170: Chapter 170 Old Edition Professional Books

Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then a faint smile played on his lips. His gaze was warm with a hint of playfulness as he calmly declined, "The food at restaurants is all more or less the same; there's no need to go to the trouble of treating me to a meal."

His tone was casual and natural, his sense of propriety perfectly balanced. He wasn't overly warm, yet he subtly narrowed the distance of their unfamiliarity.

"There's no need to treat me to a meal out. If you really want to thank me, why not cook a few home-style dishes for me to try instead? That would be much more sincere."

A faint, almost imperceptible heat rose to the tips of Leng Yue's ears. She hadn't expected him to turn down a formal dinner and instead specifically ask for a meal cooked by her own hands.

She composed herself, suppressing the slight ripple in her heart. Maintaining her usual cool and calm expression, she nodded and replied seriously.

"Alright. I'll let you know the time in advance when I have my day off this week. If there's anything you don't eat or any specific dishes you'd like, just let me know, and I'll prepare them beforehand."

"I've never been a picky eater; a simple home-cooked meal is fine. Don't go to too much trouble."

Jiang Chen's smile was warm, his tone relaxed and easygoing. "Just arrange it as you see fit."

"Okay, I've got it," Leng Yue replied softly.

"The roads are slippery in the rain; walk slowly when you go in," Jiang Chen reminded her gently, his tone carrying natural concern.

"Mhm. You take it slow on the road too, drive safely."

Leng Yue pushed open the car door and stepped under the awning. She turned back and gave a slight nod toward the car before turning to walk steadily into the apartment building.

Sitting in the car, Jiang Chen watched her cool, upright figure gradually disappear into the stairwell. The smile in his eyes lingered for a long time. After a while, he softly instructed Lu Zheng, "Let's go."

The black lexus lm slowly drove away from the entrance of the neighborhood, merging into the hazy, rainy scene.

In the blink of an eye, the weekend arrived. The rainy weather in Jiangcheng finally cleared up, and the warm autumn sun spilled into the room through the glass windows, chasing away the damp cold of the past few days.

It was a rare day off for Leng Yue. She didn't have to pore over the Detachment's case files or be on standby to respond to calls.

Always clean and disciplined, she tidied the house early in the morning, tied on a simple light gray apron, and went into the kitchen to prepare the ingredients.

Usually busy with work and cases, she rarely had leisure time to cook, yet she had developed a talent for home-style cooking since childhood. Her dishes were light, palatable, and filled with the comforting essence of a home-cooked meal.

Remembering that Jiang Chen said he wasn't picky, she chose a few of her best dishes.

Steamed sea bass, braised chicken with mushrooms, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a pot of pork rib and corn soup. It was a balanced mix of meat and vegetables—simple, yet prepared with great care.

Cleaning the vegetables, chopping, and cooking—her movements were efficient and steady.

Shedding the sharp aura she held in the Police Force, her expression was soft at this moment. Surrounded by the faint aroma of cooking, she seemed less distant and cold, appearing more gentle and domestic.

After nearly two hours of work, several dishes were finished one after another and neatly arranged on the dining table, their fresh fragrance filling the entire living room.

Leng Yue took out her phone, hesitated for a moment, and sent a message to Jiang Chen: [I'm off today, and the food is ready. If you're free, you can come over.]

Not long after the message was sent, Jiang Chen replied in an easygoing and warm tone: [I happen to be free. I'll be there in a moment.]

Twenty minutes later, the black lexus lm slowly stopped downstairs in the neighborhood.

Lu Zheng parked the car, and Jiang Chen got out alone. Carrying a small, plain paper bag, he walked slowly into the building.

Having received the floor and apartment number from Leng Yue in advance, he didn't need to wait and went straight upstairs to knock on the door.

The door opened in response.

Leng Yue had just finished tidying the kitchen. Her hair was loosely tied back, and she had changed into simple, casual loungewear. Without the sharpness of her trench coat or formal attire, her whole being appeared gentle and tranquil, lacking the inherent distance of the workplace and the Police Force.

