Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The office buzzed with the desk fans and the muted small talk of officers served as white noise to Xinyu. She was bored out of her mind. Nien wasn’t in office today, so her joint cubicle felt empty as she sat back in her chair and spun a pen between her fingers, staring absent mindlessly at the ceiling.

She stuck her feet on her desk, slightly pushing back and tilting the chair. If only she had anything to do.

“Officer Zhou!” A voice that was distinctly her boss's barked out.

Her prayers had been answered.

She stumbled, nearly falling from her chair, muting a scream before she had the entire office's eyes on her. She stood, dusting off her slacks as if they have anything on them, and approached her boss's desk.

Chief Hyunjung held the door open, letting her pass between and shutting it behind them.

She sat down, making herself comfortable. “How’s your wife?”

A smile creeped onto her face, “Jiyeon’s doing well, the flower shop keeps her busy.” She motioned to the small bouquet of flowers near the corner of her desk and the framed photo of them and their pets.

Xinyu smiled, her heart warming, “That’s great to hear.” She saw the file her Chief was holding in her hands, “What do you have for me, Boss?”

She threw a filled manila folder in front of Xinyu “New case. You look a little too bored.”

“Eager to serve.” She said, it truly felt like any other case until she opened the photo, saw the name, and then looked at the photo again, and scanned the name again. Surely not.

She leaned back, casual. “You used to know her right?”

Xinyu gave her an incredulous look, “How’d you know?”

“Gotta keep tabs on our officers, I’m sure you understand.” Because sure, keeping tabs on everyone Xinyu has ever dated was so normal.

She muttered under her breath. “Violation of my privacy is what I understand.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Details?”

“Good. Back to the important matters.” She leaned forward, putting her readers on before pulling out her notes and clearing her throat, “All of this information is in the file, but I’ll give you an idea. We’ve been tracking this criminal organization for a while, loan sharking, money laundering, some drug activity, etcetera. We just need evidence to put their upper ranks away.”

Xinyu nodded along, “So you want me to talk to an old fling? For what purpose?”

“She works at the bar where most of the activity is recorded. She could know something, or she couldn't.” She shrugged, “Go ahead and have a reunion.”

She crossed her arms, leaning back into her chair and raising an eyebrow, “Is there not a risk? She knows my name.”

“We’ve controlled the information surrounding you.”

Xinyu couldn't believe what was happening. This entire situation is entirely out of protocol. They must really be desperate. “Right. You don’t think this is a conflict of interest?”

“We've had other people on this case, but they got little to nothing. We need an in and you working at the bar they do their business at should be good enough.”

Right. So they're desperate.

She nodded her head, clearly not having any more space to argue. She was glad she had an assignment, at least. 

Xinyu hadn't thought of the name Gong Yubin in years, the reminder forcing old memories that she thought she had already lost.

She never anticipated reaching out again after she left so abruptly. Hopefully that won’t get in the way of it all. 

“Understood,” she swiped the folder from the desk, "I'll start my preparations as soon as possible.”

When Chief Hyunjung nodded she knew she was excused and exited the room, setting back onto her desk chair and pulling her phone from her pocket.

Xinyu: new case. it’s weird

Nien: what’s up? why didn’t he wait til i was back?

Xinyu: i think it’s just for me.

can i crash at your place? i’ll run through it.

Nien: i’m sure Seoyeon would love to hear about it too

Xinyu: i’m not interrupting anything?

Nien: nah just text me when ur otw

She sent back a thumbs up emoji and booted up her computer, the girl's name immediately flying into the search bar.

There were social media accounts but many were either not updated in a couple years or private. Without much thinking, she followed one of the newer looking ones and skimmed through the old ones.

It was weird. Now that she thought of it, she never even did this when they dated. 

She saw photos of family and friends, all with that bright smile that Xinyu didn’t realize she missed. She felt bad about leaving her in the dust, but it was needed. It was a rule of thumb she followed after the first time she went undercover: do not go out. made it really strange when someone approached her in the club calling her Felicia.

After maybe an hour or so, with a ding, she saw that Yubin accepted her follow request and she skimmed the profile. Still at the bar, still with her family and friends, there were just some new characters that she didn’t quite observe the first time.

She looked at one of the men and hated to assume the worst of people, but that was a lot of tattoos. She just didn't remember Yubin hanging around that sort of people

Xinyu opened the messages, typing or something simple:

Xinyu: hey can we talk? it’s been a while.

The reply was so quick it caught the officer off guard.

Yubin: yeah. 7 years. what do you want

Xinyu: i’m sorry. i want to explain.

maybe over lunch? my treat

The typing bubbles kept appearing and disappearing until she finally got a reply

Yubin: k. text me details i’ll show up.

Xinyu muttered a soft celebration as she stuffed the file in her briefcase and stepped out the office, passing by coworkers and saying her goodbyes, and texting Nien she was on the way.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Seoyeon was the one that opened the door, and Xinyu noticeably had to shift her gaze down to say hello, desperately fighting the urge to make a joke.

“Wow you’re still dressed up huh? I never understood why you guys had to wear a suit and tie.”

Xinyu walked past subtly looking out for Nien, “I never really understood it either but at least I look good.”

Seoyeon scoffed, “Right.”

Nien popped up around the corner and exclaimed “Zhoujie!”

Xinyu held her arms open, “You pretend like you don’t see me every day.”

“Well it’s not every day I’m gone! You must’ve missed me.” After sharing a quick hug, she sat at the counter while Nien continued cooking.

Xinyu dramatically sighed “It was so hard, Nien, I had to make copies on my own!”

“That sounds sooooo rough.”

Seoyeon rolled her eyes at their antics, going back to chopping veggies presumably for dinner.

“I didn’t mean to intrude, but this new case…”

“What about it?”

“They’re making me get back in contact with a girl I was seeing…”

“Which one? that girl at the cafe?” Xinyu shook her head. “That one you met at the hotel lobby while we were supposed to be undercover?” Xinyu shook her head. “Still petty about that by the way. Big bruise from that guy sneaking up and whacking me.” Nien sighed and then continued, “The bartender? Senior in college?”

“Yes! That one. Yubin.”

“They want you to reach out to the girl you ghosted?”

“Ghosted is a strong word.”

“Disappeared. Never contacted again. Vanished. What’s better?”

“That was an important case.”

“I’d be petty if I was her!” Seoyeon poked in. “Just saying if Nien suddenly stopped talking to me and I didn't know why I'd have to cut her off.”

“Alright!" Xinyu raised her hands up in surrender, knowing she wouldn't win this battle outnumbered. "That was 7 years ago and she took me up on a meetup anyway. What good lunch places are there?”

Seoyeon was washing her hands but perked up, grabbing her phone, “I know a decent spot, I'll send you the address.”

Xinyu nodded, “Thank you!”

“So about the case…” Nien trailed off.

She turned her attention back to her partner, suddenly uninterested, “Yeah, toppling a crime syndicate or whatever. Money laundering, moving stolen goods, suspicions of drug trafficking, gambling I think? all the good stuff. All extremely vague.”

“Sounds about right.” 

“Well I don’t know,” Xinyu stood up, making her way to pour a glass of water, “it’s weird doing a mission without you, and as myself too.”

"It is odd that they're doing that. Feels dangerous." Nien couldn't help the teasing grin that spread on her face. “You’re scared to talk to her, aren't you?”

She sat back down, resting her fist against her head and swirling the water around her glass, “No! Well.” She pondered, “I mean. It's been seven years.”

Nien stuffed her hands into oven mitts. “I mean at least she said yes to meeting up.” Nien leaned, taking the salmon out of the oven.

“That smells good.”

Seoyeon turned around, tilting her head, “You staying for dinner?”

Xinyu only allowed herself to ponder it for a moment before answering, “No, I don’t want to crash over here again, I always stay too late and mess up your couch.”

“You know we don’t really mind.” Nien chimed in.

“Yeah, yeah it’s alright you guys deserve some alone time.” Xinyu finished the rest of her water, sliding the glass by the sink and getting up. “I’m here so often I wouldn’t be surprised if you charged me rent.”

“We’ve considered it.” Nien remarked, a teasing smile lining her lips before she hugged her goodbye, Seoyeon following and doing the same.

The door shut behind her and she heard a lock.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Xinyu sat at the table facing the entrance. Her hands were clasped together and she was fidgeting with her knuckles as she awaited the other woman's arrival.

She checked her watch. Five minutes past 1 PM. She couldn't blame Yubin for being late, but she was wary of being stood up entirely.

Ten more minutes passed and the waitress checked on her three times. A profound feeling of embarrassment was flooding her senses with each extension she requested. The impulse to leave was strong. The simple partial turtle neck she was wearing felt as if it was choking her tighter as time stretched on. That was until she saw her.

Gong Yubin walked in. Her hair was now an ashy brown which cascaded down a brown leather jacket that nearly seemed to big for her frame, covering a gray form-fitting dress.

Xinyu must keep composure. She stood up to greet her. "It's been so long!" She went in for a hug, but paused at the hard stare she received.

"Yeah. It has." Yubin let her words sink in, holding her gaze, until she ducked into the embrace.

It was held for one beat too long before sitting down at the table.

Yubin picked up the menu, "Anything good here?"

"I don't really know, it's my first time here too." Xinyu looked down at the options, but if she was honest, it was hard to keep her eyes off of the other. Time had treated her well. Xinyu took just a moment to smooth out the ruffles in her own clothes before setting the menu down. "I think I know what I'll get. What have you been up to?"

"Nothing new, really."

"Since the last I've seen you?"

"Yep. Same bar." Her voice was flat, she seemed to be consciously keeping her words to herself.

Xinyu sat back, folding her arms. "You want your explanation, right?"

"That was the point of this entire meetup, I thought."

"You're more cut throat than I remember."

"I thought you forgot me."

The line pierced Xinyu's heart, its teasing tone serving as a mask for the genuine hurt of 7 years of silence. Xinyu sat up, leaning towards Yubin, trying her best to look sincere. Her mind was split between two versions of herself that she never really had to confront before: the act and the truth. She felt bad, but what came out was a mix of both.

"I'm sorry." Maintaining eye contact felt strangely vulnerable; not for her, but being able to see the other woman's eyes shift felt like she was witnessing something so personal. The anger loosened, still there, but reeled back. It was just a matter of waiting for any kind of response.

"Explain."

"Yes ma'am." Xinyu nodded, "You know how I said I was an actor, yeah?" Yubin nodded along, "I don't want to sugarcoat it. I'll keep it simple: I booked, I had to leave, and I'm sorry but you slipped through the cracks when it was my time to go."

"Your phone stopped working?"

"Sort of."

"For seven years?"

"Again, I'm sorry."

Yubin huffed in return. Rather than seeing this as some loss, Xinyu saw that Yubin did genuinely care. Although there was a fondness that came back from the past, more importantly the possibility of her mission succeeding was looking better. All she had to do was swing this the right way.

"I saw your account pop up on my recommended." She prayed this would work, "I didn't realize how much I missed you." Xinyu held her gaze, trying to search for any signs of melting her cold front, but all stayed the same. Outside, at least.

Yubin sighed, seemingly grabbing her stuff to leave until Xinyu shot out a hand.

"Wait! Please. I miss you, but I saw you were still working at that bar and…"

"You called me just because you needed a job?" There was a faint hint of disgust in her voice.

Xinyu gave a gentle nod, hoping that the desperation showed in her eyes.

Yubin sat down. The kicked-puppy look practice in the mirror must've worked.

"So you're a struggling actor asking me for a job?"

"I'm sorry. I know that this is an unfair ask, but I really wouldn't dare to ask you something like this if I had other options."

Yubin stared at Xinyu, the long silence being possibly the most uncomfortable since Xinyu was stuck in an elevator with a target. "I'll give you the owners number. We've been short-staffed for the past month anyway."

Xinyu's hands shot out to hold Yubin's in gratitude. "Thank you so much you don't understand how much this means to me I really do appreciate it."

Yubin pulled her hands back, mock wiping them off on her jacket as she rolled her eyes, "Does that mean I'm paying since you're broke?"

"Well I invited you out so it'd be wrong to make you pay."

"I remember you saying that."

"It's basic manners, really."

