After Jiang Chengyi and Lu Yan were seated, Da Zhong made introductions: “This is Jiang Chengyi, my good friend. Our families have been friends for generations, and Chengyi is a nice person.”

Given Da Zhong’s social standing, his formal reference to family friendship immediately made everyone take notice, and they all put on their most enthusiastic manner: “Mr. Jiang, pleased to meet you.”

Da Zhong then smiled and pointed to Lu Yan: “This is Dr. Lu Yan, a protégé of Deputy Director Yu Bo, the anesthesiology expert at First Affiliated Hospital, and my wife Tang Jie’s best friend.”

“Wow.” Someone who had been admiring Lu Yan brightened at this introduction, “Director Zhong, your friends are quite impressive.”

Lu Yan looked at the speaker, a handsome, tall man in his late twenties, an actor who seemed quite popular recently. Unfortunately, she didn’t follow entertainment news much, and though his name was on the tip of her tongue, she couldn’t quite recall it.

The man showed no expectation that everyone should know him, and instead gracefully raised his glass to Lu Yan, introducing himself: “Miss Lu, hello, I’m Yu Baifeng.”

Oh right, Yu Baifeng, the male lead in XX Records.

Lu Yan smiled gracefully: “Pleased to meet you.”

Just then, Jiang Chengyi’s phone rang. He glanced at Yu Baifeng, apologized to Da Zhong, and stepped aside to take the call.

Next to Yu Baifeng sat a very fair-skinned young man.

“Young man” might not be quite accurate, as his facial features suggested he couldn’t be under twenty-five, but his feminine appearance and somewhat childlike innocent gaze could easily give the wrong impression at first glance.

He had been staring at Jiang Chengyi with intense interest, but seeing no response, he turned back to Yu Baifeng with a resentful look. Noticing Yu Baifeng actively engaging Lu Yan in conversation, he became slightly jealous: “Baifeng, look, Miss Lu doesn’t even know who you are.”

Da Zhong smiled and pointed to him, explaining to Lu Yan: “This is David, a famous makeup artist in the industry. He does Xiaowen’s makeup for all major events. Last year when I was filming, we were fortunate to have David do the makeup, and the results were nearly perfect.”

Realizing he was a top makeup artist, Lu Yan expressed admiration: “It’s an honor.”

David showed little interest in Lu Yan, forcing a slight smile: “Hello, Miss Lu.”

By then, Jiang Chengyi had returned from his call, and Da Zhong continued the introductions: “This is Director Zhang Dashan, and this is Zheng Xiaowen. No need for further introduction, I’m sure you’ve heard of them both.”

Though Lu Yan wasn’t particularly attracted to older men, she had to admit that Zhang Dashan possessed a steady, appealing demeanor. Perhaps it was the confidence that came with success, but he exuded a unique charm characteristic of middle-aged men in his every gesture.

She smiled and nodded: “Your reputation precedes you.”

Jiang Chengyi had no impression of either person, but out of politeness, he also said insincerely: “I’ve heard much about you.”

Tang Jie personally brought over two plates and sat on the sofa armrest next to Lu Yan. She nodded toward the man beside Zhang Dashan and asked Lu Yan: “Does he look familiar?”

Lu Yan had been wondering who he was and nodded: “Yes, he does.”

Tang Jie put the plates on the coffee table and said with a smile: “He’s Principal Wen’s son from our school, Wen Peng. He was two years ahead of us and went abroad right after high school, which is why you don’t recognize him. He only came back two years ago.”

Lu Yan looked at him more carefully in surprise and realized that Wen Peng not only resembled Principal Wen but shared similar mannerisms, which explained why he looked familiar.

Wen Peng, wearing a beige trench coat, spoke humorously: “I never knew there were such beautiful juniors among my schoolmates. If I’d known, I would have graduated two years later.”

He leaned forward and extended his hand to Lu Yan: “Hello, junior.”

Lu Yan smiled: “Hello, Senior Wen. I heard you were the top student of your year and received offers from many prestigious universities. We never expected you’d choose to study film.”

Wen Peng reflected: “Film has been my dream since childhood. It took a lot of discussion with my father before he agreed to let me study it.”

