Chapter 14: Sleeping Pills

1. Watch the sunrise

Back in Linzhou, life seemed to have been brought back to a seemingly normal trajectory by an invisible hand. The sun was still shining, the streets were still busy, and the air conditioners in the office buildings were still humming, delivering a warm breeze. But only those who were there could understand that something had quietly changed since my trip to the north.

Qin Chuan didn't share the exact results of his Longdu investigation, especially his brief yet terrifying confrontation with Huang Qiang, with Ouyang Lanlan. He chose to suppress the weight of his doubts and the near-certainty of the answer within himself. He hoped she could at least maintain her hard-earned, superficial calm in the sunshine. He knew that once that thin layer of window paper was completely pierced, a huge, tangible fear would instantly consume her, and the fragile peace she had just rebuilt would be gone.

However, the way he protected her had changed noticeably. He appeared around her so often that it was almost inappropriate.

At noon, just as Ouyang Lanlan and her colleagues finished discussing the plan and were about to go downstairs for lunch, her phone rang. It was Qin Chuan.

"Don't order lunch, I'll bring it to you." His voice came through the receiver. The background sound was a bit noisy, mixed with the sound of traffic on the street.

Ouyang Lanlan was stunned for a moment: "Ah? Don't you have to run the order?"

"I just finished delivering an order nearby, so I'm on my way. It's the newly opened light food restaurant downstairs from your company, it looks quite clean." His tone was natural, as if he was really just on his way.

A few minutes later, Qin Chuan appeared outside the company lobby gate. He was still wearing his washed-out jockey uniform and carrying a paper bag with the store's logo printed on it. As Ouyang Lanlan approached, several colleagues cast curious and ambiguous glances at him, chuckling softly.

At first, Ouyang Lanlan was not used to this overly conspicuous attention. She felt uncomfortable, as if she had been thrust into the spotlight once again, forced to accept all sorts of speculation and scrutiny. She even tactfully suggested, "Actually... the company cafeteria is quite convenient."

Qin Chuan just glanced at her, his tone calm: "The cafeteria is very greasy, eating too much is not good. This is healthy."

After a few attempts, Ouyang Lanlan realized that resistance was futile and gradually gave up. One day, she even took the initiative to send him a WeChat message: "Today, I suddenly want to eat the Wenzhou sticky rice from that place in the alley behind the company. Add pork floss and Chinese sausage, and a bowl of sweet soy milk."

Not long after the message was sent, Qin Chuan replied with a simple "Yeah."

At lunchtime, he showed up on time and handed her the carefully packaged glutinous rice and warm soy milk. Seeing the tiny beads of sweat on his forehead, Ouyang Lanlan felt a slight stir in her heart.

Later, this became almost a regular occurrence. She would even think of what to eat in advance and tell him. And he would always deliver it on time, no matter how far or how long it took. Sometimes, when he got downstairs, he would call her in a serious tone, "Hello - is this Miss Ouyang? Your takeout is downstairs. Please come down and pick it up~"

Ouyang Lanlan suppressed her laughter, went downstairs to take the bag, and deliberately put on a stern face and criticized: "Why are you so slow? I'm almost starving. I'm going to complain to you."

Qin Chuan nodded and bowed in cooperation: "No, no, no, sister, just give me a good review and I'll work harder next time!" But his eyes contained a tacit understanding that only the two of them understood, and a very faint tenderness that even he himself had not noticed.

After work in the evening, no matter how late it was, Qin Chuan's electric scooter would always "happen" to appear at the intersection near the company. He never took the initiative to call her, but just parked not far away, looking down at his phone, until she came over, then looked up as if he had just noticed her: "After work? On the way, can I give you a ride?"

Ouyang Lanlan didn't expose him, silently taking the back seat. The evening breeze blew her hair, blowing away the fatigue of the day. She gently grasped his clothes at the waist, maintaining a distance that was not too intimate but still stable. Qin Chuan rode the bike very steadily, deliberately avoiding all bumpy sections of the road.

After dropping her off at the apartment building, they walked into the apartment together. The elevator went up until the lights on the corresponding floor came on. Qin Chuan followed her out, and only after seeing Ouyang Lanlan lock the door did he walk up the stairs to his home on the thirteenth floor. Then, often within half an hour, he would come down with a steaming meal and knock on the door.

"Eating takeout all the time isn't good; it's not nutritious." This was his most common excuse. Then, without further ado, he thrust the lunch box into her hands. Sometimes it was a simple stir-fry, sometimes a rich stew.

To be honest, Qin Chuan is a good cook, and his specialty is the "ancestral" chicken stewed with mushrooms. He said it was the Northeastern hazel mushrooms and free-range chickens sent by his comrades in Tolongdu. Chop the chicken into pieces, blanch it in water, and put it into the casserole together with the soaked hazel mushrooms. Only ginger slices, green onion segments and a little salt are added, and it is simmered in cold water. When the time is up, the lid of the pot is opened, and hot steam rushes out, and the aroma instantly fills the whole room. The chicken is stewed until it is crispy and boneless, and tender and juicy. The hazel mushrooms absorb the delicious broth and become thick and glutinous. The vermicelli buried underneath is crystal clear, absorbing all the essence and is extremely tasty. With this dish, Ouyang Lanlan can eat two bowls of rice without realizing it, and in the end she even drinks up the soup. She feels like her eyebrows are about to fall off.

Qin Chuan sat opposite her, watching her eat. He didn't eat much himself, and there was an imperceptible sense of satisfaction in his eyes.

One night, Qin Chuan walked her to the door as usual, thinking that she would close the door and then go upstairs.

