Chapter 32

Zou Hai, the second-in-command of the Criminal Investigation Team, was nearly thirty years old, right in the prime of his life as a man! Unlike Wang Li, who had a formal education, Zou Hai had climbed the ranks from the grassroots level to his current position. His father and Wang Li's father had been comrades-in-arms since the 1980s, wearing the same shorts and fighting in the same trenches. Although Zou Hai's father was not as prominent as Wang Li's, he still held a position of real power in the police force. [Com Text]

Since childhood, Wang Li and Zou Hai had been playfully referred to as "childhood sweethearts." Over the years, the two families had maintained frequent interactions, both politically and personally. With Wang Li's graceful and elegant demeanor and Zou Hai's tall and handsome appearance, the entire police force privately held high hopes for the two, and it would be a lie to say they were not envious!

However, despite Zou Hai's deep feelings, Wang Li always saw him as a big brother. She had gently rejected his several confessions, but this did not affect Zou Hai's feelings for her. No matter where they were, Zou Hai's care for Wang Li was meticulous.

As May approached, the influx of tourists to the city increased, and some professional criminal gangs began to frequent the bustling streets. During this time, Zou Hai, who had been investigating thefts in the pedestrian street, would often work late into the night before returning to his dormitory. At his current rank, which was the same as Wang Li's, he also had a single apartment. The higher-ups had intentionally arranged for Zou Hai and Wang Li to live on the same floor to repay the favor to the Zou family. They were not placed in adjacent rooms to avoid gossip.

Dragging his slightly weary body but still moving with a robust gait, Zou Hai always gave the impression of being full of energy. If Wang Li was known as a "well-connected" figure in the police force, then Zou Hai was undoubtedly a "practical" representative, a true doer. As he approached the entrance of the building, Zou Hai, who had just taken the key from his waist, suddenly paused. By the light of the long-burning lamp at the entrance, he could vaguely see Wang Li, dressed in casual home clothes, talking to a man.

His steps slowed down, and as he got closer, he noticed the swollen handprint on Wang Li's face.

As an experienced police officer, such a scene was all too familiar to him. When he worked in the local police station, he often dealt with domestic violence cases and saw similar scenes. Could it be...

Thinking this, Zou Hai quickened his pace, his face darkening as he approached Wang Li and Xiao Sheng. He shouted something along the way.

Zou Hai's sudden appearance made Wang Li feel uneasy, as if someone had stepped on her tail, leaving her unable to move and at a loss. Knowing Zou Hai's fiery temper, especially towards her, Wang Li instinctively moved closer to Xiao Sheng, afraid that Zou Hai would see something. But Zou Hai's next words and actions left Wang Li flustered.

"What happened to your face? Did you hit her?" A series of accusations, followed by a sudden punch, left Wang Li unable to stop him. Xiao Sheng, standing there trembling, faced Zou Hai's unreasonable attack, unable to explain himself.

The fierce punch aimed directly at Xiao Sheng's face, and the veins on Zou Hai's forehead bulged, showing the immense force behind the punch. Wang Li, unable to intervene in time, watched helplessly as the punch hit Xiao Sheng, her mouth open in a scream.

Xiao Sheng, not wanting to provoke, leaned back slightly, not intending to fight. After blocking the punch with his right arm, he did not counterattack immediately but instead said with a bitter smile:

"Brother, you've misunderstood..."

Seeing his punch easily deflected, Zou Hai felt a blow to his pride. Driven by his ego, he threw another punch at Xiao Sheng without hesitation.

"Zou Hai, he's my friend..." Wang Li shouted, almost in a scream. The punch was already coming, leaving Xiao Sheng unprepared. He barely managed to dodge it, and Zou Hai's fist hit the car behind him with a dull thud. Xiao Sheng, now out of the range of Zou Hai's most powerful attacks, looked extremely disheveled.

Wang Li's words instantly calmed Zou Hai. His cold expression focused on Xiao Sheng's disheveled figure, and he felt a slight sense of relief. But Wang Li knew that Xiao Sheng did not want to escalate the situation; otherwise, Zou Hai would not have had the chance to throw a second punch!

Wang Li stood in front of Xiao Sheng, like a protective mother cow, her body trembling with anger. Xiao Sheng, standing behind her, still had that harmless smile.

"Xiao Li, you, you're..."

"Zou Hai, when did it become your business to interfere in my affairs?" Wang Li, not knowing why she was so angry, shouted with all her might, leaving Zou Hai, who had been fierce, stunned.

"Xiao Li, you, he... your face..." Facing Wang Li, Zou Hai lost his usual composure, gesturing wildly as he spoke.

Just as Wang Li was about to shout again, Xiao Sheng, standing behind her, suddenly reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, applying a slight pressure. Wang Li, who was about to speak, immediately stopped. This scene made Zou Hai's heart ache.

Xiao Sheng took a step forward, his smile still bright, even with a hint of flattery, and said softly:

"Brother, you might have misunderstood. I didn't hit Wang Officer. Even if you gave me ten lives, I wouldn't dare." He raised his hand and gestured, emphasizing:

"There's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding..." What could have been explained in one sentence was complicated by the slightly intimate gesture between Xiao Sheng and Wang Li, making Zou Hai, who was already agitated, even more furious. Without responding to Xiao Sheng, he swung his fist again, this time with both hands, attacking Xiao Sheng without mercy.

This time, Xiao Sheng's expression darkened. As the saying goes:

"A good dog doesn't block the way. You're being too unreasonable. I've already explained it, and you still attack. I can tolerate it, but my grandfather can't."

Facing the more fierce attack, Xiao Sheng stood his ground, his eyes filled with a fierce determination.

For an ad-free, error-free reading experience, choose Com Text, your best choice!