North City Police Station.
An elderly officer led Chu Yuxuan and his brother into the lobby. The duty officer glanced at them and asked, "Master, what's going on with these two?"
The elderly officer rolled his eyes and said, "It's just a small dispute. This fat guy got punched."
The duty officer looked at the two of them, both amused and exasperated, "I mean, aren't you both in your twenties? For such a small issue to come all the way here?"
The elderly officer said grumpily, "Exactly. One's shouting about compensation, and the other's adamant about not paying, insisting on coming here to settle it. I've tried to mediate, but it's like talking to a brick wall! Ugh, I almost wanted to call the cops on them myself!"
The third brother, stiff-necked and aggressive, declared, "I don't care. Pay up."
Chu Yuxuan glanced disdainfully at Chen Qiang, who was slumped in a corner of the lobby, and said bluntly, "Alright, I admit defeat. How much are you asking for?"
The elderly officer was puzzled. "What?"
Chu Yuxuan asked, "What happened to the stubbornness you had just now? Why are you giving in now that we're here?"
Chu Yuxuan, with genuine concern, said, "I made a mistake, and coming here makes me feel guilty."
The third brother scowled, "So... how much are you going to compensate me?"
Chu Yuxuan was at a loss for words, thinking this guy was clearly not cut out for acting, and said casually, "Two hundred and fifty."
The third brother said, "Alright! It's settled then! Transfer the money to me via WeChat later. I'll be leaving now!" The elderly officer was bewildered, "Are you kidding me?!"
The duty officer, somewhat surprised, asked, "You two know each other? What's going on here?"
The elderly officer sighed and explained, "These two got into a fight over whether the national soccer team is a bunch of losers."
The duty officer was incredulous, "Are you serious? There's still room for debate on that topic?"
Chu Yuxuan pretended to leave but stopped when he saw Chen Qiang and said in surprise, "Hey, Chen Qiang? What are you doing here?"
Chen Qiang, head down and seemingly lost in thought, with veins bulging on his tightly clenched fists, was slightly trembling.
"Chen Qiang?" Chu Yuxuan called again.
Chen Qiang looked up, his face pale, lips bleeding from being bitten, and his eyes red. He seemed stunned and asked, "Yuxuan? What are you doing here?"
Chu Yuxuan sat next to him, sighed, and said, "Oh, don't even mention it. I got into a fight with someone."
"Oh..." Chen Qiang responded, falling silent and staring blankly at the ground.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Chu Yuxuan patted his arm, "Did something happen?"
"Nothing... nothing."
"Nothing, and you come here?" Chu Yuxuan put on a concerned yet scolding expression, "Is someone causing trouble at your shop? Tell me, and I'll deal with them for you!"
The elderly officer interrupted, "Hey? What are you trying to do? Go home, and stop making trouble here!"
Chu Yuxuan said, "Chen Qiang, you don't consider me a friend, do you? Can you really call this 'nothing'? Don't hide it from me; you know I can help."
Just then, Chen Qiang's sister, Chen Ting, and his wife were brought out by a police officer. Chen Qiang rushed to her, hugging and comforting the crying and trembling Chen Ting, and gently said, "It's okay, it's okay. Your brother's here!"; his wife looked extremely displeased, her eyes filled with anger, as she tightly clung to Chen Qiang's arm. When she saw Chu Yuxuan, this usually quiet beauty was momentarily stunned, her eyes showing surprise, and then quickly looked away.
Several police officers whispered to each other, and then the elderly officer said to Chen Qiang, "Your sister's case needs to be handed over to the criminal police. Let's go; I need to head to the criminal police department too, so I'll take you there."
Upon hearing this, Chu Yuxuan exclaimed, "Chen Qiang, what exactly happened? Why does it involve the criminal police?!"
Chen Qiang, already on edge, snapped, "Chu Yuxuan, can you stop asking? I've said it's nothing! Aren't you annoying?!"
The elderly officer added sternly, "You better leave now. You have no business here! If you cause more trouble, I'll arrest you."
Chu Yuxuan, feeling awkward, scratched his head and said, "Alright, alright, I'm leaving..."
At the door, he turned to Chen Qiang and said, "Chen Qiang, I really consider you a friend. If you need help, you must tell me!"
The G-Wagon was parked outside the police station. Once inside, the third brother asked, "Big brother, how did I perform?"
Chu Yuxuan glanced at his expectant face and said with a smile, "Very well. I'll reward you with a couple of punches when we get back."
The third brother pouted and asked, "What was Chen Qiang's reaction? Did it go smoothly?"
Chu Yuxuan fastened his seatbelt, made a 'let's go' gesture, and said, "His sister went through that kind of thing. How could he just talk about it casually?" The third brother started the car and said with a hint of resentment, "Can I take it to mean that my punch was for nothing?"
Chu Yuxuan laughed, "There's no such thing as a free ride... At least now he knows I'm aware of his situation. What happens next depends on how the police handle it."
He then took out his phone and sent a message to the second brother: "Check on Chen Ting's case at the criminal police department for me."
Unfortunately, on this New Year's Eve, a heavy snow began to fall. By evening, the snow had eased up a bit.
Zhao Yanan, alone at home, checked the time and saw it was already past nine. She thought she probably wouldn't have to go to Fenghuang Villa tonight and felt a bit of relief. But her joy was short-lived as Chu Yuxuan's call came in.
"Come pick me up at Liehuo Bar."
Half an hour later, Zhao Yanan drove to the entrance of Liehuo Bar. Just as she was about to call Chu Yuxuan, she saw him at the roadside, embracing a heavily made-up young woman, with his mouth close to her ear, engaging in intimate gestures. The girl seemed enchanted by him.
Seeing her husband being charming and flirtatious, Zhao Yanan remained calm. She took a photo with her phone, capturing the moment the girl kissed Chu Yuxuan on the cheek. The beautiful CEO smiled slightly and sent the photo to the PR manager with a note: "Keep this as a backup."
Then she honked the horn twice.
The affectionate couple looked towards the Maserati in the distance. Chu Yuxuan had a mischievous grin, and he playfully flicked the girl's hair. The girl, eager to get closer, pursed her lips and stood on tiptoe, but Chu Yuxuan blocked her with his finger and, with a wicked smile, staggered into the car.
"Bang!" The car door slammed shut, and Zhao Yanan immediately smelled the strong odor of alcohol.
She frowned and asked coldly, "Drunk?"
Chu Yuxuan's cheeks were slightly flushed, his eyes hazy with drunkenness. He replied with a cheeky grin, "Care about me?"
Zhao Yanan rolled her eyes, "Are you sure you're going home like this?"
Chu Yuxuan, unfazed, said, "Looks like you really do care about me..."
Zhao Yanan retorted, "I'd rather care about a dog!"
Chu Yuxuan, feigning hurt, said, "Woof..."