As soon as Ning Xingchen walked out of the police station, he saw three people waiting for him: Liu Mingyan, Qin Bao'er, and Su Zihan.
"Xingchen!" The most emotional of them was Liu Mingyan. Seeing Ning Xingchen, she quickly ran over and hugged him tightly, shedding her usual composure as a female CEO.
"It's nothing. I just took a stroll inside!" Ning Xingchen smiled and patted Liu Mingyan on the back.
Liu Mingyan's intense concern warmed Ning Xingchen's heart, showing that this woman cared about him.
Perhaps fearing Qin Bao'er would misunderstand, Liu Mingyan released Ning Xingchen after a brief hug, her beautiful eyes filled with joy. Hearing that Ning Xingchen was taken to the police station had almost driven her crazy with worry, so she had rushed over immediately.
"Brother Xingchen, I can't live without you." Qin Bao'er threw herself into Ning Xingchen's arms, speaking from the heart.
After Qin Bao'er's hug, Ning Xingchen turned to Su Zihan with a smile, "Teacher Su, do you want a hug too?"
Su Zihan shook her head but kept smiling. When Ning Xingchen was taken away by the police, Su Zihan's anxiety and worry were no less than Liu Mingyan's.
On the second floor of the police station, in a brightly lit office, Song Bingning stood by the window, looking coldly at the scene below.
"Hmph, this little rascal is quite lucky, surrounded by three beauties, two older and one younger. Truly a playboy," Song Bingning muttered, her tone inexplicably tinged with jealousy.
Ning Xingchen seemed to sense a watchful gaze fixed on him. He instinctively looked up, coincidentally meeting Song Bingning's eyes. A playful smile flashed across his lips.
Song Bingning felt flustered, her pretty face turning red, and she quickly stepped away from the window.
"Brother Xingchen, we've been waiting for you for a long time, and I haven't had dinner yet," Qin Bao'er said, touching her small belly, looking like a little foodie.
"Alright, tonight I'll treat you to a big meal. Pick any top restaurant in Donghai!" Ning Xingchen pinched Qin Bao'er's cheek, feeling great.
"Yay, I want to eat French cuisine!" Qin Bao'er exclaimed happily.
With that, the four of them got in the car, ready to go for dinner.
"Thank you, Teacher Su," Ning Xingchen said softly as he walked past Su Zihan.
"Thank me for what?" Su Zihan pretended not to understand.
"Teacher Su, adversity reveals true feelings. It seems we are truly good friends now." Ning Xingchen winked at Su Zihan with a charming smile.
"We were always friends," Su Zihan muttered. The phrase "true feelings" made Su Zihan blush, leading to a complete misunderstanding.
Meanwhile, Song Bingning drove home alone.
As soon as she entered the living room of the villa, Song Jianguo noticed his daughter's dejected look, as if she were in a bad mood.
"Bingning, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? I asked Aunt Sun to save some chicken soup for you. Have a bowl later," Song Jianguo, who doted on his only daughter, could sense any slight change in her emotions.
"Dad, I was bullied today!" Song Bingning sat next to her father, hugging his arm and starting to complain.
Though usually imposing and serious as a police officer outside, at home, Song Bingning liked to act spoiled, always showing her innocent and lively side.
"Who? Who dares bully you? I'll skin him alive!" Song Jianguo frowned, exuding the natural authority of a high-ranking official.
...
"Ning Xingchen!" Song Bingning didn't exactly hate Ning Xingchen, but his nonchalance and calm demeanor left her feeling deeply frustrated.
"Ning Xingchen, who is he?" Song Jianguo couldn't recall any prominent figure in Donghai by that name.
"He's just a rogue!" Song Bingning couldn't stop thinking about Ning Xingchen's trademark mischievous smile.
"Should I have someone teach him a lesson?" Song Jianguo tentatively asked, sensing that his daughter might not have any deep-seated hatred towards Ning Xingchen, but perhaps just a minor conflict.
"Forget it. Ning Xingchen is not an ordinary person. Even our chief treats him with great respect," Song Bingning pouted.
"Nonsense! In all of Donghai, there's no one I, Song Jianguo, am afraid of!" Song Jianguo said confidently.
"Dad, you don't need to get involved. I can handle it myself. I'm going to bed!" Song Bingning yawned and headed to her bedroom.
Sitting on the sofa, Song Jianguo hesitated for a moment before deciding to call Chief Wang.
"Old Wang, what happened tonight? Why is my daughter so upset?" Song Jianguo asked coldly.
"Director Song, here's what happened..." Chief Wang sighed, feeling wronged. He was caught between a rock and a hard place, being scolded by both superiors.
After the call, Song Jianguo's expression kept changing as he smoked several cigarettes. He hadn't expected such a trivial matter to involve such high-level figures in the city.
"It seems this Ning Xingchen is no ordinary person!" Song Jianguo sighed. He felt it necessary to advise his daughter not to go against Ning Xingchen, as he couldn't be offended.
From the call, Song Jianguo also learned about Murong Fei's involvement, clarifying the situation.
An experienced official, Song Jianguo quickly deduced that his daughter had been used by Murong Fei. He decided to talk to her tomorrow, advising her to stay out of this mess.
At the same time, Song Jianguo became curious about Ning Xingchen and planned to investigate his background further.
...
The next morning at ten, Ning Xingchen leisurely arrived at the office. He had barely settled in when Lin Hao knocked and walked in.
"Boss Ning, I'm glad you're here. I need to talk to you," Lin Hao said politely.
"Lin Hao, there's no one else here, you don't need to call me 'Boss Ning'," Ning Xingchen said, finding it awkward given their close relationship, like sworn brothers.
"Alright, Brother Xing," Lin Hao chuckled warmly, appreciating the genuine brotherhood where they could be candid without any reservations.
An Yujing, who was organizing files, was pleasantly surprised and happy. Ning Xingchen's words made her feel like she was considered part of his inner circle.
"Yujing, pour a cup of tea for your Brother Hao," Ning Xingchen said softly.
An Yujing nodded, stood up, and prepared to pour tea for Lin Hao.
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