Volume 1, Chapter 23: Brother, If You’re Going to Forfeit Your Humanity, Don’t Drag Me Down with You

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Beneath the heavy curtain of night, Duan Yixiao’s face had turned ashen, and he had no idea what to say. After being speechless for a long while, he gave an awkward smile.

“I was just about to leave, so I won’t trouble Captain Fu any longer.”

There was an old saying: “When a scholar meets a soldier, reason is useless.” He now understood the meaning all too well.

“Who is this young lady? Please show me your identification.” Fu Jingzhou glanced at Chen Nianke and signaled for one of the female officers under his command to come forward and check her ID.

Looking at his cold, stern, and righteous face, Chen Nianke inexplicably felt intimidated. She instinctively leaned closer to Duan Yixiao.

“Officer, what do you mean? I’ve always obeyed the law.” She was somewhat annoyed. What did they take her for?

“She’s my friend. There’s no need to check her ID, is there?” Duan Yixiao pleaded on her behalf.

“The New Year is almost here, and the period before the holiday is often when trouble is most likely to arise. Our superiors have instructed us to conduct thorough inspections. President Duan, please don’t make things difficult for us,” Fu Jingzhou said in a lofty, self-righteous tone.

Chen Nianke had no choice but to rummage through her bag and take out her identification.

Fu Jingzhou held the ID between his fingers and gave her a meaningful look.

“Chen Nianke?”

He was quite familiar with that name. One could even say she was the leading figure in Lu Shenshen’s collection of curses.

Apparently, she had been the school belle and goddess back in high school?

It seemed the boys at their school had truly terrible taste.

Fu Jingzhou regarded them with a sharp gaze.

“That day, Lu Shenshen inexplicably gave me a thorough tongue-lashing over the phone. It was because of you and this Ms. Chen, wasn’t it?”

Duan Yixiao: “…”

Were all police officers really this blunt?

“Because of you, I’ve suffered no end of undeserved misfortune. Shenshen takes her anger out on me every time. Brother, if you don’t want to behave like a decent person, fine—but don’t drag me into it. I’m innocent.” Fu Jingzhou patted him hard on the shoulder, his gesture carrying an unmistakable warning.

Duan Yixiao nearly lost his balance. His expression changed as he hissed in pain. Fu Jingzhou certainly had no idea how to hold back.

“President Duan, you should go home early. The more often you walk at night, the more likely you are to pick up something unclean. A stable family is the foundation of a thriving career.”

Only after delivering that final pointed remark did Fu Jingzhou leave with his men.

At that moment, Duan Yixiao’s face was darker than the night itself. Fu Jingzhou was merely a captain, yet he had dared to lecture him under the protection of his police uniform. And who knew how many bad things that big-mouthed Lu Shenshen had said about him?

He quietly clenched his fists. Somehow, he would make Fu Jingzhou pay for this humiliation.

Chen Nianke’s expression was no better. She was so furious that her face seemed twisted with anger, and even the alcohol had begun to wear off.

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Lu Shenshen had actually found herself a police officer boyfriend—and one with such a vicious tongue.

Who was he calling unclean?

And what did he mean by a stable family and a thriving career? Wasn’t he obviously directing those words at her?

What business was it of his? He was truly meddlesome.

After walking a few steps, Fu Jingzhou suddenly turned back.

“Oh, right. I’ll have a classmate of mine from the traffic police division keep an eye on Aunt Zhong’s case. Tell President Jiang not to worry too much. I’ll also pay attention to it.”

It took Duan Yixiao a moment to understand what he was referring to. He then put on a polite expression.

“All right. I’ll trouble you, Captain Fu. Another day, I’ll host you and your traffic-police classmate to dinner.”

Fu Jingzhou waved a hand.

“No need.”

“What case involving Aunt Zhong?” Chen Nianke asked curiously once Fu Jingzhou had walked away.

