This sudden array of choices left Zhou Huan somewhat hesitant; which one should he pick? Last time... he strained to recall what Xiao He's cup had looked like.

At that moment, the same waitress gently approached Zhou Huan: "Sir, which style of cup were you considering?"

Seeing someone inquire, Zhou Huan felt a familiar awkwardness. He had never taken the initiative to buy something for anyone. Especially not for a girl he liked, which made it even more difficult to speak up.

The waitress continued, "Sir, are you planning to give this as a gift?"

That question struck Zhou Huan deep within. Had his intentions been seen through so easily? Never mind, he decided to just tell her; perhaps a woman would understand women better? With this thought, Zhou Huan steeled his resolve and stated directly, "Yes, I want to buy a style that most girls would like!"

Hearing this, and observing Zhou Huan's simple demeanor, the waitress smiled: "This gentleman must be getting this for his girlfriend, right?"

"This... yes!" Zhou Huan replied reluctantly, his cheeks flushing slightly pink.

Next, the waitress selected one from the multitude of cups. This one was adorned with a beautiful red rose. The cup itself was ceramic, and what drew particular attention was the flower-shaped lid, topped with a high, protruding ceramic stem, and a miniature, lifelike rose handle crafted by hand.

"Sir, you should choose this one. Roses symbolize love, and besides, the pale pink *of this cup is much lovelier than white. Most girls would probably adore it." As the server spoke, she handed the cup to Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan took the cup, turning it over and over in his hand. He asked quietly, "Miss, won't giving a gift like this be too obvious? Do you have any inconspicuous packaging here?"

"Well... normally, our supermarket doesn't offer gift wrapping, but I can help you select a few other items and then assist you in wrapping everything up!" The waitress was momentarily flustered by Zhou Huan’s request but quickly offered a very reasonable solution.

Zhou Huan was immediately delighted: "That would be wonderful! I really must trouble you with this, Miss!"

The beautiful server led Zhou Huan on a short tour around the supermarket, helping him select some wrapping paper and ribbons. Afterwards, she took everything to their work area to package it, even specifically adding a price tag for Zhou Huan’s gift.

"Sir, it’s done. You have the price tag; please take it to the checkout. If there are any issues, you can just mention my employee number, 001, my name is Yu Qiu, and they will handle the scanning for you." The service was truly first-rate, which deeply touched Zhou Huan and instantly gave him a favorable impression of the supermarket.

Just as Zhou Huan was turning to pay, he looked back and saw a man built like a wooden stump, carrying full shopping baskets in both hands, staring intently and silently at the beautiful waitress behind him.

When Zhou Huan turned to look at the waitress again, he noticed her expression had become quite serious, yet mixed with a hint of shyness beneath the sternness.

"Brother, who is this?" The wooden-stump figure standing in front of Zhou Huan turned out to be Dongzi, and Zhou Huan had no idea when the man had slipped up beside him, staring at the young woman.

The waitress cleared her throat softly, then politely inquired, "Sir, do you also require assistance?"

Dongzi was the type to speak whatever was on his mind, straightforward and blunt. He said plainly, "Little sister, you are truly beautiful. I’d like to become friends with you!"

This statement completely befuddled Zhou Huan. What was wrong with Dongzi today? First, he got excited over receiving money, and now he was talking nonsense to a beautiful woman. Immediately, Zhou Huan grabbed Dongzi: "You brat, why did you run over here?"

"I saw you here just now, so I came. I genuinely want to be friends with this young lady. I wonder if she'll grant me this favor?"

Dongzi was truly unrestrained, making the waitress step back two paces: "Who are you? We don't know each other, and you want to be friends with me?"

"Dongzi, let's go, back!" Zhou Huan said, pulling Dongzi as they walked toward the exit.

As Dongzi was pulled away by Zhou Huan, he kept turning back to call out, "Miss, I'll come find you next time! I truly mean it, I want to be friends!"

From Dongzi’s actions and expression, Zhou Huan could clearly discern that Dongzi had fallen hard—a clear case of love at first sight for Miss Yu Qiu. Zhou Huan dragged Dongzi to the checkout, and they left the store. The waitress, however, stood rooted to the spot for a long time, finally shaking her head with a helpless smile.

Dongzi carried two large bags of provisions, while Zhou Huan held the small gift box. They headed toward Xiao He's office. Upon entering the precinct, Dongzi unceremoniously dumped the two large bags of food onto a desk and immediately started calling over the police officers to eat, clearly having become quite familiar with the station.

Zhou Huan, conversely, carefully cradled the wrapped cup in his hands. He reached Xiao He's door, hid the gift behind his back, and gently knocked.

"Come in!"

Zhou Huan pushed the door open, poking his head in first to survey the room. Xiao He's broken cup from the day before was still in the trash bin, unthrown. Meanwhile, Xiao He was bustling about, tidying things up.

"Xiao He, what are you doing?" Zhou Huan, unaware that Xiao He was about to be sent away for training, was quite surprised to see her packing.

