Chapter 107: Let’s Elope

Chapter 107: Let’s Elope

Outside, the sun shone with a warm, serene glow.

Its gentle rays streamed through a window, draping over the couple who loved to linger in bed.

In the cozy room, Xiao Yu glanced out the window, noting that the sun was already high in the sky.

Mu Qingwu had woken up early, though she wasn’t inclined to move.

Xiao Yu dipped his head to plant a tender kiss on his beloved sister’s lips.

If she didn’t get up soon, they’d end up starving.

Mu Qingwu extended her graceful arm, wrapping it around her brother’s neck.

Xiao Yu lifted Mu Qingwu and headed to the bathroom…

Another day brimming with energy.

After returning from grocery shopping, the couple playfully teamed up to cook lunch.

Despite the convenience of takeout, they much preferred the taste of home-cooked meals.

That afternoon, Mom and Mother-in-law arrived.

Accompanied by the three women, they spent two hours on hair and three hours shopping; Xiao Yu even wore a pained expression, resembling a human shopping cart.

That evening, they picked a nice restaurant where Xiao Yu phoned Dad to join for dinner.

When father and son met, they exchanged a look that revealed mutual, amused schadenfreude.

Xiao Shenguo: “Son, you’ll only truly understand pain after marriage, won’t you?”

Xiao Yu: “Yeah, Dad – you must have suffered plenty yourself all these years.”

The two rolled their eyes in unison.

Listening to the women chattering away, he dared not interrupt, turning into a silent eater.

No way—I must tease sister tonight to mend my aching heart…

Xiao Yu eyed Mu Qingwu with a mischievous glint.

In perfect sync, Mu Qingwu turned to give her naughty brother a playful scold.

They said their goodbyes to their parents.

Hand in hand, the couple strolled down streets just beginning to glow with city lights.

“In winter memories, a narrow lane whispers with the evening breeze. The secrets of the heart need a fairytale to soften them.”

In high spirits, Xiao Yu softly sang, “A world of magic truly exists; my dear sister is so gentle, so adorable…”

“Ha!”

Mu Qingwu’s enchanting face broke into a soft, gentle smile.

Listening to her brother’s song, her heart instantly filled with sweetness.

“Sis, are you looking forward to our wedding?”

Releasing her as delicate as jade hand, Xiao Yu pulled the ever-graceful elder sister into an embrace.

“I’m excited!”

Mu Qingwu’s face rested against her brother’s chest.

“Remember the wedding vows we prepared?”

Xiao Yu squinted as he took in the bustling cityscape.

Mu Qingwu replied, “I remember.”

“In this life, we will never part.”

Xiao Yu lowered his gaze to meet Mu Qingwu’s eyes.

“Across all our lifetimes, we shall remain forever entwined!”

Mu Qingwu’s sparkling eyes shone with an enigmatic allure.

“Sis.”

Xiao Yu blinked before suggesting, “I hear weddings are exhausting. How about we elope?”

“What?”

Mu Qingwu was startled, though the playful twinkle in her eyes answered, “Alright.”

“Haha.”

Laughing heartily, Xiao Yu took Mu Qingwu’s hand and said, “Let’s go—elope!”

Under the setting sun, beneath a starry sky…

……

The three-day holiday arrived in the blink of an eye.

Bright and early, the couple got up.

One had to report to the Criminal Investigation Team while the other headed to the company.

Does happiness feel too fleeting?

No worries—we’ll make up for it with the rest of our lives.

After Mu Qingwu left, Xiao Yu drove to the Criminal Investigation Team.

Inside the team, his colleagues grew noticeably reserved and polite upon seeing him.

Xiao Yu had an inkling of what was going on.

In the jailbreak case, he had become the overall commander – and that was no secret.

For instance, Guo Qiang had once joked freely with him, leaning on their ‘master’ connection.

Now, when they met, they were at a loss for words.

“What’s wrong, Master? Did you lose your tongue?”

Xiao Yu teased, “Or was it that the lady master had you wrapped up last night?”

For men,

talking risqué is both entertaining and a time-killer.

“Damn!”

Guo Qiang burst out laughing, his expression returning to form as he chided, “What do you know, kid? It’s not about being handled—that’s love!”

Xiao Yu purposely downplayed, chatting and laughing with everyone as they smoked and swapped tall tales.

As the saying goes,

“A cigarette loosens a man’s tongue, money wins his heart, and sharing seafood makes lifelong allies.”

These are the three keys to socializing!

Everyone noticed that Xiao Yu was still the same; nothing had really changed.

This scene, observed by both the team leader and the instructor, reassured them.

After work, Xiao Yu found himself with a bit of downtime.

No one summoned him for minor cases—serious ones were few and far between.

Bored, he idly flipped through case files to pass the time.

At noon, Zhao Changshan sought him out.

“Not considering a promotion?”

Truth be told, as team leader he was feeling rather lost.

A few days earlier, National Security had delivered a first-class medal, which Zhao Changshan hadn’t known about until colleagues mentioned it.

It was a recordable achievement that affected his pay—something under Zhou Tinghu’s jurisdiction.

Seeing Xiao Yu earn yet another first-class honor left even Assistant Instructor Zhou Tinghu flummoxed.

Two first-class awards, one second-class, and one third-class…

In just three months on the force, Xiao Yu’s dazzling record was quite intimidating!

Zhao Changshan, stunned by the news, approached Xiao Yu.

“Team.”

Xiao Yu pointed to his shoulder and said, “I’m now a First-Class Police Inspector.”

“Damn!” Zhao Changshan exclaimed, slapping his forehead.

Promotion to a Police Superintendent, regardless of achievement, still required a minimum service period—a sort of loyalty card.

One must pass a ‘red line’ of at least three years.

Xiao Yu was only 22, and after just three months on the force, becoming a First-Class Police Inspector was astonishing…

“Not planning to leave, then?”

Zhao Changshan looked at Xiao Yu with a strange expression.

“I intend to stay with our team for at least a few years.”

Xiao Yu nodded – it was a decision he’d made long ago.

It was convenient, being close to both his parents’ home and his own.

When it came to solving cases, does location really matter?

“Alright, let’s just do things the old way.”

Zhao Changshan laughed, “But Old Liu is retiring and we need a successor. Yesterday, the bureau chief personally called; they’ve demoted your deputy director.”

Deputy director?

Xiao Yu was momentarily stunned before realizing what had happened.

He recalled the promise made by Yun Xiangguo at the bureau.

Solving the jailbreak case would have earned him a promotion.

He hadn’t expected it to happen so soon…

“Just as Old Liu is retiring, your position is being taken away.”

Zhao Changshan stated solemnly, “After a meeting with me, the instructor, and a few deputy team leaders – and upon approval from higher-ups – effective today, you are officially appointed as the Deputy Team Leader of the Criminal Investigation Team!”

Xiao Yu: …

Weren’t you all supposed to give me a heads-up?

“Don’t worry, I know you’re not keen on taking charge,”

Zhao Changshan said with a smile, “But you know exactly what you’re capable of. We’ve decided that you’ll handle major cases for the team – minor ones will be dealt with by someone else. Is that alright?”

“The higher-ups have arranged everything; I wouldn’t dare mess it up,”

Xiao Yu could only accept with a laugh and a shake of his head.

Promotion or no, it eventually happens.

He just hadn’t expected it to come so soon!