Since the life-and-death battle, the relationship between Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing has undergone subtle changes. The pain has gradually healed, and their weary hearts have found moments of peace. Although work remains demanding, with case after case, they have still found more warmth and support in each other.
Lu Chenzhou has returned to the police station, maintaining his usual rigor and calm. However, whenever he's with Su Wanqing, that serious exterior often fades. Their interactions, once distant and professional, have become more relaxed and natural. Outside of work, they began spending more private time together, even discussing light topics like favorite foods, travel dreams, and those simple, beautiful moments of daily life.
Sometimes, Su Wanqing would mischievously look at him and ask, "What do you think we'd be like if we weren't police officers?"
Lu Chenzhou blinked for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I might be a writer, or just an ordinary citizen. But as long as I have you with me, anything's fine."
Su Wanqing gently shook her head, her eyes shimmering with tenderness. "I can't imagine a day without you. You always give me strength, whether it's during cases or in life."
Lu Chenzhou looked at her with gentle eyes, then lowered his head and softly held her hand. "No matter what, I won't let you be alone."
Such conversations filled their daily lives with warmth and sweetness. Despite the uncertainty and danger in the outside world, they had found their little safe haven in each other. In each other's company, their lives gradually became more fulfilling, as if they'd found a balance between the pressures of work and the softness of life.
Aside from work, their social circle has gradually expanded. Lin Shen and Shen Wei, two partners they'd once fought side by side with, often teased Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing about their relationship. They joked, "You two really look like a couple, I wouldn't be surprised if you were already married."
Every time they said this, Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing could only smile helplessly and not bother to argue.
Although to the outside world, they were still a serious police duo, their mutual understanding and feelings were no longer something others could easily overlook. Lin Shen and Shen Wei even occasionally organized small gatherings, where everyone would go out to eat, watch movies, or simply sit together and chat, which made their bond even stronger.
One evening, Lin Shen and Shen Wei invited Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing out to a bar. The four of them sat around a table, ordering snacks and talking about everyday matters.
"Su Wanqing, you really haven't gone out to have fun in a while," Shen Wei teased. "I remember you once said you liked to vacation by the sea. Why haven't you planned anything like that recently?"
Su Wanqing raised an eyebrow. "The beach? I've been there long ago, it's not as romantic as you all say." She shot Shen Wei a playful glare.
"Yeah, right," Lin Shen laughed as he put his arm around Shen Wei. "Anyway, next time we get the chance to travel, you two just consider yourselves along for the ride. Otherwise, you two will never see the real world!"
Lu Chenzhou, sitting aside, let go of his usual serious expression and relaxed, his rarely-seen smile emerging because of these jokes. Although he always maintained his professional demeanor as a police officer, he was occasionally affected by the humor of his friends.
"Maybe," Lu Chenzhou responded calmly, then turned to Su Wanqing. "But honestly, as long as you're by my side, anywhere will be fine."
Su Wanqing smiled softly, lowering her head to whisper, "Me too."
Their laughter rang out over the noise of the bar, and the atmosphere around them seemed to grow warmer and more peaceful. In that moment, Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing realized that even the ordinary days were precious. After everything they'd been through, perhaps true happiness was in sharing these small joys and the simplicity of life with the person they loved.
However, just as they were lost in this warm atmosphere, new ripples were quietly forming in another part of the city.
One afternoon, the police station received an anonymous tip-off, claiming that several senior executives of high-end city businesses were involved in illegal transactions, possibly even selling national secrets. Lu Chenzhou and Su Wanqing immediately threw themselves into the investigation. The new case shattered the peaceful life they had just begun.
"It seems we can't slack off," Lu Chenzhou said, looking at the file in his hand. His tone was calm, but there was an undeniable resolve in it.
Su Wanqing nodded, her gaze sharpening. "This time, we might face a different kind of challenge."
"No matter what the challenge is, we will face it," Lu Chenzhou raised his head, his eyes filled with determination.
"Yes," Su Wanqing's lips curled into a faint smile, her eyes full of conviction, "We won't back down. Never."
They both knew that, although sometimes the everyday life felt so warm and beautiful, their duty as police officers, as guardians of the city, had not changed. And the new case, the new mystery, was already quietly coming.
Yet, at that moment, they would still enjoy each other's company, savor the sweetness of their everyday life. Because, no matter how turbulent the future might be, at least in this moment, they shared an undisturbed peace.
[To Be Continued]