Huojin paused for a second, then glanced down at her. "Yeah, I know. I am not oblivious to people’s feelings."

"...Then you should also know that you scared me today."

"I know. I am really sorry you felt awful today. And I am fine. But I would never want you to feel like this again. That’s why..."

He turned to her, looking straight into her eyes. "It’s for the best if you look for your partner in someone else."

She stiffened.

"I am a cop, Beiye. You just saw one glimpse today, but this is the life I live everyday. Which is why I am not really looking to date anyone because I don’t want to give such a life to my partner of living with constant fear and dread every moment."

She said nothing.

"Then we are eight years apart as well, and you might not feel much about it, but I do. It’s easier to crush on older men or women because they feel more mature and protective. But it also brings differences in thoughts and opinions. At some point, you might start to wonder whether a man around your age will be more suitable?"

Her own grip on her arm turned tighter. "So you are saying I deserve someone better."

"It’s not about deserving or not deserving. There are just simply too many variables between us."

"Cops get married too. It’s not like they remain monks for the rest of their life."

"I know," he smiled. "But you are too young for your beautiful hair to turn grey worrying about my life everyday. You already look like you will collapse any moment now."

"It’s cold out here."

He stepped in for a moment and returned with his jacket, which he draped around her shoulders. She stared at him while his chest nearly covered her entire view.

"You shouldn’t be nice to me if you want to reject me."

"This is basic chivalry. Let’s go. I will drop you home."

"Like I said, you shouldn’t be this kind to me."

"Will you go by a cab yourself?"

"No, you have to definitely drop me."

They walked to his car and she said, opening the passenger door seat. "So you don’t like anyone?"

"Nope."

Beiye smiled. "So I have a chance."

"What did I just say a few minutes ago?"

"When you love a person, it’s natural to feel worried about them. That doesn’t mean I am weak. If I was, I would have gotten admitted right beside my brother’s ward when he slipped into a coma. Fear is natural, but how we respond to it is our choice."

He stared.

"As for our age gap, I cannot do anything about it, but I do know it’s not just some crush only because you are older. But you won’t believe me. That’s fine. I will make you believe me one day."

Her hair flipped backward with a certain swag as she took her seat while he remained standing, jaw slightly dropped.

Why does she remind me of Yang Mingshen so much? That attitude is so....

"Aren’t we leaving?" She called from inside. "Oh, and you can drive slowly. Like real slow. I am not in a hurry to return home. We can also hang out at your place if you would like. Don’t worry, I won’t jump on you. Probably."

"..."

A long sigh dragged out of his lips.

Impossible girl she is...

—

This is impossible...

The bar was dim enough to soften edges as amber light pooled over the polished wood. An upbeat music reverberated with an infectious energy, making people move to its tune on the dance floor. The crowd enjoyed the evening, relaxed now after a tiring long day - except for Jia.

Jia sat across from Mingshen, fingers tightly wrapped around her glass as she took sips from it.

"Your glass is empty."

"..."

Jia gulped lightly. She was... off, and she knew it. But it wasn’t the stress of the earlier bomb threat. Something far more dangerous was now threatening to explode.

She sneaked a peek at her side and saw Mingshen leaned back in his chair, one arm resting lazily along the backrest and the other holding his drink untouched. He looked the same - but something had shifted. Too still. Too quiet. Too aware.

Jia looked into her glass and indeed, she had already emptied her drink. She coughed.

"My bad," she looked at the bartender. "C-Can I have another drink, please?"

"Sure, Miss."

He slid the glass back to her a few minutes later but even as the chilled drink passed down her parched throat, she couldn’t really rest easy. A pair of eyes bore burning holes into her that evaporated all and any pleasant chill from the drink. She went right back to where she was - hot, sweaty, apprehensive. Apprehensive of what - she couldn’t exactly tell.

Finally, she gathered her courage to ask, "...I-Is there something on my face?"

"No."

She cleared her throat. "Then what are you looking at?"

"You."

"...You see me everyday."

"It could have been the last day today."

She coughed once, then tried to lift mood. "It turned out all okay in the end!"

"It could have turned out much worse."

"W-Well, we should have a positive outlook on life haha..."

It was when his eyes narrowed that her throat parched with thirst again. His piercing gaze urged to grab another glass of drink from the bartender - only this time the glass slipped through her fingers by a fraction, spilling the drink onto her clothes.

Ah, damn it! This is so embarrassing...

She chuckled nervously. "This is...not good, haha."

The bartender widened his eyes. "I am so sorry, Miss!"

"Oh, no, no. It’s okay. I rushed from my side. My bad."

He suggested. "Miss, you can head upstairs in one of the hotel rooms. The washroom on this floor is under maintenance. We will also prepare some fresh clothes for you."

"Really?" She didn’t know why, but her face shone.

"Yes," he called the receptionist, who then slid the keycard towards her. "Room number is written on the back. Once again, I apologize."

"It wasn’t your fault. Anyway! Mingshen, I will be back in a jiffy! Y-you wait here."

Finally, I can escape from Mingshen’s...not so usual gaze!

Mingshen didn’t make any effort to stop her and she zapped right past him as if she had become lightning herself. His glance darted over to the bartender once. A couple of money bills exchanged hands.

"This is quite the generous tip, Dr. Yang."

"I appreciate hard working people."

The bartender slid a duplicate key card towards him with a smile. "Always a pleasure to work for you."