On the way, Lu Yan was unusually quiet due to recent events, while Jiang Chengyi remained mysteriously tight-lipped for reasons unknown.

The car was too quiet. As Lu Yan silently pondered about Ding Jing’s situation, she suddenly felt cold and reached for her coat. Glancing sideways, she noticed that not only was Jiang Chengyi refusing to speak, but his expression was growing increasingly sour. Remembering his inexplicable smile when they got in the car, she froze and unconsciously looked down at her outfit.

Her knit dress had an off-shoulder neckline, exposing her entire shoulders, and was short enough that she had to sit properly at all times to avoid any risk of exposure.

She rarely wore such outfits, perhaps only a few times a year. Tonight was an exception because she was attending Da Zhong’s birthday party, and as Tang Jie’s best friend, she had an obligation to dress up nicely.

During her stay at Jiang Chengyi’s house these past few days, she hadn’t brought many clothes with her, and being preoccupied with various concerns, she hadn’t bothered with her appearance. She had worn nothing but black sweaters, black pants, and black high heels, topped with either a white or gray coat.

Compared to tonight’s elaborate outfit, she had indeed been too casual the past couple of days, making it seem as though she was particularly looking forward to tonight’s party.

She blinked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, then casually rested her arm on the car window, looking outside.

After driving for a while, Jiang Chengyi seemed to find the car stuffy and suddenly opened the window, letting the night wind rush in.

Lu Yan, dressed thinly, was struck by the cold and couldn’t help but cough twice.

The window was quickly closed again.

The alternating cold and warmth made the car’s silence even more pronounced, yet both of them seemed to be competing to see who could hold their breath longer.

After what seemed like an eternity, Jiang Chengyi’s phone suddenly rang. Although Lu Yan didn’t turn around, the ringtone somehow seemed extraordinarily pleasant to her ears.

However, even after several rings, Jiang Chengyi acted as if he hadn’t heard it and didn’t answer.

Lu Yan paused, realizing he might not have brought his Bluetooth earpiece. She turned around, scanning the car interior with her eyes, and not seeing the phone, asked, “Where’s your phone? Should I help you answer it?”

After a few seconds, Jiang Chengyi finally spoke: “In my pants pocket.”

Lu Yan glanced at him, not moving.

Jiang Chengyi stared straight ahead, maintaining his expressionless face: “It’s probably Old Qin.”

It was late, and Old Qin wouldn’t call without reason. With Jiang Chengyi handling several cases, missing the call could have unforeseen consequences. Lu Yan had no choice but to lean over and reach into his pocket to find the phone.

He was wearing his usual black short jacket today, slightly different in style from last time – a detail only noticeable up close. Black dress pants and a slightly lighter gray-black shirt. Considering tonight’s occasion, he even wore a tie – a dark blue one with a subtle woven logo that looked particularly distinctive.

Lu Yan knew Jiang Chengyi had no time for shopping; these clothes were most likely selected by Auntie Jiang, matched into sets, and stored in the closet. Every morning, Jiang Chengyi would simply grab a set and put it on before heading out, requiring no thought at all.

The phone was still ringing. Her hand slid along the edge of his right pocket but found nothing. She paused, remembering that Jiang Chengyi was left-handed, and by habit, his phone would likely be in his left pocket.

She had to strain herself to lean over further, reaching for his left pocket.

Being so close, his pleasant masculine scent invaded her nostrils. Lu Yan pretended not to notice his chest and Adam’s apple as she purposefully slid her hand into his pocket.

Through the fabric, the heat from below rushed to her palm, making it feel as if ants were crawling across it, creating a tingling sensation.

She tried hard to clear her mind of distracting thoughts and retrieved the phone as quickly as possible.

After taking it out, she discreetly let out a breath and pressed the speaker button. Sure enough, it was Old Qin: “Captain Jiang.”

Jiang Chengyi didn’t respond immediately, instead first opening the window to let in a few seconds of cold air before clearing his throat with his usual composure and saying, “Old Qin, what is it?”

