Chapter 101

### Chapter 101: Su Qi and the Suspicious Individual After a day's rest, Su Qi felt rejuvenated: her back didn't ache, her legs felt strong, and her entire body brimmed with energy. Although her current body's frailness was undeniable, its recovery speed seemed extraordinary. Could it be that females simply recover faster than males? Su Qi pondered—had she still been a man yesterday or the day before, right now she'd probably feel as empty as a squeezed-out toothpaste tube. She shivered and decided not to dwell on it any longer. Su Qi hadn't realized her rapid recovery was due to the magical jade seal; she merely sighed over the physiological differences between genders. Stretching lazily, she got out of bed and opened the curtains. Seeing the sun already high in the sky, she couldn't help but feel slightly degenerate. Sleeping in until late morning and still feeling unsatisfied... "Host, it's time for breakfast. Maintaining a good daily routine is important," her system chimed in lazily at that moment. Su Qi noticed that since she completed the beginner's quest, the system's voice had changed from a neutral tone to a softer, more girlish one. Could it have evolved again? Maybe the system had just woken up too! Speaking of food, Su Qi did feel a bit hungry. Rubbing her flat tummy, she thought it weird how it stayed flat without a significant bowel movement. She considered ordering takeout but discovered that her monthly coupons for Meituan and Eleme had run out. Believing that takeout without coupons lacked soul, she decided to go out to eat instead. Su Qi knew a restaurant near her Green City Community called 'Du Liang' specializing in clay pot spicy hotpot. She found it puzzling that national chain restaurants, like Du Liang or Yang Guofu, all claimed to have distinct flavors. Why not create their own unique brand? For example, this 'Du Liang' clay pot spicy hotpot was quite different from ordinary spicy hotpot. Unlike the usual large bowls, it was served in a clay pot, still bubbling. Though essentially the same ingredients, the vibrant colors and presentation made it taste more delicious, which was the restaurant's selling point. However, the high serving temperature meant it didn't taste as good as takeout, which hindered its delivery sales. Glancing at the wall clock, she saw it was just barely ten o'clock. Going this early, there shouldn't be too many people. She also planned to order some fried snacks and a cup of ice-cold cola to reward herself for the past few days' hard work. Slipping into an exaggeratedly embellished tracksuit, Su Qi found that compared to skirts, she preferred the security trousers provided. Plus, with her current physique, she now had underwear and a bra. The two little bunnies on her chest felt comfortably snug in the black bra. Su Qi couldn't help but admire the seamstress's skills—how such thin pieces of fabric could bear so much weight. The tracksuit was thick and secure, eliminating any worries about wardrobe malfunctions. Putting on some flashy red shoes, she also donned her green hoodie, satisfied with how half her face was covered. Indeed, dining alone at a restaurant could evoke a sense of loneliness. Before leaving, she grabbed a pack of tissues and pocketed her keys, heading out into the street. Walking alone amid bustling pedestrians, mostly in pairs, she couldn't help but feel envious spotting a sweet couple ahead of her engaging in public displays of affection. "Who was that woman in your WeChat yesterday?" The woman pretended to be angry, but her eyes twinkled mischievously. The man anxiously showed her his phone. "Look, just a colleague." Listening to their banter, Su Qi felt a pang of envy. Before college, she had fantasized about finding a girlfriend, flirting and experiencing the joys of a romantic relationship. But due to her financial struggles, she remained single. Watching the couple in front of her made her even more envious. But then she remembered—didn't she currently have two girlfriends? Someday, she'd definitely bring them out to show off, making others envious too. At that moment, the couple stopped. No wonder—they had noticed a suspiciously dressed individual in a hoodie and cap following them and staring intently, which indeed seemed quite alarming. Seeing them halt and turn to look at her, Su Qi thought it best to walk past quickly. But the man blocked her way. "Why are you following us?" Lin Hao, a policeman finally enjoying a day off, had planned some quality time with his girlfriend, only to be shadowed by a suspicious figure. Could this person be someone he previously apprehended, seeking revenge now? The thought made Lin Hao even more tense. Shielding his girlfriend, he moved to take off Su Qi's hood. He was also worried that this skinny figure might be hiding a weapon. As he stepped closer, Lin Hao's towering height and muscular build from regular training cast a bear-like shadow over Su Qi, obscuring his face in the sunlight. Feeling his approach, Su Qi instinctively stepped back. To Lin Hao, this reaction confirmed the person's guilt. "What do you want?" Su Qi croaked habitually. Hearing her deliberately disguised voice, Lin Hao found her even more suspicious. As Lin Hao closed in, Su Qi grew more flustered, manipulating her phone within her sleeve to dial 110 using a shortcut set up by Wang Zijing. Noticing her movements, Lin Hao grew convinced she had a concealed weapon. Scanning the surroundings, he saw no one nearby and breathed a sigh of relief. Confident he could subdue this suspect within five steps, Lin Hao spread his arms and shouted, "Everyone stay back!" His thunderous voice, projected from his chest, startled Su Qi, who was already on edge, making her collapse to the ground. In that moment, Su Qi recalled a particularly infamous manga scene—*girl-gets-encircled*. Volume four depicted the protagonist being kidnapped and subjected to multiple… would she meet the same fate here in broad daylight? Terrified, Su Qi decided against hiding her emergency call to the police. If she didn't act now, she might lose her chance. Holding her phone to her ear, she frantically shouted, "Uncle, there's—this, this person—" Glancing around in a panic, she realized she didn't know the location. Despite her high IQ, in a state of chaos, rational thought was replaced with a primal response. Spotting a large tree, she added, "By a big tree! Someone is trying to kidnap me!" Lin Hao stared at the trembling Su Qi with a mix of surprise and bewilderment. Why was she so easily frightened? Seeing her glance around while dialing, Lin Hao followed her gaze, wondering if she had accomplices. Then, realizing he had misunderstood, his suspicion turned to disbelief. Was this suspicious individual actually calling the police!? Had criminals become this brazen?