"You're here. Come in." She stepped aside to let him in, her gaze lingering for a moment on the small paper bag in his hand. Her tone was calm and natural, carrying the polite manner of a host.

Jiang Chen nodded and stepped inside, his gaze sweeping lightly across the room.

The layout was simple and tidy, the furnishings clean and orderly. Everything reflected Leng Yue's characteristically cool and disciplined nature.

The fresh scent of food wafted around his nose, the cozy atmosphere of a home hitting him—it was exceptionally heartwarming.

He handed over the paper bag, his tone casual and warm: "I passed by an old bookstore the other day and saw this copy of 'Classic Case Analysis of Criminal Investigation.' It's quite an old edition. I thought you might find it useful, so I picked it up."

Leng Yue was slightly stunned. She took the paper bag and pulled out the book.

The pages were slightly yellowed, but the corners were perfectly preserved. It was an old professional book that had long been out of print.

She flipped through it casually and found a small handwritten card tucked inside. The handwriting was elegant and clear, with only one sentence: To Officer Leng, may you return safely from every mission.

Her fingertips paused slightly on the edge of the card. She looked up at him, a flash of surprise and emotion crossing her eyes.

Such a gift wasn't expensive, yet it struck exactly the right chord in her heart.

It wasn't a perfunctory souvenir, nor was it a superficial bouquet or pastry. It was a book that truly understood her profession and passion, accompanied by a simple yet solemn wish.

"Thank you." She suppressed the slight ripple in her heart, her tone a bit softer than usual. "I've been looking for this book for a long time, but I could never find this edition."

"Then it's good I brought it; it wasn't a wasted effort." Jiang Chen smiled warmly, not taking much credit.

"Make yourself at home. The food is just ready and still hot." Leng Yue carefully put the book away and poured him a glass of warm water, placing it on the living room coffee table.

"Sorry for the trouble of having you cook." Jiang Chen sat down, his gaze falling on the appetizing dishes on the table. His tone carried a hint of praise. "It looks very delicious."

"It's just a few home-cooked dishes, nothing special. I hope you don't mind."

Leng Yue gave a faint smile, her sense of propriety perfectly maintained.

The two of them weren't particularly well-acquainted, so their interaction was polite with a subtle touch of reserve. However, that book, sitting quietly on the shelf nearby, seemed like a silent understanding, quietly softening the unfamiliarity in the air.

They both sat down at the dining table. The autumn sun fell on a corner of the table, making the atmosphere quiet and gentle.

Leng Yue picked up her chopsticks and gestured politely. "Give it a try. I'm not sure if it suits your taste."

Jiang Chen picked up his chopsticks and tried a bit of everything. The flavors were fresh without being greasy, full of home-cooked goodness. Compared to the exquisite dishes in restaurants, it had a rare and grounding sense of home.

"It tastes great. It's even more authentic than what they make in restaurants."

He spoke sincerely, his gaze landing on Leng Yue's face with a warm smile. "I didn't expect you to be such a good cook."

Leng Yue's ears warmed slightly at his praise. She lowered her head to take a sip of soup and replied softly, "I usually get off work early and occasionally cook for myself. I'm used to light flavors."

The atmosphere at the table was relaxed. There was no awkwardness from trying to force a conversation; they just chatted idly.

Mostly, Jiang Chen would casually ask if she was busy with cases or if her schedule was too exhausting. Leng Yue also briefly mentioned the daily routine of the Police Force—how she often worked overtime when there were many cases, and how rare it was to have such a peaceful moment of rest.

The meal was eaten quietly and pleasantly.

After the meal, Leng Yue stood up to clear the dishes. Jiang Chen wanted to help, but she stopped him. "No need to be polite. I'll clean up myself. Just sit and rest for a while."

Jiang Chen didn't insist and sat on the living room sofa, waiting quietly.

His gaze inadvertently fell on the simple furnishings and the clean bookshelf. The old book he had just brought was placed by its owner on the shelf within easy reach, standing alongside several professional criminal investigation books.

The smile in his eyes deepened slightly.

He felt more and more that Leng Yue was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She appeared distant and aloof, but inside she was thoughtful and gentle, handling herself and others with great propriety.