Dr. Chi’s Mission: Seduce Officer Su - Chapter 25

The evening sky, now clear of haze, was adorned with a rare display of fiery clouds, the layers upon layers of clouds resembling neatly arranged orange tiles.

The commercial pedestrian street was bustling with crowds during the dinner rush.

Su Qiao hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast. After filming promotional videos all afternoon, her mind was torn between work and her emotions. Though she didn’t have much of an appetite, she was genuinely hungry enough to hunch her back.

She bought a buy-one-get-one-free burger from a fried chicken shop and instinctively thought of giving one to Dr. Chi. But then she felt that such a cheap gesture might seem inadequate, as if it diminished the sincerity of her feelings for her.

While munching on the burger, she searched for the restaurant’s exact address on her map app.

Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on her side. The restaurant’s name stumped her. No matter how long she searched, she couldn’t find a single place called “Yu Zhou Chang Wan” a rustic-style eatery.

Standing awkwardly in the middle of the pedestrian street, she felt lost. The anxiety of having lost track of Chi Jue had numbed all her senses. Self-blame and regret made her slap her forehead hard several times.

Unable to rein in her wandering thoughts, her mind was filled with visions of Chi Jue and that unfamiliar man appearing together.

Where did that handsome, well-spoken man come from? Why were they having a meal together? Where would they go after dinner? Would they find a secluded spot to hold hands or even share a kiss?

No, no, Dr. Chi wasn’t that kind of person.

But that unwavering trust was easily shattered by the little devil in her heart, whispering in her ear: Dr. Chi is single, after all, and a popular one at that, with admirers everywhere. Where do you get such confidence, huh?

At that thought, Su Qiao shuddered, not daring to imagine in detail how Chi Jue might blush in someone else’s arms.

Stuffing the half-eaten burger into a plastic bag, it seemed she had no choice but to resort to the clumsiest method: checking every restaurant one by one.

She combed through the food district of the pedestrian street, going from shop to shop, but after wandering around in circles, she still came up empty-handed.

Drifting aimlessly through the commercial area, she muttered under her breath, “Yu Zhou Chang Wan… Yu Zhou Chang Wan… Yu Zhou Chang Wan…”

Somehow, as if guided by an unseen force, she found herself on the third floor of the mall.

She stood dazedly in front of what looked like an ordinary restaurant, staring blankly at the sign before it finally clicked.

“Yu… Zhou… Chang… Wan…” she read the characters one by one, her eyes suddenly lighting up.

So, it was this “Yu Zhou” all along!

Fuming with frustration, she mentally cursed the restaurant owner for the naming choice. Who still uses puns in this day and age? Absolutely unforgivable!

Just as she was about to charge inside, reason tugged at her, and she quickly pulled back her right foot.

Then what? What would she do after going in?

She couldn’t just shamelessly plop herself down next to Chi Jue and say she was there to mooch a meal, could she? How brazen would that be?

Ding!

A flash of inspiration struck, and a slew of phrases popped into her head: wait for the rabbit by the tree stump, bide your time and strike when the moment is right, observe from the shadows, hold your position, strike when it’s time to strike, charge boldly into the world…

Scratching her slightly itchy head, she figured her brain must finally be starting to work.

She glanced around furtively, spotting a circular bench for resting customers just a few steps away from the restaurant.

Hurrying over to the bench, she deliberately chose a spot with a clear view of the restaurant. Just as she was marveling at her own investigative skills, her gaze locked onto a graceful figure behind the floor-to-ceiling window, and her heart suddenly ached.

How could she so casually enjoy a meal and chat freely with someone else?

Chi Jue had always been perceptive. When she felt a prolonged stare, a chill ran down her spine, prompting her to turn and look out the window.

To her, the world outside was gray and colorless, except for the vivid, almost fluorescent figure of the person half-hidden from view.

She could pinpoint the sneaky little bear precisely because of that unmistakable, hard-to-miss uniform.

In her eyes, Su Qiao was now clutching a dry hamburger, taking a big bite and chewing fiercely, still using food to vent her frustration. Her expression was as pitiful as a neglected young bride, even though she was the one who had thrown a tantrum first. What fault was there in that?

They stared at each other from a distance.

When Su Qiao met Chi Jue’s gaze, she felt as if she had been caught red-handed. The food she had swallowed stuck in her throat, and she choked, pounding her chest in embarrassment.

Trying to hide her awkwardness, she averted her gaze. But when she looked up again, the elegant and gentle woman was no longer paying attention to her. Instead, she was chatting and laughing with the man sitting across from her.

