TTS Chapter 3

On his way back from a meeting at the provincial office, Han Huaixiao stopped by a dessert shop, then a milk tea shop, emerging with two large bags in hand. Back at the office, Wen Yu’s sharp eyes spotted him before he could speak. She practically leapt forward to grab a milk tea from his hands, smiling brightly as she formed a heart with her fingers.

 

“Captain Han, love you!”

 

Ling Yue lagged behind slightly, taking one of the pastries from Han Huaixiao ’s other bag and popping a cream puff into his mouth. “Captain Han, you’re so thoughtful,” he mumbled through his full mouth. “I love you too, I’m willing to suffer your torment!”

 

But Han Huaixiao only shot him a side glance, deliberately twisting his words as he raged back: “You’re willing?! Do you think I’m willing to give it to you?!”  

 

The office erupted in laughter as everyone crowded around to grab milk tea and pastries. Captain Han never skimped on treats, always buying the best, and for once, the detectives temporarily set aside work to enjoy the snacks.

 

Sipping her milk tea, Wen Yu reminded him just before he pushed open his office door, “Captain Han, there’s a résumé on the upper left corner of your desk. Chief Yan said the person on it is scheduled to start next Monday.”

 

Han Huaixiao raised an eyebrow. Who was that? Chief Yan hadn’t even consulted him before sending someone his way… Therefore, he entered the office, removed his coat, washed his hands, poured himself a glass of water, and finally sat down. But after picking up the résumé with one hand, he froze when he saw the name.

 

Xia Hang.

 

For a moment, Han Huaixiao thought he was seeing things. Surely it was just someone with the same name, right?!

 

Holding on to that sliver of hope, he glanced at the small ID photo in the top right corner. The eyes staring back at him were cold and distant, the same as the person who had once dared to claim “sexual incompatibility” as a reason for breaking up.

 

Han Huaixiao ground his teeth, grabbed the résumé, and slammed the door behind him.

 

Behind him, the rest of the office exchanged curious glances.

 

“What’s wrong with Captain Han?” someone asked, but the rest only shrugged and shook their heads.

 

………….

 

Han Huaixiao stormed up to the sixth floor in one full breath and burst into the director’s office, slamming the résumé down in front of Yan Zheng. “Chief Yan, I don’t agree to have him assigned to my team!”

 

Yan Zheng gave him a long look, seemingly unbothered. “And why not?”

 

Han Huaixiao crossed his arms as a sly grin appeared on his face, one that left his eyes cold. “He’s my ex,” he answered. “If you don’t understand, I can take you to the morgue to see if there’s any spare brains left.”

 

The seasoned veteran in criminal investigation blinked in surprise at the rare audacity, then returned to stirring his tea leaves.

 

“Oh.”

 

Han Huaixiao’s patience snapped as he asked, “What do you mean, ‘oh’?!”

 

“It means just that. Oh.” Chief Yan replied calmly.

 

Han Huaixiao was nearly infuriated. “You can assign him anywhere,” he started. “Economic Investigation, Technical Surveillance, Vice Crimes, whatever, but not my team! I refuse.” He was the new deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Division and head of the Major Crimes Unit, so no way in hell he would allow a liability to mess with his life once more.

 

But Yan Zheng placed his teacup down deliberately, a knowing smirk on his face. “Arguing with me won’t help,” he answered calmly. “He’s been specifically assigned to your unit by higher-ups.”

 

Han Huaixiao stared at him for two seconds, realized he was telling the truth, muttered a curse under his breath, and turned to leave. Behind him, Yan Zheng grumbled as he watched him go, “This brat… the bigger he gets, the shorter his fuse.”

 

As Han Huaixiao walked out of the director’s office, his scowl was enough to clear a path. Colleagues who had intended to greet him quickly veered away, well aware that when Han Huaixiao wore that black-face-and-smirk combination, it was best not to interfere.

 

As for the rest of his office, they had just finished their afternoon tea, chatting about a case recently cracked by the district team. Seeing Han Huaixiao return with that dark expression of his, everyone fell silent and returned to their desks. Only Ling Yue, the ever-so-oblivious, cheerfully asked, “Captain Han, where should the new colleague sit? I’ve got time now, so I can tidy things up in advance. When the new colleague arrives, they’ll feel the love of our Major Crimes Unit!”

 

However, Han Huaixiao shot back, “You want to tidy things up? To make the new colleague feel our love, just cleaning a desk isn’t enough. Why don’t you go further, floor dustless, windows spotless, bathrooms odorless?”

 

Ling Yue blinked. “What kind of weird requirements are those?! Dustless floor and spotless windows, I can handle, but odorless bathrooms?! Impossible!”

 

Han Huaixiao ignored his grumbling and shut himself in his office, pulling open a drawer to look for his cigarette pack. Lighting one, his hawk-like eyes scanned the calendar through the curling smoke, eventually resting back on that small résumé photo.

 

……………

 

When Xia Hang left the hospital, he had declined all arrangements from above, agreeing only to be picked up by one single person, Su Cheng. In fact, they had met in Myanmar three years ago. Su Cheng’s younger brother had been tricked into going there, so he had risked his own safety to find him, getting severely beaten in a casino. Xia Hang, coincidentally present, secretly rescued him, took him back to his residence to recover, and later helped locate his brother.

