A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 18

first date

Seven days after the stitches were removed from the shoulder injury.

The wound healed very well, and the new pink flesh covered the light scar, like a strange tattoo, recording that thrilling night in the west city warehouse.Lin Jianfeng resumed his daily office work, but Director Chen forcibly pressed the pause button on his field work.The reason is good: the attacker has not yet been caught, so caution is needed.

On Shen Qingwu’s side, the in-depth investigation of “Iron Shield” and “Viper” is being carried out in secret, like an undercurrent under the ice, and no breakthrough progress has surfaced yet.On the surface, the investigation into the “Gemini” attack has reached a certain technical impasse because the key springboard points overseas.Both sides seemed to have entered a brief dormant period in tacit understanding, but the tight strings did not relax.

It’s Saturday, a rare sunny day.The winter sun has little temperature, but is bright enough to wash away the city that has been gloomy for days.

At ten o’clock in the morning, Lin Jianfeng’s cell phone vibrated.It wasn’t work information, it was sent by Shen Qingwu through the encrypted channel.

[W]: Three o’clock in the afternoon, Twin Cities Planetarium, top dome hall, newly released “Deep Space Phantom”.The tickets have been booked, seats 15 and 16 in rows 7.Come or not is up to you.

The information is concise, without unnecessary words, and even has a bit of Shen Qingwu’s unquestionable arrangement tone.But the words “come or not are up to you” subtly reveal a hint of uncertainty.

Planetarium?movie?

Lin Jianfeng looked at this message and was stunned for half a minute.This is really not something Shen Qingwu would do.In other words, it’s not like what “should” happen between them.

They are dangerous allies, partners who share secrets, comrades who fight side by side, and even… on a certain tacit level, there is a more private and unspeakable emotion flowing between them that transcends all of this.

But dating?Watching a movie?

This is so… normal.Normal is a bit extravagant, a bit illusory, and is incompatible with the reality of swords, swords, and undercurrents they currently live in.

Lin Jianfeng’s finger hovered over the reply box.

Refuse?The reason is very good: the injury has not healed, the case is at a standstill, and we need to be on call at any time…

But in her mind, Shen Qingwu’s pale face at night in the hospital and his eyes full of worry and exhaustion appeared involuntarily.The deliberate and extreme gentleness with which she stitched her wounds emerged.

And that… I don’t know if it was a dream or an illusion, the gentle kiss on the forehead.

Somewhere in my heart, I feel a little hot.

She took a deep breath and lowered her fingers.

【Lin】：Okay.See you at three o’clock.

Send.

At 2:50 in the afternoon, Lin Jianfeng stood in front of the magnificent arc-shaped building of the Shuangcheng Planetarium.She was dressed simply, wearing a black turtleneck sweater, dark gray trousers, a khaki work trench coat, and no accessories.Her hair was let down naturally, no makeup was applied to her face, and she only applied a little lip balm on her lips.It doesn’t look like attending an appointment, but more like… waiting for a peaceful observation mission.

But her slightly accelerated heartbeat and the subconscious movements of adjusting her collar revealed a trace of unusual tension beneath the surface calm.

There are not many people at the entrance of the planetarium. On weekend afternoons, there are more families with children or young students.She quickly saw Shen Qingwu.

Shen Qingwu stood next to the pillar on the side of the entrance, with his back to her, looking up at the huge starry sky poster hanging outside the museum.She also wore “everyday” clothes – an oatmeal-colored loose cashmere sweater, paired with casual trousers of the same color, a well-tailored camel long coat, and a soft cashmere scarf hung loosely around her neck.The long hair is draped smoothly behind the shoulders, and the lines of the side face look particularly soft in the light of the winter afternoon.Holding two tickets in her hand, she waited quietly, forming a strange sense of isolation from the noisy surroundings.

No bodyguards, no assistants, just her.

Lin Jianfeng walked over, his footsteps very soft.

Shen Qingwu seemed to sense it and turned around.The moment she saw Lin Jianfeng, a flash of extremely fast light flashed across her eyes, like ripples caused by a pebble thrown into a calm lake.She said nothing, just handed over one of the tickets.

“Let’s go, it’s about to begin.” Her voice was calm, with no emotion.

The two walked into the planetarium hall side by side.The heat and the murmur of the crowd hit you.They followed the flow of people through the corridors filled with planet models and popular science display boards, and took the elevator directly to the top dome hall.

A huge spherical dome envelopes hundreds of comfortable lounge chairs. The lights dim and the stars begin to slowly appear on the sky.It is not a real starry sky, but more magnificent and dreamy nebulae, star clusters and galaxies that have been artistically rendered, accompanied by ethereal background music.

