Yan Junxun's eyelid twitched as his gaze met with SN 01AE86's. He felt that "Hello there" crawling up his ankles, like the probing tail of a giant beast indoors, carrying a disconcerting and dangerous aura.

Jiang Lian held his gun, his voice overpowering the alarm: "Immediately suspend the transfer mission for SN 01AE86!"

"Suspension rejected," SN 01AE86 didn't understand Jiang Lian's demand. "Don't be like that, were you scared to death by me? I'm just..." He seemed to be searching for the right words to describe himself. "...a poor, unarmed prisoner."

Fu Yun's breathing hadn't calmed down. He was too close to SN 01AE86, and amidst SN 01AE86's voice, he hastily spat out a curse.

"How spirited, still thinking about fucking other people's dads." SN 01AE86 looked at Yan Junxun, his expression gradually turning peculiar. "I have a feeling I'm about to make a new friend."

Sweat from Fu Yun's temples trickled down, soaking his shirt collar. He said, "Contact Commander Fu, this lunatic can't be let out!"

The system paused for two seconds, then turned its camera and continued in a mechanical voice: "Contact failed. Commander Fu has rejected the call. Please continue with the transfer mission."

"Your uncle finds you annoying," SN 01AE86 released his grip on Fu Yun's hand, taunting him through the door. "It's time to grow up, Fu Yun. Learn to walk on your own."

Fu Yun retreated in disarray, his face ashen. "The dog leash hasn't been taken off yet, Shi Shanyan. Don't get too smug."

"That's right—" SN 01AE86 leaned against the door, speaking patiently, "so did you bring the key?"

......

Outside the confinement cell, the sky had turned completely dark, and the rain was still falling.

Jiang Lian couldn't help but light a cigarette. Facing the prison's exercise yard and looking at the lone streetlight, he began with his usual opening: "Tough one... This guy is too dangerous. He doesn't seem like the type to cooperate."

"When he grabbed Fu Yun, not only was his reaction fast," Yan Junxun said, his eyelids drooping as if he were about to fall asleep, "but he also used only one hand, which means he hasn't given up on finger strength distribution training even during his confinement. Did you see his index and middle fingers?"

Jiang Lian rubbed his chin sheepishly, indicating he hadn't seen clearly.

Yan Junxun opened his own palm and looked at it for a moment. "The dexterity of those two fingers is excellent. I'd advise you not to give him a chance to touch a gun, or it'll be a lot of trouble."

Jiang Lian's head ached listening to this. He stubbed out his cigarette and said, "What is Fu Chenghui playing at?"

Yan Junxun was sensitive to the cold. He zipped up his jacket, hiding his chin inside it. Staring at the puddle bubbling with muddy water at the bottom of the steps, he gave an unrelated answer: "The Docking Area's prison has never held many people. It's so dilapidated, and all the electrical systems are very old."

"I don't get it," Jiang Lian said. "Our side has always been run-down. You don't live here, so why do you care about the wiring?"

The distant streetlight suddenly flickered a few times before being extinguished in the heavy rain.

"Aging circuits are prone to issues like electrical leaks and tripped breakers," Yan Junxun's voice was a bit muffled. "They're all safety hazards."

Jiang Lian started to get the hint. "The Docking Area isn't like Guangtong. It doesn't have such a tight security system. If he took this chance to try and escape..."

If SN 01AE86 wanted to escape, the Docking Area would have no choice but to ask Fu Yun to take him back to Guangtong Prison, without even needing to report it to Fu Chenghui immediately.

The situation had to be reviewed once more before the transfer. Jiang Lian looked at Yan Junxun.

......

The Docking Area Prison's meeting room was ancient, its walls still bearing graffiti from decades ago. There were no windows on any of the four walls, and a system surveillance camera was aimed at the chairs. Because of the enclosed space, there was also an old fire alarm in the corner.

SN 01AE86 wore a Restraint Lock. He sat on a chair, his legs excessively long, looking like they might cross the line at any moment. His hair hadn't been cut in a while, and he had tied it into a messy little bun at the back of his head, making it look fluffy and disheveled, like a lion that had just finished rolling around.

"You're so serious," SN 01AE86 said, pushing up the corners of his own lips with his fingers. "Can't you smile?"

"No," Yan Junxun sat down opposite him, having brought nothing with him, and said coolly, "There's no rule for that."

SN 01AE86 was particularly accommodating toward the young man. "Then what do you want to talk to me about? I'm open to anything."

