Roses in Flames

When his lip was bitten, Cheng Lei's mind went blank, and he even forgot to breathe.

His back was straight, his hands clenched unconsciously, and sweat seeped from his palms.

Seeing Cheng Lei's reaction, Xia Wan found it amusing. She moved away from his lips, placed her hands on his shoulders, tilted her head, and asked with a smile, "Officer Cheng, how old are you this year?"

"25".

Xia Wan smiled even sweeter, "Oh, then you're two years younger than me, so don't call me Miss Xia anymore."

Cheng Lei looked at her, his eyes dark, still completely dazed. He followed Xia Wan's lead and called out, "Sister Xia."

Summer evening, "..."

She almost vomited blood on the spot.

That blockhead deserves to be single.

She took a deep breath, looked up at him again, and smiled more broadly. "I just kissed you."

Cheng Lei was still a little dazed; he didn't understand why she wanted to kiss him.

Before he could say anything, he heard her say, "Should I be detained for indecent assault against a police officer?"

Under the dim streetlights, Cheng Lei's ears were so red they looked like they were about to burst into flames.

He straightened his taut body, took two steps back, and distanced himself from Xia Wan.

"According to the Public Security Administration Punishment Law, only indecent assault is punishable by detention... What you just did doesn't count."

Xia Wan was amused by his serious explanation of science. This guy, even though his ears were so red, had such an upright look in his eyes, as if he were giving a statement.

She couldn't help but lean forward an inch, standing on tiptoe until her nose almost touched his. "So, Officer Cheng, are you planning to let me off the hook?"

She was too close to him; he could smell the faint fragrance of her body mixed with the scent of alcohol wafting from her.

The smell was both unfamiliar and pleasant to him.

This was the first time he had ever encountered such a situation in his life.

It wasn't that no girls had ever shown interest in him before, but she was the first one as bold as Sister Yuntang's best friend.

Seeing her charming and bright smile, he slightly shifted his gaze.

"...no serious consequences were caused, and there was no resistance; therefore, no punishment will be imposed."

He paused, his face tense, and said with utmost seriousness, "But you can't do that again next time."

Watching the young man's serious, lecturing manner, Xia Wan felt a ticklish sensation, as if scratched by a cat's claws. "Then, can I take it a step further next time?"

Cheng Lei, "..."

Was she drunk?

Otherwise, how could he say something so outrageous?

"Miss Xia, you're drunk."

After staring at him for a few seconds, Xia Wan realized that if she continued to flirt with him, it might backfire.

She took out her phone and tentatively asked, "Can I add you on WeChat?"

If he's willing to add her, it means he's not too averse to her.

If he's unwilling to add her kiss, it means her kiss was too abrupt and made him uncomfortable, and there's no need to pursue it further.

After glancing at Xia Wan, Cheng Lei took out his phone and added her on WeChat.

After adding each other on WeChat, Cheng Lei took Xia Wan home.

As soon as the car started moving, Xia Wan received a message from Ye Yuntang.

After replying to Ye Yuntang's message, Xia Wan looked at Cheng Lei, who was driving, and said, "Officer Cheng, can you take me to Tangtang's place?"

Xia Wan gave an address.

After arriving at the apartment building, Xia Wan unbuckled her seatbelt.

After getting out of the car, Xia Wan walked to the driver's side window. She smiled and waved to Cheng Lei, "Officer Cheng, I'm not a casual person. You're the first person I've ever kissed. Think about it carefully when you get back~"

Before Cheng Lei could say anything, Xia Wan turned around and ran towards the apartment building.

As Cheng Lei watched Xia Wan's retreating figure, he still felt his body heat up and his breathing tighten.

He closed his eyes, trying to stay calm.

He wanted to drive away, but his gaze remained fixed on the direction Xia Wan had left in.

His long, slender fingers lifted slightly and touched the spot where his lips had been bitten.

It's as if that warm touch still lingers.

……

Xia Wan arrived at Ye Yuntang's apartment.

Ye Yuntang pulled Xia Wan to the sofa, "How was your blind date? Did you manage to take any photos?"

Xia Wan recounted what happened during her blind date.

When Ye Yuntang heard that Xia Wan had been beaten for no reason, she frowned and looked at Xia Wan's face carefully. "It is still a little swollen. I'll go get an ice pack."

After Ye Yuntang brought the ice pack over, she saw Xia Wan sitting there in a daze, a faint smile playing on her lips. She immediately sensed something was wrong. "What happened next?"

Xia Wan recounted how Cheng Lei had suddenly appeared and helped her, "And, I..."

Xia Wan's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she suddenly felt a little shy.

