The next morning. Today the university has opened. Xiao-Tong arrived at the university much earlier and is sitting in the common room, waiting for Shi-Han to arrive. After some time, when Shi-Han reaches the university, she sends an SMS to Xiao-Tong asking her to come near the cherry blossom tree beside the parking lot.
** While coming from the common room towards Shi-Han, Xiao-Tong's eyes fall on the university parking lot. She sees Shin-Yue getting down from the driving seat of an expensive car collection like a gold-colored Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster. Xiao-Tong does not take even a moment to recognize her—this is the same girl who had hosted the stage that day as an assistant announcer with the main announcer Yu-Heng.
Pointing at Shin-Yue getting down from the car and walking into the university, Xiao-Tong says to Shi-Han—
Xiao-Tong: Look Shi-Han, isn't that announcer girl from Lynx Club, Shin-Yue?
Shi-Han: Yes, it is Shin-Yue. Maybe she is also a student of our university.
Xiao-Tong: She looks like a very rich girl.
Shi-Han: We don't need to know all that, come on, let's go to class.
** After saying this to Xiao-Tong, as Shi-Han starts walking towards the class, Shin-Yue passes by them heading to her classroom and recognizes them.
Shin-Yue: Oh, Gaming Queen Shi-Han, you at Shanghai University! Are you a student here?
Shi-Han: Yes ma'am, but you are also a university student.
Shin-Yue: Yes, I am a student of the Computer Science department. Along with studies, I have an interest in hosting. That's why, on my brother's suggestion, I became Yu-Heng sir's assistant. And that day was my first hosting. Which department are you from, Shi-Han?
Shi-Han: Arts department.
Xiao-Tong: Ma'am, is that Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster car yours?
Shin-Yue: Since I drove it myself, then it must be mine, right? By the way, who are you?
Shi-Han: Ma'am, she is my childhood best friend Xiao-Tong. Do you have anything else to say, ma'am? Actually, I have some assignments left.
Shin-Yue: Yes, I do. Since we are of the same age and students of the same university, stop addressing me formally. From now on, we are friends. Though I may not become your best friend, I can try.
** At Shin-Yue's words, Xiao-Tong's anger flares up. She clenches her fists tightly, gathering strength. Right in front of her, someone wanting to become her best friend's best friend makes Xiao-Tong furious at Shin-Yue. Perhaps she has never been this jealous even when another girl talked to her boyfriend Kai-Wen, as she is now hearing Shin-Yue talk about becoming friends with Shi-Han. From Xiao-Tong's face, it is clear that if she could twist Shin-Yue's ears and slap her twice, she would be able to control her anger.
** In a moment, Xiao-Tong's smiling face turns into an angry one, and Shi-Han understands very well that Xiao-Tong is extremely angry right now. The girl who is usually calm, gentle, polite, and cheerful becomes ten times the opposite when angry. Shi-Han knows very well how her short-tempered friend's anger works. She gently grips Xiao-Tong's wrist tightly and says in her mind—
(Sister, trust me. Your best friend will not become anyone else's friend. Please fix the fuse wires of your temper right now.)
** As Shi-Han repeats these words in her mind, they hear the roar of a motorbike. This roar breaks the concentration of both Xiao-Tong and Shin-Yue. Their gazes shift and are thrown towards a boy riding a green bike, wearing a loose silver-gray tucked-in shirt, a black belt, and a bag on his shoulder. That handsome young man is speeding from the university gate towards the parking lot at racing speed.
** Today the young man is not wearing a helmet; instead, he is wearing dark black sunglasses to protect himself from the shining sun. In such a getup, he looks less like a human and more like an angel. As his bike roars entering the university gate, the parking lot becomes visible from there. From every room in the university, girls gather in groups to watch him.
** Shi-Han takes no time to recognize him—he is the same boy from Bo-Hai Park. But who is this intoxicating boy? Seeing him, girls are skipping classes just to stare at him. Innocent Shi-Han's heart, encountering this enchanting boy again and again, becomes curious to know his identity.
** But whom should she ask? Because she had once stared at that boy in Bo-Hai Park for a few minutes without blinking, Xiao-Tong and Kai-Wen had teased her for three days calling her "green bird of the green bike." Moreover, Xiao-Tong herself does not know this boy's identity.
** Within a few minutes, the young man who entered the university with his bike sets countless girls' soft hearts on fire and walks into the university's science lab. The boy is so indifferent that even though girls from all sides were staring at him like hawks, he did not pay attention to anyone and walked straight to his destination.
** Just like in Bo-Hai Park, Shi-Han's intoxicated gaze is now fixed on that boy. But Shi-Han is not alone; Shin-Yue is also standing still, staring. What is there in this boy that can lock the endlessly beating hearts of countless young women in a moment? Thinking this, Xiao-Tong looks at Shi-Han's intoxicated gaze and then shifts her eyes away from the departing boy.
Xiao-Tong: Did a human just walk by, or some dangerously addictive drug, Shi-Han?
** At Xiao-Tong's sudden embarrassing comment, Shi-Han is startled. As she startles, Shin-Yue also removes her gaze from the young man. Shi-Han, confused for a moment—
Shi-Han: Huh… yes, Xiao-Tong, what were you saying?
Xiao-Tong: In what trance were you lost?
** Shi-Han's excited heart suddenly cannot answer Xiao-Tong's question. She herself does not understand what trance she was lost in, so she remains silent.
Shin-Yue: Do you like that boy, Shi-Han?
