We asked you to solve cases, and here you are sharing your criminal experiences?

At four in the morning, it was still pitch black outside the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau building. Only the streetlights in the distance emitted a dim yellow light.

In Gu Tingchen's private office, the blinds were drawn tightly shut.

Song Qianxia walked in hesitantly, then closed the door behind her.

The office was simply furnished. A large desk, a computer, and several filing cabinets filled with files. There were no unnecessary decorations; it was as clean and tidy as Gu Tingchen himself.

Gu Tingchen didn't sit behind his desk. He walked to the water dispenser next to him and took a disposable paper cup.

I poured myself a cup of hot water, then took out a packet of instant coffee from the drawer, tore it open, and poured it in. I stirred it a couple of times, then walked to the sofa where guests were sitting and placed the cup on the coffee table.

"Sit down." Gu Tingchen pointed to the single sofa opposite him.

Song Qianxia obediently walked over and sat down, looking at the cup of instant coffee that was still steaming, but didn't dare to reach out and take it.

Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious! This devilish man is making her coffee in the middle of the night; he's definitely up to no good!

"Captain Gu, drinking coffee in the middle of the night can easily cause insomnia," Song Qianxia said with a dry laugh, trying to find a topic of conversation.

Gu Tingchen sat down in the main seat, crossed his legs, leaned back on the sofa, and calmly looked at Song Qianxia's face.

"I'm not drinking it, it's just to keep you awake." Gu Tingchen's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet office. "So that when you're making up lies later, your brain won't be able to process it."

Song Qianxia's lips twitched twice.

This man's words are as sharp as ever.

"Captain Gu, what are you saying?" Song Qianxia laughed it off. "I'm a law-abiding citizen, and I always speak the truth. I would never make up lies."

Gu Tingchen ignored her banter.

He leaned forward slightly, his hands crossed on his knees. This posture was extremely imposing, instantly closing the psychological distance between the two.

"Night Owl is no ordinary opponent." Gu Tingchen got straight to the point without any preamble.

Song Qianxia paused for a moment, then shrugged casually.

"I know." She picked up the cup of coffee, warming her palms with her hands. "Anyone who can cause such a commotion can't be some street thug. Captain Gu, why are you so serious? You're making me a little scared."

Song Qianxia took a small sip of coffee. It was so bitter she stuck out her tongue. This man didn't even add sugar!

"I haven't even received my fieldwork allowance yet. I can't afford to get involved in such a major international case. I'm just a temporary worker; all I can do is watch the surveillance footage and offer suggestions," Song Qianxia continued, trying to distance herself from the situation.

Gu Tingchen looked at her. His gaze was incredibly penetrating, as if it could peel away all her pretenses.

"You're not afraid of night owls," Gu Tingchen said, enunciating each word clearly.

Song Qianxia paused slightly in the hand holding the cup.

"You're afraid others will find out about your private affairs," Gu Tingchen said, dropping the bombshell.

These words were like a bombshell, exploding directly in Song Qianxia's mind.

Song Qianxia's heart trembled violently. She almost couldn't keep up the smile on her face.

She struggled to control her facial muscles, forcing herself to wear a puzzled expression. "Captain Gu, what kind of tongue twister are you spouting in the middle of the night? What private matters could I possibly have? I'm Song Qianxia, ​​a native of Jiangcheng!"

She even reached out and pinched her own face. "Look, it's all natural, I haven't had any plastic surgery."

Gu Tingchen did not laugh.

"Song Qianxia, ​​I've been investigating your background ever since the day you defused the bomb at the Great World Shopping Mall."

Song Qianxia's heart was in her throat.

"Your file is as clean as a blank sheet of paper. Ordinary family background, ordinary education, ordinary work experience. No travel history, no special skills training records."

Gu Tingchen paused for a moment after saying this.

"But you are proficient in all kinds of counter-surveillance techniques. You know the slang and rules of the underworld inside and out. You can even see through the disguise of a professional assassin at a glance."

Gu Tingchen looked into her eyes. "An ordinary girl from Jiangcheng couldn't possibly possess these abilities."

Song Qianxia's fingers, which were holding the paper cup, turned white from the force she used.

She knew Gu Tingchen was perceptive. But she hadn't expected him to be so blunt. It was as if he had ripped away her last veil of modesty.

In the underworld, when your cards are out in the open, the first reaction is to silence them.

But sitting in front of her now was the head of the criminal investigation team from the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. He was a person who represented absolute rules and the law.

Song Qianxia bit her lip, her brain racing as she tried to find a reasonable explanation.

Just as she was preparing to fabricate a bizarre story of "secret overseas training".

Gu Tingchen suddenly interrupted her.

"I didn't call you here today to hear you make up stories."

Gu Tingchen stood up. He walked to the window and pulled open the blinds.

In the distant east, the first light of dawn was already appearing, and morning was about to arrive in Jiangcheng.

"I don't care what your name was before. I don't care what you did overseas." Gu Tingchen turned his back to her, looking at the morning light outside the window.

"I won't force you to reveal all your secrets now."

Gu Tingchen's voice was calm, yet it carried a reassuring power.

"But you better remember this."

Don't put yourself on the opposite side of everyone.

"The Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau's special task force is not your enemy. As long as you stand within the law, this is your support."

Song Qianxia fell completely silent.

She stared blankly at the man in front of her.

She was used to going it alone. She was used to seeing everyone who came near as a potential threat. In this multifaceted world, there was no trust, only self-interest and betrayal.

She always believed that Gu Tingchen kept her in the task force only to use her abilities. Once she lost her usefulness or her identity was exposed, she would be immediately handcuffed and imprisoned.

Song Qianxia held the cup of coffee, which was no longer too hot to handle. The warmth spread throughout her body from her palms.

For the first time ever, she didn't talk back. Nor did she continue telling those lame jokes.

"I understand." Song Qianxia lowered her head, looking at the dark liquid in the cup, her voice barely audible.

Gu Tingchen looked at the top of her fluffy hair and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Go back to sleep. I'm giving you half a day off today. Come to the meeting at 2 PM sharp." Gu Tingchen straightened up and walked back to his desk.

Song Qianxia felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly stood up.

"Thank you, Captain Gu! Captain Gu is brilliant!" She reverted to her usual obsequious manner and slipped out of the office as if she had greased her feet.