Thinking of her terrible state last night, Xiang Wan did not want to disturb her. She left Yuanyuan a note on the dining table where she wrote a few sentences of comfort and followed Bai Muchuan out of the door.

She carried a laptop bag on her back while he pulled a large suitcase along.

The two of them went inside the lift and none of them said a word.

Xiang Wan looked up at the decreasing number. Her heart was gradually unable to stay calm and finally, before the lift arrived at the first floor, she turned to look at him.

"I don't have to send you off, do I?" She did not really like farewell scenes much, and she tried to keep her tone sound as relaxed as possible.

"You don't have to." Bai Muchuan returned a smile and placed a hand on her waist. "But I need to send you to work."

"Don't worry." Xiang Wan took a look at his suitcase. "We're not going in the same direction. Moreover, it's quite convenient to take the subway. It's better not to delay catching your flight."

Bai Muchuan said coldly, "Even if I delay the launch of a rocket, I'll still send you to work."

"…"

This person had always been obstinate; Xiang Wan was unable to change his decision.

Of course, a couple who just fell in love would have wanted to stick together every day, even if they didn't do anything—just looking at each other would make them feel satisfied. Now that they had to be apart for a few days so abruptly, it was inevitable for both of them to feel a little lost and unsettled.

The car was parked in the bas.e.m.e.nt.

Bai Muchuan suddenly looked sideways at her as he opened the car door.

"Later I'll leave you with my car keys after I get Tang Yuanchu to drive me to the airport. In this way, it's more convenient for you to get to work…"

Xiang Wan was startled. "But I don't have a driving license."

"…"

When they were inside the car, Bai Muchuan helped to fasten the seat belt for Xiang Wan.

"Why didn't you go get a driving license?"

Xiang Wan could smell the fresh fragrance from him as he leaned over. Shrouded in his minty breath, Xiang Wan felt a little fl.u.s.tered and a little shy.

"I did, but I failed the test."

"…"

As if he had heard a joke that blew him away, Bai Muchuan's handsome face went stiff for a second before he cracked up.

"Teacher Xiang actually has such a dense side?"

"Is this really funny?"

"It's not." Bai Muchuan rapidly made his stand clear. "It's better that you can't drive. I'll be your dedicated chauffeur."

"Hmph! Hmph!" Xiang Wan swept a disdainful glance at him but was now appeased. "That's more like it. You sounded like you were a decathlete from what you've just said earlier."

"I'm close." Bai Muchuan raised his eyebrows and said confidently, "Things that can fly in the sky, swim in the water, and run on the land—there's nothing that I don't know."

"Hurhurhur!"

Xiang Wan let out peals of mocking laughter.

"You can shoot birds with a slingshot, catch fish with a net and throw stones at dogs?"

Bai Muchuan glanced at her deeply, his lips slowly formed an upward quirk—it felt tender, affectionate yet confident. "Little Xiang Wan, there's a lot of things that I know—fighting, Chinese kickboxing, equestrianism, judo and wrestling. I also know how to fly fighter planes, destroyers, and well-versed in firearms… Just name it, I'll know it."

"You're bragging!" Xiang Wan gave a sneer. "Do you know how to apply make-up?"

"…"

Bai Muchuan took a deep breath as he controlled the steering wheel.

"Sigh! I admit defeat."

The two of them joked around with each other. As the atmosphere was warm, it diluted the heavy mood of the impending separation from each other for a few days. Nevertheless, time pa.s.sed quickly.

In a twinkling of an eye, they had arrived at the main entrance of the Criminal Investigation Unit.

Bai Muchuan stopped the car by the roadside and looked at her intently.

"Little Xiang Wan…"

"Hm?"

"You don't have anything to tell me?"

Xiang Wan's mood was a little down; she did not really know what she should say.

"Thank you for the breakfast today."

"…" Bai Muchuan felt a little amused at her response.

Heaving a sigh, after looking at her for a moment, he squeezed her cheeks. "You don't say the right things at the right time."

"I… what should I say?" Xiang Wan pouted and then smiled at him.

"I can't bear to leave you." Bai Muchuan uttered this gently. Xiang Wan did not know whether he had said this for himself or for her. However, she had no time to think about that as the next moment, Bai Muchuan lowered his head and kissed her full on the mouth, leaving no gap behind…

Physical touch is a very important form of emotional exchange.

Bai Muchuan was not his usual self that day. Hence, the kiss felt different as well.

They were about to part, and even though it was only for a few days, it felt like years.

A strong hand held the back of her head as he kissed her while the other hand slowly went down to her waist to find her hand and lifted it to wrap around his neck…

They locked in an embrace, sharing a deep kiss with their breathing intertwined—Xiang Wan felt a tingling numbness on her scalp.

Her body quivered under his fingertips, and her skin was as though touched by iron—hot and burning.

