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Early morning before the usual rush. The café was quiet, just off a main street. Just a place to sit for a few minutes before catching the public transit. He and Hye Won were finishing their drinks when the two men walked in. In fact Han Chen saw the entire process of them following for a while. They didn't look like plainclothes officers, not obviously. One too stiff, the other too alert. Hye Won caught it too; she didn't turn her head, just shifted slightly in her seat, eyes still on her cup. Well her efforts in training wasn't for nothing.
Han Chen didn't move.
The older man spotted them, gave the briefest nod, and approached. "Mr. Han. Do you mind?"
"I do, actually," Han Chen said, without looking up. Then, after a second's pause, he gestured slightly toward the empty seats. "But I'll listen." They sat.
"We won't take much of your time," the younger one said, casual but too controlled to be friendly. "We're with the investigation department. Treat this like an informal interview."
"Just routine follow-up." Other added.
He didn't wait for acknowledgment.
"There was an incident last week. Involving your parents' vehicle. You've probably heard by now. Surveillance gaps, missing footage. A whole convoy vanished mid-recording."
Han Chen stirred his coffee. No change in expression. "And?"
The Young man leaned in slightly. His tone was practiced. "Don't be stiff. We're not accusing you of anything. But your name comes up more than it should. In the Zhang family incident— The person disappeared; you were initially a suspect, later cleared. Now this. Your parents survive an attack, but the attackers disappeared. "
Han Chen's expression didn't change. "I'm aware but it was years ago, don't you understand the meaning behind suspicion cleared. Or are you suggesting I have a hand in my parents accident?"
Old man smiled with some respect "Nothing of the sort. Your father mentioned you have great talent in martial arts. We just wish to verify that also..."
Han Chen's fingers tapped once against the table. A single, deliberate click. "I am not interested in proving anything. Its my business. If you find that I am abusing my power, then you can ask through legal channels. And?"
"The digital security around your systems is impressive," the older one continued. "Military-grade, some of our analysts say."
"I like tech" Han Chen said simply. "And I value my privacy, its more of a hobby actually."
"We were hoping to consult you," the older man said, adjusting his tone. "On a technical matter. Some high-grade digital containment systems. Very advanced. Unusual architecture. Some of our analysts think they were custom—off the grid, built to resist intrusion on multiple physical and non-physical layers."
Han Chen looked up, just for a second. "You're asking for tech advice now?"
"Insight," the younger one clarified. "We're not here to pin anything on you. But people don't just vanish. Anomalies like protective shields won't appear for no reason. Trucks don't disappear from every angle of surveillance. There's a pattern. We're trying to understand it. We found that you have hobby of encrypting everything, avoiding surveillance....but it makes us suspicious. But hey we might be wrong, you can help us trace the real person."
"That sounds like coincidence," Han Chen continued. "And a very inefficient pattern to base questions on. Let me guess, you don't have a clue?"
"Or maybe someone found a way to shut down surveillance across multiple sites ~ on the roads, in your parents' car ~ without leaving a trace. You tell us your thoughts." Younger one asked.
Han Chen set his cup down. Calm. "I don't have that kind of ability. You already have my travel logs if you have truly tried. Surveillance places me in another province during the incident. Does it make any sense for me to be involved? Bigger question ~ how would I even know it was going to happen?"
The older one nodded slightly. "That was noted."
"Then we're just speculating. If you want input on containment systems, send a request through the proper channels. Though you might be disappointed—law's my field. Computer science is just a side hobby." He paused. "And if this is heading anywhere else, you'll need a warrant."
The younger agent looked like he was about to push, but the older one let out a quiet breath and leaned back. "You're careful. I respect that."
"I'm tired of people breaking into my systems and calling it due process. Tell me, why are you still poking onto my systems since a month ago?"
The silence that followed wasn't hostile. Just unresolved.
Then Hye Won stood, slinging her bag over one shoulder. "We're going to be late."
Han Chen stood too, nodding politely to both men. "Enjoy your coffee."
As they passed, the younger agent called out—carefully, but with a hint of something behind it. "You don't need to hide if you're not doing anything wrong."
Han Chen didn't even slow. "Good thing I'm not hiding, then."
***
Chen Solutions recently entered EV market. And his father gifted him a top end model, ready to collect today from factory. The papers and registration everything was complete. As they boarded public transit,
"Think they actually believe you're behind any of it?" she asked, finally.
"They don't know what they believe. That's why they're poking around," Han Chen said calmly. "Looking for something that fits their fear."
They arrived at the Chen Group's main tower not long after noon.
