Ten minutes earlier.
Wang Peng, captain of the Linchuan detachment of the Highway Traffic Police, received a notice from his superiors: there was an important figure stuck in the congested traffic.
They did not specify the exact position, but judging from the cautious and respectful tone of his superior, Wang Peng dared not be negligent. He quickly stepped into the traffic jam and began searching for the vehicle of this important person according to the license plate number.
A low-key, steady black Hongqi sedan. The license plate was ordinary as well, revealing nothing special at a glance.
Even so, Wang Peng unconsciously lightened his breathing and carefully knocked on the driver's side window.
The window rolled down. He nodded to the driver.
His gaze skipped past the driver and landed on the man seated in the back.
"Greetings, sir. I'm Wang Peng from the traffic police. I've received instructions from my superiors to open up a fast lane for you to pass through with priority."
The window was covered with tinted film, dimming most of the light. Half of the man's profile was hidden in shadow, his facial features deep-set and striking.
Although Wang Peng was only a traffic police captain, he had seen plenty of influential figures.
Yet the moment he met the man's cold gaze, he still couldn't help feeling significantly more nervous.
It was a pressure that came from holding a high position.
"No need. I'm not in a hurry." A calm, gentle male voice sounded, somewhat at odds with his sharp appearance.
"Go and clear the road as soon as possible. Thank you for your hard work."
The window rolled back up, and Wang Peng unconsciously let out a breath.
Only with that fleeting glance earlier did he notice what made this car special.
Though its exterior looked the same as those on the market, the materials used were completely different.
Just the windows alone were clearly made of bulletproof glass.
After leaving, Wang Peng couldn't help but glance back again at the black Hongqi. His curiosity about the identity of this high-ranking leader only grew.
No matter what, such an important person was stuck in traffic—he had to give his all, clear the road quickly, and leave a good impression.
Inside the car, Secretary Zhou Heng turned back to report, "Governor, when you got out of the car to rescue someone just now, two reporters from Chucheng Evening News photographed the entire rescue process. I've already contacted the Chucheng publicity department and asked them not to release any footage or videos involving you."
Li Yao nodded. "Mm."
Seeing his gaze resting outside the window, his expression indifferent, Zhou Heng couldn't help but quietly complain, "It's freezing out there, yet you got out of the car to save people without even wearing a down jacket. If you catch a cold, Madam will scold me again."
Li Yao withdrew his gaze and asked in return, "Am I that fragile?"
Zhou Heng was choked. "…Not really."
He didn't dare argue further.
Li Yao turned his attention back outside the window. His gaze landed on the young woman standing amid the wreckage, filming footage. He watched her silently for a moment, then suddenly spoke:
"Chucheng Evening News?"
"Yes, a small newspaper." Zhou Heng sighed. "This time, they managed to get firsthand coverage of the accident scene."
Li Yao said nothing more. His long fingers resting on the center console tapped lightly, unhurried and rhythmic.
Outside the window, the young girl with delicate, clear features slowly overlapped with a tender, childish face from his memories.
So many years had passed—she had grown up this much already…
With cooperation between police and civilians, a lane was quickly cleared at the scene.
Vehicles began passing through one by one in order.
The driver started the car, following the slow-moving traffic.
Suddenly, the deep roar of an engine sounded from behind. A motorcycle weaved into the traffic, dodging left and right like a fleeing leopard, swiftly breaking out of the slow zone and disappearing into the distance.
Zhou Heng frowned. "In such a hurry—what if he hit someone…"
A few minutes later, their car had just left the accident area. The driver was about to accelerate when a dull bang rang out and the car jolted violently.
Zhou Heng's face changed instantly. Turning around, he realized they had been rear-ended.
"Governor, are you all right?"
Li Yao had been resting with his eyes closed. Even with a seatbelt on, the force of the impact made him lurch forward. His brows knitted slightly.
"I'm fine. Go take a look."
With traffic police all around, it wasn't likely someone had intentionally rammed into them.
It was probably just a normal rear-end collision.
Zhou Heng quickly got out of the car. A moment later, he returned and reported in a low voice through the half-open window:
"The other driver just got his license not long ago. He pressed the accelerator too hard and was scared pale. Our car only has a bit of paint chipped off, but the front of his car is completely crumpled. He doesn't dare drive it anymore and is calling for a tow truck…"
Li Yao nodded.
This car had undergone comprehensive modifications. Ordinary collisions posed no real issue.
After being stuck for so long, irritability was inevitable—and coupled with a novice driver, it was understandable.
"If there's nothing serious, let it go." Li Yao lifted his wrist to check the time. It was already getting late.
