Ren Yi spent the night at the nursing home with his father.
Early the next morning, they woke up at almost the same time.
When Ren Yi opened his eyes, he saw Ren Xiangrong sitting on the bed, staring at him intently.
“When did you get here?”
“Last night. You went to sleep early, so I didn’t wake you.” Ren Yi yawned and smiled at his father, relieved to see him back to his normal self. At some point, seeing his father had become like gambling. Sometimes, he got the father he knew; other times, he got the patient.
But Ren Xiangrong didn’t greet him with his usual delight. Instead, he said flatly, “Then you should’ve gone home. It must’ve been uncomfortable sleeping here. The bed’s so small.”
“It’s fine. I just wanted to see what the facilities here are like.”
“The facilities? Of course they can’t compare to a private hospital.”
Ren Yi paused. “…That’s true.”
“During the day, there are always people in the garden playing instruments and singing. They’re terrible. There’s an old man upstairs with schizophrenia who sometimes starts shouting in the middle of the night. It’s creepy. Each caregiver looks after several elderly residents, the bathwater is never hot enough, and the food is so bland that you get sick of it after a while.” Ren Xiangrong rattled off the complaints in one breath. “Other than that, everything’s pretty good.”
For a moment, Ren Yi didn’t know how to respond. His father had never complained about the nursing home before. In fact, he hardly ever complained about anything. His first principle had always been to avoid burdening his children.
It wasn’t that Ren Yi couldn’t accept his father being picky. It was just that there was something about his tone that suggested he had something on his mind.
Ren Xiangrong looked at him reproachfully.
“Of course this place can’t compare to a private hospital, but it’s not bad either. I feel at ease living here. We weren’t born into some wealthy, privileged family, and we’re not so delicate that we can’t put up with a little discomfort. You had me staying in a private room with a dedicated nurse that costs over a thousand yuan a day, taking imported medicine that costs tens of thousands of yuan a bottle. Weren’t you afraid I wouldn’t be able to stomach that kind of expense?”
Ren Yi’s face went deathly pale.
He had always been afraid that his father would find out about the private hospital and the negative impact the whole affair had had on him. His father would definitely be furious.
In the end, he hadn’t managed to keep it a secret.
“Dad, let me explain.”
“What is there to explain? You told me it was covered by medical insurance and that you wouldn’t have to pay much out of pocket. But most of the expenses weren’t covered at all. Could you even afford to pay that much yourself?”
Ren Yi said with difficulty, “They had a charitable medical care program for veterans.”
“And why do you think you got that? Because of Gong Yingxian! Do you think I could’ve walked down the street and picked up an opportunity like that?”
“…Dad, how did you find out?”
“I overheard some people here talking about it behind my back.” Ren Xiangrong’s anger flared. “How long were you planning to keep this from me? This was such a serious matter. It nearly amounted to accepting a bribe, and you didn’t tell me a word! You didn’t even tell me after you were disciplined!”
Ren Yi lowered his voice. “I didn’t want you to worry. Besides, it’s all over now.”
“Over? Does the state you’re in look like it’s all over? I called Chen Xiaofei yesterday. You’ve been suspended from duty! When were you planning to tell me that?”
The angrier Ren Xiangrong became, the more forcefully he spoke. He smacked Ren Yi hard on the head—a familiar opening move from the days when he used to discipline his mischievous son.
At the impact, the dry powder hidden in Ren Yi’s hair burst into the air. In the morning sunlight, the particles glittered like tiny specks of dust, settling one by one onto his heart and turning into grains of sand that ground away at his self-respect.
Ren Yi took a deep breath.
“You called Captain Chen? What did you call him for? To beg him to go easy on me? I’m already young for a company commander, and plenty of people gossip about me behind my back. We agreed we had to avoid any appearance of favoritism. I don’t need you pleading on my behalf!”
“If you’ve done nothing wrong, why should you care what people say behind your back? You did something stupid, so what’s wrong with me calling to ask about it?”
“How have I done nothing wrong? I just wanted you to receive proper care. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to adjust to living in a nursing home.”
