9:35 PM, only 25 minutes left until regular sleep time.
The streets are almost empty of pedestrians, with only a few lazy Night Watchmen stepping out of their homes, preparing for a night of dull patrol.
The main gate separating the slums from the affluent district by the White Wall is still deserted.
At 9:55 PM, a few Second and Third Level Professionals, who are part of the Town Guard, will show up promptly near the gate.
Even though almost all citizens in the villa district have automatic defense facilities, they are also equipped with professional Night Watchmen.
Because nightwatch duties are extremely exhausting and can easily lead to sudden death, the professional Night Watchmen in the Guard work on a rotational basis, with everyone taking turns every few days.
If a professional Night Watchman is lucky enough to survive ten years, they will attain at least the status of a First Level Citizen.
This is no easy feat, something Ren Zhong is familiar with as a carrot dangling before him.
After swiftly passing through the White Wall gate, Ren Zhong turned and headed straight for the west side of the villa area.
There is a four-story alloy building near the center of the town.
That is the villa of Ju Qingmeng, a Second Level Citizen.
Ren Zhong had arranged to meet Ju Qingmeng here.
Previously, they exchanged contact information, so Ren Zhong could reach her.
After probing by phone, Ren Zhong discovered she was on holiday today.
Ju Qingmeng detests Starfire Town and has no interest in making friends here, except for "Pu Cha Officer" Ren Zhong and Mayor Ma Dafu; she avoids interacting with anyone else.
Therefore, she stayed home all day and did not go out.
The temporary wanted notice that’s only being circulated among the wanderers hasn’t reached her ears yet.
Over the phone, when she heard Ren Zhong wanted to visit her at night, she was silent for a brief moment, then responded with much enthusiasm.
Ren Zhong was preparing to tell her a malicious lie.
Three seconds later, the small side door of the villa’s iron gate creaked open.
Bright yellow-orange light spilled out of the doorframe, casting an elongated, graceful shadow on the ground.
Ren Zhong sidestepped two steps and stood directly in front of the small door.
Ju Qingmeng, wearing a semi-transparent gauze nightgown with purple lingerie faintly visible inside, held a glass of red wine in her left hand, her damp long hair draping down as she smiled sweetly at him.
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint scent of body wash from her, wafting into Ren Zhong’s nostrils.
If it were before, seeing this scene, Ren Zhong would surely have been restless and distracted.
But now, his heart, unable to dispel his anger, remained as calm as an ancient well.
"Mr. Ren, you’ve finally decided to visit me? Do come in."
Ju Qingmeng greeted him warmly, both nervous and shy.
Ren Zhong’s "Pu Cha Officer" status was vouched for by Mayor Ma Dafu, and Ju Qingmeng believed it without doubt.
Having offended someone and being exiled here, her heart had already died, but after Ma Dafu introduced her to this "Pu Cha Officer" and they formed a good relationship, a small spark of hope began to spread across her desolate heart.
In her quest to change her fate, leave this godforsaken place of Starfire Town and live like a true citizen in the city, she underwent an internal struggle and ultimately overcame her hesitation, defeating her former self.
Ren Zhong slipped into the courtyard.
The metal door behind him closed automatically with a creak.
Ju Qingmeng approached, appearing to help Ren Zhong remove his helmet.
She leaned forward, her chest puffed out, the fragrant breeze brushing past, creating an intimate atmosphere.
Ren Zhong slightly shifted his position to avoid her and took off his helmet himself.
Ju Qingmeng was slightly taken aback, with a rising sense of disappointment within her.
The fear of her desires falling apart slowly consumed her fragile will.
"So... Mr. Ren, what brings you here?"
She tilted her head, knowingly asking.
She gazed at Ren Zhong plaintively, her eyes filled with an emotional turmoil that conveyed a deep affection.
She used every bit of charm she had, even if it wasn’t her strongest skill.
Ren Zhong looked at her, his mind racing, then sighed softly, "It’s not very convenient to talk here by the wall; do you have a more private place?"
Ju Qingmeng let out a breath.
It seemed she misunderstood, he wasn’t uninterested, just not in a hurry.
"Let’s go inside the house."
Ren Zhong walked in front, while Ju Qingmeng followed behind, her heart pounding like a deer caught in headlights, and her breathing gradually becoming heavier.
