Summer had barely begun, yet the sun already blazed overhead like a suspended ball of fire.
On the wall, an old air conditioner struggled to release a weak stream of cool air, barely managing to temper the sweltering heat.
Zhou Chaochao stood stiffly in Lu Lie's office, visibly ill at ease. She glanced around—simple furnishings: a desk, a swivel chair, a bookshelf, and a coat stand near the door draped with a police uniform jacket.
On the desk sat a figurine—Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece.
Despite the towering stacks of documents, the desktop remained strikingly tidy, order imposed upon the clutter.
Footsteps echoed from outside, prompting Zhou Chaochao to avert her gaze.
"Chaochao, what are you doing in Captain Lu's office? I was just out looking for you!"
Two figures appeared at the doorway—one rotund, the other lean.
"I came to report to Captain Lu. He went to see Chief Liu. Since he didn't ask me to leave, I stayed."
The portly man spoke first, voice booming with cheer: "I'm Wang Xinyu from the field unit—everyone calls me Fatty. This one here doesn't matter much—just know he exists!"
Zhao Songge jabbed him in mock annoyance and turned to Zhou Chaochao with a bright smile: "Ignore that walking rice sack. I'm Zhao Songge—'song' as in 'tribute', 'ge' as in 'melody'. Easy to remember."
Their carefree natures made Zhou Chaochao ease slightly. She nodded and smiled, "I'm Zhou Chaochao—"
Before she could finish, the two exchanged a grin, and Fatty cut her off gleefully, "No need for introductions. We already know."
Zhou Chaochao blinked in surprise, her voice rising slightly, "You already know who I am?"
"Of course," Fatty said with an innocent smile. "Female officers are a rare species in the Criminal Investigation Unit. We knew you were coming before you even arrived…"
"All right, enough chit-chat," Zhao Songge interrupted, "Tell her the real reason we're here."
Zhou Chaochao glanced between the two, unease returning. "Captain Lu still refuses?"
They exchanged hesitant looks. After a long pause, Fatty spoke, "It's not quite a refusal. He's just… set some rather tough conditions. Honestly, it's for your own good. The tech division would be a better fit. Field work is rough and dangerous."
"What kind of conditions?" Zhou Chaochao immediately latched onto the glimmer of hope.
"Captain Lu told Chief Liu that physical endurance is key in our unit. If you can run twenty laps around the track, he'll approve. You're free to stop anytime and head to the tech group."
Zhao Songge added gently, "It's blazing out there. Maybe let it go? Honestly, the tech unit and field unit aren't so different—just different roles. The field team is just a lot more taxing. Chaochao, think it through."
"I can do it. I used to run every morning in college," Zhou Chaochao said firmly, biting her lip. "I'll start now."
With that, she turned and strode out.
Fatty and Zhao Songge called after her, but she didn't respond.
The sun blazed mercilessly. Even standing in the shade drenched one in sweat.
But Zhou Chaochao was stubborn—she rolled up her pant legs and began her laps around the track.
Lu Lie had returned to his office and resumed working on a report.
The condition he set was intentionally harsh. He was certain she wouldn't complete it. Certain she would back down.
Did she think joining the field unit was that simple?
A naive girl, brimming with untempered zeal, blind to consequences.
He clicked his tongue in disdain.
Fatty stood by the window, frowning as he watched the tiny figure circling the track below. "Boss, you're heartless! One lap's over 400 meters—twenty laps is nearly ten kilometers. Under this sun, she'll get heatstroke! She's such a petite girl and so pretty—why put her through this?"
Lu Lie remained expressionless, giving a cold snort. "She doesn't have to run."
Fatty tried again, changing tactics. "Boss, we're already short-staffed. This new batch of recruits—all got sent to us. We still don't have enough hands. One more's a blessing, girl or not. Just let her stay."
Lu Lie didn't even flinch.
Outside, Zhou Chaochao had completed two laps. The scorching sun drenched her hair with sweat. Her stamina was draining quickly—she slowed her pace, gasping for breath.
Fatty couldn't bear to watch. "Boss, look at her—she's barely hanging on. Let's just forget it."
Lu Lie found the chatter irritating. He finally set his pen down and cast Fatty a sharp glare.
"Got too much time on your hands?"
Fatty froze, shaking his head furiously.
Lu Lie glanced toward the window. His tone was chilling. "She's running out of steam?"
