"You little pervert, just wait, I'll deal with you later." Xia Rou packed her change of clothes, carrying a mischievous thought in her mind, and walked into the bathroom. She adjusted the water temperature, slipped out of her clothes, and began taking a shower.
A hot shower is always a wonderful way to relax. The warm water streaming down, coupled with gentle massaging, slowly eased Xia Rou's tension.
Today was really exhausting. As soon as I arrived at the clinic in the morning, Yan Xiaobao got into a fierce fight. Then, while I went out for a follow-up consultation, that guy caused a huge commotion at the Patrol Office. And as if that weren't enough, on a simple supermarket trip to buy some groceries, he even managed to give Luo Jianbi a good thrashing.
"This guy is truly a handful," Xia Rou murmured to herself, lightly rubbing her slightly sore calves, letting her hands travel upwards.
Suddenly, Yan Xiaobao's words from earlier resurfaced in her mind.
"Wifey, your tush is so soft and bouncy. It feels amazing when I smack it. I couldn't resist and gave it an extra slap."
Is it really that soft and bouncy?
Curiously, Xia Rou gave herself a gentle pat...
"Ah!"
She let out a soft yelp, as the sensation from Yan Xiaobao's "execution of family law" returned vividly, causing her to shiver.
A woman of twenty-four—a mature and sensitive age. Despite her upright and somewhat conservative nature, her body never lies...
"Xia Rou, Xia Rou, you're already twenty-four. Your golden years as a woman are about to slip away. Are you really going to stay like this until you become a boring old lady with no charm left?"
"Life is short. Why not seize the moment and indulge a little? Nowadays, society is so open and men and women are equals. What's the harm in letting loose just once? Why not just give in to him..."
"No! No..." Xia Rou snapped out of it, jolted out of the wicked thoughts bubbling from the depths of her mind.
"Regardless of how the world changes, the most important thing about being human is self-respect, self-care, and self-discipline. I absolutely can't let myself go. Otherwise, one careless step could lead to eternal regret, leaving no room for repentance."
With her principles reaffirmed, Xia Rou hastily finished cleaning herself up, dried off, and put on her undergarments. Then she took out the carefully-selected nightgown she had bought earlier.
But as soon as she opened the packaging, Xia Rou was stunned.
Wait a minute! Why does this nightgown look like...this?
The nightgown I picked out at the supermarket was supposed to be thick and long—classic, cozy cotton-designed for homewear. But... but why is it now so thin, so short, and so sheer...
Panic-stricken, Xia Rou quickly flipped the tag at the neckline, and the words "Victoria's Secret" gleamed right before her eyes!
The practical home-style nightgown from the supermarket had somehow transformed into a tantalizingly sheer piece of "Victoria's Secret" lingerie...
There was no need to even guess—this must be that guy's doing!
Angrily, Xia Rou yelled through the bathroom door, "Yan Xiaobao!"
"I'm here, Rourou darling, what's up?" Yan Xiaobao's voice instantly sounded from right outside the bathroom door.
The scoundrel had been loitering outside the whole time...
"You..." Xia Rou was both amused and exasperated. "Why did you swap out my nightgown?"
Yan Xiaobao confidently replied, "Rourou darling, your taste was just too awful. That nightgown you picked was downright hideous. I figured the styles from the new shop on the street were much more appealing, so I exchanged it for one from there. What do you think? The nightgown I chose looks way better, right?"
"Way better, my foot! It's terrible!" Xia Rou was fuming; this little rascal was truly unmanageable.
"Terrible? Really?" Yan Xiaobao muttered sulkily, "If Rourou darling doesn't like it, then just don't wear it."
"Oh, you're dreaming! Do you expect me to walk around without a nightgown? What am I supposed to do—just wear underwear?"
"What's wrong with just wearing underwear? The models on the street wear nothing but underwear, don't they?" Yan Xiaobao argued boldly, "There's no one else in the house anyway. Even if Rourou darling doesn't wear anything, it's totally fine."
This guy—he truly didn't see himself as an outsider!
Xia Rou found herself speechless in the face of his blatant bandit logic. Huffing in frustration, she started putting on the nightgown over her head, all the while thinking: Since he already saw pretty much everything yesterday, there's no harm in falling for his antics again today. As long as I walk carefully and don't slip again, he won't be able to get the upper hand this time.
But as soon as Xia Rou finished putting on the nightgown, she was utterly dazed again.
This... What kind of nightgown even is this...
Even with sultry lace sleepwear, there's usually some fabric, right? But this nightgown... this nightgown was nothing but lace—literally no fabric to speak of...
Xia Rou finally realized—this wasn't simply a sexy lace nightgown. It was the infamous seductive lingerie out of a risqué legend!
This guy was absolutely too much!
Fuming, Xia Rou yanked off the nightgown made entirely of lace, plopping down angrily onto the toilet seat. She decided she wouldn't humor Yan Xiaobao any longer.
Resolute, Xia Rou muttered to herself: For this shameless little rascal who's pushing every boundary today, I absolutely won't give in this time! If he doesn't bring me something decent to wear, I'm not stepping outside!
Yan Xiaobao impatiently waited outside the door for ages, but Xia Rou still didn't come out. Unable to bear it any longer, he asked, "Rourou darling, are you dressed yet? Why aren't you out?"
"You bullied me, so I'm not coming out!" Xia Rou's voice came from behind the door, filled with defiant irritation.
Yan Xiaobao, confused like a monk at a loss, said, "Rourou darling, what nonsense are you saying? I like you so much; how could I bully you?"
"You didn't bully me? Giving me a humiliating nightgown like that to wear for you—isn't that bullying?!" Xia Rou loudly protested. "In your eyes, I'm just like those women flaunting their figures in skimpy bikinis, aren't I?"
"Of course not!" Yan Xiaobao quickly defended himself. "Even if those women walked around stark naked, I wouldn't spare them a glance. I only want to look at Rourou darling—that's completely different!"
"All because I'm prettier and haven't been touched by other men, huh? Hah!" Xia Rou's emotions boiled over, turning her frustration into an uncontrollable tirade. "Men are all the same—none of you are reliable. You're no better than that Luo Jianbi!"
"Rubbish! Heavenly Sister said I'm one-of-a-kind. No man in the world could compare to me!" Yan Xiaobao sulked. "Rourou darling, you were fine just now. Why are you suddenly unhappy?"
"I don't know..." Xia Rou, never one to be unreasonable, sighed after venting her anger. Hearing Yan Xiaobao's aggrieved tone, her heart softened slightly.
"I've figured it out!" Yan Xiaobao exclaimed as if he'd had a sudden epiphany. "It must be because Luo Jianbi upset Rourou darling earlier. I didn't go hard enough on him—it wasn't satisfying at all."
"Really?" Xia Rou considered his words. "That might be it..."
The earlier insults from Luo Jianbi had indeed left her feeling unsettled. Even though Yan Xiaobao punished him, it wasn't enough for her to completely forget the sting of his words.
"Xia Rou! I must have been blind! I actually thought you were a proper and decent woman, but it turns out you're so slutty! So shameless! Wearing that damn nightgown—why don't you just run around naked and show the entire world your lustful and disgraceful self!"
The words "nightgown," "shameless," "lustful and disgraceful" stabbed into Xia Rou's heart like sharp needles. When she had just finished her shower and saw the humiliating lace nightgown, her subconscious was once again triggered.
"Rourou, wait here! I'll go grab him right now so you can vent all your anger!"
Yan Xiaobao stomped away from the bedroom door with heavy steps and headed toward the living room.
"Hey! No, wait..."
Xia Rou didn't have time to stop Yan Xiaobao before she heard the loud "slam" of the security door closing.
"Yan Xiaobao!" Xia Rou was frantic. Forgetting she was only in her underwear, she rushed out.
"You..."
Running into the living room, Xia Rou realized Yan Xiaobao was standing at the entrance, his back against the closed door. He hadn't left after all...
Suddenly, Xia Rou became aware of her skimpy underwear and let out a sharp scream, crouching down to cover her chest.
"You... you didn't go out? Were you deliberately trying to fool me?"
"I would never lie to my wife." Yan Xiaobao spoke solemnly. "Just now, I thought it over. Heavenly Sister once said, 'A man's word must count.' Since I said I would only make him stand as punishment today, I can't go beat that old black-faced man now—otherwise, I'd break my promise. So, I decided to wait until tomorrow to beat him up instead."
