Qin Feng walked out of the room and saw Lin Fan sitting on a bench not far away, resting her chin in her hand, lost in thought. Her oversized clothes made her look even more petite. She didn't seem to mind the heat, and the sunlight shining on her hair created a golden glow. As Qin Feng approached, Lin Fan looked up, squinting at him with calm eyes.

She didn't say anything, her gaze steady.

Qin Feng stood tall, watching her for a long time before extending his hand. Lin Fan looked at his hand, unmoving and silent, still watching him. Qin Feng cleared his throat and spoke, "Your hand."

Lin Fan placed her hand in his palm, and Qin Feng helped her up. "Let's go home."

As they walked out of the temple, Lin Fan turned her head, "What did he say?"

"Ouyang Yu was lying to you," Qin Feng said. "You won't die young."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Do I still need to move out?"

"No."

Lin Fan turned to look at Qin Feng, "Who is he?"

"Just a fortune teller."

Qin Feng stopped, released Lin Fan's hand, and pulled a red string pendant from his pocket. Lin Fan looked up as Qin Feng placed the red string around her neck, securing it. "Don't take it off."

Lin Fan lifted the pendant, a slender bottle about three centimeters long with what looked like a talisman inside.

"What is this?"

"A protective charm," Qin Feng said. "Your jade is probably gone for good. Wear this from now on."

Lin Fan wasn't particularly attached to the jade. She tucked the protective charm inside her clothes. "What's it for?"

Qin Feng raised his thick eyebrows, one hand in his pocket as he walked ahead. "To ensure you live a long life."

Lin Fan laughed and jogged to catch up with him. "You should get one for yourself too."

"For what?" Qin Feng's voice was soft, tinged with amusement.

Lin Fan looked at his back and laughed. She would live as long as she could. As for the future, she didn't want to think too much about it.

Qin Feng hadn't received an answer, so he turned back, "Hmm?"

Lin Fan grabbed the hem of his coat, looking down at the path, "To wish you a life free of worries, to wish you peace and safety." Qin Feng stopped walking, and Lin Fan lifted her face, "Brother Qin."

Qin Feng patted her head, "Let's go home."

After eating, they drove back home. Midway, they received a call from Xiao Wang, with the speakerphone on, so Lin Fan in the passenger seat could hear clearly.

"Liu Piaopiao's family came to the police station, saying their money was swindled."

"Their money?"

"Liu Piaopiao's money."

"I see. I'll head back now."

After hanging up, Qin Feng glanced at Lin Fan, "Liu Piaopiao swindled your dad's money and brought about her own death. Now that Liu Piaopiao is dead, her assets, which are essentially your dad's money, might rightfully belong to you."

Lin Fan was stunned. "Who is the rightful owner? Me?"

"Who else? Is there another child in the Lin family?"

Lin Fan opened her mouth, "Although there's no one else, but—"

"Just stay in the car for now. I'll handle this and then take you home."

The situation was more complicated than anticipated. Over ten of Liu Piaopiao's family members showed up, some claiming distant kinship. An old lady pointed at Qin Feng's head, "I found out that little vixen was involved with you. Now you're protecting that little fox, trying to steal our Piaopiao's money. The public security officer is abusing his power, corrupt and lawless."

Qin Feng's face darkened, and Xiao Wang quickly held him back, "Captain Qin, the director wants to see you."

Qin Feng turned to leave, but the old lady lunged at him. Xiao Wang intercepted, and the old lady slapped Xiao Wang in the face. Qin Feng stopped, staring directly at the old lady. "Using violence or threats to obstruct public security officers from performing their duties is punishable by up to three years in prison."

The old lady's eyes rolled back, and she fainted onto Xiao Wang.

Xiao Wang: "..."

Damn it!

Since this involved an economic case, Liu Piaopiao's accounts were frozen. Although she was dead, her money wasn't. Liu Piaopiao's family eagerly awaited her funds, only to find Lin Fan, Lin Chengwei's daughter, alive and claiming the assets, supported by the police. They knew that if this went to court, they might not get a cent, so they were making a scene.

The next day, Jiangcheng News ran an exaggerated headline.

"Senior Public Security Officer Suspected of Accepting Bribes, Seizing Victim's Assets." Qin Feng was summoned to the office early in the morning. The director poured him a cup of tea, sighing, "How do you plan to handle this?"

"Have the official blog clarify the truth, and let the court decide who the money belongs to."

"Is that girl really your girlfriend?"

Qin Feng pinched his brow, "Yes."

"Was there a personal agenda in your case handling?"

