"They have a real goal that's hidden very deeply and has not been revealed yet."

  "They're using the series of explosion incidents to create panic in the city and to her. Next, they will definitely create even greater panic."

  "No matter what happens, whether the three of us will live or die, we must not affect the plan."

  ……


  It's exactly noon.

  Su Mian is following Han Chen and Xu Si Bai to search through the underground level. They finally find S's letter.

  Zhou Xiao Zhuan is with the SWAT team as they try with all their might to remove the debris from where the mansion collapsed. Even with his determination, he can't suppress the feeling of grief. He has a feeling that some of the things and people buried underneath may never be dug out.

  As for Chatterbox and Cold Face, after parting with them, there seems to be an invisible hand guiding their way: the person reporting the incident in the morning, the major route being damaged, the subway waiting for them to enter at the platform……everything is the simplest disguise and trap. But they hop in and ride the never returning subway.

  _____

  "The Fourth Act: Fallen Dreams."

  It's still the same well-lit stage. A few people are sitting at a round table.

  Through the LCD screen, they look just like stage performers acting out scene by scene. And at the square, the many pairs of eyes are showing nervousness, anticipation, and curiosity. It's human nature; everybody wants to know the truth.

  Zhang Fu Cai——the middle-aged chubby businessman on stage——he stares at He Ya Yao helplessly, "Young CEO, some problems have come up. We've dug halfway through and found that the soil is too soft. There's too much water underground, so we may need more funding to continue the project……"

  Before he can finish, the young architect——Ji Zi Chang interrupts him full of shock and determination, "CEO Zhang, what are you saying? How is this an issue of asking for additional funding?" He looks over to He Ya Yao a little worked up, "Young CEO, the problem isn't simple. We can't build on top of that, otherwise, we will have safety issues……"

  The son of the corporation CEO——He Ya Yao frowns after hearing Zhang Fu Cai's words. After hearing Ji Zi Chang speak, his face turns gloomier, "What are you saying? How can we not continue building? You know how hard it has been for me to fight for this project and have the old man invest money on it? You want me to give up now? Impossible! Didn't we complete an assessment report in the beginning and determined that it was okay to build? Why is it a problem now?!"

  Zhang Fu Cai lets out a cough and says, "Young CEO, the assessment report did say the soil was okay. But it was only based on two underground levels. Didn't we negotiate with them……and have them change it to three levels underground? But who knew that we would run into a problem once we dig deeper."

  The "performance" continues. At the square, many in the crowd are discussing and some even scold out loud calling these people heartless bastards.

  "No matter what, this 'super project' cannot stop," He Ya Yao concludes. He looks over to Ji Zi Chang, "If we do as Zhang Fu Cai says and increase funding to stabilize the foundation, what would that look like?"

  Ji Zi Chang insists, "Young CEO, it's still a very big risk. If the environment is good, everything is okay then. But if there are any flooding from the Yangtze River or earthquakes or even changes to the soil quality or water quality……the main building and the other buildings surrounding it will be in danger. The outcome is unimaginable……"

  Before he finishes, He Ya Yao reveals a smile. Zhang Fu Cai also reveals a smile.

  He Ya Yao says, "Yet I was wondering what you were worried about. How many years has it been since the Yangtze river flooded the area? There are no earthquakes either. Alright, let's leave it at this. Let's do what Zhang Fu Cai has suggested. Remember, I've put everything I have toward this super project. No matter what, we must construct the building and then work on stabilizing it after. Then this old man will finally be willing to hand over the corporation to me. If it's over for me, it's over for you all as well."

  _____

  In the room with hazy lighting, Su Mian looks around this unfamiliar yet familiar place carrying the aura of S. Her face turns pale but her eyes are willful. She can't find any words to say.

  Han Chen, on the other hand, has one hand in his pocket while holding the piece of paper in the other. A certain kind of coldness yet burning passion seem to encircle in his chest.

