That night, Ding Yuanying was thoroughly drunk and slept until the next afternoon. At four in the afternoon, he left Beijing with Xiao Yawen, Director Ma, and Xiao Zhao.
Beijing is over 300 kilometers away from the ancient city, and after more than four hours on the highway, they arrived. As the car left Beijing, Xiao Yawen called Rui Xiaodan to inform her. She called again when they entered the city, and at nine in the evening, their car drove into the southern village community of the ancient city.
Rui Xiaodan was already waiting under Building 16, Unit 3. Standing beside her was a young man in his twenties, a kitchen worker from the Venus Hotel, temporarily assigned to watch the house around the clock. Rui Xiaodan, dressed in a police uniform, stood next to a Santana police car. She did this deliberately, signaling a sense of distance and more prudent information to the newcomers. Although she had never met Ding Yuanying, this situation itself made her have a bad impression of him.
The car stopped a few meters from Rui Xiaodan, and Xiao Yawen was the first to get out. Due to the special occasion, their enthusiasm naturally lacked a bit of casualness.
Xiao Yawen made a brief introduction for everyone.
Rui Xiaodan, taking the initiative as the host, extended her hand politely to Ding Yuanying and said, "Hello."
Ding Yuanying responded, "Hello. Sorry for the trouble."
Ding Yuanying still reeked of alcohol, his hangover not fully subsided. Rui Xiaodan immediately recalled Xiao Yawen's words: drinking, women, debauchery. This further deepened her already poor impression of him. She felt an unease, like a dull thorn hidden under the skin.
Rui Xiaodan explained, "This community has a health clinic and a vegetable market. There are no factories nearby, so it's quiet, and the rent is low. A hundred meters south from here is a street with food stalls, very convenient. Let's go see the room first."
They all went up to the fifth floor, the top floor. Since the furniture and appliances had been delivered earlier, Ding Yuanying didn't have much luggage this time, just a suitcase, a travel bag of clothes, and a bag of CDs purchased in Berlin.
As they entered the room, a wave of heat hit them. Rui Xiaodan said, "The top floor has no insulation. The sun beats down all day, you'll need an air conditioner. The landlord has a condition: if you install one, it has to be a branded cabinet unit. Half of the cost can be deducted from next year's rent. Since it's not urgent, you can decide after you settle in."
Ding Yuanying said, "Got it."
It was a new 70-square-meter, two-bedroom apartment, with white ceramic-coated walls and gray cement floors. The doors and windows were painted white, unused and without any decorations. The dark green velvet curtains, newly hung, were almost black under the light, imparting a stifling stillness. All the items in the house were Ding Yuanying's belongings from Beijing. The bed, desk, sofa, and coffee table were already in place, and over a thousand CDs neatly filled the bedroom bookshelf. The living room's east corner held a TV, a sound system, and two laptops.
Xiao Yawen pointed to the pile of electronics and said, "Mr. Ding, we didn't touch these since we don't know how to set them up."
Ding Yuanying checked the newly installed electric water heater in the bathroom, then moved to the kitchen, which was empty except for his set of kung fu tea utensils on the tiled counter.
Xiao Yawen said, "As you instructed, we didn't buy any kitchenware."
Ding Yuanying said, "No need, it's easier to eat out."
Director Ma looked around and said, "Brother Ding, this is too simple, can you manage?"
Ding Yuanying, satisfied, said, "I have what I need to eat, wash, listen, and watch. It's fine."
Rui Xiaodan said, "Mr. Ding, the lock is new, but since someone has been watching the house, you might want to change it again for peace of mind."
Ding Yuanying said, "No need, thank you."
Rui Xiaodan handed Ding Yuanying a piece of paper, coolly and politely saying, "Mr. Ding, this is my phone number. Yawen is my friend, so don't hesitate to call if you need anything."
Ding Yuanying accepted the paper and thanked her, then said to everyone, "I'm all set here. You can head back."
Xiao Yawen also said to Rui Xiaodan, "We have to drive back overnight, so we won't stay to chat."
Rui Xiaodan said, "We'll catch up another time. You should hit the road; it'll be late by the time you reach Beijing. I need to get back too; I'm on night duty and already off post."
Rui Xiaodan courteously said goodbye to Ding Yuanying and the others and left with the young man. Xiao Yawen followed her downstairs, exchanging a few more words of care and farewell.
Rui Xiaodan drove the young man back to the Venus Hotel in the police car.
Longfu Street is the most bustling commercial street in the ancient city, filled with restaurants, tea houses, and dance halls. In the night, colorful neon lights flicker, sketching out a glamorous, ever-changing scene. The Venus Hotel, specializing in Cantonese cuisine, is located in the center of this street, with various cars parked in front and bright lights inside and out.
The car stopped in front of the Venus Hotel, and the young man got out.
The owner, Ouyang Xue, came out, smiling at Rui Xiaodan.
Ouyang Xue, 28, had a slender figure and fair skin. Her long hair flowed like soft waves, her full lips distinct yet gentle, and her charming eyes held a mature calm and confidence. She wore a refined light blue dress, accentuating her ample bosom and graceful silhouette, exuding a unique allure and beauty.
Rui Xiaodan turned the car around, leaving the engine running. She smiled at Ouyang Xue through the window.
Ouyang Xue walked up and asked, "All set?"
Rui Xiaodan replied, "All set."
Ouyang Xue said, "Just wait, in a few days, he'll find an excuse to call you."
Rui Xiaodan said, "Let him call then."
Ouyang Xue said, "Men, they're all like that."
Rui Xiaodan scoffed, waved, and drove off.