The school night was very peaceful, sparsely populated. The basketball court in the distance was in full view, with someone skating past on a skateboard nearby.

Xu Xingchun held his phone, his footsteps pausing. He hung his hand holding half a cigarette without smoking it. From absent-mindedness to returning to his senses only took an instant.

Faint white smoke dispersed, like floating cold ice.

How many years had it been?

As long as it concerned Fu Xueli, every frame, every moment, he could remember clearly.

When she didn’t yet know him, on a midsummer evening at the alley entrance, she wore a white thin sweater and water-blue jeans. Her feet slipped smoothly, stepping on a skateboard, whooshing past him. Whoosh, bringing up a gust of wind, arms spread open, her wavy black hair flying, the golden light of the setting sun pouring through her fingertips.

That Fu Xueli of those days probably didn’t know she had been watched like this for so long, spied upon for ages.

Yes, spied upon.

In his youth, Xu Xingchun had spied on her as if possessed.

He couldn’t, and didn’t want to restrain himself.

Hidden, suppressed desire, like a tree with tightly closed buds, silently and stubbornly stretching upward.

Until he got together with Fu Xueli, this emotion finally released and exploded through prolonged waiting, anxiety, despair, and pain.

Year after year, Xu Xingchun, like a puppet, gave his entire soul to her.

He had once willingly let Fu Xueli control him, unconditionally agreeing to any of her demands, as natural as breathing.

But lofty as she was, she wouldn’t like anyone, let alone Xu Xingchun. Psychologically abnormal, obsessive, and strange Xu Xingchun.

But he still had to endure. As long as she was willing to stay, no one wanted to be an aberration.

Actually, Xu Xingchun’s disguise wasn’t good. After relaxing, his emotions gradually lost control, his greed making him want more.

So without knowing how to scheme, he still let Fu Xueli notice—notice his feelings for her that were distorted to the extreme.

Such feelings were wrong from the start. One careless step would lead to a dead end. So in the end, Xu Xingchun was deceived. She still wanted to leave.

However, desire can only be conquered by higher desire, so dead ends have no end. As long as your heart is ruthless enough, anyone can win.

He never thought of leaving her, but still let go.

But letting go didn’t mean losing.

Although he had waited too long, as long as Fu Xueli remained by his side, there was nothing to be dissatisfied with.

In the darkness, Xu Xingchun extinguished the cigarette butt.

Thinking of those oppressive, suffocating past events wasn’t a comfortable thing. Because in the days without Fu Xueli, Xu Xingchun relied on another thing to still support himself to continue living.

But in fact.

He was about to die.

The plane was too fast. After a few hours, it arrived in Shencheng. He went home for a simple shower and change of clothes, then drove to the branch.

Entering the office, people immediately gathered around to greet him.

Xu Xingchun casually dragged over a chair and sat down. Xu Tao bent over, one hand supporting the desk, pointing at the screen, directly getting to the point. “This drug trafficking gang has many members, is strictly organized, and very cunning. And Captain Xu, look.”

His finger pointed here and there. “Several dark and overt lines intersect—there’s a case within a case. Through negotiations, we learned that a few months ago, a group did bring back a large batch of goods from Yunnan. They left traces of activity on Hongjiang District streets during our last pursuit. These people aren’t locals.”

The mouse scrolled.

Returning to the previous street surveillance video, staring at a middle-aged man with hands in pockets, Xu Xingchun’s brows furrowed tightly.

Xu Tao read his expression. “Is something wrong?”

After a second or two of silence, he said, “Nothing.”

There were still no clues about the people behind Heaven, but it was certain that this leak must have involved an inside traitor.

This case affected everything. Once fully investigated, the people above would all undergo a major reshuffle.

It couldn’t be solved in a short time. One false step, and not only would the case not be solved, but the investigators who had infiltrated the drug trafficking gang might have their identities exposed. The consequences would be unimaginable.

Xu Tao continued, “We received information that among this group is a drug dealer with the nickname Brother Yao. He’ll come to check out territory after the New Year, preparing to make a major drug deal.”

The two were talking in low voices when suddenly someone brought over a cup of coffee. The conversation broke off. Xu Xingchun’s gaze shifted. It was a young man with immature features, a crew cut, and very clear eyes.