"You..." Xia Rou found Yan Xiaobao staring at her without blinking. Flustered and furious, she shouted, "Close your eyes immediately!"
"Rourou, you're so beautiful. Why should I close my eyes?" Yan Xiaobao began to comment, his tone playful yet serious. "Your skin is so fair and tender, as if it would ooze water if pinched. Fresh out of a hot shower, your cheeks have that slight blush—truly gorgeous. Even crouching down like that, your slim waist doesn't have a shred of unnecessary fat..."
"Stop talking..." Xia Rou was so embarrassed she wished she could dig a hole and disappear into the ground. She buried her head and covered her ears, which inadvertently revealed the magnificent curves of her chest.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. The shape isn't particularly large, but it looks just the right size to fit perfectly in one hand. Not too thin, not too plump—absolutely perfect..."
"Shut up! Yan Xiaobao, you scoundrel!" Xia Rou could no longer keep crouching. Throwing caution to the wind, she bolted back into the bedroom and slammed the door shut with a resounding "bang."
"Graceful as a still maiden, energetic as a bounding rabbit. That jump just now—it was even more mesmerizing. I'm done for, I'm done for..."
"You damn pervert!" Xia Rou dove onto the bed, grabbing a pillow to bury her burning face.
...
After some time, Xia Rou's heartbeat gradually returned to normal. She was just about to open the wardrobe to find some clothes to put on.
"Knock, knock, knock!" Yan Xiaobao lightly tapped on the door.
"What do you want!" Xia Rou snapped angrily.
"Rourou, you promised to wear the nightgown for me, didn't you? I brought the nightgown for you."
"..." Xia Rou's vision went black as she nearly fainted.
She was already mortified just wearing her underwear, and now this little pervert wanted her to wear the nightgown? Outrageous!
"You like nightgowns so much? Why don't you wear it yourself and look at yourself all you want!" Xia Rou vowed in frustration: from now on, she would never wear nightgowns again. Even at home to sleep, she'd wear jeans—long and tight ones!
"This kind of nightgown only looks good when Rourou wears it." Yan Xiaobao silently made up his mind—he would make sure Xia Rou wore it, and he'd buy her even more of these beautiful nightgowns in the future.
...
Meanwhile, Luo Jianbi, stuck in the bushes in the "Black Tiger Heart Stealing" stance, swore with killing intent: Young man, you wait! I'll make you kneel before me and beg for mercy! No... I'll make you kneel before me while I toy with your Rourou!
"Love isn't something you can sell, or buy just because you want..."
At that moment, his phone started ringing.
Unfortunately, Luo Jianbi couldn't speak or move. He desperately wanted to answer the call and seek help but could only watch helplessly as "Love Isn't Bought" played for 45 seconds, then went silent.
"Hey? Did you just hear something like a phone ringtone over here?"
"Yeah, I heard it. It's nearby. Why don't we see anyone though?"
"Must've been someone who dropped their phone."
Two men chatted just outside the bushes.
Luo Jianbi instantly became excited, praying for the phone to ring again and attract their attention so he could be rescued.
By now, having maintained the "Black Tiger Heart Stealing" pose for hours, his body was completely drained, his limbs aching. If he had to stay here for a whole day and night, his arms and legs would surely be ruined.
Seemingly moved by his silent prayers, the heavens answered as the upbeat tune of "Love Isn't Bought" started playing once more.
"Love isn't something you can sell, or buy just because you want..."
"There it is! It's in this green belt." One of the men stepped into the greenery, following the sound toward the bushes, with the other close behind.
The two spotted Luo Jianbi frozen in the "Black Tiger Heart Stealing" stance and stared in confusion. The red-haired country-style youth chuckled awkwardly, "Whoa! Big bro, training again?"
Luo Jianbi rolled his eyes at the redhead and moved his pupils sideways twice, indicating denial.
"Big bro, no need to stop because of us. Keep training, we won't interrupt." The redhead pulled his yellow-haired companion and prepared to leave.
"Xiong Da, why didn't he answer his phone?" The yellow-haired young man, who adored watching "The Bear Bears," had named himself and his buddy "Xiong Da" and "Xiong Er" respectively.
"Yeah..." Red Bear the First turned back to look at Luo Jianbi, suspicion filling his eyes.
"Xiong Da, do you think he's trained so much he's gone mad? Is that why he can't move?" Yellow-haired Bear Two ventured—besides "The Bear Bears," he also devoured martial hero and fantasy novels.
"Could be." Red Bear the First nodded, then walked toward Luo Jianbi. Hesitating slightly, he asked, "Big bro, did your training mess up? You can't move now? Want me to answer your phone for you?"
Luo Jianbi gazed at Red Bear the First and moved his pupils up and down as if agreeing.
Seeing Luo Jianbi's apparent approval, Red Bear the First reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the ringing phone. Giddy, he waved at Yellow-haired Bear Two, "Xiong Er, come over! Look, this is the iPhone X you drool over every day and dream of owning!"
"It really is an iPhone X!" Red Bear the Second snatched the iPhone X out of Xiong Da's hand, shouting like a tech reviewer, "Apple's latest flagship model, featuring an all-new design, equipped with a stunning OLED display, upgraded camera, 3D facial recognition sensor for unlocking, supports AirPower wireless charging, starting price of 8,388 yuan..."
Red Bear the Second had apparently watched the iPhone X commercials countless times, to the point that he could recite the specs by heart.
"I dream of owning an iPhone X! Xiong Da, can I have it?"
"Uh..." Yellow-haired Bear hesitated for a moment as Xiong Er's words sparked an idea in his mind. His eyes darted around before landing on Luo Jianbi. "Big brother, my brother Xiong Er really likes your phone, how about you give it to him?"
Give it to your brother-in-law! I just bought this thing; over eight thousand yuan—you think I can just hand it over to a stranger?
Unfortunately, Luo Jianbi's inner thoughts couldn't articulate themselves aloud.
"Since you're silent, I'll take that as a yes!" Yellow-haired Bear gave Xiong Er a sly wink. "Xiong Er, this big brother is giving you such an expensive phone—go ahead and thank him properly!"
"Thank you, big brother!" Yellow-haired Bear Two actually bowed politely to Luo Jianbi.
Thank your entire family! Luo Jianbi was so furious his face turned even darker, but he thought to himself, as long as these two young punks helped him call the police or summon an ambulance, eight thousand yuan would be worth it. Better that than suffering through the night.
Xiong Er fiddled with the phone for a while, then, looking sheepishly at Xiong Da, said, "It feels wrong for only me to get a gift..."
"At least you've got some conscience. But don't worry..." Red Bear the First's gaze toward Luo Jianbi grew even more malicious. "This big brother is clearly a generous guy—he won't mind giving me a little present too."
Luo Jianbi's heart skipped a beat. It dawned on him at last: these two brothers roaming around in the dead of night certainly weren't up to anything good.
Red Bear circled Luo Jianbi, sizing him up from head to toe before his eyes suddenly lit up. "Whoa, big brother, this watch looks pretty nice..."
As he spoke, Red Bear brazenly took the watch off Luo Jianbi's wrist. Although the watch wasn't gold, the crown logo glimmering on the dial made it easily recognizable to him.
This is a Rolex!
"Big brother is so magnanimous; surely, you wouldn't mind gifting this Rolex to your little brother, right?" Red Bear the First chuckled, slipping the watch onto his own wrist.
Luo Jianbi felt like he might cough up blood!
Taking the iPhone X was one thing—eight thousand yuan wasn't a huge sum. But this Rolex was worth over eight thousand euros! Not to mention, this specific model, the Rolex Datejust 41 Two-tone Jubilee, was a commemorative edition released when tennis legend Federer claimed his eighth Wimbledon title and 19th Grand Slam—a piece of history!
And now it was simply stolen away...
"Xiong Da, your watch is worth way more than my phone..." Xiong Er grumbled, feeling a pang of jealousy. But he quickly noticed the gold chain around Luo Jianbi's neck. "Big brother, why don't you gift me this gold chain too? Thanks in advance!" freewebnøvel.coɱ
"Big brother, that Playboy shirt you're wearing doesn't quite match your classy vibe..."
