"Please protect her with all your might. She deserves the happiest life."
Baili Qing's words trailed off.
Her tears, unable to be controlled, forced her to lower her head and fight back the surging tide.
The man before her, too, had eyes reddened at the edges.
But unlike her simple sorrow, his expression clearly held immense, suppressed anger.
Especially upon hearing that Su Minghua had entered Su Yue's bedroom, his fist instantly clenched tight, knuckles turning white, the faint blue veins on the back of his hand bulging, clearly visible.
What kind of panic and fear did Su Yue endure through those years?
How many times did she bow her head, force a smile, and try to appease this scum, this beast in human clothing?
He couldn't think about it, wouldn't dare to.
Any more thought would make him want to grab a gun, press it to Su Minghua's forehead, and pull the trigger.
Or without a gun, a few punches would be enough to end this scumbag's life.
But he couldn't do that. He was a police officer, not a bandit. He had to live honorably to fulfill his promise to her.
"Officer Chen, you're very angry, aren't you?" Baili Qing finally wiped away her tears and looked at him, her voice laced with sorrow.
Chen Ziming, who had been lowering his head, trying to control his breathing, looked up at her words.
"Reporter Bai Li, thank you for everything you've done for Yue Yue. Rest assured, I will never let her suffer any injustice again."
His voice clearly held a tremor of extreme suppression.
Baili Qing showed a look of relief and nodded vigorously.
***
At eight o'clock in the evening.
Su Yue was chatting with her roommates about school gossip in the dorm when she received a call from Chen Ziming, asking her to come downstairs.
Slightly puzzled, she complied.
As soon as she stepped out of the dormitory building, she saw the man standing under a tree not far away, dressed in casual clothes.
Seeing her emerge, the deep expression on his face melted into a doting smile, and he opened his arms to her.
He wanted her to rush into his embrace.
She had no intention of doing so. Too many people were passing by, and she couldn't bring herself to be so forward.
So, she pretended not to see, walked over slowly, and stopped a short distance from him, preparing to ask what he wanted.
However, before she could speak, he took a step forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Su Yue: !!!
"Let go of me, people will see," she muffled into his chest, unable to break free.
"So what if they see? We're not having an affair." He ignored her, burying his head in her neck and taking a deep breath.
It was the sweet scent he liked.
Su Yue was speechless. Suddenly thinking of something, she turned her head and asked him, "Did you encounter another troublesome case?"
His body seemed to stiffen for a moment.
Then he nodded slightly. "Yes, a very troublesome case."
Her heart instantly softened. Disregarding the hushed whispers of those around them, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, letting him hold her for a while.
"I don't have classes tomorrow morning. Why don't I come back with you tonight?" she suggested softly.
Chen Ziming finally loosened his grip on her, lowered his head, and looked at her in the dim lamplight.
"No need. My darling, focus on your studies at school and don't let it affect your exams. Come home with me on Friday."
After saying that, he leaned down and kissed her deeply.
Su Yue could clearly hear the exclamations of passersby. She quickly pulled away, her cheeks flushing, and whispered, "Don't kiss me here."
"Then we'll kiss in the car." A smile curved his lips as he took her hand and led her away.
She immediately became wary and refused to move. "Are you trying to trick me into the back seat again?"
She dared not go to the back seat with him again.
A hint of teasing flickered in his eyes as he said leisurely, "The driver's seat is also an option, darling. You've tried it before, haven't you?"
He was clearly referring to the night of their first time, when she had boldly straddled him from the driver's seat.
"I won't," Su Yue stated firmly.
Chen Ziming burst out laughing, revealing his attractive dimples. He pinched her cheek with his finger.
"I'm just teasing you. I came to see you because I missed you. Seeing you is enough. Go back now."
She looked at him with suspicion but didn't press further. Instead, she followed his words, bid him a brief farewell, and turned to leave.
As the girl's figure disappeared, the gentleness on Chen Ziming's face vanished completely.
He glanced at his phone. Chen Kang'an's secretary's reply was displayed on the screen.
[Ziming, the Party Secretary is waiting for you in his office.]