You're a US police officer, what are you thinking about going back to the East for?

The young woman looked at Leon, who was dressed casually but exuded a sharp aura, and subconsciously took a half step back, asking with some wariness, "Who are you?"

"I'm here to see Bob."

Leon tried to tone down his imposing aura and gave a friendly smile.

"I am his friend, Leon Vance."

Upon hearing the name, the girl's previously wary eyes lit up instantly, and the water bottle in her hand even trembled slightly.

"Officer Vance?!"

She took a deep breath, her voice filled with admiration and gratitude.

"I am Lily, Bob's daughter."

"Dad mentioned you... He said you were the first patrol officer to arrive and provide support, and that you were the hero who chased after those bastards in the pouring rain to avenge him, almost risking your life."

"Uh...maybe."

Lyon was about to say something modest, since the thought of casually racking up points had actually had some influence at the time.

The next second, Lily actually stepped forward, opened her arms, and gave Leon a warm hug.

"Thank you! Thank you so much for saving my dad!"

soft.

This was Lyon's first reaction.

Two soft mounds pressed against his chest without any obstruction, the touch extremely oppressive.

Although Leon is a proper policeman, it has to be said that this girl is quite well-developed.

"Cough cough... It's my duty, it's my duty."

Leon patted Lily on the back somewhat awkwardly, his gaze passing over her golden hair and meeting Bob's eyes on the hospital bed.

Bob, who had been half-dead, now had his eyes wide open.

He looked at his precious daughter, who was burying her face in Leon's chest, and then at Leon's hand on her back, his expression extremely complicated.

Three points is "Fuck," three points is "Take your dirty hands off me," and four points is "I can't move right now, otherwise I'd have to get up and shoot you."

Only when Lily loosened her embrace and wiped her red-rimmed eyes did Bob's fiery gaze subside slightly.

"Um... Officer Vance, you two talk first."

Lily straightened her hair, a little embarrassed, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"I'm going to get some hot water, I'll be right back."

After saying that, she grabbed the kettle in a fluster, squeezed past Leon, and before leaving, she couldn't help but turn back and look at Leon one last time with the kind of look one has for an idol.

The ward door closed.

Leon withdrew his gaze, walked to the bedside, pulled over a rather uncomfortable-looking chair, and plopped down in it.

Before Bob could even settle into his chair, he spoke first from his hospital bed.

"I did say I owed you a top-quality steak, but that definitely doesn't include my daughter!"

Bob strained to lift his neck and glared at Leon.

"You bastard, stay away from her! I know what you're thinking!"

"Don't think that just because you saved me you can make advances on my daughter. Otherwise, I'll risk my wounds reopening and get up to shoot you!"

Lyon looked at the old man, who was covered in bandages but still full of energy, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey, relax. She was the one who pounced on you."

Lyon spread his hands, looking completely innocent.

"I'm relieved to see that you still have the energy to curse."

"To be honest, if I hadn't seen Lily, I would have almost forgotten that you're an old woman in your fifties who still has a family to support."

"For a moment just now, you seemed more energetic than that hothead Harold."

"Get lost!"

Don't compare me to these newcomers.

Bob cursed, but the emotional outburst aggravated his wound, causing him to wince and gasp for breath.

"My Lily is a good girl, not the kind of delinquent who talks about openness, diversity, and inclusivity all day long but then goes out partying in nightclubs..."

Bob stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence.

His eyes darted over Lyon twice, and a ridiculous thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

etc.

This kid may be a scoundrel, but his dangerous behavior is like that of a terrorist.

But in terms of looks, he's impeccable; in terms of ability, he just avenged himself; and in terms of future prospects, rumors are already circulating that even Chief Sterling holds him in high regard.

What if we could really get this kid together?

Wouldn't my retirement life take off immediately?

"Tsk..."

Bob smacked his lips, shook his head, and banished the tempting yet dangerous idea from his mind.

No, this kid has too much trouble around him, let's just forget about it.

He sighed, abruptly steer the conversation back on track.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."

"What happened after that night?"

Bob's expression became more serious.

"I heard from Miller, that crybaby, that you drove the car around like it was flying? What about those three bastards who hurt me? What's the situation now?"

"Two died, one was captured alive."

Leon leaned back in his chair.

"The bald guy who shot you, and the one in the back seat, both went to meet God when the car crashed."

"The driver was lucky; he only broke his leg and was taken away by the FBI."

"FBI?"

Bob frowned.

"Yes, it's not that simple."

Lyon lowered his voice, "According to that agent named Hayes, this incident involves a shootout between suppliers in Mexico and local gangs."

"The Hells Angels, the Blood Gang, and that Aryan Brotherhood are all involved."

"The Seattle underworld is likely to be reshuffled soon, and it's definitely not going to be peaceful."

Bob frowned as he listened, his eyes filled with worry.

He'd been a patrol officer his whole life, and what he feared most was this kind of epic battle.

Once gang warfare erupts, the first to suffer are always those blue-clad cannon fodder patrolling the front lines.

"Damn it...this world is getting more and more chaotic."

Bob sighed and closed his eyes.

"Alright, stop overthinking it."

Leon stood up and gently patted Bob's uninjured right shoulder.

"If the sky falls, the tall guys will hold it up, and there's me, SWAT, and the FBI too."

"Your job now is to lie here, enjoy your paid sick leave, and have your daughter peel an apple for you."

"By the time you're discharged from the hospital, the outside world might have already finished a round of fighting."

Bob forced a smile: "Thanks for your kind words, you jerk."

"Gone."

Lyon put his hands in his jacket pockets, turned and walked toward the door.

He paused for a moment when his hand touched the doorknob, without turning around, and simply offered a brief reminder:

"The situation isn't good lately. Even if you're discharged from the hospital, don't rush back to work. There are going to be more crazy people on the streets these days. Take care, old friend."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and strode out of the ward.

……

When the ward door was pushed open again, Lily was carrying a kettle that had just been filled with hot water.

She strode in and her first glance fell on the chair where someone had been sitting, but it was completely empty, not even a shadow remained.

"Huh? Where's Officer Vance? He's already gone?"

Lily put down the kettle, walked to the window, looked down, and looked visibly disappointed.

"Gone."

"That guy's always on the go, either arresting someone or on his way to fire a shot."

"You expect him to sit here all afternoon and reminisce with me?"

"That's way too fast!"

Lily tugged at the hem of her T-shirt with a hint of regret; the warmth of the hug from earlier still seemed to linger.

"I was going to ask him if we wanted to have dinner together tonight to thank him."

"Have dinner with him?"

Bob's eyelids twitched when he heard those two words.

"Lily, listen to your dad, stay away from that bastard."

Lily turned her head, somewhat puzzled, and looked at her father's serious face:

"Why? Isn't he a hero? He saved your life."

"He saved my life and he's a good person, but that doesn't mean he's a trustworthy person."

Bob sighed.

"That guy is too dangerous. Not just him, he's like a black hole, there's always trouble and mess around him."

"If you get too close to him, before you even cut your steak, a bunch of madmen with AKs will show up and blow up the restaurant because the food is bad."

"This kind of life isn't for you, Lily. We already have enough trouble with one policeman in our family."

Lily didn't reply, but silently poured Bob a glass of water, her eyes fixed on the wet street outside the window.

The image that flashed through her mind was that cold, strong figure from just moments ago.

"Okay, Dad, go drink some water."