With a "snap," the door opened, and the policewoman stood before him once again.
"Xu Wuyan, male, eighteen years old, a freshman at Lucheng University..." Shen Yue recited a string of his personal details. "We have checked all the surveillance footage and confirmed that your statement is accurate. Thank you for coming forward; that bag of mushrooms is very important to us."
"So... can I go now?"
"You may, but I have a few things I would like to discuss with you."
"Just tell me what you need, Officer."
Shen Yue seemed hesitant, opening her mouth and closing it several times. This left Xu Wuyan feeling puzzled.
"If there’s something on your mind, just say it. I’ll cooperate." Xu Wuyan spoke with renewed certainty.
"Good. Since you’re so straightforward, I won’t hide it from you. We do need your help with something, but it will be somewhat dangerous."
"Before that, may I ask, is that bag of mushrooms really that substance?"
Shen Yue nodded. "The item you brought in has another name: Lan Bing. I trust you understand the danger that substance poses."
"Understood. Please, speak freely. If I can truly help you track down the source of those mushrooms, I won’t hold back."
"Since you say so, I’ll be blunt. If you refuse, we won’t force you."
"Please, go ahead!"
"We’ve already held a meeting. Everyone who saw the Lan Bing tonight will be required to maintain strict confidentiality. We will even erase the records of you coming here to report it. We’re going to create the illusion that the goods are still in your possession."
"I see. You want to lure the snake out of its hole, and I’m the bait." Xu Wuyan’s worst fear had come true. While this was the best strategy from the police perspective, it was the most perilous for him. At eighteen, he knew he was easily broken by such circumstances.
"Not bad for a student from Lu University—you catch on quickly. However, we will guarantee your safety. I will be protecting you personally, so you don't need to worry about your physical well-being being compromised."
"Fair enough. May I hear what your plan is?"
"You don't want to reconsider? This is going to be very dangerous; those people are ruthless criminals." Shen Yue looked at him in surprise. During the meeting, the primary concern had been how to persuade Xu Wuyan to cooperate, and that was her goal in this private talk. She never expected him to agree so easily.
"No need to reconsider. A man does what he must. I am willing to cooperate with all your operations."
"Gallant!" Shen Yue smiled with satisfaction, genuinely admiring the seemingly green and naive young man before her. "Since that’s the case, I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll go home with you shortly, and I’ll be staying with you for the time being."
"Hmm, okay... Wait, what did you say?" Xu Wuyan wondered if he had misheard, staring at Shen Yue in exaggerated shock.
"I said starting today, I’m your girlfriend. Since I’m your girlfriend, it’s only natural that I live with you, right?"
"What?"
"Why? Do you think I’m not good enough for you?" Shen Yue chuckled, finding the wide-eyed look on his face adorable.
"No, no, no—Officer, what exactly are you planning? I’m only eighteen!"
"What are you thinking? Staying by your side is to protect you. Since we’re fishing, I can’t let you face the risk alone."
"But do we have to live together?" Xu Wuyan hadn't forgotten about Yao Can. If the three of them were in the same space, the "shura field" would be an absolute disaster.
"Living together is mandatory; it’s for your safety. We’ve already looked into the place you’re renting—a two-bedroom apartment. We’ll each take a room. You and I will be in the open, while the others remain in the dark. It’s the most appropriate arrangement at this stage." Shen Yue spoke with an unquestionable tone, leaving Xu Wuyan with no room to complain. Man proposes, God disposes; his design had never accounted for this contingency.
"Alright, let me go change into plainclothes, and we’ll head back together."
"We’re going back now?"
"What else? You haven't slept all night; shouldn't you be going back to get some rest?"
Shen Yue’s decisive nature left no room for rebuttal. He didn't deny that living with a beautiful woman would usually be a pleasant prospect, but living with a Criminal Investigation Team Captain was a death sentence.
While waiting for Shen Yue, several people passed in and out of the office. Their eyes were filled with amusement, and the teasing was endless. Xiao Hu, the policewoman who had taken his statement, even praised him for his "good fortune." This only made Xu Wuyan’s expression darken further. If he ran into Yao Can tomorrow morning, he didn't even want to imagine the scene.
But the arrow was already on the string. While no one was looking, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to Yao Can. He had to be careful with his instructions; otherwise, it would be too easy to raise suspicion.
When Shen Yue returned in plainclothes, she was striking. Unlike Yao Can’s youthful exuberance, she radiated the allure of a mature woman. Xu Wuyan swallowed hard, but thinking of her identity sent a chill down his spine.
"Let’s go. We’ll take my car. Don't worry, it won't take long. Why are you so nervous? Am I that scary?"
"No, no. Where’s the car?"
"This one." Shen Yue snorted, hopped into an SUV, pulled him in, and they sped back to Lancheng Shuyuan.
Fortunately, he had planned everything in advance, renting a new apartment right next to Yao Can’s; otherwise, there would be no going home at all.
Ever since Xu Wuyan left, Yao Can had been busy cleaning up the loose ends. Following Xu Wuyan’s design, she was responsible for executing each step. She had rented the apartment from her neighbor and then found a reliable agent, instructing them on what to say if the police came asking questions. She even deleted the security footage of her and Xu Wuyan arriving home together.
Then, she waited silently for word from Xu Wuyan. It wasn't until late at night that his message finally came: "I am under surveillance for the time being. We cannot meet. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about your situation. Remember, for your safety, we are strangers now."
Yao Can offered a bitter smile and tossed her phone aside. She felt cursed—so much had happened in a single day. Yet, after everything Xu Wuyan had done, she felt a swell of gratitude; he really was looking out for her.
Just as she was lost in thought, she heard noises outside. She rushed to the door, but before she could open it, she heard the voices from the hallway. Xu Wuyan was speaking loudly, and she realized he was doing it for her benefit:
"Captain Shen, you didn't bring any luggage. Should we stop by your place to get some clothes?"
"Sister Shen, are you sure you don't want to reconsider this plan? Staying with me will ruin your reputation. I heard you're not even married..."
"What if those people come for revenge? I don't want to cause trouble for my neighbors. I'm new here, you know."
"Stop talking and open the door!" Shen Yue rarely lost her temper, but Xu Wuyan’s mouth was truly insufferable.
"Alright, alright, I’m opening it. How long are you staying?"
"Why do you talk so much? Do you think it’s up to me how long I stay?"
As the sound of the door closing echoed through the hall, Yao Can knew the police had moved into the apartment next door. She walked slowly back to the sofa, suddenly struck by a wave of loneliness. An inexplicable emotion began to take root in her heart.
Once inside, Shen Yue took off her coat, ignoring Xu Wuyan’s awkward expression, and pointed to a room. "I’m taking this one. I’m going to sleep; there’s work to do at daybreak."
With that, she slammed the door shut. Xu Wuyan, too frustrated to speak, retreated silently to the balcony. He pondered Yao Can’s situation. Despite all the unexpected events of the day, he had never forgotten that she needed to reclaim her shares next week. After much hesitation, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Beep... beep... beep..." It was hung up with a sharp click. He tried again, only to be hung up on again. By the time he tried a third time, the phone was turned off. Clearly, calling in the middle of the night was not well-received.
Xu Wuyan shook his head in resignation. He glanced at Shen Yue’s door, tidied up on his own, and waited for the dawn. With the rising sun, his crisis would arrive, unbidden.