"I'm glad you think so. Some of the other people out here…" Yubin trailed off, making a displeased face.

A cocky grin spread across Xinyu's lips, "So I was one of your best?"

Yubin deadpanned in return. "You really shot down in the rankings when you stopped talking to me on a Thursday afternoon."

Fuck. "Understood." She was doing so well.

…

The waiter put the check on the table and Xinyu slid it towards herself before Yubin could even think to grab it. She paid for the meal, uttering a simple thank you as she walked out the door next to Yubin.

"Do you need a ride home?"

"I'll just take the bus."

"It's really no issue," Xinyu turned to Yubin, trying to put on her most charming smile, "just like old times, yeah?"

Yubin almost seemed like she was considering it. Xinyu really thought she would see the other nod, but she seemed to shake it out of her system. "I'll see you at the bar." Yubin's eyes widened in surprise, "I almost forgot to give you his number!"

Xinyu didn't hesitate to pull out her phone, handing it over as she stood and awaited its return.

The phone was handed back to her with two new contacts. She couldn't help but look up with a raised eyebrow.

"I changed my number." Yubin said, as if it was nothing at all. Maybe it was. "We may be coworkers soon. I'd give it to you sooner or later. Just don't abuse it, yeah?"

Xinyu nodded. "I would never."

"I'll hold you to it."

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Xinyu parked in her usual spot, clicking her key fob and listening for the lock. The apartment corridor was silent and although eerie is was better than music blasting or another couple arguing. Her apartment was the same. Sometimes she would wish that she had a pet to greet her when she entered the door, but the more rational side of herself knew that she had no right to adopt a pet to see it so little.

She sighed as she turned the apartment lights on. The sink had a few dishes she'd been putting off, her laundry hadn't been folded in days and she would probably need to run it through the dryer just to neglect it once again. Xinyu tossed her brief case onto the coffee table and backtracked to grab grapes out of her fridge before sitting down.

Every time she got a case, she would do this exact ritual. She wanted to delay filling her brain so she would be clear for her meeting with Yubin, but still, her habits stayed the same. Sitting in front of the TV with some show she didn't really care about while doing her research was just some strange habit she fell into, this time she felt more care towards it.

She spread the file out across the coffee table, but her hand reached out to Yubin's profile by instinct. She scanned the page, observing no criminal record, no even a single stain. The girl's only involvement seemed to be her occupation, which stretched on much longer than the Yubin from the past would allow Xinyu to believe. The younger woman's culinary degree seemed to be in much less use in that kind of establishment. If she were to ask herself so long ago where she would see Yubin now, it would be in some fancy restaurant. She stared at the occupation line and it still read "Bartender". Weird.

Shifting her gaze, she turned to all the known information on the "Golden Scorpions" whoever came up with that name. She read the incident report of busts of money laundering, gambling dens, rumored drug trafficking, fencing, all not particularly atypical of this kind of group but still needed to be dealt with, of course.

The force seemed to have trouble with pinning evidence on who they really needed to put away. There were many examples of your average low-lives getting caught with possession or caught in a gambling den— but the issue with only catching them is that more always come. Simply no use in throwing them into jail when they'll be replaced within the next month. Xinyu's job was to put away the big guys, the ones that would hopefully topple this whole operation from the top down.

In theory this was simple. In reality, Xinyu had no lead, no evidence, not one fucking clue of how to approach this other than follow the path right now. It was truly a case of hoping— hoping that she would find any kind of small needle in this large haystack.

She pulled open her laptop, accessing the database only available to people on the force but that wasn't much more helpful than anything in the manila folder.

She felt her joints crack as she stretched back, allowing the uncertainty of the operation drift away as the thought of a nice hot shower solidified in the front of her mind. It was with this that she sorted the file back into order, shoved it in the coffee table drawer, and ended her night.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

It was the average office day and still again Xinyu and Nien had so little to do, but at least they had each other. It began as normal conversation until Xinyu started spitballing about their case, a usual kind of rant that Nien had grown accustomed to during the time they became partners. In fact, they would even lead to large breakthroughs as well!

This wasn't one of those rants.

"It's weird isn't it?" Xinyu said, fiddling with a pen as she leaned to look at Nien over the short cubicle wall.

"What? She didn't become a cook? What about it?" Nien shrugged, "It's not like you know anything about what happened. seven years is a pretty long time."

Xinyu straightened up as if it made her look any more serious to Nien, "I knew her back then. Even if we didn't really date for that long we talked a lot. She wanted it so bad it's just weird. Weird that she would let it go, you know?"

Nien nodded along, understanding that at this point Xinyu was just reasoning for herself.

Xinyu had a downturned look on her face, reminiscing on dinner dates in which Yubin would make honestly some of the best meals of her life, it all felt so strange for her to leave it behind. "She just had so much ahead of her."

"Why do you seem more worried about this girl's future than the fact that you're infiltrating a crime syndicate?"

"I know more about this situation then the damn organization. I mean seriously. Our files have nothing and as far as I know they're generic but it seems that all in all we just know nothing!" Xinyu motioned wildly, showing just how lost she was.

"Listen I know I'm not on the case, but if you get put into any kind of sticky situation, you know you can call right?"

"I'm surprised they haven't established some official buddy system for us already, but yeah of course. I got your back and you've always had mine, yeah?"

Nien nodded, spinning her chair back to her computer before Xinyu peeked over, Nien gave a mock dramatic sigh before looking up, "What?"

"They let you keep your firearm on you, right?"

Nien's hand felt for the holster, "Mhm."

"Why?"

Nien shrugged, the holster on her side feeling heavy, "Just in case."

Xinyu leaned back in her chair, complaining at the ceiling, "Why don't they let me?!"

"Did you ask?"

"I'm scared to!"

"You're on a case, they'd probably let you. And Chief Hyunjung isn't that scary. Like at all."

"You're right, I don't know. Usually you're the one that handles stuff like that anyway."

"Right…" Nien trailed off, "I'm sure you'll be fine."

"I hope so!" Xinyu was cut off by her phone ringing. It was Yubin's boss. "Let's pray I even get hired."

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

The interview went strangely well, considering that there was barely any interview at all, really. It was all really just one question.

"Who told you that we needed help here?"

"Yubin."

"Then we must need help." He nodded, Xinyu thought he would let out some chuckle but no— he was absolutely serious. "Could you start tomorrow? Yubin can train you."

That's how she ended up at the bar late at night on a slow Tuesday afternoon. She walked through the doors and was immediately confronted with Yubin's hard stare as if she sensed her.

The bar was clean and embellished by sleek warm lighting that make you feel like you could stay longer than you were supposed to. Seeing that it was the middle of the week, the few people lining the seats were spaced out and there were a couple tables seating two— they were still just as quiet as the lonely souls. The music supplemented any kind of comfort in the establishment that would otherwise be absent.

Xinyu hung her coat at the rack and rolled her sleeves up.

"You thought this was a classy establishment?" Yubin remarked as she passed behind the bar, making sure to emphasize scanning her up and down.

Xinyu looked down at her own attire, maybe a suit and tie does look a bit much. "I'm dressed for success, what can I say."

Yubin snickered, "If you spill anything on that pristine white button-up, I won't let you live it down."

Xinyu feigned a salute and sort of just followed Yubin for a bit, not entirely sure what to do. "So, am I your only coworker?"

She shook her head, "There's this other girl, Suhyeon. She only really works part time, though." Yubin looked over her shoulder at Xinyu, her gaze slightly turned up. "She calls out too much anyway. I expect you to be more reliable since you were so desperate and all."

Xinyu nodded.

"I'm assuming you've poured a drink before."

"Usually you did it for me."

Yubin playfully pushed her back by her chest, "I don't know what gives you the gall to flirt with me after last time, and were working, so act like it."

Part of Xinyu was genuinely shocked that she got turned down that hard, but it was easy to understand.

Yubin continued, "For now, I'll just have you pour the simple drinks and teach you the others as they're ordered or after hours."

Xinyu was almost tempted to make another teasing remark, but she had to be better than that. Couldn't get kicked off the job and this case just cause she was being a creep.

The vast majority of the night was just as Yubin described. If the order was simple, Yubin would point Xinyu to do it, otherwise Xinyu just sort of loomed over the shorter girl and observed her practiced precision.

All to say, she was bored, and at least with that she remembered her mission. She observed the people she served, the people sitting at the tables, the conversations happening, but nothing really stood out. It was entertaining, but not useful.

That is, until she saw a man walk into the bar. He wore a black button-up that was unbuttoned at the top and the arm sleeves were rolled up to reveal inked arms, as well as having a grey duffel bag slung over his shoulder. The slicked back hair was could be a sign he was an asshole if not for the grin that spread across his face. "Yubin! Baby!"

"I was clear about you not calling me that, but what do you want?"

"Everything clear?"

"When is it not?"

He cheekily pointed, agreeing before he headed towards the bathroom.

That was fucking weird.

"Your ex?"

Yubin tensed up just for a moment, "No." She paused, continuing, "Just a regular."

Xinyu squinted, not being able to get past it all. She didn't want to push too much, so she opted to take a mental note and continue her work.

It was 2 AM and they finally shoved the last drunkard out of the bar, readying to close. Yubin and Xinyu were wiping glasses, surfaces, counting money, dating alcohol. Xinyu was never more thankful that she had a more interesting job— usually, at least.

"Fun first day?"

"The best. Totally not depressed by the clientele."

Yubin scoffed, "Cause you'll be so much happier on the weekend."

"No one wanted to talk, all so kept to themselves."

"I don't really see any issue with that. I can only have so many old men flirting with me until I'm actually okay that no one is particularly interested in talking to me."

Xinyu visibly cringed at the idea, but the memories came back regardless, "At least I wasn't an old man, right?"

Yubin couldn't resist the smirk. She was always so cocky, and unfortunately she grew to tolerate it then, even grow to like it. Now, she couldn't allow herself to fall again. "Still a douche bag."

"You thought of me?"

"I'm not gonna stroke your ego for free."

"What's your rate?"

"Like I could steal money from a struggling artist. I'm way too expensive for you. Save what little cash you have, Zhou Xinyu."

Xinyu clutched her heart as if a knife pierced through her very being. "You don't have to be so harsh!"

"That's the only way to get through that head of yours."

"Is it too high?"

"Oh please, I'm not even short."

Xinyu straightened her posture, just to make sure Yubin could feel the full seven centimeters difference, "You are to me."

"Everyone is short to you!" Xinyu nearly grinned, finally hitting a nerve.

Yubin threw her rag onto the counter, "We're basically done cleaning. Head home."

"You're going to finish up alone?"

"I usually do."

"I have no issue with staying, even if I have nothing to do."

"It's really okay, Xinyu, I'm letting you off the hook for today. Another day I'll make you clean everything anyway."

Xinyu nodded, still cautious about leaving her alone, but picked up her coat regardless, slotting her arms through the sleeves. She turned her head back just before exiting the door, "Text or call if you need anything. I mean it."

Yubin held up a thumbs-up and Xinyu knew that was her cue to go.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

A week had finally passed. Being a bartender was less rewarding than Xinyu thought it would be. She went to Nien's apartment to go over notes, but all technical speak turned into passionate ranting.

Xinyu sat on the bed, the mess of notes crumples under her knees as she motioned wildly while she spoke. "This asshole— and mind you, I was pouring a drink for some other sleazeball— this asshole snaps at me and yells all drunken 'where's my drink?' as if he didn't just order five seconds ago. If I wasn't trying to hide I was a cop I would have choked him out."

Nien was laid out in a much more relaxed position, laying on her side and feeling tired just listening to all of Xinyu's stories, "Thank god I'm not on that case." She sighed, "I don't think I could hold myself back, especially with a night like that."

Xinyu sighed, laying back onto the pillows and putting her hands over her face, "I really don't know how Yubin has done this for years. I'm nearly cracking after a few shifts."

There was a long pause before Nien broke the silence. "How's that going, by the way?"

"What do you mean? I just went over the whole case." She picked up her notes, reciting the messy lines, "guys going to the bathroom for too long with a duffel bag and leaving with it partially empty, Yubin knowing them by name, people with too much money going to that bar—"

Nien cut her off. "No. I mean with Yubin. You and Yubin."