** At Shin-Yue's question, Shi-Han becomes flustered. What should she answer? Does her heart unknowingly agree? She cannot understand. But why does she feel a pull when she sees that young man today? Why do her restless eyes suddenly stop? Thinking deeply for some time, she composes herself—
Shi-Han: Shin-Yue, what are you saying? I don't even know that boy's name. This is the first time I saw him coming to Shanghai University.
Shin-Yue: His name is Jun-Yu. Their company and brand have offices in Luoyang, Nanjing, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Beijing, and many other cities and countries. And personally, Jun-Yu is popular in the university for motorcycle racing and Physics, Chemistry, and Math.
** If someone had given Shi-Han a glass of water right now, she might have gained some strength. Knowing Jun-Yu's identity, her head starts spinning. The boy is not only handsome but even more talented.
** Understanding everything, Shi-Han falls for Jun-Yu once again. But no smile appears on her face. Jun-Yu is from a very rich family; Shi-Han had already realized that the day she saw him driving a convertible like a Ferrari Portofino M in Beijing.
** That day, Shi-Han's liking for Jun-Yu had reduced a little, but her shameless heart could not be controlled, and even today she lost control of her gaze once again. But after hearing Jun-Yu's identity from Shin-Yue, her emotions seem to end before even beginning once again.
Xiao-Tong: Wow, it seems you have done a full PhD on Jun-Yu. Do you also like Jun-Yu?
** At Xiao-Tong's question, Shin-Yue is in the same state as Shi-Han. As if carrying a mountain-like weight in her heart, she answers—
Shin-Yue: Jun-Yu alone is enough to set not just my heart but all women's hearts on fire—I cannot deny that. Look, girls from every room of the university have gathered just to see him once. But Jun-Yu did not even turn his head or look at anyone. Like all these women, I too have failed to move Jun-Yu's stone heart.
** Shin-Yue's words break Shi-Han's heart once again. Jun-Yu is like a flower that not just one bee, but thousands of bees want to claim. This feeling of heartbreak before even beginning—Shi-Han may not be able to express it in words.
** But time does not stop for anyone. As the sun becomes stronger, the clock moves to class time. Xiao-Tong raises her right hand and looks at the watch on her wrist—
Xiao-Tong: Shin-Yue, it was nice knowing you. Now it's time for class. We will talk later if we meet again. Come, Shi-Han.
** Shi-Han's feet feel like mountains, frozen in place. A strange storm is raging inside her mind, as if stopping everything. But Xiao-Tong does not want her only best friend to talk any longer with this rich girl. As soon as she says goodbye to Shin-Yue, she grabs Shi-Han's hand and walks towards the class.
★★★
Meanwhile, at the police station, Shu-Yang was sitting at his desk reading a case diary. As he read through it, he was noting down new information from the incidents of that case in a separate notebook. Suddenly, according to his need, Shu-Yang called a police officer—
Shu-Yang: Jing-Hao, bring me the old Xiao-Zhishi case file from 20 years ago.
According to Shu-Yang's order, Jing-Hao did come to him, but he did not bring the case file Shu-Yang had asked for. Seeing Jing-Hao's empty hands—
Shu-Yang frowned in anger—
Shu-Yang: What happened? Didn't you hear what I said? Go and bring the Xiao-Zhishi case file, go.
But even this time, at Shu-Yang's words, Jing-Hao stood silently with a downcast expression—
Shu-Yang: Alright fine, you won't give me the file, right? Fine, I'll go and bring it myself.
Jing-Hao was of Shu-Yang's father's age. Due to promotions and demotions, he was still a lower-ranking police officer than Shu-Yang. Jing-Hao was bound to obey Shu-Yang's orders. But today, since Jing-Hao did not bring the file Shu-Yang wanted, Shu-Yang became angry at him. However, instead of expressing anger toward Jing-Hao, who was of his father's age, Shu-Yang went to get the file himself with visible irritation on his face. From behind—
Jing-Hao: Shu-Yang, wait.
When Jing-Hao called out, Shu-Yang stopped. From his face, it was clear that he was extremely angry. His fair, soft face had turned red. Jing-Hao could clearly understand why Shu-Yang was getting angry. Still, for some reason, he did not want Shu-Yang to get involved in the Xiao-Zhishi case. Looking into Shu-Yang's angry eyes with fear—
Jing-Hao: I-I was saying… wouldn't it be better if you stepped away from the Xiao-Zhishi case, sir?
Shu-Yang: Jing-Hao, how many times do I have to tell you that I swore at the age of 7 to solve the Xiao-Zhishi case?
Jing-Hao: But sir, it's not unknown to you how many innocent police officers have died trying to solve this case.
Shu-Yang: Uncle, I know why you don't want me involved in this case, even if it's not out of fear for your own life. But since the age of 7, I worked hard and became a police officer at just 18. And day and night, without rest, I worked tirelessly to get this case and become an officer of the Special Crime Branch.
Jing-Hao: Sir, it's not just that you are my senior officer. Personally, I see you as my own son. Losing you would be a great loss for me, Shu-Yang.
Shu-Yang: Jing-Hao, you've forgotten—I am not your son, I am your senior officer. If I cannot solve the Xiao-Zhishi case, then my life itself is meaningless. I wore this police uniform for only one reason—either I will solve the Xiao-Zhishi case, or I will die trying to solve it.
Saying this, Shu-Yang leaves the office to get the file. Jing-Hao stands there, staring helplessly at Shu-Yang as he walks away.
—
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