71: Different Pursuits

Su Muqing (a prominent businesswoman) rubbed her temples. "Xiaoxiao," she said, her voice laced with exasperation, "I think perhaps it's best if you don't cook anymore. You've turned the kitchen into a disaster zone."

Several bowls lay shattered.

"Alright, alright," Liu Xiaoxiao (Su Muqing's friend) grumbled, clearly crestfallen. "I'll go get some takeout for us, then!"

"No need to go through the trouble," Su Muqing replied. "I can just have someone deliver it."

"Consider it my penance for ruining dinner!" Liu Xiaoxiao insisted, already untying her apron. "I know a place that serves excellent home-style dishes. Give me half an hour." With that, she walked out the door.

Seeing her sincerity, Su Muqing didn't stop her. She simply returned to the kitchen to begin tidying up the dishes.

Shen Yifei (a skilled bodyguard) went back to his room and lay down for a while. There was something about that morning's incident that still felt off to him.

That Liu Wen (the perpetrator from the morning's incident) wouldn't have targeted Su Muqing without reason. Was someone pulling the strings from the shadows? Yet, it also seemed a bit too convenient.

Shen Yifei didn't dwell on it. As long as he was by Su Muqing's side, she would be safe.

About ten minutes later, a knock sounded on Shen Yifei's bedroom door.

"Shen Yifei, someone's here to see you!" Su Muqing's cool voice drifted in from outside.

Shen Yifei frowned. Someone looking for him? He didn't have many friends in Huahai City (a bustling metropolis), did he?

He got up and opened the door. In the living room, a stunning beauty sat on the sofa, cradling a cup of coffee.

It was Bai Qingyu (a detective captain), wearing an inexpensive, pale yellow dress. Compared to her police uniform, it offered a refreshing change.

She exuded a more feminine aura, her well-defined figure showing no hint of flab around her flat stomach. Even in cheap clothing, it did nothing to diminish her captivating allure.

Bai Qingyu gave Su Muqing and Shen Yifei an odd glance, a curious glint in her eyes. "Are you two... cohabiting?" she asked.

Shen Yifei grinned. "Isn't that obvious? I'm Ms. Su's personal bodyguard. How else am I supposed to provide close-quarters protection?"

Su Muqing's pretty face stiffened slightly. A perfectly innocent statement, yet whenever Shen Yifei uttered it, it always took on a different, less innocent meaning.

Bai Qingyu gave Shen Yifei a contemptuous look, deciding these matters were none of her concern. Still, it was impressive that young ladies from wealthy, prominent families could hire bodyguards like Shen Yifei.

Then again, it was also possible that Shen Yifei was just trying to win her over. Bai Qingyu suspected that was the more likely scenario.

Seeing that it was Bai Qingyu, Shen Yifei couldn't help but be surprised. He smiled. "Captain Bai, is there something you need me for?"

"Nonsense! Would I come all this way if there wasn't?" Bai Qingyu gave Shen Yifei a dismissive glare.

A strange feeling rose in Su Muqing's heart. If it was important, she could have come during the day. Running to find Shen Yifei this late at night – what kind of development was this?

"What is it?" Shen Yifei asked.

"I'll tell you in a bit. Just come with me," Bai Qingyu said, setting down her coffee.

Su Muqing paused, unsure what Bai Qingyu meant. "Captain Bai, has something happened?" she asked, worried it might be related to the Hualong Garment Factory incident that morning, considering how many people Shen Yifei had injured.

"Nothing serious," Bai Qingyu stated, her expression firm. "I just want to have a private word with your bodyguard."

Shen Yifei chuckled. "Captain Bai, if you wanted to ask me out, you could have said so earlier. This is so sudden, it's making me blush a little."

Bai Qingyu's face flushed crimson, and she instantly bristled. "Ask you out? Dream on! I'm here for a reason!" she shouted.

Seeing Bai Qingyu's extreme reaction, Su Muqing, who was standing nearby, jumped slightly.

"Can't you say it here?" Shen Yifei asked.

"It's not convenient here. Come with me!" Bai Qingyu gave Shen Yifei a furious glare born of embarrassment, grabbed his arm, and pulled him towards the door.

