The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

Xie Ci accompanied Fu Hua to return the book and quickly arrived at the police station.

The police station's duty room was brightly lit, and the radiators were humming.

The old policeman poured hot tea for Xie Ci and Fu Hua.

He looked at Fu Hua with a complicated expression.

"Girl, you're incredibly bold."

The old policeman shook his head, disagreeing.

"Knowing they were being followed, why did they still choose to go into the dark alleys?"

Fu Hua held the enamel mug in both hands, the heat of the hot water seeping through the mug to her palms: "Have those people confessed?"

"Still under review."

The old policeman sighed, "He's very stubborn. He only says he wanted to rob someone, but he won't admit to being instructed by anyone, let alone that he acted like a thug."

He paused, then continued, "But you, you said in the alley earlier that someone was directing you, didn't you? You have someone you suspect?"

Fu Hua nodded: "Zhou Rong is my classmate. He was expelled from school for spreading rumors, so he might hold a grudge against me."

"So young, yet so malicious."

The old policeman frowned: "We need to inform your parents about this. How old are you? You've run into something like this..."

"No need. There are no results yet, so let's not tell them for now, so they don't worry."

What she needs now is not the couple's sympathy and concern.

Rather, it was a decisive and effective strike.

"How can that be?"

The old policeman put himself in your shoes: "You're still a minor. If something this big happens, who else can you talk to if not your parents? Don't be afraid, they will comfort you."

"Quickly tell me your parents' workplaces or contact numbers."

"I'm not afraid, I am..."

Fu Hua didn't know how to persuade the old policeman.

After all, she is still more than a month away from turning 18.

In theory, the police station is required to communicate with the guardian.

"Comrade,"

Xie Ci spoke up, "I'll handle this. I'll personally talk to Commander Fu."

The old police officer already knew that Fu Hua was also the child of a soldier.

He glanced at the epaulettes on his acknowledgment of duty, lowered his head in thought for a moment, and hesitated: "But according to regulations..."

"The regulations are to protect the victims."

Xie Ci spoke calmly, "Fu Hua is currently in a stable emotional state and can clearly recount what happened. It's not too late to notify her family after the interrogation results are available."

He paused, then added, "I'm her neighbor and also work for the military region. I'll take responsibility for anything that happens."

The veteran police officer looked at the two men and finally nodded: "Okay. I'll contact you directly once there's progress in the interrogation."

He wrote down his name and unit number in his thank-you note.

Then he said to Fu Hua, "Girl, you can't do that again. If something really happens, how worried will your parents be?"

Fu Hua replied, "Thank you, officer. I understand."

When I came out of the police station, it was completely dark.

Fine snowflakes began to fall.

Under the dim streetlights, they resembled scattered grains of salt, hazy yet beautiful.

Xie Ci opened the Jeep door, and Fu Hua got into the passenger seat.

The car was warm, with a faint smell of tobacco and his distinctive soap scent.

The car started and slowly drove into the night.

Silent all the way.

It wasn't until they turned onto the street in front of the compound that Xie Ci suddenly spoke up: "Did you call the police beforehand?"

"Um."

Fu Hua looked at the swirling snowflakes outside the window. "Last time we had wontons, you said someone was watching us, and I later felt like someone was following us."

On Saturday, I went to the research station and saw a strange motorcycle at the bus stop. I noted down the license plate and reported it to the police at noon today.

Xie Ci tightened his grip on the steering wheel: "You knew it was dangerous, so why did you still choose to walk down that alley alone?"

Fu Hua turned to look at him: "You're a soldier, you should know the principle of catching a thief red-handed."

"If I don't lure them out, who knows what they'll do if I push them too far?"

Xie Ci slammed on the brakes.

The car was parked on the side of the road.

The snow fell more heavily, quickly accumulating a thin layer on the windshield.

He turned his head and stared at Fu Hua.

Her eyes held barely suppressed anger and... lingering fear: "So you used yourself as bait? Fu Hua, do you know how dangerous that was? If I hadn't arrived in time, if..."

"If you don't make it,"

Fu Hua calmly interrupted him, her tone confident: "I also have a way to get out of this."

"What method? Your bottle of pepper spray? It might work against one person, but what about five?"

Xie Ci's voice tightened, "Fu Hua, you, you're not Superman! You're only seventeen, you still need someone to protect you."

"I know, I know everything."

Fu Hua's voice was soft, clear, and resolute, "But some things can't be hidden forever. If they dare to follow us today, they'll dare to do something even worse tomorrow. Only by catching them in the act can we solve the problem once and for all."

Xie Ci looked at her; in the dim light inside the carriage, the girl's face was fair and resolute.

Those eyes were so calm.

He was unusually calm for his age.

He suddenly remembered the first time he saw her on the train.

Her face was covered in coal dust, and she huddled in a corner.

There was no panic in his eyes, only stubbornness and clarity.

Yes, she came from that den of wolves.

That's why I don't have the habit of relying on others.

It's not her fault.

Acknowledgments,

Fu Hua suddenly called his name, not "Comrade Xie," but "Thank You."

"Thank you for coming today, but I can't rely on others for protection forever."

She paused for a moment: "I have a path I want to take. That path may be dangerous, full of schemes, and fraught with open and hidden dangers."

If I back down every time I encounter danger, I'll never reach where I want to go.

Snowflakes fell silently onto the car window, melting into fine water droplets.

Xie Ci stared at her for a long time, the anger in his chest gradually subsiding.

It transformed into a complex and intense emotion.

He wanted to say, "I can protect you."

I wanted to say, "You don't have to shoulder this alone."

I have so much to say.

But in the end, he simply restarted the car.

His voice was low and husky: "Next time something like this happens, you can choose to tell me in advance, and I can protect you."

"it is good."

The car drove into the Fu family compound.

After stopping in front of the Fu family's small building, Fu Hua unbuckled her seatbelt but did not get out of the car immediately.

"Thanks".

"Um?"

"Next Sunday,"

She turned her head, her eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light.

"I'll ride a horse."

Xie Ci paused for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his lips: "Okay."

Fu Hua got out of the car.

Fine snow fell on her shoulders, quickly melting into dark, damp stains.

She walked to the door and glanced back.

The jeep remained parked in the same spot, its headlights on, like warm eyes in the night.

She raised her hand and waved, then turned and went inside.

The door was closed, shutting out the wind and snow.

Inside the car, Xie Ci lit a cigarette but didn't smoke it, only watching the red light flicker in the darkness.

As I opened the door, the warmth from the heating and the sound of the television hit me at once.

The living room was brightly lit, and Su Yurou, Fu Xiao, Fu Youchuan, and Fu Chaochao were sitting on the sofa.

I was watching Journey to the West on TV when bursts of laughter rang out intermittently.

Fu Hua stamped her foot in the entryway, and snowflakes slid off her shoulder.

A small wet patch spread across the dark floor.

"You're back. Why are you so late today?"

Su Yurou turned her head, her tone indifferent.

His gaze lingered on Fu Hua for less than two seconds before returning to the television screen.