"Hey," Ouyang Lanlan suddenly called out to him, holding the door but not closing it immediately. "Well, why don't you stay for dinner today?"

Qin Chuan paused and turned back in surprise: "Huh?"

Ouyang Lanlan's eyes drifted for a moment, and she pretended to be nonchalant and said, "This is a reward for you. You've been doing well recently." She paused, raised her chin, and said, "Try my cooking."

Qin Chuan was even more surprised: "You can cook?"

"Who are you looking down on?" Ouyang Lanlan raised an eyebrow and stepped aside. "Come in, you can help me."

The small kitchen suddenly seemed a bit crowded. Ouyang Lanlan put on an apron and instructed Qin Chuan to wash vegetables and chop scallions. She was going to make Northeastern egg sauce noodles. Heat oil in a wok, pour in beaten eggs, quickly scramble them until golden brown, then scoop in two tablespoons of Northeastern soybean paste and stir-fry until the sauce is rich and fragrant. Add water and simmer for a while, then sprinkle with chopped scallions. The egg sauce is ready. Elsewhere, boil the noodles, rinse with cold water, drain, and place in a bowl. Top with shredded cucumber, carrot, and cilantro, and pour over the thick, fragrant egg sauce.

Two bowls of noodles were served on the table, and they looked surprisingly good.

"How about trying it?" Ouyang Lanlan looked at him expectantly, her eyes sparkling.

Qin Chuan mixed the noodles and started eating them in big mouthfuls. He finished half a bowl in a few gulps and nodded vaguely: "Delicious."

Ouyang Lanlan also mixed it herself and took a big bite. Then her expression froze, and she abruptly turned her head and spat it out, quickly drinking water: "Wow! It's so salty! I put too much sauce!"

She looked at the bowl of noodles in frustration, then looked at Qin Chuan who was still eating without changing his expression: "Don't eat it, don't eat it, it's too salty, it hurts your kidneys!"

Qin Chuan finished the last bite and wiped his mouth: "It's okay, I have a strong taste, it's just right." His expression was serious and he didn't seem to be lying.

Ouyang Lanlan looked at him and couldn't help but burst out laughing. She shook her head, feeling an indescribable warmth and bitterness in her heart. That night, Qin Chuan returned upstairs and filled a large pot of water.

The subtle changes in the relationship were like vines silently climbing up the corners of the wall. Until one night, the intercom on Qin Chuan's bedside suddenly made a buzzing sound, waking him from his light sleep.

He rushed over and said, "Hello? What's wrong?" His voice was alert.

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, and then Ouyang Lanlan's voice, somewhat hesitant but also a little excited, came: "Qin Chuan...are you asleep?"

"Not yet, is there something wrong?" He breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart was still in his throat.

"Well, I just suddenly wanted to ask," her voice was soft, and it felt unreal and soft, like electricity. "Do you want to go watch the sunrise?"

"Now?" Qin Chuan glanced at the dark night outside the window.

"No, it's the weekend. I have to go to work tomorrow." She paused and added, "Let's go to Baoshi Mountain. I heard the sunrise there is beautiful."

Qin Chuan held the intercom, speechless for a moment. A few days ago, he'd been bored and scrolling through his phone when he saw a notification. The title read, "You must go to Baoshishan to watch the sunrise with the one you love once in your life." It contained sweet photos of couples cuddling together to watch the sunrise. His heart skipped a beat, a suspicion forming within him, but he wasn't sure, worried he'd overestimated her meaning and misunderstood her.

"Okay." He finally responded, suppressing his chaotic thoughts. "I'll buy some food to take with me this weekend."

"Well, it's a deal." Ouyang Lanlan's voice sounded a little lighter as she ended the call.

It was Friday night, or perhaps Saturday morning, around two in the morning. The hallway was silent. The two of them met at the elevator entrance, tacitly understanding each other. Ouyang Lanlan wore a windproof jacket, her hair tied in a ponytail, and her makeup bare, yet she looked remarkably fresh. Qin Chuan carried a bulging backpack.

They took a taxi straight to the foot of Baoshi Mountain and then climbed up the stone steps. At this time of day, there were not many people on the mountain, only a few who had come to watch the sunrise like them. The air was cool and fragrant with the grass and trees.

They found a relatively flat platform with a wide view. As the guide said, it was an excellent viewing spot, and at the moment, there were only the two of them. Qin Chuan put down his backpack and, like a magic trick, pulled out two lightweight folding stools and unfolded them.

Ouyang Lanlan was a little surprised: "You are quite well prepared. I didn't realize you were so careful."

"There's more." Qin Chuan said, and took out a small device the size of a palm from his bag.

"What is this?" Ouyang Lanlan was curious.

Qin Chuan didn't answer, but just put it on the ground, pointed it at a flat stone wall behind the two of them, and pressed the switch.

A beam of light was projected, and a few words were clearly written on the stone wall: "Ouyang Lanlan, Qin Chuan VIP Viewing Seats".

Ouyang Lanlan stared at the words in astonishment, then looked at Qin Chuan. The mountain breeze ruffled her hair, and the light and shadows on the stone wall swayed slightly. She felt like something had gently struck her heart, and she felt a little like laughing, yet also a strange sense of sadness in her nose. This clumsy yet thoughtful ritual formed a stark contrast with his usual tough and rough demeanor.

She said nothing, but just sat on the stool silently, hugging her knees. Qin Chuan sat down next to her.

The sky gradually shifted from inky black to deep blue. The distant skyline began to glow pale, then a faint orange-red, gradually spreading and growing stronger. Like a shy yet determined young woman, the sun gradually peeked out from behind the city skyline, casting thousands of golden rays across the earth. The lake was dyed a shimmering golden hue, and the entire city slowly awoke in the morning light.

