Chapter 53: Following the Heart

Su Wan should have left the hotel that very day.

But she hadn’t.

Something within her seemed to be quietly waiting for something, so she waited in her hotel room the entire day.

But no one came.

Su Wan couldn’t quite explain it herself. A clear voice in her heart told her she shouldn’t be doing this.

What he had touched was the thing she despised most.

And yet, and yet...

As the sky outside grew steadily darker, Su Wan’s gaze dropped. She turned and began to pack her suitcase.

Her ticket was already booked, the departure just two hours away.

Just as she was about to leave, there was a sudden loud bang!

Startled, Su Wan immediately closed the door she’d just opened.

After a moment, sensing something was wrong, she opened it again.

The door of the room next to hers had been kicked open. Several police officers stood there, dragging out a group of gamblers.

Su Wan let out a breath of relief.

After all that had happened lately, she felt as though she was jumping at every shadow.

She tugged her suitcase and headed out.

When she entered the elevator, a man with his head lowered brushed past her, bumping into her.

Su Wan stepped back a little, but the man didn’t look up—he just muttered an apology.

Su Wan said nothing, just pulled her suitcase into the elevator.

She hailed a taxi.

Night had completely fallen by now. The driver glanced at her and said, “Miss, things haven’t been too safe around here lately. Best not to go out alone.”

Su Wan murmured in assent, “I’m leaving now.”

The driver nodded, then sighed. “Who knows when days like this will end.”

Su Wan glanced out the window. Neon lights flashed, the city as bustling as North City, but she knew beneath the bright surface, countless sordid transactions were hidden.

Bo Yezhou...

She suddenly remembered what Mu Yunshen had said to her the night before.

She immediately shook the thought away.

Impossible.

She had known Bo Yezhou for so many years. He had told her countless times that what he wanted was to be a good police officer. How could someone like him...

But Mu Yunshen didn’t seem to be lying, either.

Su Wan’s brow furrowed tightly.

Soon, the car stopped at the station.

Su Wan hauled her suitcase and walked in. After a few steps, she suddenly sensed a pair of eyes watching her from behind.

She turned—but saw nothing.

A wave of unease washed over her. She quickened her pace, but as she neared the security checkpoint, someone grabbed her.

It was a tall man, wearing a cap. He lowered his voice, “Hand it over!”

Su Wan was stunned. “Hand what over?”

“Don’t play dumb! Hurry up!” The man’s grip tightened on her hand. “Give it to me!”

Su Wan truly had no idea what he meant. With law enforcement everywhere, she was about to cry out, when the man clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Stupid woman, trying to lie to me? Hand it over!”

His hand was trembling, and he kept sniffing. Su Wan immediately realized what was wrong with him.

She struggled, but the man, gritting his teeth, dragged her away.

Her eyes widened as she fought him. Seeing her struggle, a few people nearby came over.

“Miss, do you need help?”

Su Wan bit down hard on the man’s hand, breaking free and trying to run, but he yanked her back, pressing a knife to her neck. “Stay back! Anyone comes closer, I’ll kill her!”

He acted with no restraint. Very soon, Su Wan felt a cold liquid sliding down her neck...

She dared not move.

Everyone around stared at them.

“Please, sir, calm down!” Several security guards approached, trying to call the police, but the man pressed the knife harder against Su Wan’s neck. “No police! No police!”

He was highly agitated, and Su Wan feared she really might die by his hand.

She said, “Please... don’t get worked up, you want something, right? I... I’ll give it to you!”

He looked at her. “Where is it?!”

“In... in my suitcase.”

His grip didn’t loosen. “Hurry up, open it!”

Su Wan crouched down slowly, the knife still pressed to her neck, all eyes on them.

There was nothing in her suitcase, so she fumbled through it, stalling for time.

But the man grew impatient. “Have you found it yet? Hurry up!”

Su Wan looked at him. “Maybe I put it somewhere else.”

“You’re messing with me?”

His expression darkened. Just as he was about to drive the knife deeper, Su Wan kicked him hard in the stomach.

He hadn’t expected her to fight back and collapsed instantly. The security guards, who had been hesitating, rushed over and pinned him to the ground.

