Outside the rented apartment's window, the sun hung low, casting the signs of the years on the buildings of the City East District with mottled walls that retained a burning heat.
Above, thunderclouds rumbled, and waves of dry heat surged amid startling claps of thunder.
Lin Chuan stayed inside his rented room, and even though the fan squeaked as it spun, bringing a breeze of cool air, beads of sweat still formed on his forehead.
He stared at the message sent by Youyou, lost in thought.
No way, Youyou, you're joining in on the commotion too?
Little Landlady, Xia Qingqing, Shen Qianqian, Youyou, if one more joined, it would really become a 'May Day'.
May Day, I can't handle this!
Lin Chuan thought for a moment and had no choice but to reply, "Youyou, I may not be in Anling for May Day, so I might not be able to entertain you."
"Okay~"
Youyou pouted and replied.
Outside the rental.
The sky was filled with massive and dense cloud layers that blocked most of the sunlight, creating a stuffy and yellowish glow. Just then, the heavy thunder began to sound, and raindrops like countless thin needles pattered against the windowsill, gradually blurring the view.
With the rain came a breeze, blowing into the room and taking away some of the dry heat and stuffiness.
Lin Chuan watched the hazy rain outside the window and took a deep breath, smoothing out his thoughts, as tangled as a ball of wool.
However, before Lin Chuan could straighten them out.
'Ring ring ring—'
His phone rang.
The incoming caller: Shen Qianqian.
Hmm?
A moment of apprehension gripped Lin Chuan; Officer Shen calling at this time!
Whatever you fear comes to pass.
Nevertheless, he pressed the answer button.
Through the phone, Shen Qianqian's familiar voice emerged: "Writer Lin, good afternoon."
"Officer Shen, good afternoon to you too," Lin Chuan greeted back.
"First off, congratulations to Writer Lin for becoming a network security partner with the Anling Police, and secondly, congratulations to your studio for becoming the main research and development unit for the anti-fraud app," Shen Qianqian said with a chuckle.
"Thank you," Lin Chuan laughed.
"Who would've thought, Writer Lin, that you have so many side jobs, with such unique skills that you've become an expert. I was worried you wouldn't make enough money from writing, so I even got several of my friends to subscribe fully," Shen Qianqian's light laughter came through the phone.
Several full subscriptions?
Lin Chuan took a deep breath and said solemnly to this true fan who always supported him, "Thank you Officer Shen, for your continual support and encouragement."
"How exactly do you plan to thank me?" Shen Qianqian laughed.
Lin Chuan grinned sheepishly: "Ah, well..."
"Just kidding," Shen Qianqian said with a light laugh, "Let's talk serious business."
"There's more serious business?" Lin Chuan was taken aback.
"Thanks to you, I've now been assigned to the Anti-Fraud Center," Shen Qianqian said with a laugh.
"You're working in anti-fraud now?"
Lin Chuan's eyebrows raised slightly, a hint of surprise in his heart.
In Anling City, the Anti-Fraud Center was part of the criminal investigation division of the city police station. Officers like Shen Qianqian, indeed, could be transferred to the Anti-Fraud Center.
"Comrade Lin Chuan, let me officially introduce myself: I'm Shen Qianqian from the Anling Police Station's Anti-Fraud Center. The anti-fraud app project has been approved, and it's my job to conduct preliminary communications with you on behalf of the Anling Anti-Fraud Center."
On the phone, Shen Qianqian introduced herself with a voice brimming with laughter.
"The anti-fraud app project has already been approved?"
Lin Chuan's eyebrows raised.
It seemed Anling and Han River were taking this very seriously, probably expediting the process and opening the doors of convenience.
As for Officer Shen being transferred from the Criminal Investigation Brigade to the Anti-Fraud Center, it could be to facilitate better communication with him.
"Officer Shen of the Anti-Fraud Center, hello," Lin Chuan greeted with a smile.
Shen Qianqian cleared her throat and continued:
"Comrade Lin Chuan, the department has given special approval. Currently, the anti-fraud APP development project will be led by the Anling Anti-Fraud Center, with Studio 720 as the main research unit, supported by Jintang Network Security Company, Copper Wall Network Security Company, and Galaxy Technology Company, forming a special research team," said Shen Qianqian formally.
"Alright," Lin Chuan nodded.
