Extremely Handsome: My Perfect Man

Chapter 05

Ava rushed back to the police station from the hospital, having already missed the normal working hours.

Fortunately, Director H had informed the station chief early in the morning about her assistance to the criminal investigation team last night, so no one at the station would hold her tardiness against the newly appointed deputy director.

As soon as Ava entered her office, she quickly changed into her police uniform and hung her damp clothes in a corner of the room.

Seated at her desk, she relaxed her nerves—her head had been throbbing ever since leaving the hospital, her thoughts a chaotic tangle.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the office door.

Ava ceased massaging her temples. "Come in—"

A young, attractive policewoman in uniform entered, carrying a stack of documents, and placed them on Ava's desk.

"Deputy Director, these are various records from the logistics department. The chief specifically asked me to bring them for your review."

The policewoman who delivered the documents was named Liy, a logistics staff member responsible for household registration-related tasks.

"Ah, thank you."

Ava took the documents and began to review them with diligence.

Liy stood by the desk, her curiosity evident as she watched Ava.

From her vantage point, Liy observed Ava's profile partially hidden under her black hair, and her gaze shifted slightly to focus on Ava's elegantly curved arms.

Ultimately, her gaze fixed intently on the fingers that deftly flipped through the papers—distinctive and exceptional.

It was clear that Ava could rely on her looks, yet she chose to rely on her achievements instead.

Liy pondered, this was perhaps the most formidable and unbeatable quality.

As a professional detective, Ava's alertness was quite high—she sensed Liy's strange aura and gaze from the very first moment. Nevertheless, she pretended to remain detached and continued working, curious about what Liy, who seemed hesitant, was up to.

Indeed, after a while, Liy spoke up, "Deputy Director…"

"Yes?" Ava looked up. "Is there something else?"

"The chief asked me to inform you that there is a meeting for the entire station at 11."

Ava: "…………"

Such an important matter should have been mentioned right from the start! The inefficiency of dragging things out was perplexing!

She glanced at the time on her phone: 10:58

Ava quickly closed the documents. "Where is the meeting? Let’s hurry!"

Ava and Liy were the last to arrive at the meeting room.

As soon as the meeting room door was opened, everyone looked toward the entrance.

Although she was not late, being the last to arrive made Ava smile****，****.

"Ava, please sit over here—"

Director Shi pointed out a seat for Ava at the front.

Liy naturally joined her logistics colleagues.

Standing under the national emblem, Director Shi cleared his throat, "Is everyone from our station here?"

It was less a question and more a statement.

Director Shi scanned the room again.

Rows of identical police uniforms, both solemn and imposing.

"This meeting has several major topics."

"Firstly, let's welcome our new Deputy Director, Comrade Ava."

Ava stood up gracefully from her seat, her voice resonant: "I look forward to a pleasant and successful collaboration with everyone."

As soon as she finished speaking, a round of applause erupted.

When the applause subsided, someone in the crowd shouted teasingly, "You are truly beautiful!"

Ava: "…………"

She made a "thank you" gesture and modestly sat back down.

Director Shi raised his voice, "Don’t be deceived by the Deputy Director’s looks into thinking she’s merely a decorative figure. She was previously the deputy leader of the criminal investigation team, with extensive experience handling major cases and numerous achievements! So, you… especially those from the criminal investigation and patrol teams, should frequently seek her guidance!"

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

"Secondly, we are now in the digital age. According to directives from higher authorities, to better engage, handle, and promote our work, our station needs to operate its own Weibo account. This is crucial for our station’s image, so I will leave the decision on who manages it to everyone. We will have an anonymous vote in a few days. You may abstain, but please avoid making arbitrary choices."

Ava pondered.

Given that the Weibo account was under the police bureau and station’s name, no matter who managed it, it shouldn't degrade into a sensationalist account. Extravagant antics would be out of the question.

With that in mind, she looked around—

There was no need to limit it to female colleagues; male colleagues might actually be better candidates.

The rest of the meeting involved departmental leaders and colleagues reporting their work, followed by Director Shi summarizing departmental performance and key points.

