Chapter Twenty: A Narrow Encounter on a Hostile Path

The fishing boats that had set out to watch the sunrise returned after the sky had brightened. By the time the sun climbed over the mountain peaks, it was no longer the fresh dawn. The disappointment among the tourists was inevitable, yet having at least taken a tour around the lake, few found reason to complain. After all, the price paid hadn’t been high—what more could one expect? Judging the quality of an experience by its cost had long since become a tacitly accepted logic among travelers.

Chen Tianyu and his companion fell silent, each quietly savoring the morning’s radiant sunlight, the rippling surface of the lake, and the cool breeze that brushed against them—neither cold nor warm. There seemed little hurry for the fishing boats to return to port; they drifted back at a leisurely pace, as if the fishermen were loath to leave, unhurried and content, as though the lake itself was reluctant to let them go.

Suddenly, Chen Tianyu felt a strange illusion—rowing on the lake seemed far more interesting than chasing the sunrise.

He shared this thought with Liu Zichen, and the two began to laugh and chat. Their appreciation of nature was much the same, providing endless topics for conversation.

Unfortunately, the scenic spot was not far from where they had set out. Even with a meandering route, it took little time to return. They disembarked, still wishing the journey could have lasted longer. Chen Tianyu noticed that several other boats had yet to arrive and couldn’t help but laugh—so these people set out early, yet returned late! In truth, the boats were all meant for them; he and Liu Zichen were merely along for the ride.

For now, Chen Tianyu did not mention Yiruo to Liu Zichen. It wasn’t that he meant to hide anything, but rather that he himself was perplexed. Could a walking marriage truly be so simple? He feared that Zichen would read too much into it—she was, after all, a young woman, and while suspicion might be unwarranted, discomfort was unavoidable.

Oblivious, Liu Zichen chatted cheerfully until Chen Tianyu suggested they attend the bonfire party again that evening. She paused in mild surprise.

“Um… Isn’t this kind of bonfire party rather ordinary?” Liu Zichen was no fool. “Oh, or do you just want another chance to see He Jiping?”

Chen Tianyu played along. “I have a feeling her intentions aren’t entirely innocent.”

“Even if she is Xiaoya, what could she possibly do in such a remote place?” Liu Zichen asked skeptically.

Chen Tianyu instinctively touched his nose, giving a sheepish grin. “Well, that’s just it—since I don’t know, I’m curious.”

“You…” Liu Zichen couldn’t help but purse her lips. “Everyone is entitled to a little privacy. Is it really appropriate for us to pry? Besides, we’re not exactly close.”

She quickly added, “And if she’s simply staying at the scenic area and sightseeing, isn’t that perfectly normal? Not coming here would be far stranger.”

“You have a point,” Chen Tianyu agreed, nodding. “It’s just a hunch… Fine, let’s forget it.”

But Liu Zichen now seemed amused. “Forget it? As if you could ever let things lie. Unless you get to the bottom of it, you won’t be able to sleep. We’d best go, or I’ll be stuck with a sulking companion all day. Actually, I’m rather curious myself.” She took Chen Tianyu by the arm and led him off in a certain direction.

Chen Tianyu gave a wry smile. “How could there be a bonfire in the early morning? You must be joking.”

“If this were a few days ago, I’d insist we revisit our ground rules, but it seems this trip, outwardly peaceful as it appears, has been full of hidden twists. We didn’t seek out trouble, but trouble found us all the same—there’s no hiding from it,” Liu Zichen said with resignation. “So rather than be so passive, why not do whatever we wish? Don’t you find that’s part of the fun?”

Chen Tianyu was in full agreement. “Any kind of pretense is really just a burden. Let’s enjoy ourselves and see how things play out—it’s both entertaining and a little adventurous!”

“Ha! You’re just secretly delighted, aren’t you?” Liu Zichen feigned indignation. “You sound so insincere.”

Laughing and chatting, they headed toward the little house where the bonfire party was held. Since their doubts had been set aside, every opportunity was worth pursuing. Who could say, just because it was early, that no one would be inside?

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There was no one in the house, but the door wasn’t locked.

