Si Yusheng's eyelids jumped and cold sweat dripped down his back. However, he was a wily old fox that had handled countless people before. Even in the face of Xu Binchen's heavy pressure, he stood his ground and put on a regretful expression. "Really? My apology, Mr.Xu, it's my negligence. I will make sure to note it down next time."

Xu Binchen hummed indifferently but his sharp eyes pierced into Si Yusheng's body.

"Then," Si Yusheng offered. "Seeing how you like her so much, how about I give her to you?"

The room plunged into silence in the next moment. It wasn't known what Xu Binchen was thinking about but in the end, he replied. "No." However, his tone lightened somehow, proving that Si Yusheng's sincerity had appeased him. "It's annoying. I don't want to keep something permanently. She will be kept here and serve only me and me alone. No one can touch her, not even you, got it?"

"Sure, we can do that." Si Yusheng smiled, relieved.

"Prolong the contract to next month. I think I will keep on coming here in the future." Xu Binchen looked down at the girl's miserable appearance and the corner of his lips curled up into a meaningful smile which was received perfectly by Si Yusheng.

The two men became closer after the contract was signed and Xu Binchen's membership card was upgraded. In a sense, he had already achieved what he came for.

Xu Binchen left in satisfaction and when Lei Liqiu woke up with her head aching from having showered with cold water all night, there was only an empty room left.

She remembered what the man had told her last night. "During this period, try to record the captives' names. Find out where they came from, who brought them in and what they had seen here. Remember, don't provoke anyone else and keep it under wraps."

Her breath stuck in her throat and she asked in a small voice. "..who are you? Are you a cop?"

The man didn't answer but his firm gaze had already dispelled Lei Liqui's doubt. Her heart lightened in an instant and the long lost hope was rekindled. She clenched her fists tight and nodded. "I—I will. You..may I know your name?"

It was only a simple question but when Lei Liqiu recalled how she had kissed the man without even knowing his name and identity, she blushed in shame.

Xu Binchen was speechless seeing how the girl's skin could change color in a blink of an eye. Even so, he didn't have any qualms about telling her. "My surname is Xu, given name Binchen."

"Mr. Xu Binchen.." Lei Liqiu muttered, her heart ticklish as if there was a feather grazing on it gently. She saw the man's cold, handsome features and couldn't help her heartbeat quickening. "Don't worry, Mr.Xu, I will definitely do it properly!"

Lei Liqiu didn't know what Xu Binchen had done but from then on, no one dared to touch her anymore.

***

"I have finished the task." He unbuttoned his shirt, took it off and changed into a clean, simple shirt that emitted a soft fragrance of detergent. The phone was still connected with Ru Meiqi and Xu Binchen reported as he drove out from the bar. "Lei Liqiu will become our spy from now on."

Ru Meiqi paused. "Alright, I will trust your judgment. But make sure that the girl will be safe inside."

"Don't worry." The scene of last night's kiss flashed on his mind and he frowned. "She isn't so stupid...I guess."

Ru Meiqi was speechless by his crude remark. "..Speaking of it, what happened to your voice?"historical

Xu Binchen cleared his throat. "Stayed up all night."

"What are you doing not sleeping all night—wait, no, don't tell me. I don't want to know."

"What the hell are you thinking about?" He scoffed. "Si Yusheng injected aphrodisiac into her body. I have to take care of her throughout the night."

Ru Meiqi was sure that 'take care' in Xu Binchen's version wasn't what she was thinking about. Suddenly, she pitied the girl. Ru Meiqi sighed. "Well, just go back and rest first. Afterall, you have just recovered from your cold."

It was only six something in the morning and the road was clear and smooth. Xu Binchen turned the steering wheel and answered with a hum. "I will go back in the afternoon."

He recalled how Qiang Fei would always cook congee these past few days for breakfast and how Shi Nian would always knock on his door to share the food. Warmth permeated through his heart and his cold eyes softened ever so slightly. Even he didn't realize that he was stepping on the accelerator harder.

When Xu Binchen arrived, it was only 7.15 am. He rode the elevator to the highest floor and walked to his door, expecting to see a certain someone there.

Well, there was indeed someone. However, it wasn't the person he was expecting.

Xu Binchen halted in his tracks. "..Madam Shi?"

Qiang Fei stood in front of his door, clad in a business suit with her hair rolled up and delicate make up on her face. However, it still couldn't cover the fatigue and anxiety between his brows. Seeing Xu Binchen, her eyes lit up and she bowed. "Detective Xu."

Xu Binchen's expression sank and he quickened his steps. "Is there something wrong with Shi Nian?"

"Well.." Qiang Fei sighed wryly. "I don't know if it's worth mentioning but still, I am very worried. It's nothing urgent but something seems to be wrong with Shi Nian."

"What is it?" he asked, his tone slightly anxious.

"Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night and went to the kitchen to fetch a drink. Then from Niannian's room, I heard that..she was crying." Qiang Fei pursed her lips worriedly. "Do you think that there's something wrong? This girl, she never told me anything at all.."

Xu Binchen frowned deeply. "Did she act strangely these past few days?"

"She just looked a little bit restless. However, there's nothing unusual." Qiang Fei sighed heavily. "When Xiao Jiang came to our house to eat, she was still smiling so happily. What could have happened?"

Xu Binchen's eyelids twitched. "Her strange behavior began the day after Mr. Jiang came to your house?"

Surprised, Qiang Fei asked incredulously.. "How could it be? Did something happen between them?" Her mother's intuition worked and she blurted out. "Could she be rejected by Xiao Jiang?!"