Chapter 27: Engaged in Tasks While Watching Television

Chuchu waited anxiously by the entrance of the police station, leaning against a red BMW, her face fraught with worry. As she saw Xiang Ri step out, she rushed forward, concern evident in her voice. "Are you alright?"

Xiang Ri didn't answer, instead furrowing his brows and clutching his chest. He hadn't anticipated that Tie, that bold young officer, would dare hit him so publicly—and with such force! He mused to himself what such intensity might mean in other, more private settings. It was a wild thought, yet he played up his injury, knowing it would tug at the heartstrings of a certain naive girl.

"What?! They hurt you?" As expected, Chuchu's delicate brows knit in anger. Influenced by movies, she pictured a brutal beating, thinking of the trick where a book is pressed against the chest to hide bruises from the outside. The imagined scene of Xiang Ri's suffering flashed in her mind, and she declared firmly, "No, this won't stand! I'll call Attorney Jin and have them sued!"

"Wait!" Xiang Ri grabbed her arm, feigning noble sacrifice. "It's nothing. Just lost a mere three liters of blood," he rasped, with a dramatic cough.

"Xiang Kui, don't scare me," she whispered, her face wrought with worry, gently patting his chest.

"It's alright now. Actually, with a couple more of your gentle touches, I feel much better," he murmured, pulling her hand to his lips.

"Stop it, people are watching... Wait, no, we're going to the hospital immediately. I won't let those officers get away with this!" Chuchu insisted, preparing to lead him to the car. A voice behind her interrupted.

"Miss Chu." 

"Oh, Attorney Jin!" Chuchu turned, grateful for the suited lawyer who approached with his glasses perched on his nose. "Thank you so much for your help today!"

"No trouble at all, Miss Chu. It was my pleasure," he replied modestly.

"Right, Attorney Jin, we can sue the police for assault, can't we?"

"Assault? Could you clarify?" Attorney Jin's brow creased, as he adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. Technically, the man at her side had indeed taken a punch from that young officer, but it was she they'd have to target—a woman with rumored connections even the chief wouldn't risk challenging. Attorneys rely on both reputation and connections; often, the latter outweighs the former. To aid Miss Chu would inevitably mean offending this formidable officer and those behind her. Yet to decline would leave Miss Chu in an awkward position, presenting a dilemma.

Caught in his quandary, Attorney Jin cast a helpless glance toward the unruffled young man beside him.

Xiang Ri, seasoned in such matters, understood the attorney's plight. Meeting Jin's gaze, he gave a faint nod, silently assuring him. Helping the lawyer now could forge a future favor. Besides, he'd already crossed the line with Tie; further "invitations" to the station were likely inevitable. Having Attorney Jin nearby would at least spare him the trouble of bail arrangements.

"That's right, I'm filing a complaint against the officer who hit my boyfriend!" Chuchu, oblivious to their silent exchange, declared with a clenched fist.

"Ah, Chuchu, I just want to go home and sleep. My head's spinning," Xiang Ri sighed, feigning pain as he held his forehead.

"What? Xiang Kui, I'll take you home immediately." In her panic, Chuchu forgot all about the hospital, helping him into the car, unaware of the business card Attorney Jin discreetly slipped into Xiang Ri's hand.

"Thank you, Attorney Jin," Xiang Ri called out from his seat, raising his hand with a knowing look. "Drinks on me sometime soon."

"Of course, Mr. Xiang. Wishing you a swift recovery!"

"Hey! Hands off! I'm driving!" Chuchu gripped the steering wheel with one hand, pulling away the roaming hand that had found its way to her thigh.

"Heh... Chuchu, let me ask you something." Xiang Ri withdrew his hand, feigning innocence.

"What is it?" She slowed the car slightly.

"Are you close with the mayor?"

"No, I've only met him once."

"Really? Little girl, you're not being honest. Should I punish you to coax the truth out of you?" Xiang Ri smirked, his hand creeping near her waist.

"Hey, stop! I'm driving! And I didn't lie!" Chuchu squirmed, dodging his mischief.

"If you're not close to the mayor, then how did you get him to send his people to help me at the police station?" Xiang Ri teased, his hand pressing firmer.

"You scoundrel!" Chuchu bit her lip. "It was Sister Qing who arranged it."

"Qing? And what's her connection to the mayor?" Xiang Ri asked, genuinely curious. He'd never suspected that the seemingly innocent Qing, who'd shown only interest in martial arts, would go to such lengths for him. Back when he'd taken her as a disciple over a fleeting temptation, he hadn't bothered to check her background—a lapse he now regretted.

