Looking at that face, the policewoman finally remembered.
Li Mushí.
The Li family.
In Haishi, there was only one family that truly lived up to the phrase bells ringing and tripods feasting—an old aristocratic household of immense wealth and power.
And in Li Mushí's generation, counting him, there were three sons.
The eldest entered politics, the second pursued academia, and the third went into business.
Li Mushí was the third.
Though the three brothers were born of the same mother, Li Mushí was a late-born child. The age gap between him and his two elder brothers was significant, and he was only eight years older than his nephew, Li Zhan.
Most of the necessary questions had been asked. The policewoman said politely, "If Miss Jing remembers anything later on, please contact me at any time."
Jing Ge stood behind Li Mushí. The man's shoulders were broad, his back tall. Her forehead was almost brushing his shoulder, and she could smell the faint scent of soap on him, diluted by the cold air.
No one was surprised by Li Mushí's words—guardian.
Including Jing Ge.
Even though she was already twenty, long past the age of needing one.
Before Jing Ge could step forward and nod, Li Mushí took a business card from his pocket and handed it to the policewoman with both hands. "This is Li's contact information. If the police station needs further cooperation, please contact me first. She's just entered society and hasn't dealt with things like this before."
Policewoman: "…Alright."
Once everything was settled, Li Mushí turned around, glanced at Jing Ge, and said, "Go home."
With that, he started walking down.
Jing Ge hurried after him for two steps, then seemed to remember something and quickly grabbed his shirt.
As her fingers curled, they accidentally brushed against his waist.
Warm. Firm.
Li Mushí stopped and swept a glance at her from the corner of his eye.
As if burned, Jing Ge quickly let go and said weakly, "Uncle, the sugarcane I bought hasn't been paid for yet."
The man's gaze slid briefly over the sugarcane.
The driver waiting nearby understood immediately and went to the fruit shop to scan the code and pay.
"Thank you, Uncle Zhang," Jing Ge swallowed back the words I'll go pay myself. "I'll transfer the money to you later."
The driver was Li Mushí's personal chauffeur.
"Oh, it's nothing. That's hardly any money."
Before getting into the car, Jing Ge bent down and climbed into the back seat, taking off her shoes and hugging them sole to sole as she got in.
Li Mushí glanced sideways at her actions. "Throw them away."
"No," Jing Ge shook her head. "My mom gave them to me as my twentieth birthday present."
A pair of brand-new women's Nike sneakers.
Li Mushí's gaze remained淡 and indifferent. He reached into the seatback pocket and took out a brand-new pair of slippers for her, along with a paper bag.
She didn't quite understand, but she respected it.
Jing Ge sneaked a look at him, thanked him, quickly slipped on the slippers, and stuffed the sneakers—now stained with blood from the crime scene—into the bag.
"By the way," the man wasn't talkative, but Jing Ge couldn't help herself and made conversation. "Uncle, why did you come?"
The driver answered, "When the young master took your call, I happened to be nearby. I was worried something might happen to you, so I informed Third Master."
The moment Li Zhan was mentioned, Jing Ge's mood visibly drooped.
The bag of sugarcane hung from the hook behind the driver's seat, swaying slightly.
"Uncle, would you like some sugarcane?"
The instant she said it, Jing Ge wanted to die on the spot.
Li Mushí didn't look like someone who would gnaw on sugarcane.
Every movement of his—standing, sitting, walking—seemed carved from a mold. No exaggerated expressions, no unnecessary motions. Aside from three proper meals a day, he almost never ate snacks.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
Until Li Mushí handed his phone over. "Save my number."
The screen glowed coolly. The man's facial contours were sharp and striking, his looks nothing short of extraordinary.
Jing Ge hesitated. "There's no need, Uncle…"
"Add it," Li Mushí said, leaving no room for refusal. "Second Brother and Sister-in-law aren't here. If something happens to you, I won't be able to explain it to them."
