The aloof beauty always has weak legs; the crazy boss is too ruthless.

Chapter 180 Frankness
Sun Wei is old. He has been a beat cop since he was 20, and has never been promoted. This is because he is too straightforward and has never been able to get along with the other people in the bureau.

Others are more adaptable than him and don't do things that offend people.

But Sun Wei was different; he couldn't stand seeing good people wronged and bad people get away with it.

Take Duan Qiang's case as an example. It was Sun Wei who secretly called Lin Chen, unwilling to watch Duan Qiang be sentenced to such a heavy sentence.

Sun Wei originally thought that if Duan Qiang's family came and made a scene, they might be able to reduce his sentence.

Little did they know that Duan Qiang's "family member" would have such a powerful background.

"You were the one who called me about Duan Qiang, right?" Lin Chen had already figured out that Sun Wei was the policeman who had called him, but he hadn't exposed him because he wanted to see what this senior's purpose was. "You called me and asked me to come over, and now you're advising me not to get involved. I'm a little confused about which side you're on."

“I’m just a police officer who’s about to retire,” Sun Wei said with a self-deprecating laugh. “I don’t have the ability to take sides, especially at my age. All I think about is how to keep my family safe and how to enjoy my retirement.”

"You don't need to have any concerns. I won't let you get involved in Duan Qiang's matter. You don't need to worry about your family being retaliated against at all."

“I should be the one saying this to you,” Sun Wei said deliberately. “Duan Qiang’s case involves a lot of big shots. Although the bank is privately owned, there are many powerful figures behind it. If you really get involved, there are bound to be many guns pointed at the back of your head.”

Lin Chen laughed and said, "Then why did you call me to tell me about Duan Qiang?"

"How was I supposed to know you were such a big shot?" Sun Wei said helplessly. "I was just hoping someone could come and make a scene for Duan Qiang so he could get a reduced sentence."

Sensing his helplessness, Lin Chen didn't want to make things difficult for him any further.

"You're a good policeman." Lin Chen took out two packs of cigarettes from his pocket, intending to give them all to Sun Wei. "I noticed you like smoking these cigarettes. I was in a hurry when I came, so I only brought these two packs. Please don't mind."

"Look at what you're saying." Sun Wei didn't dare to accept the cigarette at all. Given the difference in their status, and the fact that he had never accepted a bribe in his more than 20 years as a beat cop, he reflexively refused: "Just leave me a few."

"Don't worry, I'm not bribing you. Besides, you should understand that with my connections and background, I don't need to bribe you." Lin Chen put the cigarette down for him and turned around.

After opening the door, he glanced at the snowflakes falling outside the window, his throat dry, and said to Sun Wei with his back turned, "It's about time the weather in the Western Hills changed."

……

after an hour.

Lu Siqi and Lin Chen got out of a black SUV.

They were picked up by Tang Yuan, a comrade-in-arms arranged by Gu Shi.

After retiring from the military, Tang Yuan was assigned to the First Criminal Investigation Brigade of Xishan Province, where he is now the captain.

After finishing his phone call with Gu Shi, Tang Yuan was stunned to learn that Duan Qiang's matter had actually implicated Xishan Bank.

Having spent over a decade in Xishan Province, Tang Yuan, the criminal investigation team leader, knew better than anyone how deep the waters ran and how solid the foundation of Xishan Bank was; he himself hated Xishan Bank to the core.

Despite his resentment, given his status and position, he couldn't possibly move a mountain as big as Xishan Bank.

But things are different now. Gu Shi's people are coming, and they might be able to use Duan Qiang's incident as a starting point to completely eradicate Xishan Bank.

Tang Yuan got out of the car and said, "Please make do here for the day, and I will arrange a more comfortable place for you to stay tomorrow."

"Thank you, Captain Tang." Lu Siqi guessed that the reason they hadn't been arranged a hotel was probably for their safety; otherwise, Gu Shi wouldn't have sent Tang Yuan, the captain of the criminal investigation team, to pick her and Lin Chen up personally. Watching Tang Yuan leave, she let out a long yawn.

"Tired?" Lin Chen took her cold hand, glanced at the old courtyard in front of him, and led her inside. As soon as they entered the house, he found that there was no heating. His brows furrowed. "Let's go to a hotel."

