Mark said on the phone, "Nian, there are some things I’d like to discuss with you in person. It’s inconvenient to talk about them over the phone."
Shi Nian sensed danger and hesitated slightly.
She recalled a case her dad investigated when he had already identified a suspect through reasoning, but couldn’t find direct evidence. Her dad said, "If you can’t find direct evidence, the suspect deduced through reasoning will always remain just a theory and cannot be brought to justice."
So that night, her dad suddenly received a call from the suspect, inviting him out for drinks. Mom and she worriedly advised him not to go, but her dad just smiled and said he had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. This was the best chance for him to find direct evidence against the "suspect in reasoning."
She also remembered Tang Yanqing saying that reasoning without supporting evidence is nothing but a castle in the air.
Her intuition made her suspicious of Mark, but there was no evidence to support her doubts. So, she felt that only by getting close to Mark could she possibly find the evidence to support her reasoning.
She quietly took a deep breath and said, "Okay, please wait a moment, I’ll come out after changing my clothes."
She grabbed her phone, hesitating whether to inform Tang Yanqing. But knowing that Tang Yanqing and the others were having a meeting to analyze the case, informing him might interrupt his work.
Still, she thought, even though she suspected Mark, it was all just speculation. What if she was wrong? What if Mark’s invitation had no harmful intent towards her? Interrupting Tang Yanqing’s important work would be a case of losing more than gaining.
She saved a draft message in her phone addressed to Tang Yanqing, detailing that she received an invitation from Mark that night, including the time she left, etc., and set it for one-click sending just in case.
Once saved, she took a deep breath. Hopefully, the message wouldn’t be needed tonight.
At this moment, the suite door was knocked on, and Zhong Kui answered it. Shi Nian quickly changed clothes and heard Zhong Kui greeting Mark, then saying, "Nana is here. Wait a minute, I’ll hurry her up for you."
Then there was a knock on the bedroom door, and Zhong Kui said good-naturedly, "Nana, Mark said he arranged to go out with you. He’s here, in the living room."
"Okay, thank you, I’ll be right out." Shi Nian finished getting ready, took a deep breath at the mirror to calm her expression.
Spicy Girl watched her back with a clear and light question, "Meeting Mark, why are you so nervous?"
Shi Nian smiled back, "Uh, Mark is quite handsome, isn’t he? Besides, he’s my first date since I came to M Country, how could I not be nervous?"
Spicy Girl snorted softly, "He’s very good-natured and takes good care of girls, no need to be nervous."
Shi Nian glanced at Spicy Girl once more but ultimately said nothing, took her handbag, and went out the door.
Mark stood up from the table, having also foregone his usual casual plaid shirt and jeans, opting for a more formal suit. Although it was still a casual style, it was much more formal than usual, showing his importance placed on the invitation.
Shi Nian smiled and pointed at her little black dress, "Is it too casual for me to wear this?"
Mark laughed, "A girl’s little black dress is the smartest match, suitable for a formal occasion or a casual stroll. Lady Chanel was right, every woman’s wardrobe should have a little black dress."
Shi Nian smiled as she left with Mark, bidding Zhong Kui farewell with a smile.
The relevant officers gathered in the office, standing or sitting around the desk, everyone looking serious with pens and notebooks in their hands.
Tang Yanqing, Jia Tianzi, and Guan Liang stood at the long table’s end, with a large whiteboard behind them.
The three had their roles: The rightful source is novel·fire·net
Guan Liang was at his computer, with three screens in a line, looking quite impressive;
Tang Yanqing was naturally the main speaker;
Jia Tianzi acted as the supporting role, providing Tang Yanqing with paper materials at critical moments and posting them on the whiteboard; also verbally supplementing Tang Yanqing’s details.
Tang Yanqing looked serious, his gaze sweeping over each officer’s face present. His eyes were deeply thoughtful.
"This is my first profiling for the main suspect in this case. This will be a historic moment. Please be proud of the opportunity to stand here and hear my profile, and also be proud of the chance to encounter such a formidable opponent in your police careers."