I slept with my sister's classmate, and she turned out to be my boss.

The next two days.

Chen Dapeng did not show any abnormality on his face.

He continued to organize materials, attend meetings, and coordinate work with Liu Chang and Wang Zhi as usual.

He treated Zhou Haibo the same way he treated other colleagues: polite, normal, and neither too close nor too distant.

But he began to secretly observe some details about Zhou Haibo.

He noticed that Zhou Haibo would be away from his seat for a short period of time each afternoon, about ten minutes.

At first, he thought he was going to the tea room or the restroom.

However, he noticed that Zhou Haibo's materials remained in the same position each time he returned, indicating that his trips were not for work-related matters.

Once, Chen Dapeng went to the tea room at the end of the corridor to get some water.

As I passed by the stairwell, I saw Zhou Haibo standing by the window, his back to the corridor, his phone pressed to his ear, his voice very low, and I couldn't hear what he was saying.

He didn't linger; he continued to the tea room, got some water, and then went back to his office.

He also noticed that Zhou Haibo asked Liu Chang several questions while reviewing Zeng Zhiyuan's case file—

It's not about the case itself, but about the process of transferring the materials:

"Who handled this document before?"

"In which filing cabinet is the original document corresponding to this number stored?"

"Are there any supplementary materials required after this timeframe?"

These issues are all normal when viewed individually, like a newcomer getting familiar with the work process.

But Chen Dapeng kept these details in his mind—

He had previously reviewed all of Zeng Zhiyuan's case files.

He never asked anyone those procedural questions.

Because he felt that it wasn't a question that needed to be asked.

He kept these observations to himself and didn't tell anyone.

……

at the same time.

Hu Yuheng is also keeping an eye on Zhou Haibo.

Without consulting anyone, she directly instructed the technical department to do one thing—

The statistics included the time, frequency, and duration of Zhou Haibo's mobile phone calls.

She didn't ask for the content to be monitored, she just wanted the data:

When was the call made, how long did it last, and was it made to a fixed number?

The data came back on the third day.

The technical department provided a simple statistical table.

The above is a summary of Zhou Haibo's call records for the past week.

The time allotted is concentrated around the time people get off work in the evening each day.

The call lasts between three and five minutes, and the recipient is a fixed number.

That number was not registered under a real name, but the base station location showed that the recipient was in Beijing.

Hu Yuheng looked at the statistics table, said nothing, and locked the table in the drawer.

She doesn't plan to investigate whose number it is for the time being, nor does she plan to question Zhou Haibo.

What she needed to confirm was that he "had" a regular contact, not what he was saying.

The three to five-minute call duration was too regular, unlike typical social interactions.

……

The matter of the anonymous letter and photos reached Chen Yuanda.

Instead of immediately verifying the authenticity of the information, he dialed Hu Yuheng's number to find out the situation first.

After the call connected, he got straight to the point:

"Director Hu, are there any problems on your end?"

Hu Yuheng hesitated for a moment, two things on his mind.

One item concerns Chen Dapeng: anonymous letters, photos…

Another issue concerns Zhou Haibo's unusual behavior...

"Under investigation."

She gave a simple two-word response, without specifying what she was investigating.

Chen Yuanda paused for a moment:

"Before the investigation is completed, please adhere to work discipline."

Hu Yuheng responded, "Understood."

Chen Yuanda added, "Don't alert the snake. At the right time, you can lure it out."

He didn't specify how he quoted it, but the meaning of his sentence was clear—

Hu Yuheng had no worries about Chen Dapeng, as he was recommended by his former superior.

But Zhou Haibo...

He's only conveying procedural information right now; he hasn't touched on the core case details yet.

If we close the net now, we can only prove that he has violated regulations, but we won't be able to find any deeper connections.

But if you let him think he hasn't been discovered.

By letting him continue transmitting information, we can trace the source of the receiving end through the information he sends out.

Hu Yuheng responded:

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone.

She sat at her desk without moving immediately, letting the phrase "luring the snake out of its hole" run through her mind.

What she can do now is to make Zhou Haibo think that he has not been discovered, so that he can continue his actions in a state of believing that he is safe.

As for the amount of information he can transmit.

She would limit his access to only the outer materials.

……

He Ying arrived in the provincial capital on Friday evening.

She didn't tell Chen Dapeng the exact time she would arrive beforehand; she just sent two words:

"arrive."

When Chen Dapeng received the message, he was in his office organizing the last few documents.

After seeing those two words, he closed the document, put it back in the file box, picked up his coat, and left the office.

He picked up He Ying at the entrance of the residential compound.

She was standing by the roadside, carrying a bag and wearing a light-colored coat.

The streetlights were already on, and their light fell on her, casting a warm glow on her silhouette.

It looks warm and charming...

Chen Dapeng was slightly lost in thought; the person he had been thinking about day and night had reappeared in his sight...

He walked over and took the bag from her hand.

"Sister Ying, how long have you been waiting?"

He Ying looked at him and smiled, "Just arrived, not long ago."

Chen Dapeng naturally took her hand.

The two walked side by side toward their lodgings.

Go upstairs, open the door, change shoes...

He Ying sat down on the sofa, took off her coat and draped it over the armrest:

"You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Chen Dapeng nodded: "No, I'll wait for you."

He Ying smiled:

"Let's go out to eat."

"Um."

The two went out and found a quiet restaurant near their residence, where they sat down by the window.

When Chen Dapeng ordered, He Ying didn't look at the menu; she just leaned back in her chair and watched him until he finished listing the dishes before speaking.

Have you been a little stressed lately?

Chen Dapeng paused for a moment while holding the teacup:

"A little. The investigation is becoming increasingly focused, and people are becoming more and more cautious."

He Ying didn't press for details about what happened, she simply said:

"Just keep it in mind."

The dishes were served one after another, and the two ate and chatted without discussing the proposal again.

He Ying talked about some recent work in Qingshun County.

Chen Dapeng listened, occasionally chiming in, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

After the meal, the two returned to Chen Dapeng's residence.

He Ying went to take a shower first.

Chen Dapeng sat on the living room sofa waiting for her to come out.

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and after a while, the door opened.

He Ying walked out with her half-dry hair down.

Chen Dapeng sat for a while before standing up:

"I'll go take a shower too."

He Ying nodded: "Mm."

When he came out after showering, the bedroom lights were already dimmed.

He Ying leaned against the headboard, looking at something on her phone.

She looked up when she heard him come in, glanced at him, and put her phone on the bedside table.

Chen Dapeng sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to pull He Ying into his arms.

These intimate behaviors between the couple have occurred since they spent the night together last time.

The two of them had already gotten used to it.

He Ying leaned against his shoulder, remaining silent.

This moment of quiet felt like a healing experience.

This gradually eased Chen Dapeng's tense nerves.

He turned his head and kissed He Ying's forehead lightly and gently.

He Ying tilted her head slightly upwards.

Her breathing quickened, and her eyes were filled with deep affection.

"Sister Ying, I miss you."

He Ying didn't speak, but her cheeks were already flushed, making her look even more charming.

Chen Dapeng lowered his head and kissed her lips.

He Ying wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his passionate kiss...

The kiss was quiet and lingering, like the most natural response between the two of them.

He Ying's lips were soft and moist, exuding a captivating charm.

Chen Dapeng was utterly infatuated with it...

He savored it gently and intently...