Su Wan clutched her neck and sat right there, her limbs drained of strength.

She sat there until someone reminded her to get her wound treated. Only then did she gather her things and stand up.

Fortunately, the man hadn’t cut deep. After getting bandaged up at a nearby hospital, Su Wan sat in the corridor outside.

She thought back to the man’s face and suddenly remembered something.

The person she’d bumped into when leaving the hotel.

At that thought, Su Wan reached into her shoulder bag. When she touched a packet that didn’t belong to her, her face changed color.

Her hand trembled.

Someone passed by and, seeing her sitting alone, approached. “Miss, is there anything I can help you with?”

“No, I’m fine!” Su Wan replied at once, then shot to her feet.

She hurried off, intending to throw the item in the trash, but felt it wasn’t wise. She walked a bit further, feeling as if everyone around her was watching, thinking she was hiding drugs.

It was a while before Su Wan realized—she could go to the police.

She immediately hailed a cab.

“To... the police station!”

Her voice shook. The driver glanced at her and said, “Alright.”

Su Wan sat there, hands tightly clenched.

She watched the world outside the window. When she saw the police station flash by, her face changed. “Stop! Stop the car!”

The driver acted as if he hadn’t heard, driving on. Su Wan panicked and reached for her phone to call the police, but he suddenly slammed on the brakes.

He pulled out a rope from somewhere and tied her up, then sealed her mouth with tape.

Su Wan struggled, but only now did she realize how powerless she was.

She didn’t know where she was being taken.

It seemed like a hotel; she could hear many people moving up and down the halls.

Then, two low voices.

“That’s her. A-Xiang just got caught by the cops.”

“Damn it, this bitch—maybe I’ll just kill her!”

“No, not now. If someone dies at a time like this, it’ll be serious.”

The two men kept discussing. A bag was pulled over Su Wan’s head; she couldn’t see their faces.

At that moment, another set of footsteps approached. “What’s going on here?”

That voice!

Su Wan’s eyes filled with heat, tears streaming down as she struggled on the floor.

“Shen, it’s her. She got A-Xiang caught, and she just tried to call the police!”

Mu Yunshen glanced at the person on the ground. Her face was covered, but that figure...

He quickly cut off his own train of thought. She was supposed to have left today—how could she be here?

He said, “Don’t make any trouble. Keep her locked up a few days. When things calm down, let her go.”

“Yes, Shen.”

Looking at the men, Mu Yunshen raised a hand and smacked one on the head. “Don’t you dare try anything. If I find out you touched her, I’ll cut your thing off!”

“Yes, yes, Shen, take care!”

Don’t go!

Su Wan screamed silently inside, struggling even harder, but soon heard the door close.

Then, the two men’s voices.

“What do we do? Should we?”

“Of course. She’s right here—why not?”

Su Wan’s heart raced. She shrank into the corner. At that moment, the door opened again.

“Take off her mask.” The order came.

The two men hesitated. “Shen, what... what do you mean?”

“Cut the crap. Take it off!”

At that, they had no choice but to remove Su Wan’s hood.

She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face.

Mu Yunshen’s pupils contracted slightly. He turned to the men. “Are you crazy? Why did you bring her here!?”

“Shen... it’s really her! Our guys saw her at the station, saw her hide the goods, and she even tried to—”

Before he could finish, Mu Yunshen kicked him to the ground.

The other man froze, not daring to move.

Mu Yunshen stepped forward and untied Su Wan’s hands and feet.

The two men stood rooted to the spot.

Mu Yunshen picked Su Wan up. “Something’s clearly gone wrong. Find out what happened!”

“Y-yes!”

Without another glance at them, he carried Su Wan away.

...

In a clean room, Mu Yunshen placed her on the bed. He glanced at her neck, then looked her over. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

Su Wan pushed his hand away, lips pressed tightly together.

His hand paused, then slowly withdrew.

“Someone must have targeted you. Don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of it.”

“That man—was he yours?”

Mu Yunshen frowned slightly.

Su Wan took a deep breath. “I mean, the one at the station who tried to kill me.”

“I know,” he replied. “He’s just a small-time leader.”

“Mm.” Su Wan nodded. “So tonight’s events are connected to you.”

