Chapter 553: Chapter 553: Follow the Vine to Find the Melon
Jenny overheard the conversation between Sun Ze and Young Master Du. She quickly discovered that Sun Ze was a student at the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and simply made a phone call to Gu Xinyan, learning that Xu Xiangbei was a guest professor at the college. She soon found out that some college students were having a birthday party in the VIP suite on the second floor.
She didn’t suspect Xu Xiangbei’s presence at Feida KTV, but she was very suspicious of his actions of hiding behind the pillar.
Xu Xiangbei’s face still carried that annoying evil grin as his fingers gently slid along Jenny’s smooth, fair arm, feeling her warm and delicate skin.
"I have no evil intentions, at most just seeing a beautiful woman and fantasizing for a moment. I’m hiding here simply to quietly watch you dance. It’s not every day you get to see Officer Jenny dance."
Jenny flicked Xu Xiangbei’s hand away with a slap, stifling a laugh and playfully scolding, "You can watch, but no touching. You’ve watched for so long, and you didn’t even offer me a drink?"
"It’s my honor to buy the beautiful Officer Jenny a drink. What would you like? Whiskey, champagne, or red wine?"
"A beer, please. This girl is tired and thirsty from dancing."
Xu Xiangbei snapped his fingers, and the waiter brought over two bottles of beer along with a bucket of ice. The golden beer swirled as it was poured into the glasses, with a few crystal-clear ice cubes added in, making it refreshingly cool to drink.
Jenny clinked her glass with Xu Xiangbei’s and took a cigarette from his pack, which Xu Xiangbei lit for her with a smile.
Xu Xiangbei smiled subtly and asked, "Officer Jenny, have you uncovered any important intel during this undercover mission?"
Without Jenny needing to say anything, Xu Xiangbei knew that Jenny’s target was Young Master Du. Jenny was clearly casting a line to catch bigger fish, aiming for the big shot behind Young Master Du, not the small fry.
A seductive smile appeared on Jenny’s exquisitely made-up face, "How did you know I’m here undercover? Can’t I just be dancing to make some money?"
"You don’t lack money. It’s hard for me to believe that the top disciple of the Thief Alliance would dance on a pole to make money. With your skills, you wouldn’t even consider it unless it was for millions."
Hearing Xu Xiangbei mention the Thief Alliance, Jenny thought of Seven Girl, and a hint of melancholy flashed in her eyes, "I stopped being a part of the Thief Alliance long ago. Since I became a cop, Seven Girl took over as the top disciple. I’m just an ordinary police officer. A cop and a thief, we’ve become enemies."
Xu Xiangbei consoled Jenny, "Even though you’re a cop and she’s a thief, you’re still deeply connected through years of sisterhood."
"Don’t mention her anymore. You can’t escape the blame in this affair. If it weren’t for you, would she hate me so much?"
Xu Xiangbei forced a smile, wondering how he ended up being the scapegoat in the end.
Seeing Xu Xiangbei’s embarrassed expression, Jenny couldn’t help laughing, "Alright, I’m not blaming you. I’m just teasing. To be honest, I can’t hide it from you anyway. I’m investigating Young Master Du. He’s a front for an illegal betting gang, and I suspect they’re targeting David. David is your good friend, aren’t you worried about him?"
Seeing Jenny being so frank with him, Xu Xiangbei was stunned, not understanding why she would share the case details with him, against National Security Bureau regulations.
Xu Xiangbei guessed something and smiled bitterly, "As expected of the smart and capable Officer Jenny, you’ve investigated everything about me. I’m David’s friend, so of course, I’m a bit worried about him. Why tell me so much? There are only two reasons: you either want to silence me, or you want to recruit me."
Jenny clinked her glass with Xu Xiangbei’s and smiled, "You’re really smart and guessed right. I want to recruit you to help me catch the leader of this betting gang. That way, you not only help me solve the case but also protect your good friend. Two birds with one stone. How about it?"
"Well, it’s good. How do you want me to help?"
Jenny excitedly waved her fists, like a victory in sight, "It’s simple. I’ve heard you’re good at interrogating people. Thoroughly interrogate Young Master Du and follow the trail to catch the people behind him. I’ll round them all up."
It seemed Xu Xiangbei couldn’t refuse. While he hesitated, Sun Ze came over with a mischievous grin, "Haha, I couldn’t find you anywhere. Here you are, chatting with a beauty. We’re about to sing the birthday song, and everyone’s waiting for you. Xiao Qing said you have to be there for the birthday song."
Xu Xiangbei helplessly told Jenny, "Goodbye, beautiful. Someone’s looking for me."
Sun Ze ogled Jenny, "Beauty, your dancing is amazing. Can I get your phone number?"
Jenny blew a puff of smoke into Sun Ze’s face, pulled out a shiny dagger from under her boot, and waved it with a cold smile, "Boy, behave yourself and don’t provoke me, or I’ll cut off your third leg."
Seeing the gleaming dagger, Sun Ze was startled and quickly followed Xu Xiangbei out of the entertainment hall, not daring to provoke Jenny anymore.
The classmates surrounded Xu Xiangbei as he returned, chattering excitedly, "Professor Xu, where did you go? We’ve been waiting for you to come have some cake. Let’s sing the birthday song together."
Xiao Qing laughed with joy, "Brother Xu, you have to make a wish with me, okay?"
A three-tiered chocolate fruit cake was on the coffee table, surrounded by various delicious fruits and chocolate candies, adorned with colorful birthday candles.
Sun Ze lit the candles with a lighter, and the flickering candlelight made everyone’s faces look particularly flushed.
They gathered in a circle, surrounding Xiao Qing and the birthday cake, while the speakers played the melodious birthday song, and they clapped their hands as they sang along.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."
In the most beautiful years of their lives, they laughed and sang with abandon.
The familiar and melodious tune flowed like a clear spring in their youthful hearts.
Everyone enjoyed happiness, felt joy, dreamed of the future, and looked forward to life, like spirited eaglets flapping their wings, ready to fly into the vast open sky.
Xu Xiangbei stood side by side with Song Yuting, singing the birthday song. Their faces were filled with happy smiles, and the candle flames danced on the cake, invoking a romantic and familiar scene that stirred memories buried deep within him.
It was as if Xu Xiangbei had returned to four years ago, sitting side by side with Song Yuting in a song and dance hall, far less decorated than Feida KTV. Some close classmates gathered together, clapping their hands enthusiastically and singing the birthday song with the same vigor and beauty.
The shimmering candlelight bathed their faces in a red glow. The air conditioning in that song and dance hall was broken, and though it was early winter, freezing cold with the wind howling, they were chilled to the bone, but their hearts were burning.
