Zi Ling

Several police cars were parked there, along with three prisoner-transport vehicles. Barricades had already been set up all around, and two police officers stood at the entrance with their hands behind their backs, keeping watch.

This had happened several hours later.

"These reporters are practically flies." Officer Ma frowned as he looked at the group blocked outside, still constantly pressing their camera shutters.

Sometimes, these guys had even better sources than the police. It was simply unbelievable.

"By your logic, does that make me a kind of fly too?"

An obviously dissatisfied voice suddenly came from behind Officer Ma. He turned around with a solemn expression. Yet his particularly fierce-looking face, made even more intimidating by a scar left from an old case, instantly crumpled like a bitter melon as he looked at the person who had spoken sarcastically.

She was an exceptionally beautiful woman.

"That isn't what I meant, Sister-in-law..."

"Tsk." Ren Ziling clicked her tongue.

Officer Ma could only laugh awkwardly.

The people working under Officer Ma were practically rubbing their eyes in disbelief as they watched the officer, who was famous for his explosive temper, unexpectedly turn so "soft." This was huge news of the year!

Could it be that Officer Ma had fallen for this great beauty?

"What are you imagining? Didn't you hear Officer Ma call her Sister-in-law? She's the widow of an older brother who once brought Officer Ma into the profession! Officer Ma respects her just as he would his own mentor's wife!"

"A widow? Damn... At her age?"

"Don't meddle in things that aren't your business! In any case, if you need to take her statement later, you'd better be polite! Otherwise, you'll suffer when we get back to the station! If you offend Officer Ma, he won't hold it against you personally. At most, he'll argue with you a couple of times! But if you offend this woman, she won't hold it against you—but Officer Ma will definitely hound you to the bitter end!"

Meanwhile.

Officer Ma pulled Ren Ziling aside and asked nervously, "Sister-in-law! How could you be so reckless? You actually dared to sneak into a terrifying place like this alone? Don't take this the wrong way, but couldn't you stop risking your life like you used to? If anything happened to you, how could I face Brother Luo after I kicked the bucket?"

"Enough nonsense." Ren Ziling cut him off. "I recorded the process of these people conducting their sermon. I'll give you a copy later as evidence for their conviction."

Officer Ma hurriedly nodded. "All right, Sister-in-law."

He hesitated, then asked, "Sister-in-law... were you the one who took down these people?"

Ren Ziling recalled what Clown had said and answered vaguely, "What? You don't believe in my skills?"

Officer Ma quickly shook his head. "That's not what I meant... But I still have to put something in the report."

Ren Ziling looked at Officer Ma as if he were an idiot and said impatiently, "You've been this stupid for all these years? Can't you just say that they fought among themselves over how to split the spoils? Then you received a tip-off and immediately brought your team over to arrest them? I don't know anything! I was only here to conduct an interview!"

Officer Ma beamed. "As expected of someone who makes a living with her pen, Sister-in-law. You really are clever!"

"Stop flattering me." Ren Ziling waved her hand. Then, as if she had remembered something, she lowered her voice. "Still, these people saw what I looked like. I don't know if they have any accomplices. I can take care of myself, but you'd better be careful. I don't want anything to happen to Luo Qiu."

Officer Ma said solemnly, "Don't worry, Sister-in-law! Whoever dares lay a hand on Big Brother's son, I'll be the first to fight him to the death! It isn't just me—all the brothers who followed Big Brother back then won't let him off either!"

Ren Ziling nodded, then added, "Oh, right. That old man is a little strange. You'd better have your men keep a close eye on him... Hmm, preferably tie up both his hands."

Officer Ma was taken aback, but still nodded. "Sister-in-law, I'll have someone drive you home?"

"No need. I have to go back to the newspaper office later... This is huge news!"

Ren Ziling had just gotten into her car and fastened her seatbelt when Officer Ma ran after her.

"Wait, Sister-in-law." Officer Ma called out to Ren Ziling, then said awkwardly, "It's like this. There's something I'd like to ask you to help with..."

Ren Ziling frowned. "What is it?"

