The lingering storm clouds cast a heavy dusk over the night sky.

When Chi Yuzhou arrived at the tavern with his backpack slung over one shoulder, only the owner, Heng Li, stood inside—everything already neatly arranged.

Before Chi Yuzhou could even head to change into his work uniform, Heng Li spoke up:

"You can leave early today. If only it hadn’t been raining earlier."

"I brought an umbrella."

Heng Li nodded, saying nothing more. Instead, he asked if Chi Yuzhou’s weekend studies were demanding. If they were, he could stay and work on them here first.

"After all... with this gloomy sky and rain threatening any moment, few will come for drinks."

Chi Yuzhou nodded. He didn’t rush to his homework. After changing, he stood behind the counter beside Heng Li.

Though assignments waited, Chi Yuzhou preferred reading here—soaked in the tavern’s warm atmosphere—over scribbling answers.

What he read in books... wasn’t it just another kind of lived experience?

Still, many things he’d never truly felt. If possible, trying them firsthand was better.

Truth was, if not for all those books making him a bit sharper, he’d probably still be locked in a dark room getting beaten.

If he could grasp this acting manual, maybe next time he faced *that woman*, he wouldn’t be so powerless.

The thought sharpened his focus on the pages.

Honestly, humanity’s skill at crafting books was incredible.

Not just the old village texts he’d devoured, but even the idle books here in the tavern—all proof of their authors’ brilliance.

Just as Chi Yuzhou stifled a yawn from reading too long, the doorbell chimed.

A customer entered, face polished with flawless makeup, undeniably attractive.

A regular who’d visited every week since last Monday.

Or rather... someone relentlessly returning after spotting Chi Yuzhou.

Even after he’d casually mentioned his amnesia more than once, she still waited patiently.

If not for the flicker in her gaze, he might’ve almost been moved.

Ah—moved by money.

After all, she’d spent cash on him. Being swayed was only natural.

The tavern stayed quiet. Passersby occasionally drifted past the door, but few entered.

Later customers finished their drinks and left before the rain could trap them.

As darkness deepened, a downpour would’ve been no surprise.

The first customer watched Chi Yuzhou silently for hours. Sometimes their eyes met; she’d flush at the ears and look away just as quietly.

By eleven o’clock, after lingering for hours, she finally left with a lingering, wistful glance.

Ten minutes after she vanished, Heng Li called it a night. Time was up.

Chi Yuzhou didn’t mind.

He’d get extra sleep. That made him happy.

......

Past eleven, Chi Yuzhou strolled homeward at a leisurely pace.

The storm clouds seemed to have parted. No rain had fallen.

Alone on the empty street near his apartment, he reached to fix his hair back to normal—when a woman in police uniform stepped under a streetlamp ahead.

The light caught her hat and sharp navy-blue uniform. Just her approach radiated quiet authority.

Chi Yuzhou couldn’t name the feeling until she stood before him.

"Chi Yuzhou. Off work already?"

"Qiujie Zhuo?"

He hadn’t expected the tavern’s most persistent admirer.

"Is this... duty?"

"Mm. As you see."

Zhuo’s demeanor was utterly different from her tavern persona. She swept a strand of silky hair aside and continued:

"Since you’re passing through, I’ll run a routine check. No problem?"

"Sure."

Zhuo pulled out a notepad, fingers brushing something at her waist.

"Name?"

"Chi Yuzhou."

After confirming his name, age, and ID number, she asked:

"Phone number."

"1***6."

Only after reciting it did Chi Yuzhou tilt his head slightly.

*They never ask for numbers during checks...*

When Zhuo pressed for his apartment address, he answered despite his unease.

"Oh? Not far from here at all."

She tucked away her notepad. Her professional gaze softened with something Chi Yuzhou recognized too well.

*This woman... with her position, she wouldn’t abuse it, would she?*

Catching his suspicion, Zhuo smiled faintly.

"A serious murder case happened nearby. We’re checking these streets. Come on—I’ll walk you home."

"I can manage alone."

"Ensuring citizen safety is my job."

She turned, glancing back at Chi Yuzhou—still in his altered appearance.

"Let’s go."

Under the streetlights, two figures walked slowly toward the apartment.

One radiated justice and duty. The other seemed free, almost detached.

No small talk filled the silence. Chi Yuzhou deliberately ignored Zhuo’s frequent glances.

At the final intersection, a dark-skinned man in navy-blue police uniform approached.

"Officer Zhuo—finished checking the other block?"

"Almost. Walking a friend home."

The man’s eyes swept over Chi Yuzhou. *Fragile. Just a pretty face.*

"I’ll escort you both."

"Unnecessary. I’ve got him." Zhuo’s gaze flickered toward Chi Yuzhou. "I’m the strongest on the team anyway. If I can’t handle it, none of you can."

"...Understood."

The man’s eyes darted between them, conflicted. He wanted to argue—but Zhuo’s words were true.

Considering her unhidden status in the precinct, her confidence was... justified.

Zhuo always kept things professional at work, rejecting suitors gracefully. No man had ever gotten close.

Watching them fade into the distance, the dark-skinned officer wondered: *Is it luck or misfortune for that delicate-looking guy to catch Zhuo’s eye?*