Li Nanfang quickly signaled Yue Zitong to prepare an excuse and then forced a smile, saying, "Comrade, I'm really sorry, I don't have a driver's license. But I—"He trailed off mid-sentence.Because he realized that even if he pleaded that Yue Zitong's injured ankle was the reason, or claimed she was about to give birth and needed to rush to the hospital, this particular traffic officer wouldn't let him off the hook.No wonder—the officer in the raincoat was none other than Bai Ling, the very woman he had assaulted.Bai Ling recognized him as well. She paused for a moment, then burst into silent laughter: No driver's license? Hah, finally, you've fallen into my hands!According to Article 99 of the Traffic Regulations, driving without a license could result in a fine ranging from two hundred to two thousand yuan and detention for up to fifteen days.While the maximum fine of two thousand yuan was no big deal for someone driving a luxury car, Bai Ling had no intention of punishing him with a fine. What she coveted was the latter—detention, possibly for as long as fifteen days!Fifteen days of detention! Bai Ling vowed that during Li Nanfang's incarceration, she would use every connection she had to ensure he received the "highest level" of detention services.Admittedly, even with fifteen days of legal detention, Bai Ling couldn't go too far or cross any lines. It wouldn't be enough to quell her anger over being assaulted. But as long as she could legally make this man suffer, it would be her greatest wish.As long as you're alive and in Qing Shan City, I'll find ways to make your life a living hell!Looking at Li Nanfang's stunned face, Bai Ling barely restrained her urge to laugh out loud. She couldn't afford to let her personal vendetta show; she had to maintain the appearance of a proper law enforcement officer."Bai, Bai Officer, long time no see," Li Nanfang stammered."Cut the small talk. Present your driver's license," Bai Ling demanded sharply."I don't have one."He replied succinctly, then turned to Yue Zitong and complained in a low voice, "I told you I didn't want to drive, but you insisted on playing the big boss and making me your chauffeur. Look what's happened now.""How was I supposed to know there would be traffic police on duty in the rain?" Yue Zitong retorted indignantly, as if the police patrolling in the rain was a shameful act."You also told me she was demoted to a community police officer!" Li Nanfang continued his complaint. "If I had known she was a traffic cop, I would have walked instead of driving."Outside the car, Bai Ling knocked on the window again, urging Li Nanfang to get out and accompany her to the station for processing."Wait a second!" Li Nanfang snapped back.Bai Ling didn't mind. "Wait all you want. I doubt you can conjure up a driver's license in that time."Clearly, Yue Zitong could see from Bai Ling's excited expression what she was thinking. Naturally, she didn't want Bai Ling's scheme to succeed, but with Bai Ling standing on the side of the law, there was no room for resistance without committing a greater offense.Thinking on her feet, Yue Zitong pulled out her phone and dialed Chief Zhang's number: "Chief Zhang, this is Yue Zitong. I have a question. When you came to my company to discuss the matter of Officer Bai using excessive force on my employee, you mentioned she was demoted to a community police officer. But now she's acting as a traffic officer and has stopped my vehicle. This is partially my fault—" Yue Zitong explained the situation in a few words: she had carelessly twisted her ankle and temporarily asked the unlicensed Li Nanfang to drive her to the hospital, with her guiding him from the passenger seat. Unfortunately, they encountered a traffic check.She criticized herself repeatedly, admitting that with a sprained ankle, she should have endured the pain instead of letting an unlicensed driver take the wheel. She was willing to accept any legal punishment, whether a fine or detention for Li Nanfang, without complaint.However, she concluded by asking, "Chief Zhang, when did community police officers in Qing Shan City start conducting traffic checks?""Miss Yue, can't you just let things be?" Chief Zhang was quite annoyed. Had it not been for Captain Ma's intercession, he would never have assigned Bai Ling to the traffic police. Yet here she was, seizing the opportunity to hold a grudge. This was clearly intentional trouble-making.To Chief Zhang, while unlicensed driving was a serious matter concerning public safety, it was also something that could be dismissed with a word. It was akin to