Chapter Four: Talking About Love

After Mo Lan hung up the phone, her eyes remained fixed on Qian Yin, as if afraid that this matter would sadden her. She seemed a little flustered, but when she looked up, she realized—

She realized that Qian Yin was still quietly eating her cake, which allowed Mo Lan to finally relax. Watching her so silent and composed was unfamiliar, and it stirred a deep ache in her heart.

The two of them fell back into silence, eating their cake, but the warmth from before had faded, replaced by an awkwardness that thickened in the air. The night around them was silent, so silent that it felt as if lost souls might drift by.

“All these years, have you found anyone?” Qian Yin finally considered the question. This girl—it was time she found a boyfriend, wasn’t it?

At twenty-three, she was no longer young. Before long, she’d be twenty-four. She was no longer a naive girl, not so easily deceived. Others her age were already married with children. In a few more years, she’d be considered an old maid.

Mo Lan had always been rather serious. When she suddenly heard this question, she was momentarily stunned, her mind unable to catch up, and she looked so adorably perplexed.

Qian Yin then cast aside her usual intimidating air and burst into laughter, as if she were a young woman who had just heard something delightful.

Her laughter was sweet, but tinged with self-mockery—mocking others, yet mocking herself as well.

“How many men in this society are truly good? I’m not planning to look for someone, and fate hasn’t brought anyone my way.” Mo Lan recovered and answered earnestly. Privately, her grandfather had tried to introduce her to a few men, but none of them caught her eye.

In this city, which man could be worthy of her?

“Don’t set your sights too high. You’re not young anymore. Find someone to spend your years with, and stop risking your life with such dangerous work.” Qian Yin spoke mainly out of hope that Mo Lan would leave the police force. If the two of them continued down their current paths, they would eventually become adversaries. She didn’t want to see that day come.

“And you?” Mo Lan’s gaze drifted to the scar on Qian Yin’s hand. No one else had ever managed to hurt Qian Yin; apart from the wounds inside her heart, the only mark on her body had been left by Mo Lan herself.

Qian Yin stared into the only patch of darkness in the room, pondering a question so full of light. She was the queen of assassins—who in this world could possibly control her? Who could be worthy of her, or protect her?

“I won’t give up killing. So, what man would ever love me? People tremble at the mere mention of my name—could anyone like that truly protect me?” She smiled as she spoke, then picked up her wine glass and downed the red wine in one gulp.

Mo Lan fell silent. From the very beginning, both of them had chosen extreme paths, and now it was almost impossible to turn back. If the day ever came when they had to face off against each other, who would hesitate first?

Two women, drinking themselves into oblivion as they confessed their hearts.

Two people from different worlds, speaking of their separate realities—neither willing to understand the other. Sometimes, such differences would lead to arguments. But after quarreling, no matter how red-faced or exasperated, they always ended up together again.

Because in this world, no one cared more for them than each other.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. The two women, not heavy drinkers, were already rather tipsy and dazed. Qian Yin realized that if she ever wanted to improve her drinking, she would have to train her stomach—otherwise, if it ever came down to a drinking contest, she would surely lose.

Mo Lan went to open the door, but hearing the voice outside, recognized it as Liu Fei. She glanced at Qian Yin, then refused to let him in.

“My best friend’s here—it’s not convenient for you to come in. If there’s nothing urgent, go on home. Bring the documents to my desk tomorrow morning; I’ll be there by six.” Mo Lan’s voice was a little slurred, but still stern. Work was work; however irresponsible she might be tonight, she would still face everything and handle all the troubles tomorrow.

“It’s your birthday today. Everyone was busy and forgot, so I bought you a cake. I won’t come in; I’ll just leave the cake here. Please come out and take it.” Liu Fei was actually quite disappointed, but since he’d bought the cake, he hoped she would accept it. He felt guilty about the whole matter, especially since the officers had been dissatisfied with their captain lately and had completely forgotten her birthday.

“Take it back and share it with the others. We already have a cake here, and the two of us can’t possibly finish it.” After saying that, Mo Lan had no further intention of engaging, returning to her seat. She regarded her subordinates with nothing more than professional courtesy—she had no intention of making friends. To her, doing her duty was enough.

“Oh,” Liu Fei replied, crestfallen. He took the cake and decided to deliver it to the nearby orphanage. The children there would surely love it.

Receiving heartfelt thanks from the children, Liu Fei managed a faint smile before turning away, his loneliness deepening as he left. Walking along the road, he couldn’t help but imagine the day that woman might spend her birthday at his side.

With flushed cheeks, Qian Yin held a glass of wine, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Mo Lan. She pouted and teased, “So who was that? An admirer? Does he have a chance? What does he look like? How’s his work? His family background?”

“He’s just a subordinate, merely a colleague. Don’t ask so much. Don’t be so nosy.” Mo Lan’s face was red, but she truly felt nothing beyond a simple working relationship.

“I think that man’s quite nice to you. Why not give him a chance? Even if he’s a bit green, a pretty boy isn’t so bad.” Qian Yin, uninhibited and loose-tongued from the drink, spoke her mind freely.

“If you like him, you can have him! I don’t need anyone. Isn’t it wonderful being alone—spending your own money, buying whatever you want. Having a man just means worrying about him fooling around outside, and the future just gets more complicated.” Mo Lan touched her lips, pondering this absurd question with all seriousness.

Qian Yin seemed to consider it as well, but after thinking it over, the two women burst into laughter again and drained their glasses of wine.

No one knew how long they kept drinking, but eventually both passed out, sleeping soundly at the table. No one was there to carry them to bed; they simply found the most comfortable position and fell asleep, unbothered by the mess around them.

That night, the two of them slept in perfect peace, oblivious to the world outside. Yet there were others who could not sleep at all.