There are 7 rows of seats 15 and 16, close to the middle, with excellent visibility.Most of the people around were couples or friends, chatting in low voices, and the sweet smell of popcorn and hot cocoa filled the air.

Lin Jianfeng and Shen Qingwu sat down side by side.The soft seats recline slightly, allowing people to relax involuntarily and cast all their sights on the boundless “deep space” above their heads.

The movie starts.It tells the story of the imaginary journey of a human probe traveling through the solar system to distant galaxies.Magnificent special effects, grand soundtrack, and philosophical narration.

But it was difficult for Lin Jianfeng to fully focus on the picture of the dome.

She could clearly feel the presence of Shen Qingwu beside her.You can smell the very faint cold fragrance coming from her body, mixed with the warm scent of cashmere fabric.Her very light, steady breathing could be heard.In the changing light and shadow, she could occasionally see Shen Qingwu’s focused side face with her peripheral vision, and her long eyelashes cast a shallow shadow on her lower eyelids.

This is the first time since they met that they have been in such a… “harmless” environment.There are no cases, no threats, no codes to crack or enemies to fight.There are only the false but beautiful starry sky above my head and the real people around me.

A strange and luxurious tranquility enveloped them.

Halfway through the movie, there is a relatively gentle sailing sequence.The background music is soothing and the stars glide across the dome like water.

Lin Jianfeng felt that the back of his right hand was touched very lightly by a cool, soft fingertip.

Not holding, just touching.As brief and cautious as the landing of a butterfly.

Her heart trembled slightly but she did not move.

The fingertips paused for a second, and then, tentatively, lightly covered the back of her hand.The temperature of the palm is slightly higher than the fingertips, but still cool.

Lin Jianfeng still didn’t move or turn his head.Just let that hand cover you, feeling the cool touch and the unstable pulse that was gradually transmitted to her.

In the dark dome hall shrouded in starlight, surrounded by hundreds of strangers, they were like this, quietly, with the backs of their hands touching their palms.

No one spoke.Only the narration of the movie continues to tell nonsense about the universe, distance, loneliness and search.

After an unknown amount of time, the movie reached its climax, the soundtrack became passionate, and the starry sky began to violently rotate, explode, and be reborn.

Shen Qingwu’s hand very gently moved away from the back of Lin Jianfeng’s hand.

It was as if the brief and secret touch just now was just a vague illusion in the darkness.

The movie is over.The lights slowly turned on, and the audience left one after another with expressions of satisfaction or discussion.

Lin Jianfeng and Shen Qingwu also stood up and walked out with the flow of people.The previous distance between the two of them was restored, and no one mentioned the brief contact just now.

Walking out of the ball screen hall, the corridor outside is bright and noisy.The cool sunshine in the winter afternoon slanted in from the high glass windows.

“Are you hungry?” Shen Qingwu asked suddenly, his voice returned to its usual clearness, and nothing unusual could be heard, “There is a simple cafe downstairs of the planetarium. I heard the desserts are good.”

“Okay.” Lin Jianfeng nodded.

There are not many people in the cafe, and the environment is elegant.They chose a corner by the window and sat down.Shen Qingwu ordered a latte and a tiramisu, and Lin Jianfeng ordered an American style and a cheesecake.

Coffee and desserts were served quickly.Shen Qingwu gently stirred the latte art on the latte with a small spoon, but did not drink it immediately.She raised her eyes and looked out the window at the bare branches and the city skyline in the distance.

“My parents promised me before the accident that they would take me here to see the stars when I get into college.” Shen Qingwu suddenly spoke, his voice was very soft, as if he was talking to himself or to Lin Jianfeng, “They always say that the business world is ups and downs, and people’s hearts are complicated. Only when you look up at the stars, you will feel that your worries are insignificant and the universe is vast.”

She paused, and a faint, bitter curve appeared at the corner of her mouth: “Later, they were gone, and I came many times by myself. Every time I felt that I couldn’t hold on, I bought a ticket, sat in, looked at the fake stars, and imagined that they were looking at them too. It seemed… not so lonely.”

Lin Jianfeng’s hand holding the coffee cup tightened slightly.She looked at Shen Qingwu’s side face and the scars hidden deep under the calmness in her eyes that had never healed.

“Today…thank you.” Lin Jianfeng said, his voice a little dry, “The movie…is very good.”

Shen Qingwu turned his head and looked at her with complicated eyes.”Lin Jianfeng, I’m asking you out, not just to watch a movie.”

Lin Jianfeng’s heart skipped a beat.”That’s…?”