"Ah." Xinyu sucked air through her teeth, "I think she's still mad at me. She keeps it at bay but I feel it. Especially when it's just us, it's like she's struggling to not curse me out for what I did."

"Well no shit. Do you want to get back together?"

Xinyu hadn't exactly thought of that, she was committed to gathering information but the thought of them two genuinely getting back together. She could feel Nien's stare and knew she had to come up with some reply before she started getting read like a book. "It would be in bad faith. Cause of the case and all. Conflict of interest?"

"You don't even sound sure." Nien gave a disapproving look, "If Hyunjung didn't want you guys to get together at all, she'd warn against it, no?"

"I guess that's one way of thinking of it."

Nien continued, "Besides, what's the issue with it? She just works at the bar. It's not like you're falling in love with a mob boss."

Xinyu nodded along, the thought of being with Yubin again… she wasn't opposed. With the way she left, there was no conclusion— no break up or loss of feelings— just radio silence. She'd be lying if she never thought of Yubin since then, but the thought of reaching out after even a few months seemed daunting. Yet here they are.

Her thought process was interrupted by Nien's apartment door unlocking and a bitter Seoyeon bursting through the door. The first thing she saw was her girlfriend in bed with another woman, but her shoulders loosened as soon as she saw it was Xinyu and the ungodly spread of notes covering the bed like another blanket.

"You okay, hamham?"

Seoyeon's fists visibly clenched. "I had a very bad day."

Nien glanced towards Xinyu, a measurable fear in her eyes. "What happened?"

Seoyeon sighed, tossing her bag to the side, "I don't really want to talk about it right now. Can we just watch a movie or something?" Xinyu reached to scoop up her notes, "Wait you can stay! I mean clean up your notes, but you don't have to go."

Xinyu nodded with a thumbs up, still organizing her notes into her briefcase while Nien got up and ushered Seoyeon to the couch.

After 30 minutes of searching they landed some melodrama, the classic push and pull with blurred lines, all culminating to the main character storming out of the house, directly into the downpour.

They argued and the love interest turned back towards the house, leaving the protagonist in the pouring rain. They could practically see the courage build up within her before calling out for the other. Once, twice, just as she called out the third time the love interest turned around. Just as the protagonist's mouth opened to pour out some heart-spilling confession, Xinyu's phone rang.

Nien let out an exaggerated "awwww," pausing the movie, "who is it?"

Xinyu pulled her phone to her face, squinting, her eyes lit up as she read the caller ID. "Oh it's Mayu!" she hopped up from the couch, telling the couple that they could keep playing the movie before stepping away and answering the call.

"Mayu! It's been a while!"

A bright voice replied, "It has! I'm in town for once and I was thinking we could catch up over brunch maybe?"

"Yeah of course! I should be free like… Friday? Will you still be here in three days or back to Japan?"

"No that should be good! I have this one spot I was interested in, I'll send you the location."

"Okay! I'll see you Friday, then."

"Sounds great."

Xinyu stuck her phone back in her pocket, walking over to sit down and finish the movie. The rain drenched the two as they finally confessed and kissed, finally deciding to walk back to the house and spend the rest of the run time being so sickeningly sweet.

Good for them.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

To be completely honest, Xinyu wasn't sure why she doubted Yubin's warning about the weekend days. She was in a near constant state of movement, every time she delivered drinks to one table, there was a man at the bar who needed his drink refilled, and as soon as she would refill the drink, the table needed five more different drinks.

She was in an absolute daze, but a loud entrance knocked her out of it.

Despite just entering the bar, this man seemed already absolutely wasted and his slight stumble was all the evidence Xinyu needed to not give him another sip of alcohol.

He basically shoved himself onto a bar stool— directly in front of Xinyu— and held up two fingers. "Beer."

Xinyu wasn't going to entertain a man who couldn't ask politely, "No."

"What to you mean no? Do your fucking job."

Her eyes squinted at the man, not sure how he could muster up the courage to be such a crybaby. Just as she opened her mouth to say something probably would've gotten her fired if the manager was ever here, Yubin slid next to her.

"Suho, you're cut off." Yubin gave Xinyu a pointed look, as if to make sure she would stay silent as well. "I'm sure the guys wouldn't want to take care of you blackout drunk. You're still annoying as fuck right now."

Weirdly enough, he didn't choose to argue back. He just gave some exaggerated sigh and with a dramatic slam of his palm on the bar top he stood up and walked right out.

Xinyu turned to Yubin, opening her mouth to ask what that was all about, just for Yubin to already be turned around and serving another patron.

Strange.

…

Xinyu felt as if she could finally lean back and breathe. A Friday night was just as much of a rush as Yubin warned, and yet she was still surprised the second time.

Yubin came out of the bathroom with a few people in tow, ushering them out. When she could finally shut the door and watched them walk out, Xinyu could see the tension leave her shoulders as the night was finally technically over.

"I need a cigarette." Yubin groaned.

Xinyu laughed until she saw the younger woman actually pull a pack out her purse and walk out the door with a lighter. She followed without thinking.

The cold night air nipped at Xinyu's skin as the overly warm-colored streetlight illuminated the storefront along with the lighter sparks that flew as Yubin struggled to get it to catch.

"Here, give it to me." Xinyu extended a hand and Yubin have her an overly exaggerated eye roll before handing it over. Xinyu only needed to flick it twice before a flame caught, bringing it to the other's face. "So you smoke now?"

Yubin's speech was muffled as she held the cigarette in her mouth, holding it over the flame. She have a humorless chuckle, "You saw the environment I work in."

Xinyu returned a laugh, but felt cautious with her words. "You hated it when I smoked."

"Yeah it smells bad." Yubin shrugged, "Somewhere in the middle I just got used to it." She took a puff and offered it to Xinyu.

With two fingers she took it and drew out a lungs full of smoke only to choke up a bit and cough.

Yubin had a cheeky smile on her face, giggling at the scene as she took it back. "Not used to my brand?"

Xinyu let out her last cough, "I quit. Four years ago, actually."

"Really?!" Yubin exclaimed, Genuine worry was painted all over her face. "Don't tell me I messed up your sobriety."

"No, no you didn't I just figured might as well since you offered so kindly." Xinyu motioned with her hand, "Let me try again."

Yubin raised an eyebrow but handed it over regardless.

Xinyu took it, raising it to her lips, full eye contact, and then dropped it to the ground and put it out with her boot.

"Are you serious?!" Yubin shouted, not paying any mind to the drunk stragglers that were startled by the sudden noise, "That was paid with hard earned cash, you know."

"You really shouldn't kill yourself like that, you're too pretty." Xinyu had a shit-eating grin plastered across her face, ready to run if Yubin did anything as little as bucking at her.

Yubin crossed her arms, "You didn't quit when I said that to you."

Ah. That's why it sounded so familiar.

Xinyu raised her hands in mock defense, "I eventually did!"

"Your perfume only did so much to cover the smell. You were lucky you were cute." She pointed in an almost accusatory manner, judging the state the older woman was in now.

"Yeah?" Xinyu smirked, stepping just one bit closer, "What about now?"

Xinyu couldn't fight the smile growing on her face as she saw Yubin swallow and the tension growing in her jaw. She anticipated whatever that would come out of Yubin's mouth. Well, until it was: "Real ugly."

Xinyu's jaw dropped, her eyes locked on Yubin who walked past her, purposefully bumping Xinyu. Yubin looked over her shoulder with some smug face, "We still need to close! Get your ass to work."

Xinyu let the embarrassment wash over her just for a moment just before she sighed and followed.

Maybe next time.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Xinyu woke with groggy eyes to a phone call and a worried voice on the other end, Mayu realizing the place she had in mind was actually closed on Fridays, but she had another option.

"How do you feel about cats?"

That's how Xinyu ended up sitting cross-legged, a coffee in her hand and a black cat curled up in her lap that was absolutely knocked out. Mayu checked under the table to see if it was still there and gave a sweet crescent-eyed smile seeing the small void still wrapped up tight.

"So cute."

Xinyu nodded along with a small smile and just before they could continue their conversation, one of the workers approached them.

"Everything going alright?"

"Yes! Of course." Now that Xinyu fully looked up she saw a sharp featured woman, probably around the same age as herself. Something struck her intensely as she took the woman's features in. She looked like a cat.

Xinyu didn't realize she was staring until the woman tilted her head slightly. "Is there something on my face?"

Xinyu blinked, straightening up just a bit. "No. Sorry! I um…" She paused, then recovered as best as she could, "Do you like working here? With the cats and all?"

The woman smiled bright, "I do! I own this cafe and I have an agreement with a shelter nearby to host cats waiting to be adopted." She reached down to scratch the top of the black cats head, the proximity slightly catching Xinyu off guard as she stood back up with a fond smile, "Little Geurimja seems to like you, hm?"

Xinyu nodded, looking down at her lap and seeing the black fur slowly rising and falling, "We sat down with our drinks and he followed me to the seat."

"He really is a clingy one." She turned to Mayu, seeing her pet a couple cats vying for her attention. "You're pretty popular!"

Mayu laughed a little, a little flustered trying to keep up with the both of them. "I think they just want attention."

"They have good taste." The woman said it lightly, almost teasing, but her gaze lingered for just a bit too long on Mayu before looking back at Xinyu.

"Geurimja usually doesn't settle so quickly, you must be comfortable."

Something in the way she said it made Xinyu straighten just a bit.

"He definitely is."

The woman blinked a bit, visibly hesitating to say something. Xinyu nearly spoke to ask before the owner asked, "My names Nakyoung, what are your guys' names?"

It landed a little forced and felt randomly very formal, but they both spoke and Nakyoung let out a sigh of relief.

"If I'm being honest, I wanted to ask if you two were foreigners but I didn't want to come off too strong." She looked at Xinyu, "So you're Chinese," And then to Mayu, "and you're Japanese?"

They both nodded, giving bright smiles as Nakyoung spoke again, but this time Xinyu was confused before it clicked: she was speaking Japanese.

Mayu's eyes lit up as she spoke back, Xinyu could only understand Mayu exclaiming in Korean that she was good at speaking before falling back into Japanese while Xinyu just cluelessly nodded along.

Nakyoung turned back to Xinyu, giving a shy apologetic bow, "I've been studying Mandarin as well but I'm not very good at speaking quite yet, I'd rather not embarrass myself."

Xinyu was impressed. "It's okay! Practice takes time."

"Maybe I just need a good teacher."

Maybe it came off flirtier than intended— or maybe it was meant to be so, but either way it took Xinyu by surprise, and all she could muster was a meek smile before Nakyoung continued. "Well I don't want to keep you two occupied for too long, feel free to wave if you need anything," Nakyoung looked pointedly at the cat snuggled up in Xinyu's lap, "especially you, being trapped and all."

The two gave polite nods and thank you's before watching her walk away. The moment Nakyoung was out of earshot, Mayu leaned in.

"She's attractive isn't she?"

"I didn't want to be the one to bring it up, but yeah she really is." Xinyu had a teasing grin line her lips, "She was looking at you, you know."

"She was flirting with you!"

"I'm not sure if I'd call that flirting— I mean I don't think it was, at least." Xinyu was conflicted, but there were bigger issues to address, "What were you guys saying?"

"Oh she was asking me if I was from there and good places to go when she visits. She said she's visiting soon and she's actually staying around where I live!"

"That's flirting."

"What?!"

"Literally all you're missing is asking her if she wants a tour. It would be like a date and everything!"

"Okay sure it was flirting, Ms. Zhou. When will you give her lessons?"

"Hey I never agreed to it!"

"It's telling enough that she suggested it."

"Sure it is."

The topic shifted back into catching up before Xinyu excused herself to go to the bathroom, regrettably having to carefully pick up the black cat and transfer it to Mayu's lap before she navigated the restaurant. She struggled to find the bathroom, looking around curiously until she landed on Nakyoung, figuring she could just ask her.

Nakyoung jumped just a little bit when Xinyu poked her shoulder from behind, turning and apologizing. "Everything okay?"

"I'm so sorry for startling you! I was just wondering where the bathroom is."

"Oh! It's right around that corner," she pointed to their left, "just straight down and to the right that way."

Xinyu nodded, but right as she took a step to leave Nakyoung spoke again.

