Chapter 62: The Wealthy Lady

Sigh, am I forgetting something?

After thinking for a moment, Ao Xi suddenly realized that he still had one chance left to make a request of his own, which he hadn't used yet.

Just as he was hesitating about what to ask from the system, he suddenly felt someone touching him.

Looking down, Ao Xi saw that Zhuo Ning was gently massaging him again, worried she might hurt him if she squeezed too hard.

In the flickering light, her gaze was gentle and full of affection, like water. Ao Xi's heart fluttered, and he immediately forgot about making a request, reaching out to pull Zhuo Ning into his arms with a little force.

Zhuo Ning let out a soft moan, collapsing into his embrace, feeling utterly weak, clinging tightly to Ao Xi's waist.

Ao Xi lowered his head and caught her lips, savoring the warmth and softness, deliciously sweet.

Zhuo Ning, usually cheerful and sunny, was rather shy in their moments together. She never refused Ao Xi's advances, but rarely initiated herself. Yet this time, she responded passionately.

The kissing was noisy and intense; after a long while, their lips parted, a strand of saliva still connecting them.

“Ahem, ahem, ahem!” Mark, holding Ao Xi’s gear, along with the car keys and transit pass, interrupted, “You two should go home now—everyone’s watching.”

Embarrassed, Ao Xi apologized to those nearby, “Sorry, sorry—couldn’t help myself.”

Mark handed Ao Xi his things. “Here, take these, you can leave now. There are some wet wipes, too—wipe yourselves off.”

“That was quick. I thought the review would be more thorough.”

“There are too many people temporarily detained here—the police are under a lot of pressure. Most of them have nothing to do with the shooting. Keeping them here serves no purpose.

Anyone found with other issues gets registered; once things settle down, the police will follow up.”

“What if they run?”

“If they run, we issue an arrest warrant,” Mark said before Ao Xi could ask further. “If the warrant doesn’t catch them, it doesn’t catch them. You think this is your first day as a cop?”

You’re getting pretty quick with those replies, buddy.

Ao Xi was left speechless, so he loaded the magazines, holstered his gun, and pulled Zhuo Ning away.

After a few steps, Ao Xi turned back and said, “Stay safe, Mark.”

Mark patted his bulletproof vest and lifted his head with pride.

Ao Xi wanted to make a gesture, but seeing so many people around, he thought better of it—let Mark keep his dignity.

The two got in the car and followed the designated route out. After their transit pass was checked, they finally left the place.

On the highway, Ao Xi noticed Zhuo Ning visibly relaxing, her face no longer tense. After all, she was only a twenty-year-old college student; she looked calm, but it was only restraint.

Suddenly, Ao Xi understood why Zhuo Ning had been so emotional earlier—even initiating a kiss.

Zhuo Ning believed Ao Xi fired his gun for her safety.

In her mind, she had brought Ao Xi to a concert, but a shooting broke out. They failed to escape, got cornered by some thugs, who clearly had bad intentions toward her.

Just as she was helpless, Ao Xi opened fire, driving the thugs away, and together they managed to escape with difficulty.

Ao Xi told her not to tell the police the truth; Zhuo Ning understood. Ao Xi fired at the thugs for her sake—if she told the truth, at the very least, Ao Xi would lose his job.

If the thugs were dead, Ao Xi would go to prison, maybe pay a huge compensation—Ao Xi was so poor, he’d go bankrupt.

This meant Ao Xi truly loved her; he had sacrificed so much for her.

Suddenly, Zhuo Ning asked, “Ao Xi, why are you so good to me?”

Ao Xi more or less guessed what was going on with her, though he hadn’t expected Zhuo Ning’s thoughts to be so far off. He replied casually, “You’re my girlfriend, it’s what I should do.”

“You’re too good—we must always be together!”

“Yes, yes, always together—as long as you’re happy.”

“I give you too little money every month. From now on, I’ll let you manage all the living expenses my dad gives me.”

“That... that’s not necessary.”

Ao Xi, though somewhat of a scoundrel, still had his limits. Fooling his not-so-bright girlfriend out of a little cash was one thing, but taking her entire fortune—he’d never do that.

“I knew you wouldn’t want it, because you truly love me—not for my money.”

Ao Xi grew increasingly doubtful of her intelligence—how did she get into college? How long had they been together, and she was already talking about love.

“How much money do you have, anyway? Tell me.”

“Over two million.”

“In yuan?”

“In U.S. dollars.”

Ao Xi turned to Zhuo Ning with disbelief. “What kind of family are you from, to have so much money? I take it back—transfer it all to my account.”

Zhuo Ning burst out laughing, “Watch the road! Watch the road!”

He quickly steered the car back on course, then glanced at her again. She pretended to sleep, as if nothing had happened.

That’s it—the smarter one is holding the high ground now.

There were few cars on the road at night. Perhaps news of the incident had spread; the usual crowd of wandering Mexicans and African Americans was nowhere to be seen, who knew where they were hiding.

Ao Xi sped back to the apartment; it was already one in the morning.

“We’re home. Time to get out.”

Ao Xi received no reply. Turning to look, he saw Zhuo Ning was fast asleep.

Well, he’d hoped to take advantage of her initiative tonight and learn something new, but that was out of the question.

Ao Xi carried Zhuo Ning in his arms, heading home to sleep. She even knew to wrap her arms around his neck—who knew if she was just pretending.

It was only because Zhuo Ning was light; otherwise, it would’ve been a struggle.

Ao Xi opened the door, laid her on the bed, and went to wash up. On returning, he found her sprawled in a star shape—truly asleep.

Sleep, then.

The dawn removed the night’s veil, spilling radiant morning light and welcoming a new day.

Zhuo Ning returned from the bathroom after brushing her teeth, and gave Ao Xi a hard slap. She scolded him, “You woke me up so early—just for this?!”

“Well, not just for this. There are other ways,” Ao Xi said, pulling Zhuo Ning onto the bed, rolling over to pin her down, and kissing her fiercely.

Zhuo Ning slapped his back a few more times, then wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to him.

Their breathing grew heavier as they prepared to take things further.

Knock, knock, knock, knock.

“Someone’s at the door.”

“Ignore them, let’s continue.”

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

“Open up, Ao Xi! Hurry!”

Ao Xi hurriedly put on his pants, stormed to the door, and angrily confronted Mark, “Why are you knocking so early? Don’t people need sleep?”

“Sleep? I haven’t slept all night,” Mark said, pointing to his dark circles.

He was right—dark circles are especially obvious on a white face.

“You’re not going home to sleep, and you’re still patrolling?”

No sleep all night, up at dawn for another patrol—you really are a workaholic.