Officer Ma lowered his voice. "Recently, we've been investigating a transnational criminal case... I know you have a lot of connections, so I want to ask you to help me look into someone. You understand—there are some things we can't handle openly."

Ren Ziling thought for a moment. "Fine. Give me the person's information."

Officer Ma suddenly became solemn. "But, Sister-in-law! Investigate all you want, but don't personally throw yourself into danger like you did this time, all right? You reporters can just trade information. Promise me you won't put yourself at risk! Otherwise, I'd rather not have your help!"

Ren Ziling sighed, then stared at Officer Ma and laughed scoldingly. "You sound just like my mother."

Officer Ma wore a bitter expression. "No, no, you're my mother! My own mother! My dear grandaunt, please, really stop doing dangerous things!"

"Go to hell! I don't have a son as old as you!" Ren Ziling wrinkled her nose. "I only have one son, and he's much more handsome than you!"

"Of course! He's Brother Luo's son, after all. How could he not be handsome?"

Ren Ziling was delighted to hear that. She stepped on the accelerator and sped away.

Officer Ma shouted helplessly, "Sister-in-law! Slow down! There have been a lot of traffic tickets this month. I can't take it..."

After returning to the hotel, Cheng Yun reported a few matters to Zhong Luochen before making an excuse to leave and handle some business.

In reality, after walking around outside for a while, he went to a nearby café to meet the Third Miss of the Zhong Family.

"Is this the Black Card?" The Third Miss of the Zhong Family took the black card from Cheng Yun and examined it.

"Yes! I specifically had someone forge it! The size shouldn't be too far off. We calculated it by comparing it with Second Young Master's palm."

The Third Miss of the Zhong Family nodded. "All right, go back first. Don't let Second Brother become suspicious."

After a pause, the Third Miss of the Zhong Family added, "I'll have a satisfactory amount of money transferred to your account."

Cheng Yun immediately beamed. "Thank you, Third Miss! I'll head back now... Hmm, that guy?"

The Third Miss of the Zhong Family looked in the direction that had surprised Cheng Yun and saw an ordinary-looking young man ordering something at the counter.

"Who is that?" the Third Miss of the Zhong Family asked.

Cheng Yun said, "I'm not entirely sure yet, but he may be someone Miss Zhang knows. They seem quite close."

The Third Miss of the Zhong Family suddenly said, "That young lady from the Zhang Family doesn't seem to like my second brother very much, does she?"

Cheng Yun said, "She's rather indifferent. As for whether she likes him or not, it's hard to say. After all, there are many ways to move a woman—as long as you find the right one."

The Third Miss of the Zhong Family suddenly smiled seductively. "Cheng Yun, it seems you understand women quite well."

Cheng Yun hurriedly said, "They're nothing but vulgar women! As for someone like you, Third Miss, I wouldn't dare say I understand you!"

The Third Miss of the Zhong Family said indifferently, "Go and find out this guy's background. He might be useful."

Cheng Yun nodded, then kept his head lowered as he left through the door.

Only then did the Third Miss of the Zhong Family begin carefully examining the black card in her hand. There was even a golden mark on it... The longer she looked at it, the harder she found it to tear her eyes away. She couldn't help staring blankly.

Luo Qiu, who had just finished buying something at the counter, leisurely walked past outside the glass window.

They had passed each other by.

The shopping district was actually nearby.

After leaving the teahouse, Luo Qiu had not gone far. Instead, he had hidden in the distance and only left after seeing Ren Ziling depart safely.

He had also seen Officer Ma—he knew Officer Ma, one of his father's former brothers-in-arms.

It was just that he had not wanted to show himself and greet him.

Since it was already past lunchtime, there was no need to trouble You Ye. He simply bought something to eat at a nearby café... The cakes at this café were actually quite famous in the area.

After returning to the club, Luo Qiu changed into the club owner's clothes and sat behind the counter. He placed the small cakes he had just bought from the café beside him, along with the black tea You Ye had brewed.

Luo Qiu turned on the record player and played some music while looking at the Origin of Blue and White Porcelain in his hand.

That way, he could sit there for most of the day.