Liu Yue stepped into the small room where Ye Chen was being held. She immediately spotted him—his hands cuffed with a sealing curse. The female officer in charge had turned away, refusing to meet his eyes.
Luo Bing still couldn't bring herself to look directly at Ye Chen. When she heard the door open, her gaze shifted to the newcomer.
"Hello, I'm Liu Yue. I came yesterday to arrange Ye Chen's release," she said politely.
"You can take him," Luo Bing replied curtly. "Just make sure he doesn't break traffic laws again or run from the police. We don't need more misunderstandings."
"I've already paid his bail," Liu Yue responded calmly. "Can I take him now?"
Luo Bing nodded stiffly and unlocked the cuffs. "You're free to go," she said without making eye contact.
Liu Yue found the officer's behavior odd, but she didn't dwell on it. Her goal was to get Ye Chen out of here quickly.
As they were about to leave, Ye Chen paused. "Wait. There's something I need to ask Officer Luo Bing."
Luo Bing's heart skipped. What does he want now? Is he going to flirt again? No, stay calm… Her mind raced with ridiculous scenarios.
Ye Chen walked up and extended his hand. "You still have my car keys. I'd like them back."
"Oh…" Luo Bing felt heat rush to her face. She'd been overthinking again. Embarrassed, she handed him the keys and quickly turned away.
After they left, Luo Bing slumped into her chair, still flustered. Why does he affect me like this? Her fingers grazed her lips as she whispered, "He almost stole my first kiss..."
Then she shook her head. "No, I'm a cultivator. He's just an ordinary guy. Get a grip, Luo Bing."
Outside, Liu Yue teased, "Ye Chen, we've only been here a day and you already managed to get in trouble with the police?"
Ye Chen chuckled awkwardly. "I didn't mean to. I didn't have a license and panicked when I got pulled over. I ran. How was I supposed to know the beautiful woman I flirted with was an undercover cop?"
Liu Yue burst out laughing. "You got arrested because you tried to hit on her? That's priceless!"
Ye Chen scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I kinda deserved it."
"Don't worry. I'll get you a proper license tomorrow so this doesn't happen again."
"Thanks, Liu Yue. I'm sorry for being a burden."
"Don't be silly. We're friends, right? Friends help each other."
Ye Chen smiled. "Then if you ever need anything, you can count on me too."
"Actually…" Liu Yue hesitated. "I was going to visit my grandmother at the hospital. Would you like to come? She'd be happy to meet the person who saved her."
"Of course. I'd be honored," Ye Chen replied warmly.
They drove separately to the hospital and made their way to the ward. Inside, an elderly woman was chatting with a nurse.
"Grandma, I'm back!" Liu Yue called out.
The old woman turned with joy. "Yue'er!" she said, pulling her into a hug.
As Ye Chen stepped into the room, he caught a faint scent—familiar, yet out of place. Something was off.
The nurse gave a polite smile to Liu Yue, then noticed Ye Chen and paused. Her eyes widened. He's so handsome... She glanced between Liu Yue and Ye Chen, assuming they were a couple. Envy flickered in her heart as she imagined having even half of Liu Yue's beauty.
After offering a quick goodbye, the nurse left the room, stealing one last glance at Ye Chen.
Ye Chen approached quietly, watching Liu Yue and her grandmother embrace. The scene reminded him of his own late grandfather, stirring a deep emotion in his chest.
Grandmother Situ Rui noticed him and let go of Liu Yue. "Yue'er, who is this fine young man?"
Liu Yue smiled. "This is Ye Chen. He's the one who sold me the Zillao bracelet—he's the reason you recovered."
Situ Rui clasped his hands warmly. "Thank you, Ye Chen. I truly thought my days were numbered, but because of you, I was given a second chance."
"You should thank your granddaughter," Ye Chen replied humbly. "She believed in me enough to buy it."
"You're a good man, Ye Chen. Call me Grandma Rui from now on."
Ye Chen nodded. "Alright, Grandma Rui."
Just then, Liu Yue noticed something strange. "Wait… This morning only one bead on the bracelet had turned black. Now it's two..."
Grandma Rui glanced at the bracelet. "You're right. I didn't even notice."
"Ye Chen… what does this mean?" Liu Yue asked with concern.
Ye Chen didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to the bedside table and picked up the bowl from which Grandma Rui had eaten. He sniffed it carefully, then frowned.
"Grandma Rui, did you just eat this food?"
"Yes, I finished it just before you arrived. Why?"
Ye Chen looked serious. "There's poison in this bowl. That's why the second bead turned black."