Chi Jue’s intention was obvious, she was deliberately retaliating against Su Qiao’s unwarranted coldness, determined to turn the tables and at least provoke her a little.

Unaware that she had already finished the hamburger, Su Qiao was now tearing at the wrapper in frustration. She had been so engrossed in her surveillance that she hadn’t noticed the strange texture in her mouth.

If looks could kill, Yu Ensong would have been sliced to pieces long ago.

An elderly man resting nearby stared wide-eyed, thinking the girl might be unwell, and kindly reminded her, “You can’t eat paper.”

Su Qiao looked at the old man in confusion, then down at her hands, before hurriedly turning away to spit out the shredded paper. “Pfft… pfft…”

Inside the floor-to-ceiling window, the atmosphere was serene and harmonious.

The table was laden with richly spiced and fragrant dishes, but Chi Jue only took small bites. Aside from polite interactions, she barely touched her food.

Elegantly resting her left cheek in her palm, she maintained a posture that allowed her to face Yu Ensong while keeping the distracting “little bear” in her peripheral vision.

“Are you not hungry?” Yu Ensong asked thoughtfully, still scooping a small bowl of soup for her. “If you can’t eat much, at least have some soup. You should still have a proper dinner.”

“Thank you.” Chi Jue replied politely. It wasn’t that she couldn’t eat, she was saving her appetite, thinking that perhaps the real meal of the evening hadn’t even begun.

“You…” Yu Ensong hesitated. He had initially intended to treat this blind date as a mere formality, but Chi Jue’s qualities aligned well with his criteria for a partner. He tried to bridge the distance between them.

Chi Jue took a sip of the soup from the small bowl and, noticing his hesitation, encouraged him warmly, “Feel free to speak your mind.”

“Do you think your current life needs to change?”

Yu Ensong’s question was tactfully phrased, it could be interpreted as “What do you think of me?” or translated as “Would you like to try a different kind of life, one where I could be a part of it?”

He was a cautious and humble man, unwilling to let a hasty meeting lead to a relationship, as a simple meal could never reveal the full picture of a person.

Chi Jue could discern a different kind of emotion in his eyes, one filled with admiration and a glimmer of anticipation. Yet, for her, these positive hints felt like burdens.

Her impression of Yu Ensong remained at the level of mere tolerance. If he were to take even a single step further, her feelings would become less than satisfactory.

“My life has already been changed. Your appearance is merely an unexpected embellishment.” Chi Jue responded with equal subtlety, as if presenting a “good person card” meticulously framed before handing it over with solemnity.

Yu Ensong was not heartbroken by this gentle rejection. He understood that a woman like her, privileged and accomplished, must have her own standards and high expectations when it came to choosing a partner.

However, as someone accustomed to success, this occasional setback still left him with a profound sense of defeat.

“Do you… already have someone you like?” Unable to suppress his curiosity, he wiped his fingers with a napkin while seeking a more definitive answer.

“Yes.” Chi Jue nodded earnestly. Honesty and transparency were her way of showing Yu Ensong the utmost respect.

Yu Ensong raised an eyebrow, unable to imagine what kind of person could capture Chi Jue’s heart. “You’ve truly piqued my curiosity. What kind of excellence would it take to earn your favor?”

Two highly cultured adults, their interactions brimming with refined subtlety.

“She…” Chi Jue had a string of praises ready on her lips, but before she could utter them, her words were cut short by a sudden figure.

Su Qiao had held back for as long as she could, but in the end, she couldn’t resist.

She knew her actions were absurd, yet she followed her instinctive possessiveness and recklessly made her presence known.

She couldn’t quite recall how she had made her way over, but by the time she regained her senses, she was practically pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window, her forehead pressed firmly against the transparent barrier. Her sharp gaze darted back and forth between Chi Jue and Yu Ensong, even lightly tapping against the glass again and again.

Her eyes were filled with a sour implication, just how many secrets do you two have to share? Is there no end to it?

Chi Jue adored this side of Su Qiao, the disregard for etiquette and rules, the overwhelming jealousy that seemed ready to seep through the glass.

“Is she…” Yu Ensong looked amusedly at Su Qiao’s eccentric behavior before turning to ask, “Your friend?”

“To be precise, she’s my future girlfriend.” Chi Jue replied nonchalantly, her tone laced with immense joy and anticipation. She wanted to make the man before her retreat gracefully, while also boldly confessing in front of the fool, even though the fool couldn’t hear a thing.

