Who is Li Chen

Wang Zhiyuan handed the peeled orange to Lin Moran and thought of stepping out for some fresh air. But as he reached the door, he doubled back and snagged the empty kettle from the nightstand.

He headed to the washroom to fill the kettle with hot water. Inside, a gaggle of young women were chattering away while doing laundry. The moment he walked in, they fell silent. Then, after a few seconds, they burst into laughter.

The sound of water gushing into the kettle muffled their giggles, but it couldn't drown out Wang Zhiyuan's discomfort.

What were they laughing at?

His appearance? His movements?

Wang Zhiyuan felt like crap. He was reminded of an old fable about a man who tried to imitate others' walking styles, only to forget his own. He felt stuck in an awkward spot, yearning to be Zhou Zhaotao again, but powerless to do so. If he had been reborn as a twenty-something Zhou Zhaotao, he might have thrown caution to the wind and started anew, even if it meant clawing his way up from the bottom. But alas, his soul was that of a man in his forties, who had tasted the highs and lows of life.

So, he tried to adapt to his new environment, identity, and role. But old habits and ways of thinking kept messing with him, like a demon in a bottle, reminding him how out of place he felt.

He walked down a corridor with windows.

His reflection stared back at him – a pudgy young man holding two kettles.

What a doofus, the inner demon sneered.

But being in his forties had its perks – patience and resilience. He had weathered life's storms and learned to wear different masks. He grumbled inside but put on a polite face, thanking the nurse who brought him food.

When he had admitted Lin Moran to the hospital, Wang Zhiyuan had ordered two boxed meals. Not out of guilt for Lin's injury, but because he didn't want to go out hunting for food. He was fed up with the cops' way of handling cases, especially after tailing Qian Haiyang for two days. Qian Haiyang had minions to do his bidding; he wouldn't get his hands dirty.

After eating, Wang Zhiyuan couldn't help but light a cigarette, only to be caught red-handed by a passing nurse.

As the nurse rattled on, Wang Zhiyuan regretted not closing the door earlier.

Lin Moran, seeing Wang Zhiyuan getting an earful, jumped in, "He wasn't smoking, just sniffing it."

Both Wang Zhiyuan and the nurse turned to him with a 'yeah, right' look.

The nurse let it slide, "Just be careful. This room will have other patients. Don't stink it up with smoke."

Wang Zhiyuan: "…"

After finally getting rid of the nurse, Wang Zhiyuan wanted out. He put the cigarette back in the pack and said, "I gotta bounce. Take care."

Lin Moran asked, "Got plans?"

Wang Zhiyuan just looked at him.

Lin Moran grinned, "It's just me here, kinda boring. If you're free, how about some cards?"

Wang Zhiyuan, hands in pockets, "I only play mahjong. Don't think about playing all the time. Get some sleep."

Lin Moran sighed in disappointment.

Wang Zhiyuan slowly closed the door.

On his way home, he got a call from Ding Shuqing, who sounded tired but excited.

They found a large sum of money recently deposited into the bank account of Chen Jili, the driver involved in the accident. It could be a breakthrough clue.

Wang Zhiyuan wasn't holding his breath about this mysterious windfall. Even if Qian Haiyang had bribed Chen Jili, Wang Zhiyuan knew him well enough to know he wouldn't be so blatant. They used to make fake IDs, deposit money, and hand over the bank cards. But he played along, feigning excitement.

Ding Shuqing calmed down and asked about Lin Moran. Wang Zhiyuan filled him in. Ding told him to take good care of Lin, as he was fresh out of college and new in town.

Wang Zhiyuan knew Ding could be a pain, so he humored him for a bit before hanging up.

As he reached his apartment complex, he noticed a familiar Audi A8 parked near the entrance. Li Chen, wearing a wool sweater, leaned against the car. Seeing Wang Zhiyuan, he beamed, "You're back, that's great!"

If there was one person Wang Zhiyuan was wary of after rebirth, it was Li Chen. Ding Shuqing was sharp but a cop, and on the same side for now. Qian Haiyang was cunning, but Wang Zhiyuan had the element of surprise. Li Chen, however, was an enigma with a complicated past with Wang Zhiyuan, and that made him dangerous.

Wang Zhiyuan kept his poker face, "What brings you here?"

Li Chen sighed, "I've been waiting for your call, but nada. So, here I am."

Wang Zhiyuan: "Been busy."

"I know," Li Chen grinned, showing off pearly whites, "Not blaming you."

Wang Zhiyuan averted his gaze, "Sorry, I'll make it up to you."

"Don't sweat it," Li Chen said. "I know being a cop is tough. I talked to your dad today; he was stoked you have a girlfriend. When do I get to meet her?"

Wang Zhiyuan was taken aback.

He hadn't even thought about having a girlfriend. The only woman he knew was Tadpole, and no one had asked him about a girlfriend.

He shot back, "What about you?" The best defense is a good offense.

Li Chen's eyes twinkled, "You know me." He left it hanging.

Wang Zhiyuan didn't press.

They stood in silence for a moment.

Li Chen finally said with a resigned smile, "It's cold. Get inside. I should get going."

"Alright, see ya," Wang Zhiyuan replied, icy as ever. He had noticed something off about his past relationship with Li Chen and decided to keep his distance.

He had scoped out Li Chen's car before and even memorized the license plate. He had no interest in watching him leave. He turned and walked away.

Li Chen's gaze followed him, which made Wang Zhiyuan uneasy. But he didn't look back; he knew that's what Li Chen wanted.

"Next time you're here, I hope I can offer you a hot cup of tea," Li Chen called after him.

Wang Zhiyuan ignored him.

As he watched Wang Zhiyuan's retreating figure, Li Chen's smile faded.