Volume One: First Scroll
Doubt
Catching the tail end of summer, she wanted to see her again.
“Captain Song, you’re back.”
“Captain Song, feeling better?”
“Captain Song…”
“Captain Song…”
…
Song Yuhang nodded to each one, greeting the colleagues who greeted her along the way, and walked into the office carrying her bag.
Months unseen, the story of her and Lin Yan fighting four criminals alone, although not published in the papers, had spread widely within the Public Security System1. No one knew who started it.
“Everyone, at ease! Attention! Salute!”
The busy criminal police instantly stopped what they were doing, turned around, and raised their hands high to their temples.
Song Yuhang paused, then a gentle curve appeared on her lips. She returned a standard military salute. Looking at these familiar faces before her, she thought, it’s good to be alive.
“Dismissed!”
The office became busy again. Song Yuhang put down her bag and walked over to the notice board at the front. In the sick leave column below were her and Lin Yan’s nameplates.
The person in the photo wore a police uniform, sword-like brows and starry eyes, fiery red lips, her slightly raised chin revealing a hint of untamed pride.
Her fingertips seemed to brush unintentionally over that photo. She gently tore off her own nameplate and stuck it in the ‘on duty’ section above, then turned and immersed herself in the busy criminal investigation work.
Before she could get busy for too long, Feng Jianguo sent someone to call her. Song Yuhang put down her work, ran over, and knocked lightly on the door. “Reporting, Director Feng, you were looking for me?”
Feng Jianguo was wearing reading glasses, browsing the Legal Daily. He didn’t ask her to sit. “Yesterday I had Duan Cheng pick you up. Where did you run off to?”
Song Yuhang’s face unchanging, heart steady2, “Reporting, I had some personal matters to attend to.”
The newspaper rustled as Feng Jianguo turned a page. He let out a cold snort. “Personal matters? What personal matters could make you ditch your colleague and just run off? I thought you weren’t coming back today!”
Song Yuhang, with a face full of righteousness, awe-inspiringly principled, “Reporting, I wouldn’t dare. According to regulations, a criminal police officer failing to report for duty on time is not only absenteeism3 but also an illegal act!”
Feng Jianguo folded the newspaper. Sharp eyes glinted behind his lenses as he looked at her standing ramrod straight. “Good that you know…”
A corner of the newspaper on the desk reported news of a theft at the Binhai Province Funeral Home.
Song Yuhang glimpsed it and calmly shifted her gaze back. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.”
Feng Jianguo picked up his teacup and took a sip, seemingly casually mentioning, “No rush. There haven’t been any major cases[ lately, you can take a proper rest. Let me ask you, how’s your recovery going?”
“Thank you to the leaders at the Municipal Bureau4 and Provincial Department5 for your concern. I’ve mostly recovered and can return to work normally.”
Having been immersed in official circles for so many years, Song Yuhang knew how to say a few polite formalities.
Feng Jianguo skimmed the floating foam in his teacup, blowing the tea leaves aside. “Then what happened with your hand? You’re still young, don’t end up with some permanent injury.”
Song Yuhang lowered her eyes to look at her gauze-wrapped right hand, seeming hesitant to speak.
His expression didn’t change, seemingly kind6, but actually scrutinizing her every micro-expression relentlessly.
“This… I did this hitting the punching bag myself.”
For about half a minute, no one spoke. In that silent moment, Song Yuhang inevitably recalled her chat with Lin Yan before bed last night.
She was lying in bed on an IV drip. Song Yuhang sat on the hospital bed opposite her, watching her.
Lin Yan tilted her head slightly. “Your hand…”
She looked at her own tightly bandaged palm and smiled. “It’s nothing. If Director Feng asks, I’ll just say I did it hitting the punching bag. I used to do that often anyway.”
“Will he make you—”
Song Yuhang stated categorically7, “He won’t. If he made me unwrap the gauze for inspection right then and there, that would plant deep seeds of suspicion in both our hearts. Don’t underestimate Director Feng. He’s a smart man; he wouldn’t do that.”
Sure enough, Feng Jianguo frowned, putting down his teacup. “Hitting a punching bag when your injury hasn’t fully healed… I swear, you young people have far too much energy.”
Song Yuhang smiled slightly. “It’s just boredom from being in confinement.”
“Alright, alright, don’t be indignant about this. Although it’s understandable, discipline is discipline.” Feng Jianguo said, putting his reading glasses back on to continue reading the paper. “By the way, what exactly were you doing last night? Duan Cheng looked for you half the night. Didn’t even send him a message back.”
Here it comes.
