Chapter 06
1556 Words
Jack stared in confusion, glancing between Ava and Liam. As a police officer, he was accustomed to interrogating suspects, but never had he been treated as one himself.
Ava’s gaze toward Liam was equally scrutinizing—what exactly was this man intending to do? Or rather, what was he thinking?
Undoubtedly, he was dangerous. Every person recently released from prison is perilous—they are unfamiliar with freedom and yearn for it, while also suffering from the coldness of society’s rejection.
Ava did not wish to provoke Liam. Years of working as a detective had exposed her to numerous criminals, many of whom committed crimes repeatedly. Studies even show that released convicts have a high likelihood of reoffending. As a police officer, it was her duty to minimize the threat posed by individuals like Liam.
Why he had latched onto her now seemed less relevant.
“Mr. Li, I believe the money I gave you earlier should be sufficient to address your immediate needs. I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding that led to your arrest.”
Ava gave a slight bow to Liam. “I am truly sorry—”
Jack, observing this, was even more bewildered.
After a few seconds, Ava straightened up and looked at Liam with genuine sincerity. “I understand the feelings of disorientation and instability that come after serving a sentence. I hope you can return home soon. Family is your true refuge and lifeline. If you face any difficulties, you can seek assistance from the police station or a help center. I am not the best person to turn to for help—”
After her official-sounding speech, Ava turned to the still-confounded Jack. “Let’s go.”
Liam’s eyes twitched with frustration. He watched as Ava and Jack walked past him, conversing cheerfully. She completely ignored his presence, not even sparing him a glance.
Liam could feel his blood boiling with rage, his pulse pounding at his temples. He clenched his fists, the freshly emerged nails digging into his palms.
The sound of Ava and Jack’s conversation faded into the distance.
Liam reopened his eyes, staring at the blood seeping from his palms. Strangely, he felt no pain—his injuries seemed insignificant.
Jack had initially planned to treat Ava to Korean barbecue. However, as they neared the restaurant, he hesitated. “Deputy Instructor…”
Ava responded with a simple, “Hmm? What’s the matter?”
“Maybe… maybe I should just take you home, or we could head back to the station. I’m really concerned about your safety…” Jack’s face was troubled as he pointed behind them. “That guy has been following us the whole way!”
Ava: “…………”
Of course, she was aware! The man had been maintaining a constant distance of about twenty meters, blatantly tailing them.
“Deputy Instructor, I don’t know who he is, but I heard you say he’s been in prison and has just been released… Given that, it really doesn’t seem like a joke. Maybe we should call the police?”
The Korean barbecue restaurant was just ahead. Ava stopped and glared at Jack sternly. “Stand straight! Keep your back straight!”
“What’s your role? What’s mine? We are police officers! If I’m not afraid, why should you be? It’s always the thief who fears the police, never the other way around!”
“…………” Jack replied helplessly, “He just looks really intimidating. I’m worried he might harm you…”
“Worry about what!” Ava’s voice was firm. “If he dares to threaten me, I’ll arrest him again!”
Wow! Ava was so impressive! Jack’s face turned into one of admiration.
Of course, to Liam, who watched from a distance, Jack’s admiration was glaringly conspicuous.
The Korean barbecue place was packed, with several groups waiting outside. Luckily, Jack had reserved a table in advance. However, when he saw the location of their table, his mood plummeted. It was right by the window!
Originally a great spot, it was now a problem due to the circumstances.
With no other available tables in the restaurant, Ava decided not to trouble the waitstaff further and agreed, “Let’s just take this one.”
Thus—Jack prepared the most uniquely challenging barbecue of his life…
…for the first time, under the scrutinizing gaze of someone with malicious intent.
Liam did not follow them into the barbecue restaurant but stood under a poplar tree by the roadside, his dark clothing blending with the night. The colorful lights outside the restaurant illuminated his face, but as he moved, the vibrant hues seemed to dim.
