Evening after work.

Gu Ji had just walked out of the brigade’s gate when he saw a short-haired girl wearing a baseball cap standing at the entrance, holding two cups of fruit tea. It was Li Huiran.

As soon as he appeared, Li Huiran seemed to come to life.

Her eyes sparkled with joy, her cheeks turned red, and her mouth involuntarily curved up as if she wasn’t affected at all by him mentioning his "girlfriend."

"Finally off work, Gu Ji bro, where’s your girlfriend?"

"Ah..."

During a week of interaction, the way they addressed each other on WeChat gradually changed. Gu Ji responded perfunctorily, his eyes scanning around, but he couldn’t see any trace of Chen Zhiyu.

Is this girl reliable or not?

But on the surface, he still raised his wrist and checked the time, "She should be here soon. My girlfriend is usually busy with work, sorry!"

"It’s okay, I actually want to see what kind of woman could capture such a remarkable guy like you!"

As she spoke, Li Huiran handed him the milk tea in her hand, "I bought you avocado tea, didn’t know if it’s the flavor you like."

"Ah, thank you."

Gu Ji hadn’t intended to take it, but he hadn’t expected Li Huiran to have already inserted a straw and handed it over, plus it was a flavor he liked, so he took a symbolic sip.

"It’s only mid-May, and the weather in Ningzhou is already heating up."

Li Huiran said while sipping her milk tea. Suddenly, she raised her eyebrows, slightly surprised, "Mm! This is really good, Gu Ji bro, you should try it!"

The next second, she handed the fruit tea in her hand to Gu Ji.

Her lips gently dabbed, she looked at him tenderly.

Though the whole process was very natural, Gu Ji still felt that the gesture was a bit too intimate, especially seeing the lipstick stain on the white straw, it inexplicably made his heart race.

Just as he was about to refuse.

Suddenly, a car stopped by the brigade road.

The car door opened, and out came a tall, quite handsome-looking girl.

She was wearing a light pink long-sleeved shirt, the collar slightly open, revealing an alluring collarbone and neck lines, paired with fitted jeans that just reached her ankles, showcasing her long leg lines.

Either from the warmth, or walking too hastily.

Her face was tinged with a slight red, a straight nose, rosy lips, a fair chin, clear and bright eyes beneath delicate lashes, with smooth hair naturally falling to her shoulders.

Seeing the woman coming toward them.

Li Huiran and Gu Ji’s eyes widened in surprise, as if they had been struck by lightning.

This, this is Chen Zhiyu?

This is way too beautiful, isn’t it?

Though Gu Ji had seen women growing up, mainly in his impression, Chen Zhiyu was the kind of girl who was pretty but always followed around like a tomboy, especially after joining the police academy with him.

Yet now, after graduating, this girl had become more mature.

Especially after growing her hair, with careful grooming, she appeared especially charming contrasted with the impression of the girl-next-door.

Could this be the contrast Gao Bo mentioned?

Until Chen Zhiyu walked up beside him, Gu Ji could even smell a faint lily scent, fresh, with a hint of sweetness.

"Caught in traffic, I’m sorry, were you anxious waiting, Gu Ji."

Chen Zhiyu glanced almost imperceptibly at the milk tea cup near Gu Ji’s lips, stained with lipstick, but what caught more of her attention was Li Huiran’s slightly unnatural gaze.

Immediately, she inserted herself between the two, stretched out a fair arm, took Gu Ji’s slightly rough palm, turned with a slight smile, revealing shallow dimples:

"You must be Li Huiran, hello, I’m Gu Ji’s girlfriend, Qiou Shiyu!"

"Y-you’re, hello, Miss Qiou."

Somehow, Li Huiran nodded and replied very stiffly, completely losing the joyful natural demeanor she just had, like her soul had been sucked out.

And when Gu Ji heard the name "Qiou Shiyu," his heart skipped a beat.

This name was Chen Zhiyu’s identity when she was on assignment as a foreign police officer in Japan.

Though he still didn’t know why Chen Zhiyu did this.

Yet the instincts cultivated from long-term special training allowed him to remain composed and unfazed, chiming in with a smile.

"I’ve been busy with work, so I haven’t had much time to take care of Gu Ji. Just as it happens, I’m free tonight, let’s have a meal together, give me a chance to thank you. I heard it’s been you chatting with her all this time, thank you so much, Miss Li!"

Chen Zhiyu was never the kind of soft girl to be pushed around.

When smiling, the dimples on her cheeks were captivating, but any woman with a bit of experience could hear the edge in her words.

It was obvious she was declaring her territory in front of Li Huiran.

"Miss Qiou, please don’t misunderstand, Gu Ji bro and I are just friends. Since you’ve finally met today, I won’t disturb your time together. Gu Ji bro, I’ll head out now!"

Li Huiran, like a defeated fighting cock, hurriedly bid farewell to Gu Ji and left.

After she got into a taxi.

Gu Ji’s previously wry smile immediately turned serious, "Qiou..."