“Logan Bennett.”

　　Emily Carter was stunned. She saw Ryan Sullivan frown slightly between his brows, and after a long pause, he slowly said, “Five years ago, in a major case jointly handled by Gongzhou and Jianning under my command, this man went in alone, encountered armed drug dealers, and killed someone on the spot with the bottom of a wine bottle. At the celebration, he sat on the stage while I sat below, and we saw each other from afar. Later, because of this, he was promoted to deputy squad leader.”

　　Emily Carter's heart skipped a beat.

　　“This person doesn’t really play by the rules. I once…”

　　Emily Carter asked, “Once what?”

　　Ryan Sullivan paused for a long time before saying, “I didn’t agree with him being promoted to deputy squad leader because of this, but as for the man himself, I actually rather admire him.”

　　For some reason, Emily Carter's feminine intuition made her feel that Ryan Sullivan seemed to be hiding something, but exactly what, and why he wouldn’t mention it, Ryan Sullivan didn’t say. Emily Carter waited for a long time, and could only say awkwardly, “Well, luckily, luckily this case didn’t end up in his hands…”

　　But Ryan Sullivan turned his wheelchair around with both hands, as if foreseeing something, and shook his head: “Maybe I should have listened to you and stayed in the hospital a few more days.”

　　The Grand Cherokee turned off its police lights and sped down the nearly empty street in the deep night. Logan Bennett sat in the passenger seat, flipping through crime scene photos under the dome light, then suddenly looked up, deep in thought.

　　Mason Reed glanced at him from the driver’s seat: “What’s up, Brother Bennett? Want to grab a bowl of noodles to sober up?”

　　Logan Bennett didn’t answer, and suddenly asked, “Did you see that guy in the wheelchair?”

　　“Aiyo, Brother Bennett, I knew you’d bring that up. Don’t worry, that kind of sickly pretty boy isn’t the popular type these days. You’ll always be the number one heartthrob in Jianning City Bureau…”

　　“Don’t you think he looks familiar?”

　　Mason Reed was taken aback. “Nope.”

　　“But I keep feeling like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

　　Logan Bennett closed his eyes, then opened them again after a moment. He searched his mind but found nothing. Amidst the chaotic memories, a faint, indescribable sense of unease spread from the root of his tongue, as if there had once been a shadowy figure just out of reach—so close, yet unattainable. In a flash, it sank into the abyss of memory.

　　After a while, he took a deep breath and murmured, “But I just can’t remember right now.”

　　·

　　At the same time, on the outskirts of the city.

　　At the edge of the wilderness lay a sea of city lights. The night wind swept over the mountaintop, distant stars glittered, and a gauzy Milky Way stretched across the sky overhead.

　　“Dubhe, Merak, Alkaid, the seven stars of the Big Dipper. Follow the arc of the handle down and you’ll find Arcturus, the brightest star in Boötes. Keep going, and that white star is Spica.”

　　The girl turned her head to look at her lover, her beautiful eyes full of admiration. “It’s so bright!”

　　“Yes, Spica is the brightest star in Virgo, two hundred and sixty light-years from Earth.”

　　Her lover paused slightly, as if recalling something, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips:

　　“In ancient times, Spica was called the chief of the twenty-eight lunar mansions—brave, decisive, a great warrior. But do you know? No matter when you observe it, Spica is always pure white, just like a virgin—completely flawless, absolutely pure.”

　　His voice was low, mellow, and gentle, like the intoxicating night breeze. The girl felt a sliver of courage well up inside her, and she suddenly took half a step forward, raised her head, and said in a trembling voice, “You…”

　　Just then, the car’s satellite phone rang not far away.

　　The man smiled and gestured for her to wait, then turned and walked to the SUV, picking up the phone. “Hello?”

　　The girl hesitated for a moment, then followed. Her lover’s figure was half-hidden in shadow, his expression unclear. She could only hear a few words from the other end of the line: “…bed 538’s situation, after that…”

　　After a moment, he said, “I understand.”

　　He hung up and stood by the car door for a while.

　　In the distance, the chirping of insects rose and fell in the grass. The air was fragrant with the lingering scents of late spring and early summer, drifting over plains and rivers, lifting the girl’s soft long hair.

　　No one knew how much time passed before the man turned to her and said, “It’s time to go back.”

　　“But you said tonight…”

　　Her lover was still very gentle: “Get in the car.”

　　The girl pressed her lips together, unable and unwilling to refuse, and could only walk forward, sullen and reluctant.

　　Under the night sky, a modified H2 crossed the rolling wilderness, heading toward the vast sea of city lights on the horizon.

Chapter 3

　　The next day.

　　“Thank you for taking the time to meet me, but I think…”

　　Logan Bennett immediately said, “I understand.”

　　The upscale restaurant in the city center was private and had a pleasant atmosphere. Piano music flowed gently amid the soft clinking of silver cutlery. Across the table, the young woman bit her lower lip and said tactfully, “Although I really respect the police profession and admire all you sacrifice, still…”

　　Logan Bennett: “I understand.”

　　“Officer Bennett, you really are a good person. No matter your looks or your qualities, you’re outstanding. I’m sure you’ll…”

　　Logan Bennett: “I know.”

　　They looked at each other for a moment, the young woman hesitating to speak.

　　Logan Bennett said sincerely, “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to the matchmaker.”