Inside the restaurant.

  After the three of them sat down, Old Cat ordered three dishes—two meat, one vegetable—and a half-jin bottle of the cheapest liquor.

  "Don’t hold back on my account, order a couple more dishes," Qin Yu said, feigning generosity.

  "Nah, you just got here and don’t have a paycheck yet. This is enough," Old Cat replied. Though his words were blunt, his heart wasn’t bad. He rubbed his dry, cold hands together and looked up at Qin Yu. "Heard you’re from the unregulated zones?"

  "Yeah," Qin Yu nodded.

  "Must’ve been tough over there, huh?"

  "Not really. People just get used to things," Qin Yu chuckled. "Once you adapt, anywhere feels the same."

  "True."

  The three of them were young, so there was no generation gap in their conversation. Old Cat and Qin Yu were both outgoing and loved to joke around, so they quickly hit it off. During their chat, Qin Yu noticed something: Qi Lin’s body language and tone were almost deferential toward Old Cat, as if he were trying to ingratiate himself.

  Once the food and drinks arrived, Qin Yu raised his glass. "Now that we’re sitting together, we’re friends. I’m new here, so let’s keep in touch and look out for each other."

  "There’s not much ‘looking out’ to do these days. If you’ve got what it takes, you’ll eat well anywhere. If you don’t, no one can help you," Old Cat said bluntly before grinning and raising his own glass. "But keeping in touch? Absolutely. Just based on how you stood up to Lao San and his crew, we can be friends."

  Qin Yu smiled. "Bottoms up."

  "Bottoms up!"

  The three clinked glasses and drained them in one go.

  "Come on, let’s pour some more," Qi Lin said, wiping his mouth and reaching for the bottle to refill Old Cat’s glass. "Bro, about that thing I mentioned last time—any progress?"

  Old Cat rolled his eyes, picking at a tiny piece of beef with his chopsticks. "You’re something else. Qin Yu’s treating, and you’re using the moment to ask for favors? Talk about opportunistic."

  Qi Lin didn’t seem embarrassed, just scratched his head and replied, "I’m just... tight on cash."

  "Since when are you not tight on cash?" Old Cat grumbled between bites. "Anyway, I asked around. There’s no openings in admin right now. If you want in, you’d need connections or cash. Since you’ve got neither, you’ll have to wait."

  Qin Yu blinked in surprise. "Why admin, though?"

  "He’s scared," Old Cat said dismissively. "Last year, our department reported thirty-five deaths in six months. Times are chaotic, and he’s nervous in the field unit. Wants an easier gig."

  "Oh, got it," Qin Yu said, unfazed. Compared to the unregulated zones, this place was practically peaceful.

  Old Cat turned to Qi Lin, his expression a mix of disdain and frustration. "Qi Lin, you’ve got to understand something. The world’s changed. If you don’t fight, if you don’t take risks, when will you ever get ahead? Even if I got you into admin, without connections, you’d just get pushed out eventually. You know what they say—chaos breeds heroes. Look at Yuan Ke’s older brother. Before the Ninth Special Zone was established, what was he? Nobody. But when things got rough, he rose up. Now? Nobody dares cross him in Black Street. Six wives, and he didn’t rely on anyone to get there."

  "I’m nothing like him," Qi Lin said with a weak smile. "I just want to keep my head down, stay safe, and provide for my mom and sister."

  "That’s all you’ll ever amount to," Old Cat sighed, shaking his head. "I got you into Unit One hoping you’d seize some opportunities, make something of yourself. But instead, you’re washing socks and fetching tea for people. No wonder they slap you around for fun. You don’t even demand basic respect. How do you expect to build connections like that? Is that how you make friends?"

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  Qi Lin lowered his head and stayed silent.

  "Ugh. With a name like ‘Qi Lin’ (Unicorn), you’ve got the spirit of a mouse. Meanwhile, my mom names me ‘Li Fugui’ (Wealth and Prosperity). Where’s the justice?" Old Cat lamented, shaking his head.

  "Alright, let’s talk about something else," Qin Yu interjected, trying to lighten the mood.

  With that, Qi Lin didn’t bring up the job transfer again. The three of them drank and chatted, time slipping by unnoticed.

  By around nine in the evening, Qi Lin checked a new message on his phone and abruptly stood. "Something came up at home. I’ve gotta go. See you tomorrow."

  "Not staying for another round?" Qin Yu asked.

  "Can’t. I need to head back."