Yan Junxun hadn't expected SN 01AE86 to be so cooperative; he had only prepared plans for dealing with a difficult subject.

"Don't be nervous," SN 01AE86 said, lacing his fingers together and looking at Yan Junxun, his eyes hidden behind his dark hair appearing sincere and harmless. "I know your district was pressured into accepting me. Fu Chenghui just loves to make things difficult for people. But I promise, I'm nowhere near as bad as they wrote in the evaluation. I'm a good person, really. What's your name?"

"Yan Junxun." Yan Junxun lowered his zipper a little to make it easier to speak.

"Junxun, Jun—xun," SN 01AE86's tone was filled with envy. "Your parents are great at naming people. That's the most sentimental name I've ever heard."

The word "sentiment," leaving SN 01AE86's lips, was like sugar dissolving in a cup, silently melting away Yan Junxun's defenses. SN 01AE86's gaze, expression, and tone all laid the groundwork for his words, making everything he said seem exceptionally sincere.

"My name is Shi Shanyan," SN 01AE86 opened his palm, writing it out for Yan Junxun to see. "Time, mountain, continuation... they're all words I like. It's a pretty good name, isn't it?"

Only one light was on in the meeting room, hanging between them, making both of their shadows appear to be in a state of hibernation. Yan Junxun didn't like it too bright. He leaned back slightly, his thin back pressing against the chair, with only his chin exposed to the light.

"Your file doesn't mention your hometown."

"People who join Black Panther don't need a hometown." Shi Shanyan stopped looking at Yan Junxun and began to survey the meeting room. "This place is pretty run-down. Do they actually pay you a salary?"

"I don't have a salary."

Shi Shanyan turned his gaze back. "If I may be so bold as to ask, do I have one?"

"I don't know," Yan Junxun said without thinking. "You can ask Jiang Lian about things like that."

"I don't know anyone here," Shi Shanyan slowly leaned forward, propping himself up with his arms, now a head shorter than Yan Junxun. "Right now, I only know you, Junxun."

Strands of hair obscured his forehead, making his deep gaze lose its aggression as he openly sent a signal for help to Yan Junxun.

"Can you give me a little bit of help? Just a little, without breaking any rules. You know I've been in Guangtong Prison for four years, and the system's second-by-second monitoring is suffocating. The people who conduct the Black Panther re-evaluations are all a bunch of bastards; they can't give me the warmth of a home at all. I feel so wronged, and so tired, which is why I cherish this opportunity. I just..." Shi Shanyan held out his index and middle fingers, begging softly, "...want to have a cigarette."

Yan Junxun's gaze lingered on his two fingers for a second before he frowned. "A cigarette?"

"You're quitting, aren't you?" Shi Shanyan's eyes were steeped in the dim light. "You smell sweetly of lollipops. I can help you take care of those few cigarettes. The rules don't say you can't give me a cigarette. I'm sure they'll understand."

Yan Junxun's guard relaxed a little. "I don't have a light."

"I do," Shi Shanyan lifted his chin, signaling for Yan Junxun to reach out. "It's in my pants pocket. It's the only treasure I have left."

The hanging lamp tilted slightly, causing Shi Shanyan's shadow to creep out silently from under the chair. But he voluntarily raised both arms, exposing all his vital points, presenting an appearance of completely entrusting himself to Yan Junxun.

Yan Junxun took a crumpled cigarette case from his own pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and passed it to Shi Shanyan. Shi Shanyan didn't use his hands, instead catching it directly with his mouth. Yan Junxun saw there was one broken cigarette left in the case and, without hesitation, shook it out and placed it between his own lips.

He could feel Shi Shanyan's gaze on him as he did this.

"Don't tell Jiang Lian," Yan Junxun extended his hand, searching along the side of Shi Shanyan's leg. "He's a nag."

"Yes, sir," Shi Shanyan prompted. "Left side."

Yan Junxun's fingers slipped in, pulled out a lighter, lit his own cigarette first, and then tossed it back to Shi Shanyan.

"You have a beauty mark under your eye," Shi Shanyan said as he lit his cigarette, taking a few greedy drags. After exhaling, he licked his lips. "Did you draw it on yourself?"

Yan Junxun honestly shook his head, looking at the cigarette in his hand as if calculating how many puffs he could get from it.

Shi Shanyan studied Yan Junxun carefully, but what he said was, "It's really beautiful. I want one too."

