Although the streetlights were dim and there were barely any stars in the dark early spring sky...
Because they were very close, relying on the ambient light, both Chu Huainan and Shen Ting clearly saw the face of the man who had just passed by.

Fifteen years of time takes its toll. This person now looked vastly different from the high-spirited youth in the photographs.
Yet, they both recognized him at a single glance.
This man, who had been conversing in low tones with Li Huanming the entire way, was none other than Li Guangqiang's eldest son—who had already been registered as dead—Li Songyuan.

Although it was impossible to confirm exactly what he had said, judging from Li Huanming's expression, this man seemed to be his backbone and leader.

Li Huanming was still standing all alone under the streetlight.
Taking advantage of the moment Chu Huainan turned sideways to observe, Shen Ting rapidly fired off a message to Chen Cong, who was keeping watch not far away.
[Pursue immediately toward the southeast direction of Songhui Road]

Four days ago, ever since he met Li Huanming and confirmed the other's suspicion of being in the know or even participating in the crime, the members of the operations squad had worked two consecutive all-nighters.

Through multiple methods including wiretapping and tracking, and after repeatedly analyzing Li Huanming's travel patterns and call records, they ultimately pinpointed the approximate time and location of his scheduled meeting with a man highly suspected to be Li Songyuan.

And just an hour ago, Shen Ting and his colleagues, sitting in the surveillance vehicle parked nearby, had all spotted Chu Huainan, who arrived only slightly later than they did.
This capitalist, who was usually surrounded by a constellation of attendants wherever he went, had actually arrived completely alone near the residential complex where Li Huanming lived.

What was he doing here?
Harboring suspicions about Chu Huainan, Shen Ting, Chen Cong, and Wen Di inside the car decided to hold their ground and observe a bit longer.

And just before Chu Huainan was about to be discovered by the highly paranoid Li Songyuan, Shen Ting—who was the most agile and adept at ambushing among the three—revealed himself to bail him out.

Four or five seconds after Shen Ting sent the message, an inconspicuous black Volkswagen slowly pulled away from the curb.

The capitalist, who had nearly blown his cover, wore a knee-length dark trench coat and was elegantly leaning against a tree trunk with his arms crossed.
Confirming that Li Huanming had walked far away, he turned to look at Shen Ting, only to find the other party frowning, staring at him with burning eyes.

The two locked eyes and asked in unison: "Why are you here!"
Chu Huainan smiled. "I was a bit worried, so I came over to take a look."

From his eyes, which reflected the white spots of light from the streetlamps, Shen Ting couldn't distinguish truth from falsehood. But based on intuition, he quickly judged that the other party was definitely lying again.

"And you? Why are you here?"
Faced with the counter-question, Shen Ting pointed at Chu Huainan's rust-red heavy motorcycle parked by the road. Mimicking his approach, he returned a half-true, half-false smile: "I followed you here."
Chu Huainan shrugged, neither expressing an opinion on Shen Ting's explanation nor revealing whether he actually believed it or not.

That R1250RT, modified to look like the ride of a sci-fi movie protagonist, complemented the capitalist perfectly—who, despite looking gentle and handsome, unconsciously exuded the domineering aura of someone decisive and ruthless.
Amidst the roar of the Akrapovič exhaust pipe, Chu Huainan casually tossed over a helmet: "Put it on."

This heavy touring motorcycle, which was flamboyant to the extreme from its appearance to its engine roar, looked like a standing manta ray. Aside from the built-in halogen lights, the front was specially fitted with xenon projector spotlights, making its headlights far brighter than a standard car's high beams.

Shen Ting put on the helmet, straddled the diamond-quilted leather saddle, propped his hands back to grip the balance handles behind him, and puckered his lips to let out a loud whistle: "Actually carrying a spare helmet... you bought this bike just to pick up chicks, didn't you?"

Chu Huainan hit the throttle, and the wind blew his usually immaculate hair flying backward.

Only then did Shen Ting realize that Chu Huainan himself wasn't wearing a helmet. He patted the widened storage box at the rear of the bike with his left hand, shocked: "Hey! Riding this thing on the road without a helmet is illegal!"
Chu Huainan turned his head and gave him a highly meaningful look. The general gist of that look was: A rogue like you actually knows what's illegal?

A short mouth from eating someone else's food, soft hands from taking someone else's things. Having monopolized the only helmet the man owned, Shen Ting knew he was in the wrong and obediently shut his mouth.

Approaching the intersection of Songhui Road, Shen Ting was seriously considering how to tactfully remind Chu Huainan to pursue in the southeast direction. Who knew that this capitalist, without even asking, unhesitatingly chose to turn right.

