Chapter Nine: Seducing the Policewoman in the Interrogation Room

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In the interrogation room, a young man and woman, both police officers, sat across from Zhuo Nan. Zhuo Nan sat in the interrogation chair, his hands cuffed to the armrests. He recognized the female officer as the one who had arrested him the night before.

The woman spoke first. “Zhuo Nan, I am Lan Qian, an officer with the Second Detective Squad. This is Officer Zhang Ning. We’re going to ask you some questions about the incident of intentional harm from last night. Please cooperate with our investigation.”

Officer Lan was strikingly beautiful—fair skin, long lashes, and a smart, short haircut that, paired with her police uniform, gave her a crisp and energetic presence. She spoke with remarkable politeness, and Zhuo Nan’s impression of her improved considerably.

Just then, the “lustful brain” in Zhuo Nan, now fully awake, piped up, “Zhuo Nan, this policewoman is quite a catch. You should try to win her over.”

“Damn, why do you always show up when there’s a beautiful woman? You’re even worse than me,” Zhuo Nan thought to himself.

“How is this being lustful? I’m only thinking of your happiness. When you’re with her, you’re the one who gets to enjoy it. I get nothing,” the “lustful brain” shot back with surprising honesty.

Looking at Lan Qian, Zhuo Nan did feel a stir of interest, though he didn’t have the nerve to pursue someone like her. He asked inwardly, “And just how would I go about that?”

After a brief mental pause, his brain replied, “Leave it to me. How about I take control now?”

“Come on, you’re not playing me, are you? What if you use my body to assault her? We’d both be doomed,” Zhuo Nan thought anxiously.

“Do you think I’m an idiot? I’m a super brain. Trust me, I’ll handle it,” his mind assured him. Since his brain was so confident, Zhuo Nan decided to let go and surrender full control.

Lan Qian had just graduated from the police academy and was determined to become a detective. She’d pleaded with her father, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, until she finally achieved her dream. But since joining the squad, she was never assigned to major cases—just petty, trivial matters. Take this minor case of a juvenile causing harm: it was, in reality, just a fight between kids, but the injured party’s family had connections and made a big deal out of it. Although she didn’t want the case, she couldn’t refuse a direct order, so here she was this morning.

After the usual formal introductions, the boy across from her showed no response; instead, he was looking her up and down with an unmistakable leer. Lan Qian’s temper flared. At first, she’d taken Zhuo Nan for a child, but now, in her eyes, he was nothing but a lecher.

Zhang Ning, the male officer, was clearly more experienced. Seeing Zhuo Nan’s expression, he thought, “Damn, just a brat, but already full of dirty thoughts.”

“Hey, kid, behave yourself! The officer’s talking to you. Didn’t you hear?” Zhang Ning shouted at Zhuo Nan.

Zhuo Nan glanced sideways at him, his face the picture of an old street rogue. He twisted his mouth and said, “Officer, keep it down or you’ll blow my earwax out.”

“Uh…” Zhang Ning was momentarily speechless, realizing this kid was quite the seasoned player.

Lan Qian turned her head, trying to suppress a laugh at Zhuo Nan’s words. Zhuo Nan caught the gesture. “Officer, you have such a lovely smile. I’m good at telling jokes—would you like to hear another one?”

What was this? Flirting with a police officer—this kid was outrageous! Zhang Ning couldn’t allow this to continue. Besides, he knew Lan Qian’s background and had long harbored hopes of impressing her and becoming the son-in-law of a high-ranking official—a surefire path to a successful career. Now, this kid was trying to flirt with her right in front of him. Unforgivable. He’d have to teach him a lesson.

“Don’t get cocky, kid. Behave yourself in here. This isn’t your home. Answer what you’re asked and keep the nonsense to yourself,” Zhang Ning said, glaring as if he’d devour Zhuo Nan on the spot.

Feigning fear, Zhuo Nan asked, “What, are you going to hit me?”

Zhang Ning sneered, “Glad you understand. I’ve seen plenty like you—little punks who try to play games with me. It won’t work.”

Zhuo Nan put on a pitiful face and turned to Lan Qian. “Officer, you’re so just. You wouldn’t let him hit me, would you?” He truly looked like a wronged child.

