The sirens came first.
Low at first.Then louder.Then right there.
Red and blue lights spilled across the cracked pavement of the apartment complex, flashing against the dull gray walls and rusted stair rails. Neighbors began peeking from balconies and windows. Some pulled out phones. Some whispered.
The landlady straightened her back the moment the police car stopped.
Her son crossed his arms, smirking."Good. Let them take him away."
Kai stood beside his car, calm, hands in his pockets.
Two officers stepped out. One was tall and broad-shouldered. The other was younger, eyes sharp, already scanning the scene.
"Who called?" the tall officer asked.
Both Kai and the landlady spoke at once.
"I did," Kai said.
"He did something illegal!" the landlady shouted.
The younger officer raised a hand. "One at a time."
The landlady stepped forward, pointing dramatically at Kai."He stole that car! That Bugatti. Look at him. Do you really think someone like that owns a car like that?"
Her son laughed. "He lives in our building. In one of the cheap units. He's a nobody."
The tall officer turned to Kai. "Sir?"
Kai calmly took out his phone. "The car is registered under my name."
The son scoffed. "Liar."
The younger officer walked over to the Bugatti, already calling it in. "Plate number?"
Kai gave it.
Seconds passed.
The radio crackled.
The younger officer's expression changed.
"…Confirmed. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. Registered owner: Kai Zhou."
The landlady froze.
Her son blinked. "That—that's impossible."
The tall officer frowned. "You were sure this was stolen?"
"Yes!" she insisted. "He's poor. He rented from us. He can't afford this."
The younger officer muttered quietly to his partner, "Anyone driving something like that isn't someone we should casually accuse."
The landlady heard it.
Her face twisted. "So now rich people get special treatment?"
"No," the tall officer replied. "But false reports are serious."
The son stepped forward angrily. "You don't understand! He lived in our building. He used to beg for late payments!"
Kai finally spoke.
"I never begged. You raised rent illegally and threatened me."
The tall officer looked back at the landlady. "Is that true?"
She hesitated for half a second too long.
"That's none of your business!"
The younger officer's eyes narrowed. "Actually, it is."
They asked for the rental contract.
The landlady handed it over with shaking fingers.
The officer studied it carefully.
Then his expression darkened.
"This contract doesn't match city records."
"What?" she snapped.
"This building was registered as a warehouse," the younger officer said. "Not a residential property."
Silence fell.
Her son swallowed. "That's… that's just paperwork."
"No," the officer replied. "That's illegal occupancy."
They started checking more documents.
Bank records.Lease history.Building registration.
With every minute, the landlady's face went paler.
"Multiple tenants," the tall officer said, "fake maintenance fees… deposits never returned…"
The younger officer looked up. "You've been scamming people."
The landlady's legs gave slightly. "No. No, this is a mistake."
Kai watched quietly.
Her son tried to shout. "You're lying! We own this place!"
"You own nothing," the officer replied. "You've been renting illegally built units on unregistered land."
Handcuffs came out.
The son backed away. "Mom?"
The landlady started screaming. "This is his fault! That man! He ruined us!"
Kai didn't respond.
The officers led them away as neighbors stared, shocked.
The building suddenly felt very small.
Kai stood by his car, alone now.
The apartment complex had returned to its usual dull silence, but something about it felt different now. Neighbors had gone back inside. The whispers had faded. The space the landlady once filled with her shouting was empty.
One of the officers stopped in front of Kai before leaving.
"Mr. Zhou," he said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "we're sorry for the trouble. You were falsely accused, and we appreciate your cooperation."
Kai nodded. "It's fine."
The younger officer hesitated. "For what it's worth… you handled that better than most people would."
Kai didn't answer. He just got into his car.
As the engine started, his phone buzzed.
Su Lingyan:Where did you disappear to?
He glanced at the time.
Afternoon.
He typed back.
I'll pick you up. Be ready.
A few seconds later:You're late.
He smiled faintly and pulled into traffic.
Hengda Tower was even busier than before. Employees poured in and out, expensive suits, busy faces, quiet conversations layered on top of each other. The Bugatti rolled into the front drive like it didn't care about any of it.
Heads turned.
People stared.
Phones came out again.
Kai stepped out and leaned casually against the door.
Su Lingyan appeared a moment later through the glass entrance. She was already in full CEO mode—heels clicking, posture sharp, expression composed.
But the moment she saw him, something softened.
He opened the passenger door for her.
"So," he said lightly, "how was my performance last night?"
Her eyes widened. "You're shameless."
"That wasn't an answer."
She leaned in, lowering her voice. "We're in public."
"Exactly."
She shot him a warning look but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Behind them, people were whispering.
"Is that her?"
"Who's that guy?"
"That car—"
Su heard it.
She ignored them.
When Kai held the door open for her, she paused.
"What's that?" she asked, pointing at the trolley bag and backpack in the backseat.
"I got kicked out," he said calmly. "I was going to stay at the Bulgari Hotel for now."
Her expression changed instantly.
"Oh, no you're not."
Kai blinked. "What?"
"That place costs more per night than most people earn in a month."
"I can afford it."
"That's not the point," she snapped, climbing into the seat. "You don't waste money like that."
He started the engine. "You don't get to tell me where to live."
She turned to him. "After last night, you think you just disappear and pretend none of that happened?"
He glanced at her. "Are you saying I have responsibilities now?"
"Yes," she said immediately. "At least to me."
There was a pause.
Then she crossed her arms. "You're staying with me."
"That's not—"
"Take us home," she ordered.
Kai hesitated.
She leaned closer. "Or are you running now?"
That hit.
He exhaled slowly and turned the wheel.
Su placed her small backpack on her lap. Kai took the trolley and put it in the trunk.
They drove off together.