Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Zhou Huaiyan didn’t take her through the main entrance.

He forced her through a back alley, his movements efficient and sharp, as if he were truly escorting a prisoner.

It wasn’t until they turned into a dark, lamp-less alleyway that he finally let go.

Shen Zhaoxue spun around and slapped him.

The sound was sharp in the rainy night.

Zhou Huaiyan didn’t dodge.

“What exactly are you trying to do?”

“Someone was following you.”

“Ever since you sent that key, of course someone would be following me.”

Zhou Huaiyan looked at her.

“I didn’t send the key.”

Shen Zhaoxue froze.

“The flowers weren’t from you either?”

“No.”

Rain hammered against the stone pavement.

If it wasn’t him, then there was a third person involved.

Someone who knew her. Someone who knew about the old case. Someone who knew about Locker 17.

Zhou Huaiyan reached out. “Give me the photograph.”

Shen Zhaoxue stepped back.

“So you do know about it.”

“Give it to me.”

“Why should I?”

“Because holding onto it will get you killed.”

She laughed.

“I almost died three years ago. Is Officer Zhou only just now remembering to save me?”

A crack appeared in Zhou Huaiyan’s gaze.

“Shen Zhaoxue. You can hate me all you want, but don’t gamble with your life out of spite.”

“I’m not being spiteful.” She tucked the photo away more securely. “I’m betting that you won’t dare search me.”

He took a step closer.

She caught the scent of tobacco and medicinal salve.

Three years ago, he didn’t smoke.

Nor did he have so many scars on his body.

He raised his hand as if to touch her glove.

She didn’t flinch.

He didn’t touch her either.

In the end, he merely tucked a damp lock of hair behind her ear.

His fingertips were as cold as the spine of a blade.

“Don’t go to the ball the day after tomorrow.”

“Will you be there?”

He remained silent.

“Then I’m going too.”

***

On the night of the ball, the French Consulate was ablaze with lights.

Shen Zhaoxue wore a dark green qipao, with pearl earrings dangling against her neck.

She entered the hall on the arm of her sponsor.

She smiled as if she had never stepped foot inside an interrogation room.

Zhou Huaiyan stood on the second floor.

He was surrounded by men from the military government.

When he saw her, his gaze paused for only half a second.

As if looking at a stranger.

Shen Zhaoxue also looked away.

Half an hour later, she found him on the terrace.

The wind outside was cold.

Inside, the music was at its peak.

Zhou Huaiyan had his back to her as he lit a cigarette.

“Reporter Shen, aren’t you afraid that stalking a member of the Secret Service Department will end up in your dossier?”

“If you wanted to arrest me, you would have done it last night.”

He turned around.

Shen Zhaoxue’s gaze fell on his cuff.

The cufflink was very old.

Silver.

Engraved with a single snowflake.

It was the birthday gift she had given him when she was seventeen.

Zhou Huaiyan noticed her gaze.

His fingers curled slightly.

“Aren’t you afraid of bad luck, wearing something so old?” she asked.

“I’m used to it.”

“Do people get used to things too?”

“They do.”

“Then have you gotten used to hating me?”

The hand holding his cigarette paused.

Someone inside the terrace doors was looking for him.

Shen Zhaoxue pressed closer.

“Or is it that, even now, Officer Zhou doesn’t dare to hate?”

Zhou Huaiyan suddenly seized her wrist and pulled her into the shadows behind a pillar.

The door was pushed open.

Adjutant Lu poked his head out. “Officer?”

Zhou Huaiyan blocked her from view.

“Just having a smoke.”

“The Section Chief is looking for you.”

“I know.”

The footsteps receded.

Shen Zhaoxue’s back was against the wall.

Zhou Huaiyan was too close.

Close enough that she could see his Adam’s apple bob.

“Let go.”

He released her.

But he didn’t retreat.

“Shen Zhaoxue, stop investigating the Yongning Society.”

“Why?”

“Someone close to you isn’t clean.”

“Who?”

He looked at her as if about to speak.

The terrace door was pushed open again.

The newcomer was Shen Ting’an.

Shen Zhaoxue’s uncle.

When he saw the two of them in the shadows, his smile slowly faded.

“Zhaoxue, what are you doing here?”