Lan Qian was taken in by his expression. She stood up, displeased, and said to Zhang Ning, “Zhang Ning, sit down. Why are you being so harsh? He’s just a kid.”

Zhuo Nan was secretly delighted. Lan Qian was so easy to fool.

“Lan Qian, don’t be fooled by him. I’ve seen plenty of punks like this. Look at that face—apart from his age, what about him says ‘child’?” Zhang Ning protested.

Lan Qian had only been handling things by the book, prioritizing the interrogation, but Zhang Ning calling her “Lan Qian” right in front of her irked her. She knew exactly what he was thinking and replied coldly, “Zhang Ning, we’re colleagues. You can call me Officer Lan or Lan Qian, but ‘Lan Qian’ is not for you to say.”

Zhang Ning was momentarily lost for words and tried to explain, but Zhuo Nan saw the opportunity and cut in, fanning the flames. “Officer, don’t try to get close to my policewoman sister under the guise of work. Even if you’re not as handsome as me, you could find someone decent outside, but a stunning beauty like her is out of your league.”

“What did you say, kid? Calling me a toad! I could charge you with slandering a police officer right now,” Zhang Ning fumed, his eyes blazing at Zhuo Nan. If Lan Qian weren’t there, he’d probably have already taught Zhuo Nan a lesson.

Though Zhuo Nan’s words were inappropriate, Lan Qian still felt a sense of satisfaction. Zhang Ning was always attentive to her, but she knew he was only after a chance to climb the ladder. She disliked him intensely, but since they were colleagues, she couldn’t show it. Now that Zhuo Nan had put him in his place, how could she not feel pleased?

Feigning innocence, Zhuo Nan said, “How am I slandering you? Look in the mirror—your bulging eyes and puffed cheeks—you really do look like a toad.”

Lan Qian couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. Zhang Ning’s face turned the color of liver. He turned to her. “Lan Qian—oh, I mean, Officer Lan, why don’t you step outside and take a break? I’ll handle the interrogation.”

Lan Qian saw right through him and immediately stood up, glaring. “Zhang Ning, what are you planning? If you’re going to interrogate, then do it together. And you’d better not use any unlawful methods.”

Zhang Ning was so angry he couldn’t speak. Zhuo Nan’s smug expression only made things worse. Zhang Ning glared at him as if to say, “Just wait until Lan Qian leaves—then you’ll see.”

Defeated, Zhang Ning muttered, “Fine, you interrogate. I’ll go get some air.” He turned and left the interrogation room, shooting Zhuo Nan a final glare.

Zhuo Nan met his eyes with a victorious arch of his brow, utterly arrogant.

With the “third wheel” gone, the grand plan to woo the police beauty could officially commence. Before Lan Qian could speak, Zhuo Nan said, “Sister, you have such a strong sense of justice. I could tell even last night.”

What Lan Qian was most proud of wasn’t her beauty, nor her influential father, but the fact that people recognized her sense of justice. That was why she’d applied to the police academy—she couldn’t tolerate even a grain of sand in her eyes.

So hearing Zhuo Nan praise her for her sense of justice made her feel a little light-headed. She asked, curious, “How could you tell?”

Feigning deep thought, Zhuo Nan replied, “Sister, answer one question for me and I’ll tell you. Is that okay?”

Lan Qian, inexperienced, didn’t sense the trap before her. “Go ahead, if I know the answer, I’ll tell you.”

“How old are you, sister?” Zhuo Nan asked eagerly, his eyes wide with anticipation.

The reason Lan Qian was being so friendly with Zhuo Nan wasn’t just because he was a kid; Zhuo Nan was also exceptionally handsome. Women, like men, are drawn to attractive people. She often thought to herself, why doesn’t this good-looking boy focus on his studies? Handsome and smart boys are always popular. But this kid clearly wasn’t the studious type. Fighting was one thing, but he’d gone so far as to break someone’s bones. She kept wondering why, and that was the very question she needed answered today.

“I’ll tell you, but only if you answer a question for me first,” Lan Qian said slyly. She realized now that this boy was cunning—using standard procedures probably wouldn’t get her anywhere, and she was never fond of coercion. So she decided to try a different interrogation tactic.

Zhuo Nan understood her thoughts. He’d have to talk anyway. If this police beauty was so cute, he might as well play along. “Go ahead and ask, sister.”

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