"Hey, big brother... isn't LV a women's brand? You're so generous; it doesn't suit you to wear an LV belt. It's totally inappropriate. Let's swap, okay? You're welcome!"
"Big brother, those shoes of yours..."
"Xiong Er!" Red Bear the First interrupted his brother with mock moral outrage. "You absolutely cannot wear someone else's shoes!"
"Why not?"
"Do you like wearing abandoned shoes or something?"
"Uh..." Yellow-haired Bear Two tilted his head thoughtfully before answering earnestly, "I do."
Red Bear the First: "..."
"Xiong Da, help me out here." Yellow-haired Bear Two struggled to tug Luo Jianbi's Wolverine leather shoes off.
In his "Black Tiger Heart Stealing" pose, Luo Jianbi's stance was solid, his base unwavering. Removing his shoes wasn't going to be easy.
"You idiot! Wouldn't it be smarter to knock him down first?"
The two brothers joined forces—one lifting his shoulders, the other hoisting his legs—to lay Luo Jianbi sideways on the ground. Finally, Xiong Er managed to claim his "abandoned shoes."
At this point, Luo Jianbi—once impeccably dressed in an ensemble worth six figures—was left wearing nothing but his underwear and socks.
Yellow-haired Bear Two rifled through Luo Jianbi's Goldlion wallet, pulling out over ten crisp red bills. He stuffed a single twenty yuan note back inside before hiding the wallet in the bushes, then kindly said to Luo Jianbi, "Big brother, I've left your ID, driver's license, and bank cards intact. Plus, I gave you twenty yuan—you can use it to catch a taxi home tomorrow."
Stripped of everything, Luo Jianbi gritted his teeth in fury, but there was nothing he could do.
You little punks! How dare you steal from me! You've got the guts of a bear and a leopard! Just wait till tomorrow—I'll track you down and chop off those filthy bear paws of yours!
Lying on the grass, Luo Jianbi burned with rage.
Still, lying there was at least easier than standing. The lost possessions could be recovered. As long as he made it through the night, everything would be fine.
With their loot secured, the brothers cheerfully prepared to disappear and fence their spoils.
Suddenly, Yellow-haired Bear Two had another pang of conscience. "Xiong Da, it's cool at night, but the grass is cold and damp, especially with morning dew. Just leaving big brother here feels wrong..."
Red Bear the First thought it over and nodded. "You're right; big brother's given us so many gifts—we shouldn't let him catch a cold. Let's help him up."
No! Damn it, don't help me up—ahhh! Nooo!
As Luo Jianbi screamed silently in despair, the brothers dutifully lifted him back up, once again placing him in the "Black Tiger Heart Stealing" pose...
...
That entire evening, Xia Rou stayed in her room and didn't come out—not even to cook dinner. She simply ordered two fast-food meals for delivery.
Yan Xiaobao seemed to understand when to hold back and not push too far; he didn't "bother" Xia Rou all night, letting her enjoy a peaceful evening.
Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, Yan Xiaobao excitedly knocked on the door. "Rourou, time to get up!"
After a good night's sleep, Xia Rou was already awake but grumbled irritably, "It's not even sunrise yet! Why so early?"
Outside the door, Yan Xiaobao called out enthusiastically, "I'm free today! Let's go to your family's place to treat your sister!"
"You're free, but I'm busy. Let's wait till I'm done with this period!" Having been about to get up, Xia Rou sank back into her bed, using the pillow to cover her head.
Torn by inner conflict, Xia Rou wrestled with her growing doubts—should she bring Yan Xiaobao back home to treat her sister or not...
Xia Rou didn't take him along when treating patients, so she couldn't truly be counted as his wife yet. Yan Xiaobao felt a little frustrated but was helpless. When Xia Rou left again to see another patient, he sat alone at the entrance of Dexi Hall and started mulling over an idea:
Rourou's out practicing medicine, Wife Tiantian is off who knows where, and Wife Xiao Wan can't be reached for now. So today, I'll go find Wife Bingbing and build some rapport.
"Xiao Chong," Yan Xiaobao called out to Chen Long, who was wiping down the herbal medicine cabinet.
In Yan Xiaobao's eyes, Chen Long didn't live up to his name as a "dragon," so he refused to call him Little Dragon. The nickname "Little Worm" sounded way too gross, and considering that Chen Long might become his brother-in-law one day, he decided to show some respect. Hence, he settled on the nickname "Xiao Chong."
"Brother Bao, what is it?" Chen Long eagerly dashed over.
"How do I get to the Patrol Office?" Last time, Yan Xiaobao went to the Patrol Office in Han Ruobing's car, but he'd spent the entire time admiring her profile and hadn't bothered to remember the route.
Chen Long responded, "Head out to the street corner and take a bus—routes 165, 173, or 223 will all get you there."
Yan Xiaobao thought for a moment, then said, "Rourou isn't around, and taking the bus is no fun. I'll grab a cab instead. Do you have any money?"
"Uh..." Chen Long dug through his pockets, pulled out a handful of crumpled bills, counted about sixty or seventy yuan, and handed it to Yan Xiaobao. "Is this enough?"
"How would I know?" Yan Xiaobao widened his eyes. He had no idea how much a round trip to the Patrol Office would cost by cab.
"For just going to the Patrol Office, a round trip should be enough."
Hearing this, Yan Xiaobao didn't waste another word, grabbed the money, and left.
"Living off us for free and taking our money—such thick skin!" Zheng Xiaoyu muttered under her breath, directing her complaint at Yan Xiaobao's departing figure.
Though Zheng Xiaoyu's voice was soft, Yan Xiaobao could hear her loud and clear.
Yan Xiaobao turned back with a grin and said, "My wife's money is my money, and my brother-in-law's money is my money too. But don't worry—I wouldn't take your money. With your small chest, you could never be one of my wives anyway." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"You..." Zheng Xiaoyu straightened her chest. "Who says I'm small? I'm a B-cup, okay?"
"Careful wearing such thick pads in this heat—you might get a rash," Yan Xiaobao retorted as he walked away briskly.
"You scoundrel!" Zheng Xiaoyu's face turned completely red, equal parts mortified and enraged.
Chen Long, who was behind the counter, glanced at Zheng Xiaoyu's "B" cup, muttering, "Actually... some people do like smaller breasts..."
"Get lost!"
...
Standing at the street corner trying to hail a cab, Yan Xiaobao decided to give Han Ruobing a call.
"I'm busy with a case—no time," Han Ruobing said curtly before hanging up immediately.
She wasn't trying to brush him off—Han Ruobing was genuinely dealing with a critical case where lives hung in the balance.
At the inpatient tower of Binhai Medical University Second Hospital, red and blue police lights flashed everywhere. The Third Team of Baofeng District Patrol, led by Han Ruobing, was the first to arrive on the scene.
On the 12th floor of the inpatient building, a medical dispute had escalated into a full-blown crisis. A highly unstable patient, wielding a surgical knife, had taken a nurse hostage and was now locked in a standoff with the patrol officers.
Han Ruobing was coordinating her team to evacuate patients from nearby wards, stabilize the extremist patient's emotions, and control the situation while waiting for the Chief Constable to deploy a sniper team.
With such heavy responsibility and overwhelming pressure, she had no time to take Yan Xiaobao's calls.
Yet Yan Xiaobao persisted, calling over and over without giving up. If Han Ruobing didn't take a moment to properly address him, he'd keep calling until her phone died.
Unable to ignore it any longer, Han Ruobing instructed Constable Xing to take over command temporarily. She stepped into the hallway and picked up the phone. "Yan Xiaobao, what do you want? I'm incredibly busy right now! Can you stop pestering me and let me finish my work first, alright?"
"Bingbing, are you busy?" Yan Xiaobao asked excitedly. "Perfect timing—I can help you! I'll sort everything out quickly, and then you can come enjoy some lobster with me, okay?"
Han Ruobing was exasperated. "Just don't make things worse for me—that would be a big help in itself!"
"How could I mess things up for you? I'm super capable! Bingbing, where are you right now?"
"Binhai Medical University Second Hospital," she replied.
Knowing he wouldn't give up, Han Ruobing decided to tell him outright to save time. Besides, the inpatient building was fully locked down, and there was no way Yan Xiaobao would be able to get in anyway.
...