Just a bit unfamiliar.

He scratched his head, acting nonchalant. “Captain Xu, hehe, I just made this. Please enjoy!”

His expression couldn’t suppress his excitement.

Xu Tao standing beside him raised his thick eyebrows. “There’s another Captain Xu you can’t see? This is differential treatment. Where’s mine?”

The young man said dumbly, “I for—forgot.”

After dismissing the young man, Xu Xingchun asked, “Who’s that?”

Knowing Xu Xingchun basically didn’t touch anything others had handled, Xu Tao picked up that cup of coffee, took a sip, and said leisurely, “Him? A passionate intern who recently joined the team. He’s read the slogans at the entrance too many times. Every day he says 【For the peace and harmony of the motherland, putting life and death aside, fighting drug-related crimes, using life to compose the anti-drug song】.”

Xu Xingchun asked, “He knows me?”

“Ha.” Xu Tao put down the cup. “A few days ago when the leadership was giving a pep talk and bragging, they used your case as an example again. After hearing about your deeds, this kid especially admires you. Probably considers you his idol.”

“What matter?”

“You actually don’t know?” Xu Tao was surprised. “They said when you were executing missions before, you were once offered a high bounty by drug dealers in the southwest region, then had various battles of wits with them—”

“No need to continue.” Xu Xingchun was too lazy to listen further and interrupted. “Talk business.”

Speaking of business, Xu Tao really remembered something. “Right, that fat guy we caught at Heaven last time—his family has connections. They want to apply for medical parole. Money’s no object.”

Xu Xingchun recalled slightly. “Who?”

“The one you pointed your gun at his head.”

He had no particular reaction. “Does he meet the conditions?”

Xu Tao answered cautiously, “Should… not meet them.”

“Don’t approve it.”

“……”

The leadership came over to inspect. Seeing Xu Xingchun, he beckoned. “Xiao Xu, come here.”

Then he was taken to the office.

The leader first asked about the progress of several recent cases, then raised questions about some special situations, and finally inquired about the branch’s work efficiency.

Some he could answer, some he couldn’t.

Xu Xingchun picked and chose what to respond to.

The leader was very satisfied with the answers. He had always liked Xu Xingchun—without the general impatience of young people, instead neither arrogant nor impetuous, a very cautious and serious character.

The leader smiled and patted his shoulder. “Work hard, young man. Limitless prospects.”

When the conversation ended, about half an hour later, Xu Xingchun left the office. Taking out his phone from his pants pocket, it was already past ten at night. He had received several messages from Fu Xueli.

He opened them, bit the knuckle of his left index finger, and stood in place reading for a long time.

Looking up, he found that at some point, several colleagues at a not-too-close distance were all looking at him with complex expressions.

Xu Xingchun asked, “What are you looking at?”

The group of people swish swish swish lowered their heads.

“……”

After he went out to the corridor, one person said, “Look at Captain Xu… his mouth bitten like that. My god, does he not realize it himself?”

“Xu Tao just said Captain Xu obviously showered. He even smells a bit fragrant.”

With the year-end approaching, things were getting busier. Everyone was worn ragged, working continuously for ten hours at a stretch. When free, with rare gossip opportunities, no one wanted to let it pass.

Another person whispered quietly, “So abstinent men all like wild women.”

“I’ll say it again—anyone who doesn’t want to see our Captain Xu in a relationship showing affection can leave! I’ll leave first out of respect. Farewell!”

Clutching her phone, rolling over twice on the bed.

Fu Xueli fumed for a while, her mind wandering wildly.

Xu Xingchun wasn’t asleep at this hour, was he?

That shouldn’t be right…

She had just picked up her phone, preparing to send another text message, when she received a call from Xu Xingchun.

Counting a few seconds in her heart, Fu Xueli finally answered. “Hello?”

“It’s me.” His voice was a bit low.

“I was about to sleep.” She pretended.

“Okay.”

“…..”

Fu Xueli was a bit sulky, emphasizing her tone. “I just asked if you regretted it. Why didn’t you answer me? Are you dissatisfied with me somehow, not replying to messages for so long?”

“Regret what?” Xu Xingchun asked.

Fu Xueli most disliked when he deliberately asked obvious questions. “Regret making up with me.”

Xu Xingchun seemed to sigh on the other end.

