Shi Yijian and Mo Chou walked hand in hand into the café, just as they had in their youth.
"One bowl of curry squid noodles!"
When the waiter came over to them, the former lovers spoke in unison.
Sitting across from each other, they both paused briefly, then exchanged a smile.
But beneath Shi Yijian's smile lay a complicated mix of feelings.
Mo Chou, meanwhile, was completely absorbed in nostalgia for the wonderful days of her youth.
And so, wearing two smiles that meant entirely different things, they chatted and laughed as they shared a bowl of curry squid noodles.
"How was it, Mo Chou?"
His smile slowly faded as Shi Yijian asked meaningfully, "Still the same old taste, right?"
His task at that moment was to use his position as her former lover to bring about the right opportunity and conditions for arresting Mo Chou, the hidden mastermind behind the DOA Group.
After all, Mo Chou could hardly bring a crowd of third wheels along to a secret rendezvous with the old flame she loved.
Public safety in Macau was still not as good as on Hong Kong Island, but it was good enough for ordinary citizens to frequent bustling night-market streets like these.
Within Macau, Mo Chou did not need security personnel guarding her every moment.
Under the original plan to close the net, the Police Force's arrest operation would have begun the instant Mo Chou and Shi Yijian left the Galaxy Hotel.
But out of regard for their past affection, Shi Yijian had specifically requested this bowl of curry squid noodles.
Now that he and Mo Chou had polished off the noodles, the operation to close the net naturally entered its final stage.
"A-Jian, tonight has been the happiest night I've had in over a decade."
Resting