The process was quiet, with neither of them speaking. But a silent, warm atmosphere flowed between them. The sunlight shone on their bodies, bringing a slight warmth and illuminating the subtle glimmer in each other's eyes.

After watching the sunrise, they followed the crowd down the mountain. The steps were a bit slippery, and Qin Chuan subconsciously reached out to support her waist. As they walked, the back of his hand accidentally touched Ouyang Lanlan's naturally hanging hand.

The moment their skin touched, both of them seemed to be stimulated by a weak electric current and stopped moving at the same time.

Ouyang Lanlan's fingers curled up slightly, but she didn't move away immediately.

Qin Chuan's heartbeat quickened suddenly, and an impulse surged in his heart. He hesitated, his fingers tentatively and extremely slowly moving to the side, wanting to hold the pale, slightly cool hand.

Just before his fingertips were about to touch her palm, Ouyang Lanlan suddenly pulled her hand away like a startled butterfly, took a few quick steps and jumped onto the next step. She turned around with a sly and slightly shy blush on her face. She looked at him with bright eyes and said with a smile, "Hey, you want to hold hands without even a formal confession?"

After she finished speaking, without waiting for Qin Chuan's reaction, she turned around and ran down the mountain with a smile, her ponytail swinging in the morning light, leaving Qin Chuan standing there alone, his hand still frozen in mid-air. His heart felt like it was being scratched by a cat's claws, itchy, empty, and with a hint of sweet loss.

From that moment on, a certain unspoken feeling seemed to have been established. The way they interacted became more natural and intimate, like a pair of lovers who were just about to break through the last layer of window paper.

2. Plan the first step

Across town, in a room with heavy curtains permanently drawn, Huang Qiang sat in the darkness like a lifeless statue. But he wasn't idle. His mind, like a sophisticated and cold computer, was executing a complex and sinister plan. The dim light on the screen illuminated his expressionless face, amidst seemingly disorganized fragments of information: an old area code for Longdu City, a phone number found through shady means, and the increasingly frequent appearances of Qin Chuan and Ouyang Lanlan together. Some of this information he had witnessed firsthand, while others stemmed from his subtle inquiries and observations...

It's time to start the first step of the plan.

He picked up an old, untraceable prepaid phone and inserted an equally anonymous calling card. His fingers expertly tapped the keys to dial a number from Longdu, a city in northern Taiwan. The phone rang for a long time before being picked up. A middle-aged woman's voice, slightly sleepy and alert, said, "Hello? Who is this?"

Huang Qiang did not speak, but tapped the microphone a few times very lightly and rhythmically with his fingers, creating a noise similar to that of a bad signal or poor contact. At the same time, a noisy, inaudible TV news clip was faintly playing in the background, which had been recorded in advance and played out loud at a very low volume.

The other party was obviously even more confused and impatient: "Hello? Speak! Who is it? Wrong number!"

Just as the other party was about to hang up, Huang Qiang spoke quickly in a deliberately low voice, speaking at an extremely fast pace, as if afraid of being interrupted: "Your daughter Ouyang Lanlan is in Linzhou with that policeman! The one named Qin Chuan! The one who caused her to be injured a second time! He was expelled from the police force a long time ago! He is not a good person! Now he comes to look for your daughter again! If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself..."

Before he could finish his words, he immediately hung up the phone, pulled out the battery, separated the phone and SIM card, and tossed them into a nearby glass jar filled with a highly corrosive liquid. A pungent white smoke slowly rose, obliterating all traces.

He didn't need the other party to hear everything clearly; he just needed to sow a seed of doubt. Keywords: "police," "Qin Chuan," "second injury," "expelled," "not a good person"... were enough. For the parents, who loved their daughter dearly and bore the heartache of that past, these fragmented pieces of information were enough to piece together the most terrifying picture and drive them to action.

After doing all this, Huang Qiang's face remained expressionless. He simply walked over to the three models wearing wigs, picked up a comb, and began to slowly comb the long, straight black hair. In the mirror, his cold, calm eyes were reflected.

…

Upstairs, in room 1303, Qin Chuan lay in bed, his hands clasped behind his head, his eyes open as he stared at the ceiling. Outside, the neon lights of the city filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a blurry speck of light on the ceiling. His mind replayed the images of the day uncontrollably: Ouyang Lanlan's smile as she dodged his hand, her satisfied expression as she ate the meal he'd cooked, her profile bathed in golden light at sunrise...

A faint, almost untouchable sweetness just emerged before it was suppressed by the heavier reality. He suddenly closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

What is he doing? Who is he? Who is she?

He was the indirect creator of her nightmare, a down-and-out man who left the police force burdened with failure and guilt. And she was the most direct victim of that nightmare, having finally managed to gain a foothold in this southern land, trying to heal her wounds and start a new life.

Between them lay not only four years of time, but also indelible trauma, unshirkable responsibility, and a vast psychological chasm. Wasn't his original purpose in approaching her to atone for his sins and protect her? When did this relationship degenerate?

Did he deserve it? Did he have the right to bring another complex emotion into her already fraught life? If, because of his inability to control himself, she was hurt again, or even just added to her troubles, wouldn't he be adding to his sin?

The inner struggle was like two tangled ropes, strangling him so hard he couldn't breathe. Reason told him to stay away, to maintain a protective distance until the dust settled. But his emotions were like a wild horse running free, crashing against the fences of reason again and again. He craved the warmth and peace he felt with her, even if it was just a momentary illusion.

This contradiction tore at him, causing him pain and a deep loathing for himself. He felt that he was both despicable and a coward.

