The car drove for over half an hour before slowing down. When Zhuang Zi looked up, she saw that the car was turning towards “Dijing Tiancheng.”

Dijing Tiancheng was one of the five major villa areas in Yicheng, reputed to house society’s elite.

Zhuang Zi was slightly curious. How could a captain of the criminal police live in such a luxurious villa?

As the car drove deeper into the community, the unique landscaping and exquisite creative lighting design along the way unfolded like a dreamy painting.

Xiaomi leaned against the car window, her eyes sparkling.

Passing through the shadows cast by the streetlights, the car finally stopped in front of a white three-story European-style villa.

The three of them got out of the car, and Xiaomi followed closely behind Si Hang, saying, “Uncle, your house is so big and beautiful!”

Si Hang ruffled her hair and led the two inside.

As soon as they entered, a pair of elderly couple, around their fifties, greeted them with kind and friendly smiles.

Si Hang called out, “Mom, Dad.”

Zhuang Zi looked at him in slight surprise, only then realizing that the phone call in the hospital hallway had been to his mother.

Then, glancing at his parents again, she was stunned.

His father was actually Shen Jianbai, the chairman of Fengyue Group?

Although Zhuang Zi had never interacted with him, Shen Jianbai’s name was well known.

Xiaomi approached them and sweetly called out, “Grandpa, Grandma.”

“Have you all eaten?” his mother, Zheng Ruzhi, asked with a smile.

“Not yet.” Si Hang shook the car keys in his hand. “Let Aunt Qin make something simple for me. I still have to return to the police station later.”

“Oh dear!” Zheng Ruzhi complained, “Are you going to risk your life for your job?”

Si Hang said nothing, putting the car keys into his pocket and walking into the living room.

Only then did Zhuang Zi follow, politely greeting the elderly couple and apologizing, “I’m sorry to trouble you tonight.”

Zheng Ruzhi looked at her, smiling warmly.

She had noticed the young and pretty girl when they first came in. Now, seeing her up close, she saw how delicate and polite she was.

But what had happened to this young lady to be taken hostage by a criminal?

“It’s no trouble at all.” Zheng Ruzhi looked her over, noticing the bandage on her neck, and frowned, “I heard you were hurt. Are you okay?”

Zhuang Zi smiled faintly, “I’m fine now.”

Shen Jianbai said, “Come in and sit down, don’t stand at the door.”

Zheng Ruzhi apologized with a smile, leading them to the living room sofa and instructing the maid to bring some food.

Having heard a brief explanation from Si Hang on the phone earlier, Shen Jianbai asked, “Did they catch the criminal?”

“Not yet,” Si Hang replied.

Zheng Ruzhi went to pour two cups of tea and began to discreetly observe Zhuang Zi with a kind look.

Shen Jianbai, noticing this, cleared his throat and calmly said, “Get some clothes for the girl to wear.”

Zhuang Zi was wearing a thin knit sweater with a light blanket draped over her. Shen Jianbai’s sudden, considerate concern left her feeling a bit at a loss. She softly replied, “I’m not cold.”

Zheng Ruzhi exchanged a meaningful glance with her husband before turning to Zhuang Zi and saying, “Yan Yan left a few clothes here. They should fit you.”

The enthusiasm of the Shen couple made Zhuang Zi feel both flattered and a bit uneasy, leading her to repeatedly say, “Thank you.”

“Yan Yan is my younger daughter-in-law,” Zheng Ruzhi continued without being asked, “We haven’t yet found a wife for our elder son.”

She smiled at Zhuang Zi, who was slightly taken aback but assumed this lively auntie was just making casual conversation. She nodded in response.

Si Hang absentmindedly petted the husky wagging its tail at his side and gave his mother a look, pretending not to understand her implied message.

“Shall I take you upstairs to change?” Zheng Ruzhi offered.

Zhuang Zi stood up, “Thank you, Auntie.”

After the two women left, in the living room, Shen Jianbai made small talk with Xiaomi before suddenly changing the topic and curiously asking Si Hang, “Your apartment is so close to the police station. Why did you bring them here instead of having them stay at your place?”

Si Hang nonchalantly replied, “The property management notified me about a gas outage yesterday.”

He could handle a cold shower, but he was concerned that the woman and child wouldn’t be able to. It was also not suitable to send them to a hotel since Zhuang Zi needed to remain under police protection until the identity of the assailant was confirmed. Although he was reluctant to bring a stranger home, tonight was a matter of chance.

…

Zheng Ruzhi took Zhuang Zi to a bedroom on the second floor to change clothes. To make her feel more at ease, she kept chatting about various trivial matters.

Although Zhuang Zi wasn’t very talkative, she still answered Zheng Ruzhi’s questions politely.

After changing clothes, Zheng Ruzhi showed her around the guest rooms, letting her choose where she wanted to sleep.

Zhuang Zi wasn’t picky and felt content just to have a place to stay for the night.

As they walked around, Zhuang Zi noticed that all the decorative paintings in the house were calligraphy and traditional Chinese paintings. Having participated in a calligraphy club in college, she paid extra attention to these.

Seeing that each piece was signed with Zheng Ruzhi’s seal, Zhuang Zi complimented her, “Are these all your works, Auntie?”

Zheng Ruzhi turned and smiled modestly, “I just practice in my free time.”

“You are very talented,” Zhuang Zi said, admiring a winter scene with plum blossoms on the wall. “Your style reminds me a bit of Professor Zou Changfeng.”

Zheng Ruzhi, pleasantly surprised, asked, “You know Professor Zou?”

“Yes,” Zhuang Zi replied, “I have one of his calligraphy pieces.”

Zheng Ruzhi’s face lit up with joy, showing a fangirl expression, “Professor Zou is my idol!”

Zhuang Zi was momentarily taken aback, then smiled slightly.

“Could you lend it to me sometime? Zou’s works are very rare. I’ve inquired at many art studios, but none have his pieces.”

Zhuang Zi thought for a moment and said, “I’ll give it to you.”

The sudden surprise left Zheng Ruzhi stunned for a couple of seconds. She quickly waved her hands, saying, “No, no, Zou’s artwork is too precious. Just letting me see it will be enough.”

Zhuang Zi smiled but said no more.

…