unauthorized cohabitation; if strictly enforced, half of Qing Shan City would end up in detention."Stop stalling! The traffic behind you is piling up. Do I need to resort to force?" Bai Ling sneered, about to call for backup when her phone rang—it was Chief Zhang calling.Chief Zhang's voice was loud and stern: "Bai Ling, what are you up to? I hereby demote you from traffic police back to your original community police position. Report immediately! Additionally, apologize to Li Nanfang. If you refuse, consider your resignation submitted!"Bai Ling was stunned: "Chief Zhang, I—""Do I need to repeat myself? Get moving! And don't forget to apologize to Li Nanfang. Or you can quit!" Chief Zhang berated Bai Ling like a grandparent scolding a grandchild, hanging up before she could respond.Chief Zhang's voice was so loud that even Li Nanfang, leaning against the car window, couldn't help but overhear. Seeing Bai Ling's lips twitching in frustration yet unable to retort, he felt an intense sense of triumph and mockingly remarked: "Officer Bai, now I should call you Community Officer Bai. Don't forget to apologize to me. I'll be waiting for your gracious visit. Hehe!"Li Nanfang's petty satisfaction only fueled Bai Ling's resentment. She wanted nothing more than to kick the car door. Lifting her right foot, she hesitated—she could see the anticipation in Li Nanfang's eyes."I'll get you back, just you wait!" Bai Ling muttered through gritted teeth as she watched the car drive away.Yue Zitong couldn't stomach Li Nanfang's current expression either. Especially after he started whistling cheerfully, she couldn't help but say, "To be honest, I'm regretting making that call now. I should have let you get detained. That way, I wouldn't have to feel disgusted."With a screech, the car suddenly halted in the middle of the road. Fortunately, the driver behind was quick to brake, narrowly avoiding a collision. He leaned out of his window to curse, but Yue Zitong barked, "Move it or lose it!"The sudden stop caused Yue Zitong, seated in the back, to lurch forward, her forehead colliding with the back of the front seat. She snapped back upright, furious. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you stop the car like that?"Li Nanfang retorted coldly, "I'm the one without a license, and you're the one who made me drive. You're also the one who called in favors when we got caught by the police. Now you're saying I should be detained. Yue Zitong, Bai Ling might not dare to defy her superior, but I, Li Nanfang, do."Li Nanfang pushed the car door open and stepped out: "I'm done. Find someone else to be your future husband. Honestly, I'm sick of your temper. You act like you're the center of the universe. It's you who's been coddled, not me!"Watching Li Nanfang stride toward the sidewalk, Yue Zitong wondered if her ears were deceiving her. Had he really just said that?Was this the same Li Nanfang who had once been submissive and obsequious to her?Suddenly, Yue Zitong felt a lump in her throat and wanted to cry. She believed she had treated him fairly. Even after he had wronged her for two nights in a row, she had merely kicked him once and let it go.Why should she tolerate his smug satisfaction after their joint victory over Bai Ling, only to have him criticize her with a holier-than-thou attitude? Who was really being coddled here?Behind them, the angry driver finally lost his patience and stormed over, poking his head through the front window to shout, "Are you gonna move or what? Are you holding up traffic on purpose?""Get lost!" Yue Zitong roared, her voice so intimidating that the man shrank back. Sensing the palpable menace emanating from the car, he realized he was dealing not with a beautiful woman but a fierce tigress ready to pounce. He dared not utter another word.Li Nanfang felt no remorse for his outburst. Last night, he had made up his mind: even if it meant compromising, he couldn't disappoint his mentor's wife. He decided to try to genuinely accept Yue Zitong.From now on, he would treat her not as his aunt but as his wife. A good man could obey his wife's commands, cook for her, cheer her up when she was down, tease her when she was happy, and even relish being playfully belittled by her. All of this was acceptable; it was a part of their private, elegant dynamic.But Li Nanfang could not tolerate Yue Zitong's lack of solidarity after they had triumphed together. Instead of joining him in mocking their adversary, she turned on him with disdain. This was not tolerable. If he continued to endure such treatment, he would lose all dignity in her eyes. Worse