…

Downstairs in Room 1003, Ouyang Lanlan was also awake. She lay on her side, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the button of her police uniform hanging from her chest. The cold metal had long since been warmed by her body heat.

Thinking of how he had awkwardly wanted to hold her hand during the day but didn't dare, thinking of the silly row of "VIP viewing seats" on the stone wall, thinking of him finishing that bowl of extremely salty noodles with soybean paste... She couldn't help but bury her face in the pillow and burst out laughing.

Her heart was filled with confidence, like a lake bathed in sunlight, warm and clear. Yes, she had fallen in love with Qin Chuan. This realization made her a little shy, yet incredibly open. It had nothing to do with who he was, or what had happened in the past. She loved the present Qin Chuan, the one who would quietly bring her meals, watch the sunrise with her, prepare little surprises with care, fight to protect her, and even show his clumsy side in front of her.

She even began to look forward to the time when he would officially say it. When that time came, she would definitely agree without hesitation.

Just as she was immersed in this slightly sweet thought, a rapid and forceful knock on the door suddenly sounded! "Knock, knock, knock! Knock, knock, knock!"

Ouyang Lanlan was startled, her heart pounding. It was so late, who could it be? Could it be Qin Chuan? But he'd only just gone up. That nightmare possibility surfaced in her mind, and her face paled instantly. Her hands subconsciously clenched around her buttons, her body frozen, not daring to speak.

"Lanlan! Open the door! It's mom!" A familiar voice came from outside the door, but with unprecedented anxiety and anger.

Mom? Ouyang Lanlan was stunned, thinking she had misheard. Why did she suddenly come all the way from Longdu? And so late?

She quickly jumped out of bed, ran to the door, and looked through the peephole—it was really her parents! Her father was standing behind her with a serious expression, and her mother was looking anxious and kept knocking on the door.

"Mom? Dad? Why are you here?" Ouyang Lanlan hurriedly opened the door, surprised and suspicious.

Her mother practically rushed in and grabbed her arm with such force that it hurt. Her father followed closely behind her, slamming the door behind him.

"Why are we here? If we hadn't come, were you planning to keep it a secret from us?!" Her mother's voice was shrill and trembling, her eyes scanning her face and the room like a searchlight. "Where's that policeman? Ah? The one named Qin Chuan! Where is he?!"

Ouyang Lanlan's mind buzzed, and she was completely bewildered. How could they know Qin Chuan? And why were they so eager to accuse him?

"Mom, what are you talking about? What police? Who told you nonsense?" She tried to defend herself, but her voice became weak involuntarily.

"You are still pretending to be confused!" The mother was so angry that her eyes turned red. "Someone called home! They said that you were hanging out with the policeman who hurt you back then! They said he was fired a long time ago! He is not a good guy! Lanlan, are you crazy?! Have you forgotten how you...how did you get through it back then?! How can you still be with him..." The mother couldn't go on, her voice choked with sobs, filled with despair and confusion.

His father sighed deeply, his brows knitted into knots. "Lanlan, what's going on? Tell me the truth. Is that Qin Chuan looking for you again? Is he pestering you?"

Ouyang Lanlan looked at her parents' excited and painful expressions, her heart in a turmoil. She opened her mouth, wanting to deny it, but how could she and Qin Chuan's recent relationship be explained by a simple "not together"? She wanted to admit it, but seeing her mother on the verge of collapse, she couldn't say "yes".

"We...we..." She was incoherent, her cheeks burning. "He didn't bother me. We were just...just ordinary friends. He helped me a lot."

"An ordinary friend? An ordinary friend would bring you lunch and pick you up from get off work every day? I heard an ordinary friend even moved into the same building just for you?!" The mother clearly didn't believe it, and her tone became even more pointed, "Lanlan, wake up! Who is he? He's a policeman! It was his reckless plan that almost got you into trouble again... He's been fired now, and he comes looking for you. What good intentions can he have? Did he deceive you? Or are you possessed by a ghost?!"

"He didn't lie to me! It's not what you think!" Ouyang Lanlan was hurt by her mother's words and couldn't help but raise her voice, "He can't be blamed entirely for what happened back then! He feels guilty too! He's always been protecting me!"

"Protect you? How can he protect you? He can't even keep his own police uniform!" The mother was heartbroken. "Is his protection just to make you a target again? Lanlan, stay away from him! I beg you! Don't have anything to do with the past, okay? Do you want to go through that again?!"

My father also stepped forward, his tone heavy: "Lanlan, be obedient. That man's world is too complicated and too dangerous. You are not suitable. Mom and Dad just want you to be safe and sound, find an ordinary person, and live a stable life. Cut off contact with him, okay?"

Ouyang Lanlan looked at her parents' worried yet resolute faces, and all her excuses and insistence were stuck in her throat. She knew they loved her and were afraid she would be hurt again. But their love was like a heavy shackle, binding her tightly and completely denying her feelings and choices.

That night, after arguments, tears, persuasion, and silence... nothing came of it. Her parents insisted she immediately cut ties with Qin Chuan, or they would forcibly take her back to Longdu. Exhausted, Ouyang Lanlan could only temporarily respond with silence.

3. Cracks

The next morning, Ouyang Lanlan went to work with red and swollen eyes. Shortly after she left, Ouyang's mother, based on the information she had pieced together from her daughter's evasive words the night before, found the area near the rider station where Qin Chuan worked.

She saw Qin Chuan and several other riders waiting for orders on the roadside. She took a deep breath and walked over.

"Qin Chuan?" she called out.