They were unable to restrain their emotions as they get entangled with each other, unwilling to let go.

The kiss started to get especially gentle as though he was cheris.h.i.+ng her as his lips brushed gently against hers.

"Wait for me at home, I'll be back in a few days."

He murmured near her lips, and without waiting for her to speak, he kissed her again.

"Umm!"

"Sigh!"

Who whimpered? Who sighed?

Xiang Wan gave a gulp, unable to speak.

A long, lingering kiss finally ended in the breathlessness of the two.

"Xiang Wan…" Bai Muchuan embraced her very closely.

"Huh?" She looked at him with her eyes.

He lowered his head and gave a peck on her red lips. He rested his forehead against hers and looked at her earnestly.

"Wait for me."

"I will. Don't worry." Xiang Wan felt her tongue dry and her skin felt numb as a s.h.i.+ver pa.s.sed through her. She could say nothing more.

"What present do you want?" he suddenly asked with a smile.

Xiang Wan looked up at his clear, distinctive eyes, and by some chance, she actually accepted. "Anything is fine."

"Hur! A little idiot without much aspirations," remarked Bai Muchuan with a laugh. He patted her head as it was time to go. "Go on, I'll be watching."

"Have a safe trip."

"Hm."

"Have a safe journey."

He had to rush to the airport. Even though Xiang Wan couldn't bear to part with him, she knew she shouldn't delay him much longer.

She lowered her head, took her bag, and pushed the car door open.

From the corner of her eye, she saw his handsome face and a smile that warmed her heart. It made her recall the day when they met for the first time under the suns.h.i.+ne—the way he looked at her… A sense of impulse suddenly surged within her. Xiang Wan turned around abruptly and looked at him without blinking. Before Bai Muchuan could react, she held his face and gave him a quick parting kiss on his lips.

"Remember, you're mine."

"…" What a domineering declaration, he thought.

Bai Muchuan wanted to laugh at her, but at the same time, he really liked to see her behaving this way.

"I need to go now. Bye—"

After Xiang Wan got off the car, she waved him goodbye.

She left in such a hurry for she could not restrain her frantic heartbeats which were so loud that she thought her heart was going to explode.

When she reached the stairs to the building, she turned back for a look.

Bai Muchuan's car was still parked there, the car window was still down, and he was watching her.

Xiang Wan lifted her hand and waved to him slowly.

The car soon started to move and disappeared from view in no time.

…

It was as usual in the Criminal Investigation Unit—everyone was doing their work.

The way her colleagues showed their "teeth and claws" during last night's dinner and KTV entertainment were now transformed back into their usual serious and decent faces.

One after another, when they saw Xiang Wan, they would nod their head to greet her as usual. Nonetheless, Xiang Wan still caught the faint smile in their eyes.

Her relations.h.i.+p with Bai Muchuan was now publicized. To her colleagues at the Criminal Investigation Unit, it was unexpected yet understandable.

However, as some of them had previously gossiped about her and Cheng Zheng due to their blind date, they had to keep their mouth shut now and were slightly awkward around her.

From the moment she entered the office and walked across the hall to her seat, she experienced a strange mental journey but soon accepted the new situation brought about by the new "status" that she gained in the eyes of her colleagues.

Hmm, being Bai Muchuan's girlfriend, it seems, not bad, she thought.

The hectic morning soon pa.s.sed, and it was time for lunch. The detectives treated it as a short break for them.

Zhou Dequan's case was now solved and the dust had settled, but the detectives had tacitly chosen not to talk about the case.

Part of the reason was due to those unanswered doubts. The other reason was the possibility that this case might have been linked to some collusion between government officials and influential businessmen. Although Zhou Dequan had died, his backer was still out there. No one dared to express their personal views recklessly at this juncture for fear of making a careless mistake and get into trouble.

Hence, the canteen only contained harmonious and cheerful voices.

The hottest topic that everyone was discussing was actually Tang Yuanchu—who shot to fame as an online celebrity as he garnered large numbers of fans.

Xiang Wan sat down by the window after getting her food. It was her usual seat where Mei Xin would join her if she came down for food.

However, for a long time, Mei Xin did not appear. Tang Yuanchu appeared instead and joined her by the window.

The young fellow seemed dejected and gloomy. He was in low spirits, totally unlike his usual cheerful self. He did not look like a popular online celebrity at all.

Xiang Wan was a little puzzled. "What's up, Detective Tang?"

"Nothing." Tang Yuanchu looked at her as he sat down opposite her. He held his chopsticks, wanting to speak but nothing came out.

"You won't find me if there's nothing going on. Do you know that you're bullying my intelligence by saying this?" Xiang Wan was enjoying her food before giving him a quick glance. "What's the problem that's troubling you?"

"It's not really a problem."

Tang Yuanchu seemed a little vexed. "I couldn't sleep last night."

