0127: The Sharp-Witted Ms. Li

At 10:00 AM, Xu Lin arrived at his front door, his entire body tense. Standing beside him, looking equally nervous, was Qin Yunhe.

"Sister Qin, you're a police officer. What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid," Qin Yunhe retorted, though her bravado was clearly forced. She regretted agreeing to help him lie; she hadn't expected she would have to accompany him here in person. Even though this was just a casual visit, after what happened between her and Xu Lin last night, facing his parents now felt overwhelming.

"Hoo—!"

With a sharp exhale, the door opened. Ms. Li looked at Xu Lin, then shifted her gaze to Qin Yunhe.

"Hello."

"Hello, Auntie. I'm Qin Yunhe."

"Hello, Miss Qin. And this is...?"

"Something came up yesterday, which is why he didn't come home."

"Ji Yun gave me a brief idea. Come in, let's talk inside."

When her son hadn't returned late last night, she had called Ji Yun first. Ji Yun told her that Xu Lin was busy and had gone out with a friend of Teacher Su’s. Hearing that the friend was a police officer and that it wasn't a problem caused by her son, but rather a request for his help, both she and Old Xu had breathed a sigh of relief.

However, when he still hadn't returned by the next morning, she couldn't help but call Teacher Su, though no one answered. Just as she was about to try again, they had knocked on the door. This must be the friend of Teacher Su—a real beauty, too.

Ms. Li ushered them inside. Xu Lin immediately retreated to his room to change his clothes and, most importantly, put on underwear. Meanwhile, Qin Yunhe began explaining yesterday's events to Ms. Li, though she slightly altered the narrative. She claimed that because Xu Lin had performed a meritorious service, she and her colleagues had treated him to a meal, but he had accidentally gotten drunk and they didn't know where he lived. They had simply found a nearby hotel and left him there; he only woke up at 9:00 AM today, which was why they were just returning now.

"I'm sorry we didn't let you know. We worried you."

"It's fine, it's fine. That girl Ji Yun told me a bit, so I had some idea. You two certainly lead dangerous lives."

"It's our duty. This time, as an ordinary citizen, Xu Lin helped me a great deal. Your son is very outstanding."

"Oh, hardly. Aside from his grades, the kid isn't anything special." Ms. Li said this, but the smile on her face was impossible to hide. What parent doesn't love hearing their child praised?

"I'll be going now. There's a lot to do at the station. If you have any other questions, you can ask Xu Lin."

"Alright, alright. If you aren't busy, I'd love for you to stay for a meal."

"Next time, I'll definitely come if I have the chance," Qin Yunhe replied politely, feeling relieved that she could finally slip away.

"Oh, by the way, Xu Lin wasn't hurt, was he?" Just as Qin Yunhe stood up and headed for the door, Ms. Li asked.

"I don't think so," Qin Yunhe replied, thinking of the marks she had accidentally scratched into his back. It wasn't exactly *no* injuries.

"That's good. This child, he never says a word when he's in pain. Back in elementary school, he had a stomach ache for two or three days. He didn't say anything until his teacher asked him to stand on the podium during class and he couldn't even walk."

"He has such a manly personality," Qin Yunhe said, imagining Xu Lin as a child, and couldn't help but smile.

"He was just a little fool. There was another time, even worse. He had just learned to ride a bike and went out on his own. He fell and tore a gash in his thigh, but he didn't tell us a thing. We only found out later because he was walking strangely. It left a scar."

*Hmm... that red mark was actually...* Qin Yunhe recalled the long, thin red bump on his knee. Was that actually a scar? In the bathroom, she had idly touched it, thinking it was something like a skin tag.

"Miss Qin? You just mentioned something red... have you seen my Xu Lin's?" Ms. Li narrowed her eyes, staring at Qin Yunhe.

"He had blood and dust on him yesterday, so he changed into my colleague's clothes. I accidentally saw a red mark on his thigh and thought it was a birthmark."

"I see." Ms. Li nodded, though she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"Well, Auntie, I'll be heading out."

"Do come by for a meal when you're free."

"I will."

Qin Yunhe waved with a smile and walked out. Ms. Li watched her retreating figure, frowning, then looked toward the direction of her son's room.

Xu Lin had finished changing and was planning to call Chu Qingchan to tell her he was safe, then wait for Ji Yun to come home from school so he could update her as well. To be honest, he felt too embarrassed to face Ji Yun and Chu Qingchan right now—he had made a mistake! Although he had initially intended to "have them all" like the twelve zodiac signs, he felt guilty. But he couldn't say anything. *Forget it, I'll just lie down for a while.*

He had been exhausted last night, though after he and Qin Yunhe had regained their senses, they had gone at it for another two hours. He felt like he really needed to drink some of his old man's goji berry tea. Still, after what Qin Yunhe had said, they probably wouldn't have any more intimate contact anytime soon.

The trickiest part was Teacher Su. Qin Yunhe and Teacher Su were best friends; if Qin Yunhe let something slip...

If that happened, it would be a disaster. No woman would accept a man who had a relationship with her best friend—at least, he didn't think Su Qingwan would.

"This is so hard, I..."

"Xu Lin, come out for a second."

His mother called out. Dragging his tired body, he opened the door and walked out.

"Where's Dad?"

"He went to work. I'm off today, but he isn't."

"I see. What's up?"

Ms. Li gestured for him to sit on the sofa. Her stern expression left Xu Lin feeling confused.

"What's wrong, Mom? Didn't Sister Qin tell you about yesterday?"

"She did. You helped the police break up a fraud ring."

"It was just a coincidence."

"Such dangerous work—helping with the brainpower is one thing, but you actually got into a fight? What would you have done if something happened to you?!"

"I'm sorry... Mom." He had no defense against his parents' concern. It was safest to just nod and agree.

"And this Miss Qin, what is your relationship with her?"

"What kind of relationship? I'm close with Teacher Su, she's Teacher Su's best friend, and we've eaten together. That's all."

"No, no. Xu Lin, you're starting to lie to me."

"Mom, what lie?" Xu Lin asked, trying to sound serious, but his heart was pounding. Had Qin Yunhe said something wrong? Had she exposed something?

"How did Miss Qin know about the red mark on your thigh?" Ms. Li focused her gaze on her son's eyes, trying to bluff him. She had a subconscious feeling that something was wrong between the two of them. If he couldn't answer that, it would confirm her suspicions.