Today, all the cars at the office were taken by colleagues on assignments, leaving none available. Xiao Zhao had no choice but to ride with Zhuang Zi.

After leaving the parking lot, Xiao Zhao relaxed in the front passenger seat and teased her, “That guy’s been giving you such obvious hints. Don’t tell me you don’t know he likes you?”

Zhuang Zi glanced at him and responded calmly, “That’s why I’m not wasting his time.”

“What kind of logic is that?” Xiao Zhao laughed. “It’s clear he genuinely likes you, and he’s quite handsome too. Why not give him a chance?”

Zhuang Zi was silent for a moment, not saying anything.

“He’s even willing to share half of his shares with you. Isn’t that sincere enough?”

Zhuang Zi thought for a moment, then smiled. “I don’t have any special charm. Why would he be so good to me?”

Xiao Zhao raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“I know my shortcomings. I’m afraid he’ll regret his efforts in the future.”

Xiao Zhao was stunned but then laughed, understanding her. “You’re underestimating yourself too much.”

“I’m just being honest.”

Xiao Zhao patiently advised her, “That’s the wrong mindset. Why do you think you don’t have charm? Men won’t always be good to you? Isn’t this cutting off opportunities for people to pursue you?”

Besides, he himself thought she was great. He just assumed that with her looks, education, and career, she wouldn’t be interested in him, so he didn’t try to pursue her.

“I don’t know.”

Zhuang Zi couldn’t explain why, maybe her past experiences made her lose confidence. She once had beautiful hopes, but they ended in endless disappointment and heartbreak. She didn’t deny that good things existed, but she felt she wasn’t lucky enough to encounter them.

Xiao Zhao looked at her and laughed, “I think you just don’t like the gentle, refined type and are finding an excuse, right?”

“…” Zhuang Zi actually didn’t like discussing such topics with people and wanted to end the conversation. She absentmindedly replied, “Maybe.”

“What kind do you like then?”

“I don’t know. Just go with the flow.”

Her answer was so noncommittal.

Xiao Zhao smiled and was about to say more when his WeChat chimed.

Zhuang Zi thought he would stop, but he fiddled with his phone for a bit and suddenly, without warning, asked, “What do you think of our team leader?”

“…….”

A few words floated across Zhuang Zi’s mind: What does this have to do with anything?

“I’ve noticed that many girls like our team leader’s type. I’ve been single for 24 years and am very curious about what kind of men girls like. Why is our team leader so popular while no girls chase me?” Xiao Zhao earnestly asked her, “Miss Zhuang, can you analyze this from a woman’s perspective?”

“……”

Zhuang Zi was caught off guard by the sudden question and hesitated for a full two seconds before uncertainly answering, “Maybe because he’s handsome?”

Xiao Zhao, with a look of genuine curiosity, asked, “You also think he’s very handsome?”

Zhuang Zi treated it as casual conversation, but she wasn’t good at complimenting people, so her answer was vague, “He’s okay.”

“He’s just ‘okay’? Then does that make me ugly?”

“You’re good-looking too.” Zhuang Zi kindly reassured him for once, “But he’s more calm and steady, and women might like that manly vibe, feeling secure.”

“Oh, I see…” Xiao Zhao pretended to stroke his chin thoughtfully, then asked, “So, if you had to choose a boyfriend between someone like the team leader and someone like me, who would you choose?”

“……….”

Zhuang Zi gave him a puzzled look, suddenly finding this man very noisy and strange.

They weren’t close enough to discuss such personal matters, so why was he asking her these questions?

She was speechless for several seconds and was wondering how to end this topic when her phone rang at just the right moment.

To avoid his questions, she answered the call without even checking the caller ID or putting on her Bluetooth headset.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhao sent his last voice message to Si Hang and then put his phone away.

During their private meal discussions, everyone agreed that there was something between the two, and they made a good pair. As teammates fighting together, it was only right to help the team leader.

Soon, a gentle voice came through the speakers, “Xiao Zi?”

“Auntie.”

“I asked Si Hang, and he said he’s not working overtime tonight. You should come back with him later. I just went out and bought a lot of groceries, waiting for you both to come back and have dinner.”

The warmer Auntie Zheng was, the more guilty Zhuang Zi felt.

She was about to decline, but Auntie Zheng continued, “If you don’t come, I’ll go to the police station to pick you up myself tomorrow.”

“…….” Zhuang Zi had no choice but to say, “I’ll come myself.”

After hanging up, she sighed almost inaudibly.

Xiao Zhao asked, “Was that the team leader’s mother?”

Zhuang Zi was surprised, “You knew?”

“She’s been to our office a few times, always bringing big bags of fruit and snacks. She has a very distinct personality, making a lasting impression.”

Zhuang Zi agreed with this. It was her first time meeting someone so lively at that age.

“His parents are really nice. Since you don’t have a place to stay now, you should go when Auntie invites you.”

Zhuang Zi made no comment.

…

On the way, Zhuang Zi made a detour to Changhe Bay.

When she arrived at Jiang Zhihao’s house, he wasn’t there as he had gone to pick up Xiao Rui from school.

This was actually a good thing, as it spared them an awkward encounter.

Zhuang Zi took her things, sent him a message to inform him, and left.

By the time she returned to the police station, it was already getting dark.

Xiao Zhao had gone to the canteen for dinner, and Zhuang Zi stayed in the car to organize the items she had collected from the company, locking them in the trunk.

…