Night's End

After a long and tough night, Lian Qiang and her team managed to capture the rich bad guy, Chen Pei, and his gang. Chen was hurt during the arrest, so they immediately sent him to the headquarters' clinic. Many police stayed with him there, they made sure he couldn't escape.

When Lian Qiang got back to the police headquarters, she saw many officers busy working. Phones were ringing, and people were talking everywhere. Chief Wei Xi called her into his office as soon as she arrived.

"Great job, Officer Lian," the Chief said, giving her a warm smile.

Lian Qiang replied, "Thanks, Chief, but we all did this together."

The Chief nodded but said, "Yes, but you played a big part." Lian Qiang just smiled and shook her head a little, always humble about her work.

As they talked, Chief Wei Xi looked at her for a bit longer than usual. Lian Qiang felt a bit awkward. She realized she was still wearing her mission outfit, a red dress. The dress had some blood on it, which was easy to see even though the dress was red.

After a short talk, the Chief said, "You did well. You can go home now."

After leaving Chief Wei Xi's office, Lian Qiang's footsteps echoed softly in the quiet corridor of the headquarters. As she walked, her thoughts drifted to Zhang Jin. They had planned to meet after the mission to go home. However, the young woman, Ling Xue, had informed her through call that Zhang Jin had headed home earlier than expected.

Ling Xue told her that she watched Zhang Jin at home, ensuring he was safe while she was out. Lian Qiang felt a wave of gratitude for Ling Xue. Having someone trustworthy to keep an eye on Zhang Jin when she wasn't around gave her peace of mind. The complexities of her job often meant she couldn't be everywhere at once, so having Ling Xue step in was invaluable. She made a mental note to thank her properly later.

She sighed, tired from the long day. The police station was busy, with officers talking about their work and getting ready for tomorrow. All Lian Qiang wanted was to go home and relax.

With every step towards the exit, she felt more drained. She saw her colleagues busy around her, but her mind was on her comfy bed and the idea of some quiet time. She imagined sitting in chair, wrapped in a blanket with a good book or newspaper.

But even at the comfy bed, she knew she couldn't completely switch off. Her job was always there, in the back of her mind. However, a break, even if short, was something she looked forward to. Everyone needs some time to recharge, and she was no exception.

She approached the exit, thinking of the softness of her bed and the hot shower that awaited her. She wanted nothing more than to slip out of her mission attire, the red dress which, although it served its purpose for the mission, felt restrictive now.

Pulling her wristwatch closer, the neon glow showed it was already midnight. The night had taken away much of the day's hustle and the streets outside would be quieter.

However, just as she was about to reach her car, a familiar voice broke her chain of thoughts. "Officer Lian!" She turned, her eyes meeting Liu Xian's. He jogged over, his usual stern face replaced with a relieved smile.

"You did brilliantly tonight!" he complimented, stopping just short of her.

Lian Qiang offered a tired smile. "Thanks," she replied, her voice hinting at the exhaustion she felt.

They stood there, bathed in the dim light of the parking lot. Liu Xian's eyes shifted to her dress, a hint of amusement in his gaze. "That's a striking dress, even if it's for a mission," he remarked with a chuckle.

She laughed lightly, "Thanks. It served its purpose, but I'm eager to change."

"I think so, you don't usually wear clothes like that." Liu Xian chuckled.

For a moment they went silent but Liu Xian immediately broke it.

"Truth be told, you look incredible." Liu Xian added, trying to lighten the mood.

Lian Qiang glanced at him, surprised by the compliment. "Thank you," she replied, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. She wasn't used to such comments, especially it was her first time to hear something like what he said.

Liu Xian scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "Just stating the truth," he mumbled, avoiding direct eye contact.

Their conversation, filled with slight teasing and genuine compliments, was a rare moment of levity amidst their often serious and challenging line of work. It was moments like these that added a touch of normalcy to their lives.

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden cold gust of wind. Lian Qiang instinctively hugged herself, trying to ward off the chill. Observing this, Liu Xian, without a moment's hesitation, removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"You'll catch a cold," he said, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Lian Qiang looked up at him, surprised by his gesture. "Thank you," she whispered, her words laden with gratitude.

He nodded, "Always look out for each other, right?"

With a final smile, she climbed into her car. As she drove away, the city lights merged into a blur, and she felt a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie. Another challenging day had ended, and she looked forward to the promise of a new dawn.