Gong Yingxian stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the plants outside as new shoots and buds began to emerge. Year after year, winter gave way to spring; year after year, things withered and came back to life. People said that humans were like plants, but in truth, they might not even be as fortunate as plants. If people could start over again and again, there would be no tragedies in this world.
But there would be no joy, either.
Gong Yingxian’s gaze gradually grew unfocused. His thoughts kept jumping back and forth between wild imaginings and Ren Yi, leaving his mind in complete disarray.
He heard a steady set of footsteps behind him and immediately came back to his senses. Turning around, he saw Ren Yi standing there.
The heating was on full blast indoors, so Ren Yi wore only a gray wool sweater. The soft, close-fitting fabric outlined his lean, muscular build. His short hair, smooth face, and sharply defined collarbones gave him a clean, refreshing air. He was so handsome that it was hard to look away.
Ren Yi tilted his chin slightly, signaling for Gong Yingxian to follow him.
Gong Yingxian walked over and took a deep breath, feeling a little nervous.
When they reached the door, Ren Yi said, “I’ve already talked to my dad. He’s taking it pretty calmly. Let’s sit down together and talk.”
“Mm.”
Ren Yi turned to open the door, but Gong Yingxian suddenly took hold of his hand. Ren Yi froze and looked back at him.
Gong Yingxian gazed into Ren Yi’s eyes. “Actually, deep down, I believe the former squad leader is innocent.”
Ren Yi said nothing.
“Just by looking at you, I can imagine what kind of people your parents are.” Gong Yingxian’s gaze grew somewhat dim. “I just… I was just so anxious. I couldn’t afford to let any possible lead slip through my fingers.”
What kind of wonderful parents must they have been to raise someone as good as Ren Yi?
Ren Yi’s heart softened. He gently squeezed Gong Yingxian’s fingers. “Tell my dad that, too.”
When they entered the bedroom, Ren Xiangrong was seated facing them, his expression perfectly calm.
Gong Yingxian had seen Ren Xiangrong’s photographs many times, but this was the first time he had met the man in person. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t quite the first time. It was just that he had absolutely no memory of that “first time” nineteen years ago.
Ren Xiangrong was also studying Gong Yingxian, his gaze open and composed.
Ren Yi cleared his throat softly. “Dad, this is…”
Ren Xiangrong nodded. “Have a seat.”
Gong Yingxian sat down and was just about to speak when Ren Xiangrong looked at him with a sigh of emotion.
“My goodness, you were such a little boy back then. Now you’ve grown taller than my own son.”
Gong Yingxian met Ren Xiangrong’s gaze and said solemnly, “Captain Ren, I’d like to apologize to you. I’m sorry.”
Ren Xiangrong waved a hand. “It’s all right. I understand you. In my lifetime, I’ve seen far too many victims and survivors. The vast majority of them can never manage to live a normal life again. But you didn’t go astray. Instead, you became a police officer, turned your grief and anger into strength, and devoted yourself to rescuing, protecting, and helping more innocent people. That’s no easy feat. It’s truly admirable.”
Gong Yingxian stared at Ren Xiangrong in a daze, his heart trembling violently.
So this was Ren Yi’s father. Even sitting in a wheelchair, with age weighing heavily upon him, he remained so generous and so strong. This was Ren Yi’s father. The two of them were so alike.
Ren Yi smiled faintly, feeling relieved as well. He should have realized sooner that his father possessed a broad heart and a down-to-earth wisdom. Both came from the courage with which he faced every hardship without ever backing down. So, at least in his father’s eyes, this matter wasn’t nearly as serious as Ren Yi had imagined.
Gong Yingxian, however, was filled with shame. He said quietly, “Captain Ren, thank you.”
“It’s all right. The most important thing now is to catch the culprit. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“No. I wanted to thank you for saving me back then.” Gong Yingxian’s voice trembled. “I’ve always wanted to tell you that in person, but I… I didn’t dare. And it wasn’t just because I… suspected you.”
“I understand,” Ren Xiangrong said gently. “No one wants to revisit painful memories. You don’t want to remember them, yet you’re forced to relive them. You’re a strong person.”
Gong Yingxian felt a rush of aching emotion rise straight to the bridge of his nose. He lowered his head.
“I really want to help you. I know Ren Yi has been assisting you, too, but my mind doesn’t obey me anymore.” Ren Xiangrong spoke with regret. “You can ask me anything you want. Don’t hold back. Even if you have to question me as though I were a suspect, that’s fine. If I can be of even a little help, I’ll be glad.”
“Old Ren, you’ve already helped a great deal.” Ren Yi gently rubbed his father’s back. “Don’t feel any burden over this.”
Ren Xiangrong glanced at his son and said firmly, “Evil will never triumph over good. You’ll definitely win.”
Gong Yingxian steadied his breathing and took a notebook and a voice recorder out of his briefcase. “Captain Ren, on behalf of the entire police force and myself personally, I’d like to thank you once again.”
Ren Xiangrong nodded. “Go ahead.”
They talked for a full three hours, until Ren Xiangrong was visibly exhausted and needed to rest.
Gong Yingxian closed his notebook, thanked him again, then hesitated before asking, “Captain Ren, I have one last question.”
