Chapter 412: Chapter 412

"I do." Wen Zhou stepped closer and noticed a faint bloodstain on the delicate neck of the girl. His sharp brows furrowed deeply.

"Officer Wen, I’m fine. Just now, this police sister saved me."

Wen Zhou turned to glance at Xiang Chenyu and the criminal who had just been escorted onto the police vehicle, instantly reconstructing the crime scene in his mind.

"I should be the one apologizing to you. Come, let me take you to the hospital for a check-up so I can feel at ease." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ noᴠelfire.net

The girl offered a small smile. In the cold, dark night, the streetlights wavered, casting fragmented shadows. Though clad entirely in black, the girl’s smile was the warmest and brightest in this world, as if even the biting wind brushing past the ear carried a hint of warmth.

"Police sister, I’m fine. I can’t delay you from catching criminals. It’s late, and I should head home."

With that, she prepared to leave.

"Hold on." Xiang Chenyu quickly called out to her.

"It’s not safe for a young girl like you to walk alone at night. Get in the car; I’ll take you home."

"No need, my house is just nearby..."

By the roadside was a military-green jeep, the very vehicle Wen Zhou had stepped out of earlier.

Xiang Chenyu walked over, opened the backseat door, and glanced at Shen You’an. She tried to soften her tone, concerned about frightening the young girl. "Get in."

Wen Zhou looked at her. "Get in; it’s not safe for you to be alone."

Having suffered through two kidnapping incidents in just a few days, this young girl truly was unlucky. As an officer, Wen Zhou couldn’t help but wonder if he had been negligent in some way.

Shen You’an said no more and obediently got into the car.

Wen Zhou walked up to the police car. The younger officers leaning forward to observe Xiang Chenyu quickly stood up straight, saluted in unison, and said, "Captain Wen."

"Take the suspect back to the station. I’ll catch up shortly."

"Captain Wen, is she the new Director Xiang? We didn’t expect her to be so young and beautiful..."

Wen Zhou shot them a sharp glare, silencing them immediately and sending them scurrying into the car to drive off.

Wen Zhou shook his head helplessly. As he turned around, he was met with the woman’s skeptical gaze.

"You’re surnamed Wen? Not a common surname. Are you from the Wen family in Jingzhou?"

Wen Zhou’s face instantly grew colder, his thin lips pressed tightly together.

With that, he strode past Xiang Chenyu without looking back and got into the car.

Xiang Chenyu raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

The neighborhood Shen You’an lived in was indeed nearby, only about a kilometer away, a drive of less than three minutes.

"Thank you, police brother and sister. I’ll head in now."

The girl spoke sweetly, pushed the car door open, and stepped out.

Xiang Chenyu’s cold heart softened completely. What an endearing and adorable young girl.

Xiang Chenyu lowered the car window. "Shen."

The girl stopped and turned back.

Xiang Chenyu gazed at her, becoming somewhat dazed.

This girl always gave her a sense of familiarity, yet when she tried to pinpoint why, it slipped away like smoke in the wind.

"Avoid walking alone at night from now on."

Xiang Chenyu handed her a piece of paper. "This is my number. Call me if you need anything."

Having just arrived in Qingzhou and encountering this girl felt like fate.

Shen You’an took the paper. "Thank you, police sister."

"Be good and go home now. Don’t keep your family waiting."

The girl turned and disappeared into the cold night, her figure fading into the distance.

"You seem very concerned about her?" Xiang Chenyu crossed her arms and asked leisurely.

Wen Zhou restarted the car and replied lightly, "She’s Runxi’s friend."

"Runxi? Mayor Liu’s son? Got it."

"While we still have time, tell me about Mayor Liu’s son’s kidnapping incident from a few days ago."

Wen Zhou said, "No rush. Tonight at Hui Cui Garden, Mrs. Liu is hosting a welcome banquet for you."

Xiang Chenyu chuckled dryly. "That woman never changes. Boring. Just head back to the station; I have plenty of work to do."

At that moment, Wen Zhou’s phone began ringing incessantly.

Wen Zhou glanced at the screen and handed the phone to Xiang Chenyu. "Mrs. Liu’s call—she’s looking for you."

Xiang Chenyu answered the call and held the phone to her ear.

A woman’s terse, questioning voice came through. "Wen Zhou, I asked you to seek out Miss Xiang. Half an hour has passed—where have you been looking?"

"Mrs. Liu, I heard you were looking for me. Is there anything you need?"

The person on the other end hesitated before softening her tone and quickly changing tact. "Miss Xiang, where are you? I’ll send someone to pick you up immediately."

"How could I trouble Mrs. Liu? I still need to interrogate the suspect here. I regret I won’t be able to greet you in person."

"Miss Xiang, I’ve organized a welcome banquet for you. All the prominent figures in Qingzhou are here to honor you. I know you’re busy, but as someone new to Qingzhou, building good relationships with everyone will benefit you greatly. So, about..."