Ren Xiangrong pointed at him furiously and shouted, “What makes you think I can’t adjust? I’ve survived fire scenes with temperatures of several hundred degrees! I’ve been buried underground for seven days and eight nights! What in this life could your old man possibly be unable to adjust to? Did you really have to pull such a stupid stunt?”
Ren Yi was already seething, but he still struggled to keep his temper under control.
“Anyway, it’s over now. As long as I complete the training course and come back, the higher-ups won’t pursue the matter any further. Can’t you just stop bringing it up?”
“What, I’m not allowed to teach you a lesson anymore? You think you’re so important now that you’re a company commander? You have no sense of propriety, no common sense. If you got fired over this, I… I…”
“But I wasn’t fired!” Ren Yi’s voice rose sharply. “Gong Yingxian did this out of gratitude because you saved his life all those years ago. And I agreed because I wanted what was best for you. I made a mistake, and I’ve already been punished for it. Can you please stop going on about it?”
“Am I wrong to criticize you? Huh?”
“You’re right. You’re always right!”
Ren Yi sprang to his feet so violently that he knocked over the chair. He snatched up his jacket.
“I don’t want to argue with you. I’m leaving.”
With that, he turned and walked out.
“Ren Yi! Stop right there!”
Ren Yi reached the door and paused for a moment. In the end, he left without even looking back.
Ren Yi was in an absolutely terrible mood.
He had thought that the year since meeting Gong Yingxian would be one of the most brilliant and colorful years of his life. Instead, it had turned out to be a year full of thorns and potholes.
Did he regret it?
He didn’t know.
When he returned to the fire station, he looked utterly dejected. He holed up in the dormitory playing video games, didn’t feel like eating, and eventually collapsed into bed as soon as he grew tired.
Because he had gone to sleep so early, he woke up earlier than his usual body clock the next morning. He got up and took a shower, then opened the folder on his desk while waiting for the morning drills to begin.
Inside were materials related to the training course he was about to attend.
Actually, Chen Xiaofei and Qu Yangbo had urged him a long time ago to pursue a master’s degree. Even a part-time degree would benefit his future career. Qu Yangbo was already working toward his doctorate, and every line on his résumé was enough to make a person’s eyes hurt.
But Ren Yi hated studying. He had always used his busy schedule as an excuse to put it off, time and time again. Now, at least, the timing was right.
He wanted to read through the materials, but his mind was too unsettled. His eyes moved over the black characters on the white pages, yet he kept losing his place.
Helpless, he put the papers down, picked up his phone, and sighed before sending his father a message.
My great and honorable Old Ren, my beloved Dad, I was wrong. Stop being angry, please.
Why had he even gotten into an argument with his father?
Not only had he genuinely been in the wrong, but even if he hadn’t been, he still shouldn’t have lost his temper.
In a couple of days, he would buy some of Old Ren’s favorite food, sneak in a little alcohol, and visit him to make peace.
Once he had settled things with his father in his mind, his thoughts turned to Gong Yingxian. All kinds of things swirled through his head, a tangled mess he couldn’t begin to unravel.
He felt he might need some psychological counseling. Or perhaps… he should visit a temple and draw a fortune stick?
There were so many things he could no longer see clearly or make sense of. He wished some transcendent power could point him in the right direction, spare him all the twists and turns, clear away the clouds and fog, and simply tell him the answer.
The longer people lived, the more they believed in gods.
That afternoon, Ren Yi received a call from Chen Xiaofei asking him to come to the detachment headquarters. His tone was unfriendly.
Ren Yi had a vague premonition about what was coming.
He hurried to headquarters. As soon as he entered Chen Xiaofei’s office and the door closed behind him, Chen Xiaofei pointed at him and demanded, “What did you tell the police?”
He was so furious that his face had gone pale.
Ren Yi replied calmly, “Captain Chen, which matter are you referring to?”
“Which matter? How many matters are there?” Chen Xiaofei snapped. “Why did the police come asking me about the details of the Gong family arson case from nineteen years ago? The questions they asked made it obvious they were treating me as a suspect!”
Ren Yi’s expression grew serious.