“I won’t regret it.”

How could he possibly regret it?

Knowing she was deliberately acting spoiled, Xu Xingchun still cooperatively indulged her.

“Hmph, big gorilla, little pervert…” Two minutes later, Fu Xueli was cheerful, starting to call him this. After the first time, it became much smoother afterward. She changed it several times in a row, as if she couldn’t call him enough.

These were nicknames she used to like calling him. Calling them now was still very familiar.

“Are you a block of wood?” she asked proudly after finishing.

“No.”

“Then why aren’t you talking?”

“I like listening to you talk.”

Her lips pressed into a line. “Me too.”

After a long time, there was sound from the other end. “I’ll try my best in the future.”

After hanging up, Fu Xueli buried herself in the pillow, thinking about Xu Xingchun for a long time. Suddenly she felt a bit strange herself…

Only a few short days, yet she felt that without realizing it, she seemed to like him even more than before.

For the first time caring so much about someone’s feelings.

Liking Xu Xingchun so much, she didn’t even seem like Fu Xueli anymore.

The next morning, Aunt Qi came to her room several times but couldn’t wake Fu Xueli.

Idle at home, stealing half a day of leisure. She didn’t get up until noon and went downstairs for lunch.

Fu Xueli wrapped herself in a blanket, curled up on the living room sofa watching TV, occasionally checking the WeChat group. Aunt Qi was knitting beside her. “Not going out to play with your friends today?”

She hadn’t slept well last night. Her head tilted, she said lazily, “Too cold. Don’t want to move.”

She kind of wanted to return to Shencheng, kind of wanted to see Xu Xingchun.

So right now she couldn’t muster interest in anything.

It had snowed last night. There was a thin layer of snow outside the door. Fu Xueli was watching a variety show she’d participated in a few days ago, watching until drowsy, when Song Yifan directly called. “Damn, Fu Xueli, stop playing dead. Come out quick!”

“What?” Fu Xueli got annoyed hearing him speak. “Where?”

That loud voice came through. “Brother Li and I drove the car to your front door, big sister. Change clothes and come out!”

They came in Li Jieyi’s Bentley, a very flashy color. After all these years, they still couldn’t change their ostentatious habits.

Fu Xueli opened the door and got in the car.

As soon as he saw her, Song Yifan made a fuss. “Aiya, look look look, why’d you put on sunglasses? It’s all our fault for lacking awareness. If we’d known, we’d have brought a pen for your autograph!”

Today the snow made the roads slippery. The car speed couldn’t pick up. Fu Xueli removed her scarf and asked, “Where’s Jieyi been hanging out lately?”

“Beijing.” Li Jie turned the steering wheel. “It’s all tears to talk about.”

Song Yifan consoled him. “Brother Li, you must be strong. Don’t cry, because Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou don’t believe in tears.”

“Fuck you, Beijing Shanghai Guangzhou your mom’s Lushan wild donkey cunt.”

Song Yifan was too lazy to argue with him, nodding and saying okay okay fine, no problem, we’re civilized, we won’t argue with you.

Fu Xueli was amused again, directly ignoring the bickering and asking Li Jieyi driving in front, “Where are we going?”

“To find Xie Ci.”

“Oh…” Fu Xueli asked, “What about Xu You?”

Li Jieyi answered casually, “Xu You’s coming too. Didn’t you know there’s a class reunion today?”

“……”

Fu Xueli really didn’t know.

Song Yifan got up from his seat and grabbed a bottle of water. “You, after all these years, just can’t forget Xie Ci’s wife, can you?”

On the road, the group chatted intermittently, one sentence here, one there. Gossip and interesting stories, finally chatting about Xie Ci and Xu You.

These two were quite something to sigh about.

What about Xie Ci?

Back then, a freshman who said “you just wait” one day, then the next day brought a group of people to fight, a little tyrant who never cried even when covered in injuries.

He swaggered everywhere. Later, in the years after breaking up with Xu You, when they’d meet for drinks, he’d just sit there expressionless.

After getting himself drunk, teardrops kept falling, falling and falling without stop.

In the past, Xie Ci was young and immature, changing girlfriends like changing clothes. Who knows how many young girls’ hearts he broke?

Then later he met Xu You.

What goes around comes around.

Completely finished.