Did this guy plant a GPS on the suspect?
Shen Ting's doubt was answered when he saw the bus stop sign not far ahead.

To maximally avoid surveillance cameras, Li Songyuan did not drive for this trip.
Compared to a taxi, he—possessing strong counter-reconnaissance skills—chose the bus, which had a much larger flow of people, as his mode of transport. And this bus stop was the only public transportation "hub" within a ten-mile radius.
At this moment, it was nearing midnight, and this stop only had the very last night bus heading toward the suburbs remaining.

From the shadows, Chu Huainan and Shen Ting silently watched Li Songyuan board that dark blue bus. Only after the bus doors closed did they restart the ultra-flashy motorcycle—which was exceptionally eye-catching in the night—following it neither too closely nor too far behind.
It was the same principle as "darkest right under the lamp." Sometimes, the more conspicuous the attire, the less likely it is to arouse suspicion.

A criminal deeply versed in the art of evasion would absolutely never believe that someone driving a luxurious motorcycle—which frequently sparked discussions among pedestrians and had a 200% head-turning rate—was openly tailing and tracking him.

The bus drove very slowly, stopping at almost every station.

Chu Huainan alternately overtook and fell behind. When passing the body of the bus, he frequently revved the engine a few times like he was showing off. A few young people returning home from the night shift leaned against the windows, casting envious glances their way.

"Wow! So cool!"
"I want to buy a bike like that in the future too!"
"What's so great about it? If I had money, I definitely wouldn't buy a bike like this. If you drive it well, you're covered in dust; if you drive it poorly, you become dust!"
"Hahahaha!"

The capitalist, who had triggered a string of discussions, still didn't forget to find time to flirt amidst his busy schedule of performing weaving maneuvers through traffic.

Through the rearview mirror, outside the frame, Shen Ting could only see the smooth contour of half of Chu Huainan's face, his peach-blossom eyes slightly narrowed against the wind. The yellow-toned streetlights of the main road painted streaks of bright, flowing gold across his beautifully sculpted nose bridge and jawline.

Probably because riding a motorcycle required wearing a helmet, Chu Huainan wasn't wearing his glasses this time. With his glasses removed, his straight nose bridge only accentuated his deep facial features and heavy, striking brows.

For the first time, Shen Ting genuinely and sincerely felt that this person was indeed born with a face worthy of any praise.
"Why do you keep gripping the seat handles? It's not like I mind you hugging my waist."

Unfortunately, a dog's mouth cannot spit out ivory. That mouth, shaped like a peach blossom petal and practically begging to be kissed, never managed to speak human words.

Relying on the barrier of the helmet, Shen Ting ignored the other party, thinking to himself: The wind is too loud, I can't hear you.

They tailed Li Songyuan all the way, successfully following him to a residential complex located in the near suburbs.
Hiding in the shadows, the two watched from afar as the other man entered a semi-old neighborhood.

That man, who always deliberately maintained a perfectly straight posture, turned his head back frequently. Only after confirming no one was following him did he slip into the building closest to the complex's main gate.
[Golden Years Sector Seven]

In the deep night, the lion and leopard, cooperating to hunt, exchanged a smile after confirming their prey's landing spot.
Everything that followed would be as easy as catching a turtle in a jar.

"Where to? I'll drop you off."
"Yuehuai."
"I've been meaning to ask, why do you always stay in hotels?"
Shen Ting tucked the helmet under his arm with one hand. Before speaking, he first raised the outer corners of his eyes, flashing a highly flirtatious smile as if sending amorous signals: "Because there are some things that are inconvenient to do at home."

Automatically ignoring the deeper meaning hidden in this crude remark, Chu Huainan pulled the helmet out from under that arm—which harbored an explosive power that couldn't be underestimated—and shoved it onto that head that was constantly scheming who knows what. Flipping up the visor, he locked onto those eyes with their raised corners, and said in a low voice: "My place is convenient."
Shen Ting: ???

"From now on, you should just stay at my place."
Shen Ting's head shook like a fan turned to the maximum setting in his mind.
But his face still wore a smiling expression: "I really wouldn't want to make a move on you before we've furthered our mutual understanding—"

"What if I want you to?"

Just a few days ago, you were clearly the one who said we needed to further our mutual understanding first! Shen Ting's smile stiffened slightly.

The capitalist, going back on his own words, used his fingers to gently smooth out Shen Ting's slightly furrowed brow: "Song Ci, you're not planning to tell me that you truly don't want to have anything happen between us at all, are you?"

Facing this breathtakingly beautiful face.
Shen Ting screamed silently: I genuinely do not want to have absolutely anything happen with you! Yet, he cunningly asked in return: "What about you? Do you really want to have something happen with someone like me that badly?"

