Back home, hot meals were ready on the table, which somewhat surprised Lü Qingqing.
It wasn't that Hu Jia didn't cook, but his culinary skills were inferior to Lü Qingqing's, so she usually handled all the meals.
"Come, you must be tired today?" Hu Jia naturally moved a chair for Lü Qingqing, gesturing for her to sit.
"What's this about?" Lü Qingqing tasted a mouthful of stir-fried cabbage. The taste was, well, average.
"You haven't been feeling well these past two days, so I've been taking care of things at home," Hu Jia said casually, but Lü Qingqing's face turned crimson upon hearing him.
Sometimes, having a man around you who is too attentive isn't a good thing.
"Which..." Seeing Hu Jia's eyes fixed on her, Lü Qingqing decided to give up.
Forget it, no explanation needed.
"Just say what you want to say. It's fine, we're in this together, aren't we?" Hu Jia preemptively assumed, "Is the food not to your liking? Or is there some ingredient you can't eat these days?"
Uh oh.
Lü Qingqing panicked and waved her hands repeatedly.
"It's fine. Even though my memory isn't good, my writing is. Just tell me, and I'll do it according to your instructions next month."
Cough cough...
Lü Qingqing actually choked. "You even wrote that down in your memo?"
"Yes, of course I had to remember it," Hu Jia said with utmost seriousness.
Damn it!
Lü Qingqing felt like crying without tears; this was a huge misunderstanding.
Did she have to pretend every month during this time from now on?
The thought alone sent goosebumps down Lü Qingqing's arms. "Um, I really need to explain something."
"What?"
"I'm not allowed."
Hu Jia: ...
Lü Qingqing grew anxious. "During that time, I'm not allowed."
Damn it!
She wanted to cry!
...
For the next two days, Lü Qingqing didn't dare to appear in front of Hu Jia. It was truly too embarrassing.
Her sole focus now was to capture Chen Xi quickly and find the person behind him. Otherwise, she had no idea what excuse she'd use to avoid him next Friday.
She couldn't possibly have it happen once every half a month and have it last for half a month.
Just as Lü Qingqing was lost in thought, Zhang Bangbang opened the door and came out.
He was still carrying his carrying pole, but it was evident that his steps were not as light as usual this time.
Where was he going? To work?
Lü Qingqing found it a bit strange, because ever since Chen Xi appeared, Zhang Bangbang hadn't left the house, staying home to guard his daughter.
Yet, he was leaving now.
Lü Qingqing was about to go up and ask him when she caught a glimpse of Chen Xi emerging from Zhang's house.
He was still carrying Ling Ling.
Lü Qingqing cursed him internally, and immediately ducked back into the corner.
With Zhang Bangbang in front and Chen Xi walking behind carrying Ling Ling, Lü Qingqing had an immediate realization. kuAiδugg
It seemed Chen Xi was about to make his move.
Lü Qingqing cursed herself for being stupid. She should have realized earlier that things weren't as easy as she thought.
Since Chen Xi had already threatened Zhang Bangbang, he wouldn't let Zhang Bangbang have a chance to call for help.
Therefore, Lü Qingqing's hope of Zhang Bangbang signaling her was completely gone.
Now, Zhang Bangbang was clearly under duress. Judging by the direction he was walking, he was heading towards Yiren Alley.
Lü Qingqing followed behind, watching Zhang Bangbang's somewhat faltering steps, feeling very anxious.
She had to send him a signal before he reached Yiren Alley. Otherwise, Zhang Bangbang might do something suicidal for the sake of his daughter.
But the problem now was how to deliver this reassurance to Zhang Bangbang.
She definitely couldn't just walk up to Zhang Bangbang openly. If Chen Xi was alerted, it might lead to him overreacting and hurting Ling Ling.
Just as Lü Qingqing was at a loss, a familiar figure appeared in her sight.
Cai Xiaojuan? What was she doing here?
Lü Qingqing weaved and dodged Chen Xi, intercepting Cai Xiaojuan.
"Qingqing?" Cai Xiaojuan looked pleasantly surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Shhh..." Lü Qingqing pulled Cai Xiaojuan into a corner. "I'm on a mission. Help me."
Cai Xiaojuan's eyes lit up when she heard this.