As they entered the living room, Ren Zhong spoke first, "Mayor Ma once mentioned you, Manager Ju, are from Chongyi County and were a top student in the munitions management course at Chongyi First Vocational High. So, it stands to reason that someone like you should’ve stayed in the county town. Why did you end up in such a remote place like Starfire Town? Is there some hidden story? Would you like to share? Maybe I can think of a way to help."
"Huh?" Ju Qingmeng was caught off guard by the question.
The plan was moving too fast.
Without even establishing the preconditions, how did he quickly advance to the point of confrontation?
Ju Qingmeng hadn’t yet formulated her words, her fingers intertwining tensely, struggling to speak.
"Is it inconvenient to say?"
"No, Mr. Ren, please have a seat on the sofa, and I’ll make you some tea."
Three minutes later, Ren Zhong sat upright on the sofa, holding a warm teacup in both hands.
Steam rose from the tea, swirling in the air.
Still wearing her gauze nightgown, Ju Qingmeng sat facing him directly, seemingly recollecting the past, organizing her thoughts.
Her facial expressions changed rapidly, sometimes filled with nostalgia, sometimes with anger, fear, or self-pity.
Under the bright light, her curvaceous figure was vividly outlined.
Ren Zhong intended to remind her to put on a coat, but seeing her , he ultimately decided not to interrupt her train of thought.
"Mr. Ren, if I told you I was the top student in the munitions course at Chongyi First Vocational High, according to rules, I should have been selected into the technical department of Yangsheng City’s Military Weapon Store after graduation. Would you believe it?"
"I believe it. But in the end, you didn’t make it to Yangsheng City; instead, you came here."
Ju Qingmeng sighed, "Yes. It’s the price of my arrogance. I’m not afraid to sound foolish – due to my looks and learning ability, I have always been outstanding among my peers since childhood and got used to being adored by many, making my personality somewhat... a bit conceited and too aloof. I once believed I could control my destiny as a strong contender. Therefore, in matters of relationships, I wanted to firmly stay true to my choices."
Ren Zhong: "So you offended a suitor?"
"Yes. A Fourth Level Citizen with a background. I rejected him publicly without mercy."
Yet, instinctively, a phrase appeared in Ren Zhong’s mind.
Naivety is a privilege for citizens.
"I was too naive then. I paid a heavy price. I got trapped in Starfire Town, unable to see any hope of advancement. No matter how hard I work, no matter how professional I am, no one sees it, no one cares. I became an ornament in Starfire Town, seeing no hope at all."
Ju Qingmeng rubbed her eyes, but the rims had already turned red, "Each day passed by, and now it has been three years. I know I made a mistake. I was wrong back then."
Ren Zhong pointed to her clothing, "So now you’ve learned from your pain and decided to submit to fate?"
Ju Qingmeng suddenly laughed again, her smile enchanting, "I wouldn’t call it submission. Isn’t this how everyone lives? I should feel lucky to know a gentle Pu Cha Officer like you, Mr. Ren."
"I think, as long as I can make you happy, you wouldn’t mind pulling me up, would you? Once I go back to the county town, I’d still be yours. As long as you don’t give up on me, you’d be my first and last man. I’ve reflected a lot over the years and learned a lot from TV shows. I am now very adept at pleasing others."
"Mr. Ren, you will help me, won’t you? Please. My parents don’t have many years left, and I really want to go back to Chongyi County to see them. I want to be by their side. I don’t want to say goodbye to them only through a video when they pass away..."
A moment later, her charming smile turned into tears of sadness.
Ren Zhong looked at her silently, as if witnessing a historical chronicle.
He saw with his own eyes how the era twisted a naive, aloof, and talented woman into a sycophant.
He seemed to see himself within Ju Qingmeng.
"Alright. I can promise you. But you must help me with a small task first. You might have to stay up all night."
"Really? Thank you, Mr. Ren! I..."
Ju Qingmeng’s whole body shivered with delight, standing up abruptly as she prepared to undress.
Tears still stained her face, but the blush extended up her neck to her ears.
Ren Zhong’s expression became serious, and he quickly gestured, "Don’t rush! Put your clothes back on! That’s not what I meant!"