Qin Chuan turned around at the sound. The moment he saw Ouyang Lanlan's mother, his expression suddenly changed, and he almost dropped his cigarette. Although the other party had not appeared many times during the investigation phase of the case, he remembered everything about it vividly. So, he immediately said something to the person next to him and walked over quickly.

"Auntie, why are you here?" His voice was dry, with obvious nervousness and embarrassment.

Ouyang's mother looked at him coldly, her eyes filled with scrutiny, anger, and a subtle sadness. "Do I need a reason to come to you? Officer Qin, oh no, you're not a police officer anymore."

Qin Chuan's face turned pale and he lowered his head: "Auntie, I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry?" Ouyang's mother's voice suddenly rose, attracting the attention of several riders nearby. "Is that all you're saying with just one apology? Back then, our Lanlan almost died! She finally managed to survive, but do you know how she's been living these past four years? Where were you when she woke up from nightmares every night? Where were you when she trembled at the sight of a gas tank? She's finally feeling a little better now, so why are you back in her life? Why won't you let her go?!"

Her questioning hit Qin Chuan's heart like a whip. He was speechless and could only clench his fists tightly, digging his nails into his palms.

After venting her initial anger, Ouyang's mother's tone softened, with tears and pleading: "Qin Chuan, please, please leave Lan Lan. Staying with her is like constantly reminding her of what happened in the past. She will never be able to get out of that shadow! If you really want to do this for her own good, stay away from her and let her completely forget the past and start anew, okay? Please let her go, and let yourself go, okay?"

Qin Chuan listened to these words, and every word pierced his heart like a needle. He thought of his inner struggle and doubt, the heavy and helpless love of Ouyang Lanlan's parents, and the cold eyes of Huang Qiang peeping in the dark.

Yes, what made him think he could bring her happiness? His very existence was the trigger of her painful memories and the source of her danger. The so-called protection was perhaps just an excuse for his selfishness.

He was silent for a long time. Finally, as if all his strength had been drained away, he nodded very slowly and heavily, his voice so hoarse that it was almost inaudible: "Okay. Auntie, I promise you."

He raised his head, his eyes filled with a dead greyness. “I won’t bother her again. And please don’t tell her you came to see me.”

Seeing him finally compromise, Ouyang's mother felt relieved, yet inexplicably felt a pang of sadness. She gave him a complicated look, but ultimately said nothing and turned away.

From that day on, Qin Chuan seemed like a different person.

He no longer brought Ouyang Lanlan lunch, showed up downstairs at her office, or knocked on her door with hot meals. He no longer responded to her WeChat messages promptly, and even if he did, they were always short and cold, like "Yeah," "I see," or "Busy."

At first, Ouyang Lanlan thought he was just too tired or in trouble. She took the initiative to send him messages, sharing her daily life and asking what was wrong. But the responses she received were increasingly distant.

She began to sense something was amiss. The cold, distant feeling was a stark contrast to the meticulous care she had shown him before. She wasn't one to passively wait, especially after confirming her feelings.

She began to contact him more actively, even with the frankness and courage of a girl pursuing a boy.

"Let's have dinner together tonight? I know a new Hangzhou restaurant."

(After a long time) "No, I have a night job tonight."

"What's wrong with you lately? You seem strange. Did something happen?"

"It's okay. I'm fine."

"Qin Chuan, I want to see you."

“…”

In the end, she almost blocked him at the intersection he had to pass after get off work.

"Qin Chuan, let's talk." She stopped in front of his electric bike with a stubborn look in her eyes.

Qin Chuan avoided her gaze and said stiffly, "There's nothing to talk about. I'm in a hurry to deliver the order."

"Just five minutes!" Ouyang Lanlan grabbed his handlebars, not letting him go. "What's wrong with you? You were fine before, why are you suddenly avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? Or did my parents say something to you?"

Hearing the words "Mom and Dad," Qin Chuan's body stiffened imperceptibly. He took a deep breath and finally looked up at her, his eyes cold as ice. "You're overthinking. There's no before and after between us. I just don't think we should be too close."

"Not suitable?" Ouyang Lanlan couldn't believe her ears, and her stubbornness came up. "What's not suitable? Why didn't you feel it was not suitable when we had dinner together, watched the sunrise, and you were around me every day? Qin Chuan, look me in the eye and tell me, can you deceive others or yourself? Do you dare to say you don't like me?"

Qin Chuan's heart felt like it was being clenched tightly, the pain so severe that he could hardly breathe. He forced himself to meet her gaze, using all his strength to maintain a cold and resolute appearance. "I like you? Miss Ouyang, have you misunderstood something? I approached you and protected you only because of the guilt I felt back then. It's my responsibility. Now I feel it's enough, and you should learn to protect yourself. As for other things, I haven't thought about it, and I wouldn't think about it. We are simply from the same world."

His words were like an ice-cold knife, stabbing Ouyang Lanlan's heart. Her face turned pale instantly, her lips trembled, and her eyes suddenly turned red, but she forced herself not to let the tears fall.

"Responsibility? Guilt?" She repeated the two words, her voice trembling. "So everything before, all that concern, all that... was fake? All a show of your guilty conscience?"

"Whatever you think." Qin Chuan turned his head away, not daring to look at her hurt expression, fearing that he would collapse instantly. "I will continue to investigate Huang Qiang, and I will also secretly ensure your safety. This is my promise regarding the case back then. As for the rest, this is the end."

After saying that, he suddenly turned the ignition switch, and the electric car rushed forward. Ouyang Lanlan subconsciously let go of his hand, staggered back a step, and looked at his back in disbelief as he disappeared into the distance.

Tears finally burst out.