Xiao He was naturally delighted to see Zhou Huan arrive. She dropped what she was holding and ran over to him, happily announcing, "I have wonderful news for you! I’m being transferred for training; it should take about a month. When I return, I'll be the station chief!"

"Really?" Zhou Huan's mind raced. Xiao He telling him this was good news, and since he already had the cup he bought, he could accomplish two things at once. He then brought the gift box out from behind his back: "Here, to celebrate this great opportunity you have, consider it a small token of my feelings for you!"

Xiao He looked down at the small gift box in Zhou Huan's hand, feeling an indescribable warmth. Her smile seemed impossible to contain. She slightly shook her head and asked in a clear, cheerful voice, "What is this? What could my great Master Zhou be gifting me? Is it an amulet? Or perhaps...?"

"Why don't you open it and see!"

Xiao He was extremely eager to find out what was inside. She quickly pulled apart the tied ribbon and joyfully opened the small package. A brand-new cup flashed before her eyes, and the rose design instantly stirred her emotions.

"Wow! It’s so beautiful, Brother Huan, thank you so much!" Having said that, Xiao He turned around, suddenly remembering: how could Zhou Huan afford such a thing? So she asked, "Wait a minute, where did you get the money to buy a cup?"

Zhou Huan grinned, "I just told Mr. Old Wang that he should perform good deeds and generously share his wealth, and unexpectedly, the first thing he gave away was a small sum of money for me and Dongzi. He even wants to help us buy Old Song's funeral apparel shop so we have a place to stay!"

"There’s such a thing? That’s fantastic! It looks like the name of you, Master Zhou, will soon spread far and wide!" Just as Xiao He and Zhou Huan were talking, Dongzi burst in from the doorway, carrying a bottle of liquor and a large bag of snacks.

Dongzi walked between Zhou Huan and Xiao He and announced, "Shouldn't we properly relax today? Let's have a few drinks!"

Xiao He felt utterly helpless regarding Dongzi, but this was a police station after all; she couldn't let him cause such a scene: "Dongzi, you two follow me home. Let's go to my place; I’ll cook a few dishes, and we can have a proper feast!"

"That sounds perfect!" Zhou Huan exclaimed instinctively upon hearing Xiao He’s suggestion, then immediately turned and dragged Dongzi out of the office.

Xiao He had mostly finished packing the things she needed to take. Her personal belongings filled two large travel bags, but in the end, she handed them over for Dongzi and Zhou Huan to carry downstairs.

Xiao He drove, and within ten minutes, the three of them arrived at a residential area. Xiao He found a parking spot, then led Zhou Huan and Dongzi upstairs.

The three of them busied themselves with eating and drinking; everyone was quite happy. Eventually, Dongzi became heavily intoxicated, while Zhou Huan and Xiao He shared an intimate time alone.

Later that evening, Xiao He’s phone rang: "Hello?" Xiao He answered sleepily, her voice slightly hoarse.

"Sister Wang, Brother Wang’s father has brought Wang Qiang to our station looking for you and Zhou Huan. What should we do...?" the voice on the other end inquired.

Xiao He rubbed her eyes, stretched languidly, and then said, "Tell them to go to Old Song’s funeral apparel shop. We’ll all be heading there shortly anyway."

"Understood, I’ll let him know." The line clicked dead.

Xiao He nestled back onto Zhou Huan’s chest, gazing intently at him with her large eyes. Zhou Huan had actually been awake for a while too, and their eyes met for a long moment. Finally, Zhou Huan broke the silence: "Xiao He, let's go to Old Song's shop. We shouldn't keep them waiting!"

Xiao He nodded, pressed a firm kiss onto Zhou Huan, and then the two of them got up, dressed, called Dongzi from the room, and drove off to Old Song's funeral apparel shop.

When Zhou Huan and the others arrived at the shop, Mr. Old Wang was already waiting at the entrance with a group of people lined up.

Dongzi stuck his head out of the car window, exclaiming in astonishment, "Heavens above, what is with this grand formation? What’s going on?" He then pushed the car door open and strode toward Mr. Old Wang, walking back and forth in front of him with his hands clasped behind his back, his small eyes constantly assessing Mr. Old Wang. After a few passes, Dongzi suddenly stopped, staring blankly at Mr. Old Wang: "Mr. Old Wang, why are there so many people? You don't look any different, but I just feel you seem too benevolent today."

From behind Mr. Old Wang, a head slowly emerged. This person seemed fearful of something; the head peeked out, saw Dongzi, and quickly retracted.

Zhou Huan and Xiao He approached. Dongzi craned his neck around Mr. Old Wang’s back for a closer look—it was Wang Qiang. But this time, Wang Qiang lacked his former arrogance and boldness; instead, he was shrinking back nervously, looking terrified. His eyes were vacant, and the moment he saw Dongzi looking at him, he shrieked, "Dad! He’s looking at me!"