As usual, Feifei was still the center of the "lunchtime talk," with the other five girls gathered around her.

Unlike usual, this time whether it was Feifei speaking or the others listening, they all appeared extremely focused.

Because they were so engrossed, the six girls didn't even hear the door when Chu Ge came in, and some even had slightly worried expressions on their faces.

It wasn't until Chu Ge walked up to them that Feifei finally noticed him.

"Vice Minister Chu, you're here?"

Chu Ge sat back in his seat, looking at a girl holding an unopened bag of chips, clearly held for a long time, and laughed, "What are you guys talking about? So engrossed that you forgot to eat your snacks?"

Feifei said, "Vice Minister Chu, I heard there have been several missing person cases in our city recently. We were just talking about that."

"Missing persons? Are you sure?"

Hearing Feifei say this, Chu Ge couldn't help but recall Qin Ruojing being so anxious to have Qin Ruoying return to Kyoto, wondering if there was any connection between the two things.

Feifei shook her head, "Not sure, I just heard it from someone else. We're just discussing what we should do if we encounter something like this."

Chu Ge chuckled, "If it's not confirmed, you'd better not spread it around carelessly. Be careful or you might be investigated, accused of spreading terrorizing remarks, destabilizing social peace, and getting arrested wouldn't be worth it. I'm not trying to scare you; it could definitely happen."

"Vice Minister Chu, of course, I hope it's just a rumor, but what if it's true?"

"If you're really worried, just go online and buy some pepper spray. If you really come across an emergency, spray it like crazy, then go for a decisive kick and run as fast as you can."

Seeing Chu Ge's signature smile, the slightly tense atmosphere in the office eased quite a bit, and when he mentioned the "decisive kick," even lifting his leg exaggeratedly, the girls all burst into laughter.

Feifei laughed a bit and said helplessly, "Vice Minister Chu, how can it be as easy as you say? Compared to pepper spray, we still feel you're more reliable. Why don't you walk us home every night?"

"Yes, Vice Minister Chu, I think Feifei's idea is not bad. Would you mind the trouble?"

"Yeah, as long as you're with us, we're not afraid of anything. We will definitely repay you for it properly."

As soon as Feifei suggested this, two girls by her side immediately chimed in, but although they said it all seriously, they didn't actually look scared, clearly not taking the situation too seriously.

Even if they had been a little scared initially, seeing Chu Ge made them relax with a few jokes. After all, it was just hearsay, not something that happened to them.

Chu Ge chuckled, looking at one of the girls, "How will you repay me?"

"You've treated us to snacks so many times, I could at least buy a bag for you too," the girl said with a laugh, and the others giggled along.

"Chu Shao, how about I give you a shoulder massage now?" As always, not one to miss out on fun, Feifei promptly stood up.

"Then I'll give you a head massage?"

"Chu Shao, I'll massage your legs."

"Chu Shao, I'll fan you."

"Chu Shao, I've got some chips here, want me to feed you? Open your mouth, ah..."

Chu Ge was even more speechless. These girls were really too familiar with him; this was the office, and he was their leader. How could they joke like that?

However, it had to be said that it showed how well everyone got along with him. It was much better than them pretending to work seriously the moment he appeared.

The afternoon passed quickly, and in the evening when it was time to leave, the girls left the office laughing and chatting as usual. No one mentioned asking Chu Ge to walk them home.

After all, the disappearances in the city were still just rumors, and Chu Ge had his own things to do; they wouldn't really impose and take up a big chunk of his time.

After tidying up, Chu Ge was the last to leave the office. As soon as he stepped out of Tianjiao Building, he spotted someone he knew well, with a complex expression, fiercely smoking and frequently glancing at the door—Chen Lei.

Not far from Chen Lei, Feifei and the other girls hadn't left either and were whispering to each other with curious looks.

Although Chen Lei's visibly nervous expression suggested he wasn't there to cause trouble, when Chen Lei threw away his cigarette butt and quickly walked towards him, Chu Ge still found it quite exasperating.

Is it never-ending?

Meeting Chen Lei's exceedingly complex gaze, Chu Ge rubbed his forehead, "Looking for me?"

Chen Lei nervously rubbed his hands and awkwardly laughed, "Uh, yeah, kind of, I wanted to..."

Chu Ge waved his hand, interrupting Chen Lei, "Let's talk while we walk."