While helping her into the car, Duan Yixiao replied, “It’s the same hit-and-run case from back then. My mother-in-law never managed to stand again after the accident. Jiang Yunmiao has always been unable to let it go and wants to find the person responsible.”

Chen Nianke’s gaze flickered evasively. Her foot slipped, and she twisted her ankle in her high heels.

Fortunately, Duan Yixiao caught her.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing.” She gave him a faint, unconcerned smile and sat down in the passenger seat.

“Nianke, fasten your seat belt.” Seeing that she seemed distracted, Duan Yixiao reminded her gently.

“Huh? Oh…”

She reacted only belatedly.

“Are you all right?” Duan Yixiao asked with concern.

“I’m fine. Maybe the wind made me a little dizzy. My reactions are just a bit slow.” Tilting her head, Chen Nianke gazed at him with eyes that shimmered alluringly.

Duan Yixiao, however, seemed reluctant to meet her eyes. His lashes lowered as he hesitated over how to begin.

Chen Nianke raised a hand and placed it on his arm, giving it a light shake.

“Why aren’t you driving? Is there something you want to say?”

Her moist eyes curved seductively, and her voice was so soft and coquettish that Duan Yixiao was left with the illusion that she would be easy to persuade.

“There is something I’d like to discuss with you.” He looked at her sincerely, his deep eyes seemingly filled with tenderness.

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For a moment, Chen Nianke lost herself in his gaze.

“Mm. I’m listening.” Like a soft, pliant kitten, she answered obediently.

The anticipation in her eyes deepened.

“The necklace I gave you last time—could you give it back to me for now? Jiang Yunmiao says that if she doesn’t see it tomorrow, she’ll call the police.” Duan Yixiao explained the situation concisely and made the consequences clear.

Chen Nianke’s mood was like a bowstring drawn taut, suddenly snapping apart. The gentleness vanished from her face, replaced by a sharp edge.

“What did you say?”

For a moment, she almost thought there was something wrong with her ears.

She withdrew her hand and clasped it before her, her words laced with accusation.

This was absurd! Was Duan Yixiao playing house when he gave her gifts? Now he even wanted them back.

“I can compensate you. If there’s any jewelry you like, just tell me and I’ll pay for it. But if Jiang Yunmiao doesn’t see that diamond necklace, I’m afraid she won’t let this go.” Duan Yixiao had no desire to make the matter larger or more complicated.

“So what if she won’t let it go? Is she going to come to my house and take it by force?” Chen Nianke said furiously. She had never taken Jiang Yunmiao seriously and certainly wasn’t afraid of her.

That diamond necklace was worth five million, not fifty thousand. Why should she simply hand it over?

If she gave it back just like that, wouldn’t Jiang Yunmiao think she was frightened and had admitted defeat?

Duan Yixiao’s brows knit together in distress. He patiently tried to soothe and persuade her.

“I can’t let her find leverage against me over this matter. Do you understand? If things get out of hand, it won’t do either of us any good.”

“Duan Yixiao, don’t push me too far! I’m the eldest daughter of the Chen family. What kind of jewelry have I never seen? Do you think I’m attached to your diamond necklace? But you gave it to me and now you want it back. Isn’t that insulting?” Chen Nianke had always been proud, with arrogance woven into the very fabric of her character. How could she tolerate being toyed with like this?

“I know, I know. I didn’t handle this properly. Could you just put up with it this once?” Knowing he was in the wrong, Duan Yixiao coaxed her in every possible way.

“Why should I be the one to suffer? Why should Jiang Yunmiao make me suffer? And why should you make me suffer?” Chen Nianke was nearly beside herself with rage as she questioned him. She had no intention of compromising.

Duan Yixiao rubbed his aching forehead.

“Nianke, don’t get so worked up. It isn’t worth making yourself ill over a necklace.”

“Is the necklace making me angry? You’re the one making me angry!” Chen Nianke shot him an irritated glance. With a sharp click, she released her seat belt, turned around, and pushed open the door.

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