She stood there blankly, letting her tears blur her vision. Her heart felt as if a piece had been hollowed out, and a cold wind blew in.

Lin Jingliang, who was sitting in a car not far away, saw all of this clearly. He received an anonymous call saying, "Ouyang Lanlan seemed to have had an argument with someone at the Gucui intersection and was very emotional." He immediately rushed over, but he didn't expect to see such a scene.

He hurriedly got out of the car and walked quickly to Ouyang Lanlan's side. Seeing her tearful and distraught appearance, he felt both distressed and angry: "Lanlan? What's wrong? Did that security guard harass you again? What did he say to you?!"

Ouyang Lanlan just shook her head, speechless, and her tears flowed even harder.

Lin Jingliang looked at her painful expression, frowned, and looked in the direction where Qin Chuan disappeared, his eyes becoming complicated and gloomy.

…

On the other side, Qin Chuan rode his bike very fast. The cold wind blew on his face, hurting like a knife. Only in this way could he barely suppress the tearing pain in his heart.

Back in the deserted, shabby rented apartment, he opened an old suitcase in the corner and pulled out a carefully wrapped jewelry box from the bottom. Inside was a slender platinum necklace with a feather-shaped pendant, a simple yet exquisite design. He had chosen it after searching several stores. Next to it lay a letter he had written and torn, written and rewritten again, in sloppy handwriting, repeatedly corrected and ultimately unfinished.

He stared blankly at the two things for a long time. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he put them back at the bottom of the box and pressed them tightly with a few old clothes, as if to bury the feelings that had just sprouted but were strangled by his own hands.

4. Silent Poison

Huang Qiang stood in a corner of the street, watching everything that happened in the street corner with indifference through the gaps between the crowd and the traffic. He watched Ouyang Lanlan burst into tears, watched Qin Chuan leave resolutely, and watched Lin Jingliang appear at the right time and show his "utmost concern".

The corner of his mouth moved upwards extremely slowly, forming a cold and twisted arc.

Excellent. The first step of the plan worked perfectly.

But this wasn't enough. Breaking them apart and watching them suffer was just the appetizer. His goal had never been to create a simple emotional entanglement. He wanted utter destruction, to bring disgrace and ruin to the former police officer who dared to investigate and challenge him, and to silence and forever vanish the woman who should never have lived.

A bigger conspiracy, like a poisonous spider weaving a web, has already been quietly unfolding.

He began to observe and wait more patiently, observing Ouyang Lanlan's mood changes, observing Qin Chuan's patrol routes and time patterns, and observing the frequency of the man named Lin Jingliang's appearances.

He needs a perfect time to give out the "gift" he has prepared.

He had already obtained a sufficient amount of powerful sleeping pills through various covert channels, taking advantage of his identity as a rider. He carefully wrapped these small white pills in clean paper and placed them at the bottom of a drawer. Then, using the bottom of a beer bottle, he patiently ground them into a fine, almost odorless white powder, which he then packed into several small sealed bags.

The opportunity finally came.

That afternoon, the sky was overcast. The system's order notifications echoed throughout the station. Huang Qiang appeared to be resting, but in reality, like a lurking venomous snake, he keenly captured every piece of information. His goal was clear: to find the order that would lead to Ouyang Lanlan.

An opportunity soon presented itself. A young rider nicknamed "Monkey" grabbed two orders simultaneously and frantically glanced at his phone: "Damn! One to the east and one to the west of the city? How can I deliver these?"

Huang Qiang glanced at the "Monkey" screen and his heart skipped a beat—one of the orders was being delivered to Ouyang Lanlan's apartment! The person who ordered it clearly read "Ms. Ouyang," and it was a cup of a famous chain's signature milk tea, with sugar and coconut.

Huang Qiang's mind raced. He remained calm, watching the monkey curse as he went to get another meal farther away. This was a brief window of opportunity.

Estimating the time it would take for "Monkey" to pick up the food and return, Huang Qiang arrived near the milk tea shop in advance, lurking on the street corner like a ghost. He watched as "Monkey" hurriedly arrived, took Ouyang Lanlan's cup of milk tea, and sealed it intact. Then, "Monkey" placed the milk tea in a takeout container and hurriedly got on his bike, apparently to deliver another order first.

Just a few dozen meters after the monkey rode away, Huang Qiang appeared like a ghost. He had already observed that the monkey was off delivering another order, leaving him with only a short window, but plenty of time for him to make his move. He quickly walked towards the takeout box the monkey had placed on the scooter—a spot perfectly hidden from surveillance cameras, a godsend opportunity.

As expected, the "Monkey" takeout box was simply snapped shut, not locked, as many drivers do for convenience. Huang Qiang moved with lightning speed, his fingers deftly lifting the lid and precisely removing the desired cup of milk tea. Using the car body and his body as a shield, he repeated his masterful movements: a fine needle piercing a tiny hole in the edge of the sealing film, pouring in the sleeping pill powder, lightly tapping the cup, and sealing it with a tiny amount of quick-drying glue. The entire process took less than ten seconds, as smooth and silent as if rehearsed a thousand times. He returned the milk tea to its original place, closed the lid, and quickly retreated into the crowd, as if he had never been there.

Following his first step of "sowing discord", his second step of "sneaking into Chencang" was also completed.

Next, it was the third step of the plan: "transplantation." He needed to connect Qin Chuan to this "problematic milk tea."

Huang Qiang knew Qin Chuan usually returned to the station to recharge or rest at this time. He arrived in advance at the road leading to Ouyang Lanlan's apartment near the station, once again choosing a blind spot for surveillance. He waited patiently.

