Chapter 916: What Should We Name It?

In the early morning, sunlight streamed through the window, making the raindrops on the leaves glisten like pearls. Lin Dongxue opened her eyes and saw that Chen Shi was already awake. “Good morning, hubby,” she said.

“Good morning, wifey,” he replied.

“I’ve decided not to call you ‘hubby’ anymore. At home, I’ll call you ‘Captain.’ That way, when I call you ‘Captain’ in public, it feels more intimate,” Lin Dongxue said with a playful wink.

Chen Shi pressed the back of his hand against her forehead. “Did you catch a fever from cuddling with me last night? You’re babbling nonsense first thing in the morning. Why not call me ‘Daddy’? That’s both private and thrilling.”

“Go to hell!” Lin Dongxue playfully punched Chen Shi’s chest.

“Hey, hey!” Chen Shi caught her small fists. “Private is private, and public is public. In the office, we’re strictly superior and subordinate. Even if I give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a dying female colleague, you must remain expressionless.”

“Okay, but after work, I’ll shoot you in the head.”

“Shoot me? You still carry a gun after work?”

“Hurry up, or I’ll be late!” Yueyue complained from outside.

Chen Shi glanced at his phone. “Crap!”

He had forgotten how early police academy training started, while their workday began at eight. Their biological clocks were already set.

They quickly left without breakfast, rushing to the police academy. On the way, Yueyue handed a sandwich wrapped in cling film to Lin Dongxue, who was busy tying her hair. Surprised, Lin Dongxue said thanks.

“I want some too,” Chen Shi said.

“None for you!” Yueyue huffed.

Lin Dongxue handed the sandwich to Chen Shi, who took a bite at a red light.

“Yueyue, I need to ask you something. Now that there’s an extra person at home, our living space has shrunk. I have three options: First, buy you a cozy little apartment for yourself. Second, sell our current place and get a bigger one. Third, keep things as they are,” Chen Shi said.

“Option one means kicking me out, right?” Yueyue asked.

“Mainly, it allows us to live more eco-friendly lives, like not wearing clothes at home,” Chen Shi said seriously.

“Do you have to be so blunt?” Lin Dongxue laughed, hitting the seat with her hand.

“So, are you planning to have kids?” Yueyue asked.

“No, having you is enough. You’re my ideal child,” Chen Shi said.

“But I’m growing up and won’t be as fun anymore. You guys must want a little one that’s fun and playful, right?”

“What’s so fun about kids? They’re annoying. With the time and money we’d spend on a child, we could travel and have more fun.”

“Oh… You guys definitely prefer being alone.”

Lin Dongxue explained, “No, Uncle Chen’s opinion is just for discussion. We want to know your preference.”

“Then I prefer living alone outside. It would be more convenient for all of us. Of course, I’ll visit you two lonely old folks occasionally.”

“That doesn’t sound like you’re considering our needs,” Chen Shi said.

“I’m very selfish and won’t consider your needs.”

“Good, then I’m relieved,” Chen Shi said, feeling content. This was also his preferred option; after all, children eventually leave the nest.

Yueyue said seriously, “My classmates joke about becoming a police chief, but I want to be the number one detective. When that happens, I’ll take care of you to repay your kindness.”

Chen Shi felt a warmth in his heart and smiled. “The joy you’ve brought me has long repaid that kindness.”

Lin Dongxue patted Yueyue’s head. “It’s funny to think that I just married your Uncle Chen and already have a grown daughter. When you have kids, I’ll be a grandmother in my thirties, haha.”

“Hmm…” Yueyue fell silent, the topic seeming to touch a sensitive chord in her adolescent heart, so the conversation shifted.

They arrived at the academy, but they were still late. The new recruits were already training on the field, their young faces showing military-like determination.

Yueyue ran to change into her uniform. Lin Dongxue and Chen Shi stood by the field, noticing some boys sneaking glances at Lin Dongxue. Someone whispered, “That guy must be super rich or powerful!”

The instructor’s keen ears picked up the murmur. “Third row, fourth column, fifty push-ups!”

The named boy stuck out his tongue and stepped out, causing a ripple of laughter. The instructor snapped, “Who’s laughing? Want to join him?” Silence fell.

This was the strict instructor Yueyue had complained about. Lin Dongxue instructed Chen Shi to accompany Yueyue in apologizing for being late, making sure to “accidentally” mention he was the police captain, so everyone would hear.

Chen Shi felt his cheeks twitch. “Isn’t that too deliberate?”

“If you want Yueyue to have an easier time, you need to play this role. Her personality makes her prone to being isolated. You need to provide her with an invisible shield.”

“In the end, it’s still using connections.”

“Do you think the chief is all about fairness and justice? Even he said that unprincipled fairness is pathological. You protect the detectives under you, but not your own daughter?”

“Got it. I’ll play my part well.”

Yueyue returned, looking smaller in her oversized uniform. “Will the instructor punish me for being so late?”

“I’ll go with you to apologize,” Chen Shi said, patting her back as they walked toward the formation.

The scene made Chen Shi sweat, but it worked. The instructor, learning Chen Shi’s identity, kept a stern face but said, “Yueyue usually performs well. Since she’s not feeling well, this time I’ll let it slide. Don’t let it happen again.”

Whispers spread among the students, “Wow, her dad’s the police captain!” “Don’t call her shorty anymore.” “She’s been hiding her power. Impressive!”

Chen Shi waved at Yueyue as he left, and she smiled back.

Lin Dongxue suggested, “Let’s visit Yueyue tonight after work and have dinner at the cafeteria.”

Chen Shi laughed. “I wonder if the cafeteria lady’s Parkinson’s has gotten better.”

At the station, they went to work. Since they were now superior and subordinate, Lin Dongxue’s partner was a new officer named Luo Fei. Training new officers was a police tradition.

Today, they just handled paperwork. Lin Dongxue compiled a closing report for a small case. After the intense cases involving Lie Guoxiao and Zhou Xiao, there were numerous minor cases to deal with, like bar brawls and drunken assaults. Chen Shi constantly complained about the lack of interesting cases.

Lin Dongxue took the report and a forensic report to the captain’s office, knocking before entering.

Chen Shi was spinning in his chair like a restless child, holding a file. “Aren’t you afraid someone will see?” Lin Dongxue teased.

Chen Shi stopped and turned around. “I get restless when reviewing files. These boring things are hard to get through otherwise.”

Lin Dongxue laughed, noticing the photo on his desk. “You still have this photo? Got a thing for Captain Lin?”

“Crazy. I’m not interested in him, just myself!” He took the photo, folded Lin Qiupu’s half inside, and put it back in the frame. “Song Lang is so handsome. I shouldn’t be a detective; I should be a star, every woman’s dream husband.”

Lin Dongxue resisted the urge to retort, placing the documents on the desk. “Here’s the closing report for the Jinxiu Community murder case and the fingerprint analysis for that check.”

Chen Shi perked up, grabbing the analysis. “Interesting. The new son of the old man has quite a history.”