The morning fog lingered like fine silk draped over the valley. In the soft chill before sunrise, the earth was quiet — as if holding its breath. Birds hadn't begun their songs yet. Even the bamboo leaves held still, like listeners awaiting a signal.
Lin Yu stood on the balcony of his study, a warm cup of hand-brewed Pu'er in his palm. The taste was deep, aged, almost smoky — like the old memories tucked deep in a quiet drawer. He sipped slowly as the system interface flickered faintly on the obsidian phone resting on the railing beside him.
> Summons Unlocked: 1 (Advanced Token) Recommended Candidate: Luo Yan – Rank 2 Police Officer, City North Precinct Chief Status: Married, childless, emotionally repressed Designation: "Lawful Flame"
He raised a brow slightly.
"System," he murmured, "is she a target or an asset?"
> "She is both."
---
By late morning, the village began to stir.
Farmers walked the trails with baskets. The sound of hoes clinking against stone echoed faintly. Children ran with kites made of rags and twine. Roosters crowed from rooftops. But none of them knew what Lin Yu was preparing — a silent weaving of influence, wrapped in the innocent scent of soil and sun.
In the eastern greenhouse, Huang Wei stood bent over a new sprouting bed. "Boss, your mushroom grove's ready. Want to start with golden oysters or lion's mane?"
Lin Yu nodded. "Both. Stagger the rows. Add irrigation timers."
"Got it. Logistics girl said we've got interest from a boutique food chain in Ningcheng. All organic. They're willing to pay four times market price if we keep the source anonymous."
Lin Yu's lips curled upward. "Silence is part of the flavor."
---
At noon, Lin Yu stepped out of his estate and took the winding trail past the tea fields and into the old pine grove.
Here, tall ancient pines lined the mountain's edge, overlooking a sheer drop into a river gorge. The cliffside had long been abandoned by the villagers — too dangerous, too remote. But Lin Yu had plans.
He walked the path slowly, listening to the wind whistle through the needles, until he reached a flat stone outcrop overlooking the river far below.
A car engine approached from the lower road.
He waited.
Moments later, a silver city-issued SUV emerged from the mountain road, stopped near the footpath, and out stepped a woman in uniform — black tactical trousers, neatly tucked-in blouse, and a holstered sidearm.
She removed her sunglasses.
Her gaze was sharp, assessing — and then, after a pause, intrigued.
"Lin Yu?"
"Yes."
"Captain Luo Yan, City North Public Security. We received word from the county bureau about an anonymous landowner applying for private development near a protected forest edge."
He offered her a folder — perfectly filled with fake documents registered through a summoned intermediary.
"I've purchased the land legally. Planning to turn it into a tea meditation retreat. All safety measures will be in place. No permanent construction near the cliffs."
She flipped through the documents, brow furrowed. "You have zoning approval from both agriculture and forest departments?"
"Fully documented. Page five."
She turned the page. Her expression tightened — not with suspicion, but frustration.
"This is cleaner than 90% of our government sites."
Lin Yu didn't reply. He simply waited, calm as stone.
Captain Luo closed the file and looked up.
"You don't look like a developer."
"I'm not."
"Then what are you?"
He tilted his head slightly. "Someone who prefers to live well without bothering anyone."
She narrowed her eyes.
"There's a fine line between low-key and secretive."
Lin Yu's smile barely changed. "As long as it's legal, does it matter?"
She stared at him for a long moment. Finally, she closed the folder and tucked it under her arm.
"I'll be back next week to inspect safety compliance."
"Tea will be ready," he said quietly.
As she turned to leave, Dahuang suddenly emerged from the woods and bounded up beside Lin Yu.
The dog froze, looked at her, sniffed once, and then barked — once, deep and resonant.
Captain Luo's eyes widened slightly. "Tibetan Mastiff?"
"He guards this land better than most cameras."
She smirked faintly. "I believe it."
Then, without another word, she got into her car and drove away.
---
That evening, back at the estate, Yan Shu stood at Lin Yu's side as he reviewed new investment proposals.
"Captain Luo Yan. Married to city planning official Chen Haoran. No children. Clean record. Rapid promotions over last six years. Known for integrity."
Lin Yu leaned back in his chair. "She's dangerous."
Yan Shu looked up. "Shall I intercept her investigation?"
"No," Lin Yu said. "Let her come. Let her see."
Yan Shu nodded once. "And the professor?"
"She's coming this weekend."
"Alone?"
Lin Yu glanced out the window toward the plum orchard, where the first blossoms had just begun to open. The air carried a hint of sweetness.
"Yes. And not as a professor."
---
Weekend – Lin Yu's Estate
The sun was warm, the breeze cool — perfect spring weather.
Xu Wenqing arrived just after noon, dressed not in her usual blouse and heels, but in a pale green qipao that fluttered gently as she walked across the stone path.
She looked around the courtyard, eyes shining with quiet wonder.
"It's like stepping into a poem."
"You're part of it now," Lin Yu said softly.
He guided her to the rear garden, where a long wooden table had been set with tea, fresh fruits, and handmade snacks. They sat beneath the shade of a peach tree.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Xu Wenqing reached out, her fingers lightly brushing his wrist. "When I'm here... I forget I'm married. I forget I ever lived somewhere else."
He took her hand, his thumb running across her palm slowly.
"You don't have to remember anything that hurts," he whispered.
Their fingers tightened.
Later, they walked through the bamboo grove hand in hand, the filtered sunlight wrapping around them like gold thread. Her heels clicked softly on the stone path. Her breathing was unsteady.
When they entered the guest residence, she paused at the door.
"I shouldn't," she whispered again.
"But you will," Lin Yu said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
She looked up at him — eyes wide, lips parted, a quiet tremor in her chest.
The door closed behind them.
---
That night, the system updated silently.
> "Romance Progress: Xu Wenqing – 54%" "Trust Level: Intimate" "Reward: Partial Background Unlock – Luo Yan"
---
Monday – Police Inspection Day
True to her word, Captain Luo returned, this time with a junior officer and a stack of inspection papers.
Lin Yu led them through the designated area: clear markings, safety railings in progress, paths reinforced with crushed stone. Nothing excessive. Nothing wasteful. Everything legal.
The junior officer gave a small nod. "This is... actually perfect, Captain."
Luo Yan didn't reply. She looked at Lin Yu again, then at the layout.
"You work fast."
"I prepare early."
When they reached the cliffside meditation deck, she leaned on the railing and looked down at the river gorge far below.
"Do you know how many illegal resorts I've had to shut down this year?"
Lin Yu shook his head. "I imagine too many."
She gave him a sidelong glance. "You don't strike me as the type to chase money."
"I don't."
"Then why do this?"
"Because peace should be preserved. Not hidden. Not destroyed."
She studied him, longer this time.
Finally, she asked, "Do you drink?"
He smiled slightly. "Sometimes."
"Then prepare something light next time. I might come back off-duty."
---
End of Chapter 3