Soon, as expected, the "Monkey" finished delivering its first order and hurried back, apparently intending to deliver milk tea to Ouyang Lanlan. Huang Qiang seized the opportunity and ejected another small stone he had prepared, accurately lodging it in the gap between the brake pads on the "Monkey" electric scooter's front wheel.

"Squeak!" A sharp friction sound was heard, and Monkey's car suddenly stopped, almost throwing him out. He quickly got out of the car to check, and found the stuck stone. He stamped his feet in anger: "Today is really a ghost! Why am I so unlucky!"

Just as the "monkey" was squatting on the ground, trying in vain to pick out the stone with his fingers, Qin Chuan's figure appeared at the intersection - just as Huang Qiang expected, he was preparing to return to the station.

Huang Qiang wanted this coincidence. He himself hid in a corner further away, observing coldly.

When Monkey saw Qin Chuan, he was like a savior and quickly shouted, "Brother Chuan! Brother Chuan! Help me! My car is stuck with stones, and I'm about to overdue another order!"

Qin Chuan paused at the sound. Though he was feeling frustrated, he still went over to the stone after his colleague's request. He took a quick look and said, "It's stuck pretty deep. I'll need to pry it out with some tools." He habitually carried simple repair tools, so he squatted down, pulled a small crowbar from his pocket, and began helping "Monkey" deal with the offending stone.

During this process, the "monkey" subconsciously placed the takeout box on the ground next to Qin Chuan to facilitate his operation, with the lid open. The deadly cup of milk tea stood quietly on the top layer of the box.

Qin Chuan was so focused on the repair work at hand that his arms and the corners of his clothes inevitably brushed against the takeout box and perhaps even the milk tea packaging. Huang Qiang, who was secretly watching and remembering all of this, was the "contact" evidence he needed.

"Okay, let's try it." Qin Chuan quickly pried out the stone, stood up and clapped his hands.

"Monkey" thanked him profusely and didn't bother to say anything more. He immediately closed the trunk lid and got into the car: "Thank you so much, Brother Chuan! I'll thank you later!" After that, he turned on the ignition and drove quickly towards Ouyang Lanlan's apartment. He finally delivered the milk tea at the last minute before the time limit.

Huang Qiang was in the dark, a cold smile on his face. Step three, perfect plan, complete.

5. Sleeping Ouyang

Ouyang Lanlan was feeling extremely down today. The argument with Qin Chuan weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her work efficiency dwindling. That evening, for some reason, she ordered the sugar-laden milk tea she usually seldom drank, perhaps hoping the sweetness would numb her bitterness.

When the milk tea arrived, she inserted a straw and took a long sip. The cloying sweetness filled her mouth, seeming to temporarily suppress the discomfort in her heart. She drank mindlessly, listening to the soothing music. The drug's effects were quietly taking effect, masked by the sweetness.

At first, she felt incredibly tired, her eyelids heavy, something she attributed to a lack of sleep and a flurry of emotions. Then, her head began to drift, her vision blurring. Her fingers loosened their grip, and her phone rolled under the bed. She tried to turn over and retrieve it, but she couldn't move. Her consciousness quickly sank into a dark quagmire, and she lost consciousness completely.

…

Meanwhile, Lin Jingliang had been restless all day. Seeing Ouyang Lanlan crying so hard that morning had left him deeply worried. He sent several WeChat messages, but she only replied, "I'm fine, thank you, senior." After work, he called her, hoping to invite her to dinner to relax, but the phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.

An ominous premonition gripped him. He knew Ouyang Lanlan had been in a bad mood recently because of the quarrel with the security guard. Could it be...

He immediately drove to Ouyang Lanlan's apartment. He knocked on the door for a long time, but there was no response. He became even more anxious. Just as he was about to find a way to contact the property management or call the police, the door opened from the inside.

The person who opened the door was a middle-aged woman with a haggard face and worried eyes. Ouyang's mother was worried about her daughter, so she stayed for a while.

"Who are you?" Ouyang's mother looked at him warily.

"Hello, Auntie. I'm Lanlan's colleague, Lin Jingliang." Lin Jingliang quickly introduced himself. "I called her but no one answered. I was a little worried, so I came to check on her. Is she okay?"

Ouyang's mother sighed and stepped aside to let him in. "She was in a bad mood and locked herself in her room when she came back. She said she wanted to be quiet and didn't even have dinner. I'll go call her again."

Ouyang's mother walked to the bedroom door and knocked: "Lanlan? Lanlan? Your colleague is here to see you. Open the door."

There was dead silence inside, no response.

The two looked at each other and both felt something was wrong. Ouyang's mother knocked on the door: "Lanlan! What's wrong with you? Answer me!"

Still no sound.

"No!" Lin Jingliang's face changed. "Auntie, do you have a spare key?"

"No, this child." Ouyang's mother was also panicked.

"Get out of the way!" Lin Jingliang didn't care about anything else, took a step back, and slammed hard against the door!

With a "bang", the not very strong bedroom door was knocked open.

Inside the room, Ouyang Lanlan slumped on the carpet beside the bed, her face pale, her breathing weak and even. She still held her phone in her hand, the screen already dark. On the table next to her lay the half-drunk cup of milk tea.

"Lanlan!" Ouyang's mother screamed and rushed over.

Lin Jingliang also rushed forward, checked her breath, and gently patted her cheek: "Ouyang? Ouyang Lanlan! Wake up!"

Ouyang Lanlan showed no reaction, as if she was in a deep coma.

"Quick! Take her to the hospital!" Lin Jingliang acted decisively, picked up Ouyang Lanlan, and rushed out the door. Ouyang's mother frantically grabbed her wallet and phone and followed closely behind.

