't you think she should find a handsome, polite, successful man to marry and stay home to be a good wife and mother? I think finding someone like you, sir, would be quite good. But I'm sure your standards are too high, you might not fancy her," Ethan said, looking at the captain with a serious expression.
A flicker of delight crossed the captain's face, which he quickly tried to suppress. "Well, Erica is indeed quite good, just a bit stubborn and too righteous. I've advised her many times to quit the police force, but she won't listen."
"Ah, sir, that's where you're wrong. Men need to establish their authority in front of women. Look at you, you've climbed to the position of captain through your own abilities, managing so many people under you. You must be very capable. How can you not manage your own girlfriend?" Ethan subtly brought their relationship closer. He knew Erica was the key.
This time, the captain couldn't hide the joy on his face. He pulled up a chair and sat next to Ethan, sighing. "Well, you're right. Brother, let me tell you, I used to be quite the ladies' man. With a snap of my fingers, women would line up to throw themselves at me. But this Erica, she's something else."
"Hmm, sir, we can discuss this issue. You've been with Miss Erica for so long, what kind of woman do you think she is?"
"Well, she's definitely beautiful, but a bit cold, very kind, upright, and can't tolerate a speck of dust... not very good at dressing up. Once, our department attended a banquet, she didn't even know how to put on makeup or wear high heels... doesn't have any extravagant desires, very simple in terms of clothing and food. Many of the expensive gifts I gave her, she just tossed aside without a second glance... Brother, isn't this kind of woman difficult to handle?"
"Sir, that's where your strategy is flawed," Ethan nodded and said.
"Strategy is flawed? Brother, please enlighten me. I'm at my wit's end," the captain said with a pained expression.
Ethan nodded and asked, "Do you feel like she's always superior, without desires, like a goddess you can't touch?"
The captain thought for a moment, then slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "That's right! She's... because I like her, I respect her very much, I'm gentle and polite to her, I indulge her in everything. I wouldn't dare use any of the scoundrel tactics I used to chase girls on her. Our relationship has always been distant. I don't even have an excuse to get closer."
"Right, that's the problem. Think about it, would a woman rather marry a man who treats her like a woman, or one who puts her on a pedestal like a goddess? Whether they are goddesses or fairies, they are ultimately women. If you hold the belief that she's only to be admired from afar, then the distance between you will only grow."
The captain excitedly put his arm around Ethan's shoulder and said happily, "That's right! Brother, you're truly a master, you've hit the nail on the head. In terms of picking up girls, you're my elder brother now. By the way, my name is Yan Ming, no need to call me sir, just call me by my name... Brother, do you have any strategies?"
"It's actually quite simple. Just treat her like any other woman you've pursued. Use money tactics, sympathy ploys, relentless pursuit, even aphrodisiacs... whatever you can think of. Don't be so polite to her, swear words, dirty talk, let it all out. You can pamper her, but stick to your principles. You need to take the initiative, be hot and cold towards her, contact her every day sometimes, then disappear for a few days, keep her guessing... within three months, she'll be head over heels for you. You tell her to go east, she won't dare go west. You tell her to take off her pants, she won't even think about taking off her shirt."
"Will that work? Won't she get angry?"
"She will," Ethan affirmed.
"Damn, and you still want me to do that?"
"Sir, we need to overturn all her previous impressions of you. She'll be angry at first, but looking back, she'll find it stimulating. This will make her curious about you. And you know, once a woman becomes curious about a man, she's not far from falling in love with him."
"Alright. Brother, I'll do as you say. If I can win over this police flower, I won't forget your guidance. We'll have a good drink at Trump Tower then."
"Hmm. I wish you success, sir... I have to say, you're truly blessed with beautiful women... that Erica... sister-in-law is truly drop-dead gorgeous. She's got the figure, the face..."
"Haha, she's alright. You don't know how hard it is to pick this flower, there are plenty of men in the police system alone who have their eyes on her. If it weren't for your enlightenment today, brother, I'd definitely have no chance."
Turning back to Ethan, he smiled, "Brother, this matter isn't easy to handle, but I'll find a way to protect you. Of course, the person you offended has a lot of power, so the chances of success are slim. But at least you won't suffer under my watch."
"Thank you, sir," Ethan rubbed his eyes vigorously, then tears welled up in them.
"Haha, no need to be polite. It's fate that we met, and you've helped me. To be honest, if I can marry Erica, my future career will be... at least this level," the captain drew a character with his hand.
"Sir and sister-in-law are a match made in heaven, you'll definitely succeed. Then I'll wish you a bright future, sir."
The captain laughed heartily. "Haha, well said, well said. Brother, what are your hobbies?"
"Well... I'm a simple man, not as refined as you, sir. To be honest, I usually just watch some adult films... you know, the kind that starts with the first letter of the English alphabet."
The captain nodded knowingly. "Haha, I watched too many of those when I was in school, I'm not interested anymore. I'm just focused on catching my Erica."
"Of course, of course. If sister-in-law were to... sister-in-law is much more alluring than the actresses in those films. Besides, the thought of taking down a cold, goddess-like woman on the bed... it's quite thrilling."
"Hehe, indeed. Sometimes when I can't sleep at night, I think about Erica... and it happens quickly."
"Bang!" The door of the interrogation room was kicked open. Erica stood outside, her face filled with fury.