The audience seating and stage stood empty; the ticket sellers were nowhere to be seen. Apart from a fixed set of sound equipment, only litter scattered the floor. The cleaning staff were likely still resting. The two of them wandered around the room, a bit disappointed, and were about to leave.

Just as they stepped across the threshold, a piercing gaze locked onto them, sending a chill down Chen Tianyu’s spine. It was a sensation he knew well—almost familiar, even comforting, for when he had first met Li Yiting, he had been fixed by such a gaze. Could it be that man?

Of course, he knew that was unlikely. So, with an air of nonchalance, he glanced around and quickly spotted a tall man standing at the corner, his face obscured.

Apparently aware he’d been noticed, the man strode forward with deliberate composure.

Chen Tianyu said nothing, but both he and Liu Zichen instinctively stopped, sizing up the newcomer.

The stranger’s attire was formal—not a suit, but a crisp jacket, sharply creased trousers, and gleaming leather shoes. Most striking of all was the broad-brimmed black hat that shadowed half his face. It would have been difficult for most to see his eyes. He stopped two meters away from them.

He then slowly removed his hat, revealing slicked-back hair, a lean face, and a sharply defined nose.

At least, he was Chinese.

“You’re quite alert,” the man said, each word precise and cold.

Chen Tianyu remained silent, feeling an unprecedented aura about the man, heavy with pressure.

Liu Zichen frowned, retorting, “And who might you be?” There was a subconscious aversion in her tone—a woman’s instinct.

“I haven’t introduced myself yet. Apologies,” the man said, still fixing them with a chilling stare, his face expressionless, almost unnerving. “I am the head of the detective agency.”

“A detective?!” Liu Zichen was momentarily speechless.

Then, suddenly, she stifled a laugh, hastily covering her mouth. From head to toe, the man looked every inch the classic detective—just like a character from a foreign film. Seeing such a figure at a relaxed tourist spot, one could easily mistake him for a cosplayer.

Unperturbed, the man shifted his gaze to Chen Tianyu, evidently uninterested in Liu Zichen.

Chen Tianyu’s expression broke from calm to a kind of inward amusement—no visible smile, but somehow his eyes sparkled, as if he were watching a play. Liu Zichen, used to his mischief, found it all quite entertaining, but the stranger, unfamiliar with Chen Tianyu’s quirks, seemed to notice nothing unusual.

After all, this was a normal tourist’s reaction—shaken, perhaps, but not overly so.

Feigning surprise, Chen Tianyu asked, “So, detective—does that mean you’re the police?”

“Both yes and no,” the man replied curtly. “What brings you here?”

While Liu Zichen pondered how to answer, Chen Tianyu replied without concern, “We’re here to see the bonfire party—what else would we be doing?”

“Is it necessary to arrive at seven or eight in the morning to see a bonfire?” the man asked coldly.

Chen Tianyu smiled. “If we were coming for the party itself, of course not. But we wanted to check out the venue in advance. As you know, tickets aren’t cheap.”

He added, “If it doesn’t seem worthwhile, we’ll just try something else.”

The man neither confirmed nor denied this, as if considering something before saying, “Still, you’ve come awfully early.”

“If we’ve been up for the sunrise, then it’s not early at all,” Chen Tianyu reasoned. “A look at the venue, then breakfast—it’s all on the way, detective.”

“Mm.” The man seemed to accept this explanation, albeit reluctantly. “Just to clarify, I’m not a police officer. I’m a detective.”

Chen Tianyu put on an expression of sudden enlightenment. “So, a detective is a plainclothes officer—I understand. Anything else you’d like to ask? We’ll cooperate fully.”

The man’s mouth curled in apparent satisfaction at this misunderstanding.

He handed over a business card with fingers as thin and sharp as eagle talons.

“There’s been trouble here lately. If you find yourselves in danger, you may contact me at any time.” His tone was less icy now, yet full of quiet confidence.

“In danger?” Liu Zichen nearly laughed again, but managed to restrain herself.

Chen Tianyu accepted the card with exaggerated gratitude, thanking him profusely.

The man said nothing more, donned his hat, and strode away, his shoes clicking coldly on the cement floor, leaving behind two people who didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.