“Last time was really dangerous. It’s not safe for you to stay in a hotel alone. It’s best to stay at a friend’s place, okay?”

Zhuang Zi felt Zheng Ruzhi’s sincere concern and replied honestly, “I’ve been staying at the police station, so nothing will happen.”

“Staying at the police station?” Zheng Ruzhi was puzzled. If the police station had a place to stay, why would Si Hang send Xiaomi to the villa for them to take care of? “Is there really a place to stay at the police station?”

…

It wasn’t until Si Hang got home after work in the evening, while routinely checking the work group updates, that he saw his mother’s message on WeChat.

Knowing that he was usually busy with work and not wanting to disturb him, Zheng Ruzhi generally only called him directly for urgent matters.

He threw his keys onto the cabinet by the entrance, changed his shoes, and played Zheng Ruzhi’s voice message:

“I just called Zhuang Zi and found out she still hasn’t found a place to stay. I invited her to stay at our house for a couple of days, but she refused. Son, after work tomorrow, help me bring her over.”

Si Hang paused, replaying the message to make sure his mother wanted him to bring her over.

He stood there silently for a couple of seconds, put his phone back in his pocket, unsure of how to respond.

…

The next morning, Xie Kui, tired of the police station cafeteria, suggested having breakfast outside with Si Hang. They stopped by a porridge shop and happened to run into Zhuang Zi and Xiao Zhang as they were leaving.

The four of them walked back to the police station together.

Zhuang Zi greeted Xie Kui and then glanced at Si Hang, avoiding eye contact. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed his clean, long fingers holding a cigarette, the dark blue, knee-length coat’s edge neat and of fine quality. The coat’s zipper brushed past her hand as he walked between her and Xie Kui.

“……”

She moved slightly to the side, trying to quicken her pace to keep some distance, but Xie Kui suddenly asked her, “Miss Zhuang, is your brother-in-law returning to the country today?”

Zhuang Zi was momentarily puzzled, then nodded after a second, “Yes.”

Xie Kui subtly advised, “Even though he’s no longer a suspect, it’s best not to be alone with him.”

Zhuang Zi understood his implication and was about to thank him when she couldn’t hold back a yawn, covering her face.

Xie Kui laughed, “I think you should stay in a hotel. The night shift can keep an eye on you. Nothing more will happen.”

Zhuang Zi looked at him, her eyes slightly wet, exhaustion evident in her features. Although she usually suffered from insomnia, she could still sleep three to four hours a night, but it was impossible to sleep well in a car.

“I can manage.”

Xie Kui looked at her and asked, “You still have to work during the day. Won’t this affect your job?”

“Work isn’t busy right now,” she said. “It’ll be better once we catch the culprit.”

“Yes, your case is more complicated than expected. The boss is handling it now.”

Zhuang Zi glanced at the man beside her, who was leisurely smoking a cigarette, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.

She said nothing more.

Xie Kui thought of something else and was a bit puzzled. Considering her usual attire and the car she drove, she should be able to afford a better apartment with improved security facilities.

“Nanxin Community’s security facilities are not very good. Why does Miss Zhuang live there?”

“My own place hasn’t been handed over yet. I didn’t want to move, so I just settled there.”

Xie Kui nodded and advised, “After this case is over, it’s best if you move. Your windows don’t even have security bars. Last time, the boss saved you by climbing through the window.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhuang Zi stepped on a small stone, causing her high heel to wobble slightly. She leaned to the side, accidentally bumping into someone’s arm.

She quickly straightened up, glanced at him briefly, and then looked away immediately.

The group turned towards the police station entrance when Si Hang’s phone rang. He walked ahead, passing through the electronic gate first, with the others following.

Seeing the caller ID on the screen, he answered the call, already knowing why she was calling, but he still asked, “Mom, what’s up?”

Zheng Ruzhi laughed, “I knew you weren’t at work yet, so I dared to call. I just wanted to remind you about what I mentioned on WeChat last night. Don’t forget today.”

“……” Si Hang’s voice had a slight sarcastic tone, “It’s useless if you say it. How can I make it happen?”

“How do you know if you don’t try?”

Si Hang: “…….”

“Anyway, Mom doesn’t care. You must find a way to bring her to our house, or I will feel guilty.” She finished and then encouraged him, “I believe you won’t disappoint me.”

Si Hang opened his mouth to argue further, but the dial tone came through, indicating she had hung up.

“……….”

He stopped, looked down at his phone, and lightly bit his back teeth.

How did this become his problem?

The next second, someone passed by him, and he turned his eyes towards them. “Hey.”

Suddenly speaking up, he startled Zhuang Zi, who looked up at him quickly, hesitated for a second, then stopped, her eyes suspicious, “What?”

Given their current state, it seemed unlikely they could have a calm conversation. Unless it was about work, but this wasn’t the place for that.

He paused, put his phone back in his pocket, and said expressionlessly, “My mom wants you to stay at the old house.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Kui looked at him with a half-smile. Si Hang glanced at him knowingly but said nothing.

Xie Kui smiled, looked at Xiao Zhang, and gestured towards the door with his chin. Xiao Zhang instantly understood and walked away with him.

Si Hang nonchalantly looked back at the woman in front of him and reluctantly asked, “Should I wait for you tonight?”