“Get some rest. I’ll step out.”

He turned to leave. Su Wan clenched her hand, watching his back. “Mu Yunshen!”

He stopped.

Su Wan closed her eyes. “What you’re looking for is in my shoulder bag.”

Silence. She didn’t hear his reply, only the sound of the door closing moments later.

She fell into a deep sleep.

When she awoke, it was already light.

Her luggage sat neatly beside her.

She opened her bag—the item was gone, as expected.

She pressed her lips together and got up.

When she opened the door, she found him sitting just outside.

Mu Yunshen had been dozing. As she emerged, he stirred and woke up.

He looked at her and stood. “I’ll take you home.”

“No need.”

“Be good. It’s not safe here. I’ll take you, and leave as soon as you’re off.”

His tone was gentle, but brooked no refusal.

Su Wan said no more.

They didn’t speak on the way.

When they got out, Mu Yunshen took all her luggage. As he bent to pick it up, he paused, and Su Wan remembered he’d recently been injured.

She stepped forward to take her suitcase, but he shook his head.

“Go, take your seat.”

Su Wan could only comply.

The train seats were three to a row. Su Wan sat by the window; Mu Yunshen sat beside her.

For some reason, as soon as he sat down, Su Wan felt a sense of security she’d never had before.

She touched her neck, reminding herself of what had happened, of the differences between them, forcing herself to calm down.

Mu Yunshen must have been exhausted. Not long after the train started, he fell asleep, his head slowly coming to rest on Su Wan’s shoulder.

She stiffened, wanting to push him away, but in the end, she didn’t move.

She turned to look at him.

His eyes were closed, his face unguarded, almost childlike.

He seemed thinner, his skin darker than before.

Su Wan watched him, and couldn’t help but reach out, gently brushing his nose.

Then, without warning, her tears fell.

She quickly turned away and wiped them off.

In that moment, a wild and desperate thought flashed through Su Wan’s mind.

What if she stopped caring about everything? If she loved him and he loved her, what couldn’t they overcome?

Even if... even if they belonged to two different worlds, right now, they were so close.

But the thought vanished as quickly as it came.

What rose up then was the memory of her mother’s death—her lifeblood draining away, her complexion turning from rosy to pale, then ashen, right before Su Wan’s eyes.

It was a memory she never wanted to recall, yet could never forget.

So, she couldn’t.

...

When Su Wan got off the train, the first person she saw was Bo Yezhou, waiting for her.

He had been smiling, but the moment he saw Mu Yunshen at her side, his smile faded.

Su Wan looked at Mu Yunshen.

He exchanged a glance with Bo Yezhou, then turned to Su Wan. “I’m heading back. Remember what I told you.”

Su Wan hadn’t replied before he turned and walked away.

Bo Yezhou came over. “What happened?”

Su Wan shook her head. Bo Yezhou immediately noticed the bandage on her neck and reached out to touch it, but she stepped back.

His hand froze in midair.

After a while, he said, “Are you alright? I heard what happened. Why were you so careless?”

Su Wan shook her head. “I’m fine. See? All in one piece.”

Bo Yezhou shook his head. “No, next time you go anywhere, you must take someone with you, understand?”

Su Wan nodded and walked ahead.

Bo Yezhou took her suitcase. “You and him...”

“He ran into me and didn’t want me to return alone, so he brought me back, that’s all.” Su Wan said quickly.

Bo Yezhou looked at her and hummed softly.

Su Wan got in the car and, exhausted, closed her eyes.

Bo Yezhou glanced at her. “Tired?”

“Mm.”

He said nothing more. Just as he was about to start the car, Su Wan’s voice came from the back, “I want to visit my mom.”

Bo Yezhou paused, looking at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just want to see her.”

He said no more, just started the car.

The cemetery.

Su Wan stood there, gazing at the gentle face in the photograph before her, and whispered, “Mom, I’ve come to see you.”

The woman in the picture, of course, did not reply.

Su Wan crouched down and gently brushed the dust from the tombstone. “I’m so conflicted and in pain right now. I suddenly feel... like I don’t know who to trust.”

“Tell me, Mom—can I trust my own instincts?” She stared at the photo, hoping for an answer.