"What else? You didn't happen to have something going on with Lei Zi, did you?"

"He showed up again when I was eating barbecue and drinking. He looked so well-behaved and dazed that I couldn't resist biting the corner of his mouth."

Even now, thinking about it makes her heart race.

Actually, a year ago, she was harassed by a top-ranking man who was disguised as a food deliveryman. When he appeared in front of her after being called to the scene, she developed feelings for him.

When I saw him again this time, the feeling of affection was still just as strong.

"Tangtang, do you think it was too abrupt of me to bite him like that?" Xia Wan rested her face on Ye Yuntang's shoulder.

"If you were to bite your lip so abruptly, and I were to have a one-night stand with Xiao Lin, wouldn't I be sentenced to life imprisonment?"

Xia Wan was amused by Ye Yuntang's words, "You know what, his reaction is hilarious. I told him not to call me Miss Xia, and he started calling me Sister Xia. Do you think I have a chance if I pursue him?"

Based on Ye Yuntang's understanding of Cheng Lei, Cheng Lei should like Wanwan's type.

If he didn't have any feelings for her, and she kissed him every night, he would definitely push her away immediately and lecture her with a stern face.

Although Cheng Lei is straight, he looks handsome and upright with broad shoulders and a narrow waist when he wears a police uniform. He has quite a few young girls who like him because of his respectable work.

A while ago, she even saw a young woman bring him milk tea at the police station.

However, he remained firm and did not accept the milk tea from the young woman. He even spoke to her in a law enforcement tone, saying, "The public security organs have discipline; we are not allowed to accept gifts from the public, not even a cup of milk tea."

Finally, the girl ran away with tears in her eyes.

"So, Lei Zi, who's the kind of person who's so disciplined and knows his limits even when a young girl brings him milk tea, didn't immediately push you away or warn you when you kissed him. Don't you think he treats you differently?"

Hearing Ye Yuntang's analysis, Xia Wan felt as if she had a sweet secret in her heart.

Her cheeks flushed, and her smile grew sweeter. "Tangtang, hearing you say that gives me confidence."

"Next time, I'll be bolder."

Ye Yuntang raised an eyebrow, her eyes mocking, "How daring do you want to be?"

Xia Wan laughed so hard she almost fell over. "Next time, it won't just be a light bite on the corner of his lip, it'll be a proper kiss! Tangtang, do you think this is still his first kiss?"

Ye Yuntang nodded, "I've already asked around for you, she's never been in a relationship before, so you should be careful."

Xia Wan was overjoyed.

It seems like she's struck gold.

……

The next day at work, Ye Yuntang went to Director Shao's office.

She stood in front of the desk, her tone filled with anticipation, "Director Shao, how long will it take for my application for undercover training to be approved?"

If it's going to happen soon, she needs to tell Xiao Lin in advance.

She wanted to attend undercover training, something she had mentioned long before they got together.

He knew something about her sister's situation, so he should be able to understand her.

Director Shao looked up at Ye Yuntang, and after a moment of silence, said, "Let's put this matter aside for now."

Ye Yuntang's heart sank suddenly.

She vaguely sensed that Director Shao didn't want her to participate in the undercover training.

Is it because her performance over the past six months is still not good enough?

Ye Yuntang frowned, about to ask the reason, when she heard Director Shao say, "The National Forensic Experts' Year-End Exchange and Discussion Conference on Difficult Cases will be held in Beijing. As a key forensic expert here, you will go on a business trip tomorrow. After the trip, you can take a holiday for the New Year."

Ye Yuntang nodded. "Okay, I'll be going on a business trip tomorrow, but I'd like to know why the undercover training application is being put on hold?"

It's been half a year already.

Director Shao put down his pen, his tone becoming more serious. "Xiao Ye, it's not that you're not good enough. You have strong professional skills, are meticulous, and are one of the most reliable forensic doctors in our bureau. But the undercover agent has already been chosen from among others."

Ye Yuntang's heart tightened. "What? You've already agreed to date someone else?"

Director Shao nodded. "Yes."

Ye Yuntang frowned deeply. "...Who did you choose?"

Director Shao shook his head, his tone leaving no room for argument, "This is a classified matter. It cannot be disclosed to anyone before the mission begins, including you."

According to normal procedures, even if someone has been chosen, it shouldn't be concealed from key forensic doctors to this extent.

The quota was taken by someone else, the reasons were vague, and the selection was kept secret...

A strange feeling welled up in Ye Yuntang's heart.

She felt something was wrong, something very wrong.

But she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.

"I have other things to do, you can go ahead and attend to them," Director Shao said.