“I reviewed the dispatch reports written by the officers and firefighters who responded from our company back then, and analyzed them alongside the physical evidence. My conclusions differed from those in the original fire investigation report. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that there’s a strong possibility the fire was deliberately set, rather than a suicide. But during my assistance with the police investigation, I never suspected you.”
“Then why did the police come here to interrogate me?”
“Because a member of an X-cult provided information we didn’t have before. That information… points to you as one of the suspects.”
“I’m a firefighter. I’ve spent my life putting out fires and saving people. How could I possibly…” Chen Xiaofei narrowed his eyes. “When did you find out?”
“Last month.”
“And how have you been thinking of me all this time?” Chen Xiaofei looked at Ren Yi, unable to hide his disappointment. “Did you suspect me too?”
Ren Yi felt terrible himself.
“Captain Chen, I believe in your character. But the police have to investigate every possibility. Cooperate with them, and you’ll clear your name soon enough.”
“Couldn’t you have given me a heads-up? At least let me prepare myself mentally! Instead, a whole bunch of fucking police officers suddenly show up in my office. What do you think everyone else is going to make of that?”
“I’m sorry, Captain Chen. I just… I really couldn’t bring myself to tell you.” Ren Yi could feel his head throbbing.
Chen Xiaofei fell silent for a moment. Then he suddenly sighed.
“When did things get so distant between us?”
“…”
“When you first joined the company, things were fine. Back then, I wasn’t even a detachment chief yet. But after I became one, you started keeping your distance to avoid any suspicion. Then, once you became a company commander, we practically stopped seeing each other outside of work. You’re so afraid people will think you got your position unfairly. Is that how little confidence you have in yourself? In the organization?”
Ren Yi said awkwardly, “That’s not it.”
Chen Xiaofei’s expression darkened.
“I watched you grow up. I never had a son of my own, so I treated you like one. And look at you. You can barely wait to run in the opposite direction whenever you see me.”
Ren Yi spoke softly. “Uncle Chen, I’m sorry. But I’m not thinking only about myself. I’m also worried you might be affected. You know I’ve never been particularly ambitious, but you’re different.”
“If your conscience is clear, you have nothing to fear. I’m not worried, so what are you worried about?” Chen Xiaofei suddenly gave a bitter laugh. “Forget it. I’ve worked alongside your father for so many years that I’m used to him by now. If he’d been even a little more willing to bend the rules, I’d be sitting in his position today. You’re just like your father—stubborn as a mule.”
Ren Yi gave an awkward laugh.
“The other day, your father called me. We talked for a long time and reminisced about the old days. It suddenly occurred to me that I shouldn’t be criticizing you, either. It’s been ages since I visited my old company commander.”
Chen Xiaofei glanced at the calendar.
“When are you going to visit your father? I’ll bring your aunt along, and we can all go together.”
“Sure. Any time in the next few days works for me. Whenever you’re free.”
“Then Sunday.”
Ren Yi nodded.
“As for the Gong family case, why is it that my dispatch report, of all things, is incomplete?” Chen Xiaofei frowned. “After all these years, I can’t possibly remember every detail.”
“Yours isn’t the only one. Less than seventy percent of the dispatch reports are complete. A lot of them went missing during the several office relocations or were lost for various other reasons. But yours is particularly important. We suspect the missing portion of your report was taken by that Zhang Wen. That’s what they’ve claimed themselves, too.”
“Zhang Wen.” Chen Xiaofei spat the name out bitterly. “That bastard has really dragged me through the mud.”
“…Have you been disciplined?”
“Yes.” Chen Xiaofei’s face was full of anger. “Who could’ve imagined someone would impersonate another person? Have they caught him?”
“I heard they’ve found some leads.”
Chen Xiaofei rubbed his temples.
“All right, go back. The police don’t have any evidence, so they can’t exactly treat me too harshly. But this whole thing is still a headache. I hope they solve the case soon and stop stirring up more trouble.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be going, then.”
“Oh, and have you looked through the materials for your training course?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t care whether you want to or not. I’m grooming you to be my successor. This isn’t just my personal preference; it’s also the organization’s recognition of you and its expectations for your future. Study hard, and don’t let anything go wrong again.”
“Yes, sir.”