As Chen Yi walked through the bustling commercial street, he attracted an extraordinary amount of attention, turning heads wherever he went. It wasn't because he was strikingly handsome or exuded some unparalleled charm, but rather for the opposite reason—his disheveled and impoverished appearance stood out like a sore thumb.
After all, this was one of the most upscale shopping districts in Quancheng City. Whether it was the staff, the shoppers, or even the window-browsers who didn't intend to buy anything, everyone here was impeccably dressed, exuding an air of sophistication and refinement.
Even the beggars across the street, if not for their profession, would likely be tempted to don suits and ties just to blend in.
But then there was Chen Yi—dust-covered from head to toe, his hair a tangled mess plastered against his face, and in his hand, he carried a dirt-stained burlap sack. Whatever was inside clinked and jingled with every step he took.
Having run nearly six kilometers from Thief Three's hideout before finally hailing a taxi, Chen Yi was drenched in sweat under the scorching sun. Even with his robust physique, he couldn't escape the exhaustion and discomfort of the sweltering heat.
Adding to his misery, the village near Wangzhuang was undergoing demolition and reconstruction. Heavy-duty Steyr trucks roared past, kicking up clouds of dust that filled the air. Walking through the area, Chen Yi inevitably became a victim of the flying debris, his face and clothes coated in grime.
This wouldn't have been so unusual in the outskirts or slums, where poverty was commonplace. But Chen Yi, oblivious to his appearance, carried himself with the proud demeanor of a peacock, head held high and chest puffed out.
The stark contrast between his bearing and his shabby exterior was jarring, to say the least.
When he pushed open the glass door of Jinda Jewelry Store, as expected, every gaze in the shop turned toward him. Chen Yi, unfazed, paused to survey the room before walking straight to the lounge area and taking a seat beside a stunning woman.
The woman was tall and elegant, her long hair tied in a simple ponytail that only enhanced her natural beauty. She wore no makeup or ostentatious jewelry, yet her aura was magnetic, like a blooming rose that outshone even the store's most exquisite gems.
In just twenty minutes, several men had already approached her, attempting to strike up a conversation. But Luo Yan didn't even bother to open her eyes, dismissing them with cold indifference, leaving these self-assured suitors retreating in defeat.
Now, everyone in the store was waiting for a spectacle, hoping this "country bumpkin" would make a fool of himself in front of the beautiful police officer. Perhaps she'd even throw him out with a swift over-the-shoulder toss.
But what happened next left everyone stunned.
Instead of showing the slightest annoyance, Luo Yan smiled warmly, a sight so rare it sent jaws dropping.
"What happened to you? Did you fall into a sewer? And you made me wait so long!"
At twenty-five, Luo Yan was five years older than Chen Yi, so calling herself his "big sister" wasn't entirely unreasonable.
Chen Yi rolled his eyes and replied irritably, "Big sister, you've got some nerve saying that. You promised to pick me up from the hospital, but you were nowhere to be found. I'm just a poor guy who can't afford a taxi, so I had to run all the way here."
"Poor? You? Don't make me laugh. You can swindle ten grand just by waving your hands and talking nonsense. How many people in Quancheng can earn money as easily as you? Meanwhile, we poor souls running around on errands barely scrape by on meager salaries, constantly risking our lives—especially when dealing with unreliable informants."
Luo Yan still harbored resentment over Chen Yi's antics at the Public Security Bureau.
"Big sister, don't you dare bite the hand that feeds you. I helped you crack two major cases and even got injured in the process!"
If anyone had a right to feel aggrieved, it was Chen Yi. Despite his contributions, he was rewarded with nothing but a flimsy certificate—barely worth the paper it was printed on.
Who cared about such a thing? He could print a stack of them at any copy shop for fifty cents apiece.
"Alright, alright, I'll forgive you this time. Let's go eat—my treat."
Luo Yan, feeling somewhat guilty about Chen Yi's injuries, decided to let bygones be bygones.
Chen Yi, however, was speechless at how easily she dismissed the matter. Still, she was a beauty, and beauties always seemed to have a free pass.
At least, that's what Chen Yi, a genuine and hopeless romantic, believed.