"Um." The woman let out a small, almost awkward laugh. "I actually—"

Xinyu felt it coming. Maybe Mayu was right. She straightened slightly, already preparing her response.

"I wanted to ask you something."

There it is.

Xinyu smiled politely, a little apologetic. "I'm flattered, but I'm already a bit… preoccupied with someone." She hated the way that the other girl's face flashed in her mind, but she tried to keep her focus on Nakyoung.

Nakyoung blinked, "…What?"

Xinyu paused, "…What?"

Nakyoung had an awkward smile on her face, trying not to laugh at the misunderstanding, "I was going to ask for your friend's number."

"OH!" Xinyu exclaimed, covering her mouth realizing her volume was entirely too loud and praying no one was looking at them. "She's not dating anyone right now. You're in luck! I'm sure she'd like to give it to you herself, though."

"Yeah, you were right here so I sort of just thought I could ask you and—" She cut herself off, "I'll go ask her." There was a noticeable look of nervousness in Nakyoung's eyes, Xinyu tried to hold back a laugh, "I don't want to hold you up any longer! Wish me luck!"

Xinyu patted her shoulder, "You'll be just fine."

As she walked to the bathroom she turned over her shoulder to see Nakyoung, tense as ever, holding out her phone. Xinyu could see Mayu take the phone with a smile.

Great for them.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Another slow night dragged on. Xinyu sat there wiping perfectly clean glasses just to keep her hands busy while Yubin seemed more attentive to the customers while she slacked off a bit. Xinyu's eyes reflexively jerked to the entrance as the bell rang. She couldn't stop herself from doing a full scan of his look before staring back at the opposite wall.

He sat down and called her over, simply ordering a beer and nursing that until closing. For looking so suspicious, Xinyu was surprised that he wasn't going to cause any trouble.

Maybe it showed in her eyes, because as soon as the last guy was shoved out the door and Xinyu locked it for the night, she immediately heard Yubin's voice chiming from behind her.

"You watch people a lot, don't you?"

Xinyu was taken aback by the statement, it's not like she could say no. She certainly couldn't say why. "I'm cautious. It's just a weird habit I picked up." She approached the bar, staying opposite of Yubin.

"Right." Yubin said unenthusiastically, continuing to wipe down the counter.

Xinyu sat down, leaning her head on her propped up hand. "You don't seem quite convinced."

She didn't even look back, "I'm really not, but it's okay."

"How can I prove it to you?"

Yubin reached below the counter, setting down a yellow drink in a cocktail glass "You can't"

Xinyu was successfully distracted, reaching out to grab the glass and take a sip. Her eyes widened, "You guys still have passion fruit juice? I was scared you would have to sub it out for something."

"We actually don't." Yubin rested her chin on her knuckles, putting her head down to Xinyu's level. "I ran to the store before I got here. I'm surprised you didn't see me pull an entire carton of juice out of my purse, but at least you didn't notice so I could surprise you."

Xinyu took a longer sip. "It's as good as I remember. No wonder I kept coming back."

Yubin seemingly started making a drink of her own, raising an eyebrow at Xinyu's comment. "Oh you know why you did."

"For the drink!"

The drink was finished and Yubin slid it across the counter next to Xinyu, walking around the bar to sit next to her. "You pretend like you didn't tell me."

"What?" It was obvious Xinyu was teasing her, acting oblivious just to get on her nerves, but Yubin had to win.

"When you invited me to your apartment," she took a sip, "we were drinking your shitty liquor and you admitted that you liked seeing me."

Xinyu leaned back a bit, still acting clueless. "I don't remember that."

"Too many passion fruit cosmos, I guess." Yubin saw that annoying grin on her face, her patience was growing thin, "Just admit it."

"Admit what?" Xinyu went to take another sip, just to feel a light touch on her chin.

Yubin grabbed Xinyu's chin, forcing their gazes to meet. Their faces were a mere inches apart, and Xinyu couldn't quite hold her gaze, as her eyes were only on the other's lips. Just one push, one inch and their lips would meet, just one single—

Yubin smiled seeing the way the way that the older woman was basically hypnotized, letting out a teasing giggle as she pulled away, taking both of their glasses and walking behind the bar to wash them. Xinyu didn't think much before she stood up and followed.

There's nothing wrong with a little chasing.

Xinyu stood being her, trying to not be too much of a looming presence over the shorter woman. "You did that and I didn't even admit anything."

Yubin nodded, "I saw all I needed to see."

"What? Just some panicked look?"

"No. You still look at me the same way."

Xinyu paused, her throat running dry, she couldn't allow her to get the last word, reaching past Yubin, the proximity becoming difficult to ignore as the warmth of Yubin's back filled her senses just for that moment before she pulled back with her drink.

"Did you ever try it?"

Yubin turned around, looking at the drink in her hand. "No."

"Do you want to?"

Yubin sighed out a small why not? before taking the glass from Xinyu's hand, the taller woman sort of loomed over her, but in a way that made her not want to back down. She took a small, tentative sip, fully maintaining eye contact the entire time.

"It's good." She could barely process the taste. Not while Zhou Xinyu was looking at her like that.

Xinyu took the glass from Yubin's hand, setting it on the nearest surface, not paying much mind to it at all. Her sights barely faltered from Yubin.

The pressure started to feel real, Yubin realizing she was literally cornered right now and the other woman just stared at her, debating what to do. She broke eye contact for just a moment before she felt fingers cradling her chin, gently urging her to look back up.

"I've…" Xinyu trailed off, the confession weighing heavier than necessary, "I've been thinking about you. For a while now."

Yubin's mouth went dry as she struggled to formulate any response, all she could do was hold her head up and keep her eyes steady.

The hand shifted from tilting her head up to cradling her face. The cold palm was flush against her warm cheek, the heat dissipating like an iron in water. Xinyu's face was so close to hers she could feel each exhale brushing her lips.

Xinyu's mouth opened, visibly hesitating before the words rolled out of her, "Can I kiss you?"

Yubin hand wrapped around Xinyu's nape and pulled her forward, connecting their lips. The sudden movement forced a sound of surprise from Xinyu before she melted into the kiss.

Her hand floated over Yubin's hip, trying to decide what was okay and what wasn't. She was never so delicate with her before, but now things had changed, she knows she hurt her and her conscious weighed heavily as soon as those desperate words came out of her mouth. She didn't want it to feel wrong— it didn't— but she didn't feel like she deserved this.

It was a soft kiss, and Yubin pulled back while Xinyu tried to pretend like she didn't chase her lips. Yubin smiled and Xinyu was quick to reciprocate. As soon as Yubin looked down, though, she was a stammering mess.

"Oh well," her eyes looked down at her own comically hovering hand, "I just wasn't sure if you'd be okay with it you know? Like you know with the whole seven years and and I don't know It's just that—" Xinyu was cut off by Yubin's hand on her own, pushing it to her body.

"You talk way too much." She toyed with the hair on the other woman's nape a teasing smile lining her face. She continued, "I want you. I missed how we used to be, not whatever mess is going on in your head right now." Yubin let out a small snicker, just to tease, "It's killing the mood."

Xinyu nodded, mirroring some dumb smile in return. The explicit permission released tension from her shoulders. Both of her hands dropped to Yubin's hips, thumbs tracing delicate paths by the hem of her jeans. Her eyes flicked down just once to the other girl's lips before she gave in, pushing her against the counter.

This was much less delicate. Their mouths clumsily clashed into each others, easily losing themselves in the contact. Xinyu spent no time pushing herself flush against Yubin, one hand shifting to rest on the counter as she leaned over her. Their shared warmth became nearly unbearable, but Xinyu still held her there.

Hands wandered, not to explore, but to remember. Yubin felt the other woman's hand grazing her midriff, and she wish she contained the sigh that spilled from her mouth as Xinyu smiled against her lips.

To be honest, part of her was upset Xinyu knew her so well after all of these years. Maybe she never changed, or maybe she was just that easy to read, but that didn't matter right now. What mattered was the lips mouthing at her jaw, moving down to her neck, just leaving her open and wanting more, teasing. Yubin gripped Xinyu's nape, urging her to come back up to connect their lips again.

They were lost in each other. Just as Xinyu's hands dragged up the expanse of Yubin's sides, a phone rang.

Xinyu's hand immediately searched for her own, only to realize it was Yubin getting the call.

"Sorry, I should take this." Yubin motioned to get out of the corner but Xinyu blocked her way with a playful smile. "Really?"

"Really."

Yubin looked between Xinyu and her phone, "Can I trust you?"

Well after the time we just had… Xinyu thought, but what came out was "Of course."

Yubin answered the phone to a deep voiced man— not like the owner of the bar but someone else entirely. Xinyu could hear, only very faintly as Yubin shooed her away when she tried to turn it on speaker.

"Yubin, you can come in for updates, yes? I've been waiting."

Yubin eyes had widened, she hurriedly spoke, "I'm sorry, I forgot it was today. I can be there in 10 minutes, I swear."

There was a hum of approval on the other line, before it simply clicked as he hung up.

Yubin slotted the phone into her back pocket, and then held Xinyu's shoulders with all the seriousness in the world. "How do you feel about speeding?"

Xinyu gave her a confused, slightly worried look, "It's fast."

"Good. This is a big favor to ask, but I need you to take me to there, please." She asked with pleading eyes, hard to resist, "Where did you park your car?"

Xinyu grabbed the keys out of her pocket, twirling them around before signaling Yubin to follow.

…

Yubin was surprised when she saw her car. It wasn't the old, beat up civic it used to be. Xinyu seemed to have upgraded to a black Honda s2k, the coat has a distinct shine to it that nearly caught Yubin off guard. When she stepped into the passenger seat she realized the only mess in the car— which still smelled new, mind you— was some papers flung onto the floorboard that Yubin took care to avoid stepping on.

That's why she wanted to take me home so badly, Yubin thought, wanted to show off her new toy.

Yubin had very little decorum with the question that immediately slipped from her mouth as Xinyu started the car, "How did you pay for this?"

Now, Xinyu couldn't say 3 successful cases, obviously, so she had to come up with a different lie. A much more embarrassing lie when she took so much pride in owning this car.

"You wonder why I was so desperate for a job? Irresponsible spending habits," she motioned to the sleek carbon fiber detailing on the console, "as you can see."

Yubin nodded her head, completely believing Xinyu which almost made it worse.

…

Xinyu didn't know what she expected when she whipped into the parking lot, but this location was still off. It seemed to just be a house, deep in the woods and ominous, but still just a large house.

She noticed there were many cars already parked there, and she had to park in the roundabout just outside the driveway. Before she could make any other observations, Yubin turned to her.

"Are you coming?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Feels weird to make you just sit in the car."

Xinyu nodded, exiting the car and following Yubin to the entrance where a familiar guy opened the door. Definitely one of the guys from the bar, Suho, if that was his name. He had a disturbing grin on his face as he motioned for the two of them to follow him.

"Y'know…" He spoke over his shoulder, "boss hates when people are late."

Yubin scoffed, "Maybe you because you always are."

That didn't seem to phase him as he kept speaking, "Maybe he'll calm down seeing that you brought such a new pretty face."

"She just drove me."

Xinyu stayed silent, more curious than anything to hear the conversation unfold.

"And now she's following you in. Guess you wanted a friend on your side."

They finally reached the room the boss was in, and Suho stepped to the side and held the door open, almost eager to see Yubin getting chewed out.

"Yubin." That familiar gruff voice from the call sounded.

Yubin hurriedly walked into the room and bowed. "I'm sorry, time slipped away from me"

"No, no you're on time. I'm surprised."

"I got a friend to drive me." Yubin motioned to Xinyu, and Xinyu had to fight the urge to laugh at being called her friend. She maintained a straight face, though, and bowed.

He looked straight at the taller woman, "Your name?"

"Zhou Xinyu."

"Familiar."

Xinyu didn't know how to respond, afraid her name was saved on some "criminals beware" list, but all she did was nod and step forward next to Yubin.

There was a beat of silence that stretched on for a bit too long, the tension clouding the space between them before the man smiled, "Well sit down! Give me the scoop."

Yubin let out a breath of relief, pulling out one of the chairs in front of his desk and Xinyu did the same. Yubin didn't take much time before she started, "You need to tell your men to not come around our bar, your competitors are coming less and less because they are associating the bar with you. They aren't supposed to know that you guys are running it, are they?"