Although Chen Lei hadn't said anything yet, judging by his appearance, Chu Ge knew he was looking for him about yesterday's events. He didn't want Feifei and the others to overhear anything, nor did he want to brag about beating Peng Xianggang in a one-on-one.

Chu Ge walked in the opposite direction of Feifei and the others, with Chen Lei quickly following.

Watching Chu Ge's back and Chen Lei following closely behind with a humble and respectful demeanor, the other girls, except for Feifei, were all stunned.

Did Chen Lei take the wrong medicine or something? Why was he suddenly so obedient in front of Chu Ge?

Feifei blinked, immediately thinking of the incident yesterday when Chen Lei brought people to find Chu Ge, making her suspect something in her heart.

Could it be... Chu Ge beat that Peng Xianggang again yesterday?

Oh my, that's impossible, right? Didn't Lu Gang say that Peng Xianggang was the main forward of the city basketball team?

Although Feifei found it unbelievable, from the current situation, this seemed to be the most reasonable explanation. She couldn't help but feel even more shocked and found Chu Ge more mysterious.

Feeling resigned, Chu Ge and Chen Lei walked forward for a while, only stopping when they saw Feifei and the others had all left.

Just as Chu Ge pulled out a cigarette from the pack, Chen Lei quickly took out a lighter.

Then, with a swift "whoosh," Chen Lei moved next to Chu Ge, one hand making a shielding gesture and the other lighting the lighter with a click, sporting a posture that showed utmost respect.

Seeing Chen Lei like this, Chu Ge was not only helpless but also a bit speechless. Was it really worth it just because he beat Peng Xianggang in a shooting game? Did Chen Lei need to go this far?

However, as the saying goes, one shouldn't hit a smiling face. Since Chen Lei went to such lengths, Chu Ge didn't put on any airs, just smiled wryly and let Chen Lei light his cigarette.

"Minister Chen, if you have something to say, say it now."

Chen Lei grinned sheepishly and scratched his head, "Chu Ge, if you think highly of me, don't call me minister, just call me Lei Zi, or call me Old Chen."

At this moment, compared to before, Chen Lei seemed like a different person. His face had lost any trace of gloom and sarcasm, replaced by genuine humility. His big, rough body subconsciously hunched slightly, as if it was his fault for being taller than Chu Ge.

Chu Ge nodded, "Alright, Lei Zi, let's be straightforward, shall we?"

Chen Lei hesitated for a moment, slightly anxious, "Sure, sure. Actually, I just wanted to apologize for some things I said before that were inappropriate. I hope you won't hold it against me, and let bygones be bygones."

Chu Ge laughed, "Lei Zi, you're overthinking it. If that's why you're seeking me out, you can just let it go. Although I wouldn't say I'm exceedingly magnanimous, I'm not that petty either."

"Chu Ge, I genuinely thank you, really. Actually, there's something else I wanted to ask. When you have time, could you possibly spare some to coach me in basketball?"

Chen Lei breathed a sigh of relief, showing a big, toothy grin, but then, like a bashful girl, rubbed his hands together, his face reddening with embarrassment.

Chu Ge found it even more amusing and said helplessly, "Coaching is too much, but I wouldn't mind playing some basketball with you when I have time."

Hearing this, Chen Lei immediately wore an expression of feeling honored, his joy was evident.

With this matter settled, Chu Ge was about to part ways with Chen Lei when he suddenly noticed a van stopping not far from them.

The car door opened, and three men with angry expressions got out, rushing towards a woman carrying a milk box.

"Oh, Luo Suyun! Finally, I've found you!"

The first man who rushed out of the van was a fierce-looking man in his thirties, with a slightly hooked nose. He shouted angrily as he charged to the woman called Luo Suyun's side, slapping her face with a "smack."

This sudden slap left Luo Suyun stunned, and the milk box in her hands dropped to the ground with a "thud."

Before Luo Suyun could regain her senses, the man with the hooked nose grabbed her bun, the intense pain making her cry out.

Grabbing Luo Suyun's hair tightly, the man with the hooked nose cursed and dragged her towards the van.

"Stop!"

Seeing this, Chen Lei couldn't help but furrow his thick brows, taking a few steps forward and shouting.

"Scram! This is my family matter, don't you meddle in!" The hooked nose man turned around and glared at Chen Lei, cursing self-righteously.

Chu Ge also frowned, finding the scene strange, and what caught his attention more was that the woman called Luo Suyun seemed somewhat familiar to him.

Bending down, Chu Ge picked up a few pebbles from the ground.

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