 

It was a friendly relationship that resulted after a traumatic event, but the only downside was that Su Cheng was a journalist. As an undercover agent, Xia Hang could not afford to entertain the media in any way, so they quietly drifted apart. However, while visiting the Lang City People’s Hospital with colleagues, Su Cheng happened to see Xia Hang in the adjacent single room. Having been saved by Xia Hang and having shared a dangerous experience, Su Cheng had long considered him a close friend. Now, seeing him like that, hurt and alone in a hospital, he frequently came by after work, and gradually, they grew familiar with each other and quickly reconnected.

 

Su Cheng drove Xia Hang to an apartment in a slightly older complex. In the center was a large open space with a wooden corridor entwined with unknown greenery, and there was even a small fitness area and a pavilion, where elderly residents played chess and young parents exercised with their children. The complex was lively, full of daily life.

 

Parking in an available spot, Su Cheng asked, “Did you rent or buy this place?”

 

“Rent,” Xia Hang replied.

 

“How big?”

 

“One bedroom, one living room.”

 

They parked the car and got out to grab the luggage. In reality, it was just a single tote bag containing Xia Hang’s two sets of clothes and a few personal items he had bought while in the hospital. Before leaving, Su Cheng even asked him twice, “Are you sure that’s all? Don’t need me to go back upstairs and pick up more stuff?”

 

Now, holding that modest bag in his hand once more, Su Cheng shook his head in amazement. “This doesn’t look like moving,” he commented. “If anything, it looks more like a business trip to a hotel. Even though it’s late spring, almost early summer, it’s still chilly in the mornings and evenings. You’ve been in the hospital for a month, your body hasn’t fully recovered, and you don’t even have a jacket. I’ll take you to the mall to get some clothes.”

 

“No need,” Xia Hang replied. “I’ll have a uniform at work.”

 

“Speaking of work… you’re sure about reporting on Monday? Not staying home to rest a little longer?”

 

“I’ve spent a month lying in the hospital. I’ve rested enough.”

 

They took the elevator up to the sixth floor, inside the west unit. Xia Hang entered the code and pushed the door open, and Su Cheng squeezed in behind him, glancing around. “Hmm, this is a nice place.”

 

Though just a one-bedroom apartment, it was about seventy square meters. Unlike the gray exterior, the interior looked fresh, almost newly renovated. The living room had a three-seater gray fabric sofa, a matching carpet, and a round coffee table. An open balcony extended from the living room, lined with potted plants, while the dining area sat by the kitchen wall, complete with a refrigerator and a table for four. The kitchen had every essential utensil, and the bathroom was newly renovated, with a fresh set of toiletries and even a bathtub.

 

Xia Hang opened the bedroom. White wardrobe, white bed, ash-gray four-piece bedding. He ran a hand over the mattress, finding it moderately firm and completely suitable for his injured back, every detail reflecting care in arrangement. The apartment felt warm and welcoming, just like a real home.

 

So he pulled out his phone and sent a quick thank-you message to his former superior, who had arranged everything.

 

As for Su Cheng, he finished surveying the rest of the apartment and walked into the bedroom, tugging at his T-shirt. “I thought we’d have to clean together, so I dressed lightly,” he said. “Didn’t expect this place to already be spotless. I even checked the fridge, and it’s full of vegetables, meat, fruit, and milk. You want something, I’ll show off my cooking skills.”

 

“I’ll treat you to a meal out,” Xia Hang said.

 

“Why be polite? Just tell me what you want to eat.”

 

“Fine, then you decide. I’m not picky.”

 

During the meal, Su Cheng asked, “Monday, when you report, do you need me to take you to the municipal bureau? I know your Chief Yan.”

 

Xia Hang paused with his chopsticks mid-air, asking: “Do you also know Han Huai… Captain Han?”

 

“Han Huaixiao? No. Though I did run into him at a crime scene once and… got scolded.”

 

Xia Hang raised an eyebrow. “He scolded you? Why?”

 

As Su Cheng recalled the scene, he mimicked Han Huaixiao’s stern, black-faced expression, recalling: “A bunch of my colleagues crossed the police tape, trying to take photos, so he said something like ‘look at all these elders, already protecting the crime scene before the police arrived! But you, with your so-called journalists’ knowledge, you don’t even match a group of aunties, walking all over evidence like it’s your backyard! Where are your reporter badges? Forgot them at home? And the victim’s family is obviously a minor, yet you shoved your camera in their faces. What? Want news? Attention? Traffic? Aren’t you quite shameless, huh?’”

 

Han Huaixiao’s temper flared only when his principles were violated, and Xia Hang could picture his tone and expression perfectly.

 

“You laughing?! You know Captain Han?” Su Cheng asked.

 

Startled, Xia Hang coughed lightly, changing the subject. “No need to take me. I can get there myself on Monday.”

 

“Alright then,” Su Cheng said, conceding. “Just call me if you need anything.”

 

“Okay.”

 

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T.N: Hello everyone, for those of you who might have followed my other novel, “When Youth Fails to See the Demon Lord’s Greatness”, unfortunately, it can no longer pe posted here, on Novels Space. I will continue to translate it and post the chapters on my , so you can check it out there if you’re interested. As of today, chapters 1- 41 have become free for everyone, and starting next week, I will continue to post one new chapter each Tuesday, also for free. Advanced chapters will continue to be available for those to chose to become my Patrons. Thank you for your time! ❤️

 

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