“My revenge plan has something to do with you.” Shen Qingwu said clearly, word by word.

The soft background music in the cafe seemed to fade away in an instant.The surrounding hustle and bustle also solidified.

Lin Jianfeng looked at her quietly, waiting for the next step.

“I have been chasing the Dark River for ten years, not to bring them to court.” Shen Qingwu’s voice was low, but with a cold, almost cruel honesty. “At least, not entirely. What I want is to make them pay the price and pay with blood. I want to use the method they care about most – money, power, reputation – to completely destroy them, so that they can also taste the feeling of losing everything and struggling in despair.”

Her eyes were locked on Lin Jianfeng: “During this process, I used many illegal methods. Stealing business secrets, manipulating the stock market, and even…using information gaps and public opinion, I killed two retired minor players who were indirectly involved in the accident. My hands are not clean.”

Lin Jianfeng’s breathing stagnated slightly.She guessed that Shen Qingwu’s past might not be simple, but hearing her admit it in such a calm tone still made her heart sink.

“I know your principles, Lin Jifeng. You believe in the law and procedural justice.” Shen Qingwu continued, the bitter arc at the corner of his mouth deepening, “So, when you and I get closer and closer, when I find myself…starting to care about you, I know that we will have to face this problem sooner or later. The order you represent and the chaos I choose are two paths that cannot truly go hand in hand.”

She paused, as if gathering courage, and also seemed to be observing Lin Jianfeng’s reaction.

“I asked you out today because I want to tell you my plan. I also want to ask you…” Shen Qingwu’s voice finally showed an imperceptible tremor, “If one day, I complete my revenge, but in a way that you cannot approve, or even…touched the red line of the law. What will you do?”

The question was like a boulder, smashing into the slightly warm atmosphere between the two of them just because of a movie.

Lin Jianfeng was silent for a long time.

The heat of the coffee curled up between the two of them and slowly dissipated.

Outside the window, the sunlight shifted, lengthening their shadows and casting them on the smooth wooden floor.

“I will arrest you.” Lin Jianfeng finally spoke, his voice was very soft, but extremely clear, with unquestionable determination, “This is my duty.”

Shen Qingwu’s eyelashes trembled violently, and the light in his eyes seemed to dim for a moment.But then, an almost relieved, even a little sad smile appeared on her face.

“Sure enough… it’s your answer.”

“But,” Lin Jianfeng interrupted her and looked into her eyes sharply, “Before that, I will use all legal means to help you find evidence and bring the real murderers – those who planned your parents’ ‘accident’, caused Zhao Ming’s death, controlled the ‘dark river’ and countless dirty transactions – to the court and let them face the trial of the law.”

She leaned forward and closed the distance between the two of them. Her voice was lower but more powerful: “Shen Qingwu, your revenge can’t be avenged only by dark means. The law may sometimes be slow and may have loopholes, but it represents the most basic fairness and bottom line of this society. If we all give up on it and choose to fight violence with violence, what is the difference between us and those people in the ‘Underground River’?”

Shen Qingwu looked at her blankly, looking into those clear and firm eyes.There was no judgment, no accusation, just an almost stubborn belief in “the right thing” and… some deep expectations for her.

“Give me a chance.” Lin Jianfeng stretched out his hand, not to shake her hand, but to press it gently on the table, with his fingertips facing Shen Qingwu. “Give yourself a chance too. Let go of the darkness of the past, and let’s end it all in a bright way. Not for forgiveness, but to… prevent yourself from becoming part of the abyss.”

In the coffee shop, time seemed to freeze again.

Shen Qingwu looked at Lin Jianfeng’s outstretched hand and his eyes.The wasteland that had been frozen for ten years in my heart seemed to have been opened up by this too bright and too hot gaze, causing a huge crack.

Warm and painful wind roared in.

She opened her mouth, her throat seemed to be blocked by something.In the end, she just said very softly and almost inaudibly:

“…What should I do with you, Lin Jianfeng.”

No answers, no promises.

But Lin Jianfeng saw that the icy lake beneath her eyes was melting and surging violently at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Perhaps this is the beginning of the answer.

The first date started under the phantom of the starry sky and ended in a heavy conversation about revenge and justice.

No sweet words, no romantic vows.

But they all revealed their truest and most vulnerable sides to each other.

The road ahead is still full of thorns and darkness.

But at least at this moment, they both saw clearly where the other was standing, and the difficult but worth-trying path that was trying to pull each other toward the light.

Outside the window, the sun sets, dyeing the city a warm golden red.

The coffee is slowly getting cold.