Zhou Jin slipped into the swanky Elite Nightclub and didn't come back out.
Bighead was puffing on a cigarette, looking all kinds of antsy.
Wang Zhiyuan, not wanting to inhale secondhand smoke and figuring Zhou Jin wouldn't be out anytime soon, decided to take a stroll. He spotted a newsstand and grabbed a couple of local newspapers to check out real estate listings.
Bighead stuck his head out the car window and snatched a newspaper from Wang, "What'cha lookin' at?"
One page was plastered with flashy ads for fancy condos.
"You thinking of buying a pad?" Bighead quipped, "Got someone to clean it yet?"
Wang Zhiyuan replied, "The place I'm staying is too far from the station. I want something closer for an easy commute."
"I told you ages ago to buy a place, but you were all 'I don't know where I'll be, can't settle down'. What changed? Got someone special?" Bighead teased.
Someone special?
Well, two actually. Qian Haiyang and Lin Moran, both of whom he'd love to grind into dust.
Wang Zhiyuan folded the newspaper, "Got any hot tips?"
"Sure do," Bighead leaned on the car window, all excited, "My neighborhood's pretty sweet. A bit far from the station, but there's a hospital, supermarket, and school nearby. The maintenance fee's not bad and the place is well-managed. Give it a thought."
"What's it called?"
"What's it called?" Bighead smacked Wang Zhiyuan's belly with the newspaper, "Can't believe you asked that, man. It's called Happy Fields, about four grand per square meter. Don't say it's pricey, it's gonna skyrocket."
That's for sure. Wang Zhiyuan remembered Happy Fields going for around fourteen or fifteen grand per square meter later on. Not a bad investment.
Seeing Wang Zhiyuan hesitate, Bighead thought he was worried about the money and laughed, "Worried about the mortgage? Listen up, I got a plan. Wang Rui and Lin Moran can't stand the dorms, so I'm thinking of renting a place for them. They're hesitating. But look, golden opportunity! They can't share a room, Lin Moran will want his own space. If you buy a place and rent it to them, you've got two guys helping with the mortgage."
Living with his enemies?
That'd end with no one paying the mortgage – one dead, the other in jail.
Wang Zhiyuan shoved the newspaper in the car, noncommittal, "We'll see."
"Come on, man…" Bighead was on a roll, rambling about the glorious future of a four-person, two-room setup.
Wang Zhiyuan hopped into the back seat, curled up, and tried to catch some Zs.
"Dude!" Bighead threw his hands up in exasperation.
The car wasn't exactly a luxury suite. Wang Zhiyuan wasn't comfortable and sat up just as his phone rang.
Bighead glanced at him through the rearview mirror, seeing his serious expression, "What's up?"
Wang Zhiyuan hung up and stuffed his phone in his pocket, "Personal stuff. The captain said someone's looking for me at the station."
"Someone's got the hots for you?" Bighead was curious, "Guy or girl?"
Wang Zhiyuan said, "Keep an eye out here, I gotta bounce."
Bighead's eyes widened, "You're leaving now? What's going on?" There's no way the captain would let him leave during a stakeout unless something major was up.
Wang Zhiyuan didn't say anything. Not that he didn't want to, but he had no clue himself.
The deputy mayor's secretary looking for him?
What's this all about?
He flagged down a cab and headed back to the station. A fancy car was parked outside, and a prim and proper guy with gold-rimmed glasses was sitting in the driver's seat. As soon as he saw Wang Zhiyuan, he hopped out.
Wang Zhiyuan recognized him as the secretary to the current deputy mayor, surnamed Liao.
"On duty?" Secretary Liao greeted him warmly, "Got a minute? Let's chat in the car."
Choosing to wait outside instead of inside the station meant he didn't want others to know about their conversation. Wang Zhiyuan felt a knot in his stomach, wondering what the deputy mayor's right-hand man wanted.
They got in the car and closed the doors. The atmosphere was a bit tense.
