At Chi Yiran's home, Officer Chi's wife and mother had prepared a table full of dishes.
Seeing him arrive, both women greeted him with warm smiles. Chi Yiran's mother, in particular, came to the door to remind him to change his slippers and wash his hands.
Chi Yiran chuckled and complained, "Officer Chen isn't an idiot, don't be so naggy."
The man, in the process of changing his shoes, paused. That unsettling feeling swept over him again.
It was an ambiguous atmosphere that shouldn't exist between him and another woman.
Out of consideration for Chi Yiran's family, he said nothing. Instead, he quickly finished changing his shoes, picked up the prepared gifts, and walked towards the dining table.
Officer Chi's photo was placed alone on a chair. In the picture, his expression was serious, upright, and resolute.
A cake and candles were on the table.
Numeral candles, one five and one zero.
Officer Chi's fiftieth birthday.
"Happy birthday, Uncle Chi." Chen Ziming opened his mouth and whispered the words to the photo, audible only to himself.
He then placed the gifts he brought in front of the photograph.
"Please sit down," Chi Yiran's grandmother said kindly.
The four of them sat down, Chi Yiran beside him. He subtly shifted his seat.
Chi Yiran, however, seemed oblivious, smiling faintly as she picked up a lighter. "I'll light Dad's candles."
As the candles were lit, she turned off the lights. In the dim yellow candlelight, she sweetly sang "Happy Birthday."
When the lights were turned back on, Chi Yiran's mother and grandmother were in tears.
Chen Ziming's eyes also reddened slightly.
"Don't be like this. Dad would be sad if he saw you crying," Chi Yiran pouted, trying to comfort them.
"Yes, no crying, no crying," Chi Yiran's grandmother quickly replied. She then looked at Chen Ziming and said kindly,
"Little Chen, you don't have to keep finding people to send things. We have everything we need at home. Your Uncle Chi sacrificed himself for his work, so you shouldn't feel so guilty."
They clearly had no idea of Chi Yiran's feelings.
"It's all as it should be, Grandma. Please don't find it a bother," Chen Ziming replied with a gentle smile.
Chi Yiran also smiled, "It's Dad's birthday today. He must be living well in another world. Let's not dwell on sad things, okay?"
Chi Yiran's mother, realizing the atmosphere had become somber, quickly changed the subject.
...
Mindful of Su Yue's request, Chen Ziming kept an eye on the time. As it neared eight o'clock, he politely stated he had other matters and bid them farewell.
Chi Yiran offered to walk him downstairs. Seeing the smiles on the faces of Chi Yiran's grandmother and mother, he couldn't refuse.
However, as they reached the door and were about to enter the elevator, he stopped. His indifferent eyes fixed on the confused woman beside him.
"I can get in the elevator myself," he said tonelessly.
"Okay, sure." Chi Yiran was only momentarily taken aback before her smile returned, and she replied softly.
But as he was about to press the elevator button, she reached out, stepping forward and moving in front of him. She looked up, her eyes filled with sincere apology.
"I'm sorry, Officer Chen. I wasn't in a good state recently and couldn't get over my father's death. I've basically been on my own since I was young, and I'm not very good at interacting with people, so I did some things that overstepped boundaries. Please don't take it to heart."
The words surprised the man for a moment, but he quickly acknowledged them with an "mm" and paid no further attention, pressing the elevator button.
Chi Yiran suddenly felt awkward, recalling her previous meeting with Su Yue.
They were truly a couple, only giving perfunctory "mm" responses to others.
However, outwardly, she maintained her quiet and gentle demeanor. Only after he entered the elevator and the doors closed did she drop her smile.
This Officer Chen was too skilled. His eyes seemed to pierce through people, instilling a sense of fear in her.
But accompanying that fear was an immense temptation.
If she could have a husband like him, and benefit from the resources behind him...
A calculating glint flashed in her eyes.