Xinyu's ears perked up, if Yubin was suspicious of Xinyu keeping an eye on everyone, what should she feel about this report? Xinyu couldn't believe that she never noticed Yubin's close observation of everyone that passed through the bar, but maybe truthfully the issue is just that she never particularly thought this was a possibility. They began speaking again, forcing Xinyu out of her haze.

The boss simply nodded, "Who?"

"Suho. And his buddies but you can probably just tell him to tell his buddies."

The man nodded, and motioned for one of his henchman to go do it for him.

Xinyu realized— probably comically late— this is her guy. He is the top guy to put it all away, toppling the tower. She tried not to stare too hard while she committed his face to memory, as this was case closed. It was all in reach, really.

Part of her was irritated that her boss knowing every person she's ever dated actually helped, but then she realized the biggest issue: Yubin didn't only know the big bad criminal, but she worked for him.

As Yubin kept speaking, Xinyu felt a wave of confusion wash over her, the realization that Yubin could easily be indicted for aiding his crimes. By all means, she was a criminal. By all means, she should report this immediately. Maybe.

"Is that all?" His voice cut through her thoughts.

"Yes, that's about it. You can keep the deliveries coming as normal. I wish I'd have more information but those guys have been scaring people away."

"It will be handled. Thank you, Yubin."

"Of course."

The man nodded and Yubin got up and bowed, Xinyu scrambling to do the same. Just as they turned around to leave, his voice caught her attention.

"Nice meeting you, Zhou Xinyu. Will I be seeing more of you?"

Xinyu's eyes immediately flashed to Yubin, who held an unsure gaze. "It really depends on her, I suppose."

"We will see then. Get home safe."

A weight was lifted off her shoulders as she could finally turn around and leave. The walk back to the car was nearly entirely silent, the car doors shutting them in as the light cast a warm glow on their faces.

Xinyu started the car, and Yubin was the first to speak.

"I really appreciate you taking me here."

"It was the least I could do." Xinyu set her phone up in the car, typing in directions, "You live at the same place?"

Yubin hummed a simple affirmation before continuing, "You know you can't talk about what you just saw, yes?"

"My lips are sealed." Says the cop who's job is to report this information.

Yubin let out a sigh of relief, slumping in her chair. Xinyu pulled out and entered the main road.

Soft radio accompanied the rest of the ride, all until she stopped and parked at the apartment building. With all the manners she maintained, she walked Yubin to her door.

"Thank you again, really." Yubin looked up, connecting their eyes with a look too much to simply be gratitude. "You really saved my ass."

"I told you, it's really no problem."

Yubin fumbled through her bags for her keys, finally finding them and sticking them in the keyhole. Just as her hand reached to twist the doorknob, she hesitated and turned to Xinyu.

"You know," She paused for a beat too long, seemingly unsure of what to say— or if she should say it. She seemed to gather the courage, reaching down to grab Xinyu's hands and looking back up with that same damn look, "I'm a little disappointed that we got interrupted."

Xinyu wishes she couldn't feel the heat on her face but she was sure she was a bright shade of red. You'd think she'd be less weak, but it was Gong Yubin after all. The most she could croak out in return was, "I feel the same."

"I mean, you're right here. It would save you the trip."

Xinyu could tell exactly what she was suggesting, and there was a strong part of her that wanted nothing else but to follow Yubin into that apartment, but after learning that Yubin was involved… it all seemed so unethical.

You could call her a playgirl, a hedonist, hell just a serial dater, but she never felt like it was okay to go that far knowing she could be putting them in jail the next day. So with a heavy heart, she pulled her hands away.

"Maybe another time, love. It's late." The pet name slipped out naturally, a familiar feeling on her tongue.

Yubin didn't even blink, "That was never an issue for you."

"I'm old now." Xinyu mockingly groaned, holding her back.

"Alright grandma."

Xinyu rolled her eyes. If there's one thing this mission has done to her it's seems to be consistently humiliating herself. It felt wrong to let her have this last thing, so quickly she hooked one hand around the back of Yubin's head, tilting it just enough to kiss the top.

"Goodnight." Xinyu smiled at the surprise in Yubin's eyes, "Shortie."

It was Yubin's turn to be an unfortunate shade of pink. She huffed at the comment in return, "I hate you. Goodnight."

Xinyu was already turned around the other way, twirling her keys around her finger. She looked over her shoulder just to meet Yubin's eyes one last time for the night, "You know you love me!"

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Xinyu was used to the repetitive routine of filing out her paperwork, but with a development like this, she knew she was expected to report it directly to her chief for direction on how she should proceed.

Two knocks and Chief Hyunjung was looking up at her past her glasses.

"What's the occasion?"

"Development on the case."

She nodded, turning away from her computer and fully facing Xinyu.

"What happened that couldn't be put in a report?"

"I made contact with the boss of the entire operation. I have the location and know his face."

"That's great." Hyunjung smiled, proud of her officer, but an obvious question couldn't be left unsaid: "How?"

Part of Xinyu didn't want to say. But then again, the badge weighed heavily in her chest pocket. She was already here, and there was no point in lying.

"Yubin is involved in the operation. She works as an informant for the boss and used me as transportation after work to go to his location."

"She asked you so suddenly?"

Xinyu's throat dried for just a moment, the memory fo that night taking forefront in her mind. She mentally shook her head and answered, "She was in a rush and I have a car." Xinyu continued, "How do I proceed? Is this enough?"

The chief thought for a moment before shaking her head. "We don't have evidence against this man that would put him away, just your knowledge which can only work to be supplemental." The chief sighed wiping her glasses on her shirt and placing them on the table, "I hate to say it, but you need more."

"What?"

"Evidence. Photos, substances from the area, videos, anything. You have a good lead, we just need that bit more."

Xinyu took a mental note, nodding before standing. "Understood."

Hyunjung spun her chair to go continue her own work. "Stay safe, officer."

…

Xinyu was quick to walk back to the cubicle, reciting the same information she gave to the chief, just slightly more… detailed.

Nien was caught off guard, to say the least.

"YOU DID WHAT?!"

Xinyu was quick to bend over the cubicle to shove a hand over Nien's mouth, giving polite waves to the people disturbed by the outroar before sitting back down cautiously. "Yeah jeez. Tell the entire office, why don't you."

Nien's voice was now dulled down to more of a screaming whisper as she leaned towards Xinyu, "Okay so you're telling me you just chose to lead with the fact that you confirmed that Yubin was truly, in fact, and accessory to crime meaning she's a criminal…" Nien paused, waiting for Xinyu to nod in affirmation, "just to swing back and say you guys made out sloppy style at the bar?"

Xinyu raised her hands in mock prosecution, "Listen, heat of the moment."

"What moment could've possibly happened? When I told you to go for her I meant dates not hook-ups at your workplace!"

"First of all, Nien. Ew. Not what even happened. Second of all, we've dated before so what would you really expect?"

"I mean we dated before you don't see us making out over this divider."

Xinyu was quick to wave her off with a dismissive hand, "You're basically married and that was like 50 years ago."

"You are choosing not to get my point right now."

"We didn't do anything particularly crazy, and anyway it ended up helping me find the big boss man. Surprisingly enough all I had to do to get her to trust me was—"

Nien cut her off "You gave me all the detail I can stomach for today, really."

"Okay. Not in the mood."

"I'm usually not but you don't give me much of a choice, do you now?"

"It's not my fault you're a good listener."

Nien deadpanned, "Xinyu, last time you told me about a date I like actually fell asleep."

"Okay but that was one time."

"I think it's telling enough."

"Get back to work before you wound my ego."

"It's so large I fear nothing could actually damage it."

Xinyu reached for a tape dispenser and Nien was quick to throw her hands up to guard herself. Xinyu was satisfied enough at the reaction to not hurl it at her head.

"You're lucky chief told me to stop throwing things in this office."

"Yeah whatever. I think I still have a bump on the back of my head from the mouse you threw."

"Deserved."

Nien rolled her eyes.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

It felt like it was once every blue moon that Xinyu would take a good nap. It was a Saturday and as soon as she felt tired she felt pure joy by the fact that she could actually go to sleep. No alarm, no worries of sleeping too late, none of that. Just a long, well-deserved na—

RING! RING! RING!

Can't ever catch a fucking break.

With heavy eyes, Xinyu cracked them just enough to see the green answer button and press it.

Xinyu answered with a gravely, upset voice, "What do you want?"

"ZHOU XINYU WHERE ARE YOU?!"

That loud voice could only belong to Son Juyeon.

Xinyu winced at the noise on the other line, "What are you talking about?"

"I am alone at a bar!" Juyeon paused, waiting for a reaction. She didn't get one and continued, "I'm supposed to have company!"

Ohhhhhhhh

"I forgot."

"Well get your ass over here."

Xinyu groaned out, "Do I have to?"

There was not even a pause after Xinyu's words, "Yes."

…

Xinyu was dreading it all the way until she saw Juyeon, but her bright energy unfortunately immediately rubbed off on Xinyu a bit as soon as she stepped in the bar and the older woman rushed over and gave her one big hug. Always a touchy one.

They walked towards the bar, claiming two stools before Juyeon immediately began pressing the younger woman with questions.

"Did you eat today?"

"Why didn't you remember to come?"

"Is hanging out with me too lame for you?"

Xinyu was dazed by the whirlwind of questions, only really being able to answer with singular words before placing a hand on the other's shoulder.

"I'm trying my hardest to keep up, but you are speaking way too fast."

"Oh?" Juyeon pulled back a bit, clearly surprised, "Usually you're much better at keeping up."

"I've been tired recently. This—" She remembered she was in a public area, "situation is really taking a toll on me."

Juyeon tilted her head for just a moment before nodding her head in realization, "Oh! How's this job treating you?"

"It's a mess, actually. I had to get in contact with my ex to get this one, but it's going smoothly. Learning a lot."

"Ex?" Juyeon leaned in, barely audible over the dull roar of conversation, even going as far as to speak Mandarin just to make sure she didn't spill any information. "What is that even code for? Execute a target? I never took you as the type for that kind of case."

Xinyu quietly answered, "Not code." She sat up, straightening her back, trying to look normal and switching back to Korean. "I really had to contact my ex for this job."

Juyeon raised an eyebrow, clearly wondering how this could possibly be feasible in their line of work. "They're doing things weird over there now, huh?"

"I think ever since you got promoted and switched locations Hyunjung has had a screw loose."

"That woman is like a sister to me, so trust when I say she has always been strange. Nothing new."

Xinyu chuckled at the statement, only stopping when she felt someone bump into her side. She was never one for confrontation, only thinking that it was simple mistake, but as she looked to her side she was met with… focused eyes.

"You're hot."

Xinyu shifted to face her a bit better, obviously a bit stiff, "Thank you."

The woman paid no mind. "What's your name?"

"I'm Xinyu, and you are… drunk?" She caught Juyeon snickering off to the side, barely containing her laughter.

"Chaeyeon."

By all means she was beautiful, but two things held her back: her obvious intoxication and someone else she couldn't quite place— whether that was because she couldn't or because she knew she shouldn't. Maybe this woman will take that as an answer.

"You're very pretty, Chaeyeon, but—"

Chaeyeon cut her off, lightly resting her hand on Xinyu's before looking up with doe eyes, "That's all you need to say, really."

Xinyu carefully pulled her hand away, "No, sorry, I'm not interested." She could see Juyeon's confused look as the words came out of her mouth, but she chose to ignore it for now. She prayed that this would work, "Just not tonight," She nodded towards Juyeon, "I'm catching up with a friend."

"I could always wait."

Xinyu sighed, defeated. "I have a girlfriend."

"Oh. My bad. That's all you had to say! You two have a nice night." And just like that she walked off in the opposite direction.

At least she's respectful.

Xinyu hated the way she could see Juyeon's full bright smile in her peripheral, but there was really no avoiding talking to this woman right now. With great regret, she turned.

"Girlfriend?" You could hear the smile on her lips.

Xinyu shook her head, dismissing the allegations way to quick to be excused. "No. I was trying to ward her away. This is valuable catching up time!"

