Love Assault - Chapter 24

Captain Chen, Lin Che suddenly changed her form of address, her voice now carrying an undeniable authority. I’ve told you before. I truly can’t reveal any more information. This is for my own protection, and for your safety too. She didn’t look at Chen Mo, her gaze fixed on the distant, starless night sky. Chen Mo, I understand how you feel. But I genuinely don’t know where those things are. Jian Xiaobai was afraid I’d tell you, so he never disclosed a single detail to me. Please, just let this matter drop. Can you do that for me?

Chen Mo slowly raised her head, a bitter smile playing on her lips as she looked at Lin Che. Let it drop? How can we let it drop when so many people have died on this road of no return?

Lin Che stared at Chen Mo, her expression grave. In Chen Mo’s eyes, she saw not only anger, but also a deep, fathomless sorrow.

Yes, sorrow.

An almost bottomless sorrow.

She opened her mouth, her deep voice striking the still air. Chen Mo, I’ve told you before, I like you very much and want to understand you better. If this matter didn’t involve my family—if it were just me, Lin Che—I would tell you anything you want to know. I would risk my life to fight evil alongside you. But the world is so vast, and evil so pervasive. Can you truly eradicate it all? Every event follows its own course and operates according to its own laws. Many have died, yes, that’s true. But many more are still alive, aren’t they? She gently placed her right hand on Chen Mo’s shoulder, feeling a slight tremor travel up through her palm. With a hint of tenderness, she said, Chen Mo, I believe we should look forward. There are many things beyond our control. All we can do is protect those around us. Do you understand what I mean?

Chen Mo stared blankly at Lin Che, yet seemed not to see him at all. Her lips trembled slightly, her voice cold and tinged with despair. I understand. But I can’t even protect the people around me.

Lin Che hesitated, frowning slightly. He had already guessed the meaning behind her words. As a sensitive and intelligent person, she had picked up on the implication in Chen Mo’s statement, which mentioned not only her parents but also her friends. She suspected that the friends Chen Mo spoke of were likely more than just friends.

But was this friend male or female?

Lin Che remained silent, taking a deep breath. If it were a man, she could simply say he was her boyfriend or lover. Recalling Jian Dan’s parting words and Chen Mo’s quiet, lonely figure in her cramped apartment, Lin Che suddenly smiled and winked playfully at Chen Mo. Who said you haven’t protected the people around you? You’ve been protecting me just fine, haven’t you?

Chen Mo was bewildered by Lin Che’s sudden shift from coldness to warmth. She sighed. It’s late. Let’s get some rest. She reached for her coat draped over the chair. But Lin Che, feeling like the conversation was unfinished, leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window and said with a smile, Chen Mo, I want to ask you something personal.

What?

The friend you mentioned earlier… Lin Che bit her lip, clearly choosing her words carefully. Um… is this friend particularly important to you?

Chen Mo’s eyes suddenly dimmed, her gaze dropping as her expression darkened. The hand that had just touched her coat trembled slightly, and the jacket fell silently to the carpet, accompanied by her soft voice Yes. A very important friend to me.

Lin Che nodded thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on Chen Mo, yet unsure what to say next. Chen Mo bent down to pick up her coat, and the pendant around her neck slipped out from beneath her loose hoodie. Straightening up, she smiled. I’m tired. I’m going to go rest. You should get some rest too.

A complex mix of surprise and emotion flickered across Lin Che’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by a smile. He pointed. Your pendant is showing.

Chen Mo casually tucked the pendant back under her shirt. Thanks. I’m going upstairs now.

I’ll come up with you, Lin Che said. I’m tired too. He strode to the elevator, pressed the button for their floor, and turned back to her. That pendant of yours is quite intricate. Did you pick it out yourself?

Chen Mo shook her head. A comrade gave it to me.

Oh, Lin Che replied, falling silent. The elevator doors chimed open. They stepped inside, but neither spoke as the car ascended. Chen Mo leaned against the wall, watching the numbers climb, while Lin Che seemed lost in thought, or perhaps pretending not to notice her.

The silence grew awkward. The elevator rose quickly.

Reaching the sixty-sixth floor, Chen Mo bid Lin Che goodnight and stepped out. Lin Che reached out to stop the closing doors. Chen Mo, the comrade you mentioned—is that the friend you were talking about earlier?

Chen Mo froze but didn’t turn around. She sighed, a silent acknowledgment. Then she walked to the end of the corridor, entered her passcode, and disappeared into her apartment.