…

In the hospital's emergency room, the lights were dim and the doctor quickly performed an examination.

"Deep coma, respiratory depression, pupils unresponsive to light... Preliminary diagnosis: drug poisoning, most likely a large dose of sleeping pills." The doctor quickly issued instructions, "Gastric lavage! Prepare for blood tests! Notify the police!"

The police arrived quickly. Colleagues investigating and collecting evidence at Ouyang Lanlan's home quickly zeroed in on the remaining milk tea. Technicians carefully examined the cup and finally discovered a trace of damage, likely from post-gluing, at an extremely subtle spot on the edge of the sealing film, almost blending seamlessly with the original texture.

The milk tea cup was taken back to the laboratory. The test results came back quickly—the milk tea liquid was found to contain an extremely high concentration of a certain type of powerful sleeping pill, more than ten times the safe dose, and enough to be fatal.

The nature of the case changed instantly, from accidental or self-overdose to vicious poisoning and murder!

The police immediately launched an investigation, first investigating the delivery rider. Order records clearly showed that it was the rider named "Monkey" who accepted the order and completed the delivery.

The police found "Monkey." "Monkey," looking anxious and frightened, quickly confessed the entire incident: "Comrade police, I took the order and delivered it! But I really didn't do anything! I just went to deliver another order, and when I came back, my car broke down. It was Brother Qin Chuan who helped me fix it! The milk tea was in my box the whole time, sealed perfectly!"

Police retrieved surveillance footage from the milk tea shop, confirming that the seal was intact when "Monkey" picked up the food. They also retrieved roadside surveillance footage, which showed the general circumstances of "Monkey"'s first stop (to deliver another order) and the second stop (to repair the car), but could not clearly see the details of Huang Qiang's first drugging and second stone-throwing incidents.

The police contacted Qin Chuan to verify the facts. Qin Chuan confirmed that he helped Monkey fix his car, but he stressed: "I only helped him fix the car, I didn't touch his milk tea at all. Even if I accidentally touched the bag, it's impossible to have drugs in it."

The rider's attitude was calm and there were no flaws. Just when the investigation seemed to have reached a deadlock, another clue surfaced.

The police officer responsible for visiting Ouyang Lanlan's social relations received an important piece of information from her colleague Lin Jingliang.

"Comrade police officer, I don't know if I should say this, but I think this is such a coincidence." Lin Jingliang's expression was serious, filled with worry and anger. "Just the day before Ouyang's accident, I saw her and the security guard who had been harassing her, Qin Chuan, having a huge argument on the side of the road. Ouyang was crying bitterly. Qin Chuan had a terrible attitude and said a lot of heartless things."

He paused and added a more damaging detail: "Also, as far as I know, this Qin Chuan had a history of stalking and harassing Ouyang before, and Ouyang even reported him to the police. But then, for some reason, everything seemed to be fine again. He's recently been working as a delivery driver near Ouyang's company. I suspect he's turned from love to hate, or maybe he just couldn't get what he wanted, so..."

"Qin Chuan?" The police officer immediately became alert. This name quickly overlapped with previous investigations.

An amazing coincidence – Qin Chuan happened to be on the route when the driver was delivering the problematic milk tea! Furthermore, he had a brief, close contact with the driver, giving him every chance of coming into contact with the milk tea.

Motive (emotional disputes, quarrels), timing (appearing at the scene), ability (a former policeman with the ability to conduct counter-reconnaissance and obtain drugs), and even the opportunity to "commit a crime" (contact with the food delivery rider)... All the indirect evidence seems to vaguely point to Qin Chuan, the former criminal policeman who has left the police force and whose behavior seems to be becoming more and more paranoid.

Despite the lack of direct evidence, the situation was serious enough that the police summoned Qin Chuan again in accordance with the law.

When questioned by the police, Qin Chuan's face turned grim. He admitted to being at the scene and to having had brief contact with the monkey while delivering food, but he firmly denied any involvement in the poisoning and denied ever having obtained or used sleeping pills.

"Why would I hurt her? I didn't even have time to protect her!" His defense seemed pale and powerless in the face of layers of indirect evidence and seemingly reasonable speculations about his motives.

"Protection? From what we know, you had a heated argument the day before, and you said some very cruel words. How do you explain this?" The interrogating police officer's eyes were sharp.

Qin Chuan was speechless. He couldn't tell the police about Ouyang's mother's visit; that would only complicate matters and break his promise. His silence and struggle, in the eyes of the police, suggested a guilty conscience and an inability to justify himself.

The procedure must continue. Due to the seriousness of the case and the presence of preliminary evidence and suspicion of crime, the police decided to take Qin Chuan into criminal detention for further investigation and questioning.

"Qin Chuan, we now suspect that you are involved in the poisoning of Ouyang Lanlan. Please come back with us to assist in the investigation."

The moment the cold handcuffs were cuffed around his wrists, Qin Chuan suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with shock, anger, and a bone-chilling chill as if he had fallen into an icy cave. He suddenly understood everything.

This was a setup. A meticulously planned, extremely vicious frame-up!

Huang Qiang not only discovered them and guessed their relationship, but also took advantage of the quarrels and estrangement between them to perfectly draw everyone's attention to himself!

He watched the police officer with a suspicious yet businesslike gaze, knowing any defense would be futile. The chain of evidence seemed unconnected, yet it pointed back to him. The demon lurking in the shadows, somewhere, sneered and admired this play he had orchestrated.

He was taken from the station and shoved into a police car. The world outside the car window became blurry and unreal.

The door of the detention center closed heavily behind him with a despairing thud.

(End of Chapter 14)