Dr. Chi’s Mission: Seduce Officer Su - Chapter 12

“Hey, Grandma, the team is welcoming me back to duty today. Everyone’s clamoring for a dinner gathering, so I won’t be home for the evening.”

Su Qiao stood alone on the bustling street, her voice brimming with exaggerated cheerfulness as she reassured her grandmother, as if the lie she had spun had somehow become reality.

In truth, returning to the Criminal Investigation Center felt like being locked in a cage. Overwhelmed by endless gossip and cold shoulders from former colleagues, she hadn’t even seen the door to the chief’s office open for her in the days since her return.

She couldn’t swallow or digest the pain that surged from all directions, yet she felt it was a form of punishment she deserved, something she ought to accept as inevitable.

But Grandma was innocent. She had spent most of her life worrying and working tirelessly for Su Qiao, without enjoying a single day of peace in return. Not bringing her negative emotions home was the least Su Qiao could do to show her filial respect.

After hanging up, she let out a heavy sigh, the bright smile on her face gradually fading.

Stuffing her hands into her pockets to shake off the chill, she wondered how to pass the unbearable hours after work. With no clear plan, she aimlessly wandered the crowded streets.

Being surrounded by noise yet unable to touch it was a deadly kind of loneliness, as if everyone else was entitled to happiness, except her.

When she snapped back to reality, she found herself staring blankly at the giant advertisement screen on the pedestrian street. The sizzling new fried chicken from McDonald’s had caught her attention.

Maybe she hadn’t grown up yet, fried chicken and burgers always managed to tempt her easily. And she really wanted the toy giveaway too!

It was a pair of walkie-talkies with cute cartoon designs, labeled as a limited edition release, a perfect gimmick to attract customers.

Should she give it a try?

The thought had barely surfaced before she shook her head vigorously, trying to dismiss it. She shouldn’t be spending money recklessly.

Thinking about her tight financial situation, Su Qiao’s smile grew increasingly strained. Life and death hadn’t been able to break her, but a meal priced at 56 yuan seemed more daunting than either.

Things hadn’t been like this before. But then again, that was all in the past.

Then again, no one had actually welcomed her back to the team, but she could at least create the illusion of celebration herself. Bleak and ironic as it was, it was still a form of commemoration.

Clenching her hands tightly in her pockets, as if mustering all her courage, she made up her mind.

She would go! Consider it a holiday treat.

…

“I just arrived at the pedestrian street. You all go ahead and order; I’ll be there in a bit.”

Chi Jue had accepted Chi Jin’s invitation for dinner at the rotating Western restaurant in W Hotel.

With her naturally refined and striking features, she didn’t need heavy makeup, just a light, natural look to brighten her complexion was enough. A pair of rimless glasses rested on her nose bridge, and her usually sleek ponytail was now loosely draped by her ears, giving off an innate scholarly and intellectual aura.

She had deliberately chosen a classic camel-colored plaid wool coat, paired with a simple black turtleneck sweater, understated, elegant, and unobtrusive during the meal.

As she made her way through the bustling crowd, a child’s crying reached her ears.

With professional alertness, Chi Jue glanced toward the source of the sound, then quickly relaxed, it was just a child who had dropped their newly bought ice cream cone.

Just as she turned, the figure seated by the floor-to-ceiling window nearly escaped her notice. But some people were impossible to overlook, even with just a fleeting glance.

Chi Jue halted her steps, turning halfway to confirm. A gentle smile spread across her cool, composed face.

Fate is like a mischievous child, tirelessly creating every opportunity to draw closer, circling back and forth in endless repetition.

Amid countless reunions and unexpected encounters, the joy remains as heart-fluttering as the first meeting.

That “little bear” was holding a hamburger, eating with utmost seriousness. Her puffed cheeks while chewing made it seem as if she were angry at someone.

This expression melted into Dr. Chi’s eyes as pure adorableness, so adorable that she wanted to poke Officer Su’s plump cheeks.

Chi Jue walked briskly to the glass window, her hands clasped behind her back.

She leaned in, watching intently, eager to capture Su Qiao’s reaction upon seeing her.

Su Qiao was sulking. She had splurged on a new combo meal, only to find out the limited-edition walkie-talkie gift was sold out. Her already sour mood had worsened.

Bowing her head, she calculated: how many pounds of pork belly could 56 yuan buy? If her grandmother found out, she would surely poke her forehead and scold her.

Distracted by a sudden movement outside the window, she looked up but didn’t immediately recognize Chi Jue with her glasses on.

She just tilted her head foolishly until she fell into those mesmerizing eyes, that familiar, mysterious world she had fallen into time and again.

Dr. Chi breathed onto the glass and drew a (^_^) as a greeting to the “little bear.”

“Eh!?” Su Qiao choked, whether from the food or the sudden appearance of the beautiful woman, and patted her chest to catch her breath, hurriedly taking a big gulp of Coke.

Chi Jue gracefully walked through the main entrance of McDonald’s. The greasy, savory aroma filling the air was softened by the faint scent of cedar that clung to her.

Sitting down beside the “little bear,” she leaned over to inspect the food on the tray. “Is this your dinner?” She wasn’t disdainful of fast food, but she was concerned that an injured person shouldn’t be eating junk food.

“I wanted that,” Su Qiao said, pointing pitifully at the toy walkie-talkie looping in the promotional video, like a student being scolded by a teacher. “But it’s gone, all gone!”

