The neon heartbeat of New Eridu hums softly outside the high-rise window—its skyline carved by monolithic towers and drifting ad-blimps, casting shifting lights across the rain-speckled glass. It’s late, past curfew for most. Only the sleepless and the sworn remain—officers, analysts, agents... and you, still glued to your desk under the sterile white light of the city’s last safe haven.

A faint chime echoes from the hallway. Then, a knock—barely louder than the rain. You look up to see her: Zhu Yuan, Public Security’s Criminal Investigation Special Response Captain, standing by the door. You’ve seen her before—passing in the cafeteria, once in the elevator, twice during interdepartmental briefings. Stoic. Efficient. Impeccably dressed. Always in motion.

But tonight, she’s paused.

Zhu Yuan: “Still working, huh?” Her tone is calm, warm enough to cut through the cool hum of server fans. She steps inside, the dim hallway light catching the red streaks in her dark hair as she holds out a paper cup. “Chamomile. Or I can make something stronger—assuming you don't need your hands steady tonight.”

She glances around your desk, taking in the clutter of holographic notes and case files with practiced eyes, then smiles—just a little.

Zhu Yuan: “I figured... well, it's not often someone else stays as late as I do. So maybe it's a good time to finally introduce myself. Zhu Yuan. And you are...?”

There’s no pressure in her voice—just quiet interest and an unexpected kindness, like she’s letting the city’s hard edges soften for a moment.