yet, she might forever regard him as a mere servant, devoid of the affection and intimacy that should exist between a husband and wife. That was the ultimate humiliation for a man—being reduced to a dog, a cringing lackey. Li Nanfang had not yet sunk so low as to become her doormat.With a cold expression, Li Nanfang walked to a bus stop, took out his phone, and hesitated for a long moment before dialing a number. The call connected almost instantly, as if the person on the other end had been waiting by the phone for his call.A warm voice came through, like an invisible stream of warmth that alleviated Li Nanfang's resentment: "Nanfang."Li Nanfang pressed his lips together, holding the phone with both hands as he sat down."Nanfang, is that you?" the voice on the other end asked."Mother-in-law, it's me," Li Nanfang replied, his voice tinged with emotion."Good, I'm fine," the mother-in-law responded after a brief silence."Now that it's the rainy season, does your back still ache?" Li Nanfang inquired."It's the same as always. I suppose it's just how it will be for the rest of my life," she sighed.The mother-in-law paused for a moment, then said, "Nanfang, you don't hold it against me for making decisions on your behalf, do you?""Of course not. I know everything you've done is for my own good," Li Nanfang assured her, though tears welled up in his eyes."Nanfang, I know you've been wanting to call me. Sigh," she said with a soft exhale."Mother-in-law, you've misunderstood the reason for my call. I wanted to thank you. You're right, besides Zitong, there's no one else who could match up to me, Li Nanfang!"Chapter 54: Li Nanfang's GirlfriendLi Nanfang was abandoned at birth—a misfortune that made him an object of curiosity from a young age, forcing him to taste the coldness of the world much too soon. Yet, he was also fortunate. Without a mother, his stepmother provided him with complete maternal love. Even as an infant, he instinctively knew that his stepmother's embrace was the safest haven.Li Nanfang would never forget the time he was caught peeking at Yue Zitong while she was bathing. The old man had chased him down with a stick, but it was his stepmother who threw herself over him, shielding him from the harshest blow. That strike not only injured her spine but also cost her the child she was carrying, leaving her barren for life. Yet, she never held a grudge against him. When he knelt by her bedside, banging his head until it bled, she only gathered him into her arms with aching tenderness and whispered that as long as she had Nanfang, her life was fulfilling.When Li Nanfang called his stepmother this time, he intended to gently broach the topic of leaving Yue Zitong. But upon hearing her soft sigh, he felt like slapping himself. His stepmother had never asked anything of him. Her request for him to protect Yue Zitong was ultimately for his own future. If he continued to complain about Yue Zitong's flaws, could he even consider himself a man?Regardless of Yue Zitong's stubborn and demanding personality, even if she were an unattractive woman with a difficult temperament, Li Nanfang knew he had to marry her. What did it matter if it meant being a husband without dignity? If it could spare his stepmother even a single day of suffering, he would gladly become a lifelong servant.All his frustration dissipated with his stepmother's gentle sigh. When Li Nanfang hung up the phone and looked around, he found the city, the world, to be strikingly beautiful."Ha, where's the "Pants-Pissing Hero" been yesterday?" Li Nanfang strode into the garage duty room, his voice loud and directed at Sun Daming, who was dealing cards by the door. Sun's ruddy complexion was a dead giveaway—he must have won a fair bit of money.Li Nanfang decided to "kill the rich and help the poor"—targeting those who flaunted their winnings without restraint always won him the losers' favor. Just look at how Zhang Wei had patted Sun Daming on the shoulder after Li Nanfang had taken a chunk out of his earnings, acting as if they were the best of buddies."Damn it, Li Nanfang, did you skip using toilet paper or something? Why are your hands so strong?" Sun Daming wiped the sweat from his brow, forcing a laugh that was more awkward than anything else.When Li Nanfang was in a good mood, he never took offense to others' jibes. With a grin, he began counting his cash. After watching Li Nanfang stuff a thick wad of bills into his pocket, Zhang Wei and the others realized that even if Sun Daming won more, Li Nanfang wouldn't be sharing a dime. They had all lost some money to "support" Sun