Chi Jue followed her finger, raising an eyebrow with an amused smile. So, she was eating so fiercely because she didn’t get the toy she wanted.

She couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Throwing a tantrum over not getting a toy? Officer Su, did you just turn three this year?”

“I…” Su Qiao wanted to retort, but as soon as she met Chi Jue’s eyes, she flustered and looked away.

Because today’s Dr. Chi was especially different.

In her memory, Chi Jue was always plain and simple, but the person sitting beside her now wore light makeup that enhanced her elegance, dressed in clothes other than her white coat, and even her hair was styled into soft, loose waves.

This was the first time she had seen Dr. Chi exuding such a lively aura, serene and graceful, standing out starkly against the noisy surroundings, especially with those glasses that added to her charm.

“I only bought the combo for the walkie-talkie,” Su Qiao mumbled, burying her head in frustration, squeezing the hamburger in her hand until it nearly turned into dough.

Chi Jue glanced at her watch and took the crumpled hamburger away. “My sister invited me to dinner. You’re coming with me.”

It wasn’t a question.

Though her tone was light, her actions carried an undeniable authority.

In truth, bringing Su Qiao to Chi Jin’s dinner was highly unreasonable and unlike her usual meticulous considerations.

But she wanted to, very much.

Just like how Chi Jin wanted to bring her boyfriend for her approval, it was the same principle.

Su Qiao quickly waved her hands. “That’s not a good idea! It’s a family dinner, and I’m an outsider… Mm…”

Chi Jue picked up a french fry and stuffed it into her mouth. “With you there, my appetite will be even better~”

Before ‘Little Bear’ could insist on refusing, she swiftly came up with a more persuasive reason: “My younger sister has a new boyfriend and wants me to vet him. What do you do for a living?”

Whenever Su Qiao encountered Dr. Chi’s sudden leaps in logic, she would blink blankly.

Vetting her sister’s boyfriend and what she did for a living were two completely unrelated matters, but in a flash of insight, an unconventional logic managed to connect the two.

She snapped her fingers. “You want me to help you assess whether that guy is suitable?”

“Mhm, giving you a chance to show off, let me see how amazing Officer Bear can be.”

“That… sort of makes a tiny bit of sense.” Although Su Qiao was reluctant to attend, just as Chi Jue had said, she did want to prove herself. “Alright then… It’s just… kind of awkward.”

Chi Jue had prepared a long string of comforting words, but what came out was just a few: “I’ll stay by your side the whole time.”

That single word, ‘stay,’ effortlessly won Su Qiao over. “What are we eating? Is it good?”

“You’ll find out when we get there. At the very least, it’s better than this toy-less meal set.” Seeing the anticipation in Su Qiao’s eyes, Chi Jue tugged at her sleeve. “Let’s go, little foodie.”

…

Hotel W was right in the heart of the commercial district.

Passing through the revolving door of the lobby, they were greeted by an elegant fragrance, while soothing piano music eased the guests’ weariness. The opulent crystal chandeliers added a touch of French luxury.

Su Qiao wasn’t used to strong perfumes and sneezed twice in a row.

Following behind Chi Jue, she felt inexplicably nervous, her fingers repeatedly picking at the seams of her pants.

Chi Jue walked at an intentionally slow pace. Ever since that night in the parking garage, she had understood ‘Little Bear’s’ unease, so she gave her plenty of time to adjust to the environment.

Hearing the sneezes, she turned to look at Su Qiao, who was rubbing her nose. “Don’t like the hotel’s scent, or did you not dress warmly enough and catch a cold?”

Su Qiao smiled. “It’s fine, it’s fine.”

“If you don’t like the atmosphere later, just secretly tug my hand, and I’ll take you away.” Chi Jue linked arms with her, the gesture feeling completely natural.

Perhaps staying close like this could dispel ‘Little Bear’s’ anxiety and tension.

Su Qiao’s heart skipped a beat, her back and arm stiffening. She turned her head to get a better look at Dr. Chi’s expression.

Unexpectedly, that calming scent of cedar inadvertently soothed her tense nerves, as if it truly had a relaxing effect.

Chi Jue turned and met her bright, earnest gaze, chuckling softly. “Not watching where you’re walking, aren’t you afraid of tripping?”

Su Qiao blurted out, “No, you’re holding onto me.”

Chi Jue tightened her arm around Su Qiao’s. “Then I’ll hold on tighter.”

Su Qiao: blushing face.jpg

On the other side.

Chi Jin hurried to the restaurant entrance, craning her neck to look for Chi Jue.

The pedestrian street wasn’t far from the hotel, could she have gotten lost?

Soon, her gaze was drawn to a ‘couple.’

The first person she noticed was Su Qiao, after all, her 178 cm height was hard to miss.

The second glance left her stunned, forgetting to call out.

Who would have thought that the usually aloof and distant second sister could also have such a tender, dependent side?

That wasn’t just walking arm in arm, it was practically pulling the other person’s arm into an embrace. Wasn’t this posture a little too intimate?

“Has my sister not arrived yet?” Lin Yao wrapped an arm around Chi Jin’s waist. For those in the honeymoon phase of a relationship, even a second apart felt like agony. He followed her out.

“There she is,” Chi Jin gestured with her chin toward the front. “From childhood till now, this is the first time I’ve seen her bring a friend to a dinner gathering. And it might not even be just a friendship, it’s truly rare.”

Lin Yao followed her gaze to the two approaching figures and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Su Qiao?”

Su Qiao turned at the sound of his voice and froze. “Lin… Lin Yao?!”