Chapter Six: Pursuit

"I'm leaving now," Bai Xiao said to Sheng Yao with a smile.

"Huh? So soon?" Sheng Yao replied in surprise.

Bai Xiao had just arrived, placed the flowers down, and was already about to leave.

She nodded. "I have some things to do today."

"Oh..." Sheng Yao sounded disappointed, but quickly pulled himself together and forced a smile. "See you tomorrow, then."

The smile on Bai Xiao's lips stiffened for a moment. She sighed softly, almost imperceptibly, and her smile turned helpless. Waving her hand once more, she turned and stepped into the mist.

Sheng Yao watched her go. After a while, his smile faded, he spun on his heel, and hurriedly ran out from the row of tombstones.

He weaved through the crowd paying respects, moving like a nimble fish darting through water—astonishingly fast and agile. He slipped out from the most crowded part of the cemetery, slowed his pace, and cast a wary glance at the quiet stone path ahead. He scanned his surroundings and, seeing no sign of Chen Jin nearby, finally stepped onto the stone path.

Upon entering the Longevity Cemetery, Sheng Yao quickly hunched low, jogging in a practiced manner as he circled around two burial mounds. He paused, then peeked out from behind a statue of the Old Longevity Star.

Ahead, between the mounds and green trees, was Bai Xiao's elegant, graceful figure.

He exhaled, held his breath again, and began to circle around quietly in her direction.

He knew he shouldn't be following a young woman like this. But ever since he discovered that Bai Xiao, after leaving the traditional cemetery, didn't head toward the main gate but instead ventured deeper into the Longevity Garden, curiosity had gotten the better of him and he had unconsciously followed her.

Bai Xiao had said she lived nearby. Sheng Yao had assumed her home was in this suburban area and had even foolishly wandered around hoping to bump into her these past days. Now it seemed that wasn't the case.

A sense of unease stirred within him.

Bai Xiao's memorial photograph kept appearing in his mind. Every day, when he spoke with her, the photo was right there, within arm's reach, and after their conversations, it was imprinted in his mind every moment.

He had fallen for Bai Xiao at first sight, and the more they talked these past days, the fonder he grew. Yet at the same time, he realized that perhaps... the person he first fell for was another Bai Xiao altogether.

This realization troubled him deeply.

Bai Xiao's attitude was also somewhat subtle. Sheng Yao sensed she wanted to tell him something, but never said it—not their daily talk of hobbies or past experiences, but something more important.

For a moment, Sheng Yao even thought of confessing his feelings.

His face flushed reflexively; he shook his head to banish the unrealistic thought.

Bai Xiao was not the sort of girl who would be too shy to confess. There was something else she found hard to say.

At this thought, Sheng Yao stopped in his tracks.

If Bai Xiao didn't want to speak, then what she wished to hide might truly be something he was better off not knowing.

This thought made him waver in his instinctive pursuit over the past two days. The hesitation lasted but a moment. For some reason, Sheng Yao felt certain that what Bai Xiao found hard to say was actually a request for help, a longing for him to take the initiative.

She probably had no family, nor friends...

All alone, she could only visit the cemetery each day to pay respects to the dead, with nowhere else to go.

At the thought, a dull ache tugged at his heart.

Ahead, Bai Xiao suddenly stopped. She turned her head to gaze at a flourishing apricot tree beside her. The white blossoms, tinged with red, clustered on the branches like clouds—beautiful beyond words.

Bai Xiao reached up, tiptoed, and gently grasped a slender branch, bending it down. With her other hand, she picked a few apricot blossoms from the tip.

As she stretched, her sleeve drew up, exposing her skin.

Sheng Yao stared, shocked, at the unnatural gray mark on her skin.

That grayness formed the shape of a handprint on Bai Xiao's arm.

Though he was some distance away and couldn't see the details clearly, he instantly recognized it as the very spot he had grabbed her arm when they first met.

A flash of memory: the sticky substance he had touched that day.

He quickly looked down at his own hands. There was no trace left on his skin.

If he had smeared something dirty onto her, he should have the same reaction—or worse—on his own skin. Yet only Bai Xiao bore the mark, while he was untouched.

A heavy feeling settled in his heart.

He watched Bai Xiao in the distance as she cradled the flowers, smiled, and walked lightly toward the depths of the cemetery.

He was about to follow when—smack!

A hand landed firmly on Sheng Yao's shoulder.

He turned to meet Chen Jin's stern, frowning face.

Beside Chen Jin, young Wu looked pale, his eyes fixed on the direction Sheng Yao had just been watching.

Chen Jin gripped Sheng Yao's shoulder tightly, the other hand on his hip, and barked, "You! You're quite something! Even with someone tailing you, you slipped away—you're fast!"