"…"

"But I'm not a doctor." Xiang Wan felt speechless as she really had no solution for insomnia.

"Don't you have some knowledge on human psychology? I'm wondering if you can give me some guidance?"

"!" Xiang Wan was stunned as Tang Yuanchu actually thought highly of her. "It's just superficial knowledge. Have you ever thought of what will happen if I gave you the wrong advice?"

"Alright then." Tang Yuanchu's face was ashen white. He already looked hesitant in the first place when he came over. After hearing her words, he pondered for a moment and then picked up his plate and wanted to leave.

"Wait!" Xiang Wan stopped him as she noticed that Tang Yuanchu was obviously not himself. Seeing his lost and distracted look, she couldn't help laughing. "I'm a little suspicious. Did you fall out of love?"

"How's that possible? How do I fall out of love when n.o.body likes me?"

"Don't say that. You're now a hot online celebrity with more than a million fans. To be honest, I envy you," said Xiang Wan earnestly, "if I have so many fans, I would have become a best-selling author…" Xiang Wan then raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Well, have you ever thought of entering s...o...b..z?"

"What?! Are you kidding me? Teacher Xiang, I'm a detective."

"… Can't a detective switch career?"

"I can't outtalk you." Tang Yuanchu puffed a sigh as if he was in a poor mood and wanted to leave. But after turning his head left and right, he put down his plate of food. "I just remembered that Captain Bai is going back to the Capital today. So it's okay for me to sit here. Hehe, I should stay here to share Teacher Xiang's joy."

"…"

This lad, what is he thinking?

Looking at his now bright face whenever he smiles, Xiang Wan got reminded of what she saw last night.

"Oh right, I saw you standing alone near the entrance of 'The Palace' for a long time. What are you doing there?"

Eh?! Tang Yuanchu seemed to be stupefied by her question as he looked up at her with puffed up cheeks, a mouthful of rice still in his mouth.

A few seconds later, he swallowed the mouthful of rice. "Nothing, it's nothing! I saw an acquaintance…"

He doesn't even know how to lie, thought Xiang Wan, why would he stand there alone if he saw an acquaintance?

What's the matter with this young fellow? Xiang Wan was older than him and naturally had a more mature and keen sense in discerning his emotions and behavior. After studying him carefully and combining what happened last night, the intuition of a woman once again concluded something that even science couldn't explain.

"Oh gos.h.!.+ You've fallen for Xie Wanwan?"

"!" Tang Yuanchu choked and coughed violently when he heard that. "Impossible! How can it be possible? Captain Bai is the one she likes…"

However, he quickly realized that it was not appropriate for him to say that. "Hee, hee," he broke into an awkward t.i.tter and immediately added, "however, Captain Bai doesn't like her, he only likes you."

Xiang Wan did not know if she should be annoyed or amused.

Urgh! His emotional intelligence! How to find a girlfriend like this?

"It's normal to like someone. Don't put too much pressure on yourself!"

After that, she got up from her seat holding an empty plate and blinked at Tang Yuanchu. "I've finished eating, enjoy your meal."

"…"

Tang Yuanchu sat there alone like a fool with a miserable look.

"I didn't fall in love with her! It's just guilt. Sigh!"

…

Capital, Airport.

Bai Muchuan came out of the airport pulling his luggage along and he saw Dongzi, the chauffeur who came to pick him up.

When Dongzi saw that cold and aloof poker face of Bai Muchuan, his expression immediately turned from worry to pleasant as he went up to him with a smile.

"Young Master Bai, are you feeling tired? This XX airline is getting from bad to worse, it actually delayed the flight by almost an hour…"

As he grumbled about the airline, he also reached out to help Bai Muchuan with the luggage.

"It's alright." Bai Muchuan pulled his luggage along and walked in front. "Where's the car?"

"Area D!" Dongzi replied as he tried to keep up with Bai Muchuan's walking speed.

After getting on the car, Bai Muchuan did not say anything more. He simply closed his eyes as he did not want to communicate with anyone.

Dongzi kept looking at the rearview mirror to observe his expression.

But… he had no expression at all.

Dongzi felt uneasy as the atmosphere seemed tense. It felt as if a century had pa.s.sed when the car finally drove out of the airport highway.

Phew! About to reach the destination soon.

He just breathed a sigh of relief when Bai Muchuan opened his eyes suddenly.

"Where are you driving me to?"

Dongzi's hair immediately stood on ends when he heard him speak in such a frosty tone.

"Young Master Bai, Sir has instructed me to head directly to Jin Garden after fetching you."

Jin Garden? Bai Muchuan turned grim at the mention of that destination. "What's the matter?"

Dongzi dared not say anything. "I do not know anything about it."

"Hm," replied Bai Muchuan, who changed into a more comfortable position to lie on the pa.s.senger seat and closed his eyes.

…