Qin Feng said, "We handled the case according to the law."

The director tapped the table, "But it involves your girlfriend."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Should police officers' girlfriends be self-sacrificing and bullied to death? Police families are people too."

The director: "..."

At some point, conflicts between the police and the public were always deemed the police's fault. Whether reasonable or not, as long as people made a scene, filed complaints, or slandered online, public officials would compromise, no matter the legitimacy of the claims.

"The area you live in costs several tens of thousands per square meter, right?" The director suddenly changed the topic. "How did you afford it?"

"I rely on my parents." Qin Feng stood up. "My parents have money. Let them investigate me if they need to. This won't go away without it."

"You've got quite the temper! Stay home for a couple of days. Don't come to work for now."

Qin Feng turned and left.

Lin Fan also saw the news and felt a chill run through her body. Some people online, not bothering to understand the situation, immediately began hurling insults after seeing the headline. Their reckless words made her bite her knuckles and furrow her brows. After a while, she changed her clothes, grabbed her bag, and headed out. Just as she reached the entrance of the residential area, a car door opened beside her, and three or four men surrounded her. Lin Fan quickly assessed the situation and stepped back.

"Who are you?" she asked, reaching for the knife in her bag.

One of the men said, "I'm Liu Piaopiao's older brother, so you could say I'm your uncle."

"My mom's surname isn't Liu. What do you want?"

"Just to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about," Lin Fan continued to back away. "I don't know you."

"When your dad died, you ran away faster than anyone, leaving our sister to bear the burden. Now that the debt is paid off, you're back to claim the inheritance. Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

Lin Fan was furious, her face turning red. She wasn't good at arguing, "You're talking nonsense. I was the one who handled my dad's funeral. What do you really want?"

One of the men moved to grab her, and Lin Fan swiftly pulled out the knife, holding it in front of her. "Just try touching me."

There weren't many people around the entrance of the residential area. Lin Fan glanced around, hoping to find someone who could help her. She raised her voice, "Are you trying to kidnap me?"

"Don't talk nonsense," one of the men behind her pushed, "get in the car and we'll talk."

Lin Fan felt nauseous and covered in goosebumps. She dodged to the side and shouted, "Help!"

A black car sped towards them, screeching to a halt. Before the car had fully stopped, a man jumped out. The four men quickly backed off, recognizing Qin Feng.

With a signal from their leader, they turned and fled into their car. Qin Feng didn't give chase but instead called Xiao Wang, "Lin Fan was almost kidnapped. Come to Jinxiu immediately."

Seeing Qin Feng, Lin Fan felt relieved and put away her knife. "Why are you back so soon?"

Qin Feng pulled her close, inspecting her to make sure she wasn't hurt before feeling reassured. When Xiao Wang arrived and went to check the surveillance footage, Qin Feng took Lin Fan and left.

Qin Feng's tall frame shielded Lin Fan as he guided her to the car and fastened her seatbelt. "What's going on? Where are we going? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"If we don't need the money, then forget it. I survived without it before."

"What belongs to you is yours. No one can take it."

Lin Fan bit her lip, feeling touched. "Qin Feng."

"Hmm?"

Qin Feng drove to the police station. What face was there to maintain? Liu's family had bullied them to their doorstep.

"If it's too difficult, then forget it," Lin Fan pursed her lips. "We don't need to do this."

Qin Feng stopped the car at the police station and turned to look at Lin Fan. "What are you afraid of? Stand tall." Lin Fan blinked, and Qin Feng pinched her cheek, "You have nothing to be ashamed of. The money is yours. If you don't want it, you can donate it. What right do they have to bully you and take your things?"

Lin Fan: "..."

Qin Feng's fingers brushed her cheek. "Do whatever you want. Don't be afraid."

Lin Fan blinked again, and Qin Feng got out of the car. Lin Fan followed, rubbing her head vigorously before stepping out. Qin Feng walked around to her and almost laughed out loud, smoothing her hair, "What are you doing?"

Lin Fan walked towards the police station. "I've been bullied. I need to file a complaint. A crying child gets the milk."

Coincidentally, they encountered reporters. Seeing potential news, the reporters eagerly approached to get information. Lin Fan had never cried in public before, but with two questions thrown at her, she suddenly broke down. Her eyes turned red as she clutched her collar pitifully, "She drove my dad to his death and kicked me out. Now they're threatening me for money, even trying to kill me. If Qin Feng hadn't arrived in time, I'd be dead. I respect the court's decision, but I know as much as you do about how this will be judged."

