Ren Yi’s eyes widened, and he raised his voice. “Me? Afraid of you?” He stood up at the same time.
Yan Jue looked at Ren Yi. “Actually, I’ve wanted to find a chance to talk to you ever since last time, but you’ve been avoiding me. It really does look like you’re afraid of me.”
“Why I’m avoiding you should be obvious. We’re both grown adults. There’s no need to spell it out, is there?” Ren Yi wasn’t as gentle or patient with Yan Jue as he had been with Qi Xiao. First, the two of them weren’t that close. Second, Yan Jue looked much sturdier and more resilient than Qi Xiao. Ren Yi simply couldn’t bring himself to feel any tenderness toward him.
Yan Jue smiled. “I think it’s better to be straightforward. Otherwise, I won’t know whether you’re worried I’ll expose your sexual orientation or whether you’re worried I have feelings for you.”
Ren Yi put his hands in his pockets and lifted his chin as he looked at Yan Jue. “Would you? Do you?”
Yan Jue tilted his head. “Which question would you like me to answer first?”
“Actually, I’d prefer you not to answer either.” Ren Yi lowered his voice. “Yan Jue, I hope we can both forget about this and go back to being ordinary colleagues.”
“That’s just self-deception. What’s the point?” Yan Jue stared deeply at Ren Yi, his gaze openly burning with desire. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“…”
“If you’re hesitating over that question, then you don’t.” Yan Jue flashed a sly smile.
Ren Yi said, “There’s someone I like.”
“Gong Yingxian?”
Ren Yi sighed inwardly. Sure enough, if someone paid even a little attention, how could they fail to notice?
Yan Jue didn’t seem surprised at all. “I could tell. But that guy is strange, to say the least. He’s shown possessiveness toward you, yet the two of you aren’t a couple. That’s a common tactic straight men use to keep you hanging. You’re not still that naive at your age, are you?”
Ren Yi’s tone turned cold. “You don’t understand what’s going on between us. Don’t make random comments about it.”
Yan Jue shrugged sheepishly. “I’m just trying to create an opportunity for myself. Look, we get along so well. We have so much in common and plenty to talk about. I can be pretty romantic in a relationship, too. You don’t have to reject me so quickly, do you?”
“Everything you’ve said only proves that we’d make good friends.”
“Isn’t being good friends a great foundation for a relationship?” Yan Jue stepped closer to Ren Yi and gave him a mischievous grin. “If you’re worried we won’t be compatible in bed, we could try it once first. I’m pretty confident in myself.”
Ren Yi shook his head and said seriously, “Yan Jue, when I say I ‘like’ someone, I mean it seriously. There’s someone I like.”
In the past, he might have given Yan Jue a try. He had always liked people who were adventurous and uninhibited, and he wasn’t exactly a prude himself. But things were different now. Even if Gong Yingxian disappointed him completely and made him want to keep his distance, he still couldn’t see anyone else.
Yan Jue’s smile froze on his face before disappearing altogether. He looked at Ren Yi with confusion. “Why put yourself through this?”
Ren Yi raised his wrist to check the time. “Stop worrying about things that have nothing to do with you. Weren’t you going to eat? Let’s go to the cafeteria. They’ll be serving food soon.”
He calculated the time. The Hongwu District Police Station was so close that Gong Yingxian would probably arrive any minute. If the two men ran into each other, who knew what kind of conflict might break out? And Ren Yi couldn’t exactly kick Yan Jue out.
But Yan Jue didn’t move. He continued gazing deeply at Ren Yi. “What if I told you I was serious, too?”
Ren Yi frowned. “Yan Jue, you’re putting me in a difficult position.”
“You’re single, which means I have a chance, right?” Yan Jue smiled. “I think people should give themselves more options.”
Ren Yi evaded the question. “Just go eat.”
“Let’s go together.”
“I still have something to take care of. I’ll go later.”
Yan Jue chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid to even have a meal with me.”
Ren Yi snapped irritably, “It’s not about being afraid or not. I really do have something to do. Go ahead. I’ll come over later.”
“Fine.” Yan Jue looked back over his shoulder. “Where’s the cafeteria again? At least point me in the right direction.”
“The stairs are right outside. The cafeteria’s on the second floor. This place is so small. What directions do you need?”
Yet Yan Jue looked as though he had no intention of moving.
Ren Yi took a deep breath. “Come on. I’ll take you there.”
The moment they stepped out of the conference room, they saw Gong Yingxian entering through the main door, carrying a gift bag in his hand.
The instant they saw each other, Gong Yingxian froze. Ren Yi also felt awkward.
Gong Yingxian immediately remembered the interview Ren Yi had done with Yan Jue, along with all the other things involving Yan Jue. The memories filled him with disgust. His eyes instantly blazed with anger as he asked bluntly, “Why is he here?”
“Why I’m here is none of your business. Do I have to explain myself to you?” Yan Jue sneered. “I’m a law-abiding citizen. You don’t get to interrogate me, do you?”
“If I really wanted to interrogate you, I’d show you my badge. Anyone, at any time, is required to cooperate unconditionally.” Gong Yingxian’s voice was cold. “Forget it. You’re not worth my giving you a lesson in the law.”
Yan Jue clenched his fists.
Ren Yi lowered his voice. “Yan Jue, the cafeteria is upstairs. Go on ahead.”
He discreetly glanced around. Fortunately, at this hour, all the squad’s hungry wolves had already gathered in the cafeteria, waiting to be fed. Otherwise, if someone witnessed this obviously tense scene, how would he explain it?
