After a week of rain, the city shimmered with a pristine gleam under the long-awaited sun. The scent of fresh grass, absent for too long, now filled the air, carrying a subtle sweetness. Glass display windows along the streets reflected the cheerful, bright faces of passersby like a mosaic of mirrors.

Lu Heng, still clinging to his bed, was roused by the clamor outside his window. It had been ages since he’d slept this comfortably; a pervasive sense of refreshment seeped from every pore. He kept his eyes closed, letting the outdoor din wash over him like music. There were likely a few old men walking their birds, their laughter punctuated by chirps, mixed with the intermittent cries, giggles, and shouts of children. And… whose dog was that, anyway? A frantic "Don't run, come back!" echoed, followed by a chorus of barks.

Fucking music to my ears.

Lu Heng rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, reluctantly opening them. He sat up, lit a cigarette, and stared blankly ahead.

He suddenly remembered his uncle telling him to come to the precinct at noon and had even thoughtfully called in sick for him. He checked his phone – just enough time for a shower and a bite. With that thought, he swung himself out of bed with a graceful leap.

He pulled open the curtains, and a dazzling white light flooded in, forcing him to instinctively close his eyes and shield them with a hand. Yet, the sunlight warmed him deeply, pleasantly. Once his eyes adjusted, he looked out. His window faced the main road leading out of the complex, stretching straight into the distance without a single turn. The view was impressive, well beyond what one would expect from a complex of this caliber.

Knowing he was going to the Special Police Detachment, Lu Heng had specifically chosen a neat and presentable outfit today.

Just as he was about to head downstairs, his phone chimed. "Xiao Heng, I'll be at your complex entrance in five minutes." It was a message from his uncle.

Why is he coming here? Aren't I supposed to go to the precinct?

Lu Heng had always been close to his uncle, not just because he was his mother's most beloved younger brother. After his father passed away, his mother and he were left isolated and helpless, and his uncle had taken care of them ever since. At the time, his uncle had only been in the military for a few years, and almost his entire meager monthly salary was sent to them. Lu Heng often wondered how he'd managed to get by himself.

Lu Heng also feared his uncle. For a long time, he was like a compass, guiding and influencing every choice Lu Heng made. Lu Heng hardly dared to make a mistake in front of him, wishing he could follow directly in his footsteps, until that mission three years ago...

As Lu Heng reached the complex entrance, Gu Tao, in his Special Police uniform, was already leaning against his car, waiting.

"Well, Captain Gu, looking sharp today?" Lu Heng had grown accustomed to this address during his years in the Special Police Detachment and often couldn't break the habit even in private, so he just stuck with it.

"Haha, had a meeting downtown this morning, didn't have time to change." Gu Tao knew he was referring to the uniform he didn't usually wear out. "Get in, I'm taking you somewhere." He pulled open the car door and slid into the driver's seat.

Lu Heng found Gu Tao’s secretive behavior odd. "Where are we going? Weren't you taking me to the precinct?" Truth be told, he really wanted to see his brothers-in-arms at the precinct, even though every visit left him feeling down for days afterward.

"Not today. Come have lunch with me." Gu Tao turned his head, scrutinizing Lu Heng.

"Not bad, that outfit looks good on you. Very handsome." A sly smile played on his lips.

Lu Heng had a faint, unpleasant premonition.

"How have you been lately? Old Jiang sounds pretty aggrieved." Gu Tao kept his eyes on the road, driving at a steady speed.

"Isn't he always aggrieved? If I don't leave, he'll be aggrieved every single day."

Gu Tao chuckled. "What did you do to him? Why does he dislike you so much?"

"It's annoying, let's not talk about him. Uncle, when can I go back to the team?" Lu Heng's use of "Uncle" this time was particularly affectionate.

It wasn't that Gu Tao didn't want his nephew by his side, but seeing him tremble and shake when holding a gun was truly heartbreaking.

"Xiao Heng, Old Jiang probably told me about your situation. While you're not as extreme as you were back then, you know yourself whether you've fully recovered. Old Jiang said some hurdles, the more you avoid them, the more you stumble. You need to cooperate with your treatment. Believe me, more than anyone, I want you back quickly." With that, Gu Tao turned the steering wheel and pulled into a remarkably grand restaurant.

"I just have nightmares occasionally, no other problems. How about you let me go to the team and practice shooting sometime? I can do it." Lu Heng knew his reaction to guns was still a concern for his uncle, but he desperately wanted to fight for his return.

Gu Tao found a parking spot, killed the engine, and turned sideways, one arm resting on the steering wheel, the other on Lu Heng's shoulder. "I trust the professionals. Lu Heng, the day your recovery report is in my hands, I promise I'll personally pin your rank on you." His gaze was solemn and firm.