Han Zhong was waiting at the far end of the executive level garage. No words, just a nod toward the vehicle sitting beneath the soft cover.
"Your mother insisted I don't keep it for myself," Han Zhong said dryly. " She also made me install a speed governor after the last accident." A pause.
"So it's yours now. Registration went through this morning. Drive carefully."
Han Chen walked closer, letting his eyes trace the familiar lines beneath the cloth. He didn't need to lift it. He could already tell by the stance, the way it settled into the frame—it wasn't just for show. The car was the Chen Group Eon LX-R. Their first top-end entry into the EV market. High-density crystal battery core, high performance EV engine, adaptive terrain sync, near-silent drive. Acceleration: 0 to 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds. Top speed capped at 370 km/h. Speed governor dropped it to 175. Every inch tuned for precision, not extravagance.
He reached out and pressed his hand against the side panel. The cover retracted on its own. But the one excited more, was Hye Won than him. She whistled under her breath. "This looks like it belongs in orbit."
"You made this one quiet in style," Han Chen said, eyes moving over the clean lines and dark finish.
His father nodded. "You don't like loud. No screaming edges, no dramatic lights. Just clean design, tight response. It's not built to show off — it's built to disappear when needed. Plates are active, under your name. "
They had received the car that morning. The rest of the day vanished in a blur of controlled acceleration, tight cornering tests, and brief stops for charging, buying Hye Won clothes for upcoming events and food. Han Chen already had his license—secured months ago with Li Mei's help, back when she still had a grasp on reality. Law enforcement pressure at the time had pushed his application to the top. Written test, road test, final paperwork—done by the fourth day.
That evening was the reunion.
***
The venue: an old industrial loft repurposed into a low-lit event space in the 798 Art District. High ceilings, exposed ducts, curated shadows. Just word of mouth news, private channels, and quiet security. It was stylishly underplayed, which in this crowd meant exclusivity.
The Chen Group's unreleased EV glided up to the private entrance. It didn't need a badge to be recognized. The matte black chassis shimmered like oil under soft lighting. The valets at the 798 Art District loft froze when it glided to a stop, their practiced smiles faltering. The unreleased Eon LX-R, a prototype whispered about in tech circles but never seen publicly.
And now, here it was, door rising like a wing to release its passengers. Han Zhong had driven the same variant the night he been in accident — only Han Chen could drive this version now. The pre-booking portal had just gone live that morning, but for everyone else, it would be months before they could even test it.
Han Chen stepped out first.
Tall, broad-shouldered, his black suit tailored to the millimeter yet utterly unadorned. No tie, no cuff links — just fabric that seemed to drink the light around him. Opposite him, Hye Won emerged like his opposite and equal: a slash of midnight-blue silk, her slit dress revealing a leg sheathed in liquid shadow, her earrings looked as if catching the light like distant stars.
People paused. Heads turned.
Inside, the party had begun to settle. Groups formed and re-formed, old friends testing connections, former rivals circling each other like old boxers.
Some recognized Han Chen immediately. His parents' miraculous escape had made international headlines. "Chen Group heir returns after parents survive assassination attempt," the unfamiliar faces read. It shifted when he walked in—some openly watching, others pretending not to.
The whisper network kicked in as he met his classmates: "That's him." "Han Chen—didn't he disappear for a while after graduation?" "His parents were supposed to be dead." "And now he's back. Looking like that."
No one approached immediately. Not until Zhao Lin made his move.
Polished, performative, dressed like he'd come straight from a photo shoot. His circle of hangers-on parted as he sauntered over, drink in hand, grin practiced. "Didn't expect to see you here, Han Chen."
Han Chen nodded. "A lot going on recently. Got the time at last."
Zhao's smile widened. "Yeah, well... word gets around. What happened with your parents—wild stuff. Global news. Almost felt scripted."
Han Chen's voice didn't rise. "Why the bodyguards? Nervous someone will spike your canapés?"
Zhao laughed a half-beat late. "Man's retired. Just here to enjoy the hors d'oeuvres."
Hye Won appeared at Han Chen's side before Zhao could lean in further. Her smile was blade-thin. "We're not giving interviews tonight, I am borrowing him for a while. Maybe talk to one of the influencers?"
Zhao raised a brow but said nothing. Just nodded, backed off—barely, feeling they were a couple. From the side, a flashbulb clicked.
A camera. Then another. Subtle. Hidden. But someone was snapping photos. A paparazzo had slipped in—just one or two, tipped off quietly. They had come for Xue Qing. But as soon as they saw Han Chen and Hye Won, their lenses locked in. The couple didn't even notice. Or if they did, they didn't care. The shot would trend by morning: The Immortal Couple, Xingjiang Sighting.
