Gong Yingxian had always been an exceptionally conscientious person, and his conscientiousness showed in every aspect of his life. Ever since he had agreed to Ren Yi’s request to avoid meeting in person for the time being but continue communicating by text, he had sent Ren Yi one message every day.
The day before yesterday, it had been a joke about firefighters. Yesterday, it was a warning about traveling during heavy rain. Today, it was a love poem by Kahlil Gibran.
Ren Yi read the poem and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He had been busy making arrangements for his upcoming training course these past few days. That afternoon, he had even returned to his alma mater. The school had assigned him a dormitory, but he would probably only use it for his midday breaks. Although his home was more than ten kilometers away—not exactly close—he still wanted to live at home.
At that moment, he was driving back to the fire station when his phone chimed. He picked it up and saw another message from Gong Yingxian. He had assumed Gong Yingxian would only send him one message a day.
His hand moved before his brain could catch up, and Ren Yi pulled over to the side of the road.
Gong Yingxian had sent him a folder, along with a message underneath.
Open it and take a look. Does anyone in there look familiar?
Puzzled, Ren Yi opened the folder, only to become even more confused.
It contained more than a dozen photographs. In every picture, the person’s face and hair had been obscured, leaving only the eyes visible.
What was this supposed to mean?
But he quickly understood. The fake nurse who had approached him at the hospital had been wrapped up from head to toe, with only her eyes showing.
He enlarged the pictures and examined them one by one.
He had seen those eyes before. He had even glared furiously into them. He couldn’t claim he would recognize the person with absolute certainty, but he could at least rule out anyone whose eyes looked significantly different.
Double eyelids, deep-set eyes, a piercing gaze. The person was probably over forty.
Ren Yi silently repeated these criteria to himself as he narrowed the possibilities down to three people whose eyes looked relatively familiar. He sent the pictures back to Gong Yingxian.
These three look the most similar, but I can’t be certain. If the suspect is among them, can you narrow it down further using the descriptions I gave you of their build and voice?
Gong Yingxian replied, Yes.
Ren Yi stared at the message for a moment. He wanted to ask more questions, but then remembered that he had personally declared he would no longer concern himself with the investigation.
While he hesitated, Gong Yingxian sent another message.
I miss you so much.
Ren Yi’s heart was like a plucked string, trembling softly with a lingering, tender resonance that refused to fade.
He didn’t reply. He had no idea what he could say.
Whenever he began to soften toward Gong Yingxian, a dull ache would stir beneath his ribs. The pain constantly reminded him of the reason they had ended up where they were today.
When Ren Yi returned to the fire station, Qu Yangbo pulled him into the office and asked anxiously, “Did you know the police went to see Captain Chen?”
“How did you find out?” Ren Yi asked in return. Whether out of a need to protect the confidentiality of the investigation or out of consideration for Chen Xiaofei’s reputation, he wouldn’t casually share that information with anyone.
Qiu Yan had told me,” Qu Yangbo replied. “She didn’t go into detail, but I know it has something to do with the case involving Gong Yingxian’s family. Captain Chen went to the scene with our old company commander back then, didn’t he? Is there a problem now?”
“Zhang Wen stole part of Captain Chen’s dispatch report from back then. Now they’re trying to frame him to help the mastermind behind everything escape responsibility.”
Qu Yangbo was furious. “They’re completely out of control!”
“Don’t worry. The innocent have nothing to fear.”
“I never imagined a cult like this could have so much power, or commit so many terrible crimes.” Qu Yangbo shook his head with a sigh. “The police officers fighting them on the front lines must have it incredibly hard.”
“Yeah…” Ren Yi paused, then asked, “By the way, are you and Captain Qiu in touch pretty often these days?”
His real intention was to get Qu Yangbo to keep an eye on the investigation’s progress for him. Since he had made such a firm declaration about staying out of it, he was too embarrassed to go back on his word himself. He would have to find another way to get information.
But Qu Yangbo’s reaction was rather telling.
“No, not really. Just occasionally,” he answered quickly.
The subtle change in his expression—the way he dodged the question, seeming to conceal something while also trying not to make it obvious that he was concealing anything—all happened in the blink of an eye. But Ren Yi still caught it.
He raised an eyebrow and teased, “Hey, something going on here?”
“What would be going on?”