Lu Heng said nothing more, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Oh, by the way, did Old Jiang tell you about his son taking over for him?" Gu Tao asked suddenly after they got out of the car.

"His son?" Lu Heng stiffened, his eyes wide as he stared at Gu Tao.

Jian Ming? He's Old Jiang's son? No, his last name is Jian. Did he get a last-minute replacement? Lu Heng pondered for a long time.

"Yeah, you didn't know? My bad, I should have told you sooner. His son just got back from overseas, I think. The other day when Old Jiang brought the materials, his qualifications and resume stunned us. Something about... Yale University in America... a PhD student or something, and he participated in several... what were they called?" Gu Tao paused, tapping his forehead, trying to recall, but finally gave up.

For someone who grew up in the military and didn't have much schooling, just deciphering the dense text on that stack of papers was a struggle.

"Anyway, he's a pretty... amazing guy. Name's Jian Ming, I remember that much." With that, he started walking towards the restaurant entrance.

His name is really Jian Ming? Lu Heng was taken aback. That excessively handsome face flashed in his mind.

He remembered that day at the consultation office, when he was about to just leave, Jian Ming's captivating gaze had seemed to pierce right through him like an X-ray. After that, he hadn't asked any questions, simply wrote out a prescription and told him to pick up the medicine at the hospital. At the time, Lu Heng was quite bewildered, only remembering Jian Ming's last words.

"Come see me next Tuesday. I won't accept any excuses for not showing up. If you don't come, I'll go directly to the police station to find you."

Lu Heng walked in a daze, only snapping back to reality when he entered the private dining room. But it seemed... it was too late.

A large round table, capable of seating at least twenty people, had eighteen empty seats. His aunt, He Sisi, sat near the door, her face wreathed in smiles, with a young woman beside her. The girl looked gentle and refined, her looks somewhat average, but her demeanor was pleasant, like someone from a scholarly family. As soon as she saw him and Gu Tao enter, she shyly stood up to greet them.

"Hello, Uncle."

Her eyes shifted to Lu Heng, and after a slight pause, her voice dropped a decibel. "Uh... hello."

Oh, so she doesn't know my name yet? Alright, looks like there's no escaping this today. Lu Heng thought.

It's just... this blind date setup is ridiculously lavish. Captain Gu and his wife really went all out.

"Xiao Heng, come sit here. Let me introduce you. This is Liu Dan, the daughter of President Liu from the Southern District Court. Remember President Liu? The one who visited our house during the New Year?" His aunt, He Sisi, was nearly forty. She was good in every way, except for her habit of acting like a teenage girl, chasing celebrities and gossiping. Lately, she'd inexplicably developed a passion for matchmaking.

"Don't remember." Lu Heng didn't go over, instead taking a seat near the door. His cold tone made the atmosphere a bit awkward. He pulled out his phone and covertly texted Gu Tao, "Captain Gu, what's going on? Don't tell me you were coerced."

Gu Tao's phone vibrated on the table, but he didn't look at it. After a few brief pleasantries, he left his wife to smooth things over.

With He Sisi at the dinner table, there was little worry of awkward silence. So, throughout the meal, Lu Heng barely spoke three sentences, yet everyone seemed to eat well.

As they walked out of the restaurant, He Sisi angrily muttered into Lu Heng's ear, "You brat, you can just be a bachelor for the rest of your life!" Then she left with the girl.

"Captain Gu, next time, no more surprise attacks, okay? It's kind of terrifying." Lu Heng walked behind Gu Tao, planning to go to the car with him, and seeing the man silent, decided to address the issue head-on to prevent future incidents.

Gu Tao turned back to him. "If I told you, would you come? You're already acting like this without knowing."

"I don't want to date."

That much was true. Lu Heng recalled his past years; he'd truly never harbored such intentions. Perhaps it was due to being constantly in the police academy and then the police force, surrounded by rough men. Anyway, when it came to girls, he had absolutely no interest in pursuing them.

However, way back in high school, he actually had flirted with a delicate little class monitor. But they hadn't really started dating before graduation sent them their separate ways.

"I heard about your... situation. Maybe dating would help. I even consulted Old Jiang, and he said it would definitely be beneficial. Can't you just try?" Gu Tao felt his nephew was becoming increasingly stubborn. He used to be such an obedient child.

"I don't believe in that. Captain Gu, trust me, this time I'll make sure you personally pin my rank on me." Lu Heng suddenly stepped closer to Gu Tao, his expression serious, like making a military pledge.