When Lin Chen woke up the next day, his head felt like it was splitting apart. What had happened the night before seemed completely blank in his mind. He looked around and realized he was lying on a sofa in a living room. He froze for half a second before it hit him… this was not his home.
He sat up abruptly. His clothes were still on. Glancing around, he saw it was a modest two-bedroom apartment. The place was clean and bright, with a simple yet elegant design. A faint fragrance lingered in the air.
Suddenly, a fragment of memory surfaced. Before losing consciousness last night, someone had helped him up… and then everything went dark.
“Seemed like a woman?” Lin Chen muttered to himself. Not long after, he heard the sound of running water from the bathroom next door. About ten minutes later, a delicate-looking woman walked out, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. She wiped her wet hair with a towel, and her already fair skin now appeared even more radiant and translucent.
With a smile as gentle as an immortal’s, she walked up to him and said softly, “You’re awake. You were vomiting blood last night… you really scared me.”
Lin Chen felt as if he had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life. If Chen Ya had been elegant in temperament, then the woman before him possessed both grace and striking beauty. A line of poetry surfaced involuntarily in his mind… a graceful lady, a gentleman’s perfect match.
Her beauty stirred his blood, making his heart race, almost to the point of reckless devotion.
“Sorry… may I ask how I ended up in your home?” Lin Chen snapped back to reality, rubbing his head as he asked groggily.
“You were drunk last night and vomiting blood at the entrance of the residential compound. I didn’t know where you lived, so I had no choice but to bring you here,” the woman said with a hint of complaint, as if accusing him of causing her trouble.
At that moment, Lin Chen felt deeply grateful. He hadn’t expected that after his divorce, he would encounter such a beautiful and kind-hearted woman.
“Thank you… I’ve really caused you trouble.”
“You’re welcome, but I need to head out now. If I stay any longer, I’ll be late,” she said before turning and walking into the bedroom.
Lin Chen was surprised. This woman had actually allowed a complete stranger to stay under the same roof. Was she not afraid he might be a bad person and do something inappropriate? The thought made him curious about what she was thinking.
When she came out again, she was pushing a suitcase and holding a neatly folded flight attendant uniform. She bent slightly to place it inside the luggage.
At that moment, realization dawned on Lin Chen. No wonder she was so beautiful… she was a flight attendant.
“May I ask your name?”
“Bai Mengyan,” she replied as she zipped up her suitcase. After finishing, she looked up and gave him a faint smile. Pointing toward the door, she said, “I’m leaving now.”
Lin Chen thought she was asking him to leave as well. He quickly stood up and said, “I’m really sorry. I should be going too. Thank you for last night. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime.”
“You’ve said that twice already. How exactly are you planning to thank me? I went through quite a bit of trouble to carry you back,” Bai Mengyan said with interest, leaning lightly against the sofa. The previous night, she had struggled quite a bit and even asked the security guard for help to bring him back.
“I’ll treat you to a meal?” Lin Chen offered again.
Bai Mengyan shook her head, clearly uninterested. Her large eyes blinked, and Lin Chen said helplessly, “Then name a condition. I’ll definitely fulfill it.”
“I’ll be flying abroad these next few days. When I get back, I’ll contact you,” she said, lifting her suitcase and walking out. Lin Chen followed behind her.
After leaving the building, Lin Chen planned to go home and change clothes. After all, he was reporting to his new unit today. He couldn’t afford to be careless.
“Let’s add each other’s contact. You can reach me when you get back,” Lin Chen said proactively.
Bai Mengyan turned back and gave him a charming smile. That captivating expression made it hard for anyone to resist.
“I already have your WeChat. I’ll contact you when I return,” she said, brushing aside a strand of hair on her forehead and smiling.
Lin Chen was stunned. Did they know each other from before? But he was certain he had never known someone this beautiful. He stared at her, waiting for an explanation.
Seeing his confused expression, Bai Mengyan covered her mouth and laughed softly. “A dignified criminal investigation captain acting like a child? Your phone didn’t have a password. You were drunk last night, so I quietly added myself. Did you think I’d casually bring just any man home? Especially a drunken one? I’ve never brought a man back to my place before… you’re the first.”
