Love Assault - Chapter 5

Li Zhiyong stared at Chen Mo, his mouth agape. After a long pause, he stammered, Sister Mo, you… you… you really look like the boss’s daughter! You exude an air of unapproachable nobility.

Zhang Lining chuckled. Exactly! Pockmark’s a fugitive wanted for robbery and murder. If he sees Sister Mo, he might just change his mind and become a flower-snatching bandit instead!

Chen Mo tossed her briefcase to the two men, shoved her hands into her pockets, and turned to leave. Just ‘boss’ is fine. You can skip the ‘daughter’ and the rest. This is work time—no joking around.

Li Zhiyong and Zhang Lining exchanged wry glances and muttered under their breath, And definitely no joking around outside of work hours either. They grabbed the briefcase and hurried after her.

After about ten minutes of walking, a solitary building loomed into view. Looking further, they spotted a few more scattered structures in the distance. A complete circuit of the area would likely take up the entire afternoon. The trio walked at a steady pace across the vast, deserted expanse. Recent snowfall crunched under their boots, and the biting wind only amplified the desolate atmosphere.

Li Zhiyong adjusted his sleeves and spat on the ground. This place is freezing and utterly barren. If Pockmark’s really hiding here, I’d have to admire his tenacity.

To survive, there’s nothing I can’t endure, Chen Mo said, slowing her pace and lowering her voice. The warehouse key is in my briefcase. Go open the door.

Li Zhiyong pulled out the key and jangled it, then raised his voice. General Xu, let me tell you, this area is absolutely top-notch. General Zhang instructed us that if you’re interested, we’re prepared to offer a 5% discount. As he spoke, he jogged to the warehouse door, grabbed the massive padlock, and with a clack, twisted it open. He unwound the heavy chain link by link, all the while continuing his sales pitch. Look at this lock—imported from America. Not even an ant could get through. Your goods will be 100% secure here.

Chen Mo scoffed softly, her hands in her pockets. Hearing is believing. Let’s go inside and see for ourselves. She turned to Zhang Lining. Zhang Lining, wait here for me.

Zhang Lining nodded and helped Li Zhiyong pull open the massive gate. The deafening creak echoed through the empty space as a wave of damp, musty air rushed out. Li Zhiyong rubbed his nose and called out, General Xu, it’s dark inside. I’ll lead the way. Just follow me.

Chen Mo nodded. Alright. Let’s go.

Lin Che curled up on the leather sofa, gently swirling a glass of red wine in her hand. Lin Zhili sat across from her, squinting as she scrutinized her daughter.

Mom, aren’t you busy this afternoon? Lin Che asked, taking a small sip of wine. Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?

Hmph… Lin Zhili snorted through her nose. Something? Your face practically screams that you left your soul at the police station.

Lin Che paused, then chuckled. What are you talking about? I’m not dead yet. How could my soul have wandered off?

Lin Zhili stood up and plopped down next to Lin Che, pinching her cheek. I gave birth to you. Do you think I can’t tell what’s on your mind? Tell me yourself, or should I investigate? As she spoke, she tickled Lin Che relentlessly.

Lin Che, too busy protecting her face to guard her body, burst into laughter and scrambled to another sofa, spilling red wine in the process. She hastily set the glass on the coffee table, deliberately adopting a stern expression. Mom, you’ve already stained the carpet with wine. If you keep this up, I’ll spill it all over the sofa and make you regret it for life!

This sofa was custom-made for Lin Zhili by Lin Che, costing a fortune when it was ordered three years ago. Since then, Lin Zhili had treated it as her most prized possession. She gasped, clutching her chest, and exclaimed, You unfilial daughter! You haven’t been home in years, and now you’ve grown so bold? What’s wrong? Why are you so sensitive just because I asked a question? It seems I guessed right after all. As she spoke, she pulled out her phone and pretended to dial a number. Lin Che rolled off the sofa and grabbed Lin Zhili’s hand. What are you doing?

If you won’t tell me, I’ll just investigate everything that happened at the police station today. Then I’ll find out who you met there. And then… Lin Zhili raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips as she watched Lin Che’s eyebrows nearly knot together. Ah, I guessed right again! Same question as before will you tell me yourself, or should I investigate?

Lin Che threw her hands up in surrender. I give up.

Good to see you know your place, Lin Zhili said, crossing her arms and lifting one leg over the other, her chin held high. Now, tell me. What did you see at the police station? You’ve been distracted all afternoon.

A real beauty, Lin Che said, her eyebrows dancing as she recounted her first meeting with Chen Mo in detail, gesturing wildly as she spoke. Mom, you should have seen her moves! I’m not even sure I could beat her in a fight.

Lin Zhili stroked her chin, listening quietly until Lin Che finished, then nodded. So, after all that, the main point is still your first sentence, right?

First sentence? Lin Che scratched her head. What was my first sentence?

The main point is that she’s a beauty, Lin Zhili said, bending down to pick up the red wine Lin Che had left on the coffee table and gulping it down in one go. I need to think about this. What kind of Western nonsense have you been learning in America these past few years? She muttered a few unintelligible words to herself before suddenly stopping and staring intently at Lin Che, making her skin crawl. Is this girl you’re talking about named Chen Mo?

Lin Che clapped her hands. Yes! Mom, you know her? That’s great…

Lin Zhili pondered aloud, I wouldn’t say I know her, but she handled Fang Youfu’s case. Efficient, decisive, and with a certain… flair. She just seems to keep everyone at arm’s length. She turned to Lin Che. Honey, do you really like someone who ignores you? Are you a bit of a masochist? Realizing how that sounded, she shook her head. No, let’s talk about why you like women first.

Lin Che clutched her head, muttering, Mom, who taught you all these terms like ‘masochist’? Lin Zhili yanked her arm away, pressed close to Lin Che, and tilted her daughter’s head to face her. Sweetheart, I need time to process this whole ‘you like women’ thing. I’m proud you’re independent and driven to forge your own path, but you’re getting a bit ahead of yourself. Shouldn’t we follow the socialist development stages first—start with the primary stage before jumping to communism?

Lin Che’s face was squished between Lin Zhili’s hands, her cheeks bulging. Squinting and pouting, she whined, Mom, we’re not even close to that yet! After all the kidnappings, assassination attempts, and general chaos I’ve endured, can’t you just let this go?

Lin Zhili released her grip and burst into laughter. Alright, your wings have hardened. I won’t interfere, but I’m curious to see what you’ve got that would make that ice-cold super-cop fall for you. You know, even the character ‘八’ eight needs two strokes to be complete. You like women, but what if she’s already married or has a boyfriend? What if…?

Lin Che rubbed her forehead, unsure how to respond, when the phone rang. She grabbed it urgently, leaped to her feet, and dashed toward her room. Mom, I need to take this call! You should rest! She vanished up the stairs before the words were even out of her mouth.

Lin Zhili hugged a cushion to her chest, watching the staircase with a serene smile. Little rascal, she murmured, you think you can escape my grasp? She dialed a number. Ye Quan, book me a flight to the US tonight. She tossed the phone aside, stood up, poured herself another glass of red wine, and sighed contentedly. Ah, I don’t want to meddle in these young people’s affairs. I’m going to enjoy my sunny beaches and handsome men… She paused, glanced at Lin Che’s tightly closed bedroom door on the second floor, and bit her lip thoughtfully. Handsome men… or beautiful women? Maybe I could enjoy that too?