But there was none.

Su Wan closed her eyes. “If I make the wrong choice this time, will you all blame me?”

Bo Yezhou watched from behind, brow furrowed.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

He glanced at the caller ID and answered.

“Yezhou, it looks like you’re the only one for the job,” the caller said. “Captain Gao is gone, and all his contacts have disappeared. You’re the best person to take over!”

Bo Yezhou looked at the woman standing before the grave and replied quietly, “I understand. I’ll find a time to report in.”

...

Su Wan returned to the Su household.

When Su Yichuan saw the wound on her neck, his brow immediately creased. “What happened?”

“Nothing, just a little scratch,” Su Wan said nonchalantly. “Why are you home?”

“You don’t seem pleased to see me?”

“Of course not,” Su Wan smiled. “I’m just going upstairs.”

Once she’d gone, Su Yichuan turned to Bo Yezhou. “The police gave you word?”

“Mm. Captain Gao is gone, all his contacts lost. They need someone to urgently take over.”

“That’s good. If you can wipe out that gang, it’ll be a tremendous achievement—great for your future!”

But Bo Yezhou didn’t look pleased.

“What’s wrong?” Su Yichuan asked.

Bo Yezhou looked at him. “You know how tough this mission is. I might not be back for a long time.”

Su Yichuan understood his feelings. After a moment, he smiled and nodded, “Don’t worry. Wanwan is my only daughter, and you started out under my command. I’ll help you however I can!”

Bo Yezhou nodded, “Thank you, sir.”

Su Wan came downstairs, having put her things away. “What are you talking about?”

“Yezhou is heading back. See him off, will you?”

Su Wan nodded. “Let’s go.”

They walked to the parking lot.

Su Wan glanced at Bo Yezhou and suddenly said, “Do you remember what you said to me when you first reported to the station?”

Bo Yezhou paused, looking at her.

“You said you’d be a good cop, right?” Su Wan gazed at him seriously.

Bo Yezhou’s hand clenched, then he smiled. “Of course. Why bring that up now?”

Su Wan shook her head. “No reason. Take care.”

With that, she turned to go. Bo Yezhou called after her, “Su Wan!”

She turned back.

“No matter what others say, I hope you can trust me.”

Su Wan was taken aback, then nodded. “Of course.”

Back in her room, Su Wan looked at the wound on her neck, now no longer bleeding. The words of Mu Yunshen and Bo Yezhou echoed in her ears.

Whom should she trust?

Or... should she trust no one at all?

Su Wan rubbed her temples and lay down on her bed.

Night fell quickly outside.

As Su Wan slept, she suddenly felt a hand cover her face.

She frowned and opened her eyes.

He was staring straight at her.

Startled, Su Wan was about to scream when he clamped a hand over her mouth.

She quickly pulled his hand away. “Get out!”

“I’ve nowhere else to go. Let me hide here.”

With that, he, who had been crouched by the bed, crawled right under her covers.

Su Wan was so shocked she nearly fell out of bed, but Mu Yunshen grabbed her.

“Let go, Mu Yunshen. I order you to let go!” Su Wan was trembling with anger.

He lowered his eyes and looked at her. “No.”

Su Wan pushed at him with all her strength. “If you don’t get out, I’ll call for help!”

“Go ahead. It wouldn’t be my first time in a police station, but it’d be the first for rape.”

Su Wan shook with fury. “Where’s your shame?”

“You knew what I was like the first time we met.”

Su Wan thought she must be crazy to argue with him, so she kept struggling. Suddenly, Mu Yunshen buried his face in her neck and murmured, “He’s dead.”

“Who?” Su Wan’s body froze.

Mu Yunshen took a shaky breath. “A... mentor of mine. Without him, I wouldn’t be who I am today. But... he’s gone.”

His voice was hoarse, and for a moment, Su Wan’s heart ached for him.

She let her hand fall. “Are you... very sad?”

“Mm.” He gave a faint smile. “I thought... but it’s fine. I’ll fulfill his wish for him, and avenge him too.”

“The person you mean... is it the anti-narcotics captain who died the other day?” Su Wan suddenly asked. “You’re an undercover officer, aren’t you?”