Chapter 23

The early autumn wind wasn’t cold, even at night. It felt just right on their skin after eating hotpot.

Zhou Zhou walked in the middle, and the three of them casually strolled toward the moat.

This area was an old part of the city, with narrow streets. Even on the sidewalk, they often had to step aside for others.

Chen Jing was busy, constantly replying to messages on his phone. He often fell behind the other two, so in the end, Cheng Yanran and Zhou Zhou walked side by side.

Because they didn’t want to bother Chen Jing, the two walked very close together.

At least Cheng Yanran could smell her breath and see the red color of her cheeks clearly.

On both sides of the moat was a park.

The old park, worn by time, had tall trees and climbing vines. The dim yellow streetlights made the place quiet and calm.

The atmosphere was just right.

Cheng Yanran was about to say something when Zhou Zhou asked, “Do you watch crime shows?”

“Sometimes,” he answered honestly, not sure why she asked.

“Don’t you think this place looks like a crime scene? Especially later at night.”

“…”

“I’m serious. Even though there are cameras, the leaves cover them. If it gets later and shops across the street close, there’s no light, it’s totally dark, and no witnesses.”

“…”

This was very different from the romantic mood Cheng Yanran had imagined.

He looked deeper into the park. The old people who usually exercised were gone. It was very dark inside. He touched his chin and asked, “What show have you been watching?”

“‘I am a Detective.’ It’s really good. You should watch it.”

“Weren’t you on a business trip? How do you have time to watch shows?”

“I watch at the hotel at night. I’m almost finished. After watching, I look up real crime cases online—it’s creepy.”

Suddenly Cheng Yanran remembered she lived alone in Jade Bay. “You have security cameras at home, right?”

“All installed. Even the doorbell.”

“Hmm… that’s good, but those alarms aren’t very sensitive. Experts can hack them easily.”

“No way! My doorbell is very sensitive. It rings whenever someone passes by.”

Cheng Yanran laughed, “If you’re worried, I can make you a system.”

“Make what? I already have one.”

“I mean a camera system that can detect people who often appear at your door or stay too long—like knocking, banging, or shouting. Your doorbell only works if someone is very close and walks normally. If someone sneaks quietly, it won’t notice. The camera’s view depends on where it’s placed.”

Zhou Zhou nodded. Her doorbell’s range really depended on where it was set.

“You can make it? Your company doesn’t do this, right?”

“It’s easy. I learned it in school.”

Zhou Zhou didn’t want to bother him. He made it sound simple, but everyone has work, so it means giving up free time. Still, she remembered the neighborhood group message saying many people in low-floor apartments had stuff stolen recently. She hesitated.

She admitted that Cheng Yanran’s idea to track frequent visitors was very tempting.

She didn’t have many valuables or much cash at home, but she was scared living alone. If something happened, she wouldn’t even have time to cry.

“Well, if you have time, please make one for me. I can pay for the equipment. Otherwise, I’ll skip it.”

Even among friends, favors should be balanced. Taking too much can hurt relationships.

“Okay. I’ll pick the product and tell you the price. You send me money. No charge for the work. Haha.”

Zhou Zhou laughed, “Alright, Mr. Expert, don’t rush. I’m not in a hurry, so you can take your time.”

“Good! About a week, then I’ll install it for you.”

“I’ll wait for your message. Really, no rush.”

Cheng Yanran smiled softly when she said no rush again. “It’s not a big deal. For us, it’s just a night’s work.”

They didn’t walk far before Chen Jing caught up, and the three laughed and chatted again.

When Zhou Zhou got home that night, it was almost 10 pm. She felt her food was fully digested.

She took a hot shower, stretched out comfortably on her bed, and sighed happily.

Her phone chimed with a message from Cheng Yanran—a picture of a surveillance camera and its price from an online store.

Just as she was about to pay, she remembered her parents’ old neighborhood also had poor security. She asked carefully, “Is it hard to make two? I want one for my parents’ place too. It’s an old neighborhood with cheap fees and loose management. Not very safe.”

“No problem, just copy it,” Cheng Yanran replied quickly.

“Then I’ll buy two. I’m sending the money to you now.” She transferred the money to Cheng Yanran according to the price.

After he received the money, she finally felt relieved. “Thanks a lot. Let me know when it’s ready. I’ll treat you to a meal.”

“Okay! Same place— the Cantonese dim sum shop.”

It was very late at night. They had just eaten dinner together, and if they kept chatting, it wouldn’t be just a friendship anymore.

She was very clear about this and replied, “Alright, talk later.”

Then she happily opened her tablet and continued watching I am a Detective.

The next morning, just after waking up, she heard Yuanyuan outside the door saying she wanted to go to the zoo.

She quickly got up and saw the sky was gray and it was drizzling, so she persuaded her to go to the science museum instead, which was indoors and wouldn’t get them wet.

The little girl pouted a lot but thought about the rain and how the animals probably wouldn’t come out, so she sadly agreed.

At least going to the science museum was better than going nowhere.

She quickly packed a water bottle, milk, and bread, and took the little girl out.

Kids have so much energy. They spent the whole day at the science museum, but Yuanyuan was still full of energy and wanted to go to the mall to eat and shop.

Zhou Zhou was completely exhausted. She was glad she had the sense to wear sports clothes and sneakers. Even though she sat on the floor eating grilled skewers and drinking milk tea without caring about her looks, and walked 20,000 steps that day, her feet didn’t hurt much. She was just very tired, like all her bones and joints had been taken apart and put back together messily.

After pulling, coaxing, and persuading in every way, and finally offering KFC as a treat, she managed to take the little girl home.

By the time they got home, it was already 7 p.m. She didn’t have the strength to squeeze into the subway to go back to Jade Bay. After eating, she collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.

Before sleeping, she checked her step count on WeChat. She had walked more than 28,000 steps and ranked third on the leaderboard.