Last night, she had also discussed this issue with Lin Yan. She was a bit troubled. “I still have a few old classmates in the provincial capital, maybe…”
Before she could finish, Lin Yan rejected it. “Are they reliable? Are you sure they won’t reveal your whereabouts under coercion or bribery?”
Song Yuhang fell silent. But the woman’s eyes lit up, a cunning smile appearing on her lips. “I actually have an idea, but it requires sacrificing Captain Song’s good reputation a bit…”
Song Yuhang looked at her, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching her lips, her gaze sweeping over Lin Yan. “Oh?”
Lin Yan got angry, nearly leaping from the bed to scratch her. “What are you thinking?! It’s not me, it’s Lin Ge!!!”
Following Lin Yan’s script, Song Yuhang smiled somewhat shyly. “Do I really have to say?”
Feng Jianguo glanced at her, looking unusually serious. “Don’t tell me there’s something difficult to talk about?”
Song Yuhang recited her lines8, her face slightly flushed. “I… I went on a date.”
Feng Jianguo choked on his tea, spraying it all over the newspaper. He absolutely hadn’t expected such an answer from her. His expression as he looked at her was unreadable, quite complex.
Seeing him choking, Song Yuhang took a few steps forward, intending to take the cup from his hand, but Feng Jianguo waved his hand dismissively, indicating it wasn’t necessary.
“Was it with that blind date prospect?”
Song Yuhang, unusually fidgety, touched her nose and nodded awkwardly. “Mm.”
The expression on Feng Jianguo’s face grew even more complex, a mix of the gratification of ‘a daughter in my house has finally grown up’ and the reluctance of seeing ‘a fine cabbage rooted up by a pig’9.
As for who was the cabbage and who was the pig, he couldn’t quite tell for the moment.
“Alright, alright, you can go.”
Song Yuhang turned to leave but was called back again.
“I’m warning you, work is work, family is family. Don’t get too mixed up with Lin Yan! If there’s any sign of trouble10 with her, remember to report it to the organization11 immediately, understand?!”
Song Yuhang turned back, stood at attention, fingers aligned with her trouser seams, saluted, and said, “Yes, Director!”
Walking out of the office, Song Yuhang pulled her phone from her pocket and sent a text message.
When Lin Yan received Song Yuhang’s text, she was rolling up her sleeve for the doctor to draw blood. It was the same man with glasses. Holding a test report, he was reciting mechanically, “Miss, your various health indicators are low. The new medication has some effect, but you must continue taking it consistently. Try to avoid non-illness related injuries, as they will cause your immunity level to drop significantly…”
Lin Yan’s phone screen lit up. The two words “Got it” jumped into view. She picked it up with one hand, about to reply, when the man with glasses stopped.
She seemed to snap back to reality only then. “Ah? What did you say?”
“Your immunity level is no longer suitable for sustaining further injuries, especially bleeding injuries.”
Lin Yan mulled over this sentence, understanding its implication. Somewhat wistfully, she tossed the phone down again. “Fine, I understand. You can leave now.”
During the days Lin Yan was recuperating, Song Yuhang wasn’t idle either. Although her precinct12 was much more peaceful with few major cases, petty thefts and minor crimes13 still emerged endlessly. By day, she shuttled through the streets and alleys of Jiangcheng City, catching thieves and apprehending hooligans14. At night, if a stakeout15 was needed, she’d make do sleeping curled up in the car for the night.
On rare days off, she occasionally went out to eat with Lin Ge. Originally, it was just an act. But over time, the two actually became unlikely friends. The rest of her time was spent focused on tinkering with Lin Yan’s mechanical baton. Following the method her old classmate taught her, she first found a steel mill to smelt the materials. Three days later, three intact sections of aviation aluminum tubing were returned to her. She then started polishing, repairing, and welding them herself according to the blueprint. At the police academy, she had disassembled and assembled firearms, but she’d never worked on something like this. At first, her fingertips were covered in blisters from the grinding, her hands full of cuts. But eventually, she managed to figure out the knack for it, becoming increasingly proficient.
Everything was getting back on track. Including Lin Yan’s body. She took her medicine on time. The bandages came off her foot injury, and she began rehabilitation. Sparring with her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach. Sweating profusely16 in the gym. She would also put on a white coat and sit quietly in the pathology lab all day.
Time flowed by slowly. A few more rains fell. It got colder faster in the mountains, the leaves slowly turned yellow; summer was ending. Song Yuhang parked her little electric scooter17 at the entrance of the Municipal Bureau. Swinging her keys, she walked inside. Just then, she saw someone delivering flowers to the entrance. A large bouquet of fresh and vibrant18 roses was thrust straight into a policewoman’s arms.