Juyeon gave her a knowing look, "You're pretending like we've never picked up girls here. There's something else. That girl was definitely your type and you rejected her?"

"She was really drunk."

"Could've gotten her number. See her when she's sober."

"Yeah sure but—"

"Stop pretending like you have an excuse and just tell me what's going on, Zhou Xinyu."

"I always hated when you said my full name. You sound like you're scolding me."

"I could start right now if you don't tell me."

"Okay! Damn!" Xinyu sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as that night played back in her mind, trying her best to find a summary for it. "My ex, right? We… reconnected right before I found out she was…" She couldn't find a better way to say it, just deciding to pray that no one around them understood Mandarin, "she's a part of the criminal organization and I made out with her before I found that out and also may possibly have dug up old feelings while doing so."

Juyeon stared for just a moment, processing all the information. If you were quiet enough, you could maybe hear the gears turning in her head. As soon as it clicked, though, Xinyu was just as humiliated as she expected. There was nothing to describe the embarrassment she felt as she witnessed Juyeon throw her head back with a loud guffaw, the people around her looking in mild horror at the sudden loud noise.

Xinyu couldn't handle the mocking, lowering her head in defeat and letting Juyeon get all of her laughs out before she finally collected herself enough to ask questions.

She could feel incessant poking on her side, slowly turning more aggressive until she started getting shaken and finally met Juyeon's overly eager smile. "So you like her?"

"Hard to tell." She grumbled out.

"You like her enough not to see any other women while you're seeing her?"

"Seeing is a strong word."

"What else could you call it? Is it just physical orrr" Juyeon trailed off, trying to get a reaction more than anything.

She got one, Xinyu was quick to answer and to cut her off, "No. No, it's more than that."

"So you've fallen in love with someone…" She took a moment to find a good word, "involved."

"Love is an extremely strong word!"

"It's sounding like the truth whether you like it or not."

"God I don't know." Xinyu hunched over the counter, lightly swirling her normal cosmo. "I shouldn't let myself feel anything for her."

Juyeon placed a firm hand on her shoulder, and sympathetic look lining her face as she leveled with Xinyu, "You can't control who you love, and it seems you loved her before, right?"

"Something like that."

"You didn't?"

She sighed, "Didn't have the time to."

"But you're making it up now, and that's the issue."

Xinyu nodded, taking the reasoning in as lately it seemed she lacked it.

Juyeon continued, "It's easier to acknowledge your feelings to be able to let them go. I know you don't want to, but in this field consequences can be you losing your job or worse." She squeezed her shoulder, "I just want to see you safe."

"Thank you. It feels weird to admit, like everything came back and more it's just too much to manage."

She listened, nodding along before speaking, "That's why it's best to just be honest with yourself."

Xinyu looked at Juyeon's very serious expression, slowly cracking. She tried her hardest, but she couldn't hold back from laughing for the life of her. "When did you become so wise?"

Juyeon's expression barely changed, barely cracking a smile. Xinyu noticed a distant look in her eyes. "You think a face like this hasn't experienced love like that?"

Xinyu couldn't mask her surprise, "You've fallen in love on the job?!"

"That's a story for another time." She waved her off, but Xinyu was much too engrossed in the mystery of Juyeon's past to care.

"Oh come on. Give me something I just spilled all my heart out just now."

"No." Stern. But Xinyu was determined.

"A name."

Juyeon pondered for a moment, taking in a deep breath and sighing. "Cheng Xiao."

"Pretty name." Xinyu had a mischievous glint in her eyes as she continued, "Is that why you know Mandarin so well?"

"Shut up." Juyeon jested, laying a light, unthreatening punch on Xinyu's shoulder. After a moment, though, she had some downcast look written all over her face. Xinyu saw that and decided maybe now isn't the best time to grill her about it. So she dropped it.

Trying to think of any topic to switch to, she opted for the usual small talk. "How's it going over at your branch?"

Juyeon sighed. "Hyunjin set something on fire again."

"You guys have to start frisking her every time she enters the building."

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

"I don't know why, but I feel like I can trust you."

Those words were ringing in Xinyu's head as she stepped out of her car, waiting for Yubin outside of her apartment. Yubin told her that she shouldn't talk about it over the phone, so she opted to just say those words and tell her that she'll explain on the way there.

By all means, Xinyu needed to do this for her job. She couldn't lose the opportunity to gain more intel or even be able to pocket some information. She kept evidence bags in her pocket and some in her bag, as even if Yubin said nothing about what they were doing that was a great indicator if anything that they were going to do something illegal.

Yubin walked out the building looking much better than Xinyu could've braced herself for— much better than she could withhold her words. "You look beautiful."

"You look under-dressed." Yubin did a full scan, Xinyu felt awfully conscious right about now. "I probably should've told you that there was a dresscode."

Xinyu looked down at her clothing, not particularly bad but not near Yubin's level. "Want me to go home and retry?"

"You can just borrow one of mine."

That is how Xinyu ended up driving in an uncomfortably short dress, having to pull her dress down every so often as she moved to press on the gas and break. She'd be more upset, but Yubin said she looked good so Xinyu couldn't help but take her word for it.

They were routed to some cheap motel and seeing that Yubin wasn't particularly telling her what they could possibly be doing, Xinyu broke the silence.

"What's the plan?"

Yubin seemed to startle at the words, very likely zoned out. "Right. So the boss noticed all of his money getting blown and he just wants to know what his daughter is doing to disappear his money."

"He couldn't just ask her?"

"Said she wouldn't stop lying. If he doesn't rule her out he has to start questioning his men. He's a lot less kind to them when it comes to money."

"So we're stalking her?"

"Yeah."

"Great."

Yubin continued, "So we know where she will be at a certain time, she likes to go out hence our dress code, all we have to do is follow her and report what we find. And also avoid her bodyguard."

"You should lead with that kind of thing." Xinyu's hands tapped on the wheel, preferring more information than less even if it seemed probing. "Why can't her bodyguard snitch on her?"

"Boss knows she's more loyal to his daughter than she is to him." Yubin looked over to Xinyu, "I've met her before on accident. She looks unassuming but I've seen her put grown men into arm bars and make them cry and beg to be released."

Xinyu's eyes slightly widened, glancing over to Yubin who maintained a completely serious look on her face. "So avoid her."

"Yeah probably the best move." Yubin looked down at the GPS, "Two more turns and were there. We can get ready in the room."

"Alright."

…

The motel room wasn't the worst Xinyu has ever faced, but it that's not to say it didn't have its faults. The faucet was noticeably leaking, the chairs violently creaked every time you sat on them, there was an odd smell, nothing she couldn't live with. Except for one large issue. There was only one bed. Having to assume the role of broke actor with no cash, there wasn't any was to reasonably ask for another room without Yubin smacking the back of her head. So, Xinyu would marked that as an issue for later. For now.

She sat on the bed, holding a compact and adding the final touches to her makeup. Yubin was already done, her gaze flickering from her phone to the older woman. Xinyu could see her thinking. She was scared what would come of that.

She focused just a bit more just to be thrown right off as soon as she felt the mattress sinking next to her. She tried to pretend like she didn't care, but the eyes staring so deeply into her profile were quite hard to ignore. She had to diffuse.

"You have that look." Xinyu commented, shifting the small mirror to align their eyes. "I don't want to mess up my makeup before we go out."

"Nothing you can't already fix." Yubin got close, dangerously close to Xinyu's side, just barely shy from being flush together, eyes not leaving Xinyu's through the mirror. "Right?" She pushed a small, chaste kiss to her jaw. Xinyu couldn't help but melt just enough for Yubin to notice. There was no use in words, Xinyu just tried her hardest to maintain her focus on doing the same exact swipe for the 20th time.

Yubin continued kissing her jaw, up her cheek, stopping at her ear. She stopped at the shell and whispered, "I missed you."

Xinyu couldn't help but turn, their faces inches apart, already staring down at Yubin's curled lips. She was getting exactly what she wanted as always.

A smile lined her own lips, their noses brushing for just a moment before she tilted her head and—

"Oh god! Sorry you two!" A voice that Xinyu was not near familiar with exclaimed from the door.

Xinyu reflexively tensed up, moving her body in a defensive position, unsure of this random woman's intentions. The woman easily noticed.

"Yubin, found someone new, I see?"

Xinyu searched Yubin's face for any sort of surprised, she could tell it wasn't the same as hers. Something deeper. She waited for Yubin to do anything in return, all that the woman mustered was an awkward nod.

The woman had a charming smile, too casual for what she just walked into, especially for what she just implied. "Don't have too much fun. Meet me outside asap! 10 minutes at the latest."

They both hummed acknowledgements after watching her walk out.

Xinyu was the first to break the silence, "So. Who was that?"

"Suhyeon."

The name sounded familiar, "That girl that works at our bar but never shows up?"

"I'm surprised you remember her name."

"I curse her in my head whenever it gets busy."

Yubin let out a light laugh before continuing, "She doesn't really work there. She works more for the boss than anything. Just shows up when she really needs to. Sorry that I forgot to tell you she was coming. It slipped my mind."

Xinyu nodded along, but one question was gnawing at her mind that she couldn't quite keep to herself.

Enough to the point that Yubin noticed her eyebrows knitting together, trapping her inner lip between her teeth.

"What's wrong?"

"Did you um." Xinyu shouldn't feel jealous. Especially with the situation she was in in particular— there's no reason for her to feel like this when she should be making distance. The question was still awkward coming from her lips. "Did you two ever— did you guys use to see each other?"

Yubin opened her mouth in a silent ah, a nervous smile on the edge of her lips seeing that she was so easily found out. "Good intuition I guess? It was nothing serious. Just passing the time and all. She's nice to talk to."

I'm sure. "Right."

Yubin stood with that bright smile lining her face— the one reserved only when she had a perfect upper hand, "I never took you as the jealous type." Her hand cradled Xinyu's jaw forcing her to look up, and then tilt her head. "You may want to clean up a bit before going out. It's too early to have all of this going on." A hand motioned at the side of Xinyu's face, looking way too proud for Xinyu's liking.

Xinyu opened her mirror and saw the line of red lip marks lining her jaw. "Modest, aren't you?"

"You're the one pretending like nothing's happening when you obviously want it so bad." Yubin leaned down, Xinyu sure that she was going in for a kiss. She stretched up, trying to meet in the middle before there was a sharp sting on her forehead. She looked up to see Yubin grinning, her eyes barely visible with how hard she was smiling and trying to hold back a laugh.

"Ow!"

Yubin pulled her hand away. "Why would I reward you for being dense?"

She rubbed her forehead, wincing at the sheer force. "I'll meet you down there in like 5 minutes after I'm done cleaning your lipstick off my neck."

Yubin turned around, calling out "See you then."

…

They perused an unassuming area— just a few shops and restaurants here and there which were barely illuminated by the blinking street lights. The moon shined above all, casting a soft glow over everything, maybe it was the tunnel vision but Xinyu felt as if it served as a spotlight over Yubin as she approached, her eyes instantly magnetized to the other.

Yubin laughed, hitting the woman in front of her.

Suhyeon.

The spotlight shifted, the two focused on each other, and Xinyu knew she couldn't have that.

Yubin looked down at her phone as Xinyu approached. Xinyu took the opportunity to lightly wrap her arm around the other woman's waist, making sure to lean down and look particularly close to the tracking app. "She's close?"

Yubin startled at first, but as soon as she realized it was Xinyu she leaned into the touch, answering casually. "Should walk around here at any moment. Last time I saw her she had brown hair and Kaede usually has black hair. Just keep your eyes open."

Xinyu nodded, glancing up at Suhyeon who's gaze never faltered. Maybe she misjudged a bit.

Suhyeon's eyes widened as she motioned her head to look to their side. Two girls. Both short, one with longer wavy brown hair and the other following with a short black bob. Xinyu heard one of the two muttering under her breath "Well that's new." referring to the one that's probably Kaede. Xinyu had to shake herself out of her thoughts and follow the two who had already begun their pursuit.

The three women trailed the duo, and Xinyu realized she had no idea what to expect on this entire "mission". Part of her wanted them to unveil some crazy inner operation of the whole organization— easily just enough for her to collect some form of evidence and get the hell out of this case. The weight of not only the case but Yubin's ongoing affection was unbearable to hold on her shoulders, and she was afraid at any moment she would lose her balance and topple over.

