"You..." Lin Jin fumed, one hand covering her mouth, the other balled into a fist as she slammed it hard on the culprit's shoulder. "That was my first kiss!"

"First kiss? I recall yours... seemed to have been given to me back when we were kids," Qin Yi raised an eyebrow.

"Let's not bring up the past!" Just remembering how she'd mimicked a TV drama scene to give Qin Yi CPR as a child made her face burn.

"This is the psychological first kiss, understand?"

While the two played around, Liu Yidao and Lin Hanzhang discussed matters.

"No, you can't come along," Lin Hanzhang said firmly.

"Sis Lin, let me go too."

"Really, no need—I appreciate the thought," Lin's mother looked sincerely at the young man. "I'm handling things for my own child; it's not proper for you to tag along."

"Ah, I know it's awkward. Villagers might gossip, but how can we get anything done here without a man?"

Lin Hanzhang wanted to argue but, considering rural realities, fell silent.

After a pause, Lin's mother sighed. "Alright, come then. I'm used to village gossip anyway."

Liu Yidao's face lit up, and he hurried to the inner room to pack.

After gathering materials for the household register and ID card, the group headed to the town police station.

......

"No."

"Hey, bro, why not?"

"No means no. Who takes photos with a cat ear hair clip? Tell that girl to take it off!"

Liu Yidao turned to persuade Lin Hanzhang.

"Sis Lin, could Lin Jin just remove the hair..."

"No." Lin Hanzhang's usually gentle voice turned icy cold, her gaze sharp on the registration officer.

"Ah... alright." Liu Yidao sighed, dropping it.

"Bro, make an exception?" Liu Yidao offered a cigarette, tone pleading.

"Don't bother—I don't smoke. No." The officer's voice was flat, his eyes lingering on Lin Hanzhang.

"This... why not?" Liu Yidao's honest face flushed red. "Bro, I'm Liu Yidao, second son of Old Liu from Three Stones Village's west end. My elder brother's in the county traffic police, you see..."

"Even if the county party secretary came, no. Rules are rules."

Liu Yidao pleaded endlessly, but the officer stayed distant.

Failing, Liu Yidao couldn't return empty-handed. Embarrassed before his crush, he grew impatient.

"What exactly do you want for an exception, bro?"

The officer's eyes flickered with interest but he feigned nonchalance. "If you want leniency, the person needing service should speak up themselves."

His gaze skipped past Liu Yidao, landing squarely on Lin Hanzhang.

Even simple Liu Yidao realized this cop held a grudge against her.

"I refuse to speak to a rapist's son."

For the first time, Lin Hanzhang's elegant voice was glacial.

Qin Yi glanced thoughtfully at the officer, setting aside his English study materials.