106: Chapter 106 An Encounter with Liang Lingmeng

After Cao Kun settled the matters at Tian Moli's home,

life returned to a state of tranquility once more.

When he had nothing to do, he'd take a stroll through the company,

or spend some time with his women.

Cao Kun encountered Liang Lingmeng on a plane-tree-lined road in the old district of Zhongzhou.

It was early evening.

Cao Kun had just parted ways with Feng Youmei and was driving back alone when, while waiting at a red light, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure through the car window.

It was Enforcement Officer Liang Lingmeng.

She was wearing an off-white down jacket with the collar turned up, obscuring half of her face.

Below, she wore dark blue jeans paired with black ankle boots; her pace was crisp and decisive, and her shoulder-length short hair fluttered slightly in the cold wind.

Even though she was bundled up tightly, that heroic spirit still seeped through her brow.

Cao Kun felt a stir in his heart and honked the horn.

Liang Lingmeng turned her head, startled for a moment, then her eyes lit up, and the corners of her lips curled into a noticeable arc.

"Cao Kun?" She walked over quickly and leaned down toward the car window. "What a coincidence."

"Officer Liang, long time no see." Cao Kun smiled and pushed open the car door. "Get in? I'll give you a lift."

"No need, I don't live far." Liang Lingmeng waved her hand but didn't leave immediately, instead leaning down while holding the car door. "How have you been lately?"

"Not bad," Cao Kun said. "It's just about dinner time, want to grab a bite? It's been so long, we should catch up properly."

Liang Lingmeng checked her watch, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. "Alright, I know a good place ahead for iron-pot stewed goose. It's perfect for this cold weather."

When the car stopped in front of the restaurant, fine grains of snow began to drift from the sky.

The two entered the warm shop and found a seat by the window.

Liang Lingmeng called over a waiter to order the stewed goose and added a few side dishes.

While waiting for the food, the two looked at each other through the swirling steam.

Liang Lingmeng spoke first. "About last time, I haven't had the chance to thank you properly."

"How was that matter handled in the end?" Cao Kun asked directly.

Liang Lingmeng's eyes dimmed slightly, and her fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of her teacup.

"The case is closed. The criminal gang was wiped out, and the counterfeit medicine production line was completely dismantled.

"As for Old Zhou..." she paused. "When I reported to the organization, I didn't say he defected. Instead, I said it was a trap we intentionally set—that he feigned joining them to gain their trust."

"Since he's already dead, the organization didn't look into it too deeply."

Liang Lingmeng looked up. "His son kept his status as the child of a martyr, and the pension has been issued."

"Zhang Qi as well; he was posthumously recognized as a martyr. This way... for their families, it's perhaps the best outcome."

As she said this, her tone was calm, but Cao Kun heard a faint, almost imperceptible tremor.

He reached out and gently patted the back of her hand on the table. "You did the right thing."

Liang Lingmeng's hand trembled slightly, but she didn't pull it away.

She lowered her head to take a sip of tea, and when she looked up again, she had regained her usual composure.

Just then, the waiter came over to inform them that it was ready to eat.

Opening the pot lid, the aroma wafted through the air.

The two chatted as they ate, moving from work to life, and from the past to the present.

Liang Lingmeng talked about some interesting cases she had handled, and Cao Kun shared some embarrassing stories; laughter rang out from time to time.

Before they knew it, an hour had passed.

Outside the window, the snow had become heavy.

Goose-feather-like snowflakes fluttered down, quickly covering the ground with a thin layer.

There were fewer pedestrians on the street; occasionally, a few children ran by, excitedly reaching out to catch the snow.

"It's snowing." Liang Lingmeng looked out the window, her gaze softening. "The first proper snow of the year."

"Want to go for a walk after we finish?" Cao Kun suggested. "To help digest."

Liang Lingmeng looked outside, then back at Cao Kun, and nodded. "Okay."

After settling the bill and pushing the door open, the cold air rushed at them, but the air was exceptionally fresh.

The snow was falling heavily now, and the snowflakes under the streetlights looked like silver shavings dancing in the air.

The two walked side by side on the sidewalk, their boots making a faint crunching sound on the thin snow.

"Are you cold?" Cao Kun asked.

"No." Liang Lingmeng shook her head, but still subconsciously tucked her hands further into her down jacket pockets.

After walking a dozen meters, Cao Kun suddenly stopped and unwrapped the scarf from around his neck.

It was a cashmere scarf Ji Guangli had bought for him a couple of days ago—dark gray and very warm.

"What are you doing?" Liang Lingmeng looked at him.