Qin Feng arrived just in time to escort Lin Fan into the police station. He pushed her into his office and went to find the director.

Surveillance footage was quickly retrieved, and the men were soon apprehended. Qin Feng took Lin Fan home in the afternoon. With his suspension pending review, he had no other work to attend to. He asked Xiao Wang to bring all the files related to the organ harvesting case home, meticulously going through them, hoping to find some clues. Birth dates, ages, and birthplaces, none of them matched.

He had inquired with that mysterious man but received no answers. Lin Fan's life extension seemed to be due to a close relative transferring their life to her, which debunked the previous theory. There were no clues from Ouyang Yu's associates either. Ouyang Yu led a chaotic life, but that wasn't illegal. Why were they committing these murders and harvesting hearts?

Lin Fan changed her clothes and came out of the room, opening the fridge to look for ingredients. "What do you want for dinner?"

"Anything," Qin Feng responded absentmindedly.

Lin Fan took out some meat and vegetables and brought them to the kitchen. Qin Feng tossed aside the remote control and got up to follow her, washing his hands. "I'll chop the vegetables."

Lin Fan handed him the washed meat. "Slice it."

"Okay."

Qin Feng's tall frame made the kitchen feel small. Lin Fan set the rice to steam and said, "Sorry for dragging you into this."

Qin Feng snorted, "What are you apologizing for? It has nothing to do with you, don't overthink it."

He had acted impulsively and should have handled things better. Despite years of work, Qin Feng still hadn't learned to be diplomatic. His job involved countless complaints each year; he should have been used to it by now.

Why couldn't he remain calm?

Qin Feng finished slicing the meat and moved on to the vegetables. Lin Fan glanced over, noticing his knife skills were decent, though his chopping posture looked awkward.

After dinner, Qin Feng had a sudden idea. "You have some time before school starts, and I'm on leave. I saw a travel brochure for Province H on the way back. Want to go on a trip?"

Lin Fan's eyes widened, "You still want to go now?"

"Do you want to go?" Qin Feng's deep, dark eyes fixed on Lin Fan.

Her heart raced, pounding loudly. "I've never been."

"Then pack your things. We'll leave tomorrow."

Lin Fan: "!!!!"

So fast.

The next morning at eight, Qin Feng came to knock on her door. Lin Fan woke up and opened her phone to check Weibo. The sensational news from yesterday was gone, replaced by a preview of a legal program about Liu Piaopiao's case.

Lin Fan sighed with relief, got up, changed clothes, and went out to brush her teeth. Qin Feng was wearing a black T-shirt and had brought a jacket to place on top of Lin Fan's backpack by the entrance. "I booked tickets for the 10 o'clock flight."

Lin Fan nodded, quickly spitting out the foam, "Almost ready."

It wasn't her first time going out with Qin Feng, but it was their first trip together. Just thinking about it made her incredibly happy. Lin Fan couldn't hide her excitement, though she tried to keep a straight face.

She washed her face quickly and ran out. "Let's go."

Qin Feng was on the phone at the entrance, looking serious. Lin Fan had a bad feeling. As expected, Qin Feng hung up and told her, "They found a skeleton at the border between Jiangcheng and X City. We'll have to postpone the trip."

Lin Fan's excitement plummeted, "Aren't you off duty?"

"Yesterday's issue is resolved, and now there's a case. Orders are orders; I have to go investigate." Qin Feng placed his hand on her head, his voice lowering, "Are you angry? Hmm?"

Lin Fan's eyes darted around, and she quickly grabbed her backpack. "I have nothing to do at home. Can I come with you to the scene?"

Qin Feng was silent for a moment, then took her bag. "Alright, let's go."

He turned and walked out, and Lin Fan grabbed a jacket and ran after him.

The border between Jiangcheng and X City is part of the Qinling mountain range, specifically Xushan County. Finding bones in the mountains wasn't unusual, but what was unusual was that the skeleton's hands were tied behind its back. The person who reported it, Liu Yuchen, was a camping enthusiast. The bones were dug up by his dog. Yesterday, he and some colleagues went to Xushan for a barbecue and camping trip. Everything seemed perfect until his dog started acting strange, barking at one spot and digging furiously. The normally clean Samoyed was covered in mud. Furious, Liu Yuchen went to kick the dog and found a white bone protruding from the ground.

Screaming, he called his colleagues over. They cautiously dug out the rest of the skeleton. The body had completely decomposed into bones, and the sight was horrific. Bugs, disturbed by the digging, scurried into the skull's eye sockets.