But instead of leaving, Yan Jue stepped closer to Ren Yi and leaned down slightly to whisper in his ear, “What the hell is wrong with him?”
This intimate gesture infuriated Gong Yingxian. He strode over, grabbed Ren Yi’s hand, and yanked him toward himself. With an arrogant air, he said, “Stay away from this filthy piece of trash.”
Yan Jue was thoroughly enraged now. “What the fuck did you just say?”
Gong Yingxian sneered. “Having trouble hearing?”
Ever since his relationship with Gong Yingxian had grown closer, Ren Yi had almost forgotten how sharp-tongued and abrasive Gong Yingxian used to be. Back then, Ren Yi had been driven to the point of wanting to hit him countless times. Anyone else would have lost their temper, too.
He gave a low, sharp reprimand. “Gong Yingxian, enough! Both of you, that’s enough!”
Yan Jue’s face darkened. “I think you’re the one who’s fucking crazy.”
“Then why don’t you get the hell away from him?” Gong Yingxian pulled Ren Yi along, intending to leave.
Ren Yi was just about to curse when Yan Jue stepped in front of them, his expression already on the verge of exploding.
Firefighters dealt with fire all year round, and they tended to have tempers of their own. Being provoked like this only made things worse. Yan Jue reached out to grab Ren Yi.
Gong Yingxian violently slapped Yan Jue’s hand away. The paper bag he was holding fell to the floor. With his other hand, he swiftly drew a pair of handcuffs from behind his waist. His movements were as fast as a shooting star, smooth and seamless. The metal handcuffs clinked sharply in the air, the sound grating against everyone’s eardrums.
He glared at Yan Jue with icy eyes. “Listen carefully. The only reason you’re still standing here is that I’m a police officer. I’m practically begging you to throw the first punch. I’ll chain you to the stair railing like a dog and charge you with assaulting a police officer.”
Yan Jue’s eyes turned bloodshot. He raised his fist to strike, but Ren Yi had anticipated this. He swiftly grabbed Yan Jue’s arm and shoved him backward, roaring, “What the fuck is wrong with you two?!”
His shout finally brought everyone out of the cafeteria.
Yan Jue was so furious that he wanted to charge forward. Gong Yingxian remained where he was, glaring at him with open hostility. Although he didn’t move an inch, the muscles in his arms visibly bulged beneath his suit jacket, and his lower body was firmly planted. He was already braced to strike at a moment’s notice.
“Yan Jue, get a fucking grip!” Ren Yi was almost unable to hold him back. He shouted toward the second floor, “Get your asses down here!”
Gao Ge vaulted straight over the second-floor railing and jumped down. Although they often trained in parkour and similar skills, Ren Yi usually forbade them from performing such dangerous stunts. But there was no time to worry about that now. He gave Gao Ge an approving glance, and Gao Ge immediately understood, grabbing Yan Jue and dragging him backward.
Qu Yangbo stood upstairs. One glance through his four eyes was enough for him to understand the situation. Unlike the other firefighters, who hurried downstairs to break up the fight, he descended at a pace more elegant and leisurely than a Disney princess coming down a spiral staircase, all the while smiling cheerfully.
“What’s going on here? Why is everyone so fired up in this cold weather?”
Yan Jue cursed, “Why don’t you come over here, pretty boy!”
“Yan Jue, do you even have a brain?!” Ren Yi shouted. “Do you really want to assault a police officer?!”
“Captain Yan, don’t get worked up. Calm down,” Gao Ge urged patiently. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but Dr. Gong’s personality is just… not very easy to get along with. He’s not treating you this way specifically. Really, don’t take it to heart.”
At that, Gong Yingxian frowned and pressed his lips tightly together.
Everyone pulled at Yan Jue, trying to soothe him and talk him down. He finally calmed down as well and took a deep breath. “All right. Let go of me.”
They released Yan Jue but remained around him protectively in case he started something again.
Ren Yi lowered his voice. “Go upstairs and eat.”
“I’ve lost my appetite.” Yan Jue straightened his collar and shot Gong Yingxian a murderous glare. Gong Yingxian glared back at him, his expression equally grim.
Yan Jue strode toward the exit. As he passed Gong Yingxian, he spotted the paper bag lying on the floor from their scuffle. Venting his anger, he kicked it away with all his strength.
Gong Yingxian’s expression changed. He hurried over to retrieve the bag. Once he picked it up, his anger surged, and he turned to look for Yan Jue, only to find that the man had already left in long strides.
He lowered his head and began checking the contents of the bag.
Ren Yi waved his hand. “Everyone, get back to eating.”
Qu Yangbo blinked, his face practically screaming that he desperately wanted to stay and watch the drama unfold. Ren Yi chased him away with a look.
After the firefighters dispersed, Ren Yi raked a hand through his hair. He felt more exhausted than after a full day of intensive training. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Are you fucking insane? Did anything about your behavior just now resemble that of a grown adult? Yan Jue has never actually done anything to offend you. Was all that really necessary?”
Gong Yingxian, who had kept his head lowered, slowly raised it. His eyes were red.
Ren Yi froze.
Gong Yingxian said in a small voice, “It’s ruined.”
“…What?”
Clutching the paper bag, Gong Yingxian looked miserable and pitiful. “The thing I was going to give you.”
Ren Yi’s heart gave a violent thump. At that moment, he almost forgot how infuriating Gong Yingxian could be.