Chapter 17

Wei Shian glanced at the bookstore not far away and, upon seeing a familiar figure come out, asked, “Going on a date?” 

“You’re sharp, Boss. You guessed it right away.” 

“It wasn’t hard to guess…” That hair probably used half a bottle of mousse—pretty hard to miss. 

Luo Wei, not catching his boss’s teasing tone, buckled his seatbelt with a cheerful expression. “It’s not exactly a date, it’s a blind date. The matchmaker said the girl is very pretty and gentle.” 

“Didn’t you just go on a blind date a few days ago?” 

“Hey, don’t remind me. Last time, we had barely sat down for a few minutes and hadn’t even said much when her alarm went off, and she left.” Thinking of his last blind date, Luo Wei was full of complaints. “… If she didn’t like me, she could’ve just said so. Instead, she claimed her friend had an emergency.” 

Wei Shian chuckled softly. “She wasn’t wrong, just a bit more subtle in her approach.” 

“I’m not saying she was wrong, it’s just… we’re cops, we can see through those little tricks right away. I felt embarrassed for her. But forget it, let’s get going… Hey! Wait! Wait… Boss, isn’t that the beauty who brought you water and cookies? What a coincidence!” Mid-sentence, Luo Wei was stunned by the sudden appearance of a beautiful woman. 

Not content with just being surprised, he turned and nudged his boss. “Boss, go down there and make it look like a casual encounter! Also, remind her that even though this area is close to the city’s headquarters, video rental places attract all sorts of people. She’s so beautiful; it’s not the safest place for her…” 

Wei Shian ignored Luo Wei’s rambling, and after seeing the woman safely drive away, he calmly started the car. 

Seeing this, Luo Wei looked exasperated. “What a perfect opportunity, Boss, weren’t you even a little tempted? If I didn’t know my place, I would’ve gone myself…” 

Being tempted doesn’t always mean taking action. 

Wei Shian turned the steering wheel and merged the car into traffic. 

That girl was beautiful and delicate, clearly someone raised in a sheltered environment. 

A detective’s job can keep you busy for days or weeks at a time—what could he offer her? 

Luo Wei was chatty, but the boss was as silent as a clam. 

After talking until his mouth was dry without getting a single word in response, Luo Wei finally gave up on playing matchmaker and started looking around for water. 

It was then that Luo Wei noticed something surprising: there was a cup of milk tea in his boss’s car, still unopened. 

Delighted, he instinctively reached for it. 

It wasn’t that he was being rude; the team was like a family, and they were used to sharing. 

Especially since the boss was usually generous. 

But this time was different. 

“Slap!” Before Luo Wei could grab the milk tea, his hand was slapped away. 

Wei Shian’s voice was calm, “That’s mine.” 

Luo Wei looked at him in disbelief. “But you don’t like sweets.” 

“Trying it once in a while isn’t bad.” 

“Boss, you’re acting strange… Wait, there’s no milk tea in the old district. Who gave it to you?” 

Without a change in expression, Wei Shian replied, “Someone you don’t know… What does your blind date do?” 

Still thinking about the milk tea, Luo Wei absentmindedly replied, “She’s an elementary school teacher.” 

“Then don’t you think you should wash out that hair gel?” 

Luo Wei was indeed distracted. He quickly pulled down the car mirror to check himself. “Why? Doesn’t it look good?” 

Wei Shian thought to himself… How does it look good? Even a fly might slip on that. 

Returning to Uncle’s House 

By the time they got back to her uncle’s house, it was nearly 7 PM. 

Fortunately, summer days are long, and there was still a sliver of sunlight left in the sky. 

After dinner and a bath, the sky finally turned completely dark. 

Remembering the 50 pounds of peony seeds, Lu Jiu returned to her room early. 

At that moment, Lu Xinxin followed her in with a mischievous expression. “Auntie~” 

Lu Jiu didn’t even lift her eyelids. “What’s with that weird tone?” 

Lu Xinxin clasped her hands together, striking a pose. “Oh~ my beautiful auntie, you went to the city today. Do you have any wonderful stories to share with your dear niece?” 

“What do you mean?” Lu Jiu finally looked at her niece. 

“Ahem… nothing at all?” Lu Xinxin blinked her big almond-shaped eyes, her baby-fat cheeks full of doubt. With the way her aunt and Officer Wei keep crossing paths, it didn’t seem right that they wouldn’t have met… 

Lu Jiu mimicked her niece’s innocent blink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I just heard from Auntie that you didn’t study today and were busy copying song lyrics instead?” 

Lu Xinxin jumped in surprise. “I only copied them after studying, and it was only for half an hour!” 

Lu Jiu smiled sweetly, her eyes curving gently. “Well, I wouldn’t know about that, but Uncle said he’s going to throw it away…” 

“No!!! I drew Tezuka Kunimitsu and Atobe Keigo on it!” Lu Xinxin wailed as she rushed out of the room. “Grandpa! Don’t throw it away, my idols… I promise I won’t tell on you anymore for secretly watching TV late at night…” 

“You little brat! I wondered how your dad found out I was staying up… I didn’t throw your stuff away, but what else have you been hiding? Hand it over!” 

“Ah~ Auntie, you’re ruining my life!” 

Lu Jiu grinned mischievously and locked the bedroom door, shutting out the lively noise from outside. 

…The vengeance of a demon is strong. 

“Auntie, open the door!” 

No way! 

Ignoring her niece’s fussing, Lu Jiu started spreading a cooling mat on the floor by the window. 

After setting it up, she poured out all fifty pounds of peony seeds, forming them into a hollow circle. 

Lu Jiu sat in the center of the circle. 

She sat cross-legged with her palms facing up. 

She decided to absorb the spiritual energy before going to sleep. 

As for that Officer Wei, she probably wouldn’t run into him again… 

With that thought, Lu Jiu slowly closed her eyes, concentrating on drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy. 

— 

The Next Morning 

“Cock-a-doodle-doo~” 

The rooster crowed at dawn. 

The morning light was still shrouded in a hazy veil. 

Under a light blanket, Lu Jiu, now awake, stretched lazily. 

The spiritual energy from a small handful of peony seeds was nothing compared to fifty pounds. 

Although it wasn’t enough to circulate through her entire body, it was sufficient to cleanse her exposed limbs and the area above her neck. 

No woman dislikes beauty, and for a female demon, it’s even more so. 

Haven’t you noticed how beautiful those transformed demons are? 

Lu Jiu got out of bed and walked to the dressing mirror, carefully examining her reflection. Her skin had become even fairer and more delicate, making her look even more stunning. She felt very pleased with herself.