When they approached more of an alleyway, it didn't help that Yubin reached back and grabbed Xinyu's hand, squeezing it lightly. To be honest, Xinyu didn't know whether it was Yubin trying to comfort herself or her, but she squeezed back regardless.

They witnessed the two turn into a stairway entering a lower level door and froze as soon as Kaede tilted her head, all scrambling to hide behind a protruding wall as the bodyguard scrutinized their surroundings before following the daughter.

The three of them all let out a collective breath hearing the door opening and shutting before calmly and quietly approaching the same entrance.

Yubin turned to Suhyeon, "Do you know what this place is?" and all Suhyeon could return was a shrug.

With hesitance, Suhyeon opened the door open only to be met with a guy directly blocking the way. Suhyeon squinted but it was Yubin that nudged to be in front. "Suho? Move."

"Why would I?"

"I'll call boss and say that you're showing up to the bar shitfaced again."

He opened his mouth to rebut only to see Yubin's phone with the contact full loaded in, her finger hovering over the call button. He scoffed and rolled his eyes, refusing to look down at Yubin or any of the others. Moving to the side, he finally surrendered, "Go."

Xinyu did the best to hide the surprise on her face as they entered some sort of club, the part tugging at her attention the most, though, was the gambling den tucked away in the corner.

That's where she saw the brown-haired girl sitting as she was oddly familiar with the servers, waving them off and smiling as the woman smiled back. Kaede simply sat there with posture all too alert for such a laid back place, only melting when Dahyun reached an arm around her and whispered something into her ear. Interesting.

The three made their way to their own table, just enough of a view to spy on the duo.

"Did you bring cash?" Yubin leaned to her side, speaking into Xinyu's ear and startling Xinyu out of whatever thought she began to form.

Xinyu tried to subtly open her wallet, only a few bills stuffed inside.

Yubin looked into the slit. "I forgot you're broke." Suhyeon snorted and suddenly Xinyu felt awfully defensive.

"This isn't a little bit of money! God forbid a woman doesn't carry her bank account in her wallet"

Suhyeon spoke up this time, "Maybe you should go over to Dahyun's table. See how much you can win while were on our little observation mission."

Xinyu's ego hurt, but that wasn't an awful idea. With a heavy heart, all she could do was challenge the other. "How much do you think I could leave with?"

"Triple your cash and maybe I'll think you're less broke."

That should be manageable…

"Deal."

Yubin could only sigh and continue sipping her drink as the two wagered.

Xinyu seemed to gather the strength as she shook herself and stood up, taking long strides over to the daughters table until she sat down. Yubin turned to Suhyeon and elbowed her side.

The woman clutched her side for just a moment, laughing away any pain that came from the hit, "Oh please, it's fun! Not like were throwing her to the wolves or anything. Dahyun is nice."

"Kaede is right there."

"Dahyun is nice!" Suhyeon turned to Yubin, noticing slightly smudged lipstick, "Besides, seems like Xinyu is a charmer anyway. Especially if she has you wrapped around her finger like that."

"Oh please. If anything she's around mine."

"Like you'd let anyone have you chase them. I saw what I saw."

Yubin's face heated at the reminder of that moment, kissing up this lovers neck while a past one stared. "Lets not talk about that ever again, yeah?"

"You're the only one embarrassed here." Suhyeon sat back, as if she was trying to make Yubin calm with her, "She's the one that got away, right?"

Yubin looked at her with a question on her tongue, not quite getting it out before Suhyeon continued speaking.

"Tall, foreign, older, a little mysterious." Suhyeon had a teasing smile on her lips. Yubin hated it. She still continued talking, her tone reading less playful, "You don't think her coming back is a little suspicious?"

"What do you mean?"

"Years is a long time for someone to drop back into your life."

"It's not like were anything serious."

"Then why is she here?" She paused, letting Yubin think before speaking again, "You know she's a liability, really. Yet she's still here."

"She has a car."

"I do too."

"She lives closer."

Suhyeon took one long sip of her drink. The tension finally snapped as she let out some small laugh in reply. "Just say you like her! It really is obvious."

Yubin's eyes swiped the area, landing on Xinyu. Suhyeon was right, her charm had Dahyun smiling and nodding along, Kaede more suspicious but not wanting to usher her away. Even if she wasn't winning, she was still working the two easily.

She turned back to Suhyeon.

"Shut up." She took another swig of her drink.

…

When Xinyu sat down, she was as nervous as ever but the daughter had a surprisingly inviting smile and her cheerful demeanor quickly allowed Xinyu to calm down a bit. Her bodyguard, on the other hand, was not as inviting. Her cute face was contrasted by the hard stare she gave Xinyu, it pierced into her soul and served to tell her Don't fuck up.

Xinyu will try her hardest.

As the game progressed and she gained money little by little while Dahyun seemed to be unfazed by losing most of hers, she was caught off guard by a question.

"Are you seeing anyone?" Dahyun asked. Maybe she was clearly startled by the question, so she added on, "Not trying to be too invasive, just curious. You're very pretty."

"Thank you, you are too. And well. Sort of." Xinyu could feel the stare of the guard, thinking quickly to diffuse the attention. "How long have you guys been together?"

Both of their eyes widened, Dahyun stammering while Kaede coughed for just a moment before answering for both of them. An unexpectedly soft voice was just barely audible above the soft rumble of bass, "We're not exactly together."

"Friends, more like." Dahyun added. Kaede was looking anywhere but near either of the two.

Sure. Xinyu thought, "You two would be cute together."

Dahyun laughed it off, choosing to prod more into Xinyu's love life. "So you're 'sort of' seeing someone." Dahyun put an elbow on the edge of the table, propping her head on her palm. "Who?"

Xinyu leaned back, scanning through the tables until she found the two. She looked back at Dahyun just to make sure she was keeping up before nodding over to Yubin and Suhyeon. "The one with the brown hair." While Dahyun and Kaede squinted their eyes and searched, Xinyu was quick to snap a photo of the table with the club in the background and send a text to Nien.

Xinyu: Record my location.

That was all Xinyu could get before the two looked back. Dahyun spoke again, "She's pretty."

Xinyu tried to quiet her heartbeat as she answered, "Yes she is."

…

By the end of the night, Dahyun blew all her money and seemed weirdly okay with it while Xinyu had nearly quadrupled her starting cash, knowing that she had to stop soon enough regardless. Oddly enough, she felt kind of sad to leave the table, Dahyun was funny and Kaede was just warming up to her. Another time, if that ever happens.

Yubin had gotten a few drinks in before the end of the night, stumbling just enough to worry Xinyu but being conscious enough to reject any help that was offered to her. Great.

They got back to the motel and Suhyeon gave her a pat on the back and a "Good luck." before heading to her own room. The situation only hit Xinyu when she opened the door.

One bed. No couch. Sure as hell that she wouldn't sleep on that musty carpet.

Yubin had a smile on her face as she grabbed Xinyu's hand to drag her towards the bed. Xinyu knew this was an awful idea.

"I have an audition in the morning." The lie slipped out surprisingly easily. "We should head back now. I'll pay for the room."

"It's too lateeeee" Yubin groaned out, trying to tug Xinyu's arm a little harder. "Why not leave in the morning?"

"It's best for us to go now. No traffic. I can't be late."

"Fine." Yubin had a pout on her face, Xinyu had to try her hardest not to reach out and pinch her cheeks, "I'll pass out in the car."

That's how Xinyu managed end up in this position; Yubin was leaning on her shoulder fast asleep as she tried her hardest to shift gears without disturbing her too much. The soft hum of the radio and Yubin's snores filled the car, and Xinyu found her heart to feel surprisingly full. The feeling should go away in the morning, anyway.

Yubin ended up at Xinyu's apartment, sleeping in her bed while Xinyu stretched out on the couch. She stood, looking at the younger girl fast asleep in her sheets and a small smile creeped onto her lips. That is, until her lie rang back into her head.

If Yubin saw that she was here, she'd know she was lying.

So like any logical person, she immediately called her neighbor.

The phone rang once, twice, until a low, irritated voice croaked out a "What?"

"I need to stay in your apartment for like 2 hours tomorrow morning."

There was a pause, perhaps considering questioning the odd request. What came out instead was "Whatever. Just be quiet. I'll tell Soomin to unlock the door."

"Oh Soomin's coming over?"

Yooyeon let out a sigh, obviously still tired, "You know she comes over whenever she's bored. I'm just lucky she warned me this time."

"I'll be there at like 9 am."

"Yeah whatever."

The line clicked.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Xinyu raised her fist, her knuckles just barely missing the door as Soomin abruptly opened it. "Who are you avoiding?"

"Straight to the point!" Xinyu shoved past Soomin into the apartment, a teasing smile on her lips with her eyelids still heavy from waking up much too early for the night she had. She fell onto the couch, not missing the sounds of footsteps approaching and sitting on the adjacent loveseat.

"You didn't answer my question."

Xinyu cracked her eyes open just enough to take a look at the younger woman's face. Eager. As always.

"You wouldn't get it."

"There's no way it's that hard to understand." Soomin groaned, the push and pull already exhausting her. She noticed Xinyu's eyes closed and her body dormant. She reached over and shook her body, "Just tell meeeeeee"

Xinyu tried her best to shrink from her touch, but all was futile with their proximity. "Why can't you harass your sister?"

"I think she will actually kill me if I try to wake her up again. She literally mumbled something about a late shift and then something else that I couldn't quite pick up but I'm not sure I want to."

Knowing that Soomin would not give up, Xinyu rubbed the tiredness from her eyes with a sigh, sitting up on the couch. She looked at Soomin's expectant gaze, knowing she would have to give something.

"Girl problems."

"When do you not have girl problems?"

"It's not like that." Xinyu did a double take, "I don't like your tone, by the way." Soomin just shrugged before Xinyu continued, "It's different… nothing you'd be interested in." She knew she had to be quick with the redirect, "I'm tired of talking about myself. Everything going well with Hyerin?"

Soomin's eyes lit up at the name, and she softened as she spoke, "I was going to try to bring her to harass Yooyeon with me, but she was busy. Or didn't want to wake up that early. Either way I'm bummed out. And—" Soomin cut herself off, squinting her eyes. "You're deflecting."

"I'm not."

"You are!"

Yooyeon stepped into the living room, her hair a mess and her eyes barely open. Both of them shut their mouths immediately seeing the state of her.

The silence was gnawing at them both, just waiting for what Yooyeon could possibly say.

"You guys are so." Yooyeon thought for a moment, opting for the kindest thing to say. "Loud."

Soomin seemed to hold back a laugh while Xinyu abruptly stood up and bowed her head, knowing that her neighbor would probably never allow her another favor otherwise. "I am so sorry," She looked to her side, directly at Soomin before pointing, "it's also all her fault."

"HEY!"

"Get out of my apartment. Both of you."

"Yes ma'am."

"Where am I supposed to go?!"

"Either go or be silent for 90 minutes."

Xinyu was already halfway out the door, waving to the two as she slipped out.

…

She unlocked her door and was confronted by a pleasant aroma and the sound of something sizzling. Her head whipped to the kitchen, seeing Yubin in her old sweatpants and a large t-shirt that was bordering between fashionably oversized and absolutely drowning her.

Xinyu's heart squeezed.

Yubin turned around at the door opening, a light smile on her face before she turned back to the stove. "I borrowed some clothes, I hope you didn't expect me to cook in that dress."

Xinyu approached at a cautious speed, her mind torn between holding back and savoring this moment.

There wasn't much of a fight. Her reason was defeated by her heart.

She found herself behind Yubin, wrapping her arms around her waist and resting her head against hers.

"It's hard to move like this." She could feel Yubin leaning into the touch, entirely bluffing. Xinyu just tightened her hold.

The rest of the afternoon stretched on calmly, Yubin complaining that Xinyu's fridge barely had anything in it as she made another great meal. Xinyu took up the dishes, moving to kiss Yubin's head before she scrubbed them in the sink. It all felt so… domestic. Xinyu felt comfortable. Too comfortable.

When it was finally time for Yubin to go, she left to the bus even after Xinyu offered to drive her maybe 158 times.