Secretary Liao said, "It's been almost a year since I last had dinner with your dad. I've been busy, but finally got some free time to check on you. How's it going? Still swamped at the station?"
Wang Zhiyuan replied, "It's alright."
"Your father mentioned you were thinking of changing careers," Secretary Liao continued, "I think it's a good idea. To each his own, right? Don't rush, let me see if I can find you a good gig."
Wang Zhiyuan thinking of changing careers?
He was taken aback, but then it made sense considering the sleeping pills. Given Wang Zhiyuan's build, he wasn't the tough guy type, and being a detective must be stressful.
Secretary Liao added, "You know the job market is cutthroat. You're ex-military, so be a bit flexible in your job search. But don't worry, I got your back."
Wang Zhiyuan realized this was probably going somewhere. But he didn't want to change careers now; how would he catch Qian Haiyang? "Thanks for your concern, but I've made up my mind. I'm sticking with being a detective."
Secretary Liao's mouth opened slightly, then he composed himself, "You're sure?"
Wang Zhiyuan nodded.
"Then why is your phone always off? Why don't you answer your dad's calls?" Secretary Liao frowned disapprovingly, "Your dad's been worried sick. Isn't that enough to smooth over any issues you have?"
Wang Zhiyuan's mind raced, and he blurted out an excuse, "I lost my phone once."
Secretary Liao knew he was making excuses but didn't call him out. He took out his phone and dialed a number, "Hey, Chang, hope I'm not bothering you. I'm with Zhiyuan, talking about his future. … Yeah, he's changed his mind, he's on board with you. … Yeah, let him tell you himself."
Wang Zhiyuan took the phone Secretary Liao handed him, feeling super awkward. In his past life, his dad passed away early, and now he's stuck with a stand-in.
"So, you've seen the light?" The voice on the phone was crisp and clear, with impeccable pronunciation. It was hard to believe this guy had a son Wang Zhiyuan's age.
"Yeah," Wang Zhiyuan didn't want to say much, considering this was technically his dad in this life.
"Good. If you're committed, give it your all. Being a cop doesn't mean you can't make a name for yourself!" the voice encouraged.
"Yeah."
"By the way, Li Chen has been around your area lately, have you seen him?"
"Yeah, I have."
There was a pause before the voice asked, "Did he come looking for you?"
"Yeah."
"Do you remember what I told you before you left?"
"..." Wang Zhiyuan had no clue, so he stayed silent.
The voice continued, "It's fine to make friends, but know your limits. Lichen is a promising young man; don't hold him back. I told him you have a girlfriend. Liao knows about it; he'll help you out. It's about time you settled down after all these years. I'm tied up at the moment, but once everything is settled, I'll come to see you."
Wang Zhiyuan's heart skipped a beat, "When are you coming?"
There was silence on the other end before the voice replied more softly, "In a couple of months." He seemed to think Wang Zhiyuan was eager to see him, and there was a hint of guilt in his voice, "Make sure you don't lose your bank card. I'll deposit some money in a few days."
When he mentioned money, Wang Zhiyuan perked up. That's what he needed most right now, "I want to buy a house."
His dad responded, "Yes, it's about time. Don't worry about it; I'll talk to Liao. You just focus on your work."
After hanging up, Secretary Liao didn't leave immediately. Instead, he started chatting with Wang Zhiyuan. He was a smooth talker and quickly changed the subject, engaging Wang Zhiyuan in a lively conversation about this and that. Wang Zhiyuan couldn't help but warm up to him.
This was the first person he could have a real conversation with since coming back to life, using his past life's knowledge.
After chatting for half an hour and exchanging numbers, Wang Zhiyuan reluctantly got out of the car. As they said goodbye, Secretary Liao's tone was friendlier, and there was a hint of admiration in his gaze.
Wang Zhiyuan knew that Secretary Liao hadn't had much contact with the original Wang Zhiyuan, so he wasn't worried about being found out. They hadn't talked about anything substantial, and even if Secretary Liao mentioned their conversation to his dad, he'd just think Liao was trying to make his son look good.