Shen Xin stood majestically at the subway entrance, holding Black Panther’s leash.

Beside him was Li Jiahui.

She held Ronaldo’s leash, looking equally formidable and intimidating.

A man and a woman, standing side by side, both wore the same winter duty uniforms.

The man was tall and handsome.

The woman was beautiful and equally tall.

Every passerby emerging from the subway couldn’t help but take a second glance.

But then there was Zhang Qian.

She glanced at the pair, then down at herself, and instantly felt deflated.

’I’m the third wheel, aren’t I!’

Just as she was about to speak to Shen Xin, several young girls swarmed them, chattering like a flock of songbirds.

"Wow, what a cool-looking dog!"

"Hey handsome, what breed is this dog?"

"You’re so handsome, Officer! What’s your name? Can we get a picture with you?"

Before Zhang Qian could react, she was pushed to the side.

She silently told herself not to get angry, but it was useless. Stomping her foot lightly, she turned to leave in a huff.

"Hey, Zhang Qian, where are you going?"

Shen Xin saw her and hurriedly beckoned.

Zhang Qian stopped in her tracks, the corners of her mouth lifting uncontrollably.

Then she composed herself, turned around, and asked, "What is it? Why’d you call me?"

As she spoke, she shot a defiant glance at Li Jiahui.

Li Jiahui stared straight ahead, pretending she hadn’t seen a thing.

After hastily dealing with the flock of young girls, Shen Xin pointed in the other direction. "The balloon stand is that way. You’re going the wrong way."

Zhang Qian froze.

Beside them, Li Jiahui was still looking straight ahead, but she was struggling to suppress a smile.

Shen Xin added, "Just wait here for a bit. We’ll go over together in a moment."

At these words, Zhang Qian’s expression finally softened. She walked over, satisfied, and asked Shen Xin what time his shift ended and if he wanted to grab a late-night snack.

"Sure."

Shen Xin would never turn down a free meal.

He even turned to ask Li Jiahui if she wanted to join.

Sensing Zhang Qian’s sharp gaze, Li Jiahui said, "No, thanks. I have to get back to the base."

Shen Xin let out an "Oh." Just as he was about to say more, his walkie-talkie crackled.

"There’s an issue with Tiger Stripes. I’m going to check on it. Be right back."

Shen Xin shoved Black Panther’s leash into Li Jiahui’s hand and jogged away.

Li Jiahui didn’t even have time to ask what had happened.

Seeing Zhang Qian sizing her up warily, Li Jiahui subtly straightened her posture. After a moment’s thought, she said, "You know, you shouldn’t see me as an enemy."

"Enemy?"

A flash of embarrassment crossed Zhang Qian’s face as she put on an expression that said, ’I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

Li Jiahui wore a knowing look. "Your real rival is the one by Shen Xin’s side—his partner, Ding Yuwei, who’s with him day in and day out. It’s not me."

Zhang Qian’s face instantly flushed. Flustered, she wanted to argue but didn’t know how to, only managing to mumble, "Well, it’s not like they’re together day in and day out."

Li Jiahui chuckled. "Don’t be embarrassed. We’re all young. If you like someone, you should go for it. In any case, I think Shen Xin is a great guy, and you two would make a good couple." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Zhang Qian was now so embarrassed she didn’t know what to do with herself.

But she didn’t object.

Li Jiahui continued, "Actually, we could be friends. I could even help you strategize. First, we need to take care of that Ding Yuwei. She’s too much of a threat to you."

A glint flickered in Li Jiahui’s eyes.

Zhang Qian nodded instinctively.

When Shen Xin was at the Yunlin Police Station, she’d felt like she was a little closer to him.

But who knew he’d get transferred to the sub-bureau, and a certain Ding Yuwei would show up and even become his partner.

Just as Li Jiahui had said, the threat was immense.

Zhang Qian glanced at Li Jiahui. For some reason, she felt there was something odd about her.

"It’s mainly Shen Xin. I feel like he’s changed, as if..."

Zhang Qian took a step closer, confiding in Li Jiahui.

But she couldn’t find the right words at the moment. "It feels like he suddenly lost all interest in romance and is just focused on work."

"Isn’t that a good thing? A man should be ambitious. Look at him—he’s constantly solving cases and earning commendations. He’d have been promoted long ago if he weren’t so young," Li Jiahui said immediately.