After some small talk, he naturally turned to Jiang Chengyi: “I’ve known about Jiang Chengyi for a long time. I was also on the school basketball team before graduation, though I played guard, not forward like you. Regrettably, we couldn’t make it to the middle school league finals for three consecutive years. Who would have thought that once the team was in your hands, you not only reached the finals but won the S City championship? My father was overjoyed and often mentioned it to me. He brought it up so often that it was impossible not to remember you. By the way, Jiang Chengyi, I heard you went to university in B City. Where are you working now?”

Since he was driving and couldn’t drink, Tang Jie had already given Jiang Chengyi a glass of iced tea. Hearing the question, he put down his glass: “I just transferred back recently. I’m now at the Anshan District Police Station.”

Da Zhong added admiringly: “Jiang Chengyi is quite accomplished for his age, he’s the deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Team, specializing in major cases.”

Whether it was imagination or not, the air seemed to freeze for a moment after these words.

Lu Yan was drinking juice and noticed the unusual atmosphere, glancing at everyone over the rim of her glass.

In the blink of an eye, everyone resumed their chatter, with David becoming particularly excited, clutching his chest: “Oh my god, how handsome! What should I do? I’m dying, I’m dying!”

The others were used to David’s dramatic reactions and paid him no attention.

However, Zheng Xiaowen, who hadn’t spoken until now, finally spoke up: “Perfect timing, I recently took on a role in a criminal investigation drama. Officer Jiang, we should chat about it sometime.”

When she spoke, she had a unique manner, both lazy and seductive, completely different from her usual energetic and capable on-screen persona.

Lu Yan lowered her eyelids and started eating from her plate.

Zhang Dashan’s face darkened slightly as he turned to talk to the actress beside him.

David shook with anger: “Xiaowen, if you want his number, do you have to be so obvious about it?”

His jealousy was overflowing, like a child afraid of losing candy to a friend.

Though not very close to Jiang Chengyi, Da Zhong understood his personality enough to know he wouldn’t respond to such advances. Worried that Zheng Xiaowen might lose face, he looked at the tarot cards on the coffee table and deliberately asked: “What game were you all playing earlier? You seemed to be having fun.”

“Making wishes,” said the girl who had wished for a good script, lounging on the sofa. “Xiaowen can read tarot cards. She had each of us make a wish to see if it would come true.”

“Oh, what did you all wish for?” Da Zhong sat down on another sofa with Tang Jie.

“Well, I wished for a good script, of course. David said he wants to make more money next year. Xiaowen wouldn’t say, but she just got nominated for the XX Film Festival, so we all guess she wishes to win Best Actress.”

Zheng Xiaowen’s face showed no emotion as she remained silent.

Lu Yan looked over and noticed that though Zheng Xiaowen’s lips held a smile, her eyes were distant.

Not far from her, Zhang Dashan was engrossed in conversation with the petite actress, who was batting her eyes seductively, unconsciously leaning most of her body against Zhang Dashan’s arm.

The party looked like it would continue into the late night. Lu Yan had a night shift tomorrow, and as it approached midnight, she checked her watch and decided to leave. She tried calling Tang Jie but got no answer, so she searched through the crowd to say goodbye in person.

The house was quite large, and many guests were getting drunk and having a good time.

She searched from the living room to the back garden, but couldn’t find either Tang Jie or Da Zhong.

Just as she was about to return to the living room to find Jiang Chengyi, Yu Baifeng suddenly appeared behind her: “Miss Lu.”

Lu Yan startled: “Mr. Yu.”

Up close, she noticed Yu Baifeng had deeply creased double eyelids that seemed to ripple when he smiled, commonly known as “peach blossom eyes.”

If she were still in her teenage years, being gazed at so intensely by such eyes might have stirred something in her heart. Unfortunately, thanks to her high school experience, she had long since developed an immunity to handsome men. With a certain someone setting such a high standard, Yu Baifeng’s face simply couldn’t move.

“Miss Lu,” Yu Baifeng looked slightly hurt, “you’re the first girl who hasn’t asked for my autograph.”

