Zhou Chaochao pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Captain Lu, your umbrella," she said clearly, drawing a quiet breath.
Lu Lie was buried in his work and didn't even look up. "Just set it down anywhere," he replied offhandedly.
She glanced around the room, then hung both umbrellas neatly on the vacant coat rack. Her hands clasped behind her back, she strolled slowly to his desk and leaned forward, peering at what he was writing.
Her gaze landed on his hand—broad palm, calloused fingertips, and faint scars from old knife wounds.
Sensing her shadow falling across the page, Lu Lie halted his pen and looked up. "Something else?" he asked.
Zhou Chaochao straightened immediately. "Captain Lu, thank you for giving me a ride last night."
He lowered his eyes again, a faint smile tugging at his lips though his voice remained stern. "No need."
But she didn't leave. She stood rooted in front of his desk. Lu raised his head again, brows slightly furrowed. "Is there more?"
She smiled. "Captain Lu, do I have any assignments today?"
It was still early, and while her teammates in the investigative unit were already out running surveillance or following leads, she alone had yet to receive any tasks.
Lu's expression remained composed. After a pause, he said, "Wasn't Bai Wenwen supposed to come in today to give her statement? Contact her and find out what time she'll be here."
"Understood."
With a clear objective in hand, Zhou Chaochao turned and left the office at once.
Once she was gone, Lu paused his writing and rotated his stiff neck, then pulled a cigarette from the pack on his desk and lit it with practiced ease.
When his thoughts became cluttered, smoking was his go-to refuge.
He stood by the window. Rain continued to fall in heavy sheets, the world beyond blurred like a curtain of glass beads.
Footsteps approached again, light but noticeable. Alert as ever, he instinctively turned toward the sound.
Zhou Chaochao stood at the door.
Lu exhaled a plume of smoke, his sharp gaze landing on her. "Did you get hold of Bai Wenwen?"
She shook her head, a hint of anxiety in her eyes. "No. Her phone's off. I tried several times."
"Off?" he echoed, disbelieving.
"Yes," she replied quickly.
His expression returned to calm neutrality. With long strides, he returned to his desk and stubbed out the cigarette after only a few puffs.
"We'll go to her place," he said, shooting her a glance. "You're coming with me."
Dark clouds hung low over the city, and the rain poured with renewed fury. The wind was fierce, making their umbrellas tremble and sending icy rivulets down the back of Zhou Chaochao's neck.
Lu pulled the car up beside her. She closed her umbrella and got in, glancing awkwardly at the dripping canopy before placing it carefully at her feet.
"Give me Bai Wenwen's home address."
She responded instinctively, "Building 2, Unit 802, Yuehua Complex, Feihua Road, Xiuling District."
Lu turned to her slowly, his gaze intent and unwavering.
Sitting beside him, Zhou Chaochao met his eyes.
He frowned, still staring at her, making her squirm. She wiped her face and asked nervously, "Captain Lu, is there something on my face?"
His gaze shifted downward. "Seatbelt," he said sharply. Then, with a raised brow, "Do you want me to buckle it for you?"
Startled, she fumbled for the belt but struggled with the clasp.
With an exasperated sigh, Lu leaned over, his warm breath brushing her ear as his arm reached across her chest. "Click." The buckle snapped into place.
He straightened back into his seat, and the warmth at her ear vanished.
From her angle, she could only see the sharp contour of his nose and jawline, his features cloaked in shadow.
Lu turned on the music and started the car. Rain slid across the windshield, swept away rhythmically by the wipers.
The drive to Xiuling District took about thirty minutes. As the hum of the engine and soft music filled the silence, Zhou Chaochao leaned her head against the seat and dozed off.
Focused on the road, Lu didn't notice at first. The silence grew dull. At a red light, he called out, "Hey, kid."
No answer.
He turned and found her asleep, her brow furrowed, lips pressed tight. Her breathing was soft.
He had meant to wake her, but the words caught in his throat and never left.
Instead, he sighed, reached out, and turned off the music.
When Zhou Chaochao stirred awake, the car had just come to a stop. She blinked herself alert and sat upright. "Captain Lu, I didn't delay anything, did I?"
Lu glanced at her disheveled hair and gave a quiet snort. "No. Good timing, actually."
He stepped out of the vehicle. The rain had stopped, though the sky remained overcast, clouds still churning.
Lu looked up briefly, then with one hand casually in his pocket, strode toward Bai Wenwen's building.
The Yuehua Complex was an old, run-down neighborhood. There were no elevators, and the stair rails were rusted through.
With his long legs, Lu ascended to the sixth floor in swift strides. Glancing down, he saw Zhou Chaochao still catching her breath halfway up.
He clicked his tongue in annoyance but waited. When she finally caught up, he resumed walking, albeit slower now.
"So this is your 'excellent physical fitness'?" he asked dryly.
Panting, she placed a hand over her chest and solemnly vowed, "Captain Lu, I promise I'll start working out properly. I won't drag you down again."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Lu's mouth. "Let's hope so."