“Go ahead.”
Summoning an immense amount of courage, Gong Yingxian asked, “Putting all the facts and evidence aside, based on your many years of experience, what was your impression when you entered my house back then? Do you think my father would have committed arson?”
Ren Xiangrong shook his head. “When I found you all on the second floor, your father… he used…” He paused, his voice tinged with regret. “He used his own body to shield you. That was a kind of pain no one should ever have to endure, yet he never once tried to get away. I don’t believe someone like that would hurt his own family.”
Gong Yingxian stiffened. The next moment, he turned his face away and stood up. In a low voice, he said, “I’ll take my leave, then. Thank you.”
He hurried out of the room.
Ren Yi watched Gong Yingxian’s retreating figure, then looked at his father. “Old Ren…”
“Go on,” Ren Xiangrong said, rolling his shoulders. “I could use a nap anyway.”
“Come on, I’ll help you into bed.”
Ren Yi helped his father onto the bed, took off his shoes, and tucked him in before asking, “Are you tired?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. You two go take care of your business.”
Ren Yi sighed. “Have you been ‘dreaming’ about your old comrades lately?”
Ren Xiangrong’s eyes filled with memories. “Not as often as I was a while ago. Maybe the effects of the hypnosis are wearing off.”
“If you feel unwell at all, we’ll go to the hospital. Whatever you do, don’t hide it from me.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Ren Xiangrong added, “That boy has had a hard time. A blow like that would break even an adult, let alone a child. You’re right to help him. If everyone we helped could grow up to become someone as capable as he is, then we’d be helping even more people indirectly.”
Ren Yi was overwhelmed by an indescribable warmth. He nodded firmly. “You’re right.”
“Go on.” Ren Xiangrong suddenly remembered something. “Oh, next time, bring me some tangyoubing and soy milk from Nan’er Hutong. I’ve been craving that taste.”
Ren Yi laughed. “No problem. I’ll bring you some stir-fried liver from Jiqing Street, too.”
Ren Xiangrong smiled as well.
After leaving the room, Ren Yi searched for quite a while before finally finding Gong Yingxian on a terrace.
Looking at that solitary figure, which seemed to radiate an overwhelming loneliness, Ren Yi instinctively softened his footsteps.
Hearing him approach, Gong Yingxian turned his face toward him.
His eyes and the tip of his nose were red. Ren Yi couldn’t tell whether it was from the cold or because he had just been crying.
Ren Yi walked up to him and said quietly, “If you think of any other questions later, you can ask my dad directly. Ask him openly and honestly. But right now, he’s only awake about half the time when he isn’t sleeping, so you’ll have to get lucky with your timing.”
Gong Yingxian’s voice was hoarse. “Let’s transfer Captain Ren back to my hospital.”
Ren Yi shook his head. “I shouldn’t have accepted this kind of favor in the first place. And even if I agreed now, my dad wouldn’t. He already understands what’s going on.”
Gong Yingxian’s face showed his shame without the slightest attempt to conceal it.
“Did you get any useful information?”
“I’ll go back and organize the recording carefully. Maybe he mentioned some details that we—or even he himself—overlooked.”
“All right.” Ren Yi checked his watch. “Then let’s go back.”
Gong Yingxian asked somewhat blankly, “Back where?”
Ren Yi froze for a moment. Looking into Gong Yingxian’s empty eyes, he felt an inexplicable ache in his heart.
Gong Yingxian said softly, “My father shielded us. My mother shielded me and my sister. My sister shielded me, too. When the fire came, I was hiding in a corner, and I was the only one who came out completely unharmed.”
Ren Yi opened his mouth to comfort him, but he didn’t know what to say.
“All these years, I’ve often wondered why arson. My mother never took part in running the company, and my sister and I were still children. If the other party wanted to silence my father, why didn’t they spare us? Why take such a huge risk and go to so much trouble to use that particular method?” Gong Yingxian’s expression was somewhat numb. “I still don’t know. Maybe we’ll only find out when we catch the culprit. But whether the person who ordered it told them to do it this way or they decided to do it themselves, it was an evil I can’t understand.
“It wasn’t until I grew up that I realized some kinds of evil don’t need a reason. Rather than trying to understand people like that, what matters more is stopping them and bringing them to justice. That’s why I became a police officer.”
Ren Yi said softly, “You have more motivation than anyone to become a good police officer, and you’ve succeeded.”
Gong Yingxian turned his gaze toward Ren Yi, his face full of sorrow. “I’m still not good enough. I used the wrong methods and hurt you and your father, yet you’ve both kept helping me… I’m sorry.”
Ren Yi looked him straight in the eyes and said openly, “My father doesn’t blame you, and I accept your apology.”
Gong Yingxian’s eyes reddened. Unable to hold himself back any longer, he wrapped his arms around Ren Yi and held him tightly, so tightly, as though he were embracing everything that made him whole.
Ren Yi patted Gong Yingxian’s back. His heart ached with an overwhelming tenderness for him.
“You’ve had such a hard time all these years. I have a feeling this is all about to end. Just like my dad said, we’re going to win.”
Gong Yingxian closed his eyes as tears slid down his cheeks.