The second brother and sister-in-law he mentioned were Li Zhan's parents—also Jing Ge's future parents-in-law.
If she kept being so awkward, she really would look just like the way Li Zhan had cursed her.
Jing Ge took out her phone and added his contact.
After she saved it, Li Mushí gestured toward the sugarcane. "Eat less. It's cold."
"Sugarcane is sweet in winter," Jing Ge got more talkative when nervous. "And I originally wanted to buy roasted chestnuts—warm to hold in your arms—but chestnuts are too expensive. Twenty-five a jin. That money could buy two sugarcanes and still get one yuan back…"
Li Mushí frowned. "Short on money?"
The moment she finished speaking, Jing Ge regretted her loose tongue. "No, I have enough."
Li Mushí said nothing more.
People in high positions were always taciturn.
The car was about to turn into the Li family villa area.
Li Mushí withdrew his gaze from the window and turned his face slightly. "The reason."
"…Huh?"
"The reason you went out alone at night."
"..." Jing Ge pressed her lips together, wilting like a dehydrated vegetable. "Li Zhan told me to get lost."
Li Mushí: "The reason."
Jing Ge didn't want to say it.
Li Mushí looked back out the window. "I need to know the reason before I can make decisions for you."
A surge of sourness instantly filled Jing Ge's nose, hitting so hard her eyes threatened to overflow.
"I want to go home, Uncle."
Her voice carried a barely suppressed sob.
"..." Li Mushí was quiet for a moment before saying calmly, "Before Second Brother and Sister-in-law left, they entrusted you, Li Zhan, and Li Ying to me. You'll wait until they return."
She couldn't just leave like this.
Jing Ge's shoulders trembled as she held it in.
The man's long, straight-boned hand extended toward her, a plain handkerchief resting in his palm.
Jing Ge muttered a thank-you, covered her eyes with it, and absorbed those few uncooperative tears.
"Uncle."
"Mhm."
"You're really a good person."
"..."
The driver's mouth twitched nearly into a grimace.
His boss… had actually received a good person card.
Outsiders knew Li Mushí to be reserved and steady, rational and restrained, flawless in both major and minor rules. But no one would praise him as a good person based on that alone.
One moment he could be refined and courteous with you; the next, he could slaughter without mercy. Politeness was merely his opening line—ruthlessness was the real content.
Jing Ge returned the handkerchief.
Li Mushí pushed open the car door and got out. "Throw it away."
"..."
She had only wiped away a few tears, not blown her nose!
If he thought it was dirty, she could wash it and return it. The fabric was so soft and comfortable, like a cloud, with a plum blossom embroidered on the corner—hand-stitched on both sides.
To throw it away just for wiping tears—if she'd known, she would've just used the back of her hand.
At least that wouldn't waste such a delicate piece of fabric.
Silently, Jing Ge stuffed the handkerchief into her pocket.
The dog Li Zhan kept came bounding over enthusiastically.
Jing Ge squatted down and hugged it, burying her face in the clean, thick fur around its neck. She almost started crying again.
Li Mushí stood there, watching her hug the dog.
"Tianlang—"
An unhappy voice sounded from the entryway. The dog in Jing Ge's arms lowered its head, twisted its body, and instantly ran back.
Li Zhan stood under the light, arms crossed.
A half-smile tugged at his lips as his gaze swept from the top of Jing Ge's head down to her feet. When he noticed the slippers on her feet—clearly a man's—his smile froze for a brief moment.
Li Mushí didn't care what he was thinking. He brushed past him and walked inside. "All of you, get in."
Jing Ge sniffed, avoiding Li Zhan as she headed in—only to be stopped when he extended an arm to block her.
She looked up.
Li Zhan resembled Li Mushí, but being a few years younger, his brows and eyes carried a mix of youth and world-shaking defiance. "You've got some skills. My uncle never lends his personal belongings to outsiders. With tricks like that, why not try seducing me instead? Or did you forget—I'm the one who's your fiancé?"