This time, Sheng Yao didn't try to brush things off as he had before. His mind was full of the gray handprint on Bai Xiao's arm and her hidden secret, so he had no mood to deal with Chen Jin.

"Sorry, I'll leave right now," Sheng Yao said honestly.

If he left through the north gate now, and hurried, he could reach the west exit and continue to follow Bai Xiao.

"Don't try that with me! Third time's the charm—this is your third offense!" Chen Jin didn't let him go, dragging him backwards by the shoulder, though Sheng Yao didn't budge.

He stood his ground, his dark eyes meeting Chen Jin's.

Chen Jin felt a chill, but quickly braced himself, puffing out his chest and snapping, "No tricks! Come with me to the security office, or I'll call the police!"

Perhaps it was the threat of calling the police, but Chen Jin felt the young man's tense shoulders relax beneath his grip.

Sheng Yao lowered his head and let Chen Jin march him out.

After a while, Chen Jin noticed something odd. He looked back and saw young Wu still standing there in a daze.

"Wu!" he shouted.

Wu jerked as if waking from a deep sleep, looking disoriented.

Seeing this, Chen Jin changed his mind. "Wu, you stay here and keep patrolling. I'll take this one back."

Wu grew anxious, wanting to say something, but the moment he met Sheng Yao's gaze, he shuddered and fell silent.

This time Chen Jin didn't stop or look back, escorting Sheng Yao all the way out of the Longevity Cemetery.

They passed through the crowded traditional section, under the curious eyes of those paying respects, and entered the administrative area of the Longevity Garden.

The office area was quite large, divided by dense groves of trees. The administrative, finance, and business offices were located deeper within, away from the smoky chaos of the cemetery itself. The staff dorms, canteen, and the two small security rooms stood at the entrance.

The security office, thanks to its location, had become a multipurpose storeroom. When idle, the security staff would nap or play cards there. Overflow stock from the shop and canteen, as well as other staff's personal effects and tools, were also temporarily stored in the room.

At that moment, the long table was cluttered with items, and boxes were piled high in the corner, blocking much of the only small window. The bright spring sunshine outside couldn't get in—the room was as dim as a winter sunset.

Chen Jin switched on the lights as he entered, then pointed to a plastic stool in the corner, signaling Sheng Yao to sit. He pulled out his phone and messaged Lao Xu in the work chat, reporting that the person had been caught.

He sent the message, watching Sheng Yao, who sat quietly like a remorseful student; Chen Jin's stern face finally relaxed.

Chen Jin pocketed his phone, dragged over a wooden chair, and sat across from Sheng Yao. Normally, Sheng Yao was a head taller than him, but with the way the chairs were arranged, Chen Jin now towered over him.

"What's your name, young man?"

"Sheng Yao."

"Oh? Same family name as mine." Chen Jin tapped his security badge for Sheng Yao to see.

Sheng Yao shook his head with a smile. "My surname is 'Sheng'—sun on top, 'success' below."

Chen Jin paused. "Oh... that 'Sheng'..." He eyed Sheng Yao with renewed wariness.

Sheng Yao frowned, puzzled by the suspicion.

Chen Jin continued, "How old are you? Are you working?"

"I'm a university student."

"A student, huh? Don't you have classes? Why are you here every day?"

This time, Sheng Yao didn't answer immediately.

Since meeting Bai Xiao, his mind had wandered, filled only with thoughts of her. As for classes—he wasn't worried at all. It was as if he had nothing else of importance to do, at least in his own recollection.

He was silent too long, and Chen Jin's expression shifted from suspicion to disdain.

Realizing this, Sheng Yao replied, "I just happened to have no classes."

Chen Jin didn't buy it.

It was Qingming, the new school term had started—what student would have no classes at all?

"Which university?"

"Jiao Tong University."

"Jiao Tong? Top student, eh?" Chen Jin sounded even more skeptical.

Just then, someone entered.

Chen Jin greeted him, "Lao Xu."

"Mm." Lao Xu walked in, pulled up a wooden chair, and sat beside Chen Jin, sizing up Sheng Yao with a serious gaze.

"Can I leave now?" Sheng Yao asked.

"Not so fast," Chen Jin replied, turning to tell Lao Xu, "This young man says he's a Jiao Tong student, claims he has no classes. Oh, his name is Sheng Yao—sun above, 'success' below." Then he teased Sheng Yao, "And which 'Yao'?"

"'Yao' as in 'shine,' but with the sun radical," Sheng Yao explained, watching their expressions closely.

"Well-educated," Chen Jin commented drily.

Lao Xu, with the same probing look as Chen Jin, asked, "How old are you?"

