"How is it that every woman I know is so strong?" Yu Zhou couldn't help but grumble internally. It was true. In his previous life, he had met at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, women, and had even shared intimate moments with many of them. Yet, never had he encountered women who were as powerful as the ones he was frequently interacting with in this life.
Not to mention Qin Siyue and Song Qing, even his subordinates like Zhang Zixia and his wife Jiang Jie were all examples of women with strong hearts and unyielding spirits. Now, he had met another girl in a pyramid scheme organization, who was also brimming with charisma. Wasn't this just tempting him to make a mistake?
It was true that Yu Zhou in this life had moved past his previous shallow obsession with appearance. However, due to the inertia of his past life, although he had been holding on, after Song Qing, he had started to feel a certain discomfort. Now, another woman, Tang Yan, who had flirted with him before, had appeared. Even though her looks, by the standards of his previous life, weren't exceptionally striking, one couldn't deny the powerful allure of an interesting soul.
Of course, this was all just Yu Zhou's internal monologue. He wouldn't act on it, at least not yet. But the wavering still brought him a sense of torment and self-reproach.
Walking quickly, Yu Zhou tried his best not to look at Tang Yan or the tempting breakfast. However, as he walked with his head down, he suddenly felt a dizziness, as if he had run headfirst into a thick pillar standing in the middle of the road.
"Who is it? What are you doing standing in the middle of the road?" Yu Zhou, annoyed, instinctively looked up. But the moment he saw the person in front of him, he froze.
The man had a completely expressionless face, as if no matter how hard Yu Zhou bumped into him, he wouldn't budge. He just stood there, staring unmovably at Yu Zhou. But the most striking thing wasn't that; it was that he was wearing a police uniform.
"I haven't done anything wrong, have I?" Yu Zhou was utterly bewildered, not understanding why the suddenly appearing policeman was there. Judging by his demeanor, this officer was looking for him. But he was the victim! Could it be that people from the TV station or his own factory had already reported him, and they had finally found him?
"Sir, we've been following you two for over two hours. From your appearance, it seems you don't have a temporary residence permit, do you?" The man in uniform finally spoke. "You've been walking since midnight. If it's not too much trouble, please come back with us for an inquiry."
His words completely stunned Yu Zhou. It was true. In this era, no matter where you lived, a temporary residence permit was essential. Both an ID card and a temporary residence permit had to be carried at all times. If you lacked either, you would be taken for questioning, or even sent to a detention center.
In those days, detention centers were a real symbol of terror, no less frightening than a prison. The food was worse than what pigs ate, and you had no personal freedom. Only after your identity was thoroughly verified would they send you home in the most economical way possible. Yu Zhou, despite desperately wanting to go home, did not want to experience a detention center.
However, the arrival of the police also brought Yu Zhou a glimmer of hope. No matter what, seeing them meant that at least half of his problems were solved. Indeed, he looked back and saw that Tang Yan, who was on the verge of despair, nodded cooperatively. Her intention was clear: even if they were sent to a detention center, it was better than wandering aimlessly in Ningzhou City and starving or dying of thirst.
"I may not have a temporary residence permit, but how can you be sure I don't have one?" Yu Zhou said with a wry smile. Were all the unlucky things happening one after another now? He didn't have a temporary residence permit, and his ID card wasn't on him either. If he went with this police officer to the station, it would be strange if their attitude was good. He knew very well how strictly temporary residence permits and ID cards were checked at this time. They wouldn't necessarily lay hands on him, but if he, a person with some standing, were to go through such an ordeal, wouldn't he be laughed to death by everyone when he returned?
"It's very simple. You've been wandering around outside for so long, and you started late at night. You were already persons of interest for suspicion," the man in uniform said without any politeness. "But now, it seems our suspicion was correct. Come with us!"
Yu Zhou nodded. Regardless, he had encountered the police. At least, in the pitch-black darkness, they had found a sliver of light. And so, the two of them followed the police. After about twenty minutes of walking, they arrived at the police station.
"Captain Zhang! These two don't have temporary residence permits. I've already asked, and they don't even have their ID cards. Please have someone take their statements. If there are no issues, send them to a detention center!" the man in uniform said directly as soon as they entered the police station.
Upon hearing this, Tang Yan was immediately alarmed. Even though she had never been to a detention center herself, she knew very well what kind of place it was. Once inside, it wasn't just about hardship and suffering; other unforeseen events were not impossible. After all, she had heard that even in detention centers, people might be forced to do dirty and tiring work until they earned enough for their return fare before being released. She didn't know if it was true.
"Officers, I have something very important to report," Yu Zhou suddenly said, raising his hand without hesitation. His exclamation made the entire police station pause. Did someone without a temporary residence permit dare to be so bold? Report something? What did he want to report? Immediately, many uniformed police officers cast curious glances at him. Of course, among their curiosity, some also held a degree of anger, thinking Yu Zhou was causing trouble.