"Your neck is exposed; it's easy to catch a cold if the wind gets in." Cao Kun wrapped it around her without allowing for argument, his movements as natural as if he had done it countless times.

The scarf still carried his body heat and a faint scent.

Liang Lingmeng was stunned for a moment, her ears feeling a bit hot, but she didn't refuse.

She lowered her head, burying her chin in the soft cashmere, and whispered, "Thank you."

The two continued to walk forward.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, landing on their hair and shoulders, gradually accumulating into a layer of white.

Children were building snowmen by the roadside, and young couples ran past hand in hand, leaving behind a trail of laughter.

"Cao Kun," Liang Lingmeng suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"No... it's nothing." Liang Lingmeng stopped and turned to look at him, looking as though she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Cao Kun also stopped, standing in front of her.

Snowflakes landed on his eyelashes, quickly melting into tiny droplets of water.

"If something's on your mind, just say it."

Liang Lingmeng looked at him. "Really, it's nothing. I just wanted to call your name."

"Let's go." She turned and continued forward.

Cao Kun felt a bit bewildered.

He quickly followed.

After another few minutes of walking, their hair and shoulders had both turned white.

Looking at the snowflakes clinging to Liang Lingmeng's eyelashes, Cao Kun suddenly thought of a saying.

"If we are drenched by the same snow today, we can be considered to have grown old together in this life." He recited it softly.

Liang Lingmeng's body shuddered slightly, and she turned to look at him.

Snowflakes melted on her cheeks like tears, yet they were warmer than tears.

Cao Kun also realized what he had said and rubbed his nose somewhat awkwardly. "I just suddenly thought of it..."

Before he could finish, his hand was suddenly grasped.

Liang Lingmeng's hand was a bit cool, but very soft.

She didn't look at Cao Kun, her eyes fixed ahead, but her fingers slowly laced through his, holding on very tightly.

Cao Kun's heart skipped a beat, and then he squeezed back even harder.

Hand in hand, the two walked silently through the heavy snow. No one spoke, but a certain warmth flowed through the air—more insulating than a down jacket and more heart-warming than a pot of stew.

"You two! Please wait a moment!"

A voice came from behind them.

The two turned back to see a middle-aged man with a camera on his back and wearing a photography vest running toward them, his face full of smiles.

"Sorry to bother you," the photographer panted. "I'm a street photographer. I was just taking photos of the snow over there and saw you two walking in the snow. The scene was just too beautiful."

"Could I take a few photos of you? It's free! Just consider it artistic creation!"

Cao Kun and Liang Lingmeng looked at each other, both seeing a hint of a smile in the other's eyes.

"We aren't..." Liang Lingmeng wanted to explain.

"Oh, it doesn't matter if you're a couple or not; what matters is that the picture is beautiful!" The photographer was very enthusiastic. "Look, this snow, this lighting, the aura of you two... you really match so well! Just a few shots, it'll be quick!"

Cao Kun looked at Liang Lingmeng, asking with his eyes.

Liang Lingmeng hesitated for a moment and then nodded gently.

"Great!" The photographer excitedly began to direct them. "Just stand right here, yes, the light under the streetlight is excellent... You two can move a little closer, right... Sir, you can put your arm around the lady's shoulder... Don't be nervous, just be natural..."

Cao Kun's hand rested gently on Liang Lingmeng's shoulder.

Liang Lingmeng's body stiffened for an instant, then she relaxed, even leaning slightly toward him.

"Good! Very good! Ma'am, you can look at the gentleman, yes... with a gentler gaze... Sir, look down at the lady... Perfect!"

The sound of the shutter clicked crisply in the snowy night.

The photographer changed angles, directing them to strike various natural poses.

Cao Kun brushed the snow from Liang Lingmeng's hair, and she looked up and smiled at him.

The two stood side by side, watching children build a snowman in the distance.

Cao Kun shared half of his scarf with Liang Lingmeng, the two of them using a single scarf...

Every frame was so beautiful it felt unreal.

"Fantastic! Simply fantastic!" the photographer exclaimed, looking at the camera screen.

"You two are easily the most photogenic couple I've ever photographed!"

He took a few more shots before leaving, satisfied.

The snow was still falling, but the atmosphere between the two had completely changed.

That ethereal ambiguity had solidified into a tangible closeness; holding hands had become the most natural thing in the world.

"Keep walking?" Cao Kun asked.

"Mm," Liang Lingmeng nodded. "A little while longer."

They continued forward, preparing to cross the Park to the next street.

But just then, the phone in Liang Lingmeng's pocket rang abruptly.

She let go of Cao Kun's hand, took out her phone, and glanced at the screen; her expression instantly turned serious.

...