As Rui Xiaodan drove away from the Venus Hotel, she felt an unusual chill in the autumn night, and the rustling of leaves in the wind accentuated the stillness. Whether it was the season or her mood, she couldn't tell, but she felt a serene melancholy, as if she were living through an extraordinary life experience rather than merely carrying out a task. Ouyang Xue's support for the plan to establish a company to aid Wangmiao Village had surpassed Ding Yuanying's expectations, leaving Xiaodan feeling both serene and slightly forlorn.
Ding Yuanying, unfamiliar with the road, asked, "Where are we going?"
Rui Xiaodan replied, "Taking you for a stroll."
After about ten minutes, they arrived at the city's largest park square, bustling with fountains, music, and colorful lights. Elderly people and children dominated the scene, with only a few young people scattered among them. People danced to various styles on the same field to the same music—folk dances, disco, weight-loss dances, and school exercises—all enjoying their activities. Friends and couples sat on benches, and children played around the fountains.
Rui Xiaodan parked the car, and, arm in arm with Ding Yuanying, walked toward the park square. They stopped by the fountain. "Our old house was here, next to Ouyang's. It was demolished during the old city renovation. When I was five, my parents divorced. I moved to Frankfurt with my mother when I was seven and returned at sixteen for high school. I remember when the house was demolished in 1987, I came back from boarding school just to see the ruins."
Ding Yuanying asked, "You could have gone to university directly from Frankfurt. Why come back?"
"My father is a director, and my mother was a theater actress. They both wanted me to attend film school and become an actress. So, my mother brought me back to study in high school here. After nine years in Frankfurt, I barely spoke Chinese. To get into film school, I had to come back. But eventually, I applied to the police academy."
"Why?" Ding Yuanying inquired.
"Being a police officer seemed impressive. I longed for that feeling," Rui Xiaodan replied.
Noticing two people leaving a nearby bench, Rui Xiaodan quickly occupied it and waved Ding Yuanying over, giving them a place to sit comfortably. "Let's wait for a good rhythm. I'll show you some street dance."
Ding Yuanying smiled and nodded. "All that's left for this plan is your commitment. The sample speakers must be in Europe by June next year. If you could handle this during a family visit, it would be the simplest and cheapest way, but it means you must take leave during that period."
"I had my last family visit in May last year. By June next year, it'll be two years, so taking leave shouldn't be a problem. But remember, I don't know the technical stuff; I can only run errands," Rui Xiaodan said.
"That's all that's needed. Even a fool could manage that," Ding Yuanying replied.
"Are you sure I'm not dumber than the fool you mentioned?"
"Positive," Ding Yuanying laughed.
As a new fast-paced song started, Rui Xiaodan flashed a bright smile and joined the dancers. Her movements—steps, shoulder lifts, turns—were light and elastic, spontaneous yet rhythmic, exuding youthful exuberance and a wild beauty.
A young boy, about six or seven, dressed in street dance attire, suddenly joined her, mimicking her moves with playful earnestness.
Ding Yuanying watched in surprise, eventually becoming mesmerized by the scene. For the first time, he felt a distant, unfamiliar happiness quietly ripple through him. Lost in this moment, he didn't notice a young couple squeezing onto the other end of the bench until the girl pushed against him to make room for her boyfriend. Reluctantly, Ding Yuanying stood up and moved aside, the girl smiling triumphantly.
After the dance, the boy cheekily remarked to Rui Xiaodan, "Not bad. You're pretty good."
Rui Xiaodan laughed, "Little brother, I should be saying that to you."
The boy retorted, "You haven't seen my best moves yet!"
Rui Xiaodan patted his head affectionately and waved goodbye, then returned to Ding Yuanying, having witnessed the bench incident. She laughed and linked arms with him as they walked back to the car. Once inside, as the parking lot attendant came over for payment, Ding Yuanying stopped her from starting the car.
With an unusually serious expression, Ding Yuanying said, "I need to tell you something important, something I can't logically explain but hope you'll understand. You should resign. It's not what I want; it's what you should do. As long as you're a police officer, you must fulfill your duties without any rights to avoid risks. But the state doesn't need another female detective who will eventually be replaced. Society needs someone capable of great things. This isn't about common heroism or equality."
Rui Xiaodan leaned back, feigning faintness. "Take away the second half of that; it's not just common sarcasm but top-tier sarcasm. How can someone so meticulous say something so over the top?"
Ding Yuanying calmly replied, "I can't explain it to you. In Buddhism, they say 'attain enlightenment,' but never explain what comes after. Words can't capture it. It's about understanding from experience. I've said, 'You don't know yourself, so you are you.'"
Rui Xiaodan countered, "Exactly. I should be myself. Why make me someone else? If knowing myself means I'm not me, then it's unknowable. Let's leave it at that."
Ding Yuanying sighed, "Words fail. Speaking leads to mistakes."