Her apartment felt empty now.

Xinyu didn't know what to do.

…

The sun set before she knew it and checking her phone for any text from Yubin was fruitless. With a sigh, she pulled the drawer in her coffee table, pulling out the file and setting it on the table along with her notes.

The information spread out on the table was littered with sticky notes of few blurbs and some references to her journal, the only organizer for her abundant thoughts. Her eyes lingered on Yubin's profile, her memory calling back to the first time she laid eyes on it.

She was so scared of meeting her, and not all she can think of is losing her.

There was a sticky note on the corner, page 8.

Flipping to the page, her eyes scanned the writing, not exactly sure of what she was even searching for. She scanned the same line over and over.

Men come in and deposit something. She knows them.

She should've put the pieces together much sooner.

What mattered is that she needed evidence, and she knew where to find it. Yubin trusted her and wouldn't question if she went in the back anymore. She had to use that to her advantage, even if every loving part of her screamed at her to hold back.

With a sigh, she packed up all of the documents and shoved it back in the drawer. She laid in her bed staring at the ceiling, struggling to sleep knowing what she would have to do the next day.

It should end here.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Xinyu entered the bar and it was the usual atmosphere that she had become accustomed to, everything just felt a tilt off. The warm lighting was suffocating, the usual aroma stronger than usual, even Yubin's glance over to where she was sent a small chill up her spine. She just had to assume it was the nerves.

She waited about two hours of wiping glasses and serving drinks before she built the courage to turn to Yubin.

"Hey I'm gonna go get something from the back."

"Alright. Don't stay out for too long."

Xinyu nodded and went.

When she got there, she wasn't entirely familiar with this room much at all seeing that Yubin would handle much of the restocking. The small room was lined with shelves full of alcohol and other necessary items for the bar, but she was looking for something that was hidden.

She searched every box only to find extras of the stocks above, cracked open the fridge to find it barren, but just as she thought that her efforts were for nothing, she leaned against the wall and it shifted.

The fuck?

She turned around and laid her hand against the cold brick, just to be able to easily shift it to the side. The darkness covered whatever mysterious substance was hidden in the opening. She pulled out her phone and shined the flashlight inside.

Bags of white powder.

Sensing that Yubin would be looking for her at any time now, she scrambled to pull out an evidence bag, pull a smaller baggie of drugs into it, and slip it into her bag. The wall creaked as she sealed it back shut and she prayed that no one could hear.

She nearly walked out before grabbing a random bottle as cover and making her way out of the storage room. She almost expected to run into Yubin looking for her, but as she exited she saw a different familiar face.

"Suhyeon?" Her body froze and tensed, but she had to think quick to play it off. "You finally coming in to help?"

Suhyeon laughed at the question, "No, just stopping by to use the restroom and say hi to you guys. I was wondering where you were, I thought you ditched Yubin too for a second there."

"I would never."

"Good! Now if you'll excuse me…" Suhyeon looked pointedly past Xinyu, "I'd like to use the bathroom."

Xinyu quickly stepped out of the way and motioned for Suhyeon to pass her.

That's strange.

Xinyu recalled all that Yubin told her about Suhyeon, one particular piece sticking out to her: "Just shows up when she really needs to."

Surely the woman was telling the truth.

Xinyu just had to get through this night and she was home scot free, case closed. She stepped back behind the bar, Yubin not paying her much mind other than a quick nod before they got back to work. All she could hope for was that the rest of this shift would proceed normally.

Suhyeon sat down in front of her.

"Gin and tonic, please."

Xinyu smirked, "How creative." and then she turned, grabbing the ingredients.

"Can't go wrong with it."

"True." Xinyu began to mix, and Suhyeon's focused eyes on every movement made her feel unsettled. She couldn't deduct whether the other meant to do so or not.

She sat the drink on the table, gliding it to the woman.

Suhyeon gave a nod before taking a sip, nodding and giving a thumbs up which Xinyu found unserious considering how intimidating she was just two minutes ago.

"You and Yubin work well together?"

The question came out of the blue, but Xinyu managed to answer quickly, "Best supervisor-slash-unofficial-boss I could ask for."

"Great to hear. I know things don't always go smoothly here. I'm happy she has someone on her side." She emphasized the last words to barely be noticeable, or was it just Xinyu's guilt highlighting them? She couldn't know.

What she knew was that she had to keep up this awkward ping pong. It was weird Suhyeon was even talking to her in the first place, but Xinyu returned the same, "Everything going well on your side of things?"

"Pretty much." Suhyeon took another sip, "This one guy did fuck up, though. Sad that we won't be seeing him anymore."

"What?"

Suhyeon looked to both her sides, ensuring that there was no one to hear. "I mean, you know the nature of this kind of business. I'm sure you've seen it in some show. If it gets out everything crumbles. We have to stop that from happening."

Xinyu nodded. "Poor guy."

"Right?" Suhyeon sighed, "And just when I was getting close to him too. He was fun to work with."

Xinyu couldn't help but feel suspicious of the entire conversation, carrying it calmly even though she couldn't help but approach each question with five more in her head. One stuck out the most.

What did she know?

Before she could get a good grasp, Suhyeon was paying her tab and walking out.

Xinyu felt a weight lift off her chest.

…

The rest of the shift passed in the blink of an eye and closing followed the same amount of comfort she had grown to savor with Yubin.

Right as they walked out the door, Yubin paused.

"I think I'm gonna smoke before I get to the bus. Could you stay back?"

Xinyu did.

The night was quiet and the yellow of the streetlights cast a familiar warm glow on all of their surroundings. The air nipped at their cheeks just enough to wish they wore slightly heavier clothes and make Yubin pull her cigarette out just a bit faster.

By now, Xinyu had become used to this wordless exchange. Yubin would extend the lighter to her and she would take it, igniting the flame in just two or three tries. Xinyu wishes she could get the soft glow of the flame against Yubin's face tattooed on the back of her eyelids. She knew she was staring as Yubin leaned in, but frankly, she could not bring herself to pull her gaze away.

Yubin looked forward onto the sparsely filled streets, listening to the city hum. Xinyu couldn't stop looking at Yubin.

Yubin noticed.

"Need something?"

Xinyu held out her hand, asking without words.

"I thought you quit."

"Stressful day."

"You won't stomp it out like you did that last time?"

"You still think about that?"

"Just when you're asking for it again."

"I won't" Xinyu tried to look

Yubin pretended to ponder, her opposite hand coming up to stroke her chin, just enough to see Xinyu grow impatient. "Fine."

Xinyu took the cigarette and placed it between her lips, the familiar fill of her lungs breaching it's maximum once again, making her cough out a bit of the smoke.

Yubin didn't laugh this time, just looked at her with slight worry in her eyes. "You're really not going to get used to it again properly, are you?"

Xinyu was still keeled over, letting out her last few coughs. "No, I don't think so. I shouldn't, anyway."

Yubin took the cigarette out of the older woman's hand, an idea brewing in her head. "You want to try something?"

"What?"

"Just let me do it." There was a big, almost mischievous grin lining the younger's face.

"Should I trust you when you have a smile like that?"

"Oh please I know you do."

Right. And Yubin trusts me. She thought, but the memory was wiped away as it needed to be.

"Okay."

Yubin took another drag. Her hand pulled Xinyu's face down just enough and she saw the older woman's mouth open just enough, knowing what this was.

She was gentle as she blew the smoke into her mouth, adding care to make sure Xinyu wasn't taking too much at once.

It took too much self restraint to not connect their lips. Xinyu could only hold on so long before she leaned in. It was soft, unlike that time in the bar. They were slow as they moved, only savoring it just enough before separating.

Yubin's eyes reflected the warm glow of lamp posts surrounding them. Xinyu could stay like this forever.

Yubin broke the silence. "I'll see you in a couple days, yeah?"

She wouldn't.

"Yeah."

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

Xinyu felt the weight of her bag weighing her down, her long coat and brimmed hat doing its best to cover her identity as she circled back to the drop off box.

It was a unsuspecting mail box and she wrapped the evidence in a package and inserted it in, feeling her chest tighten as it slid into the box.

Usually, when she would submit damning evidence like this she would feel a sense of relief that it's all over, or a swell of pride that she got a job done, and yet here she was feeling the guilt cloud her thoughts as she walked away. One question tugged at her mind:

Will Yubin be okay?

She knows it's fucked up. By all means she should be thrown in jail as she was as involved as she could be without peddling the drugs itself, but Xinyu was selfish. She missed the other between her arms, the slight flowery smell with a hint of smoke that she had so uniquely identified as Yubin. She missed her even though she knew that seeing her again knowing what could be coming was simply cruel.

Her phone rang, she pulled it out of her pocket, expecting Nien. Her screen was lined with another name.

Gong Yubin

She stopped in her tracks and stared at the screen, the vibrations shaking her otherwise still frame. The ringing broke her heart.

She silenced the call and let it go to voicemail.

Juyeon's words vaguely circled her thoughts. She had to let go. Just like in Juyeon's situation, the feelings would pass.

Then why did she look so distraught when she said her name?

All she could do was hope that she would get luckier, that Yubin would become a memory just as she was all those years ago. She didn't want to forget Yubin— never— but she needed to.

-+ = {* 𖦏 *} = +-

 "Boss wants us to come in." Yubin's voice ran over in the message, a calm sense of urgency lining the words form the hope that it was routine. Xinyu barely had to think before she texted Nien, calling Yubin to pick her up as well.

Xinyu: Trail me. Something feels wrong.

Xinyu felt a pit in her stomach as she stepped out of the car, hearing Yubin's door click before she locked it. As they walked through the door, they noticed the house was quieter than usual— no music, minimal conversations— there was so little people in the entire house and couple people that lurked followed them with their gazes.

The door to the boss' room was already open and he sat there with clasped hands and a small smirk.

Xinyu only noticed the two men in the room when they stepped in and the door was shut behind them.

The two barely got their greetings out before he spoke, interrupting them.

"Stay standing."

Xinyu's body tightened watching him stand. He strode around the desk, circling it before leaning on the front of it. Each sound was amplified by the quietness suffocating them both.

He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a phone and tapping through it. A video played.

The storage closet.

Xinyu searching through the boxes.

Xinyu finding the hidden compartment.

Xinyu taking a bag.

His voice knocked her out of her thoughts "You thought we wouldn't protect our goods?"

Xinyu stood there.

Yubin couldn't even process what she was looking at.

She looked at Xinyu, studying her face,part of her desperately begging that somehow that was all fabricated— like some fucked up trust test and they would get out scot free.

"I wondered why your name sounded so familiar." He mused, "There are only so many Chinese officers here. Turns out you're one of five." He let out some hearty laugh, "It's funny that you think that a simple sweep up would make your name impossible to identify, but we have our ways on this side, Officer Zhou."

Yubin could saw Xinyu flinch at the name, but it couldn't be so, right? He reached back and suddenly he was brandishing a gun. He looked down at it, inspecting the metal and pulling out the clip to ensure it was loaded.

When he looked up, his eyes locked with Yubin's instead. "You could've gotten us into a lot of trouble with this one." He said, motioning the weapon at Xinyu.

All Yubin could do was nod, trying her hardest to maintain eye contact.

The boss had a disgustingly bright smile on his face as he sat up from the table and held the barrel of the gun, extending it to Yubin. "You had no involvement, right?" He motioned for her to take it. "Prove it."

The cold metal warmed against her palms. The barrel of the gun shook despite trying to hold it steady. It was too hard. Too hard when she was looking right back at her.

Yubin wanted to think the gaze was anything more than pleading for her life— she wanted "I love you, they're lying." but Xinyu wasn't shooting her hands up yelling at them to stop. She never said any of it wasn't true. She stood there, held still and she just stared back with watery eyes.

Her mouth opened, Yubin felt a swell of hope and—

"I'm sorry."

The words were choked out, a single tear running down Xinyu's cheek.

It's true.

The trust that she ever so delicately built back up shattered before her eyes.

Something in her thoughts stilled, as did the gun. She was suddenly steady. A deep breath in and she pushed it out, trying to maintain her composure— to fight against her watery eyes.

Her audience was silent, unsure of which side she would pick, when she would pick, anything from her at all.

Then she spoke.

"I love you."