As Lei Gang silently roared in his heart, Li Zhanting turned to Liu Ruyan, bowing slightly as he asked, "Chairwoman Liu, does this arrangement meet your approval?"
Liu Ruyan, having recovered from her initial shock, nodded gracefully, her gaze sweeping over the Pursuit Team members. When she spotted Lin Zhiyuan, Zhang Hong, and Feng Chiyu—the three who had saved her yesterday—she nodded with a warm smile.
"President Li's arrangements are quite satisfactory. Then I must trouble you experts. Please... help me safeguard the Starry Light."
"No problem, Ms. Liu. Leave it to us! We won't let Cifera steal the Starry Light!" Zhang Hong declared, draping his arms around Lin Zhiyuan and Feng Chiyu's shoulders as he spoke for the trio.
With that, the trio joined Starry Security's search of the premises.
Nie Bing, however, didn't follow them. From the moment she arrived, her eyes had been locked on the One-Eyed Cifera Coin in Liu Ruyan's hand.
She strode forward, her movements crisp and decisive, extending her hand directly to Liu Ruyan. Her icy voice brooked no argument.
"Ms. Liu, the item in your hand is a crucial clue in tracking down our target, Cifera. As it's considered program evidence, please hand it over to the Pursuit Team immediately for processing."
Liu Ruyan was gazing down at the Cifera Coin in her palm, savoring the cool metallic touch and unique design. Hearing Nie Bing's almost commanding tone, she gracefully lifted her gaze, a flicker of amusement and possessive resistance, barely perceptible in her seasoned eyes, flashing through her expression:
"Oh? A crucial clue?"
Liu Ruyan raised a delicate eyebrow, her fingertips gently tracing the outline of the one-eyed black cat on the coin, her voice tinged with just the right amount of feigned curiosity and mild surprise:
"Officer Nie, are you referring to this little coin? It seems quite ordinary, just Little Cifera's... well, perhaps Contestant Cifera accidentally dropped this trinket. What kind of clue could it possibly hold?"
She deliberately emphasized the term "Little Cifera," speaking with an almost intimate familiarity, as if underscoring some hidden connection.
Nie Bing's gaze instantly sharpened to an icy intensity, her instincts picking up on Liu Ruyan's evasiveness and the blatant possessiveness radiating from her.
But this was a crucial clue left by Cifera—how could she simply hand it over to someone uninvolved?
"Any object that the target of the Global Manhunt has touched could contain vital information! Fingerprints, residues, even unique manufacturing techniques could serve as tracking leads!
"Please cooperate with our investigation, Ms. Liu."
Nie Bing's voice was sharp and decisive, her outstretched hand unwavering, radiating an invisible pressure.
Yet Liu Ruyan didn't back down. Instead, she slightly tightened her grip on the coin, maintaining her composed demeanor, though her resolve was unmistakable.
"Officer Nie, I understand the need to pursue leads... But this coin is the only object left behind after Little Cifera 'vanished' before everyone's eyes. In a way, it's also a memento of my... well, remarkable connection with her."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the flashing cameras and the stunned reporters in the audience. A meaningful smile curved her lips.
"Moreover, as the founder of the 'Cifera Children's Relief Fund,' I believe it's only reasonable to keep a keepsake related to the 'Namesake,' don't you agree?"
The live stream's bullet comments instantly lit up:
[Here it comes! The battle for the Cifera Coin between the official wife (?) and the rival (?)! ! !]
[Sister Liu: This coin is a memento of our love! Bingbing: It's evidence! Surrender it!]
[Aaaah! The Battlefield Arrives, Though Late! Fight! Fight!]
[Sister Liu's excuse... "A commemorative item from the foundation"? Genius! Utterly brilliant!]
[Wow! Little Bingbing's glare is so cold! I feel like she's about to draw her gun any second!]
[If this isn't scripted, I'll eat my hat! The Production Team must have seen the bullet comments and deliberately orchestrated this drama!]
["A Bloodbath Over a Coin" - Global Manhunt Special Edition]
[Wrong, upstairs! It should be "A Bloodbath Over a 'Husband'"! (Dog emoji)]
[Speaking of which, didn't Cifera once play Chairman Liu's husband?]
[No wonder Little Bingbing's so hostile! Is this the jealousy of the official wife? Hiss, terrifying!]
