Although the beds in the intensive care ward were relatively larger, it was still cramped. This was evidenced by the struggle both men faced when sleeping together. As Xu Lan stood in front of the window and stretched his muscles, a vivacious Bai Wu went over and hugged him tightly.

“You’re awake?”

“Mm…” Bai Wu placed his chin at the base of Xu Lan’s neck and began nuzzling intimately.

“I’ll be meeting Wang Meng soon. I’ll come back to check on you during noon,” Xu Lan said calmly after pushing Bai Wu away and putting on a shirt.

“I’m all healed now. I want to go with you.”

“No.” Xu Lan declined without hesitation. Sergeant Xiao, who dealt with the 928 Incident, was the only person Xu Lan knew there. Having chatted with Liang Yu the day before, Xu Lan felt that it was unwise to let Bai Wu walk about in the open.

“It’s not like they can catch me anyway,” Bai Wu sneered with disdain. It seemed like he had heard the conversation from the previous night.

Eventually, Bai Wu’s reddened eyes and cloying voice led Xu Lan to stop resisting. With a facepalm, he begrudgingly brought Bai Wu along. Bai Wu was pleased with himself for being able to have his way with his devious scheme, but he vehemently suppressed his delight and obediently followed Bai Wu to the local police station.

It was thought that the case could be solved within a short period of time, but it dragged on for more than a month because there were no leads. The task force was then moved to the local police station.

“Sergeant Xu!” Wang Hao dropped all his documents onto the floor in surprise, the instant he laid his eyes on Xu Lan. The ensuing sound drew out the other members of Team 2. Sullenness, dissatisfaction, gloominess, and helplessness accumulated on each of their faces. Those feelings appeared spontaneously upon seeing Xu Lan.

“Mm. I’ve let all of you down. I’m now unemployed, so don’t be like that.”

Those jokers had been Xu Lan’s subordinates. All of them, most notably Wang Hao, were like family to him. Wang Hao was his partner, his brother, and someone who was willing to risk life and limb for him, but Xu Lan disappeared for a month without even considering everyone’s feelings.

“Sergeant Xu! You’re back for real! The chief has been sacked and a new chief will take office today. Will you come back here? We’re all hoping that you can.” Xiao Zhang lowered his head and uttered softly.

“Exactly! Sergeant Xu! We really hope you’ll return!”

They rattled off their requests for Xu Lan to sit for the entrance exam that was being advertised at the time. However, they gave no thought as to whether Xu Lan could actually pass the exams, given that it was years since Xu Lan last touched the entrance examination reference books!

“Try to persuade your uncle, Bai Wu. To be unemployed now when the economy is at a low; even a meal will be hard to come by!” Wang Hao coaxed and glanced at Bai Wu, who was behind Xu Lan.

Under the gaze of Team 2, Bai Wu stepped forward. Xu Lan muttered embarrassedly, “Actually, I still have the inheri…”

“I’ll look after him!” Neither being obsequious nor supercilious, Bai Wu’s low voice rang through the office. His stately and irrefutable character intimidated all those who were present there, including Xu Lan.

A wave of warmth surged from the depths of Xu Lan’s heart. Raising this ‘ young woman ¹ ‘ was not in vain! Despite the fact that Bai Wu said the words without meaning them, Xu Lan still felt that warmth.

“Who’s looking after who now?” Meng Chengjun’s gleeful voice abruptly sounded from the doorway.

As it turned out, Xu Lan’s sudden return caused Team 2 to forget that they were supposed to welcome the new chief. Meng Chengjun went instead and briefly showed him around. Just as they reached the doorway, Meng Chengjun heard Bai Wu’s bold words and paused inquisitively for a moment.

“Haha, the child was kidding, you…”

Xu Lan laughed candidly and turned to look at Meng Chenjun. Midway through the sentence, he saw a figure that was familiar and strange at the same time. Xu Lan’s pitch-black pupils immediately contracted, he stumbled a few steps, only to be held by Bai Wu. That person was equally stunned, he then pushed aside everyone else so he could walk over to Xu Lan.

“How could it be you?” Xu Lan asked the throat-tickling question after calming himself down.