[16] Officer Ji’s Blind Date Was Quite Hilarious

Although there was still a distance behind her, with Ji Shen sitting nearby, Wen Shuang felt inexplicably nervous.

Lin Ansheng noticed her unease. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Wen Shuang tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and replied, "Nothing."

Ji Shen had come after work, forced by Mrs. Ji to attend a blind date. Chen Manli, the daughter of Mrs. Chen, was often arranged to meet Ji Shen thanks to the friendship between their mothers, but he always canceled at the last minute. Every time the ladies played mahjong and the topic of matchmaking arose, Mrs. Ji felt embarrassed, so she hurried to arrange another meeting.

Chen Manli had just returned from studying in England, dressed impeccably in a Chanel suit, radiating youthful vitality. She hadn't wanted to attend this blind date either. But upon seeing Ji Shen today, her eyes lit up—she had never met such a handsome policeman!

"Brother Shen, I heard from Aunt Ji that you're always busy at work?" she asked.

Ji Shen took a sip of coffee, his tone cool. "I am very busy."

"How busy exactly?"

"So busy that sometimes I can't go home for ten days or half a month. Traveling to other provinces to catch criminals happens often."

Before he left, Mrs. Ji had repeatedly warned him not to reveal the negatives about his job too soon, but he went straight to the point as soon as he spoke.

Sure enough, Chen Manli hesitated. "That busy? So… when things get hectic, you can't be seen at all?"

"That's right. If you have any intention of being with me in the future, you must be prepared for the possibility that you might not see me for most of the year. Worse, there’s always the risk of retaliation from suspects."

Chen Manli was stunned. She instinctively recalled news stories about families of narcotics officers, and the dangers they faced. She shivered twice.

Ji Shen's expression was not joking.

He continued, "Also, as police officers, whenever we receive orders from superiors, we must report immediately. So you should be prepared for me to disappear during a date. Ordinary things like watching movies or shopping that most boyfriends can do—I might not be able to. Even on holidays, I probably can't travel, because I need to be on standby or on duty."

Chen Manli: ".........."

If she got together with him, he would practically be a decoration.

Ji Shen's voice, neither too loud nor too soft, carried right to Wen Shuang's ears. She couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh.

With him speaking like that, what girl would want to date him?

Lin Ansheng saw her laughing and thought it was due to his own jokes, so he told a couple more.

Ji Shen calmly cut his steak. "So I suggest you think carefully, Miss Chen. We in the police really are busy, and the risk is high."

Chen Manli swallowed nervously, as if she could already see herself being threatened.

Her enthusiasm waned.

Wen Shuang had almost finished eating and was about to pay when another couple entered the restaurant—it was Qin You and Xia Anran!

As soon as Qin You entered, he spotted Wen Shuang. His gaze locked on her.

Why was Wen Shuang dining with Lin Ansheng?

Xia Anran affectionately held Qin You's arm and followed his gaze, smiling, "Shuang Shuang, what a coincidence. When did you start hanging out with Qin's childhood friend? I never realized you were hiding something."

Her words sounded friendly, but every syllable was laced with ridicule.

Lin Ansheng greeted them.

Xia Anran leaned her head on Qin You. "Ansheng, this place is a famous couples' restaurant. Are you two together?"

"No," Lin Ansheng denied, then turned, "But I am pursuing Wen Shuang."

Qin You's brows suddenly furrowed.

Among men, Lin Ansheng was clearly declaring his claim.

But with Xia Anran present, Qin You said little, only, "If you don't mind that she's a woman I've slept with, then go ahead."

Wen Shuang's eyes widened in fury. "Qin You, have you no shame? We broke up and now you want to ruin my reputation. Nothing ever happened between us!"

Qin You sneered, "Wen Shuang, you act so innocent now that there are people around."

Just as she was about to quarrel, Lin Ansheng interjected, "I don't care about Wen Shuang's past. I only want her present."

The two men exchanged tense glances, the air thick with silent confrontation, until Xia Anran finally dragged Qin You away.

Qin You caught sight of Ji Shen and forced out, "Uncle."

Ji Shen responded with icy indifference.

Qin You slunk off.

Ji Shen remarked coldly, "Your taste in women isn't great."

Clearly, he'd heard everything that had been said.

Wen Shuang's heart chilled—Ji Shen was pointedly referring to her!

Xia Anran smirked, "Qin's taste used to be questionable!"

"Perhaps it was okay before," Ji Shen's gaze swept her up and down, "but now it's worse than ever."

Xia Anran's face suddenly drained of color.

Qin You never dared provoke his uncle, so he hurriedly pulled her away.

Xia Anran complained, "Qin, your uncle spoke to me like that and you didn't defend me!"

Qin You, sitting beside her, gently stroked her hand. "Anran, that's just how my uncle is. Don't be upset."

His mother had insisted on marrying into the Qin family, severing ties with the Ji family, so his relationship with Ji Shen had always been lukewarm.

Wen Shuang longed to tear apart Qin You's foul mouth. She stabbed her unfinished steak angrily with her knife and fork, then stood to cool off in the restroom.

Just as she stepped out, she bumped into Ji Shen at the sink.

She pretended not to know him.

"Ms. Wen, quite the charm," Ji Shen said as he turned off the faucet, approaching her uninvited, "To have two men fighting over you at the same time."

Wen Shuang knew he'd heard every word earlier.

Her lips curled in defiance. "Officer Ji, you're not lacking in admirers yourself. That young lady you were matched with could hardly tear her gaze from you."

Ji Shen lifted a brow, supporting himself against the sink.

"Same to you."

He suddenly drew closer, his presence wild and primal, making Wen Shuang feel a vague sense of danger.

"Ms. Wen, I'm curious—was tonight with your companion a date, or just a hookup?"

Wen Shuang's eyes widened in outrage.

She stomped on his foot. "Officer Ji! I have nothing to do with Mr. Lin. He specifically hired a lawyer to help my family with a lawsuit, and I invited him to dinner to thank him! Unlike certain people who do nothing but offer sarcastic remarks."

Ji Shen arched his brows again. "Apologies, I misunderstood you, Ms. Wen."

Suddenly, shrieks and the sound of chaos erupted outside.

The two hurried out, only to find Lin Ansheng and Qin You fighting!