Zhang Qian nodded. That was true.

Shen Xin had come from the Yunlin Police Station, so everyone there still followed his every move.

Whenever Shen Xin solved a case, Song Liang would boast to everyone about how Shen Xin had come from his station.

So, Zhang Qian often heard Zhang Jian going on and on about Shen Xin.

Li Jiahui added, "Besides, this is a good thing for you. It means that Ding Yuwei doesn’t stand a chance, either."

Zhang Qian nodded slightly. "Jiahui, what do you think I should do, then?"

The two of them were the same age.

Li Jiahui said, "As the saying goes, ’When a woman pursues a man, they’re separated only by a thin veil.’ I’ve seen that Ding Yuwei. My impression is that she’s on the introverted side, not the type to make the first move."

"So, as long as Shen Xin doesn’t take the initiative, she’ll never make a move. The most she’ll do is harbor a silent crush and keep him company."

"This is your chance to be more proactive. You need to see Shen Xin more often, get in front of him, and make an impression. Otherwise, with Ding Yuwei by his side every day, familiarity will eventually breed affection."

Zhang Qian nodded thoughtfully, then glanced at Li Jiahui again.

’Something still feels off about this girl,’ she thought.

’Why would she suddenly be so nice, wanting to be my friend and giving me advice?’

’Could it be...’

A glint appeared in Zhang Qian’s eyes. "Alright, I’ll give it a try. By the way, I heard you two talking earlier about going to the K-9 base to pick out a stud dog. Can I come have a look? It would be a good chance to keep Shen Xin company."

"So, Jiahui, can I? You did say we’re friends, after all."

The corner of Li Jiahui’s eye twitched. She gave an unnatural nod. "Sure. If you want to come, I’ll let you know."

"Then let’s add each other on WeChat."

Zhang Qian eagerly pulled out her phone.

Li Jiahui nodded, her gaze turning warier as she looked back at Zhang Qian.

Meanwhile, Shen Xin had already arrived at the scene of the incident.

It was on the food street on the east side of the square.

A child was crying while his parents tried to comfort him.

Gao Zhiyu of the SWAT team was lecturing Tiger Stripes, who had his head cocked with a look of defiance.

Upon seeing Shen Xin, Gao Zhiyu hurriedly waved him over.

Apparently, he had been patrolling the area with Tiger Stripes when a little boy passed by holding an ice cream cone. The boy had only taken a few licks before turning to talk to his mother, carelessly lowering the cone in the process.

As Tiger Stripes brushed past, he opened his mouth, shot out his tongue, and swallowed the entire ice cream cone whole.

The little boy was instantly displeased and started bawling his eyes out.

His parents’ offers to buy him a new one were useless.

Gao Zhiyu’s offer to buy one was also rejected. The boy, who looked to be kindergarten-aged, insisted that his teacher said you have to apologize when you do something wrong. He pointed at Tiger Stripes and demanded that the dog apologize to him.

Tiger Stripes just cocked his head, giving no reaction.

The boy wouldn’t let it go, which was why Shen Xin had been called over.

"Tiger Stripes!"

Shen Xin immediately glared at Tiger Stripes.

’If there weren’t so many people around, I’d have slapped him already.’

Black Panther and Dou Dou had reached Stage Two long ago. But this one, he was an expert at dealing with "sugar-coated bullets"—he’d eat the candy and send the bullet right back. As a result, his favorability rating had increased at a snail’s pace; to this day, it was still only at eight bars.

But he was smart; he knew exactly what was going on.

And sure enough, the moment he saw Shen Xin, he first shot an annoyed glare at Gao Zhiyu, then immediately trotted over to the little boy. After a single WOOF, his front legs buckled, and he knelt!

The child’s parents were dumbfounded.

The surrounding onlookers were also dumbfounded.

Quite a few people turned to look at Shen Xin.

They had all seen with their own eyes just how stubborn the dog had been moments ago.

But as soon as Shen Xin showed up, the dog groveled at the speed of light.

What was even more incredible was that kneeling wasn’t enough. Tiger Stripes then sat up, straightened his body, and began to bow with his front paws clasped together.

As he bowed, his eyes darted about, secretly peeking at Shen Xin’s reaction.

His will to survive was off the charts.