For Ling’ai, two days felt like an eternity.

She had finally managed to wait for the school holiday to arrive, then carefully counted down the hours until sunset, and for the past two hours she had been anxiously staring at the clothes spread across her bed.

She thought Zheng Yun probably liked fresh, understated colors, so she planned to wear a light, elegant dress — but then she wondered if she should try a different style, since she wore such plain outfits every day.

She didn’t know what Zheng Yun was thinking, but she considered this their first date. Since it was their first, it had to be treated with the utmost care.

From more than a dozen dresses, Ling’ai selected a pale blue-gray top and skirt. She felt Zheng Yun would appreciate the traditional Xin Guo style of women’s dress rather than Western clothing.

Having chosen her outfit, Ling’ai did her makeup in front of the mirror, then used her hair to conceal the wound near her right ear.

Just as she was sitting by the clock counting down the minutes, one of Huicun’s subordinates came knocking hurriedly: “Miss Aiko.”

Ling’ai opened the door, a little puzzled. “Mr. Qingfu?”

Qingfu was one of Huicun’s capable right-hand men, and usually stayed close by his side at all times.

“Miss Aiko, Huicun has just been admitted to the hospital. His condition is very serious right now.” Qingfu’s expression was grave. “Miss Aiko, please go to the hospital quickly.”

“Admitted to the hospital?” Ling’ai was alarmed.

“His old illness has worsened.”

Without time to think, Ling’ai immediately followed Qingfu into the waiting car.

“Mr. Qingfu, what exactly happened? He was perfectly fine yesterday — how could his kidney disease suddenly flare up? He’s been taking his medication consistently.”

“I only just received word myself, and came to fetch you immediately.” Qingfu’s expression remained grave. “We’ll have to wait until we reach the hospital to know the details.”

Hearing this, Ling’ai couldn’t help but clutch her own hands tightly, her chest instantly flooded with worry.

As the car passed along one of the streets, the large sign for the Progress Cinema flashed past the window. Ling’ai couldn’t help but glance back, thinking she would find a way to notify Zheng Yun once she reached the hospital.

This time, it was she who would be breaking their appointment.

Zheng Yun stood beneath a streetlamp, watching the passersby moving before him. The light cast his tall, slender shadow across the ground, making him appear solitary and alone.

The film was at eight o’clock. He had seen the poster — it was a romance.

The Military Police Division often gave out complimentary movie tickets as a perk. He would choose films to watch, but he had never seen a romance before. This was the first time.

Zheng Yun raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. There were still ten minutes before the showing began, but he still hadn’t caught any sign of Ling’ai.

“Are you waiting for Ling’ai?” A voice suddenly rose up from behind him, sounding distinctly out of place.

Zheng Yun turned around and saw a young man standing not far away. The impression the young man gave him was that of a mass of black fog — the person seemed entirely shrouded in it, impossible to read.

Zheng Yun narrowed his eyes and looked at him without speaking.

Nagase walked over, glancing at the two movie tickets in Zheng Yun’s hand. “You don’t need to wait. Ling’ai sent me to tell you — she won’t be coming.”

Seeing that Zheng Yun still said nothing, Nagase revealed a faint mocking smile. “You know Ling’ai’s standing, don’t you? Of course — if you could successfully attach yourself to her, you’d be able to rise through the ranks. Mr. Huicun could casually arrange any position for you, and it would still be better than being an insignificant little inspector in the Military Police Division. That’s the purpose behind your getting close to Ling’ai, isn’t it?”

“Did Ling’ai ask you to come?” Zheng Yun finally gave some reaction.

“Ling’ai didn’t ask me to come. I simply noticed she seemed unhappy and asked a few more questions.” Nagase fixed his gaze on Zheng Yun’s eyes, every word laden with mockery. “She didn’t want to come, but she didn’t know how to refuse. That’s how Ling’ai is — kind-hearted, easily softened, and incapable of turning people down. She told me you invited her to watch a film, and at the time she didn’t have the heart to embarrass you, so she agreed. These past two days she’s been uneasy about it, but couldn’t find a way to back out. I didn’t want her to be put in a difficult position, so I made this trip on her behalf — playing the villain who speaks up for her.”

Nagase paused. “Inspector Zheng, there is an immeasurable gap between your status and Ling’ai’s. I hope you will stop bothering her, and likewise, I hope you will know your place — don’t be foolish enough to think a toad can feast on swan’s flesh.”

Zheng Yun studied Nagase for a long moment, then suddenly curved the corner of his lips. “You like Ling’ai?”

“Ling’ai has been my childhood sweetheart. The feelings I have for her are hardly something a person with ulterior motives like you could understand.”

“My apologies.” Zheng Yun gave a cold laugh. “I don’t know your name, sir, but not a single word you’ve just said will I believe.”

Nagase’s pupils contracted violently, and a killing intent condensed within the depths of his dark irises.

“I have interrogated countless criminals, and I can tell at a glance whether they’re lying. Though you are a cut above those criminals, your microexpressions betray you without disguise — this is nothing more than a script you’ve written and performed yourself.” Zheng Yun’s gaze was that of someone watching a clownish fool. “Ling’ai is very perceptive. You had better pray she doesn’t find out what you’ve been doing behind her back.”