Rui Xiaodan started the car and drove in silence, contemplating his words. As they reached a wide avenue, she said, "I'm a detective. I can't resign out of fear. You shouldn't have said that. Refusing you is hard enough. I trust your judgment based on your perspective, but it's your view, not mine. If I'm not my own person but yours, it's not love. It's you loving yourself, and there's no love in that."
Ding Yuanying remained silent, gazing out the window. This wasn't about right or wrong but a matter of values. From the standpoint of 'doing great things,' her value assessment seemed insufficient. If he applied this assessment to himself… he couldn't even bear to think about it, knowing he'd fall short.
As they approached an intersection, Ding Yuanying realized they were heading away from Jiahe Garden and asked, "Aren't you taking me home?"
Rui Xiaodan smiled mysteriously. "Even if I don't fully understand or accept what you said, I appreciate your concern. For that, I can't let you go back."
Ding Yuanying understood her meaning and smiled. "I've named the company. It's called Gelüshi, Beijing Gelüshi Audio Co., Ltd."
"Great name, refined and elegant. I'm surprised someone like you came up with such a poetic idea," Rui Xiaodan said.
They arrived at Rose Garden Community, parked, and got out of the car. As they walked past the garage, Ding Yuanying said, "If you're not using this car, it shouldn't just sit here. We'll need it once things get underway."
"I'm just keeping it for you. No need to discuss that with me," Rui Xiaodan replied, unlocking the door.
Inside, Ding Yuanying noticed significant changes. The small framed landscape paintings and decorations were replaced with two old phonograph records—one black vinyl, one red plastic. A beautiful CD holder stood next to the audio system. The biggest change was a new set of kung fu tea tools on the square coffee table, identical to his, except for slightly different cups.
"You've got quite a taste now," Ding Yuanying remarked.
Rui Xiaodan hung his coat on the rack and helped him into cotton slippers. "Are you complimenting me or yourself? I set this up according to your habits. I'm still far from living like this."
She led him to the bathroom to wash up, then to the living room where she started boiling water for tea. She drew the curtains and played the record "Daughter of Heaven."
"You always listen to this. Don't you get tired of it?" Ding Yuanying asked.
Rui Xiaodan straddled his lap, arms around his neck, and smiled blissfully. "Never. I could listen a hundred times. Look at you: music, tea, cigarettes, and a beautiful woman—wandering the world's highest state."
Ding Yuanying reclined on the sofa, spreading his limbs. "No matter how you slice it, it ends in bed. Let's skip the flirting. One word—"
Rui Xiaodan covered his mouth before he could finish. "You turn romance into practicality. No charm at all. Today, you're going to flirt."
"How much?" Ding Yuanying asked.
"Five cents, on credit."
"Five cents? That's not even enough for spinach."
"Then nothing at all."
"I'll take it." He embraced her, and they shared a long kiss.
Rui Xiaodan closed her eyes, murmuring, "I wish I could die in your arms, then you'd scatter my ashes in the sea, and I'd be the happiest woman."
"You need to make a grand exit, not just disappear," Ding Yuanying replied.
Rui Xiaodan stood up, opened the curtains, and turned off the lights, plunging the room into darkness. She walked to the window, illuminated by moonlight, and said, "Come here and hold me from behind."
Ding Yuanying embraced her from behind. The autumn night sky was deep and clear, stars twinkling brightly. Moonlight bathed the scene, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Holding his hands, Rui Xiaodan leaned against him. "Look at the beautiful night. When the time comes, I'll listen to music in your arms, hearing you talk about heaven and hell, then quietly pass away. My grave will be covered in forget-me-nots. On a misty morning, you'll walk through winding paths, holding a flower, standing silently by my grave. I'll live forever in your heart."
"You said the sea, now it's the ground?" Ding Yuanying asked.
Rui Xiaodan laughed. "No, you must scatter me in the sea. You'll stand by the shore, shed two tears, then continue your journey, eventually finding another beautiful woman."
Ding Yuanying smiled and stepped back. "I'll contact Han Chufeng for interim funding. Once things are underway, I want to visit Mount Wutai, burn incense, and pray."
Rui Xiaodan almost said, "You're superstitious," but remembered their discussion about "the Lord" and held back. Instead, she asked, "Praying for what?"
"Peace of mind. Aligning with the law isn't enough. I need to see if it aligns with Buddhism."
"Did you check with Buddhism when you ran a private equity fund?" she asked.
"No need. It doesn't concern you," he replied.
Rui Xiaodan felt deeply cherished and smiled. "I'm too busy to take leave. I can't join you."
"Even if you could, it wouldn't be appropriate. This has a bit of seeking enlightenment, and Chufeng will probably join. Bringing a woman wouldn't be right."
"Maybe I was being too sentimental. But you should at least express some regret," she said.
Ding Yuanying gazed out the window. "That's worldly wisdom—subtle, seamless, each to their own. But integrity, once compromised, crumbles quickly."
Rui Xiaodan nodded silently, feeling a profound connection.