Just as the two stood up, a man in a crisp white shirt and gold-rimmed glasses entered the store with a beautiful woman on his arm. Spotting Luo Yan, the man's face lit up with surprise.
"Officer Luo, shopping today?"
"And why shouldn't I be?" Luo Yan replied with a sidelong glance, her tone anything but polite.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. It's just rare to see you shopping," the man stammered, clearly flustered by her sharp response. However, he quickly recovered and looked at her with burning enthusiasm. "Do you have time for lunch? Let's eat together."
"No thanks, I'm with a friend," Luo Yan replied curtly.
"A friend?"
Only then did the man notice Chen Yi.
He gave Chen Yi a once-over, taking in his sweat-soaked, dusty clothes and the burlap sack in his hand. A flicker of disdain flashed behind his glasses, though he quickly masked it with a forced smile and extended his hand.
"Hello, I'm Fang Yixuan."
"Chen Yi," came the brief reply as they shook hands.
The woman on Fang Yixuan's arm, however, didn't bother with pleasantries. Her face was cold, her disdain barely concealed.
After all, who could remain pleased watching their man fawn over another woman right in front of them?
"Officer Luo, what a coincidence. Is this your boyfriend?" the woman sneered, raising her chin haughtily. "My, what unique taste you have."
Her name was Zhao Liping, a colleague of Luo Yan's. Both had joined the Municipal Public Security Bureau in the same year, though one became a detective and the other a secretary.
Dubbed the "Two Flowers" of the bureau, their personalities couldn't have been more different. Luo Yan was bold and headstrong, never compromising on anything that displeased her. Even the bureau's leadership often found her impossible to handle.
Zhao Liping, on the other hand, was tactful and calculating, always knowing how to navigate social situations with grace.
By all accounts, Zhao Liping should have been more popular. But reality was quite the opposite.
While everyone got along with Zhao Liping, they did so cautiously, wary of her perceived cunning and her closeness to the leadership as a secretary. Luo Yan, despite her fiery temper, was the one people genuinely liked. Even if she scolded or kicked someone, they'd laugh it off as a joke.
This inexplicable disparity filled Zhao Liping with resentment, which only deepened when it came to her boyfriend. Fang Yixuan, a wealthy and handsome real estate mogul, had once pursued Luo Yan fervently, only to be rejected outright.
"Unless you can beat me in a fight, don't bother. I'm not looking for a 'delicate flower' to take care of," Luo Yan had reportedly said.
After months of futile effort, Fang Yixuan gave up and somehow ended up with Zhao Liping.
But women are inherently jealous creatures, and Zhao Liping couldn't stomach the fact that her man was someone else's castoff.
Now, seeing Luo Yan with a man who looked like a pauper, Zhao Liping couldn't resist the urge to gloat.
"None of your business," Luo Yan snapped.
Zhao Liping's face darkened briefly but quickly regained her composure. She toyed with the diamond ring on her finger and turned to Chen Yi.
"Mr. Chen, this ring costs over a hundred thousand yuan. How many years would you have to work to buy something like this for Officer Luo? Why not quit your job and join Yixuan's company? With hard work, your income could multiply several times over. You wouldn't want to embarrass Luo Yan, would you?"
Her words were cutting, laced with mockery.
Luo Yan's expression shifted, but just as she was about to retort, Chen Yi subtly tugged her sleeve, signaling her to hold back.
"Oh? You mean I could work at your company?" Chen Yi asked, his tone a mix of surprise and naivety.
"Of course, if you're willing," Zhao Liping replied with a sneer.
"And how much could I earn in a year?" Chen Yi continued, feigning innocence.
"That depends on your performance. But ten grand a month isn't out of reach," Zhao Liping said dismissively, growing impatient.
"Ten grand a month? Are you joking?" Chen Yi exclaimed, his voice loud enough to draw the attention of everyone in the store.
"Joking? I don't have time for jokes. Take it or leave it," Zhao Liping snapped, clearly expecting Chen Yi to grovel.
But Chen Yi's next words caught her completely off guard.
"Ten grand a month? That's laughable. What can you even buy with that? A diamond so small a fly could sit on it? Only a fool would want that. Besides, ten grand is what I make in a day."