“Happy Qixi19.”
Only then did she realize, Oh, so much time has passed already. Seeing the roses, she thought of Lin Yan again. And her words: “Give you an inch and you’ll open a dye house20, learned that roses have thorns yet?” Everything that happened that night—her eyebrows, her eyes, her body temperature—was, for Song Yuhang, a dream she woke up from before it was finished. But precisely because of this, she held onto ample anticipation for their next meeting.
They rarely contacted each other. Lin Yan had truly achieved the state of “I won’t look for you, and you don’t look for me either.” But almost every day, when Song Yuhang passed the notice board, she would glance at her photo. And silently ask in her heart: Are you feeling better today? She never sent this message. Lin Yan also hadn’t replied to her initial text message. Song Yuhang took out her phone, intending to say something, when Zhang Jinhai walked up from behind.
“Yo, Captain Song, coming to work?”
Song Yuhang had no choice but to put her phone away. Walking inside with him, “Yes, Captain Zhang, morning.”
During the lunch break, a few detectives who had partners whispered about their evening plans. The single ones also called up friends, planning to go out. Song Yuhang sat alone in her office chair. Her position and age were in a somewhat awkward spot. Too old to quite fit in with the twenty-something young detectives. And being a female leader, after all, inviting her for drinks or meals required careful consideration lest it be seen by others as trying to curry favor.
Song Yuhang had always been tactful. She never participated in her subordinates’ various gatherings.
She was thinking about something else. If she had tomorrow off, catching the tail end of summer, she wanted to see her again.
Before she could ponder too long, Lin Ge arrived when work ended in the afternoon. His car was parked at the main gate, waiting for her. He held a bouquet of fresh flowers. He was, after all, a considerate and meticulous man. Knowing Song Yuhang disliked extravagance and ostentation21, the car he drove was low-key, and his clothes were also understated. The flowers he held were also simple sunflowers, daisies, and baby’s breath22. There were a few other accent flowers, but Song Yuhang didn’t know their names.
Seeing her walk over, the man handed her the flowers. “Happy Qixi. Are you free tonight? Want to grab dinner together?”
It was exactly quitting time, people coming and going at the Municipal Bureau entrance. Director Feng’s driver had just opened the car door for him, but the old Director stopped and glanced over. The driver followed his gaze.
Wow! Well, I’ll be! Someone’s pursuing Captain Song! Tsk tsk tsk, amazing. Looks like not just Director Feng, but even Department Head Zhao23 can finally put this worry to rest.
Song Yuhang’s face showed no trace of shyness. Her expression was composed, as if simply accepting a gift from a friend.
“Thank you. Happy Qixi to you too.”
Watching the car carrying Song Yuhang glide smoothly out of the Municipal Bureau gate, Feng Jianguo finally retracted his gaze. He sat back in the car and told the driver to drive.
Dates with Lin Ge weren’t dull. They ate at mid-to-high-end restaurants, and also at overcrowded street food stalls. Song Yuhang insisted on not letting him pay, so they either went Dutch24 or took turns treating each other. After eating, if she wasn’t busy and had enough time, they would go bowling, do archery, play table tennis, or other sports. As for typical couple activities like watching movies or buying clothes, they hadn’t done those even once.
Perhaps because of this, Song Yuhang increasingly felt that while he was nice, and comfortable to be around, something was always missing. As for what it was, she couldn’t say. It was too difficult for someone with a blank relationship history to ponder these questions. It would be easier for her to do a five-kilometer weighted cross-country run.
Song Yuhang raised her hand, and an arrow fiercely struck the bullseye. Lin Ge, however, sat down panting heavily. “I can’t go on. Rest, rest.”
“Okay.”
“Here, wipe your sweat.”
Along with the mineral water, he handed over a handkerchief. He really was an extremely considerate person.
“Thanks.”
The bottle cap had already been loosened. Song Yuhang took it and drank a mouthful. When she went to wipe her sweat with the handkerchief and just put it to her face, her movement stopped.
A distinctly male hormonal scent rushed into her nostrils. She suddenly missed the fresh, clean perfume scent on Lin Yan. From afar, it smelled faint; up close, it was sweet.
Song Yuhang folded the handkerchief neatly and returned it to him. Looking at her watch, “It’s getting late. I should head home.”
Lin Ge stood up. “Okay, I’ll drive you.”
“No, no, I can just get a taxi myself.”
“I have my car, why spend the money? Let’s go, let’s go, it’s not far anyway.”
It was hard to refuse his kindness.