"No, Captain Tang must have his reasons for letting us stay here." Lu Siqi squeezed his hand back, knowing he was worried about her, and pointed to the old, slightly yellowed air conditioner hanging on the wall: "Isn't there an air conditioner over there?"

Lin Chen picked up the air conditioner remote, turned it on, and found that it only blew cold air. Frustrated, he turned off the air conditioner and tossed the remote aside. "Are you sure you don't want to stay in a hotel?"

Lu Siqi had already spread out the blankets. Having not slept all night, and with her health deteriorating since the miscarriage, she didn't want to toss and turn anymore. "I just want to sleep now."

She didn't even want to wash her face anymore; her back ached so much she just wanted to lie down.

She had just taken off her shoes and lay down for a few minutes when she heard the sound of water outside the door. Too lazy to pay attention, she pulled the blanket over herself.

Just as Lu Siqi was about to fall asleep, she felt the blanket being pulled back. Opening her eyes, she saw Lin Chen and thought he was going to do *that* again. "No... I'm really sleepy..."

"Can't you think of me in a positive light?" Lin Chen said helplessly as he helped her up. "I'm not a teddy bear."

When Lu Siqi caught a glimpse of the steaming white basin on the ground, she realized she had misunderstood him. "I'm sorry, I just..."

“There’s no need to apologize to me.” Taking off her socks and feeling the coldness of her feet, Lin Chen frowned again. “Don’t you think your body is not resistant to the cold at all right now? As a well-trained pilot, your body can’t suddenly be this bad.”

He looked up and stared directly at her: "When Bang Nan Hua Yin kicked you, were you hiding something from me?"

"What can I hide from you?" Lu Siqi met his gaze calmly, without any panic. "I've been to the hospital for a check-up twice already. The doctor said my body is just as good as before. It's just that my physique is a bit weak because I don't train often. Once I get to Hong Kong, I will definitely train hard and try to get my body back to its previous good condition as soon as possible."

Before going undercover, Lin Chen underwent intensive training and study in psychology and lie detection. Based on his past experience, he judged that Lu Siqi did not seem to be lying; however, he felt that this woman's various reactions were unpredictable.

Strictly speaking, she became somewhat different from before after witnessing Hua Yin kick her.

I can't quite put my finger on what's changed, but something just feels off.

“Once you get to Hong Kong, I’ll have Xiang Nan give you another check-up. He’s a surgical expert.” Lin Chen squatted down and moved the basin of water closer to the bed. He gently held her fair feet and first let her test the water temperature: “Is it too hot?”

"Perfect." Lu Siqi smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, putting her feet into the slightly hot water. The feeling of being in an ice cellar was instantly dispelled by the warmth under her feet. She said comfortably, "Thank you, Lin Chen."

Lin Chen chuckled softly, took a deep breath, and massaged the soles of her feet: "I've never even washed my mother's feet. You, Lu Siqi, are the first woman I, Lin Chen, have served."

That's why I should thank you even more.

“You should know that what I want is not your thank you at all.” Lin Chen raised his head and stared at her with piercing eyes: “What I want is the honesty you showed back in Bangnan, not this constant isolation you keep me out of your heart.”

“This is Lin Chen from Xishan.” Lu Siqi deliberately changed the subject. “Let’s not talk about these things for now, okay? Duanzi is still waiting for us to save him. We need to give him and Grandpa Duan justice. We can’t let Grandpa Duan die in vain.”

Knowing he wouldn't get an answer from her, Lin Chen continued massaging her feet until they were completely warm before drying them, helping her lie back down on the bed, and covering her with the blanket: "You go to sleep first, I'll go out and call Gu Shi."

"Hmm." Lu Siqi's tired eyes narrowed slightly, and she yawned again.

For the rest of the time, she had no idea when Lin Chen returned. She only felt her body, which had been in an ice cellar, suddenly warmed by a "furnace". When she turned around and touched him, she found his smooth and strong chest.

Lu Siqi opened her eyes and saw Lin Chen half-naked. Although she knew that the man had taken off his clothes to keep her warm, she still couldn't help but ask, "Lin Chen, aren't you cold?"