"Moreover, we have tentatively scheduled the project initiation ceremony for tomorrow morning at 9:00 am, in the meeting hall of the Anling Police Station, as well as to discuss the preliminary development plan," Shen Qianqian continued.
"No problem," Lin Chuan responded.
The two talked about the various work content related to the development of the anti-fraud app.
Mainly, Lin Chuan was talking.
On the other end of the phone, Shen Qianqian listened very attentively and took notes on everything.
Unnoticed, the rain outside had stopped.
In the sky, the setting sun bled red, its twilight illuminating the city's outline, its golden light reflecting off the raindrops, creating a scattering of gem-like sparkles.
The urban area of Anling, under the afterglow of the sunset, also turned a shade of golden yellow.
Shen Qianqian raised her hand to check her watch and then said with a smile, "Comrade Lin Chuan, it's time for dinner, shall I come to pick you up?"
"Huh?"
Lin Chuan was taken aback, immediately furrowing his brow.
"Do you have plans tonight?" On the other end, Shen Qianqian's lips pursed, and she asked somewhat nervously.
"No... I don't," Lin Chuan said, grinning sheepishly.
"Then I'll wait for you downstairs in half an hour," Shen Qianqian said with a radiant smile.
"Okay."
Lin Chuan scratched his head, looking out at the golden scene, and chastised himself internally, 'What are you so scared of, it's just dinner.'
The pre-rain humidity had caused Lin Chuan to sweat profusely.
Lin Chuan sniffed his T-shirt, then walked into the bathroom to take a shower, and in the meantime, transformed into a toilet singing sensation.
'Forgive me for this life of unrestrained love of freedom, never afraid of falling one day, oh oh~'
Half an hour later.
For some reason, when Lin Chuan descended the stairs, he felt like a thief skirting around the little supermarket downstairs, avoiding bumping into the Little Landlady.
He chose to wait for Shen Qianqian near the entrance of Happiness Community.
Shen Qianqian was punctual, appearing in front of Lin Chuan in her Mercedes GLC.
Lin Chuan remembered, this car belonged to Xue Qiqi.
"Writer Lin, what do you think? Picking you up in this car, it's appropriate, right?" Shen Qianqian lowered the window, smiling radiantly.
"Appropriate."
Lin Chuan laughed and then got into the passenger seat.
"It rained today, and there was also a sunset. The air by the river must be particularly refreshing. Shall we go to 'Riverside Cottage'?" Shen Qianqian suggested.
Lin Chuan buckled his seatbelt and nodded, "Their dishes are indeed not bad."
The Mercedes GLC drove out of the old city district, laying over the golden light on the road, speeding towards Anling Riverside, and finally, parked in a road-side paid parking spot.
The riverside embankment was fully bathed in the setting sun.
In front of the fence lay a stretch of jade-green water, resembling an emerald ribbon. The river was wide, with several small boats swaying in the water. The evening sky's afterglow was gradually changing colors, and by this time, the outline of the moon was visible.
The breeze at Anling Riverside was very fresh, bringing with it the scent of water vapor and vegetation that enveloped them. Shen Qianqian's waterfall-like black hair was in disarray, fluttering in the wind.
In the sunset, their shadows were elongated, casting across the ground all the way to the opposite curb.
"Let's go across."
Just across the street was the Riverside Cottage.
Lin Chuan was familiar with the route here.
He had been here once with Shen Qianqian, and once with Xia Qingqing.
The staff of Riverside Cottage seemed to have some recollection of Lin Chuan, "Sir, do you have a reservation?"
Lin Chuan was about to shake his head.
Shen Qianqian, however, nodded and responded, "I made a reservation at noon, last name Shen."
"Okay, right this way please."
The staff then led the two inside.
"Officer Shen, you made the reservation quite early, didn't you?" Lin Chuan asked with a smile as they walked.
Shen Qianqian blinked, "I was thinking of coming alone at noon, but I ended up on the phone with you right during mealtime, so I took the opportunity to treat you."
Lin Chuan laughed, "I believe that."
Shen Qianqian's lips curled into a barely contained smile, "Writer Lin is still acting coy after taking advantage."
"No, no," Lin Chuan grinned.
The two sat in a corner spot at Riverside Cottage. The staff, holding the menu, asked, "What would the two of you like to order? Our shrimp dish is a specialty."