A short while later, Baofeng District's Patrol Office Chief Constable Zhang Zhixue arrived in person with a carefully trained team. The hospital's director, Zhang Hongde, led a group of senior executives to meet him at the entrance of the inpatient tower to discuss countermeasures.
Given that Zhang Hongde was Zhang Zhixue's father, the two skipped all formalities and began deliberating solutions right away. Poor handling of this hostage incident could negatively impact both of them in major ways.
"Time is of the essence—any delay, even a minute, could lead to unforeseen outcomes. My suggestion: immediately deploy the snipers and neutralize the suspect," Zhang Zhixue decisively advised.
In hostage situations, the top priority is ensuring the safety of the hostages. The suspect's life or death is secondary.
Zhang Hongde considered this carefully. "Simply neutralizing the target may cause... too much backlash. I think we should take a two-pronged approach—send in negotiation experts while simultaneously positioning the snipers."
"Alright." Zhang Zhixue didn't waste time and issued the orders immediately. Negotiators and snipers began their respective preparations.
Meanwhile, a commotion unexpectedly broke out nearby.
"Hey! I'm here to find my Bingbing—if you keep blocking me, I'll have to deal with you!" Yan Xiaobao had arrived at the scene but was stopped by the perimeter patrol, who refused to let him inside.
The patrol officer tried reasoning with him, "There's a critical incident happening here—no one is allowed in or out. When it's resolved, you can come find your wife."
Yan Xiaobao replied, "I'm here to help Bingbing with this critical incident!"
The officer gave him a dubious look. "Who's your wife?"
"Han Ruobing," he declared.
"Nonsense!"
Everyone in Baofeng District's patrol teams knew who Han Ruobing was—she was single, with no husband in sight.
"Move over now, or we'll charge you with obstructing official duties and take you in!" The officer sternly warned, reaching out to push Yan Xiaobao back toward the perimeter.
"Ow!" Anyone who tried to touch Yan Xiaobao inevitably ended up with a twisted wrist, crying out in pain and crumpling to the ground.
"Let him go right now!" Several perimeter patrol officers rushed over, guns drawn and pointed at Yan Xiaobao.
"Stop!" As soon as Zhang Hongde and Zhang Zhixue, father and son, heard the commotion and arrived, they immediately recognized Yan Xiaobao. They hurriedly ordered the patrol officers to put down their guns and stepped forward to diffuse the situation.
"Mr. Yan, let's talk this out. Please let him go first," Zhang Zhixue pleaded politely.
Seeing Zhang Zhixue's respectful attitude, Yan Xiaobao loosened his grip.
The patrol officer, noticing how even their Chief Constable was being courteous to this young man, quickly lost his temper and slunk off to the side to massage his sore wrist.
"Divine Doctor Yan, I didn't expect to meet you this soon. Last time on the flight, if it weren't for your timely treatment, I fear my old life would've ended up staying on that plane," Zhang Hongde said warmly, thanking him again.
"I was just helping my Rourou out," Yan Xiaobao waved dismissively. "I don't have time to chit-chat with you guys now. Step aside and let me find Bingbing."
Both Rourou and Bingbing? Zhang Hongde, his son, and the surrounding patrol officers had their heads full of black lines.
"Um..." Zhang Zhixue began hesitantly, "Han Ruobing is currently on duty, so I'm afraid..."
Yan Xiaobao narrowed his eyes and prepared to snap.
"Don't rush, don't rush!" Zhang Hongde quickly interjected, "I say, let Divine Doctor Yan go up. Last time on the flight, with four armed hijackers and over 200 passengers, didn't Divine Doctor Yan resolve the crisis in minutes? Today it's just one knife-wielding patient; shouldn't be a problem."
Zhang Zhixue, of course, knew Yan Xiaobao's abilities. Just yesterday, he'd caused chaos at the Patrol Office by confiscating Constable Shi Jianzhong's gun.
His hesitation stemmed from the fact that while the hijacking incident occurred on a high-altitude flight where ground military and police couldn't intervene, making it fair game for any capable civilian, this hostage situation was happening on his turf with over a hundred patrol officers on site. If they still needed a civilian like Yan Xiaobao to resolve it, wouldn't their entire Patrol Office look utterly useless?
A father knows his son best, and Zhang Hongde promptly guessed Zhang Zhixue's concerns. He urged again, "Lives are at stake; rescuing the hostages is the priority. It's crucial to avoid harming the suspect too. Nothing else matters."
Disputes between patients and hospitals that escalate into a shooting—while legal—are hardly ideal events from an ethical standpoint. Both hospital director Zhang Hongde and Chief Constable Zhang Zhixue felt the same.
Considering this, Zhang Zhixue nodded in agreement, "Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Yan."
...
On the 12th floor of the inpatient building, Han Ruobing issued orders sternly: "Negotiators and snipers, take position immediately. Closely monitor the situation. Ensure the safety of both hostages and negotiators above all else."
"Yes!" A dozen patrol officers responded in low voices.
Suddenly, a wildly incongruous voice interrupted, "Bingbing! I'm here!"
Han Ruobing turned her head, dumbfounded by the sight of Yan Xiaobao cheerfully walking toward her, "You... how did you get up here?"
Yan Xiaobao replied: "I took the elevator."
"We're in the middle of an operation! How could you, a... random civilian, get up here?" Han Ruobing asked incredulously, then grew alarmed, "You didn't beat up the patrol officers downstairs, did you?"
"At first, they tried to stop me from coming up here to help Bingbing catch the bad guy. I was about to knock them all down," Yan Xiaobao said nonchalantly. "But then your leader Zhang Zhixue showed up and let me come up to help Bingbing."
"You..." Han Ruobing felt her head start to ache, utterly speechless.
Constable Xing and the other patrol officers were too scared to utter a word. This guy was just too outrageous—anyone who crossed him ended up miserable. And with Chief Zhang backing him, getting beaten up would be for nothing. Just like yesterday, when Constable Shi Jianzhong got taught a lesson and was ordered to take leave for reflection.
"Is the bad guy inside?" Yan Xiaobao glanced at the patrol officers stationed outside the hospital room door and said excitedly, "Bingbing, wait here. I'll go catch the bad guy quickly, then you can come with me to eat lobster."
"Stop!" Han Ruobing immediately commanded, "Capturing suspects is our responsibility and duty as patrol officers. You're not an officer; you have no authority to apprehend anyone."
"Bingbing's responsibility and duty are my responsibility and duty," Yan Xiaobao declared before storming into the hospital room like a whirlwind.
Han Ruobing gasped and rushed in behind him, drawing her firearm and shouting, "Quick! Protect the hostages!"
She feared Yan Xiaobao's reckless interference might cost the hostages their lives, which would spell disaster.
"Ah!" As Han Ruobing dashed into the room, she felt her vision blur. Before she could react, she collided into Yan Xiaobao's arms, her head tilting instinctively—causing her lips to press against his cheek.
Yan Xiaobao hugged Han Ruobing's slender waist tightly and grinned, "Bingbing, I caught the bad guy for you. You should kiss me as a reward, but you can wait until we're alone. No need to rush."
"..." Han Ruobing was utterly stunned, having never been this close to a man before.
Yan Xiaobao's incredible speed was the sole culprit; within moments, he'd subdued the suspect and dashed back out.
Only Yan Xiaobao himself would know whether he'd deliberately maneuvered Han Ruobing into his arms for a kiss.
"But Bingbing, since you kissed me, I'm really happy. Haha! Let me kiss you back to make you happy, too." Yan Xiaobao said, leaning in toward her.
"You bastard! I'll kill you!"
A furious and mortified Han Ruobing almost exploded. Losing all senses, she raised her gun and fired at Yan Xiaobao's mouth.
"Bang!"
The patrol officers present were all stunned.
The walkie-talkie buzzed with alarmed voices: "Report! Report! Gunfire heard!"
"Who fired? What's the status of the hostage? Sniper team, report now!" Zhang Zhixue shouted through the device.
"Sniper 1 reporting: No moves from the suspect, hostage is safe, no visible shooter."
"Sniper 2 reporting: Hostages have been successfully rescued, suspect subdued, no casualties at the scene."
...
Half an hour later, inside the Chief Constable's office at the Baofeng Patrol Office.
Zhang Zhixue frowned as he interrogated Han Ruobing, "Explain the situation."
Han Ruobing pouted, tears welling up, refusing to speak.
