When Si Hang found out that she had gone out without informing the police, he was first furious but then silently prayed that nothing serious had happened.

He drove anxiously to the accident site, where the traffic police had already secured the scene. Barricades were set up, an ambulance was parked nearby, and a crowd had gathered.

Si Hang got out of the car, pushed through the crowd, and said sternly, “Police, please make way.”

He squeezed through to the barricade and showed his badge to the traffic officers on duty. Recognizing him as a senior officer from the district bureau, they immediately let him through.

Zhuang Zi, utterly shaken by the incident, was sitting on the edge of a flower bed, clutching her head in her arms.

Seeing that she was unharmed, Si Hang felt a slight relief and first went to the bridge to assess the situation.

This was a low bridge with a river flowing underneath it. Zhuang Zi’s car had veered off the road and crashed into the barrier by the river. Meanwhile, the medical staff had already lifted the young man who had fallen into the river onto the ambulance.

Si Hang asked the nearby traffic police about the details. The responsibility lay with Zhuang Zi. While driving over the bridge, her car swerved out of its lane. An oncoming electric scooter couldn’t dodge in time, panicked, and both the rider and the scooter plunged into the river.

Fortunately, there were two sanitation workers nearby who knew how to swim. They immediately jumped in and rescued the man.

After listening, Si Hang glanced at the woman sitting not far away and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Not only had she violated traffic rules today, but she had also almost caused a fatal accident. He didn’t understand why she had gone to the remote northern part of the city without informing Xiao Zhao to accompany her, despite knowing the dangers she faced.

He suppressed a rising anger, unsure if it was due to her reckless outing or her disheveled appearance.

Given her fragile mental state, she was probably scared out of her wits despite being unharmed. He decided to hold off his anger and question her once they got home.

Just as he was about to approach her, the head of the traffic police walked over and greeted him from afar, “Captain Si, what brings you here?”

Hearing someone call Si Hang, Zhuang Zi immediately lifted her head from her arms and looked over.

Although Si Hang appeared cold and distant, he had a wide network of connections. He often visited the grassroots level, and many colleagues were familiar with him.

“Just came to check,” he said, shaking hands with the traffic police captain. Then, with a stern look at Zhuang Zi, he asked, “Have all the standard procedures been completed here?”

“Yes, everything’s done.”

“How badly is the other person injured?”

“They’re conscious, but their leg is seriously injured, and they were quite frightened.” The traffic police captain glanced between Si Hang and Zhuang Zi, asking tentatively, “Is she… Captain Si’s girlfriend?”

Si Hang paused for a moment, glanced at her again, and vaguely replied, “Sorry for the trouble.”

His non-denial led the others to assume he confirmed it. Knowing it involved a senior officer from the district, they took the matter more seriously. “I just asked Miss Zhuang. She said the car has full insurance, and the insurance company is already involved. As for the electric scooter owner, we’ll need to see how they want to settle it. In the meantime, make sure not to agree to any private compensation. Wait for the mediation documents to be issued, which will provide the full compensation standards.”

Si Hang nodded, “Thank you. I’ll go check on her now.”

……

When Zhuang Zi saw Si Hang approaching, she slowly stood up from the steps.

He stopped in front of her, hands in his pockets, staring down at her with a face colder than the winter weather.

Knowing she was at fault, Zhuang Zi felt guilty and avoided his gaze, her eyes dropping to his arm, her fingers unconsciously clenching.

He let out a light, cold snort, showing no sign of leniency, and mocked her, “Care to explain why you decided to run off on your own?”

Zhuang Zi remained silent, hesitating. If she told him she went out to get a fake ID, wouldn’t she be putting herself in the line of fire?

But without a reason, would he let her off the hook for going out and causing an accident?

Seeing her remain silent, Si Hang slightly sucked in his cheeks. 

She knew her current situation. For her to risk her life and go out alone, it had to be something serious.

After a few seconds of silence, he took a deep breath, ready to say something when her phone suddenly rang.

She quickly took it out. It was Pei Zheng.

She glanced up at the man in front of her. Si Hang’s face was stern, his eyes moving from her phone screen to her face.

Zhuang Zi immediately turned away and answered the call.

Pei Zheng called to say he was safe and out. He had gone to meet the person making the ID at the agreed photo studio, only to find plainclothes police had already arrested the owner. So he was caught red-handed but hadn’t made the transaction yet. After a stern lecture and a fine, they released him.

“I’m glad you’re safe,” she said, distracted by the mess around her. “I’ll call you back later.”

After hanging up, she stood there for a few seconds, deciding she had to come clean with Si Hang.

She couldn’t think of a better excuse, and she had to explain the cause of the accident.

Putting her phone back in her pocket, she returned to stand in front of him.

To her surprise, his face had grown even darker, his eyes cold and fierce, radiating an intimidating aura.

He looked her up and down, scoffing.

Frightened by his demeanor, she hesitated for several seconds before finding her voice. “I…”

“Miss Zhuang.”

He interrupted her.

Startled by his address, Zhuang Zi stared at him.

He sneered, “I don’t care if you’re dating, but do you even understand your current situation?”

Caught off guard, Zhuang Zi was about to explain, but he cut her off again.

“You didn’t inform the police, ran off on your own, and caused an accident. Whose responsibility is that, yours or ours?”

Hearing the blame and anger in his voice, Zhuang Zi felt deeply ashamed. “I’m sorry.”

Si Hang’s face remained stern, his anger simmering with no outlet. He felt suffocated with rage.

He wanted to scold her further, but considering the crowd around them, he restrained himself.

Turning away, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, took a deep drag, and exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself.

“I’m not out to meet someone,” she said, glancing at his cold profile and lowering her voice to confess. “I went to get a fake ID, and something went wrong.”

Si Hang heard this and took a full three seconds to process it before slowly turning to look at her, his expression one of sheer disbelief. 

……