Looking at the stunningly beautiful, frosty-faced policewoman before him, Sun Zhe suddenly felt a pang of panic. He forced a smile and said, "Heh heh... Team Leader Chu, what brings you here?"
The last time they met, at the KTV, it was Chu Youdie who’d slapped the silver bracelets on him. Afterward, when he was taken to the station, it was also Chu Youdie who had reprimanded and lectured him. As such, Sun Zhe was already somewhat traumatized by Chu Youdie.
At this moment, Chu Youdie stared at Sun Zhe, her cold eyes filled with unconcealed disgust. Although she knew before coming that she was looking for Sun Zhe, she still felt awkward and recalled some unpleasant memories upon actually facing him. That night, she had been running a sting operation, but she had also genuinely used herself as bait—Sun Zhe had touched her all over, in places he should have and places he shouldn’t have.
What’s more, she couldn’t deny a deep-seated part of her had actually found it... enjoyable! In that instant, she suddenly hated her own treacherous body.
And when faced with Sun Zhe, all this self-hatred transformed into pure disgust for him.
"Why do you think I’m here to see you?"
Sun Zhe’s eyes flickered. Could it be about that night? But that was all settled! I was reprimanded and I paid the fine, so why isn’t this over and done with?
"Um... Shiya, could you step out for a moment? I have some things to discuss with Team Leader Chu." He didn’t want his adorable apprentice to find out he’d been arrested for soliciting a prostitute.
"Okay, Master," Meng Shiyang replied with a sweet smile before walking out of the office on her long, nylon-clad legs.
A short while after Meng Shiyang had left, Chu Youdie gave a cold snort. "I never would have guessed that a scumbag like you is actually a doctor."
Sun Zhe patiently suppressed his temper and forced a smile. "Look, Team Leader Chu, everyone makes mistakes, and I’ve already been punished for mine. You didn’t come all this way just to personally attack me, did you?"
Chu Youdie’s expression turned serious. "I’m here today about Gu Lingxue."
Hearing that, Sun Zhe frowned. "Gu Lingxue?"
Chu Youdie placed a file on the desk, then pulled over a chair and sat down. "The Zhou Family fire was major news in Yang City. I’m sure you’ve heard about it."
Sun Zhe picked up the file and nodded. "I have."
Chu Youdie continued slowly, "In that fire, the Zhou Family’s Family Head, Zhou Tianxiong, died, as did several Zhou Family elders. But they didn’t die in the fire. The forensic examination confirmed they were all killed by a sharp weapon striking a vital point." She paused, then looked up at Sun Zhe and said bluntly, "We now have sufficient evidence that this was all done by the Zhou Family’s daughter-in-law, Gu Lingxue."
Sun Zhe asked, "So where is Gu Lingxue?"
"That’s why I’m here today," Chu Youdie replied. "Our investigation shows that you were the person closest to her right before the incident at the Zhou residence. You even went to a love hotel together."
Hearing this, Sun Zhe sighed softly.
I’ve really gotten myself into something messy this time.
"You’re right, I was quite close to her for a few days," he admitted. "But I knew nothing about her planning to commit murder and arson at the Zhou residence."
Chu Youdie said coolly, "So, you will cooperate with us to find her. Once she’s apprehended, your name will be cleared."
"How do we find her?" Sun Zhe asked.
"We can confirm she’s still in Yang City, but she’s using a new identity," Chu Youdie explained. "According to an informant, she’s very likely hiding within the Lieyang Group."
"The Lieyang Group?"
"The Lieyang Group is the largest underground organization in Yang City," Chu Youdie stated. "The person in charge, at least on the surface, is Leng Yueshuang."
Hearing the name Leng Yueshuang, Sun Zhe’s heart skipped a beat, but he didn’t let it show on his face.
He couldn’t help but think of the injuries Leng Yueshuang had sustained last night. Back then, he had already suspected her injuries were connected to the Zhou Family fire. It seems he was right! This must mean Leng Yueshuang knows Gu Lingxue, and their relationship is anything but ordinary. Otherwise, Leng Yueshuang would never have helped Gu Lingxue commit murder and arson at the Zhou residence.
While he was lost in thought, Chu Youdie spoke again. "Give me your contact information. I’ll need to be in constant contact with you."
"How do you need me to cooperate?" Sun Zhe asked.
Chu Youdie stated bluntly, "Infiltrate the Lieyang Group, find Gu Lingxue, and bring her to justice."
Sun Zhe was stunned. "You mean you want me to be your undercover agent?"
"Clever boy," Chu Youdie said with a faint smile.
Sun Zhe wore a strange expression. "Just randomly picking someone to go undercover... is that reliable?"
"It’s reliable precisely *because* it’s random," Chu Youdie said. "If it were too deliberate, it would be unreliable. If we send one of our own people, they get sniffed out quickly. We’ve sent agents in over the years, but none have ever lasted more than a week. That’s why you’re the most suitable choice. You’re not one of us. You haven’t had professional training, so you don’t have the tell-tale habits. In their eyes, a person like you is a clean slate."
Sun Zhe gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "I can refuse, can’t I?"
"Of course," Chu Youdie replied. "It’s not mandatory."
"Then I refuse," Sun Zhe said without a second thought.
Chu Youdie’s tone darkened. "It’s just that you can’t completely detach yourself from this matter with Gu Lingxue. We have every reason to suspect you of withholding information, or even of being her accomplice."
At her words, Sun Zhe’s eyes turned cold, his patience gone. "Team Leader Chu, your attitude is frankly disgusting. Doesn’t your work require evidence? You think you can do something to me based on mere suspicion? You can’t catch the real criminals, so you come here to bully ordinary citizens like me?"
"You’re exaggerating," Chu Youdie said lightly. "I have no intention of doing anything to you, nor am I bullying you. However, you will have to come back with me to cooperate with the investigation. And your family might be affected as well. You know this involves multiple lives. It’s not a small matter."
Sun Zhe gritted his teeth and sneered, "So at the end of the day, this is just a threat, isn’t it?"
"If you assist us in capturing Gu Lingxue, I can also apply to have your criminal record expunged," Chu Youdie countered. "After all, nobody wants to live with a record for solicitation for the rest of their life."
Sun Zhe suddenly laughed and leaned back in his chair. "You know, I originally thought you were a decent person, but now, I just find you disgusting. I’ll be blunt, Team Leader Chu. I’m not going to be your damn undercover agent. You can do whatever the hell you want! I’m clean, so I’m not afraid of any investigation!"
Chu Youdie’s gaze grew cold. She spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. "In that case, you’ll have to come with me."
"Heh, so now you’re resorting to strong-arm tactics?"
Sun Zhe gave a disdainful laugh, pulled out his phone, and dialed Li Changqing’s number. "Sorry, Team Leader Chu. I have work to do, I can’t go with you."
Chu Youdie looked equally contemptuous. "What, calling your patron for help now?"
Feigning innocence, Sun Zhe put his phone on speaker and placed it on the desk. "I’m just a regular guy. When I run into a problem I can’t solve, is there something wrong with asking my patron for help?"
Chu Youdie looked at him mockingly. "I’m acting in accordance with the law. It doesn’t matter how powerful your patron is; it’s useless. You *have* to come with me today. And I’d advise you not to make this call. Otherwise, your so-called patron will be implicated as well."
Just then, Li Changqing’s elderly voice came from the phone’s speaker. "That’s quite an attitude, young lady. The new generation is certainly something to behold. I’m just curious what crime my Ah Zhe has committed for you to be giving him such a hard time."
"..."