"Firing in public, targeting an innocent civilian? What did your years at the police academy teach you? What have your years as a patrol officer amounted to?" Zhang Zhixue's tone grew heated. "Not to mention, Yan Xiaobao is the hero who rescued the hostage! You shot at him? Are you insane?"
"Who asked him to..." Han Ruobing couldn't finish her sentence, tears of grievance and regret streaming down.
"Why are you crying! Will crying solve the problem?" Zhang Zhixue continued his reprimand without the slightest sympathy: "Do you know that if this incident gets reported, your uniform will be stripped off immediately!"
Han Ruobing clenched the corner of her clothes, lowered her head, and said nothing, tears dripping down one after another.
She loved the patrol profession and cherished this uniform. If she were really expelled, she wouldn't know where to turn in life.
"You should be thankful, thankful that Yan Xiaobao is like an Immortal who caught the bullet with his two fingers, and even more thankful that he's being incredibly gracious by not pursuing the matter further."
Upon hearing this, Han Ruobing suddenly looked up with hopeful eyes. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"But he has one condition."
"What's the condition?"
"This..." Zhang Zhixue found it hard to speak in front of Han Ruobing, "You'll have to ask him yourself. He's waiting for you in your office."
Han Ruobing immediately stood up and rushed into her office.
Yan Xiaobao was spinning around in her office chair. Upon seeing her enter, he instantly perked up and said smugly, "Wife, how dare you shoot your husband in an assassination attempt? According to family law, I should strip you naked and give you a good spanking. But considering we haven't even had a wedding ceremony or a bridal chamber night yet, I'll go easy on you."
Han Ruobing sneered coldly, "What's your idea of going easy?"
Yan Xiaobao got up, chuckled mischievously, and walked toward Han Ruobing, "Bingbing, let's go home and sleep."
Han Ruobing didn't respond but quietly pulled out a gun, racking it with a crisp "clack."
"Uh... well, it's broad daylight now; going home to sleep does seem a bit too early..."
Yan Xiaobao quickly changed his tune, "How about this, I'll talk to Zhang Zhixue and have him give you the day off. You can accompany me for some food and a chat. Sound good?"
"Yan Xiaobao, do you think you can use this uniform to pressure me into compliance? What kind of person do you think I am, Han Ruobing?" After finishing her words, Han Ruobing turned and left.
Yan Xiaobao chased after her, shouting, "Bingbing! Wife! I'm not pressuring you!"
"Shut up! I am not your wife!"
Han Ruobing stormed into Zhang Zhixue's office, fuming, unloaded her pistol and badge onto his desk, and stood with an "I quit, do whatever you want" attitude.
"What are you doing?" Zhang Zhixue asked.
"I, Han Ruobing, will not be coerced. Even though I'm unwilling to give up this dream job, I..." Han Ruobing spoke with determination, "If I am forced to break my principles, I'd rather not do it!"
Yan Xiaobao followed her in, wearing an ingratiating smile, "Bingbing, I wasn't forcing you to do anything. I just said I'd give you a day off to relax a bit with me."
"I don't need your company!" Han Ruobing glared at him angrily.
"Comrade Han Ruobing, check your attitude!"
Zhang Zhixue put on a stern face and harshly scolded her. "Do you know the nature of your behavior today? And now you put on this attitude, who are you showing it to? Disarming and handing over your badge? Do you think Binhai Patrol can't solve cases without you, Han Ruobing?"
"No." As an exemplary member of the disciplinary forces, Han Ruobing displayed impeccable obedience to her superior. Despite Zhang Zhixue scolding her so harshly, she didn't show the slightest dissatisfaction and accepted the reprimand.
"Then pick up your gun and badge!"
"Yes, sir!" Han Ruobing immediately stood at attention and retrieved her gun and badge.
"Now, I'm giving you one day off to accompany model citizen Yan Xiaobao and relax a bit."
Han Ruobing was about to argue, but Zhang Zhixue slammed the desk, "This is an order!"
"...Yes." Han Ruobing instantly complied.
Yan Xiaobao was elated, and his impression of Zhang Zhixue, the Chief Constable, skyrocketed.
"Let's go." Once Han Ruobing reinterpreted Yan Xiaobao's "pressure" as an organizational arrangement, an order from her superior, her mindset shifted.
Accompanying him for food and a chat? Han Ruobing had faced gunfire and bombs; how could she possibly fear someone like this sneaky scoundrel?
"Wait a moment." Yan Xiaobao turned to Zhang Zhixue suddenly and asked, "Can you order her to kiss me?"
"..." Both Zhang Zhixue and Han Ruobing were speechless, black lines across their faces.
"Private life matters, I have no authority to order that," Zhang Zhixue shrugged, expressing helplessness.
"Oh, then let me ask," Yan Xiaobao immediately came up with another idea, "What do I need to do to become a Chief Constable like you?"
"..." Zhang Zhixue was utterly speechless. This guy was utterly unmatched—becoming a Chief Constable just to conveniently order Han Ruobing to kiss him?
"If you want to be a Chief Constable, try in your next life!" Han Ruobing said, tossing her head and storming out of Zhang Zhixue's office.
Yan Xiaobao immediately followed her, "Bingbing, my wife, where are we going?"
"Wherever you like." Han Ruobing replied in an icy tone.
Yan Xiaobao's eyes shone with mischief, "Then let's go sleep."
"Wherever you like." Han Ruobing patted the gun at her waist, silently warning him, "When I say sleep, I mean just sleep—don't read too much into it."
It wasn't that Yan Xiaobao feared her gun, as he could disarm her in seconds, but he didn't want to push Han Ruobing into doing something against her will.
"Sleep just means closing your eyes and going to sleep. Is there any other meaning?" Yan Xiaobao blinked his bright eyes innocently, his expression completely pure.
"Hmph!" Han Ruobing snorted coldly, turning her face away.
Yan Xiaobao's comment felt like he was saying that she herself was the one with impure thoughts...
So...
In the end, Yan Xiaobao actually took Han Ruobing to sleep...
And it was in her own bedroom.
Han Ruobing didn't want to risk being labeled as "checking into a hotel with a man" nor did she want to sleep at Yan Xiaobao's place or Xia Rou's.
Thus, today, Yan Xiaobao not only discovered Han Ruobing's home address but also successfully "got her into bed."
"I'm tired. Don't talk to me. And if you dare touch me, I'll shoot you dead!" Han Ruobing lay on the bed in her clothes, gun in hand, closing her eyes and adding, "If I can't kill you, I'll kill myself."
Undoubtedly, Han Ruobing was a woman of her word. Fearful that she might harm herself, Yan Xiaobao obediently laid down beside her, unmoving, and quietly watching her sleep.
The sunlight streaming through the curtains illuminated Han Ruobing's fair, delicate face, accentuating her facial features. She truly was stunning. Her captivating eyes took one's breath away, but even with her eyes closed, her beauty didn't diminish. The playful sunlight made her eyelids shift slightly, causing her long lashes to flutter. Her petite, straight nose only added more charm to her beauty. Her lips were naturally tinted, enticing others to sneak a kiss while she slept.
Being part of the Patrol Office often means long-term sleep deprivation. To efficiently make up for lost sleep, many of the officers have trained themselves to fall asleep the moment their head hits the pillow.
Han Ruobing, lying on her own soft and comfortable bed, quickly fell asleep. She wasn't too worried that Yan Xiaobao might take advantage of her while she was sleeping.
On one hand, she had already made up her mind: if Yan Xiaobao dared to harm her, she would fight him to the death. On the other hand, deep down, she still trusted Yan Xiaobao's character to some extent.
This guy, while eccentric in thought and unorthodox in his words and actions, was not a bad person. Moreover, he'd rather shoulder the blame than deceive her. So, he probably wouldn't harm her either, right?
Han Ruobing lay flat on the bed, her legs appearing even more long and slender. Her hands pressed a gun against her abdomen, and further up, a beautiful and smooth curve rose naturally, radiating an exquisite charm...
Yan Xiaobao admired her sleeping posture from top to bottom, then bottom to top, carefully savoring every detail. His gaze was filled with appreciation and admiration—not a trace of... ah wait... there might still be a hint of mischief in there...
However, when he noticed Han Ruobing's slightly furrowed brows and seemingly uneasy expression, even that faint trace of mischief vanished completely.