Daming's losing streak, making Li Nanfang the sole winner.Noticing the group's contemplative expressions, Li Nanfang quickly said, "Guys, I'm treating everyone to lunch today! Your choice of cuisine!"Before he could finish, the door behind him was kicked open with a loud bang, startling everyone. Sun Daming, who had been on a losing streak after his initial wins, was already in a foul mood. He snapped at the intruder, "Who the hell is this? So impatient for lunch, huh? If you broke the door—"Mid-reprimand, Sun Daming fell silent. A young woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a white short-sleeved tee, sapphire blue shorts, and white-and-black tennis shoes. Her short hair, wheatish skin, and curvaceous figure exuded a wild charm that easily stirred men's desires to conquer.However, her face was a mask of cold fury. The glare she fixed on Sun Daming was like two sharp knives, slicing through the air with a sinister hiss.Recognizing her, Li Nanfang immediately lowered his head in guilt.After using her gaze to intimidate Sun Daming into submission, Bai Ling turned to ask coldly, "Where's Li Nanfang?"Oh, so this beauty was here for Li Nanfang. Men are such creatures—if a beautiful woman asks for someone by name, they can't help but imply that the man in question isn't worth her attention, as if to say, "He's just Sun Daming."Bai Ling paused, confused by the nickname. "What's a 'Pants-Pissing Hero'? I'm looking for Li Nanfang.""Li Nanfang is the Pants-Pissing Hero. Everyone knows that," Sun Daming replied, his head bobbing as if belittling Li Nanfang would elevate him in Bai Ling's eyes.Just as Sun Daming began to elaborate on how Li Nanfang had allegedly wet himself after being beaten by a "tigress" from the Municipal Bureau, earning him the moniker, Bai Ling realized what he was implying. If it were true that Li Nanfang had merely been beaten by her until he wet his pants, she might have felt a perverse sense of pride, perhaps even feigning modesty with a "My apologies, my apologies."But that wasn't the case at all. Li Nanfang's pants had been wet—not because Bai Ling had beaten him, but for an entirely different reason. If Bai Ling could still pretend ignorance, she wouldn't be Bai Ling. As Sun Daming prepared to describe Li Nanfang's supposed humiliation in vivid detail, Bai Ling unleashed a leopard-like growl, grabbed his shoulder, and slammed him into a backbreaker with a resounding thud.The move was picture-perfect, utterly convincing. Sun Daming crashed to the floor like a sandbag, letting out a pitiful yelp of pain.Still not satisfied, Bai Ling kicked him again. "Damn it, just because you're a person doesn't mean you can bully others! I've had enough!""Stop! What are you doing?" Although Sun Daming's earlier gloating had been insufferable, he was still a colleague. To stand idly by while a woman attacked him would be neither right nor proper.Zhang Wei finally stepped up, placing a hand on Bai Ling's arm and barking, "If you dare to lay another finger on him, we won't be held responsible for our actions!""Right! Just because you're a woman doesn't give you the right to assault someone!" another colleague chimed in."Call security! Report this to the police!" others shouted, their faces flushed with indignation. Had she not been a woman, they would have swarmed her on the spot. Did she really think her "Pants-Pissing Hero" act would intimidate all the drivers in the garage?At this point, Bai Ling realized her impulsiveness but didn't care. She retorted with a cold sneer, "So, just because he called Li Nanfang the 'Pants-Pissing Hero,' I'm not allowed to react?""His nickname is your business?" Zhang Wei's question hung in the air, and it suddenly clicked. "You must be—Li Nanfang's girlfriend."Bai Ling had made it clear that her attack on Sun Daming was because he had called Li Nanfang the "Pants-Pissing Hero." This indicated that she took offense to the derogatory nickname. Why else would she care? Unless she was his girlfriend. Yes, that had to be it. If she weren't his girlfriend, why the furious outburst?Heaven forbid Bai Ling was actually Li Nanfang's girlfriend! In reality, her assault on Sun Daming was merely because she perceived his words as a deliberate insult to her."I am not that son of a—"Before Bai Ling could finish her instinctive denial, she heard someone sigh behind her: "Ling'er, how many times have I told you? You really need to work on that impulsive temper of yours. Sun Daming is my colleague; it's just a harmless joke among coworkers. Is this really necessary?" Ling'er? He called her Ling'er?