Lin Che kept her hand on the elevator door, the suppressed shock finally surfacing in her eyes. She retreated into the car, hurried to her own room, locked the door, and shakily retrieved a cigarette from the drawer. Her trembling fingers lit it, and she took a deep drag.

When Jian Dan entered the room, it was thick with smoke. She shook her head, sat on the table, glanced at the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts, and chuckled softly. Reaching for another cigarette, she mumbled through the smoke, I knew you were up to no good locking yourself in here. I thought you and Officer Chen were doing something shady. With practiced ease, she grabbed a lighter and lit the cigarette.

Lin Che’s face was as pale as paper, his exhaustion palpable. Chen Mo was asking about the location of that batch of drugs.

Hmm, Jian Dan nodded, cigarette dangling from her lips. I figured. That officer’s got a one-track mind—she’d probably try to arrest every criminal in the world herself if she could.

Lin Che straightened up, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. She said her family and friends all died because of drug dealers.

So what? You’re feeling soft? Jian Dan eyed him skeptically, then added, sensing something was off, So now you feel guilty for not telling her?

Lin Che gritted his teeth, his brow furrowed tightly. He murmured, Her friends died… probably killed by drug dealers…

Jian Dan chuckled twice. She actually mentioned her friend’s death to you? This friend must have been incredibly important to her. But hey, now that she’s gone, doesn’t that give you an opening?

Lin Che leaned back in his chair, looking lost and bewildered as he stared at Jian Dan. He remained silent for a long time, a faint sorrow darkening his features, though it was hard to see clearly in the dim light. Jian Dan blinked, stubbed out her cigarette, and jumped off the table. What’s wrong? she asked, reaching out to touch Lin Che’s forehead. It felt unnaturally cold. Lin Che? Are you feeling unwell?

Lin Che, as if his soul had fled, allowed Jian Dan to fuss over him without resistance. He pressed his lips together in deep conflict, then exhaled heavily before speaking in a hoarse voice, Xiao Bai, I think I’ve found A-Fi.

The room fell silent. Jian Dan crouched down, looking up at Lin Che. As if she hadn’t heard him clearly, she repeated, What did you say?

Lin Che’s eyes flickered, his gaze hollow. His right hand trembled as he reached for another cigarette, but before he could bring it to his lips, Jian Dan snatched it away. Her low voice echoed in his ear, Lin Che, what did you say?

Lin Che lowered his head to look at Jian Dan, his eyes clearly filled with joy. His throat ached, choked with emotion, and his voice, barely audible even to himself, drifted like a feverish murmur I… I heard her talking about her friend… I guessed… I guessed their relationship must be special… I shouldn’t have asked… I shouldn’t have asked… but… I couldn’t help myself… I… I was so jealous…

The joy in Jian Dan’s eyes gradually turned icy. Her sharp, angular features seemed even more severe in the darkness. She gripped Lin Che’s arm tightly, each word forced out like a bite What… do you mean…?

With trembling hands, Lin Che pulled open a drawer and fumbled for a sun-shaped pendant. Unlike a true sun, the pendant’s circular disc had a crescent moon-shaped cutout. His hand shook, and he only managed to grasp the cord, the pendant swinging back and forth in his palm. The moon-shaped cutout glowed with a hollow gray light against the dark backdrop.

Jian Dan collapsed to the floor, her entire body trembling, even her teeth chattering. Slowly, she whispered, Almost seven years… I always thought… she…

Lin Che’s face was etched with agony, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She gripped Jian Dan’s hand tightly, taking a deep breath that felt icy in her lungs. Steadying herself, she said, Perhaps the situation isn’t what we think. Perhaps…

The pendant is on her, Jian Dan said, her head bowed, cutting off Lin Che’s words.

Yes.

Jian Dan suddenly looked up, her gaze piercing. Why didn’t you take it back?!

Lin Che sat motionless, as still as a stone statue. Her eyes stared blankly at Jian Dan. She said it was a gift from her comrade. What right did I have to take it back?

Jian Dan leaped to her feet, grabbing Lin Che by the collar. Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at her. That’s mine! Why shouldn’t I take it back?!

Lin Che gently grasped Jian Dan’s hand, swallowing hard. Xiao Bai… listen to me. We don’t know the full story yet. So… so give me some time…

I don’t need to know anything else! Jian Dan interrupted, her voice a low growl. One thing is clear A-Fi is my woman.