Yan Xiaobao slowly extended his hand, gently pointing a finger at Han Ruobing's brow.
Soon, Han Ruobing's furrowed brows relaxed, her expression becoming serene, as though she were enjoying a deep, sweet sleep.
"Bingbing, with me here, you'll sleep soundly, and I know you'll come to love the feeling of sleeping beside me."
Yan Xiaobao murmured to himself, quietly staying by Han Ruobing's side, blissfully lying on the bed.
...
Dusk deepened as the lights of Binhai City illuminated thousands of homes. People returning from work hurriedly made their way back to their houses.
"Let's eat. We won't wait for him anymore." Xia Rou turned and walked into Dexi Hall.
That guy had gone to the Government Office to find Han Ruobing and stayed there the entire day. Not coming back for dinner or even calling was simply too much.
Zheng Xiaoyu and Chen Long noticed Xia Rou's unpleasant expression and didn't dare say much.
The three silently finished dinner, with Chen Long wiping the tables and sweeping the floor, while Zheng Xiaoyu cleared the dishes.
Just then, a young man walked into Dexi Hall in a hurry. Seeing Xia Rou, he anxiously said, "Hello, may I ask if you're Doctor Xia?"
"I am." Xia Rou nodded.
The young man continued, "My brother's injured. Could I trouble Doctor Xia to come and take a look?"
Xia Rou refused, "I'm sorry, I don't take house calls at night. Please take your brother to the hospital instead." freewёbnoνel-com
The young man explained, "It's not an ordinary injury. I'm not sure if it's a sprained joint or something else. The hospital's emergency services at night don't have skilled specialists. I heard Doctor Xia's acupuncture techniques are exceptional, so I came here especially. Please, Doctor Xia, help relieve my brother's pain. How about I pay you three times your usual rate?"
"It's not about the money..." Xia Rou hesitated slightly. As a young and attractive woman, going out at night did carry certain risks.
"Doctors are as compassionate as parents. My brother is in unbearable pain, yelling constantly at home... Doctor Xia, please show some mercy." The young man begged sincerely, pointing to an Audi parked outside. "I'll drive you there and back; we won't waste time. If you're worried, I'll leave my ID with you."
As he spoke, he pulled out his wallet and placed his ID on the counter.
"Alright then." Xia Rou finally agreed. On one hand, the young man appeared to be from a well-off family and seemed trustworthy. On the other hand, Xia Rou's sense of duty as a physician made it hard for her to ignore the request.
After giving Zheng Xiaoyu and Chen Long some instructions, Xia Rou took her medical kit, got in the car, and left Dexi Hall.
Not long after, the young man drove to the entrance of the "Night Banquet" entertainment club. "We're here," he said.
Xia Rou asked suspiciously, "Weren't we going to treat your brother's injuries? What are we doing at an entertainment club?"
"My brother suddenly got hurt in the KTV here, and he's in agonizing pain, like being poked with needles. No one dared touch him," the young man explained as he opened the car door. "The KTV is a public place, so you don't have to worry."
Although Xia Rou had never been inside the "Night Banquet" club, she knew it was one of Binhai City's most high-end and luxurious KTVs. Thinking it shouldn't pose any safety issues, she got out of the car and followed the young man inside.
But as soon as Xia Rou entered the "8888 Supreme Luxury Private Room," her expression changed instantly.
Inside were more than a dozen men and women, and lying on the luxurious sofa in the center was Luo Jianbi!
Startled, Xia Rou turned to leave, but the young man had already blocked the door.
"Luo Jianbi, what are you up to?" Xia Rou tried to remain calm, but her voice inevitably revealed some tremor.
"I'm not up to anything," Luo Jianbi said, lying on the sofa. He lifted his head with a smirk and looked at Xia Rou. "That little young man of yours hit my pressure points, leaving me standing in a bush for a whole day and night. My back and legs are practically broken."
"You brought it on yourself. Who told you to insult me? My... Yan Xiaobao already showed you mercy yesterday." Mentioning Yan Xiaobao seemed to give Xia Rou a bit more confidence.
"Well, I ought to thank him then." Luo Jianbi chuckled. "But don't worry, I didn't invite you here for revenge. It's just that my back, legs, arms, and joints have been completely wrecked. Since your man left me in such a miserable state, it's only fair that you, as a doctor, help me with some acupuncture and massage as an aftercare service."
"Is it really just acupuncture and massage?" Xia Rou sounded skeptical.
Having some understanding of Luo Jianbi, she knew he was a wealthy businessman in the entertainment industry, surrounded by a group of lackeys—not someone easily dismissed.
"Relax." Luo Jianbi smiled "kindly." "We've known each other for a while. While I was indeed disappointed and angry that you chose that young man over me, that's all in the past now. I'm not petty. Let's settle all grievances today. Who knows? Maybe we can even be friends in the future."
"Alright then." Seeing Luo Jianbi speak so sincerely, the gentle and kind Xia Rou hoped to resolve their conflicts amicably.
"But it's too noisy here, and I'm afraid it'll interfere with the treatment."
"What's the problem? In ancient times, Guan Yu famously scraped poison off his bone while discussing military matters. Today, I, Luo Jianbi, will have acupuncture and massage while enjoying some drinks and karaoke. It'll be iconic!" Luo Jianbi waved grandly, "Alright, music, play!"
The dynamic, explosive DJ beats thundered deafeningly, while men and women clad in flashy attire twisted their bodies madly under the flickering neon lights, creating an utterly chaotic spectacle.
"Let's begin," Luo Jianbi bared a row of gleaming white teeth at Xia Rou, "I trust in your acupuncture skills."
Xia Rou furrowed her brow, took a deep breath, sat down next to Luo Jianbi, adjusted her mindset, and prepared to perform acupuncture on him.
After entering the Traditional Chinese Medicine Academy through self-study, Xia Rou learned some basic acupuncture techniques. Later on, the old Chinese doctor at Dexi Hall shared his ancestral secret techniques with Xia Rou before retiring.
She vividly remembered when the old doctor had said to her, "In the past, according to tradition, this set of ancestral acupuncture techniques was passed down internally but not externally, only to men and not to women. However, given the decline of traditional Chinese medicine nowadays, there are few young people like you who are dedicated to studying and continuing this practice. I'll consider you my last disciple and pass this technique on to you."
Xia Rou didn't know the name of this technique, but once she mastered it, its effectiveness in treating patients was unexpectedly remarkable.
Therefore, in the short few years she worked at Dexi Hall, Xia Rou had become a somewhat renowned female practitioner in the nearby neighborhood blocks. Her acupuncture techniques gained quite the reputation, almost turning her into Dexi Hall's "flagship treasure."
Once Xia Rou steadied her state of mind, her hands remained unwavering and precise even in the noisy and chaotic KTV private room.
Luo Jianbi, after having his acupoints immobilized by Yan Xiaobao with the "Black Tiger Heart Stealing" technique for an entire day and night, could neither lift his arms nor move his legs, rendering him almost paralyzed.
At this moment, Xia Rou inserted a silver needle into the acupoint near Luo Jianbi's elbow joint and gently rotated it. Luo Jianbi instantly felt a slight tingling sensation in the joint, and the unbearable soreness quickly faded, leaving him much more comfortable.
"Xia Rou's Miracle Needle lives up to its name. To have a wife like you would truly be a blessing," Luo Jianbi chuckled slyly and added, "Why don't you reconsider? Stick with me, and I promise you'll live a life of luxury and comfort."
Xia Rou's hand, holding the silver needle, paused. She replied coldly, "There's no possibility between us. Once I fix the joints in your arms and legs, all grievances will be settled as agreed. Are you planning to go back on your word?"
"Certainly not. I stand by my word; you can trust me. Go ahead and continue with the needles," Luo Jianbi bowed his head, though a sinister, malicious gleam flickered in his eyes.
...
When Han Ruobing woke up, the sky had already turned completely dark. The glow of the streetlights outside shone faintly through the curtains, casting a gentle golden hue that felt incredibly cozy.
This sleep was exceedingly restful and sweet, so much so that Han Ruobing couldn't remember the last time she had slept this well. She stretched lazily, only to suddenly realize she was lying in an unusually intimate position in Yan Xiaobao's embrace.
"You!" Han Ruobing abruptly sat up and frantically searched for her gun.
