Chapter 4 : Are You and Your Husband Not Getting Along?

Song Zhiyi rubbed her slightly overstuffed belly.

She really couldn’t eat any more, no matter how enticing the food vlog she was watching.

She packed the leftover dumplings and soup buns into the fridge. After some thought, she took out a small cake to bring to the newsroom to share with her colleagues.

Arriving at the newsroom just in time, Song Zhiyi bumped into her editor-in-chief.

“Good morning,Editor in Chief!” Song Zhiyi quickly straightened up and gave a polite bow.

Su Hong, the editor-in-chief, was a middle-aged woman who dressed impeccably in professional attire every day. Her hair was always neatly tied back, and she wore thick black-rimmed glasses, exuding the air of a capable career woman.

“…” Su Hong adjusted her glasses upon seeing Song Zhiyi, her brow furrowing ever so slightly. “Xiao Song, your article last night was submitted ten minutes late.”

As a new intern, Song Zhiyi had only been working for four months. She was still inexperienced with writing articles and often spent a lot of time proofreading to catch errors.

Su Hong had set an 8:30 PM deadline for last night’s article, but Song Zhiyi had missed it by a few minutes due to last-minute corrections.

Su Hong hadn’t been particularly impressed with this newcomer from the start.

Although Song Zhiyi graduated from the prestigious B University, her strikingly beautiful appearance made her seem less than serious in Su Hong’s eyes. She couldn’t help but suspect that this girl was just looking to get by without putting in the effort.

As a result, Su Hong tended to be extra strict with her.

“I’m sorry, Chief.” Even though it was only ten minutes, missing a deadline was still her fault. Song Zhiyi softened her tone and apologized sincerely.

“Just be more mindful next time.”

Despite her overly striking looks, Song Zhiyi’s voice was sweet and gentle, and her apology sounded genuine.

When she reached her desk, Lin Qiqi from the adjacent desk leaned over and whispered, “Got scolded again? What was it this time?”

“Late submission by ten minutes,” Song Zhiyi whispered back.

“Damn!”

Lin Qiqi didn’t get it but was visibly shocked.

It was only ten minutes late! They were just interns, after all. Writing articles with such care and then proofreading meticulously—being a little late was understandable!

Wasn’t this too harsh?

“It’s okay, it was my mistake,” Song Zhiyi said, brushing it off.

“But…” Lin Qiqi wanted to say more but stopped when Su Hong’s sharp gaze swept over them.

Startled, both women quickly sat up straight and started reviewing materials.

Song Zhiyi checked her phone and saw a few unread WeChat messages—all from the same person.

Meng Xiaoyu: “Yiyi, how was your birthday yesterday? Did you wear the lingerie I sent you?”

Meng Xiaoyu: “Still not awake? Guess the lingerie mission was a success!”

Meng Xiaoyu: “Next time, I’ll buy you something else! Side-eye emoji.jpg”

Song Zhiyi: “…”

She actually sent her lingerie?

No wonder there was a delivery message yesterday. But after what happened last night, she had completely forgotten about it.

Song Zhiyi: “Thanks, I guess.”

Meng Xiaoyu: “??? What’s wrong? Are you guys not… getting along?”

They really weren’t. Shen Mo didn’t even remember her birthday!

Who punishes their wife with military drills on her birthday?

Song Zhiyi placed her phone face-down on the desk, unwilling to entertain her tactless friend.

As an intern, Song Zhiyi had to learn a lot at the newsroom. From major tasks like interviews and article writing to minor errands like fetching tea and coffee, everything fell on the interns’ shoulders.

After running out to buy some coffee beans, she returned to find Su Hong taking a phone call, her expression noticeably tense.

After hanging up, Su Hong turned to the editorial team. “There’s news…”

“I’ll go!”

“Me too!”

As journalists, getting the first scoop on a breaking story was a matter of pride.

Hearing there was news, the newsroom buzzed with excitement as everyone vied for the assignment.

“There’s been a body found in the suburbs,” Su Hong announced.

“…”

The editorial office instantly fell silent, like a group of chickens startled into stillness, lowering their previously raised hands.

“Sorry to disturb you!”

“What’s this all about?” A massive change of attitude?

“…”

Who would willingly want to look at a corpse?

How unlucky!

“No one’s going?” So, are we just going to waste a major societal news story like this?

“Or… let’s assign it to the interns. They should gain more experience anyway,” suggested a male reporter.

Su Hong turned her gaze toward Song Zhiyi, who was clutching a bag of coffee beans. “You and Xiao Lin can go together. It’s good practice.”

Song Zhiyi & Lin Qiqi: “…”

Wonderful!

Sitting in the taxi, Lin Qiqi’s face was visibly drooping. Hugging Song Zhiyi, she whined, “Zhiyi, thank goodness you’re coming with me…”

Otherwise, if she had to go alone, she’d definitely have nightmares tonight.

Interns have it so rough.

“Likewise. Who knows how late this will go today,” Song Zhiyi sighed softly. It was already 3 PM, and it looked like another long overtime session was ahead.

She pulled out her phone to message Chen Mo, letting him know she wouldn’t be home for dinner.

•  

Border Town Police Station.

Earlier, when someone from the detention center came to take the suspect, the tattooed bald man with floral designs was trembling as he begged the armed police to take him away. He even voluntarily cuffed himself.

“Please, I’m begging you, take me away!”

This place is too terrifying!

That cop… h-he-he’s not human!

The armed officer remained expressionless: “???”

Was the drug still affecting him?

The officer saluted Chen Mo. “Captain Chen, I’m taking the suspect now.”

“Hmm.” Chen Mo’s gaze was cold. “For scum like him, I hope you’ll… teach him a good lesson.”

“Of course!”

Once the suspect was gone, Sun Yang couldn’t suppress his curiosity. “Captain Chen, what did you do to him?”

Why did that tattooed guy… look like he’d lost his mind?

“Nothing.” Chen Mo casually unfastened one of the buttons on his uniform collar and walked to the break room to get some water.

“…”

He didn’t believe it!

How could doing “nothing” terrify someone like that?

“Captain Chen’s really scary today…” a female officer whispered as she watched Chen Mo’s back.

Usually, when suspects were temporarily held at the station, Captain Chen wasn’t like this.

What happened to him today? Was he in a bad mood?

Ring-ring-ring—

The office phone on the desk rang. Sun Yang quickly picked it up. “Hello, this is 110…”

A few seconds later, Sun Yang straightened up. “Understood, we’ll be there immediately!”

Hanging up, Sun Yang grabbed his police cap and called out to Chen Mo, “Captain, we just got a report. A woman’s body has been found in the suburbs.”

“…” Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. “Let’s head out.”

“Yes, sir!”

Whenever a body was discovered, the Criminal Investigation Unit’s workload shot up. It looked like another late night at work today.

Chen Mo took out his phone, intending to tell Song Zhiyi he wouldn’t be home for dinner. But just then, his phone vibrated, signaling a new message.

Xiaoguai: [I might have to work late today and won’t be home for dinner.]