  "Let me walk you out."

  "No need, I’ll be fine."

  "Take care, then."

  After a quick exchange, Qi Lin hurried off with his phone in hand, leaving Qin Yu and Old Cat at the table.

  "Old Cat, if we’re drinking together, we’re friends," Qin Yu said, his face slightly flushed from the alcohol. "Go easy on Qi Lin next time."

  "Was I wrong? I’m trying to wake him up!" Old Cat tapped the table emphatically. "If a person stays on their knees long enough, they forget how to stand. You get what I’m saying?"

  Qin Yu nodded thoughtfully.

  "He’s my only real friend in the force. It’s frustrating watching him like this," Old Cat said, shaking his head before abruptly changing the subject. "Enough about him. Time for business."

  "What business?" Qin Yu blinked.

  "I’ve been watching that girl. She’s not with those four guys," Old Cat said, lowering his voice. "I think it’s time to make my move."

  "Which girl?" Qin Yu was lost.

  "Damn, how are you this clueless? The one who got out of the car earlier!" Old Cat grinned. "Total knockout. I’ve been hard three times just looking at her. Doesn’t she remind you of that actress, Gianna Jun? Tall, legs for days."

  Qin Yu wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. "Dude, rein it in. Times are dangerous now. It’s not like the old days..."

  "Relax, relax! I’m just gonna test the waters!" Old Cat rubbed his hands together, then stood up with a mischievous smirk, adjusting his pants before strutting toward the table by the window.

  Outside.

  Qi Lin took a few deep drags from his e-cigarette, hesitating for a long moment before pulling out his phone. He meant to call Qin Yu but then remembered his new phone hadn’t been synced to the network yet. Instead, he pulled up Old Cat’s number.

  Back inside the restaurant.

  Old Cat smoothed his hair and approached the window-side table, smiling at the girl. "Hey there, beautiful. Out with family?"

  The girl, who had been staring out the window, turned to him with a puzzled look. "Can I help you?"

  "Actually, yeah. I’m a producer for Star Anchor—you know, that talent show? We’re scouting new hosts. Interested?" Old Cat lied smoothly.

  As soon as he spoke, the short man across the table shot his companion a suspicious glance and muttered in Japanese, "Is this the contact?"

  The other man studied Old Cat for a second before replying quietly, "No, his words don’t match the code."

  Meanwhile, the girl’s face lit up. "Really? That’s perfect—I studied broadcasting!"

  Old Cat, surprised by her enthusiasm, beamed. "No way! That’s amazing! Can I get your number? We’ll talk more later."

  He pulled out his personal phone (not the department-issued one) and handed it to her.

  Just as she reached for it, the short man grabbed her wrist. "Give it back. Eat."

  "But I’m really interested," the girl said sweetly.

  "I said, give it back," the man repeated, his voice cold.

  Old Cat tilted his head. "Hey, I’m legit. No need to worry."

  The girl hesitated, then handed the phone back with an apologetic smile. "Maybe another time. Sorry."

  Old Cat, who had been thrilled by her initial response, was now annoyed by the interference. He opened his mouth to push further, but—

  "Thanks, but I’ll pass," the girl said firmly.

  Old Cat paused, studying her for a second before shrugging. "No problem. My bad."

  A minute later.

  Old Cat slumped back into his seat across from Qin Yu, his expression odd.

  "Got shot down, huh?" Qin Yu teased, picking at his food.

  Old Cat kicked him under the table. "Look down."

  Qin Yu glanced beneath the table to see Old Cat’s phone screen displaying: 959595.

  "What’s this?"

  Old Cat rubbed his face. "We’ve got a situation."

  "Meaning...?"

  "Those four guys and the girl aren’t together. She kicked me under the table," Old Cat muttered, taking a sip of liquor. "No idea what’s going on, but something’s off. She’s asking for help."

  At the window table, the short man checked his watch and said coldly to his companions, "Was that guy just passing by, or was he testing us?"

  "Hard to say," one replied.

  "Seemed like an idiot," the short man muttered, glancing uneasily at Old Cat. "We’re past the meet time. Let’s go."

  "Agreed," the other said before turning to the girl, his voice icy. "No funny business. Come with us."

  The girl’s forehead glistened with sweat as she stole a glance at Old Cat, then nodded.

  Nearby.

  Old Cat rubbed his temples, whispering to Qin Yu, "So... do we step in or not?"

  Screech!

  Just then, an electric car pulled up outside the restaurant.