"You're a girl, it's not safe. I have to protect you."
"Are you kidding? I'm a cop. I have a gun. I don't need your protection."
"Fine, then I'll go back to sleep. We'll contact each other tomorrow."
Cao Yang said this and took his leave.
Not long after, Xia Dongdong booked a decent hotel and went upstairs to her room.
Just as she reached the door, preparing to open it, she sensed movement behind her. Turning around, she found Cao Yang standing there.
"You pervert! Following me?"
"Don't say that. I'm not that sleazy."
"Then why are you tailing me?"
"I thought it would be more convenient if we stayed together," Cao Yang explained.
Xia Dongdong didn't quite believe him and was about to argue when Cao Yang had already opened the door to the adjacent room and gone in.
Bang! The door slammed loudly, and Xia Dongdong froze, thinking he was angry.
Cao Yang had actually turned back halfway — this was a dual task from Jie and the boss. He didn't want any accidents, so he returned. Being mistaken for a pervert made him a little aggrieved.
I may be lustful, but I have my limits!
…
Xia Dongdong entered the room, locked the door, and chained it for extra security.
She tugged on it a few times — no movement. Only then did she lie on the bed, feeling safe.
After a while, she got up to undress and shower.
A nearly perfect body appeared in the room, so flawless it almost seemed unreal, like a character stepped out of a comic.
The details of her perfection are too much to describe — suffice it to say, Cao Yang would be losing control if he saw her.
Her only flaw? Too much chest. If it were a bit smaller, she'd be perfect.
She wore a head wrap to cover her injuries while showering, muttering complaints.
Other girls could see their toes when looking down. She? Nothing.
She wanted a reduction surgery, but her mother forbade it, citing risks.
…
The next day, they met in the hotel lobby. Cao Yang had arranged for a black Honda.
There were many cars at Lushan International; he could have driven an S600, but for business, low-profile was better.
"Here," Cao Yang handed the keys to Xia Dongdong.
"Why me? You can't drive?"
Cao Yang froze for a moment. He could drive, but had no license. His sister-in-law had tried getting one for him, but no luck. The license wasn't the main issue — it was unfamiliar roads.
Xia Dongdong chuckled, took the keys, started the car, and headed straight for Shanwei.
"What's your identity now?" Cao Yang suddenly asked from the passenger seat.
"I'm a cop," she replied, puzzled.
"Again. What's your identity?"
"Cop…?" she stammered.
Cao Yang rolled his eyes. "This is undercover. My persona is that I work at Lushan International Casino. You? You're my girl."
"My girl? Are you serious?" Xia Dongdong's eyes went wide, her expression exaggerated.
"Ah…" Cao Yang sighed, leaning back.
"I thought I was stupid enough until I met you. Now I feel smart again."
"What do you mean?"
"They say big-chested women are brainless. You… your brain is right up there with your chest."
"Speak plainly! Stop being a pervert!"
"Okay, tell me — when we find Bai Wei, what then?"
"Naturally, we trace those two men's whereabouts."
"And after we find them?"
"Bring them to the police and interrogate them about the counterfeit money source."
"And then?"
"Follow the trail step by step."
"By the time we find them, it'll be too late."
"Got any better suggestions?"
"This counterfeit group is huge. They've circulated fake bills across the province and even out-of-province. They likely have many members. The two men we're looking for may not even belong to the group — they might just have exchanged some counterfeit bills."
"And the real group? Could be anywhere. Domestic is fine, foreign is trickier."
"Not tricky. Foreign? Cut their transport, alert authorities. Domestic? Bust their base."
"Sounds reasonable. But how do we find their base?"
Xia Dongdong stayed silent. She knew Cao Yang had a plan and waited to question him, letting him show off.
I won't ask. Let him try to act cool — see if he can.
"You're quiet," Cao Yang said after a while.
"Nothing to say," Xia Dongdong replied calmly.
Cao Yang cleared his throat. "The plan: I use my identity as cover. Everyone knows Lushan Group has a big casino. Once we locate the target, we'll contact their upstream supplier. Using my casino identity, they won't suspect me. Then we can get close and trace their base."
Xia Dongdong nodded. "Makes sense. But I feel a bit redundant. Do I need to do anything?"
"You're inherently redundant. I could do it faster alone. But since you're here, to avoid suspicion, you'll pretend to be my girl."
"No way!"
"Why not?"
"You don't deserve me!"
"Excuse me… I'm not tall? Not handsome? Not skilled? Why don't I deserve you?"
"You're too perverted!"
Cao Yang almost choked. "You think you're special? I've seen plenty of big-chested, brainless women like you. Do you think I'm particularly interested?!"
"Whether you are or not, I know you're furious."
Smack! Cao Yang lit a cigarette to calm himself.
"No smoking in the car," Xia Dongdong frowned.
"So what? It's my car!"
She silently rolled down the window, ignoring him.
Cao Yang puffed twice, anger subsiding slightly.
"If you won't cooperate, fine. I'll handle it myself."
"Must I pretend to be your girl? Can't I be your subordinate?"
Cao Yang grinned. "Who would take such a weak, clumsy subordinate?"
"I'm not weak!" Xia Dongdong protested. She was strong; most men couldn't beat her. But in front of Cao Yang, she didn't sound convincing.
"Whether you're strong or not, someone like you pretending to be my girl is more believable — it eases suspicion."
"What do you mean?"