NOVEL NEXT Chapter 103 - 103: What Bad Luck? You Can Meet a Criminal in a cab?
Chapter 103: What Bad Luck? You Can Meet a Criminal in a cab?
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“So, I’ll make the dinner reservation?”
When Zhao Ruoxi agreed to the dinner invitation, Su Xuan began feeling nervous. After all, they had only been on one date, and had met just twice in total.
Then, Su Xuan was assigned to the city’s anti-pickpocketing team. The major operation kept him busier than ever, leaving him with hardly any time to check his phone or nurture his budding relationship.
Running into Zhao Ruoxi here was a complete surprise.
Now that they had met, and dinner was approaching, Su Xuan, being the guy, felt the need to suggest something.
When Zhao Ruoxi agreed, Su Xuan felt a pleasant thrill. The excitement he felt at that moment seemed even greater than when he apprehended a criminal. He took a deep breath, pulled out his phone, and asked, “Great! I haven’t been to the city in years; it feels a bit unfamiliar.”
After hearing this, Su Xuan opened his phone, found a well-known local restaurant, and made a reservation. Then he led Zhao Ruoxi there.
Both of them were straightforward, and their conversation on the way was filled with recent work stories. During this short journey, the relaxed feeling from their previous conversations returned.
By the time they reached the restaurant, the atmosphere between them was no longer as distant as before.
At the dinner table, they discussed the recent criminals Su Xuan had caught, and even Zhao Ruoxi couldn’t help but be surprised when she heard about the number of people he had apprehended.
“These days, 1 heard on the news that our city’s anti-pickpocket team has gained a new expert in catching thieves.”
“Any thief who shows up in front of him hasn’t been able to escape his grasp…”
Zhao Ruoxi, as if connecting the dots, turned to look at Su Xuan with surprise, asking, “Could that person be you?”
At her words, Su Xuan paused. As he recalled, there had been reporters who came to interview them.
“If the news you saw was from our local official news…”
“Then it’s most likely me.”
“You’re amazing!”
Zhao Ruoxi looked at him with astonishment and immediately continued, “When you were at my station before, I should have realized you were a pro at catching thieves!”
“But alas…”
“Back then, 1 didn’t have such keen eyes…”
“But 1 never thought you would actually join the anti-pickpocket team!”
“That’s incredible!”
Su Xuan felt nervous under her bright, admiring eyes. He quickly waved his hand and modestly replied, “No, no, I’m just temporarily assigned there.”
“I’ll have to return to the county eventually.”
As these words left his mouth, Zhao Ruoxi, who had been secretly anxious about Su Xuan possibly staying in the city for good, breathed a sigh of relief. When she heard that Su Xuan was only temporarily assigned, she secretly relaxed.
When Zhao Ruoxi had heard about Su Xuan coming to the city, she had been worried that he might stay there indefinitely. This would have complicated their relationship, given her position at the station and the difficulties of her moving up in the ranks.
Fortunately, Su Xuan was just temporarily assigned.
Unaware of her secret thoughts, Su Xuan continued the conversation.
Su Xuan thoroughly enjoyed their meal. However, he had initially thought about suggesting they go watch a movie or do something else after lunch. But as it turned out, Zhao Ruoxi was in the city for a meeting. Their meeting had been a matter of fortunate timing, as she had a brief lunch break in her busy schedule.
When Su Xuan heard that Zhao Ruoxi had another meeting to attend, he felt a bit disappointed. He understood that her work was a priority, especially since they had only met three times.
“Well, take your time on your way back, and send me a message once you arrive,” Su Xuan said as he watched Zhao Ruoxi hail a taxi.
In response to his suggestion, Zhao Ruoxi, who was already in a taxi waiting for it to pull up, looked at him and nodded, though she seemed a bit puzzled. “And what about you? What’s next?”
“I’m planning to head back to the county,” Su Xuan explained. “I haven’t been back in a week, and I need to tidy up. Plus, the food in the anti-pickpocket team’s canteen is just not the same as what we have back at the office.”
“I’m not quite used to it!”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruoxi burst into laughter.
“Then you should head back for a meal. I believe Uncle Mai and the others must be missing you,” Zhao Ruoxi said with a playful tone.
Su Xuan had been introduced to Zhao Ruoxi by Old Mai, so it made sense that she knew him and his friends.
As they chatted, Zhao Ruoxi’s taxi arrived. She quickly spoke up, “Well, I should get going.”
Su Xuan nodded, about to respond, when he heard a notification sound.
[Ding! Criminal detected. Please make an immediate arrest.]
Su Xuan’s eyes widened. He turned to look at Zhao Ruoxi’s taxi. They were standing near the restaurant entrance, and the only vehicle in close proximity was her taxi.
Instinctively, Su Xuan activated his “Criminal Radar.”
Sure enough, the taxi driver had a bright red mark on his head.
“I need to go,” Su Xuan said quickly, “You go ahead. I’ve got something to take care of.”
Zhao Ruoxi was unaware of the situation, thinking he was just being polite. She put her phone in her bag and was about to get into the taxi. Su Xuan hurriedly walked over and opened the back door. Zhao Ruoxi thought he was being chivalrous and got into the car.
Unexpectedly, Su Xuan got in the taxi too.
“You…?” Zhao Ruoxi was bewildered.
Su Xuan smiled at her and explained, “I just remembered I need to go to the train station. Mind if 1 tag along?”
Zhao Ruoxi had no objection and shook her head.
“Are you the passenger with the last four digits 2189?” a voice suddenly came from the driver’s seat.
Without much thought, Zhao Ruoxi nodded, “Yes, that’s me. I’m going to the city’s train station.”
After that, she fell silent, preparing to take out her phone for entertainment.
The car fell into the usual taxi silence. Most passengers didn’t engage in conversation with taxi drivers unless they were both talkative or one of them initiated it.
Sitting next to Zhao Ruoxi, Su Xuan glanced out the window but kept a close eye on the driver. He had a feeling that this driver might not be the quiet type.
As expected, in a few seconds, the driver struck up a conversation, “Miss, are you two heading to the train station for a trip?”
Zhao Ruoxi hesitated, not expecting the driver to be so chatty. However, given her personality, she would never ignore someone who initiated a conversation with her.
Before she could respond, Su Xuan beat her to it, saying, “Yes, we thought it’s nice weather, so we’re going on a short trip.”
The driver immediately started talking about a few cities worth visiting. After a few minutes, Su Xuan noticed that the driver was deviating from the correct route.
Feigning ignorance, he casually placed his hand in his pocket, holding onto his phone.
Continuing the conversation, he asked, “By the way, from your accent, it sounds like you’re from the Hang City area, right?”