Ye Yuntang walked out of the office absentmindedly.

As soon as I came out, I saw Xiao Lin walking over with a document in his hand.

When Xiao Lin noticed that Ye Yuntang was acting strangely, he subconsciously pinched her fingertips as he passed by her.

Ye Yuntang was startled. She shook off the man's hand as if she had been electrocuted. "Are you crazy? Someone will see us."

Xiao Lin glanced at the empty corridor. "Who saw it?"

Ye Yuntang glared at him irritably, "The boss could come out at any moment."

Xiao Lin knew she didn't want the police to know about their relationship, so he didn't argue with her. "I've booked a restaurant for tonight. I'll take you there after get off work."

Ye Yuntang shook her head. "I have no appetite."

Looking at her listless appearance, Xiao Lin roughly guessed the reason.

"Then I'll buy groceries and cook at my apartment."

Ye Yuntang neither said it was good nor bad.

After get off work, the two left one after the other.

Xiao Lin bought groceries and went to Ye Yuntang's apartment.

Ye Yuntang sat on the sofa, hugging her knees, staring blankly at the balcony.

Xiao Lin walked over, picked her up, and placed her on his lap.

"What's wrong? Why are you so down?"

Ye Yuntang nestled into the man's arms, wrapping her arms around his lean waist, and said in a muffled voice, "My application for undercover training was rejected. Director Shao said that someone else has already been chosen as the undercover agent, but he won't say who it is."

She bit her lip, her voice tinged with grievance, "I prepared for so long, I could have..."

Xiao Lin tightened his arms around Ye Yuntang, and after patiently listening to her finish speaking, he whispered reassuringly, "The bureau has its own considerations. As you know, that criminal group is overseas, and if we're not careful, they might not be able to come back. Sending more suitable and experienced people will increase the chances of success and reduce the risks."

Seeing the redness in her eyes, he gently wiped them with his fingertips.

He knew she was capable, brave, and fearless.

But for him, her safety was more important than anything else.

She is a forensic pathologist; she should just focus on doing her job well.

The reason he didn't let her go undercover wasn't because she wasn't good enough, but because he couldn't bear to let her take that risk.

……

Ye Yuntang is going on a business trip to northern Beijing for five days.

Xiao Lin's work was just coming to an end, and he was about to head to another city for a mission.

The two of them definitely won't see each other before the New Year.

When Ye Yuntang finished her business trip in Beijing and was about to return, a college classmate who worked at the Beijing Police Station called to invite her to dinner.

During the journey, she received another message from Xiao Lin. He was rushing back to Beijing and asked her to stay there for another day so that they could see each other again before the New Year.

Ye Yuntang arrived at the restaurant her classmate had booked. She walked into the lobby and then went to the restroom.

As I stood in front of the sink drying my hands after washing them, a faint, pleasant fragrance suddenly wafted over from behind me.

Ye Yuntang looked up and saw a woman in the mirror.

The woman wore a sharply tailored coat, her makeup was exquisite, and she was stunningly beautiful with a dazzling aura that made her impossible to ignore.

Almost instantly, Ye Yuntang recognized the woman as the big star Huo Yuan.

The girl who once passionately pursued Xiao Lin during her university years.

Perhaps noticing Ye Yuntang's gaze, Huo Yuan glanced at her indifferently. Seeing Ye Yuntang looking at her, she asked, "Are you my fan?"

Ye Yuntang looked away and replied gently and politely, "No, I've just seen your movies."

Huo Yuan smiled. "Do you need an autograph?"

"No need, thank you."

Huo Yuan didn't say anything more. She touched up her lipstick and turned to leave.

Someone was waiting for Huo Yuan at the restroom door. "You're such a big star, why are you here on a blind date?"

"It was arranged by my family."

"Don't I know you? If you don't like it, you won't meet it even if it's arranged by your family. Could it be that the second young master of the Xiao family?"

Ye Yuntang, who was about to walk out, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

The second young master of the Xiao family, could it be Xiao Lin?

Is he going back to Beijing to go on a blind date with Huo Yuan?

Did his family arrange this for him?

Ye Yuntang suddenly remembered the time when she was in Xiao Lin's apartment and was almost caught by his grandfather.

Given Xiao Lin's personality, he would definitely tell his grandfather that he already has a girlfriend.

If his family is still arranging blind dates for him, then there is only one possibility.

His family has investigated her and is very dissatisfied with her.

Ye Yuntang had long anticipated this outcome. Although she had prepared herself mentally, her heart still involuntarily tightened.

I feel a bit down and uncomfortable.

So, will Xiao Lin come to see Huo Yuan today?