Choked by this counter-question, the deep gaze in Chu Huainan's eyes suddenly became a few degrees more complex. His eagle-like, sharp eyes stared at the face before him for a long time, as if trying to burn a hole through him, or as if looking straight through him to deeply gaze at someone else.

These unfathomable eyes were trying to peer at his true self.
This realization made Shen Ting feel the apprehension of having been completely seen through by an opponent.

With a natural expression, he pulled down the visor, temporarily blocking those two scorching stares outside the dark tinted shield of the full-face helmet.

"Let's go. To your place."

At this moment, it was past 1:00 AM, and the outdoor temperature had dropped sharply.

Shen Ting had rushed out of his car earlier in a hurry, wearing only a thin shirt.
Certain that the other party would absolutely not accept his jacket, Chu Huainan considerately turned on the automatic seat heating function for the rear passenger seat, adjusting the temperature to the maximum.
The gradually rising heat on his backside made Shen Ting feel even more restless, as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

Tonight, he was originally supposed to hold an impromptu meeting with his teammates to deploy the next steps of the operation. But looking at the current situation, he could only wait until Chu Huainan fell asleep to find another opportunity.

Head lowered, eyes cast down, he was busy sorting through his investigation logic when he didn't expect this capitalist—who was riding without a helmet and driving dangerously—to actually find the time to free up a hand, reaching back to grab his arm: "Don't lean backward—".
The underlying implication was for him to proactively reach out and hug his waist.
Wearing a helmet, Shen Ting could play deaf, but he couldn't play dumb.
Besides, this person driving a heavy motorcycle with one hand was truly far too dangerous!

Upholding an attitude of taking responsibility for the safety of pedestrians and the physical safety of this "detestable citizen" before him, Police Inspector Shen had no choice but to let go of the seat handles, reluctantly wrapping his arms around the capitalist's "heavily insured" body.

If this capitalist—whose very hair strands were probably highly valuable—really caused an accident from driving late at night, it would probably make a bunch of insurance companies cry louder than anyone else, right?

Ping An Insurance of China: Thank you, Police Inspector Shen.
Pacific Life: Thank you, Police Inspector Shen.
Taikang Life: Thank you, Police Inspector Shen.
Prudential UK: Thank you, Police Inspector Shen.
AIA Hong Kong: Thank you, Police Inspector Shen.
...

Beneath the arms wrapped around his waist and abdomen, the muscle lines undulated distinctly.
Shen Ting was somewhat surprised, but on second thought, it made sense why this person could suppress his sudden attack at the Mental Health Center the other day. Who would have thought that this handsome "pretty boy" actually possessed the body of a fighter?
Even through the clothes, he could feel the warm body temperature of the person in front of him.

Chu Huainan slowly hooked up the corners of his mouth, smiling slightly.
Shen Ting had no idea that this motorcycle had only ever been equipped with one helmet from the very beginning, and Chu Huainan had never given anyone a ride home like this before.

A short mouth from eating someone else's food, soft hands from taking someone else's things (吃人嘴短，拿人手软): A Chinese proverb meaning that when you accept someone's hospitality, favors, or gifts, you lose the confidence or moral high ground to argue with or refuse them. Since Shen Ting is using Chu Huainan's only helmet, he can't really complain about him driving illegally without one.

Darkest right under the lamp (灯下黑): A Chinese idiom meaning that people often fail to notice what is right in front of them or directly under their noses (hiding in plain sight).

A dog's mouth cannot spit out ivory (狗嘴里吐不出象牙): A Chinese idiom meaning that a foul-mouthed or bad person cannot say anything elegant, decent, or good. Shen Ting uses this to insult Chu Huainan's constant, shameless flirting.

Catching a turtle in a jar (瓮中捉鳖): A Chinese idiom meaning going after an easy target, or having someone completely trapped with absolutely no means of escape.

Sitting on pins and needles (如坐针毡): An idiom describing a state of extreme restlessness, anxiety, or physical discomfort.

The Insurance Companies Joke: The text lists several real-world major insurance companies operating in China/Hong Kong (Ping An, Pacific Life, Taikang, Prudential UK, AIA). The joke here is that Chu Huainan is so astronomically wealthy that his life insurance payouts would probably bankrupt these companies if he crashed his motorcycle. Therefore, they are all virtually "thanking" Shen Ting for hugging his waist and keeping him safely stabilized on the bike.

Pretty boy / Little white face (小白脸): A slang term for a handsome, fair-skinned young man. It often carries a derogatory connotation of a fragile, effeminate man who relies on his looks or is kept by a wealthy woman (though Shen Ting notes ironically that Chu Huainan's body is built like a professional fighter's).