“I’m the first?” Lin Chen asked, still doubtful. He couldn’t quite believe it. They were complete strangers, so how had she dared to bring him home?
“Come on, this residential compound is for district government families. Anyone living here is connected in one way or another. When I helped you last night, the security guard immediately recognized you as Captain Lin from the Binhai Sub-Bureau,” Bai Mengyan explained. She then glanced at her watch and exclaimed, “Oh no, I really can’t chat anymore. I’m going to be late. See you.”
Only after Bai Mengyan disappeared from sight with her suitcase did Lin Chen finally turn and leave.
This small incident did not affect his work. At 08:30 in the morning, Lin Chen arrived on time at the Provincial Public Security Department’s Criminal Investigation Corps. Under the guidance of Deputy Director Yu Qing from the Political Division, he met the head of the corps, Guan Zhijie, known as Director Guan.
Guan Zhijie, 51 years old, was a seasoned criminal investigator and a well-known figure in the provincial police system. Nicknamed “Black Guan,” he not only had dark skin but also possessed a decisive and forceful personality shaped by years of police work. He was known for being blunt and impartial, earning him the reputation of an iron-faced judge.
After the brief meeting, Yu Qing took Lin Chen directly to the Second Unit. In the conference room, all officers gathered for the meeting, and Lin Chen met several key figures.
Political Commissar Liu Zhen, a man in his 40s with a modest height, appeared scholarly and refined, clearly someone with a background in political work. Deputy Captain Xiao Qingguo, on the other hand, had a fierce expression and a robust build. From him, Lin Chen could sense the hardened aura of someone who had dealt with criminals for years.
There were also others… forensic doctor Jiang Qing, technical director Xu Chao, and more.
At that moment, a familiar figure appeared at the doorway. Xia Meng stood there in a crisp uniform, full of energy.
“Reporting,” she called out.
All eyes turned toward the door. The appearance of such a beautiful colleague immediately stirred whispers in the room.
“Isn’t that the beauty from the Binhai Sub-Bureau?”
“Really? I heard Zhang Jun from the municipal bureau’s policy research office is pursuing her.”
“Zhang Jun? Isn’t he the son of Director Zhang from the Justice Bureau?”
“There are countless people in the legal system chasing after Xia Meng.”
The murmurs grew louder until Lin Chen coughed sharply. Instantly, the room fell silent. His expression turned stern, leaving no room for doubt. Moments ago, everyone had thought this new captain, only around 34 or 35 years old, would be easygoing. Now, it was clear he had quite a temper.
“Say another word and you can leave. Don’t embarrass yourselves,” Lin Chen reprimanded coldly.
Once the room quieted, Yu Qing smiled and gestured for Xia Meng to come in. “Comrade Xia Meng should already be familiar to everyone, judging by your reactions. Starting today, she will join our Second Unit as Captain Lin’s assistant. Let’s welcome her.”
Applause broke out immediately. Xia Meng seemed to consider saying something, but when she noticed Lin Chen’s gaze fixed on her, she simply smiled faintly as a greeting.
After the meeting ended, Lin Chen said nothing. Led by a colleague, he went to his office… located on the eastern end of the second floor. It was simple… a desk, a sofa set, and a bookshelf, everything neat and uncluttered.
“Captain Lin, your office has just been set up. If you need anything, you can tell me directly,” Su Xue said eagerly. As office staff, she naturally wanted to curry favor with the new leader.
“Very good. Simple and clear,” Lin Chen replied.
Su Xue wanted to say more, but from the moment he entered, Lin Chen had kept a stern expression. She couldn’t gauge his temperament. Just as she hesitated, a knock sounded at the door.
Xia Meng stood at the entrance, her smile bright. Su Xue quickly excused herself, “You two talk,” and left.
Xia Meng walked in carrying a box of office supplies. She placed it on the desk and said lightly, “Captain Lin, quite the imposing authority you have.”