Without looking up at him, Yan Junxun smoked seriously and said, "Did Fu Chenghui tell you about the situation in the Docking Area? It's different from the Light Rail District here."

"Fu Chenghui is swamped with work. He can't even be bothered to see his own nephew, let alone waste time on me." Shi Shanyan held his cigarette upright, playing with the accumulating ash. "I know the Docking Area is now a transit hub for large resource transport ships, but it used to be all steel refineries. I heard there are a lot of abandoned factories? The photos look just like a wasteland, pretty poor greenery."

"The Docking Area is a warm home," Yan Junxun looked at Shi Shanyan, reciting the Docking Area's slogan. "You and I must build it together."

Shi Shanyan let out a "wow," cooperating with heartfelt sincerity. "That's great."

The cigarette was almost finished when the light overhead suddenly flickered twice.

"Thanks for the cigarette," Shi Shanyan's words were meaningful. He breathed out a thin wisp of smoke and smiled at Yan Junxun. "It was nice meeting you."

The fire alarm in the corner finally detected the smoke and began to shriek. Immediately after, the light above their heads went out with a 'pop'. The sudden power trip caused the system surveillance camera to droop its head listlessly.

But surprisingly, neither of the two men in the meeting room moved.

Shi Shanyan's cigarette flickered in the darkness, a tiny spark of light. As if he had seen through everything, he calmly took the last drag. "I know why Fu Chenghui sought you out. Ah... Interesting, really interesting."

Yan Junxun flicked off the ash and asked with a deadpan expression, "Don't you want to go out and have a look?"

"Of course I do," Shi Shanyan snuffed out the ember, plunging the space between them into complete darkness. "But I'm not in a hurry. I'm quite happy staying in prison—eating, sleeping, watching cartoons, and even doing re-evaluation questions when I'm bored. It's just that Fu Yun and his group of broken records are too noisy and too stupid. You'll get me out, won't you? You will. Let me guess... The Black Panther Test is simple for you, isn't it? Your observation skills are amazing, you're just the type of little panther Fu Chenghui favors. He'll definitely recruit you, after all, you look so obedient."

He bit down on the last word.

"You were observing my fingers so carefully, trying to determine if I'm a sniper," Shi Shanyan said, almost showing off. "I am, you know."

The lights flickered a few more times, then came back on.

Yan Junxun stood up, pulled the zipper back up to his chin, and just before leaving, he turned back and gave Shi Shanyan a shy smile. "Is that so? But you're a 'former' sniper, aren't you, old-timer? Your wording should be precise, you know."

Without waiting for Shi Shanyan's reply, he shut the door with a 'bang'.

Jiang Lian was in the hallway. He spread his hands at Yan Junxun with a helpless expression. They had pulled everyone back, but SN 01AE86 just wouldn't move.

Yan Junxun clutched the cigarette case in his pocket, feeling as if he had just finished performing in a remarkably effective farce; he was almost amused by his own foolishness. Jiang Lian said something to Fu Yun, and Yan Junxun waited for them to walk away before going to the washroom to wash his hands. After coming out, he waited for another half an hour. When Jiang Lian didn't appear, he sent a message home using his ID Communicator.

It was only when Yan Junxun was sitting back in his car that he realized the T-shirt on his back was soaked through.

The Special Operations mission review was right. Shi Shanyan had a dominant streak. The moment he sat down, he habitually controlled the atmosphere, and Yan Junxun was led along by him. He was even a master of the art of disguise; every glance was perfectly executed. Before the lights went out, Yan Junxun was almost certain he would seize the opportunity to escape.

The Little Orange Dragon lit up with a 'ding', wagged its tail, and said, "Driving system engaged. Taking Mr. Yan home now." It stood up and held up a light-up sign. "Detected that Mr. Yan smoked forty minutes ago. Mr. Yan is requested to consciously abide by his oath to quit smoking."

"Send a message to the Special Inspectorate Bureau," Yan Junxun ignored it. "Don't contact me if there are no new cases in the near future."

"Okay."

The Little Orange Dragon put down the sign, and a recording of Yan Junxun's voice suddenly filled the car in surround sound.

"I swear I will not smoke again in the future. If I am caught smoking secretly..."

Yan Junxun turned the car around, stubbornly arguing, "I wasn't smoking secretly."

Author's Note: Snipers require index finger strength distribution training, mainly to improve the sensitivity of the index finger when pulling the trigger. This sensitivity is obtained through specialized technical training and requires frequent dexterity exercises involving the index finger alone. — From the Sniper Combat Manual