Chapter 28: Asserting Sovereignty to a Rival in Love

When the two of them returned to the entrance of the restaurant, Qin Yanbin and Shi Wei had already settled the bill. The four of them headed back to the police station to retrieve their cars, and Shu Yan continued to ride in Lu Chengfeng’s vehicle as they traveled toward Licheng.

Not long after they set off, Shu Yan fell asleep. She didn't wake up until Lu Chengfeng called her name upon arriving at the entrance of her residential complex.

Shu Yan stifled a yawn and said to him, "My investigation kit is still in the trunk."

"It's fine, leave it there," Lu Chengfeng replied. "I'll come pick you up for work tomorrow morning."

Shu Yan hesitated before saying, "There's no need. I can just take a taxi to the office myself."

Lu Chengfeng insisted, "It’s very difficult to catch a cab at that hour. I’ll pick you up on my way; don’t worry, you don’t need to buy me breakfast again."

Shu Yan turned her head to glare at him. "Do you think I’m that stingy about the cost of a breakfast?"

"Of course not," Lu Chengfeng said. "I know you’re just trying to keep your distance from me."

Shu Yan’s lips trembled slightly. "Since you know that, why do you keep doing this?"

Lu Chengfeng opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again. Shu Yan suddenly realized her words might have been inappropriate.

"I’m sorry, I know you mean well. Just keep the investigation kit in your car; please bring it to the office tomorrow morning. I’ll take the bus." Without waiting for his response, she opened the door and stepped out.

No sooner had she stepped onto the pavement than she heard someone call her name.

"Yan-yan!"

A man came running toward her from behind, a smile on his face. "You're back!"

Shu Yan frowned slightly. "Big Brother, why are you here?"

This was Li Junjie, Li Jiaojiao’s older brother. Shu Yan had adopted the title from Li Jiaojiao, and out of habit, she had never bothered to change it.

Fearing he might annoy her, Li Junjie lied, "I was out with some friends and happened to be passing by. I didn't expect to run into you right as you arrived. Oh, wait a moment, let me get you two boxes of strawberries; a friend gave them to me."

Watching from the rearview mirror as a handsome man struck up a conversation with Shu Yan, Lu Chengfeng’s brow furrowed into a deep scowl. Finally, unable to hold back, he opened his door and stepped out.

Li Junjie ran to his car’s trunk and returned with two boxes of strawberries. He stopped in his tracks, however, when he saw a tall, handsome man standing beside Shu Yan.

Shu Yan hadn't expected Lu Chengfeng to get out of the car, so she had no choice but to introduce them. "Big Brother, this is our bureau’s new detachment captain, Captain Lu. Captain Lu, this is the brother of a close friend of mine; he’s a doctor at the municipal hospital."

Li Junjie breathed a sigh of relief. "The new captain? You look so young—truly a hero among the youth! A pleasure to meet you, Captain Lu. I’m an orthopedist at the municipal hospital. If you ever injure a bone or something, feel free to look me up. Though, of course, I hope none of you ever have to."

Lu Chengfeng gave a slight nod. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Li. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well."

Li Junjie turned to Shu Yan and handed her the strawberries. "Yan-yan, remember to put these in the fridge when you get inside. If you like them, just let me know and I’ll have my friend buy more. These are organic, so you can eat them without worry."

Shu Yan looked at the heavy boxes and felt a headache coming on. Lu Chengfeng, sensing her dilemma, reached out to take them. "Give them to me; I’ll carry them up for her."

Li Junjie froze, his expression turning complex as he looked from Lu Chengfeng to Shu Yan. Shu Yan looked equally uncomfortable. As a man, Li Junjie understood the subtext perfectly; Lu Chengfeng’s attitude and his words were a clear declaration of territory.

Shu Yan was stunned at first, but then she thought that perhaps she could use this opportunity to make Li Junjie give up on her. She turned to him and said, "Big Brother, thank you, I won't stand on ceremony then. But please, don't bring me strawberries next time; I buy them often enough myself. It’s getting late, you should head home and get some rest. I’ve been away on a business trip and just got back, so I’m quite tired. Thanks for the strawberries, I’m going in now."

Li Junjie forced a smile. "Right, of course. Get some rest."

Lu Chengfeng nodded a farewell to Li Junjie, and after Shu Yan helped him lock his car, the two of them walked toward the apartment complex.

Once they were out of earshot, Li Junjie pulled out his phone and called his sister, Li Jiaojiao. She answered immediately. "Big Brother, it’s so late—why are you calling me?"

Li Junjie sounded frantic. "Jiaojiao, did you know there’s a new detachment captain at the municipal bureau?"

Li Jiaojiao paused. "You met the new captain? Where? Wait, where are you right now?"

"I'm at the entrance to Yan-yan’s complex, dropping off strawberries."

Li Jiaojiao was speechless. "Come on, Big Brother! Didn't I tell you that Yan-yan said it wasn't necessary? Why did you go over there?"

"Don't change the subject! Tell me, is that captain trying to pursue Yan-yan?"

Li Jiaojiao wanted to tell him the truth, but as Shu Yan’s best friend, she couldn't betray her trust. Shu Yan had only confided in her because she trusted her. "I don't know, she hasn't mentioned anything to me."

Li Junjie was left speechless.

Li Jiaojiao continued, "Big Brother, I’m going to take a shower. Go home. And another thing—Yan-yan doesn't like you, so stop pestering her. It puts me in a very difficult position, you know? I’m hanging up now."

Li Junjie put his phone away and looked toward the complex, feeling deeply unwilling to let go. That captain might be taller and more handsome than him, but a man like that surely had plenty of admirers. He couldn't believe that Shu Yan would prioritize looks in a partner; he believed she should choose a man with a good family background and a promising future, like himself.

Shu Yan remained silent the entire way. It was only when they reached the elevator that she finally spoke to Lu Chengfeng. "Give me the strawberries. You should head back and rest; it’s very late."

Lu Chengfeng sidestepped her. "I’ve already carried them this far, might as well finish the job. Besides, I could use your restroom—I’ve been holding it the whole drive and really can't wait any longer."

It was a perfectly valid excuse, and Shu Yan couldn't refuse. *This guy is too cunning,* she thought, casting him a sidelong glance before turning her head away to ignore him.

Lu Chengfeng knew she wouldn't turn him away, and he enjoyed watching her get flustered—she looked like a ruffled little cat. He had an urge to scoop her up and give her a good cuddle.

They took the elevator up. Shu Yan didn't bother with him, simply entering her apartment and tossing a pair of his slippers on the floor before heading inside. Lu Chengfeng didn't stand on ceremony; he acted as if he were in his own home, placing the boxes of strawberries on the hallway cabinet. After closing the door behind him, he slowly changed into the slippers and carried the boxes to the dining table.

Shu Yan dropped her bag on the sofa and pointed toward the bathroom. "The restroom is that way."

Lu Chengfeng nodded and headed toward it. By the time he came back out, Shu Yan had already opened the boxes and was transferring the strawberries into smaller bags. Seeing him return, she handed him two bags. "Consider this payment for helping me carry these up."

Lu Chengfeng glanced at the bags. Ignoring the fact that they came from Li Junjie, he thought only of the fact that Shu Yan was giving them to him, so he accepted them. "Thanks. Get some rest. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. Give me the empty boxes; I’ll throw them out on my way."