"Nineteen," Sheng Yao replied, pondering where the problem lay.

"Do you have your student ID?"

"Not with me."

"Then call your parents to come pick you up," Lao Xu said.

Sheng Yao's face went blank for a moment.

In his mind appeared the gravestones of his grandparents, their names etched in black.

"Chen!" came a shout from outside.

Sheng Yao snapped to attention, turning to see the security guard who usually manned the main gate striding in.

Jin grinned at Sheng Yao. "Caught you, did they?" He turned to Chen Jin and Lao Xu. "Did you call the police? I'll wait for them outside!"

They quickly stopped him.

"Who’s at the gate if you’re here?"

"We haven’t called the police yet, don’t make a fuss."

Jin scratched his head. "Finance staff are covering the gate. But why not call the police if you’ve caught him?" He glared at Sheng Yao, trying to look fierce.

Chen Jin felt awkward. He’d caught him, yes, but not in the act. There wasn’t much reason to involve the police.

Lao Xu explained to Jin and added, "Right now, we just want to talk. He’s a university student—educated, civilized, not someone who’d do anything reckless, right? Young man, tell us honestly: why do you wander around the cemetery every day? Jiao Tong... Not an art major, are you? Not here to paint or take photos?"

Lao Xu had seen plenty during his years at the cemetery—art students seeking inspiration, and thrill-seekers slipping in at dusk for a night of mischief. As a former gatekeeper and now security guard, he hated such troublemakers. When he caught them, he’d scold them soundly. Sometimes, things escalated: the police got involved, compensation was paid, the cemetery had to fix damages, and he’d get a scolding and lose his year-end bonus—a lose-lose-lose.

Sheng Yao didn’t seem like either type, but Lao Xu kept up the kindly act.

Chen Jin played the bad cop. "Listen, this is a public cemetery, a state-run institution, not some wild graveyard or private, pay-to-do-as-you-like burial ground. Our management is strict."

Jin stayed silent at the side, stroking his chin as if deep in thought.

Sheng Yao considered pretending to be an art student, but seeing Chen Jin and Lao Xu’s eyes, he changed his mind and said sincerely, "I was just curious about the Longevity Cemetery—wanted to look around. The trees and tombstones there are different from the traditional section. I was just curious... Sorry, I realize I was wrong. I won’t wander again."

Lao Xu nodded, showing approval.

Chen Jin kept his stern face. "If you say so, but if I catch you again, we will call the police, and your family and school will be notified—"

A sharp clap interrupted him.

Both Chen Jin and Lao Xu looked at Jin.

Jin had clapped his fist into his palm, a classic gesture of sudden realization.

"Sheng Yao! You're that Sheng Yao—the grandson of Sheng Zuyi from row thirteen, aren’t you?" Jin’s eyes shone.

Chen Jin and Lao Xu blinked in confusion. Chen Jin, recovering first, cleared his throat and said, "So you come every day to pay respects to your grandfather. After you’re done, you should go home and not wander."

Lao Xu echoed his words.

Sheng Yao glanced thoughtfully at Jin, then at Chen Jin and Lao Xu, recalling the surveillance cameras at every intersection. He realized his movements had already been tracked, his identity locked down, and someone had been assigned to follow him today.

But some things still didn’t add up.

He nodded to Jin. "That’s me."

"You’re quite dutiful—bringing flowers for your grandparents, and for their neighbors too," Jin remarked.

The "neighbors" in a cemetery naturally meant those buried to either side.

"Since you buy flowers, why pick them from the Longevity Cemetery?" Jin grumbled.

Sheng Yao listened in a daze, recalling Bai Xiao picking apricot blossoms, and her hands offering different flowers at various graves these past days.

Lao Xu called Jin to order, telling him not to get worked up.

Chen Jin was about to speak when Sheng Yao suddenly asked, "Who’s buried in the neighboring grave?"

"What do you mean? Didn’t you read the name on the tombstone when you left flowers?" Jin retorted.

"I did. I mean, the grave’s owner and her relatives..."

"That’s none of your business," Chen Jin interjected. "Just mind your own affairs here."

Lao Xu said, "Just pay respects and don’t wander. Do it again and we’ll call the police."

Sheng Yao sensed the insincerity in their words. Unsure where the real problem lay, he suppressed his doubts.

"I understand. May I leave now?" he asked.

Lao Xu nodded.

"I’ll walk you out," Chen Jin offered.

"No need." Sheng Yao bowed slightly to the three, apologized again, and walked out.

Chen Jin didn’t insist.

Once out of the security office, Sheng Yao’s footsteps were heavy. After a short distance, he quickened his pace.