Lu Yan lowered her long lashes and returned to her original position.

“We’ve got news about Wang Qiang.”

It took Lu Yan a moment to remember who “Wang Qiang” was, and when she did, she was amazed at their efficiency. She listened intently.

When discussing business, Old Qin always got straight to the point: “I’m taking Zhou and the others to catch Wang Qiang shortly. He’s hiding in the Fuyun Road area. According to our informant, Wang Qiang has been flush with cash recently, like he just took on a big job. A few days ago, he even went to a nightclub and treated several buddies to girls, which is unprecedented. The guys were envious and asked Wang Qiang what business he was in. At first, he wouldn’t say, but after getting drunk, he revealed that someone had paid him a high price to deal with a girl – that’s Dr. Lu. Wang Qiang said the price was enough for him to live on for several years, and even if he got caught, he’d just serve a year or so, and could still enjoy the money after getting out.”

“Wang Qiang also said the person who hired him was a woman. Although she always used intermediaries to pass messages, one intermediary accidentally let slip that the woman wanted to deal with Dr. Lu not just because Dr. Lu was competing with her for a man, but also because she’d been playing ghost tricks to scare her recently. The woman was both scared and angry, so she had Wang Qiang give Dr. Lu a taste of her own medicine – first frighten her badly, then when the opportunity arose, too—”

Being acquainted with the person in question, Old Qin had trouble continuing. After a pause, he went on: “He was told to find a secluded place, drug Dr. Lu unconscious, take compromising photos, and send them to the internet and their workplace. Damn, that’s vicious.”

Lu Yan’s head throbbed with rushing blood, her chest tight with anger, leaving her speechless for a long while.

Jiang Chengyi’s face darkened enough to drip water: “Did you find out how he and the intermediary usually make contact?”

Old Qin: “We asked, but the informant doesn’t know. However, yesterday when Wang Qiang was having late-night snacks at an outdoor restaurant, the informant heard him muttering drunkenly about how women are unreliable. He said she was supposed to pay another installment these days, but she’d vanished into thin air and couldn’t be contacted— Oh, well, Captain Jiang, I’m almost there, got to go.”

“Beep beep beep,” the call ended.

After a while, Lu Yan finally calmed the churning anger in her heart. Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Chengyi asked: “Before last Sunday’s incident, did you notice if Ding Jing had people following you?”

Lu Yan had already suspected Ding Jing, so this question didn’t surprise her: “No. Except for hearing footsteps outside my door twice at night, and getting mysterious harassing calls recently, I hadn’t noticed anything unusual.”

As she gradually calmed down, she tried to recall the woman in the video. No, she’d known Ding Jing for years – that woman wasn’t Ding Jing. She said: “That woman who came to frighten me at my door in the middle of the night – was she Wang Qiang’s accomplice?”

Jiang Chengyi’s face remained clouded, and after a while, he said: “Whether she was or not, we’ll know once we catch Wang Qiang.”

Lu Yan speculated further: “Is it because Ding Jing has already been killed that the promised payment wasn’t made on time and there’s no contact with Wang Qiang?”

That was most likely the case.

Jiang Chengyi neither confirmed nor denied. Qingshan Villa was now in sight, and he glanced out the window, turned on his signal light, and turned left into the driveway.

Qingshan Villa complex had always maintained strict security – outside vehicles weren’t allowed in without resident permission. Lu Yan set aside their previous conversation and quickly took out her phone to call Tang Jie: “Tang Jie, we’re here.”

Tang Jie hurriedly replied on the phone: “Okay, okay, I’ll call the security office right away.”

Da Zhong’s villa was located deeper inside the complex, at Building No. 10.

Before they got close, they could already see the building brightly lit, and the temporary parking spots along the road were full, indicating numerous guests tonight. Jiang Chengyi drove slowly for a while before finding a spot at the very end.