Who was Lü Qingqing? Someone from the Special Operations Team. And she had a good relationship with the Criminal Investigation Team, so to Cai Xiaojuan, she represented a valuable connection.
"Sure. What mission? What do you need me to do?"
"See that guy, Bangbang, up ahead? Go ask him to help you carry something, and then..."
As Zhang Bangbang entered Yiren Alley, the distance between him and Chen Xi widened slightly.
Perhaps because he had entered the Special Operations Team's territory, Chen Xi became noticeably more vigilant.
He held Ling Ling with his left arm, while his right hand remained on his waist. If Lü Qingqing guessed correctly, it was either a gun or a knife.
As expected, Cai Xiaojuan calling out to Zhang Bangbang for business caught Chen Xi's attention. But after seeing them exchange a few words and then go their separate ways, Chen Xi's guard visibly relaxed a little.
Lü Qingqing's guess was right; Zhang Bangbang would likely decline Cai Xiaojuan's business offer, but that wasn't important. All that mattered was letting Zhang Bangbang know that Ling Ling was being protected covertly.
Ten meters away was a turn in the alley. Zhang Bangbang took a deep breath. Lü Qingqing had sent word that she would make her move there and told him not to go any further.
In those brief ten meters, Zhang Bangbang had prepared himself mentally countless times. His heart was filled with internal conflict and fear.
Should he listen to Lü Qingqing? But what if she couldn't save them?
Not listen? He would die. He wasn't afraid of death; he was afraid of what would happen to Ling Ling if he died and she had no one to care for her.
After all, in today's society, a little girl losing both parents might have a life worse than death.
Chen Xi, carrying Ling Ling, followed behind. As he passed the intersection, he deliberately slowed his pace. He was also worried that Zhang Bangbang might be hiding around the corner to attack him.
Fortunately, the man was obedient and continued walking forward.
Chen Xi let out a mocking smile. Just then, a faint fragrance brushed against him.
"Oh, excuse me," Cai Xiaojuan apologized quickly.
"Be careful," Chen Xi tightened his grip on Ling Ling. The bump had almost made him drop the child.
Indeed, startled by the sudden jolt, Ling Ling's eyes welled up with tears.
Seeing that she was about to cry, Cai Xiaojuan quickly comforted her. "Little sister? I'm really sorry. Did I hurt you? Let Auntie blow on it."
As she spoke, she reached out to take Ling Ling's hand.
"What are you doing?" Chen Xi's eyes widened, and he instinctively stepped back, clutching the child.
But at that moment, he felt a strong gust of wind from behind. Lü Qingqing's fist was already before his eyes.
Seeing Lü Qingqing, Chen Xi immediately knew he had been tricked. He reached for his waist and indeed felt a dagger.
But Lü Qingqing was prepared and wouldn't give him such an opportunity. She closed in, attacking his left side.
Cai Xiaojuan was also not idle. Lü Qingqing's task for her was to snatch Ling Ling. While Chen Xi was evading Lü Qingqing's attack, she lunged towards his right, forming a pincer attack with Lü Qingqing.
Chen Xi swung his dagger, narrowly dodging Lü Qingqing's attack. By the time he reacted, Ling Ling was already in Cai Xiaojuan's arms.
The child was crying hysterically from fear, and Zhang Bangbang also ran back at this moment.
"Hold her tight, go!" Cai Xiaojuan shoved the child into Zhang Bangbang's arms and turned back to help Lü Qingqing.
Previously, Chen Xi had been fighting with one hand, which limited his movements. Now, with both hands free and a dagger in his possession, his attack speed clearly increased.
And with Cai Xiaojuan joining the fray, the situation quickly became a stalemate.
Punch for punch, kick for kick, neither side could gain an advantage. After a flurry of blows, both parties simultaneously drew out handguns.
The difference was that Lü Qingqing's gun was aimed at Chen Xi, while Chen Xi pointed his gun at a hostage he had casually pulled over.
Lü Qingqing was furious.
It was human nature to enjoy watching a commotion. Seeing people fighting, onlookers not only didn't flee but even pointed and gossiped.
Now that guns were drawn, that elderly bystander was being held hostage.
"Heh heh," Chen Xi let out a cold laugh. "Officer Lü, do you dare to shoot?"