"No shrimp!"
Lin Chuan instinctively reacted with a refusal.
Shrimp, to him, was a bit frightening.
"Then let's skip the shrimp." Shen Qianqian gave a slight start and then ordered several other dishes.
Night had fallen, and streetlights sparked to life.
Shen Qianqian that evening appeared to have dressed up specially, her face lightly made up, her eyes clear, her skin fair and firm. She wore a floral dress that accented her slim waist, and on her feet were a pair of white flat shoes.
Because she was only about half a head shorter than the 186cm Lin Chuan, at 172cm.
"It feels like it's been a very long time since we last had a meal together," Shen Qianqian said with a radiant smile, looking at Lin Chuan.
"It has."
"You're quite busy these days," Shen Qianqian teased, "I've been wanting to consult you about some criminal investigation issues, but I was afraid you'd be too busy."
"Now that you're working on anti-fraud, you don't need to consult about criminal investigation for the time being," Lin Chuan laughed.
"Director Zhang said you're an expert in the field of anti-fraud, so I need to consult with you even more," Shen Qianqian chuckled.
"We can exchange insights," Lin Chuan nodded and agreed.
Lin Chuan nodded.
"I heard from Qiqi that if a writer stays home and writes all the time, their mind becomes dull and inspiration quickly dries up," Shen Qianqian brought up Xue Qiqi's words.
"That's quite true," Lin Chuan agreed wholeheartedly.
Previously, perhaps it was because he hadn't gone out much, had not experienced social interactions and various other aspects—everything was particularly superficial.
Thus, he always hit a wall.
"So have you considered going out and about?" Shen Qianqian leaned forward slightly, fixating her gaze on Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan looked surprised, "Ah?"
Shen Qianqian swiftly continued, "I've heard the scenery in Yundian is quite nice, very enchanting—snow-capped mountains, Erhai Lake—it's a great place for an author to gather inspiration and helpful for your writing."
Lin Chuan hesitated, "So..."
"May Day, Yundian, want to set out on an impromptu trip?" Shen Qianqian broached it concisely, getting straight to the point.
Lin Chuan's mouth twitched slightly, "Your map of Yan Country seems a bit extensive."
Under the cozy lights.
Shen Qianqian pursed her lips, smiling, "As your true fan, I naturally hope you can write better works. Otherwise, I won't have anything to read in the future."
"What kind of reader takes the author out traveling?" Lin Chuan countered.
"Uh, actually, I've always wanted to visit Yundian, but ever since Qiqi got together with your best friend, I've been without a travel companion," Shen Qianqian pouted, looking a bit aggrieved.
Lin Chuan rubbed his forehead.
The days of Shen Qianqian's cold and stunning presence were long gone.
Suddenly.
'Ring, ring, ring—'
The phone rang!
Lin Chuan thought to himself, this call couldn't have come at a better time.
"Officer Shen, let me take this call."
Lin Chuan picked up the phone and moved aside, but as he glanced at the caller ID:
Incoming call: Xia Qingqing.
"Qingqing, what's up?" Lin Chuan answered the call and asked.
"Lin Chuan, are you having dinner with your CFO tonight?" On the other end, Xia Qingqing pouted and inquired.
Lin Chuan grimaced, glancing at Shen Qianqian next to him, and replied, "No."
"No?"
Xia Qingqing's face brightened, a smile spreading across her face, "So, I'll treat you to dinner tonight?"
"What?"
"Don't you like it?" Xia Qingqing pressed further.
"Err, it's not like that," Lin Chuan, at a loss for an approach, simply said, "I'm currently having dinner."
"Alright then~"
Xia Qingqing bit her lower lip, "Guess I'll eat alone."
Lin Chuan sighed with relief and hung up the call.
Beep, beep, beep.
He returned to the table.
The dishes were already served, arranged on the small square table, emanating an intoxicating aroma.
Lin Chuan touched his stomach, ready to start eating.
Suddenly.
A familiar figure appeared at the table, speaking with surprise, "Lin Chuan! Qianqian? You guys are here too?"
In the night, under the glow of the lights, a gentle breeze carried the soft chirping of night birds—one or two notes—and along with it, strands of the delicate fragrance of jasmine.
Lin Chuan felt his heart skip a beat and looked up.
Xia Qingqing!?

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