Archive of Our Own

Driving to the precinct in a heightened mood as the sun warms each and every human being with increased vigor today, Du Cheng expects nothing but a usual boring shift filled with paperwork and occasional gossips bouncing from one corner to another—they'd closed a challenging drug trafficking case just the other week, and since then haven't dealt with something bigger than pickpockets.

Armed with coffee carriers for everyone to enjoy the marvelous day a little more, he enters the elevator only to find Jiang Feng looking like a huge truck just crushed his non-existent but so dear kitten.

“What happened to our second sunshine?” Du Cheng asks as he gives the subordinate his favorite latte.

For some reason the other man's expression goes even more darker, although he eagerly accepts the drink. “Cheng-dui! Why on Earth second!?”

So this is where I went wrong. Noted. Sometimes Du Cheng does not know what to expect from his team members—it must be because he is quite reserved and focused primarily on work. “Have you seen the weather today?”

Jiang Feng's face relaxes. He's still a star, that's great to hear. Not to mention it's indeed hard to compete with the largest object in the solar system. “Right. Cheng-dui, can I ask you something?”

“You will anyway.”

“Come on, I'm not that tactless! Do you think Li Han is interested in someone from our department?”

Du Cheng gives him the look. The one that says I was right so yes, you are lacking some manners. “I can't believe you still haven't asked her out properly. Literally every officer in this building thinks you are either dating or hiding that you are.”

“But I don't know what's on her mind. She seems friendly with all of us—”

“You won't be sure until you try. I hope you will, though. My gut tells me it's worth it.”

The second sun's face lights up immediately—no way their captain could ever be wrong. “Thank you, Cheng-dui. But—what about you?”

They've arrived now and are heading to their desks. “Excuse me?” Du Cheng turns to Jiang Feng with bewildered expression, but the man's already gone.

That little rascal. What about me?

Shaking his head, he then comes up to the shared room to hand out the other cups, but things only get even more confusing here. Oddly, everyone is sleeping on their desks. He would have lost his temper if it had been one person, but so many people at the same time? What is going on here? Du Cheng approaches Lao Yan to get him back on track but receives no reaction even when he tries to awaken him as actively as he can, although the man's clearly breathing. He then does the same to Li Han but sees no result either.

Sitting at the table in his cabinet to search for mass hysteria episodes online and remembering that he did not see the security officer standing by his post too, the captain suddenly feels the darkness taking over.