Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

West Kowloon, a coffee shop hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, dappling the gleaming marble floor. The air was filled with the rich aroma of Earl Grey tea and the creamy scent of freshly baked scones, while soothing jazz music played from the corner, isolating the bustling Victoria Harbour outside the window into another world.

Lu Chen sat in a booth by the window, wearing a well-tailored dark gray casual suit, with a Patek Philippe watch dial peeking out from the cuff. He casually toyed with an exquisite sterling silver lighter in his hand, opening the cap with a "ding" and closing it with a "click," the crisp metallic sound resonating.

His gaze seemed to be fixed on the shimmering sea outside the window, but the corner of his eye was always on the wind chimes by the door.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Accompanied by the crisp sound of wind chimes, a clear and melodious sound broke the silence.

Lu Chen raised his head, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes.

Kid.

This beautiful and agile policewoman, whom I had briefly met on the Fugui Maru, had shed her sharp combat uniform today. On this slightly chilly afternoon, she wore a tailored, fiery red trench coat, cinched at the waist with a belt that accentuated her slender figure, like a red rose blooming defiantly in the winter. Her long hair cascaded casually over her shoulders, and her face was adorned with delicate makeup. She had lost some of her former fierceness, gaining instead a captivating allure.

"It's not too late," Lu Chen stood up and gentlemanly pulled out the velvet chair opposite her. "I always have endless patience for beautiful things."

The boy's cheeks flushed slightly as he gently sat down.

Ever since that thrilling encounter a few months ago on the Fugui Maru, Lu Chen, this mysterious, powerful, and charming man, has taken root in her heart like a seed.

Over the past few months, Lu Chen didn't resort to the typical simp-like persistence. Instead, he adopted a remarkably subtle and pervasive strategy. Occasionally, a bouquet of flowers would arrive, a casual dinner at a fancy restaurant would follow, or a perfectly timed afternoon tea invitation like today. Ya Zi already harbored feelings for him because of the "Wealthy Pill" incident, and coupled with Lu Chen's Lv5 level of [Charm] and [Approachability], he was like a deadly poison to any woman. Unbeknownst to her, this proud Interpol agent had already secretly fallen for him.

Lu Chen snapped his fingers, and the waiter quickly brought out the black tea and desserts that had been prepared in advance.

"This is for you."

Lu Chen casually pushed the exquisite blue velvet gift box on the table over. "I just passed by Cartier and the first time I saw this bracelet, I knew it should be worn on your wrist."

As they spent more time together, Lu Chen's image became clearer in her mind. But reason remained a constant reminder: this man already had Ruan Mei by his side, and even Sofia, who was far away in Italy.

Proud as she was, she shouldn't have allowed herself to get caught up in such a crowded relationship. But feelings never follow reason, and every time Lu Chen invited her out, her reason told her to refuse, but her voice inexplicably led her to agree.

However, upon seeing the valuable gift before her, Yako's dazed expression instantly cleared.

She took a deep breath, extended her slender fingers, and gently pushed the gift box back.

"Ah Chen, this is too precious."

Yako's voice was soft, but her tone was unusually firm. "You know, the police force has discipline. And... I don't want you to think that I'm the kind of woman who can be measured by material things."

She has a strong sense of self-respect. She likes Lu Chen as a person, not for his money. She doesn't want to be the third party who breaks up other people's relationships, nor does she want to lose herself in this ambiguous relationship.

Lu Chen was slightly taken aback, then his admiration deepened.

If the boy accepted her, she would just be an ordinary, pretty woman. It was precisely this clarity and self-respect that made her stand out from the crowd.

"I was being presumptuous."

Lu Chen readily accepted the gift box without any embarrassment; instead, his smile became even more gentle. "Then you can't refuse this afternoon tea anymore. After all, it's only natural for friends to treat each other."

The word "friend" cleverly dissolved the awkward atmosphere and relaxed Ya Zi's tense nerves.

"Did something urgent come up when you called me today?" Yako composed herself, took a sip of her black tea, and tried to appear natural. "Someone as busy as you wouldn't just be asking me out for tea, would you?"

Lu Chen looked into her eyes, his gaze so deep it seemed to draw her in. "What if I said I just wanted to see you?"