He had almost done the best a man could do. Refined and courteous, humorous and tactful, didn’t show off his knowledge or manner of speech, didn’t flaunt his family background, wasn’t arrogant or conceited, was low-key and modest, respected women and all vulnerable groups.
He drove Song Yuhang to the entrance of her alley. He personally opened the car door for her. Song Yuhang moved her lips as if wanting to say something, but he had already spoken with a smile. “Miss Song, don’t overthink it. Reasonably speaking, you are Lin Yan’s friend and colleague. You saved her, and our whole family is very grateful. My showing goodwill towards you includes factors of gratitude, but also personal feelings.”
He paused. “Miss Song is very special.”
If an ordinary person were faced with a confession from such a refined, handsome guy, they would have long been blushing furiously. But Song Yuhang still hadn’t figured out what feelings were really all about. She seemed to have grasped some clues, yet also seemed far from understanding25.
She only knew that when Lin Ge said these things to her, her heart was very calm, without a single ripple. The only ripple that arose was related to Lin Yan. When she heard that name, she would subconsciously, reflexively think of her. To the point of being slightly lost in thought.
Seeing she was preoccupied, Lin Ge didn’t say more. “Today was just having a meal with a friend I get along particularly well with on this somewhat special day. Miss Song, please don’t take it to heart. Forgive my presumptuousness.”
Song Yuhang smiled slightly and said goodbye to him. “Not at all. Thanks to you, otherwise I’d still be on duty right now. I will consider the matter of formally dating. Thank you.”
Lin Ge smiled again with that familiar, hearty expression. “Okay, I’ll keep working hard26 too.”
After saying goodbye to Lin Ge, she walked home alone. In her peripheral vision, she glimpsed a little flower-selling girl still squatting by the roadside. In the basket before her were a few bare-looking roses, neglected27.
“Flowers for sale, flowers for sale, two kuai28 each…” Seeing someone approach, the girl called out a bit louder, her hoarse voice carried far by the wind.
For some reason, the sight of roses made her think of Lin Yan again. She was like these few roses: solitary, neglected, incomplete, yet beautiful in her own way.
By the time she came back to her senses, she was already squatting in front of the little flower girl. “I’ll take all of these.”
The little girl was overjoyed, counted them—five stems in total. Not even enough to make an auspicious number. She looked a little embarrassed and wanted to wrap them for her.
Song Yuhang had already handed over ten kuai. “No need, I’ll just hold them like this.”
She walked home, holding these thorny stems. After a few steps, however, she turned back. She placed the beautifully wrapped bouquet in front of the girl.
“This is for you too. Hurry home now, it’s late and not safe on the streets.”
The fourteen- or fifteen-year-old girl had completed her task for the day. Pocket full of change, she’d also received a bouquet of flowers—truly an unexpected joy.
“Th… Thank you.”
Before her voice faded, the tall woman had already waved at her. Passing through the dim light under the streetlamp, she disappeared into the darkness.
Back home, after showering, Song Yuhang found a vase for the roses. She trimmed the stems a bit. Looking them over, she thought they looked okay. She took out her phone and snapped a photo as a memento. She didn’t know who to send it to. Just scrolling through her phone screen like that, until she scrolled to Lin Yan’s name, and her fingertip slipped.
Song Yuhang covered her face29.
Ding-dong—30 The phone on the table chimed once.
Lin Yan turned on the desk lamp and reached over. It was a message from Song Yuhang. She hadn’t typed a single word, just sent a picture. A bouquet of fresh and vibrant roses.
Lin Yan seemed to understand something. Her eyelashes fluttered, her lips gradually tightening. Just as she pressed the number, wanting to call back—
—the other party had already retracted the message.
At the same time, Lin Ge’s status update popped up on the screen: “An unforgettable Qixi.” The accompanying picture was of a dining table: candlelight dinner, fine wine, delicious food. Although the person sitting opposite wasn’t shown, half a wrist was visible, and she recognized whose wristwatch it was.
Lin Yan put down her phone, turned off the lamp, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
Waiting for a long time without a response, she watched Lin Yan’s profile picture gradually turn gray31. Song Yuhang breathed a sigh of relief, yet also felt a little regretful.
For some reason, when Lin Yan spoke to her in that teasing tone, she could always counter her moves32, even tease her back. But while teasing words came easily, expressing genuine concern was difficult.
Song Yuhang couldn’t figure it out, so she simply stopped thinking about it. Pouring a glass of plain boiled water, she headed towards her room. Closing the door, she continued tinkering with her precious mechanical baton.
LP: Re-translated on April 14, 2025
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