“Is that so?” Lu Yan raised her eyebrows and smiled apologetically, “I’m very sorry.”

Still, she had no intention of asking for his autograph.

Yu Baifeng admitted defeat: “I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight. Miss Lu, since you’re a doctor, can you tell me how to cure insomnia, or which department at your hospital I should visit if someone suffers from chronic insomnia?”

His voice was very low and magnetic, making it particularly alluring.

Suddenly Tang Jie walked over quickly: “Lu Yan, here you are.”

Lu Yan hurriedly said: “I was looking for you. I have a night shift tomorrow, we need to head back.”

As she spoke, she looked behind Tang Jie and noticed Jiang Chengyi and the actress who had been playing with tarot cards were not far away, along with Da Zhong.

The actress was speaking to them both flirtatiously, occasionally glancing at Jiang Chengyi.

However, Jiang Chengyi was looking in their direction, without a trace of a smile on his face.

Yu Baifeng expressed great regret: “Leaving already? Miss Lu, we barely got to talk ten sentences tonight. Let me walk you to the door.”

Knowing he was just bored, Lu Yan declined politely: “No need, thank you, Mr. Yu.”

Tang Jie brought Lu Yan’s coat and handbag, helping her put it on: “Go home and get some rest early, and drive carefully.”

As they got closer, Lu Yan noticed the actress was still talking about making wishes: “Mr. Jiang, I’m a romantic person. I can’t remember which fairy tale it was, but I remember that when the clock strikes, wishes made at that moment are likely to come true for the wisher. Making wishes is an instinct when people face difficulties.”

On the way back, Lu Yan remembered Jiang Chengyi had received several calls at Da Zhong’s house and asked: “Has Wang Qiang been caught?”

Jiang Chengyi didn’t speak at first, and after a long while, glanced at Lu Yan.

Perhaps from fatigue, she was leaning against the seat, her legs still strictly together, but her skirt had unconsciously rolled up slightly. She hadn’t touched up her makeup, and the red lipstick had smudged at the corner of her lips, yet it didn’t look out of place, instead giving her a childlike languor.

He loosened his tie and made an affirmative sound, looking ahead: “He’s been caught. Interrogation is tomorrow.”

Lu Yan silently calculated that if Wang Qiang revealed that woman was his accomplice, the mysteries surrounding her would soon be solved.

Passing by First Affiliated Hospital, she suddenly said: “Could you take me back to Nanshan Lane?”

The air suddenly became heavy.

Lu Yan looked out the window: “I want to change back into the black sweater and pants I took off earlier tonight.”

“It’s too late,” he refused, “You brought such a large suitcase with so many clothes, you can change into anything.”

Lu Yan was bewildered.

A few seconds later, she blinked – wait, who brought “many” clothes?

Her suitcase was indeed large, but it barely contained anything.

Hearing how tired he truly was, she swallowed her words and rested her arm on the window, resisting the urge to look back.

The next day, Lu Yan had a night shift, so she rested at home during the day.

In the morning, thinking about Ding Jing’s situation, she opened WeChat groups and found the alumni group was indeed in an uproar, with thousands of messages discussing Ding Jing’s death.

During breakfast, Ding Jing’s good friend Liu Yujie solemnly announced to the group: Ding Jing had indeed been murdered, and since it was a homicide case, to avoid adding to the family’s grief, she suggested people not call Ding Jing’s family to inquire. After the case was settled, the Ding family might hold a memorial service, but the time was undecided.

While organizing some materials in her room, Lu Yan suddenly remembered Ding Jing’s words and couldn’t help but open a search engine and type in “Winter Solstice.”

Looking through the results, she found nothing of value.

She tried several other variations like “Dong Zhi” and “dongzhi,” but still found nothing.

While deep in thought, she heard movement in the living room. Opening her door to look, she saw Jiang Chengyi had returned.

Twelve Noon – had he come back for lunch?

She went to meet him: “Um, what did Wang Qiang say? Was that woman his accomplice?”

Jiang Chengyi put his car keys at the entrance and walked straight inside, passing Lu Yan as he denied: “No.”

Lu Yan’s heart sank: “No?”