Ren Yi gave Qu Yangbo a knowing smile. “Bo-Bo, tell Daddy the truth. Are you dating someone?”
“Fuck off.” Qu Yangbo had already regained his usual composure. He pushed up his glasses. “I think you’re the one with something going on.”
“Is Captain Qiu not your type? She’s gorgeous.” Ren Yi bumped Qu Yangbo with his shoulder. “You’re always prying into things between Gong Yingxian and me. You’re even nosier than the neighborhood aunties. What, now you won’t let me ask about you?”
Qu Yangbo rolled his eyes. “I never said you couldn’t. What do you want to know?”
“How far have you gotten?”
Ren Yi suddenly looked Qu Yangbo up and down.
“You and Captain Qiu really are a good match.”
From their looks to their education, abilities, and family backgrounds, they were perfectly matched in every way.
Qu Yangbo tried to suppress a smile, but the corners of his mouth kept turning upward.
“I was planning to tell you once things were official.”
“So you haven’t won her over yet? Want me to give you some advice?”
“What the hell kind of advice could a gay guy like you give me?” Qu Yangbo declared confidently. “I’m determined to get her.”
“She’s not just any woman.” Ren Yi patted Qu Yangbo on the shoulder. Although he was currently harboring plenty of resentment toward Qiu Yan, he genuinely admired the formidable woman. He had been shot at close range, and so had Qiu Yan. Yet just a few days later, she had been back out there, fearlessly hunting down criminals.
“Good luck. I hope you’ll be happy together.”
Qu Yangbo shot him a sidelong glance. “Are you afraid of her? Because I’m not. You don’t understand women at all.”
“That’s true enough.” Ren Yi laughed. “Come on, Bo-Bo. You can do it!”
Qu Yangbo laughed too. “You’d better get your act together as well.”
“What difference would it make if I did? It’s not like I can marry you and have kids with you.”
Qu Yangbo burst out laughing.
“Oh, right. I’m visiting my dad on Sunday. Captain Chen and his wife are coming too. Do you want to join us?” Ren Yi scratched his head. “I made the old man angry last time, and now he’s barely speaking to me. You’re good with words. Help me sweet-talk him into forgiving me.”
“No problem.”
“And could you ask Qiu Yan for an update today? They should have figured out who that fake nurse was by now.”
Qu Yangbo raised an eyebrow at him.
“Yes, yes. Gong Yingxian and I still haven’t made up. Just help me ask, will you?”
“You two…” Qu Yangbo shook his head. “Fine.”
Ren Yi began preparing for his return to school. The thought of going back to campus stirred a little excitement in him, as if he were reclaiming a piece of his youth.
He kept himself busy handling paperwork, reviewing subjects he had studied in the past, and even finding time to buy several outfits of casual clothes and sportswear. In short, he filled his schedule with one thing after another. The busier he was, the better. As long as he stayed occupied, he could temporarily avoid thinking about Gong Yingxian and stop getting tangled up in the impossible choice between moving forward and turning back.
On a sweltering afternoon, with summer unmistakably on its way, Ren Yi received a phone call from Gong Feilan.
After Yue Xingu’s accident, Ren Yi should have gone to visit her. This little girl had suffered so much, and she was the most innocent and pitiful victim of all. But at the time, his own life had been such a mess that he hadn’t dared face her.
Over the phone, her voice sounded much more mature than before. She no longer chattered excitedly like a little bird. Instead, she spoke calmly.
“Captain Ren, I’m going to the United States. There’s a farewell party for me this weekend. Will you come and see me?”
“Is it on Saturday evening?”
“Yes.”
“I have something to do this weekend, so I might not make it in time for dinner. Would it be okay if I came a little later?”
“Of course. As long as you come.” Gong Feilan sighed softly. “Who knows when we’ll get to see each other again?”
Ren Yi felt a pang of sympathy for her.
“I’m sure it won’t be long.”
“Mm. Then I’ll see you this weekend.”
“Uh…” Ren Yi hesitated. “Is your brother coming?”
“Of course.”
“Okay. Is there anything you’d like me to bring you as a gift?”
“No need! Just come. That’s enough.”
“All right. See you then.”
After hanging up, Ren Yi couldn’t help sighing again and again.
He felt sorry for everything Gong Feilan had been through. And he dreaded the awkwardness of having to see Gong Yingxian again so soon.