Chapter 8: Too Beautiful, Almost Afraid to Look

Setting aside the case file, Xiao Yu took out his phone to check the time. It was 6:30 pm. 

By this time, the four trainee officers who had arrived with him had already left. Even his mentor, Guo Qiang, had invited him to join for dinner, but Xiao Yu had declined.

He was in a race against time. 

The system had only allotted three days to solve the case, a dauntingly tight schedule. 

Having already experienced the remarkable capabilities the system provided, Xiao Yu was keenly eager for the promised ‘Falcon Eye’ skill. 

The distinction between ‘ability’ and ‘skill’ was unclear to him, but he desired both nonetheless. Failure to solve the case would mean losing even the ability he had already been granted by the system.

‘The system is somewhat ruthless, quite harsh…’ he thought. 

Yet he planned to delve back into the case files. But just then, his phone rang.

It was Mu Qingwu calling. 

Xiao Yu was puzzled. Why was she contacting him?

“Hello,” he answered, “Is there something you need, big sister?”

“Are you busy?” Mu Qingwu’s distinctively cool voice came through. “Let’s have dinner, I have something to discuss.”

Xiao Yu was inclined to refuse, but his hunger made the decision for him. 

With a smile, he replied, “Sure, where should we meet?”

“Where are you now? I’ll come to pick you up,” Mu Qingwu’s voice carried a tone that suggested refusal wasn’t an option.

“Your domineering style isn’t exactly endearing,” Xiao Yu retorted. “I tend to favor the kind of girl who can sob for a long time after a punch, or maybe a big sister who whimpers.”

“…” 

Mu Qingwu paused for a moment before responding, “I guess I’m just used to speaking this way. I’ll try to change it going forward.”

Xiao Yu was momentarily taken aback. It seemed she had the ability to take feedback, a quality he found lacking in some women from his past life, who would never admit to any flaws except for choosing the wrong man.

Though Mu Qingwu hadn’t exactly admitted to a mistake, her willingness to consider change was almost as good.

“XX Road, at the Criminal Investigation Brigade,” Xiao Yu gave her his location.

In less than twenty minutes, a supercar pulled up outside the Brigade, stopping right in front of Xiao Yu. 

He got into the car, and Mu Qingwu drove off.

“What’s up?” Xiao Yu asked. 

They had only parted ways in the morning, and now she was urgently seeking him out. Could it be…

“I told my mom that I have a boyfriend, and she said she’d come over tomorrow to meet him,” Mu Qingwu said with a calm expression. “I wanted to talk to you about meeting my mom tomorrow.”

“…”

He felt an inexplicable tingle on his scalp and his heart skipped a beat. In his mind, mothers-in-law were akin to fearsome creatures.

Well, even though our relationship is just a pretense, the thought of meeting your mother-in-law is still daunting.

“Wait, your mother believed it just like that?” Xiao Yu looked at Mu Qingwu, who was driving, with wide eyes. “Isn’t that a bit too hasty?”

“Ha,” Mu Qingwu glanced at the passenger seat, and seeing Xiao Yu’s astonished look, she couldn’t help but chuckle. 

“My mother is indeed eager. She’s desperate to have grandchildren. She’s not too concerned about whom I bring home. As long as it’s a living man, that’s enough for her.”

“So, you’re using me as a scapegoat, treating me like a tool?” Xiao Yu was slightly angry.

“Don’t be upset,” Mu Qingwu said with a light laugh. “That’s why I invited you out to eat, to plan things out.”

Am I being bought off here? Xiao Yu wondered silently. “Plan what?”

“Rehearsing our story, and the… dynamics of a couple…” Mu Qingwu hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

“What about couples?” Xiao Yu chuckled.

Intimacy, of course.

You claim to have a boyfriend, yet you maintain a two-meter distance from him? 

People aren’t blind. The expected intimacy between couples must be there. Otherwise, who would believe it?

As he laughed, Xiao Yu’s smile faded. Throughout his two lifetimes, aside from a girlfriend in his past life, he hadn’t even dated in this one. A wave of sadness surged within him uncontrollably.

Am I really what people call a ‘single dog,’ in the same league as Kara? 

There’s still hope… I’m only twenty-two, no need to rush. 

Outside the hot pot restaurant, the sports car parked in a spot.

“Do you like hot pot?” Xiao Yu asked.

“Isn’t it greasy?” Mu Qingwu frowned.

“Are you asking if…” Xiao Yu grinned as he opened the car door, “…it’ll make you gain weight? Or cause acne?”

Mu Qingwu, “…” 

Watching the big boy get out of the car, she thought to herself, ‘He’s so clever.’

Weight indeed is a girl’s nemesis. Even the most beauty-conscious girls can’t resist their cravings. 

The older one gets, the more they stay away from greasy food. Firstly, it leads to weight gain, and secondly, it might cause acne on the face.

They entered the hot pot restaurant.

The pair’s striking looks drew many admiring glances.

The young man’s features were handsome and radiant, with his bright lips and white teeth adding to his picturesque appearance.

The young woman’s cold yet stunning beauty, coupled with her graceful demeanor, made her seem almost ethereal.

Their complementary allure sparked a sense of envy that was hard to articulate.

Especially Mu Qingwu, her figure and demeanor were nothing short of breathtaking. Her elegant workwear dress accentuated her mesmerizing curves beautifully.

But what was more captivating were her challenging eyes, shimmering with pride, confidence, a free spirit, and vivacity, as if she regarded everything in the world with indifference.

Any normal man would feel an immediate desire to win her over. It would be a feat of unparalleled glory. 

Noticing many men ogling Mu Qingwu, Xiao Yu rolled his eyes, “You really shouldn’t be here.”

“Really?” Mu Qingwu slightly curled her lips, “Actually, I should thank you for not taking me to a roadside stall.”

“Ha!” Xiao Yu burst into laughter.

He imagined a woman with the air of a dominant CEO, dressed in luxurious attire, sitting on a small roadside stool enjoying skewers.

My goodness, the picture was too beautiful to even dare to behold.