Yan Xiaobao retrieved the firearm from under the pillow and handed it to Han Ruobing, explaining innocently, "I didn't touch you—it was you who leaned over in your sleep."
Han Ruobing aimed the gun at Yan Xiaobao's head, then glanced down at herself to check. Her clothes were slightly creased, but her buttons remained securely fastened.
"You really didn't take advantage of me in my sleep?"
Yan Xiaobao shook his head innocently, "Although you'll eventually become my wife, until the day you do, I certainly won't sneak kisses or touches."
"Shut up!" Han Ruobing flipped off the bed, her tone icy. "Let's pretend none of this happened. You better not breathe a word of it to anyone."
Yan Xiaobao grinned cheekily and nodded, "Of course not. How could I share private matters between us with others?"
Han Ruobing couldn't be bothered to say any more. She opened the door and headed to the bathroom to tidy her wrinkled clothes and slightly messy hair.
Yan Xiaobao lounged on Han Ruobing's bed, looked at his own hands, and seemed to reminisce longingly. "Bingbing is really an amazing wife—the feeling of holding her while sleeping is unbelievably comfortable. I definitely have to sleep more with Bingbing in the future."
"Stop it! Not another word!" Han Ruobing stood at the living room door, her face frosty. "Get up! I'm taking you back."
"What's the rush, Bingbing? I've got orders from Chief Zhang that you're supposed to stick with me for a whole day. We've only been at it for eight hours, and your mission isn't over yet."
"You scoundrel..."
Just as Han Ruobing was about to throw Yan Xiaobao out of her house, her phone rang.
After finishing the call, Han Ruobing immediately opened the door, urging, "Hurry up. A murder has occurred—I need to get to the scene."
Yan Xiaobao had no choice but to follow Han Ruobing out of the house and into the car.
"You're getting out at the next intersection. Take a cab yourself." Han Ruobing prepared to slow down and park.
Yan Xiaobao protested, "No way. Your mission isn't over yet. How can I just leave on my own? Chief Zhang will scold you for not completing your task."
"I'm heading to a murder scene on official duty. What are you tagging along for?"
"I can help with the investigation too. Your husband is quite capable—I guarantee I'll be of assistance."
"If you just don't cause trouble, that's assistance enough." Han Ruobing stopped the car. "Out!"
"No!" Yan Xiaobao threatened, "If you don't stay with me for the whole day, I'll complain to Chief Zhang and have him give you a week off to keep me company."
"You..." Han Ruobing was out of options.
Given Zhang Zhixue's attitude toward Yan Xiaobao, he might actually do it—granting her a week off...
Han Ruobing silently started the car again, treating Yan Xiaobao entirely as if he were invisible, praying that once they arrived at the crime scene, Yan Xiaobao would get bored and leave on his own.
...
The crime scene was at a secluded lakeside spot near Willow Leaf Lake. By the time Han Ruobing arrived, the patrol officers had already set up a cordon and secured the area.
Yan Xiaobao followed Han Ruobing through the cordon and into the crime scene, and surprisingly, none of the officers stopped him.
Han Ruobing's deputy, Constable Xing, approached to report the situation. Upon seeing Yan Xiaobao, he refrained from commenting.
"Chief Han, the two deceased individuals were discovered half an hour ago by three night anglers. Both victims are in their early twenties, with dyed hair and tattoos—likely delinquent youth from the streets. Based on the condition of the bodies, the estimated time of death is less than a day."
Han Ruobing paid no attention to Yan Xiaobao and followed Constable Xing to the two bodies that had been dragged ashore. She lifted the covering and inspected the victims.
The two bodies hadn't been soaking in the lake for long—their faces were clearly discernible. They bore a resemblance, possibly brothers, one with red-dyed hair and the other with yellow.
The two deceased were none other than the brothers "Xiong Da" and "Xiong Er," who had robbed Luo Jianbi from head to toe last night!
Yan Xiaobao glanced at the corpses and helped Han Ruobing analyze, "These two guys were beaten to death with blunt weapons and then thrown into the lake. They've been dead for four and a half hours."
Constable Xing looked at Yan Xiaobao, secretly astonished. This guy merely took a glance and came to conclusions that matched his preliminary assessment, only Yan's timing was even more precise—it was simply unbelievable.
Han Ruobing, however, seemed as if she didn't hear Yan Xiaobao's words at all. She asked Constable Xing, "Has the forensic doctor arrived?"
Constable Xing replied, "I've already notified the forensic doctor; they're on their way. Detailed identification results should be available tonight."
Han Ruobing continued asking, "Any findings at the scene?"
"None," Constable Xing shook his head. "I speculate that this isn't the murder scene nor the body-dumping site. Aside from footprints from three night anglers, there's nothing else notable here."
Han Ruobing pondered for a moment and then ordered, "Request Chief Zhang to deploy additional manpower and divide them into five teams. The first team will thoroughly search the lakeside. The second team will investigate all boats at Willow Leaf Lake and today's sailing logs. The third will conduct a broad search to find witnesses. The fourth will investigate the victims' identities and social connections. The fifth will collect surveillance footage from all road intersections around the lake. Leave no stone unturned; notify me immediately upon any discovery."
"Understood!"
Constable Xing promptly turned to execute the orders, internally admiring her.
Han Ruobing's orders were clear, systematic, airtight—she truly deserved her reputation as the Goddess Catcher with the highest case resolution rate in Binhai.
After issuing the orders, Han Ruobing began waiting for updates from all directions, leaving her temporarily idle. Yan Xiaobao immediately seized the opportunity, saying, "Bingbing, I'm hungry. Come eat with me."
Han Ruobing replied irritably, "Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Nope," Yan Xiaobao shook his head and continued, "This case is so simple. It'll be solved soon. No need to rush—we can eat while waiting for updates."
"Easy for you to say. Let's see you solve the case," she retorted.
As a professional patrol officer, Han Ruobing's wealth of experience told her that seemingly simple cases were often surprisingly difficult to solve.
Take this case, for instance. She preliminarily speculated that the two deceased were caught in worldly society vendettas. Although such cases appeared straightforward, they were notoriously tricky. Those involved in the case—whether suspicious or not—typically refused to cooperate with officers, making it exceedingly difficult to identify clear leads.
Moreover, these types of cases attracted little social attention, meaning the Patrol Office didn't prioritize them highly either, rarely allocating extended personnel and resources to crack them.
It seemed there was an implicit social consensus—this type of gang member dies? Well, more of them dying might even make society more stable and harmonious.
"Solving a case isn't hard," Yan Xiaobao grinned nonchalantly. "I've already found your killer."
Han Ruobing instinctively asked, "Who's the killer?"
Yan Xiaobao answered, "Old Blackface."
"What's Old Blackface?"
"Just an old face that's really black."
"..." Han Ruobing took a deep breath, "Name! I'm asking for a name!"
"Oh, he's Luo Jianbi, a bad guy," Yan Xiaobao said.
"You know him?" Han Ruobing asked suspiciously.
Yan Xiaobao replied, "Yesterday, he cursed at my Rourou, so I sealed his acupuncture points, making him unable to move or speak for a whole day and night. Counting the hours... he should've regained mobility about five hours ago."
"Yan Xiaobao!" Han Ruobing snapped, "Patrol officers are government personnel enforcing the law for the nation—they're not tools for your personal vendettas!"
"Huh? Why would I use patrol officers for revenge?" Yan Xiaobao looked genuinely puzzled. "If I've got grudges, I'll settle them myself."
"If you're not seeking revenge, then why falsely accuse Luo Jianbi?" Han Ruobing rebuked sternly. "You yourself said Luo Jianbi just recovered and couldn't possibly commit murder!"
"I don't know why he killed them, but..." Yan Xiaobao explained seriously, "These two men have an overwhelming presence of Luo Jianbi's Qi—it's undeniably strong."
As Xiong Da and Xiong Er had robbed Luo Jianbi of his entire outfit and donned it themselves, they naturally carried his Qi.
Even after soaking in the lake for two to three hours, this Qi would likely escape the noses of police dogs, but it couldn't deceive Yan Xiaobao's keen senses.
Still, as a proper professional patrol officer, Han Ruobing placed zero trust in Yan Xiaobao's "nonsense."