Xue Qing arrived not long after.
Oversized glasses. Bucket hat. No makeup—but even so, she couldn't be hidden. She was the room's unspoken center. National TV sweetheart. Idol group darling. Three years into fame, she had learned how to be visible and unreachable at the same time.
When her eyes met Han Chen's, everything slowed just a fraction.
And then Hye Won. She saw them. Together. Not posing or any graceful acting. Just... moving as if the world shaped itself around their shared axis.
A voice whispered beside Xue Qing, "Isn't that him? Your high school crush?" The people who came with her are her PA and female bodyguard.
She didn't look away. "Yeah. I told him I liked him. He turned me down." A pause. "Kindly. Back when I still believed fairy tales were free."
Someone snorted. "Well now he looks like one."
Xue Qing didn't smile. They both do.
She walked deeper into the room, accompanied by discrete bodyguard. Hye Won's glance brushed past her without pause. That hurt more than words.
But she hadn't come to stir anything up. Just curiosity—and maybe one quiet jab. Later, she found them near the drinks. "You always did wear black well," she said to Han Chen. He looked up briefly. "Evening, Xue Qing." Polite. Distant.
Nothing more. "You've got terrible social media manners, Han Chen. Even my friend request is gathering dust somewhere," she added lightly. "I heard you're in tech now?" aiming for casual. But it was Hye Won who replied. "He's not in tech. Law, actually." No warmth or hostility either. Just fact. "Congratulations, I heard you two are together, class president..."
Then, suddenly—
"Gotcha!"
A blur moved from behind, arms shooting out to pin Han Chen in a surprise hold—only to be stopped mid-air.
One finger. Han Chen hadn't even turned. Just one finger against her forehead, holding her effortlessly.
Tang Xiaomei. Still fast. Still wild. Still grinning.
"I knew it!" she said, pulling back, impressed. "Still impossible to catch off guard."
Hye Won looked over, curious. "When you too become so friendly?"
Han Chen turned slightly.
Tang Xuemei blinked at Hye Won. "You're the girlfriend?....Damn. How'd you manage that?"
Han Chen gave her a quiet look. Tang Xuemei caught the message. "Right. Not my business. Still impressive."
They all stood there, and for a second the air shifted again, each reminiscing their past selves together. Xue Qing took a quiet look at him, he was way different, that confidence and posture all screaming mysteriousness and distance from the rest of the male crowd around, even to someone like her. Tang stepped back, laughing softly. "Still the same. Just... taller, stronger, scarier. You used to be low-key. Now you're still scary, and hot."
At the far end of the venue, a small group of older guests stood together—teachers from their school days. Invited quietly, respectfully. Some still remembered faces and names. Others watched from a distance, letting the younger ones circle. One of them brought an old class photo—first year, admission time.
They passed it around as the group photo segment began. People laughed, pointed, tried to guess who was who. And then—
"Wait... that's Han Chen?"
The room leaned in. He was almost unrecognizable. Just a quiet, slightly hunched boy with sharp eyes and no presence. The contrast now was nearly absurd.
One teacher shook their head slowly. "He was smart. But this... This is something else."
When the new group photo was taken, it was surreal. Old faces beside new versions of themselves.
Standing next to Han Chen and Hye Won made the time gap feel like a chasm. People stared. Then came the surge—group selfies, tagged shots, friend requests. Notifications exploded on their phones. " Hye Won, look how our bossy class president changed..Is this beauty contagious or something.." Murmurs spread.
Later, near the drink station, someone nudged Han Chen with a grin. "You remember Xue Qing's big confession, right?"
"Vaguely," he said.
"Well, now she's got half the internet proposing to her from every corner of the world…"
"Doesn't matter. I've got someone who actually cares—" Han Chen started.
But Hye Won cut in, her voice quiet, steady, and proud. "He doesn't give himself away easily. But he's mine now."
In the far corner, Tian Feng and Fan Qing raised their glasses at him. Engineer and Scientist in the making. Now. Quiet, observant. Their nod meant: We see you.
Han Chen returned it, one nod to each.
As the karaoke machine warmed up and the food line wound down, Han Chen and Hye Won didn't linger for photo sessions with Xue Qing. No singing. Just food— which Hye Won consumed. They left early. The matte-black EV reappeared on cue. No fanfare. Just two silhouettes stepping into a car designed for power without noise. Some paparazzi shots. Behind them, the reunion cracked into its usual chaos—off-key duets, oversharing, someone drunk crying in a hallway. All the usual endings.