Nagase glared at Zheng Yun, his expression growing more and more menacing.

“Sir, the film is about to begin. Would you care to join me?” Zheng Yun held up the movie tickets in his hand.

Nagase said nothing, turned, and left.

Watching Nagase go, Zheng Yun tucked the tickets back into his pocket. He didn’t know what method Nagase had used to make Ling’ai break the appointment, but he knew it would have to be something involving the person and things she cared most about — and the person she cared most about was almost certainly her father, Huicun.

Ling’ai caught sight of Huicun in the hospital room, and tears instantly brimmed in her eyes.

“Father.” She walked quickly to the bedside and took his hand.

Huicun looked at her weakly and managed to squeeze out a faint smile. “Aiko, don’t cry. Father is fine.”

Ling’ai’s tears fell even more heavily. “Father, how did you suddenly fall ill? Weren’t you taking your medication on time?”

Huicun suffered from chronic nephritis and needed to take medication regularly over the long term to keep it under control. The illness could only be managed, not cured.

“Perhaps I’m just getting old.” Huicun raised a hand and gently wiped away her tears. “Don’t cry — the doctor said it’s nothing serious. A few days in the hospital and I’ll be well again.”

“I’ll go ask the doctor.” Ling’ai patted Huicun’s hand gently and got up to find him.

The attending physician knew Ling’ai well. Ever since Huicun had fallen ill, this doctor had been in charge of his diagnosis and treatment.

Huicun’s condition today also puzzled him. “Under normal circumstances, with timely medication control, this shouldn’t have happened. Has Huicun been taking his medication on schedule lately?”

“My father takes his medication every day without fail.” Ling’ai was quite certain of this. She checked on him regularly, and Huicun’s bodyguards were also conscientious in this regard — there was no problem when it came to taking his medicine.

“Dr. Dai, aside from irregular medication, could there be other causes — such as diet?”

Dr. Dai thought for a moment. “I’ve always recommended that Huicun follow a low-protein, low-phosphorus diet. An increased intake of either of those substances can also trigger the kind of sudden onset we’re seeing now.”

The mention of diet prompted Ling’ai to turn to Qingfu. “Mr. Qingfu, Father’s meal plan was drawn up by me personally. Have there been any changes recently?”

Huicun’s illness placed very strict demands on his diet, and Ling’ai, with her medical knowledge, had personally designed his meal plan.

“Nothing out of the ordinary, except that yesterday — yesterday he ate some fresh shrimp.”

“Shrimp?” Ling’ai frowned. “Shrimp is rich in phosphorus. I’ve always told him to eat very little of it.”

“He only ate three shrimp. He’s had them before without any issues.”

“What about the remaining shrimp?”

Qingfu said, “Since it was last night’s dinner, there should still be some left — the servants likely put them in the kitchen.”

“Mr. Qingfu, please have someone go home and set those shrimp aside. Also—” Ling’ai paused, and the thought of Zheng Yun still waiting for her flooded her with guilt. “I had plans with a friend today to see a film. Everything happened so suddenly that I didn’t have time to notify him. Could you please send someone to the entrance of the Progress Cinema to find someone by the name of Zheng Yun and offer my apologies on my behalf?”

“Of course, Miss Aiko.” Qingfu finished speaking and walked out of the doctor’s office.

He first sent someone to the house to secure the remaining shrimp, then decided to make the trip to the Progress Cinema himself.

But just as he was stepping out of the hospital lobby, he noticed a young man standing there — the two words “Huicun” caught Qingfu’s attention immediately.

The young man was asking one of the hospital staff for information. As Qingfu drew closer, he could hear more clearly.

“You’re looking for Huicun?” Qingfu walked over, his expression full of both bewilderment and wariness.

Zheng Yun saw that the man recognized Huicun, and from his manner of dress, guessed he must be connected to Huicun.

“I’m looking for Miss Ling’ai.” Zheng Yun said. “Is she here?”

If this person knew Huicun and was appearing at the hospital, then Huicun was likely here as well.

Ling’ai wouldn’t break an appointment for no reason. His first guess was that something had happened with Huicun’s health, and if it was the kind of crisis that would throw Ling’ai into a panic, then the hospital was where he would find her.

He had searched three hospitals before finding a lead here.

“Pardon me — are you Zheng Yun?” Qingfu suddenly recalled Ling’ai’s instructions, and it was clear to him that this friend must be someone quite important to her.

“I am Zheng Yun.”

Qingfu smiled. “Miss Aiko was just asking me to go and find you, Mr. Zheng.”

“Is she here?”

“She is.” Qingfu said. “Huicun was suddenly hospitalized, and I was the one who brought Miss Aiko here. She asked me to convey her apologies to you for not being able to keep the appointment.”

“Where is she now?”

“Please wait a moment, Mr. Zheng. I’ll let Miss Aiko know you’re here.”

“Thank you.” Zheng Yun gave a slight nod.

Zheng Yun had not been waiting long when he heard the sound of hurried running footsteps approaching from behind. He turned around, and saw Ling’ai striding toward him at a quick pace — she was moving so fast that her fair cheeks had flushed a rosy pink.

He simply stood still and watched her run over, and felt something in his heart soften beyond measure.

—