And frankly, Han Ruobing didn't care to waste words with the unserious Yan Xiaobao either. She drove him to a nearby KFC, bought a family bucket to fill his stomach, and simultaneously shut him up.
...
Meanwhile, in the 8888 Supreme Private Room of the "Night Banquet" nightclub. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Xia Rou pulled out the last silver needle and placed it back in the wooden box. Standing up, she said, "Done."
Luo Jianbi sat up, stretching his arms and legs, laughing heartily, "You truly are the Miracle Needle. This acupuncture session worked—it feels like my legs have new strength."
"Get a good night's sleep, and you'll be fine tomorrow." Xia Rou headed toward the room's door. "I'll be taking my leave now."
Luo Jianbi stood with a sly grin, "Since you're here, why the rush to leave?"
"What do you mean, Luo Jianbi?" Xia Rou's expression immediately darkened. "Our agreement was that I'd use acupuncture to heal your injuries, and our past grievances would be settled. Why are you stopping me now? Don't tell me your words mean nothing!"
"Of course my words mean something. You healed my injuries with acupuncture, and yes, our past issues are indeed resolved," Luo Jianbi said, lifting two glasses of wine, before shifting tone, "But now let's leave yesterday behind and start anew. Come, let's drink to that."
"I don't drink."
Luo Jianbi's wine wasn't something to be rudely consumed—who knew what might be lurking within it? Xia Rou wasn't foolish enough to drink with Luo Jianbi inside this private room.
"What's this? I've invited you sincerely to settle our differences, yet you won't even drink a glass of wine? Are you disrespecting me?" Luo Jianbi's tone carried a hint of menace.
"I already followed through on our agreement to heal your injuries—how could that be disrespectful?"
Faced with the growing tension, Xia Rou's nerves frayed; she dared not provoke Luo Jianbi too firmly. "I really don't drink, and it's late—I need to leave."
"It's just one glass of wine, no big deal. Relax, I'm not trying to get you drunk. Just this one." Luo Jianbi pressed the wine glass closer to Xia Rou, "Drink this, and everything will start over between us."
At this moment, Xia Rou was absolutely certain that there was something wrong with this glass of wine, and Luo Jianbi's words clearly carried ill intentions.
"Start over? Start over with what? It must be nothing good."
Things had come to this point, and Xia Rou knew that talking nicely wouldn't help. While she was usually kind and rarely got angry, she mustered up her courage for her own safety and resolutely said, "Start over? Luo Jianbi, there's never been anything between us to start over, and there never will be!"
After saying this, Xia Rou rushed toward the private room's door but was blocked by several burly men.
"If you refuse a toast only to drink punishment, then don't blame me for being ruthless and destroying this flower!" Luo Jianbi sneered coldly, advancing toward Xia Rou.
Xia Rou stepped back. "Luo Jianbi, what are you trying to do?"
"What am I trying to do? Obviously, I want you! From the first day I laid eyes on you, I've wanted to take you. Didn't you know? Ahahaha!" Luo Jianbi threw his head back and let out a maniacal laugh.
Terrified, Xia Rou backed away repeatedly, retreating into a corner with urgent panic, clutching the medicine box close to her chest as her shield.
Luo Jianbi advanced step by step, laughing loudly. "I really should thank you. If it weren't for your acupuncture curing my injury, I wouldn't even have the strength to want you now! Hahahahaha!"
Xia Rou finally realized that Luo Jianbi never had any intention of letting her go. His talk of wiping the slate clean was nothing but lies to fool her.
She had been so naive—how could she have believed Luo Jianbi's words? She regretted healing him deeply now...
Realizing she'd been tricked, Xia Rou felt a mix of shame, rage, and regret—but above all, terror.
If Luo Jianbi forced himself upon her, what could she possibly do...?
In this utterly desperate and perilous moment, Xia Rou naturally thought of Yan Xiaobao.
"Luo Jianbi, don't come near me! If you dare do anything to me, my... my husband definitely won't spare you!"
Luo Jianbi's expression darkened in fury as he snapped, "Hmph! You dare mention that young man in front of me? If he won't spare me, what makes you think I'll spare him?"
Red Bear the First and Yellow-haired Bear Two tried to seize Luo Jianbi's possessions, only to be caught by him and beaten to death before being thrown into the lake. How could he possibly let go of the 'real culprit,' Yan Xiaobao?
Tonight, Luo Jianbi's plan was to first trick Xia Rou into curing his injuries, then take her, and finally use her to deal with Yan Xiaobao. Now, hearing Xia Rou bringing up Yan Xiaobao stabbed his anger to an explosive level.
"No, killing him outright would be too merciful!" Luo Jianbi screamed hysterically, "I need to think of a way to make him suffer humiliation, agonize, and die without rest!"
"Boss, I have an idea," one of Luo Jianbi's henchmen eagerly stepped forward with a suggestion. "Why don't we use Xia Rou as bait to lure that young man in? Then, Boss, you can have your way with his woman right in front of him! I bet there's nothing crueler than watching helplessly as you wear the green hat."
"Right in front of her husband?" Luo Jianbi's eyes brightened instantly, glimmering. "Good! A great idea! I love it! Hahaha!"
"There's an even crueler plan," another henchman chimed in, offering his input, "Boss, while you're having your way with Xia Rou in front of that young man, you can record it..."
"You! You're too vile, too despicable..." Luo Jianbi shivered briefly, "But I like it! Hahaha! We'll do it just like that!"
Listening to Luo Jianbi's vicious plan on the side, Xia Rou felt as though her heart had dropped to the bottom of an abyss. Her entire body trembled as she collapsed into a sitting position at the corner of the wall.
"But what if that young man doesn't dare come?" The henchman from earlier voiced a concern.
A different henchman said, "If he doesn't come, that just proves he's a coward. In that case, maybe Xia Rou will lose heart in him and willingly follow Boss forever."
"Makes sense!" Luo Jianbi nodded repeatedly, turning to Xia Rou. "Let's make a bet then, see if your young man dares to come save you. If he doesn't come, you'll follow me from now on as my woman. How about it?"
Forcing herself to stay calm, Xia Rou countered, "And if he comes, you let me go. Deal?"
"Let you go?" Luo Jianbi burst out laughing. "I'm afraid by then, you'll already be too crazy about me to want to leave."
...
At Willow Leaf Lake, in Han Ruobing's car.
Yan Xiaobao unhappily munched on a drumstick. "Bingbing, this KFC is awful. Let's go eat lobsters instead."
Han Ruobing replied sharply with two words, "No time."
Just as Yan Xiaobao was about to say something else, his phone rang. Seeing that the call came from Xia Rou, he immediately picked up.
Instead, Luo Jianbi's bitter voice came through the phone: "Hey! Young man, Xia Rou is in my hands. Get your ass to Night Banquet Entertainment City right now. If you dare not to come, she will become my woman! And don't even think about calling the cops. You're coming alone!"
"Alright, wait for me. I'll be there soon," Yan Xiaobao's tone was calm, betraying no sense of urgency.
"That's gutsy!" Luo Jianbi chuckled twice sinisterly. "You have 15 minutes. If you're late, your woman will already be mine."
After hanging up the phone, Yan Xiaobao tossed aside the bucket meal and said to Han Ruobing, "Bingbing, Rourou has something urgent. I'm heading off now. Next time, lobsters are on me."
"Go, go!"
Han Ruobing waved him away, finally relieved to see him leave. However, she couldn't shake a vague discomfort gnawing at her heart.
Though Han Ruobing didn't consider herself to be Yan Xiaobao's wife, women were naturally inclined to comparisons. Yan Xiaobao's words just now felt like he considered "Rourou" more important than "Bingbing"...
But Han Ruobing had no idea that Yan Xiaobao, at that very moment, was consumed with insane rage and a deadly bloodlust.
"He dared to kidnap my wife? And threatened to turn my wife into his woman? Luo Jianbi! Out of the ten thousand ways you could've died, you just picked the absolute worst one!"
Yan Xiaobao didn't tell Han Ruobing about this. He knew that if Han Ruobing found out, she would undoubtedly bring a team of officers with her. And if that happened, he wouldn't be able to kill the doomed Luo Jianbi in front of her eyes.
The despicable old black-hearted bastard dared to kidnap his wife. Yan Xiaobao was determined to personally kill him—and in the most brutal and inhumane way imaginable!