The response took Yu Ensong by surprise, eliciting an awkward smile and a hint of disbelief. After all, in their previous conversation, he had been pondering what kind of extraordinary person could win Dr. Chi’s heart. “So, it’s this young police officer.”

Chi Jue continued to ignore Su Qiao, whose face was practically pressed into a pig-like pout, and instead offered a regretful smile to Yu Ensong. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t fair to you that I accepted your invitation when I already have feelings for someone else. I only agreed because President Xiao repeatedly emphasized that I should meet you properly… Still, it was a pleasure to meet you.”

“You don’t need to blame yourself. Our intention from the start was simply to fulfill our elders’ request, neither of us was wasting the other’s time. In fact, I appreciate your honesty.” Yu Ensong checked the time and felt it was appropriate to take his leave, so he signaled the waiter. “Check, please.”

“No need, it’s already taken care of,” Chi Jue explained. “I’m a regular here, and my meals are billed to my account. You can treat me next time if the opportunity arises.”

Yu Ensong stood up, grabbing his coat, and glanced back at her sparkling eyes. He couldn’t help but admire her grace in maintaining such well-measured interactions, sighing regretfully. “How could I let a lady pay on our first meeting?”

“Life is long, there will be plenty of chances to take turns. One meal won’t make a difference.”

“Well said. I’ll remember this one, then.”

As Yu Ensong left the restaurant, he passed Su Qiao and offered a polite, somewhat helpless smile. He still couldn’t quite figure out how this police officer had managed to capture Dr. Chi’s favor.

Su Qiao responded with a forced, magnanimous grin, but as soon as he was out of sight, her true colors emerged. Pouting anxiously, she rushed inside.

Chi Jue sat calmly in her seat, sipping tea from a cup, still sulking and refusing to acknowledge her.

“Little Bear” Su leaned over the table, getting straight to the point: “Who was that?”

Playing with her teacup, Chi Jue raised an eyebrow indifferently. “A blind date.”

Those three words threw Su Qiao into disarray. Her exclamation echoed through the restaurant: “A blind date?! You… you’re getting married?”

Setting down her cup, Chi Jue crossed her arms and leaned back coldly. “What’s it to you?”

“How is it not my business?” Stung by the cold treatment, Su Qiao felt a knot in her chest, but she pushed aside her own feelings and bombarded her with questions. “Name, age, occupation, any criminal records in his family for three generations?”

Chi Jue watched her frantic expression, barely suppressing a laugh. “Are you interrogating a suspect?”

“I’m running a background check for you! Just tell me his name and workplace, and I’ll have him thoroughly investigated by tomorrow.”

“Hmph, meddling in things that don’t concern you. Why don’t you reflect on how unreasonable you were today?” Chi Jue retorted sternly, slamming her cup down, grabbing her purse, and standing to leave.

Su Qiao was left speechless. Watching Dr. Chi walk away, she muttered, “Just like that? This whole table of food hasn’t been touched, what a waste! Hey, wait for me!” Torn between her dismay over the wasted meal and the urgency of the moment, she dashed out after her.

Once “Little Bear” had rushed out the door, Chi Jue quickly hid her triumphant smile and left behind a tantalizing riddle: “Do you know how to chase someone?”

Su Qiao, failing to grasp the deeper meaning of the word “chase”, replied proudly, “Of course! My efficiency in catching thieves is ranked top in the Zhouhai police force.”

Stupid! Stupid, and so earnest about it!

Chi Jue snorted coldly, turned, and quickened her pace, not slowing down despite the anxious calls from behind.

The suede wedge heels made crisp, tinkling sounds on the escalator as she nimbly weaved through the crowd, not stopping until she burst into the underground parking garage.

Walking straight to her car, Chi Jue turned to look at Su Qiao, who was panting heavily, and from a short distance, asked the same question again: “Do you know how to chase someone?”

Without giving Su Qiao a chance to answer, she swiftly got into the car, leaving behind a cloud of exhaust dust as she drove away resolutely.

Su Qiao was left alone in the garage, hands on her hips, stomping her feet in frustration as she grumbled, “What do you mean? I am chasing you, why are you running?!”

…

Chi Jue sped along the road home, biting her lower lip lightly, her emotions more tangled than ever, half regretful, half hesitant.

It felt as if she were making a bet with herself, or perhaps with Su Qiao.

If that fool didn’t show up at her doorstep tonight, she would reevaluate this ambiguous, hard-to-define relationship.

