Chapter 148 Follow-up

Chapter 148: The Morning After

The man below clearly sensed her gaze and suddenly looked up. Before she could react, Shen Qingye met his dark, intense eyes.

In the next moment, as he recognized her, the shadow in his gaze faded, replaced by a soft, warm smile.

Yue Lingchuan waved at her with a grin.

Shen Qingye’s fingers tightened slightly around the curtain before slowly loosening again.

She smiled, pressing her lips together. She had to admit—seeing him like this right after waking up… was a real surprise.

Yue Lingchuan’s lips moved, but the distance was too far for Shen Qingye to make out his words. She tilted her head slightly, puzzled. He seemed to pause, then let out a helpless chuckle before lowering his head to tap on his phone. A second later, Shen Qingye’s message alert chimed.

Her pulse jumped as she turned to check it. The screen displayed:

"Yue Lingchuan: Breakfast?"

Her eyes curved into crescents as she played with her phone for a moment, in high spirits. She turned back toward her wardrobe, eager to see him. But after a brief hesitation, she decided to freshen up and change first.

Just as she was about to go downstairs, like he’d read her mind, another message arrived.

"Yue Lingchuan: Take your time with breakfast."

Shen Qingye paused, tucked her phone away, and headed downstairs with light steps.

"Awake?" Shen Linyue glanced up at her, about to look away when she seemed to notice something unusual. With a hint of surprise, she asked, "What’s got you so cheerful?"

Shen Qingye’s smile faltered as she instinctively touched her cheek, playing it cool. "Am I?"

Shen Linyue narrowed her eyes. "Aren’t you?"

She could read her daughter like a book.

"What’s the good news? Bright and early, and already this happy."

Shen Qingye cleared her throat. "Nothing."

Shen Linyue clearly didn’t buy it, but Shen Qingye wasn’t in the mood to elaborate.

Meanwhile, Aunt Chen glanced out the window and exclaimed, "Xiao Feng, is that your car out front?"

At those words, Shen Qingye’s smile froze. Shen Linyue, hearing this, immediately understood. She turned to look outside, then teased her daughter. "Since he’s already here, why not invite him in?"

Shen Qingye buried her face in her bowl of porridge, mumbling without looking up, "Who invites people over this early?"

Aunt Chen stood there blankly before finally catching on. "Oh! So… is this Xiao Feng’s suitor?"

After a pause, she added, "Is he the one who sent flowers yesterday?"

Shen Linyue drew out an "Ohhh," nodding meaningfully. "Flowers, huh?"

Unable to take it any longer, Shen Qingye hastily finished her meal and bolted for the door.

"I’m going to work!"

Shen Linyue chuckled, shaking her head at Aunt Chen. "Kids these days."

Aunt Chen laughed too. "Of course she’s dating now."

Shen Linyue didn’t speak, just lowered her head to eat, her expression distant.

·

Outside the door.

Shen Qingye slid into the seat after opening the car door. As soon as she settled in, a fresh bouquet of flowers suddenly appeared before her.

Shen Qingye paused slightly and looked up toward the driver’s seat, where Yue Lingchuan's eyes held a smile. “Today’s flowers.”

Her eyes crinkling with delight, she reached out to take the bouquet, thanking him.

She lowered her head, gently sniffing the flowers, her eyes still twinkling with pleasure. “I really like them.”

Yue Lingchuan met her gaze briefly before slowly looking away, keeping his cool, though his throat moved slightly. He glanced forward with practiced calm. “Glad you like them.”

Shen Qingye leaned back in her seat, tilting her head teasingly to study him, her gaze lingering on his slightly reddened ears. Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

She asked, cheerful, “How long have you been here?”

Yue Lingchuan started the car as he replied, “Not long.”

“Really?” Shen Qingye fiddled with the petals. “Then why did our housekeeper say she saw my car parked outside early this morning?”

He hesitated briefly while shifting gears but played it cool. “Really, not long.”

He added, “Just over an hour.”

Shen Qingye let out a soft laugh. Yue Lingchuan glanced back at her, meeting her mischievous gaze, and immediately realized he'd been tricked.

Shen Qingye tilted her head teasingly, looking smug. “How rare—the famous Officer Yue, fooled so easily.”

Yue Lingchuan shook his head helplessly. “Who else could trick me besides you?”

He said it casually, but it caught Shen Qingye off guard, making her gaze drift away, her cheeks warming.

Yue Lingchuan glanced at her again, then quickly averted his eyes.

The air in the car grew heavy for a moment. Making things between them awkward, neither had much experience with romance.

Fortunately, the drive wasn't long. Within ten minutes, they arrived at the entrance of the CID building.

Yue Lingchuan parked the car, and Shen Qingye, not wanting others to see, hurried out clutching the bouquet, walking ahead.

It was still early, so the CID building was mostly empty. Shen Qingye moved quickly, intending to head straight to the Major Case Division, but as she passed the administrative office, she heard the door open. Turning her head, she saw Fang Yun.

"Ms. Yun, you're here so early?" Shen Qingye greeted her.

Fang Yun sighed. "Forgot to finish a document yesterday, and it's urgent today, so I had to rush over first thing."

Her gaze then landed on the bouquet in Shen Qingye's arms, and she smirked knowingly. "I’ve heard you’ve been receiving flowers lately. Seems like things are getting serious?"

She gave Shen Qingye a playful nudge. Shen Qingye lowered her eyes, smiling but saying nothing.

Having worked together before, Fang Yun understood her younger colleague's temperament. Seeing her reaction now, her eyes gleamed with curiosity. "So, who is it? Do I know them?"

Shen Qingye didn’t answer directly. "When the time's right, I’ll introduce you, Ms. Yun."

Fang Yun said 'Ohhh' meaningfully, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Then I’ll be waiting."

Shen Qingye didn’t seem embarrassed at all, standing tall with an easy, natural smile.

They exchanged a few more words before finally going their separate ways.

Shen Qingye returned to the office and had just finished putting the bouquet in order when Yue Lingchuan showed up right behind her.

The two exchanged a glance and, without needing to say a word, avoided mentioning their private matters, instead shifting the conversation back to the case.

Everything proceeded as usual.

·

By 8 a.m., the Major Case Division members had gradually arrived, and the office gradually came to life.

Although Liang Wenjun had already confessed, the case wasn’t completely wrapped up yet, and subsequent documentation still required a lot of work to sort through and organize.

Yan Haifeng called a special meeting to relay directives from higher authorities while urging everyone to put in the extra effort to submit the closing report as soon as possible.

Thus, in the following days, the team focused on organizing the remaining materials for the 6·21 major case.

By the time all documents were prepared and submitted to the higher authorities, nearly a week had passed.

The Major Case Division members were finally off the case. Meanwhile, the Provincial Department praised the task force for their swift and high-efficiency resolution of the case and decided to hold a summary meeting and awards ceremony at the Provincial Department regarding the 6·21 major case.

Naturally, Shen Qingye was among the attendees.