Unconsciously, she let out a sigh of relief, thankful that it wasn't a stranger woman. Otherwise, she really wouldn't know how to interact.

"Do you know Miss Huayan?" Cheng Qingqing looked at Huayan, then at her brothers, curious.

"We've met once before," Huayan said, not knowing what else to say. Shangguan Ning was more familiar with her than the other two, but the man who had once given her fish now stared at her with hostility, as if warning her to know her place and not harbor unrealistic fantasies. She returned his cold gaze, hoping he wouldn't be her escort tonight.

Turning to look at the dark-skinned policeman, she couldn't help but marvel at the saying "clothes make the man." He still had dark skin, and his skin wasn't as well-maintained as the other two. Even with closed eyes, one could guess that he must often be exposed to wind and sun, which had roughened his skin. However, his calm eyes and sturdy physique made people feel at ease. She couldn't help but feel a bit more fondness and gratitude towards him for helping her before.

"Oh, then Huayan and my second brother are truly fated," Cheng Qingqing smiled faintly, pulling Cheng Xiang aside to whisper something. Shangguan Ning still stood there, gazing at Huayan. Cheng Cheng came to Huayan's side and whispered in her ear, "I didn't expect you to reach out so far. If you're looking for a man, I'm more charming and generous than my younger brother. How about being my companion tonight?"

Before Huayan could respond, Cheng Xiang, who had somehow appeared by their side, discreetly pushed Cheng Cheng aside. "We meet again. My queen, let's go inside," Huayan said without pretense, taking his arm and leading him inside. Cheng Qingqing walked with Shangguan Ning, while Cheng Cheng stood in place, looking at the Cheng Xiang who was full of joy.

"Cheng Cheng, is that still your younger brother?" Shangguan Ning asked, looking at Cheng Cheng.

"Big brother, does it seem like our younger brother has been possessed tonight? Is that still the brother who's only ever focused on cases?" Cheng Cheng said.

"Perhaps he has been possessed," Cheng Cheng finished, taking steps towards the banquet hall. It was the first time he had seen his smooth-talking younger brother behave like this.

Actually, it's not surprising that others had such strong reactions. Cheng Xiang had always kept his distance from other girls except for his little sister. He never smiled at women, always speaking coldly, like a robot.

The banquet was still self-service. On the right side of the spacious hall were rows of assorted pastries, cold dishes, various bottled wines, and beverages. On the left was the dance floor, surrounded by chairs and sofas for guests to rest.

Since starting university, Huayan had switched to wearing sneakers. Tonight, wearing mid-heeled sandals, her calf muscles started to ache after just a few steps, as if they were cramping. She cursed herself for needlessly subjecting herself to discomfort.

Along the way, Cheng Xiang briefly asked how Huayan had been lately. After a few minutes, he noticed that her legs seemed uncomfortable. He softly said, "Let's go over there and rest on the long sofa for a while."

Stolen novel; please report.

"Okay."

Cheng Xiang led Huayan to the long sofa where he had rested earlier. Huayan didn't even have time to protest before Cheng Xiang squatted down beside her, massaging her calf muscles. "I'll rest for a while. You don't have to stay here with me," Huayan said.

"It's okay. You're massaging your calves wrong. Let me help you," Cheng Xiang said, crouching down and skillfully massaging her legs. Blushing, Huayan struggled a bit and shot Cheng Xiang a fierce glare before finally giving in and staying still.

Not far away, guests occasionally glanced at the two of them with suggestive smiles, as if they knew something. Cheng Qingqing also cheekily smiled at her, giving her a thumbs up. But when Huayan looked at Cheng Cheng, his gaze was even more hostile. Huayan couldn't help but think that if given the chance, he would probably beat her up. Shangguan Ning glanced over at them, then took Cheng Qingqing away to socialize with the guests.

However, Huayan had inadvertently let her senses loose earlier and detected a simmering anger in Shangguan Ning's indifferent gaze. She sighed, realizing that these people always wore masks, concealing their true emotions. She had never thought she had angered Shangguan Ning.

Continuing the ambiguous atmosphere, Cheng Xiang continued his actions, now no longer mindful of the gender barrier, simply instinctively massaging her leg since she seemed uncomfortable. He hadn't realized that, under the watchful eyes of the public, a grown man lowering himself to massage a woman's leg might spark gossip. Cheng Cheng's assessment of him being emotionally clueless wasn't far off.

"Aren't you supposed to avoid contact with women?" Huayan, who was initially uncomfortable, now felt at ease and even had the mood to chat with Cheng Xiang. Many homosexuals disliked physical contact with women, but from observing Cheng Xiang just now, he seemed like a complete anomaly. His warm hands on her legs showed no change in his expression.

"Not necessarily," Cheng Xiang thought Huayan was referring to how police officers often maintained a safe distance from women to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Oh... So, some of you are bisexual, while others are stubbornly monosexual," Huayan suddenly realized, her curiosity piqued.

Cheng Xiang felt particularly awkward listening to Huayan's words and even felt a bit confused. "What do you mean?" Cheng Xiang asked, a little annoyed and impatient.

His reaction made Huayan mistakenly think that she had touched upon some taboo topic, so she smiled weakly and quickly said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. My leg is much better now. You should get up."

"Alright then. What would you like to eat? I'll fetch it for you," Cheng Xiang asked.

"A strawberry pastry and a drink, please. Thank you," Huayan said, inwardly musing that this dark-skinned police officer was kind-hearted, albeit occasionally temperamental. However, if he weren't homosexual, many girls would probably pursue him. She really wanted to ask what his current partner was like and who played the dominant role in their relationship.

Watching Huayan lost in her thoughts and smiling foolishly, Cheng Xiang shook his head inwardly. This woman was truly special. He wondered if he should ask her if she had telepathic abilities. His father's hair had turned much whiter during this period. He thought about the anti-drug operations in the south, which had yielded no results but had allowed drugs to flow into the mainland repeatedly.

"Second brother, do you like Huayan?" Shangguan Ning asked as he accompanied his father's old comrades, while Cheng Qingqing saw Cheng Xiang holding two servings of food and smilingly asked.

"Yeah, she's nice."

"So, are you planning to pursue Huayan? If you're interested in her, you should act quickly. There are many outstanding men silently pursuing Huayan at school. I've helped you make a connection, but the rest of the journey is up to you, second brother. Honestly, I really hope that my sister-in-law will be Huayan."

"Got it," Cheng Xiang didn't seem as calmly resolute as usual upon hearing his little sister's intention to matchmake him with Huayan, although it was sudden.

"Go for it, second brother," Cheng Qingqing said, now ecstatic that her brother hadn't outright rejected the idea. She joyfully returned to Shangguan Ning's side, who asked, "What's got you so happy?"