Someone who was always self-assured suddenly felt uncertain, as if treading on illusory clouds, her heart filled with the fear that one misstep would send her plummeting into an abyss.

That was exactly how Chi Jue felt at that moment, unsure and afraid that the clueless “little bear” wouldn’t understand the meaning of chasing someone. If Su Qiao didn’t follow, wouldn’t her teasing tactics become a huge joke?

Her slender fingers tapped nervously on the steering wheel, her gaze drifting intentionally or unintentionally to the rearview mirror. The silent car was filled only with her gradually crumbling sighs.

You fool! Why haven’t you caught up yet?

Just as the accusation was about to burst from her lips, the rearview mirror finally reflected that flash of fluorescent lightning that brought her both joy and worry.

The near-hysterical frustration of a moment ago transformed into relieved laughter the next. So, this was what it felt like, one thought leading to heaven, another to hell.

It seemed this girl really did know how to chase someone. There was no need to make this bet after all.

Chi Jue tilted her head slightly and gently pressed the brake to slow down, giving the not-so-bright “little bear” a chance to catch up.

Su Qiao, riding a shared electric scooter, wore a cheap plastic helmet, her cheeks nearly numb from the cold wind. She had to hunch her shoulders and focus on riding.

But the sight of her in her Police uniform riding an e-bike was undeniably amusing from a distance.

For safety reasons, she had to maintain a steady speed, but how could two wheels compete with four?

Frustrated, she honked the horn, and the Cadillac in front responded playfully with a flash of its hazard lights.

The two exchanged these inexplicable signals, as if one were saying, “Wait for me!” and the other haughtily replying, “Well, catch up then!”

The game of chase only came to a halt when the Cadillac entered the heavily guarded residential complex, leaving Su Qiao stranded outside.

A security guard stepped forward politely and said, “Hello, only residents are allowed entry.”

Su Qiao watched helplessly as Chi Jue’s car disappeared from view, then turned her attention to the guard. “I’m a friend of the driver in front. I’ve been here several times before.”

“I’m very sorry, but we have to follow the rules. If you really need to enter, you can tell me the building number, and I’ll seek permission to let you in.”

“I’ll contact her myself.” Su Qiao said, parking the e-bike to the side, the helmet hanging crookedly around her neck.

She dialed Chi Jue’s number, pacing anxiously back and forth. “Please, please, pick up my call.”

A little dog whimpered with its tail drooping.jpg

In the garage on the other side.

Chi Jue steadily parked the car, the phone in the vehicle ringing incessantly. She wasn’t in a hurry to answer it; instead, she held the steering wheel and quietly savored the anxiety from the other end of the line.

Was she still angry?

It seemed she wasn’t that angry anymore. In fact, to give Su Qiao a chance to mend their relationship, she began to rationalize things herself. After all, as the older sister, what did it matter if the younger sister made a mistake? What was wrong with being a little more forgiving?

Truly a prime example of self-gaslighting!

Just as she reached for the phone, the ringing abruptly stopped, causing her movement to freeze as well.

As if frozen in place, she remained completely still, holding her breath and waiting for the next call to come.

The brief pause felt unusually long, though in reality, it only lasted about ten seconds before the phone rang again.

She lost her usual composure, cradling the phone with both hands to answer, and immediately launched into a stern question: “Do you know what you did wrong?”

“I-I…” Su Qiao’s voice on the other end was soft and hesitant, likely caught off guard by the sudden interrogation.

“Stammering? Can’t even manage to apologize properly?” Chi Jue sighed, rubbing her forehead, feeling that Su Qiao was like a frog that only jumped when poked.

“Sorry!”

Chi Jue had no intention of letting her off easily, wanting to temper her attitude: “You don’t even know what you did wrong. What’s the point of a blind apology?”

“I…”

Tsk, stammering again!

She could almost picture Su Qiao flustered and panicked, somewhat comical yet pitiful. Chi Jue finally relented: “You… you…you… what is it?”

“Can you let me in first? I’m being stopped outside.”

Chi Jue got out of the car and leaned casually against the doorframe: “Fine, if you want to come in, answer one question first.”

“Go ahead.”

“Does what you promised me that night still count? Don’t play dumb, you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

The little puppy who’d made a mistake mumbled softly, “Isn’t that why I’m here to make it up? I’m not trying to weasel out of it this time.”

Sensing that pushing any further might bring her to tears, Chi Jue raised an eyebrow and replied with a touch of pride, “Given your sincerity, hand the phone to the security guard.”