After hearing Jiang Jianmin's words, Qiu Zheng couldn't help frowning slightly, pondering inwardly.
All along, he'd seen Jiang Jianmin as a childhood playmate he'd grown up with—inseparable and close as brothers.
Yet at this very moment, he suddenly realized he might never have truly known him, one-hundred percent.
Recalling every bit of his past with Jiang Jianmin, Qiu Zheng's mind flashed with overlapping images.
The Jiang Jianmin he used to see always struck him as cautious and aloof from worldly strife.
Now, savoring each word Jiang Jianmin had just spoken, Qiu Zheng sensed deeper meanings within them.
Turned out Jiang Jianmin's real face was far from that simple.
His rhetoric resembled a strategy of concealing one's strengths and biding time.
As if he'd been silently accumulating power, waiting for a certain moment to arrive…
After rushing out of the small western-style house, Jiang Cheng saw Qiu Yihe striding quickly toward the alley entrance.
Hearing the footsteps behind her, Qiu Yihe, who'd been walking with her head lowered, suddenly sensed something and whipped around.
Her beautiful, sharp eyes locked onto Jiang Cheng, surprise and doubt flickering within them.
She lifted her chin slightly, the corners of her mouth curving in a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
Then, in a deliberately cool tone, she said,
'little friend, no need to follow me. I'm a cop—I won't do anything rash, and I'm not in any danger.'
Hearing that, Jiang Cheng was momentarily at a loss for words.
'little friend? What kind of awful nickname is that? Actually, I'm… quite big.'
At his reply Qiu Yihe merely arched an eyebrow, not blushing like most Girls would.
Instead she gave a disdainful snort.
In her line of work, she'd seen every kind of corpse and case; during police-academy training she'd viewed every type of organ.
How could a couple of suggestive lines make her flush?
She curled her lips into a mocking smile.
'They say men have three great delusions: one, "I'm huge"; two, "she's loving it"; three, "I can go nine times a night."'
Watching this seemingly innocent face speak so candidly without the slightest blush, Jiang Cheng's eyes widened, dumbfounded.
Honestly, she was the most Contrast-packed Girl he had ever met.
Usually when he joked like that, Girls either grew shy or visibly annoyed.
He'd never met anyone like Qiu Yihe.
Facing her merciless comeback, Jiang Cheng felt more surprised than angry.
After all, only the young and inexperienced felt defeated by such talk, felt the shame of being exposed.
A man like Jiang Cheng—wealthy and enduring—certainly wouldn't feel inferior over a couple of sentences.
He grinned. 'That's not what I meant, but if your mind went there, I ought to defend myself: everything I said is true. If you, as a good citizen and police officer, need to investigate thoroughly, I'll cooperate—no questions asked.'
As he spoke, he casually spread his arms wide, striking a pose that invited her to do as she pleased.
The gesture made the usually calm and composed Qiu Yihe's delicate cheeks flush—a rare sight.
The blush wasn't from his words, but because when he struck that pose he didn't look lewd at all; paired with his face it even seemed dashing.
She shot him a fierce glare, then quickened her steps as if in a huff, striding away without looking back.
Girls her age, even once they've started working, still show flashes of a Little Girl's temperament after spats with their parents.
Seeing Jiang Cheng still strolling leisurely beside her, Qiu Yihe finally couldn't contain her curiosity and asked softly,'Someone of your status—walking here like this, is it really appropriate?'
Her gaze carried scrutiny and curiosity as it landed on him.
Jiang Cheng blinked, then widened his eyes theatrically.
'What do you mean, Miss? Is public safety in Modu that bad? Your words make me feel like I'm abroad.'
He even shook his head solemnly, as if her remark baffled him.
At his response, the frost on Qiu Yihe's face slowly thawed into a faint smile—like spring sunshine dispersing cold air.
'Relax, Modu's security is fine. I just didn't expect you to walk alongside me like this—are you sure it's suitable?'
She pursed her lips, her tone softening.
Seeing her misconception, Jiang Cheng answered directly,'I think you've got the wrong idea about me.'
Qiu Yihe narrowed her eyes and sized him up from head to toe.
'Designer labels head to toe—rare even in Modu—and yesterday you drove a red flag car brand with a capital license plate. I doubt I'm mistaken.'
Jiang Cheng spread his hands helplessly.
'My parents love the spotlight; that doesn't mean I'm not low-key. I've walked plenty of streets in Modu and never needed an airport escort.'
He neatly shifted the blame to mom and dad.
Qiu Yihe glanced behind them.
'Low-key? Who travels with this many Bodyguard types? And if Auntie and Uncle were ordinary officials, the anti-drug unit wouldn't need to greet them at the airport.'
Jiang Cheng feigned surprise.'Impressive—five years in the police academy really sharpens your eye for detail.'
She gave a look of mock exasperation.'This obvious? No observation needed.'
Jiang Cheng didn't reply; he noticed her heading toward a car parked by the curb.
She took out her key and pressed unlock.
A white bmw 1 Series lit up.
The domestic 1 Series isn't pricey—about two hundred grand on the road.
But hers was clearly the imported 125i M Sport, pushing past three hundred grand.
Still, given her family background, the car was standard issue.
Not to mention her father Qiu Zheng's long acquaintance with his own dad—just attending the same school proved they weren't an average household.
In China, compensation for martyrs with military merit is quite generous.