The boy's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his head to drink his tea to hide his panic: "No... don't joke around. I heard your business has been booming lately, and Jiahe's stock has doubled. How could you have time to look for a lowly policeman?"

As they talked, what started as a joke gradually turned into a slightly resentful and aggrieved tone.

"Business is business, and friends are friends... But the reason I asked you out today, besides wanting to see an old friend, is that there is something else important to discuss."

Lu Chen smiled, then his smile faded as he pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and pushed it in front of the boy.

"What's this?" the boy asked, picking up the banknotes with a puzzled look.

As an Interpol agent, she was all too familiar with this. The feel, the color-changing ink, the embossed texture… wasn't this just the latest version of a US dollar bill?

"This one is fake," Lu Chen said, surprising everyone.

"Fake?!"

The boy's pupils contracted, and he immediately pulled a portable magnifying glass from his bag, carefully observing it against the light.

"hiss……"

After watching for half a minute, the boy gasped.

Aside from the slightly blurred microtext on Franklin's collar and a slightly unnatural security thread, this banknote is outrageously perfect! It would be impossible to tell the difference without professional examination.

"Where did you get this?" The boy's professionalism kicked in instantly, and his eyes sharpened.

"An old friend gave it to me," Lu Chen said, taking a sip of coffee, half-jokingly. "You know, when you're doing business, you always come into contact with all sorts of people. I recently heard that this batch of goods came from an international counterfeit currency syndicate that has been operating in Southeast Asia for many years."

"Mr. Yao?" the boy blurted out.

This was a big fish that Interpol had been watching for a long time, but they couldn't find any evidence or catch him in the act.

"It's most likely him." Lu Chen nodded. "This shipment is very large, and the technology is extremely advanced. If they were to distribute this shipment throughout Hong Kong Island, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"I know your department specializes in this area," Lu Chen said, looking at Ya Zi. "That's why you were the first person I thought of."

As the boy looked at Lu Chen, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

She knew the value of this intelligence. If she could follow the trail and take down this counterfeit money ring, her status at Interpol headquarters would rise dramatically, and she might even become the youngest senior inspector in history.

Was it... for me?

"Thank you, Lu Chen."

The girl's eyes reddened slightly, her gratitude evident. She thought Lu Chen had gone to great lengths to obtain such important information for her future.

"Don't thank me yet."

Lu Chen waved his hand, "I have a small favor to ask you for."

"Tell me! As long as it doesn't violate my principles, I'll agree!" The boy was now so eager to repay her with his body.

"I'd like you to recommend someone to your supervisor to join this project team."

Lu Chen took out a photo from his pocket. It showed a young and handsome policeman with a furrowed brow—Song Zijie.

"This is?"

"His name is Song Zijie. He is a young policeman with a strong sense of justice, but he has an older brother named Song Zihao."

Lu Chen explained, "Song Zihao was once a key member of a counterfeit money ring, but he reformed after being imprisoned and now works for me. Song Zihao is willing to be a police informant to help you uncover the organization's weaknesses and the buyers who trade with it. But he has only one condition—his younger brother must be involved in the case and make a contribution."

That's a perfect reason.

It is both reasonable and full of human touch.

After hearing this, the boy's admiration for Lu Chen deepened. This man was not only capable, but also loyal and righteous, and willing to help his friends.

"no problem!"

The boy readily agreed, "Leave this to me."

The deal was reached.

Ya Zi glanced at her watch. Although she was extremely reluctant to leave, she knew that this intelligence had to be reported to headquarters immediately, as the opportunity was fleeting.

"I'm going back to headquarters."

Ya Zi stood up and straightened her trench coat. Looking at Lu Chen, who was still sitting there calmly and elegantly, she could no longer suppress her emotions.

She suddenly seemed to have made up her mind and quickly moved closer.

"Pop".

A warm and soft kiss was gently placed on Lu Chen's cheek.

"Thank you for the gift... I didn't accept it, but I really like it. And... thank you for everything you've done for me."

After saying that, her face turned bright red instantly, like a little girl caught doing something wrong. She grabbed her bag and fled the coffee shop without looking back.

Lu Chen touched the lingering warmth on his cheek, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"Done."