Arranged marriage, love blossoms; a fiercely devoted soldier dotes on her alone.

at this time,

In the office of the city police chief.

"Achoo, achoo!"

Qi Jingtian sneezed several times and muttered to himself, "Who's talking about me?"

"Knock knock knock".

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Qi Jingtian raised his head: "Come in."

"squeak!

The office door opened gently, and the beautiful secretary, Du Xiaoxiao, walked in, respectfully saying, "Director Qi, there's a meeting at 3:30 this afternoon. You may go now."

Qi Jingtian stood up and asked as he walked, "Xiaoxiao, is my speech for the meeting ready?"

Du Xiaoxiao: "It's already placed in your spot, and the important parts are marked with a red pen."

Qi Jingtian nodded in satisfaction: "Okay."

Du Xiaoxiao quickly followed and said, "Director Qi, Minister Bai's secretary just called and asked you to come over. I've scheduled it for half an hour after the meeting ends. Is that alright?"

Qi Jingtian stopped and asked, "Did Minister Bai say anything?"

Du Xiaoxiao: "I asked, but they didn't say."

"Director Qi, ten minutes ago, Ling Xiao, the captain of the Municipal Criminal Investigation Detachment, scheduled a time to report to you."

Qi Jingtian raised an eyebrow and asked, "What did he report?"

Du Xiaoxiao: "Captain Ling Xiao said it was a preliminary investigation report about the murders that occurred at Yonghe Temple and Hongluo Temple, as well as the armed conflict that occurred at Xiao's Enterprise."

Qi Jingtian raised his delicate eyebrows and said, "Have Ling Xiao come over to report later."

Du Xiaoxiao replied, "Okay."

He paused for a moment and then said, "Director Qi, I've heard some inappropriate comments in the bureau. The main one is that Deputy Director You Jun said that Ling Xiao is too rule-abiding, which has caused many cases to progress slowly. He also said that Ling Xiao lacks a spirit of adventure and the drive of a young person, and is not suitable for the position of head of the criminal investigation team."

Qi Jingtian said coldly, "Rules should not be used to break people who do things. Abiding by the rules, knowing the methods, and not being eager for quick success are precisely the important characteristics of an excellent cadre."

Du Xiaoxiao: "Director Qi, how about I talk to Deputy Director You privately first, and tell him that such remarks are not rigorous and are irresponsible, and that they affect the unity of the bureau's leadership team."

Qi Jingtian shook his head and said, "No need. He won't be able to keep up this momentum for long. There's a saying: 'If you want to destroy someone, first make them go mad.' Let him enjoy his last moments of madness."

A strange light flashed in Du Xiaoxiao's eyes.

at the same time,

Xiao Zhan and Xia Keke walked out of the National Security Headquarters office building.

Xia Keke looked up at the warm winter sun and said with some emotion, "Some people say that it's important who you work with. Being with people who appreciate you makes you shine, being with people who understand you makes you gentle, and being with people who have positive energy makes you brave."

Xiao Zhan laughed and said, "Why are you suddenly feeling sentimental?"

Xia Keke: "We both suspected that Qi Jingtian had a problem. We never expected that she would bear such a heavy responsibility for the country, the family, and her father. It is really not easy for a woman to do so."

Xiao Zhan: "You're no worse than her, you might even be better. It's just that you don't realize how outstanding you are in other people's eyes."

Xia Keke asked shyly, "Am I really that outstanding?"

Xiao Zhan laughed and said, "Of course, would I lie to you?"

Xia Keke: "I read a sentence in a book: 'Choose a good person to accompany you, choose a good friend to walk with, and leave the rest of your life to the person who nourishes you. The rest of your life will naturally be free and comfortable.' We are not only the best partners, but also the best confidantes, and we can bring emotional value to each other."

Upon hearing the word "confidante," Xiao Zhan's expression darkened slightly. He said, "I still think we are the best partners. The term 'confidante' sounds like it could lead to misunderstandings."

Xia Keke looked into Xiao Zhan's eyes and said, "Comrade Xiao Zhan, do you have a misunderstanding about what a confidante is?"

Xiao Zhan frowned and said, "Su Zixing's matter has scared me. I think it's better for men and women to maintain appropriate boundaries and give each other some space to get along."

Xia Keke laughed and said, "I didn't say anything. I know you only love Qin Huanhuan. I stopped having any illusions about you a long time ago. Cutting my losses was the best decision I could make."

Xiao Zhan gave an awkward smile.

Xia Keke continued, "Xiao Zhan, do you know the true meaning of a confidante?"

Xiao Zhan spoke frankly: "The term 'confidante' sounds ambiguous, and I don't like it."

Xia Keke laughed and said, "Hahaha, I'm really impressed!"

"I knew you'd misunderstood."

"Let me give you a free explanation now."

Xiao Zhan was speechless...

Xia Keke didn't care about his embarrassment and said, "A confidante is a female friend with whom a man can have a deep spiritual exchange. This relationship transcends ordinary friendship, but it is not a romantic relationship. The core lies in spiritual understanding, support, and resonance. The core characteristics of a confidante are: a high degree of spiritual compatibility: a deep understanding of each other, the ability to talk about anything, a connection of minds, and a resonance at the soul level."

"Xiao Zhan, tell me yourself, has our relationship reached this level?"

Xiao Zhan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "We really can talk about anything. We can tell what to do next with just a glance."

Xia Keke laughed and said, "It's good that you admit it. I'll continue to explain to you that a so-called confidante is someone who provides emotional support rather than emotional possession. This is very different from a lover."

"I'll be there for you when you're happy, and offer comfort and encouragement when you're sad, but I'll respect your life and not interfere or pester you."

"At the same time, maintain clear boundaries, keep the relationship pure, do not involve love or sex, pay attention to the degree, and avoid affecting each other's families and normal lives."

After listening, Xiao Zhan said, "I did misunderstand."

"However, I always feel that such a relationship might be difficult to control, and it would be hard to strike the right balance between men and women."

Xia Keke nodded and said, "That's right. This kind of relationship is rare and requires both parties to have high emotional intelligence and rationality in order to maintain its purity."

Then, staring into Xiao Zhan's eyes, she said, "Haven't you noticed that our relationship is subtly changing?"

Xiao Zhan was immediately startled and hurriedly asked, "What happened?"

Xia Keke: "We are not only the best partners, but also confidantes. We can talk about anything with each other, entrust our backs to each other, and show each other the softest side of our hearts. We can also provide each other with emotional value. This is the typical confidante."

Xiao Zhan: "Say what you will, we are the best partners, the kind who would give their lives for each other."

Would a confidante be willing to give her life for her partner?

Xia Keke was utterly speechless, and said somewhat sullenly, "How can you confuse these two relationships? What exactly are you worried about?"

Xiao Zhan spoke frankly, "I don't want Qin Huanhuan to misunderstand our relationship."