Chapter 1 : The Naive Girl Song Zhiyi

A boy’s heart stirred for a moment and remained stirred forever.

A summer night in a border town.

Song Zhiyi, having just finished her work at the newspaper office, stepped out, intending to hail a taxi home. At the alley entrance, she was blocked by a bald man with a tattooed arm.

“Hehehe~ Pretty girl, come hang out with me!” The man’s lustful gaze roamed freely over Song Zhiyi, his eyes brimming with indecent implications.

Song Zhiyi had the kind of striking beauty that, though covered conservatively from head to toe, still turned heads. Her bold and glamorous appearance often drew attention, even when she revealed nothing inappropriate.

Because of her looks, she had been approached by countless boys during her school days.

“Not interested. Move.” Song Zhiyi’s face turned cold as she refused him.

“Don’t be so frosty.”

Oh, wow—

Even her voice was soft and sweet. The man couldn’t help imagining how her voice might sound in more intimate circumstances. “I’ve been watching you for days. You don’t have a boyfriend, do you?”

This woman worked at the newspaper, took a taxi home every night, and no one ever came to pick her up. Clearly, the boyfriend excuse didn’t hold water.

“???”

Excuse me, sir, how are you speaking so confidently about stalking someone?

Glancing at the time, Song Zhiyi felt pressed to get home and wasn’t inclined to waste words on this stranger.

Seeing the beauty about to leave, the man quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist. Her skin felt silky and delicate under his touch, and he swallowed involuntarily.

“Let go!”

With a swift motion, Song Zhiyi grasped his arm and used a deft technique to flip him over her shoulder.

“Argh…” Unprepared, the man hit the ground hard, a sharp pain shooting through his tailbone.

This woman… she had some skill!

But taming someone like her would make it all the more exciting!

The man climbed back to his feet and lunged at her again. Song Zhiyi sidestepped and raised her long leg, delivering a kick to his backside. A dainty footprint was left on the seat of his black pants.

“You little—!” The man cursed, rubbing his rear.

If he couldn’t even handle a mere girl, how could he face himself after getting that arm tattoo just two days ago?

By now, it was half-past nine. The street was mostly empty, save for a few passersby who glanced their way before quickly averting their eyes, clearly unwilling to get involved.

Looks like I’ll have to call the police myself, Song Zhiyi thought.

As she pulled out her phone, the bald man rushed forward, reaching for it.

Snap!

A blinding flashlight beam cut through the alley, followed by a voice filled with authority and reassurance: “Police! Don’t move!”

“…”

“…”

Both Song Zhiyi and the man froze in place.

Two officers in uniform strode into the alley, their upright posture radiating reliability.

“We received a report of a brawl,” one officer said, glancing between Song Zhiyi and the tattooed man. “Is it you two?”

Recently, a viral story about a woman being harassed by drunken men during a late-night meal—and the ensuing fight—had prompted stricter enforcement. Now, even minor disputes drew immediate police attention.

“Ah, no… it’s a misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding!” The man quickly distanced himself, shooting Song Zhiyi a warning glare as if to silence her. “I was just passing by…”

“Officer, he’s been stalking me for days,” Song Zhiyi ignored his threats, running over to the police. “He even tried to abduct me just now!”

“You little—!” The man, enraged, pointed a trembling finger at Song Zhiyi.

This girl really wasn’t afraid of death, huh?

Smack!

The officer slapped his hand away. “The police are here, and you still dare act out?”

“…”

The man clutched his hand, grumbling under his breath.

“I didn’t do anything!” The man shoved his hands into his pockets, exuding a shameless air.

“Then come with us to the station,” the officer said.

“I won’t—”

Before he could finish, two burly policemen pushed him into the car.

One of the officers glanced at Song Zhiyi. The girl had skin as smooth as porcelain, a small, delicate face, and slightly upturned cat-like eyes. Her softly curled long hair was tied into a loose ponytail, with stray strands falling around her face, which she gently brushed away with her hand.

She wore a fitted button-up top and cropped jeans. She looked no older than her early twenties.

She appeared innocent and proper, so why… was she a bit alluring?

No wonder that tattooed thug had made a move.

“Sorry, but we’ll need you to come to the station too,” the officer said to Song Zhiyi.

“Ah…” Song Zhiyi opened her mouth slightly. “I need to go too?”

But she was in a hurry to get home!

“It won’t take long. We just need your statement.”

Recently, the crackdown on organized crime had intensified. Even though she was the victim, the police had to follow procedure.

“Alright,” Song Zhiyi replied. Cooperating with the police was a civic duty, after all.

So, Song Zhiyi got into the police car.

When the car pulled up to the familiar police station, Song Zhiyi sat in silence, motionless.

“???” The officer noticed her hesitation and asked curiously, “What’s wrong, miss? First time at a police station?”

Judging by her young age, the officer assumed she might be nervous.

“Um, isn’t there a small station two streets down from the news office?” Song Zhiyi asked.

“Oh, that’s just a substation,” the officer replied. “Cases like this, involving aggravated assault and public disturbances, go to the main precinct.”

“…”

Well, she was already here.

Taking a deep breath, Song Zhiyi stepped out of the car, silently praying, Please let him be off duty, off duty, off duty…

The main precinct of Bian City was large, imposing, and majestic. The tattooed thug, handcuffed and still swearing, was escorted inside.

Even at this hour, officers were on duty, diligently working.

“Where’s Captain Chen?” one officer asked.

“Captain Chen’s changing—getting ready to clock out,” a female officer with a thermos cup replied.

“Serving the people doesn’t come with clock-out hours…” Just as he said this, a tall man in a white shirt and casual pants stepped out. The junior officer brightened and waved him over. “Captain Chen, we’ve got a situation!”

“What’s the matter?”

“Public disturbance and attempted coercion of a naive girl that escalated to violence!” The officer pushed the tattooed man forward. “This guy!”

Chen Mo’s deep, piercing eyes barely glanced at the thug before his gaze shifted to the slender figure hiding behind the junior officer.

The young woman stood with her head down, staring at her shoes. She brushed her bangs aside nervously, looking just like a student avoiding eye contact with a teacher.

Chen Mo pressed his lips together slightly and walked toward Song Zhiyi.

The moment Song Zhiyi heard “Captain Chen,” she instinctively shrank further behind the officer.

Of all things, why did it have to be him?

She watched as Chen Mo’s long legs brought him closer, stopping directly in front of her. His deep, magnetic voice sounded above her, “Naive girl… hmm?”

Song Zhiyi: “…”

What’s that supposed to mean?

Just because she’s married doesn’t mean she can’t be a girl anymore!