"She's his daughter," Chuchu answered, shooting him a glare. With the road clear, she finally had one hand free to brush his wandering fingers away.

"You mean Qing's father is the mayor?" Xiang Ri's heart leapt with excitement. A lucky break indeed! A disciple who turned out to be the mayor's daughter, practically handed to him on a silver platter.

"Can't you be more polite? You're always calling him 'the old man, the old man.' Watch out, or Sister Qing will hear you, and then you'll be in real trouble!" Chuchu complained, half warning.

"Trouble? So, you mean little Qing might…" Will she strip down for me? Xiang Ri wisely kept that thought to himself, knowing such remarks were best left unspoken, especially around Chuchu.

"What? What about Sister Qing? Hey, Xiang Kui, can't you ever finish a sentence?" Chuchu, oblivious to his wicked musings, would surely have kicked him out of the car had she known.

"Nothing, nothing at all. But Chuchu, your legs are so fair," Xiang Ri casually changed the subject.

"You lecher, where are your eyes looking? Stop staring!" Chuchu chided, blushing. In her rush to leave, she hadn't even changed out of her casual short skirt, just added a white T-shirt.

"Fine, I won't look, but I can lie down, can't I?" With feigned innocence, Xiang Ri rested his cheek on her leg, relishing the smoothness and softness against his face.

"Get up! I can't drive like this!" she squealed, nearly losing her grip on the wheel as the warmth from his cheek flustered her.

"Didn't I say I felt dizzy? Let me rest here on your lap until we're home," he murmured, pressing his face contentedly against her skin.

"Stay still!" Chuchu ordered, exasperated but helpless to stop him as she focused on the road.

"Come on, we're like an old married couple by now—what's there to be shy about? I mean, after last night, when you—ow!" Xiang Ri winced, rubbing his side where she'd just pinched him.

"Serves you right for talking nonsense!" Chuchu shot him a fiery glare, her cheeks flushed.

Ten minutes later, they finally arrived back at her villa. Xiang Ri had managed to steal plenty of little touches on the ride, but it only heightened his own need. No sooner had they stepped inside than he eagerly pressed her down onto the sofa.

"What… what are you doing?" Chuchu stammered, feeling her whole body heat up as she sensed his intent.

"What do you think?" Xiang Ri's hand slid up, caressing her soft curves.

"No… stop!" Chuchu gasped. "I'm still sore!"

"Don't worry; I'll be gentle." He tenderly kneaded the soft flesh.

"This… this is the living room… ah—no, let's go inside!" Chuchu protested, wriggling beneath him.

"It's fine here. Don't you think the ambiance is perfect? Besides, we can even watch TV while we…"

"Mm!" Chuchu tried to speak, but her words were muffled as he covered her mouth.

…

…

In a certain villa on the outskirts of the eastern city,

"Are you all useless? Not a single one of you could find him? What's the point of feeding you trash?" a hulking man nearly two meters tall bellowed at the gang of thugs before him.

"Brother Xiong, that guy's hiding deep. We tried everything…" One thug attempted to explain but was swiftly kicked across the room by the giant, collapsing in convulsions.

"What's the latest on Shanji and Black Dog?" Xiong demanded, cracking his knuckles, his gaze turning to a bald-headed thug.

"The doctor said Brother Dog's limbs were all broken. He'll be crippled for life. Also… he's lost his mind from the trauma," the bald thug reported, shaking.

"Lost his mind?" Xiong's roar filled the room. "Damn it! I've got another shipment stashed with him. Now what? Who am I supposed to go to for it? Do any of you know where he hid it?"

"Brother Dog always went alone to fetch the goods; he never let anyone follow him, so we…"

"Enough!" Xiong snapped, cutting off the thug. "I'll send someone to track down the goods myself. As for that guy, you all better hunt him down. Costing me millions—I'll skin him alive!"

"Brother Xiong, he's got a gun," the bald thug reminded him.

"A gun? Just a measly handgun. I'll take my AK and see how his toy holds up. Three days. If I don't hear any news, I'll take out every last one of you."

"Yes… yes… understood."

"Shanji, with Black Dog out, you'll manage the hall for now. Also, keep a close watch on Dead Wolf, especially his lackey, Monkey. I have a hunch he's involved in this. If he really did pull something, he'd better be ready to face the consequences."

"What are you all still standing here for? Get out!" The gang scattered, stumbling and scrambling out of the room.