"Celebrity?" Xiang Ri vaguely recalled the man now standing before him, someone just a bit less attractive than himself—a so-called idol named Sima something.
"Hardly a celebrity, just a bit of fame," Sima Yu replied with feigned modesty, though his smug expression betrayed him. In truth, he hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance here, let alone one he found so irksome. And this kid seems to have yet another girlfriend—lucky bastard. Each one more beautiful than the last.
Behind Sima Yu stood three others, one being the girl who'd accompanied him before, though her name—something with "Zi" in it—escaped Xiang Ri.
The other two were strangers, a man and a woman. The man was strikingly handsome, with shoulder-length hair that outshone even Sima Yu's looks, though he lacked his physique, which saved Sima from being entirely overshadowed.
The woman, delicate and refined, embodied a classical beauty, though her pale face hinted at fragile health. Her delicate frame exuded a sense of vulnerability that stirred a protective instinct.
"Sima, aren't you going to introduce your friends?" asked the handsome man with the long hair, his eyes fixed intently on Tie Wan.
"Oh, almost forgot," Sima laughed awkwardly, casting a disdainful glance at Xiang Ri. "This is... someone I met a few days ago. Barely an acquaintance, really. We've only crossed paths once." He then turned to Tie Wan with a polite smile, saying, "As for this beautiful lady, may I have the honor of knowing your name?"
Ordinarily, Tie Wan would relish anyone slighting Xiang Ri, but she felt an inexplicable distaste for this courteous man before her. She shot him a cold glance, picked up her spoon, and continued sipping her soup without a word.
Sima's face reddened with embarrassment, but just as he was about to leave, the handsome man with long hair restrained him, his gaze on Tie Wan brightening with interest. "This lady has quite a spirit. I wonder if I might have the privilege of knowing her?"
"Li Xinghe?" Tie Wan's spoon paused mid-air as her eyes flashed. "Are you the son of Li Sansheng?"
"Oh? You've heard of my father?" Li Xinghe appeared surprised. By all accounts, his father was not a public figure, and few women would be interested in such matters—unless this woman herself held some unique position. A hint of wariness crept into his gaze, and his earlier intent waned somewhat.
"Who in Beihai City doesn't know the founder of the Panlong Association, kingpin of the underworld?" Tie Wan replied coldly.
"My father is a legitimate businessman," Li Xinghe laughed uneasily, swiftly changing the subject. "By the way, may I have the honor of becoming acquainted with you?"
"Sure—just hand over the evidence of your family's crimes," Tie Wan replied without hesitation.
Even Li Xinghe, known for his composure, couldn't keep his patience. He glared at the impudent woman before him, let out a cold huff, and turned on his heel to leave.
Throughout, Xiang Ri watched with amusement, though he didn't miss the chilling glare Li Xinghe shot back at Tie Wan before departing. Noting her obliviousness, he decided it was time to warn her. "Little girl, you'd better watch out. That guy might try to pull something underhanded."
"Let him try. I've been looking for an excuse to put that scum in his place. If he dares make a move, I'll make sure he regrets it!" Tie Wan's voice dripped with disdain.
"Still so overconfident. I remember a certain someone once hid behind me seeking protection," Xiang Ri mused with a smirk.
"Shut up!" Tie Wan snapped, recalling the first time they met when she'd instinctively sought his help to escape the notorious "Black Dog." It was the most humiliating moment of her life—especially in front of this bastard.
"Why can't you just appreciate my goodwill? Do you really think you're invincible? What if he ambushes you, knocks you out, and takes you somewhere far away? Imagine, a beautiful woman like you falling into his hands..."
"Stop it!" Tie Wan covered her ears, unwilling to entertain such thoughts, and glared at him. "You're coming back with me later."
"I might have classes this afternoon," Xiang Ri replied, barely containing his delight but feigning reluctance.
"Don't forget you're supposed to listen to me!"
"Of course, of course," Xiang Ri nodded. Then, with a sudden shift, he remarked nonchalantly, "By the way, you received a call earlier and immediately asked where I was last night..." He left the sentence unfinished, confident she'd piece together the rest. His indirect approach revealed his curiosity without raising suspicion.
"My colleague called just now," Tie Wan replied. "The person found dead in the bar wasn't burned to death. They'd already been shot, with a Desert Eagle, before the fire. Not only that, but this incident links to another major case."
"Is that so? No wonder you're suspicious of me," Xiang Ri chuckled wryly, rubbing his nose. "You mentioned another major case? Isn't the murder of 13 people big enough? Or could there possibly be something even more significant?"
"Did you read the news today?"
"Does watching *Pleasant Goat* count?"
"You're still watching children's shows...," Tie Wan felt the urge to throttle him but restrained herself and continued. "Last night, a wealthy man and dozens of his bodyguards were murdered, and his son was already dead in a bar before he was killed. I suspect it's a premeditated vendetta."
Xiang Ri's eyes flickered—thankfully, he'd already instructed the gang last night, or he'd be exposed by now. "Have they caught the killer?"
"Not yet!" Tie Wan, unaware she was revealing confidential police information, continued. "There was only one perpetrator, but incredibly cunning. Aside from a few trivial traces, all evidence was erased." She shifted the topic to him. "Hey, I advise you not to go out for the next few days. You've been to the Sinking Bar several times; be careful the killer doesn't come looking for you."
"Since when were you so concerned about me?" Xiang Ri eyed her with curiosity.
"Concerned about you? Self-absorbed much? You're just a free lackey, and I'd rather not lose you too suddenly."
"What? You see me as a lackey?"
"So what? You've treated me as..." She couldn't bring herself to say it, but the memory of his intention to use her as a doll surged, her glare sharp with indignation.
"As what?" Seeing her look as though she could eviscerate him, Xiang Ri felt a chill. Reflecting on it, he was sure he hadn't offended her. Little did he know, one casual comment had already earned her ire.
"Can't you just let things go? Are you really going to quibble like this?" With a dismissive glance, Tie Wan got up to leave. "Come on, time to go home."
"Hey, it seems someone hasn't paid the bill," Xiang Ri helpfully reminded.
"A certain someone's lackey can handle it."
"Damn... you win this round!"
After settling the bill, he noticed Tie Wan waiting outside, not having left him behind. Relieved, he asked, "Where to now?"
"My place."
"But I..."
"You're coming too." The tone was final.
...
It was the same white apartment building almost entirely enveloped in greenery.
"Aren't you afraid to bring a strange man home?"
"Afraid?" She scoffed, her tone laced with confidence in her own strength and disdain for this hooligan.
"Alright, enough with the riddles. Why did you bring me here? Just say it."
"Of course there's a good reason. I haven't had a good night's sleep in days, so I called you here... um, to keep an eye on things for me... no, I mean, to protect me. What else did you think?"
"That's the important reason?" Xiang Ri's eyes widened, feeling more humiliated than if she'd merely teased him. A wicked thought crossed his mind. "Do you believe I won't actually take advantage of you?"
"Don't you dare!" Tie Wan snapped.
To be honest, Xiang Ri didn't have the nerve, though he still wanted to needle her. "Fine, I'll let it slide. I know that when women hit a certain age, they get those odd tempers..."
"Shut up!" Tie Wan interrupted mercilessly. "From now on, don't step a foot out of the living room until I come out of the bedroom."
"Hold on!" Just as she was about to enter her room, Xiang Ri called out, "Is your bed big enough? I'm feeling a bit tired myself. You don't mind saving me just a little space, do you? I'm not greedy—just need a little bit of room..."