[Big Pecs: What are you two fighting about? Hurry up and help me find Cifera! (Confused face)]
[President Li: Who am I? Where am I? Who should I help? (wipes sweat)]
[I bet a dime Cifera is hiding in some corner right now, happily watching the drama unfold!]
The bullet comments were flying with abstract humor, while the atmosphere on set grew increasingly tense and subtle.
On one side stood the formidable Jewelry Queen, radiating power and authority. On the other, the cold-faced elite detective, a paragon of justice. A tiny Cifera Coin had become the focal point of their silent power struggle.
The air seemed to freeze, even the frantic shouts of Lei Gang barking orders in the background faded into distant echoes.
"Ahem..."
Liu Shanhe cleared his throat at the opportune moment, breaking the awkward stalemate.
A warm smile played on his lips, but his sharp eyes swept between the two women, radiating both elder statesman's wisdom and commanding authority.
"Ms. Liu, Police Officer Nie Bing, please remain calm."
He first nodded slightly toward Liu Ruyan, addressing her in a soothing tone:
"Ms. Liu, your point is well-taken. This coin does indeed hold a special connection between you and Contestant Cifera, making it a fitting memento for the Children's Relief Fund."
Then, he turned to Nie Bing, signaling her with a look to stay composed:
"Police Officer Nie Bing, as a member of the Pursuit Team, has diligently fulfilled her duties, leaving no potential lead unexamined. Her meticulousness is commendable."
Having acknowledged both sides, he shifted his tone and proposed a compromise:
"How about this? The Pursuit Team will temporarily retain the coin for necessary research. Once we've confirmed it holds no further investigative value, we'll return it to Ms. Liu intact, to be preserved as a special commemorative piece for the Children's Relief Fund.
"Ms. Liu, what are your thoughts?"
Liu Shanhe's proposal deftly balanced Nie Bing's operational needs with Liu Ruyan's desire to preserve the coin's sentimental value, leaving no room for objection.
Liu Ruyan studied Liu Shanhe's knowing, yet wise smile, weighing her options.
While she dearly wanted to keep the coin, his suggestion was reasonable. Insisting further would make her seem unreasonable and damage her image.
This Liu Shanhe is truly an old fox!
Watching the show as an audience member, Liu Ruyan had seen Cifera run circles around him, but she hadn't realized how sharp this "micro-expression expert" was—he'd seemed just like a mild-mannered old man.
But now, face-to-face with him, she was startled to realize that his gentle eyes seemed to possess an almost X-ray-like clarity. He could see through her slightest emotional fluctuations, even her obsession with the Cifera Coin seemed transparent to him.
Most people might assume Liu Ruyan was simply teasing Nie Bing, the serious and beautiful police officer. But Liu Ruyan knew she genuinely wanted to keep the Cifera Coin.
Her explanations weren't excuses; they were her true feelings.
Cifera had indeed been a pivotal figure in shaping her life, and the coin she left behind held extraordinary sentimental value for Liu Ruyan.
Liu Shanhe had recognized this, which led him to propose his final compromise: returning the coin to himself.
Thinking this over, Liu Ruyan couldn't help but marvel inwardly:
Little Cifera's deception skills are truly remarkable. Even this old fox couldn't see through her.
Though her thoughts raced, only a few seconds passed.
With a graceful smile, she extended her hand, coin in palm, toward Nie Bing, offering it with disarming sincerity:
"Since Old Liu has spoken, I naturally have no objections.
"Officer Nie, please proceed. Just... please handle it with utmost care and remember to return it to me after your investigation, okay~?"
Even Nie Bing could sense the genuine emphasis in her final request.
Expressionless, Nie Bing accepted the coin, still faintly warm from Liu Ruyan's palm, and swiftly placed it into a transparent evidence bag. Her movements were crisp and efficient, as if handling any ordinary item.
She showed no elation at successfully obtaining the coin, replying in a cold, official tone:
"We will process it according to established procedures. You will be notified upon completion.
"However, this is ultimately Contestant Cifera's item. If she later wishes to reclaim it, I trust you'll understand."
"Mm, that won't be a problem. Though I'm certain Little Cifera would willingly give it to me~"
"...sigh..."
Nie Bing's brow furrowed slightly. She nodded expressionlessly.
"Then that's no longer my concern."