While parking, two people came out to greet them. Lu Yan turned to look and broke into a smile: “Da Zhong, Tang Jie.”

Da Zhong wore glasses and was tall and refined, with a warm smile.

Tang Jie wore a deep red dress with a plunging V-neck, and shooting star-style large earrings, and walked confidently in 13cm high heels as if on flat ground, striding quickly over.

Upon seeing Lu Yan and Jiang Chengyi, Tang Jie laughed heartily: “You two finally made it! Come in quickly, there are lots of people inside, it’s really lively.” Without further ado, she linked arms with Lu Yan and headed inside.

Da Zhong had some distant family connection to the Jiang family, and though not very close, he knew Jiang Chengyi. As soon as they were near, he led Jiang Chengyi inside, walking and smiling: “I’ve been busy with documentary work in America these past few months, and was surprised to hear from Tina that you’re back in B City. How is it? Have you gotten used to being back in S City these past few months?”

Tina was Tang Jie’s English name.

Jiang Chengyi, hands in his pockets, smiled and said: “Having grown up here, I’ve had to get used to it whether I wanted to or not. By the way, how is Auntie’s health? Has she recovered well?” Da Zhong’s mother had gallstone surgery at the beginning of the year.

Da Zhong: “Much better. Thank you both for coming to the party tonight, I’m really happy.”

The four walked inside.

The room was filled with the clinking of glasses and the rustle of fine clothes.

Hearing movement, many people inside stopped their conversations and turned to look at the entrance.

Lu Yan looked up and finally understood what Tang Jie meant by “being outshone.”

Da Zhong was a director, and most of his friends were from the film industry. Looking around now, just as Tang Jie had said, everyone was strikingly attractive, and the whole room seemed to shimmer with an aura of luxury.

In the spacious living room, a group of well-dressed young people sat around the sofa, with the most eye-catching being a woman of about twenty-five or twenty-six in the center, radiating charm that was impossible to ignore.

Although Lu Yan didn’t follow entertainment news closely, she immediately recognized her as the rising star Zheng Xiaowen, who had recently been nominated for Best Actress at a film festival.

Zheng Xiaowen had black wavy hair and wore a striking orange bodycon dress – a tricky color that somehow worked with her striking features.

Two men sat beside her. One was in his forties, named Zhang Dashan, a famous director who had made several well-received films. Zheng Xiaowen had shot to fame after starring in one of his movies, and rumors of their romantic involvement circulated, though both parties denied it.

The other man was under thirty; Lu Yan found him familiar but couldn’t place where she’d seen him.

They seemed to be playing a game, with one girl making a wishing gesture over what looked like tarot cards spread on the coffee table: “Oh, spirits, spirits, please let me receive a good script soon.”

Zheng Xiaowen glanced at her sideways: “If you get a good script, what price are you willing to pay?”

The girl smiled mysteriously: “Of course, I’ll treasure the opportunity and act well.”

Zheng Xiaowen pouted coquettishly: “Nothing in this world comes free. In my opinion, human desires are endless. To fulfill one wish, you always have to exchange something else you cherish.”

Zhang Dashan, who had been quietly conversing with the man next to him, heard this and smiled: “Oh, Xiaowen, that’s an interesting perspective. Where did you hear that from?”

Zheng Xiaowen didn’t respond, instead lazily looking toward the entrance. Her gaze lingered on Jiang Chengyi, who was talking with Da Zhong.

After a few seconds, her eyes wandered over him before slowly moving away to scrutinize Lu Yan beside him. Seeing the girl’s fair skin, bright eyes, and striking beauty, though her dress wasn’t particularly eye-catching, her beautiful legs and figure made quite an impression at the entrance. Holding her champagne glass, she gave Lu Yan a slightly contemptuous lookup and down, then after a moment, took a slow sip and returned her gaze to Jiang Chengyi.

At this point, Da Zhong invited Jiang Chengyi and Lu Yan inside, smiling: “These two are good friends of mine and Tang Jie’s. Let me make the introductions.”