  Su Mian, my love.

  Is this how this man calls her?

  This is how he calls his, Han Chen's, fiancee?

  That man had once taken her away from him successfully, giving her a new name, a new identity, and hiding her for five years.

  Xu Si Bai is standing behind them. His face is also glazed with coldness. His eyes are staring at the piece of paper in Han Chen's hand as he remains quiet.

  "Tssszt——" a crisp sound of paper tearing. Su Mian and Xu Si Bai raise their heads and see Han Chen rip the piece of paper into several pieces without any expression on his face. He tosses them into a corner, turns around and leaves.

  Su Mian feels her heart ache and immediately chases after him. Xu Si Bai watches her back view with his clear brown eyes looking indifferent. He stands still for a few seconds before going outside to look for her.

  The moment Su Mian exits the room, she sees Han Chen at the corridor. He has one hand on the wall while his head is slightly bent down. In the dim lighting, the shadow of his tall figure is like a gorgeous painting. The contours of his profile are distinctive and his facial features are handsome, yet it carries a sense of unruliness and callous.

  The injured officer, Ding Jun, is standing by the side. He makes eye contact with Su Mian. The first victim whom they've saved, Zhang Fu Cai, is a little hateable, but probably because he's a bit afraid of Han Chen, so he's behaving well and staying quiet. It's just that his face is showing full of anxiousness and impatience. Something must have happened.

  Su Mian walks over to Han Chen, takes his hand down from the wall and holds onto it.

  Han Chen doesn't say anything. He tightens his grip on her hand and looks to the front, "Let's go. We shouldn't waste time. Let's continue searching."

  Su Mian keeps quiet while walking beside him. The two of them are at the front of the group while the other three follow behind them. Su Mian stares at his cold side profile but can't help thinking about the writing on the piece of paper. She knows very well her frightfulness toward S; it's engraved to her bones. She's a bit scared and repressed. But she feels a stronger feeling of contradiction.

  My love, my love…my love my ass. She just wants to curse.

  Just as she's feeling unsettling, Han Chen holds onto her hand. He lowers his head and kisses the back of her hand. His eyes are still calmly looking straight without a word. But between the two of them, many things go without saying. Su Mian squeezes his hand and feels as if her heart is being caressed by him.

  No need to panic and no need to be afraid. Just follow him and it'll be okay. He's no longer the greenhorn young master criminal investigator from back then. He has strengthened himself through many experiences. He will find this ghost-like S. He will carry out justice on the seven-member organization.

  Their intimacy is calm and quiet.

  Xu Si Bai, who's following behind them, captures their every movement and every expression of affection in his eyes.

  The atmosphere around them is intense and dark; walking on the border of life and death. But all of this seems as if it has nothing to do with Xu Si Bai. His emotions are rather calm; peaceful yet carrying a familiar sense of dull pain. He walks through this underground passageway that will never see the light of day but somehow recalls a certain day from a long, long time ago.

  It was a very quiet afternoon. At the Jiangcheng autopsy lab, he was alone wearing a white lab coat standing in front of a corpse while observing and frowning.

  And just like that, she walked into his view for the first time.

  "So you're the famous Forensic Investigator, Xu Si Bai?"

  He looked up and saw a young girl wearing a small camouflage jacket and pants with a pair of black leather boots. She was wearing a cap while her long hair swayed behind her like silk. Her brown eyes glistened as if they were smiling while giving him a once-over.

  At that moment, an ancient phrase entered his ears:

  Pick up the lotus seeds for a gentleman, and even a demon can be reborn (love at first sight).

  From then on, regardless of how pretty or sexy another girl appears, they could not compare to her. She was like the sun shining on his dull yet peaceful life. And now that he thinks about it, he finally understands that his empty life has been waiting for her to appear.

  ……


  Su Mian, my love. From the first time seeing her.

  My love has never been less than Han Chen's, it's just that I came later than him.