Roses in Flames

Xiao Lin noticed Ye Yuntang's gaze and glanced at her sideways.

Ye Yuntang met his deep, unfathomable black eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.

She looked away awkwardly, her ears burning slightly.

She knew in her heart that he probably cared a lot about her playing the piano duet with Shen Yan on stage at the social event, which was why he deliberately showed off this skill.

She never expected that he would compete with her.

Ye Mo's eyes lit up as he listened. After Xiao Lin finished playing, he took out his phone, typed a message, and handed it to Ye Yuntang:

Sis, your husband is amazing! I've been practicing piano for the past week, and he comes to my house every day after get off work to give me lessons.

Ye Yuntang's eyes widened. "He went to his house too?"

Ye Mo nodded vigorously.

Ye Yuntang was shocked. "Mom saw him?"

Ye Mo: Yes, Mom really likes my brother-in-law. She always cooks lots of delicious dishes for him when he comes over.

Ye Yuntang, "..."

Why was she completely unaware of this?

Did her mother and brother stop treating her like family? They kept such a big thing from her so tightly.

"Xiao Mo, practice the piano a little longer. I have something to say to Captain Xiao."

Ye Yuntang walked up to Xiao Lin, grabbed his arm, and pulled him outside.

Once in the hallway, Ye Yuntang glared at him, annoyed. "Why did you go to my house to see my mom? Such a big thing, and you didn't even tell me?"

Looking at Ye Yuntang's sullen face, Xiao Lin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he said in a low, husky voice, "I was afraid you wouldn't let me go. I made you angry, so I wanted to make a good impression and win over Auntie and Xiao Mo."

Ye Yuntang never expected him to be such a scheming and ruthless man.

"You didn't say anything bad to my mom, did you?"

Xiao Lin shook his head. "Of course not. But why does your brother call me brother-in-law?"

Ye Yuntang frowned. "I also find it strange. Anyway, I didn't tell him to call me that."

Xiao Lin said "Oh," and replied, "Maybe I look more like the brother-in-law in his mind."

Ye Yuntang was almost amused by his shamelessness. "Don't flatter yourself."

Xiao Lin, hands in his pockets, his tall frame leaning towards Ye Yuntang, his broad back slightly hunched, asked, "How was my piano playing? How about a four-hand duet with me at the next police station event?"

His face was very close to hers, and his warm breath as he spoke felt like tiny electric currents running through her, sending shivers down her spine.

Ye Yuntang stiffened. Just as she was about to say something, a loud roar suddenly came from the next classroom, "What are you doing here? You're dressed so poorly, you'll only embarrass me. Go back to your truck and don't show your face in front of me!"

Ye Yuntang and Xiao Lin exchanged a glance before looking toward the classroom next door.

On the podium in the next classroom stood a middle-aged man who looked somewhat weathered, and a student with dyed blond hair.

"It's him?"

Ye Yuntang looked at Xiao Lin, "You know him?"

Xiao Lin pointed at the boy who was yelling and shouting, "One of the boys who bullied your brother with Ye Yuhang in the alley last time."

Ye Yuntang's hands, hanging at her sides, were clenched into fists.

That guy, he clearly has no manners.

"Jiashu, Dad hasn't seen you for a month and wanted to come see you..."

Zhao Jiashu interrupted the man with a look of disgust, "What do I need you to look at? Can you give me money, or make me a rich kid? You're just a truck driver, reeking of gasoline, you don't deserve to be my dad!"

Before Zhao's father could say anything, Zhao Jiashu continued, "The designer clothes I wear were all bought for me by my mother. My mother being with you is like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung! You're a good-for-nothing. The little money you earn each month isn't even enough for me to buy a pair of limited-edition sneakers. Get out of here and don't let my classmates see you!"

Mr. Zhao's face turned pale and then purple. His hands were tightly clasped together, and his voice was hoarse and trembling as he said, "Jiashu, I know I can't give you a comfortable life, but I send you all the money I earn every month. Do you think money is more important than family?"

Zhao Jiashu rolled his eyes and snorted coldly. "What's family worth? Besides driving a beat-up truck, what can you offer me? All my good friends at school come from wealthy and powerful families. If it weren't for my mom's ability to earn money, I'd still be living at the bottom of society. I don't want a good-for-nothing father like you. You're a disgrace. If I were you, I'd just hang myself!"

Upon hearing Zhao Jiashu's words, Xiao Lin and Ye Yuntang immediately rushed forward.

Xiao Lin's sharp gaze swept over Zhao Jiashu, his aura chilling, his voice cold and stern. "You should still recognize me, right? Let me tell you clearly, insulting your parents is illegal. At best, you'll be subject to administrative penalties; at worst, it constitutes the crime of insult and carries criminal charges. Your father earns a living with his own hands, which is nothing to be ashamed of. It's you, a snobbish and ungrateful child, who is truly shameful!"

Zhao Jiashu was taken aback when he saw Xiao Lin.

I can't believe it's that meddlesome, stinky cop again. Why is he everywhere?

"What business is it of yours how I talk to my dad? Even if I curse him out, he would never tell me. Mind your own business!"

Father Zhao looked at Xiao Lin with a pale and embarrassed face. "Thank you... This is a private matter between my son and me. Don't bother me. I'm fine."

Xiao Lin frowned deeply. "Master Zhao, this is not a private matter. His public insults against you are illegal. If you continue to indulge him, he will become even less respectful of the law and family ties, and he will do even more outrageous things in the future."

Ye Yuntang nodded, "This young man has already warped his values. He can't cross legal boundaries, and he absolutely cannot abandon his responsibilities as a son or daughter. I think this student needs to be taken to the police station for a proper education!"

Zhao Jiashu panicked. He naturally knew Ye Yuntang's identity; she was Ye Mo's older sister and had a very fiery personality.

"Stop trying to scare me. I'm still a minor. Even if you're police officers, what can you do to me?"

Xiao Lin sternly rebuked, "Stop using minors as a shield! The newly revised Public Security Administration Punishment Law clearly stipulates that those over 14 years old can still be held accountable for serious offenses!"

Zhao Jiashu's face flushed red. He glared at his father and said, "Say something!"

"Officer, I will discipline my son properly. Don't trouble yourself any further." Zhao's father pulled Zhao Jiashu away from the classroom.

Xiao Lin and Ye Yuntang exchanged a glance and did not chase after them.

Xiao Lin sighed, "This child is materialistic and doesn't know how to be grateful. He's likely to cause big problems in the future."

Ye Yuntang nodded. "The boys who hang out with Ye Yuhang are all spoiled by their families and have questionable values."

……

After the school anniversary gala began, Ye Yuntang and Xiao Lin sat side by side.

Xiao Lin looked at Ye Yuntang and said in a low, husky voice, "That day on the rooftop, you asked me if I had fallen for you?"

Ye Yuntang looked at the man beside her, "What's wrong? You said you didn't know back then."

Xiao Lin nodded, his dark eyes growing more intense as he looked at her. "I've been thinking a lot these past few days while you were away on a business trip, and I think I've fallen for you."

Ye Yuntang, "..."