He didn't want to linger. There was no need to waste time over such a minor matter.
"Alright. I'll inform the other driver."
Just as Zhou Heng was about to leave, Li Yao noticed the slender, graceful figure behind him.
"Wait."
His gaze locked onto the young girl's fair, clear profile. "Is it her car?"
Zhou Heng replied, "Yes. It's those two reporters."
Li Yao didn't speak. Qiao Yimian, however, sensed their gaze and immediately turned around.
Their eyes met.
Even though her ankle was swollen and aching faintly, in a situation like this—and with Song Nanxing lacking experience—she had no choice but to get out and handle it.
Seeing the other car owner, it was only proper to greet him.
Enduring the pain, she took two steps forward and said, "Sir, I'm very sorry for hitting your car. I've already discussed it with this gentleman. If there are any repair costs later, you can contact me."
Li Yao's gaze swept over Qiao Yimian's face, then shifted to Zhou Heng.
She called him "gentleman," but addressed Zhou Heng as "big brother."
Did he really look that unapproachable?
Zhou Heng stood straight-backed beside them, forcing himself to withstand the governor's oppressive gaze. He felt as if a cold wind had come from nowhere, making the back of his neck chill.
Fortunately, the gaze lingered only a few seconds before moving away.
Li Yao asked, "How should we contact you?"
"I added this gentleman on WeChat." Qiao Yimian looked at Zhou Heng. "He said it was fine to contact him."
Oh—they'd even added each other on WeChat…
Li Yao looked back at Zhou Heng, his expression flat, unreadable.
Zhou Heng subconsciously swallowed, feeling the cold grow sharper.
Qiao Yimian glanced between the two of them, seeming to realize something, and tentatively asked, "Then… should I add you on WeChat as well?"
Zhou Heng immediately stepped forward half a pace, about to stop her—only to see that the high-ranking leader, who rarely used WeChat and never added strangers, had already taken out his phone and displayed his QR code.
Zhou Heng: "..."
He seemed to smell something distinctly off.
Qiao Yimian leaned toward the window to scan the code. A strand of bangs fell across her forehead, swaying playfully before her eyes.
Li Yao focused for two seconds, then his gaze dropped to her foot. Recalling her awkward gait earlier, he asked:
"Were you injured?"
Qiao Yimian straightened up and shook her head. "No. I just twisted it a bit before getting into the car. It's fine."
"It's already swollen—how can that be fine?!" Song Nanxing walked over with his phone. "Sis, the rescue team said it'll take at least an hour to get here. Your ankle needs to be treated as soon as possible. If the bone's injured, that'd be serious!"
He sounded anxious and deeply guilty. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't rear-ended them, you wouldn't be stuck here."
"You didn't do it on purpose." Qiao Yimian comforted him. "I'm really okay. It probably didn't hurt the bone. Don't worry."
Li Yao's gaze swept over the two of them, and he suddenly suggested:
"Ride in my car."
Qiao Yimian froze, then quickly waved her hands. "No, no. We already feel terrible about hitting your car—we really can't trouble you further! The rescue vehicle will be here soon."
Song Nanxing's eyes lit up. "Sis, why don't you take their car to the hospital? I'll stay here and wait for the tow truck!"
Qiao Yimian shot him a sharp look.
She didn't know whether this kid was genuinely panicking and not thinking things through, or simply too naïve as a newcomer to society.
Just casually stuffing her into a stranger's car like that?
People said one must never harbor ill intent toward others, but never drop one's guard either.
Though this car owner looked like a good person, she still needed to be cautious.
Standing by the car, Zhou Heng glanced at the leader's deep, unfathomable eyes, then at the young woman—barefaced yet strikingly beautiful.
An idea formed.
He spoke carefully, "Yes, you should ride with us. Traffic is backed up for over ten kilometers behind. The rescue vehicle won't be here anytime soon, and it moves slowly. It also has to send your car to the repair shop first—back and forth like that will definitely delay getting to the hospital."
He glanced at the calm, unhurried leader and added with a smile, "Our car is also headed to Linchuan City. We can drop you near a hospital so your ankle can be treated quickly. People in your line of work are always running around—if it really injured the bone, it would affect your work, wouldn't it?"
In just a few sentences, he laid out the situation clearly and logically.
Qiao Yimian understood this perfectly; she was simply being cautious.
Seeing her still hesitate, Zhou Heng smiled and added, "I just heard this young man say you're heading to Linchuan TV Station, right? I've known Director Kang Junwen for many years. I can give him a call right now to explain the situation, so it won't delay your check-in."
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