I am the police, you are the thief (6)

“Miss Gu.” Wen Gu’s voice grew weaker, a faint smile lingering on his pale face. “I’m afraid you won’t be able to give me that physical examination.” He could clearly feel his life ebbing away rapidly; the bullet must have struck his internal organs…

“I’m here, so you won’t die.” Zhao He gently placed her hand over the wound. Wen Gu immediately sensed a warm current flowing from the wound, slowly spreading throughout his body.

Qin Xing looked at Wen Gu and Zhao He, his nose stinging with emotion, nearly bursting into tears. “Miss Gu, the boss did this for me…” At that moment, he felt like an executioner wielding the butcher’s blade, ruthlessly separating these two lovers on the brink of a life-and-death farewell.

“Enough, he won’t die, so stop wailing.” Zhao He withdrew her hand, glanced at the blood smeared across her palm, her delicate brows furrowing in displeasure, and wiped it casually on Wen Gu’s clothes…

Qin Xing: Really? She even remembers to wipe her hands? He quickly turned to Wen Gu, who had already closed his eyes. “Boss, don’t sleep! You can’t die!”

Zhao He eyed his noisy tears, lips twitching—how could this child be so clueless?

Not wanting to disturb Qin Xing in his grief, Zhao He shoved her hands into her pockets and turned away, leaving swiftly.

When Wen Gu awoke, he was back in his own home. From the kitchen drifted faint singing, intermingling with the aroma of rice.

He threw off the covers, bare feet touching the pale floor. The coldness made him feel disoriented—was this really not a dream?

“Oh, boss, you’re awake?” Qin Xing stood in an apron, a large ladle in his hand. Behind him, a ceramic pot bubbled merrily on the gas stove.

“What happened?” Wen Gu had checked his abdomen the moment he awoke—smooth, unblemished, as if the gunshot had never occurred. He pointed at his waist and stomach, his bright eyes full of confusion.

“I don’t know either. When the medical team arrived, they examined you and found no wounds—just said you were exhausted and had fallen asleep…” Qin Xing recalled the scene. “But back then, you were bleeding profusely…”

Qin Xing suspected Zhao He had done something, but in an era when even animals were forbidden from gaining sentience after the founding of the nation, everything felt too fantastical to believe.

“Miss Gu, she…” Qin Xing left the thought unfinished, but Wen Gu understood.

“This must never be known to anyone else,” Wen Gu decided after a moment’s contemplation.

“I get it. It’s too unbelievable. I haven’t said a word. But, boss, that woman… there’s something uncanny about her. You really should…” Qin Xing struggled to phrase his warning.

For several days after, Wen Gu remained troubled by Zhao He’s strange abilities. What puzzled him most was that she didn’t seem intent on hiding them.

Zhao He busied herself with causing endless trouble for Cui Yu and Li Yan—one day the wife would show up, another day an old lover would appear on the street.

Cui Yu, caught between placating Li Yao and investigating Li Yan’s recent kidnapping, was stretched thin. Had his men not acted in time, Li Yan might not have survived.

Li Yan was torn—touched by Cui Yu’s efforts, yet inwardly resentful, blaming him for the danger she’d faced. Zhao He’s constant schemes to disrupt their relationship didn’t manage to break them up, but they did leave Li Yan less trusting and devoted than she’d been in the original story.

Nor was Cui Yu as attentive or perceptive as before; he failed to notice Li Yan’s moods and offer comfort. Lately, he’d grown increasingly uneasy about his godfather’s behavior—tasks clearly beyond his authority were being handed to him, leaving him overwhelmed and wary of his brothers’ machinations.

Compared to the male and female leads’ troubles, Zhao He was hardly idle; when not making mischief for them, she wandered the world at will.

The system felt deeply humiliated by Zhao He’s lack of diligence—it had never seen a host so indifferent to her mission, though it dared not voice its displeasure.

Zhao He mused: “Son, from now on, I’ll keep a record of any special places I visit.”

System: “What do you mean by special?”

Zhao He sighed inwardly. So the system was utterly oblivious… no wonder it had been abandoned…

Seeing the system’s lazy demeanor, Zhao He couldn’t be bothered to explain.

“Son, how is Wen Gu these days?” Zhao He opened her phone, glancing at her return ticket, suddenly recalling the soul the system had so ruthlessly tormented.

“Dad, you finally remember my master! He’s doing well—solved two cases recently!” The system’s voice was full of pride.

“Then it’s time for a visit!”

“Miss Gu, welcome home.” Wen Gu regarded Zhao He, whom he hadn’t seen in months. She looked thinner, her complexion pale.

“Officer Wen, you certainly keep close tabs on my whereabouts.” Zhao He tossed her suitcase to him and casually took the bouquet of lilies from his hands. “Next time, don’t bring flowers when picking someone up at the airport. I don’t like them.” With that, she tossed them into the nearby trash bin.

System: Dad… how could you…

Wen Gu felt ill; upon hearing Zhao He would return, he’d dropped everything to come meet her, and seeing her so frail, he was unexpectedly moved.