Shen Yifei was speechless. *This girl is a bit too forward, isn't she?*

"Apologies for disturbing you so late, Ms. Su. I just need to borrow your bodyguard for a moment," Bai Qingyu said apologetically to Su Muqing.

Su Muqing nodded blankly, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind. *Wasn't Captain Bai being a little too enthusiastic towards Shen Yifei?*

And just like that, Shen Yifei and Bai Qingyu exited the villa.

A white Jetta was parked outside the villa. Bai Qingyu opened the car door and said, in a neutral tone, "Get in!"

Shen Yifei didn't ask any further questions and got into Bai Qingyu's car.

Soon, the Jetta drove away from the villa.

"Alright, what did you want to talk about?" Shen Yifei asked with a faint smile.

Bai Qingyu glanced at Shen Yifei, thinking, *This guy's surprisingly sharp. He actually guessed why I came for him.*

As she drove, Bai Qingyu frowned. "Those men from Hualong Garment Factory this morning were murdered at the hospital. Not a single survivor! Is this... connected to you?"

"No connection. Which 'those men' are you referring to?" Shen Yifei asked.

"Just... the men whose manhood you crippled!" Bai Qingyu said, a slight blush on her face.

Shen Yifei's eyes narrowed. He continued, "Murdered in the hospital? Was it an assassination?"

Bai Qingyu nodded. "It was a shooting. The perpetrators were likely professional killers."

"Oh."

Shen Yifei responded, a hint of doubt in his mind.

In truth, the matter wasn't complicated. Luo Tianyao (the head of the powerful Luo family) had originally sent men to stage a mock kidnapping of Su Muqing, simply to assess Shen Yifei's capabilities. However, those men, including Liu Wen, foolishly not knowing their place, had dared to molest Su Muqing.

After learning about this from Liu Xiaoxiao, Luo Tianyao naturally flew into a thunderous rage. He immediately dispatched several assassins to infiltrate the hospital and eliminate Liu Wen and his crew.

Luo Tianyao had long considered Su Muqing his own woman; he certainly wouldn't tolerate anyone profaning her.

In hindsight, Liu Wen was truly tragic. He courted death by harassing Su Muqing, not only becoming a scapegoat but ultimately losing his life.

"Do you know something?" Bai Qingyu pressed.

"What? Are you looking to avenge those guys?" Shen Yifei asked with a smile.

Bai Qingyu gritted her teeth. "Don't forget, I'm a police officer!"

"Police officers with such a strong sense of justice are truly rare these days," Shen Yifei chuckled.

Judging by Bai Qingyu's position, and the fact that she drove this old Jetta, it was clear she was a good police officer. Though, at times, a little too headstrong, despite her considerable assets.

Bai Qingyu's face flushed. She snorted. "Are you complimenting me?"

"I compliment you, and you're not happy about it?" Shen Yifei smiled, then continued, "As a detective captain, it's best to be smart. Some powerful, deeply entrenched family conglomerates (families with long-standing influence and wealth) might not fear you police officers."

"Which families are you referring to?" Bai Qingyu quickly asked.

"The Luo family (a notoriously powerful family), Haijiang Group (a massive conglomerate). As for the others, it's better you know less," Shen Yifei said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyu felt a surge of discomfort, but she didn't press further.

As a detective captain, how could she not know about the Luo family's shady dealings in Huahai City? But to take down such a behemoth was not something that could be achieved overnight.

"Huahai City used to be quite chaotic. Being a coastal city, smuggling and similar activities were rampant, and organized crime was extremely prevalent. Public order only gradually improved after Chief Yang Hu (the current police chief) arrived. To eradicate it completely, there's still a very long road ahead," Bai Qingyu said, clenching her pearly teeth.

"Good you know. No need to rush things," Shen Yifei smiled. This woman understood her position; at least she wasn't foolish.

"Then... can you help me? No, help us, the police," Bai Qingyu said, her beautiful eyes fixed on Shen Yifei, her expression serious.

Shen Yifei felt a headache coming on. He spread his hands. "That won't do. I'm still hoping for a few more peaceful days. Besides, I'm currently on a mission."

Bai Qingyu bit her lip, huffing softly. "Why won't you serve the nation when you have the ability?"

"Everyone has different pursuits," Shen Yifei said mildly. "Right now, I only care about the people around me."