Fatty brightened, thinking he had made a breakthrough. "Exactly! She's exhausted. Should I go bring her in?"
"No need." Lu Lie waved a hand, indifferent. "I have something far more important for you. Since you're so free, go down and cheer her on. Loudly."
Fatty inhaled sharply. "Boss, I just remembered! The Wang Zhiqiang case files—I haven't finished sorting them! I'll get to it right now!"
And with that, he bolted.
But even without Fatty's noise, Lu Lie didn't feel any peace. If anything, he was more agitated. A dull ache throbbed at his temples.
He set down his pen and rubbed his temple with a bent forefinger. No relief.
He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, but didn't smoke—just stood by the window, staring at the track.
The girl running under the relentless sun was slender—so frail her legs looked like they might snap with a bit of pressure.
Yet she ran with unwavering will, never once slowing.
Lu Lie squinted, lit cigarette forgotten in his fingers. Her persistence irritated him.
A knock on the door—Fatty again, holding a stack of files. "Boss, I've finished organizing these. Take a look?"
Lu Lie gave a distracted nod and leafed through them with little interest.
"I'll head out, then?" Fatty asked cautiously. Just as he reached the door—
"Wait." Lu Lie's voice was low.
Fatty turned back, smiling nervously. "Need something, Boss?"
Lu Lie didn't look up. Still flipping through the pages, he spoke carelessly, "Tell her to come up."
Fatty blinked. "Her?"
Lu Lie snapped, "Don't play dumb."
Fatty's face lit up with glee. "On it!"
The cigarette went unneeded.
Lu Lie stubbed it out forcefully.
He rose again and returned to the window.
Moments later, Fatty appeared on the track. He called out to Zhou Chaochao, jogged alongside her, said something—Lu Lie couldn't hear.
She didn't stop.
Fatty turned and ran back toward the building.
Lu Lie's brows knitted tighter. His restlessness grew.
Fatty burst in, red-faced and breathless. "Boss, she refused. She's really stubborn. Said if she agreed to the condition, she'd see it through."
As he finished, Zhou Chaochao stumbled and fell.
Lu Lie's scowl deepened. He watched her struggle to her feet, hunched, hands on knees.
Barely catching her breath, she ran again. Her steps faltered like she might collapse any second.
This girl was infuriatingly obstinate.
He could no longer stand by. His face hardened as he strode out.
He reached the track and stood before her. "Stop running. Get inside."
Face flushed, lips pale, drenched in sweat, Zhou Chaochao ignored him and kept going.
Lu Lie lost patience. He grabbed the back of her shirt like a misbehaving kitten and hauled her toward the shade.
Suspended mid-air, she could only submit, shame burning through her as he carried her to the rest area.
The room was cool. Lu Lie dropped her into a chair.
She bit her lip, gasping, barely able to speak—but still looked up and offered a faint smile.
Lu Lie remained cold. His gaze landed on her skinned knees. Wordless, he turned and walked out.
Three minutes later, Fatty peeked in, grinning, arms full of drinks—water, glucose, electrolyte solutions.
"Chaochao, drink something—replenish your strength." He set the bottles on the table.
Zhou Chaochao's breathing had steadied. She didn't hesitate, grabbing a bottle and taking a deep gulp.
Fatty sighed. "Why are you so stubborn? Is the field unit really that great? Once you're in, you'll regret it. Captain Lu never meant to make you run—he just thought you'd back off. But you only grew more determined. He's never met anyone like you."
Zhou Chaochao looked down, then asked quietly, "Is Captain Lu always this fierce?"
"Fierce?" Fatty looked baffled. "Where do you see that?"
She lowered her head even further. "I feel like… he doesn't like me."
Fatty burst out laughing. "Not at all! He's being kind to you!"
"Really?"
"Of course! He came down himself and hauled you back. That's his version of gentle."
Zhou Chaochao: "…"
At that moment, Lu Lie entered.
Fatty jumped up. "Oh! I just remembered—Captain Song needs me. Gotta run!" He dashed out.
Lu Lie looked down at Zhou Chaochao, gaze imperious.
She lifted her head to meet it.
He placed a box beside her, eyes scanning her sunburnt cheeks and pale lips.
"Clean your wound." His voice brooked no argument.
Zhou Chaochao pressed her lips together. With him so near, she was even more self-conscious, unsure where to place her hands.
Lu Lie's expression darkened as she hesitated. He picked up a cotton swab and knelt before her...