Ava spent the entire afternoon immersed in the logistics department’s submitted documents.

Their work was unlike any other industry, directly affecting public safety and the security of citizens.

As the workday ended, Jack stood outside Ava’s office, taking several deep breaths.

He had psyching himself up for a long time, but when the moment came, he hesitated to let go of the metaphorical arrow.

Lift, put down.

Lift again, put down.

Finally, another colleague, unable to bear it any longer, exclaimed, "Dong Lei! Can you have some backbone! If you like her, go after her! Even if the rumors about Ava are true and she has influential connections, at least you’ll have made an effort. You won’t regret it later, right?! Otherwise, you’ll regret it for a lifetime!"

Jack: "…………"

That was a toxic dose of encouragement!

Without mentioning influential connections, he could have been more daring, but considering the gossip from logistics female colleagues, he felt apprehensive.

If Ava truly had powerful backing, how could she possibly be interested in a mere police officer like him…

"Oh my God, Dong Lei!"

His colleague, panicking, banged on Ava’s office door without regard for decorum.

Ava, engrossed in noting details, didn't even look up. "Come in—"

The door remained unmoved.

"Come in!"

Still unmoved.

Ava: "…………"

Had her colleagues taken the wrong medicine today?

Ava had no choice but to put down her pen and paper and go open the door.

Outside, Jack’s face was flushed, his breathing uneven.

"I, I, I… AA!…………"

Jack stuttered nervously.

Ava furrowed her brow.

Then, a voice from the distant hallway called out, "Dong Lei, say what you need to quickly. Time waits for no one!"

"I, I, I…" Jack took a deep breath and finally spoke, "Can I invite you to dinner tonight?"

Ava blinked.

Is Jack pursuing her?

As she thought this, Ava felt a pang of hurt—although everyone praised her beauty, no man had ever pursued her over the years. Even the introductions from friends and family for blind dates had come to nothing.

Thus, she was approaching thirty without having married.

Not to mention marriage, she had never even had a boyfriend.

Her dedication to work was one reason, but another was simply that no man had ever pursued her.

Regardless of Jack’s qualifications, this was the first time she had been pursued.

Ava responded with poise, "Sure, just give me a moment to change out of my uniform."

When Ava opened the office door again, Jack had just finished a call.

"I was worried you might not agree, so I didn’t inform my parents that I wouldn’t be home for dinner today," Jack said, scratching his head awkwardly. "Don’t you need to inform your parents?"

Ava was momentarily taken aback.

Inform… her parents?

"No need," Ava smiled casually. "They won’t be waiting for me to come home for dinner."

"Then let’s go—"

Ava and Jack walked out of the police station side by side.

The setting sun hovered on the horizon, its warmth coaxing a blush of pink across the clouds, like a shy girl’s blush.

The two walked along the tree-lined path outside the station.

Jack asked, "The robbery case reported yesterday… has it been filed with the criminal investigation team?"

Of course, Ava couldn’t divulge specific details about the criminal investigation team. She only answered, "Yes."

As they neared the end of the path, a man emerged from a turn ahead, smoking a cigarette. As he lifted his face, a leaf floated perfectly onto his dark hair.

Ava immediately halted.

She certainly hadn’t forgotten who the man was.

It was impossible to forget his face!

He was Liam.

Liam looked at the pair with an expressionless face, slowly lifting his hand to brush the leaf from his head.

When Jack saw Liam, he immediately went on high alert!

In this era of appearances, the difference between him and Liam was—he was not only completely outmatched but also seemed to be trampled into the dirt.

But no matter what, he couldn’t lose his composure. "Step aside!"

Liam treated Jack as if he were invisible, his gaze fixed solely on Ava.

"…………" Jack looked at Ava and asked, "Do you know him?"

Ava remained silent.

Jack inquired further, "Who is he?"

Liam frowned, pinching out his cigarette with his fingertips.

"I should be asking you that. Who are you? Who gave you the right to walk with Ava?"