C17 Qin Xiaoliu Came Late.

Just then, Zhou Shuyi caught sight of someone lurking just beyond the police tape, peering in with furtive glances.

He alternated between shaking his head, expressing regret, and showing bursts of excitement.

It was none other than Qin Xiaoliu, who had arrived belatedly.

Qin Xiaoliu gazed at the cordon, his hand to his forehead in dismay.

Damn, I slept in!

He had intended to intervene during the robbery.

Now it looked like he had no choice but to venture into the derelict unfinished building to rescue her.

'Thank goodness I'm clued into the storyline, or I'd be at a loss for where to start looking.'

Qin Xiaoliu felt a surge of relief.

Resolved, he readied himself to depart.

Rescuing someone sooner is always better than later; he had to act fast, before Lin Feng, or risk complications!

"Hey, kid, what are you skulking around for?"

A crisp voice called out from within the cordon.

Qin Xiaoliu glanced around.

Skulking? There's nobody here!

"Yeah, you! What are you staring at?"

The voice grew nearer.

At those words, Qin Xiaoliu's face fell.

Are they talking about me?

For the record, I'm a damn good-looking guy, alright?

Words like suave, dashing, and debonair are what should be used to describe me.

Today, I'm going to see who's got the nerve to talk about me like that!

Qin Xiaoliu turned to face the newcomer.

A few English letters seemed to pop above his head.

That's got to be a D.

Ridiculous, it's at least an E.

I bet it's more; it's got to be an F.

Qin Xiaoliu's eyes then settled on her face.

Holy smokes, her beauty is only surpassed by Zhou Yingxue and Lih Qingcheng.

'She couldn't possibly be the policewoman Zhou Shuyi from the original story, could she?'

'If it is her, I need to make a quick exit.'

In the original tale, she was depicted as a woman with an overabundance of righteousness, a voluptuous figure, and not much upstairs, who later became part of Lin Feng's harem.

I could deal with her being a bit dim, but why did she have to be so damn clingy?

I can't let her latch onto me!

With that thought, Qin Xiaoliu wasted no time, spinning on his heel and bolting.

Within moments, he had vanished from sight.

Zhou Shuyi watched as he turned away, a spark of interest in her eyes. The guy was pretty good-looking.

But then she caught him ogling her chest non-stop.

Zhou Shuyi subtly leaned back, her movement causing a slight quiver.

The gaze of the otherwise handsome man turned sleazy.

Zhou Shuyi seethed with anger. Men really were all the same!

Her irritation grew as she noticed his leering eyes shift to her face.

Suddenly, his expression morphed, and he spun around, disappearing like a wisp of smoke.

Zhou Shuyi was baffled.

What just happened?

She pulled out her compact mirror and inspected her reflection.

She hadn't turned ugly.

No, that wasn't it!

He must be up to something, running off at the sight of her. Maybe he was connected to the kidnappers.

Resolved, Zhou Shuyi set off in pursuit.

Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She glanced at the caller ID—it was the chief!

"Hello, Chief Qin!"

"Shuyi, have you arrived at the scene?"

"Yes, Chief, I'm here."

"Listen, Shuyi, you need to crack this case quickly. The Zhou family just called to lean on me..."

"The Zhou family's eldest daughter is one of the kidnapped girls."

"You know the clout the Zhou family holds in Cloud City."

"Get to the bottom of this fast. Meet any demands the kidnappers have, but keep the hostages safe at all costs."

"Got it?"

"Understood, Chief. I've already spotted a suspect and I'm in pursuit."

"I'll resolve this as quickly as possible. You can count on me."

"Good. Let me know if you need any support. I'm fully at your disposal!"

With that, the call ended.

Zhou Shuyi stashed her phone away, her face etched with determination.

She hadn't anticipated the Zhou family heiress being entangled in this mess.

The Zhou family was undeniably a powerhouse in Cloud City, wielding unmatched influence across both political and business spheres. It remained unclear if the kidnappers had acted on impulse or if they were aware of the Zhou family's young mistress's identity from the outset. If it was the latter, the situation was gravely serious.

Meanwhile, Qin Xiaoliu had just dashed out of the Guangming District and found himself pausing in a bustling night market. Surrounded by locals enjoying their beer and spinning tall tales, his expression turned grave as he was lost in thought. The kidnappers' hideout was on the outskirts, and he was pondering his next move. With no taxis in sight at this hour, he contemplated whether to commandeer a vehicle. His gaze drifted to a sleek black G-class parked nearby.

Just then, a boisterous voice cut through his contemplation. "Six Brother, what brings you here?" A muscular man with a dragon tattoo sprawling over his shoulder, beer in hand, called out with palpable excitement. Qin Xiaoliu, slightly annoyed, looked up but his expression quickly shifted to recognition. "Hey, Fang Zi, you're here for a drink?"

Wang Faang's face lit up at being called Fang Zi by Qin Xiaoliu. Clearly, his big brother still acknowledged him as a loyal little brother. "Yeah, just having a few with the guys. Want to join? I could introduce you, give them a chance to learn from the best," Wang Faang offered cheerfully.

Qin Xiaoliu shook his head, feigning dejection. "I'd love to, but I've got pressing matters to attend to. Rain check on the drinks." Wang Faang, sensing an opening to impress, pressed on with concern. "Six Brother, something troubling you? Just say the word, and I'm there. I wouldn't be a man if I turned my back on you," he declared with fervor.

Qin Xiaoliu saw the eagerness in the young man's eyes and thought, 'This kid's got potential.' "It's nothing major, just that my destination is a bit out of the way, and I'm without wheels. Trying to figure out my next move."

Qin Xiaoliu had long planned to ask Wang Faang for a car.

But initiating the request himself seemed too undignified.

Wang Faang listened to Qin Xiaoliu and nonchalantly said, "This isn't an issue at all."

"Shoot, I thought it was something serious."

"Just a car? Brother, I've got you covered."

Pulling out a Mercedes-Benz G-Class key from his pocket, Wang Faang handed it over to Qin Xiaoliu.

"Six Brother, want me to come along?"

Qin Xiaoliu accepted the keys with a sheepish grin, though inwardly he was ecstatic.

Damn, the G-Class! The very car he had been eyeing to steal!

It was one of his all-time favorites from his past life.

He never imagined he'd get to drive it himself one day.

He then expressed his gratitude.

"No worries, I can handle it on my own."

"You stay here and keep the drinks flowing with the guys."

"I'll bring the car back once I'm done with my errand."

Wang Faang frowned at the response.

"Six Brother, no need for formalities with me."

"If you like it, keep it. If not, we'll make time to pick out another one for you."

"What's this about returning it? Helping you out brings me joy, Six Brother."

Feeling a mix of guilt and appreciation, Qin Xiaoliu clapped Wang Faang on the shoulder.

"True brother, my bad for misunderstanding."

"I'll head out to take care of things, then we can grab that drink when I return."

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