“Solving cases, it’s a phrase that sounds quite refreshing,” the well-dressed teacher descended from the podium. “Do any of you have fantasies about tracking serial killers?”
The students couldn’t help but stifle laughter, and a female student raised her hand, “Teacher Song, I have fantasies about being a tracker.”
“You better not say that here,” the handsome and upright teacher winked. “This is the classroom of the Public Security University.”
“You’re under arrest,” the boys next to her teased.
“After class, I’ll surrender in your office,” the bold female student said.
The teacher lifted his left hand, revealing a delicate watch on his wrist, “Already taken.”
The classmates burst into laughter.
As the bell rang, Teacher Song picked up the book on the podium, “That’s it for today. Three thousand-word essays are due next Tuesday. Class dismissed.”
Teacher Song stood on the podium, watching the students leave one by one. His plain glasses hid the sharp gaze, giving off an elegant and intellectual aura.
“Teacher Song Qinchuan.” A woman entered the classroom, smiling, “Lunch together at noon?”
“No,” Song Qinchuan refused.
“Do you have other plans for lunch?” the woman asked.
Song Qinchuan glanced at her coldly, “Yes.”
The woman bit her lip, “I wonder what Mr. Lu would think.”
“Do you think threatening me with my dad will make me have lunch with you?” Song Qinchuan raised an eyebrow, “You can tell my dad everything about me if you want and see what he says.” He half-rolled up his sleeve, revealing a few white scars on his forearm, “Why do you think my parents care about my whereabouts?”
The woman fell silent.
Song Qinchuan picked up his book and walked down from the podium, brushing past the woman, “It’s better not to take matters into your own hands. Read fewer romance novels.”
“Iceberg handsome.” A man leaning against the doorframe laughed at Song Qinchuan, “Master Song.”
“You too, read fewer romance novels.” Song Qinchuan frowned in disgust, far from the mild and talkative demeanor he had in class.
“Tell your dad to read fewer romance novels.” The man walked alongside Song Qinchuan, “I’ll find you a girlfriend, how about a blind date with a wealthy family?”
Song Qinchuan rolled his eyes, “My family isn’t wealthy, and she’s not some poor, foolish girl from the slums. How did it turn into a blind date with a wealthy family?”
“What about the mysterious lady who gave you the watch?” The man elbowed Song Qinchuan, “She wouldn’t be a poor, foolish, flat-chested girl from the slums, right?”
“…She’s flat-chested.” Song Qinchuan cleared his throat, “Fengya, that’s enough.”
“Alright, alright, continue eating at the cafeteria?” Fengya asked.
Song Qinchuan nodded, his right hand rubbing the watch strap on his left wrist, “I’m trapped in this damn university.”
“As a guest lecturer at Donghua Public Security University, what’s there not to be satisfied with?” Fengya raised an eyebrow, “Apart from not being married, everything is perfect.”
“Perfect, my foot,” Song Qinchuan walked into the cafeteria, found a seat, and said, “Go get the food.”
“…What are your legs for?” Fengya glared at Song Qinchuan, then turned to the counter to buy food.
Watching Fengya’s back, Song Qinchuan thought of the distant past and the gentle young man. He instinctively placed his palm over the watch strap.
After waking up, with the help of Lu Qingqiong and Song Dian, Land Huibian obtained a new identity. Lu Qingqiong said, “The process went smoothly; your director probably submitted an undercover file for you.”
The new name followed Song Dian’s surname, and the homophonic sound of his parents’ names was used. Land Huibian changed his name to Song Qinchuan.
At first, he wasn’t used to the new name. After starting to teach at the Public Security University, whenever colleagues or students called him Teacher Song, he would take a few seconds to react. However, his outstanding professional skills helped him quickly assimilate into the role, playing the part of a cultured university professor. Song Qinchuan met Fengya at the Public Security University. To be precise, Fengya was brought in by Lu Qingqiong to accompany Song Qinchuan and alleviate his boredom. Furthermore, Fengya was Song Dian’s nephew, making him Song Qinchuan’s cousin.
“Missing your distant girlfriend?” Fengya placed two plates of dishes on the table and teased, “Spring is here, our iceberg prince is about to melt.”
“Spring is almost over,” Song Qinchuan retorted, “Fengya, aren’t you pursuing a wealthy girl lately?”
“Didn’t expect you to be interested in gossip.” Fengya took a bite of pickled cucumber, “It’s just for fun, not serious.”
“Oh?” Song Qinchuan chewed on a piece of chicken without enthusiasm.
“I heard you were teased by a female student again in class?” Fengya narrowed his eyes, “Tell me, is deceiving young girls interesting for you?”
“How did I deceive anyone?” Song Qinchuan raised his wrist to show the watch, “Isn’t it obvious enough?”
“I suspect you bought that watch to use as a shield against knives,” Fengya said, “It’s been almost two years, and I’ve never seen the person who gave you the watch come to see you.”
“Online relationship,” Song Qinchuan said.
“Nonsense.” Fengya picked up a piece of fried liver, “Want some?”
“No.” Song Qinchuan moved the plate disdainfully, remembering the days when he used to snatch snacks from young people, “You’re quite knowledgeable about gossip; tell me a couple of stories for entertainment.”
“It seems like you treat me as a news station every day.” Fengya finished the last piece of fried liver, drank some water to moisten his throat, and said, “The richest man in Zhongchuan City is about to marry off his daughter.”
“…Zhuchuan Province, Zhongchuan City?” Song Qinchuan asked, suppressing his emotions upon hearing the familiar place names.
“Yeah.” Fengya said, “He has two sons and a daughter. The eldest daughter is almost thirty and still without a partner, which worries him.”
“Then what?” Song Qinchuan continued.
“His younger son died early, and the eldest daughter wants to take over the family business, but he disagrees.” Fengya said, “The old man is very stubborn, thinking that a daughter won’t achieve anything in running a family. So, the daughter found a young man from somewhere, very handsome. I have a photo, let me find it.”
“Okay, find it.” Song Qinchuan calmly ate his rice, taking his time.
“The old man has met the prospective son-in-law several times and plans to hold a meeting in two weeks to formally introduce him to business partners.” Fengya flipped through his phone, the screen facing Song Qinchuan’s eyes, “This is the son-in-law, handsome, right?”
Song Qinchuan looked closely, his heart skipped a beat. The face on the screen was exceptionally familiar—Ji Fanyang.
“Teacher Song? Song Qinchuan?” Fengya shook the phone, “Don’t tell me you’re stunned?”
“…He’s quite handsome.” Song Qinchuan put down his chopsticks, stood up, and said, “I suddenly remembered something; I have to go.”
“Wait a minute!” Fengya watched helplessly as Song Qinchuan disappeared from view like a rocket on full throttle.
Song Qinchuan walked out of the cafeteria, took out his phone, and called, “Hey, Dad, you better give me an explanation.”
“I only found out these past two days.” Lu Qingqiong said.
“Two years ago, I asked you if Ji Fanyang had returned to the capital, and you said he had.” Song Qinchuan, or rather Land Huibian, raised his voice accusingly.
“He bought a ticket to the capital. I didn’t check whether he actually went or not.” Lu Qingqiong said, “And I’m your dad, not his.”
“I’m going to Zhongchuan.” Song Qinchuan said, then hung up the phone.