Ava put on a façade of indifference, even generously helping Jack cook a few pieces of beef. But she had already glanced outside several times.
Although it’s said that “beauty is a feast for the eyes,” the presence of that man was most unappetizing.
Not only did it affect her appetite, but it also disturbed the customers around them!
People kept looking at him, neglecting their meals!
The three young women at the table behind Ava even joked among themselves:
“Wow! He’s really handsome! My phone’s camera isn’t good enough to capture him clearly~”
“Look at where he’s staring, is it towards us? Am I the one he’s watching, hahaha…”
“Don’t be ridiculous, he seems to be waiting for someone?”
“Impossible! Why would he wait outside? Why not come in and eat with us, haha…”
The girls’ incessant chatter diminished Ava’s appetite, already small to begin with. Jack, however, ate heartily.
Ava checked her phone and raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Heavy rain tonight?”
Jack replied, his mouth full, “It’s been raining for the past couple of days. More rain is fine; it will be cooler. It’s so hot, my dog’s been listless and developed rashes.”
Ava smiled lightly.
For Liam, waiting outside for nearly two hours was worth it. For that smile, he would willingly endure any hardship!
The only disappointment was—
The smile wasn’t for him.
After finishing their meal, it was nearly ten o’clock. Liam continued to follow. Jack, determined to ensure Ava’s safety, insisted on seeing her to her door.
Only when he saw Ava enter her home and lock the door did Jack relax.
As Jack left the building, he spotted Liam by the greenery, a red rose appearing as if affectionately pressed against his ear.
Jack sighed. Damn, even plants seem to be judged by their appearance in this world.
Though Jack was a police officer, he didn’t want to provoke someone like Liam. The saying goes, "barefoot people fear not those in shoes." Moreover…
Though Liam sat by the flowerbed, his aura resembled that of a formidable villain from a comic book…
Jack: Not worth the trouble.
[Farewell.jpg]
As Jack made his exit, Liam called out, “Hey, young cop.”
Jack halted. Rain was imminent, the night wind picking up.
Liam’s voice floated on the breeze. “Ava is my last line. Just this once.”
Back at home, Ava took a bath. The warm water enveloped her, soothing her tired body. She had been resting poorly lately and had barely slept. Relaxing in the bathtub eased her tense nerves.
By the time she emerged from the bathroom, nearly an hour had passed. The living room window was wide open. With rain approaching, Ava moved to close it.
As she was halfway through closing the window, she froze.
There, in the flowerbed below, sat a person.
Who could it be?
Ava squinted, trying to discern the figure.
Then, she realized: “…………”
It was the relentless Liam!
Unwilling to engage, Ava shut the window and drew the curtains.
She settled on the sofa and turned on the TV.
Halfway through a show, the anticipated downpour began, just as the weather forecast had predicted. The relentless noise of rain pounded against Ava’s eardrums.
As the show ended, Ava turned off the TV and, after a moment’s thought, approached the window, lifting a corner of the curtain.
The torrential rain obscured visibility, but she could still faintly make out the figure in the flowerbed.
Ava frowned. Why wasn’t he going home in such weather? Was he truly homeless?
She let go of the curtain. Even if he was homeless, she had given him money and suggested several alternatives. He had no reason to impose upon her further.
Resigned, she turned off the lights and went to bed.
After a while, she found herself restless, despite the coolness of the rare summer rain.
A sudden thunderclap jolted her awake. The once dark bedroom was illuminated by the lightning.
Ava sat up in bed, then jumped out, running barefoot to the living room. She switched on the light.
Even in the sweltering summer heat, the cold, damp chill was piercing.
His hands, already injured, had become waterlogged from the rain. Did it hurt? Perhaps.
Tomorrow morning, he might be nothing more than a stone sculpture.
He looked up at a window, the rain seeping into his eyes.
Actually… becoming a statue outside her home wasn’t so bad.
Until the light came on.
Liam finally smiled from the heart, watching as the light revealed the tip of an umbrella extending from the building.
- Writer
