SWNOVELXO Chapter 11: A Man's Worth Is More Than a Thousand Gold!
The morning sunlight poured through the large windows, casting elongated shadows that danced across the tiled floor as Shen Zeming entered the bustling police department.
The air was thick with the aroma of stale coffee and the constant hum of ringing phones, computer keyboards clacking, and muffled conversations echoing off the high ceilings.
Right after he entered, there was a long wooden counter stretched across the lobby area, where a young female officer sat hunched over her computer, her fingers rapidly tapping away at the keys.
Only when Shen Zeming approached did she slowly turn towards him, letting out an audible sigh as she reluctantly tore her gaze away from the screen.
"Hello, how can we help you?" she asked in a flat tone, rolling her eyes as if anticipating yet another mundane morning complaint from a disgruntled citizen. But her pupils widened in surprise when she took in the sight of the strikingly handsome man before her.
His piercing eyes were fixed solely on her, their intensity causing her to shift uncomfortably in her seat.
His sharp, chiseled jawline and pointed nose were perfectly aligned, and his bold eyebrows, arched like a dragon's, seemed to aim straight at her heart, causing it to beat faster despite the coldness that had long settled there.
Not to mention the way he was dressed— suggested he came from a wealthy family. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, she felt as though she had seen his face before.
"Good morning, Miss," Shen Zeming greeted her, his voice polite yet commanding, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Murmurs and whispers filled the air from the moment he entered, as if his very presence demanded notice.
"Ah! Yes, good morning!" the officer gasped, inadvertently using a rigid military tone as if receiving an order from a superior, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment at her flustered reaction.
The handsome man before her only smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing slightly in amusement at her disconcerted state.
"I was called this morning to testify in a case," Shen Zeming explained calmly.
"Ah, I see. But may I know which case you're referring to? And could you please provide the badge number of the officer who contacted you, sir?" she asked, her professional demeanor reasserting itself, though traces of embarrassment still lingered in her gaze and flushed cheeks as she diligently followed protocol.
Just as Shen Zeming was about to speak, suddenly...
"Mn? Shen Zeming?" A familiar cold voice, dripping with disdain, spoke his name as if addressing a leech that had been relentlessly following her. The voice came from behind him, near the main entrance—there was no mistaking it.
The police officer's eyes lit up as she greeted the imposing figure striding towards them. "Oh, it's Agent Wei. Good morning!"
Wei Feng cut an intimidating presence, dressed in a fitted black blazer with sharp lapels over a crisp white dress shirt. The shirt's collar was neatly folded over the blazer, and she wore a black tie with subtle stripes that added a touch of understated sophistication.
Her long, silky raven hair was now loose, framing her sharp, almond-shaped eyes that immediately narrowed into a piercing glare directed squarely at Shen Zeming.
As he turned to face her, the two locked eyes, each taking a moment to size the other up in tense silence.
Wei Feng's brow furrowed as disbelief flashed across her features. 'Oh... i-is this that disgusting bastard?' she muttered inwardly, her eyes widening as she took in the familiar yet unfamiliar sight of Shen Zeming before her.
If not for the same clothes he had worn, she might not have recognized him. His face, gaze, and even his entire demeanor had completely transformed.
'Yan'er mentioned that he didn't fall into her trap and was the one who called the police...' A flicker of doubt crossed her mind. For a brief moment, Wei Feng's resolve wavered, but the humiliating memory from that night suddenly resurfaced, causing her jaw to clench.
'No! This is still the same bastard!' she inwardly retorted, shoving aside any lingering uncertainty. At that moment, her sharp gaze fell upon the wrapped bags Shen Zeming was carrying.
Her eyes then shifted to the police officer behind the desk who had been speaking with him moments earlier. A look of disdain crept across Wei Feng's features as an uncharitable thought took root. 'You couldn't get me, and now you're courting someone else?!'
Without sparing Shen Zeming another glance, she snorted derisively, "A pervert is still a pervert!" With that parting jab, she brushed past him, ignoring his presence completely.
"Umm?" The confused police officer hummed, clearly taken aback by the terse exchange and biting remark from Wei Feng.
Shen Zeming simply watched Wei Feng's retreating back in silence, not bothering to offer any explanation for her benefit.
[DING!] Host, why don't you chase her and give a proper explanation that this box is meant for you to eat?
'It would only cause more misunderstanding and lower my value,' Shen Zeming thought inwardly, dismissing the notion.
He then turned his attention back to the flustered police officer, who had unwittingly become the target of Wei Feng's misdirected jealousy.
Shen Zeming politely addressed the flustered officer, "Miss, do you know Agent Wei? Can you tell me her position and what kind of personality she has?"
The officer, still visibly rattled by the tense encounter, glanced nervously between Shen Zeming and the direction Wei Feng had stormed off. "T-this..." she stammered, clearly hesitant to discuss.
Noticing her reluctance, Shen Zeming decided a more delicate approach was needed. Without breaking eye contact, he reached down and retrieved the wrapped box of chicken drumsticks he had brought, slipping it discreetly onto the counter before her.
Leaning forward slightly, his imposing presence seeming to fill the space before the desk, Shen Zeming offered a warm yet disarming smile. "It's just between us. It's not classified information, just general knowledge," he said in a low, almost whisper-like tone rich with reassurance.
The combination of his commanding aura, unwavering eye contact, and the thoughtful offering appeared to have the desired effect. The officer, now identified as Duan Mei, meekly nodded in acquiescence, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly.
...
A few moments later, with the guidance of Officer Duan Mei, Shen Zeming was escorted into a more private office area with fewer desks and workstations scattered about.
"This is Agent Wei's teammate, and that is her office," Duan Mei explained, gesturing vaguely as a rosy tint still colored her cheeks from their earlier interaction.
Shen Zeming's gaze followed her indication, and he immediately recognized the familiar figures occupying the nearby workstation - or rather, two very familiar figures.
"Thank you, Sister Mei," Shen Zeming replied with a polite nod. Just as the words left his lips, a jovial voice called out to him from across the room.
"Yo, Brother Shen!"